Strange visitors

Deep into the reading of Inadmissible Evidence by Philip Friedman, a most unpleasant odor hit my nostrils and for a minute all thought and comprehension was focused on that horrible smell.   It took less than a minute for my brain to comprehend the source of this odor and I immediately threw the book and ran to shut the windows.  A beautiful but deadly (to the senses) skunk had sprayed its wares somewhere around my porch.  Hubby, with a huge smile on his face, slowly rose from his chair and found his flashlight as he headed for the door.  The puppies had not as yet been hit by the smell, as always, if Daddy was going out, that is where they were needed.   

The puppies came alive and I allowed them to join the outside activity, hoping against all odds that they would not locate said beauty and come in needing many baths which I knew would do no good.  After a quick turn around the yard and house hubby returned having not located anything.  We both settled back to our reading when something caught my eye at the door.  I quickly glanced about for the puppies and found them settled before the fire snoozing.  Again dumping my book I checked the porch and there drinking out of the puppies water bowl was a semi grown opossum.  He didn't seem to be in a hurry and drank his fill before turning to look up at me as Hubby opened the door.  He started to come in for a visit, but Hubby stomped his foot and the little rascal trotted off, straight under the hot tub. 

With flashlight and net, Hubby attempted to relocate our visitor to no avail.  He balled up tightly and was not about to leave his sanctuary.  Unreachable and not causing any harm we left him for the night determined to move him in the morning light.  Earlier in the day I had spent a good bit of time watching several deer play and graze in back of the house.  It was a day filled with wildlife! 

The next afternoon I cringed as the shots rang out behind the house, hoping that the hunter was a bad shot and had missed my friends.  Yesterday, there was a beautiful, if malodorous, dead skunk on the side of the road.  So is life -- here today and gone tomorrow. 

Enjoy life while it is available.  Whether wildlife or human, we are here for only a short time as was those that went before us and none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow here on earth.

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

I Can See

I will write more in depth later - but cataract surgery went very well and I Can See
. . . the leaves on the trees
. . . the small print on the television
. . . the flowers in my yard
. . . the billboard verbiage
and oh so much more!

Rainy Days and Discoveries

It has been a while since we had a real good rainy day.  Yesterday was one of those days and after I remembered how to act on a rainy day, it was so relaxing.  Rainy days are for doing absolutely nothing!  Just plop down, put on your most comfortable clothes, say no to housework and cooking and enjoy - a movie, a book, or a nap.  The laundry called me early, but one look at the overcast skies and the slow drizzling rain and I plopped. 

I started a new author, John Sandford.  I picked up one of his "Prey" books and was taken to the Twin Cities of Minnesota and a group of Indians bent on revenge.  A good read needing only a hot cup of coffee and a honey bun to get me through my morning.  Thank goodness I had a pot of vegetable soup in the fridge made earlier in the week and perfect for rainy days.  The phone didn't ring, no visitors came knocking, and even the pups were quiet and happy to snooze on their bean bag. 

Hubby came in for a late lunch.  After taking care of a little business, he too settled down for a short nap.  We have taken spontaneous trips over the years and are in the mood for another excursion.  Biloxi is calling, but that is quite a ride for a short weekend so that was put on hold for a month or so.  We decided on a new restaurant for this weekend and found a diamond in Steve's Steak and Seafood.

Steve's is located in a strip mall in Macon on Arkwright.  Just below Carreba's and Outback, this gentleman has secrets.  Neither of us tried the steaks, but hubby ordered "all you can eat" catfish for $12.95 and was pleasantly surprised with the results.  They were tender, delicious and very flavorful.  The couple at the adjourning table ordered crab legs and he advised they were delicious as well.  My grilled shrimp were seasoned and cooked perfectly.  The real potato fries and unsweetened cole slaw made a delightful dinner.  A good recommendation for good food and excellent service and Steve came out to make sure the food was up to par.  A trip back soon to try the steaks and crab legs.

