tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4473219160120299792024-03-18T20:21:20.617-05:00stuff from ellen's headmy life and art and whatever else catches my attentionellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.comBlogger2188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-84709402233247031972024-03-17T18:59:00.000-05:002024-03-17T18:59:15.689-05:00lazy days with rain<p><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning we got 3 1/2” of rain accompanied by lightning and thunder. Saturday night another 1/2”.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Consequently I got very little sleep the last two nights what with the trembling panting constantly on the move dog as she shifted from side to side of me. For hours. This morning it looked to be clearing but quickly clouded over, dark and dismal, listening to the distant thunder all morning. It’s closer now, thunder louder and a flash or two of lightning but still no rain. Neurotic dog stuck to me like glue, wants to sit in my lap facing me. At least it’s not the middle of the night. Oh, raining lightly now.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I didn’t actually get out in the yard Friday like I planned besides pulling a few weeds and the only thing I accomplished yesterday was running a few errands and cutting away the second third of the dead rangoon creeper off the fence across the street. Doubt I’ll get anything accomplished today either, indoors or out. Certainly not out, too wet to do anything out. There is so much I could do in the house but...meh.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I finally finished the book Jade gave me to read which took freaking forever because it didn’t appeal to me all that much, all 260 pages of a monologue by an older woman recounting her late childhood and early adulthood from which home and life she left without a backward glance or word to anyone, painting herself as an unappealing character with pretend interactions and conversations and sexual obsessions and when she finally gets to when she leaves, that’s the end of the book. Maybe I’ll start one of the books I got at the library yesterday or maybe we’ll watch the next episode of Shogun.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Tomorrow I grab up the last wildling, Twin, for his appointment at the vet on Tuesday. I’m still not sure how I want to go about it as he will only let me pet him while he eats as he is facing me. Doesn’t let me approach from behind and while I have managed to pick him up several times, it’s only for half a minute while he struggles so I don’t know if I can get hold of him long enough to shove him in the carrier. The other option is putting the other two kittens in the shed and baiting the live trap with food and see if he goes in after it. And then what, take him to the vet in the live trap? So we’ll see how this all works out.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is the far back of the big backyard, behind all the flowerbeds and banana trees (which you can’t see because they are only about a foot or two tall so far), a nice thick patch of evening primrose. Behind me is a large area of just thick weeds...cleaver, clover, and another thing I don’t know what it is but it makes tiny flowers and seeds that stick to you...and hay grass and off to the right of that are some bluebonnets. This area is really part of the big pasture behind our lot, behind all the houses on our side of the street, but we have incorporated it into our yard for the wildflowers because our back is not fenced like most the other houses on the street. It will eventually all get mowed down after it goes to seed.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRivH9UZpsDcx3drs90abANt5aseUrJfd-XXtFqK969ljldGL82ZbxYibNWwk6iWO9cgmy2MJc9DfdgrLYwI7uG3VMCNwuDDcBMFSKMPWG6ykMBJbzSc1UM7R-ktKsjiOtNDYBM2LYM488mD2vuhl0naPl_qkx64ofXG_tc4M2LHQ5O03gickaMkS9AY/s864/IMG_1793.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRivH9UZpsDcx3drs90abANt5aseUrJfd-XXtFqK969ljldGL82ZbxYibNWwk6iWO9cgmy2MJc9DfdgrLYwI7uG3VMCNwuDDcBMFSKMPWG6ykMBJbzSc1UM7R-ktKsjiOtNDYBM2LYM488mD2vuhl0naPl_qkx64ofXG_tc4M2LHQ5O03gickaMkS9AY/w640-h480/IMG_1793.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My flag iris are starting to bloom, white in the front<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHt0siCez7mj6k7vaIrrPFyPLipBoVoUvhSHmmtd0HaP53CWkqd2RoR-JeV_2_BOJuVU7ogTUTvdL3A5IZ9SBQkPlGiU5R0_KcZIjynjpWBUH2dmxo7XWauDuc1jnWdJMBSQt8KKHW752xlL8MYwJLTvkg_3qddg-l-wI358m9124BVma08bCxm6RHl0/s720/IMG_1790.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="720" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHt0siCez7mj6k7vaIrrPFyPLipBoVoUvhSHmmtd0HaP53CWkqd2RoR-JeV_2_BOJuVU7ogTUTvdL3A5IZ9SBQkPlGiU5R0_KcZIjynjpWBUH2dmxo7XWauDuc1jnWdJMBSQt8KKHW752xlL8MYwJLTvkg_3qddg-l-wI358m9124BVma08bCxm6RHl0/w400-h326/IMG_1790.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">and blue in the back.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRMPug0NAq232FZHynp8tUY40D1L91jUlAXa8-8E6BCCE2HONOwxwH0JSSmeS-kY3GgLscQeeATe8J-wHO54cEoVpsd8tp9Q7moDP7D0duaAuiltCxmWBeIa_8KkPWgLyX0MzBDay2u5HzjVMY5TOD47EdJCBIhfb1zgdayd1ArxP6jy2E689zbIztK0/s720/IMG_1792.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="720" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRMPug0NAq232FZHynp8tUY40D1L91jUlAXa8-8E6BCCE2HONOwxwH0JSSmeS-kY3GgLscQeeATe8J-wHO54cEoVpsd8tp9Q7moDP7D0duaAuiltCxmWBeIa_8KkPWgLyX0MzBDay2u5HzjVMY5TOD47EdJCBIhfb1zgdayd1ArxP6jy2E689zbIztK0/w400-h336/IMG_1792.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The purple japanese iris is sending up it’s bloom scapes but none have opened yet.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As it turned out, we watched the next three episodes of Shogun on Hulu and are now caught up with the subsequent episodes being released on Tuesdays. It’s based on the book by James Clavell which I read long ago when it came out. It’s very good so if you’re looking for something to watch I recommend it.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-44170743385893269562024-03-15T12:37:00.002-05:002024-03-15T12:37:46.066-05:00sharing, cats, and wildflowers<p><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2abcU30meuMofIe-svLI3aZRXLS27D6bXenvGnBgAd3JGRw14IkH_BA93BzGbdaFsfJ8arOwlPUTyFZkiFk_ftyboOLmvqRnrqj6n5A2l-w6zQvKElvHClvgPXhjBrgMaMCf2Auab8qN1xZXLcn-UyHoGCww1AFKitVg8RS9q2i1VZNvgDdNUNe1J07w/s720/IMG_1786.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="720" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2abcU30meuMofIe-svLI3aZRXLS27D6bXenvGnBgAd3JGRw14IkH_BA93BzGbdaFsfJ8arOwlPUTyFZkiFk_ftyboOLmvqRnrqj6n5A2l-w6zQvKElvHClvgPXhjBrgMaMCf2Auab8qN1xZXLcn-UyHoGCww1AFKitVg8RS9q2i1VZNvgDdNUNe1J07w/w640-h404/IMG_1786.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_B1AX3ZQJFBoEQmT5sJXo71BbJwQ8jYEwhTGuPHDctkrEB5nxwIshd9gmvhcHoM421O1K6TfpwNz7F_hcG1LMNkATHL2Xn7rtXLwDPCve2gYt7w6Rca-Bi50VbwfcQ7kahVl0o4XXTHu-rh6rQho464avyizSBDopwiPsJBe4lyUE6H9RqkYc2ipFfEw/s720/IMG_1787.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="720" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_B1AX3ZQJFBoEQmT5sJXo71BbJwQ8jYEwhTGuPHDctkrEB5nxwIshd9gmvhcHoM421O1K6TfpwNz7F_hcG1LMNkATHL2Xn7rtXLwDPCve2gYt7w6Rca-Bi50VbwfcQ7kahVl0o4XXTHu-rh6rQho464avyizSBDopwiPsJBe4lyUE6H9RqkYc2ipFfEw/w400-h364/IMG_1787.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />baby blue eyes</div><p></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yesterday was a food delivery day at SHARE. I got there after it was all unloaded, truck gone, things beginning to be put away. This is what it looked like in the back storeroom.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG1eRCYJYJ5gc24S63DMie-48NFC3K0CEKG_vRAbvn0xZg1_t0j8gtnIrsHWutXjg4zPTvhfPsRm5xqL-w7ogszKn5J8ii89Q8hv2jo0K4-qTeiVFL-SOpgi4boV127e2FE66ixZHfKGxxQjI3eRGGbvL7P2p1J8QgN1bieQ9t4Sl_uWQ4KrJgn5LxDo/s864/IMG_1780.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="864" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG1eRCYJYJ5gc24S63DMie-48NFC3K0CEKG_vRAbvn0xZg1_t0j8gtnIrsHWutXjg4zPTvhfPsRm5xqL-w7ogszKn5J8ii89Q8hv2jo0K4-qTeiVFL-SOpgi4boV127e2FE66ixZHfKGxxQjI3eRGGbvL7P2p1J8QgN1bieQ9t4Sl_uWQ4KrJgn5LxDo/w640-h398/IMG_1780.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We also got four more of the big cartons of household goods at $7.50 a carton. Here’s two of them. There was even a small sewing machine in one of them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg26XtQKSbLwVa7TQl3S7mK9uOxN-MoYFvSibxpzQVJWj3zT0JuNQXkoPWeGP3U3ROusIGPxrDinHFi1RSsj1qXQ4cmlungC68_1ZpnZo-5lJ4vYqHT5qT0DQ10HLaLX3-Cg4ulDcrSUrr7afPCjPGBSK5gifR05KVGkkQoAEzDvh_e2Xto4K-VPh1d4E/s720/IMG_1781.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="720" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg26XtQKSbLwVa7TQl3S7mK9uOxN-MoYFvSibxpzQVJWj3zT0JuNQXkoPWeGP3U3ROusIGPxrDinHFi1RSsj1qXQ4cmlungC68_1ZpnZo-5lJ4vYqHT5qT0DQ10HLaLX3-Cg4ulDcrSUrr7afPCjPGBSK5gifR05KVGkkQoAEzDvh_e2Xto4K-VPh1d4E/w640-h450/IMG_1781.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We were moderately busy with food orders. This month the food bank delivered cartons of bags of the little mandarin oranges called ‘cuties’ and bags of apples. Last month we got boxes of bags of frozen strawberries. Walmart sends us marked down/sell by vegetable and salad stuff, meat, and bakery goods every week, the dollar stores give us their milk, yogurt, lunch meat, etc that has hit its sell by date.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The other thing we got from the regional food bank yesterday was two boxes of unpackaged frozen solid in one big lump of cornish hens. At least 30 hens per box, maybe more. Like the boxes of unpackaged frozen little sausages they sent us a while ago, we cannot give them away even if they weren’t all frozen together and we bagged them up because we don’t have whatever permit that would require. We sent one box to Victory In Jesus, a christian rehabilitation residence and Gary and I, toward the end of the day when the second box was still just frozen solid, put the big plastic bag in the stainless steel sink, Gary running cold water over it all and slowly separating the hens while I bagged them up two to a bag and stuck them in the freezer (they were still frozen, just a little thawed on the outside). As I said, we can’t give them out so they are there for the volunteers to take.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpRHotFpya-FWkIykzZFfCcz2MeaJE2VxUPwTuMUzczI60uu-19N8avj55gINDKwTe6BVaPS3gJ9aBeMiay39WKFlcwG6OwaF31sqhrQEx9OpzGnBkZzx9XDthexNTtscgt5KGBcGJY-py4-Ujz-eLogfT_5asFtkCjmMCPr8R_r_DV5Hfj5iTKDoHPM/s576/IMG_1784.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="576" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpRHotFpya-FWkIykzZFfCcz2MeaJE2VxUPwTuMUzczI60uu-19N8avj55gINDKwTe6BVaPS3gJ9aBeMiay39WKFlcwG6OwaF31sqhrQEx9OpzGnBkZzx9XDthexNTtscgt5KGBcGJY-py4-Ujz-eLogfT_5asFtkCjmMCPr8R_r_DV5Hfj5iTKDoHPM/w400-h370/IMG_1784.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s supposed to get up to 80 today and then will cool off a bit for the next week. The indian paintbrush is coming into full bloom and pastures are filled with the little yellow wild ranunculus, creeping buttercup.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrCXkmWBBDg-jwwohiU3WC7GDD4SFGmfHgFgPnQy8Myzk5yCIwuPyDzXdSCX3veS8Xo1Elp1WW0ubvhMgwXE18z2ks-GdBfnSbElsJzUAB843Sa_zMUnbk_D32bz_I0aPIKGhJQgWWPkkolHwS_IhN3xATNcqa6z9Vam7cZtKewTEbyebbW2Nl4S70OE/s864/IMG_1782.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="864" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrCXkmWBBDg-jwwohiU3WC7GDD4SFGmfHgFgPnQy8Myzk5yCIwuPyDzXdSCX3veS8Xo1Elp1WW0ubvhMgwXE18z2ks-GdBfnSbElsJzUAB843Sa_zMUnbk_D32bz_I0aPIKGhJQgWWPkkolHwS_IhN3xATNcqa6z9Vam7cZtKewTEbyebbW2Nl4S70OE/w640-h334/IMG_1782.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoKgm6asESPwV61KrYIK41X_R9mo0tKHv7cES4arTtgcJ0vURAggYlYw_nzyTduSc0G_Tbton-4pqa-MrrvuzSq0aV0NIw3oGD9PR2k2q_f4losH7j2JBk-na9gdKp02hRXdPdY6qDFdBLjxGHL4KXxvs2tjWGcjSFIbhHKh9ewrgMTLYL-kyc5nEgLU/s720/IMG_1783.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="720" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoKgm6asESPwV61KrYIK41X_R9mo0tKHv7cES4arTtgcJ0vURAggYlYw_nzyTduSc0G_Tbton-4pqa-MrrvuzSq0aV0NIw3oGD9PR2k2q_f4losH7j2JBk-na9gdKp02hRXdPdY6qDFdBLjxGHL4KXxvs2tjWGcjSFIbhHKh9ewrgMTLYL-kyc5nEgLU/w400-h296/IMG_1783.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My grandgirl Robin, who already has three indoor cats she’s taking care of, her cat Noodle and the Boys, plans to adopt the wildlings and so she is starting to join me in feeding them in the afternoons so that they get used to her presence and touch. She had all three of them at her feet yesterday while she sat on the threshold of the shed putting down small handfuls of food while she pet them and even managed to pick up Handsome Boy for a minute or two while I sat farther away and watched. I’m not sure they’ll take to being indoor cats so she may have to let them come and go as they please. Our best guess is that they are about 9 months old.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfYCt-lMim58JaMqkJT2mbpps4i-A1w-w5rLHI630rypNf5VrSPeTiwDLv6M2LuV5IXLcjwHZBsNnyW6ztVhWt6JGRIiGI4ZIJsf59Kb13HeUNYa-UWB6OBhoBXLAM9R0YMiZSLfFt32NSltdJK-N_0yPf2kmeQazEKcFY-QeD-Hhwq26_mxC6gX0c18/s720/IMG_1775.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="720" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfYCt-lMim58JaMqkJT2mbpps4i-A1w-w5rLHI630rypNf5VrSPeTiwDLv6M2LuV5IXLcjwHZBsNnyW6ztVhWt6JGRIiGI4ZIJsf59Kb13HeUNYa-UWB6OBhoBXLAM9R0YMiZSLfFt32NSltdJK-N_0yPf2kmeQazEKcFY-QeD-Hhwq26_mxC6gX0c18/w400-h365/IMG_1775.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />family portrait</div><p></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">My only obligation today is dinner so I’m going to work in one of the flower beds weeding and soil remediation since I’m not getting a good return on the stuff that usually grows in there, the love-in-a-mist, larkspur, and orange cosmos</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUIkJSmizsaJ-lGwMp5hQxx9PxEmDOBQU7hJBeUAxzL7l77gvb-SRUQrfl8AdIdEYVCLMN_YIxS_uuOp7Inh2h4O9dncsMePYy1HOfzudPNVsncBZs4xgME_aWhvBX9Qr4cJQ84xn7RJ6jKCezS3ulouPfbsqlaLIruvPjLnGxdSONIY-HNx3QhzUfss/s720/IMG_1788.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="720" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUIkJSmizsaJ-lGwMp5hQxx9PxEmDOBQU7hJBeUAxzL7l77gvb-SRUQrfl8AdIdEYVCLMN_YIxS_uuOp7Inh2h4O9dncsMePYy1HOfzudPNVsncBZs4xgME_aWhvBX9Qr4cJQ84xn7RJ6jKCezS3ulouPfbsqlaLIruvPjLnGxdSONIY-HNx3QhzUfss/w640-h542/IMG_1788.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">fleabane</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-86473768738035822832024-03-11T12:41:00.008-05:002024-03-12T08:42:27.352-05:00setting up the raised bed, snake, and kitty junk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yo0T34cj0BwknayKPo2-jrytxstN0_zbIP3N3J9jGGeld_oucjF8bm3GJDHWiTKg-NR4EH03YBW_4kTMq-wYIR_Koxo1wb5a9QvfdJAyjwIvzjFgM33OdCWpFjZjDANz6AU0MWbL4x3Xk6GNvQDlMbARxafBTkyhxZNce0PnClYX54sFvg9oDBmki0c/s720/IMG_1755.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="720" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yo0T34cj0BwknayKPo2-jrytxstN0_zbIP3N3J9jGGeld_oucjF8bm3GJDHWiTKg-NR4EH03YBW_4kTMq-wYIR_Koxo1wb5a9QvfdJAyjwIvzjFgM33OdCWpFjZjDANz6AU0MWbL4x3Xk6GNvQDlMbARxafBTkyhxZNce0PnClYX54sFvg9oDBmki0c/w640-h552/IMG_1755.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I had a busy weekend out in the yard planned but then Saturday was overcast, cold, and worse, windy. The overcast and cold can be dealt with but that wind made it hard to be out for long. Sunday though was warmer and still so my main task was setting up the new raised bed for the little squash starts Gary gave me. I had already gotten the cucumber sprouts in the ground on Friday with a cage for them to grow on.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">First I used the trimmer to cut down to the ground all the grass and weeds, an area about 5’ x 5’. then I laid down some black plastic and cardboard on top of that and then put my 4’ x 4’ raised bed together and sat it on top of the cardboard and lined the outside with bricks (the pots on the right are potatoes and the one on the left is a tomato).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPKIqex9Rh1IQmSfPDtsmMNVLpQ9P52OH4IlktTQXmg0ER1mvslx9KEhJIaiGbBuWlBPMiz8e8ZKhXwXdEdZS0WH_0CtM_Cp0BeCBR1p3KC2_aiGz7h30KvEWZ_nieJoqkkiPCqMN03emaFJqEfJkT1i_qhDrVaif7JvNt7dHgD4xuO25ul42Hb8H8po/s864/IMG_1760.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="864" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPKIqex9Rh1IQmSfPDtsmMNVLpQ9P52OH4IlktTQXmg0ER1mvslx9KEhJIaiGbBuWlBPMiz8e8ZKhXwXdEdZS0WH_0CtM_Cp0BeCBR1p3KC2_aiGz7h30KvEWZ_nieJoqkkiPCqMN03emaFJqEfJkT1i_qhDrVaif7JvNt7dHgD4xuO25ul42Hb8H8po/w640-h314/IMG_1760.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Next I added a small thin layer of small dead twigs and then a layer of oak leaves and then a layer of composted peat, then dirt, then compost, then dirt, then fertilizer, more compost, more dirt until I ran out. This is two bags of compost, four bags of potting soil. I need at least 6 more bags which I’ll get today (turns out it only took four).<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uID2LahT_QMgFn-vc4OqRCGSsDaoS3titBKWYhOL0V-hJ3zvaFrg77iuNkLQgpsJVcjybRJS-bm6KK6h4QQseyWgtUiJJEyIk-b7AE23zy4rdj-L_gdQ1J2hFdc5PtSuPmRMoMwWFTYyc5X73zFthmV2YEJatLu7ogwqtw-hRt0y8WFTOWuIql_U1XY/s720/IMG_1768.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="720" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uID2LahT_QMgFn-vc4OqRCGSsDaoS3titBKWYhOL0V-hJ3zvaFrg77iuNkLQgpsJVcjybRJS-bm6KK6h4QQseyWgtUiJJEyIk-b7AE23zy4rdj-L_gdQ1J2hFdc5PtSuPmRMoMwWFTYyc5X73zFthmV2YEJatLu7ogwqtw-hRt0y8WFTOWuIql_U1XY/w400-h281/IMG_1768.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Before I started on that, while I still had the trimmer out I went ahead and used up the gas still in the tank going around all the edges of the flower beds and under the crepe myrtles on the west side of the barn and cut the path to the compost pile a little closer when the son of the wicked bitch of the west who was finally mowing that horribly overgrown lot (though I shouldn't remark on that considering how we let the big back yard get during the spring wildflower stage) flagged me down to tell me that he had just chased a big cottonmouth out of the area he was mowing and it slithered into the calf high bluebonnets, primrose, cleaver, hay grass, and developing coneflowers behind the flowerbed above. OK, thanks for the warning. I’ll stay out of there. I’ve seen plenty of snakes since I’ve been living here and neighbors have told of seeing cottonmouths but that’s one I have never seen and I’m perfectly happy not to encounter one.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I’m going to try and get the last of the kittens neutered this week, the one that is the most untamed even for me, the one that has very similar markings to Robin’s male cat Noodle, the one that I had yet to get a good look at it’s rear end because it never walks around with it’s tail erected…until yesterday. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pnQ3bpn_W7vjb3Jy-gMr7WFIcOqRrAtvsGtkwX9dqUm2bxeznrAERvhzvcIGLBzJWVv08bN0lVUql7jvEguskl6zRzIuN4Ih-azXgGR66_Yed9zGD8lRp1O4u-j0l0CeYFkKdaHVKPLqs5W-Ay4_gbeUUqxPCCiQDChlwCzg5B0FWLFEnnKz9-5eLtw/s576/IMG_1591.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pnQ3bpn_W7vjb3Jy-gMr7WFIcOqRrAtvsGtkwX9dqUm2bxeznrAERvhzvcIGLBzJWVv08bN0lVUql7jvEguskl6zRzIuN4Ih-azXgGR66_Yed9zGD8lRp1O4u-j0l0CeYFkKdaHVKPLqs5W-Ay4_gbeUUqxPCCiQDChlwCzg5B0FWLFEnnKz9-5eLtw/w272-h320/IMG_1591.jpeg" width="272" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Yesterday while I was petting the brown tabby, Handsome Boy, in my lap Twin plonked his self down, spread his back legs and started cleaning himself down there, very obviously a boy and not just because I could see his balls but also because his little pointy red penis was proudly displayed. All righty then. First time I have ever seen a cat penis.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nothing else going on except for the continuing implosion of the republican party. They have no policies with which to campaign, only harping on the doddering old fool in the White House who put that whole bullshit to rest with his aggressive State of the Union speech so now republicans are going on about how mean he was calling them out on their bullshit, trying to convince everyone now that he was on speed and their ridiculous rebuttal in the kitchen with a trad wife (except a trad wife would not have a job much less be a member of Congress) wearing a cross and speaking in her little girl voice and lying her ass off because they thought that would appeal to suburban women. But make no mistake, while they are distracting us with the clown show Trump was busy at Mar a Lago meeting with Victor Orban, dictator of Hungary who Trump admires and plans to emulate once back in the Oval Office and installing his daughter-in-law and another loyalist as co-leaders of the RNC while they announce that if you aren’t loyal to Trump, they don’t want you in the Republican party. They are preparing for the takeover and demise of our democracy.