Tag: expectations of self

My New Laptop: Kona’s Journal

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Otherwise know as the blood pressure regulator

One Wednesday morning just three weeks ago (September 27th to be exact) I ate my breakfast and then found myself suffering from the lowest blood pressure that I have had in weeks. My body temperature felt like 95 degrees and so I sought out my “warming bag.” It is an upholstered sock filled with beans, or corn, or cherry pits, not sure now after all these years. Sitting on the sofa under a mound of blankets and hugging my mug to get warm, I looked at my social media feed. As we all do while doing “nothing.” This adorable little black puppy came on the screen once again, and I though… Ahhh, that would be a nice warming bag.

A bag of fur lined with a little body, a pumping heartbeat and oh, so snuggly. When I am cold, I shall have a new laptop!

Snuggles and puppy licks are oh so much nicer than sitting alone on the sofa looking at my selfish sixty pound doodle on the floor. Honey just never took up the cuddle bug vibes. As much as I tried to make her sit with me, it only lasted ever so shortly!

Today marks the beginning of week four with Kona in my life. And all those around me. Feeding time still involves a few minutes of classic training for puppy. Training stays into the little guy’s life is the new key challenge. Sunday after church he launched himself out of the pickup before I could get the leash hooked on. The four foot fall made him a little “yippee” and sore the rest of the day. By Monday morning he was fine. I knew nothing was broke as he still let me touch and examine him all over. So training stay into our routine is vital.

When I’m not looking is actually quite frequent and with my tunnel vision, finding the little dude is sometimes not easy. The harness and leash is the most important tool for a blind dog trainer. That way I can keep track of the fast little fur-ball

Yesterday with the grandkids my little grandson (who giggles with such glee) was running with Kona and accidentally dropped the leash. “OMA! I dropped the leash!” My response was quick with a look downwards and a foot on the tail of the kite, I said it’s okay- That’s why he has the leash. Thank you for telling me right away, Isaac..

All the “oops” involved with puppies are great learning tools. Pets have a way of bringing out the best and worst in people. And when we are tired, UFF, by the worst is not pretty. Thankfully, there is a crate for the half hour leading up to the two hour potty window closure. Either it’s time for close attention and learning language of the cues or it’s time to put puppy away and let him “yipe” for the going out need.

Books are still one of my best time busters. My mp3 Bible lost battery juice the other night and that was a rough going to sleep. I am trying to listen to a book my daughter recommended, but the going is slow. And the talking book library has been forgo-teen these three weeks.

Greenhouse is on maintenance mode. Though I have been tackling some cuttings yet. There are three or four more varieties to get done. And the canning is slow if not halted. There are still those pears…

Garden cleanups need to happen yet… All the end of the season chores. Like getting rid of the plant matter, pulling up garden stakes, and putting away all of the water hoses. I feel rather slow at any of that stuff because that means the snow will fly soon.

I am making myself feel overwhelmed as I write out the list. One thing at a time.

Drying the herbs and peppers is ongoing also. At least the herbs can go in the dehydrator. We strung the habaneros up to hang on the window curtains. The drying time takes awhile, but it’s usually done by Christmas decorating.

It took me a whole summer to figure out how to keep my chapel plant happy. I fed it some coffee grounds and then put it on a tray of pebbles with water. And now look at it. Maybe I’ll become a master gardener after all.

The big question is: Did the blood pressure regulator work? And the the answer I would give is YES! So far, I have not been cold after my own meal consumption for quite a while. I was cold on Tuesday after standing outside watching the grandkids play. But it was cold. And my ability to go outside without even a jacket at 45 degrees has amazed me. But when puppy has to potty- we run! Three minutes at sweater weather without a jacket has not bothered me near as much as it use to. And I really have not been sitting around as long as I use to. Keeping Kona schedule is movement at every two hours!

Two weeks into Kona training: Kona’s Journal

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Well, two weeks went by really fast. The second week that Kona was here involved my mad rush to get everything into the greenhouse for an overnight temperature of 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of the leftover plants outside are actually doing pretty well in spite of the cold snap. We did not have our true freeze yet.

Back to my book listening this week, I finished up my praying the Scripture book by Jodie Berndt. So much of the book is memory bank deposits. But such good reminders. Right now our family has one main prayer focus for one of my cousin’s young child. Our heart just aches when we stand at the door of God’s kingdom begging for His assistance. It reminds me of the Matthew 18 parable of the widow and the judge. Please Lord, intervene in this young life.

