Kitty Cats

Katie and Andrew walked down to my house for exercise.  The little kitty cats came along for the ride.  One rode in Katie's sweat jacket pocket.....

 

And, this one was clinging tightly to her shoulder.

New Home

Rudy, Christy, and the grands moved in to their new home a couple of months ago.  During my recent stay with them I took a few pictures.  

Gracie has a bright and cheery bedroom.

The dining room is beautiful.

 

 Gillan's bedroom is decorated with guitars....he is a guitar kind of guy.

The kitchen is totally awesome.

 

The grands are at the front door ready for school.

They have the best of both worlds.  They got out of town, but not too far.  Nice country environment with dairy cows to the left of their home - a distant view.  And beautiful black beef cows can be seen in the distant front view.  Close enough to see, but not so close as to smell.  They don't have to tend to them, only enjoy the scene.  They have enough land for a nice yard and extra for some animals if they choose.  I am so happy for them.

Nest Watching

I found this bird nest in an unusual place a few days ago.  It was carefully weaved right on my patio table on the back porch.  Nested, no pun intended - between a large ceramic flower pot and a ceramic candle lantern and against the brick wall.  The nest will be very protected there.  I love to watch the activity of nest building, birds working, and eggs.  The nest stayed empty for a day or two after I found it.  One morning I checked for eggs and the nest was still empty.  Then in a few hours, there it was...the first egg.  

A few hours later, I checked the nest again.....no additional eggs.  Then I checked again about 20 minutes later...you know that obsessive personality I have...bingo, another egg.  And, then there were two.

 

It was another day before there was a third egg.

I finally got a glimpse of the bird with vested interest in the nest, but even my zoom lens could not get a close look.  The mother or father is sitting out on  top of the propane tank lid.  You will have to look closely to see it.

To be continued......

Yes, I am back.  And then, Sunday afternoon there were four.

The parent birds....I guess, have been sweeping in and out of the nest.  I just have to take a peek often to see that the eggs are intact.  When I open the back door a big bird swoops out of the nest and off of the porch and joins another bird, and together they make a lot of squawking out in the yard.  I'll be watching and give you an update as the events heighten. 

 May, 19 - A closer look at one of the nest sitters.

Dogs, Cats, and Kids

You may remember the dog below, "Gabby" who was nearly mortally wounded by a pack of coyotes.  She had just moved to the country with her family.  Well, she is my grand-dog and she is all healed up now.  It has been no secret that the stinky,  little bug-eyed dog has not been one of my favorite pet friends.  Sorry Gabby.  So... I went to Texas for a couple of days to be with Gillan and Gracie while their parents left to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary - Happy Anniversary Rudy and Christy.  I took the kids to school the first morning and then I shopped around town a little....not much there.  So, I just went home and spent some time with Gabby - or Grubby, as she is called by David. Poor dog!  We got along...Gabby and me.  I took her out to potty and talked to her, after all I am not totally senile and I couldn't just talk to myself all day.

That evening, Gillan commented that Gabby seemed calmer around me now.  What?  Had I made the dog nervous in past visits?.....Well, it is possible since I growled at her and stomped my feet when I have visited in the past, and told her to get out of my face and that she stinks.  Okay, I admit it...we are sorta friends now.  Look at that face, what is not to love?

Now this is something to howl about....good lord, why do dog eyes turn turquoise instead of  red-eyed from the flash of the camera?  Kind of pretty don't you think?  The color matches Gracie's room, and I am all about matching.  If you can get past the freakishness of it all they are pretty.  Awe!!!

I think she is feeling a little snobbish here.  What do you think?

Below, Gracie tells Gabby goodbye before leaving for school.  This should be titled the many faces of Gabby and Gracie.  Maybe there will be a sequel to this.

 

After all of that dog and grandchildren entertainment I came home to find this.  The little boys found these kittens in the old shed behind their house. They also found momma cat laying dead beside the babies...oh my, such drama.  One little kitten was given to a good home and the other two....well, they are being nurtured by three little boys. 

The boys thought they would be more secure in the bucket together.

And, so goes the dog and feline stories..........

Mother's Day

I really like 'Hen and Chicks' - I have various pots of them around the yard.  They have always been very special to me because I got my start of them many years ago from my momma.  I wanted to post this blog in Honor of Mother's Day and in Memory of Momma. I think of her every time I look at a group of thriving 'Hen and Chicks'.   I took a pot of them to my daughter-in-law last Sunday, and I gave a pot of them to my daughter yesterday.  I have given them to friends and other family members in the past.  I have several rose bushes, lilies, and other various blooming plants.  They are all beautiful and I love them too, but their blooms soon fade. I am listing some information below for proper care of 'Hen and Chicks'....sometimes called Hens and Chickens.  This little beauty is very low maintenance and they come back over and over again through the years.  I am so glad Momma left these plants for me to cherish and share with others who knew and loved her.

 

How to Care for Hen and Chicks

o        1

Keep your hens and chicks plant in a well-lit location. If your new plant will be kept indoors, make sure it is near a window that receives sunlight for most of the day. If it will be planted in the yard or in a container on a patio or deck, be sure it is getting the most sun possible.

o        2

Transplant your hens and chicks plant into a sandy soil. Interestingly, this is one of those plants that does well in poor soil. If you will be transplanting it, use a sandy soil mixture or add gravel to regular potting soil.

o        3

Water sparingly. Remember, cacti and succulents are desert plants; therefore, they are drought resistant. Let the location or container soil become completely dried out and then give your hens and chicks a good drink. However, do water them right after transplanting.

o        4

Acquire new plants by removing the "chicks," which grow around the mother "hen" plant. Gently remove these little rosettes and transplant them in another garden location or in new containers.

Tips & Warnings

·         Fertilization is unnecessary for hens and chicks plants. If watered too frequently or water is allowed to be retained in the soil, your plant could get root rot, leaf rust or stem rot. Water less and move the hens and chicks plant to a dryer, warmer location.

Read more: How to Care for a Hens & Chicks Plant | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5112348_care-hens-chicks-plant.html#ixzz1LnPB92fU

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In spite of my unending love for the 'Hen and Chicks' - I was thrilled when David brought this beautiful hanging basket home last night.  It is really gorgeous - I just hope I can keep it this pretty for most of the spring and summer.  Thank you David, the Geraniums and surrounding plants are beautiful and a lovely surprise -I love them.

Old Barns

I stopped to take a quick picture of this dilapidated old barn a couple of weeks ago when David and I returned from the beef cow pasture.  There is so much to be said about an old barn.  Barns can be used for many different things.  Some one had the intention of making this neighboring barn into some type of living quarters quite some time ago.  The project just never made it to completion.  The old barn now is just an abandoned shack, but still intriguing. Since I am not much of a poet, I am posting a poem I found on the internet.  Maybe this picture will spark some memories you have of an old barn.

Old Barn

A squeaky door and falling boards So many years this barn was strong But now its days are numbered Doesn’t look like it will last too long Looks so sad and weary now Hasn’t held life for many years But the history is just amazing Births and deaths and yes, some tears Built long ago with fresh young hands But the builder now has past Many treasured sweet memories If only things could forever last The smell so still and musty Silent is the tone of today Love was pressed into these walls I would love for it to stay I remember as a little kid How I heard so many yarns So many stories I would hear About this old and treasured barn! Create Date :  Thursday, November 15, 2007 Update Date :  Monday, April 25, 2011 Marilyn Lott