For Phia

Loved Phia's boots-(check out LJ Blog)--had to improvise but made a modified pair for snail stomping. Phia is my hero with her frog boots.
Love, Ma

Another snail, another "busy" day

Another snail!---One of many I'm sure. Could make a sick poem and think I will. (Caught in the act--this is a fact--like one of two-- just got the shoe.) These snails are pests and eat the foillage off of my plants. Not finding as many--but they are getting larger. What does that tell you?--more and better foillage. Please do not suggest I should catch and release ---will pack them up and release at your house.

This Gerbera Daisy amazingly made it though the winter thus the somewhat tattered appearance. It is a little disfigured, less than perfect, but hardy, resillient, and quite remarkable to have sustained a rough winter. Call me a Gerbera Daisy.

Weather is wonderful here today---Currently 67 degrees and quiet out except for the wonderful birds. Mowed, weeded and watered yesterday. Plan to work at the rectory this AM, read, and nap this afternoon with the "boys."

Please stay healthy, safe, happy, and keep in touch,

Love,

Mom

Weighing out options

Note: Rocks still in wagon.

Weighing out options: Decisions, decisions: Spread rocks or hips. Decided to defer the rock laying to making German chocolate cup cakes (an Ina Garten recipe aka Barefoot Contessa).

Keith and Becky had me over for dinner yesterday afternoon. Jake was home. We had a great meal, great visit, and these cupcakes were left at their house (have my own stash at home).

Planning on mowing, trimming shrubs, pulling weeds, reading, playing with the dogs, and getting in a nap before this day is over.

Please stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

The "Look"

This is what I faced yesterday when I returned from Camelot---the "Look." Depression, hunger, and immobility had set in during my absence. Don't they just look pitiful? A little meal, ice cream treat, lap time and they were back to their old selves.

Flower feature for today: Minneapolis Coleus (top) and a black ajuga (bottom) (Double Click to enlarge)--both seem to be thriving this summer. Enjoy!!!

Plans for today include playing in the flower garden, reading, resting, blah, blah, blah... Have a few rocks to line/extend some flower beds. Will be perfect time since it is cooler here today.

Enjoy your day, stay safe, healthy and close to one another.

Love,

Mom

Good News--Sad News

Worked in the flowers this AM---camera close by of course. Took only 24 shots (thanks to Linda/Keith for the memory card idea/procurement and of course to all of the kids who got the camera for me years ago). So you know what is coming this week---yep--lots of flower pics. (double click to enlarge).

The good news is the smoke bush (on the top) is taking off wonderfully this year---look at all that great new growth. The sad news is the snail (on the bottom) on the ajuga was caught in the act, posed for the pic, and died immediately following its pictoral debut. Am having to catch them in the act and destroy them by hand or foot. Spencer has found the snail bait (iron phosphate granules) quite delicious, ate it as fast as I put it down. It is not lethal to pets but is also not lethal to snails if it is contained in black (from the iron) dog feces.

Having said that will not go on a dog tangent this AM--the sun is shining, still nice out, not too warm, and looks like a great day ahead. Looking forward to staying cool and going to Camelot matinee this afternoon.

As always---you are all close to my heart, keep safe, stay healthy, keep in touch, and enjoy your week end.

Love,
Mom

Another day with "boys"

Okay, know I have run the dog thing into the ground. Buster is at the back door waiting for me to open the screen, Rowdy is stretching looking like Rowdy, and Spencer has just finished the crumbs on the floor search and taking a rest. These pics were taken prior to grooming---now do you get the picture?----do you think they really look like they needed to be groomed?---heck no! Now I am beginning to understand why they were so good on the way to the groomer (a first for them--no whining, shaking, crying, etc.). Think they are trying to lay a big time guilt trip on me.

Another okay, had to include some flowers (taken the first of June). The sweet potato vines, coleus, and spikes are thriving--grass looks better now.

