I had a nice harvest from our little garden this morning. I just finished washing it and putting it in gallon bags for the fridge. We’ll have some of it tonight in a chef salad for dinner.
I’m going to look online for cooking fresh leaf spinach because I’ve never done that before (even though I’m older than dirt, there are lots of things I haven’t done yet :0) )
I still have some pruning, supporting, and weeding to do out there. I’ll do another session soon.
Filed under Gardening, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds
Filed under When Wood Comes Alive
I was doing okay until I caught myself this morning, starting to open the door to the garage to go out and feed Abby. I guess different things will cause me to lose it over the next period of time. I’m happy we got to share 13 years. When I left a message for our son, he answered, “I’m sorry. She was an exceptionally good cat.” And that sums it up.
Since we’re having a nice morning, I’m planning on harvesting some lettuce and spinach this morning, plus seeing what is needed, otherwise, in our small garden. I probably need to prune tomato plants, do some weeding, some added supports for the tomatoes, etc. It’s nice to have a quiet day where I can do several sessions in the yard, resting in-between.
My husband asked me to go out to dinner last night, to one of the local Mexican restaurants. I was excited about going, but started worrying about what I could eat, being on my low-carb eating plan. I researched, finally deciding that I could order fajitas, take my own zero-net-carb tortillas, and ask them to leave off the rice, beans, and tortillas, and not bring chips and salsa to the table.
As the day wore on, I kept fighting with myself. I had actually put two small tortillas in a sandwich bag in my purse, and then decided, NO. Last night we had a wonderful time at the restaurant. It had been over a year since we had gone out to dinner. I had chips and salsa. I ate a beef taco salad. It was all delicious. I enjoyed every. single. bite. I gained 2 lbs. I don’t care. It may be another year before we do it again, and life is short. When you’re invited out to eat, or eat at someone else’s home, all bets are off as far as a ‘diet’ is concerned, in my HUMBLE opinion. Eat everything. Enjoy the experience. The next day is soon enough to get back on the more healthful eating plan.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
My husband fell on the ice at the bottom of the driveway in January, breaking his collarbone. The recovery period was 10-12 weeks. He was functional well before that, but changing the mailbox decoration, where he has to get up on a ladder to get a decoration from off a hook in the shop, maneuver the heavy metal decoration down, carry it out to the truck, then get the current one off the mailbox and the new one on, and then store the now unused decoration was more than I wanted to THINK about, much less DO.
The decision was reinforced when our dog, Amber, pulled him down while she was on the leash, making him fall headlong into one of our brick planters, slashing the back of his ear and dislocating his little finger almost exactly one month ago. His ear is still healing from the injury and the 8 stitches needed to stop the bleeding.
Yesterday he brought up the subject of changing the mailbox decoration.
He chose this one to put up – Wile E. Coyote, Sonic the Hedgehog, and the Roadrunner, with Sonic accepting money from Wile E. for catching the Roadrunner and giving him to the coyote.
This decoration was fun and challenging for us. It was the first time we tried to do a more 3-D decoration, with the legs of the Roadrunner made from rebar. You can see on the back of this piece where I tried to blend the support piece into the painting of the figures.
My husband spent some time out in the shop after we put up the decoration yesterday. When he came in, he said he had a really bad time trying to put the Happy New Year decoration back up on its hook in the shop, and decided it was really too big and heavy and unwieldy to use again.
As we age, we’re trying to make some decisions as to what is important and what isn’t in the grand scheme of things. We like putting up the decorations on our mailbox, but will now stop putting up ones that are too difficult and might result in one or both of us getting hurt. The Happy New Year one is the first on the list not to use again. We do have another decoration of Calvin and Hobbes where they are hugging each other, that we can use in place of the Happy New Year one.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
We went out to take our trash down, change the mailbox decoration, and get our mail a few minutes ago. We found Abby on the woodpile in the garage, where she stays during the day. She was still with us this morning and was interested in eating when I went out to feed her.
She’s been a member of our family for 13 years. She had bad arthritis in both back legs and a large inoperable tumor on her kidney. We knew her days were numbered, and I’ve been bringing her inside when I could make time to sit with her and just love her.
I didn’t want her to suffer, and things were just quietly going downhill, but it’s hard.
We have lots of good memories.
RIP, Sweet girl.
Filed under Family
Filed under When Wood Comes Alive, Wooden Faces
I love this photo. There is a whole section loosely under ‘kids and animals’ on Pinterest that really makes me smile. I hope you’re enjoying these, too.
