Surprise Gifts

Our friend Phoenix purchased a 3D printer this summer. I knew he intended to make something Halloween related for me. It was solid black until I played with some metallic paints and he seemed to like this clip I sent.

His second creation really took us by surprise. Phoenix said he’d found a single, solitary photograph including the three of us. It’s from our wedding. The fact my late mother-in-law and best friend are included makes it even more special. The gift includes a stand with a place to place a rechargeable tea light behind the negative.

I think our friend Kathy was admiring my pendant…

Have you ever used a 3D printer? Did you know photos can be replicated?

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Christmas in August

This summer I met the lovely woman overseeing property renovations across the street. To encourage her mentally challenged nephew’s work ethic and build toward future autonomy, she set up a lawn mowing service in his name.

A few weeks ago another neighbor suggested they cut our grass to promote the fledgling business. I felt guilty not having more than $20 to pay the young man, especially seeing how hard his aunt worked alongside him, all the while pointing out any details he missed.

Fast forward to the present, my stubborn self finally took my husband’s advice and I called her. The pair arrived two days earlier than expected and brought the contractor and his employee along. I had no idea until I passed by the front windows and saw one of the guys edging the sidewalk, hacking away with a flat edged shovel (!) and heaping the huge amount of removed overgrowth for C and her nephew to bag up and haul away.

What a mess I had before...

I gratefully handed over $60, which still seemed too low, so I bagged up some of my garden harvest for both parties. The chief contractor said he would make salsa that night. That made me smile, and he beamed at me when I said it felt like Christmas. I know this transformation makes a lot of folks happy.

Can you believe the largess expressed by people who don’t even live nearby? Isn’t it cute that the young man chose a cartoon T-Rex as the logo for Dino Mowers?

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Overexcited, & Now Just Plain Excited

I’m thrilled that my dwarf, container grown corn is producing. But as the title bluntly hints, I harvested several too soon almost a week ago. I should have picked just one, not a regrettable seven. :( Refusing to throw them out, I cooked them. My husband, bless his heart, helped me eat that tiny harvest despite it tasting dry and almost woody.
 

The forming kernels were not plump at all...

Fortunately, today’s harvest of two proved sweet, if still tiny. They looked much more robust before being cooked.

The other was already being cooked before
 I remembered to take a photo...

Here are a few other useful lessons learned. Husking corn before cooking is a waste of time. Instead, cut off overhanging bits and microwave the entire thing for five minutes. the steaming process makes for a perfect chew and, better still, the cob slides right out of its husk. However, it’s best to refrigerate any you don’t plan to eat right away fully intact. This helps retain moisture.

Have you ever walked into a family friend’s cornfield and picked the sweetest you’ll ever taste? Can you believe my favorite memory from those farmyard visits is playing in the big barn with their youngest son and hearing my family complain how I smelled like pigs all the way home?

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Exciting Times

It’s ridiculous that I started writing this post at least a week (?) ago. Anyway, here’s my overdue garden update.

My once weak and spindly tomato seedlings have really taken off. There are so many fruits forming that I decided to harvest a few green ones. I’m not kidding when I say these weren’t just the best fried green tomatoes I’ve ever made but the best I’ve ever eaten. My husband, not a previous fan, wants me to cook up some more…

Yum...

Finally, I was able to harvest two turning red. Again, our BLT sandwiches tasted incredible. I still need to find a good salsa recipe for canning my sweet bell peppers and these super sauce tomatoes. Fingers crossed, I won’t lose my harvest due to a natural weather event or pest invasion.

I’m so grateful to the Millennial Gardener sharing all his trials and errors on YouTube. His videos are invaluable. I learned last year that tomato plants cut off nutrients before the fruits are fully ripened.

I apologize for the poor quality image...
I need to fry some green tomatoes!

Are you aware that the time to harvest is when gently lifted fruit breaks off the vine? Isn’t nature amazing?

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Different Perspectives

My friend Scars is extremely observant when it comes to people. That makes sense as he is a protector at heart. When in downtown Columbus he made sure I walked on the side of him away from traffic. And he refused my offer to fetch his car, saving him from the long walk back because he didn’t want me out of his sight.

Meanwhile, when I attended his church a beautiful stained glass window caught my attention. He hadn’t even noticed after attending for a few years (!), so I’m glad to have pointed it out.

I’ll bet it looks fantastic lit up from inside…

Did you know there are stained glass making classes available? Would that interest you?

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A Win/Win/Win

For a mere 99 cents I picked up a box of wildflower seeds. I scattered them in the spring and finally am seeing the fruits of my very light labor. Win! There are lots more blooms today but I thought I’d share this image snapped on a brief (very hot) walk about the yard.