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">We all thought the 2020 election was crucial and it was but it doesn’t hold a candle to this one coming up. The MAGAts (there is no real republican party anymore) are much more prepared for the takeover than last time (if you haven’t looked into Project 2025 and Christian nationalism yet, now would be a good time).</p><p><br /></p><p> </p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-75294444390600163202024-03-07T16:51:00.000-06:002024-03-07T16:51:05.897-06:00spring chores and spring flowers<p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br />Sunday late afternoon I got my garden planted…tomatoes, bell peppers, green beens, basil but not the potatoes because I had forgotten to cut my seed potatoes into pieces and let them harden so I did that Monday and then coated the cut surface with ashes which is supposed to help prevent them from rotting before they start growing. I fear I’m a little late with the potatoes like last year but I got them planted Wednesday. Then I mulched around the tomatoes and peppers.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-JeLX3Cpo2JZJzcaFRspHbHaKq4n_al9Q5Ybw_o5ZlnHKtUWyzU_YseTzYARtLtUAFEfo7YVFpSyqiQzK-10rm_b5IBwsc5HA93i81FbBOBPS5JLo61Mp94Sxl9ALGquYx0vUJvSQra_2txNeNLuzwvNSOld0jHabfXouthG7wa9xH88B-PqFn2WYlg/s864/IMG_1751.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="864" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-JeLX3Cpo2JZJzcaFRspHbHaKq4n_al9Q5Ybw_o5ZlnHKtUWyzU_YseTzYARtLtUAFEfo7YVFpSyqiQzK-10rm_b5IBwsc5HA93i81FbBOBPS5JLo61Mp94Sxl9ALGquYx0vUJvSQra_2txNeNLuzwvNSOld0jHabfXouthG7wa9xH88B-PqFn2WYlg/w400-h224/IMG_1751.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">I have two raised bed kits (4 - 4’ x 4’ or 2 - 4’ x 8’) and I think I’m going to set up one 4’ x 4’ section and try squash which I don’t usually have any success with because right about the time they start producing fruit the squash vine borers have done their work and the plants go into total wilt, but you know, hope springs eternal. Anyway,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>my neighbor Gary brought me 3 yellow squash and 3 cucumber seedlings so once I get those in that will be all I’m planting for a spring garden.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Also this week I cleaned out all the debris from having the plants in the garage and returned it to it’s not winter configuration.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I planted carrot seeds last fall but never thinned them out so Monday I belatedly pulled some of the smallest carrots. The biggest one was almost as big as my pinkie finger but they all went in the fried rice I fixed for dinner last night.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FLjRbIIcrWmGj0a9PRw3WGklR0V0119nWY4ZSNUwyFU30RYhUYunJqYCsPq5qZuvI5_B1MJSaqLOkJJtKPdfg6Bc1QcG1z3q1KUMFrhD35vJs_tonMvpsMLSowQdAyiQvlGbaXmmTlFYDBMIYxeyX-FA8NQ5Imyl0BFd_jaCQVQePuv4wZsZUthDDLk/s720/IMG_1734.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FLjRbIIcrWmGj0a9PRw3WGklR0V0119nWY4ZSNUwyFU30RYhUYunJqYCsPq5qZuvI5_B1MJSaqLOkJJtKPdfg6Bc1QcG1z3q1KUMFrhD35vJs_tonMvpsMLSowQdAyiQvlGbaXmmTlFYDBMIYxeyX-FA8NQ5Imyl0BFd_jaCQVQePuv4wZsZUthDDLk/w313-h400/IMG_1734.jpeg" width="313" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Spring of ’22 I planted some bearded iris rhizomes that I got at the garden club plant sale, no idea what color. They didn’t bloom last spring but one clump out of three did this spring and they are white.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EIVuCrk0Nbh-a189zisGbizwC-UXIeulFv2OXCtTB2k1YSADt646FMWqGH46ImDPNYIgdJs9jrnOAWKsHLWRyG9ySif4tVNwdHVrmIXQNYwpulG8nekvL5G_Aw1DWePtkCMwrxEK5axsqDF8OC02NLJboZwzlhrVdiCe9OQgk5DS-mCOVGDpXNJLCLY/s720/IMG_1740.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EIVuCrk0Nbh-a189zisGbizwC-UXIeulFv2OXCtTB2k1YSADt646FMWqGH46ImDPNYIgdJs9jrnOAWKsHLWRyG9ySif4tVNwdHVrmIXQNYwpulG8nekvL5G_Aw1DWePtkCMwrxEK5axsqDF8OC02NLJboZwzlhrVdiCe9OQgk5DS-mCOVGDpXNJLCLY/w355-h400/IMG_1740.jpeg" width="355" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">These flag iris are in Gary’s yard blooming profusely and so gorgeous. I have some flag iris that have yet to bloom.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblwVcNDDt3691Jbe2OWs5W_F4AW1lhT1x2muCynkurHfflYbFaPWcgMw-0D1nuP6MzTmGo_UIK0KyG3Yj5KW_2hJYkafvAlBtmlN0G3GURFNhCghlJnef_Ej8Jya08FT7DBp2h1qthyphenhyphenQbO_2dF9-jreaFA_T1_3wIWb8bDk4puXrP6ZF-P9UBfEVX6XE/s720/IMG_1728.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="720" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblwVcNDDt3691Jbe2OWs5W_F4AW1lhT1x2muCynkurHfflYbFaPWcgMw-0D1nuP6MzTmGo_UIK0KyG3Yj5KW_2hJYkafvAlBtmlN0G3GURFNhCghlJnef_Ej8Jya08FT7DBp2h1qthyphenhyphenQbO_2dF9-jreaFA_T1_3wIWb8bDk4puXrP6ZF-P9UBfEVX6XE/w400-h314/IMG_1728.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">The ground orchids are blooming well this year.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0gD1pjJMj-cp_gOvoOa9_iFl4iYBk5FGXvLzodC4604WjRIw9fI8aWXZk-4C_mPDQn0uIwUkh5DeAkBX7A6te3vSsdjsuY2wcxITxgHMP7e4TAE-jjgBAXdPAjuA-zoV8_dZdt4x9elDS1QGK1RMvwMdcLvmAph8lKNh6LT96cJLHTQNbznUF9kECWw/s864/IMG_1739.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="864" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0gD1pjJMj-cp_gOvoOa9_iFl4iYBk5FGXvLzodC4604WjRIw9fI8aWXZk-4C_mPDQn0uIwUkh5DeAkBX7A6te3vSsdjsuY2wcxITxgHMP7e4TAE-jjgBAXdPAjuA-zoV8_dZdt4x9elDS1QGK1RMvwMdcLvmAph8lKNh6LT96cJLHTQNbznUF9kECWw/w400-h196/IMG_1739.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Some firsts… fleabane, evening primrose, there are so many in the big back yard that when they are in full bloom in a week or so it will be very pink back there, the early amaryllis, wisteria. These all popped out in the last several days.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKiqTp-fpIsdo7Ry-Zt-cz2UHV9qfvCtCchjmNXUQrssLbEMdDfN0PhZwDoZDMK0YFuPgQIYbOr1X95NumAlDzQSjwQZCDdlxf5iWWUS80Jw8pYWypgYO1zp8wnbt1M4UTA0UXT_egeRlzaDiV2SFfvvgq1DC7rW7iQbLL33mQFlRjAbPxmQX1LX3u-8/s720/IMG_1738.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="720" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKiqTp-fpIsdo7Ry-Zt-cz2UHV9qfvCtCchjmNXUQrssLbEMdDfN0PhZwDoZDMK0YFuPgQIYbOr1X95NumAlDzQSjwQZCDdlxf5iWWUS80Jw8pYWypgYO1zp8wnbt1M4UTA0UXT_egeRlzaDiV2SFfvvgq1DC7rW7iQbLL33mQFlRjAbPxmQX1LX3u-8/w400-h381/IMG_1738.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VI74lPakQOk_OHMT795sK6tzhUqhSc5zuKqiUXS54ZPqs3HBN8X6YANKvym5n4WnJO_C8a0ISQaMyk_VKtH5r_n6GtcioBhfM4R3V8dK8-dqBfkodkZS_bPO6EZALv-j-QjZgNgidLe0XGskFMNbMHcEe-3AGcWuzOOjeMiRGFxADERXMnJ1bxaimG0/s720/IMG_1745.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="720" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VI74lPakQOk_OHMT795sK6tzhUqhSc5zuKqiUXS54ZPqs3HBN8X6YANKvym5n4WnJO_C8a0ISQaMyk_VKtH5r_n6GtcioBhfM4R3V8dK8-dqBfkodkZS_bPO6EZALv-j-QjZgNgidLe0XGskFMNbMHcEe-3AGcWuzOOjeMiRGFxADERXMnJ1bxaimG0/w400-h364/IMG_1745.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6etPuv3rktVs2hii13SQElj_tI8VQEqUU_dDsA38-n4r_YkHI49MfxcCxfeuPSqgKUlA2-xUNhxj438M2_fqkIu-Ug9b7b7mq9rlMb6fJXdYyJdfZj56AlXu4m4cQ790rlYUlHgnbI-OaIe_tJnLezrCYOcEoNrHiDNJ2D9b9LeFvW5fXJ70EueQD7fU/s720/IMG_1743.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="720" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6etPuv3rktVs2hii13SQElj_tI8VQEqUU_dDsA38-n4r_YkHI49MfxcCxfeuPSqgKUlA2-xUNhxj438M2_fqkIu-Ug9b7b7mq9rlMb6fJXdYyJdfZj56AlXu4m4cQ790rlYUlHgnbI-OaIe_tJnLezrCYOcEoNrHiDNJ2D9b9LeFvW5fXJ70EueQD7fU/w400-h383/IMG_1743.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoLV1TSC4PIC5vlEvcPnIulKv4uXsUr2mVM3o-Muh36eZSxq8xao442KnPnj0wbOSHpUZe2yFRaT4VMjs3jSGaRbBSmhGe-XyvwNpl2c3-RphanbKUQQ-_f2QNVyMk8W01CXlo4KloeYpQK_Is3nsYz-uCj-QxJZJGGwTOpRShvHk4cyEDk2za8m76_Y/s720/IMG_1752.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="521" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoLV1TSC4PIC5vlEvcPnIulKv4uXsUr2mVM3o-Muh36eZSxq8xao442KnPnj0wbOSHpUZe2yFRaT4VMjs3jSGaRbBSmhGe-XyvwNpl2c3-RphanbKUQQ-_f2QNVyMk8W01CXlo4KloeYpQK_Is3nsYz-uCj-QxJZJGGwTOpRShvHk4cyEDk2za8m76_Y/w310-h428/IMG_1752.jpeg" width="310" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">And one contented Cat.</span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fqaWpb9QkXhrMAP7PioTrY9ZIsnZpMB_zde1MloBCZjtM8anb4DIOw1vZD-O8M-UwEfRW6qsYS9wSrK7kAV90fsYzEaABE295CXbad61Egbq8vv9VvOwmCBqutPMl5ax1bkySbVzL2wdg979SbigOVbmbuwU92hWjQGs7efIAeJtWbzQcegTE0VAark/s720/IMG_1748.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="720" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fqaWpb9QkXhrMAP7PioTrY9ZIsnZpMB_zde1MloBCZjtM8anb4DIOw1vZD-O8M-UwEfRW6qsYS9wSrK7kAV90fsYzEaABE295CXbad61Egbq8vv9VvOwmCBqutPMl5ax1bkySbVzL2wdg979SbigOVbmbuwU92hWjQGs7efIAeJtWbzQcegTE0VAark/w400-h365/IMG_1748.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-59385808091146481432024-03-03T13:18:00.001-06:002024-03-03T13:18:47.501-06:00spring and yard work and flowers<br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Friday night’s sunset</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rDaxYUIeb3mjtrgfVJ0wHzsfY9h2MRegYjGdKWOUjocdtyFprOi-tH9QJDx6tPzHBHXWI6VmgynZkn9kAdNOZl96OlXvafxaeTwm00SuVLyLaK1p6tnf5d3nifjdno_Tq_XI1cpGQqqJQVWu1y71UWCGdD2IbW8d5YcTm7ufTT9OXwFZq9twVbxD4Fw/s864/IMG_1707.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="864" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rDaxYUIeb3mjtrgfVJ0wHzsfY9h2MRegYjGdKWOUjocdtyFprOi-tH9QJDx6tPzHBHXWI6VmgynZkn9kAdNOZl96OlXvafxaeTwm00SuVLyLaK1p6tnf5d3nifjdno_Tq_XI1cpGQqqJQVWu1y71UWCGdD2IbW8d5YcTm7ufTT9OXwFZq9twVbxD4Fw/w640-h522/IMG_1707.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Not much to report. The first part of the week was so windy and blew in probably our last cold front of the winter, down in the 40s for two nights last week but now we are having highs in the 70s. Friday I was out in the front pulling weeds, clover and other little wildflowers away from the bluebonnets, isolating them so I can go back with the trimmer and cut down the weeds, grasses, and clover which is about calf high now and I want to cut it all down before they go to seed. I didn’t get much of a return this year on the bluebonnets, I assume from the long hot dry summer last year and they were being smothered by all the other stuff. Yesterday I did get the trimmer out and cut down all that stuff leaving just the small leggy bluebonnets, probably less than 3 dozen plants. So sad compared to years where they were solid across the front. Ever since the flood they have struggled with the clover and hay grass that invaded from the field behind me. I do have some plants in the back and a small grouping on the side that are big and full and starting to bloom.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxEiA7Hsk3IfTO3j8lVulC19_4LqVngrFANA2RVaJYkAFHou5mT2UipWfSpnGtpzGUiuA6oiJKJuQd0deRmSLOem00gimKoS_8YfBsH24Sm0JeYoJkvyTWHis_QMzU-0vumlEsrsabrtCycTYdCs5EAW6OW68ASDle4x0KMo0-6wAn-2heULZzx6gmmw/s720/IMG_1709.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="644" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxEiA7Hsk3IfTO3j8lVulC19_4LqVngrFANA2RVaJYkAFHou5mT2UipWfSpnGtpzGUiuA6oiJKJuQd0deRmSLOem00gimKoS_8YfBsH24Sm0JeYoJkvyTWHis_QMzU-0vumlEsrsabrtCycTYdCs5EAW6OW68ASDle4x0KMo0-6wAn-2heULZzx6gmmw/w358-h400/IMG_1709.jpeg" width="358" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then I used the second tank of gas to cut down the hay grass taking over a portion of the back end of the big backyard, cutting a swath to the compost pile. The native peach tree in the back is in full bloom. I guess it likes these cold winters as it has never bloomed this much before.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BhHnfVp4AziAYKMMXWO07E_PlfvKWWS3yzYIQDh8IUCLDurVkDgIu7FzIbTFzzbTYGFBUAU5doSlj7NgGl9CBDhrXZXXtoOho6ym1-GCNPc3t2r2rKKJeMg6D3wojazxnYCLGoWIWB_M7pjxpZrua3Za3VCpO_MznWFD03-b6LwwoZYbl8EwYIgqGjc/s720/IMG_1713.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="678" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BhHnfVp4AziAYKMMXWO07E_PlfvKWWS3yzYIQDh8IUCLDurVkDgIu7FzIbTFzzbTYGFBUAU5doSlj7NgGl9CBDhrXZXXtoOho6ym1-GCNPc3t2r2rKKJeMg6D3wojazxnYCLGoWIWB_M7pjxpZrua3Za3VCpO_MznWFD03-b6LwwoZYbl8EwYIgqGjc/w602-h640/IMG_1713.jpeg" width="602" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnElqIA4l1OBlT8XGWXtkVmUCokYnAe3d_iAQZUw4UGV2zr59tIhKA3rZJ_ALyZMuErGKth0URX3KMYYPxij8fEIfk8slSeIvjoCPnhRzOSpggxUZITPnAEEW7BnAuJzAQNJ6u8nLJR90nUmpEs2YCdvz81ufjaq4OHQKjFGcmu8rDOat4biq_mpbnpo/s720/IMG_1715.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="720" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnElqIA4l1OBlT8XGWXtkVmUCokYnAe3d_iAQZUw4UGV2zr59tIhKA3rZJ_ALyZMuErGKth0URX3KMYYPxij8fEIfk8slSeIvjoCPnhRzOSpggxUZITPnAEEW7BnAuJzAQNJ6u8nLJR90nUmpEs2YCdvz81ufjaq4OHQKjFGcmu8rDOat4biq_mpbnpo/w400-h319/IMG_1715.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">I still need to finish getting the ground ready and plant, especially the tomatoes and potatoes which I plan to do today. Before I started with the trimmer yesterday I finally went to the new feed/hardware store because I needed more potting soil for some big pots, compost, and mulch too. It doesn’t help that the bottom has rusted out of my wheelbarrow which I discovered when I was filling the critter hole under the steps. The shovel went right through and now I have a big hole. I’ve got some flashing so I’m going to try and put a patch on it with JB Weld but that will have to wait for another day.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Instead of planting yesterday after I used the trimmer I used my little toy chain saw to cut down all the rest of the dead wood in the two yards…hummingbird bush (2), purple orchid shrub which has never bloomed because it has frozen to the ground every winter since I planted it, the enormous yellow bells and the little ones (5), the confederate roses (2), and used the long handled loppers to cut them into smaller manageable lengths. I still have to tackle the rangoon creeper but it can wait. Torching the burn pile is also on the agenda since there’s no wind to speak of today.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So, what else. The azaleas are blooming. They are so vibrant they almost hurt your eyes.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVZtbKchrvxjiVdUYrIrQGN7C01TlXkWaRjcTALezD4xKd-kELYUAbZbNyVtojpWxFPLWpbjMjG7E07tyN61X-My7eMbwMxQ3aBicauaXVOU4BbFAyT3B7jcS6QDs-xuKEgMXWMGwl67K4yVt5yppsuc3Vdlhch1hR7UfZtmyLN6PEE91t5ByveJ60i0/s720/IMG_1722.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="720" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVZtbKchrvxjiVdUYrIrQGN7C01TlXkWaRjcTALezD4xKd-kELYUAbZbNyVtojpWxFPLWpbjMjG7E07tyN61X-My7eMbwMxQ3aBicauaXVOU4BbFAyT3B7jcS6QDs-xuKEgMXWMGwl67K4yVt5yppsuc3Vdlhch1hR7UfZtmyLN6PEE91t5ByveJ60i0/w400-h356/IMG_1722.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The little wild onion/garlic flowers are having a banner year and people’s yards and the fields are white with their flowers,</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKtPJn8ziy8D_NfnNJYABIQZ-GtmU1_rVCO-agSrjdDQedCoZbtMYZ4Z253gmz_RppyQG0rECB9ulShjK7pS4GN-TtvJvDhEli8uhQO6wSCQLsZ6ZkaEDxK1Bc9joY-FJTtZBqlPMkm53n2tC-fnVkxHpVur60HjrXU8SXBg36EkxURXD7GGNy8l_EEE/s720/IMG_1704.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="720" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKtPJn8ziy8D_NfnNJYABIQZ-GtmU1_rVCO-agSrjdDQedCoZbtMYZ4Z253gmz_RppyQG0rECB9ulShjK7pS4GN-TtvJvDhEli8uhQO6wSCQLsZ6ZkaEDxK1Bc9joY-FJTtZBqlPMkm53n2tC-fnVkxHpVur60HjrXU8SXBg36EkxURXD7GGNy8l_EEE/s320/IMG_1704.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">the chinese fringe flower trees are blooming,<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Sdd1ULImiSoWj3p083zRP3HH2e4ZllUWXSyPNHDsNtO3mYV-y9o6IklSh7xIDCxaXaADKgjmWs-mYn3ImJrSMy_LZo5WsAW1hrAIiqk5meRbuSgyHZdPACsIYmKRH7oKkVjylPX_2WEO6KzCxkgQcOD7tBd01DlXg52UMWlxMOV9CDMAqIeTpbYJ1i0/s720/IMG_1719.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Sdd1ULImiSoWj3p083zRP3HH2e4ZllUWXSyPNHDsNtO3mYV-y9o6IklSh7xIDCxaXaADKgjmWs-mYn3ImJrSMy_LZo5WsAW1hrAIiqk5meRbuSgyHZdPACsIYmKRH7oKkVjylPX_2WEO6KzCxkgQcOD7tBd01DlXg52UMWlxMOV9CDMAqIeTpbYJ1i0/w568-h640/IMG_1719.jpeg" width="568" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">as are the ground orchids (bletilla).<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFgzmgtjCxaIKX-6hvCQtSL96R-zHxu-dmY-f34WiKZxk5SLAHTLEHCcRdu9A5VyhtjUIusSmsTZEYp7K5Xuojrb_cHD9KEaTQlQu5KuRx0gzkBPPxS9ngP871P4LOcNXcgvpKhxPv2AQBvQpGnB8UmBTBVD_Vpcz-vLt27rPhqL6vsiIQxLofoxgu3w/s720/IMG_1721.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="643" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFgzmgtjCxaIKX-6hvCQtSL96R-zHxu-dmY-f34WiKZxk5SLAHTLEHCcRdu9A5VyhtjUIusSmsTZEYp7K5Xuojrb_cHD9KEaTQlQu5KuRx0gzkBPPxS9ngP871P4LOcNXcgvpKhxPv2AQBvQpGnB8UmBTBVD_Vpcz-vLt27rPhqL6vsiIQxLofoxgu3w/w358-h400/IMG_1721.jpeg" width="358" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">------------</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I’m in for a little break. I added compost, landscapers mix (something you add to my clayey dirt to improve it), and fertilizer and got it all turned in this morning and now finally I am ready to plant which I’ll do later this afternoon.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKspHHG48UmFFdItvpPlNlxUPLGAFoZ1gH50FRJJqEi-_prmR-gkEAvhykdvFwnjTt71yxqQgH5nvUiZIzBUWdpq-ZozTExvx4YUvsaDYxRD4LinFBwZIrIhZe3Pxk_m40yI-8Pm7wXL3Y_HE_SXlyaHaFxwHmaxY_17fpm8F8thl9nX0nbRJdYhpbLww/s864/IMG_1727.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="864" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKspHHG48UmFFdItvpPlNlxUPLGAFoZ1gH50FRJJqEi-_prmR-gkEAvhykdvFwnjTt71yxqQgH5nvUiZIzBUWdpq-ZozTExvx4YUvsaDYxRD4LinFBwZIrIhZe3Pxk_m40yI-8Pm7wXL3Y_HE_SXlyaHaFxwHmaxY_17fpm8F8thl9nX0nbRJdYhpbLww/w640-h290/IMG_1727.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Some of that will be for zinnias. After I did that I torched the burn pile which had gotten enormous once again.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So now I’m going to bathe the little dog and take her for a walk since she didn’t get one yesterday.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-26009670909106077682024-02-27T18:03:00.002-06:002024-02-28T08:25:34.200-06:00eye repair, snipped kitty, and Sunday's task<p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;"><br />Yesterday was my annual eye appointment and the good news is that my eyesight hasn’t worsened and the good/bad news is that she did </span><i style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">not</i><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;"> tell me the cataract in my left eye wasn’t bad enough for surgery, come back in a year. My left eye, which is my seeing close eye, has really been bothering me for the last several months. It’s been feeling like there is some goo that I can never rub out or a sheer veil that doesn’t make things more blurry so much as reduces the clarity. I had to fill out a questionnaire considering my answers as if I was looking with my left eye only. Anyway, I had two options for where the surgery will be done, at the hospital here or the hospital in Bay City a half hour away. I will need to be taken and then picked up with about 3 hours in between. So rather than Marc having to sit around the hospital in Bay City for 3 hours plus the hour of drive time I opted for the hospital here. The downside to that is that she only gets one day a month at the hospital here. The March slot is taken, she will be out of town during the April slot, so it will be May before I get the cataract removed. The right eye is also developing a cataract but it’s not bad enough for surgery yet.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Yesterday was also the brown tabby’s day to get taken to the vet to get snipped. This little cat is mostly silent, has a very quiet mew when he does mew and the only way I can tell if he’s purring when I hold and pet him is from the vibration in his throat. He was very loud and vocal in the car but after a few minutes he quietly settled down until we got to the vet where he expressed his displeasure. I’ll pick him up this afternoon. It may be awhile before he lets me pick him up again though the gray tabby got over it pretty quick.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I moved all the rest of the outdoor plants back outside last weekend and we even got the last three out of the garage, the biggest most problematic being the night blooming cereus. It is huge. And heavy. And cumbersome. And needs a new pot as the plastic one it’s in is starting to break apart. I’m going to have to cut it back though I don’t want to because I love how big it is and that it gives me 20 or more flowers at a time. Not that I always see them since it blooms at night.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So the task I had to attend to over at Pam’s house Sunday was filling an animal burrow, my guess would be armadillo. I don’t know if you can tell from this picture but there is a big hole under the bottom stair of the steps up to the front door and it extends under the concrete paver that the post sits on, which was already tilting down into the hole, and on under the house. Fortunately I had a wheelbarrow load of clayey dirt from digging the hole I planted the yellow angel trumpet in.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfPaoedwsx182i7W-x5Y-B7YBCm_YBlxl3vel05u7gfT1Ro6cLMNPmA3JBtbUmb2sasWxzS4KklpZQ0Dnkw8j7cqCDQ5lHxCc6tNr9tRmApKoEeibs8DwKXb9R4Uyb2chdXltLLKiD9LGtpGKKxhJr7TvH0eLL3-9zbNgS22lIhixC0DVYsbWdvfBtkQ/s720/IMG_1689.