Saturday, April 29, 2017

Save Me


Annie having small sale here tomorrow.
I still have to be around.
Save Me

Huge Community sale so we're joining in.
I'll be hiding out in garage corner.
Annie says she'll handle it all...

but the money. lol

I have some tree tools, pole pruners, chain saw etc
(no longer have trees)
a small dresser and some linens.
Should be easy peasy for me,
especially since I'll be hiding in the corner 
studio in the garage.

right over here


AND it's going to be cool YAY
any locals who did not get email - we open at 7:30

Have a wonderful day

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

I Have A Problem


I have a problem mom.
These guys are in my bed.
I can't stretch out.

"But you put them there turkey lurkey,
so don't give me the stink eye."

It seems that lately all I have talked about
is the garden and Howie,
but really that's all that's happening here.

I now have 4 varieties of tomatoes, zucchini, 
6 different peppers
and the herb list keeps growing.

Well, there is the reading.
I just finished 20 Ian Rankin "Rebus" novels.
That took me 2 weeks.
Now I'm reading 5 of his other books.
Then I'll be searching for another serial mystery writer.

Both the kiddos moved into new apartments
this week; from studios to one bedrooms.
Both apartments are darling
and I'm so happy for them, just wish
CA prices weren't so ridiculous.
Their rents for these wee spots are more than
what I would get if I rented my house!
Wish I could give them my house and move it there.

My greedy little birds have gone through a large
bag of birdseed in one week so I may have 
to do this every other week, due to cost.

As for the rest of the world..
I'm reminding you guys of the 
&%#$ it bucket

It's still there if you need to vent,
link above or upper right corner.
Your relatives, close buds won't know about it.
I have about 6 drafts on the orange menace
 topic that I never posted. Think I'll
take another look at em and drop one or two in the bucket.

Z

Friday, April 21, 2017

Reading Not Allowed


I just said yesterday that he was such a good boy.
Seriously?
The book is on my lap.
So is Howie.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Howie Playing I Spy


Howie being such a good boy even though
the babies are right there.
They've gotten so big, soon I won't be 
able to tell them apart from adults.


Finished up the flagstone;
didn't get too particular with it,
just so long as it keeps my feet dry.

Added a blue bird feeder under the chaste tree,
it is THE social place to be. 
Unfortunately some pigeons
found it this afternoon. grrrrrrr 

My buddy Carole asked me today if I 
was happy with the yard and I paused 
and thought, you know I am.
It has been one of the 
best decisions I've made,
after the enclosed porch.

Going out each morning for breakfast
 and reading out there just before dusk
without one thought of
"oh I need to clean up the debris,
oh the trees need trimming,
oh what a mess!"

Annie is coming by in a minute to 
check it out. First visitor since completion.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Fledging Update


Update below

These two have been hanging near 
by my front gate for over a week.
We startle each other from time to time as they 
hide, and perhaps sleep,
 underneath my white banks roses and 
take flight as I open the gate.
Tonight they sat just a few feet away while I 
worked on repairing the slate walkway
that was crushed during the 
 backyard work. 

I went out to check on them
 just a moment ago and Mama
was feeding them. I tried to get a shot but Howie 
tripped me up trying to see.
I was surprised she was feeding on the ground?
Perhaps in our horrible winds their nest 
came down?
I watched from inside 45 minutes
 but she hasn't returned
and I've got stuff to do.


I'm sitting right next to 
the flowers, that close to the babies.
The slate repair in progress;
messy looking but those lantana nearly cover it 
all summer and fall anyway.
The lantana were run over by 
machines so they are a bit behind.

Anyway cute as can be.

Update:

So I have since learned that
the parents kick the babies
 out of the nest at around 2 weeks 
but continue feeding on the ground.
Since I noticed these guys about a week ago,
I'm guessing they are 3-4 weeks old.



Here they are this morning under my chaste tree
waiting for breakfast? I hide behind the gate
when I take the photos so as not to scare off
a parent. Don't know why I'm worrying.
I'm sure this is a natural occurrence
around here, I've just never
 caught it before in 24 years, though I hear
grown doves and see babies, just never like this.
A dove has been cooing out there for awhile
but no activity otherwise.



Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Get That Woman Out Of The Garden!


Some boring stuff to you folks who have easy gardens, 
but it is hard here, or at least harder.
Growing up I had gardens with my dad
 and they were so easy and 
abundant that we resorted to leaving zucchini
on doorsteps.

My first pepper is growing but so far he's a loner,
because the plant was attacked by a varmit.


Then I spied these two babies
and I think maybe I squealed when I saw them.


and of course another picture of...
can you guess?



Spring flowers


Wednesday, April 5, 2017

A Good Orange

 Howie and I were enjoying our
morning ritual today under the pergola 
and I look over to my right.
(forgot to show this part yesterday)
This is the walkway behind the 
enclosed porch and the open porch,
 and follows around
to the south side of house.
I spied some orange!
The good kind, not the menace. 



These were not open yesterday.
 I'm over the moon.
I never thought it would work
 so I planted a bunch in too small of space
 assuming maybe one would live.
So I'll either have to train up or replant.
It's as if my green thumb 
long dormant has returned. I have tomato plants
and 1 green pepper.
(that project may be a failure)
Anyhoot I am so happy.


I have a half dozen of these guys 
that travel back and forth along the wall.
They sleep and hide behind my birdhouses.
Howie sees one and dead stops
as if he's a real pointer spaniel.
He watched us all through my coffee and juice.


My project list is growing.
I'm energized by the near completion
of yard, still want to paint the 
dog run fence and I may paint the front
 of the gate into the yard 
to match my front door. I think 
the pop of color will be good.
 I'll get some more posies and
24 bulbs coming soon. 


6 colors - 4 of each
They are a shorter variety
and will front all the beds
 on the side and partial back.
I also bought a fig tree
which everyone says 
won't make it, but I'm determined.

Mine will be in a pot
so that it can be moved to help it survive... hope



I have to paint re-touch bathroom,
 and kitchen cabinets, re-paint garage floor
and as always still purging down.
Got my taxes done yesterday
and returned 15 books to the library,
 and picked up another 12.
I'm on a roll!



Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Share a Cuppa


C'mon by in the early morning
and share a cuppa
or wander by in the evening for 
some red or white.

The majority of labor is complete
and now I can 
putter with posies 
while my two fountains
provide a soothing backdrop.
Here's a first look.
IG folks already had a peek.
















The yard is set up so it can 
easily convert to a dining area in the pergola
with additional tables around the perimeter.

First gathering will be the kids 
sometime this month.
Ben is hinting at barbecue.

Howie and I are headed out for breakfast.
Hope your day begins 
as lovely as ours.

Z