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Lise and Toke

Daughter Lise and her friend Toke (TOE kay) seemed to bounce back quickly after their long flight from Denmark. The next morning we walked at my usual time, and neighbor Logan caught up to us. He took a turn holding dog Kacey, who usually does not walk with us.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Logan was picked up by his parents when it was time for him to go to day camp. I took the official photo at the stop sign when Logan had already left us.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Lise lifted the dog up in the air when a car went by to keep her from lunging. That worked really well, although it was a workout for Lise.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

The big event of the day was the removal of an evergreen tree that was attacking the Wicked Wisteria. Neighbor Joyce had approved, since it was on our shared property line. Lise, Toke, Kayce, and I watched from the back porch.

Below is a slide show that presents the big evergreen tree trying to swallow the pergola, half the tree removed, the dog exploring the new empty space, and the bare stump.

  • KODAK Digital Still Camera
  • KODAK Digital Still Camera
  • KODAK Digital Still Camera
  • KODAK Digital Still Camera

The second full day we drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway and ate barbecue on the way home. I wanted Toke to be sure to sample one of the special foods of the South, and he liked it. Mission accomplished!

Weekend Walk with Logan and Joyce

I began walking alone, but neighbor Logan (14) caught up with me at the big bend. By then he was overheated, so he hung his coat on a tree. Though the air was quite cool, the sun heated things up quickly.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Logan spotted a hawk that landed on a telephone wire. I wouldn’t have noticed. We watched it fly into a tree and continued walking. As he turned back to see if he could see the hawk, he said, “That’s Joyce coming toward us!”

She explained she quickly made her morning shake and brought it with her, hoping to catch up with us. The hawk had flown to a wire over Joyce’s head. I won’t bore you with the five shots Logan and I took, trying to catch the bird. I’ve already erased them. On the way back, Joyce was relieved when Logan retrieved his coat. She explained that when she worked for the state, she was warned that if she saw a piece of clothing hanging outside like that, she should be very careful. It seems it is often a signal that a drug dealer is nearby!

Joyce went home, and Logan had breakfast with me. We played several games of Boggle in which he trounced me, as usual. We were cool enough on the porch with the overhead fan whirling above us.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Kacey spent a lot of time on the front porch, finding lots to bark about. When she finally came in, she flopped on the cooling mat. I loved the way she casually displayed her tail.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

A Snake in the Road


I came to an abrupt halt when I saw a snake in the road. I told myself to be ready to jump back if it moved. What kind of snake is it? No, first things first. Is it alive or dead? It’s in the road and most likely dead. Good grief! It’s a stick!

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Coleus Plant in the Birdbath

Daylight was ending, and I hurried to re-pot a few plants. I should have done it that morning while officially gardening, but I thought I could sneak in a few chores that my saner self wouldn’t notice. The old plants had been sacrificed, and their upper stems were in water to root. As I carried out the discarded bits, I saw that one looked quite good. Passing by a birdbath on the ground, I tossed it in so the roots were in water and the leaves hanging onto the edge for dear life. You’ll know how late it was, because I never considered taking a photo of this strange thing.

The next day I planted it near others outside the back porch. The morning sun might be a bit much for them, but they have shade all afternoon. I suspect watering will be a crucial component of their care. I didn’t think about the stage of life these plants are in. Basically, they are now in a nursing home where they will have the basics to sustain life. Old age has ravaged them. Perhaps they will rally to put on a good show, but cold winter weather will kill them. I intend to see that they have the best care I can provide as long as they are alive.

Proof We had a Party

Six of us gathered for the neighborhood celebration of the Fourth of July. It was hot enough that we voted to eat inside instead of on the porch. The others kindly posed for a photo at the table, but I knew something was not right and couldn’t see to fix it. I thought I took two shots and discovered later that I’d shot two miserable little videos. Please give me credit for not prolonging the agony for the best neighbors in the world. Later I took one black frame and added light to it several times. I will laugh whenever I see this, because it was the first time I used the new replacement camera. It’s obvious I need to practice.

