Playing Catch Up

I don't know if it's really possible to make up for lost sleep or lost time, but it seems I'm trying, like it or not.  Once again it was daylight when I woke today.  I feel like the White Rabbit, "I'm late!  I'm late!"

I must have been pretty dopey the last time I filled the two containers of food to take to the barn for Missy.  It wasn't until I filled her dish that I realized I'd brought her dog food, not cat food.  Duh.  Maybe Missy enjoyed a little change in her diet because when I took down the cat food yesterday her bowl was empty.  Oh well.

Neighbor Joe and his crew brought up a truckload of firewood and stacked it for me yesterday morning.  His helpers included his wife Rhonda, who I haven't seen in years, his son-in-law Kyle, who I hadn't met, and his daughter Alex and her two kids.  Back in the day when Alex was in grade school and then middle school, Alex spent so much time here while her parents worked.  Steve's death hit her hard.  It was her first experience with death and I haven't seen her since.  I have a photo from yesterday, but the computer is balky today and I can't access it.  I still think of her as that young girl, and here she was, a wife and mother.  It was so good to talk with her.

I also have a photo of Ralph sitting on my lap with GB just across the way on the loveseat.  Maybe there's hope yet.  I called Florence to give her an update.  GB seems to be settling in to my routine, and I'm even getting tail wags as a response to my effusive praise.  He continues to live up to his name.

Not only is it cool again this morning, it's overcast with a hint of rain.  Of course it is, because I watered yesterday.

It was a good day.

Haute Couture

I remember the look on my roommate's face at boarding school when I'd go into the walk-in closet in the morning and muse, "Hmmm.  What shall I wear today?"  She'd say, "You have to wear your uniform every day."  (She was very literal minded.)  I have the same dilemma here.  Bibbies, yes, every day, but there is free choice in tops depending on the weather.  I'd worked my way through sweatshirts and sweaters in winter all the way down to tank tops when it suddenly got hot.  Seeing what goes into the laundry is like a weather gauge.  We've had a sudden, but very welcome, drop in temperature the last few days and I found myself shivering with cold while at the computer yesterday.  It was back to a long-sleeve shirt again.

Neighbor Joe has taken advantage of these cooler days to work on the oak tree.  He estimates at least six cords of firewood when he's done, split between three of us.  At the current rate, that's about $1,800 total.  Joe is happy because he hasn't had to go into the forest alone to find a slash pile to cut up and haul, and there's the splitter right here that he hasn't had to rent.  I'm happy that Stove will have a good supply of fodder next winter.

I don't know whether it's a result of nervous exhaustion or GB is working his calming magic, but, man, I've been sleeping like a log the last few nights and waking up later.  Ralph is getting braver and braver, coming into the living room and even sitting on my lap at times, keeping a watchful eye on The Dog and ready to bolt if need be, but at least he's out of hiding now.  Celeste, the ever shy one, just ignores GB completely, and GB pays the cats no never mind.  Good boy.

It's back to long sleeves today.  It won't last, I know, but it sure is nice while it's here.

Paradise Lost

(Apologies to John Milton)

Ralph and Celeste had it made.  They had the run (literally) of the house.  They had their own schedule for meals and treats.  They had the choicest spots on the bed at night, and all my attention.  And then that ratchafratch dog arrived and ruined everything.

We all know the fable of the camel in the tent.  That's GB to a T.  He came into the bedroom yesterday just to ask to go outside.  This room had been off limits to him and I liked that he respected boundaries, but when a guy's gotta go.....  Uh huh.  He came back in and went right to the living room.  Good boy.  I was still at the computer when I heard a thump and the rattle of his tags behind me.  Guess who was on the bed.  Guess where he slept last night.  Guess which cats are not one bit happy with me.

GB and I went to DMV yesterday.  This is him in his traveling suit.  Florence called it his bra.  I think of it as his girdle.  He knows he's going somewhere when he gets dressed.  (Why-oh-why did the groomer leave that enormous ruff around his head?)  He was once again a perfect gentleman and it was a successful trip, so successful (I got my driver's license renewed) that I stopped at KFC on the way home, something I've never done, and got some chicken tenders for the two of us.  Nobody blinked an eye when my dog came in.  I wish the cats could be so accepting.  Yeah, and if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.