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="720" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfPaoedwsx182i7W-x5Y-B7YBCm_YBlxl3vel05u7gfT1Ro6cLMNPmA3JBtbUmb2sasWxzS4KklpZQ0Dnkw8j7cqCDQ5lHxCc6tNr9tRmApKoEeibs8DwKXb9R4Uyb2chdXltLLKiD9LGtpGKKxhJr7TvH0eLL3-9zbNgS22lIhixC0DVYsbWdvfBtkQ/w400-h366/IMG_1689.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">First I pulled out the ferns that had migrated there in front of the steps and in between the steps and house and moved all the rocks she had there and the concrete paver at the bottom of the steps for better access to the hole. </p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDC8zdIuxxW3-98OSHJoOxd1vd5FLAGo6OSvj9z0QVr-AO1v-S6aGKHu-9A6F65QpKpuNaHXrjRsEhV2TTH3SA90dZDvyLqB4Tke5e-x4KofKHIrmI7hzZdh-Xa56SUkS_WqwOQf1zsMRDCevIZ7S2i4uuZDZm69vpl85H3J69UqzwTuiztrQxl6Aj1I/s720/IMG_1690.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="720" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDC8zdIuxxW3-98OSHJoOxd1vd5FLAGo6OSvj9z0QVr-AO1v-S6aGKHu-9A6F65QpKpuNaHXrjRsEhV2TTH3SA90dZDvyLqB4Tke5e-x4KofKHIrmI7hzZdh-Xa56SUkS_WqwOQf1zsMRDCevIZ7S2i4uuZDZm69vpl85H3J69UqzwTuiztrQxl6Aj1I/w400-h264/IMG_1690.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Shovel some dirt on two sides of the paver under the post and into the hole under the stair, used a length of 2” x 4” and a hammer to pound it down as far as I could, more dirt, more pounding, add a little water, more pounding until I felt like I had it well filled and compacted.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAg2_kLDleh_4QUvwSiKlW63u5MuQi9bklgYW7JGV-rh9NsesMOSCc2jNSbqrVhTtWpqL4wuJbcZUIitILIwoKMsepuaj3L8SFgVIPmUH0MhFrd0bDqQpE_YhYzkqyE8aSZwa9axAJwpj2fI48KRWOqS1pyoavw2-E6Z-zlLx4fmFjHojLAgyJpxO2o3U/s720/IMG_1691.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="720" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAg2_kLDleh_4QUvwSiKlW63u5MuQi9bklgYW7JGV-rh9NsesMOSCc2jNSbqrVhTtWpqL4wuJbcZUIitILIwoKMsepuaj3L8SFgVIPmUH0MhFrd0bDqQpE_YhYzkqyE8aSZwa9axAJwpj2fI48KRWOqS1pyoavw2-E6Z-zlLx4fmFjHojLAgyJpxO2o3U/w400-h269/IMG_1691.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Then I got a small piece of limestone I had hanging around and pounded it in the space between the 2” x 8” and the bottom of the step. I still need to get some small shims to complete that part. And then I put the rocks and the other paver back in place.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq_gh406usxxkt5Ma8YVfNWJltyXgQ8r4PPoxMUaT7IHEkwnean8WQXl0cWOc91A2dCsMHn-Qd8t-kpQzYtbDHOpMnd5SSM07KOQOHCvRLy5lBo08OSODp8-hwn2hBuUZqzz1LqWmYzIkgnI1SIlBrKzykHACqb0vYCH5iq6PM-gQsFTFPx7kAZuTp9U/s720/IMG_1693.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="720" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq_gh406usxxkt5Ma8YVfNWJltyXgQ8r4PPoxMUaT7IHEkwnean8WQXl0cWOc91A2dCsMHn-Qd8t-kpQzYtbDHOpMnd5SSM07KOQOHCvRLy5lBo08OSODp8-hwn2hBuUZqzz1LqWmYzIkgnI1SIlBrKzykHACqb0vYCH5iq6PM-gQsFTFPx7kAZuTp9U/w400-h264/IMG_1693.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-30694777845390898952024-02-25T11:50:00.002-06:002024-02-26T08:32:11.958-06:00getting the garden ready with interruptions<br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Friday I had to go out and get cat food for the wildlings and I went to the feed store to see what plants they had in and bought five tomato plants, two bell peppers, a basil, and some yellow and white seed potatoes. It’s baby chick season too but I didn’t buy any of those.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgBjwYJegnL6JTrQELRMxBNCZiXAkCN9u3eXwDR_Oy6WHWs77FvUHpauZaAkFzQfSw_5FlKvTR5FfNYlRsQdC_JPrdhm-IskwNKyWeYl5rZ2zhqoPBLlR5s0rrJrSfy8M46wu3zzOyHCb9PEPLG6Ia3RwQi_ca-PMAqGb-hiNxIYKoVX4_RzFj0MTpzg/s720/IMG_1687.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="720" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgBjwYJegnL6JTrQELRMxBNCZiXAkCN9u3eXwDR_Oy6WHWs77FvUHpauZaAkFzQfSw_5FlKvTR5FfNYlRsQdC_JPrdhm-IskwNKyWeYl5rZ2zhqoPBLlR5s0rrJrSfy8M46wu3zzOyHCb9PEPLG6Ia3RwQi_ca-PMAqGb-hiNxIYKoVX4_RzFj0MTpzg/w400-h325/IMG_1687.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW-TCot3SyL25bWY7cJwWLHShZiN_v7k7nMllqL9Vp6AIu4AAbQtzyglFkwA_137zeeFF8iGT1uNvNRt4Q_R_RDhy32h-MVbLnF8gVNEHHh7v1y_NjZ1ADFkJ2tsGPNNCVssHW680MCBdVP4LKwkiRhJMalLvABly3euYaxR0vJEJrNdWwlerStwZLN4/s720/IMG_1678.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW-TCot3SyL25bWY7cJwWLHShZiN_v7k7nMllqL9Vp6AIu4AAbQtzyglFkwA_137zeeFF8iGT1uNvNRt4Q_R_RDhy32h-MVbLnF8gVNEHHh7v1y_NjZ1ADFkJ2tsGPNNCVssHW680MCBdVP4LKwkiRhJMalLvABly3euYaxR0vJEJrNdWwlerStwZLN4/w400-h300/IMG_1678.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">About two years ago, maybe even a little longer, the feed store bought a big building much nearer me that used to be a western wear shop that closed and moved to Bay City because, like every small business in this town, they didn’t get enough business to stay open (and no I didn’t shop there either because I’m not into ‘western’ wear). The feed store announced they would be moving and expanding which included partnering with Ace Hardware. This announcement generated some excitement because one thing this town does not have is a good all round hardware store. The previous lumber yard had a hardware, paint, and plumbing section with limited selection but the guy retired after Harvey and closed up shop leaving us with Walmart or a place called Star Parts which has a very limited supply of hardware and plumbing stuff. Then Alamo Lumber (a local chain) announced they were going to move on the same spot as the previous lumber yard which structure they tore down and rebuilt and they’ve been open for about a year and they do have a large and well stocked hardware, plumbing, gardening, electrical, etc supply side. The early excitement died down as they turned out to be the most expensive place in town. So now, finally after delay after delay and permits and flood remediation and all the other hoops they had to jump through to get those permits they finally started adding on and remodeling the building and glory be, they are moving to their new location this weekend.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When I was in there Friday one of the women behind the counter said to me after I mentioned that the new location would be much closer to where I live, I think you live down the street from me. I live on XXXX, I said. I live on YYYY (which is the next street over), she said. I walk Minnie down her street as well as mine. She didn’t recognize me so much as she recognized Minnie. You live on the north side or the south side of the street I asked. She lives next door to the house that’s for sale. Oh, the house with the christmas wreath still hanging in the tree. She laughed, well I got all the other decorations put away last weekend. True. She didn’t put her Christmas decorations away til Halloween last year.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Saturday I was out pulling up the mustard greens which had bolted and pulled the last cabbage and was turning and weeding the last section of the garden to get it ready to plant when Melissa, Rocky’s wife, called. Rocky has been busy the last two plus months tearing out and completely redoing the inside of a house so I haven’t seen much of him lately and I had told Melissa that I need the water pipe over at the shop fixed when he gets a spare day. So apparently the spare day was that day, now or who knows when is how she put it. So Rocky showed up and completely replaced the water pipe into the shop, the one I had wrapped with insulating foam and duct tape and which still cracked. You might remember I wrote about finding water gushing out of it in 40˚ weather right before dusk. Anyway, once we got all the insulation off, we found that not only had it cracked below the turn off valve but also the outside casing of the turnoff valve had not just cracked but split apart. Fortunately it was still functioning. That bulge midway is a new shut off valve but the handle is on the other side and at the bottom is the casing, 8" deep, that contains the main shut off valve, the one I couldn't get to turn. It's still off so we haven't checked the new pipe yet.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPzE6nT6GtBIgXnsIfkn0IacaTlNNEyO4Ol-7gHtQ3QF06gbwxuO5x-dFa9YeaoWQkBUdgcuFtePhwBU-uRBamw38Xts0FEP5n-bAEEhQzZeZ7VsVJIlgVhp7j0070zZQPyqZBNM5fAgULshT99_ntOBj4Wn_XgrtODHEIcoGPIcxC7ZtGIjitix4vK8/s720/IMG_1684.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="471" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPzE6nT6GtBIgXnsIfkn0IacaTlNNEyO4Ol-7gHtQ3QF06gbwxuO5x-dFa9YeaoWQkBUdgcuFtePhwBU-uRBamw38Xts0FEP5n-bAEEhQzZeZ7VsVJIlgVhp7j0070zZQPyqZBNM5fAgULshT99_ntOBj4Wn_XgrtODHEIcoGPIcxC7ZtGIjitix4vK8/w261-h400/IMG_1684.jpeg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">I should finish up my garden today but first I have another task I need to address over at Pam’s house. More about that later.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-63924274007821776672024-02-20T17:06:00.005-06:002024-02-21T12:48:34.390-06:00musing, meals, streaming, and spring<p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br />Another picture of my dwarf redbud tree in full bloom.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dixUtcGQsrl6Xekq_1vpPYaNxddGI_bzlmHK9m7YgWHCaKPlSK1SUVVM3FDxxVZnzlmyRTjqNRd1H_OQS4-Xta5Fi5eiIOLUPUZz7Ne4T3daydSsuuIr7MKHHKc61p9ILwDs7mcde9EYNMMbTdELht7iGdkY8Tl6GbanOr_63V3xAL7mxrHqmtpf7IE/s720/IMG_1673.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="720" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dixUtcGQsrl6Xekq_1vpPYaNxddGI_bzlmHK9m7YgWHCaKPlSK1SUVVM3FDxxVZnzlmyRTjqNRd1H_OQS4-Xta5Fi5eiIOLUPUZz7Ne4T3daydSsuuIr7MKHHKc61p9ILwDs7mcde9EYNMMbTdELht7iGdkY8Tl6GbanOr_63V3xAL7mxrHqmtpf7IE/w400-h345/IMG_1673.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For practically my whole life I have been taking art lessons, either in school or out, or making, from craft kits as a kid to sewing as a teen to exploring different mediums in college to finally as an adult building my own art studio making etched and carved glass for architectural installations and small cast glass sculpture for over 40 years. We retired from the etched glass at the end of 2017 after the house flooded and we spent the next two years dealing with FEMA and the Texas Land Office for funds and getting that half of the house repaired. Since then I have made some cast glass sculpture and even took two watercolor classes which I enjoyed but I have also had extended periods of complete lack of motivation or desire to create. I’m in one of those times now, going on a year and a half this time; I don’t draw, I don’t watercolor, I don’t make models for casting. The last piece I made was the Coral Reef box that I completed September 2022. I keep thinking I still have some work in me that I want to do but I’m not motivated to go over to the studio or getting out my watercolors. Am I done? Marc mentioned the other day that he was going to close the business bank account and put that minimum $5,000 required to not have a monthly service fee to better use, like earning interest, and I’m fine with that. Last year there was no water in the studio due to a busted pipe from our new very cold arctic vortexes that have been hitting us the last three winters and the horridly dry and hot summer and now the pipe is cracked again. So, I don’t know. I guess we’ll see. Right now I’m happy enough to watch the birds, read, write, work out in the yard, volunteer, go to yoga and spending a couple of hours a day in the studio means not having the time to do other stuff.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We finally fixed and ate all three of our HelloFresh meals and they were without exception very good. We tried the soy glazed steak with zucchini stir-fry and jasmine rice with scallion ginger oil (10 ingredients), penne with spinach and grape tomatoes, garlic butter breadcrumbs and parmesan (9 ingredients), and apricot, almond, and chickpea tagine with zucchini, basmati rice and chermoula (14 ingredients). The pasta dish was very similar to one I make only a little fancier. I’ve never eaten chickpeas that weren’t in the form of hummus or falafel, which I really like, and I’m not that impressed. The tagine was very good but I’m not likely to add canned chickpeas to my staples in the kitchen.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I mentioned we had watched two episodes of Mr. and Mrs. Smith on Prime and that it was nothing like the movie and at that point we weren’t sure if we were going to continue watching it but we did. It’s one season of eight episodes and it’s actually pretty good. It’s not just about two people working for an unnamed powerful secret spy organization given missions, it’s also about two complete strangers paired together as partners with their cover being a married couple and their developing relationship. Anyway, the last episode was the only one that mirrored the movie and it ends in a cliff hanger intentionally so as to let the viewer decide how it ended. It also sets up for a possible second season but there is no indication at this time that there will be one.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I was able to get out in the yard yesterday, a cool but pretty blue sky day and the wind had mostly died down. I pulled up one of the two remaining cabbages and clipped all the little broccoli sprouts that come out after you harvest the main head and then pulled all the broccoli plants up and continued turning and weeding the dirt in preparation for planting the spring garden. Not sure what I’m going to plant besides tomatoes. The mustard greens are bolting so I need to pull those up. I never thinned my carrots and I have no idea how they are growing since I haven’t felt around the tops. I’m thinking they probably aren’t even as big around as my little finger.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Minnie and Cat enjoying the pretty weather outside today, cat in the shade on the right, dog in the sun on the left.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyIwtEADiGAFwIpYwg20R1w2pek3zeMVKzqf8mfx9hQWigGsl7TGtQLC8yV7NnK67IhVSegSK7VDlHJdhCvMQm3YboMNfQ9ysJeth9seL49NjXvkWh5A5BJ5F_Cp7qT7kN16yVqrDE9G4spbeFWiG89doOaEkQrqxtcq88bx9VdjBTUy5x2JikHarbn0/s864/IMG_1674.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="864" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyIwtEADiGAFwIpYwg20R1w2pek3zeMVKzqf8mfx9hQWigGsl7TGtQLC8yV7NnK67IhVSegSK7VDlHJdhCvMQm3YboMNfQ9ysJeth9seL49NjXvkWh5A5BJ5F_Cp7qT7kN16yVqrDE9G4spbeFWiG89doOaEkQrqxtcq88bx9VdjBTUy5x2JikHarbn0/w640-h300/IMG_1674.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Still nothing much happening in the yard here but over at Pam’s house the white crinum lily started putting up a bloom stalk a week or so after the freeze here</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JFwXsqIuquIt3pDzms77Xp-hSaoo5ddEvyVDHWjiDZvyjgAqFZnghjfccNs4Y2bvOJlqZthytqVLTAHD6lSFg7TX1N8ZLZs51S_PbLy4Be5r8pXOlaMbRrlRODRFJaMJxdIpMDUPe977ooJz0JBk-C14OulfOvInI2tzhTTiHSSKQCc0uqPvGo84wT4/s720/IMG_1670.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="570" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JFwXsqIuquIt3pDzms77Xp-hSaoo5ddEvyVDHWjiDZvyjgAqFZnghjfccNs4Y2bvOJlqZthytqVLTAHD6lSFg7TX1N8ZLZs51S_PbLy4Be5r8pXOlaMbRrlRODRFJaMJxdIpMDUPe977ooJz0JBk-C14OulfOvInI2tzhTTiHSSKQCc0uqPvGo84wT4/w316-h400/IMG_1670.jpeg" width="316" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">and the fig tree is putting out new growth.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH2Yrj60P5FW1L52KIIiDlp_bb15p3RpiHUBUe4VQ56uLeD6HMjW1FLwSViv909qMijeYEDLt4Caoqhqkbo7JD0DYHLZLfq93PuMgz3dlVfexafxQ5qdg3gA3428N3MvxKRyovVIYnBvPlHvyvTd_15hwzJKtlEGfqEhrxLII37XlAlYpNuXTn0rDAg8/s720/IMG_1671.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="615" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimH2Yrj60P5FW1L52KIIiDlp_bb15p3RpiHUBUe4VQ56uLeD6HMjW1FLwSViv909qMijeYEDLt4Caoqhqkbo7JD0DYHLZLfq93PuMgz3dlVfexafxQ5qdg3gA3428N3MvxKRyovVIYnBvPlHvyvTd_15hwzJKtlEGfqEhrxLII37XlAlYpNuXTn0rDAg8/w341-h400/IMG_1671.jpeg" width="341" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">The cuttings I took when I pruned back the yellow angel trumpet to cover it for the deep freeze have started putting out roots<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUJ2_PXi0oJG0IAJo7jJEP6o-LTRcFBjKGrCCfqRwWp5jBWtb_WC94o4-V11caf_EP5Hoe6y7oUjoJ6UJmAakHXd8Z_UWNTBiNuzpSj-ia77OdRhntP37oirj8q6VjNfkjZu1V0TXlrmm5Fp2oRlV8IbWD4O4ygQysNH71czOponc5iz5GnkuukFiUIg/s720/IMG_1672.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUJ2_PXi0oJG0IAJo7jJEP6o-LTRcFBjKGrCCfqRwWp5jBWtb_WC94o4-V11caf_EP5Hoe6y7oUjoJ6UJmAakHXd8Z_UWNTBiNuzpSj-ia77OdRhntP37oirj8q6VjNfkjZu1V0TXlrmm5Fp2oRlV8IbWD4O4ygQysNH71czOponc5iz5GnkuukFiUIg/w276-h400/IMG_1672.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">as have the fire spike but the small branch that broke off the pink angel trumpet when I moved it into the garage is still stubbornly refusing to root.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A small cluster of pink 10 petal anemone.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg4fIERpT7FOxTTYV3VKE1v2pTvWy74O3jCm_i3CYE2IsnwWVBbnjmIm_1rRVBvAi4ochfXJTGYb1fkXV_90SurWJIk0n_Fk0zSENUbt1Odlup5SEHTVBYfBhz5TuAV2ULGl33hwS0bHAPeo_dSMViOOZ9OXxpU1kl5rKhL_65dARAIBttPEqqrJizv0/s720/IMG_1675.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="720" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg4fIERpT7FOxTTYV3VKE1v2pTvWy74O3jCm_i3CYE2IsnwWVBbnjmIm_1rRVBvAi4ochfXJTGYb1fkXV_90SurWJIk0n_Fk0zSENUbt1Odlup5SEHTVBYfBhz5TuAV2ULGl33hwS0bHAPeo_dSMViOOZ9OXxpU1kl5rKhL_65dARAIBttPEqqrJizv0/w400-h338/IMG_1675.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-72371635447228384222024-02-18T17:34:00.004-06:002024-02-19T08:23:42.151-06:00just so you know<p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;"><br />some of the republican fucknuttery of the last two weeks or so.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">A public school in Florida sent home a permission slip to be signed by a parent to allow their child to listen while a book by an African American author is read aloud in class. Another public school sent home a permission slip for parents to sign that allowed their child to watch the Disney film <i>Tangled</i>. Apparently it has caused DeSantis to have an epiphany about his broad stroke book banning and crusade against Disney that has allowed considerable confusion and strife and little old biddies with sticks up their butts and no children in public school to complain about all sorts of books and things they don’t personally like. He now thinks his law should be changed.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Following Trump’s orders congressional republicans killed the tough bi-partisan border policy and funding bill that they had demanded because Trump wants to campaign on the “border crisis”. Hint: it’s not a crisis if you want to wait a year to do something about it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">House republicans had their second impeachment vote of Secretary Mayorkas which passed by one vote charging high crimes and misdemeanors without a single shred of evidence of high crimes, misdemeanors, or any impeachable offense all while accusing Biden and democrats of weaponizing the justice system against Trump.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Anti-abortion activists are ramping up accusations that prenatal tests are inaccurate and the testing industry is corrupt in an effort to ultimately ban genetic testing and ultrasounds that detect deformities and unviability in fetuses. In the interim they want to pass legislation that demands doctors tell their patients who get a devastating diagnosis that no test is 100% accurate and they may be ending a perfectly healthy pregnancy and to send these women to anti-abortion prenatal ‘counselors’ who will lie to them about their pregnancy. They would prefer that pregnant women never know if there is a problem. I guess not enough women are dying from pregnancy and childbirth to suit them in these days of preventive care.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Alabama republican senator Tommy Tuberville, who withheld important military promotions that had a negative effect on the Armed Forces readiness praises Putin and blames the US for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Arizona republicans are pushing a number of bills that will, among other things, make registering to vote and voting more difficult, will allow election vigilantes free reign to harass voters, and will ultimately give county election deniers the ability to throw out election results that don’t favor republicans and declare their candidate the winner.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Trump has posted two articles from Newsweek that he has altered by deleted anything critical of him and anything praising Biden.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Trump has claimed that if elected he will not come to the aid of our NATO allies and will encourage Putin to do whatever he wants.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Tucker Carlson was in Russia, which he claimed is nicer, cleaner, happier than any city in the US and interviewed Putin. When asked later why his didn’t ask Putin about Navalny and assassinations, he replied that “leadership requires killing people”. Let that sink in.