The greenhouse takes up a bit less of my time right now. Which is good, because Kona needs some real training attention. Yesterday in the rain I went out with him nine times. It seemed to pour rain every hour and a half that he needed to go out. Today, I am pushing him to every two hours.

Finding homes has been part of his social skill set this last week. We take the kennel with us on the day I go to my daughter’s house. That evening after supper at home, he found his way back to the crate to fall asleep. He was definitely all wore out from the day. We spend a few minutes before each meal on training. This week, I added “stay” to his knowledge of words. (Kona, Come, Sit, Down, Kennel, and of course Go Potty are the commands so far.)

To my surprise, the Black Cherry Rudbeckia or African Coneflower, decided to bloom this dreary rainy week. It is so pretty. I think it bloomed early last spring, in May maybe. So seeing the larger bloom pop open really made me happy. It’s not very many flowers that will actually bloom in the greenhouse at forty percent less sunlight.

And now it will be time to clean up all of the house plants. Some of the ivy’s and winged plants will not handle consistent temperatures at less than fifty degrees. So that is the next push of work. Of course after I finish cleaning up the Geraniums and putting away the canna lilies.

The other day it was rather warm outside so I took the time to clean up some of the houseplants on the kitchen window display. The puppy’s crate is just beneath all of the plants and I did not want any plant residue to fall into his “living area.” Needless to say in my blindness I spilled a plant and some water and had a whole lot more clean up than I had planned on. Oh, well. It’s all done and clean, and ready to go the winter now.

Two weeks into puppy training and I think I know Kona’s schedule pretty good now. Licking means he’s thirsty. Biting means either he’s hungry or has to go potty. Clock watching is my new pass time. And the days are going by much too quickly to get any large projects done. I tried to can some tomatoes on Monday and it was a fail because I could not find the right gauge for the pressure cooker. Ugh. The whole day’s work went into the compost pile.

Two weeks of Kona and I’m so glad that he sleeps through the night. Of course my hubby gets up so early that I think he takes him at four thirty a.m. or so. Six to eight hours of sleep is pretty good. Now if I can just get to the list of things calling for my attention yet. Pears, peppers, Zucchini, beets, carrots, broom grass wreaths and other items are just waiting for me to take a puppy break and get some work done around here. (-oh and another cat took her life on the road by vehicle tires again-maybe we should build the house at the east end of the property) That’s enough for now.

Kona’s Journal Begins: The view from up here

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Week one of puppy training

Well, that was a little unexpected. Everyone is really just trying ot figure out why someone with low vision, and night blindness would get a black dog. I don’t really know. Because my husband wants me to write a book so he can retire?

Retirement seems so very far away. Though at our age we should really be thinking about the futre instead of just tomorrow. But ost of the time we are just thinking about today. Meanwhile, life should be somewhat enjobavle for someboday. And maybe this book will work. I mean what kind of blind fool would get a black dog?

Because the timing seemed right I saw an adorable little shih tzu litter that was local and he was ready just as harvest was coming to a close. Okay, maybe there is no real good time. Just like having children after the debts are payed off. Then suddenly another large debt ecrus. And I will have time to get him potty trained before the next grand child arrives. By then we will all fall in love him..

Maybe it’s all wrong and timing has nothing to do with it at all. What makes me think that I can’t sit on the sofa alone? I have tried for six years to get Honey to sit with me. It usually only lasts about ten minutes..

Because I’m lonely is not really a very good excuse either. I mean who really wants to go outdoors six times or more a day just to experience the weather because they need another companion? Loneliness is a beast. But at least now I have something to say to some little body more than just the occasional phone calls.

Because my Golden Doodle is too hyper and too big to sit on my lap. And she chooses not too. There are days that I honestly think about not having her “in the way” when people come. She is certainly not helpful with her exuberant greeting and jumping all over the compay with a frisbee in her mouth. And most of time for me, she is simply annoying when we have company. I guess what makes me think Kona will be any different?

Because I have missed having a “scueduled” existence? Df I really need to go my whole day not even considering the hour, or lunch time, or forgeting to drink while I listen to a book and crochet for hours at a time? It’s not good for the self=care to NOT self care. So here goes to scheduled existence. Constent walks outside, and meals at at scheduled times.

