April 11

I haven't had much to blog about in the past weeks.

Not that it's changed today, but I need to get back
to putting words to "paper" to rewire my brain
and get back to some sense of normalcy.

This morning was trash day and recycle day.

Mundane everyday needs to be removed from the house,

But,

when I looked up, the sky was beyond beautiful.

Makes you want to get up everyday to experience this beauty.

 

So, that gave me an idea for this post.

The small blooms and plants that sometimes

get ignored because of the spectacular

beauty of some others.

Marigolds

Not a sweet smelling flower by any means,

but such a beautiful small bloom.

I googled marigolds and this simple little

flower has a meaning that spoke to me.

It symbolizes the beauty of the sun,

grief over the loss of a loved one, and

remembering and celebrating the dead.

Now, that's appropriate for me.

I grow them to use in making soap, lotion and

aids in keeping pests off the tomatoes.

And yes, they're edible.

 

Impatiens.

This little purple flower is another in the

not so great smell department.

Yes, you can eat it, but the flower petals only,

The rest of the plant isn't edible.

The petals have a kind of sweet taste.

I googled this plant too.

They are called Impatiens because its the

Latin for "impatient".

When you touch the seed pods they burst open.

 

 

Geranium

I only have red ones.

The other colors don't interest me.

This plant symbolizes happiness and hope.

There's also a tie to the book

To Kill A Mockingbird,

in that one of the characters

grew them.

One of my favorite books!

This flower is edible.

It can actually be brewed into teas,

dried or eaten on a salad.

 

Mint

This entire area is a variety of different flavors.

Notice they are in pots.

Mint can be invasive so we

curb their tendencies.

Mint can "cross pollinate" with other species

of plants and tend to take on its "flavors".

Example is planting it next to some veggies,

it'll begin to taste of that veggie

That can result in a good or bad taste.

We keep ours together to retain the MINT taste.

Our mints are: peppermint, spearmint, pineapple

apple, chocolate to name a few.

 

Sunflower

The girls don't eat the leaves, but they'll

east the seeds.

Sunflowers are a beautiful flower.

This plant can be eaten in its entirety,

from the roots to the seeds.

The dried petals make a wonderful tea addition.

That's Nugget with her curious self.

 

Rosemary

We are starting new plants in small pots.

They are looking very healthy.

These are from Rosemary and are literally,

Rosemary's babies!

We have 2 healthy rosemary bushes that were both rescues.

Here's an odd fact....

Rosemary is of the mint family, but it's woody

and evergreen.

Its native to Greece.

It also has edible flowers that can be white to purple.

Ours have small white and light blue flowers.

One of its ancient uses was to reduce asthma attacks.

(don't know the truth of that, but it is

an anti-inflammatory)

 

Hosta

I just love these guys.

They do best in partial sun.

They are edible too!

The Japanese boil the leaves or eat raw ones.

It has a flavor like asparagus.

They have a lavender colored flower.

 

Succulent

I have no idea what these actually are.

The CEO picks a leaf whenever he can and I plant it.

They live in bowls on my bay window sill.

Succulent propagation is simple,

pick a leaf,

put it in soil,

Voilà!!

you have a new plant.

 

This is a close up of a couple of leaves.

One looks like it is dying,

but it's still blooming,

so we'll wait and see how it turns out.

Pretty, tiny, delicate flowers are still blooming on the leaf.

Another bowl of succulents, that go nameless.

Our granddaughter loved them so now we

have a small collection.

 

He's our mascot.

We've had this baby angel for a long time

He's a garden staple.

 

******************************

 

Well, now I'll go back to my current book....

Although I'm reading two,

I never get confused.

Books are part of me,

I did a DNA test,

and I found out that I'm

100%

Bookworm!

Ha!

 

*******************************

 

Just an observation....

I was talking to my grandson in the car yesterday.

When, after a lengthy discussion of his day at school,

he informed me that he no longer eats boogers.

He's 11.

I was thankfully relieved at that statement out of the blue.

Unsure of my response to this revelation, 

 I asked......

"Do you use a tissue?"

"No, I flick them"

"Ok, flick them.... where?"

"Everywhere, like my room, classroom, your car......."

"No! Don't do that! Use a tissue!"

"Oh, its ok Grammy, they are dried"

So, now I make a vow to vacuum the back seat!

We are driving along, still chatting,

and I glanced at him in the rearview mirror.

No!

He was excavating his nostril like he was digging for

lost Privateer gold dubloons!

He was so into it his eyes were closed!

"Stop that!

"Use a cockadoodie Kleenex!"

Then I hear a heavy sigh from the backseat.....

"I wasn't gonna EAT it Grammy!"

So,

just like that I was re-introduced to little boy logic.

 

P.S.

His sister wasn't in the car or that conversation would have

gone entirely different!

Kids!

 

*******************

Remember,

Live life how you choose

because this is the oldest you've been

and

the youngest you'll ever be again.