I need to clear out some lawn grass
around the impromptu little plot
and add a nice border...

On Wednesday, as I typed this, my brother-in-law was in town. He knew my husband’s favorite hamburger joint was soon to close, and, as done for past visits, Michael bought burgers to bring south, this time eight (!) of them. The sad ending of an era is no win, of course; I do have two more.

For one thing, I cleaned and organized more than I have in years. Win number 2. You see, Michael and the eldest brother are both fanatical clean freaks, complete opposites of us. Super short notice had me sweating buckets but I didn’t stress. I know both my brothers-in-law love us more than they abhor our messy home.

The biggest win happens to be on prominent display at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. Another super old restaurant closed yet their bunny sign stood for many years. Then Akron, Ohio lawmakers decided to take it down. I reached out to the museum, where the beloved bunny received painstaking restoration and now towers over visitors upon entering.

A rabbit eating a hamburger may be weird but it was
the nickname the founder gave his adored wife...

Our success made local news in Northeast Ohio. I don’t mind us not being credited, the result is rewarding enough. And we hope to do the same for the iconic Skyway sign.

This location was open for 74 years...

Isn’t it nice when history doesn’t get discarded? Have you ever visited something like our sign museum?

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I Wish I’d Thought of This Sooner

Early this summer, I decided to make a full pitcher of sugar water for our many ruby throated hummingbirds. What a time saver!

A quick search showed this from Pinterest, which is surely faked...
The males mate and then bail on the mother...

Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Are these tiny flying jewels amazing or what?

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One Fine Sunday

My friend Scars was very angry at the world when we first met and really wanted to end his life of extreme pain. But he promised his dying mother not to leave his father further bereaved. I wish I could have met Betty, but Scars’ father is a treasure.

In honor of both these chivalrous and delightful men I left my comfort zone (home) and drove north to attend church with them. There, we witnessed Scars’ reconfirmation baptism.

Sitting alone for a bit before the service began, I prompted Paul to tell me travel stories. Scars inherited his storytelling skill, by the way, another reason I so enjoy their company. In fact, I told my husband we should both visit to hear Paul’s tales before his failing health takes him from us.

~sigh~

When Scars was called up to the baptismal pool, Paul said he’d stay where we’d parked his wheelchair despite his son and I each offering to wheel him over. “I’ll keep an eye on his stuff,” he insisted. I didn’t know this until afterward, but he accepted a stranger’s offer, for which I’m very glad. Scars also refuses assistance at almost every turn. Letting me do anything is rewarding.

Unfortunately, Scars’ niece, mother of a five week old boy, couldn’t attend and most of the remaining family lives out of state. That fact and my ability to physically help in small ways multiplied my contentment. One fellow took a photo of us three and there is video of the baptism, too. If my decades ago searches for a church family had led me to a congregation so friendly and not clamoring for membership I would have likely remained a member.

Where I find spirituality...
I am excited to harvest my first eggplant!

Like father, like son, right? And now, do you think I’m in the majority of my contemporaries when I say my garden is my cathedral of choice?

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Dazed and Confused

I went outside in a great mood one morning to check my vegetable plants when I saw a slip of paper fallen from my front doorknob. A city employee left a weed violation warning that totally deflated my good mood. I’ve worked so hard on maintaining a decent yard. And I’m on my own due to my husband’s imbalance issues.

I immediately called and left the inspector a polite message requesting guidance. And I shamelessly played the old lady card, how I alone maintain the property.

Still feeling down and confused, I knew that taking action was an excellent morale booster. Two rare but always amicable neighborly encounters improved my mood before I even started. Then I walked to the north side of our house.

Invasive, fast growing Johnson grass went nuts when I wasn’t looking. I immediately took my electric hedge trimmer and mowed down as much as possible without tumbling down the hill. While the landscape has eroded beyond recognition, the hardest to reach spot is almost exactly where I caught Tilly falling from the neighbor’s tree so long ago.

The inspector called the next afternoon and confirmed my wishful suspicion. My husband was relieved by both the fact we wouldn’t be facing any fine and our vegetables are in no danger.

I need to follow up with weed killer. And keeping this obnoxious grass down demands vigilance.

Can you imagine how worse it would have been if that notice blew away? Is there a particular invasive plant plaguing your area?

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An Amazing Transformation, & One of My Cats is Next...

The spot on his pretty white skull cap is so unique...

The Girl with the Dogs is an awesome pet groomer I’ve mentioned before. A recent video featured this Alaskan Malamute. His undercoat was a disaster. By the time she finished blowing out loose fur there was enough to create a life sized model.

The change looks subtle; it was not...

It’s transfixing to watch and she says the process is almost as rewarding as the outcome. She wears what looks like a beekeeper’s hood until time for final brushing. The big baby’s whines also required her to don hearing protection and caused me to lower the TV volume.

