Thursday, May 31, 2012

Can we say bored?


Yesterday we walked at the park. The weather had cooled down, and it was very pleasant. Then, later in the afternoon, we went to the dog park. In-between those two events, we played the "let the dog out so the dog can come in" game. And then the dog gets a treat....

So last evening I wanted to sit my own butt down and relax. Due to this strange weather pattern, a great many people in our area are complaining of sinus distress, headaches, etc. We've had ozone alerts. Indianapolis does not have a mass transit system, therefore everyone drives everywhere. Combined with the lack of rain and high temperatures we experienced, that can give you some whopper headaches. I had one. It was a real doozy, and when I do get a headache like that, barking dogs will aggravate it.

Yeah. You guessed it. BOTH of them wanted to run around the back yard and bark. What were they barking at? Oh, a bird. A blade of grass, someone walking by, the sound of the train yards to the south, who knows? I truly believe that dogs have moods just as people do, and my two were in a mood last night.

I had to use my MOM voice. More than once. But by 9:30pm, it had finally sunk into those canine brains. It was time to settle and give mom some peace and quiet.

I swear, it's like having kids in the house again. Have a great day.
Linda

Monday, May 28, 2012

The Ducks

One recent morning, I walked out my front door to take some shots of the flowers. This is the sight that greeted me. Please look closely. There is a very young rabbit in the far background, getting ready to run off.

My neighbors hung bird feeders out this year for finches and hummingbirds. The finch seed has attracted all types of birds, including these ducks. They'll waddle up into the yard and peck at the ground under the hanging bags of seed. When finished, they meander on through my side yard. This, of course, drives the dogs into major barking mode. The ducks ignore them. Gracie doesn't like being ignored.

Our entire area has retention ponds inside the subdivisions. I know there is some environmental reason for this related to run off water, but the ponds do attract the ducks and Canadian geese. Consequently it is not at all unusual to have Mallards in your yard. When it rains heavily in the spring and there is standing water anywhere, the ducks will sit there. These two ducks seem to have adopted our little corner. I kind of like it.

That bunny? He/she is one of three young ones, born this spring, that live either under my shed or the neighbor's shed. They play bunny hop, bunny tag, knowing that the dogs can't get to them later in the day. It's just too damn cute to watch. Again, drives the dogs nuts. Personally, I think it's jealousy that they can't hop way up into the air the way the rabbits can.

Enjoy this holiday. Think good thoughts.
Linda

Friday, May 25, 2012

These won't last long


The above are flowers in my front garden. Central Indiana is down over 2 inches of rain for the month of May, so the summer drought has already begun. I am watering the plants every other day in the hope I can save them. I have lost a lot of perennials in the droughts of the past two summers. Sure wish this weather pattern would shift, change, go elsewhere.  Not to wish this on anyone else, but ya know? 3rd year in a row? It gets old. This summer I will concentrate on saving the trees. Far more time and money invested in those babies.

Stay safe this Memorial Day weekend. This day is about more than racing, picnics, the end of the school year. Or the current heat wave. We should all take a moment to thank those that gave their lives for our country, and those that returned after serving.
Linda

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Mine!




When Gracie was a puppy, she played with her stuffed toys without ever destroying them. It was so cute. She would run around the house with something in her mouth all the time. Then she turned 9 months old, and everything was beheaded, unstuffed, torn, chewed, you name it.

Along comes Jake. Male dogs seem to love having toys, and Jake is only around 2 years old now. He will bat them with his paws, cart them from room to room, in general just playing. Jake has a blue bunny like the one in these pictures. The pink is Gracie's. I didn't buy these, my friend Cathy felt sorry for Jake and bought them each a stuffed bunny in the after Easter sale at Walgreen's. Within 24 hours, Gracie had removed both eyes from her bunny and one ear. Jake's bunny is still intact. He is quite possessive of it.

Ya gotta love it.
Linda

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Early Morning

Day lilies under the flowering crab apple tree


I don't remember what kind of flower these are on the south side of the house. 3 years ago I attended a garden tour in Plainfield, IN. with Pat. We both purchased plants from one of the participants. The middle photo above is the result, and this surprises me after the dry summers. Whatever they are, they just keep coming back. When the flower is a bud, it's a rose color. Then the blooms open and we have this brilliant yellow. Very nice.

Enjoy your garden.
Linda

Monday, May 21, 2012

Can we say invasive?