Off to do Saturday chores, so until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Time for

January and February are pretty much a time of rest and preparation for us gardeners.  The weather is much to cold to plant anything except onions and asparagus (I don't fool with rhubarb and that is the other garden plant ready to go in at this time).  A point of trivia - asparagus and rhubarb are the only perennial garden plants.The ground is still frozen or will be in the near future.  My "Blum's" almanac advises to get the garden spots ready for the planting season.  Having already done that, I think I will just continue to enhance the mulch and add a few more buckets of ash - spread evenly of course over the whole of the garden area.  I have already trimmed the slender stalks of the asparagus and probably should add a few crowns this year, but I think I am going to stick with the dozen planted last year. 

I have some transplanting of the Chandelier Cactus.  The small little flowers took root and I have 3 fish bowls to divide and share.  I have found that the small glass containers from candles make wonderful little terrariums and the tender little plants thrive in the glass jars.  I can easily monitor the moisture in the soil through the glass so I don't over water so easily and as many know it is easy to do with starter plants.  Nothing is more discouraging than to have beautiful healthy plants one day and droopy soggy ones the next.  Thanks to sis I have a good supply of jars and will get on this project soon. 

The chickens are set for the cold days of January and February except for their daily feed and water.  I will continue gathering eggs until mid to late February when I will attempt to get one or two of my hens to brood. Essie usually is the first to sit and hopefully she won't let me down this year. 

The wandering turkey has taken roost and calls this home.  He has been here for about 4 weeks and is not contained, so he can come and go as he pleases, but has made no effort to leave.  Still beautiful, Mr. Tom would love to get in the pen with the chickens.  He is a big eater and if not fed by 3:30 every day, he comes to the house to find me so his gullet can be filled.  Very demanding he will gobble until I come out to feed him and practically pushes me to the barn.  I heard him drum for the first time this week.  I think that was a sign of aggressiveness and impatience with my slovenness.

As always with this time of year the mood to sew has hit.  I don't have a clue what I will end up with, but my girls seem to like the Mu Mus I wear around the house, so that will definitely be one project.  I also love jumpers and aprons for little girls.  nothing dresses up a tee shirt and pair of jeans like a dressy jumper.  They are also warm and serviceable over turtlenecks paired with tights and as mothers know kids don't enjoy wearing fussy clothes even though they love to feel dressed up.  I have a tendency to sew for comfort, so in the winter it is warm and cuddly clothes and the summer calls for cool and light.  My grandson loses out on the sewing, as I have tried but fail to be able to get interested in making shirts and trousers for guys.  It is pure laziness on my part due to all the extra facings and other parts needed for the nice tailored look I so like on the male.  I guess I could make him a set of scrubs and hope he will take an interest in medicine, but for now he will have to do without.

I have noticed a trend for children to wear tights rather than knee socks.  I loved my knee socks when I was young, but I think it was because it covered my scarred and bruised legs - tomboy that I was, I kept cuts, scratches and bruises all the time.  To me the thick socks seemed warmer and were perfect with my penny loafers or oxfords, but I have to agree that tights are a bit dressier and do better under those cute little dresses and jumpers. 

What happened to cords?  It is hard to find corduroy for women and children.  They are a few trousers for men, but the trend to corduroy has gone with the wind and it is one of the warmer and more stylish of the winter fabrics.  Hopefully it will make a comeback, but I have noticed that more and more manufacturers and designers are going for the denim or knit for trousers and slacks.

I still have a stack of books to read.  Tom Clancy's Clear and Present Danger has kept me occupied this week.  Finished it last night and it was a really good read.  Clancy paints a picture with every chapter and takes the time to develop each and every character so the reader is not left to wonder as to the purpose of the character as the story line comes together.  Educational in many ways due to the detailed descriptions of actions and scenes throughout the book and his stories always make me think.  I enjoy his stories.

Must get to work so until next time  . . .

Happy reading!
Belle