Mother Nature's on vacation

Mother Nature has finally decided to cut us a break. Middle of last week it was still cold and damp. Higher elevations even had snow. Yesterday, we hit high 70's. Can't ask for better than that. Oakhurst hit the 80's, I'm up another 300' or so and surrounded by trees so it's always a little cooler here, good thing in the summers, not so much in the winters.

My yard is now full of color and the pond is working. I need to add some more fish. The broken waterfall is almost refurbished. I can't find the leak to repair it so I'm covering it and placing plants in among the rocks. I think it's going to be fine.

Kate and I are back to daily walks and they're getting longer (much to her delight). Yesterday I broke out the power washer and taught myself how to use it. The back deck and front porch are in dire need. I'll get them washed down this week along with the patio furniture and the eaves under the house and then I'll plant myself out on the chaise with a good book during the heat of the day.

This is my kind of weather. I know it won't last, it's going to be "hot" soon but I'll take what I can get. The sun is shining, I don't hurt as much as I do in the cold, wet winter. But I'm above the extreme heat of the city. Life is good!

A Really Good Weekend

It was a very enjoyable weekend. Friday was a normal Friday. I ran some errands, made some fixes around the yard, spent some quality time with a good book and had a long telephone visit with one of my BFF's.

Saturday, a granddaughter that I haven't seen in a few months came up and spent the day with me. We didn't do anything special, just hung out together. We did take a drive around the lake where the family used to camp and we brought home burgers & fries for lunch. Mainly, we visited and remembered past summers and events and brought each other up to date on what's going on with us today. She's a sweetheart and I felt warm and loved even after she left.

Yesterday a friend and I met after church and went to our town's version of a Home & Garden show. It's held at the town park and, by necessity, is on a smaller scale than Fresno can produce but it was very nice and the vendors had things worth seeing (not always the case). Last year we had nasty hot weather (106 degrees) and this year it was maybe 56 degrees, felt colder, and it was threatening rain. But we saw friends, including vendors, and just enjoyed being outdoors and walking around. I found some flowers that will be perfect around and under my large oak tree and I may now be able to make the fixes my drip system needs. I think I understood what he was trying to tell me.

We went to a little mexican restaurant for lunch after and then went our separate ways to run errands. I came home, installed a new timer for the lamp posts at the end of my driveway, the rain started so I came in, was attacked by a cat nap and then went back to my book. It was a fight but I managed to stay awake last night (okay, I had to rewind a couple of times when my eyes slammed shut for a few minutes) to see who the new celebrity apprentice is ... Way to go, Bret! By my standards, it was a terrific weekend!!!

The Walk

Katie and I went for a long walk today. These walks apparently are very interesting when seen from her point of view. For me, it's usually just walking the dog; a pretense at exercise. Sometimes I manage to notice the weeds and flowers, both new and dead, on either side of the road. I know, in reality they're all weeds but weeds and flowers are like beauty; it's all in the eye of the beholder. Then, of course, there's the leavings from other dogs whose owners seem to think they're adding something worthwhile to the local environment by not picking up after their dog and these require "watering" by my delicate little lady. During the season, pinecones catch my attention and occasionally come home with me to add to the winter decor.

Since we walk on a dirt road, I give most of my attention to watching for cars and trucks so I can make sure she's safely off the road when they pass us. Sometimes, though, I watch the sun and the clouds play across the sky and there's always the occasional bird who vocalizes to let me know that we too are being watched. Today, while Katie made one of her stops, I watched a caterpillar crossing the road. I have to wonder if, were I to go back in a couple of days, he'd have made it all the way across yet. Or, if he'll be on a platter tonight at some bird's family feast.

Katie, on the other hand (or paw), finds a great deal to interest her on these walks - every rock and twig is of interest. I remember once some years ago, a man walking along the same trail we were on was watching Kate as she stopped to sniff every couple of steps, and he remarked that she was reading the newspapers and memos left by other dogs. She stops to check out crawling critters and new plants that I didn't even notice and she'll sniff all the way around the tree that a squirrel just ran up or down. Then something six feet ahead catches her eye and we're off. We'll catch what she missed on the way back. She loves these walks. She sees her harness and she's ready to go. For me, it's just a walk, "same old, same old," --- to her it's all a brand new, exciting adventure each and every time she takes it. There may be a lesson here.