Because he was cheap, well, initial price was not in the break the bank category that’s for sure. No need for down payments and waiting for the gestational time to pick out the cutest one in the litter. This one was just right. And has the personality to match.

Because a blind lady training any kind of puppy is hilarious! I mean just the other day I used my guide dog to help me outside in the dark to take the little guy potty. If that’s not funny- I don’t know what funny is. So one of the best tools for this job is the microfiber rags. I sorted throu the stash and pulled out all of the yellow ones. A knot ot two of the corners makes for a great tug toy “rag doll” for puppy. And just in case there is an oops it cleans up the floor quickly.

Because I was not even prepared for a little dog, he came at his own time. We had to go get a harness. And one day I had my daughter pick up some smaller chew bones. Other than than I am planning to go cheap on this fella. Old cloth braid for a tug toy. Rag dolls out of the microfiber towels,, and old towels cut in half for the crate cloths. Oh, and his food was about twety dollars. So far the dollar tally is about 250 dollars of entertainment.

Because getting the supplies and puppy needs makes be resourceful when I can’t even drive to the store. Oh, all right, I am already resourceful. This just gives me a reason to use my talents. Being resourceful is “fun” for me. Other people find it frustrating or too challenging.

Because I was bringing the cat into the house way more than I should have. You know, a cat only uses the litter box two times a day maybe, but a dog has to go out six or seven times. The cat was more apt to cause allergy issues for the family. And this little fluff ball can be by more side or in my lap way more that a cat.

Because I am really quite stupid of brain and loving of heart. Yes, truth be told, my love for animals came at an early age. I an get quite attached to the wrong critter completely. Like taking care of horse for twenty years that is on my worst known allergy list! Well, my brain said don’t get a puppy for so long that that’s all that I really wanted was a puppy.

This week has been full of many first experiences for Kona. Like having to wear a leash on harness ALL the time. Dragging around a stop cord is essential for catching a puppy in trouble or about to be in trouble. It’s easer to stop the offensive behavior if you can just hold a cord and ask the puppy to “settle” on their own. It teaches them so many self= control options.

All kinds of first things like his first walk in the rain with my grand daughter. She just loves the weather. And wants to experience all of it. So thank goodness he is not white! A romp through the puddles is perfect for mud boots and a black doggie!

First reading therapy session with the same child went very well. Kona fell asleep just like he should. And the sound of a child’s voice is so good for resting. And children love to read out loud to a dog. It is so good for them both.

Where there’s a …

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“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” is the old saying. And it was meant to mean doing something really difficult because one’s determination is insurmountable. This week has been a different sort of will and way in my determination observations

Where there’s a basket there’s a cat . I put the basket out on the deck the other day to return it to the vehicle for “containment” of items while we drive. It seemed the basket was always finding it’s way back to the house. And cluttering up our allready very messy entry way in the kitchen.

Where there’s a fence, there are weeds. These Bicycle tires make a great visual guide for me when I am walking from the greenhouse to the barn. So of course for the first three months of summer I had to pull bind weed out of the spokes. Finally now that fall has officially arrived the flowers are showing their little faces through the fence. I think it looks so fun!

“Moon garden delight” is what I call this next photo. The fact is I was supposed to be helping hold the tomato containers while my hubby did the picking. But when darkness set in and the solar lights came on, I could not resist trying to get a picture of the mass of blooms. I really need to get after dead heading the blooms but sometimes it’s fun to let them go a little longer.

And now for true confessions of deep desires and companionship. Yes, I spend a lot of time alone. A LOT. The last six months have found me bringing Zucchi or Pepper or Tabitha in the house during my afternoon rest / crochet time. About three weeks ago Pepper found her life’s end on the pavement by the mailbox. It was a sad day, but she was not real attached to me. Then just the other day, yesterday in fact, one of the four year old spayed females died on the road also. Lela was old enhough to know better I had hoped. She was not real friendly as cats go, but she was a good mouser. I hope the mouse she was after tasted good. It certainly does not seem worth the rest of running across the road for it

So while I spent the afternoon digging a five gallon sized hole, I made my final decision to spend no more money on cats when we live so close to a busy paved county road. And it turns out that one of our neighbors has been raising small lap dogs for a few years now. As a bit of side income and enjoyment, small dogs do make a lot of people happy.

