Look what happened when I double clicked!

Last 3 Dog Night

Expect this to be our last "3 Dog Night." We shall now be called "4 Dog Night." Could have Fonz this evening or sometime this weekend. Expect it to be an exciting time for all. (Double click to get the full impact of Rowdy's excitement.)

Light rain last night. Still dark but can hear the birds singing. Cannot believe there is no wind this AM---It's early. We have had 51 MPH winds this last week. DO NOT LIKE THE WIND. Plan to go to Mass this AM, volunteer at the rectory for a few hours, run some errands, stain some wood, file some papers in my office, and putz around the house/yard this evening. Exciting--Huh?

Stay healthy, be safe, and stay in touch.

Love, Mom

Forget-Me-Not

Forget-Me -Not and Columbine pics. More pics to follow---have over 2,000+ pics. Another bridle your excitement moment.

Mass this AM and back to Church at 11:00am to cover a Holy Hour for a friend and then home to work around the house. That's my day.

For your day--Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Day Trip

Had a wonderful day yesterday. Took a day trip to OK as a chaperone with the 8th graders at St Pat's. We left at 6:30am and returned back to the school a little before 10:00pm. We visited the OK City National Memorial & Museum and then onto St. Gregory's College and Monastery in Shawnee, OK. The Monks were wonderful and very hospitable, we toured the College, Monastery, went to Mass, and ate supper w/the Monks in their dining hall. (Thanks, Kevin and Jake for taking care of the "boys.")

So many of you have been so excited about our new arrival (The Fonz). Bridle that excitement for a few more days!! Know all of you are chomping at the bit to come home for a visit to meet the little guy. I will have some extra time to prepare your rooms and shop for extra groceries. His foster mom is out of town, the volunteer coordinator is swamped and has asked for a few days to get her schedule lined out so we can get all the paperwork in order. Rest assured, I will keep you posted of any changes.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

New Family Member

Yep, It happened. Fonzie came for a visit yesterday and won us (the "boys" and me) over. He should be joining us on Wednesday, if all goes as planned. He made himself right at home and the "boys" welcomed him by running and playing in the back yard. Cute dog(s).

Back from Mass, running errands, and doing Monday stuff. Keep healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Flowers and Runaways

More deer pics and shade garden Columbine (please--double click).

Cool, slight breeze and overcast here today. Plan to plant the rest of the flowers/plants before it rains.

Went to Mass last night...so
I could meet Fonzie this morning. His foster Mom is bringing him over at 9:00am. Got more scoop on him---he was a runaway. We have had other runaways in the family and they turned out okay so we will see. He has to get the "boys" approval.

Stay healthy, be safe, and stay in touch.

Love,

Mom

Stuff

Went to Mass, had breakfast w/friend, and have been out in the yard all day w/the "boys." Are they looking for someone to come and play with them?----Hmmmm (old pic---shed still up/fence still drab). Went to the greenhouse yesterday and still have lots of plants to put in the ground. It doesn't get much better--no wind, great temperatures and great soil. The deer (6 or 7) have been out in the back field several times today.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Rumors

Holy jumping Pups. Rumors are flying---there may be a new addition to the crew. Nothing certain but seriously thinking about it. Will keep you posted.

In the meantime, stay healthy, be safe, and stay in touch.

Love, Mom

More on Dogs

Okay---so what's wrong w/one more dog? The "boys" would love another playmate----have discussed it w/them and in between their slobbering, barking, and tongues hanging out they have wagged their tails in total approval. Really cannot put that little guy (Fonzie) out of my mind and have been humming Happy Days every since seeing his picture. Oh Gee----what a dilemma.

Back from Mass, volunteered a couple of hours at the rectory, and am confined to the house due a sporadically rainy/showery morning. Planned a day working in the yard and playing carpenter. Always have a backup plan---trying to remember what the backup plan was for today----Yeah, just remembered---fill out paperwork for dog adoption. Or do the laundry and vacuum.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Another OTR and DTR Day

Mass, grocery store, 2 more trips to the lumber yard(s), and finally lunch time. Glad to have my feet on the ground and out of the car. Every street in Wichita that can be torn up is and more detours than you could imagine. Like traveling in a different town. Need bread crumbs to drop along the way to find my way home.

What do you think of this little guy? His name is Fonzie. I am feeling tugs on my heart strings----Someone HELP!!!!!!