Old Rockin' Chair's Got Me

I'm feeling my age and a few years more. I'm still adjusting to my "little sister" turning 60 and now my "baby brother" is retiring from the fire department in a month. Two grandchildren turned 18 last week and I have four others already in their twenties; early 20's but 20's nevertheless. Yard work this spring isn't as easy as I think it should be. I've discovered sprinklers that need replacing and I can't get the old ones loose by myself. My tomatoes are hanging but they need more dirt and I need someone to come help me lift them down and re-hang them. I have other projects, inside and out, that impolitely remind me that I'm not in my 40's or even my 50's anymore. And then I get an invitation to my high school reunion, my 50 year reunion. 50 years? When did that happen? I thought about mowing the lawn today but by the time I took my nap it seemed like tomorrow might be a better day for it. Yep, old rocking chair's got me.

Maybe it's not me, maybe it's just the effect of this constantly changing weather. Ya think?

The Rocker's Been Quiet

I haven't posted anything all week because there's been nothing. The porch rocker has put forth no inspiration. The animals, the newly planted flowers, the weird weather - nothing has kicked loose any thoughts for sharing. Anyone who knows me would be aghast to hear me say, "I have nothing to say."

Life is carrying on, Katie and I are busy. We went to "the city" last Friday. I left her at Doggie Day Camp and joined three friends of mine, who/whom I haven't seen in forever, for lunch. It was really nice to spend time visiting and catching up with them. The little restaurant had great food and more of it than you can eat at one meal so I had a great dinner that night too.

I ran a couple of errands and before going back for Katie I stopped at Lowe's and picked up samples of wall paint. I have aspirations of painting my living room and hallway this year. I had the same aspirations last year but now I've gone so far as to pick up paint and bring it home so I can decide what color and shade I'm going with. Maybe I'll actually get it done this year. It could happen.

Happy Birthday Little Sister!

This year, much to her chagrin (and mine too,) my baby sister turns "the big 60". It's been a long and bumpy ride. I remember when my mom brought this little interloper in to our home. Mom had been divorced and remarried. I never knew my biological father and I worshipped this man I considered my dad and now I was supposed to share him. The baby was cute ... for a baby. When we moved to Venice (California,) where my folks worked in a hotel, mom would push the baby buggy across the street to the park and I would sit with her for however long. There were seven years between us, not conducive to a really close relationship when your little more than a toddler yourself and used to being the princess.

Later, in my teen years, she was conscripted into duty as mother's little spy. If I had company, I could count on her needing to be in the room. And parties ... somehow there was always a reason for her to be sent to join us. Now, true, she had a crush on one of the boys that hung with our crowd and all she wanted was "just one dance" but even after we moved and held our parties downstairs in the parking garages - after bedtime, guess who was sent to "see if we needed anything." As a little sister, she wasn't as bad as some. I think it was the age thing that was our problem. That and the fact that she was Mommy's girl.

As I grew older, married, and relocated, I thought it would be fun and romantic to take little sis back to the midwest with us for a vacation and some sisters bonding. Yeah well! Apparently I indulged in too much "happy families" reading.

And yet, we bonded. In spite of all the odds and our mom, we bonded. After I moved back to my hometown, she babysat. She'd spend an evening just keeping me company and sane. When we went through lousy relationships, divorces, illnesses, sick cats, we knew there was one person we could call who'd ask no questions but would simply help us out of yet another hole we'd dug ourselves into.

We took to visiting again and even vacationing together. We know today that no matter what else goes wrong in our worlds, we can count on little/big sister. We worry about each other and our animals. We don't get to spend a lot of time together (maybe that's a good thing) but we enjoy the visiting we do and we spend time keeping Verizon in business.

Just wanted to say, "I love you, Vicki 'rene. and I wish you a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I wish we could celebrate it together with something really outlandish but meanwhile maybe we can visit by phone and lift a glass of wine together.

"Honey, I Watered Your Houseplants for You"

I was talking with a friend of mine last week and we were discussing spring outdoor gardening and our house plants. Sometimes it takes no more than a word to trigger a memory ...

My husband was one of those people who would NOT have a faux plant in the house. He hated them in restaurants and offices. He claimed he could tell fake from real by just looking; no need to touch or feel.

I was in the hospital having had a hip replacement and he came bounding into the room so pleased with himself. "Honey, I watered all your houseplants today." The lady in the bed next to me gave me a look that spoke volumes. Obviously, she'd lived this moment before. Okay, ready for it? Here goes: With all proper concern, he announced, "The ficus in the entryway isn't well, the water just poured through the container. It took me forever to clean and dry the floor. And I put the ficus outside on the porch where it can get some sun."

To our credit, we tried, but we were laughing so hard, the tears were flowing. He looked at me, he looked at her, he looked - confused. There was nothing to do but 'fess up. "Sweetie, that ficus isn't real. You were watering a faux ficus. There's nothing in the container to hold the water." Even today, just the memory of the look on his face dissolves me to tears of laughter.

