Busy Tuesday

Last night I fell asleep easily at the normal time but woke up 1 hour later with a mildly aching back and twitching back muscles. I thought I might have overdone it during the day but the feeling was not typical of that. The twitching kept me from getting back to sleep—then I finally remembered that I didn’t take my evening pills. That solved the problem. I keep telling myself that I will someday be able to quit taking some of the pain or NSAID medication I take. Although my back is feeling better than it ever has since my surgery, apparently what has happened is my pain is now being managed better by the meds. That last round of Prednisone did provide long-term relief. Of course I haven’t been walking. We will see if walking aggravates it or not. It didn’t seem to before the Prednisone.

So I got back to sleep but awoke at 3:30 and could not go back to sleep. I got out of bed around 3:50 and went out in the den. I turned on the computer to listen to Karen, made some toast and coffee and sat down to plan the day.

I’ve gone back to having a “Do” list the same way I kept track of things at work. As I remember things I have to do I add them to the list. Each morning I can check the list and see which tasks can be done or at least worked on. Today I chose to fix our sliding door (it was jamming just short of closing), build the trestle for the garden, change the oil in my car, return the library books, Run the generator and use the electricity to run the weed whacker, call Dr Silberberg about my thumbs (they are not getting better) and fix a broken sprinkler in the front yard. I got all that done today.

When Penny got up I made her breakfast and had myself a second breakfast and cup of coffee.

Our trip to Las Vegas is coming up soon so I went on-line to see that all is in order for our airline reservations. They are. For this trip we are leaving Jacksonville at 4:55 PM. When we go to Montana later this year we will be leaving at 6 AM. We’ve already given Karen a heads-up on that one.

I’ve got the garden set as close to maintenance-free as possible now. I will have to tie up the tomato plants as they grow and take care of insects but there is no need to weed, water or fertilize. It’s all in there already. The trestle will serve to support the tomato plant and the vine plants. It will also hold the bird net when the fruit is ripening to hopefully save the ripened fruit for humans.

You can see in this picture the pots are covered in plastic and each watering tube has a drip irrigation hose going to it. There also is a trough full of fertilizer, enough for the season under the plastic. It releases slowly throughout the season. I’ve got a dedicated sprinkler line feeding the irrigation system. Currently it runs for 5 minutes every day at 8 AM and fills all the reservoirs. The plants seem to really like the setup. The soil gets nice and warm in the sun under the plastic and the plant has water available all the time. Everything seems to be growing fine. I’ll provide garden update as we head toward a (hopefully) bountiful harvest.

Tomorrow probably won’t be as busy. The weather will be nice and Penny’s back is getting better. We may run off and play tomorrow. Now all I have to do is get a good night’s sleep.

Grey Day

It is a grey and overcast day today—and that is good. Yes, I know most people spell it gray, I like grey. For the past week we’ve had beautiful weather and I find it difficult to be inside when the weather is so nice. It’s easy to let all those indoor chores and responsibilities go. Good weather is precious and one shouldn’t be cooped up inside if one doesn’t have to. So, it being grey today and a completely open Sunday (we did church last night) I made it my laundry and catch-up day.

I skipped laundry last week and went kayaking so today I did the 2 weeks of laundry. It actually worked out more efficiently since I had all full loads, so maybe a 2-week interval is better. I do have sufficient underwear to make it.

I did the other catch-up stuff, paid bills and cleaned house. Penny is still hurting with back pain so I also took care of her needs. We made it a double grey day by watching last week’s Grey’s Anatomy (I like their spelling—come to think of it Greyhound also uses that spelling.). I found the episode lacking this week. I think the writer’s strike made them lose their timing.

I also did some research on things to do in Las Vegas and sent some info to sister Kathy.

Not an exciting day but a productive one. I still haven’t gotten it into my head that sometimes it’s OK to just do nothing and relax. After all I am retired. A lifetime of conditioning to use time efficiently is hard to break. If I reach the end of a day and haven’t made progress on things I “need” to do I feel bad.

On another note—the garden is growing fine. All the plants except the squash seem to like the self watering containers. The new blackberry plants didn’t fare well. The transplant shock and loss of root system made it hard for them to survive. All the new plants look bad. Time will tell if any of them take. At least it was a fun adventure getting them.

Bayou, Birds, Blackberries

Penny’s back is getting better. She was able to get up and around this morning without excruciating pain. I decided to take out the kayak in search of more blackberry plants.

