Changes

Hard to believe after such a lovely day yesterday, warm with a cooling breeze, that the surrounding hills are shrouded in thick fog this morning.  I can't even see the winery next door.  The drive into town was as pretty as anticipated with a hundred shades of green and dotted with flowering trees and the wild lilacs.  Yeah, well, not wanting to repeat any sooner than necessary I'd planned the trip to include all errands before my appointment with the doctor (with his PA, actually, who I like better).  I'm back on antibiotics for the legs and a battery of tests has been ordered.  Oh goody.

It was my first trip out since Bess died and it was hard.  For the first time in fifteen years I turned the television off before leaving.  I'd always left it on as company for her, usually turning to Animal Planet (don't say it, I know).  For the first time I didn't shake my keys and say, "I'm leaving now.  I'll be back.  Be a good girl, and, you can be in charge," before going out the door.  For the first time I didn't come home to give a special treat to a tail-wagging dog.  It was hard.

I lost track of time lately and, boy, has it whizzed past!  I knew I had to get my driver's license renewed before my birthday and kept meaning to make an appointment with DMV.  I finally called yesterday and was told the first available time slot would be in June!  She who hesitates is lost.  Oh well, I always keep a good book in the truck and I shall go in and sit with the hoi polloi to wait my turn.  With all those who planned ahead, I imagine it's going to be a long wait.  Now I just have to study for the test.  Last time I got 100% and a smiley face.  I don't want to change that.

Look Up

My thoughts have been elsewhere lately.  Yes, I've taken care of the livestock (and cussed at Stanley), but haven't really been aware of my surroundings, so it was a breathtaking surprise when I looked up on the way to the goat pen and saw that the wisteria is in full bloom.  I have no idea when it started to flower.  I haven't pruned it back for a few years and the vines are rampant.

There are a few California poppies sprinkled about to add a bright orange counterpoint to the delicate lavender.  This was taken on the way back up from tending the girls and Missy.  Beautiful from any angle.

There is a reason for keeping one's eyes to the ground up here (not that I've needed an excuse).  With the coming of warm weather, snakes, the friendlies and the other kind, are coming out and having babies.  It's a good idea to watch where your feet are going to land.  I'd almost stepped on that vole a few days ago.  I'm actually a little worried about when Tree Guy and his helper(s) come to cut up the fallen oak.  All those piled up logs are a perfect habitat for snakes.  It's not his first go-round, so I'm sure he'll be aware.

I've got to go to town today.  I know it will be a beautiful drive.because the mountain lilacs are in bloom, blue and white bouquets along the road.  I did notice that my own lilacs, the purple kind, are also filled with flowers.  I'll try to get a photo of them, too.

Nailed Again

Stanley and I are going to have to come to a meeting of the minds before one of us loses his head.  He nailed me again yesterday.  Twice.  I'll say this for him, the boy is fast.  He struck quick as a snake and I didn't hear him coming.  This makes three times in the same leg and I've about had it with Stanley.

As before, though, he did me an unintentional favor because the leg had begun to swell again and the puncture wounds allowed it to drain, and drain it did...all day long.  It was a good thing it was cooking-show Saturday because I wasn't moving around much, for sure.

I do look forward to Saturdays because my daughter has time in the early morning to call and we have our coffee "together" and chat.  Today is Deb and Craig's eighteenth anniversary!  They were married here on the farm and we agreed they are as happy together now as they were in the beginning.

Later in the day Larry called from Hawaii and that was another satisfactory catch-up talk.  Still later, my friend Harold phoned.  We don't see each other often anymore, but we do talk frequently.

Except for rotten Stanley, it was a good day.

Firsts

I knew they were coming, and yesterday I saw the first flying worm, those little green guys that float past on silken threads.  I can't say they are welcome, but they come.  Walking back up from the goat barn (being pushed around by Sheila), I saw a dark brown lump of I didn't know what in the path.  Oh good grief, was a girl having poop problems?  Looking closer, no, it was sleek brown fur.  As I reached to touch it, "it" moved and ducked into a burrow.  It was a vole, and a big one.  I haven't seen a vole here in years!  As if the ground squirrels aren't enough to deal with.

