Grass and Owls and Other Oddities

When my husband was still amongst the breathing, his pride and joy was the lawn, that is, the grass.  In this part of Texas, we mostly grow St. Augustine grass.  It’s a robust perennial, dense, carpet grass that does well in our hot, humid climate.  It even grows well in in shady areas.  He kept it watered, fertilized, weeded, treated for insects, and mowed/weed wacked.  Once I mowed the front yard and, honest-to-god, he nearly had apoplexy. 

Why, you ask?  Well, I find mowing to be, among other things, BORING.  So, I mow back and forth then up and down, diagonally, in a circle – whatever.  (Hey!  I thought mowing was about cutting the grass!)  Then, also, I took the bag off and just let the grass lay where it landed (good mulch!).  Rake?? Bag grass??  Are you nuts??  Using the weed eater or a blower??  Please, mowing is a pain in the patootie without all that other stuff.

HE, on the other hand, mowed even lines in one direction and emptied the bag of clippings as necessary.  Blew excess clipping into a pile to be picked up.  Weedwacked all edges straight and true.  Fiiiine!

After he went to the big Ice House in the Sky, and the mowing fell to me, it went back to, uhmmmmmmm, decorative mowing.  Really, I hate to mow – boring, yes; also hot, hot, hot, work that includes my walking literally 5 miles!

Okay, I hear you - - - Interesting but ……

While my daughter was here visiting, she decided to mow the back yard for me.  It took her maybe an hour and a half (takes me 2 days – 2 hours per day!) and she did a great job.  I was very grateful.  The next day I walked out to the back yard and noticed 

My child!  A chip off the ole block!  I was so proud!

Up until today, the weather has been dry.  Humid, yes but no significant rain since maybe sometime in mid-May.  That means every afternoon I go out and water all the flowerbeds and plants in containers.  I chose afternoon because even with no rain the mosquitoes are ferocious now and during the hot time of the day, they’re a little less bad.  Yesterday I went out to water and this guy was sitting on the fence.  He saw me and flew over to the cedar tree and watched for a while …..

Pretty sure it’s a Barred Owl (I know, hard to see the color in the picture).  I’ve seen at least two of them in the last couple days.  Plus, you can hear them hooting back and forth during the evening.  Normally owls are night hunters but the Barred Owl will also hunt in the daytime.  It’s a big bird – nearly as big as the Great Horned Owl but much less aggressive.  And that’s as much about owls as I know.

Today is International Fairy Day.  It is a day for fairies, magic, and wishes to come true. For one day, put aside the cynicism of the modern world and embrace the possibilities of the unknown, and believe in fairies…

I believe

do you?

24 Jun 2020

. . . . and the livin’ is easy

Today is Litha, the Summer Solstice, the first day of Summer.  Actually, we’ve been having summer for a while but now, it is official!

In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches its highest and northernmost points in the sky.  It is the longest day of the year.  And, this year, an annular solar eclipse will occur on the weekend of the solstice, beginning just before midnight EDT on Saturday, June 20, and reaching its maximum point at 2:40am EDT on the 21st. Annular eclipses are very similar to total solar eclipses, but instead of covering the Sun completely, the Moon only covers most of the Sun, leaving a thin, shining ring—called an “annulus” or “ring of fire”—around the Moon’s dark shape.  Unfortunately for us, the eclipse will not be visible from North America, but can be viewed from parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

My New Mexico daughter and son-in-law have been here this past week.  He is retired and she works from home so they’ve been isolating since March, as have I.  They left early this morning planning to make the drive back to Albuquerque in one day.

It’s a 1000-mile drive – I’ve made it a couple of times, though always in 2 days.  But with two drivers they should be fine and get home before dark.  We didn’t do much – honestly, I live in Wharton.  There’s not much to do in the best of times.  My daughter worked and son-in-law went to visit a friend in Austin.  Still, I enjoyed every minute of their being here and already miss them a lot.

While they were here, we watched a movie – I See You, starring Helen Hunt and Jon Tenney.  I had started to watch it a couple weeks before they arrived – BUT – it pushed all my “panic” buttons so I turned it off.  Nope, not watching that alone.  The trailer says – “It follows a suburban family beset by unexplainable events that may be linked to the recent disappearance of a young boy.”  But, it is soooo much more and there’s a good blend of scare and suspense.  I enjoyed it and when it was over, I got up and made sure the doors were all locked!