At least for GB and me, it was a good day.

Needless Worry

For a person with an ESA, Emotional Support Animal, I've sure been stressed out this week.  Will the cats get along with the dog and vice versa?  If he's out of my sight, where is he?  Will he come back on his own?  Did I do the right thing?  Did I?!

Yesterday was probably the worst (for me).  I had to go to town, which, as is well known, not my favorite thing to do, and it was my first trip accompanied by GB.  I put on his little red ESA vest, which Florence called his bra and I think of as his girdle, so he knew he was going for a ride.  "Load up!" and he jumped right into the truck.  Okay, that went well.  He went right into the back compartment, which Florence had said he was used to, although there isn't much room back there.  I haven't received the authorization letter from Doc, so what would I say if I were challenged?  I decided to make the two quick stops first as a trial before tackling Wally World to see how it went.  The inbound trip was uneventful.

First stop.  You know how there are those dividers in a parking lot that are planted with greenery, trees, or flowers?  Nobody told me that boy dogs piddle here, there, and everywhere.  Hmmm.  Ok, into the store.  (Ohmigosh!  Guess who just showed up in the bedroom for the very first time?!  GB needed to go outside and he came in to ask politely.  No sign of Ralph, I assure you.)  Anyhow, I found it is a bit difficult to pick up just a few items with a leash in one hand.  We made it to the checkout stand regardless.  "Oh, what a darling dog!  What is his name?"  I guess I needn't have worried that he'd be accepted.  GB was a perfect gentleman and got smiles or kind words from other shoppers.  On to the second stop with the same results (they didn't have any plantings).  Okay, I was geared up for the big time, Wally World.

Lots of people, lots of kids, lots of shopping carts to avoid.  I was a nervous wreck.  Where was the emotional support when I needed it?  At the pharmacy counter:  "Oh gosh, I wish my dog was so well behaved."  I've never received so much attention from the assistants.  "Here, let me help you with that."  GB knows turn left and turn right, so I wasn't running over him with my cart.  "Puppy, puppy!" from little kids in their carts.  He was the star of his show and definitely lived up to his name.

On the ride home, GB opted for the front seat, which I preferred.  Bessie Anne being deaf, I'd gotten out of the habit of speaking to her, using hand signals and touch instead.  It was nice to have a companion to talk to and praise for his stellar performance.

Back at home, I will admit that I was wiped out.  I'm glad I recorded the first presidential debate because I didn't make it halfway through, woke up and went to bed, and slept through until daylight this morning.  All that worry for nothing.

Finding Our Way

Celeste doesn't look too happy here, but seconds before she had been nose to nose with GB.  All he did was sniff back.  Whew.  Evidently Celeste had been reporting back to Ralph because he actually made an appearance in the living room.  All was well until GB got up to check out this new feline and Ralph freaked out.  I am so glad that "Leave it!" is in GB's repertoire.

Yesterday went pretty much as the day before.  I get a little antsy when GB is out of sight, off exploring his new territory.  My big concern is that he might go down to the road.  That's a big no-no, especially since he either doesn't know or chooses to ignore "Come!"  I definitely smell like farm because I broke up one of Bessie's treats to use as a training aid and put the pieces in my pocket.  Lot of good that did because GB has definite likes and dislikes, and I found he doesn't like those treats.  Hardly an incentive to come to me.  Rats.

Celeste is out in the living room with GB (who may or may not be awake) this morning and Ralph is in here with me.  He did go out for breakfast.  At least he is still zooming around, but on a smaller track, the bedroom and adjoining bathroom.  He's not meant to be a sedentary cat.

It's a slow path to unity, but we're finding our way.

Plus - Minus

For the most part, I think the day went well, starting with Ralph coming out from under the bed while I was on the computer.  I was so glad to see his little face after two days.  He went back to his sanctuary the minute I left the room and didn't come out again.  Sigh.