Can you handle one more? This memory evokes a Mothers' Day when he brought me roses. He brought them home the night before and left them in the car intending to put them in the garage fridge overnight. Dinner, a beer ot two later, and they were forgotten ... 'til the next morning when he went out to the garage where the roses were still in the car - dead! When I walked into the kitchen I found a vase of dead roses with a card and a note that read, "brain dead don't count. I love you!!" The vase (dead roses and all,) card, and note stayed out for all to see for the rest of the day. The family shared many smiles at our Mothers' Day gathering. After all, as he reminded us (often,) "it's the thought that counts!"

Happy Mothers' Day! And it's NOT just the thought that counts; pick up the phone and call Mom.

Hurray! It's Springtime

What a perfect day! Katie and I spent most of the day outside (which isn't easy with her weird diet every four hours and the round-the-clock med's routine she's on.) My flower beds were all prepped over the weekend and we had stopped at Sierra Nursery on our way home yesterday. Today we filled one set of flower beds with 4 dozen impatiens and a smaller porch box with a dozen pansies. We placed a couple of shrubs by the fence to see if that's where I'll want them, and looked around the front yard and felt pretty proud of ourselves. After lunch we took a short walk and then Miss Kate headed for her den, apparently feeling she'd earned an afternoon nap.

Any excuse to stay outside and enjoy the sun, I cleaned and refilled the various bird feeders. Now, as evening's coming on, the birds are heading to their nests, the critters to their favorite dinner spots (Note to deer - the impatiens are not on the menu!)and then on to wherever they call home at night. The two-legged critters (neighbors) will begin to head up the road soon to their homes and their dinners. While I wait, I think I'll sit back in my front porch rocker and start my new book and then take in the view and watch the world as everyone and everything heads home. To borrow from and paraphrase Oliver Twist, "Please Sir, tomorrow may I have another?"

Katie's Scary Weekend

She's better. She's home. And she's literally worth her weight in platinum now.

If you've read my blogs or know me, you know my dog Katie. She's my one constant, often my reason for getting up in the mornings. The cats will take exception to this but they take exception to most things, especially relating to the dog. You rarely see me, anywhere, without her.

She took sick last week. At first she just seemed to have lost her energy (and that's not easy to tell). Then she didn't want to eat. "Ride in the Car?" or "Wanta go for a walk?" got no response. Saturday afternoon she took a turn for the worse. I'd taken her temp' that morning and it was 101, no big deal. By afternoon it was up to 104.5 and she had blood in her stool. Time for a drive down the mountain to the ER Vet. My friend, Jackie, came over and down we went. This little dog who loves to sit in the center of the front seats laid in the back and slept.

This is my best friend, my child, my constant companion. I can't begin to imagine a day without her. She's been there for me through all my traumas and adventures and just sitting and watching the sunset or my idea of a good TV show.

We arrived at the ER and a doctor saw her immediately and, as doctors are prone to do, gave me worst case and best case scenarios. But he was filled with confidence just from looking at her that she was going to be just fine. He's a local boy, from Ahwahnee; specializes in emergency veterinary medicine. Must have a handle on it, right? Then he said, "We'll just take her in the back, run some labs, get an IV going and I'll call you in a hour or so. You can probably pick her up tomorrow (Sunday) or Monday." Whoa, back up. Leave her? You want me to leave her? Well, thanks to Jackie, who knew the questions to ask that I'd forgotten and who'd brought some common sense with her and not just emotions, Katie went to the back and I came home.

Apparently she'd ingested something that irritated her upper intestine creating an irritation (like an ulcer in you and me,) which developed a bacterial infection that worked its way down, and went from bad to worse. Saturday night she didn't much care what was going on, but by Sunday morning she was re-hydrated, the antibiotics were kicking butt and she was taking soft food. This morning I drove down and she was doing do-nuts (wheelies) again. She's on a diet that she thinks is the best ever and is in for a rude awakening toward the end of the week when she starts transitioning back to "dog food". She's on a weird combo of meds for at least a week. But she's home. She'll sleep on the bed with me again tonight ... and maybe I'll get some sleep.

I'm not ready for her to go hang with Dad. She has a lot to care for yet down here, mainly me. And she's still a youngster, she's only 9 years old, young for a cocker/pom mix.

To those who sent their thoughts and comments and to those who worked to keep me from unraveling, thank you! And, dear Lord, for not calling that angel back yet, only you know how grateful I am!