I got a call from my brother-in-law Stan.  How welcome was that?!  We talked for the better part of an hour and in the course of which he asked if I needed any help.  Well, he offered!  He's coming up in a week or so to mow the property.  I'm not ashamed to say that I really have a problem with John Not-So-Dear, and what with the rain and now the heat the place is looking pretty raggedy already.

Arden came in the afternoon to share her company and watch our TV shows (and some nibbles).  An unknown car drove up...it was Beau, who wanted to check to see if Bessie Anne had been cared for.  He'd been out of town and hadn't even gone home yet.  How kind.

I really meant to go to bed last night.

Old Habits

Even new old habits are hard to break.  I'm so used to sleeping in the chair now that it's hard to remember to get up and go to bed (guess where I woke up this morning).  I've absolutely lost track of the days.  I missed a doctor's appointment yesterday because I didn't realize it was Thursday and I'm not used to leaving home.  I need to get with the program here, and I will just as soon as I figure out what the new program is.

We are rushing into summer, approaching the 80s already.  Celeste may be the only one happy with the heat.  She found the one little patch of sunshine to curl up in.  Ralph prefers a shady spot.  So do I.

I forgot to mention that the other day I went out on the deck to spray for wasps (it's that time of year) and when I got around to the south end, a young bobcat ran past on the path right by the house.  That's not something seen every day, especially not so close.  I hope it likes ground squirrels.  Those I have in abundance.

It's getting light earlier every day now and staying light longer.  I still don't like the time change...old habits.

Comfort

"Take comfort where you find it."  Routine was both a comfort and pain yesterday.  Doing normal, everyday things was good.  Not giving three treats in the morning was not.  Not hearing ticky-toes following behind me was not.  Constantly watching to see if she was breathing was a habit hard to break.  Knowing Bessie Anne was not hurting was good.  Feeding Stanley and his girls and putting down alfalfa for the goats and filling Missy's bowl was good.  Celeste has taken on the role of comforter.  She is by my side or in my lap constantly.  She knows.

What a comfort photos are.  They fill in the gaps in our memory.  Deb sent me this picture of  Bess when she was a little girl.  Look at those soulful eyes.  I loved her from the start.

Who knew that dark brown, short-haired puppy would evolve into this shaggy blond?

Shakespeare said that "sleep knits up the raveled sleeve of care."  I guess that's so.  I didn't awake until 7 this morning and I'm not having the leaky-eye syndrome I had yesterday (at least not so far).

Kindness

It's hard to write this morning, hard to find the words.  I've been surrounded by kindness from family, friends, and strangers, those who knew Bessie Anne and those who never met her.  She and I spent a quiet morning together, me telling her how much she was loved and her telling me it was time.  When Clay came, she looked up at him and thumped her tail.  Bessie has always had an eye for the boys.  I would never have made it without Clay yesterday.  Unless it was a trip to the "cookie store," Bess never liked riding in a car.  Clay drove so I could hold my girl and it was a good thing because she panicked and struggled for most of the trip to town, then became calm, as if she knew.

They were ready for us at the vet's office so there was no waiting.  The staff were exceptionally kind and gentle.  The procedure was so very quick.  Bessie was there, and then she was not.  Clay had all the hard parts.  For a small dog, Bessie Anne was heavy and he had to carry her back to the car.  Back at home, he put her in the prepared grave with love and respect.  I couldn't have borne it without him.

For the first time in nearly fifteen years, I slept alone last night, no snoring from the pillow next to my head.  I don't much care for that word "alone."  Thank God for Ralph and Celeste.  Thank God for my family and friends.  Thank God for Clay getting us through the day yesterday.  Thank God for the years I had with Bessie Anne and all the good memories.

What Can I Say?