I have been looking at small dogs for a couple of years, I so miss the companionship of a little thing on my lap or next to me. Yes, I know it’s a lot of work up front for a couple months. And yes, I know I didn’t really want a black dog. But little Shih Tzus are such an attachment to their owners, that I’m not to worried about having a ton of eye contact. And now for the name…

At first I wanted Ebony after the black keys on the piano. I like to caress them also. Then I thought of Kona, after one of my favorite dar roast coffees. Then our daughter texted “I WANT SNUGGLES!” And we thought maybe that would be a good name. Bugger but it’s important to get a name right. We’ll be saying it for the next fourteen years or so.I’m

So this little eight pound hairy thing will be mopping up a lot of pollen over the next few weeks until frost. And he’s way too small to do the stairs. He does well on the leash / follow thing so that’s good. And so far in less than 24 hours of “gotcha” I have only stepped on him once..

Kona (the coffee) has a light, delicate sweet and fruity flavor with less caffeine than roasts made from beans picked later . So we think the name fits a little black pocket puppy quite well. He’s pretty light, you can carry him with one hand. He’s very delicate because of his size. but actually quite well proportioned. . And yes, he’s very sweet and it’s going to take a lot of will power to keep up with the training and not let him be naughty. He’s also a little fruity when he gets his energy spurts. But that’s just the nature of a happy little Shih Tzu.

Next up: how to train a puppy if you are blind. I wonder how that one will read.

Kona’s Journal: Thus began the life of little black mop in my empty nest life. How will the family put up with my lonely decisions? Surely we will all fall in love with my need for a therapy walk with a little outside time thrown in for some fresh air. Puppy love is very time consuming. Puppy parenting is bound to show the flaws in anyone’s character. Here goes a new challenge!

Bucket: one, Me: zero

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This morning the day seemed just a wonderful slow day. I got up fought with the need for asthma aids, and got about my day. Then I went to the greenhouse for some plant “tidy” business and enjoyed a phone call with my cousin. As I went about my watering, my knee found the bucket left from last evenings tomato washing stand. Bucket: One, Me: zero!

A half hour of tears, twenty minutes of ice, and some devotional reading time, Here I Am…. That hurt. And I had just been super happy to go a whole week without running into anything, or dashing my head on anything, or falling over something. Wha-Lah! I found the bucket to kick today.

About a week ago the tally was with the tomatoes. Tomatoes: 8 quarts 9 pints, and 18 cups, Me: no cuts, bruises, or hives. That was a pretty good day. Today might be another story altogether. My right knee is smarting quite a bit, and just does not want to bend. Bother for these eyes that don’t really do the job.

The Bible has a lot of verses about not stumbling, and walking with Jesus, and having the Lord guide us with His hand. Some days, it seems that the Lord has abandoned me to go astray continually. This blind thing sure eats up a lot of the “promises” of scripture when you look at things in a physical mindset. I am glad that the Lord is using these metaphors to teach us spiritual lessons. If the Bible were taken literally (physically) much of life in this world would be so depressing. Of course I cried when I was hurt. Did I feel led of the Lord when the bucket interrupted my path with a blow to the knee? No, not really.

The next day or so later, it was Wasp:3, me 2. Picking through the washed tomatoes, if found a wasp instead of tomato blossom. Then the was was mating on top of it all. So one sting, two bites later the wasps were dead. Then, into the honey went my offended finger to heal from the bites or whatever. It did not make me very enthusiastic to continue my canning expedition. I was glad that the wet wasps were easy to kill.

Do I feel like God is holding my hand as I run into the bench and fall flat on my face? No, not at all. Being blind is a physical distress for me. It adds a lot of difficulty to navigating just about every daily activity that I do. But I refuse to just sit and do nothing. God did design out bodies to WALK>

This morning I made my helper “doodle” dog walk me out to the mailbox. She heard vehicles coming and stopped us at nearly four car lengths from the road. I thought it was a little over cautious, but I still praised her. She stopped again at the road just to double check. I really with that I could have the mailbox on our side of the road. Maybe there is a petition for that because I am blind. Maybe

The tomatoes are shelling out the produce. There are four baskets just waiting for me. So here I go. Probably have to ice my knee in between tasks.

Love Multiplies

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This past week I spent several nights wondering why sleep had flown the coup. I mean really why does the mind just decide to stay awake? The normal routine had seemed to fail me once again. How many nights of little to no sleep can one have. I am no super hero. This body began to scream for some actual rest.