This is the corner of my front sidewalk and driveway. Shortly after I bought this house, I turned up a quarter circle for flowers. Plants have grown and died, so this area has changed significantly in the past 4 seasons. 2 years ago, my neighbor gave me a bunch of lamb's ear that she had pulled up and laid it down on this very corner. I never planted it here. I put the plants in the ground on the south side of the house.

There are no lamb's ear plants growing on the south side of the house. There are big, healthy plants on this corner and in my backyard in a grouping of decorative grasses. Say what? The seeds for lamb's ear must be air born, or birds drop them, or gee, I don't know what is going on but this stuff can take off like wildfire. Everywhere except WHERE I WANTED IT!

Mother Nature has a sense of humor, now, doesn't she?
Linda

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Sheep Herding 101

We all went to the farm for Gracie's sheep herding today. The last few times, Miss Grace has done an excellent job. But she has become bored. This happens. Dogs can get turned off to the same type of drill or training, and just enter a state known as avoidance. In my case, this means Gracie will go after piles of wool, sheep poop, whatever she feels like instead of the herd.

Our trainer, Leah, decided that every dog today would return to basics. Get the dogs involved with the sheep again, make them want to run and round up. No instructions . The humans simply entered the pen, let the dog go, and walked around to change directions, often. Needless to say, my dog had a great time of it. Nothing she likes better than to run and chase two sheep without having to listen to Leah or mom. Due to the heat (yeah, already at 10am), we kept these bursts of activity short and to the point. The poor sheep were feeling that sun as well.

We must have worn her out, because both dogs slept in the car on the way home. Just like kids.

Have a great day.
Linda

Friday, May 18, 2012

Little Treasures


It is garage sale/flea market season, and will be until the first frost hits. I wanted to share what I found in a resale shop in Martinsville, IN. several weeks ago. This is an old high chair made of hard wood. It has been painted in some type of rustic finish, and is missing parts. Now I could have refinished the chair, but I happened to like that rustic, primitive look.

The chair was a whopping $12. I knew immediately what I was going to do with it, because I remembered I had this particular clay pot sitting in the garage. I placed it up against the fence so it wouldn't get knocked over from running, leaping, crazy dogs. They have basically ignored it. And with the pot filled with dirt and the two plants, it is fairly heavy and stable. Yes, the weather will beat the wood up some more. That's okay. If I take the chair in for the winter months, it will survive many more summers, I'm sure.

So the point is, if you want to have a unique accent in your yard, keep an eye out at those garage sales, flea markets, and resale shops for anything that can accent your gardens. Old wheelbarrows, buckets, chairs, bathtubs, I've even seen toilets with petunias planted in them and around them that were stunning. It helps to have an open mind, and if you're married, a husband who will say "if it makes you happy, dear."

Enjoy yourselves.
Linda

Thursday, May 17, 2012

OH, Boy

south side of house

planted 2 weeks ago, already dead. DANG!

Siberian Iris after a light rain

Siberian Iris buds
We are already experiencing stressed trees and lawns. It's May 17th. Just a little early, wouldn't you say? Rain goes north and south, mainly south, and bypasses the central area of Indiana. Here we go again.

In March, when it seemed like it rained every day of the week, and we had several days in the high 70's and low 80's, I had a lake in front of my garden shed and to the left of it. The builder did not grade the yards correctly, and if you get down and look at the lay of the land, there is a depression in that area. Most of it is on my neighbor's land. He basically does nothing with his yard, so evidently it doesn't bother him when we have ducks swimming in the pond that shouldn't be there.

I took this photo of the south side of my house for a reason: by the end of May, there will be dirt delivered to fill in the depression on my side of the property line. We will plant grass seed on that. Leading to the garden shed will be a stone path. The woman I hired is going to use large paving type stones and wind the path around to the front of the house and flower beds. I will then finish planting perennials up against the house, to the right of the path. I think it's going to look unique, and can hardly wait. It is also going to help save my back. Because of the continuing flooding, that entire stretch has become full of little hills and valleys, due to the grass not growing properly. It is hard to mow, and even harder to walk on. The stone path solves both problems.

Last night I planted 2 large tomato plants alongside the garden shed. It would not be wise to plant anything like that in the backyard. In one word, dogs. Dogs that dig. Dogs that chew. Dogs. Sigh. So the tomatoes will grow against the shed and do well, I'm sure. Just for the record, it took me 35 minutes to dig 2 holes. THAT is how hard the ground is already.