Oh, in addition to being the first day of Summer, it’s also World Juggling Day. 

The unofficial holiday was first observed in the mid-1980s as National Juggling Day in the United States in order to raise awareness of the art and science of juggling and to encourage people to take up the art.  In 1995, the name of the day was changed to World Juggling Day in order to reflect the global reach of the IJA.

I did a little work outside early in the week and came across this . . . .

It’s a Cicada Killer Wasp.  It looks like an extremely large yellow jacket, which was a bit alarming when I first saw it. This one was about an inch and a half long.  The females capture and paralyze cicadas and uses them as dinner for her larva.  They can sting but for the most part they’re shy of people.  The males do not have stingers and while seem aggressive they are actually harmless.  Interesting.  I just left it alone and went on with my gardening related stuff. 

Well, there’s not much else exciting going on at my house.  Enjoy the day, celebrate the sun, and remember to set out milk and honey for the fairies tonight!

20 Jun 2020

OHMIGOD!

It’s the middle of June already!  This month has totally gotten away from me.

First of all – recently I lamented on the broken washer – the one that completely flooded the garage.  Well, as it turned out, it was a ‘washer’ problem; not a plumber problem.  So I called the appliance fixit guy.  He came over and within 10 (ten, 1-0) minutes he had diagnosed the problem, removed two panels, reattached a hose, put the panels back in place, written up the bill, and was out the door.  Only cost was the service charge.  I was fearful I’d be without a washer for an unknown time while a part was on order, but, no.  The washer is chugging along nicely now and the water is staying where it belongs.  (Excuse #1 why I haven’t blogged for a while – catching up on laundry – which took be exactly ½ of one day but it seems like a good excuse)

Then, last week I spent three days mowing back and front yards.  And, for some unknown reason, the god of the weather relented a bit and sent down a bit of a cold front – well a slightly cool front.  Anyway, the mornings were very nice and not very humid so mowing was not death inducing.

Still, after working in the yard for a couple of hours makes me pretty useless the rest of the day.  (Excuse #2 – why I haven’t blogged for a while – limited brain function when I am r e a l l y tired.)

I also finished up my dresser and got it moved back to the house.  I’m not totally satisfied but it’s better than it was.  I need to live with it for a while.  And, I need to find some bronze backs for the knobs (which look white but really aren’t).  (Excuse #3 – why I haven’t blogged for a while – finishing up and moving the dresser)

Any cross stitch experts out there?  Why is it that when you accidently clip a thread, the next 6 unravel without any help?  BUT, if you have rip out a section, you have to clip EVERY SINGLE THREAD.  Argh.  On my current project, I chose a background color that looked really nice with the rest of the pattern colors.  Unfortunately, it looked terrible as the background and I had to rip out a goodly amount.  (Excuse #4 – why I haven’t blogged for a while – working on multiple sewing projects)

In garden club meetings past, members would occasionally bring in plants to share.  Couple of years ago a member brought in a box full of different types of crinum bulbs.  And, I picked up several and proceeded to plant them.  So, I have a brick window box in front of my house and I planted one there.  The rest got sprinkled around the yard.  That done, I promptly forgot about them.  The one in the window box grew and grew and grew and never bloomed.  I do not believe in coddling most in-ground plants – grow damnit or I’ll jerk you out of the ground and throw you in the trash – works for me.  And, I regularly threatened the big one in the front.  Then, last week - - -

It bloomed!  And has more bloom scapes coming on.  You know, I had to do a search to figure out what this actually is – it’s a White Starburst Giant Crinum.  And, ohmigod, it can get 4-6 FEET tall and wide.  See – this is why I tell everyone to research what they’re planting and put it in an appropriate place (do as I say, not as I do).  Before you say anything – there is no getting this thing out of the window box.  I tried early in the spring.  Okay, okay – this is just a pretty flower thing not an excuse why I haven’t blogged recently.

Today, June 16 is National Fudge Day. 

