Both Bewildered & Delighted

Somehow, I didn’t get on my laptop for four days straight (!) when I thought I’d only missed doing so yesterday (Monday). ~scratches head~ So I’m sorry for my lengthy absence.

In the meantime, my first super sauce Roma tomato blooms have fruited. I’m so happy my leggy seedlings could be rescued.

I harvested exactly one last year due to not
labeling, planting only sturdy seedlings,
and all but one turned out being
of the cherry variety.

In my defense, my husband spent two weeks in hospital last spring, thus my thoughts were scattered. At least I learned a valuable lesson about seed starting, and I’m thrilled at how well my guy is doing now.

I also enjoy our ruby throated hummingbirds and maintain several sugar water feeders. The ants no longer annoy me as they did years ago. They are generally beneficial, after all, and we all have to eat.

Inevitably, a few of these teeny tiny ants hitch a ride with me
even though I try to leave them where they were...

It fascinates me how only a single size of ant invades one feeder or the other. You would think the larger types would take over from the tiniest. Perhaps having so many options makes a difference.

Aren’t I lucky that replanting all this season’s scraggly seedlings deeper revived them? Who knew that different types of tomato seeds were more finicky than others about their growing conditions?

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Not in the Mood (An Insect Introspection)

If even the tiniest spiders make your skin crawl, with all due respect I suggest skipping this post. I filmed the video at bottom in my garden. Should you watch, know that the two jumping spiders were so small I couldn’t guarantee they are the same species (like I would know, anyway), yet this seemed like a male attempting courtship.

With fingers crossed, I hope she spawns. You can probably guess that I’ve become extremely fond of jumping spiders. While the females choose their partner and when they mate, this dance struck me as nonlethal for the failed suitor, who could have become her next meal.

Preying mantids (another insect breed I favor) share this lethal characteristic along with their hunting expertise and precision eyesight. They are among the few tiny creatures who actively acknowledge a human presence. And if I’m not mistaken, the larger female spider noticed me (!) at my short clip’s end.

 

A few days ago my husband and I watched this scientific video featuring jumping spider vision. It’s over half an hour, so don’t feel compelled to watch. But if you’re a science geek I suggest spending the time.

Do you know some people keep these little critters as pets? Are you prone to notice tiny animal interactions surrounding you?

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My Fragrant Find, Brief Summary of Space Exploration, & an Apology

Before delving into silliness, I want to express my gratitude to all our US nation’s fallen protectors. May they rest in peace and their families find comfort. Now on to my usual nonsense.

Carnations have always been my favorite flower, especially for their fragrance. I was happy to score a deeply discounted bundle of them. Over a week from my purchase they still smell wonderful and their pale pink petals remain looking fresh.

The greenery was filched from my asparagus plants...

I divided them between two containers because the perfectly sized plastic vase was nowhere to be find. ~shakes head~ It’s so typical of me. Some went into a little sake server and I think look rather elegant. The others in a clear glass appear rather like something Dr. Suess might envision.

Is this not silly?

In a short answer to a few queries about current space flight experiments, goals include building a permanent station on our moon and, eventually, Mars. Whether you believe it or not, humanity is getting closer with every test flight. It’s doubtful either my husband or I will be alive to witness a Mars occupation but we are enjoying the process.

If you have even the least bit of interest you should check out at least one launch. Modern camera technology provides stunning and fascinating views. There are several companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX making great strides.

My apology is to Strayer, whose content I devour. Currently, not one web browser out of the four on my laptop allow me to comment. For whatever reason, each one shows an error stating I cannot sign into Google. ~scratches head~ Fingers crossed, perhaps my tech savvy husband can help.

Do you have a favorite fragrance? Are you aware that our olfactory senses are purported to store the strongest memories?

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Two Furry Friends

One new green pal has potential to provide tasty tomatoes this summer. I am pleased that buds are forming already.

Their fuzzy appearance is cute while a close-up reminds
me of Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors...

This blissful perpetual kitten I filmed likes huffing catnip from a toy Halloween treat bag. It has a jingle ball inside. Twice now I’ve seen Polly momentarily get it stuck on her head.

Have you been following any of the ongoing space exploration? And on an earthly note, do you think Polly stuck her face in so far because the months old ‘nip is losing potency?

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Keepers

My husband deserves to be at the top of this title’s list if for one example alone. In 1994 he suggested spending more money than I planned on a washer and dryer set. To this day these Kenmore heavy duty series 80 models are super sturdy and handle a lot of items. Thus they earned a spot here, as well.

Another treasure is a local fellow who repairs washers and dryers. He did great work for a very reasonable price in December of 2022. I kept his handwritten receipt atop my clothes dryer.

This afternoon I went downstairs to transfer clean clothes into the dryer and discovered that the water hadn’t drained. I immediately called my repairman, fingers crossed that he answered. He did, said he could be here before his shift started, and requested that I send him a text message. The expected reply never came.

When the doorbell rang shortly after I immediately, amazedly, recognized his grizzled features. The Tesla rock band T-shirt also helped because we bonded over music in 2022. ~grin~ I don’t think it took him half an hour to replace a broken internal switch.

Currently he works a twelve hour shift aside from these side gigs. His energy and work ethic amaze me.

Have you or someone you know ever found an enthused, passionate craftsman? How often do you think large companies charge an hourly rate without providing any actual service?

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Garden Innovations – & – an Urban Legend (My Mortal Kombat II Movie Review)

My vegetable gardening endeavors are going quite well. I’m continually learning and improvising. Let’s take a quick visual tour.

I hope this flipped trellis protects my pumpkin plants against deer;
I will have to keep track of it...

This contraption provides portable shade, which I concocted last
summer and started calling my Mobile Oasis. Our twenty-nine old neighbor thinks it is BADA$$. ~grin~ And he likes my idea of adding a cup holder, perhaps a small motor, and thinks I should market the altered hand truck.

My carefully cultivated soil for carrots got raided by raccoons overnight last week; the aforementioned kind neighbor
lent me wire cutters to create this barrier.

This morning my husband offered to see a horror movie called “Hokum” in theater. It’s been on my watch wish list so I got my butt into gear for a 10:15am show time. Weirdly, the next three days only offered late night viewings. But neither of us looked close enough at the Sunday listing; it should have been obvious the options wouldn’t be early one day and late the following.

So we had choices. The kind ticket seller mentioned another scary movie but we hadn’t heard of it and I suggested just leaving. On our way toward the exit my guy reminded me of our mutual interest in “Mortal Kombat II”. Lucky for us, our timing was perfect.

Both of us were hooked by actor Karl Urban portraying the flippant Johnny Cage. His film and cinema presence always delight. I did wonder if this Kiwi acting powerhouse would prove too old for the role of a former Black Belt fighter turned action star. I also questioned how this remake would fare against the nineties film we adore.

Happily, I cannot state enough how the character and plot adaptations surpassed all my expectations. Though this popcorn flick isn’t groundbreaking it had me utterly engaged and laughing at the many relevant cultural references.

Do you know that carrots need a particularly fine growing medium and appreciate a bone meal additive? Should I have been surprised that the bone meal attracted opportunistic raccoons?

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An Acrobat's Controlled Fall

 

Waylaid

With a laundered comforter, basketful of fresh sheets and pillow cases, I intended to make the bed this afternoon. But upon entering I found Dandelion tucked between the balled up comforter and one of the pillows.

What near perfect camouflage…

I adore how one paw is curled over her upturned toes...

Who could roust such a pleased and comfy critter? Doesn’t the word camouflage have one of the most awkward spellings?

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