Much of the last ten years for me has been sleeplessness. There are benefits to wakefulness all night long. One of these is the many hours i have spent listening to my mp3 player read the Bible to me. I would not be alive today but for the sanity that the constance of God’s word has lent to me in those hours of un-sleep.

Lately, it seems the beast of awake has taken me under wing again. Sometimes, I don’t know it is good or bad. Surely the enemy does not want me to spend all those hours meditating on God’s word. Am I really that anxious and fretful that my mind will not slow down long enough to sleep?

Tonight, I have a little sinus bug that is putting a tickle down my throat that is so annoying. I got up to study some words that I have been pondering and find out what God’s word has to say about them. The first word is charity.

Some of us grew up reading the King James Bible and know the word from it’s long list of attributes in I Corinthians chapter 13. It is otherwise know as the “Love Chapter.” Many people choose this passage for sermonettes at their weddings. The long list of character traits to charity are often used in substitutional studies. Like putting Jesus in the place of Love, or even using one’s own name. Finding out one’s fault comings is simple when doing that. But looking for faults is not one of Charity’s blessings. Over looking them, IS.

The next word that stuck in my mind is Mizpah. Oh, boy, you might say, where did that come from? Well, in the Bible it is a momental stone to commemorate a parting in life’s travels. Like perhaps more of a “Rite of Passage” when two people go in separate directions. This happened in Laban and Jacob’s life. And was not meant as a bad thing, but rather a reminder that they both had the same Lord watching over them. Paul had many such partings in his ministry as recorded in the Book of Acts.

Today, the meaning is often skewed to be a marriage or love “Stone” like a diamond ring or something. I don’t think it was meant as such, for married people should not separate on life’s journey. Just my own opinion. (Sometimes it happens, okay, I get that.). And may I not de-emphasize that as a married individual, my husband and I are not together 24-7, so yes we wear the modern wedding bands.

Is Mizpah a commemorative stone of the the passage of life from this earth? I don’t think it was meant as a memorial either. But the separation blessing it certainly seems to be. What ever am I thinking of this so deeply for?

Today, my first daughter told her people what the gender of her coming fourth child is to be. Not for this blog, I might add. The moment of covenantal blessing for me came after the video was recorded and the eldest child expressed her wishes for the hoped for gender. Mama just chuckled her tell tale laughter and then later expressed, she had shed a few tears also. The cupcakes of color and been devoured, God has already decided. So I expressed my own prayer filled blessing. “Love multiplies. It does not divide, separate, or subtract. It always adds and then multiplies. More to love, means more love. Love multiplies. And we will live this little one just like we love you.”

I cannot put myself in my daughter’s shoes. She is walking her own journey through life. I had two daughters. Though I wanted more, God chose not to do that for me. Now, the Lord has granted my daughter the gift of childbearing. Charity begets charity. Love multiplies.

Neither can I walk in my second daughter’s working world. I am so proud of both my daughters. Their faith walk, their journey through life following the Lord’s leading inspires me to keep faith also. While it seems we have less connected moments that what I had imagined there would be through the “adult” years, there are brief moments in time that seem strong in the memories. One night recently we sat around the kitchen table once again with the ever growing family. For a brief moment that evening with either daughter on each side of me, I felt rich. Rich in this world of spiritual blessings and physically rich by the gifts that God has given me in my daughters.

This beautiful doily is a bit of my own fabrication. I dropped the original edging and added more hearts. The “mizpah” or commemoration is that love multiplies and we shall have more grandchildren, “the Lord willing.”

Harvest Happenin’s

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Harvest, canning, too many pickles, and zucchini gone wild. This week the canner came down from it’s lofty perch on the laundry cupboard. In some ways, I love this season and in other’s I struggle. But more about the happenin’s as we go along.

The sweet corn lasted about five days. We managed to freeze seven bags. The weather turned rainy and was not comfortable for blanching the ears et cetera. I know it’s always a disappointment to the folks when everyone doesn’t take more. But this “work-a-day” world is not the friendliest for drop and do corn days like we did in the past. And the large family hubbub does not do them any good at their half past an hour age. So there went the corn. My allergies were so angry during the tasseling that eating it seemed against the rules.

The zucchini is going hog wild this year. Of course we planted too many, but I just love the pepper relish. I wish the other things like zuch noodles were more appetizing. But the zucchini chocolate cake was good! Oops. One row is a piece, right?