We keep our bedroom cool, and really dark, with a fan and a white noise machine running so we have a CHANCE to sleep well. Usually it works pretty well.
Since my husband’s latest fall, my inability to stop his bleeding and trip to the ER in Fort Smith in the middle of the night, I’ve been having some bad dreams. This happened last night. My husband woke me at 6am by reaching out to ‘see if I was still in the bed’. I was, and none too cheerful to be awakened after about 3 hours of sleep. I woke up again a bit later to find he had dressed and gone downstairs. (He is taking a nap now as I type.)
I love the whole feel of this place. I want to walk here, meet the people.
I’m in awe of the patience and skill required to do this.
I think this is simply stunning.
Isn’t this glorious?
I love living in a world populated by so many talented people.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
We had super heavy rain in waves from about 8pm until a bit after 11 last night. We were lucky. We were under a tornado warning – with Greenwood actually mentioned as ‘in the path’ but – other than it becoming ominously quiet at one point – the bad stuff passed by us. I watched the TV coverage until I could see the yellow and red blobs, along with associated tornado rectangles, had passed us. (I need to do a harvest of the lettuce and spinach this afternoon.)
I walked around the yard this morning to see if we had any damage. I found one rose bush branch was broken off, but that was all. The garden is still looking good. They certainly got the watering they probably wanted, and then some, but all looks good so far. (The lettuce plants here are head lettuce, and the heads are forming!) I’ll bring some bungie cords to put around the supports to give the tomato plants more to hang onto.
I’m planning to go out later – weather permitting – and see what needs more support, rearranging (in the case of the tomato branches) and what needs harvesting (lettuce and spinach.)
The clematis bloomed suddenly. The blooms are looking a bit battered after the storm, but I’m hoping they’ll perk up. I’ll bring my husband out later, since these are his favorite.
And this is the first bloom of our Stella de Oro lilies. You can see there are several buds, so I’m hoping we’ll have a nice display.
My sister-in-law sent me some phone apps suggestions that might help me identify my mystery perennials. I added them to my phone, and hope to make the time to see how they work later today. She also sent me a Kindle book on flowers and veggies. Isn’t she wonderful?
Filed under Gardening, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds
Filed under ceramics, Clay Art, Stephanie Quayle
These pics are from a couple of days ago. All the plants seem happy right now. I really need to harvest lettuce and spinach, but will have to wait until the rain leaves us.
I was excited to see a couple of ‘heads’ of lettuce forming when I looked at things quickly yesterday!
I’m hoping to be able to get up close and personal with my plants tomorrow, doing some harvesting, pruning, and supporting. I also have four planters left to weed and lots of things to cut back…
Filed under Gardening, Square Foot Gardening - Raised Beds
There is a group of 6 books on Amazon comprising the Jake Moriarity series by R. G. Ryan. You can click on the link above to go there, but I have to warn you. If you enjoy strong, interesting people who confront scary situations, risking life and limb in order to save people in bad situations and right grievous wrongs in doing so, you may become addicted, as I have.
Jake Moriarity is a complex man. He insists that his work is ‘finding people,’ rather than the labels people would like to use, such as ‘private detective’. He’s very skilled and smart, with a special ability to see a crucial bit more than normal people might in a given situation, making the difference between success and failure. He’s a loner, but is very close to a chosen few and their interactions will make you tear up.
R.G. Ryan is a good writer. He crafts interesting stories for these wonderful characters. He is witty, with interesting turns of phrases. He has a strong sense of the ironic, making me snort sometimes from the sarcasm in one breath, then becoming quite touched a sentence or two after that. (My favorite lines in #6 are, “Weeping ensued. Treysi cried as well.”)
I just finished #6 and have downloaded #7. I follow him on X (the former Twitter). He told me that “Here Be Darkness”, #9 should be out by the first week in June, and that he started #16 a couple of weeks ago. I keep reading several books in-between treating myself to one of his because I don’t want to run out. :0)
Try him -if you don’t mind adding an addiction.
Filed under Book - Movie - TV Reviews, R.G. Ryan
I didn’t have a chance to take pictures at the car show this year, so I found this one that is quite representative of the diversity of vehicles people have worked hard to restore.
My husband had his first haircut since Amber, our dog, pulled him down into a brick planter, causing him to need 8 stitches behind his left ear. Michael – Tangles Hair Salon – (479) 996-6366 did his usual ‘miracle’ for the Lewises, plus taking care of the whole wound area. My husband was relieved to look well-groomed in hair, mustache and beard again.
