Good-bye Luxury - Hello Economy, & Cape May

Our whirlwind weekend began on Friday evening with Michael waking me in mid-snore, “Mary, Joe’s here!” I, flat on the sofa after dinner and doing some yard clean-up, looked like a beat up ditch digger (ouch). Good friends from Maryland planned a surprise visit and I loved seeing them for a few hours on Friday night. I threw some water on my face, brushed my hair, and was good to go. We met again on Saturday evening.

Michael (left) and Joe. “The Two Stooges”. We had a great time at a nice Italian restaurant with Joe’s lovely wife and two wonderful daughters.

After dinner, we walked to Border’s and I found Geoff’s book!

Susan, let him know I shuffled the shelves a bit.

Earlier on Saturday, we headed out to continue to shop for and test drive SUVs. I wasn’t looking forward to it since it was the third consecutive Saturday we were out and nothing thrilled me. My mind wandered on the way…

Michael thinks I’m a nut but this bug held on to the passenger mirror during 40 miles per hour. Whoa!

SUVs offer nothing I want or need anymore. My beloved Envoy had a heavenly ride but it only carried “little old me” most of the time. Do I need the room? No. Do I need to pay for gas at 22-24 mpg highway? No. The Honda dealership had a nice CRV but not in the colors I prefer – white, black, or red. It was hot on that new car parking lot and I wanted to get it done. I saw an Accord in black that was very nice with leather, a peppy four-cylinder, and amenities I like. I thought, “Why not buy a sedan?”, then I convinced Michael that I liked it very much and we should put an end to this torture right here and now.

He does his car-buying homework and loves playing “Let’s Make a Deal”, knowing how far he can push the card and this deal lasted a while with a manager that offered us the MSRP on the first try. We laughed! It reminded us of a friend in Maryland who had an out-of-body experience in a Ford dealership once and screamed, “Do you think we’re STUPID???!!!!!!” She stormed out. Her husband was mortified but agreed there was good cause for her to become ballistic. We giggled about that, waiting for a more than decent deal to be set in front of us. And it did.

The sale took a few hours to finalize and I spent my time outdoors until I had to sign the papers. The financing, waiting, and everything else about car dealerships makes me dizzy and downright bored to tears. I would have walked home if the Envoy wasn’t registered in my name.

I always find something out of the ordinary. Whaaat? On a parking lot?

While we transferred my stuff to the new Accord, I shed some tears. I cry over nuts and bolts. My wonderful, three-year old GMC with only 35,000 miles was worth less than half its purchase price. That is an American tragedy and I’ll never, repeat never, buy into it again. Sorry.

It’s not as “cushy” as the Envoy but it’s nice and black. I’ll bond with this car. It has a great sound system that will entertain me for long rides on the interstates (to Cape May, see below!). I'll also enjoy 34 mpg - very nice.

In the future, I see me in a red Mercedes sports coupe convertible. I’ll drive it wearing a wide-brimmed hat tied under my chin with top down and A/C running. My XM radio will play my favorite 80’s & 90's, loudly. I'll sing and hold onto my hat.

I was washing hummingbird feeders and making nectar on Sunday afternoon while watching the Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees in Cooperstown, NY. The Baltimore Orioles and Cal Ripken, Jr. made my heart swell with pride even though I’m not big a fan of major league baseball. (Allison, I do know Cal was #8). The Orioles have been blessed with numerous hall of famers over several decades and I remember them all.

Baltimore - My Home Town, hon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until I get my rear in gear and upgrade my template and sidebar:

I'm so excited

for the First Birder Blogging Conference

at the Cape May, NJ Autumn Weekend

October 26-27-28, 2007

Join the FLOCK:

Me

Lynne @ Hasty Brook

Laura @ Somewhere in NJ

Susan @ Susan Gets Native

Sharon, the Birdchick

Delia @ Beginning to Bird

the list is growing...and open to all!

It'll be a whoot!

For more info:

www.birdcapemay.org

Finally...No urgency at the office!

For the first time in three long weeks, there were no deadlines or rushing at work. So, what did I do today? Very little. I was not a good employee. My main focus was blog trolling and e-mailing friends. Very important stuff, I think, because my brain is shot.

I arrived at work at 7:10. This is what was waiting for me.

10:15 a.m. Nothing changed. It became increasingly apparent to me that I was going to intentionally waste the day.

11:00 a.m. I went outside in search of birds. No birds, but I saw a colorful moth.

Dear Laurie at “Don’t Make Me Get My Flying Monkeys” posted a mystery photo. I spent most of the morning trying to figure out what it was because I wanted to win the prize – a bottle of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Wine or a trip to Montana. It’s a plastic bag of poop and my guess put me in the lead but I couldn’t determine the answer of the next question, “How did it arrive to be?” The mystery is still unsolved as I write this. I giggled all morning about it! Laurie is a hoot.

