What?!

Polly is a gentle cat, for sure. And she is as goofy as they come, such as never failing to get drinking water drops on her nose. I wanted to photograph the cute phenomenon but this photo fail made me just as happy.

How do you great animal photographers get your subjects to cooperate?

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Rerouted

Our local communities are booming with new development, both commercial and residential. I don’t know what the future holds but the present is a bit crazy due to all the construction. On the way to an unexplored park last week, I passed signs mentioning nonexistent lane closures.

At the trailhead I hiked for a half hour. Now my return route displayed a newly installed detour sign. The closure must have been pending.

Right? Wrong.

A passing driver had waved his arm in warning. But I just had to see for myself. It was surreal. I regretted going all the way because the narrow pavement now meant inching my car back and forth more times than I cared to count.

So I backtracked to the detour sign only to encounter another road block. Surrounded by thick woods, I could not access maps on my phone, at least until it no longer mattered. I had finally meandered my way back onto the main road, where the following crew delayed me.

Why does it seem these oddball misadventures only occur when I’m alone? Should I have a permanent chaperone?

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Chugging Along

I’ve been busy in the kitchen these days. On Sunday I made shrimp and veggie spring rolls at lunchtime, adding homegrown Thai basil and my house-made peanut sauce. The leftover harvested basil leaves went into a tomato bisque.

And we had brought home a large piece of beef to make jerky. I thinly sliced the meat and added my (very) spicy marinade to soak overnight. My husband put it on our dehydrator and I dare say it won’t last long.

Monday was dedicated to yard work. Outside for hours in the blazing sunlight, I came inside exhausted but satisfied with my progress. And I discovered a cute surprise.

I didn’t remember having planted any fall blooming crocus bulbs. Yet that’s the only logical conclusion gathered from my chat with AI. In addition, it told me that the expensive spice saffron comes from types of autumn blooming crocus. I need to verify that and see if I can grow some.

Do you consult with artificial intelligence? If so, have you heard folks mention that the AI is ‘hallucinating’ when its answer is wrong?

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Dragging

I apologize for being absent. This summer heat and humidity have kept me indoors yet uninterested in doing much of anything. Who knew cabin fever could happen during the summer? I need to get up and exercise, especially since my YMCA membership isn't free.

Meanwhile, my vegetable garden is hit or miss, which many others have lamented. What can you do? As a local farmer told me, if farming was easy, everyone would be doing it. While I don't know about everyone doing it, it's definitely not easy.

I am crossing my fingers that we get some rain soon. Best wishes to all!

A Reality Recheck

While I’ve been meaning to blog more, both reading and writing, I’ve been hiding in escapism. Since time is much better spent wishing all living creatures the best and focusing on a positive mindset, here is some great personal news…

On Friday my husband received a call from his dialysis team. His kidney function has improved enough that he might be able to end this (quite literally) draining procedure, have the itchy temporary port removed, and once more take full showers.

And I am proud to announce that my courageous, chivalrous friend has been seeing a grief therapist after his dear lady’s passing. In decades past Scars might have let guilt, anger, or sheer bereavement overtake him.

Our dear friend Phoenix is also doing well. His employer grants every consideration regarding his leg amputation. I’m thankful he is valued and gets satisfaction from his work.

What’s your favorite way of avoiding reality? Or do you prefer charging headlong to forge a brighter future?

Apologies for My Absence – & – Better Days Awaite

I am sorry to have missed so many posts from all you lovely folks who read my silly blog. As always, I thank you for so many kind comments. My attention has been focused on a tragic misfortune.

The friend I’ve mentioned several times, Scars, finally convinced his lovely lady (S) to move up from her tiny Texas town. She adored taking care of him and his ailing father. Unfortunately, less than a year later S succumbed to her long suffered epilepsy, and stayed in a coma for over a week. Even after being removed from life support her body continued fighting.

Now she is at rest, though, about an hour after Scars held the phone so S could hear the voice of one final person. His lady had taken care of an ailing matron back home and we believe this gave the ultimate closure necessary.

On the bright side, S’s ordeal healed several estranged relationships. It’s too bad her siblings and adult children didn’t show S adequate respect or affection during her lifetime.

This is the first time carrots worked for us
& we look forward to eating cabbage...

 

Corn designed for container growing...
~fingers crossed~

Pointy leaves give away the cucumber...

Can you believe I managed to confuse my pepper breeds before transplanting? Do you know that young cucumber and pumpkin plants look almost identical? ~rolls eyes~ Four cucumber plants will keep us very busy pickling this summer.-

My First Harvest of the Growing Season

Okay, I suppose a single item doesn’t really constitute a harvest. But this little sugar snap pea tasted delicious. Fingers crossed, I’ll be gathering many more in future.

I find these little blooms pretty but the
intricate transformation engulfing
the one below astonished me.

Can you believe I split that tiny nibble with my husband? Do you enjoy eating any pea variety?

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A Tale of Three Kitties

This post is nowhere near epic as the title suggests. Sorry, Mr. Dickens, for any copyright infringement. ~grin~ But I just had to share each of our girls’ unique quirks.

Polly is known as The Great Ribbon Slayer. I think she wanted her sister’s assistance when this image was taken.

I just needed a beauty shot before continuing...

This time, Terra did not assist in killing ribbons. She enjoyed peering out the bedroom window before jumping to the top of my dresser. For reasons I cannot comprehend she occasionally becomes fascinated by my fan, which was running when she made the leap.

Your photos cannot do my majestic beauty justice...

Our One Fanged White Wonder (so nicknamed after her expensive dental extractions) received a very unprofessional haircut from me. At the right angle viewing her backside, it looks like she’s wearing a frilly miniskirt. Alas, my botched job did not prevent the buildup of a hairball.

Excuse my superior digestive system,
frail human...

In my effort to apologize for shaming her I took this much more flattering photo of her lounging. It disturbed her nap, though, so I guess a further apology is needed.

I am gorgeous no matter what you do to my fur...

Should I expect a thanks from craft stores for protecting their stock of ribbons? Do you think I have a future as a pet grooming trendsetter?