Lazy Bones...

Man, these girls sure have landed in high cotton. They have a human who feeds them, cleans their litter box, and makes sure all their needs are met. 

This is a frequent view around here. Claudette on her throne, and Crystal not far away. They look so comfy, I often wish there was room there for me. (Not really, but you get the idea.)

Work went particularly well yesterday. We were really busy, and by the time I got back home, I just wanted to relax the rest of the evening. I took a cue from the little girls.

Today's another day. I harvested some rhubarb before dark last night because we were warned about freezing temps overnight. I'm going to make a dish of rhubarb crisp and a batch of rhubarb scones. 

I'm going to wire the lower wings for my Monarch, too. I'll be back tomorrow to share what I get accomplished!

Wouldn't It Be Nice?...

Comfy Claudette

...to just lie around all day, have someone bring your meals to you, and not have a care in the world? Oh, wait. Didn't I just spend weeks doing that while I healed my new knee? Granted, I was healing from surgery, but the rest of it definitely isn't all it's cracked up to be!

While this lump slept on a favorite spot on the sofa, Handsome and I were occupied washing windows and doing our fall farmhouse cleaning. The weather was perfect for it, even though the temperatures are already starting to drop. It is October, after all.

This morning I have a little pressure canning to do, but I'm going to stitch again this afternoon. I found chicken breasts on sale at our favorite store in Plymouth - about sixteen really meaty ones - for around twenty dollars. I couldn't pass up that deal, so today, I'm going to can them for the pantry for this winter.

Last night, I made a hearty chicken noodle soup using Amish noodles I picked up at the market near my brother's last weekend. They're wider and longer than usual egg noodles, and were perfect for the soup. I made homemade buttermilk biscuits as a side. I had three quarts of soup left over, so I'm going to take a quart up the hill, and another quart to Mum and my stepdad's, so they can enjoy it, too.

Well, it's time to make coffee. Handsome will give each of the big girls their yard workouts, and then I'll bring out the canning supplies again. This time of year, I don't bother to take things downstairs or out to the cabinets in the barn. Most everything stays stacked in the kitchen to save steps. I'll put everything away again after I finish preserving for the fall. Today is not that day. I'll share the rest of my canning list with you soon, and see you tomorrow!

What A Wonderful Day...

My visit with Kathy D. yesterday made for a great day. We shared lunch - I made our favorite mac n cheese, and Kathy showed up with fruit, fried chicken, and homemade cookies! Handsome joined us for lunch and then he disappeared with the dogs to other parts of the house.

Meanwhile, Kathy and I had a great visit. I saw the counted thread sampler she's currently working on from a retreat she recently attended on Madelein Island in northern Wisconsin. I showed her my stalled progress on the bluebirds, and then we just got caught up. 

Of course, I never took a photograph of a single thing while she was here, so that's why you're seeing a silly photo of sleeping Claudette instead.

Late day today, I got a chance to speak with Mum. She's still in the hospital so they can monitor one of her blood levels that's been off the charts. Once that's regulated - thanks to the surgery results - she'll be able to go home...hopefully tomorrow. She sounded really great and is content to wait there, as she's quite sore from all the prodding and poking. It's the best place for her right now. It was so good to hear her voice and know she's okay. I told her I'll speak with her again soon.

Handsome has his last concert this evening. We're hoping there's no rain so it can be open air at the park, rather than indoors at the fairgrounds. The outdoor venue is so much better. 

It's going to be a busy day, too. Physical therapy, a doctor's checkup for Handsome, a scheduled classmate dinner (I'm not sure how we're going to get to that), and then the concert. We'll see. I'm going to make sure I get a good nap in there somewhere, and ice my knee after we get home from the clinic so I can get around for the concert. That's the one thing I absolutely won't be missing.

How are you doing?

 

It Was Just One Of Those Things...

You try to do something nice, and next thing you know, you're in a knee brace and walking with your husband's cane.

I ordered this really wonderful dog bed for Bella. It's thick foam with the egg carton layer and I was hoping to coax her to stretch out on it rather than on the sectional. It came on the delivery truck yesterday, so I opened the packages, unrolled the foam "mattress", and proceeded to add the zippered cover. I think it's perfect for her - or even Carly.

First let me say that I rarely wear shoes or slippers indoors (at home. I'm not a heathen, after all), preferring barefoot or stocking feet. Don't ask why. I just do. The floors were a little chilly today, so I was wearing my slippers.

I carried the dog bed into the living room and placed it in front of the television stand. Then I brought in the dogs to see what I got for them. It was about that time that I rethought the location, and tried to pull it about two feet from the original placement. Somehow, I managed to catch my slipper between the carpet and the dog bed, and I was headed toward the floor. I managed to catch myself on the credenza and it saved me from a spectacular face plant, but not before twisting my good knee in the process.

I threw myself back onto my ottoman and started rubbing my knee as I cursed myself for losing my balance and hurting myself. This was about two hours before work, and I loathe calling in sick, or in this case, injured. I had to suck it up and hop in the shower to get ready to go.

I crated the dogs, hobbled (whimpering) up the stairs and into the shower. After that, I went looking for our stock of braces to pull out the knee brace. On my way out of the room, I grabbed Handsome's occasional use cane. I may have taken took a mild painkiller, too. 

I got to the station with time to spare and worked my shift. The only thing I did differently was sat on phone duty rather than stand. I worked my full three hours and then came home.

 

Here, I thought the dogs would quarrel over who'd get to use the bed, but in spite of my cajoling, neither one of them would settle on it. In the end, Claudette gave it a once over after the girls were kenneled for the night, and decided it was "just right".  So much for that good deed. Perhaps the big girls just need to get used to it.

I iced and heated my knee after I got home, and rubbed my trusty castor oil/frankincense mixture on it. I'll likely do the same today. I'm still kicking myself for stumbling. I mean, who actually wants to have a twisted knee? Trust me, if anyone asks you if you'd like such a thing, I suggest you politely decline. It's a bummer.

Not A Creature Was Stirring...

...and to all, a good night! (l-r: Bella, Claudette, Carly, and behind Handsome on the ottoman, Crystal)

Handsome is feeling much better now, and he wants to say "Thank you" for all the get well wishes. There's really nothing that a little TLC can't make better. 

We moved furniture around yesterday so that I could troubleshoot a frustrating Directv setup in our living room. It seems every time someone sat down on the sectional, the television signal went out. The wiring and signal box was behind one end of the sofa, and it must have been bumped every time. So, I got a wild hair and said, "Time to get this sorted out."

After all the furniture was rearranged, the television was working again...until I went to hide all the wiring. It went out again. Handsome suggested changing the longest coax cable that goes into the receiver, so he went into his stash of cables and returned with a shorter one. I did the connections, and voila! Not only is the connection stable again, but we've got the best picture we've had in ages. Problem solved, room rearranged, and no more dog hair in a single corner or crevice of the room!

By the time this was all accomplished, we were both bushed. We had a light meal and then sat down to watch a little television. My chair is across the room from Handsome's (you can see my footstool in the bottom left corner of this photo), and this was my late night view from there. That's a whole lot of sleepin' going on!

Seeing that Handsome is feeling so much better takes a lot of worry off my heart. We'll continue with the liquid and light food diet until we're positive he's out of the woods, but I'm very happy with his progress at this point. We'll just watch him improve one day at a time and count our blessings.

Safe and Sound...

Crystal

I suspect when Crystal made her way back home from the big city (at least 13 miles to the farmhouse) three years ago November 2nd, she encountered many strange and scary things. City and highway traffic could have led to her demise at any point along the trip. Then there was farm machinery, as it was harvest time. But what had to be a surprise for her once she got out into the country were the other animals.

How do I know? Well, when we start a vehicle around here when she's outside, she avoids it, but isn't freaking out or running frantically. I most often find her on the porch, soaking up the sun in one of her favorite chairs. Claudette (her mama), gets closer than I'm comfortable with, so I'll usually get out of the vehicle and shoo her back to the house.

Crystal is the little wild child. While Claudette is ready to come in the house around dusk and remain for the rest of the night, her daughter is a night owl. She won't come in until well after ten o'clock at night. If she stops by for her five o'clock dinner, she wants to go back out - even if it's to hang out on the porch - until right before we go to bed. Then, she can be found on my bed, ready to snuggle until we're both asleep. 

Crystal

That's our usual routine...unless the coyotes start howling like they did last night. I let both the "little girls" stay out while I worked my three hour evening shift at the store. I came home with dinner, so although I checked the porch right before dark (finding no cats), they stayed out while we ate.

Handsome and I like to watch/play Jeopardy after dinner, so we were watching the show, when I heard the coyotes start howling, and they. were. close! Now that the north field is cut, they are free to run without negotiating the cornstalks. Everything is visible to them, so they're on the hunt from treeline to treeline.

I'm never sure how far the little girls range, but Claudette usually pops out of the rockwall in our front yard when I call for her. Sometimes Crystal hangs out in the compass barn in search of mice. But I know that once they hear those 'yotes, they're anxious to come in. Last night was no exception.

Once the coyotes lit up, I immediately got up and went to the front door. All I had to do was turn on the porch light and open the door. Two cats came bolting for the door with all their fur fluffed up...Crystal leading the way. Neither of them wanted anything to do with the nighttime interlopers.

Crystal ran right up the stairs and jumped on my bed, while Claudette preferred to hop on the sofa to be close to Bella. She licked Bella's ear and settled in nearby. They both went for their comfort zones. Safe and sound inside.

Claudette wasn't feeling photogenic after that, but Crystal was more than happy to pose for pictures. They both settled in for the night. After I have my morning coffee and feed them, they'll be ready to venture out again for a while. Until it happens again.

We suspect Miss Carly is about to be in heat, so that may be sooner and closer than any of us likes. Evening air out sessions will be with dogs on leads, a flashlight and at least a whistle to deter any critter that might decide to investigate. I like to coexist with nature whenever possible, but there are limits, so we'll do our non-lethal best to keep dogs, cats and wildlife in their own lane. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.

Hickory Hill Farm Girls...

Carly (left) and WMBBD Bella (right)

While I continue to pull together my ideas for the Summer Serenade - Bluebirds piece, there were more than a few moments that were just spent enjoying the outdoors with Handsome and the ladies. I'm just sharing photographs of our girls with you today, so I can work on a few things to show you tomorrow.

WMBBD Liljegren's Suncoast Bella

Liljegren's Suncoast Carly

Hickory Hill Farm's Claudette

Hickory Hill Farm's Crystal

A Riot of Hollyhocks...

Ignore the ham in the foreground. She's such an attention mooch! I took this photo to show you the bullies that are again taking over my kitchen garden.

I actually have lavendar, English daisies, delphiniums, and hostas in this garden, and you might even notice there are walk lights in there, too. Of course, you can't see the light they throw because those hollyhocks are relentless. This is what I have to thin out...soon. There are too many hiding places here for two predatory cats, and I need to protect the birds as best I'm able.

So, this is the area I'll tackle this weekend. I think I'm going to add some sort of retaining fencing in front of the hollyhocks that remain. It will keep them from falling forward, and it will act as a barrier between hidden felines and unsuspecting birds. 

I'll show you what I end up with after the weekend. I hope it will look a lot different, and be much improved for the rest of my plants...among other things. I guess I'll begin by taking some measurements and heading over to the farm store for some fencing and mulch. Coffee first, and then I'm off to get my supplies.

A Whole Lotta Nothing...

The weather was absolutely gorgeous yesterday, but I helped out a coworker who needed time off by working her 12:30 - 9 pm shift. I was indoors all day. Inside, looking out. Did I tell you how nice it was outdoors?

One thing I've noticed that I don't bounce back like I did in my younger days. After working from 4-10 pm Thursday last, I needed a day to just rest up. Then, on Friday I lounged around until it was time to get gussied up for our grandson's graduation. We were with family for the rest of the evening. We got back home around 9:30 pm. 

Consequently, I spent most of Saturday doing absolutely nothing. I thought about making hickory syrup. I thought about stitching on my Corgi brooch. I thought about baking bread and rhubarb custard pie. But in the end, all I did was think about it, accomplishing positively nothing. Sunday was back to work for a closing shift at the store, and another day where I have (almost) nothing to show you.

I do have this sweet photograph I took of Claudette, resting among the dandelions. She was watching Handsome running retrieves with Bella and Carly. That little sloth, Crystal, has become quite the couch potato. She's happy to go outdoors with Claudette for ten minutes or so, but then she can be found singing at the top of her lungs to be let back in. (I think it's adorable. Handsome, not so much.)

So, knowing that I'll be working again on Tuesday from 10 am - 4 pm, I'm going to work on my Corgi brooch today. The hickory syrup and bread can wait for another day. I'm not going to stress about it. I'll eventually get to it. I don't consider it procrastinating. I'm more concerned with the self-care that's needed more right now. I know you understand.

Tomorrow, I'm going to share training photos of the girls. The Labradors. (You know cats can't be trained, or can they?) Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow and show you what our Bella and Carly have been up to. They're a blast to watch in action! 

She's Entirely Too Comfortable...

I don't even know what to say about this girl. Claudette loves being in the house, and her favorite spot is on the back of the sectional. From this perch, she can watch all the activity out our north window, and the cushions seem to fit her just perfectly. Our sectional is always covered with quilts to protect against dog hair, but now, it seems we're also guarding against comfy cat hair, too.

I walked into the living room on a recent sunny day, and this is the scene I encountered. How is she even comfortable like this?

She didn't budge while I stood right over her taking pictures to prove this cat is thoroughly happy letting it all hang out. Even being sniffed at by Carly didn't seem to phase her even one little bit. Oh, Claudette! 

I think I'll just leave you today with these visions of a completely contented and amusing "barn" cat.

Tuesdays With Tag - Not Again...

Our view on Friday mornin' 03/12/24

Hi, Everybody! 

This is what we woke up to on Saturday mornin' last weekend. I was not impressed. It's hard enough bein' a little guy around here without havin' to deal with feet of the white wet stuff in our yard. It gives "dashin' through the snow" a whole new meanin', if you get my drift. (Pun intended)

I heard the plow truck long before anyone could see him. That's not fog in this picture. It's all the snow, comin' down so heavy in the wind that we had almost no visibility. Talk about ridiculous! This kept on and off for most of the weekend!

Of course, two fat cats managed to wiggle their way into the house. I don't mind because any time I was outside, I can tell you it was so cold my paws almost stuck to the pavement! The couple times we saw Claudette out of the barn, she kept holdin' her paws up. Crystal wouldn't leave the barn until Mom went out there to tell them they could come in the house. Then, she sprinted her big booty up to the house and fairly bounced in the front door!

I'm so tickled (not really) with our current weather situation that I decided to write a poem about it. Enjoy!

Deep Snow

by Brynwood's Taggart

 

I went to bed when it got dark. The grass was cold but green. 

When daybreak came I went outside to quite a difference scene.

 

 Instead of sun and room to run, the snow was fallin' down,

When I saw how deep it already was, all I could do was frown.

I had to go out in the yard to tend to my affairs, but 

there was so much snow on them, I got stuck on the stairs.

Mom came down and picked me up, she carried me to the door

and once I shook off all that snow, white sparkled on the floor.

It looks like Winter's in full force, but I just want to say

from this ol' Corgi with four short legs, it can buzz off any day.

The End.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... "Always make time for dog snuggles."(Especially when it's cold!)

Last Sunday...

Last Sunday, we went to our elder son's home and found our younger son's family was also there. They all gathered to celebrate Handsome's Birthday, and for the last of our family Christmas gift exchange. Illness kept all of us from getting together for the actual holiday, but this was a perfect rain check.

As we drove into their driveway, we were greeted by the neighborhood wild turkeys. Our son and his family live right across from a marsh and wildlife area, so they have lots of visitors. We've been there in the past when a dozen turkeys just march through their yard. Quite a sight to behold when you consider they're within mere feet of the house. 

 

This trip, not only were we greeted by turkeys, but we were treated to a trio of deer that grazed their way through the backyard, too. In fact, they're quite tame for city deer. Our son's Golden retriever sat on their back deck as the deer sauntered past. We were told that the dog and deer are quite chummy. These deer weren't more than fifteen feet from the deck.

So, I have a little bit of news to share today, too. We have friends whose daughters we've known since they were teenagers. They're now grown with families of their own, and we are quite proud of the women they've become. The younger of the two ladies manages a gas station/restaurant/convenience store just three miles from our farmhouse. 

Handsome and I stopped for lunch one day about a month ago, and she was telling me how hard it is to find people who want to work, which started a whole discussion. At the end of our chat, I allowed as how I'd be happy to come up and help out for 10-20 hours a week, but that I didn't want weekend or late night hours. She handed me an application and we were off to the races.

I worked a week ago Friday answering the phones and taking orders for their delicious Friday night fish (fish fries are a big deal in Wisconsin, in case you haven't heard...second only to our supper club brandy old-fashioneds.) It was a fast-paced three hours of work, and I had fun.

Yesterday was my first day of actual training to use the register, as I took more food orders on the phone, and generally learned the ropes. I worked six hours on my feet, and because we had another snowfall the night before, I wore my boots. Next time I'll carry my Rockport™ shoes - meant for comfort - and change into them once I get there.

I sure don't intend to be there full-time - and I am still preparing for the show in February - but when Handsome goes to Florida for four months at a time, I can go weeks without leaving the farmhouse. The fact that he's staying home this year means that I don't have to fret about having the dogs crated the whole time I'm gone. They stay out with him, and I have a reason to get out at least once a week.

Anyway, it was fun to see new faces, earn a little mad money, and most of all, help a friend for a few hours a week. Plus, on the days I work, I place a food order before I leave and arrive home with a hot meal in hand. I don't have to put thought into what I'm going to make once I'm home. Bonus!

Today, we're running out so I can purchase a heated pad for the barn girls. If we're going to have a deep freeze, I'm going to do something extra for them to make sure they're toasty warm in the barn. They have an electric wax warmer (sans wax) in their insulated dresser up to now, along with a body heat-reflecting pad, but I'll lose sleep worrying if that would be sufficient in -13ºF weather. They'll be better off with the electric warming bed, so that's what I'm going to get for them. I'll have it all installed and ready for them later this morning. 

We're going early because we have another winter snowstorm warning (up to 6") today, and I've been told I probably won't have to go into work for three hours tonight either because of it. We'll be back home before it starts to really accumulate, and then hunker down until it passes. My cats have developed nice thick coats, so I'm sure this purchase is more for my peace of mind than their necessity, but I'm not taking any chances. Then I'll be sewing by this afternoon, as long as my girls are okay outside. 

I've read all your wonderful comments on yesterday's pantry update, but Blogger glitches on me from time to time, and I can't reply. I promise I'll leave comments during the day to answer all of them. Thanks so much for all your kind words. I'm glad you like what we're doing as much as we do. You're the best!!

I have to run now before the weather gets too crummy to be on the road. See you again tomorrow, and thanks again! 

Tuesdays With Tag - In The Barn Again...

Hi, Everybody!

Well, I guess Mom let the cat out of the bag for today. She told you yesterday what I'd be talkin' about, and because I don't want to make her out to be a liar, here goes.

 

It really chaps my hide to see her do all this work for those stoopid cats, but it's obvious she loves 'em and wants 'em to be safe and warm all winter. I mean, she made that insulated cat house this summer for them, didn't she?

 

This is what you see when you first walk into the part of the barn that used to have pigs in it when Miss Shelly was a kid. Ha! I guess it's got pigs in it again now. hee hee 

On the left are Mom's two heavy wicker chairs. She took the cushions off them, but put them back together kind of like how they were last winter. She put a kitty bed, a kitty igloo, and a heat reflective pad on the seats in case they had a hankerin' to sleep there. She also put the board across the top so the canvas wouldn't fall in, but Crystal likes lyin' up there once in a while.

Crystal is sittin' on the chaise that's right in front of the basinette they've been sleepin' in most of the summer. That's were she was when Mom went out to take these pictures for my post.

 

Under the the end window Mom has a big bale of hay and on top of that are a couple cat beds and a blanket so the girls will be comfy on sunny winter days, just hangin' out and gettin' a little vitamin D. The styrofoam coolers were there last year in case the girls wanted to sleep in them. Claudette checked them out, but so far, no takers.

 

 

Another view of the wicker chairs and the basinette. Mom put the chaise there so that she'd have a comfy place to sit to cuddle the girls when she goes out to check on them at night.

 

 

You can see the cat house (dresser) is under the window where it will get the benefit of light (and maybe solar warmth) durin' the winter. She fed them on top of the dresser all summer, but when they came back into the barn, they hopped right onto the workbench where they were fed all last winter. Mom gave in and has their food and water dishes up there again. It will be easier to plug the water dish in so the water doesn't freeze. That's probably a better place for it anyway. 

The blue tarp on the right side of the picture hangs over the little door that opens into this area. Mom and Dad also hung up a big doubled canvas tarp to keep this room warmer when the wind starts to blow. Mom did a lot of insulatin' last winter, so she only had to add a couple more sheets of insulation to close up a few gaps this year. There are two areas she still wants to address, so she'll likely do that this week. It's already gettin' colder, so we're all glad this got done so Mom doesn't have to worry about her girls. 