Keep healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Putzing, Planting, and Pups

What a beautiful day. Warm, sunny, no wind...Went to Mass, volunteered at rectory, lunched w/a dear friend, picked up more supplies at the hardware store, moved some plants and cannot have enough of the outdoors and the pups. The "boys" race through the garden and they too cannot get enough of the outdoors. Looked on line the other day to see if there were any extra Poms on the PALS site----Guess what? There is a little guy named Fonzie who could pass for Spencer's brother----Hmmmm.

With that being said---stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

OTD and DTR

Sun shining, no wind, temp 75 degrees. Went to Mass, volunteered at rectory, ate breakfast and am planning OTD DTR trip to some nurseries and hardware stores.

Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

More Spring

These little Hosta's never did well in the flower garden but have really multiplied and done well in this pot. What a treat to see all the new growth in the Spring.

Worked out in the back field yesterday, trimming/clearing out dead branches, raking up debris and pulling weeds from the fence area. Think the my neighbors are planning another mulching, shredding event this summer. That will really help to keep the field presentable. Have no itching today---so far no Poison Ivy symptoms nor visible ticks so think it went well---field sure looks better. The deer will be surprised and wonder who cleaned up their hangout.

Cloudy and cool this AM. Went to Mass, ate breakfast, and did a little baking. Plan a quiet peaceful day. Hope your day is also peaceful, staying healthy, safe, and keeping in touch.

Love,

Mom

Day Off

Taking a day off.
Stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Sharing and Showers

Taken through the new gated arbor last week just to get view of some of the early expanded flower garden. This not all of it. Will take more as time goes by and try to encompass more area. It is just great to see the transition.

Light rain this AM, naturally slowing down outdoor work--gurrrrr! Did water the flowers yesterday---Also, hosed off, cleaned front deck/furniture and put up some hanging baskets. Moving into this Spring. Everything is so green and growing. I feel like I am in prison looking outdoors and unable to get out and do my thing. OH WAH!

Readings at Mass have been really profound and timely. Usually do not overtly evangelize but wanted to share a portion of yesterday's Psalm (34) reading: When the just cry out, the LORD hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the LORD delivers him.

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

Love, Mom

Putzing and Pups Play Day

Told ya there would be more Hosta's--even threw in some lily foliage, ajuga, perennial MN geranium, sedum, leaves, and a few daffodil...A little windy yesterday but warm and always great to get out with those plants. Weeded, dug up a shrub(s), one was spent/woody, the other did not survive the winter and will be replaced next week. Uncovered the winter bedding on some plants. Most of the plants in the shade garden are looking better and coming up nicely. (Double clicked---made note to self--- water today.)

Doing more evening reading and working on a perfect spot to do more outdoor morning reading. Will e-mail pic of the spot to family.

Off to Mass this AM, plan to visit w/a friend until mid afternoon, then putz and play w/the pup posse. Putzing and pups are my thing today.

Lots of birthdays in our family this month, past and to come. Please keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers.

You know the plea from me----please stay healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Hosta

Just a little Hosta (one of my favorites). Taking a lot of "pop up" pics. Bear w/me--There will be many more. Isn't it just too exciting?

Planning a greenhouse trip soon but want to wait until more plants are up.

Have a healthy, safe day and keep in touch.
Love, Mom

Whimsy

Took pictures of the Chokecherry tree blossoms yesterday. They are so fragrant and beautiful. The tree is at its best this year. Each year something changes---that is either a profoundly stupid statement or profoundly real and needs not be said---but there I said it anyway. The tree has bores (cannot be treated) and may be showing its best this year in spite of the bores.

Off to Mass, volunteer at the rectory and come home to do my domestic magic. It is magic because it may happen or may not happen---then we move into whimsy and I just move around accomplishing nothing but am delighted to be here doing squat nothing purposeful---think they call it being retired.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Mass for Ken

Mass being said for Ken at Church of the Resurrection this morning @ 8:00am. Could not get it on his actual birthday. Need to close and get ready to go.

Have a healthy, safe day and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Addendum: Mass was wonderful. Msgr. Carr was the celebrant. He offered the entire Mass w/o benefit of reading it. Thanked him following the Mass and told it was an honor to have him celebrate the Mass. He looked at me and said, "Ashpole, right?" What a wonderful priest and what a brilliant mind.

Today

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday.

Please ask God to take our departed family members into His loving arms. May God's Mercy sustain and bring comfort to all.

Love, Mom

Today

My Day:
Back from Mass.
Run errands.
Go to grocery store, lumbar yard.
Do laundry.
Pick up the house.
Putz in the yard/flowers.
Eat out tonight (DeFazio's or Cheddars) w/friend.

