More busy days

Off to Mass, volunteer couple hours at the rectory, run errands, then get ready to attend the weekend Midwest Catholic Conference.

Remember the Gerbera that was beginning to open?--Here it is in all its glory. The pic does not do the color justice. It is a real vibrant yellow. Took more pics last night and will share them later. Have some great snap dragon, coleus, crepe myrtle pics---know you can hardly wait.

Keep healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

On the Road Again

Came home yesterday, at noon, to let the "boys" out to do their business--doors/gates shut. Carpenters went to lunch. Spencer decided to make a break through an opened garage door. Buster and Rowdy began raising all kinds of ruckus. I got ready to leave and noticed Spencer was gone. Drove all over our neighborhood, windows down on the car, hollaring his name/whistling, shaking his food container with no results. Called some neighbors to ask them to be on the lookout. Then thought---surely he wouldn't have made it to 37th---got back in the car---headed to 37th and what to my "wandering" eyes should appear but a white ball of fur taking the east route on 37th. Pulled in a nearby driveway got out and in a friendly voice, all the while shaking the food container, called him. He ran to me--but no licking or appearing happy to see me---because he had obviously stopped off at a barbeque on his outing and still had his mouth stuffed full of grilled barbequed meat. Called off the neighborhood search parties, jumped back in the car and made it back in time to help with school enrollment.

The Crepe Myrtle in the back yard is loaded w/buds. Took some "before" pics and will send more after it blooms. Looking forward to the siding job to be completed so I can be out in the yard and begin some projects.

Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Busy Day(s)

Off to Mass then help with school enrollment until about 6:oopm. Will take a couple of breaks to come home to check on the "boys" then back to the school. Tomorrow will help with folding letters and stuffing envelopes (1000+) to send out for parish re-registration. Cleaning at the rectory on Friday AM and then off in the afternoon to a local 3 day conference.

The siding is coming along nicely--will send some pics in near future. The construction guys have some other jobs on tap and will return late Sept/early Oct to paint the house. That will be fine with me. The "boys" feel too confined and are getting stir crazy. Lots of barking at all the different noises.

The Master Gardeners are having a photo contest. I may consider entering---but will have to review (1200+) of my flower pics to see if I have any worthy to send. They will accept only one pic per person. Decisions, decisions...

The morning glories are all volunteer this year--this one picked the back fence and looks like it grew from the fence instead of a plant. The bees are really working on the plants---you can see pollen scattered on the petals. (That should provide excitement in your lives ---to see scattered pollen on petals---it does in mine--I am glad to see so many bees return).

Okay enough. Please stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love, Mom

Moles, flowers, and stuff

Not only are the rabbits under attack but also the moles. Came home yesterday afternoon, walked out in the yard to see the siding progress and noticed a long sizable mole tunnel. Did the old flood the tunnel trick, watched him come to surface, pitched him out of the tunnel with the spade, adjusted his neck, and tossed his remains into the field. All while visiting with the neighbor lady about the best product on the market to get rid of moles. This is Ma's version of catch and release. Keith arrived just in time to see the famous mole toss into the back field. The "boys" could not help on this one as they are confined to the house during the siding work (gates/garage doors open and they are underfoot). They only take brief jaunts out in the yard to do their business.
Hosta blooms. All of my hostas bloom throughout the summer and this is by far the most beautiful. The color of the foliage and the flowers are such a nice compliment to one another. Caught the yellow Gerbera Daisy opening up. Thought the spiral "fingerlike" petals were interesting. (Double click on both for details).

Off to Mass this morning, then to the school most of day to help get packets ready for school enrollment, (in between coming home to medicate Rowdy, let "boys" out to do their business, check on siding progress, etc.)

Please stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Flowers and stuff

Had a nice quiet weekend, took some AM /PM flower pics, read, caught up on some DVR TV, even took an afternoon nap w/the "boys."

AM pic of a Gerbera Daisy. The daisy's keep blooming. Have to catch them before the rabbits chew the stems into. Can tell you there may be some upcoming pics of rabbits in repose if this continues. Will give warning ahead of time so you can use your discretion before viewing--at least they are not deer. Rabbit carcases are easy to toss---do not know if I would be up to lugging a deer to the field.

PM pic of same Gerbera Daisy. Still standing. Love taking the pics at different times of the day. Just love having the daisy still being there at end of day---thanks to a reduced population of rabbits----Hmmmm, must be a copper plague that is striking them down.

The medication is helping Rowdy. He did not have one episode of panhandling--I mean pain--all day yesterday. Have to make myself a check off list to make sure he gets the right meds and at the right times. Gee---back to nursing!

Busy day/busy week. Helping w/school enrollment for 3 days, doing some volunteering at the rectory, then will be at a conference Fri thru Sun.

Please stay healthy, be safe, have a great week, and stay in touch.

Love,

Mom

Day of Rest at Ma's

Plan a quiet day around the ranch. Off to Mass, maybe breakfast w/some friends, play w/the "boys", read, and chill. Worked in the yard most of yesterday, weeding, trimming shrubs, edging the lawn, mowing, and moving/unloading another wagon full of rocks. It is a beautiful morning, 56 degrees, the birds are singing, the whole summer morning thing going on and without my help---love it---just enjoying it.

This pic was taken 07/27/09 (Double click for wonderfull color and details). Love the colors together. Another MN plant (purple one). It is a Camelot coleus settled in w/the Marigolds and yellow Zinnias. Seems like I have a lot of MN plants. This one actually came in a package this spring from MN. Know I have described the coleus before so will not repeat myself---will just say--it is beautiful!!

Rowdy has been under the weather. Has been to the Vet 2 times in a week and has distressing episodes displaying neck/shoulder guarding. Now have him on 4 medications--(including inflammation, stomach, pain, muscle relaxation medications). He is now 7 1/2 years old. I would hate to think he has started displaying these symptoms just to obtain "drugs." I hate to have him on these medications and am actually thinking of looking into taking him to a dog chiropractor--we'll see.

Have a great rest of the weekend, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch. (Guess who is planing a trip to Hawaii, guess who is now taking their dog on business appts, guess who is recovering well from a recent surgery? Yada, yada---keep in touch.)

Love,

Mom

Flowers and Showers

Had a wonderful rain last night. Droplets of water from the leaves on the trees can still be heard plopping onto the flowers---thanks tree leaves--thanks rain. Had 2nd thoughts about not watering the flowers when I went to bed last night---then WALLAH the rain came. Busy cool morning here in the hood---Mass, grocery shopping, laundry, and visiting with the neighbors to discuss our new siding.

Another pic (07/31/09) of that beautiful MN lily. It has been absolutely incredible, blooming all summer long. This lily is so unique with the delicate "painted" lines, rippled edges, and colors that range from burgundy to salmon.

Please have a great weekend, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom