Not Cool!

You won't see a photo of it either.  I'm scarred for life (as the kids tell me, with a hidden evil smile).

I was on the south side porch, drinking from my water bottle and taking a look downward at a smaller flower bed.  I had already done some front yard weeding and planting, and even planted vegetables in the vegetable garden.  I had been wondering where to start next (thinking to myself and not making any noise).  The small flower bed was pretty haggard looking.  So, I stood and contemplated.

To my left the bathroom juts out from the house, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see black fluff moving across the grass towards me.   It was within 8-10 feet of me.

I screwed my water cap back on, and was about to pet Aurora, when I stepped in that direction, and screamed.   It had walked directly toward me, and stopped at about 8 feet (or less) from me.

That black fluff was not Aurora our barn cat, but a very large raccoon, who by now was looking straight at me.  Of course, I screamed.  I never once have had a raccoon visit me in during the day time.  

Shaking like a crazed lunatic, I ran inside and yelled for my kids who were home.  My son ran out and it had already disappeared.  

And to think I was about to get down on my knees and weed within a few feet of that thing!
 
It may be hunkering down in a hole under the house.  Hubby probably laughed his rear off, while listening to the voice mail I left him.

I'm thinkin' we need to buy a trap.  Good thing my chickens were not out.  A sick raccoon is a dangerous raccoon.  Why else would it be out roaming during day light?  It was noon when it showed it's ugly face to me.

Not cool.  Not cool. 

I asked Hubby, "how am I supposed to plant today?"

"Take a ball bat with you."

   

    

Here Kitty Kitty!

I printed this pattern from the internet.  It's a cat bookmark.  I gave the pattern a whirl.  What do you think?  I did not have fingering yarn, so I used #3 cotton (coffee).  The ears still show holes, unlike the photo, where the ears appear solid, but the kids liked it.  I do need to sew in the ends and and block it.  

I actually made that a few nights ago.  My hands hurt too much to do any crocheting last night.  Yesterday I spent the day doing laundry, and weeding flower beds (with a lot more to weed yet).

I woke up today to rain and the temperature a bit chilly.  It should warm up, and I will be heading out to plant in the vegetable garden.  The peas are up about 3-4 inches now.  I bought Nasturtium seeds, to plant along the squash.  I'll let you all know if it really does repel the nasty, pain in the rump, squash bugs.

Only in our home, will you see a crazy woman, jumping for joy, because her rain barrel is full again.

Here's another kitty photo.  It's Sapphire, getting a drink from the doggie pool.  From a distance, she looks like a raccoon.

Well, it's off to work again.  Raising my coffee cup - Cheers to a prosperous day, or whatever you need (or want) to accomplish today!  

From My Porch to Your Porch

I thought I would share the beauty that surrounds my front porch early in the spring.

Back to Work

The birthdays and Mother's Day are over now, and it's back to work for me.  Last night, the temperatures were to go as low as 31°F.  Brr!  Today, the high is not even up to 60°F, but the flower beds out front, need weeded.  The temperature is to rise up to the 70's all week long, after today.

The roses were a gift to me on Mother's day, along with the new basket filled with garden gloves, a new water bottle, and sun screen.

...and jewelry (and more I forgot to photograph)

...and hand written cards and poetry

...and my son is in the process of drawing me this.  I also received a new book, some coffee and cheese cake.  I have yet to eat a piece.

Both my son and I, and a few others are still fighting off head colds.  I backed out of going to the movies, and opted for crocheting and reading at home.  Yesterday, Hubby fixed dinner so I wouldn't have to. 

Today, I should have a few more stalks of asparagus to pick, and need to weed flower beds.  However, the warm weather planting is just beginning this week.  It will be tougher to fit in my writing time now.   

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!  That's me up on the horse, in front of my two sisters and oldest brother.  Mom and Dad are standing. 

Writing Letters

I've been using my rubber stamps to spruce up plain writing paper to hand write letter with.  I only have one color of ink, and a few stamps, and still I am having fun with them.  I am stamping my envelopes too.

I can see that I will need to save up and get a few more colors of ink and a few more stamps (of my favorite things).  I got these pads of paper at a very low price, and can reuse my stamps for anything.

Mom is getting a hand written/homemade Mother's Day card.  My Aunt is getting a hand written letter this week too.  Anyone else writing letters/cards this month? 

Happy Mother's Day to all!  

Camera Crazy

You know you are camera crazy, when you sons comes in the house, tells you there's a vulture in the road, and you get so excited running through the house to get your camera, and run outside to photograph it (for your family's bird photo album), that the dogs think you are being attacked.  

To be honest, I was too far away, and should have crept up closer and hunkered down in the grass for a more concise photo.  But the heads on these things intrigue me.  

This morning, I took Sadie (one of the dogs) out to do her business, and spotted this little guy.  I've seen him/her flying around the place, and told myself I would get a good photo.  Well, I propped my elbows on the trash can for this one, but a bird above me started squawking, and off went the yellow finch.