Have a great weekend.
Linda

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Vivid

Vinca vine growing in a wood retaining wall



The strong colors of spring. I love the contrast, and it always makes me get the camera out. It would be wonderful if the Siberian Iris lasted all season, but they are on the last of the blooms now. The deep purple is stunning. No other word for it.

We have hit a dry patch already, and that worries me. I have been watering the flower beds and new trees, hoping this is a temporary glitch. If it is a forecast for the entire season, I fear I will lose a lot of plants this year.

Enjoy yourselves.
Linda

Monday, May 14, 2012

Little Ones

Bella, my oldest great-granddaughter now has attitude

Gianna, the youngest great-granddaughter always has a smile

Jake wants to know when they all are leaving
I had company this weekend. Terra and Jeremy brought the babies down. Oh, boy. First of all, little ones are faster than their great-grandmothers. I felt like I was leaping through the air trying to catch either them or keep the dogs away. Gracie was very good, just wanting to give the girls kisses. Lots of kisses. I think at one point she cleaned out Gianna's ear. But Jake....poor Jake. I have had my suspicions since I adopted Jake that he was abused by a small child. Jake is just not a dog for little kids. You can't come up to Jake face on, he perceives it as a threat. The approach must be from the side, and I learned this one night months ago when he snapped at me. He didn't connect, it was just one of those warnings, as if he was chewing the air around his head. So I kept him at my side the entire weekend, or out in the yard. He was good, growling only once. A growl is a warning, and I took it seriously. We explained to Bella that you can't walk up to any dog and stick your fingers in his/her face. I am blessed with a granddaughter who believes in teaching her children, not ignoring their behavior. Jeremy and Terra are totally together on this point, and are doing a wonderful job of being parents. And it shows. Bella, who is only 20 months old, speaks in sentences and understands. She also likes to push boundaries, as any toddler will. But when all of the adults use "that voice", she knows it's time to change the direction and the subject.

It was a great weekend. I am exhausted, still. But this was the best Mother's Day present I could have had. Love you, babies!
Linda

Monday, May 7, 2012

The Weekend

Me and my oldest granddaughter, Terra

Terra and her oldest daughter, Bella

So there are two parts to this story. I was invited to the south suburbs of Chicago over the weekend to attend an open house. My step-daughter has just opened a new salon in Crete, IL and this was to be a gala type of event. Terra, my granddaughter, was acting as a hostess for her mom. This was on Sunday.

It is inconvenient and sometimes downright impossible to take the dogs with me on these trips to see family. Terra's house is tiny, and there is barely room for me to stay there. But being the sweetest kid she always insists that I do spend the night, and she makes me feel very welcome. That means Gracie and Jake, spoiled dogs supreme, get to spend a weekend in the country at the pet sitters. They love the pet sitter. Her name is Sherry and she has a huge fenced in yard with trees. Doggy heaven. We made arrangements to meet in the next town over to transfer the dogs from my car to her car. When Sherry pulled up in the Kroger parking lot, rolled down the car window and spoke, Gracie went into wiggle butt ballistic mode. So excited. Jake started barking. They were besides themselves.

Sherry opens the back door to her vehicle, and in hop my babies. Not a backward glance, no "drive safe, mom", nothing. All they can see is Sherry. And that means they will soon see Sherry's yard. Sherry has squirrels in her trees. I tried to pet them good-bye. They weren't having it. The message was clear: bye mom, leave now. The sooner we are on the road, the faster we can chase squirrels.

In the second picture above, you see Terra and Bella. Bella is 20 months old. Her word of the month (this will probably extend for another year) is NO! And if she really wants to get her point across, it is NO WAY! This comes complete with a hand on her hip. We have entered the terrible two's a bit early. She pushes her mom to the limit, just to see what will happen. But great-grandma? One "Bella, no, do not touch that", and she is in tears. Great-grandma does not put up with being pushed, and I think it's hardwired into a child's DNA to know who they can shove, and who they can't.

Having two great grandchildren at age 64 is a delight. The delightful part is I get to come home at the end of the visit. I love them with all my heart, but help me, Rhonda they are a lot of work.

Have a great day.
Linda

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Really?

I am of an age when friends confide that they are battling cancer, chronic pain, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and various other diseases and ailments. This is all part of growing old. Not a whole lot we can do about it, except to eat healthier, exercise, and try to maintain a positive attitude. I myself have been giving in to a slight bout of depression due to sciatic pain. Today I woke up with a different slant on the subject: I'm alive, there are things I want to do yet, and the pain can just go to hell.