GB and I went out to tend to morning chores later and I explained we would do this every day.  A turkey was waiting for breakfast and GB's ears perked up.  "Leave it!"  The ears dropped.  "Good boy!'  (He probably wonders why I keep saying his name.)  He didn't show much interest in the chickens, but ohmigosh when we got down to the goat pen where the girls were waiting!  "Oh, lady, you got me my own toys!  I will move them here and I will move them there (that's what shepherds do), and I will do such a good job!"  The girls were having none of that, snorted and ran off.  Excitedly, GB boink, boink, boinked along the fence line, trying to influence them from afar.  I had to tell him, "Stay," when I went in the gate to feed Missy.  Evidently stay, like come, are not words in his vocabulary (yet).  He was waiting in the driveway when I came back, not where I'd left him.

He finally ate some of the kibble in his bowl.  He'd not had a bite the day before as it was not the brand he was used to, as well as being stressed.  I understood, but, as with my Kids, "Eat it or don't.  It's what you're getting."

Celeste never ceases to amaze me.  She came out in the middle of the day, made sure where GB was (lying on the loveseat), and decided to check out GB's bed.  (Yes, that is a "Reserved Parking" sign.)  She's really getting bold.

Still no sign of Ralph.  That's a true minus in our lives.  It seems I've ruined Ralph's life, not Celeste's.  I have really missed seeing that flash of red as he raced past and hearing his "Brrp brrp" as he'd go by.  I thought he'd be the brave one.

I'll say this for GB, I'm getting more exercise now.  We go out for another walk together at end of day, and he goes exploring.  I'd been becoming a real couch potato and he's getting me out and about.  I was wrong; GB is not a 'service' dog, but a 'support' dog, and there is a difference.  GB has not been trained to do tasks for the disabled, but to be a calming influence for emotional needs (PTSD, agoraphobia, and the like).  Given my ongoing cancer stuff, I guess I qualify and called to ask my doctor to write a letter in this regard.  I don't want to fly a false flag.  The last thing Doc had said at my appointment after Bessie Anne died was, "Get another dog!"

Oh yay!  GB sleeps in and that gave Ralph the courage to come to the kitchen for breakfast this morning.  He hasn't eaten for two days and was ravenous.  That's a plus, and it gives me hope.

New Kid On The Block

GB has arrived!  The watching and waiting (and worrying) are over.  Florence and her husband Dan drove up mid afternoon and started unloading their truck, starting with GB, who was wearing his little Service Dog vest.  Two beds, bags of treats, a basket of brushes and combs, a variety of leashes, pills for his allergies (he sneezes), etc., and a bag of stuff I haven't even opened yet.  There was a bag of fresh bones from the butcher that went in the freezer.  Florence had taken GB to the vet the day before for all current inoculations and a rabies tag.  I mean, this dog was prepared!  The vet describes GB as an Australian shepherd mix.  The coloring and size makes that about right.

Ralph and Celeste made a beeline for the bedroom when they heard the truck engine.  I expected that.  They were not seen for the rest of the day.

I had a great visit with Florence and Dan while GB familiarized himself again with the house; not the bedroom which, for now, is still off limits.  I did not walk my guests out to the truck when they were leaving, not wanting GB to feel he was being totally abandoned.  I didn't want to make a big deal of it, but gave him belly rubs and "Good Boys," and a couple of treats to take his attention away.  Since I don't yet know his normal behavior, I think he knew he'd been left and was a bit depressed.  He lay for a long while just looking out the front door as if waiting for Florence to come back.  I guess he decided this was final.  He tried out the loveseat, he tried out the couch.  He likes to go into his cave behind the recliner.  He slept for awhile on the kitchen floor.  He went outside to potty and came back.  No hide nor hair of the cats.  When the shadows lengthened, I took him out for a walk down to the goat pen and in the drive, him marking his territory at every opportunity.  It's amazing how much piddle a dog can make.  I'd asked Florence what commands he knew..."Come" is evidently not one of them.  He explored the west field on his own.  We're going to have to work on that.

 I may have to change the ring tone on my phone.  Either GB does not like The Ride Of The Valkyries or he has a music appreciation, because whenever the phone rang, he would throw his head back and sing a few notes.

Ralph is usually the curious and adventuresome cat, so it was a surprise later in the evening when Celeste appeared.  GB was in his bed and, while Celeste did not go directly up to him, she was brave enough to go into the kitchen for a snack and then came to sit on my lap.  No sign of Ralph.  When it was my bedtime, GB was in his bed and that settled the issue of where he was going to sleep.  Ralph did not come out all night and it was only this morning that he showed up.