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Trump claims he, as president, has total immunity for anything done during his term and then says if re-elected he will indict Biden. So I guess he means only he has total presidential immunity.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Alabama republicans want to be able to jail librarians.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Faced with having to actually govern and address the aid package that Ukraine desperately needs that passed in the Senate and the appropriations bills to fund the government when the stop gaps expire in early March, because Trump wants no aid to Ukraine, being Putin’s lap dog, even though 90% of the funds would be spent here replacing the old munitions we would offload onto Ukraine with new modern ones, Speaker Johnson has recessed the House for two weeks.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Trump invites Russia to attack NATO countries; Speaker Johnson, whose campaign for his Louisiana seat in the House was financed by Russians, recesses the House at a crucial moment for Ukraine instead of voting on the aid package passed by the Senate; Putin murders Navalny. Coincidence? Not likely.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Since Putin’s support of Trump is not helping Trump in his reelection campaign, he has now decided to support Biden in an effort I suppose to get democrats to drop their support for Biden and switch to Trump?</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">The Alabama supreme court has declared unimplanted frozen embryos to be human children under state law. What happens now is anyone’s guess. Forced implantation? Outlawing IVF?</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Two republican state representatives have introduced a bill in the Tennessee legislature to prevent a retailer with a beer license from selling cold or refrigerated beer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-76014929920708290642024-02-16T12:53:00.000-06:002024-02-16T12:53:21.130-06:00my week<br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s raining this morning, still raining I should say as it started sometime last night. It’s a slow steady rain but constant and is bringing in three more nights of cold weather, one in the low 30s so I have to decide if I want to bring the stuff back in that I already moved outside. I was surprised to notice I haven’t posted since Monday when Jade came over with a bag of mending and alterations she wanted done. One of the projects, as she calls them, was to tie die a mustard yellow dress she had bought because while she didn’t care for the color she liked the little sun image in black on the front. So that was the first thing she did while I worked on removing the band at the bottom of a sweatshirt. She sent me this picture Tuesday morning after she unwrapped it and before she washed it.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUBnJCcLxz3JeeMRJ693iMHmCDX4sTp9eHnju7N43bfz9RjWhF6X_NZPlUXQO9ridx5VOmZxsZ-NmJ2oqnsUqOLVNNml2LUzt0XFU1hzl-GmtllD8VWJoqr8wQUoX7OrtA9HKc2Z-pjUY0iK_iLRMqYIAsXlDjmNpU4MJjETef1__3psawUR_KpiVBw0/s576/IMG_0746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="372" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUBnJCcLxz3JeeMRJ693iMHmCDX4sTp9eHnju7N43bfz9RjWhF6X_NZPlUXQO9ridx5VOmZxsZ-NmJ2oqnsUqOLVNNml2LUzt0XFU1hzl-GmtllD8VWJoqr8wQUoX7OrtA9HKc2Z-pjUY0iK_iLRMqYIAsXlDjmNpU4MJjETef1__3psawUR_KpiVBw0/w259-h400/IMG_0746.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">She went to yoga with me that night and it was the biggest group in years, relatively speaking, 10 participants. All but one of the regulars and semi-regulars showed up plus two new women and Jade. Tuesday we finished up some of the mending/alterations and then she left in the afternoon heading back to Austin. And so since it was my night to cook I fixed one of the HelloFresh meals delivered last Saturday, Marc fixed another Wednesday night. Both were very good but even so still a little too pricey. I’ll fix the last tonight and then it’s back to planning my own meals.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Wednesday was a beautiful day and I managed to get out and start turning the soil and weeding to get ready for planting the spring garden and zinnias but now with this rain it will be a few days before it’s dry enough to do more. And then it was time for lunch, walk the dog, feed the half wild kittens, get ready for yoga and just as I was about to walk out the door Abby called at the last minute asking me if I would lead the class as she was tied up at the bowling alley, of which she is the manager, with some sort of training on the new equipment. So I did that.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thursday we had a full complement of volunteers plus the elders at SHARE and were steadily busy with about 30 food orders, mostly the larger families. I took a picture of one of the four large bins of home goods we got from the regional food bank last week so you could see what I was talking about.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygqAbPlNWwElEu71GKDZW257cD312qkwBHOCV9GHYzjP7Hak0daSn3lYz0DhtWKU_geWnQvvdWnmqZwlmb4ZMALh902BkNDe1oTu-o4FPtJetCboOfpA8I8TZKxds6hvoBywKKEdvFOw-OReSfCPNNW6Jg023ThuyG7LegmFBXxIWDG-9jIoHt4so7Rc/s720/IMG_1654.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="605" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygqAbPlNWwElEu71GKDZW257cD312qkwBHOCV9GHYzjP7Hak0daSn3lYz0DhtWKU_geWnQvvdWnmqZwlmb4ZMALh902BkNDe1oTu-o4FPtJetCboOfpA8I8TZKxds6hvoBywKKEdvFOw-OReSfCPNNW6Jg023ThuyG7LegmFBXxIWDG-9jIoHt4so7Rc/w336-h400/IMG_1654.jpeg" width="336" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">This is some of the stuff in those bins. Clients only get to choose something from here once a year.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXIsoY5m6hFSWI1V8l-pp8sAAhcvjyshwIYH-WLOy1tA0Fp9t2UPoaMJSvKvjVfJ54_i0x9lZJjyYGiDtLf2kvwDrsJS7prQ1108xqzBi6D7NCXN65zYA11EtdUXYPgbEzwc2mKje1-4ta1xVrSSybcKKt1G5N95JP0_JBim5ifFrGWCmLI8wtbVDD-g/s720/IMG_1657.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="720" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXIsoY5m6hFSWI1V8l-pp8sAAhcvjyshwIYH-WLOy1tA0Fp9t2UPoaMJSvKvjVfJ54_i0x9lZJjyYGiDtLf2kvwDrsJS7prQ1108xqzBi6D7NCXN65zYA11EtdUXYPgbEzwc2mKje1-4ta1xVrSSybcKKt1G5N95JP0_JBim5ifFrGWCmLI8wtbVDD-g/w400-h304/IMG_1657.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Not much has started blooming yet besides the 10 petal anemone and my little dwarf redbud tree (this is the most it has ever bloomed).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSkddN1giCm3Ii-qZjF7aeLDLc-pM5dY_M2e0Uyl9ZrNK9vG45OpJUNMEsDojmv_F63ZNbywD4GbBCrGtlMPg1Ccth6_BsidBV6t6IbBL_EajdLW8PQZ3Ni1BCXLes4KpYpV5S0dQJztKjQaD6yz4rcjmOIboIEYCBqciRqjudyZ5ui-PrTotxnS34oo/s864/IMG_1665.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="864" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSkddN1giCm3Ii-qZjF7aeLDLc-pM5dY_M2e0Uyl9ZrNK9vG45OpJUNMEsDojmv_F63ZNbywD4GbBCrGtlMPg1Ccth6_BsidBV6t6IbBL_EajdLW8PQZ3Ni1BCXLes4KpYpV5S0dQJztKjQaD6yz4rcjmOIboIEYCBqciRqjudyZ5ui-PrTotxnS34oo/w640-h366/IMG_1665.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">The one over at the shop is still just bare branches but the maple tree is blooming. I saw an ash tree starting to put out it's spring green yesterday while walking the dog. The chinese fringe flower trees are thinking about blooming producing a few clusters and the first of these little lilies whose name I can never remember that will blanket the yard soon but that’s about it. </p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4obI6FuE0VIOM2blWUS8o7wwPHuRmiQ-tk-RYTZjO-aCjQVZeS_29ywpSzpWiPJPBj6zMX1EwEfcQnuK7PFb_SkTbnthx4ZPBsI51gTnthp5qg9vT46Gg2pl14UTm4A47EXCW8LsmEYiGlFvOCwuQhADLq07SG5yWCjfgOSks0kUPYJ7v7_XynKGSmk/s720/IMG_1660.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="720" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4obI6FuE0VIOM2blWUS8o7wwPHuRmiQ-tk-RYTZjO-aCjQVZeS_29ywpSzpWiPJPBj6zMX1EwEfcQnuK7PFb_SkTbnthx4ZPBsI51gTnthp5qg9vT46Gg2pl14UTm4A47EXCW8LsmEYiGlFvOCwuQhADLq07SG5yWCjfgOSks0kUPYJ7v7_XynKGSmk/w400-h283/IMG_1660.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Coming back from feeding the wildlings I was chatting with my neighbor Gary who has recently been adopted by/adopted a big orange male tabby who roams the street. I’ve caught him over behind Pam’s house twice now. Gary’s thinking about getting him fixed so he will not roam so much. We both commented on how many stray cats there are around here lately. there’s always been a couple slinking around but several more now. There’s an orange and white male that a neighbor feeds but he stays outside, Gary’s orange tabby who just showed up in his yard one day, a black short hair that is completely wild, a gray and white male that I think fathered Momcat’s kittens (this is the kitten I call handsome boy),</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai2ccz3OHP3W82f8czPOedAeVL2LbVfFq4BCc259UWZ933z8BvUcopFhRVQT_ZKMlI8G5TY1uRws8axycdEw4aohEmR_7vH9u89ToHx233nJZ0kVZb8iDEOO-EYl-pZSHYZmbkqRKK3vxFr5o0MjJ8X5CD0M_AWX1g-uji-veXIrRyYWAIpik-tjuJEE/s720/IMG_1664.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="516" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai2ccz3OHP3W82f8czPOedAeVL2LbVfFq4BCc259UWZ933z8BvUcopFhRVQT_ZKMlI8G5TY1uRws8axycdEw4aohEmR_7vH9u89ToHx233nJZ0kVZb8iDEOO-EYl-pZSHYZmbkqRKK3vxFr5o0MjJ8X5CD0M_AWX1g-uji-veXIrRyYWAIpik-tjuJEE/w286-h400/IMG_1664.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Momcat of course, a black long hair cat that Gary mentioned which I had not seen until I walked to the back of the yard and Minnie had treed it,</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAa_QOb_qPRJ77OIJ_mDrKERuRsMVz1nzQAzJHDY8W5SKsfLnWnU9hN6h0L7s08o0c6Vjmhn-yawoEbnbKASJxIjSoHTYr5HdrmeLovXZ2I7aifJlySHqcnkmXGYXY3T0JxAdN1cScm9oCkEqTnxLZz-BHe_9ltdM5u-1xJCT7NRiGCgJQLwfnp9VpRQ/s720/IMG_1668.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="598" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAa_QOb_qPRJ77OIJ_mDrKERuRsMVz1nzQAzJHDY8W5SKsfLnWnU9hN6h0L7s08o0c6Vjmhn-yawoEbnbKASJxIjSoHTYr5HdrmeLovXZ2I7aifJlySHqcnkmXGYXY3T0JxAdN1cScm9oCkEqTnxLZz-BHe_9ltdM5u-1xJCT7NRiGCgJQLwfnp9VpRQ/w333-h400/IMG_1668.jpeg" width="333" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">and this big gray male (who also could be who fathered the kittens) hunkered down under the deck. Cat is not pleased.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYeqfyZJPpQFWKB_bwVptec-pNKVxwhenbrdurbbYpL2gIgBMte6yh0DBV0P0aRnGU3gI955U2fatjR_FTsu2CSNNNjfQhW5mF9OwJd2EHmhjbZOhTbyzXLhrmxLEbOnnjjvsUMUng9SchDsOOMYC14jajdzdjGMBmBMkf_8VCHZ50S9rHvJdPeYw9jU/s720/IMG_1653.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="720" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYeqfyZJPpQFWKB_bwVptec-pNKVxwhenbrdurbbYpL2gIgBMte6yh0DBV0P0aRnGU3gI955U2fatjR_FTsu2CSNNNjfQhW5mF9OwJd2EHmhjbZOhTbyzXLhrmxLEbOnnjjvsUMUng9SchDsOOMYC14jajdzdjGMBmBMkf_8VCHZ50S9rHvJdPeYw9jU/w400-h390/IMG_1653.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">I have no idea if they are all strays or belong to people in the area. So, yeah, that’s been my week.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-20820668300508028222024-02-12T11:46:00.000-06:002024-02-12T11:46:09.516-06:00more spring work and sorting christmas ornaments<br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNFIwOtuj2EIjal7pF8v7fInlAPPQFJGAH5McY4p4_hyphenhyphenE406w2s08kUJqjoeeO8GxOI_k3V4YSOdPmYsTkiaRByDoZL5U9KQSZ9bQy_9QgwOYHtlWI_AahbRozcz7EGtFsrXDxxKbJwGzUBEuxqXmhq8JhIrBsANtJeAyU0XJZpe5CnnzXHyO0UWzVws/s864/IMG_1643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="864" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNFIwOtuj2EIjal7pF8v7fInlAPPQFJGAH5McY4p4_hyphenhyphenE406w2s08kUJqjoeeO8GxOI_k3V4YSOdPmYsTkiaRByDoZL5U9KQSZ9bQy_9QgwOYHtlWI_AahbRozcz7EGtFsrXDxxKbJwGzUBEuxqXmhq8JhIrBsANtJeAyU0XJZpe5CnnzXHyO0UWzVws/w640-h412/IMG_1643.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I took care of two tasks Saturday…</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I finally cut down the dead banana trees and hauled their carcasses to the edge of the Wild Space and tossed the sections as far as I could. I was surprised to see that last year’s pile had completely disintegrated. Here’s the before picture though I had already cut down the smaller ones on the left</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OD14SJxmfTbPOQzEwIBuAZFjScp0ReCRLM96VmrKq5uvPKXeQdsTQ2cYfeAn1nGTZjy-QivK6pX_HD54dav6imscJvcPe2WGtzv-ENXTAwlbvLPQoLRRP8E8iLll7AoHKQzDmwDlKPCnq4CVjSbvrBKO0psJlK-8EC2NHni0xcRLiTeRuYP7ZFpdTKc/s720/IMG_1619.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="720" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OD14SJxmfTbPOQzEwIBuAZFjScp0ReCRLM96VmrKq5uvPKXeQdsTQ2cYfeAn1nGTZjy-QivK6pX_HD54dav6imscJvcPe2WGtzv-ENXTAwlbvLPQoLRRP8E8iLll7AoHKQzDmwDlKPCnq4CVjSbvrBKO0psJlK-8EC2NHni0xcRLiTeRuYP7ZFpdTKc/w400-h239/IMG_1619.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">and the after. Tired and sweaty when I was done.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaK7yoqjz7tM_977VBDbUnYVDICOMv0qqUL7-uBoA6O7QyskaFzRfaA0hkfSyrRL0-XZJFF5JKCe0-a8MWq1o3axYYG7Tifgc2HvQEqU65zDyNZcO6j7euQ8Sllh5pv-T93A8KwjTP7TI7AggLf3ZGl6Wj-YgP7_T2GNM8zKEbqM-lTidOVL7vu9D6r0/s720/IMG_1620.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="720" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaK7yoqjz7tM_977VBDbUnYVDICOMv0qqUL7-uBoA6O7QyskaFzRfaA0hkfSyrRL0-XZJFF5JKCe0-a8MWq1o3axYYG7Tifgc2HvQEqU65zDyNZcO6j7euQ8Sllh5pv-T93A8KwjTP7TI7AggLf3ZGl6Wj-YgP7_T2GNM8zKEbqM-lTidOVL7vu9D6r0/w400-h230/IMG_1620.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The other thing I did was go through all Pam’s christmas ornaments with Robin taking pictures of groupings and then sent the pictures to the group chat of family members to see if anyone wanted any of it. Ended up with 10 groupings of which here are a few.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpy72YYu2NrhfSChjSfx0WzZeuVI9jrtEWIZe15yVfIKqkdwhyphenhyphenjXMOoz0JcFoHgOlj0sRXTjw2wPEyeihWOXVwHNR6YZ0AIrXHz56RtR3CtqT-KC5JXx4uJ7NCF0jf6mf02oh2V6-1plbj6zEuRdJc3lLx2lQMYxwwu-_uCy6snPe5JdE4GRP_gwoh9A/s864/IMG_1623.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="864" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpy72YYu2NrhfSChjSfx0WzZeuVI9jrtEWIZe15yVfIKqkdwhyphenhyphenjXMOoz0JcFoHgOlj0sRXTjw2wPEyeihWOXVwHNR6YZ0AIrXHz56RtR3CtqT-KC5JXx4uJ7NCF0jf6mf02oh2V6-1plbj6zEuRdJc3lLx2lQMYxwwu-_uCy6snPe5JdE4GRP_gwoh9A/w400-h288/IMG_1623.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHZvZ5OkLx1NgRV-1ydI5K3PzmqS8icYWA6ET5Re-9PNjcQWy_K0XcSHyBrLE3zMYBexekYCsVRzb-iU0k6kwdbHL_28CuSOSKC9ixVgEx5Ntcn1el8kcSprm5Xeswm5Sww3ZQkJG46H2m4uAeNbjNwdcKilRn8LfGJXcv3-L7y7aQjgVzBo3JhvnIyw/s864/IMG_1626.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="864" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHZvZ5OkLx1NgRV-1ydI5K3PzmqS8icYWA6ET5Re-9PNjcQWy_K0XcSHyBrLE3zMYBexekYCsVRzb-iU0k6kwdbHL_28CuSOSKC9ixVgEx5Ntcn1el8kcSprm5Xeswm5Sww3ZQkJG46H2m4uAeNbjNwdcKilRn8LfGJXcv3-L7y7aQjgVzBo3JhvnIyw/w400-h264/IMG_1626.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJ6xs6U9xYvt8aTjF9ddnVc1ckBo2Gw-pyE3_h7j8NbpjnJCHOfDF-ZHTJOBUQa7h4D5O4qI-1tk4h4BYHhMQeF6-vYZYPEMjwLxANIw9lBvKvsQ1vlBi7VbMT0LWpPOj9WfFEtyLbgDy8CrtRh88qn1o2fNK7M3hZ7VwqsC_0pPByDdik4Q7RBYNUsU/s864/IMG_1636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="864" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJ6xs6U9xYvt8aTjF9ddnVc1ckBo2Gw-pyE3_h7j8NbpjnJCHOfDF-ZHTJOBUQa7h4D5O4qI-1tk4h4BYHhMQeF6-vYZYPEMjwLxANIw9lBvKvsQ1vlBi7VbMT0LWpPOj9WfFEtyLbgDy8CrtRh88qn1o2fNK7M3hZ7VwqsC_0pPByDdik4Q7RBYNUsU/w400-h325/IMG_1636.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And the christmas tree skirt our mother made when we were small children.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJ347kanF5bMg-DJgebwyR5DYO6CPQcyHRiOQlDxp0faOo5SEupYILvzvTyJeiUevf00Ws1mO_2fGblG2gDI7uRv7B7BoptKbGD_kFgjr8r6mHs9RPtDjjBgq4pGiG7pTkiiFTw5JAPI58Rj65zslc_eIQQPI9ja1Y4XzkAFPabGBGxMbhehK-GAcMe4/s864/IMG_1621.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="864" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJ347kanF5bMg-DJgebwyR5DYO6CPQcyHRiOQlDxp0faOo5SEupYILvzvTyJeiUevf00Ws1mO_2fGblG2gDI7uRv7B7BoptKbGD_kFgjr8r6mHs9RPtDjjBgq4pGiG7pTkiiFTw5JAPI58Rj65zslc_eIQQPI9ja1Y4XzkAFPabGBGxMbhehK-GAcMe4/w400-h226/IMG_1621.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s old and has some stains on it and I’m sorry no one wants it. Of course Pam, our brother John, and I are the only ones who probably have any real memory of or association with it. I’m not quite sure what to do with it. I have no use for it, my brother doesn't want it. Our kids have their own stuff and our grandkids are not old enough to have any real desire for legacy stuff. So I guess I’ll take it to SHARE (along with all the ornaments no one wants) and perhaps someone will fall in love with it stains and all.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sunday I planted the yellow angel trumpet in the ground in the same place the big pot had been sitting. I intended to do that last spring but waited too late because after our prolonged spring which allowed me to get all the flower beds weeded and tidied and zinnias planted weather jumped straight to late summer. Here it is planted which doesn’t look very impressive as it freezes down to the roots every winter with these arctic blasts we’ve been getting even though I cover it and I’ve cut back all the dead stalks.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoUg1K7S3NxPoCq3N5YEXCWBUoY5NA2xML_6SWag7CCQ0kA9qk3XbZONu2k1h5majoPIMgrc2g7Oij2pHO4VgZ9GwAgx2xrq9CdUddW1KYGaj_FmBA6yvlSL1yn7TbBj8LBSHHM63ShkfIb3uSoNNfVRB4eNqB4vg7Vh7uAHhEnbecK1c4bnRy691DQI/s720/IMG_1646.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="720" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoUg1K7S3NxPoCq3N5YEXCWBUoY5NA2xML_6SWag7CCQ0kA9qk3XbZONu2k1h5majoPIMgrc2g7Oij2pHO4VgZ9GwAgx2xrq9CdUddW1KYGaj_FmBA6yvlSL1yn7TbBj8LBSHHM63ShkfIb3uSoNNfVRB4eNqB4vg7Vh7uAHhEnbecK1c4bnRy691DQI/s320/IMG_1646.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">You might remember that last fall it was at least 8’ tall.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3Y3HNJLOj3D9KSBhwRZ5L1LKjNod8OlIhAYS-NZ4vZeN__hcjAmJ2BEg1mwBfN5sDu9MMBf_-5CQUy0BJS2ldMbYEg3C_hM50dfV8BrzoLcVxCy-eliQiUG9EnSnwgD0Er7q8oSUuS44z2qMUq7ctfNLMgkUWkcg4ykM9y0Kl6IjSbWoLlmQxRAHww4/s864/IMG_1542.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3Y3HNJLOj3D9KSBhwRZ5L1LKjNod8OlIhAYS-NZ4vZeN__hcjAmJ2BEg1mwBfN5sDu9MMBf_-5CQUy0BJS2ldMbYEg3C_hM50dfV8BrzoLcVxCy-eliQiUG9EnSnwgD0Er7q8oSUuS44z2qMUq7ctfNLMgkUWkcg4ykM9y0Kl6IjSbWoLlmQxRAHww4/w640-h480/IMG_1542.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I had to dig a big hole fighting and cutting out roots to accommodate the big root ball. This is the pot it was in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> (21"dia x 17"t)</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_28Nw8AeYI3gOidJZPheShHSeBMmwX9mDmhc-VF2-4QxQdOpa3XNRrs8nNc5lha6u7iLZZ3pZxGHB-AnzKOVBP4G3G9A37J2Fq-VEkHwP3DIXGvwMBWR1W8_1kbLs8Vcd9BsrYQlCg7X_c4zQSOEBuPFoWRd7jUDYu3UMZ1yX3mwB17yjeH4BbfxixU/s576/IMG_1647.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_28Nw8AeYI3gOidJZPheShHSeBMmwX9mDmhc-VF2-4QxQdOpa3XNRrs8nNc5lha6u7iLZZ3pZxGHB-AnzKOVBP4G3G9A37J2Fq-VEkHwP3DIXGvwMBWR1W8_1kbLs8Vcd9BsrYQlCg7X_c4zQSOEBuPFoWRd7jUDYu3UMZ1yX3mwB17yjeH4BbfxixU/w296-h320/IMG_1647.jpeg" width="296" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">and even though I dug away about a third of the dirt and roots it was still big enough and heavy enough that I couldn’t lift it but rolled it into the hole. Then I mixed about half and half the nice loose dirt from the pot with the thick clayey dirt from the hole and filled in around it. It had already sprouted some tiny new growth.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicB0vrb_FGvAHFsfnIJNCKK-yCFS7ezpq22IbKP4LNJ7x2f_ueEv80bv3Zeng3SfEQ5plrq9fHvsMgvt0nQg7mwHLpLMM4ifmMGErZiZHX2qpi_72cO1yOvotGiXkM8VJ9wRgOPEYJxlkdLo4VIkjj60bamQgjUL0ajNX31NWd1NCvQBTh33iNRo7ckeY/s576/IMG_1648.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="576" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicB0vrb_FGvAHFsfnIJNCKK-yCFS7ezpq22IbKP4LNJ7x2f_ueEv80bv3Zeng3SfEQ5plrq9fHvsMgvt0nQg7mwHLpLMM4ifmMGErZiZHX2qpi_72cO1yOvotGiXkM8VJ9wRgOPEYJxlkdLo4VIkjj60bamQgjUL0ajNX31NWd1NCvQBTh33iNRo7ckeY/s320/IMG_1648.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Jade is in town for a few days and she’s coming over today for us to do some repair and altering of some of her clothes.</p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><br />ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-14413635410724557122024-02-09T17:29:00.001-06:002024-02-09T17:57:13.153-06:00definitely spring and a pissed off cat<p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;"><br />Some nest building going on.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNw-BkCdqx_DiXyAl7ujRP3652IPulPeEQnVMK2hPWVSQHOZ4pA9d_CqfnXEGDOrvcCvobCjKVQNsVPYOH5pJujy-xEG2FLKWM-r2I03irAXYwatdnlWSrTuK8eHNyuEcUsvDoXMpJuoeKNdEJNebODl7nUrgokP1xqfkxEECrchJn1E8acWb9dNctVI/s576/IMG_1616.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="576" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNw-BkCdqx_DiXyAl7ujRP3652IPulPeEQnVMK2hPWVSQHOZ4pA9d_CqfnXEGDOrvcCvobCjKVQNsVPYOH5pJujy-xEG2FLKWM-r2I03irAXYwatdnlWSrTuK8eHNyuEcUsvDoXMpJuoeKNdEJNebODl7nUrgokP1xqfkxEECrchJn1E8acWb9dNctVI/w640-h490/IMG_1616.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br />Yesterday was my other busy day at SHARE. It was a food delivery day from the regional food bank and we were short four or five regular volunteers, two from the food order filling where I work and then the Elders, who work in the back with us, didn’t show up either. I usually have help restocking while I’m filling baskets and the guys put the baskets back on the rack but yesterday I had to do both those things as well as keep up with the empty baskets. I think we had 28 or 29 food orders yesterday.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">It’s always a surprise what the food bank sends us besides what Jan orders or if we get everything Jan ordered. This week we got an assortment of fresh produce and four of those huge cartons, approximately 4’ x 4’ x 4’, filled with small appliances and general house goods. I don’t know what all was in them as I was so busy I didn’t even think about taking a picture but they were filled to overflowing. Jan thought she was ordering some smaller crates of appliances for $7 each. We got those big ones for the same price. All that stuff eventually goes out on the floor for people to choose from though I’m unsure how often a client can pick something. There are quantity limits and limits on how often a client can avail themselves of everything from food to clothing to small appliances and other home goods to personal hygiene to financial assistance to miscellaneous stuff that gets donated. You can’t show up every week and get a full complement of what we offer. The only thing we cannot refuse is a request for food, however, if someone hasn’t waited the two or three months necessary for the full complement of food we offer then they get what is called the USDA box, a short basic list mandated by the government.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Wednesday when I went to feed the half wild kittens I got out one of the carriers and put a small dish of food in there, fed them all and snatched up the gray tabby while he was distracted by eating, put him in the carrier and closed the door. All seemed fine, he continued to eat until I picked up the carrier. OMG! it was like holding a hurricane in a box. He was thrashing around so forcefully that the carrier was jumping all around while I carried it to the car and then he squalled all the way to the vet and as they were carrying him to the back. When I picked him up Thursday afternoon, squalling all the way home, and let him out he ran up to each of his brothers and rubbed faces. He was glad to be back. Surprisingly enough, he let me pick him up and cuddle him a bit when I fed them today.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">There is nothing worth taking a picture of except for this, my little dwarf redbud tree opening some flowers.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF0WD5a8eCtYR79NbIZj5wXAEBtbSUXtrzPjEmPqwAVDw32wd0dVE3m4kGQ54DUN-UlqPoQlbsGOI77-d7h2Ihwb0DfQTojlZUgooRSOWXVThzXP1LMwQGFLdFM8-_z2BBlmnkDELJp8mefESGAk4B8iXhDeP4ZFRWgVSVdDNs-FfcOT0oljcTqZGkuQ/s864/IMG_1614.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="864" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaF0WD5a8eCtYR79NbIZj5wXAEBtbSUXtrzPjEmPqwAVDw32wd0dVE3m4kGQ54DUN-UlqPoQlbsGOI77-d7h2Ihwb0DfQTojlZUgooRSOWXVThzXP1LMwQGFLdFM8-_z2BBlmnkDELJp8mefESGAk4B8iXhDeP4ZFRWgVSVdDNs-FfcOT0oljcTqZGkuQ/w640-h406/IMG_1614.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">And nothing else to write about except politics and republicans who show us at every turn that they don’t have an ounce of integrity between the lot of them. Can’t come up with any evidence of wrongdoing, nothing to indict the president on so instead the republican special prosecutor investigating government documents found in Biden’s old office used his report to smear Biden, painting him as a memory impaired doddering old geezer who couldn’t even remember when his son died. And yet they fully support a man who daily shows us that he </span><i style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">is</i><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;"> a memory impaired doddering old geezer who constantly confuses one person for another or what happened under which president, who can’t even complete a sentence and garbles words and who is under indictment in three criminal cases. Go figure.</span></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-4553931633019303552024-02-07T12:32:00.003-06:002024-02-07T13:05:32.866-06:00a busy day and a mystery<div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh3iEgUrZprozCOWUNbo7NnGSNCIWfryZAx-p_0a-P_esTyKFyTjl-uCeg55LHz9rWxBp7PiCpxVtKt4Cahq1yEoRMX16sihZFnfOf-AArp09A73HTnBltheLU3ENgc9MVIv9Qaloo8Jz7NxM-E1Q4nc9-RV9Fcj-hpsociXdGC030Pl785IPNklP5Ug/s864/IMG_1610.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="648" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh3iEgUrZprozCOWUNbo7NnGSNCIWfryZAx-p_0a-P_esTyKFyTjl-uCeg55LHz9rWxBp7PiCpxVtKt4Cahq1yEoRMX16sihZFnfOf-AArp09A73HTnBltheLU3ENgc9MVIv9Qaloo8Jz7NxM-E1Q4nc9-RV9Fcj-hpsociXdGC030Pl785IPNklP5Ug/w480-h640/IMG_1610.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">yesterday’s sky</span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Tuesdays and Thursdays are my busiest days. This was my day yesterday…got up, fed the cat, took my meds, checked my email, did my yoga, read blogs, fixed breakfast, cleaned up after breakfast, took the dog outside while I emptied the kitchen scrap container on the compost pile, picked up some small branches, pulled up a cabbage, took a box to the post office, did the week’s grocery shopping, put away said groceries and then it was time for lunch, after lunch walked the dog who wanted a long walk, fed the kittens, browsed social media, fed the dog, started preparing dinner, sat down for 20 minutes, finished fixing dinner, cleaned up after dinner, took my meds, closed up the garage, let the dog out one more time, cleaned the cat litter box, brushed my teeth, and finally sat down for what remained of the day before I went to bed at 10.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">We watched the first two episodes of the streaming show Mr. and Mrs. Smith (don’t remember which service it’s on). It is completely different from the movie of the same title and we’re not really sure if we’re going to watch more of it.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Yesterday when I was out in the yard I found this peculiar thing laying on the ground right in the middle of one of the pathways around the magnolia tree, which is about 8’ from the corner of the attached garage, clean as a whistle and with the filament intact.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9qhsQw57ielgkNBUC_4YyCgoBfbI8JVWOl67l-yT4aA6yXOue7jTH55xPSoTxV91KkRDZf5iFiBDKm9PHEJnJcgyxomqW7RLNZMdtlbfOOHbs9Br0M6L9RhuealZUUrDZ7oXo3RrR9GamvqXz0nEv24aD9BLyJIfR2tblJLNkjQaonANwOVtliOJAZ8/s576/IMG_1611.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="431" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9qhsQw57ielgkNBUC_4YyCgoBfbI8JVWOl67l-yT4aA6yXOue7jTH55xPSoTxV91KkRDZf5iFiBDKm9PHEJnJcgyxomqW7RLNZMdtlbfOOHbs9Br0M6L9RhuealZUUrDZ7oXo3RrR9GamvqXz0nEv24aD9BLyJIfR2tblJLNkjQaonANwOVtliOJAZ8/w299-h400/IMG_1611.jpeg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Where the fuck did this come from and how did it even get here? Granted it was very windy Monday but I can’t imagine how the wind could have blown it from wherever to where I found it. I did an image search and it’s a mini light bulb (obviously), 1 3/8” tall, +/- 12v +/- 5w used in automotive, sewing machines, vacuums, etc. I have never seen a lightbulb like this before. Checked both vehicles but nothing missing. I don’t have a light on my vacuum cleaner and the one in my sewing machine is much larger. Ah, the mysteries of the universe.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">A friend of my daughter’s sent her a free box from HelloFresh, one of those outfits that send you all the ingredients for a meal and all you have to do is cook it. The free box contains three meals for two people. In order to get your free box you have to register and when you register you have the option of sending a free box (free except for $4.99 shipping charge) to someone else and she sent one to me. So yesterday, I registered and Marc and I selected our three meals due to arrive Saturday. Nowhere on the site while you are signing up for the free box did it say that this service would automatically send another box every week (you are able to pick different meals) for a total of $70 a week unless you went online and canceled (or if it did, I didn’t see it). The follow up welcome email had a little asterisk and at the bottom explained this part of the service. $70 a week for three meals for two people is nearly 75% of my weekly grocery bill so I’ll be canceling after we receive our box. If we’re going to spend that much per meal (and quite a few of the meals had additional charges so the price per meal increased sometimes by a little and sometimes by a lot) we’d rather go to a restaurant where we won’t have to cook it or clean up after it.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">There’s been a huge flock of starlings in the neighborhood all week and they are loud. I’m in the house and I can hear them.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">This afternoon when I go over to feed the kittens, the little gray tabby is getting scooped up to pet and cuddle and then shoved in the cat carrier and taken to the vet where he will be neutered tomorrow. I’m only going to do one every few weeks to give myself time to re-earn their trust. I think they might be a little wary after this afternoon.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Ten petal anemone are in full bloom</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QuOhG-u59oqyaMRuO5mknw2gfjVU8avbuZRi3A41rP5kL3uCjVF8f2Z7LvMm3xtUhWVcweIkf9iqJ2zObAUapFjgbTkwieQdC60B21PlM3BGJ0TRMrO1X29DOsNBLNEDcPooP6XRuQtU0bGLmv21e05ebuPdHuprqNpx4lH-VUjGaXp9XFK3GgwsTI0/s720/IMG_1612.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="623" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QuOhG-u59oqyaMRuO5mknw2gfjVU8avbuZRi3A41rP5kL3uCjVF8f2Z7LvMm3xtUhWVcweIkf9iqJ2zObAUapFjgbTkwieQdC60B21PlM3BGJ0TRMrO1X29DOsNBLNEDcPooP6XRuQtU0bGLmv21e05ebuPdHuprqNpx4lH-VUjGaXp9XFK3GgwsTI0/w346-h400/IMG_1612.jpeg" width="346" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">even the occasional pink and purple version.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1r189y-LJtro6I02-FUfSqmedJhHRH-a0qMwVUhNuICnY7MRa-sMkHFo5iuRXhXC0Exzdj_oKhjOWHEVN_ivg3EGmgzyFLvlrCSrogZUbnDGEsGkDtcKIzoIBcKEZJhKsBhWsq8ae8ssTmBU8EwpnTAZoE7rovpBb_AtO15UVCJV-Wh8ibs2cJJWZ2U/s742/IMG_1613.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="742" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1r189y-LJtro6I02-FUfSqmedJhHRH-a0qMwVUhNuICnY7MRa-sMkHFo5iuRXhXC0Exzdj_oKhjOWHEVN_ivg3EGmgzyFLvlrCSrogZUbnDGEsGkDtcKIzoIBcKEZJhKsBhWsq8ae8ssTmBU8EwpnTAZoE7rovpBb_AtO15UVCJV-Wh8ibs2cJJWZ2U/s320/IMG_1613.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-24440806585380756022024-02-04T17:14:00.002-06:002024-02-04T17:45:06.035-06:00more rain, more no internet, and, ugh, housework<div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">I finally got access to the mini on Friday morning after being offline for four days. Yay! It rained with thunder and lightning off and on all night Friday night and we woke up Saturday morning to see our internet cable laying the ground completely disconnected from the pole. Boo! A phone call to the appropriate company and by noon we had a new cable. Yay!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;"> </span></div><div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">After our latest three days of rain, the ground was finally dry enough on Friday to do some weeding, not sticky clayey wet and not hard as a rock dry. I dug up the failing gardenia which hasn’t bloomed since the first arctic vortex froze it to the ground. It has struggled ever since, freezing to the ground every winter since even though I covered it and this last year the leaves never greened up no matter what I added to the soil. OK then, we’re done. I did not cover it this winter. Its carcass is going on the burn pile. In it’s place I planted four amaryllis bulbs my neighbor Gary shared with me and then as I was weeding in other parts of that flower bed I had to run Cat off twice as she was disturbing those bulbs trying to use the freshly turned and loose soil for a toilet.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Eu-4d52iXGb_DL-d6aTE6jSIAr0Zy55WHVK73WY6hu2CA5ekhxStzvkhFIqhkN1v7VBkyyPojn0VhGgfuzrLVmv9yEtT2TkszCR3YNAdt2iIYSlWJBj07t7x2_ZHohwDIcJlnf8ee2S5zFjProokFlyEM3PrXj8Lor_BTSXZuTTNfB3dGGG3xTgITCo/s864/IMG_1604.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="864" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Eu-4d52iXGb_DL-d6aTE6jSIAr0Zy55WHVK73WY6hu2CA5ekhxStzvkhFIqhkN1v7VBkyyPojn0VhGgfuzrLVmv9yEtT2TkszCR3YNAdt2iIYSlWJBj07t7x2_ZHohwDIcJlnf8ee2S5zFjProokFlyEM3PrXj8Lor_BTSXZuTTNfB3dGGG3xTgITCo/w640-h348/IMG_1604.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Saturday morning the front from the west pushing the storm clouds away</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While waiting for the cable guy I decided to do some much needed housework in the living/dining room. Everything was covered with dust, the floor was in desperate need of vacuuming. I got the dining area done when I noticed that my great niece and her husband had arrived over at my sister’s house. I knew they were coming so Vickie could start getting some of the stuff that she wants. She took one of the clocks (among other things, my sister collected clocks), some framed pictures and an assortment of other things including some of the Christmas ornaments, the tree, and the antique Santa but none of the furniture this time around.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">My daughter showed up as well to visit with her cousin and we went through all of Pam’s Christmas ornaments and decorations (and Vickie did not take nearly enough as far as I’m concerned). My sister was crazy. We went through 5 large tubs of stuff, three of which had a dozen or two ornaments floating is a sea of styrofoam peanuts. We filled a 55 gallon trash bag with peanuts.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">After everyone left I went back to my dusting and got the living room area done <i>and</i> vacuumed. It looks so good in there, everything all clean. Yay me (pat on the back).</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Today I took more plants out of the house and garage and gave them a good watering, cut back some more dead stuff and hauled it over to the burn pile, cut back some of the dead stuff over at Pam’s house and hauled it to the burn pile, cleaned the big bay window seat in the living room and all the stuff on it, dusted my bedroom and vacuumed the rest of the house, and I am tired!</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Now I’m going to go sit on the deck and start shelling the last bucket of pecans I had cracked and enjoy what’s left of this pretty day.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-57749881730307419832024-02-02T18:03:00.001-06:002024-02-04T15:14:49.704-06:00she's back, she as in me<p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">Success! Actually, it was really easy. When the mini was first set up Greg made me create a password to get past the start-up screen for security purposes (as if it isn’t just Marc and I here but OK) and when I would be through for the day I would just put the mini to sleep. Monday, the power flickered off and on and the mini shut down. Alright, no problem, I restarted and typed in the password. Nope, typed it in again and still nope. Tried my Apple ID password and still nope. Nope nope nope. Well, fuck. Got hold of Greg and he walked me through changing my password, restart, type in the new password…nope. So then we tried a number of things all of which were unsuccessful and then the cable went out and I lost internet access and the mini went to sleep until this morning when our schedules aligned again. So restart again, type in the original password again and no, typed it in again and no (the point being to get the response after three wrong tries to change the password) but the third time I decided to type in the new password from Monday expecting it to be rejected as it had been on Monday and, whoa! It worked. Apparently it had to sit on it for a while or who knows, maybe it was because the cable was out and we didn't realize it yet, but I’m back in.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">It was actually kind of nice, I didn’t really think about it. Did my yoga routine in the mornings, finally packed up all those glass jewels and clear lenses I promised my friend in Colorado months ago, got some weeding done in the yard, cut back a lot of dead stuff, moved some of the plants out of the house and garage.<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Tuesday was my annual check-up…blood sugar 3 points over the high; A1c .2 over the high so edging into pre diabetes which runs in my family but she said it would have to get significantly worse before she would recommend medication; cholesterol about 50 points over the high so not so bad and same as it always is so I’ve always refused medication in the past. Key word, in the past, but now things have changed. My father died of a massive stroke when he was the age I am now, my mother died in her mid 70s from cumulative damage from TIAs, and now my older by three years sister has died of a massive stroke. So what’s that mean for me, I asked. That you are at risk of having a stroke. Even though I take a blood thinner? Yes, even though. She recommended lowering my cholesterol, what did I want to do. I do not want to have a stroke. OK, she says and sent a new prescription in for the med.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Today was Groundhog Day and for the first time in what seems like decades the little critter did not see its shadow and so spring is just around the corner. I believe it. It got up to 73˚ today with a mostly blue sky and </span>I saw my first crane fly today. Fitting I suppose since it's my personal harbinger of spring. Now the wind has picked up and it’s mostly overcast with storm clouds, supposed to rain tomorrow. </p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I’d been collecting these photos of the few butterflies I saw this fall just before and after my sister died but there were always other things to blog about so here they are finally, taken in November and December.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZanJFVhMhibFPkyifQBhisfsPRuiCjs-gNfSI99G6PTK3fG3XO4cITE-9SGzMf9frmVx0wmeQm-dRCCX4Pvpa_Jqqc-eoAc5FAY46nYr08eAZd7Jf4-iHHBkNB-_tkGnxVIuWmcKEkEAG-1PjITcwYLpk9bEpJEpEUQNyNIX9Sg2s8yAcX8bF36M48Lg/s720/IMG_1382.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="720" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZanJFVhMhibFPkyifQBhisfsPRuiCjs-gNfSI99G6PTK3fG3XO4cITE-9SGzMf9frmVx0wmeQm-dRCCX4Pvpa_Jqqc-eoAc5FAY46nYr08eAZd7Jf4-iHHBkNB-_tkGnxVIuWmcKEkEAG-1PjITcwYLpk9bEpJEpEUQNyNIX9Sg2s8yAcX8bF36M48Lg/w400-h353/IMG_1382.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">monarch</span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD-N028x9sewbLqazQ7ObJ3oSWUEh4YzC49SDeaYsffD40mxgsoaGmmNn6g30d3HXJdJ-sV316QsCuSF6laDfLWpXD3WTxZ6gYcxVFQ-qVUcmWLTSTV543dqPaE2n_dw39wo4eLBv8o_ruMlskHWZ562OpoEQ_mFcAYoPz_exOxvswwJnuc9FZNphNwM/s484/IMG_1396.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="484" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQD-N028x9sewbLqazQ7ObJ3oSWUEh4YzC49SDeaYsffD40mxgsoaGmmNn6g30d3HXJdJ-sV316QsCuSF6laDfLWpXD3WTxZ6gYcxVFQ-qVUcmWLTSTV543dqPaE2n_dw39wo4eLBv8o_ruMlskHWZ562OpoEQ_mFcAYoPz_exOxvswwJnuc9FZNphNwM/w400-h375/IMG_1396.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">swallowtail</span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCRSK4yp9frE0eYU7os8UL_He-QgpocHiYSeMlOh90_zZMZrD5aHTLXQ2f3guPjHCcZg9iKe9fA3SsTLGQ6-aJSwCSwHTpGFTd6R3OebwjPrHF_zbpAB0oH3z7b59bQcWg7HTC5UR5Od1_Kb-fA_v-cJXN4i64h9QnWR3hluHGPRpKhzneQo1VQPt0lo/s720/IMG_1464.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCRSK4yp9frE0eYU7os8UL_He-QgpocHiYSeMlOh90_zZMZrD5aHTLXQ2f3guPjHCcZg9iKe9fA3SsTLGQ6-aJSwCSwHTpGFTd6R3OebwjPrHF_zbpAB0oH3z7b59bQcWg7HTC5UR5Od1_Kb-fA_v-cJXN4i64h9QnWR3hluHGPRpKhzneQo1VQPt0lo/w400-h360/IMG_1464.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">a tattered red admiral</span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXf6TrhgbB25vvlTKs_4s4PrMowQb-L2VcisaPwNikk0fPTCao9-b43AkccPOzFfn5S8_cgy-dHmQY-F6E0rNpPFI9ahgniA0qLAth3TsL00-qAGUZnXkpDrKO7SysmuXVLzjS6WUHxHT2PD2WxWF_JGexxsL2kDazPcfc3P2_nbXA7kPgvREbsNYQfLQ/s720/IMG_1477.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="720" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXf6TrhgbB25vvlTKs_4s4PrMowQb-L2VcisaPwNikk0fPTCao9-b43AkccPOzFfn5S8_cgy-dHmQY-F6E0rNpPFI9ahgniA0qLAth3TsL00-qAGUZnXkpDrKO7SysmuXVLzjS6WUHxHT2PD2WxWF_JGexxsL2kDazPcfc3P2_nbXA7kPgvREbsNYQfLQ/w400-h325/IMG_1477.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">fritillary</span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQraQYW4tIMNxQ0onsOCViGIs1nttY4AqHpTPYcBihSn1pVtVfAXHKr3pb5P2rBvLYghcZKN1rxlZ_6l-8bLrSftJgax2UjIIeyOTt46-9H92iLUiXHupm5SAPD1Etn_r_8W0YA5cN-fTix-cYCSiexsEJaW5yJlmWrzIdw4FyNzNoLVlu82B3YXlsDk/s720/IMG_1534.