Miss Shelly said she read it's supposed to be a "warmer than usual" winter this year with less precipitation. If that's the case, Mom won't need to get a warmin' lamp. If it looks like it's gonna be more "below zero" weather, she'll go the the farm store and get a brooder lamp, or that warmin' bed that our friend, Miss Jody told us about. For now, all the insulation, pads and blankets are gonna suit these fur balls just fine.

So, now you've seen it all. Try not to be too impressed. I mean, they're just cats after all. Exercise for Labradors. Annoyin', little creatures that always try to rub up against me. I might be more receptive to it, if Claudette hadn't tried to smack me every time I walked past her when she first lived here. I still don't trust her, even though she tries to be nice to me. Maybe someday I'll let her lie down next to me, but for now she can just keep movin' on.

Speakin' of movin' on... I think I hear breakfast bein' offered, and Lord knows I don't want to miss that! I gotta run.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Be A Good Dog." 

Tuesdays With Tag - Don't Call 'Em Barn Cats...

 Hi, Everybody!

It's rainin' today. Mom and Dad are happy because it's good for the garden (and Dad doesn't have to drag a hose over there to water plants). The furry residents? We're not so fond of it. Wet paws, wet coats, and we have to stay off the furniture.

Anyway, that's not what I want to talk about today. I want to talk about these two. Mom calls 'em "barn cats". Dad calls 'em "welfare clients". Bella and Carly call 'em "exercise for Labradors", and I call 'em "trouble". 

Actually, Claudette and I have an agreement. She quits rubbin' up against me, and I'll quit walkin' away from her. Crystal lets me walk pretty close to her without her hissin', so I guess that's an agreement, too.

So, every night, Crystal crawls into the cat house Mom made out of the dresser (yes. It's currently on the porch). Every mornin', Mom calls her and she comes out the little front door of it. When Mom checks on her and Claudette last thing at night, Mom opens the big door and Crystal is on the upper level in her bed - cozy and safe.

Claudette, on the other hand, still prefers to sleep in the covered basinette next to the dresser. Sometimes both girls are in there, but usually Claudette prefers to sleep alone. Mom gives each of them a little pettin' and then tells them to stay on the porch overnight where they're safe. It seems to work for 'em.

First thing in the mornin', Claudette waits patiently for breakfast, and they're usually fed before us dogs get to run around outside. Once Claudette has her mornin' snack, she likes to come out into the field with us, and she rubs against Mom's legs while Mom holds my long lead so I can run around. I'm sure we look pretty cute out there.

Of course, the last thing on the agenda for what I'm now callin' the "porch pussies" is to try to get in the house. If Dad's not gonna be home for a little while, Mom lets 'em in to hang out inside a bit. If he's home, they're tough out of luck. Mom will sit with them and have her mornin' coffee or tea, but they have to stay outside.

Pretty soon it's gonna get cold enough that they're gonna have to move to the barn. On nice days, they'll still be on the porch (or sometimes in the house), but once the snow falls, Mom will be drinkin' her mornin' cuppa in the barn with these two. 

I don't get it one bit, but for some reason she really likes them. Oh, well. Her heart's big enough for all of us. As long as I get regular snuggles and three square, I'm good.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Be A Good Dog." 

More Of The Same...

 

Handsome and I have worked out a system. He insists I use a cane to walk with him out to our garden. From there, I point and he picks. This was yesterday's five pound harvest. So far, I calculate that I/we've picked approximately 35 pounds of tomatoes. These, too, will be frozen until I can safely handle the canning process in a couple months.

 

 

I managed to spend a little time in the fresh air, too. A rested on my chaise lounge with both Claudette and Crystal to keep me company. Later, Tag came out to guard over me, too. Claudette is getting her beauty rest in, as you can see in this photograph.

This was my view from my chaise. Sunshine and mostly clear skies to brighten my outlook as I heal. The gate across the stairs is to keep Tag from wandering outside our yard, as he usually tries to do. I certainly prefer that no one has to chase him down right now, so instead we use the gate.

Thank you for all your kind notes yesterday. They, too, brighten my day, and are appreciated beyond measure. I'll be back tomorrow to say "hi" and check in. I'm looking forward to a wonderful September. What do you have planned this month? As I'm laid up, I'd love to live vicariously through you, and hear what you're up to.