For a first day, I think it went pretty well.  I think the new kid will settle in, given time.  I don't know about everyone else, I was exhausted.

Watch And Wait

Yesterday morning before barn chores, I watched the Royal Ascot horse races.  Ohmigosh, I thought the Kentucky Derby was a big "do," but the Brits win this one.  The ladies' hats and dresses are spectacular and the men get in on the act, as well.  I've never seen so many formal morning coats, vests, and top hats ever.  It certainly was an elegant crowd.  The horses run on grass, not dirt, and many of the races were on the wide straight with no curves.  Okay, I'm hooked. 

While in my chair, there is a view out the open front door that includes two wooden power poles.  These poles are favorite posts for the vultures, and one was perched there yesterday.  A tiny bird was sitting nearby on the wire.  The little one was not as big as a dove, and it surprised me when David suddenly flew up and dive bombed Goliath.  The huge vulture merely ducked his head and didn't move.  I thought it was a one-off, but no.  Tiny would fly up from his wire and attack time and again.  Talk about a pest, and to what purpose?  Things that make you go hmmm.

Neighbor Joe was back at it in the morning.  He's got himself set up with an umbrella for shade and a cooler for water.  He's serious about this, for sure.

Celeste has been spending more and more time in my lap lately and rubbing on my ankles as she guides me to the kitchen for treats.  I had to tell her that I was going to ruin her life for awhile, that a new dog was coming to live with us, but he was a nice dog who wouldn't hurt her.  Ralph comes out whenever Honey is here, but Celeste has only gotten brave enough a few times.  I kept myself awake last night with whirling thoughts, hoping I was doing the right thing.  Where would GB sleep?  Would the cats get the courage to come out for breakfast?  How would I train GB to know the property limits since I can't walk the steep driveway anymore?  Ah, well.  I guess we'll find out.

Changes

"Mom, you'll never get another chance to have such a well-trained dog," said Deb.  "Go for it!," said Clay.  "He'll be in good hands," said Larry.  "What the heck," sez me, so I called Florence and told her GB would have a new home.  She'll bring him over tomorrow.  I haven't told the cats yet.  Ralph and Celeste have gotten used to ruling this roost and a new dog will make a big change in their lives.  When Steve and I moved up here, the previous owners left their dog (how could they do that?) and we brought Victor, our cat.  Victor took one look at Dogie and went under the bed, where he stayed for months, only making a dash to the bathroom for food, water, and the litter box.  When he finally ventured out to enter the real world, his long fur was so matted he had to go to the groomer for a clipping.  Dogie was one of the best dogs ever and convinced Victor that she was no threat.  I'm hoping Good Boy will do the same for Ralph and Celeste.

I was thinking yesterday about changes in our world, and the necessary, but sad, lack of trust there is now.  Back in the day, long, long ago, Fuller brush men came into houses without question, as did Avon ladies.  People in cars stopped for anyone walking along the road and offered a ride.  Children played outside without supervision until dark.  All of that has changed now.  Suspicion, with reason, has replaced trust.  There certainly were drawbacks in "the good old days," but I think it was a kinder world back then.

It's a good thing I did not throw out or give away Bessie Anne's food and treats.  I hope they will help GB make the transition to living here easier.  He was already staying with Florence with his previous owner, so her death did not change his home.  Being left here is going to be hard for him to understand.  Fingers crossed.

This Close

Jack Nicholson has a great line in "Terms Of Endearment."  "I was this close to a clean getaway."  Admittedly, I was a slowly whirling dervish yesterday, but I was making progress with the housework.  Kitchen, done.  Vacuuming, done.  Dust first or shower?  Definitely shower, and it was a good thing I prioritized, because I'd just stepped out, dripping wet, when I heard, "Hello!  I'm here!"  Florence was only an hour early.  What's a little dust between friends?

Not having seen each other or had contact in years, we were both a little trepidatious about how this visit would go, but it was as if we'd never lost touch and there were none of those anticipated awkward pauses in our conversation.  And then this dog showed up at the front door.  "Oh, that's GB (short for Good Boy)."   Florence had been caring for a terminal mutual friend who had this dog that Florence inherited when the friend died, and GB likes to ride in the truck.  Uh huh.  Florence swore she had no ulterior motives, but she knew Bessie Anne had died, and didn't I need another dog?