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="720" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQraQYW4tIMNxQ0onsOCViGIs1nttY4AqHpTPYcBihSn1pVtVfAXHKr3pb5P2rBvLYghcZKN1rxlZ_6l-8bLrSftJgax2UjIIeyOTt46-9H92iLUiXHupm5SAPD1Etn_r_8W0YA5cN-fTix-cYCSiexsEJaW5yJlmWrzIdw4FyNzNoLVlu82B3YXlsDk/w400-h324/IMG_1534.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">hairstreak</span></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">And the 10 petal anemone and redbud tree mentioned in my last post.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAKzbZk2AiTOnR-rnYtMy85_s5YxZtm5sk4jeedSD_Ow6MgT-wCh0SAM0oU4mlhpH8V53_FcK4-QrbuN2RVeRKfxyPTbsNsWXD5uOInU-2_R4h4bv3UOrcg3wBsmB1gqedHJxKaEo8TCfEC_ZA0v_cXXA__I76DwfPoei8DU_AxwO0aCvmEtTxbz6SpA/s720/IMG_1600.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="720" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAKzbZk2AiTOnR-rnYtMy85_s5YxZtm5sk4jeedSD_Ow6MgT-wCh0SAM0oU4mlhpH8V53_FcK4-QrbuN2RVeRKfxyPTbsNsWXD5uOInU-2_R4h4bv3UOrcg3wBsmB1gqedHJxKaEo8TCfEC_ZA0v_cXXA__I76DwfPoei8DU_AxwO0aCvmEtTxbz6SpA/w400-h374/IMG_1600.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWURtCxshItnBlBlGH0NiCLDoHM0LhOow-Q7rh3PY9rvM0uyKdQqP1RPPZYkoEZ-Eo7HYPCoqtaIFE2AFBMz5810kWs4Whqha_OygPEYcLZduk2jFAriMaT2Q6hF5vRj5bgVnvOcATBYVO1sPPVeWt_dtfg7tIPdM251BIAGqD3ZETB8qD4N_bvsJQkMY/s864/IMG_1603.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="864" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWURtCxshItnBlBlGH0NiCLDoHM0LhOow-Q7rh3PY9rvM0uyKdQqP1RPPZYkoEZ-Eo7HYPCoqtaIFE2AFBMz5810kWs4Whqha_OygPEYcLZduk2jFAriMaT2Q6hF5vRj5bgVnvOcATBYVO1sPPVeWt_dtfg7tIPdM251BIAGqD3ZETB8qD4N_bvsJQkMY/w640-h352/IMG_1603.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-65854823463998147902024-01-31T12:34:00.000-06:002024-01-31T12:34:51.324-06:00out of pocket<div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here it is the last day of January and the birds think it’s spring. Saw a wren check out a bird house and I’ve heard a cardinal and mockingbird singing their little hearts out.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My dwarf redbud tree in a pot is putting on buds. I noticed the first 10 petal anemone bloom a couple of weeks ago and today they are in full bloom.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last Monday the power blinked off and on a few times so I had to restart the Mac mini which I had not done since getting it up and running, just putting it to sleep. When Greg was helping me set it up he recommended having a password to get access which I created and wrote down. Fast forward to Monday when I restarted it and it refuses to accept that password. Greg was helping me figure out what to do but we ran out of time and so I’ve been offline since and our next opportunity when both our schedules allow isn’t until Friday morning. (I’m doing this on my phone.) I have no idea when this will be resolved but I figured being offline for a while won’t hurt me. Anyway I still have my mobile device so I won’t be totally MIA.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The rain gauge comparison was a wash since it would only be accurate if both our tubes were exactly the same size which they are not. A bigger tube (mine) would hold more water at the 2” mark than a smaller diameter tube (his) would at the 2” mark.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-18006785967176359052024-01-28T11:10:00.002-06:002024-01-28T11:10:55.547-06:00sexing a cat and dying trees<div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">It turns out that the girl kitten may not be a girl. Her markings are very similar to Momcat’s but where Momcat’s predominant color is dark gray on light gray, Girlcat’s is darker. Since s/he is the most wary and will only let me pet her/him while s/he is eating and because this kitten never walks around with her/his tail upright like the other two little boys and Momcat and because her markings are so similar to Momcat I assumed s/he was a she.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xyw5Ty8o92zThvUaJ3bwdwOyoftNquxLGHjBfLznUAN1Tm9gaW6p4Wg90j-lNelo6pdwQ5WwfbDbYO1pq26MldWN5ykFq0CkmzR6BJqYp3iSaPJKpzAVikb4AQr-YOALblfO_Gq1LkRNZwgxqk13SQ4DWkjuzbDuXgI7oTXkrZ4CTRX4ciSYLI1wSag/s576/IMG_1591.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="531" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xyw5Ty8o92zThvUaJ3bwdwOyoftNquxLGHjBfLznUAN1Tm9gaW6p4Wg90j-lNelo6pdwQ5WwfbDbYO1pq26MldWN5ykFq0CkmzR6BJqYp3iSaPJKpzAVikb4AQr-YOALblfO_Gq1LkRNZwgxqk13SQ4DWkjuzbDuXgI7oTXkrZ4CTRX4ciSYLI1wSag/w369-h400/IMG_1591.jpeg" width="369" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">s/he</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">But Thursday night, Robin was out there with me while I was feeding them and we both got several quick glimpses of her/his rear end and it certainly looks like s/he has balls. That coupled with s/he has almost identical markings and color to Robin’s boy cat Noodle, is making us think she is really a he. So Friday evening I put a little food down in the shed so that I could get around behind her and try to sneakily lift up her tail and get a good look. Let me just say it was dramatically unsuccessful. I guess I’ll find out for sure next week when I try and trap that one first.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The rain is over for now and we're back to our normal winter weather...lows in the 40s, highs in the 60s. Today we have a blue sky day. It was overcast yesterday but I got out there anyway and started cutting back some of the dead foliage and have three piles to pick up, filled the garden cart with other tree debris including four of the sections of that big limb that fell earlier. Picked up the last handful of pecans and added them to my tally for a total of 201 pounds from my three trees.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Speaking of trees, there are two tallows beside the driveway and the first killer arctic vortex of 2021 nearly killed both trees, and did kill others around town. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWsrxdlGSwI8dfRFR7LbipBkI6Pccb8zE2Qgkxqvpm3qRmlf8bXBS_EeKUycUtapUP6gze0kGaHWlgU9qfUsYCbqJiIaklfh_xj05pCA9mNwQPFQCiSWVwpf_3pUEVBoZXJdXHFeRJPMEylUbX92O60809Lx0ZAfz2uTe2rm4_-ND2Y48pRURdLZunH4/s720/IMG_1592.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="720" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWsrxdlGSwI8dfRFR7LbipBkI6Pccb8zE2Qgkxqvpm3qRmlf8bXBS_EeKUycUtapUP6gze0kGaHWlgU9qfUsYCbqJiIaklfh_xj05pCA9mNwQPFQCiSWVwpf_3pUEVBoZXJdXHFeRJPMEylUbX92O60809Lx0ZAfz2uTe2rm4_-ND2Y48pRURdLZunH4/w400-h338/IMG_1592.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">More than half my two trees did leaf out in the spring but they have been struggling ever since as every winter since we have had temps in the 20s and teens of different durations with less and less leafing out. Earlier in the fall we had a man cut out the dead wood in both trees but now it looks like this winter with just four nights in the 20s and teens that another half of the one on the right has died. After our three days of rain last week, last Friday I noticed that two of the trunks are covered in this white fungus. I’ll wait til spring to see if any of it leafs out but we should just go ahead and cut it down.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVTbxx9Hq9bq8Rze_RuxpDCNeWyDjDE__5f5YDN2WzLpbwakYjw7Z5IcIhuJiPM7-zZokb3SjBrDuA602bOlaUckIMuzniaVMKcx02Ov5SfqJ6wjSXh8vTUOjF6QhWhu4wbrgXZqmHsbVkENbRhEG-9VxkHzi0p6kGxCbYS6s9tWKSzw2DiaYSrfK81o/s720/IMG_1593.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="489" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVTbxx9Hq9bq8Rze_RuxpDCNeWyDjDE__5f5YDN2WzLpbwakYjw7Z5IcIhuJiPM7-zZokb3SjBrDuA602bOlaUckIMuzniaVMKcx02Ov5SfqJ6wjSXh8vTUOjF6QhWhu4wbrgXZqmHsbVkENbRhEG-9VxkHzi0p6kGxCbYS6s9tWKSzw2DiaYSrfK81o/w271-h400/IMG_1593.jpeg" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16miK0K6wDeNladpwg0fI7qTfJGSUjSZGmcWSdAF7sPz3_gXc1zejhfD-ZOHKmpLFbeM16euJj2BEJP8AgtfCMyFkXe9On9WHYNbYlqo9q3GMmGO83Hzx9tUsVJKkMxxL9feVLyUdl-lkV8idL5ChzmYuDt5vy8nNFymD5K7kBrFEHalzSDIQ1xEBZiQ/s576/IMG_1594.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="557" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16miK0K6wDeNladpwg0fI7qTfJGSUjSZGmcWSdAF7sPz3_gXc1zejhfD-ZOHKmpLFbeM16euJj2BEJP8AgtfCMyFkXe9On9WHYNbYlqo9q3GMmGO83Hzx9tUsVJKkMxxL9feVLyUdl-lkV8idL5ChzmYuDt5vy8nNFymD5K7kBrFEHalzSDIQ1xEBZiQ/w386-h400/IMG_1594.jpeg" width="386" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And speaking of rain, my neighbor Gary thinks my rain gauge is wrong because it always shows more than his and our other neighbor’s gauges which always measure the same. He only showed about 5 1/2” of rain to my 7.5+”. He’s probably right which bums me out if I can’t rely on it. I’m going to take my tube down to his house with two or three inches of water in it and pour it into his gauge and see what it says.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-16576034286552927112024-01-24T13:02:00.000-06:002024-01-24T13:02:35.786-06:00rain rain and warmer temps<div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Apparently, if you don’t have a blogger account you still cannot get to my last post even if you click on ‘yes, I’m an adult, take me to the page’. OK. But that’s not the most interesting part to me. According to my blog dashboard I have only 37 page views in two days (as compared to 150 for the previous post), meaning that either most my readers do not have a blogger account or else they were put off by the ridiculous adult content warning. Heads up, there was no content that went against community content standards unless you consider me dealing with gushing water out of a broken pipe in 40˚ weather an hour or so before sunset and cussing a blue streak to be sensitive content. Blogger did tell me if I wanted to change my title (or remove the forbidden content of which there was none so it had to be the title) I could republish the post without the warning. Eh, why bother.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">So onward I go. Momcat showed up Monday late afternoon after being missing the previous two days. She’s done this before, not show up to eat for a day or two. She’s the least wild of the four, in fact, not wild at all. She rubs up against me, loves to be petted, allows me to pick her up. I think she was someone’s pet who got dumped when she turned up pregnant. My sister had managed to get her fixed and released her back in the yard before she died and the vet was supposed to clip one of her ears but they didn’t. Anyway, she can’t get pregnant again but she is definitely done with the kittens. She’s very vocal, growling and hissing at them and pushing them away if they get too close. She’s really kind of a bitch.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">My plan was to try and trap Girlcat Monday and get her to the vet since at about 7 or 8 months she’s close to getting pregnant but it started raining at some point Sunday night and rained most of the day Monday. When I checked the rain gauge Tuesday we had had 3 1/4” of rain. And then it started raining again last night, was still raining when I got up, and midmorning the gauge showed another 2 1/2”, so almost 6” already this week. The side yard is underwater </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhr14MLzBis7-588_tvGyZcmJzbFqQLk3PCL-lsN782xMqrTdMkzA0cC_qrvvLHGBZJE1z6wj5S0w9AmoJHNgr-_Z4DqyEWrqWj8NGayqDP11XP7B4wCpEyCdyvOWoQLTBIixJ0FaMbg7QyrJe3jlmrR3K_8ACFlKoW_jTqUSgZ5TTbQiMZP05-leyCk/s864/IMG_1584.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="864" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhr14MLzBis7-588_tvGyZcmJzbFqQLk3PCL-lsN782xMqrTdMkzA0cC_qrvvLHGBZJE1z6wj5S0w9AmoJHNgr-_Z4DqyEWrqWj8NGayqDP11XP7B4wCpEyCdyvOWoQLTBIixJ0FaMbg7QyrJe3jlmrR3K_8ACFlKoW_jTqUSgZ5TTbQiMZP05-leyCk/w400-h304/IMG_1584.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">so I imagine the front is too. I haven’t looked out those windows yet. That tree in the center is the water oak next to the house. I don’t know if the picture really shows how immense it is.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I had intended to uncover everything on Monday but…rain, so I did it yesterday. The mustard greens and the cabbages look unaffected. That patch of white middle right is the clump of society garlic already showing new green poking through and the yellowish brown in the back is part of the day lilies. The brown sticks in front of the daylilies is the porterweed after I cut it back to cover it.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJGhaYHXW0-341HbMhbFxJBrn0rcdyQ-d7llY74tgOqmoMKMbAgGh4cp1a6ZedgV-ERZTxgtRhE9ZIDLJ6-uGg6TN7ghwJFI9-N6h0FpysmoS5O4t676Xx5MAqobZPp-40GnEgtlEL0gfTp0qG9Xyz3Da_l6OfNtHvJbtVJw3fUu_OszRZmxj11n0VUM/s720/IMG_1587.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJGhaYHXW0-341HbMhbFxJBrn0rcdyQ-d7llY74tgOqmoMKMbAgGh4cp1a6ZedgV-ERZTxgtRhE9ZIDLJ6-uGg6TN7ghwJFI9-N6h0FpysmoS5O4t676Xx5MAqobZPp-40GnEgtlEL0gfTp0qG9Xyz3Da_l6OfNtHvJbtVJw3fUu_OszRZmxj11n0VUM/w330-h400/IMG_1587.jpeg" width="330" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The pony tail palm did not show freeze damage for two years in a row so I guess I’ve finally figured out how to cover it successfully but everything else I covered; the porterweed, bird of paradise, bougainvillea, begonia (iffy, last year I brought it in, this year I covered it), the yellow trumpet flower; as usual are all freeze damaged but will eventually come back from the roots. Still need to trundle the smaller pots out of the garage for some sun and water but it’s too wet out there right now and still drippy though I’m sure they would have loved some of that rain.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While I was out in the little backyard, that area behind the fence upper left, this huge dead limb fell off one of the pecan trees, breaking up into 6 pieces.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSH6C4EQtjpdFGp2983KRjiAIOysJr19ifDAGBk8G0Vuj0qT6nZu6dau125t2qee1pbW0beFKnkZi-SzKvyy8JJPFtW7on0O6g86SfG0RLhyphenhyphenaPenC9ieFxVZen9D-NIw27I6jFczbUxJcNLoa0BmsydxfAjdVQgljTGFBYk2v1ZPq1G_PFqwClne-hR6U/s864/IMG_1585.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="864" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSH6C4EQtjpdFGp2983KRjiAIOysJr19ifDAGBk8G0Vuj0qT6nZu6dau125t2qee1pbW0beFKnkZi-SzKvyy8JJPFtW7on0O6g86SfG0RLhyphenhyphenaPenC9ieFxVZen9D-NIw27I6jFczbUxJcNLoa0BmsydxfAjdVQgljTGFBYk2v1ZPq1G_PFqwClne-hR6U/w400-h248/IMG_1585.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">It’s raining again or still which it is supposed to do just about all day. At least it’s a light rain because 6” in less than a week is a lot for the ground to absorb.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-19422120123664713622024-01-22T12:25:00.002-06:002024-01-22T18:32:49.714-06:00well, just fuck all<div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Went to feed the kittens late Saturday afternoon and then decided to walk around to the back of the shop (which I stupidly had not checked after the previous hard freeze nights) and dammit, water was gushing out of the outdoor pipe that sends water into the shop, the very same goddamn pipe I just had repaired a couple of months ago. Fuck fuck fuck. So when did it crack, the first night in the 20s, the night in the teens, the last night in the 20s? How many hours has water been gushing out for the past three or four days? You’d think I had not learned a valuable lesson from last year but I had wrapped that damn pipe in the insulation pipe foam and duct taped it all up and down the pipe like they tell you to do.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Last year when it cracked it cracked above the shut off valve on the pipe and I didn’t discover it until I turned the water back on and immediately back off. This time it cracked below the shut off valve on the pipe so there was nothing to prevent the water from gushing out and there was about 3” of standing water there by the pipe. Good thing I had my rubber boots on. There’s another cut off valve in the ground beside the pipe about 6” deep, submerged at this point so I plunged my hands in to turn it off and it would. not. budge. Now both hands are wet, both shirt and heavy sweater sleeves are wet, it’s fucking cold out there, in the 40s, my hands are red as boiled lobsters, and water is still gushing out. So I trudged back to the front of the property and turned the water off at the meter which also shut the water off at Robin’s Pam-house. Only temporary I told her.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Now back at the cracked pipe I’m bailing water until it’s just muddy ground and the submerged cut off valve is exposed. After various failed attempts with a hammer and a wrench to get it to turn I gave up. Went home, filled four large </span>empty plastic kitty litter containers with water and carted them over to Robin so she could flush her toilet, made sure she had plenty of drinking water, and directed her over to our house for a shower.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Sunday morning Marc bundled up and went over and got the valve to turn and turned the water back on at the meter. Yay for upper body strength. So now we wait for the next water bill. It’s going to be horrendous.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span>------------</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">As mentioned last post, when I closed the kittens up in the shed last Friday for the night that was going to be in the mid-20˚s, Momcat really wanted out and so I let her out. I have not seen her since. She didn’t show up to eat Saturday or yesterday. I had planned to try and trap the little girl cat today but it’s raining. Started last night and I guess is going to rain all day and more predicted for the next two days as well.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">------------</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In other news, this happened a few days ago…(edited) a Florida county in their book banning frenzy have now banned and removed dictionaries from schools because they contain words like sex, vagina, penis, fellatio, cunnilingus, homosexual, lesbian, slavery, racism, transgender, compassion, etc.; all things republicans want to shield little Janey’s and Johnny’s delicate eyes and minds from. Seriously, banning dictionaries, just another play in the Republican Theater of the Absurd. Or rather their march towards authoritarianism. You will see only what we want you to see, you will read only what we want you to read, you will know only what we want you to know, you will be only what we want you to be.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(8, 8, 8); color: #080808; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-kerning: none;">And this…Indiana republican state representative Joanna King has submitted a bill that would allow children as young as 14 to drop out of middle school and go to work full time on family or corporate farms. This is the same party that wants to </span><span class="s3" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">stop immigration from the southern border and deport all immigrants with brown skin. Apparently their plan is to replace them with the children of the poor. That's the republican solution to Americans not wanting to pick crops, reinstitute a different kind of slavery. According to Human Rights Watch, agriculture work is the deadliest work sector for child laborers with thousands injured every year. King is perfectly fine with parents deciding to end their child’s education and sending them to work 10 - 12 hours a day in grueling conditions but she’s rabidly against parents helping their child obtain gender affirming care because…child abuse.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(8, 8, 8); color: #080808; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(8, 8, 8); color: #080808; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(8, 8, 8); color: #080808; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-76487657304092497872024-01-20T11:25:00.001-06:002024-01-20T11:25:54.774-06:00another boring post about the cold and kittens<p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Sitting here Wednesday morning waiting for it to get above freezing so I can go over and let the kittens out of the shed and so I can haul everything out and clean it up in there. There are 5 potted plants in there that my sister had moved in in anticipation of winter and while I put plastic bottles in 3 of them to prevent the kittens from using them as a toilet, they managed to do so anyway and dirt is spread out all around as well as kitty litter scattered from them using the litter box which they did mostly. We have two days of not freezing nights and then Friday night dipping back into the 20s. I have no idea if I’ll be able to get them back in for that one night or not.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And so I went and opened the door to the shed wide and Momcat scooted out immediately and she was gone but the three kittens were very hesitant, like ‘what fresh hell is this’ but eventually they ventured out and back in and out as I was hauling the boxes and litter box out and two of the plants. Got my broom out of the shop and swept the shed out. My plan was to water the two pots thoroughly but the outdoor faucet is frozen so I’ll have to wait til it thaws out. Fed the kittens under the porch and then had to come back home for water which I took back over and put in their dish.