Yesterday was a hard day.  Today will be worse.  I'm guessing tomorrow will be worse still.  I did get an appointment for this afternoon so everything we do now will be for the last time and precious.  Trying to plan ahead, I called Beau, who had just landed in SoCal, and then Michael, who now has a full-time job.  I phoned Go-To, who said he'd be over in the afternoon, bless his kind heart.  Clay loves Bessie Anne too and today is going to be rough on him and I didn't want him to have to dig a grave as well.

Deb offered to come up, but she works...and I wasn't able to talk without bawling in the morning and she didn't need that.  Arden came over in the afternoon to say goodbye to my girl.  I was able to maintain, and Bess was happy to see her friend.  Go-To and Mrs. Go-To came later.  GT made short work of digging a place under a shady oak overlooking fields where Annie's horses and alpacas graze and close to the chicken pen so Bess will have company.  That tree is where all animals who have lived and died on Farview rest.  I like thinking that they stay on the farm they loved.

Another day of tears and watching my girl.  Another night in the chair.  What can I say?

Seems Longer

You could tell me that this last week was a month long and I'd believe you.  There have been brief moments, but Bessie's condition really hasn't changed, except perhaps for the worse.  She hadn't seemed to be in pain, but now she cries periodically and it breaks my heart.  Unless it's absolutely necessary, I don't leave the room because she panics if she can't see me.  It's been a week since I've slept in bed.  She will drink a little water, but now she won't even take treats.  She hasn't really eaten since before this began.  I will call the vet's office this morning and see if we can get an appointment for tomorrow when Clay can help.  It was hard to ask him, but I can't lift Bess by myself.  This has to stop.

Missy has greeted me in the barn for the past few morningss.  She makes me smile.  Sheila continues to be needy.  She darned near knocks me over, she rubs so hard on my side.  The turkeys are showing up in greater numbers, the males showing off and, as usual, the females are ignoring the strutting boys.  "Look  at me!  Look at me!,"  they yell at the top of their lungs.  Stanley and the little girls have been behaving.  They don't seem to realize or appreciate that I am the bringer of food.  Vultures are again sunning themselves on the fence posts around the goat pen.  I feel bad that they've lost the tree where they would gather.  I hadn't been paying attention so it was a surprise to see that the lilacs are bursting into bloom.  It was another surprise to see that we're back in the time of the full moon.  Has it really been a month?  Time is so relative.

Sigh.

Hoppy Easter!

Gosh, it was good to be with the Kids yesterday for so many reasons, one being that when Clay arrived he could watch Bessie Anne and I could take a shower and put on clean clothes (it had been awhile).  Not only had Deb and Craig done the shopping, they also cooked the meal while I sat like Lady Astor and enjoyed their company.  I didn't feel too guilty because Easter is the easiest holiday dinner...ham, red potatoes and peas, and jello mixed with whipped cream.  Deb made an addition this year of roasted "rainbow" carrots, orange, purple, and white.  Who knew?  Very flavorful and colorful.

Dave had to work, but he and Clay set it up to FaceTime(?) on their phones and Dave took us on a tour of his job site.  That technology is way beyond me.  Dave is the official carver in the family, but Clay was drafted in his absence.  Umhum.  The ham had been spiral cut on the bone.  Clay knows he's getting honorable mention here for cutting, not slices, but matchsticks of ham.  It gave us a good laugh and, in reality, made it easier to eat.

Deb and Craig brought an Easter basket with plenty of black licorice jellybeans which I reluctantly shared.  They also gifted me with a pot of flower bulbs, hyacinth, I think.  I can only hope Robert the Raider doesn't like them.  Bessie Anne made her way out to the deck to be with us and lay in the warm sun for awhile.  She also made it under the table when dinner was ready.  It's where she always goes at mealtime to put her head on someone's feet.

On a somber note, Deb and Craig offered to go with me if I was ready to take Bess for a last ride.  I wasn't.  Clay also offered for later this week.  It may come to that.  I can't let her go on this way.

There were plenty of leftovers to pack up to-go containers and bags at the end of the day, the meal that keeps on giving.  I kept the ham bone for dried lima beans and ham in the future.

All in all, as always when I'm with family, it was a good day.

Lazarus?