And don't sweat the small stuff.

Hugs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 28th

My initial prediction that March was turning out to be

a terrible month, was correct.

My beautiful Golden Retriever, Leia is gone.

She had a relapse and her already frail

body couldn't take anymore.

She passed into that Heaven for dogs peacefully

with family petting her and telling her how much she was loved.

 

 

How do I write this eulogy for a pet?

Well, I start by telling you that she was more than a pet.

She was a family member.

So, the grief we all share is raw.

The thing is, she was the type of dog that comes along

once in a lifetime.

She had no thought except to please us.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people were the same?

I used to find myself talking to her as if she understood,

and I sincerely think she did on some level.

Dogs are empathetic to humans.

Its just a shame that dogs don't live as long as we do.

So, we go through this incredible grief time and time again.

 

I thought that I was preparing myself for the inevitable,

but,

when that time came,

I wanted to stop time.

I wanted to hold and pet her once more,

I wanted her to play with her ball,

to run and be her silly self.

It was then that I realized that it was time.

She was tired.

She couldn't do it anymore.

So,

I told her it was ok.

We'd be fine,

she didn't have to worry about us anymore.

and,

someday,

somehow, I'd see her again.

So,

As Pope Francis said

"Eternal life will be a shared experience of

awe, in which each creature, resplendently

transfigured, will take its rightful place."

So,

Wait for me girl.......

 

 

 

March 27th

So far, March is turning out to be not the best for us.
We lost our two hens and we almost lost our beloved Leia.
She had a bout with hypoglycemia, a UTI and an ear infection.
The perfect storm.
She needed help.

She spent 2 days in doggy ICU and 1 day on observation,
before we could pick her up.
She's home mending.
Still having a few issues with standing, but her appetite is returning
and she's walking around in the yard.
All good things.
She has a follow up vet visit on Friday.
Hopefully all goes well.

*****************************************************************

The garden is blooming everywhere!

This is a "Dixie Deb"

Louisiana Iris

 

This is a Dixie Deb too, just slightly lighter in color.

 

 

The front garden.

This is the Louisiana tribute area.

Louisiana Iris, cypress trees and a Magnolia tree.

Native plants do so much better in our soil.

 

 

These are some of my wild Violets.

Their flowers are lavender to deep purple.

This amaryllis is beautiful.

It reminds me of a peppermint candy.

 

This amaryllis is a deep scarlet, an almost

velvety look to it.

 

Up close and beautiful.

 

 

White Dianthus.

These little guys are edible.

 

Red Geraniums.

Edible petals too.

 

Marigolds. I love this little simple flower.

We put them in the garden

and between the tomatoes and bell peppers

to ward off bugs.

Plus, another edible flower.

Win, win!

 

***********************************

Hens.....

They don't seem to miss their sisters.

But

I keep running outside to count heads.

I'm scared if I call and all five don't immediately run to me,

that something terrible has happened.

So far, so good.

We've got trap cages to place this evening.

We'll see how that goes.

I was only able to catch a picture of the actual murderous culprit.

A rather large raccoon.

He's been back twice, but after the girls are closed

up tightly in the coop.

But they still go completely nuts!

They are dexterous little buggers.

Those hands can unlatch the door easily,

but we've tightened security.

The large tom cat was unjustly accused of the actual crime,

although, he took advantage of a quick meal after

Sandy was killed.

Still, guilty as charged!

 

************************************

 

Here's something I never knew about my Mom.

She was a student of the classics,

Namely Shakespeare.

Her quotes never referenced him by name,

but she surely quoted him.....

"You kids are taking FOREVER AND A DAY to get dressed!

(As You Like It)

"I've been cleaning this house ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY!"

(Julius Caesar)

"FOR GOODNESS SAKE!"

(Henry VIII)

"We had to go on a WILD GOOSE CHASE to find those school shoes!"

(Romeo and Juliet)

"You kids are gonna EAT ME OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME!"

(Henry IV part I)

"No you can't have the same toy your sister has,

JEALOUSY IS A GREEN EYED MONSTER.

(Othello)

 

And

Lastly,

 

KNOCK,

KNOCK,

WHO'S

THERE?

(Macbeth)

 

💋

Hen Solo and Colonel Sanders

Their first time out of the warm cage.

December 2016

Hatched in November 2016

 

 

Sandy, following me around the patio.

She was so curious.

 

Henny, taking a breather under a chair.

Such a beautiful bird.

 

 

You are missed by us and your chicken sisters.

Thank you for your lovely eggs.