This is the year of the cucumber apparently. I’ll be doing another batch of refrigerator pickles as soon as hubby brings me another bag of sugar. They are so delicious. And this year I made them zesty with some ground hot pepper and pickling spice. OOOH!

We have been enjoying the zinnia colors this year. Took them into the house several times. And shared bouquets at church a few times. My attempt at the Market on Wednesday was a fail. Only three of the ten sold. The other seven went to the local nursing home for enjoyment. Oh, well. Will change it up next week and see how they sell. (Note also that picnic tables at that shelter are larger that I expected. The twin xl sheet did not fit, now I have to buy another cloth!)

We are still watering Cocoa’s tree as the skidster is in repair mode. The gas tank was not pumping the gas into the engine and it kept stalling while in use. Very annoying. So the Maintenance Man in the marriage took it all to pieces and is trying to find a pump for the tank now. And since his day job keeps him busy during the week, the repairs will wait until next Saturday.

The kittens are growing up and still finding plenty to amuse themselves with. Zucchi found a frog the other evening while I grilled the steaks. It was so funny to watch him jump just inches from the little frog. Pepper snook into the house the other day before morning rounds. She was in the house for nearly an hour by herself. The only damage I found was a little canister of marbles she had fun playing with. Of course they were on a window sill that she tried to be on watching us outside. Charlie is still quite the barkiest dog ever. He has taken to barking at EVERY vehicle that goes by. Uff day. Take a rest, boy!

My book reading took a time-lapse. But I am trying to find another. I listened to one that was such a “worldly” metaphorical mystery, that I thought it was time to get back to my spiritual foundations. I tried an R. C. Sproul and sped it up. I found a John Piper and nearly fell asleep. So no I am trying one of Jodie Berndt’s “praying the scriptures.” It is also much predictable, but so far all good remixers.

Still crocheting the backpack bags though I keep thinking of other things I could do. Making a list to refer to later. Maybe my interest in the same old thing will wain and it will be time for a new pattern in my brain.

The eyesight loss continues to be irritating. Recipes are now mostly google reads. Trying to remember more than two ingredients at a time is a chore. The spices are indecipherable. The lid labels are way too tiny and finding the right one has gotten me neither canned from the kitchen duties. Ground Cinnamon and Ground Cumin might have a similar labels but are not the same at all! I have not broken any jars yet this season. Hitting my elbow on the canner as I aim for the microwave above has left me a permanent bruise mark on the right arm. And I still can’t find those veggie hidden in all that dark foliage.

Nothing like a bunch of addendums to the writing. However, the allergy quotient is full up and am now on the steroids to make it through the fall season. So there’s that. And once again the discussion of how the acreage is getting to be too much for us to take care of. Doesn’t help that hubby works so many hours and then the entire weekend is spent on acreage clean up. (The ragweed and other weeds are in their full potential and causing much air pollution.). Well, enough is enough and on to the next topic.

“Ingenting Hage Port”

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The “Gate to Nowhere” and the “Butterfly that Does Not”…

The “Nowhere Garden Gate” needs a name right? Grandma’s gate remake turned out quite well. The original little gate was made by Great-Grandpa and had seen much better days. We tried using it as a garden gate for a few years, but it just did not survive the weather. So I asked if we could copy the pattern and make a gate to nowhere.

Ingenting Port sits next to the greenhouse and the tire bed. The little flower bed ended up being a makeshift thing, not intended originally. But it’s so difficult to mow in the area, that I made a bump out bed. The Snap dragons need a little support, right? We won’t ever use the gate, so hubby put some fence posts directly into the design and I can just push the support rods into the ground. (I am learning that white shows up really good for me in the summer time. So having little “land-marks” all over the place gives me something to aim for when I am walking about the acreage doing garden chores. This blind thing sure trips me up sometimes.) Whalah! An Ingenting Port!

No one will even remember the name. But I though we should use some Norwegian for the little gate.

We already have a Bridge to Nowhere! So why not? Well, maybe the bridge is on an island of rocks, but… The landscape plan just failed me at the moment when we needed a home for the bridge where it would not sit in dirt or lawn and rot. Right now it is the home for some other plants and the new tree.

Cocoa’s tree is purchased. We picked a Prairie Gold Aspen. Not sure if that was a good one, but it looks like if the tree stands alone it can be quite a specimen. We will plant it in our pet cemetery. I have some other ideas for the landscape in that area also. But for now it will mark our beloved pony’s resting place.

