a day with Stella, deck wildlife, a man and a gadget

I drove out to Stella's yesterday, she made  salmon salad lunch and lemon tart. Lovely day. Her garden is fabulous. Next summer she may just fill it with lilies and skip the less dramatic blooms.

 The lake is so overgrown with lily pads and some sort of grass weed, invasive , it looks like one could walk on/ across water. Defeats the reason to live on a lake really,  it is pretty regardless and Stella did watch an otter run across her lawn.  

Home on the deck this morning, wild life watch.

moments later there was a  plop, baby in the bucket - my camera was not ready to catch that  humiliation. Baby survived, the bucket of water didn't. I think that a bigger water source would be the next thing to get for them. Of course they would swim in it and that would be amusing. 

another amusing thing- Dennis bought everyone on Orcas this device to save their  lives. I have applied the  Heimlich maneuver  exactly once in my long life-It worked and the child lived. This gadget might be OK if the choking person could actually find it in the cupboard in time. Just as sensible to use the counter but , you know, gadgets have more cred...

Get them while they're hot! Nothing else happening here- the smoke from many fires is beginning to arrive and settle to the ground. air quality is iffy. Advise is to not go out if it can be avoided. 

The sunset will be impressive , as it is when it is fire season.  I will let you know.
 

 

 

 

THEY were here, wildlife in the yard, a wish to say bub-bye

 

Good morning, Saturday. Today is the day that Mr. man returns and the party is over. I have had a lovely low key week, friends stopping by, wildlife in the yard, popcorn for dinner and naps whenever they felt like attacking. The kids were here, I met Ziggy finally, of course I love her! or THEM, I should say correctly.  They went to the island for a couple of days , came here for dinner where we spent all four of our complementary coupons . $80.00 worth. Still the bill was crazy expensive  - the reality of dining out...

 Raining and cold , raccoons on the deck flopping around . The cuteness does not let up. I went out the front door and met three deer, they are so used to us they are not at all bothered. Rabbits in the yard , Tharn( Watership Down), not moving except for nose twitches. I could have pulled their whiskers.- that close!

Lovely quiet - until Mr. Man enters, uncomfortable with silence he fills the space with chatter. I suppose he is  used to doing that to put patients in a more comfortable state. Whatever, that technique no longer applies.  

The Rowan tree has certainly grown well  in the crotch of Mr.s Plum. A safe and cozy place to take root. It is becoming well established with a solid thick trunk.  Mrs. Plum is a good Mother. her life is waning.

The ghost of the Fir tree is also birthing a life form, Phaeolus Polypore Fungi- velvety 

 

I picked a bouquet of edible herbs/flowers for Ziggy to take back to Portland with them. If nothing else it will make the journey back smell fresh! They are so utterly PORTLAND- pierced, tattooed, wearing attire that fits in well within the city. Youth is a wonderful thing!

They brought soap back for me that smells earthy and divine.  "Island Hippie" yes, indeed. Gone are the days. 

How is it that I managed to slip  into "status quo" like it was a sensible thing to do?  I tricked myself. Society demanded , my parents approved (for once in my life), path of least resistance, I don't know , but these days of enlightened elderhood it all seems soul less , predictable and dumb. Not to mention, boring AF. I feel an escape coming on. If my vision improves I may fly away for the last round up
 

ADIOS!

 To  WHERE? London , of course. After the next eye jab I will have a conversation with the eye guy . Could it be possible? Could I get an eye jab in London without fussing around with tests etc.?  OR is it down to  acceptance of rocking chair tourism for this old woman? What is it they say - "hope springs?" Maybe I could take Erik. and Ziggy if I paid for their flights and housing...and food...and frolic in the city. The LAST  round up , indeed! I will have zero $$$ left to live out the Apocalypse .

Talk me down, please... 

 

Small animals, large oranges

 

 

I don't know how to get a video from my phone to here, but this is my stab at it. It might work (?) sorry about the sound. It was playing too loudly - nothing to do with the video . it is much better  on you tube if possible. 