I had been mulling this over and over in my mind.  Did I want another dog?  Did I need another dog?  Would the cats accept another dog?  As old as I am, would it be fair to get another dog?  Etc., etc., etc.  I was this close to deciding no.  GB came in and I will admit I've never seen such a well-behaved animal.  The cats, of course, hid out in the bedroom, but GB never made an attempt to hunt them out.  Turns out he is a certified Service Dog and can go into restaurants, grocery stores, and so on, and Florence swore he made friends wherever he went.  Hmmm.  There are some drawbacks:  I've always had female dogs, GB has a thick, rather long coat (he has his summer cut right now), he's on the far side of seven and has some health issues.  On the plus side, he has such good manners, he's lived with Florence's cats without problems, he could go with me where I'd never take Bess because I'd have to leave her in the truck (which I'd never do), he went outside on his own and never left the immediate yard, he's the right size...hmmm.  Beau stopped by and fell in love with GB, who didn't bark or jump.  I declined the offer, but later called Florence and told her to hold off finding another home for just a bit while I work this out.  Stay tuned.

After they'd gone, Ralph and Celeste came out and they were like blood hounds, sniffing everywhere GB had been, every toy he'd picked up, and me.  "What were you thinking, Mom?!  Who was this stranger who invaded our territory?"

This is going to take more thinking.  It was a very good visit with both Florence and Good Boy.  Arden is coming over today.  I may dust...or not.

Wax And Wane

Wax and wane, ebb and flow...whatever terms are used, my ambition comes and goes like the tide.  Lately the tide has been out.  I can blame it on the onset of heat (or any other excuse that comes to mind), but the end result is that I have not gotten much done around here lately.  Neighbor Joe puts me to shame.  I hear the splitter fire up about 7 a.m., and he's working alone down there.  Yesterday he worked steadily for a few hours, but had the good sense to stop when that area was no longer in shade.  And then, don't you know, he came back in the late afternoon and did it again.  That man is a workin' fool.

Maybe I sit on my duff until the last minute because I like the challenge of a deadline, or maybe I'm a glutton for punishment.  A long-ago friend I've not seen in years is coming over this afternoon.  I could have dusted, etc., yesterday and taken my time.  Did I do that?  No.  So today, heat or no heat, I'll have to whirl like a dervish to have the house presentable for company.

I can't help myself.  This is a shot of sunrise a few mornings ago.  We've had some pretty spectacular cloud formations lately.  They sure make a great backdrop to the scenery.  (Note:  this is photo #3223 in my "gallery."  Did I mention I take a lot of pictures?)

Since it's not yet 5 a.m. and still dark, I can put off dusting for a little while.  (Insert smiley face here.)

Yip Yip And Shaddup

Yip.  Yip.  Yip.  Yip.  (Monotonous, isn't it?)  Yip Yip goes on and on, and then is joined by Shaddup, and it's enough to make a person go stark-staring mad!  Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if the guardian ground squirrels were away from the house, but Shaddup sits atop the juniper and Yip Yip perches on the bed frame "fence" right outside.  It's like some high-pitched, constantly dripping faucet.  I appreciate that we all have a job to do, but....

Much of yesterday was spent in front of the computer (oh goody).  Hours were spent taking many, many of the DMV sample tests (40 questions each) in preparation for the real thing.  One that I had real problems with was regarding fines and sentences for violations, probably because I've never gotten so much as a parking ticket.  One that surprised me mightily is that the fine (no jail time) for leaving a child under the age of six alone in a hot car is just $100.  They might as well say, "Don't do that," and be done with it.

I did get hold of Anna and we did get the photos copied from the thumb drive onto the computer.  Ta da!  I spent more time going through some, but not all, deleting most of the many, many photos of sunsets and sunrises.  I mean, it's not like we aren't going to get any more.  It was grand, but sad, to see Bessie Anne again, my shaggy little girl with the old-soul eyes.  I've always taken lots of photographs, even back in the day when we had to use rolls of film and wait for them to be developed.  Steve bought my first digital camera, and now I use my iPhone.  It's almost a compulsion.