Meanwhile I plan on transforming Dandelion. She has this super dense, almost microfiber layer that’s shedding like crazy. The stuff leaves snowdrifts on the carpet when she scratches herself. I don’t mind that so much as how it these fibers cover all textiles inside and out. When I’m sweating out in the garden and wipe my face on my sleeve… well… minor miseries commence. As soon as I can book an appointment with our pet groomer this girl is getting shaved down to her adorable pink hide.

Can you believe that huskies and malamutes are some of the whiniest drama queens? Have you seen any videos of their antics?

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Happy 250th Birthday, United States of America!

I am in awe of the celebrations going on around our great nation. What I find most stunning is the drone display.

I did a screen shot off YouTube & plan to watch in entirety...

A friend sent me a cute message this morning: hoppie birdie, USA! Meanwhile, I wish blessings upon everyone, especially those living in war torn lands.

Are you enjoying a nice Saturday wherever you are? -

The Most Recent Crisis Averted: Terra

I can’t believe an entire week has passed since my last post. I’ve been meaning to share this story as it kicked off my entire little series, so here goes.

As on many lazy afternoons I lay across my bed flipping a wand toy for Terra to chase. All of a sudden she let out an ear piercing scream. She allowed me to pick her up and put her on the mattress but struggled hard, hissing and growling.

The toy came with her and I soon saw why. Apparently she stepped on the clasp just so, opening it long enough to trap a toe. I ended up cupping her face with my left hand to keep from accidentally getting bitten.

We have played with this since, just not anymore that day...

The pain must have been excruciating. Not wanting to leave her like that for even a moment, I couldn’t reach out for help as my husband was asleep and would never hear me calling. Dandelion approached as I fought to free my girl. And finally, somehow, I did. After a mere moment Terra acted as if nothing had happened.

Do you think Dandelion was concerned or just curious? And how lucky is it that neither Terra nor I bled as a result of the melee?

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Crisis Averted, Part Two: Jezebel

All our kitties’ outdoor adventures ended after I saw what looked like rice on Jezebel’s backside. The same vet who cared for both Tilly and Luna confirmed a tapeworm infestation. Back home I vacuumed every crack and crevice of furniture and carpeting and made my decree.

I don’t know how sick she could have gotten left untreated but am grateful I got her an appointment so fast. Quite a scamp in her youth, she jumped up onto our fireplace mantel (!) numerous times. She broke a candle holder once and found the catnip bag ‘hidden’ up there on another occasion. ~rolls eyes~ We returned home from someplace or other to find the herb scattered all over the carpet and three very stoned cats. My saddest casualty was a beautiful Christmas cactus knocked down and broken to pieces.

Even when fading away she continued enjoying
many favorite lounging spots.

A focal point of our entryway destroyed, at least it landed on linoleum. She’d been found by friends a few blocks away as an older kitten and lived a long, long, easy life. Inevitably her body became frail and thin but we believe that adopting Terra and Polly invigorated her until old age overtook our sweetie. I have video of my husband hand feeding all three treats and Jezzy was very much engaged.

Why do graceful felines sometimes become the proverbial bull in a China shop? Can you guess I wouldn’t have wanted Jezebel any other way?

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Crisis Averted, Part One: Tilly

With a little more than a quarter century of pet stewardship, I’ve seen several close calls. I didn’t intend this to be a series on my silly blog, let alone a string of eulogies, but an event Thursday afternoon started me thinking. And here it is. I hope it’s not too tedious.

Tilly was especially adept at proving cats have nine lives, especially when we hadn’t yet learned not to let our cats outside. One day she got scared up a tree by a German shepherd. I didn’t realize this fact until walking onto our second story deck, noticing her high above next door, and then seeing the dog.

I quickly descended our stairs and stood on uneven ground at the base of said tree encouraging her to climb down. Holding a towel intended to cuddle and comfort her once safe on the ground, instead I watched horrified as she slipped and fell. In the blink of an eye I somehow turned the towel into a safety net and caught her without us tumbling down the slope.

Another time we were out having breakfast with my parents when an ominous feeling sent my husband racing home. He found Tilly downstairs with a deep throat slash and raced her to our veterinary clinic. Bless him, he likely saved her from bleeding out. To this day we don’t know what happened. All three had been outside the day before and came inside seeming fine, so perhaps Jezebel accidentally snagged her neck during a rough overnight wrestling bout. How even a razor sharp claw could cut through Tilly’s thick wooly coat… again, we have no clue, but something did.

Our sleepy old girl with slowly balding hindquarters...