😢

March 19th

In Memoriam


Today is a sad day on or little farm.
We lost 2 of our beloved pets.
Hen Solo also known as Henny,
and Colonel Sanders, known as Sandy.
They fell victim to a local stray cat.
The CEO went out early this morning to let them out of the coop
so he could feed and water them.
That's when he came upon the torn body of Henny.
We had been only closing the coop door instead of locking it
because the wood expands in damp wet weather and is difficult to open and close.
He saw blood and feathers and said her neck looked broken.
(The sad thing is that these girls aren't feral, they are very docile.
I think their flight instincts may have not kicked in.
The cat that they normally see is actually afraid of them.)
That's when he did a quick heada count.
He only counted 5.
Where was Sandy?!
That's when he and I began a search of the yard.
We couldn't find her and she'll usually come when called.
Still holding out hope, we thought she may have escaped to the front yard.
We began another search.
The CEO opened the side gate to look there, and he found Sandy.
He also found the gray stray eating her!
The stray took off and he gently picked her up, hoping he could save her.
Sadly, but mercifully she was dead. Too much trauma to her little body.
The CEO cleaned up both scenes of our crimes so I wouldn't have to see.

March 17th

Happy St Patrick's Day!
Top o' the mornin' to ya!
Erin go Bragh!
Whatever that means.....
(I looked it up)
It's Gaelic for Ireland Forever!

He has nothing to do with St Patrick

but....

I thought this little guy was cuter than a shamrock.

 

Speaking of shamrocks.....

What's the difference between a clover and a shamrock?

Give up?

It's the same thing.

(I looked it up)

The word "shamrock" is Gaelic for clover.

We know......

they were used as metaphors for teaching about the Holy Trinity,

and......

they became the symbol of Ireland.

Yes, but......

What is the probability of the genetic mutation

from three leaves to four?

(I looked it up)

Seems that somebody actually did the math.

The probability is 1 in 5,000!

So that's why I can never find one!

Plus,

they're all the same color!

Its like putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle

and trying to find a missing corner piece.

Or,

Like dropping the back of an earring onto a shag carpet.

Or,

trying to locate a dropped contact lens....

You get the picture.

That's why a four leafed clover is so lucky.

You're lucky to find one!

 

***********************************

Spring isn't till the 20th,

but the plants don't know that.

Seems that everything is beginning to bloom,

or is blooming.

The gardenias are budding.

 

The amaryllis are about to open. 

 

 

Louisiana iris in all its regal splendor.

 

Citronella blooming

 

an up close view of the citronella bloom.

Its almost orchid-like in its beauty.

The flowers are small and delicate.

 

********************

Potato garden.

The are several kinds of potatoes.

Russets, Yukon Gold's, purple....

A plethora of potatoes.

:)

The blood orange tree.

These small waxy, wonderfully scented blooms

are all over the tree.

 

Cauliflower.

We also have purple cauliflower,

but not bearing fruit yet.

 

Mirliton , still growing like crazy.

 

One of the blueberry bushes.

We love fresh blueberries!

 

The salad garden.

It is great to go pick your own

home grown salad!

It's handier than a thumb on a monkey!

Plus,

the taste can't be beat.

 

*******************************

 

The CEO bought a treat for the chicken girls.

A bag of live crickets!

They're waiting for him to release them

so they can go on a cricket hunt.

Its kinda like ancient Rome.

The crickets are the entertainment.

"We who are about (to be eaten) salute you!"

 

Remember, chickens are omnivores.

They'll eat pretty much anything.

These crickets are raised in sterile conditions

and are bought cheaply at a feed store.

 

 

 

 

Trying to weed the garden.

He's the H.R.I.C.

(Head Rooster In Charge)

 

Nugget

She's on the prowl for bugs.

She's like Aerosmith.....

Don't want to miss a thing!

 

***************************

 

We always have unexpected critters visit,

but this little guy was by himself.

The other oddity is that he was unafraid when I approached.

He didn't move from his dining spot.

Odd.

We thought he was injured.

We tried to look up his species,

but the closest I could find was a

Cowbird.

But.....

I don't think that fit his description.

We just watched him to see if he'd eventually fly off.

He did, but only to the top of the coop.

My hand is inches from him,

holding my phone to snap the picture.

I guess he knew I wouldn't hurt him.

He continued to "sit a spell"

and then casually flew off.

 

So,

In the immortal words of

Lynyrd Skynyrd......

"Cause I'm free as a bird now

And this bird you can not change,

And this bird you can not change"

 

**********************

And remember.....

May your troubles be less,

Your blessings be more,

And happiness come through your door.

Old Gaelic blessing.

 

March 5th addendum

Bulletin:
As today is Mardi Gras, I thought I'd share a picture.

This is my Flamingo friend,

She's with cousins and friends

in Metairie.

What a cute idea!

 

And......

to share more news....

My oldest granddaughter got engaged!

We are so excited for her and her fiancé!

She's the best!

Love her to the moon and back!!!!

 

Youngest granddaughter and grand niece's basketball

team, won the Catholic Grade School championship!

Undefeated!!

She's in the 7th grade.

What a season!!!

Way to go girls!

Hugs and kisses.

 

And...

 another friend's daughter is also engaged,

to be wed in November!

And

her Dad's home from the hospital.

Such good news!

 

***********