Fudge originated in the US during the late 19th century.  Recipes were printed in many periodicals and advertisements during the 1880s.  Its popularity was partly due to the decreasing cost of refined white sugar, and partly due to the ability to make it at home without special equipment.  Its inexpensive, unrefined qualities made it popular among people looking for a candy alternative that fell in between expensive, fancy candies and the cheapest sweets.

Fudge Day is the perfect excuse to try some crazy new flavors of fudge.  How about maple and pecan?  Or rocky road. If you want to go really wild, mix up some particularly unusual flavors, like carrot, orange, or licorice fudge, or tequila and lime.

Myself – I’m pretty much a purist.  Chocolate, sugar, milk, butter, and marshmallow crème – all the good stuff!

Finally, a friend of mine posted up the 2020 calendar.  So, I thought I’d share it -

16 Jun 2020

Hot Days

With summer upon us, by mid-afternoon it’s too hot go do much outside.  A good day for the Storyteller . . . .

Fire

A Myth from the Alabama Tribe

In the beginning of the world, it was Bear who owned Fire.  It warmed Bear and his people on cold nights and gave them light when it was dark.  Bear and his people carried fire with them wherever they went.

One day, Bear and his people came to a great forest, where they found many acorns lying on the forest floor.  Bear set Fire at the edge of the forest, and he and his people began eating acorns.  The acorns were crunchy and crisp and tasted better than any other acorns Bear and his people had ever eaten.  They wandered further and further away from Fire, eating the delicious acorns and seeking out more when the acorn supply grew low.

Fire blazed up merrily for a while, until it had burned nearly all of its wood.  It started to smoke and flicker, then it dwindled down and down.  Fire was alarmed.  It was nearly out.  "Feed me! Feed me!"  Fire shouted to Bear. But Bear and his people had wandered deep into the forest, and then did not hear Fire's cries.

At that moment, Man came walking through the forest and saw the small, flickering Fire.  "Feed me! Feed me!" Fire cried in despair.

"What should I feed you?" Man asked. He had never seen Fire before.

"I eat sticks and logs and wood of all kinds," Fire explained.

Man picked up a stick and leaned it on the North side of Fire.  Fire sent its orange-blue flames flickering up the side of the stick until it started to burn.  Man got a second stick and laid it on the West side of the fire.  Fire, nourished by the first stick, burned brighter and stretched taller and eagerly claimed the second stick.  Man picked up a third stick and laid it on the south side of Fire and laid a fourth stick on the East.  By this time, Fire was leaping and dancing in delight, its hunger satisfied.

Man warmed himself by the blazing Fire, enjoying the changed colors and the hissing and snapping sound Fire made as it ate the wood.  Man and Fire were very happy together, and Man fed Fire sticks whenever it got hungry.

A long time later, Bear and his people came back to the edge of the forest, looking for Fire.  Fire was angry when it saw Bear.  It blazed until it was white-hot and so bright that Bear had to shade his eyes with both paws.  "I do not even know you!" Fire shouted at Bear.  The terrible heat rolling of Fire drove Bear and his people away, so they could not take it and carry it away with them.

And now Fire belongs to Man.

12 Jun 2020

Summertime

June – already (though, now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure I said the same thing in early May – May already!).  I know – not quite summer (the summer solstice isn’t until the 20^th), but our temperatures are reaching 90° these days.  Summer.

As of June 1, we have officially entered into hurricane season.  Now is the time I always take a quick look at the NOAA map every morning to see what might be happening in the gulf.  In Wharton, we are about 45 miles inland so I don’t worry as much about storms but still . . . . 

This storm, Cristobal, is skimming along the Yucatan with estimated landfall east of us – Louisiana . . . Mississippi.  Still, it’s smart to keep an eye on things as sometimes they change direction suddenly and barrel right in.

We have had rain over the past several days.  And, the mosquitoes are out in force – walking in the yard is dangerous to life and limb.  Ugh – I hate to even go outside in the mornings or evenings.

I did finally get outside and weed flower beds.  Now, I can actually see the herbs and other things blooming out there!

Daylilies are in bloom

As are the

 Plumerias

Purple Coneflower

tho they’re about done

Whoa – I’ve a yard full of pink stuff!

I have no idea what this little rose is but it will bloom from early spring until first frost.  It’s not a dwarf because the bush gets as tall as I am, however the flowers are very small.  I know it's an heirloom rose but that's all.  I grew it from a cutting.

 This is Mexican Mint Marigold and can be used in place of Tarragon.  (We can’t grow Tarragon here in our part of the universe – doesn’t like our humidity or summer heat.)  A native of the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico, this perennial herb likes the humidity and can tolerate our summer sun though it needs regular watering.  It will bloom throughout the summer and fall with small yellow flowers (which are also edible).  The leaves have a sweet anise flavor and go well with fish, chicken, lamb most vegetables, in salads, sauces and soups.  Mine will die back to the ground during the winter but will pop back up as soon as the weather starts to warm.  It makes a good companion plant as it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies plus it helps to reduce the number of harmful nematodes in the soil.  In the long past days, it was used for the treatment of malaria, colic, colds, and as a poultice for treatment of rattlesnake bite.  (Hey! You might need this moderately useless information some day - it could happen!)

I’ve been keeping my teacup bird feeder filled as the cardinals empty it almost every other day.  The Demon Duo love to sit on the sofa and watch (and probably dream of catching) the birds.  

That is until yesterday when I went out to refill it and found ---

 Grrrrrrr – damn squirrels.

Unfortunately, my little county has had a substantial increase in the numbers of people with COVID19.  We had a big jump this past week with 9 new cases diagnosed.  It gives us a total of 67 cases with 38 recoveries, one death, and the rest – pending.  

I walked out to the garage/laundry room earlier to find water flooding out from behind the washer.  Put in another call to the plumber.  And, just to be safe, I also called the appliance fixit guy.  The water flood stopped when I turned off the washer so could be it has to do with the washer and not the plumbing.  Ugh.

Finally – today is National Moonshine Day. 

Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, or Tennessee white whiskey is a high-proof distilled spirit that was, in the past, produced illicitly. Today large distilleries sell moonshine, looking to rekindle nostalgic memories of the illegal drink. Thankfully though, the days of cheap, questionable brews with deadly contaminants are over.

Have a nice weekend – stay safe and remember if you wear a mask, pull it up over your mouth and nose otherwise it’s pretty useless (I keep seeing people wearing their masks pulled down below their mouth).

5 June 2020

Good, Bad, and Ugly

I mentioned earlier that evidently my washer had a clog in the drainline as it flooded the garage floor the other day.  Well, could have been worse.  Could have been a utility room in the house.  So the plumber came out yesterday and snaked out the line.  Water seemed to be draining fine.  Cool.  He left.  I washed a load of clothes and . . . . . the water poured out of the washer drain and onto the floor.  Again.  Called the plumber.  Today he’s out there working on it.  He resnaked the line, checked to make sure it was running, started the washer to fill and drain then tapped on the door.  I walked out and – honest to god – water started pouring out of the half bathroom next to the washer.  From the toilet tank.  Really??  So he snaked it again, poured in some sort of dissolve any kind of clot stuff, and reran the washer.  This time, it backed up out of the toilet bowl.  Then he had to figure out how the previous owner put in the little bathroom and where he hooked everything up and why the water keeps coming out of unacceptable places.  This is not easy or fun.  Bad. 

But he did figure out what and where the problem was and fixed it.  Good.

Monday I had a major fright.  I walked down my darkened hallway and beheld a terrible sight.  A woman gazing at me – an old woman with longish scraggly hair that was dragged back from her face.  Ugly

Yes, it was me in the mirror.  I never let my hair get much past my ears – it doesn’t do well at all. 

The young woman that cuts my hair had reopened with rules 1. Appointments only; 2. Only one person at a time (no families crowding in all together); 3. The door was locked so a phone call to advise her the client is there; 4. She wears a mask and gloves and the client wears a mask also.  She is very cognizant of the virus and the necessity to keep things clean and safe.  Good

So, I made an appointment for a much needed haircut and style.  And, while there, a little pop of color -

I think I’ve been alone for toooooooo long!  I really do like it though!  Purple is a nice color. Very Cool!

Wednesday I went back to yoga – first time in three months.  I don’t worry about people contact there.  The class is held in a huge metal building with garage type doors on every side, all open to let in the air/breeze.  Plus, there are usually only 5 or 6 people so plenty of room to social distance.  It was nice to get back.  Good

no, not me - my instructor

not in this lifetime will I be able to do that!