Another day with nothing done.  Another day with no movement.  Another night in the chair.  And then while I was making a cup of coffee this morning, Bess hobbled her way to the door to the kitchen!  Hoping, I offered her the first of her three "normal" morning treats...and she ate it!  That's the first food she's accepted in a week.  Okay, let's go for the second.  Wahoo!  And the third?  YES!  Then she dropped to the floor and wanted no more, but maybe she's turned a corner in her illness and we'll find a way to go on.

Yesterday morning while I was at the computer, a huge jackrabbit ran up the driveway.  When getting food for the chickens, four deer ran past in the north field.  It's been a while since I seen any of these critters.  Maybe like the Baby Blue Eyes, I guess a lot has been happening while I wasn't watching.

What didn't get done still needs doing.  Doesn't matter...it's a good day.

The New Now

I don't know how, but we continue on.  After that brief spurt, we were back to our new normal yesterday.  No food, no water, no moving.  Another night in the chair.  Like it or not, and I don't, I've got to get going on with life and quit staring at Bessie Anne.  It's not doing either of us any good.

The Kids are coming up for our Easter tomorrow and I've not done one single thing to get ready.  Deb and Craig are doing most of the shopping, but I realized yesterday that there were a few things I needed to pick up.  On my way out to the store, I saw patches of Baby Blue Eyes in the yard.  I have no idea how long they've been there.  It seems I've been in a time warp or down the rabbit hole.  I wasn't gone long, but nothing had changed when I got back.  It's the new now.

Hope

Ohmigosh, I'm speechless!  After another day of waiting and another night in the chair, I came back to report there had been no change in Bessie Anne's condition.  While trying to form the words, I heard slow footsteps in the darkened room behind me.  Could it be?!  After four days of refusing food or drink and barely moving but to lift her head, Bess had made her way down the hall and into the bathroom where she drank a whole bowl of water!  One hind leg is still paralyzed and she's very weak, but she walked and didn't drag herself.  I was able to lift her up onto the bed, her favorite spot when I'm at the computer.  I'm afraid to hope, but I do.

Yesterday had been another terrible day of waiting and tears, watching to see if my girl was still breathing.  In the afternoon, I couldn't take it anymore and went out into the front yard to walk around the driveway and sit in the sunshine for a few minutes.  I've not been able to make myself leave Bessie's side since she fell ill and I needed a break.

It may be that this rally is a surge before the end.  I've seen that happen with people.  It also could be that her condition has reached a turning point, and wouldn't that be grand.  A wonky leg is something we could live with.  One can hope.

Waiting

Oh jiminy, these are hard days.  Emmy was right, it does help to write about it.  My girl lost the use of her back legs yesterday morning and dragged herself out to the living room.  I used a towel as a sling and got her out on the deck, but she couldn't understand why so we came back in.  She spent the day on her pillow/bed and neither ate nor drank and didn't move.  We waited.  We're still waiting.  So as not to leave her, I spent the night in the chair.  If there is anything good, it's that Bess does not appear to be in any pain, and for that I'm grateful.  I need to get back to her now.  She seems to take comfort when I'm near.

Weeping

Yesterday was one of those days.  Stanley did me an unintended favor when he bit a hole in the back of my leg in the morning.  It didn't really hurt at the time and I didn't realize he'd even broken the skin until I got back up to the house after barn chores and saw my sock was bloody.  It stayed bloody all day as it was the infected, swollen leg and it was like a pressure valve had been opened.  The leg continued to weep all day and into the night.

I've known for some time that Bessie Anne is reaching the end of her days.  She's not there yet, but yesterday was a hard one.  She staggered and fell and was confused.  She had projectile vomiting and had a pee accident, something she didn't do even as a puppy.  Through my tears, all I could say was, "Go to sleep, my girl.  Just go to sleep."  Celeste was so empathetic and laid down with Bess, staying by her side for the longest time.  Come nighttime, Bess got herself into the bedroom, but fell off the bed after I'd boosted her up.  The will to live is so strong.  She's still asleep behind me.  If the god of dogs is kind, he'll let her sleep long and not put her through another day like yesterday.