Two little raccoons , too young to be adventuring  on their own, yet there they are. Unusual to see babies alone, worried that mother is out raiding trash  or being coyote lunch  . The little raccoons were  very nervous, they didn't stick around , a few kibbles a quick drink, then the breeze lifted leaves across the deck and freaked them out. Off they did scurry,  but not before the ghostly gull   owned the deck until it lost interest. Gull is larger than they and a hell of lot bossier. Gull -Not friend. 

Dennis is packing up to go to Orcas, to meet the family for a week. The cabins are small and there is not enough room for all of the folks that he has invited . I will stay here and relish in alone time.  he will not be taking his boat this year , still has loads of pain from his butt problem. Poor guy, he so looks forward to this annual event with the kids, taking Advil all day is somewhat helpful, but his mobility is certainly compromised.  The boat is too much to handle. 

Sleeping has become such a production for me lately! The CPap machine that has bailed me out has become  disappointing . I may need another mask, one that covers my entire head. Having to tape my mouth shut with layers of tape, I look like a hostage- A mummy, a burn victim... the efficacy of the machine is waning. What next in this adventure of becoming 80??  Let's just get on with it- I am not clinging to being 79 , telling everyone that I am already  80, getting used to that BIG number and owning it. Like a BOSS!

I did finally  find out what happens to us when we die and this is certain! Flora told me today that when we die the doctor gives us a shot and our Mom's put us in the ground. There is a whole city underground just for us. We play with everyone and all of the dogs and cats. The sparkly god mother and all of the fairies live there too. I asked if there are stars underground, "Oh YES, there are stars- more many than what we got!" WOW, I said, Can't wait!

I came home from Flora and Emmett to find that Dennis had been to his place of worship (cost co) and bought oranges the size of  buses-(orphans for perspective). The bag doesn't claim that the oranges  are Organic ( no kidding?) and do warn to wash well before eating.  The smaller more normal oranges are  from the coop. Only in Umurka is bigger, better.

Last week I caught  a bug of some sort. Still feeling less than magnificent-Maybe the giant oranges will help snap me out of it. Radiant oranges, glow in the dark! Or maybe , it is just being so close to  80!  I really should not be alive!  

Flora asked me to read what was on a 1/2 inch tag. I couldn't even read it with my magnifying glass... 

" Are you the one who troubled your eyes?"  She asked.   

-Inheritance. Thanks Dad. So, luck of the draw, which Flora is too little to understand. I just said "yes, I broke them".

Going to church , finding a saint, SHADE is friend and an old sofa.

Hiding from the sun. It is well hot up here today, I shifted all of the deck pots to the shady side, the heftiest ones are under the umbrella.  No reason to go anywhere today. My car is very old , no air - a good enough heater but no cool air. So it's good that there are no appointments to keep, no emergencies to tend to.

Shade is  somewhat forgiving- the babies have not ventured to the deck today- staying in the forest near a creek, I suspect. The French lavender is having a hey day. Its second coming,  an odd plant.

Yesterday , while I was out and about, I went to church (thrift store) to replenish my soul...much catch and release and a few purchases, some for Emmett and Flora- the most dear  little cat and mouse stuffies I ever did see. I may keep them for a while. I bought a couple of Skookum Bully good dolls in excellent nick. Also bought  a small silver framed  Virgin of Guadalupe because of course!!! If ever I  asked a saint to assist those in need it would be she, to watch after our brown folk, our children, and all of the cute  little forest animals- priorities...

 

From there I went to Walgreens to get hair stuff, surprised to see that it is kept in jail now. Must ask clerk to unlock  and carry it for you to the register. I guess anything over the price  of twelve dollars is jailed. 

On my way home I stopped in at the local furniture store to look at a sofa once again to see if I still thought it suitable.

Old Lumpy has three holes  and a  tear , bought so long ago on sale for $300.00 . The new one cost eight times as much...also on sale! Bloody hell. It  is beautifully made- 100 % leather, scalloped back, curved arms, simple , straight forward,  but  not nearly as much of a hug as old Lumpy. 

Rather sad to see Lumps go- she cradled us through illness, heartache, grumpiness , Christmas mornings , family get- togethers, dogs, cats and kids. A good old friend.   

