Fake Snake in the Grass, Another Bug, Not a Bug, & In the Doghouse After Checking on Our Friend

I went through a regretful phase in the nineties decorating my house Southwest US style. ~groan~ Most of it’s in storage but this clay rattlesnake, now relegated to summertime outdoors, was a flea market purchase. It once scared a grown man doing work in our basement.

Hiss...

As freezing weather approaches I’m bringing such breakable items into the garage. This fellow spent summer near the mailbox and when I moved it, I discovered a tagalong wooly bear underneath.

Why is an inchworm called any sort of bear?

After visiting our friend Phoenix, who is yet again in hospital, I saw this interesting berry laden plant. I found it quite beautiful.

I thought the pink berries were flowers at first glance...

Unfortunately, our friend got released from the rehabilitation facility on Sunday and then fell going into his home. Even three strapping nephews couldn’t keep him upright. He landed on the amputation site which has developed a hematoma. We can only hope he need not risk further surgery; time over the next day or two will tell. I tried insisting he stay with us for a while but he’s stubborn and independent.

As for being in trouble, I scraped a sharp curb on the way to see Phoenix. While I’m glad the tires weren’t destroyed my husband is angry about cosmetic damage. As I type toward twilight outside he hasn’t spoken to me since we left the hospital.

And while I’ve joked about losing a cat being the most egregious divorceable offense, Terra snuck outside while I started setting up my laptop. I’m so thankful she let me pick her up.

Why do you think “being in the doghouse” is an idiom for angering someone? Wouldn’t cuddling in a warm space with a family pet be preferable to getting the cold shoulder? And isn’t that another odd idiom?

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