The Butterfly that Does Not is looking better. We put some seed out over a month ago in the large wings and though there is much green the flowers are slow in coming. Of course the runaway Black Eyed Susan’s are all along the perimeter on the outside. I dug up some of the runaway Susan’s and put them down south next to the Cottonwood that survived from my plantings a few years ago.

The Peacock / chapel plant that has not been real happy in my house might actually make it. I finally decided to put some pebbles on a tray and keep water under the pot. The plant desires such high humidity that it often dies off in the winters around here. Next time a plant says “experienced gardener” I will probably pass if up!

Still very hooked on the mosaic crochet back pack bag. I just love this pattern and the color coordinates are endless. Don’t think I’ll ever be the same again. This is so much FUN!

Back At It

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But what is “it?” well, I am attempting a new mosaic crochet. Also watching the seedlings daily rise up from their little catacombs. And cleaning up in the greenhouse when I almost start cleaning in the house.

Found a few mosaic patterns to try to I grabbed some real ugly color set and making an attempt at a prayer shawl/perhaps it will be an afghan crochet project.

Trying to get Honey back into the working mindset has not been easy. It made her very unruly the day that Eva walked with unleashed, and misbehaving off in the rearview mirror of our walking. I was so frustrated I took the harness off and marched away from her thirty paces. Then, called her back to the job, which went better the last half of return walk home.

There is no such thing as a cakewalk in life. I know this time of year many of my friends or relatives are thinking of their vows for lent etcetera, but fasting does not include “easy” options. There is a new fad diet of fasting for longer than twelve hours a day. I think if I ever tried that someone would surely find me on the floor in a heap.

Here they come! The blooms on the Mother’s day geraniums are popping one by one very day. It is so fun to watch things grow! And watch them bloom. I have been busy organizing in the greenhouse. The starts/cuttings season is over. And the growing season is on. So I am putting all of the color selections together. It’s not very easy as their are so many sizes. The first thing is just getting the beds freed up so that I can plant some greens for our own consumption.

With the spring comes the snow melt and the MUD! So when the view out the window is so messy, it is time for a windowsill update. We went to the lumberyard last weekend and found some items we needed. And of course I found a plant or tow! The little aloe variety and the cactus were just the thing that this little pot needed. The bunny ear cactus did have some roots so into the arrangement it went. Arrangements are always better in odd numbers. Decorating is not really my thing. But cleaning up the view was in order.

Honey had her groom date yesterday. That is the first time that I have ever been with for grooming drop off. she was not sure she should leave me. I found that funny. The instructions were followed and I did not have to have a skinny twig returned to me. It was mostly a hygiene day. Getting a full haircut is not necessary every time. It only cut the price by one President Jackson.

Crochet brain freeze has been accompanied by the book “My patients and other animals: a veterinary’s stories of love, loss, and hope” by Suzy Finchan-Gray. Much of the book was very sad. And why does the bond that we share with pets have to be so “inexplicable?” I think that was her favorite word. Doctors do like to use big words you know.

Finishing a couple more books. One is the Tabernacle book that my mother gave me. The explanations of the Veil in the Jerusalem temple are very poetic and almost terrifying. The idea that one of the high priests could die if entering the Holy of holies improperly is such a description of true reverence. It makes me almost ashamed to hear anyone call a Pastor today “Reverend so-and-so”. The more recent book that I started is the tale of a veterinary of internal medicine. The book is interesting in some respects, but the stories of end of life decisions are so sad. I just wanted to skip through all that stuff. Until she gave her opinion on euthanasia. Not a topic I agree with her on. Animals do not carry the same value of soul as a human being. We are made in the image of the Almighty (Genesis 1:27). And though God decided it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) it is not the dog or cat that He elevated to be the man’s helpmate. So glad that I can see the bigger picture of creation and God’s design for human companionship both in marriage and within the world of animals. Manny people might not agree with my opinion of pets in our lives.

So I may be “Back At It” whatever it is. Keeping myself occupied is the main thing. Today, is actually a whole week after starting this entry. And my mind started reeling with activity after the children’s sermon at church. I use to say, I go to church for the children’s message. Well, I still do. And maybe it’s because we have to become like a child to understand things of the faith. We have to approach faith with the trust of a child. We have to come to Jesus with full childlike belief and hope that God is who He says He is.