Dear Laura at “Somewhere in NJ” is grieving over the loss of her old man dog, Buddy. I wept for her.

After hearing about Buddy, I left the office again with my camera. I saw a colorful bug.

I didn’t see any birds outdoors but “Julie Zickefoose” caught a fantastic action shot of a bird argument between a Titmouse and a Scarlet Tanager. Wow.

Dear NatureGirl at “Nature Trail” lost her beloved cat, Freddie. I wept again.

1:30 p.m. I shuffled some things around on my desk to show some moving and shaking going on…then I played some Free Cell.

Outdoors called me once again and I was in search of a hawk or SOMETHING! Nothing. Instead, I found THIS!

This is what I should have done today. I wanted to ask, “May I borrow that rock?”

Did I feel guilty? Yes, terribly guilty, all day long. If I were smart, I would have packed up at 9:00 a.m. and called it a day. I felt like deadwood or an employee with a pink slip in her future. However, I did a damned good job lately during some high-pressure times.

After work, I looked up to see Claude and Maude staring at me from my bedroom roof. Terrible photo. I guess I deserved it.

I'll force myself to be in be in bed early tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll work my butt off until 2:00 p.m. and call it a day. HA!

Does this sound familiar to anyone who has an office job?

Early Evening Retreat

6:58 a.m. A new day.

It lasted a long time at the office

and took my strength.

Dinner hour has passed

and the work is done.

I crave a brief retreat,

alone.

Quiet.

No dogs, no voices, no phone -

just me and sounds of nature.

Wind chimes, birdsong,

trickling water, hummingbird squeaks & engines.

Crickets.

Breathe.

Peaceful.

Gentle breeze, might rain.

Nice, for a while.

Need a little retreat tonight?

Join me.

Ughhh. Who fed her beans?

Sweet dreams!

Short Stories, Around the House

My life is full of non-stop thrills (joke)... Help me?

Guess who rescued a Five Line Skink from the inside of an overly cold, air-conditioned building today? I had better things to do in the office. Hmmm...not really.

Someone once told me that our last name has an Italian meaning of ‘street cleaner’. I don’t know if it’s true, but if you knew my husband, you might think it is.

Michael’s a very tidy person (except in the kitchen) and loves his toys. I watched him grin from ear to ear when he powered up his new Troy Built Pressure Washer and put it to the test. Like a child on Christmas morning, he looked to me with wonder and amazement on his face and I was happy that the 300,000 pounds of water pressure scoured away the stained concrete instantly! How exciting is THAT? After testing a dirty spot on the back patio, he hoisted that baby into the back of his pick-up and drove to Gina’s house to zap away a large black oil stain on her driveway. It bothered him. He hated that stain…

The hummingbirds didn’t like the noise and waited for him to disappear around the corner before they relaxed.

This new toy reminds me of the first time he used a snow blower in a blizzard. Every 4-6 inches of snow that fell, he’s suit up and crank up that wonderful engine again. Just when I thought he was thoroughly frozen and finished, I’d see him across the street removing snow for neighbors. All…day…long.

Back to the pressure washer, I hope he realizes he can hydro-cut his toe off if he isn’t careful. This new machine will be nice to have when I long for a snowfall. When it gets down to 20 degrees, I’ll hold the sprayer to the sky and let it snow on me while singing “Winter Wonderland”. Don’t think I won’t do it.

Chloe visited the vet on Saturday for a booster shot and check-up. Dr. Sarah and I laughed at a note on Chloe’s chart, “Hates Instruments”. She massaged every part of her body for several minutes and checked her teeth, eyes, and ears. Chloe didn’t like it very much but tolerated Dr. Sarah. Her muscles aren’t rock hard like they used to be, her vision isn’t sharp, she's had many teeth extracted, but she’s arthritis free and very healthy. At the end of the exam, Dr. Sarah brought the stethoscope out and Chloe took a growling shot at it, just as we expected. We laughed and agreed it wasn’t worth it this time. Her distemper shot was a three-year booster. This means Chloe will be 14 when she needs another booster… I plan on being there with her. She's a determined lady who will live beyond her expected years (please).

We thought it would be nice to allow Chloe & Bella to enjoy the view from the hill in front of the house so we bought a sturdy Evenflow baby gate for the porch. If they see a dog, they go wild and shout, “Hey, we’re up here! See us? We have hula-hoops and balls!”

There were two, now there are eight. I wonder if my neighbor knows what's happening on her rooftop. In almost two years, I've only seen her outside three times. Isn't that sad?