I got the kayak in the water around 7:45. That’s a little later than normal and a good breeze was kicking up. It would be a headwind as I paddled to the head of the bayou. The temperature was in the high 60’s and the breeze was pleasantly cool. As soon as I started paddling I realized my muscles were a little sore from our kayaking 2 days ago. My hands are still giving me trouble and they also let me know that this outing would not be all fun. Every stroke is a reminder I’m getting older. I thought of my Aunt Margaret who turns 98 this Sunday and how debilitated she is. So despite the relatively minor discomfort I was feeling I relished the fact that I made it to retirement and still have physical ability to enjoy the kayak.

About half-way up the bayou I spied an older couple out on their dock sunning themselves. It looked like something they did often since they had coffee and the paper with them. Their yard was huge and one corner of their house was all windows that overlooked the undeveloped area of the bayou. I was happy to see someone who lived on the water actually enjoying it.

Ahead, on the water I got a glimpse of a large flock of birds diving and bobbing for fish. Overhead pelicans were cruising looking for a meal. Periodically one would go from graceful flight to an awkward attempt to stationary flight and then into a screaming dive thrusting its head forward and wings back as it hits the surface for maximum penetration. This attempt was successful and after straining out the water the bird flipped his beak up and swallowed his catch.

When I got close enough to identify the flock of birds I found that they were cormorants, about 50 of them (I counted), closely packed and just churning up the water as they dove for fish. A few small terns also circled and swooped to snatch small fish at the surface of the bayou. Whatever fish were there must have been plentiful to attract such a crowd.

The head of the bayou was shady and protected from the wind. I headed up the fresh water stream where I found all the blackberries last year. The water level was higher than the last time through and several large branches that were above the surface were now submerged. I was more cautious this time, watching out for poison ivy, spider webs, wasp nests and, (who knows) maybe a gator. It is now apparent that poison ivy and blackberries like the same conditions to grow in back here. I’m not extremely talented steering a kayak in a narrow stream. I kept bumping into branches, stumps and getting scraped by bushes. Its was, however quiet and secluded back there. I was resting my paddle across the kayak enjoying being the only person out here when something bumped the underside of the kayak. It actually startled me since I was barely moving and I wasn’t paddling. Thoughts of gator flashed in my head. It turned out to be a big submerged branch lying in wait to scare any unsuspecting kayaker who crossed its path.

I saw bunches of blackberry bushes, many having just bloomed with fruit setting, but they were too large and too deeply buried in the underbrush to do anything with. I decided to beach the kayak and search on shore. The overgrowth was quite thick so it took a while to find a place I could actually get out on dry land rather than squishy marsh.

Once ashore I found 6 plants that I was able to dig out with roots and were small enough to fit in the kayak. I loaded them in and got back in the kayak coming dangerously close to tipping the thing over. I worked my way downstream out to the bayou still bumping into stumps and branches as I went.

The breeze back on the bayou felt good. Once again it was a headwind. It’s interesting that in the 2 hour time period between paddling up the bayou and paddling back down the wind changes 180 degrees. The birds were still feeding as I passed them on the way back to the car. I must have gotten uncomfortably close to them because all 50 cormorants disappeared under the water simultaneously. Poof, suddenly there were no birds! I was happy to get the boat back on the car and head home. My hands were getting quite sore.

I now have the plants in the ground and will wait and see if they survive the shock of transplant and transport. Regardless of how the plants in the yard do I will be heading up the bayou with a bucket come blackberry-picking time.

Missing Wires

I’ve had a bad day trying to use my electronic gadgets. Since I am staying inside today to keep an eye on Penny I thought I’d learn how to use some video software and see if I could load pictures on my mp3 player.

The bad news is I haven’t been able to find my mp3’s USB cable for a month now. I had a working system going on where to store this stuff and I can’t figure out what I did with the cable since I used it last. I’ve searched everywhere I can think—2 and 3 times—to no avail. I gave up and ordered a new one on-line. You know that means I’ll remember where it is now.

More upsetting is the fact that I can’t find my video camera ac charger cord. It’s supposed to be in the case with the recorder but it is not. When downloading video onto the computer you’re supposed to have the camera on ac power to prevent the camera from shutting off. So I didn’t play with the software either.

I’m hoping I left the charger at Karen’s because as with the other cable I‘ve looked everywhere and haven’t found it.

I wonder if these things come in threes and, if so, what the next piece of electronics I have lost.

The Heck With Laundry Day

It was too nice of a day to stay inside and do laundry so we got up early and went kayaking on the bayou. This was our first trip out this season and the first greeting we got was from a pod of at least 3 dolphin that swam close to us, went under and showed up behind us. I didn’t get any good pictures but here is what I got.

The bayou was very still today and made for a great relaxing ride. As we approached the end of the bayou we could see water vapor rising off the water for about a foot or so. The dearth of wind meant that it could rise undisturbed. The morning sun highlighted the vapor and it made for an eerie float up to the head of the bayou.

We drifted when we reached the end of the bayou, not with the wind since there was none, but with the mild current from the fresh water streams that feed the bayou.

The osprey nest that provided visual entertainment last year was gone. One lone osprey cautiously watched us drift by from a branch on a dead tree. The view down the bayou was calm and relaxing. This would have been a nice place to take a nap.

Instead we paddled back to the park and headed home. Somewhere along the way on our kayak adventure Penny hurt her back. I think it was when she stepped onto shore. She stumbled a little. Right now she is back in bed. It hurts for her to move. We’re hoping it’s no more serious than a muscle spasm.

I used the afternoon to mow, fertilize and water the lawn. I also replanted one of the blackberry plants from a pot into the ground and topped off the water reservoirs in the garden. There are little green blackberries on the plants and some new blossoms, too.
Tonight I will do my catch up with bills and paperwork but my main concern is making sure Penny is as comfortable as she can be.

Tomorrow’s big event—I get a haircut.

Bonus Monday

We had an unexpected bonus added on to Karen’s visit. Karen had planned to meet her friend Lauren for lunch at a restaurant in Crestview. Crestview is only 30 miles up the road and is the city where Karen gets on I-10. She packed up everything and was ready to leave when she realized she had no way to handle Truman, her dog, when she was with Lauren. It is too hot to leave him in the car and she can’t leave him outside the restaurant. Penny quickly volunteered to hold Truman and we would drive Truman up there when they finished their meal. It was the best solution to the problem. It gave us the bonus of seeing Karen and Sophie a little longer, seeing Lauren and her daughter Kate and spending some quality time with Truman.

For the first half-hour after Karen left I went outside with Truman. I planted some of the vegetables. He piddled, pooped and sniffed around (I know there are cats here somewhere, I can smell them). We drove up to Crestview before Karen called us (we told her to call when she thought she would be another half-hour. We got up there, found a nice bench in front of the restaurant and received Karen’s call. I sat on the bench with Truman, people watching, while Penny struck out and explored the strip mall we were in. Truman got a number of comments from passer-bys saying he was a beautiful and attentive dog. I think he enjoyed sitting there. He behaved wonderfully. Basically he just sat there with me, quietly taking it all in.

When Karen and Lauren came out we all chatted a while. Little Kate was wearing a stick-on bow. Karen changed Sophie’s diaper in preparation for the first leg of the drive home, we all hugged and she was off. It was a good visit.

Penny had scoped out a Philippine restaurant that was in the strip mall and that is where we had lunch. It was a buffet and both of us ate too much of the good food. Then we walked through Big Lots (our local Big Lots closed so we checked out this one). We finished up our Crestview adventure with a walk through their Wal-Mart. Penny wanted to check out their craft department. Then it was time to head back home.

I still had time to finish planting the garden and I did so missing Truman’s company. I’ve got all the plants in now. Now I’ve got t make a trellis or 2 for the tomatoes and the vines to grow on in a controlled manner. Then, of course, I need to connect a sprinkler line to the pots to automatically fill the water reservoirs. Then I can go out of town for a week or 2 and not worry about cats or plants.

We just got Karen’s arrived safely call so she and Tim and Sophie are all in one place again. That makes a nice ending to our Bonus Monday.

Tomorrow will be another Monday on Tuesday. Since I didn’t do laundry and catch up today that will be tomorrows chore—maybe. The weather is so nice we may just run off and enjoy it. Can you say “kayak”?

Sophie’s Rules

Sophie has adapted well to life as a baby. She is not an infant to trifle with. She knows what she wants and how to communicate it most of the time. I’m not saying this in any negative sense. She’s by no means a little spoiled monster. It’s just after spending these last 2 days with her it is interesting to see her personality come through. As Karen said, “It’s interesting that you can see their personality at such a young age”. (or something like that.)

Here are some of Sophie’s rules that she communicated today.

I know the hand sign for milk and I may use it. I also recognize the word “milk” when it is spoken. When I’m hungry sometimes I ‘m just too desperate to eat to worry about making the sign. So just feed me, already!

I will hand you something I have if you say “please” and cup your hands. Please give it back to me after you take it. I’m trusting that that’s what you will do.

I like it when you fan my face and make a breeze on my face. Fan me whenever you want and I will scrunch my nose and smile showing my 2 bottom teeth. Be prepared to do this for a while because once is not enough.

When I smile and clap hands please join me and say “Ya-a-a-y”. It makes me happy.

DO NOT PUT SUNGLASSES ON ME. I t makes my mood sour having those things sliding down my nose.




Feed me zwieback and graham crackers and I will stay cute for a long time – even when I am overtired because I didn’t get a morning nap.

If you put me in the car seat I’d prefer that you not strap me in. Those straps are so confining. If you strap me in (as you always do) I will struggle to get out all the while I am there. I will not stop struggling even as I fall asleep.

When I am in the car seat do not stop the car for anything. I don’t like it and you should listen to me. If you do stop, for whatever silly reason, I will make you listen to me until you are again moving for a while.

If you want me to smile just pick up one of those camera things. I’ll stop doing whatever you wanted a picture of but I will give you my full attention and usually smile.



I like to listen to my daddy on the phone.




Don’t expect ME to hold the bottle for myself. Why should I when your big hands hold it so much better and all I have to do is direct your hand to my mouth? Remember I am only a baby.

I do not crawl. I’m considering going right to walking. Why should I crawl? I know how to charm anybody into bringing anything I want to me.
My rules are not all me, me, me. I also give back with hugs and kisses and the sweetest smile my Mommy ever saw—she told me so.

A Long, Fun Saturday

Karen is here. She got in late last night with Sophie and Truman in tow. Sophie was good on the trip for her and was in a great mood when they arrived.

Today began with our normal Saturday ritual of going to Waffle House. Now Diane, the waitress there has met our whole family within the past month. We ordered a side of grits just for Sophie. She still likes them.

We didn’t go to Lowe’s after Waffle House. Instead we headed out to Sandestin and the outlet center there. We arrived before the stores opened so we went to Topsail State Park (http://www.floridastateparks.org/topsailhill/default.cfm) and walked out to the beach for a while until the stores opened.

The main reason for shopping was to go to the Ann Taylor outlet. I volunteered to carry Sophie in the Baby Biorne and for the next couple of hours I had Sophie all to myself. The kid likes people. The more people the better. At one point 5 young girls walked by in bright red athletic uniforms. Sophie got so excited she almost kicked me in a place I don’t want to be kicked. Lots of people smiled at her and she absolutely loved looking at herself and me in the mirrors.

Karen got a chance to shop without the baby tying her up and she found some good buys.

After shopping we went to Harbordocks (surprise!) for lunch. Once again we were forced to eat Cobia. Today it was Caribbean fried cobia fingers. They were luscious. They were served with a side of cheese grits. Yes, Sophie got her share of the grits before we left.

After eating we all went home and took a short nap. Timing was right when we woke to just make the 5:30 Mass at St Mary’s. So we did.

After church Penny wanted to go to Joanne’s to get fabric for another quilt. We finally rolled into our driveway around 8 o’clock with a worn-out Sophie.

It was a full day and we did everything on our list of weekend things to do. Tomorrow is now completely open. Karen wants to go back to the beach with Sophie and give her a chance to eat some sand. It was a beautiful day today and it will be nice again tomorrow. Karen is getting the good weather that brother Lou missed.

Filling Things That are Empty

Today’s theme is filling up things that are empty.

Penny’s colonoscopy went fine, however, after the procedure Penny’s tummy was empty and needed to be filled. We took care of that at MacDonald’s with a steak and egg bagel and hash rounds. She ate most of it on the drive home. Back at home she took a nap in an attempt to catch up on the sleep she missed by getting up at 3 AM to drink more Movi-Prep.

The other job of filling up things was the garden containers. Starting around noon I worked to finish making the dozen smaller containers. Then came the task of filling them up with the potting mix. I finished around 6PM. The next step is to lay a row of fertilizer in each pot, cover each with plastic, slit the plastic and plant the appropriate plant in each. There is still a little work to do before I get the plants in.

THE POTS FILLED - SOON THERE WILL BE PLANTS

Karen should be on the road to see us as I write this so, with her visit, I’m not sure when I do garden work this weekend. I’ll just have to try to keep the plants we bought in good shape until I get them in.

I had about 2-dozen worms left over from Lou and my fishing adventures so I filled another little pot with the worms (which were still alive after a week in the fridge) and added some kitchen scraps to feed them. If I can keep them alive I’ll have a ready supply of worms next time I attempt a fishing adventure.

Now It’s time to fill my tummy. After that it’s 5 kitty tummies. Then our day of filling things that are empty will be over.

Lou is in Abilene

Lou called me shortly after he arrived in Abilene. He was amused because he had lost the hat we got him when he was here. He said he left it on the bus and when he went back to get it, it was gone. He then said, “I’m just going to have to wear my blue hat again”.

We tried.

Garden Prep and Movi-Prep

Today is a day of preparation. I’m making my self-watering containers, Penny is preparing for her colonoscopy by drinking 2 liters of something called Movi-Prep. We both are preparing for a visit by Karen and Sophie.

Garden-wise I have now finished 6 large containers that will hold our tomato plants (2 plants each). I’m about 75% through with the dozen smaller containers that will hold the other things we will grow this year. We actually picked up the plants at Lowe’s today. In addition to tomatoes we will be trying to grow cucumbers, green bell peppers, squash, eggplant, watermelon and cantaloupe. The watermelon and cantaloupe are for fun and learning. We’ve successfully grown all the others. In addition we have flat leaf parsley, sage, oregano, basil and thyme. My 2 blackberry bushes are also coming along fine. Now if I have success growing things this year the next challenge is keeping the critters away.

Speaking of critters, the family of raccoons is back at the feeder. They’ve been out there for 3 nights straight. Last night they tried to break into the food bin on the feeder. It held. They did tear up the feeding tray. I’ve enclosed the food dispense area in such a manner as to only allow skinny critters (cats) to get to the food. I’ll see how well it deters the bigger bandits in the morning. The raccoons don’t usually mess with the cats. The cats just back off and watch them until they leave then act as if nothing has happened.

I’m using hot glue to tack some of the stuff in the garden containers and I am now sporting 4 blisters on my fingers from accidentally touching the glue before it cooled. Man, that stuff is hot! I can’t imagine what napalm must feel like.

Tomorrow I will take Penny in for her procedure. She’s been on clear liquids all day and is really getting hungry. So far her mood is OK but we all know a hungry Penny is not a happy Penny. She says that if she feels OK after the procedure that she wants me to take her out for a good meal. She hasn’t said anything about making our normal Friday run to Target.
After Penny is inspected and fed and maybe targeted I expect to make the house straight for Karen and maybe finish my containers and fill them with potting mix. I also ran into town twice today (the first time I forgot my wallet) to get lawn and garden fertilizer. Now if I can only finish the containers I can fill them and plant the garden.

Garage Door Fixed

The garage door opener repair went well. First I went on line to see if there were instructions available—there were. I love the Internet. I found out from the instructions that I really had to whack the lower roll pin holding the gear in place to remove it. The instructions said that you don’t have to be afraid to whack it hard. That was true. I would not have been able to remove the pressed-in pin without knowing that. I would have been concerned about bending or damaging the shaft that the gear rode on.

The repaired opener – the lumps are grease.


The worn gear – the groves were shredded

After fixing door #1 I inspected door #2. It was OK, very little wear and still lubricated. I added more grease and put the cover back on.

Lesson-learned—I need to remove the cover and lubricate the gears once a year from now on. Tax day is a good reminder day. The grease on door#1 had dried out after a decade.

I like the gear drive mechanism in the opener. It could be used to drive a future cat feeder design. I’ve got an old garage door opener motor and gear assembly in the so-far undisturbed storage area in the garage loft. When I get around to clearing that out I’ll make sure I keep it for some future project.

On The Road Again

I brought brother Lou to the Greyhound station this morning and he is now somewhere in Louisiana on his way to Abilene and the rest of his life. Goodbye was not that emotional. He was all wound up and preoccupied with the trip. We got to the station 2 hours early so we had plenty of time to chat—and we did. He will be back in town again in June to work with the local church for 10 days.

Penny and I also went on the road. Penny had a doctor’s appointment in Mobile so we followed the path of Lou’s bus about an hour behind him.

On the drive back, I-10 was closed off because of an accident so we ended up sitting still for a half-hour before being directed off the highway. I asked a very polite Mobile policeman how to get back to I-10 after I got off and he gave us very good directions—twice to make sure we got it.

Penny was tired and hungry before we started back so running into stalled traffic did not help her mood any. Think of how Sophie was in between mouthfuls of grits and you have an idea of Penny when she is hungry (Sophie comes by it honestly). The instructions the cop gave us worked and once back on I-10 we stopped at a Chick Filet to feed Penny. She was happy for the rest of the drive home.

We saw 13 deer grazing on the side of rt85 on our drive south from Crestview. It was still light enough for us to see them clearly. They are beautiful.

Brie has figured out Lou is gone and once again is queen of the realm. She took no time at all to get back to her “normal” self and regular routine.

Tomorrow was going to be an “Us” day for Penny and me, but it may be too windy and cold to be outside. If the weather is a no go it will turn into a workday. I’ll fix the garage door opener, get the house ready for Karen and Sophie and maybe work on the garden.

Finally – The Beach

I finally got Louie to the beach yesterday. The sun came out. It was cool and windy—and beautiful. His first words when he saw the sand were, “ it looks like sugar.” The water was also a deep emerald green. Which leads me to my first 6-word description for Ft Walton Beach. Sugar white sand, emerald green water. That was for Karen.

Now back to Lou. On the beach walk Lou had to walk through a bunch of seagulls. They all scattered around him and he enjoyed it immensely.




We walked about a mile and a half down to the jetties where Lou sat on the rocks and watched 3 porpoise lazily swim out into the gulf. It was so windy it blew his hat off and it almost landed in the water. Fortunately there was a pavilion with facilities halfway to the jetties. Lou can only go about 40 minutes between pit stops. We made a stop on the way to and from the jetties.




I took our picture but forgot to unzoom the camera.

By the time we got back to the car Lou was worn out. We stopped and Publix on the way home and he bought a big bottle of water.

Tomorrow Lou leaves us and continues his walk doing God’s work. He's excited and nervous about going to Abilene and then on to Oregon to see his wife and family. It’s been a nice visit. I’ve spent more time with Lou these 2 ½ weeks than I have in the previous 40 years total and gotten to know who he is a whole lot better. We will miss him.

Sophia - Story #1

I mentioned to penny that this picture of Sophie begged for a caption.

This is what she suggested.

Will this be a story Sophie hears for the rest of her life?

3 Days, 735 Miles

We are back home again after a visit to Jacksonville and High Springs. Babysitting was the primary mission—mission accomplished. Seeing K&T&S&T&T and C&C&F&S was equally important—mission accomplished. Having brother Lou see K&C after 12 years—priceless—mission accomplished.

I’ve been blaming the cloudy weather we’ve been having for the last 2 weeks on Lou. I almost had him convinced. Today we saw the sun in Jax ad High Springs. We drove through some rain on the way home and now it looks as if it will be sunny here for the rest of Louie’s stay. It’s going to be chilly though with lows in the high 30’s Sun and Mon nights. The sunny weather is good. We haven’t taken Lou to the beach yet! I’ve got 2 more days to do that. I’m glad we are going to see the sun. It was fun blaming Lou, however.

We got a lot of Sophie time in on this short trip. This morning at Famous Amos we found out she really likes grits and knows how to communicate that fact quite adequately. Karen couldn’t eat her breakfast because she had to keep spoonfuls of grits coming to Sophie.

Don’t you just hate it when you pass under a butterfly on the highway, feeling some relief that you didn’t spatter it on the windshield, only to see it nosedive onto the pavement in your rearview mirror because of the car’s downwash?

Shortly after arriving home Penny had to go shopping at Belk’s. She had hoped to find something for herself to use a $10 coupon on but she ended up getting something for Sophie.

KITTY UPDATE—All is well in kitty land. The feeder is working and all 5 cats have shown up tonight and appear healthy (and affectionate).

Here are pictures:

The Garden Waits

My gardening is coming along slowly. Other priorities are pushing it out in time. Yesterday I did dismantle last year’s garden and clean up the area where my blackberries are growing. The berries have already gone through a blossom cycle and have little berries growing. A second blossoming is occurring now. I have two plants putting up new stalks that are about 3 feet long and growing fast. That area needs a trellis put in.

I’ve gathered all the containers for the vegetable garden and began making one self-watering pot—but that’s it. I spent the time today running Lou to the bank and post office, finishing laundry from yesterday and checking out the car in preparation for our next trip to Jax. Then I had to spend some time on a broken garage door opener. The door stopped ¼ way closed and the motor would run but not move the door. I took off the cover and found that the nylon drive gear had completely worn out. The opener is 10 years old so something wearing out is not unexpected. What was unexpected was finding that Sears doesn’t carry any parts for the opener. I spent a little time on line and found a place that sells the parts I need. I ordered 2 sets of replacement parts. Our 2nd garage door opener is now 8 years old and is the same design. I figured I’d be replacing the gear in that one soon anyway—and shipping costs were the same for 1 or 2 parts.

Brie actually rubbed Lou’s hand this morning and then walked away. She’s still nervous but is beginning to accept him.

I got a little worried about brother Lou today. I took him to the bank and it was as if he never was in a bank before. He has no understanding of how things work and gets confused easily when something is explained to him. Added to that is his lack of ability to plan ahead for anything. He only thinks of something he needs or has to do when he is at the store or business that does it. That goes for groceries, errands and today when we were at the bank I found out he needed information about how to set up a bank account as a non-profit or charity organization. When we arrived at the bank he took a piece of paper and went to a table in the bank and started his list of what he had to do there. Last week I had to show him how to use an ATM – it was the first time he ever used one. We suggested he have his ATT bill paid automatically but he doesn’t want to. It’s almost as if he were a little child out in the world.

We try to help him and he is learning some—but I still worry for him. Will he manage OK without someone looking out for him? His trust is that God will take care of him. We’ve seen him do some amazing things. Seeing Lou in the bank and post office today was just worrisome. Being out on the road he has to know how to work those basic services to communicate and manage his money. Keep him in your prayers.

Timberlake Pond and This Years Garden

Lou and I fished at Timberlake Pond on the Eglin AFB Reservation today. The pond is fewer than 4 miles from the house. I don’t think I’ve been out to the pond since we went out there to release Christy’s turtle “Klink”. That was probably 15 or 20 years ago. Thet have added a couple of running trails for a total of a 3-mile loop and the road to the pond is now clay and stone instead of sand. There used to be a real possibility of getting stuck on the old sand road—one reason I haven’t gone back in a while. It was a relaxing peaceful place this morning. We got there around 8 o’clock and had our own “private” lake until about 10:30 when a guy drove up with a fishing kayak in his pickup truck and joined us in fishing. The only other people we saw were a couple walking their 2 dogs. I was surprised that we couldn’t hear traffic noise from the main road (about a mile away). When we kayak in the bayou we hear the road noise clearly. The pond was string-a-hammock-and-take-a-nap quiet. Just nature sounds were heard—Birds, frogs and an occasional bomb going off on the reservation.

So, how did the fishing trip go? We caught a bunch of fish but they were all little. Lou caught the biggest fish and the biggest branch. We lost count of the exact number but between the 2 of us we had in the range of 10-15 fish—all sunfish (bream). Lou caught about 10.

We quit around 1 o’clock. It was pleasant only having to dive 10 minutes to get home.

I’ve been planning this year’s garden and have decided to make self-watering containers this year similar to the ones Rubbermaid used to sell, only scaled up to tomato size. Basically the container will have a water reservoir at the bottom allowing the plant as much water as it wants. Tomorrow I begin setting things up. I’ll be about 2 weeks behind the growing season when I finally get the plants in.

KITTY UPDATE—Marmalade has been gone for 3 days but this morning she was out there making the full compliment of 5. Everyone appears to be healthy. Since we’ve been in town for a while now the 4 “kittens” have consistently been here both in the mornings and in the evenings. Brie actually came out into the den while Louie was there. She still dashes back into the bedroom with the slightest noise. She really likes her water fountain.

Impulsive Friday

We started our Friday in the normal manner—Target. I remembered that sister Kathy had tasked us with finding Lou a better hat so that is something we decided to look for at Target. We found a couple that looked good on him. He chose a cloth hat over a straw hat for comfort and ease of use while traveling. We think it is a big improvement over his blue hat. Here is a picture—you be the judge.

I have never been able to find a hat that looked even partially acceptable on my head. Last weekend when Christian was here he was wearing a hat style that we thought might work. We saw a similar hat at Target. Since I am getting thinner on top I’m going to have to get in the habit of covering my head. So I tried on the hat and…. it actually worked (I think). So—impulse #1, I got a hat. Here is a picture. Thanks for the inspiration Christian.

After Target we were going to head right home, however, Penny suggested we go out to Barnes and Noble in Destin (impulse). Lou was looking for some inspirational children’s books and Target didn’t have any. Target did have a couple of books Penny liked for Sophie (impulse) and now we own them.

We headed out to B&N. While there we found several audio books at a good price for us (impulse). We needed to buy cat food at Petsmart so that came next. Poor Brie has been spending most of her time in our bedroom instead of sitting in her window watching the backyard. With Lou in the house she is afraid to venture out. I guess I feel sorry for her because while in Petsmart I decided to buy her a kitty drinking fountain (impulse). I’ve wanted to get one for a while because I think they are neat but I couldn’t get past the price tag. Today they were on sale and since we were being impulsive I got it.

Since we were already in Destin and we had a visitor with us it almost seemed natural to go to Harbordocks for lunch (I’ll still label it as an impulse). Lou treated us and we were fortunate enough to be there when they had Cobia. Lou and I had the Cobia and it was fantastic. Lou, who 1 month ago had Grouper for the first time and said it was the best fish he ever had now said the Cobia was better than the Grouper. He’s going to be so spoiled with Florida that he’s going to want to live here soon. Florida is like that.