See the structure of the new girl- like she is wearing foundation garments . She is solid - " sit up straight , feet on the floor. " - bossy. Leather is forgiving though, she will wear well and become less uptight I am sure. She has to , to live in this family. 

Goodbye old Lumpy, it has been swell. I will certainly miss you next time I have some random surgery or the flu or a good cry...you have held so much. Getting emo about tired , trashed  furniture is a new  experience for me. Old Lumpy was like a MOM!

Today is ice cream and bubbley water day. It will not last long, the heat, I mean. What Ice cream??? Already gone! May the Virgin of Guadalupe bring peace to your core, may  the memory of a well loved sofa bring you comfort.  It is too hot today to do anything other than sit in a tub of water and be sentimental.  

 

immature harvest, baby boy, Aspen fire, what would you take?

Cool as a too- soon- harvested -cucumber. Today it is raining and the temperature is about 60 degrees. Very pleasant! Dennis got excited about the cucumber growing so well and picked them!  He is new to gardening....

Emmett spent the day here while Flora went with Emily to a book / story reading. Flora's friend was also there. Flora's friend is rather naughty and influenced Flora to be a wild thing. Disappointing , as the author of the story book is amazing and one of Emily's heroes.  So, they spent their time outside on the square where children can be wild and mother's can chat. 

 Emmett and I played, watched a bit of Bluey, had a bath, ate stuff.

Putting Bear to bed.

A bug

That child's eyes are the most remarkable color! 

Glad it is dark and raining today- peaceful! A good day to sort and clean. Put things in boxes, shift things out to the give away pile, Try to sort out the bedrooms downstairs in case Grandson needs his own room until classes start. 

  A bag full of Barbie wigs from thrift store , too small for the orphans so we scissored them to wear as hats. Barbie has a tiny head and tiny feet... not real, the orphans  claim. 

NOT like US!! 

I phoned my sister-in-law, Dawn,  this morning to find out what ever there is to find out. Their house and out cabins are right in the heart of the Aspen fire that has not yet been tamed. So far 98,000 acres have been torched to the ground, 338 mountain homes - gone. Sister's cabin was protected by the fire fighters because it is right on the creek, and had the creek caught fire , the entire town of Beulah would have been destroyed.  

My niece and her husband had just begun a new venture- A chicken farm, free range , named and loved ...plus home made baked goods, Jams, produce- small mom and pop business.  They gathered all but two of the 70 chickens, four dogs  and Dawn and went to Dawn's nephew's place,  in a safer area, camped in the field, bought a huge tent for the chickens, to wait out the fire. Two weeks of that, now returning to find what is left of their homes. 

In the shuffle,  Cinnabear, the giant red bear that calls Dawn's mountain " home" , got hungry for chicken dinner. Made his way to the neighbors coup and got angry that there was no dinner left for him. He charged the human, the Human shot him. Another bigger bear came out of the forest , sniffed the wounded Cinnabear, shook him, and left. Human went back to Cinnabear and shot him some more to be sure that he would not wander around half dead..  The fire - closing in. It took several men  and a front end loader to get  big beautiful Cinnabear into the back of the truck to be taken to wild life folks to do what ever they do with Bear who make poor choices. Sad. To kill a bear a human has to have a damned good reason- the wildlife folks reckoned it was justified.  No hefty fine today.

The entire Flag mountain is burned , scorched to the ground, there is nothing to hold the soil. Rain is in the forecast... Flood predicted. 

Welcome to climate change y'all. Keep your emergency packs updated and ready.

What would you grab on your way out?

 

 

 

 

foot in the door, pup invites itself in, and Satan collects his man.

Front door opened , braced with my boot in case a mighty wind comes up.  With the door open , no screen door-  a wandering dog  finds its way in to get   kibble and a tummy rub. 

I let her roam around the house for a while, I really want to keep her, but I know where she lives.  I know that She has  a family down the street. 

Reluctantly , she is  returned  to her humans but the next time she finds her way in , I will hide her...she will be mine!