Goldfinches sit on the hanging planters (which are empty because of the heat we’ve had for a long time). This was taken inside the house through the blinds.

Our pond plants are growing so fast and I’m so pleased! I have never had a pond with so much life. It’s work to keep them under control every day and I don’t mind at all if my knees are stained black from mulch. I’m loving it.

Did I mention how much I love my pond?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few weeks ago I asked for submissions of your "Eyesores". I've received a few and to those who submitted, THANK YOU! However, because you are busy and I am busy during these long summer days, I'm postponing this little project until after summer ends and the days are shorter. We'll have more time then. I know I will!

A Few Kind Words

Kind words spoken are the best gift of all.

During the past two weeks, I've had the pleasure of meeting and talking with students again. The coordinator of Emergency Medical Services took a much deserved vacation so I kept things going for prospective EMT students, as Fall registration is underway. All of the students are appreciative of the help I’ve given but there is one student that I won’t forget.

An African American lady, five years older than me, came to my office last Monday. She’s hot on becoming an EMT. Her children are grown and she helped raise a few of her grandchildren. She’s had many part-time jobs throughout her adult life but her desire, now, is to have a career as a first responder. I marveled at her physical strength and enthusiasm. I envied and applauded her aspirations because while she is ready to set the world on fire and make a difference, I’m ready to step back and let someone else take over.

In order to qualify for the EMT class, students need to either provide a college transcript or take a reading and math test. She left my office with a handful of informational brochures and agreed to take the skills test.

Two days later, I scored her test and knew I had to make a phone call that would be difficult for me as she scored 8th grade in reading and 4th grade in math. Before I dialed her number, I rehearsed my lines for a few minutes and took a deep breath.

Was she disappointed? No, as she expected low scores. I gave her options. Certainly, she could take the test as many times as she wanted, but I referred her to our tutoring center, free of charge, to get those basic math skills back and opportunities to read, read, read! It might take her several weeks of tutoring and that would preclude Fall registration but she’ll certainly be ready for Spring. I called the tutoring center yesterday and learned she has made appointments over the next three weeks. Many prospective students need to hear more than a recorded message. Smiles and encouragement goes a long way and I’m certain she will show up on an EMT roster one day soon.

Instead of immersing myself in budgets and paperwork, I’d rather do what I did lately. Assisting students. I’d like that.

This short message appeared in our college newsletter this week, written by a GED/Adult Education representative:

“We had a young man come in several weeks ago to get his scores. He looked very ‘gangster’ and was with another young man. When I looked up his scores they were quite good. I was telling him how well he had done...bragging on him somewhat....he seemed stunned that he had succeeded. As he stood there his friend said in gangster vernacular.... 'man you look like you gonna cry...are you?‘ His reply was with a broken smile....'yeah man, I just might...I finally did one thing right in my life.' I was so touched...I told him that he had done so well he should consider some college classes...his reply, 'For real?' I told him of course he could and explained the process. He said he had never even thought about college. He came back last week to get another transcript from us...he was on his way to admissions to sign up for college courses...not sure what to study...but ready to start. That is what this program and a GED can do..... how cool is that!”

Isn’t that what it’s all about?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The weather was splendid this weekend and graced us with a cool breeze and hot sun. The early mornings were chilly! Nice relief for burned out Carolinians.



A few thunderstorms rejuvenated the Crepe Myrtles out back but there are many trees, flowers, and shrubs that look miserable.

The Mourning Doves are bonding with me. I really think so!

Brown Thrashers and Woodpeckers have reappeared this weekend after a few weeks vacation. The Starlings and Grackles left a week or two ago but I’m still fighting the squirrel population. They’re draining my checkbook!

Welcome back, handsome man! Help yourself. You are very welcome.



On Saturday evening I took a stroll through the overgrown area near the bird feeders and culvert. There is always something new but I rely on my garden bloggers to tell me what it is?

Here’s another weed with striking photo appeal!

Weeeeeeee!

This is the one. I can’t count the number of hummingbird photos I’ve taken over the weekend. Many of them are good but this one is sweet. Can’t zoom in when they are zooming!

Hummingbird photos are fantastic in my blogging community but I want to praise a gentle lady who posts several times a day and makes me smile with her brief but meaningful poetry, complimented by her prize-winning photos. Please take a look at Sherry’s “Monarch and a Hummingbird”. You will love it. I did!