It was delightful, as always, to be with this group of special people. We found lots to talk about, and conversation never lagged. The food we contributed was delicious.

To somehow make the occasion official, I took a selfie after everyone left. It took several tries to get the lighting somewhat acceptable.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Happy July Fourth to those who celebrate it!

Emergency Gardening

Kacey was on the back porch with me when she suddenly began to gag. I immediately hooked her to the line and let her outside. She rushed to eat as much grass as she could, so I presumed she was trying to make herself vomit. I sat on the steps watching her and making soothing sounds. Looking inside, I thought there was part of a shoelace there, but there are no rogue shoelaces in this house. The limp thing was a stem from a coleus plant. I’ve read lists of plants that are harmful to children and animals, but I couldn’t remember any of them at that moment. Kacey seemed fine, so we went to bed and had a good night’s sleep.

After walking this morning, I went into emergency gardening mode. I cut the larger plants and put them in water to root on the railing where the dog couldn’t get to them. The lower parts I planted outside, again where she wouldn’t be able to reach them. When I knew the emergency was over, I consulted Alexa. She told me that some coleus plants are harmful to cats, dogs, and horses.

Setting the Record Straight

Neighbor Cindy corrected me in the kindest possible way, but I jumped to the wrong conclusion. She is not mentally defective like I am, being unable to talk and cook at the same time. Shortness of breath limits her, not lack of brain power. She can’t talk if she walks too fast. We will be kindred spirits in that way, because I couldn’t talk either if I went faster than a snail.

I have my brother to thank for amplification about doing things ahead of time or fast. He reminded me that I practiced the piano in double time, something he wouldn’t have remembered if Mother hadn’t laughed about it through the years. My piano teacher wrote a list of pieces for me to practice before my next lesson. Beside each, she noted the number of times I should play it every day. I took that literally and never shirked on the repeats, but I played every piece as fast as I possibly could. Bob said I did an hour’s practice in 30 minutes. Guilty as charged!!

I’ve Outdone Myself!

If husband John were alive, he would be laughing. He was well aware of my penchant for doing things early. He would dig up the old college tales and tell you that I finished term papers the week after they were assigned. According to him, other students despised me for not struggling at the last minute.

Let that old myth live on, but I’ve bested myself this time. I ordered a new camera to replace the one that died while daughter Kate was here. The very next day I downloaded the manual for it and began to read it, although it won’t get here for another week. Laugh if you must, but I want to be ready to use it by the time daughter Lise and her friend Toke (TOE-kay) arrive.

If there are any of you who are always on time for meetings and usually prepare for deadlines early, please raise your hand. There has got to be a group like me around the world. If a true confession is not your style, just say you are raising awareness for a friend. EARLY BIRDS UNITE!!

Kindred Spirit — Neighbor Cindy

Neighbor Cindy came out to walk her grand dog, Edison, as I was nearing the stop sign. It’s always a delight to talk with her, as it is with all my neighbors. Somehow I launched into a long story, and Cindy commented, “I can’t do that! I can’t walk and talk at the same time. Look at you! How do you do that?”

I should have said I was on auto pilot. If there is anyone who can’t do two things at once, it’s me. I’ve walked that road for ten years and shouldn’t have to think while strolling. Now working in the kitchen and talking at the same time is IMPOSSIBLE for me. Recently when one of my daughters was here, I remember pausing dinner prep to lean on the counter to talk. If I noticed her stomach rumbling I might have stopped, but she could have gently reminded me what I was there for. Here is your warning for anyone who comes here for a meal. Be the gate-keeper of the kitchen and don’t let anyone talk to me if you want to eat that same day.

I wouldn’t want to push any of my shortcomings onto another person, but how satisfying it is to know that Cindy can’t do two things at once, either! We should pause to remember Chef Brocket from the children’s TV show Mr. Rodgers’ Neighborhood. In his kitchen, silence reigned. That’s as it should be!!