Mowed this AM before it hit 100 degrees. Planning on that special time with the "boys"----reading and nap time this afternoon. Busy and different Saturday planned--Bought a matinee ticket to see the music theater presentation Camelot. Thought it would be a great way to spend a hot afternoon.

WWMD---She would ask you to stay safe, healthy, enjoy your day, and keep in touch,

Love,

Mom

Flowers and "Boys"

Today's morning flower pics.

The "boys" wanted me to show you how "cool" they look. Really good timing on the grooming---it has been in the 100's all week. They are really great company (know I keep repeating that---kind of like a mantra) but as said before they are really clingy, always seem under foot, on my lap, in my bed, in my arms--oops, slipped on that one---would have had to pick them up for that to happen. Am thankful they are small and great company---obviously this will require more adaptation on my part.

Washed the car today (at the car wash, of course)---Pop probably sat with God and had a good laugh on that one. Oh, the things one has to learn to do and the things we appreciate after the fact.

Keep safe, keep healthy, keep in touch,

Love, Mom

Weeded, watered, mowed, groomed...

Flower garden weeded/watered (click 2 times to enlarge), yard mowed/watered, dogs groomed, and a day off planned. Too hot already to do much outside. The "boys" have indicated they want to nap this afternoon. Think I just might follow their lead and take a nap with them.

Glad it is summer and have plenty of tasks to keep me busy.

Love, Mom

Begging not to go

Guess what today is???-----Mom's day out!!--(yea)--the "boys" are trying to look pathetic in hopes I have forgotten this is their grooming day. Don't they look like they are trying to disappear into the floor so I can't find them?--(cute thought---terrible photography). I have really given them too much credit in the thinking department---they mainly eat, sleep, poop, and BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, etc...but they all do it very well. Love them to pieces but find they are very clingy of late and I am in need of some dogless space.


This is what my Mom's day out will include---working in the flower beds, mowing the lawn, and Weeding, weeding, weeding, weeding, weeding, etc...(Click twice on pics to enlarge---and take advantage of seeing all the weeds.)

Kind of see a theme going on here----lots of barking and weeding at this place. Better get started before it gets too hot.

To my family---I wish you all a great, safe, and healthy day. To everyone else----Come on over to visit and help weed!!!

Love, Mom

Remembering Ray today

You never said I'm leaving. You never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it and only God knew why. If love alone could have saved you--you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly. In death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you the day God took you home. (author unknown w/some liberties taken)

Love,

Jewels

Post rain and the flowers are happy

Wonderful rain this AM----flowers loved it (click twice to enlarge). The "boys" and I stayed in, stayed dry, read, and even got in a short nap. Nothing any better than a rainy day for the flowers. Noticed I caught a portion of Becky and Taylor's walking stones.

Life is quiet, life is good, life is working out slowly in a different direction---glad it is summer time. Had a great visit with Kat this morning----think we have the world figured out----WATCH OUT WORLD!!!
Love,
Mom

Tribute to a friend

As many of you know John Breising passed away on June 7, 2009 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty (Gehring) Breising; his son Robert "Bob" Breising; sister Vivian Schill of Newton; also survived by many wonderful in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. A celebration of life service was held today at Country Acres Baptist Church.

Rumor had it that McD's had already put up a marquee tribute. Thanks to Joe, here is a copy of that marquee. Spoke with Betty to add this to our blog. She agreed and will print out to send to others. (Remember to click twice on the pic to enlarge it.)


Keep the Breising family close to your hearts your thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Mom

Request for Dear Friends

Please keep in your thoughts and prayers John B., a dear friend and his family members. John is critically ill and under the care of hospice. Pop considered John his "survival resource." Their friendship spanned over 45+ years and remained strong up to Pop's passing. Pop cherished the friendship and meetings with John and the "boys" for the McD daily coffee gathering.

Again, please keep John, Betty, and Bobby close to your hearts in thoughts and prayers as they go along this journey.

Love,
Mom