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">----------</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Slept late this Friday morning, nearly 8:30 when I got up, Cat snuggled up on one side and Minnie under the covers on the other. First thing fill the cat’s food bowl, fill the bird feeder, fill the dog’s dry food bowl, take my meds, and finally get my first cup of coffee.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Lots of plans for today, or rather, lots of things I <i>could</i> do today…clear the big back yard of the fallen branches, of which there are a lot even though I’ve already collected 4 cart loads (including a big ass limb that dragged our internet cable to the ground but fortunately didn’t pull it loose), from the wind of the last cold front and haul them to the burn pile, take one more bucket of pecans from the small box I held back to get cracked because now I’m thinking I didn’t shell enough, make some spiced pecans from a recipe my neighbor Gary gave me, sort through one or two of the tubs of my sister’s christmas ornaments and decorations because I have an idea to make a mobile or two or three with them; the ornaments, not the decorations though those need to be sorted and offered to her daughters and grandkids, like the embroidered, sequined, and beaded christmas tree skirt that our mother made. Or I could finally hang the rest of my crystals and finish clearing off the small work table. We’ll see what actually gets accomplished.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Now, one more cold night tonight and I’m sure I can get the kittens in the shed again and then next week I try to trap the little girl cat and get her to the vet to get fixed.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">----------</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Another day gone by and I did get the kittens in the shed easily and Momcat but Momcat wanted out so I let her out. I did get the sticks picked up, two cart loads full,</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYbvOk304rNHH-h_kmBh9VFM2GkkXTjFE2GiSef2BNrJYBoRlsBKt2k84He03_LydsNG2MaRTvOivp9A76ktJrOEzLil80MLrSTzfRO164lfbem1SrkHyVBGxrFm_K_mzhxitG7xzobPJr5oL2WQNXD3IbpT3XhloLhTPPJaYQl4IX5rSfHgjKNvcQWQ/s720/IMG_1579.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="720" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYbvOk304rNHH-h_kmBh9VFM2GkkXTjFE2GiSef2BNrJYBoRlsBKt2k84He03_LydsNG2MaRTvOivp9A76ktJrOEzLil80MLrSTzfRO164lfbem1SrkHyVBGxrFm_K_mzhxitG7xzobPJr5oL2WQNXD3IbpT3XhloLhTPPJaYQl4IX5rSfHgjKNvcQWQ/w400-h265/IMG_1579.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I got another bucket of pecans cracked, I made the ‘spiced’ pecans which aren’t spicy at all and I sort of don’t even like them (1 pound pecans, 1/2 stick butter, 3 T worcestershire sauce, and 3 tsp seasoned salt baked at 250˚ for 1 hour stirring every 15 minutes - picture pre-roasting),<br /><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdkVbHiCXQ3pbdMs2FQWHQzkJiTufHINF87UDexbM0S76k0_oC-CfQhlLYdb6Crfv5dh8eLITybcDgyXrpeo3AC7bG1xFX-tHAVG9AiGKF9BvJaRI15NY5Iq1Tm1yq25knMVJ8MVilpHKbtzFmN9icsOrQDWegldezUWyrI0p3PNGEaxXbuautPTK3ys/s576/IMG_1580.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="576" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdkVbHiCXQ3pbdMs2FQWHQzkJiTufHINF87UDexbM0S76k0_oC-CfQhlLYdb6Crfv5dh8eLITybcDgyXrpeo3AC7bG1xFX-tHAVG9AiGKF9BvJaRI15NY5Iq1Tm1yq25knMVJ8MVilpHKbtzFmN9icsOrQDWegldezUWyrI0p3PNGEaxXbuautPTK3ys/w400-h236/IMG_1580.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I did get fishing line tied to the last 7 crystals but didn’t get them hung because I need more cup hooks and the small work table is still cluttered and the tubs of christmas stuff are still untouched.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">Last night was the last night below freezing for the foreseeable future and today and tomorrow are going to be high 40˚s cold but after that we are going back to our normal winter weather, or what used to be our normal winter weather. Nothing blooming in the yard now. Everything is black, brown, or laying on the ground. I peeked under the covering to see if the mustard greens survived and they look good but won’t know about the cabbages until Monday when I uncover everything.<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">Cat’s new favorite place…warming up her butt on the mac mini</span><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XKJrOyWXmjsF7U8-v_KTlzODZSUvcA7tYgjBQHqD3Q1n5x8Ukjm8igFC1gKnTkmmUIAfGj_KV8IE3JDa5ZhRa9MV2d9A_1WI3xLrf8id2ZTcjv-0vHYJ3_cA4S3akKBhB8_69zdfJElXfLVkMZgpr5IM3P_P3djRMqqlCKjrgOoLJJ8zyuZQQmrhJfU/s720/IMG_1582.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="420" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XKJrOyWXmjsF7U8-v_KTlzODZSUvcA7tYgjBQHqD3Q1n5x8Ukjm8igFC1gKnTkmmUIAfGj_KV8IE3JDa5ZhRa9MV2d9A_1WI3xLrf8id2ZTcjv-0vHYJ3_cA4S3akKBhB8_69zdfJElXfLVkMZgpr5IM3P_P3djRMqqlCKjrgOoLJJ8zyuZQQmrhJfU/w234-h400/IMG_1582.jpeg" width="234" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Time to go release the kittens.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-48531466509817116052024-01-15T13:16:00.003-06:002024-01-15T13:26:39.270-06:00been busy preparing for the hard freeze<div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I’ve been more or less MIA since Wednesday. I say more or less because I did upload my last post on Saturday. Last Wednesday was such a clown show in the House it just grabbed all my attention and Thursday I’m always out of pocket because of SHARE which was a food delivery day from the regional food bank, our new Elder while putting boxes on the storage rack wants to make sure we know…</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X-06bP0nwucXapSp8Twkt8UVnsMdnWQg2HRk9NPpJAxpsvHdldWlWyTJm9ludFO_BuRG7e1pEuSWO3FAUb3SVI0GfMVSRDyzHZ1CdWsQ3fZKeUsRy9WaL8btwlQmVjDW-4t7rjKPIV2KZOva6H5Gt3qcKjzNugitXb7My5NpiQCiVOunfvjN7F2nhyphenhyphen8/s576/IMG_1565.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="576" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2X-06bP0nwucXapSp8Twkt8UVnsMdnWQg2HRk9NPpJAxpsvHdldWlWyTJm9ludFO_BuRG7e1pEuSWO3FAUb3SVI0GfMVSRDyzHZ1CdWsQ3fZKeUsRy9WaL8btwlQmVjDW-4t7rjKPIV2KZOva6H5Gt3qcKjzNugitXb7My5NpiQCiVOunfvjN7F2nhyphenhyphen8/w400-h343/IMG_1565.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Friday I spent the day working on my post which I had intended to post that day but, oh well. Which brings us to the weekend. Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday I spent getting ready for the arctic blast that is sitting on us right now. I pulled the big potted plants that would withstand a light freeze into the garage and put the big tarp up and across everything. I harvested the rest of the cauliflower, broccoli, </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBJpZRBKI0G6idQmL-QG75xMid5USBZgalwEaqB-TjVaiIhGRGeTbhLDN83zERkKrC7J6vdUTBXS-ppTTu4csJKQR1YCmYBkS7f_3eUt_ioyt_F-py7tdq-10IrcO5_NpHh6x7iUUxUKfASfpG634PYLO7VD4MEWFlvREIyDySkowORbLq23EkNXgKgw/s720/IMG_1553.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="720" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBJpZRBKI0G6idQmL-QG75xMid5USBZgalwEaqB-TjVaiIhGRGeTbhLDN83zERkKrC7J6vdUTBXS-ppTTu4csJKQR1YCmYBkS7f_3eUt_ioyt_F-py7tdq-10IrcO5_NpHh6x7iUUxUKfASfpG634PYLO7VD4MEWFlvREIyDySkowORbLq23EkNXgKgw/w400-h333/IMG_1553.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">most of the mustard greens and lettuce, and the two ready cabbages and covered the rest of the cabbages and mustard greens (we’ll see if they survive). I covered the ponytail palm, the bougainvillea, bird of paradise, the begonia, and the yesterday today and tomorrow, pruned back and covered the porterweed and the yellow angel trumpet, brought smaller pots of flowers and plants in the house, filled the bird feeder.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr4yG30Am_Sy_-pgd9XRgtJXV7rPdXMfuNRe0uKnD6_UXvd1Cu4fOu6vek5ikzdym7nOKTJA39-fhy60FORgkHKvKgs5fkOwTBRjkhFNkKd1e6JpbLLfOs-jQ2E2484ySR5AxKHuIK-s56UTXoQu8cIDTJynVQnujnuVc88p47h57xHq3TjVZ0WNySns/s720/IMG_1573.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="720" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr4yG30Am_Sy_-pgd9XRgtJXV7rPdXMfuNRe0uKnD6_UXvd1Cu4fOu6vek5ikzdym7nOKTJA39-fhy60FORgkHKvKgs5fkOwTBRjkhFNkKd1e6JpbLLfOs-jQ2E2484ySR5AxKHuIK-s56UTXoQu8cIDTJynVQnujnuVc88p47h57xHq3TjVZ0WNySns/w400-h295/IMG_1573.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">This silly thing was blooming yesterday.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p></div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And worried about Momcat and the kittens. I had brought 3 boxes home from SHARE and put three ragged towels in them and put them and a basin with kitty litter in the shed behind Pam’s house but didn’t intend to lock them in until today as it was only supposed to get down to near freezing Sunday night. As I headed over to feed them around 4 I checked the weather and now it was going to get down to 29˚ Sunday night so I moved their food and water dishes from under the porch to inside the shed and they all went in to eat and I shut the door. It was 25˚ when I got up this morning. Well, damn. I hadn’t plugged in the small radiator heater Pam has in the shed for her plants because I didn’t think they would need it last night.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I went over to check on them after breakfast and after the icy drizzle had stopped, hauling the heavy duty extension cord over with me and plugged it into the outdoor outlet on the back of the house and when I opened the door of the shed they were huddled in the boxes and the water in their dish was frozen. I put out more food, cleaned the litter box, plugged in the radiator and arranged the boxes around it (but not too close) because it’s going to be even colder tonight and colder still tomorrow night, like 18˚. Momcat immediately wanted out. Sorry Momcat, not til Wednesday. I’ll go back and check on them this afternoon.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I had brought in the prunings from the yellow trumpet flower yesterday, one of which had an open bloom, and put them in water to root like I did last year and last night as I was sitting at my computer the flower released it’s wonderful lemony scent.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtKDAMBCQ_lBXoeC0kjLoQ70nkCrWeJ7C0TU_6J4-wrU_HXQjZE0GY9y2UZ_l24h52MH_IHnsIhQmayQh09gscs29teftC2SsAP1T8hZQwRZGa2mA_RGxq2-3Zzs-ccfz28_TQUdM7-VTUSBj3ugBy4CrALvEwdYTEoVIVh2TFC_ZDxv9JHz-JREsKec/s720/IMG_1576.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="720" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtKDAMBCQ_lBXoeC0kjLoQ70nkCrWeJ7C0TU_6J4-wrU_HXQjZE0GY9y2UZ_l24h52MH_IHnsIhQmayQh09gscs29teftC2SsAP1T8hZQwRZGa2mA_RGxq2-3Zzs-ccfz28_TQUdM7-VTUSBj3ugBy4CrALvEwdYTEoVIVh2TFC_ZDxv9JHz-JREsKec/w400-h335/IMG_1576.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">There was another thing that happened last week besides the clown show in the House. Marc’s mother died Tuesday night. She had been in hospice care at home with her youngest son providing care which he has done for the last ten years or so, moving in and putting his life on hold when their mom started to decline. Al was with her when she passed. She was 92. We were hoping that this year would easier than last but it has started out with another death in the family and next week Marc has cataract surgery. I don’t suppose at this point in our lives that any future year is going to be eventless.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">But here’s one small success, Cat finally succeeded in snuggling up to Minnie.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT9CfpSc0DIe4oKzZc8YAa_nEj6NSbRhVBazW6-Xy6mxL9mPNi1Ed4s3XnWpwQwBL2KvEAFPV79JgKdV2SZ1amOhsBUIJevXeZ-_lmzoFAGGjquc07hIJVD7n9L5lgyteT_4YEw6-3P11QTwKoJ349CGEYu4uYwQuaZSlQnm8Y2gDOIoPBUhf_r4ztVw/s720/IMG_1566.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="720" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT9CfpSc0DIe4oKzZc8YAa_nEj6NSbRhVBazW6-Xy6mxL9mPNi1Ed4s3XnWpwQwBL2KvEAFPV79JgKdV2SZ1amOhsBUIJevXeZ-_lmzoFAGGjquc07hIJVD7n9L5lgyteT_4YEw6-3P11QTwKoJ349CGEYu4uYwQuaZSlQnm8Y2gDOIoPBUhf_r4ztVw/w400-h271/IMG_1566.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-34898832964138969862024-01-13T09:47:00.003-06:002024-01-13T13:36:27.699-06:00season 2, episode 1 of the Republican House majority clown show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMt-8V9vCH7ZGaIi91tr7h3-YNle37K-iiUnVe_qqzMpXju3D7dKcZ9x9rN199F6pzuZ45Wkjxx5TcLXHJn5jk2ZYwFYVMuK8Q3G7vqeCh9seOOqWRbYJgSo5QniAhwMkyMAPuOcEic7i8Z0XbsrU33Ev59pUkZtnSWYiYoiwWHYESv8bCHtt5kjUvk5Q/s576/comer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="576" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMt-8V9vCH7ZGaIi91tr7h3-YNle37K-iiUnVe_qqzMpXju3D7dKcZ9x9rN199F6pzuZ45Wkjxx5TcLXHJn5jk2ZYwFYVMuK8Q3G7vqeCh9seOOqWRbYJgSo5QniAhwMkyMAPuOcEic7i8Z0XbsrU33Ev59pUkZtnSWYiYoiwWHYESv8bCHtt5kjUvk5Q/w400-h288/comer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The House was back in session last week and if you thought they would get down to the important business at hand and address the funding bills to keep the government functioning since the current stopgap measures both expire this month, you would be wrong even though the Speaker earlier announced a deal made with the Senate (which he has since indicated he may not support after all because that’s what they do, make deals and then go back on their word). No, the important business at hand apparently was an Oversight committee meeting last Wednesday to determine if Hunter Biden should be charged with contempt of Congress for refusing to honor their subpoena (which was unlawfully issued before the formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden) to answer their questions about his business dealings and whether or not President Biden illegally benefitted from them in their quest to find something, anything, with which they can impeach President Biden. The fact is that the House republicans cannot find evidence because none exists. All they have is Joe loaned Hunter money on several occasions and Hunter paid it back and Hunter took a phone call from his father during a business meeting.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">After Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) had previously said that witnesses could decide on a public or private hearing that evidently didn’t apply to Hunter as they have insisted on a closed door session. Hunter held a press conference that he would answer all their questions in a public hearing which republicans refuse to allow. What they want is to be able to misrepresent Hunter’s answers, twisting them to claim they have evidence like they have done with the closed door sessions of Hunter’s business associates. As Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) told republicans during the meeting Wednesday, “let me tell y'all why no one wants to talk to you behind closed doors because y’all lie”.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While the republicans' plan was to excoriate Hunter for refusing to honor their subpoena it all turned to chaos when Hunter and his attorney walked in to the public forum and sat down. Nancy Mace (R-SC) lost her shit calling him the epitome of white privilege asking him what he was afraid of for refusing a closed door session and telling him, in this congressional setting, that he had “no balls”, saying that he should be arrested right now and sent straight to jail. Then Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) proceeded to list the republicans who refused to comply with subpoenas from the J6 committee, asked that they be added to the contempt of Congress resolution to show that this hearing was not politically motivated which of course republicans refused to do. Then he went on to say that Hunter was here willing to answer questions right now so let’s take a vote, who wants to hear from Hunter, he asked, anyone, while the republicans sat there silent and stone faced.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">When it was Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) turn to talk, Hunter and his lawyers got up and walked out and all the press followed them leaving Marge fuming claiming that Hunter was a criminal and a coward. But Hunter Biden has no reason to show her one ounce of respect after she showed nude pictures of him and his junk in a previous public committee meeting, which btw, is illegal. It is illegal to acquire nude photos of someone without their consent and it is illegal to show said images publicly without that person’s consent, both of which Marge has done. Where are the legal repercussions of that? And then she proceeded to show more lewd photos of Hunter albeit with his junk blacked out. It’s not pornography she claimed. What on earth does naked pictures of Hunter Biden have to do with finding him in contempt of Congress?</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="color: #353535; font-kerning: none;">Of course at the end the republicans in the House Oversight committee and the House Judiciary committee that was also holding a meeting on Wednesday voted to</span><span class="s3" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"> recommend a contempt of Congress resolution against Hunter Biden for his failure to comply with a subpoena even though he offered many times to answer all their questions in a public hearing. Next it goes to the full House for a vote.</span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">You would think that now that the committees have recommend Hunter be held in contempt that they would then turn their attention to the serious business of funding the government but once again you would be wrong. Instead they are starting the process to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas for ‘dereliction of duty’ over the southern border, an absurd charge, even though republicans have consistently voted ‘no’ on every revision of immigration policy that would increase funding and personal for border patrol and increase detention centers and asylum immigration courts. They don’t actually want any improvement on the southern border because then they wouldn’t be able to use it as a failure of President Biden and his policies, they wouldn’t be able to stoke up their base, they wouldn’t be able to grandstand at the border.</span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Not satisfied with two bogus impeachment investigations, President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas, House republicans announced an investigation into Cassidy Hutchison, former aide to Mark Meadows, Trump’s chief of staff, in retaliation for her testimony to the J6 committee and demanding that she turn over documents.</span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The current House Republicans are a disgrace and have made a mockery of the House of Representatives. They have held the least amount of votes and passed the least amount of bills in the history of the House. They rant about President Biden weaponizing the justice department to go after Trump and his allies when Biden has done nothing of the sort while they are using their majority in the House to retaliate against the democrats for impeaching Trump for very real crimes. As usual, every accusation from republicans is a confession.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">A few other tidbits brought to light this week…</span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Trump told a European Union official in January 2020 that the US would not come to the aid of Europe if it was attacked, that NATO was dead.</span></p><p class="p7" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Marge is threatening Speaker Mike Johnson with a motion to ‘vacate the chair’ if he doesn’t comply with her demands.</span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p5" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">While republicans are desperately trying to find evidence that President Biden illegally profited some amount of money via his son’s business, democrats released a report, with receipts, that Trump and his businesses personally profited nearly $8 million while president from the governments of China, Saudi Arabia, and others (not to mention all the money he siphoned off the National Treasury for his weekends at Mar A Lago and playing golf or Ivanka’s Chinese patents or Jared’s $2 billion from the Saudis).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p4" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s3" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">In an attempt to get the charges against Trump</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">dropped</span><span style="background-color: white;"> for his actions and involvement in the J6 attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power and stay in office even though he lost the election, his lawyer has claimed that Trump has absolute immunity for anything he did as president, that the only way a president can face charges for breaking laws after his term is over is if he is first impeached and convicted for the offense. One of the judges on the three judge panel asked the lawyer if he was saying that if a president ordered Seal Team 6 to murder his political opponents or detractors or if he sold our most sensitive national secrets to our enemies he would be immune from justice after he was out of office? Unless he was impeached and convicted for the crime by Congress first the lawyer responded. Let that sink in.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p7" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Trump’s main advisor Roger Stone was caught on tape discussing assassinating two Democrat lawmakers with an NYPD officer weeks before the 2020 election.</span></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p7" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Y’all know what to do. Trump cannot be reelected. Vote blue up and down.</span></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p6" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-91455406948872225742024-01-08T13:16:00.000-06:002024-01-08T13:16:07.102-06:00trying to get stuff done<p><span style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-size: 14px;">I’ve been trying to tick things off my non-existent list last week and continuing this week. I watered all the plants that are inside for the winter, replaced one of the chains on the hanging basket of staghorn fern that rusted and broke and then took it outside and hung it up and gave it a good watering, bought some plastic drawer units to finally organize my desk,</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoD46bDu9oNn1SRKsGC3xEtrJEAl9UAgfevRUA7ojQesZ_zhkllnGUjZL-ad4JUTlENKUTX7-aZ1vTUwHRqXI0PPkwjKkTdD-yH5FNFYkS4KvwYeYm1Wy07r3L30rOBD5EOccJfsBK8-zac4l-ueKFTBuuVCnZyiedRz61_NPYmFDJq9fEF0ZfdkKPJk/s864/IMG_1560.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="864" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoD46bDu9oNn1SRKsGC3xEtrJEAl9UAgfevRUA7ojQesZ_zhkllnGUjZL-ad4JUTlENKUTX7-aZ1vTUwHRqXI0PPkwjKkTdD-yH5FNFYkS4KvwYeYm1Wy07r3L30rOBD5EOccJfsBK8-zac4l-ueKFTBuuVCnZyiedRz61_NPYmFDJq9fEF0ZfdkKPJk/w400-h223/IMG_1560.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">moved drawing tools and batteries out of the drawers of the buffet that I use in my bedroom and put those drawers to better use, bought two larger drawer units to put in my closet for shoes and hats and scarves and purses (I do actually have a couple of small bags for when my clothes don’t have pockets).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmnjXyMwgs49XjLiBHK-l3D0SAUHXVWffTPHNQixJKgQEBOx89wbfMscBaG_bxyXpnkm8Q6gEaXkYCPD17Ml0hpsCuZsyiIPHk9akwoVPCe6S2du3h2wn6kpTE08fGXNr7Y82bZnv1uJiGtQxKLDI4jXY7NMFtZMESsoH4KoFe4Uz14iR3iddfC-p4uI/s720/IMG_1562.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="720" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmnjXyMwgs49XjLiBHK-l3D0SAUHXVWffTPHNQixJKgQEBOx89wbfMscBaG_bxyXpnkm8Q6gEaXkYCPD17Ml0hpsCuZsyiIPHk9akwoVPCe6S2du3h2wn6kpTE08fGXNr7Y82bZnv1uJiGtQxKLDI4jXY7NMFtZMESsoH4KoFe4Uz14iR3iddfC-p4uI/w400-h370/IMG_1562.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I sold my pecans, 213 pounds worth for $138. I held a small box back in case I didn’t shell enough and I’m still picking up about 20 a day in my yard though the trees are about done. After getting 3” of rain total last week I decided to torch the enormous burn pile on Saturday which was a nice sunny day. Took several tries to get even a small part burning. It would dry out an area and flame up and then die down then flame up then die down. It did this all day, mostly smoldering. By Sunday morning it had smoldered maybe a third to ash. I already had a full garden cart of tree and brush debris so I piled it next to the unburned part and then attacked the virginia creeper and greenbriar that are taking over the wisteria over at Pam’s old house. Robin and BF Evan came out and helped me and we piled two garden cart loads on the unburned part of the burn pile.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">My poor garden cart got crunched though. After I emptied it on the burnpile and before I started on the wisteria I had temporarily parked it behind Robin’s car and when Evan pulled out he didn’t see it. I walked around from the other side of Pam’s house to see Evan bending over it picking up the end piece that had broken off apologizing profusely. Well, my fault for leaving it behind the car where it couldn’t be seen. One end was broken off and crumpled, the other end was still attached but crumpled and both sides still attached but one crumpled. Anyway I rolled it home and took a heavy hammer to it all and managed to get it back together though seriously lopsided but hey, the sides are on and it rolls fine. That's Pam's garden cart in the upper left corner that I have commandeered.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cl_uLrqRVvBPD4FRcfdDtGC2Z1hYznGQ8cwoNiDQ1GIIq8iRjUNdFIMtr78UrmkOUeIz02TjGPlG9Op01CyzCmdw2s4X3CZjM6IqZyrDJlnkxSZOhUjOrKaUPhYNykYVjaXJRgbRWh7wiafh-PjNG1P9CTstZOf-oroF3tWsLN22dORhBHyNOMLZJ1s/s720/IMG_1561.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="643" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cl_uLrqRVvBPD4FRcfdDtGC2Z1hYznGQ8cwoNiDQ1GIIq8iRjUNdFIMtr78UrmkOUeIz02TjGPlG9Op01CyzCmdw2s4X3CZjM6IqZyrDJlnkxSZOhUjOrKaUPhYNykYVjaXJRgbRWh7wiafh-PjNG1P9CTstZOf-oroF3tWsLN22dORhBHyNOMLZJ1s/w358-h400/IMG_1561.jpeg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">After our fine weather the last three days, today is overcast, rainy, and very windy, sustained 16mph with 30mph gusts with occasional howling so anything ticked off my list today is indoor stuff like messaging my PC doctor to order my bloodwork before my appointment at the end of the month so she’ll have the results when I go in. I have given up on SPOT helping with the neutering of the kittens. They aren’t pursuing it as far as I can tell and they don’t return calls or messages. So I got the number of another organization that helps with neutering and called them and left a message (this is the group that helped with Cat’s spaying), called the vet to confirm procedure, and am waiting to hear back. Since I was willing to give SPOT a donation for helping, Marc and I just decided to use that money and pursue it ourselves. The main goal is to get the little female fixed first, </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8qfmQy1xSKKrP48U3FRRyFMLvkBfS2H7Fhz-ill-Gm6ja7ofDHxsvbBq62eAZyg3YbnTr9r-41WvugP2Dy5VbyKFLP4w4OYGoYC7s8kV7m1agGXzOfOaLmBGLnvFGRtyOE1NODmjPSlSuRolSHhG-HMsAWvqIthTsecLmDM1jEuYej0ep1APZPpB_PY/s278/0-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8qfmQy1xSKKrP48U3FRRyFMLvkBfS2H7Fhz-ill-Gm6ja7ofDHxsvbBq62eAZyg3YbnTr9r-41WvugP2Dy5VbyKFLP4w4OYGoYC7s8kV7m1agGXzOfOaLmBGLnvFGRtyOE1NODmjPSlSuRolSHhG-HMsAWvqIthTsecLmDM1jEuYej0ep1APZPpB_PY/s16000/0-2.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">then we can deal with the two males later. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium5cnLC530s6fftCD5oX53KhyphenhyphenNh1SeZhfjo7d5kGjSUJQ_VGGeoZlxhMErnxNplIUzDrTkja7uQjBkg5zbdVJ9AXjrqLsywcznWossp4BiAbg3GYBamSn13TDAxAzFPIoGb_nAJLtbRwb-xt4cQ9m_VuG5SDNK7STG9rBDV_O_5BrtGglubN_ROLzhbc/s366/0-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="339" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium5cnLC530s6fftCD5oX53KhyphenhyphenNh1SeZhfjo7d5kGjSUJQ_VGGeoZlxhMErnxNplIUzDrTkja7uQjBkg5zbdVJ9AXjrqLsywcznWossp4BiAbg3GYBamSn13TDAxAzFPIoGb_nAJLtbRwb-xt4cQ9m_VuG5SDNK7STG9rBDV_O_5BrtGglubN_ROLzhbc/s320/0-1.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiclzsZFsvdfGMsyQJpiyuuaiercTs1UtGyQAOv1Uo0KyOepp_zZs_bLe03Y-mFLyU5UJmie8z7Jmz2oIqYTe_58y0syo96dC1__L7DB6u6UqVxnh3mbS3Uipaf1rsBhjugU1AxXbVT6LcwLjZ48qxGOwoQD13gSXtHVBZG_Ka-6bIZ-341VCD9UmfQa4/s330/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="330" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiclzsZFsvdfGMsyQJpiyuuaiercTs1UtGyQAOv1Uo0KyOepp_zZs_bLe03Y-mFLyU5UJmie8z7Jmz2oIqYTe_58y0syo96dC1__L7DB6u6UqVxnh3mbS3Uipaf1rsBhjugU1AxXbVT6LcwLjZ48qxGOwoQD13gSXtHVBZG_Ka-6bIZ-341VCD9UmfQa4/s320/0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I guess I’ll vacuum the house this afternoon, maybe hang up the rest of my crystals.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I don’t guess I’ll be going to yoga class tonight with this wind as the weather forecast shows thunderstorms right when I would be leaving. High wind and rain on the highway at dusk? Um, nope.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-22712087647152266862024-01-05T12:22:00.000-06:002024-01-05T12:22:18.598-06:00the Department of Weird Food<br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I do not get foods flavored as other foods.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">From the Potato Chip Division:</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Potato chips are the go to for chemical flavor dusting.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1VazpYNZQl1pNMcJjeVi3diR8WMR7_Al7D0xcDbjnsSzAc-cMNsaePw0jHEAWiLSc0UodSc-loDwxZOaTEJtvYnY0hgMv9Rwsk1O3JhXKEiG1SfansDD1SF0CUfOJpRqnBKoKi8F7DLUNtR2Wjcf2Qa7rCB8Dt4FeFs32D7zdiSeivIj6bb2U-kn1OQ/s720/IMG_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="496" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1VazpYNZQl1pNMcJjeVi3diR8WMR7_Al7D0xcDbjnsSzAc-cMNsaePw0jHEAWiLSc0UodSc-loDwxZOaTEJtvYnY0hgMv9Rwsk1O3JhXKEiG1SfansDD1SF0CUfOJpRqnBKoKi8F7DLUNtR2Wjcf2Qa7rCB8Dt4FeFs32D7zdiSeivIj6bb2U-kn1OQ/w275-h400/IMG_1388.JPG" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu0q97230jk0r29G4ZJA_t7VMbI_BbZzjN0OhkgOBh8sqHEthVXXc7JS_7x9u6h53ty-xXFezagUA-MT52csGGmFALAKPXOJu9wulK5ztrDSOvw6DoiRMlWFL9etBF3heWXLThQ3QKHFvwiM18SRogDLbIiewtKIwfpnxG_XalY9afkcoDUve-ExxOHI/s720/IMG_1386.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="505" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOu0q97230jk0r29G4ZJA_t7VMbI_BbZzjN0OhkgOBh8sqHEthVXXc7JS_7x9u6h53ty-xXFezagUA-MT52csGGmFALAKPXOJu9wulK5ztrDSOvw6DoiRMlWFL9etBF3heWXLThQ3QKHFvwiM18SRogDLbIiewtKIwfpnxG_XalY9afkcoDUve-ExxOHI/w280-h400/IMG_1386.jpeg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMCXGHiL-_gN4EI826KHIrTEjVSz4QaJYWsHiaYr751exGumwFk_kswQhZ_waIyjkTiwOCdCppOmbBfu0cQTv5QorA69wwP-L6NBujNonnYZni_TyWrm9PzQ0CmnjS4U7TDt_gAokvuFmiczLCI_Bbrnw37ICFPPY__JZleuIuiZ-aEp_QBM3wACqibI/s720/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMCXGHiL-_gN4EI826KHIrTEjVSz4QaJYWsHiaYr751exGumwFk_kswQhZ_waIyjkTiwOCdCppOmbBfu0cQTv5QorA69wwP-L6NBujNonnYZni_TyWrm9PzQ0CmnjS4U7TDt_gAokvuFmiczLCI_Bbrnw37ICFPPY__JZleuIuiZ-aEp_QBM3wACqibI/w274-h400/IMG_0713.JPG" width="274" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cpbx1i0gkj2o6nUuuN-oIjt1KmwvZfnQumKzB3RU4a28mn-eOhQ_jgD3rFUpopTc5R256jR_EKivGgmDfexpOAiMN-MgUV-jvOhpL_zuUSjxsLA80a6bw5GrokbnzkgwKYI_jMGYDeQ9xW_jU1vBLG3PnERSwbJsuhXgHVczfShvSHuQEbUeg_NYroQ/s720/IMG_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="552" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cpbx1i0gkj2o6nUuuN-oIjt1KmwvZfnQumKzB3RU4a28mn-eOhQ_jgD3rFUpopTc5R256jR_EKivGgmDfexpOAiMN-MgUV-jvOhpL_zuUSjxsLA80a6bw5GrokbnzkgwKYI_jMGYDeQ9xW_jU1vBLG3PnERSwbJsuhXgHVczfShvSHuQEbUeg_NYroQ/w306-h400/IMG_0408.JPG" width="306" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Not weird so much as is it really necessary after fried and baked options?</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bLjVazjEk-YhLLYKNvtVBAmXlo8jU03dCNzrS-iFdwvH9qLz8-18KTNnTPPW1Yq-bAVH3qmgLsbBRML3yZ9hFCzNW_fUS_Np1XAj2xtPDo1-Gf0aihafQEHxP-PzPHCjkpVfMUGfV8zdtwAaGyimhc-9g-B1QE738DKvPGkdXUO4YtJd_SyYe9FKFqI/s720/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bLjVazjEk-YhLLYKNvtVBAmXlo8jU03dCNzrS-iFdwvH9qLz8-18KTNnTPPW1Yq-bAVH3qmgLsbBRML3yZ9hFCzNW_fUS_Np1XAj2xtPDo1-Gf0aihafQEHxP-PzPHCjkpVfMUGfV8zdtwAaGyimhc-9g-B1QE738DKvPGkdXUO4YtJd_SyYe9FKFqI/w285-h400/IMG_0419.JPG" width="285" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">From the Make It Taste Like Chocolate Division:</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61gxBYpn09cefghe-eujAYbOdY-A6WFNWHdqDs1-fiSSBjwx0pAbDBQvYKns3W3khYSJ8A8sad4Hhd7nZFv06pmuBJThjf7Xl87rwioCkAE2tfagn9icbWAqWUdTcaNlBmHVZmtxA9cSP8DcLXn6M_gE2HKa7-ZkQCA32CEQmJMvEJM6_MwKeij-qvhg/s647/weird%20food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="403" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61gxBYpn09cefghe-eujAYbOdY-A6WFNWHdqDs1-fiSSBjwx0pAbDBQvYKns3W3khYSJ8A8sad4Hhd7nZFv06pmuBJThjf7Xl87rwioCkAE2tfagn9icbWAqWUdTcaNlBmHVZmtxA9cSP8DcLXn6M_gE2HKa7-ZkQCA32CEQmJMvEJM6_MwKeij-qvhg/w249-h400/weird%20food.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi5Xaou-B-d4045-hf3veth4e3PI4EBHivxQNK2jjFoDqoKWDR2rwTZUp7_qWJ9KjD8XLpzKbsomUrjS3o7cUb-dcQTseeQuGyFGtFriTujxVnqX9UIaTaccu8DP2Ksuosz6HbUWuZT5tWeRFeoAjeHkUtRtL7Ame8cILUMSp2b6OFYaViGTlEh5OM2c/s576/IMG_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="576" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi5Xaou-B-d4045-hf3veth4e3PI4EBHivxQNK2jjFoDqoKWDR2rwTZUp7_qWJ9KjD8XLpzKbsomUrjS3o7cUb-dcQTseeQuGyFGtFriTujxVnqX9UIaTaccu8DP2Ksuosz6HbUWuZT5tWeRFeoAjeHkUtRtL7Ame8cILUMSp2b6OFYaViGTlEh5OM2c/s320/IMG_0594.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">From the Instant Diabetes Division:</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Makes my teeth hurt just to look at it.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur_xPQuqvYevLCsgrZYRb79J41VmNNXg_qNolIhFE3FGKGyZP5DQlACpnyXUIAtEQfV0QDt7fWPr3toi9Al_GZyKuaLy45-8n_dtwi_pP_U4rZIOVqyym-i5VhL5vVHBrgmp0q03TE4vqKZpOsXiQ3C07Ylw0PN-RKk1j3Rc_I0uJUhzFj4jZ3iHb5x4/s576/IMG_1490.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="305" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur_xPQuqvYevLCsgrZYRb79J41VmNNXg_qNolIhFE3FGKGyZP5DQlACpnyXUIAtEQfV0QDt7fWPr3toi9Al_GZyKuaLy45-8n_dtwi_pP_U4rZIOVqyym-i5VhL5vVHBrgmp0q03TE4vqKZpOsXiQ3C07Ylw0PN-RKk1j3Rc_I0uJUhzFj4jZ3iHb5x4/w211-h400/IMG_1490.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4ALupqYXjc08QCDfqbqTFrQJ_MOlof50HZtoQC0X084vEOZk7FDsh19740eVsVvUzIKJwj5PjclQVrinxGqjxwxTiHgo31DJ5P9pWZnDZhu_oeGG7bB1mSkg1HAMGaQnDpgk-bI_CLFy0efNOCjLX3Wfo5RapnWCWCfcwCG_C49wJDjAf2oIA3TnC-U/s576/IMG_1491.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="305" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4ALupqYXjc08QCDfqbqTFrQJ_MOlof50HZtoQC0X084vEOZk7FDsh19740eVsVvUzIKJwj5PjclQVrinxGqjxwxTiHgo31DJ5P9pWZnDZhu_oeGG7bB1mSkg1HAMGaQnDpgk-bI_CLFy0efNOCjLX3Wfo5RapnWCWCfcwCG_C49wJDjAf2oIA3TnC-U/w211-h400/IMG_1491.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Not food but food related, a thick slab of himalayan salt.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdP2dOCHwuiKdXj4XeNtTi1O1ZIY9sos4VjoNnyXPsIbC_wRrJzL60ODb4SQDN88lvAzRtB7XzjV7RfeUaE2mRf5Dwle-ER_fZ9Sx1NUEhxrnvNw18y8Lwz1q4zlB-MMXO2-mFKIilQNO7zlwWA7eXluHzZFQP8RJAUrNlC-VbPVjgp0cfHfrQ_7OvMc/s720/IMG_1476.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="720" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdP2dOCHwuiKdXj4XeNtTi1O1ZIY9sos4VjoNnyXPsIbC_wRrJzL60ODb4SQDN88lvAzRtB7XzjV7RfeUaE2mRf5Dwle-ER_fZ9Sx1NUEhxrnvNw18y8Lwz1q4zlB-MMXO2-mFKIilQNO7zlwWA7eXluHzZFQP8RJAUrNlC-VbPVjgp0cfHfrQ_7OvMc/w400-h223/IMG_1476.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Even dogs are not immune.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGm7FFABAGdf3AT_NcOWX0VqnpaKiGSxu05Hsp4KceXYWY4Oz8cEMSodWfhN-XiKCe8rh98ZTZvRbNzgsP1wx-tnwzGwYeV3TyNJNI7Td7CtjkhvIcYXooXMq823qCY-IMnu8tgzRv9nnHrQ2J1z7bZX3HTFmpITk9c5ZYYTPThwVpxQ8CDiHHAXCSEk/s720/IMG_1429.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="573" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGm7FFABAGdf3AT_NcOWX0VqnpaKiGSxu05Hsp4KceXYWY4Oz8cEMSodWfhN-XiKCe8rh98ZTZvRbNzgsP1wx-tnwzGwYeV3TyNJNI7Td7CtjkhvIcYXooXMq823qCY-IMnu8tgzRv9nnHrQ2J1z7bZX3HTFmpITk9c5ZYYTPThwVpxQ8CDiHHAXCSEk/w319-h400/IMG_1429.jpeg" width="319" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">And finally, chickens <i>do not</i> have paws!</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GJyhvhDNDFk1gxwnld_BPct_j9JARHgQYLmUP8d_PLHZTaV1-daCCGI-hqvxD1W-3luI39f1KU6UJtLPop7VfOqcKAI_OpZkkzOzSX8xy64jsyD9R1I-ei4xxjcXeLb4wv-U9USVH8oR-qQv0m0jgtdHKdZkYI-_0aBW06L0w6J0LeFPsErgTHKeTy0/s720/IMG_1550.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GJyhvhDNDFk1gxwnld_BPct_j9JARHgQYLmUP8d_PLHZTaV1-daCCGI-hqvxD1W-3luI39f1KU6UJtLPop7VfOqcKAI_OpZkkzOzSX8xy64jsyD9R1I-ei4xxjcXeLb4wv-U9USVH8oR-qQv0m0jgtdHKdZkYI-_0aBW06L0w6J0LeFPsErgTHKeTy0/s320/IMG_1550.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447321916012029979.post-17990113941455308062024-01-02T11:38:00.003-06:002024-01-03T13:57:17.476-06:00at the beginning again<div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9QhRqKGF-cufrV7MOk2QBzjqJ8HQS2UIJjVElXbBdsPjxkqfTEppHBe2UhLYkjOpFsCCze9Bi6TjBEw7lk3lvY8CXKgc63e4Yo6Hc0_zGSM2YdSXEciFeegQfB9jUWSIPp0MUuiYsCqxC2lV3yWARNqaUThVpa0VteteJVnhGTMbT-5iack_WyiPLQ4/s576/IMG_1547.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="383" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9QhRqKGF-cufrV7MOk2QBzjqJ8HQS2UIJjVElXbBdsPjxkqfTEppHBe2UhLYkjOpFsCCze9Bi6TjBEw7lk3lvY8CXKgc63e4Yo6Hc0_zGSM2YdSXEciFeegQfB9jUWSIPp0MUuiYsCqxC2lV3yWARNqaUThVpa0VteteJVnhGTMbT-5iack_WyiPLQ4/w266-h400/IMG_1547.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">New Year’s Day, our one and only ritual of the year. Why? Because it gives us license to get drunk in the morning. Well, not drunk but definitely tipsy with a nap forthcoming and then watching part of the Japanese Godzilla movies marathon. At some point during the day Rocky and Melissa came by and brought us dinner. They do that occasionally when Melissa has been in the kitchen cooking up a storm.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">New Year’s Eve was louder than usual, many many long strings of firecrackers punctuated with emptying the magazines of guns (where the fuck do they think those bullets go shot into the air?). I never once looked out the window to see if there were skyworks, dog disappeared with the first string of firecrackers and didn’t emerge til well after 2 AM. I was in bed asleep before midnight.</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">My talavera birdbath did not survive the night. Something landed on or jumped on it Sunday night and the dish crashed to the ground though it might have survived if it had fallen in the other direction. The pedestal now becomes a plant stand and I need a new birdbath for the little backyard.</span></p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4kcHbeNffxoraxSb8Gl-n_dG7kh3_E4z2rp0XLFsGDckH65pl2j_43EKnHXsPFOc-qShYr1bTIDC0ro2vYxOr0H-SRoWBBxxw6d-E1bQ5DVaC2xU1HheUAa7ScGmiscM4DFodWUVElsFPWz3DEGKwVxx2RK4IgX4mMlGhHIp2syH65JXcwuiLp8kNy8/s720/IMG_1544.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="720" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4kcHbeNffxoraxSb8Gl-n_dG7kh3_E4z2rp0XLFsGDckH65pl2j_43EKnHXsPFOc-qShYr1bTIDC0ro2vYxOr0H-SRoWBBxxw6d-E1bQ5DVaC2xU1HheUAa7ScGmiscM4DFodWUVElsFPWz3DEGKwVxx2RK4IgX4mMlGhHIp2syH65JXcwuiLp8kNy8/w400-h371/IMG_1544.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Now day 2 my waking thoughts were to get off my ass and start doing stuff, taking care of all the things I have let slide and to start my yoga routine in the mornings again. I’ve been very bad about that since my sister died. And so I did start my day with yoga. Well, not actually the first thing but close. So, clear off the two work tables and my desk, package up the pecans and send them out to a couple of people, box up all those glass jewels and lenses and send them off to the friend I’ve been promising them to for months, and get in the studio and start making stuff or watercolor painting.</p><p class="p2" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">So, Happy New Year, the time of the year when we dismiss the crap of the previous year and pledge to have a better one. OK, works for me. Though this new year will be a break or make year for democracy here. For now at least. And here is a link to Jeff Tiedrich’s <a href="https://www.jefftiedrich.com/p/free-clue-you-cant-fight-fascism" target="_blank">post</a> yesterday because the guy has no problem saying what must be said</span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">I was going to save this for another post but here it is anyway. My yellow angel trumpet started blooming about a week ago. Last year it sent out buds around the same time of year and then an arctic blast sat on us for two weeks and I had to cut off the branches so that I could cover it (froze to the ground anyway but came back from the roots) and surprisingly, they all bloomed inside while in a vase of water and then they rooted and I was able to share the new plants. The year before that it didn't even bud out. </span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVfYLer3amqOR6MkXerS3KDB4X4FsXvoGIvcnVk4N_erMboDR1YrgbJVCxULfPyZrzngOBnzYfqSCtf39SKHF6QGf6IdkT54c9KI3mr-PanC8CiNmAwM9h0lPp-aRR3OZDKexqjhEtMuA2iKqTPk8-4ttS1khqDBsn6X5j3G3Pcb97H9SE6Efd2yhgZ0/s864/IMG_1543.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="864" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVfYLer3amqOR6MkXerS3KDB4X4FsXvoGIvcnVk4N_erMboDR1YrgbJVCxULfPyZrzngOBnzYfqSCtf39SKHF6QGf6IdkT54c9KI3mr-PanC8CiNmAwM9h0lPp-aRR3OZDKexqjhEtMuA2iKqTPk8-4ttS1khqDBsn6X5j3G3Pcb97H9SE6Efd2yhgZ0/w640-h428/IMG_1543.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="color: #353535; font-family: Avenir; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div>ellen abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00535475792150335186noreply@blogger.com29