Ah well, the sun is up and the guardians are on duty.  They're in the front yard and I'm back here in the bedroom, but I can still hear them.  Yip.  Yip.  Yip.  Yip.  And so my day begins.

Too Easy

It wasn't always so, but I have to admit that I'm easily confused these days.  For instance, medications.  I was pretty good when Doc said, "Take two a day."  That's straightforward enough.  Then he said, "Take two one day and one the next."  Uh huh.  He advised taking two on even-numbered days and one on the odd.  Okay, I could manage that.  On this last go-round, he changed the routine again to two pills three times a week and only one four times.  Again, he had a handy hint.  "Take two on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday."  Well, Doc, that's a problem because it assumes I know what day it is, and you know what they say about "assume."

I had it firmly fixed in my mind that yesterday was Sunday, so firmly that when my attempt to transfer the photos from the thumb drive didn't go so well, I didn't call Anna because I "knew" the shop was closed.

It didn't help that Neighbor Joe came up in the early morning to use the splitter.  In the past, he's only cut wood, etc., on the weekend.  What a good guy.  When he fired up John NSD, Joe took the time to mow down some more in the west field, saying that the weeds were still damp from dew so there was no fire danger.

Rotten Stanley seems to have worked out a satisfactory (for him) routine on his own.  He ignores me until I've backed out of the pen and shut the gate, then makes a threatening dash at the fence.  It saves him from getting kicked and still salvages his masculine pride.  I'm okay with it because it also saves my legs.

Okay, today is Tuesday.  I need to remember that because it is trash day.  It is "take one pill" day.  It is call Anna and get her help day.  It used to be harder to confuse me, now it is just too easy.

Sunshine And Shadow

It's all about timing.  Neighbor Joe came up early yesterday to see about taking the log splitter down to the corner where he's been cutting up the oak.  It makes more sense than loading the rounds in his truck, bringing them up here, unloading them to split, then loading up the firewood.  Good grief!  It's true when they say a wood stove heats you twice.  The splitter is a heavy piece of equipment and Joe isn't getting any younger.  It's hard to admit you can't do what you used to do without a second's thought, but I think Joe's going to have to wait until his son-in-law comes up to help drag the splitter out of its little shed.  It sure wasn't going to be me!  Then he thought maybe the tractor could pull it out.  I found the towing ball in the hellhole of a barn (another subject for another day).  That dadratted John Not So Dear fired right up for Joe.  I knew it!  John NSD hates me.  He likes men only.  Well, he doesn't know it yet, but I'm trading him to Dave and the Freed Spirits and I'm getting Fu Manchu back.  John NSD and I will both be happy, and I can only hope that Fu will be pleased to be back in the wide open spaces.

Because I was up and outside earlier than usual, the area of the herb garden where I stopped to pull weeds was in shadow.  That sounds like a good thing.  It was not.  It's mosquito season and the booger bugs lurk in the shadows.  They got me good (or bad).  I'm allergic to the mountain variety and welt up big time when bitten and my back is a mess.  Fortunately I inherited my Dad's old-fashioned bamboo back scratcher or I'd be rubbing up against tree trunks like a bear with an itch.

While weeding has to be done in sunshine, watering the deck plants (what's left, that is) has to wait until the sun has moved over enough to put them in shadow.  It gets so hot on the deck that I'd boil those that I wanted to save, and I'd get sunburned in the process.  It's all about timing.

Even Though...

Even though I try not to, I slip back into old habits.  Yesterday was somewhat cooler than the previous days of heat, but my way of dealing with summer is to sleep during the day.  With no A/C, it's the one, if not the only, way to escape.  Yesterday I slept.

Even though it's futile, I'm trying to keep up with the weeding, pulling a bunch here and there every time I go out or come back in.  With summer, I water or turn on the sprinkler somewhere every day, and what does that accomplish?  It makes the weed seeds sprout.  Talk about job security.

Even though the lap is there while I nap, the cats are not taking advantage.  They are choosing to lie in front of the open doorways, trying to catch any passing breeze, or they lie on the cool stone hearth in front of Stove where they go in winter for his warmth.  I don't feel abandoned.  Those furry bodies generate heat, too.

Even though there is a clutch of eggs in the chicken coop, the hens do not seem interested in sitting on them.  The coop sits on the ground and, given Stanley's bad attitude, I can't get down on my knees to pick up the eggs.  The threat of attack is too great.  I know he has done his best to procreate.  It is while he is so preoccupied that I can safely put down food or water.

Even though I think a lot about rescuing another dog, for a variety of reasons I'm not sure I will.  I'm still not over the loss of Bessie Anne.  I haven't yet given away the half-full bag of food or the packages of treats, just in case.  It's a hard decision.

Ah well.  Time will tell.

All Paws On Deck

The screen door from the living room to the deck is just screen;  no glass, no kick panel.  That's because I want an unimpeded view to a portion of the driveway for a little forewarning of an unannounced visitor.  I can also see a section of the deck, the deck where I used to see pots of flowers and now see Robert and his furry band of raiders.  That's who I expected when I caught sight of movement yesterday.  To my surprise, it was Missy!  It was evidently not her first excursion as she was moving with a purpose.  I was busy at the time so didn't see her leave.  Later, I stepped out to the covered portion of the deck and surprised the little girl.  She'd been taking advantage of the shade and breeze there to nap.  Like a guilty kid, she took off running so I didn't get to tell her she was welcome, and maybe she could keep the squirrels at bay for me.  Missy may be the only one who doesn't miss Bess Anne.

On my way down to Cameron Park, I stopped to pick up the thumb drive with all my photos that Anna had recovered.  I am so grateful.

Good news from the oncologist.  Probably no more visits to Vampire Hall.  In fact, the medication he prescribed is working "too well" and I have to cut back again.  Instead of visits every three weeks, I'm on an every-three-month schedule now.  Wahoo!

I got home in plenty of time, but to be honest, I just wasn't up for transferring the photos.  I'd had just about enough of computer work and struggles.  That's on the agenda for today.

I wonder if Missy is going to be a regular on the deck now or if yesterday was a one-off visit.

All in all, it was a good day.

Strip Club

Since Sheila has become so possessive, Missy meets me inside the barn and leads the way to her bowl.  She's a tiny cat with a squeaky mew, but boy, can she purr!  She fully expects to be petted while she's crunching on her kibble, and I'm happy to comply.  I noticed yesterday that each stroke would bring off a pile of fluff.  It's nature's way of ridding creatures of their winter coats.  With the sudden onset of heat, I can imagine they can't wait to strip down.  Back at the house, Celeste claimed some lap time.  I keep a cat brush by my chair for these occasions and, like Missy, Celeste shed brush after brush of loose fur.  Ralph was too busy to sit still for grooming, but his red coat is not nearly as thick as his sister's so I'm not too worried about stripping him.

Like my own Kids, Ralph and Celeste may be siblings, but they are so different in many ways.  Celeste is a couch potato, only chasing Ralph when he has pushed her patience past endurance.  Ralph is that kid who can't sit still, racing up and down the hallway and the stairs.  Oh, they take long catnaps together, but when they wake up, it's Katie bar the door again.  When the cats arrived, I had to put their bowl up on the counter because Bess decided that food was food, and wasn't it nice to get a variety.  For the same reason, cat treats are dispensed on the counter.  There are times I have to lift the little ones up and, again, their differences are apparent.  Celeste is a solid, heavy lump while Ralph is a lightweight.  I have to watch myself or I'd fling him into the air!

I'm finding my way around the computer better (that's a relative term), but turned it off much sooner yesterday.  For one thing, when the sun came up the bedroom heated up, and there are only so many clothes one can strip off and stay "decent."  (I try.)

Back In Harness

It's good to be back in a routine again:  get up, turn on the computer, go make coffee, make sure the cats' bowl is filled to their satisfaction (boy! the looks I get if the level gets low or God forbid, empty), come back and begin my erratic scribbles.

As anticipated, much of yesterday was spent on the computer.  I had a number of questions written down to ask Anna.  "What is this...?  Where is that...?  Why does it..."  Again I give kudos to the gals at Bliss Electronics.  One of my biggest concerns was that five years of photos had gone missing, pictures of family and our celebrations, Bessie Anne, the first brother and sister cats Frank and Pearl and on and on.  I know I overdo it on sunsets and sunrises and keep meaning to do some housecleaning there, but there are also photos of snow on the hillsides and the deck, etc. I'd like to have.  For whatever reason, those files were removed when Chris did the scrub, and my heart sank.  Anna said, "Let me take a look."  It seems that Bliss does not destroy customer files.  Anna found all my photos and will put them on a thumb drive that I will pick up tomorrow.  Hallelujah!