Dennis brought a begonia and a card for anniversary. We went out for dinner. We ate Alaska salmon and a piece of anniversary cake , on the house! They also gave us a gift certificate for free appetizer next time we come in.  Again the server woman, named "Now"  ( child of Hippies) , was her usual friendly sweet self. 

It has been a good day, temperate, sunny and perfect. I cleared the deck from dead petals, I cleaned the raccoon lavatory. 

A lovely day for Lindsey Graham  to have died *snap* just like that. Boom, he's out! Bub bye Miss Lindsey. He sold his soul to the devil, devil collects.

Tomorrow bright and early , if I don't  die in my sleep, I will be going in for another red light shine in my eye.  Hoping that these treatments do what they claim.

Tracy Emin ,British artist, has my attention, always. Her heart and understanding - deep ! So glad for my eyes and the half assed job that they do . Seeing is everything, you know. If Lindsey had been an artist instead of a sullied politician, he would  have lived honestly with heart and affection from admirers... Miss Lindsey blew it!  Got sucked into the orange gas. 
 

 

 

A lot of Flora in the hood

  

We walked to the little street library to drop off a couple of books. She came away with one. A "Frozen" sticker book with nearly all of the stickers in tact. I said"Wow, you scored", she said "what does that mean?" Automatic exclamations usually happen without question. Flora will catch it. She will question...everything. 

Inside/outside back and forth through the day. Doing ALL of the things, finding wild animal - full of cherry pits- polka dotted poop. 

Building a camp fire by the castle with stones, pine cones and birthday candles. She couldn't quite strike the match but could light the candles without becoming a crispy kid. I had a large glass of water near by just in case.  I love her little foot, her little hand pulling the plug after a toy filled bath. Precious. Time is a bitch- So lucky to have some to spend with flora especially at age four and three quarters- fuels the soul! I will be dead before you know it! Fuck off , time!

Inventive child, Flora...She removed the flowers from the tube vase, put water in them and water color for a science experiment, I am not clear what science this was but it worked, she painted foam from a padded envelope, put paper on top and made a print.  Shifting effortlessly  from one  thing to another all day. The campfire was the only dodgy activity of the day. I, as her assistant, follow through with the things not quite quite reachable . "May I please have another match?---May I please have another pocky stix----May I please have milk and a pink straw---Would you please take my children out of their beds---would you please go catch a fish for our dinner"

 I have a great old Ravensburger game "Gone fishing" a favorite of all children .  I had one when I was a wee barn. I made one for  Janet's Liam when he was little, which was a much better version.  The new ones, such as in the photo, are wimpy.

Her printing invention and the >

science experiment. Mind you , all of this done on the Big Blue Dog rug!

Who in their right mind??? 

A Grannie, that is who.  

Flora is so trustworthy and cautious that whatever she comes up with is OK.  Big Dog was not torched nor spilled upon.  

The tiny table by the fire was used to cook the fish.  First it was the biggest fish, then the smallest, then everything all at once. The boot, the can, the treasure chest, the starfish- a  grand seafood smorgasbord. 

 

Suddenly she does not like real food. Unusual for her.

Short bread, blueberries and cream as well as tropical juice and a pink straw. It's a  non nutritious day at Grannie's house.  

I gave her my Canon camera to use on one of our many walk abouts, she took two successful photos. Daisies and raccoons. The other photos were mostly the underside of things. 

Not bad for a child with hands that barely reach over the camera to the buttons. I Swear Flora is the second coming! ( a common claim from all grannies about their children everywhere)

 Dennis's pain is less today,  a  better frame of mind and standing a bit straighter. He cut the branch from the cherry tree just now before the disease spreads. There is quite a lot of light let in having that branch fall to the ground.  

59 degrees today with the promise of rain.  

 Tomorrow is our anniversary- we've been married for one thousand years. Longer than any man /woman in history. 

As stated earlier, time is a bitch. Old things fall apart, get cranky, rusty and generally unpleasant, No sugar coating the final stage of life! It is bloody well NOT romantic,  "we want to grow old together" is a big No, hell NO, notion. 

Off I go to deal with the polka dotted poos, I am poo-crastinating.