Tilly lived until the end of 2019 and died peacefully at home before our sorrowfully planned euthanasia. What amazes us to this day is that she ran to jump into my husband’s lap the night before passing away. Our loveable goof lived to twenty plus years of age, her health only failing in the last few months.

Is it not bittersweet when a pet passes like that? And isn’t it sad that my husband never experienced this before Tilly?

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Two Great Amazon Buys

I get so tired of suffering heat exhaustion during the day and mosquitoes swarming at night. In fact I’ve been bitten many times in broad daylight; those disgusting greedy vampires seem to tolerate direct sun better than I do. lol My husband once witnessed a cloud of the bloodsuckers chasing me.

He and I often quip that Amazon is the devil taking business from local shops. The convenience is hard to deny. Finding a natural mosquito repellent and cordless rechargeable fan, I didn’t hesitate.

I am sure the cats would despise this spray...

The lemony eucalyptus smell is strong, less than pleasant, yet has deterred insects. My little fan is amazing, with multiple features. Here’s the link if anyone is interested.

Do you have an Amazon Prime subscription? What about video streaming services?

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Hard Work and Great Expectations

This past Monday I spent long, arduous hours fertilizing plants in all my grow bags and the raised bed. Long after I’d spooned out dry components for each plant it occurred to me that a plastic cup could be marked with the desired amount. ~sigh~ I’d done that with liquids, so why not? Measuring proved a bit trickier but made things way quicker. Meanwhile, I’m incredibly grateful for my ‘portable oasis’ shade and these cooler temperatures.

This is my little raised bed contains dill, eggplant,
sweet basil, and bell peppers...

The little 3 pack purchased at our Walmart garden center looked like it contained basil and I wasn’t wearing my reading glasses. LOL What’s even funnier is that the tag gave no clue as to the variety; the image included everything from sweet bell to some of the hottest. Weird, huh? Oh, well, I look forward to finding out what they are, which is probably green bell.

Meanwhile my husband, most beloved by me and our three cats cannot conceive how hard I work. He does appreciate it, though, and cooked our dinner that evening. The next day my body complained, for sure, but a good foot soak and rest restored me. And I’m excited.

I took this today and need to keep an eye on that twine,
making sure it does not interfere...

Do you know that eggplant got its name due to the original white skin matching the mass produced chicken egg’s shell? Why do you think growers felt the need cultivate the purple variety?

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Wow!

My thirty year old neighbor’s abilities and work ethic astound me, especially with so many skills being self taught. Hired to a friend’s family upholstery business with zero knowledge of its intricacies, he learned by watching YouTube videos and experimenting. His greedy employers didn’t pay him near his worth, so he walked away, hoping to start his own business someday.

So much for friend/family loyalty, right? He filmed some of his later efforts, which will go in a future portfolio. His only regret is not filming all of them.

In the meantime he provides custom car repairs. The current project is a magnificent beast of a vehicle, a Ford Mustang GTS. Her owner requested both minor mechanical and some very precise cosmetic work on the hood. If too much varnish gets sanded off there’s no going back. So he’s experimenting on one of his own needing similar attention.

The color is not my favorite but what counts is under the aforementioned hood and the stripped down design;
less weight means greater racing speed.

I’m glad to have grown up in a family of car enthusiasts. When possible I express my admiration, which thrills the drivers. And my neighbor appreciates my shared appreciation while teaching me how intense the culture considers any modification. The interior ceiling headliners he’s shown me are true artworks, which I didn’t even know was a thing.

I find it interesting that cars and boats are both referred to as ‘she’ in American English. And that in linguistics, gender means ‘category’ or ‘type’ rather than biological sex. On that note, comedic essayist David Sedaris shared his hilarious struggle with the French language. I highly recommend you seek it out if you’re unfamiliar.

Do you know that Spanish and French adopted noun gender assignations from Latin? Is it not cool that this performance package model saw a limited release in 1995?

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Another Garden Update – & – A Lingering Annoyance

My lemon cucumber plants are growing like gangbusters. I added another level to my Earth Box trellis. The growth rate is astounding at three to four inches a day. The straight 8 variety are growing slower, for whatever reason.

I apologize for the poor image. The vines have reached
further toward the sky and deserve an updated photo.

This jungle parrot sweet bell pepper looks great.

This corn is growing well; I need to move the other
three grow bags into more direct sunlight.

I’m going to address my ‘first world problem’ with a message to Strayer. Yesterday I clicked to sign in to Blogger and actually reached the sign in page this time, but it dumped me out again. ~sigh~ My friend, I’m sorry about the sudden loss of Juno. And thanks as always for the good you do through your nonprofit The Happy Cat Club.

Did you know that corn is a heavy feeder and tomato plants need a lot of water to prevent blossom end rot? Isn’t it fortunate an automatic watering system finally solved the latter issue?

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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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