With the onset of days in the 90s, watering will become part of the daily routine.  We had so much rain that turning on a sprinkler would have been overkill.  It always surprises me how much water chickens drink in the summer.  Even though they have a big waterer, the three will drink it dry in two or three days.  As I've said, I'm most vulnerable to Stanley when I'm tending to that chore and yesterday was no exception, but I was able to ward him off.

Onward and (hopefully) upward.  The blog is written and my coffee mug is empty.  Now I need to check FaceBook and then play my three games of Solitaire before getting on with the day.  That's my routine and I like it like that.

Strange New World

Not much to report as far as farm life goes because most of yesterday was spent trying to navigate the new computer system.  I wasn't getting any sound on FaceBook and found out I'd plugged one of the many wires into the wrong port, hardly surprising because I'd been bent over like Quasimodo in a small space in the dark o' morn when I was trying to put everything back as it had been.  I was able to find or recreate most of what was needed, but I had to ask for help a couple of times and will again today because many of my numerous photos seem to have gone missing.  I truly hope they are not casualties of the debacle because there are many of Bessie Anne that I would hate to lose.

This morning I found that some gremlin had come in the night and expanded the viewing screen, enlarging it to the point that stuff on the edges is falling off and I can't even use the "arrows" to pull it back.  Aarrgh!  Short break here because I had to take the trash down to the big road - forgot last night.  Once again it was evident that the world is turning.  Sunrise usually shows over the hills to the southeast most of the year and I see it just to the left of the computer screen.  Now it appears to the northeast, over my left shoulder.  The rosy sky sure made for a pretty drive.

Ah well, I guess I'll spend a good portion of today trying to find my way in this strange new world of computerdom.  Since we're already up in the 90s, it'll be too hot to do much else.

I'm Ba-a-ack!

At the risk of sounding like Jack Nicholson as Johnny in The Shining, I'm back!

You can't believe what the last two weeks have been like.  First the PUPs appeared and then the next day my computer was compromised and eventually locked and held hostage for $500 by the evil ones (I did not pay).  BE ADVISED:  FaceBook does not have a phone number!  If you do a search and find one, I guarantee IT IS A SCAM!

Yesterday I took my computer to the shop where it was scrubbed, debugged, and a new operating system was installed.  Today I am jumping through hoops trying to find where I want to go (took 3 hours just to find a way to write this entry), and working my way through unfamiliar territory with Windows 10 when I'd been using version 7.  Whew!  I need and want to add that Anna and Chris at Bliss Electronics in Diamond Springs were so very helpful, kind, and got me up and running at a reasonable price, and they even stayed overtime to finish the job.

So, what else has been going on at the farm (by now, it should be the funny farm)?  Well, Deb, Craig and his brother Randy came back again last Saturday and worked like dogs with weedeaters, etc., and cleared a massive defenseable space around the property, so important now that we're heading into fire season.  Two Saturdays from people who work at their jobs and don't get a lot of time off.  What a gift!

Stanley the rooster has been behaving himself, sort of.  I can tell he's thinking about an attack, but so far, so good, maybe because I drop-kicked him on his last attempt (and I'm not apologizing).  Missy shows up more frequently these days, but even when I don't see her, her bowl is empty every morning so I know she's eating well.  With acres of green and drying weeds to graze, Sheila and Tessie still demand alfalfa, go figure.  Ralph and Celeste are...Ralph and Celeste.  Sometimes she's the needy one, sometimes it's him.  I will say they were a great comfort when I was having computer-driven hysterics.

We went from wet and cold to hot and dry at the flip of a switch.  From a blanket and comforter I've gone to a sheet only, and then with a foot stuck out.

If I could find Photos on the new equipment, I'd post the picture of a gorgeous sunset, the last one I took before depression set in.

I appreciate all who hung in there during my absence, the longest I've ever been gone since I started this adventure.  God willing and the creek don't rise, it won't happen again.