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

Flowers and stuff

Remember when I mentioned ornamental grasses? He is Mondo grass (Lirope), changes colors from black to iridescent purple/green shades, has delicate flowers and is a nice addition to the flower garden this year. (Click to see the spent flower pods)


Have a busy day planned--Off to Mass, volunteer at the rectory, take Rowdy to the Vet for yearly checkup, back to rectory for more volunteering (w/Allison), and hopefully early to bed this PM.


Mentioned the heritage flowers. Have spent a lot of time in the flower garden this summer and have noticed more details in all the flower/plants. Take a (click) look at this Marigold----the petals are so beautifully curled----looks like it is dressed in fabric to prance down a fashion runway.


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

Love,
Mom

Ma's Trivia

Noticed more bees (and also birds) this year (that is good). Was cleaning off the kitchen cabinet this AM and noted an interesting comment on the"The Old Farmer's Almanac" calendar for 07/30/2009. Thought this was too good not to share.

"As aerodynamic engineers found a long time ago, the bumblebee can not fly! It's wings are too weak and its body is too heavy to fly, but, fortunately, the bumblbee doesn't know that, and it goes right on flying." (Mary Kay Ash, American businesswoman--1918-2001)

Meant to tell you earlier this AM---stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Lantana Day

Featuring Lantana plants today (Pics taken on 7/27/09).

Have several different Lantana plants--lots of pretty colors. This is a heritage flower. My grade school teachers must have gotten discounts on these plants. Every year I was in grade school in Iola we would plant one in a little painted tin can, tie a ribbon around the can and give it to our mothers for Mother's Day. Love the heritage plants, e.g., Marigolds, Zinnias, Lantana, Snapdragon, Nasturtium, etc.

Thought I'd also throw on a snapdragon. (Double click for details and see the fly). Love, Mom