Big Deal

You know it's pretty much of a dud day when the big deal is a trip back down to the feed store.  I've been buying the same kind of birdseed for twenty-odd years.  The only change has been that I used to buy a 40-pound bag, now I get two 20-pounders (oh, come on...I'm older).  However, the store has new owners.  Because the mousies had been helping themselves to the birdseed, I'd bought a metal trash can to put the seed in.  When I dumped in the first of the last two bags purchased, ta da, it was nothing but tiny black seeds.  What the heck?!  The label said wild bird seed, but this was nothing like what I'd been buying, a mixture of all kinds of grain.  Turns out it is niger, a thistle seed that appeals to some small birds.  That's fine, but I have birds from the tiny-tinys to forty-pound turkeys (okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but they're huge) who hang out waiting for breakfast and look for a variety of seed.  Nothing for it but to go back down to the feed store and hope for an exchange on the second bag.  Okay, mission accomplished.  I even got some money back.  Big deal.

Just In Time

This beauty is one of the new peonies that Deb and Craig planted the last time they were up.  There are at least four more buds on the so-very healthy plant, and I'll bet most of them will bloom by Saturday, our "Easter."  How's that for timing?  At least the yard will be decorated.

Tree Guy came early in the morning and went to work right away by himself.  He did exactly as I'd asked and made smaller logs out of the huge bits of trunk and piled them out of the way so I can get down to the barn so much easier and can put the girls inside again at night.  He also burned all the twiggy stuff, those half-hidden little branches that lie in wait in the ever-growing grass to trip you up.  In fact, TG himself was dropped by one of those sneaky things.  He said he'd be back in a couple of weeks to turn the logs into firewood.

Wouldn't you know that gas prices would go sky high just about the time I've got more doctors' appointments?  I filled up yesterday and nearly had a coronary.  Yeesh!

These truly are halcyon days to be appreciated, after the storms and before the heat of summer.  Light warm breezes and bright sunshine draw Bess and me out onto the deck.  It was a good day.

Taking Advantage

There are some definite bright spots to having Arden come by on Fridays.  One, she's darned good company.  Two, it keeps me on my housekeeping toes.  Arden would never judge, but I do have a modicum of pride and so swoosh around with a dust rag before she arrives.  It could get to be a habit.  Or not.  An added bonus is that we take turns providing some kind of light munchie to share.  Yesterday she brought a frozen spinach souffle, grapes and cheese.  We watch a couple of nonpartisan political news shows together in the afternoon.  It pays to stay informed.

It's the time of year that I'd love to be planting flowers and seeds out on the deck and in the yard, but that dratted Robert the Raider and his horde are already hanging around, just waiting.  I can't see just pouring money down some squirrel's gullet.  Consequently, we both lose out.

I don't know if Stanley has learned his lesson or if he's biding his time, but he hasn't attacked lately, for which I'm grateful.  Their yard is small and the coop opening is low to the ground, so there's not much room to get away from him when he gets feisty.  I'd love to put him and his ladies back in the big yard, but the hawks are cruising the neighborhood and it wouldn't be kind.

Here We Go

Oh jimminy, if it's not one thing, it's another.  I missed most of what was a truly beautiful spring day because I had a doctor's appointment down in town.  Man, once they get their hooks into you.....  Okay, fine.  Another medication.  It's not enough that I creak when I walk, now I'm gonna shake, rattle, and roll.

I put in a call to Tree Guy.  The huge chunks of tree are still in the goat pen.  The weather turned bad when he felled it, but they're still there and I haven't been able to close the door to the barn since then, leaving the girls vulnerable at night.  He said he might be out this Saturday.  One can hope.

It's the time of year that the travel bug starts biting.  I could go here...I could go there...and I know darned well I'm not going anywhere.  I really do enjoy seeing films of far-off countries, knowing I've been there and reliving those good times.  Nothing quite like walking down a dark street in Greece and hearing, "Yazoo, baby."  That was then, this is now.

Right Around The Corner

As per our goofy holiday traditions, Easter will be celebrated this year on Saturday the 20th.  Hey, it's a day we can all get together stress free.  Even so, Dave will be missing as he has prior engagements.  I'm at a bit of a loss because Deb and Craig will be doing most of the shopping at a nearby big-box store.  We all know exactly what will be on the menu, I am just not sure what, if anything, I need to pick up.  Someone will tell me, I know.  It's kind of nice not to be in charge anymore.

Aside from the religious significance of Easter, bunnies come to mind.  I wish people would not buy bunnies when they do not intend to keep and care for them.  When the Kids were young, we had two cast-offs.  Elizabeth was a white rabbit who showed up, orphaned and alone.  "Can we keep her?!"  What's one more animal in a house that would have made Noah proud?  I think it was just the next year that Beatrix, a black bunny, came to stay.  My sister was visiting and kept getting the strangest look on her face.  It seems that Beatrix, who was running loose in the house, was curious but shy and kept popping up behind me in back of the couch.  Pat didn't know we'd adopted Beatrix and wasn't sure if she was seeing Harvey.

I don't see so many wild rabbits around here anymore, and I miss 'em.  They used to use the driveway like a freeway, and would congregate by the dozens in the yard.  They used to make me think of  "Watership Down," a great book by Richard Adams.  More people in the area mean fewer wildlife.  Drat.

Since the Kids are coming up, I guess I'd better dust.

Treat Time

Just seeing the sun behind frothy clouds yesterday morning was a treat after another rainy night.  My barn shoes sprang leaks that would have sunk the Titanic and socks were soggy by the time I got back up from the goat pen.  Ah well, I had to go to town anyhow.

The prescriptions would not be ready until after one, so there was no big rush and I could drag my feet.  Even commercials become more interesting when I have to go to town.  I snuck the trash out of the house so Bess didn't see to take to the big road on the way out.  Does she wonder why we don't travel together anymore or is she relieved?  Maybe she's satisfied with the treat she always gets when I come home.

New shoes and pills in hand, I was going to head home when I suddenly decided to pick up an order of Mongolian beef from a restaurant across the street from Wally World.  That dish holds a special place in my memory.  I once worked several years for a full-blooded Chinese gentleman from Thailand who employed fellas from Laos, Cambodia, and Hong Kong.  It was an Asian United Nations.  Rick (his American name) would periodically send me out to get Mongolian beef for the guys for lunch.  It didn't take too many trips of smelling the aroma before I tried it myself.  It's a simple dish of thinly sliced beef sauteed with white and green onions and lots of garlic in a rich brown gravy.  Ohmigosh, what a treat it was when I got home.

It was a good day.

Hurry Up And Wait

If the day before was slow, yesterday crept by at a snail's pace.  Well over four hours waiting in the emergency room is not my idea of a rousing good time.  Fortunately I'd had the sense to put a book in the truck.  Time to read is never wasted. 

The minions poked this, prodded that, and ran tests, and then I waited for the Grand Poobah.  The doctor was actually a very nice young man (they're all so young these days) who, when he flipped back the blanket said, "Ooh, would you look at that!"  Turns out the blushing elephant leg is the result of a massive infection.  Now where the heck did that come from?  Young Dr. Kildare (Lew Ayres, 1942) would have preferred that I stay overnight for an infusion of antibiotics, but with animals waiting at home, that just wasn't going to happen.  He and I settled for a couple of pills.  I have to go back to town today to pick up a prescription for more.  Oh well.

When finally released, I raced for the truck like, as my dad would have said, a cat with turpentine under its tail.  About five miles from the house, the dark skies opened up and rain pounded down.  Gosh, it was good to get home.  I so appreciate the concern of family and friends.

Slow Day

The darndest things happen when you have other plans.  Getting the days screwed up didn't help.  Since I decided to take you all along on the cancer journey, you might as well come along for the ride...it might help others.  On what turned out to be Friday, there was a funny pain in my inner thigh.  Oh well, I might have strained it.  On Saturday morning, the pain had moved down to my calf. and then a few dark red blotches appeared on the inside.  The calf began to swell and the blotches continued down and over to the outer side.  The calf became a hot red stump.  I try not to be a vain woman, but this was just plain ugly, and it hurt.  With a pretty good idea of the problem and knowing the doctor's office was closed, I called the local hospital to find out what might be done for a thrombosis, a blood clot.  "No, we don't have an advice nurse, and, no, no doctor will speak with a patient over the phone."  Well, thanks a lot for a lot of nothing.

Consequently, yesterday was spent in the recliner with the leg elevated.  The bright spot was that it was NASCAR Sunday and I probably wouldn't have done much anyhow.  I'll be calling the doctor today.

Life goes on.  Sheila continues to be exceptionally needy, rubbing her head against me and darned near pushing me off the path as we walk to the gate together.  Missy raced to meet me in the barn, greeting me with mews as tiny as she, eager for her breakfast (it's nice to be needed).  The turkeys know where their food comes from and don't even get out of the way when I throw down their breakfast.  My sitting all day gave Ralph and Celeste an assured lap to snuggle in, and Bess provided the incentive to get up now and then to let her out and in.  She kept it interesting by picking a different door each time.

What a shame it is to waste these beautiful, sunny, warm days.  Recently washed, the green hills and trees just sparkle.  The oaks with barren branches are leafing out.  It won't be long until the flying worms appear, hanging on their long silken threads.  Even on a slow day....

To Market, To Market...

I don't know how they do it...those women who just love going shopping.  A gal I worked with who rented a room from me for a few months years ago couldn't wait to get home so she could go out again and hit the malls and the stores.  For me, it would have been like taking a beating.  This by way of saying I had to gear up yesterday and go to Holiday, after the cooking shows, of course.  I'd seen what looked like a good recipe for baked cod, and I've been hungry for chicken-fried steak.  There were a number of incidentals on the list, too.  My shopping cart should have blue lights and a quiet siren to give fair warning to those who course slowly up and down the aisles that a madwoman is on her way.  I know the layout of the store  (it drives me bonkers when they move shelves), have my list in hand, and no backtracking is necessary.  No reason to prolong the agony.  Even with a substantial list, it usually takes me longer in the checkout line than in the store proper.

Ah well, needs must, and I really wasn't gone all that long.  Long enough that I rewarded myself with potato chips and little peanut butter Easter eggs for dinner.  (Oh, come on...you're not my mother!  I'll eat healthy tonight.)

There is the most beautiful contrail streaking across the just-light sky.  To me, early morning is the best time of day.

Red Faced

Well, that was embarrassing.  I knew my friend Arden was coming over on Friday...but I don't keep track of what day it is so it was a great surprise when there was a knock on the door yesterday, and it was Arden.  Oh good grief!  I'd been piddling around, planning to do this and that and maybe go up to the store later.  I'm big on the "gonna do," not s'much on the "done."  Fortunately, my friend does not subject me to a white-glove inspection.

If anyone is accurate as to date and time, it's Arden.  I get TV channels that she does not and there were some afternoon programs we wanted to watch together.  (We fit our conversation into commercials.)  Bessie had gone to sleep at my feet.  She's used to me yelling at the television (we were watching bipartisan political talk shows).  A cat walked into the room.  "Who is that?!"  I realized that in all the years Arden has been coming over and as many years as Celeste has lived here, they'd not only not met, Arden had never even seen Celeste.  She's a very elusive cat and runs and hides under the bed whenever anyone comes to the door.  She doesn't come out until the door closes behind the company and then says, "Are they gone?  I thought they'd never leave!"  She does have a penchant for Craig and Clay and will deign to come out to greet them, and she tolerates Deb, so it was a great surprise when she appeared.  Yesterday it was Ralph who was a no-show.  Who knows what lurks in the minds of cats (you'd have to remember the old 1940s radio show, "The Shadow," to get that).

Even though I'd been less than prepared, it was a most pleasant afternoon.  In fact, we may make it a weekly event.

Fed Up

With rare exception, I have not missed many days of writing in nearly ten (10!) years, and those usually because of power outages.  However, it seems that Blogspot might hsve reached its capacity and has refused to take another entry.  What's up with that? It also appears that there is no "delete" key so I can't remove any of the more boring bits to clear space, and, let's face it, not every entry is going to be gripping in anyone's life.  I'm just hoping this gap is a momentary aberration.  I do appreciate your hanging in there with me while I try to sort this out.

Unfortunately, yesterday was less than stimulating.  It was a grey, gloomy, overcast day, totally lacking in inspiration.  In the spirit of conservation, Stove remained cold, and so did I.  Celeste was a burr on my lap and Ralph kept warm by racing up and down the hall.  I know Beau told me to, "Burn the wood!," but I'm well aware how much work goes into providing that fuel.  I'd never want to take advantage of family and friends.  The sun peeked out briefly a couple of times and then slid back behind the curtain.  What did I expect?  It's spring.

Well, taking Thumper's mother's advice (Bambi, 1942), "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Wish me luck!  We'll try this again.

Same Old Grind

Ah, well, it was nice while it lasted...those few days of bright sunshine.  Yesterday we were back to cloudy skies, rain and gloom.  While not particularly cold, dampness seeped into the house and Stove was called to duty...again.  Look at the bright side, the new peonies are being well watered without any effort on my part.  It's still raining softly this morning, but there's none of my nemesis, the wind.  Bess came in from her early morning excursion damp, not soaked.  She's snoring softly on the bed behind me.

Let's face it, housework will never be my favorite thing, but I'm sticking to my resolve to do at least one chore every day so I don't get fired.  I'd rather cook any day, and the funny thing is that I have no trouble cleaning the kitchen as I work.  In fact, I won't cook if the kitchen is a mess.

I think Stanley is also tired of the rain.  He probably thinks his droopy feathers are my fault because he made another dash at my feet and got whapped for his effort.  I can't offer him much hope, as we're due for wet weather the rest of the week.  Sigh.  It's back to the same old grind.  (Remind me of this when we're in the summer doldrums.)

Better Than Christmas

I always look forward to early Saturday mornings because my daughter Deb frequently calls then.  All the Kids live such busy lives that a chance to catch up is a gift.  She and I had spoken the day before, so it was a surprise when Deb called again yesterday.  "Do you have any plans for the day?"  "Just NASCAR. What's up?"  She said that she and Craig had thought they might come up.  Wow!  Really?!  I never look a gift horse in the mouth and didn't asked why.

They live so far away that I had time to rush around and spiff up the house to get ready, filled with anticipation, thankful that I had assumed that "job" and the house wasn't a disaster zone.  When they arrived, the first thing they brought in was some sort of universal gizzy into which all the rechargeable appliances could be plugged, like the LED lantern, the cellphone, and the new vacuum cleaner.  What a nifty little item that is.

The next thing they unloaded was two gorgeous peony plants, one in bud already.  It's no secret that I love peonies.  Not only that, they cleared the dirt and put the plants in the ground for me.  We discovered that the peonies from prior years were popping up.  The front garden is going to be a thing of beauty.  While the Kids finished that job, I went in to fix lunch.  Workers need to be fed!

After a brief rest, they went out again and started unloading tools.  "What are you up to now?"  They had decided to trim back the mountainous juniper bushes that had taken over the yard.  Ohmigosh, what a job.  I was useless because I'm allergic to juniper and break out in hives if I brush up against it.  It was no easy task.  Bessie Anne lay nearby and supervised.  They cut back the bushes at least four feet on all sides.

Husband and wife worked together like a well-oiled machine.  Had I been able, it would have taken me well over a week to do what they accomplished in a few hours.  In the photo above, they'd trimmed just the tip of the iceberg.  You should see it now.  This was the very last load of trimmings, after Deb had hauled wagon after filled wagon to the burn pile.  I know they slept well last night.

Of everything else, that which I appreciated most was the gift of their time...better than Christmas.