We enjoyed walking around the square for a bit after, with my husband interested in the engine of each vehicle, me interested in the LOOK of the vehicles, both remembering working on our own cars – even changing some engines ourselves – years ago, when you could actually GET to parts and replace them.
My personal favorite every time I see one is the 1932 Ford Coupe –
There was a deep purple vehicle I saw in the distance as we passed, grabbing me by the throat, but we were already tired and it was raining lightly, so we didn’t see it close up.
We were able to get the “prescription override” on my husband’s medicine after the car show. Because I went through Humana, made sure I ordered a new supply that would be sent ASAP and explained he had NONE, they told me to go through our primary physician for the override. I contacted them through the ‘portal’ and they called it in to our local pharmacy. It cost us nothing and was ready when we got there. Whew!
We’re in the very active area for storms this weekend. Thankfully, we only got rain last night. We may have severe storms this afternoon and evening if the rain stops and it heats up during the day. Right now it’s raining lightly and quite overcast. I hope it stays that way.
I hope that your weather is quiet where you are today and that you have a pleasant Sunday.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Just a quick note –
We’re going to get a haircut for my husband for the first time since Amber pulled him down and he had to have stitches behind his left ear. After that, we’re hoping to see some of the car show in the Greenwood Square. We’ll pick up a medicine for my husband and then head home.
It’s quite overcast, with the wind whipping the tree branches around. I don’t know if we’ll drown while we’re out or not. The weather folks are saying it’s not supposed to rain until this evening and overnight, but they’ve been wrong before…
I’ll write when we get back.
Take care and stay safe.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Filed under ceramics, Clay Art, Stephanie Quayle
We’re under a ‘flood advisory’ on one of my weather sources, and 91% chance of “heavy rain” from now until midnight with maybe a couple of short breaks in-between storms. The sky is quite dark. The branches were whipping around earlier, but now it’s ominously still…
I’ll aim for a combination laundry/office cleanup/and art room day.
A lot of activity started our day. My husband took the last of his diabetes medicine. He didn’t have more in the drawer like he should have had, and didn’t seem to care. I went upstairs to see if it had been inadvertently put up there, but nothing.
I ended up posing as him, calling Humana to find out it had been removed, somehow, from the auto-renew list, getting a refill in the works to be sent ASAP, and an okay for a ‘prescription override’ where we can get a short supply from a local pharmacy to tide him over until the prescription arrives. I posed as him again on our portal to our doc, asking for them to call that in to the local pharmacy we use. I’ll check later to see the status on that, and see if we can go get the tide-over meds. WHEW. He did have the good grace to thank me for my efforts.
Now I’m finally having my first cup of coffee. I feel lucky to have a strong, warm house in which we can weather the storms. If we can zip out and get his meds later today, it will be perfect.
I hope that you are safe, dry, and warm today.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
I had a WONDERFUL massage this morning. I had no trouble finding the new place where Lynn is doing her massages now. I got there a bit early. There was NO rain! It was really dark and looked like it was going to storm, but didn’t. Lynn was waiting for me in the foyer area when I walked in. When I finished, I took Lynn back to meet my friend Linda. Two such beautiful people should know each other.
I had a great visit with Linda, with lots of hugs and a few tears. It’s sad when life gets in the way and makes it almost impossible to see people. I basically am with my husband 24/7 except for my once a month haircut and once a month massage. Linda understands my situation now, but it’s still hard.
I’m thinking of gifting her a 30-minute massage, since it is right in the retirement place where Linda lives now. I think she would enjoy it, and Lynn would help her with the physical needs, I know. I’ll see if I make this happen.
It didn’t rain on me on the way back from the massage, either, and in fact seems to be clearing up. I may be able to work on another planter today.
Before
I also took the loppers and cut low-hanging branches that were making it so you had to bend over to walk on the sidewalk past it to the front door.
I should have enough time – if the weather holds – to at least tackle another planter today. We’ll see.
Filed under Gardening
I leave shortly for my massage. I’m really looking forward to it. The first reason is that I really enjoy how I feel when Lynn Moody, my wonderful massage therapist and friend, finishes wielding her magic. She finds and gets rid of the areas I KNEW were hurting as well as those I hadn’t realized yet.