So. With the wisdom of advancing years, I can stand back and look at the drama that surrounds me and say, REALLY? Is this necessary, to tie yourself into knots over relationship situations that are a) none of your business, and b)a direct result of immaturity and way too much reality television?

I have been told that I, personally, need to intervene in a current drama to set things right. Hmmmm. No, I don't think so. My experience has been that the individual involved has to come to right decisions for their life on their own terms, or none of it will be accepted. Will I sit down and listen? Absolutely. Will I dole out useless platitudes? No. Will I take over the role of protective parent, from parents that are obviously too self absorbed to be parents? No. We are all adults. This is the real world, not some fantasy created for cheap amusement. Here are the options. Pick a resolution. Live your own life.

"I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom...Let It Be."
Paul McCartney wrote those words many years ago. Wise man, that Sir Paul. Enjoy your day.
Linda

Friday, May 4, 2012

We're Bored!



I have had problems with my back all week. Let me back-up a bit: I have ALWAYS had problems with my back due to scoliosis, which was a birth defect. I'm missing the second lumbar vertebra, so my back curves like the old "S" curve on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Back to this week. I think the change in weather, particularly the humidity, has caused my arthritis to flare. Combine this with a touch of sciatica, and there you have it.

Consequently, we didn't go for a walk yesterday. I had to get the lawn mowed before the next wave of storms comes in, so I made the executive decision to mow instead of walking. My babies are not happy. My babies are spoiled. I knew the back would not withstand both the yard work and the walk. Besides, it got damn hot yesterday. They (the babies) would not have been happy on a walk.

However, they were not happy with me anyway, because they did get a bath. This is a major undertaking with two dogs. No matter how you do it, the dog that is second knows that the first dog had a bath. No disguising this fact. So catching the second dog after the first dog is running around wet, glad it's over, and secretly making na-na, boo-boo noises is not an easy task. But I did it, they are both soft and clean, and smell wonderful.

In the third photo above, Jake has his blue bunny safely next to him for a nap. My friend, Cathy, gave each dog a bunny after Easter. Gracie's is pink, Jake's is blue. The pink bunny was missing one third of it's stuffing and both eyes within 3 hours. Gracie loves to destroy stuffed toys. Jake's bunny is still whole. If Gracie takes possession of it, all I have to do is tell Jake that she has his baby. He takes it back. This fascinates us, because years ago Cathy had a male and a female dog. Andy, the male, loved his stuffed toys and kept them whole. Abby, the female, tore hers apart and tried to do the same with Andy's toys. The exact same behavior as Gracie and Jake.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: dogs are better than HBO. Have a good one.
Linda

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Sick

Jake
Sometimes you do things for the dogs, thinking it is a treat. And then that incident turns around and bites you in the ass. Today is one of those days.

The dogs and I walked yesterday morning, early, before the heat came in. Central Indiana hit 89 degrees yesterday by 4p.m. After the walk, I took them to the dog park for about 30 minutes. They were tired and content....until about 6p.m. last night, when the second burst of energy kicked in. I wasn't feeling my best, so instead of taking them for another walk I put them in the car for a ride. To Dairy Queen. Yeah. I took two small containers with us in the car, and ordered a waffle cone. The girl at the window saw the guys in the back, and threw in 2 dog treats. So they each had a dog treat with about 3 tablespoons of Dairy Queen.

Maybe it was due to being the first Dairy Queen of the season. Maybe due to the sudden high heat. But I had indigestion big time last night, and this morning Jake is sick. He won't eat, except for grass, and won't play. I see a vet visit in our very near future. I absolutely hate it when one of the dogs is sick, because you are second guessing what is wrong. And it worries me constantly until they are better.

Sometimes it's hell being a mom.
Linda

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

I Don't Understand...




This is Washington Township Park, in Avon, IN. The dogs love walking the rough trails there because mom, being a good mom, lets them go into the creek to cool off their paws. Spoiled brats. We walked at this park 4 times in the past week. See how dense the woods are? Not once did I get bit by any insects.

Yesterday I worked in the flower beds, once again pulling the grass that wants to grow right in the perennials. I have two, count them, two welts on my face from mosquito bites. So here is the question of the day: how can I walk in the woods without incident, and get swarmed in my own yard?

That third photograph? Have no idea how Jake got his leash under Gracie's belly. Enjoy yourselves.
Linda