Saturday, December 29, 2018

The New Year, 2019

My New Year's Eve resolution: Wait until New Year's Eve to do my New Year's Eve Puzzle.
I couldn't wait. 500 pieces, double sided. Done.
I have a sizable stash of lightly used puzzles in the basement. 
Time to go shopping. 

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Christmas 2018

Merry Christmas to all our friends!

Hope Santa was good to you.


Saturday, November 17, 2018

The Big Day is Coming


Check the closet for the stretchy pants!  There is a 20 pound bird thawing in the fridge. Stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, mashed taters and gravy, pickled red cabbage, green bean casserole, fruit salad, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie, cherry cheesecake and a house full of family expected on Thursday. Whew! Just hoping I remember how to do it all and don't burn the rolls. Those who eat, do the dishes afterward! 

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Another year passes

Eleven years ago, this dear man left us. Eleven years ago, the JTI group helped me through a very dark time. My life has changed since then. I buried his mother who never recovered from his death. I took care of business and protected his memory. After a couple of years, a new man entered my life. The original JTI group disappeared, never to be the same again. A sad demise. Life moves on and people with it.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

The Chattooga River

This is the river used in Deliverance. The picture doesn’t do it justice. Each time we driver over it, I look down at it and am amazed at its beauty.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Sunday, September 2, 2018

More yard art

Hi, guys! Next I’m doing some gnome/fairy gardens. I know you are trembling in anticipation for the first reveal.

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

The Woods

We have a tree in our woods where we have people carve their initials or names when they visit us. It’s just a fun thing to do for us and them. Yesterday, I walked pass that tree and it brought memories of past guests here in Walhalla. Walking in the forest gives one a chance to escape this hectic, troubling world in which we live. Silence in a noisy society....love my walks, no matter how short. Time to clear one’s mind.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Monday, August 27, 2018

Humming away

Just a good morning from us in SC. Here’s one of our hummers. Love watching the birds.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Nature’s Beauty

A couple sights from my walk in the woods here in SC. Beauty surrounds us if we just look around.

Where Has the Summer Gone?


Summer vacation is wrapping up. I did work one week to meet the incoming new students. Looks like a good group of kids. Last night was  spent meeting some of the parents at orientation. It is a strange work situation to just stop being employed for a few months... (don't get me wrong, the break is nice, and definitely needed to refresh and regroup)  Heading back always brings anticipation, excitement and anxiety, though, just trying to get back into the swing of things. You have to get your game face ready or they'll chew you to pieces.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

City Gardening

I'm all about organic.... especially when it doesn't take any extra effort.  I usually cut up my produce scraps and eggshells into small pieces and dump them into the garden. They dry out and enrich the soil. Over the years, it has made a huge difference to the soil and the vegetable output.

Early in the spring, I took a store bought cantaloupe outside and scooped the "guts" into the garden. As the days grew longer and the sun hit the soil, I noticed some squash-like plants poking up from the dirt. I pulled out the weeds and let them grow. The vines have taken over my patio.  Not squash, but melons! This picture was taken about a week ago. Since the torrential rain we recently had, these tiny babies are now about baseball size.  Yesterday, I found # 3 and # 4, actually bigger than these two, hiding under the vines. I'm hoping the season is long enough to sample what is inside.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Another Friday


Odd humor always tickles me.
The weather is beautiful today. Get out and enjoy it if you can.
Summer slips by much too quickly in Wisconsin. 

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Happy 4th of July


Party if you can, but stay safe, and make good choices. There are a lot of idiots out there!

Monday, June 25, 2018

Under Construction



Men with tool belts walking through my house. Large gaping holes in the walls. Constant hammering. All my personal items displaced. I'm not made for this. 

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Favorite Things (or stuff to talk about)


1. Breakfast food

2. Coffee, Tea.... or me?  :)

3. Do it yourself, or hire it out?

4. Gift cards, presents, or "I'll pass"?

5. Handling rude people

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Tuesday Thoughts

I did some late planting of seeds 2 weeks ago. Some cantaloupe and lettuce are popping up. I may need to get some tomatoes and cukes that have been already started, or stop watching the dirt so they will sprout. My garden is up against the west brick wall of the house. It gets toasty and stays warm late into the season. We'll see what happens. It is a good excuse to get outside and putter.

Monday, May 28, 2018

Monday, May 7, 2018

Monday Thoughts

When everyone is yelling, it is surprising how a calm, low voice is better heard.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Biking my time away

7.6 miles according to my phone. 7.6 miles according to my Fit app. 7.56 on my FitBit. Go figure.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Riding my bicycle

Why oh why can’t I find an app that follows me through the whole route? These apps skip roads, start me a block after my actual starting point. Grrr. So, I buy a Fitbit. We will see.

Friday, April 20, 2018

Favorite Things (or Stuff to Talk About)


1. Cats, dogs, other
2. Favorite ice cream
3. Shower or bath
4. Dress up or dress down
5. Television program
6. Place to relax: beach or woods

Monday, April 16, 2018

Spring in Florida

This Pileated Woodpecker has been hanging around. He’s (or she’s) not afraid of me at all.
I draw the line when it attacks my car window though!

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Spring in Wisconsin


I swear, I saw a Robin with its wing outstretched, trying to hitchhike on the side of the road Friday morning.  Haven't seen any nest building activity yet; they have been just hanging around low to the ground. We are halfway through the month of April.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

This is the “Look.”

Yes, she is spoiled! This is the “look!” Translation, “take me out, now,”

Monday, April 2, 2018

Spring in Florida

This year I caught the iris blooming. Because we heat up so quickly, these blooms come and go like lightning. Today it was 85 degrees when I ran to the grocery store. I think it’s above that now.