Second, this will be the first time I’ve seen her new place! The city is demolishing (or may have already demolished) the house she was using for massage sessions. She had to be out by April 1st. She is now working out of a really nice retirement place in Greenwood. It also happens that my good friend, Linda, from the former Lunch Bunch, LIVES there. So, I’m going to see if I can find Linda when I finish my massage. :0)
The skies are really dark, with coming “heavy rain and thunderstorms” this morning. I’ve already had my shower this morning, but I may get two more – one getting from my truck to the front door of the retirement place, and another when I leave. Good thing I spent so many summer teaching swimming lessons. I may need them today.
I got another planter weeded and pruned yesterday. I’ll write more blog posts after lunch and show a picture or two – unless we’re being blown away by the possibly severe weather.
Stay safe, dry, and warm wherever you are.
Filed under taking care of yourself
Filed under playing with your food?
Anna Tolgyesi Poos creates beautiful bronze sculptures of Vizslas that capture the personality of the breed.
Filed under Anna's Sculptures, sculpture
As you can see, Paul Miller also does ‘milder’ pet portraits as well as wildlife. He is self taught and prefers pastels and pastel pencils.
Paul Miller Wildlife Art – @Paulmillerart on X
“The name pink moon comes from the April full moon’s seasonal association, appearing in spring around the blossom time for flowers, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. The full moon aligns with the blooming of Phlox subulata, a pink wildflower native to eastern North America.” ~ Google. (And I missed the whole thing – although I’ll check to see remnants this evening, if it’s not raining yet.)
I weeded another planter yesterday.
TODAY’S PROJECT –
My weather people are now saying it may start raining today around 6pm today, so I may get more time in the yard than I thought. :0) We built 14 planters around the yard over several years. I’m now using 3 for square foot garden veggies, and I still have 6 to go on weeding and pruning.
I made this yesterday. My husband said it smelled good as it was cooking in the crock pot during the day, and said it was “yummy,” not realizing it was different from the regular full-of-starchy-high-carb stew I’ve made for years. It was satisfying, good, comfort-food beef stew without guilt. I sprinkled Xanthan Gum in at the beginning so the liquid would thicken a bit and that turned out well, too. I’ll get more recipes from this source.
The weather report is telling me that I’ll drown getting to my massage tomorrow morning. We’re in a new place, having had to move because the place my massage therapist was using is being torn down for the Greenwood Bypass. The good thing is that she is now using a room in the retirement place where my good friend, Linda, lives, and hopefully I can see Linda after my massage. :0)
I hope this day is a great one for you.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
Sonia Lera Preston – @Sonia_L_Preston on X
Filed under paintings I love, Sonia Lera Preston
“Beware! Dog can’t hold its licker.” – Unknown
“What I like most about people is their dogs.” – Unknown
“I don’t who care who dies in the movie, as long as the dog lives.” – Unknown
It’s a really pretty morning here in Arkansas. It’s supposed to get to 80 today. I’ll spend as much time as my body will allow outside, trying to get at least one more planter weeded. As I said in my previous post, the rains are due to start overnight. One of my weather sources is showing the rain tomorrow not beginning until about 5 in the afternoon, so maybe I have a bit more time than I thought. :0)
I have been making beef stew in my crock pot for a hundred years or so – using mostly the same ingredients. Today I’m trying a KETO beef stew recipe for the first time. It’s from Peace, Love and Low Carb and it has 4 net carbs per serving. The only starchy veggie included is one carrot, mainly for color, I think. The picture here is showing some green onion tops, so I’ll include those as part of the onion included. I hope that it’s a good substitute for the beef stew we’ve always loved. I’ll let you know.
I’m working on two wood burning projects in my art room (when I can make the time to be up there) – that hopefully will be presents for two of my favorite people. Shhhhhhhh! I should be able to make some time with the coming rains.
If I’m suddenly ‘gone,’ I hope I’ve escaped to this dream! I absolutely LOVE this place. I’m going to keep this photo so I can continue to dream….
Time to get the beef stew into the crock pot –
Make this a wonderful Tuesday.
Filed under Thoughts on a ________
This was the ‘before’ on the 3rd of the trio planters I’ve been weeding and pruning.
Now that the weeds are out and the wisteria/forsythia greenery has been pruned back, my husband will be able to easily mow and I can plant some annuals.
It looks like someone lives here now. Today I’ll try to do at least one more planter in the yard. We built 14 brick planters around the yard, so I still have several to do, but things are beginning to look a bit better now.
The ‘rains’ are supposed to start overnight and continue intermittently – plus the chance of severe weather this weekend – until further notice. It will be a challenge to get outside between storms to continue to get things under better control.
Filed under Gardening
creativeartworksblog 