On the way home Penny asked to stop at a linen sale (impulse) that we saw on Eglin Pkwy.

Back at home I set up the water fountain for Brie and she promptly had a drink. She started by tapping the stream of water with her paw and then licking the water off of it. Eventually she just leaned in and drank from the stream. It was satisfying to see her take right to it like that. It gave her a little diversion from the intrusion of her territory that is occurring.

Tomorrow is Waffle House Saturday (NOT an impulse).

Hurricane Lake Part Deux




the lake



Lou and I spent the whole day fishing. We left home at 6:30 AM and got home at 6 PM. I hauled the rowboat with us on the trailer and we trolled and fished Hurricane Lake all day. The lake is a nice natural get-away. All day we were dodging turtles and ducks. We could hear bullfrogs bellowing periodically and we heard a very loud noisy bird several times but never saw what it was. In addition to the relaxing setting we also caught (and released) some fish.






the boat



Lou and I caught 3 apiece. I caught a bream, bluegill and bass (and lost 2 other bass). Lou caught 3 bass. We caught, we photographed, we released.



























the fish



We caught 5 of the 6 fish after 2 o’clock and lost track of the time. We were still on the water at 4:30 and the lake is an hour drive from home. To make matters worse there is no cell phone service out there so I couldn’t tell Penny we were OK and not to worry. Penny was not happy—she got worried.

After sitting in the little boat all day both of us were sore and beat. I’m just not as young and flexible as I used to be. Lou has 7 years and some additional pounds on me so he was very stiff by the time we got home. He enjoyed the day and thanked me for taking him.

I went to bed at 9 o’clock and fell asleep right away.

Fishing Preparation.

Lou and I are going to go fish Hurricane Lake again tomorrow—this time from the Jon boat (if it doesn’t leak). I haven’t had the boat out in many years.

Today we first went to the bus station to change Lou’s departure date. It turns out that You can show up for the bus any day you want. If it is a different day than the tickets were purchased for they charge you a $15 change fee.

Next we stopped at the tax collector’s and renewed the boat registration.. Then we went out to the Jackson Guard station and got recreation permits and fishing permits for the Eglin AFB reservation. Lou and I can try out some fishing spots closer to home and Penny and I can kayak on the lakes out there.

We got some more bait worms and some hooks that Lou wanted. Back at home I loaded the boat on the trailer and hooked it to the car. Now all we have to do in the morning is make our lunch, put some ice in the cooler and head out.

While I was running all over town the well guy finished installing the new lawn pump.

All-in-all a productive day.

Monday on Tuesday

Since I took yesterday off and went fishing Tuesday became my Monday laundry and catch-up day. We combined our laundry with Lou’s and washed everything today. It was supposed to rain today. That would have made Tuesday a quasi-rainy-day-and-Monday.

I also dusted off the trolling motor I’ve had sitting idle in the garage for the last 15 years and hooked it up to the batteries I have to see if I had a viable propulsion system for the rowboat. It worked fine and the batteries both are strong enough to keep it running for hours. I usually replace our car batteries when they are 3 years old. I keep the old battery and buy and install a new one myself. I currently have 2 batteries that were in the cars 3 years. I keep them attached to a battery charger to keep them fully charged. I leave one on t he charger for 3-4 weeks and then switch the charger to the other. I’ve been doing this for years now and I really didn’t know how good the batteries were. The idea was to use them with the trolling motor when I finally got around to it again. Lou gave me reason to get around to it. We will likely go back to hurricane lake on Thursday with the Jon boat in tow. I also sanded and varnished the oars for the boat, something I haven’t done in the 35 years I’ve had them.

Lou found out today that he can’t go to Abilene early. He now will be here through the 15th—we have him for 2 more weeks.

Our good ol’ lawn pump lost its prime this week. I can either replace the well foot for $450 or put in a new (and better) pump for $850. Of course the pump guy recommended the new pump—surprise,surprise. This is the same guy who drilled the well 8(?) years ago. He’s your typical good-ol-boy and has been doing wells for longer than anyone else in the area. He did a good job for us last time and he was OK with pricing so I trust him—sort of. So we are getting the new 2-stage jet pump to replace the “antique” 1-stage pump we currently have. At least we received same-day service when we called him.

Tomorrow we do some running around. We hit the bus station to change Lou’s ticket, the tax collector to register the rowboat again (after 13 years) and maybe get permits to fish on the Eglin reservation. Now they are saying it might rain tomorrow.