It’s been a full weekend. Lots to do. I enjoy a little time each night – winter, spring, summer, and fall – parking myself near the pond lights to look for something that might swim by…

Photography Challenges, and "Just Do It"

A good description of my photography lately is "hit and miss alot". The heat keeps me indoors most of the time and I know I’ve lost a lot of photo opportunities, i.e. Tree Swallows and a Red-Tailed Hawk right before my eyes! I don't spend the time to focus lately. My daily walks on campus are on hold because I have this “thing” about perspiring in the office. I sweat very well and don’t mind it, but if I walk the track and the campus trail like I had been doing, I would need to wear a Dew Rag. Wouldn’t that be attractive when students registering for EMT come to call and see my hair soaked and get a whiff of me?

The female House Finch above still keeps an eye on her empty nest. (Yes, it’s still there, dear.)

Hummingbirds are so special and beautiful. I’ll keep photographing them until the sad day when I realize they’ve left… There’s a small army of them swarming around my house and I love it! They are multiplying and the nectar is in high demand.

The Rose of Sharon is in bloom late this year and buzzing with activity. Above, a hummingbird approaches the bulls-eye. I notice I don't zoom much anymore but I can see the little gal if I enlarge the photo. (click to enlarge all photos)

Hiding from me. The symmetry of bumble wings is a work of art.

There’s a bee in flight in this photo. What a surprise! I try to get them in flight but it’s very difficult to follow closely when they drift from flower to flower so quickly.

Here’s an indication of a very hot and dry summer. The maple leaves are lifeless in many areas but the little Chickadee sings along with the cicadas. Life goes on.

Even the chipmunks lounge in the shade.

How can I ignore the beauty of a female Cardinal who graces my house every day of the year?

Do I qualify to belong in the Bald Male Cardinal Club? I found him on campus.

A Silver-Spotted Skipper was very cooperative this morning. I hope someone notices that I identified this skipper properly. I'm trying!

Heartbreak last night. After a powerful thunderstorm, I held a flashlight and lifted the lid on the pond skimmer as I do every evening. There were no toads to rescue this time but there were four large goldfish swimming around, looking for food. They can swim out but it’s easy to capture them in the skimmer. At 9:30 at night, I had to make a decision. On my hands and knees I watched them swim around for a few minutes while I thought very seriously… too many fish, two are gone, ten to go… the integrity of this beautiful pond is on the line… don’t keep putting it off, Mary...Just Do It. My neighbor offered to take my excess goldfish since I took her three Koi as a favor. After I shook off my doubt and regret, I filled the red bucket and relocated them next door in a very small pool at the end of a stream where the three Koi lived. I don’t like it but I refused to think about it last night and I’m finished thinking about it now. Sounds ridiculous, but those four goldfish deserve better and I will do something about it. Damn.

A few sweet baby Bluebirds were having a wonderful time yesterday. Seems the siblings found a nice patch of bugs in the field next to the parking lot.

They watched me get into my car to head home. I thought about Millie and Johnny and what a wonderful job they have done!

Proposal for Chloe & Bella

Filling in for two people I support at work who are on vacation means I stop thinking when I leave the office. Shut down. So, for the lack of anything remotely intelligent to say, I used this series of photos to tell a little story. It’s true - with my habitual improvising. It’s silly but I crave some silliness tonight.

Once in a while, I want to hear the quiet or listen to my own footsteps around the house. It would be a treat to have complete freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want, and without anyone watching me, if only for a day. I don’t think it’s selfish to feel that way, either. When I am alone in the house, I’m not really alone…

There are always four googly eyes on me. And I mean always. I don’t need to use the camera’s zoom because both Chloe (the white faced sour puss) and Bella (the young and sensitive) are very “up close and personal”. My eyeglasses are usually smeared with dog spit and, dang, I recently noticed two scratches on my left lens that came from Bella walking across my face last night during a little romping.

Come outside? Be with us?

Neither of them can relax until they know where I am and always insist on being with me. We all roam from room to room, together. I lead the dog trail. Toenails tapping...collars jingle jangle.

What’s cooking? Can we taste? Let’s have cheese. A cheese party!

They are EVERYWHERE.

I say: (yes, I talk to my dogs and they talk back to me) “This room isn’t big enough for all of us. Let me do some laundry. Move it! Please! Eat later!”

In the privacy of the powder room, I sit. I can hear the collar jingles getting closer and snout sniffing under the door…they nudge it open. Hello?

We had a little conversation on the back deck.

Me: "Chloe and Bel Bel, how would you like to take a vacation away from Mommy and Daddy? I can take you to a nifty doggie camp for a week where the nice people will take you on walks, you can play with lots of other doggies, and it smells like an Italian meat deli there! They probably serve vanilla ice cream cups and give lots of cookies, too! You can take your hula-hoop, Bel Bel. Chloe can take chewies.