Your Day:
Stay healthy.
Be Safe.
Stay in touch.
Put me on the travel agenda as a several day, anytime, unforgettable, fun, crazy, stop over.

Love, Mom

On the Go

Back from Mass, ate a bite and am off to Haven, KS to get routine maintenance check on the car. Nice driving day---sunny, no wind...

Then plan a day in the yard putzing, pruning, and pulling weeds.

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

Addendum at 12:50PM: Crappy day to drive---the wind practically blew the car off the road. Made it home safely and will now regroup from wind ranting and get on w/the yard day in this continuous windy KS day---Geeeez---enough already w/the wind!

The Day

Thirty-four degrees, no wind---think I may have awakened in another State---NO WIND!!!! Off to Mass and then the usual unplanned, come what may day.

Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Hail to Ya

Weather has been so bizarre---take that back---weather has been so Kansas. Windy, dusty, gusty--downright miserable yesterday and then all hail broke loose with strong winds, blowing rain... Was fun to watch Spencer forage or rather pig down on the ice on the back deck. He really got his fill---so much so that he had to take a potty break this morning at 4:00am. That boy is really a rebel---lovable but a rebel. (DC to see the cool hail)

Went to Mass, ran an errand, plan to do laundry, pick up the house, and catch up on odds and ends around this homestead. Stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Blah, Blah, Blah

Back from Mass and volunteering at the rectory. Plan to busy myself around the house since it is so windy, cloudy, and humid outside. I am either such a fragile flower or with age have the sense to know I can do the yard work on a day when it is more enjoyable to be outside. Love not being on the clock.

The "boys" did well w/their grooming day. (I did too). They were low key all of yesterday afternoon. Love the shorter trims---they are more comfortable and bring less debris into the house.

Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Mom's Day Out

Tiarella and miniature Heuchera. Both survived the winter and are shown here to tell you they love the shade garden. (Thanks, Kat)

Back from Mass, took boys to groomer, and stopped by the grocery store. Too windy to work in the yard. Plan a day inside picking up and enjoying the quiet time----no barking for awhile.

Have a great day, stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Happy Easter

Wanted to share this picture with you--one of my favorites and no better day than this to share it with you. Happy Easter! Got home from Easter Vigil Services at 11:30pm last night and slept in this AM (6:45am).

Got most of the weeding/cleaning of flower beds/yard done yesterday and am amazed at all the perennials "popping" up. Looks like the shade garden has survived the move/winter--though still more to come up with warmer weather.

Plan a quiet day. Hope your day is great-- sending a shout-out---stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Weeding and Cleaning

Already been to lumber yard, called my nursery guru and plan to weed and clean out some flower beds. Going to Easter Vigil Mass this evening and then help the sacristan following Mass.

Have a Blessed Easter, staying healthy, safe, and keeping in touch.

Love, Mom

(Mystery flower---any ideas?---Okay, I double clicked--too bright--just enjoy the ajuga---forget the flower ID)

Ticks and Tiarella

Added a little something to the shade garden---a gated entry arbor going to the main one. Put it together by myself (w/some struggling and awkward moments but no cussing---makes one proud--huh?)

The vines are greening up nicely around/by the main arbor and am trying to decide what plants (annuals) to put in the planters on the main arbor. It is wonderful to be outside and see the daily changes in the plants. (Kat, you were spot on about the Tiarella plant---it is hardy, really surprised me with the harsh winter--it is peeking out of the soil---it lives!!!!!)

Not only did the Tiarella survive the winter but also the ticks. Found the first one on my leg last night---Alas, nothing much left of it after removal but a spot on a Q tip. I am sure the trees in the grove behind the house are infested w/them. Plan to talk w/my local nursery guru and see if there is something organic that can be used beside me to get rid of the little pests. I check the "boys" daily and treat them w/monthly medication so have to let them off the hook on this one.

Plan to run some errands, work in the yard, go to early Church this afternoon, and chill w/the "boys" this evening. Hope you plan to stay healthy, safe, and in touch.

Love, Mom

More Spring

The little daffodils have returned and are blooming. Told the story about them last year---will not repeat it again this year---just double click and enjoy a bit of my Spring--(if you look close you can catch a glimpse the tip of the one and only Hyacinth).

Plan to go to evening Services for the next 3 days. Will putz around the house doing what I do---anything I want until then. Already 65 here, still dark and a little breezy.

Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom