My Suburban Views

I am tired of fighting with blogging software, so here is my simplistic post. Best wishes to all; I hope you enjoy. ONE

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Can you see the tiny insect on my hand?

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Scents, Sounds, and an Update

I’m on my back patio while typing this after local rain stopped. The expected steady drum would be nice, but the audio sounding like a really bad drummer amuses and autumn fragrances are pleasant.

I burned this grass patch trying to kill invasive plants. Funny enough, this was after my snake encounter. So I hope the reptile, which I’m pretty sure was far away during this ‘controlled’ fire, didn’t perish and maybe this destroyed patch of lawn will help keep the creature away.

On another note, our friend Phoenix seeing my video thinks it was a harmless snake. I don’t know. But he is at a rehabilitation facility of his choosing now. Yay!

Do you ever enjoy the sound of rain dripping on a roof? Have you seen any version of the Tennessee Williams play “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”?

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Resilience in the Face of Misfortune

Our friend Phoenix has once again landed in hospital. Another surgery meant to repair circulation in his right leg failed. Alas, doctors saw no option other than amputation.

On our way to visit him yesterday my husband and I followed a young man and little boy through the corridors for a bit. We joked about being lost. When we two finally found the correct room tucked in a corner, the others were already inside. They happen to be our friend’s nephew and great nephew. It was a joy meeting them.

Even better, the entire family seems to share our rather dark sense of humor. After a discussion over his health insurance and prosthetic limb options, it was decided that he would end up with a peg leg. So, his nephew stopped at a Halloween shop and bought pirate costume accessories.

His nephew is supporting Polly parrot...

The unfortunate man is suffering phantom limb syndrome. Whenever walking, he feels the old pain in his right foot. The worst is when he wants to cross his legs, he said. But his main complaint was that the missing knee had been replaced. A nurse is actually lobbying for the metal joint returned to him but I can’t imagine that one can be used on his left leg. My Internet search didn’t turn up any answers.

Have you heard of mirror therapy for his syndrome? Can you think of a reason other than money that this non-invasive, drug-free treatment is a last resort?

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Another Gorgeous Autumn Afternoon

Awaiting my husband for an outing, I saw the last standing stem of my amorphophallus konjac and found the shadow stunning. Feel free to say what you wish about the botanical name, Andrew. ~snicker~ It seems we are kindred souls. I took this photo during the AM but this afternoon has been equally brilliant – cool and sunny.

A last holdout...

Can you believe several square feet of spreading konjac began with a single tiny pot? Do you know its corms are edible and considered medicinal in the plant’s Chinese homeland?

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Good News – & – Pretty in Pink

Returning to the local YMCA for another round of resistance training, I carried in all the required financial assistance forms. The gal who encouraged me (S) was busy while another nice woman who usually works in the daycare center said she’d give it to S for review and would probably call early next week.

Imagine my surprise; I presumed the application would sit in limbo until some faceless committee declined it. Better still, S called to my sweaty, exiting self. She had done the math already and my membership for the next year will be almost half the current monthly rate.

On another financial note, I tend to overspend at auctions benefitting a good cause. It’s a recurring theme. ~rolls eyes~ For Winnie’s Wish List (discovered thanks to the Eastside Cats blog), an adorable, unicorn print pet tent was too cute to pass up. Terra and Polly never gave it more than a sniff. I almost offered the tent to some other animal lover, then we adopted Dandelion this summer and one day Dani did this...

I really do want her body fur shaved again;
besides being adorably pink that way,
her fur is close to matting.

Alas, she only stayed settled until
I got up from the sofa...

Can you believe my good fortune? Would you have expected such quick resolution, even from a not-for-profit organization?

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My Very Strange, Wonderfully Uplifting Day

I recently, once again, considered cancelling my YMCA membership. One month’s fee would almost pay to have kitty Dandelion groomed again, which she kind of needs. Silly me, while telling my husband I thought my eyes were watering but it turns out they were leaking tears.

Lifting weights and swimming year round really do boost my mood. Since he, bless him, said he wouldn’t urge me either way, I decided to go work out. At the front desk I found the sweet woman who’s worked there since I joined years ago.

She asked how I was, I said, “Great!” Then I told her my consideration, adding, “But I’m going to swallow my pride and ask if you have financial assistance paperwork.”

“No!” she blurted, “I mean yes! But don’t feel bad about it. We want you here. So don’t feel anything about asking for assistance.”

I brought the form home and my husband spent time filling out the financial details. He’s such a peach sometimes.

From there I passed a cute table sitting out for either salvage or garbage pickup. Driving half a block away, I turned around realizing it would free up my card table for a use other than supporting my haunted dollhouse. Huffing and puffing, I could not blow the house down get that table into my sedan. Meanwhile, a middle-aged man pulled over to ask directions.

I didn’t recognize the street name but, while searching on my smart phone map feature, told him my problem. He got out of his car, inspected the rather heavy item, suggested perhaps unscrewing the legs, then moved it back onto the lawn for me. In thanks, I drove him to where I thought he wanted to go. As it turned out, he’d taken a wrong turn. Solving his issue felt good.

And I drove home thinking I might ask my neighbor across the street for help. He owns a pickup truck and has utilized my husband’s computer skills more times than I can recall. The man kindly and cheerfully helped before heading to his workplace. I gave him a quick hug.

Have you ever shed a few tears without realizing it? Or is that just about the oddest thing to do?

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Bee-Ware

I’m so sorry. ~shakes head~ My husband made this exact remark after I told him I rescued a bee from drowning. Keeping my water feature going without pebbles or something for insects probably isn’t the best idea. Happily, I discovered the bee must have flown off upon my later return.

 

Isn’t the bedraggled insect quite cute, though? Do you think they can learn from their mistakes? -

A Gardening Venture for 2024

After seeing the gorgeous dusky blue pumpkins selling for $20 each I decided to look for seed sellers. And I found some available on Etsy for far less than one fourth the price!

I so want to grow these...

One buyer said they sprouted right away in her Aerogarden. Of course I had to look that up and now hydroponic gardening seems within reach. I’ll see if my husband is interested. If he is, maybe I can start them this fall.

This heirloom pumpkin called Jarrahdale was developed in New Zealand. I tried finding one from the Midwest known as Blue Lakota but had no luck. Fingers crossed, I’ll have such success as other gardeners. And these are said to be the tastiest for pies, which surprised me.

Did you know that so-called canned pumpkin is actually squash? And squash seeds can be roasted up just as tasty a treat?

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