Chloe: “Don’t be fooled, Bel Bel. I'm not sure, but I think she wants to get rid of us.”

Bel Bel: “What? All b-b-by ourselfs, M-m-mommy?”

“Waaaa! No! I w-will miss you!

They’re feeling a bit pensive now and won't relax. It would be great to take the dog hair blankets off the furniture for a week!

Chloe: “You are a liar, evil woman. I'm so on to your wicked ways. Don't forget that I'm smarter than you.”

Chloe: “Bel Bel, ease up. We aren’t going anywhere.”

Bel Bel: “K”

Life is Good, Hot Dogs, Luna, Pigeon P-rn

The title of this post describes it well. Odd stuff ahead.

With Pam in mind, I grabbed my camera. I followed this woman home from work a few days ago. She was not a young chick but not as old as I am, as I determined in her mirrors. We traveled through a lot of construction zones and every time she passed a flagger she waved to them. Each of them smiled and waved back. What a nice gesture! I’ve never done that. The thought hasn't even crossed my mind to acknowledge a flagger in a kind way or any other way, for that matter.

Life is obviously Good for the lady in the Jeep. She’s doing her thing freely, tag up in the back, letting her hair blow wildly, waving to strangers, and having a grand time. Meanwhile, I’m driving in a very safe SUV with the windows rolled up to keep my hair from looking electric, being intent on getting home to start dinner, and forgetting about those hot construction workers that might need a little encouragement on a hot summer day. I’m pathetic sometimes. Just pathetic. I think I'll carry some ice cold bottled water with me one day and toss them...

I saw the owner of this truck leave it as I was approaching mine. What I didn’t see was his dog sitting in the passenger seat. The temperature on the Lowe’s Home Store parking lot was probably 95 that afternoon. Oh, yeah, the windows were cracked one inch on each side. Big freaking deal! If I didn’t have to get back to work, I would have gone inside Lowe’s to hunt down that idiot so instead, I sat in my car and scribbled a quick note that read like this and left it under his windshield wiper:

IF YOU LOVE YOUR PET, LEAVE IT HOME. DON’T EVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THIS TRUCK AGAIN – NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE IN THIS HEAT, YOU MORON! YOU SHOULD BE ARRESTED.

Last summer, my husband, daughter, and I assisted police officers to break into a van to remove two toy poodles in extreme heat. Enough said. I...just...get...HOT about this.

I almost stepped on this Luna moth. You can’t miss them in flight because of their size and brightness.

To protect it from getting stuck on the bottom of someone’s shoe, I lifted it from the sidewalk to the landscape wall. I had thought of trying to have it pose on my left forefinger for a photo but it started to vibrate, kind of like a funny car before a race.

I’m glad I didn’t lift it because I later learned it was releasing a bit of poison as a defense mechanism and might have caused my finger to sting a little. Looks like a pale-green aircraft.

Well, Claude and Maude are at it again. While they were waiting for me to go back inside the house, they became amorous.

Claude: “Come on, just little pickle tickle.”
Maude: “Get away. I’m not in the mood.”

Claude: "I'll be quick, dear."
Maude: "Ok."

Geesh.

Claude: “Let’s head back to the feeders. I’m hungry.”
Maude: “Where are the cigarettes?”

It rained. Feel the joy.

A long stretch of dry, blistering heat ended for an hour last week. I wasn’t expecting it that late afternoon and had just come inside the house, calling Chloe and Bella to follow me. Ten minutes outdoors was enough when it’s ninety-five and humid.

A few minutes later, the sun disappeared behind thick storm clouds and the winds blew due north, putting a chill in the air. The birds found shelter for a reason other than a quickly approaching storm and in the distance I could see a wall of it. Rain? Really? Soon, I could smell it approaching. Hello, old friend.

Whenever I see and feel a storm approaching, I remember my Mother’s twinkling eyes and faint smile when the clouds became dark and low. She, being a child of a tenant farmer in the 1930’s and 40’s, viewed rain as cause for uplifted spirits and celebration. They relied solely on Mother Nature to feed the crops as there were no irrigation systems. Some of her happiest childhood memories included rainy days, as it was a time she and her siblings took a little break from farm work and enjoyed seeing their weary mother and father relax and feel the joy. Let there be peace.

Mom preferred clouds and I have always preferred sun. We understood each other anyway.

The cable connection died and the lightning and thunder shook the house. What else was there to do except to take photos from the covered front porch or through the windows?

Drink up, Witch Hazel!

While most birds took cover, the hummingbirds seemed to love the downpour! I’ve been seeing eight or ten hummingbirds at my feeders at a time and I don’t think they are frolicking. They’re very competitive.

A drenched hummingbird didn’t mind the shower at all.

Chloe never paid attention to thunderstorms until this year. She gets antsy and trembles at times. She found something to do…

“I took your dinner napkin. Do you want it back?”


Bella was oblivious to the storm and continued to clean her toenails.

“Yummy. Must have stepped on b-b-bunny poop.”

It stormed for an hour but this isn’t the type of rain we need as it quickly rushed down the hills into the street. We're on the verge of a major water restriction here.

We got a new visitor out of it, though. Love those little suction cup feet!

The first bird to return to the feeder (of course).

The sun broke through again, steam rose from the streets, and we dried up. I think it was warmer after the storm than before it hit us.

Ninety minutes later, back to boring normal (not referring to the hummingbird). Business as usual.

The Slacker is Back with an Eight Random Facts Meme

Lynne, Chris, and Susan tagged me with a meme that’s been around the world at least twice since last week. I’m late to the party but I’ll share a few random facts about me that most people don’t know. This was difficult to compose!

There is probably no one else for me to tag but I’d like to hear some random facts about Julie.

Here are the rules for Eight Random Facts (if you care about rules):

• Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
• People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
• At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
• Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. Part I - I can’t roller skate or ice skate. I’ve been very jealous of anyone who can do it and my inability has made me feel inferior. Seriously. I tried desperately to skate from childhood up until about four years ago when I laced up Gina’s roller skates (the white boot kind). In the garage, I held onto the perimeter of stuff in it, i.e. lawn mower handle, golf bag, ladder, work bench, etc. It took me about ten minutes to skate fifteen feet. The trip exhausted me. To get back to the garage steps where I could sit and remove the skates, I crawled on my hands and knees instead of skating.

Part II - A related fact: I didn’t walk until I was fifteen months old. Toddlers fall and keep going – not me. My Mother said when I went off balance, my entire body would stiffen, she would wince, and I would fall backwards, straight and hard. Needless to say, the back of my head took a beating until I became a skilled walker. (hmmm…)

2. I steer clear of any discussion regarding politics or religion because most of the time they become heated. Of course I have my own beliefs and opinions but I’d rather not share them with a group. I grew up in a home where political and religious debates were common and I even witnessed my Dad asking his brothers and sisters to get out of the house when they didn’t agree, once on Christmas Day. I was a child of one registered democrat and one republican and they had pleasure in canceling each others’ votes on Election Day. I’ve had enough religion and politics, along with its poo-flinging, thank you.

3. I’m too sentimental (this might not be a surprise if you’ve been reading my blog). Yesterday I heard “Mercy Me” on the radio. I love Marvin Gaye’s version but when Robert Palmer does it, I get all choked up. Silly. I choke up and become teary-eyed about anything, really: Listening to or reading tributes, enjoying live musical productions or a church choir, watching a wedding on TV or attending one, watching old Pepsi commercials, seeing or feeling someone else’s joy, enjoying happy or sad movies, saying Hello or Goodbye, hearing kind words spoken to me… I marvel at anyone who can give a eulogy without choking on his/her words and turning into a trembling, whimpering fool. That would be me. Heck, I’m all choked up now!

4. I’m still young enough to dream about what I want to be when I grow up. But I am old enough to start thinking about what I have and have not done to make a difference during my time here. ~~~ I’ve heard these words a million times before but they are becoming more meaningful to me now.

5. I’ve never been able roll my tongue. So why did I choose to study Spanish for three years? (Refer to Part II in #1 above)

6. I am not judgmental but I can be impatient and harsh with others at times.

7. The Lancôme counter sucks me in every time. I can’t resist spending $25 to get the free gift.

8. I never learned to relax because I prioritize too much. How can I possibly sit in the sunroom and read for two hours when there are dirty dishes in the sink, feeders that need cleaning, or laundry to fold? Household chores should be completed before I open a can of paint to brush on the woodwork! Blogging has helped me to relax but I’m still a work-in-progress. I need to learn to treat myself more often. It’s a new concept.

9. Others’ idiosyncrasies captivate me. I can precisely imitate the way someone walks, as I follow them down the hall laughing all the way. Most victims laugh at me when I say to them, “Hey, I’m not laughing AT you, I’m laughing WITH you!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a week, I’m still shy about posting. I spent time browsing my archives and enjoyed some of my posts, wondering how in the world I did it being the grasshopper I am. I didn’t intend on posting today or next week because I have not felt inspired - feeling rather blah. Sadly, I nearly forgot how to upload the few photos I took during the past week.

However,

One small thing changed my mind yesterday. One glance at it sent me running for my camera for the first time in many days.

See my small surprise in the middle of the pond?

I’ve only had white lilies. I’ve never had a graple one before.

10. Doesn’t take much to make me happy.

Signing Out for a while

Too much of a good thing isn’t good, so they say.

My blog gives me great joy. When I have good thoughts and great photos to share, my spirits lift, I quicken my steps, and I find myself on a natural high during those inspired times. When I decided to start blogging last October, my original intention wasn’t to educate or research like many in my terrific blogging community who are inspiring people and full of incredible talent. I love and admire them. My intent is to post about what I see and how I feel because that’s who I am – a feeler. Nothing has changed since then. How do I feel right now?

Perhaps I’m running out of steam. I’ve been posting less often lately and viewing my blog as a part-time job and that’s not good. My simple writing style and repetitious photos are irritating me. How can I sit here and write with a poor attitude? Not well. A change of scenery is what I need and the time to find it. I try to inspire my own self, “Get out of the yard, Mary.” I walked on campus this morning before the sun started baking humans and what did I see? Japanese beetles in swarms, getting tangled in my hair. Weeds taller than me. A lacrosse camp for kids and a daycare field trip. No birds, no flowers. Just dry earth. And lots of fire ants and poison ivy. How interesting is THAT?

So, I’ll be visiting everyone and enjoying your fantastic posts until I get my crooked nose in line and adjust my attitude. HA! Below, I’ll leave a few photos of my favorite things.

In the interim, I’ll be dusting the house (eww), keeping up on laundry and dragging the garden hose to sustain life outdoors. Maybe I’ll watch Modern Marvels to learn how Hostess Twinkies arrive at the supermarket on time. Better yet, I’ll watch King of Queens and sink into no-brainer activities after work and take an evening nap. Of course, I’ll keep my camera close to me. I’ll be back sooner than later.

I’ll still take your “eyesores” via e-mail. I have a few, so far. They are definitely worth seeing.

I giggle at toad porn in the pond skimmer. “Holding on tight for Afternoon Delight!” I help them out every evening.

The baby House Finches fledged today!

Love all bugs.

Pond…costly therapeutic device.

Flowers without a load of beetles? What a surprise!

Challenging but sweet, my Chloe.

Not challenging but sweet and flatulent, my Bel-Bel.

Was Cooper responsible for the young rabbit beheaded in the yard today? He has been perched on the feeders lately… My dogs were excellent and lead me to the crime. They didn’t touch. I removed the poor young rabbit who was still limp and warm and placed it near the feeders in view for a vulture… There was commotion among the birds today after work. I’ll remove the young bunny very soon. I am glad I wasn’t a witness but I would love to know what happened while I was away.

Isn’t she lovely? I’ll get the male in a photo and he’ll be very close to me.

Clouds, wonderful Clouds!

Two weeks ago, our Japanese Willow was beautiful (and green). I don’t know whether a disease did this or the heat scorched it. The branches are pliable but the leaves…

Day after day of oppressive, stifling heat makes me yearn for clouds. My scalp burns in the intense sun. Walking through waves of heat is like walking too closely to the outdoor grill. Heat waves get old. I can’t breathe. Yes, the weather affects me, possibly too much. Many people just accept the weather and go on - I wish I were like them. When I think of our troops in Iraq, I realize I am weak.

Yesterday's weather was a blessing for me. Overcast skies cooled us down. The high temperature was seventy-eight and breathing was easy. I hurried home from work, got out of my work clothes and couldn’t wait to visit the back yard. To feel coolness. To see without squinting. To feel a slight breeze that chilled my legs a bit.

I just stood there and enjoyed the darker view. My shoulders relaxed, fell low, and I took a sigh of relief several times. Before I started cooking dinner (I don’t know why I say "dinner" – I grew up referring to the evening meal as “supper”), I had some time to take a stroll around the house.

The Mockingbirds are building a new nest in a sturdy Pin Oak tree. I suspect this baby fell from their flimsy Crepe Myrtle during a windy storm on Saturday night and I didn’t know it perished until yesterday. I wonder where the others are and the true cause. I regret complaining about our Mockingbird over-population. It’s sad.

A bench near the pond would be great. My neighbors probably wonder why I stand for long periods of time and wonder if I am sane. Watching the pond life leaves me tranquil and lowers my blood pressure. I can feel the stress leave my body almost immediately. My Koi are still wary of me – probably wondering who will be netted next so I’ll wait a while before I do another dirty deed.

Welcome to Tadpole Town. Population: soon to be 1.5 million.

One of these days I’ll tire of dragonflies and stop the photos. The colors in this photo are outstanding, and surprisingly so, since it was taken in low light.

My dogs did not grow a tail and longer snouts! Two new dogs have moved in next door. The second one, who was barking inside his new house is a young boxer. They just set up an electric fence yesterday and I wish them luck with it. My dogs would break it in a heartbeat. For those who have an electric fence and own dogs that respect it, that’s wonderful! Does it provide protection for your dogs from outside visitors, though?

Meanwhile, Bel-Bel is busting her chubby gut to meet to her neighbors. Unfortunately, they will probably never meet on a daily basis as our properties are separated with a retaining wall containing dense shrubs and trees. She can hear them... She can smell them… “Mommy, I can’t S-S-SEE!”

“Will you p-p-please let me out of here to hunt down my n-n-neighbor? I want to show them m-m-my hula hoops.”


Yesterday was glorious! The sun peeked through at times today. Time to start dragging that blasted garden hose again...

Wilting...

For those who need to cool off, I wish you seventy-eight degrees.

For those who want to warm up, I wish warm sunshine on your back. For those who are knee-deep in water, I wish the rains to cease.

I’m having a network connection problem again. I lost internet and e-mail last night at 8pm and I was not in the mood for techie-talk because I felt evil. This morning the network was back(?) Calling the cable company or Dell is something I dread so I’m hoping for the best. If you don’t hear from me, this is why.

Happy Independence Day! I will proudly display Stars & Stripes. I hope you will, too.

Around the yard, decorating, and an invitation

Crepe Myrtles are blooming this week. They’re late.

After I upload numerous photos for my post, the next step is the most fun for me. I open a Word doc and write - not in a profound or educational way, usually. Once in a while, I ponder about a post and rehearse the words in my mind and on paper until I pull it all together. Most of the time I just spit it out without any thought or reason. Like now (I'm wondering what I'll title this).

The past week has been dreadfully hot and humid. After a thunderstorm blew through last night, cooler and drier air arrived so I took a nice walk around the yard today, just to check up on things.

The Hummers are still humming. I always laugh when a male shows itself to me – hovering before my eyes. I’m never ready for him! I will post a lovely shot of that ruby red throat before summer ends.

What is this routine about? Does a dragonfly drink from its ass?

Can’t resist them…

This is the second brood of house finches residing in the Barn Swallow nest (ahem). Not ready to go, yet. There are at least four babies this time. They're so QUIET!

The new waterfall is still falling.

Toads are still smiling and humping.

Butterfly or moth? Whatever…

Chloe doesn’t know when it’s too hot. The lady loves to sunbathe so I bring her inside to nap in sunrays through the window.

Bella, on bunny patrol.

The regulars are still here – haughty Cardinals, thirsty Hummers, sneaky Titmice, adorable Chickadees, Gangsta birds, overweight Doves, flashy Goldfinches, feisty House Finches, nasty Mockingbirds, stupid Pigeons, and sweet Chipping and Song Sparrows. The Orange Bishop Weaver left on Tuesday. It was nice to see him for a few days!

Susan Gets Native was stuck inside one day last week and took photos of interesting stuff in her house. Yesterday, I did the same thing.

My taste in decorating is eclectic. This rooster is new. We were out yesterday pounding the blistering asphalt mall parking lots. The rooster is gaudy? Maybe. But I like it. There is no theme for decorating in my house. It’s a mixed up bag of treats for my eyes. I tend to choose colors in shades of red, green, and yellows. At least I’m consistent with something! That Yankee candle, “Tahitian Tiare Flower” scent is a new favorite of mine.

Above the buffet in my kitchen is a black and white Berman print. Actually, my husband found it and I love it. Hey, we agreed on something!

On the buffet, below the Berman print an Italian Chef holds a bottle of Chianti. It’s odd but cute.

There are two of these in the great room. They’re wooden but not weather resistant. Next year, I’ll have the real thing mounted outdoors!

As I walked through the house I stopped dead in my tracks at the sight of a few things and wondered, “Why on earth do we still have this hideous thing? Are we so sentimental or lazy that we allow eyesores to invade our castle?” I was reminded of an episode on the TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond”. Frank and Marie Barone fought over a large wooden spoon and fork given to them as a wedding gift. After 40-some years of marriage, the spoon and fork still hung on their kitchen wall. Marie despised them. Frank refused to remove them.

Do you have any eyesores you have held onto for any reason? Might it be your spouse’s beloved piece of art that you wish would disappear or fall and crash? Or maybe a special friend or loved one gifted you with something you’d rather sell at a flea market.

If you send me a photo of something that makes you wince whenever you see it and include a short narrative, I’ll post about it. If enough people come through with a submission, it’ll be worth a lot of laughs :o)

maryferr at Carolina dot rr dot com

No deadline. I’ll post a few reminders during the next few weeks.