About five minutes after classes started, I heard screaming.  A quick check of the rest of the room showed nothing other than concentration on the different positions.  Okay, just my muscles screaming at the pain of having to assume downward facing dog, the cobras, warrior 2, tree, sun salutations, etc.  Bad

I didn’t actually scream or groan or cry or collapse in a heap.  Yay me!  And again - Good

Since my cats are house bound, I don’t use flea meds on them on a monthly basis.  About 2 or 3 times during the spring/summer.  I know, why?  They don’t go outside BUT they find snakes, grubs, skinks and lizards in the garage so I’m sure fleas can find the way in also.  My vet has a new “drive through window” arrangement.  I called in the order, got there and drove around to the side of the building.  Called – “I’m here” and someone came out gloved and masked and handed me my order.  Easy peasy.  And Good!

Here’s an interesting little-known fact.  Today, May 28, is

Slugs Return From Capistrano Day.
(Or the equivalent location where you are)

Ok, this one gets Bad and Ugly.

The “Swallows Return to Capistrano” day is March 19.  Actually, many migratory songbirds return to the same local area, and often to the exact same territory, each spring, even after traveling thousands of miles to and from their wintering grounds.  But the slugs shudder.  Those swarm of birds are hungry after their long flight.  So the slugs all leave, heading back to the gardens and flowerbeds they abandoned last fall.  Being slugs, it takes them awhile to make the trek back.  This is not necessarily a good thing.  BUT! Here are a few ideas for keeping them away from your prized flowers and vegetables:

Coffee grounds.  Use caffeinated coffee; apparently slugs prefer to avoid caffeine.

Crushed egg shells.  I guess the egg shells are scratchy on the soft little sluggy bodies.

Strips of copper as a barrier. It gives the slugs a shock when they cross it.

Red clover. Apparently given a choice, slugs will choose this plant over other nearby plants.

Beer traps.  Bury a shallow container so its edge it even with the soil.  Fill with beer.  Replace the beer every few days.

Today I came across this

Gnarly Old Tree right? 

Nope.

Mustang grape vine!

 I rather expected to see Tarzan swinging by ...

The first picture – it’s the trunk of the vine.

Mustang grapes are a wild grape in Central Texas. When they are ripe they are a solid black and can be found along fences, draped over trees, and generally covering any plant or other nonmoving object.  You cannot eat raw mustang grapes as they are extremely acidic and can burn your stomach. But when cooked with added sugar, they make a wonderful jelly.  This one hits the trifecta – Good, Bad, and Ugly.

Well – that’s all I know right now.

28 May 2020

Another Fine, Boring Day

And, actually, I don’t know too much.  It rained last night.  I awoke in the early dark hours to a little thunder and lightning.  (And went right back to sleep – rain falling is a soothing sound I think.)  This morning I checked the rain gauge – 3 inches.  Wow.  Nice to have except for the mosquitoes that are chasing me through the yard.

While looking over emails this morning, I found a few amusing things -

One

I wanted zombies and anarchy.  Instead we got working from home and toilet paper shortages.   Worst. Apocalypse. Ever.

My Austin friend sent me a Toilet Paper fact email not too long after the isolation situation was a thing. 

Packaged toilet paper wasn't sold in the United States until 1857. However, it wasn't until 1935 that a manufacturer was able to promise Splinter-Free Toilet Paper.  (Really – splinter free?  Splinters???)

Americans use an average of 8.6 sheets of toilet paper per trip to the bathroom.  (Probably less these days.)

In ancient times something called a communal gompf stick, a piece of sponge tied to the end of a stick, was used.  Wealthy Romans used wool soaked in rose water and French royalty used lace.  (Communal?  Lace?  Ick!)

There was a toilet paper museum in Wisconsin, The Madison Museum of Bathroom Tissue, but it closed in 2000.  It once had over 3,000 rolls of TP from places all over the world, including The Guggenheim, Ellis Island, and Graceland.  (Alrightee then)

In 1996, Congress passed a Toilet Paper Tax of 6 cents per roll, which is still in effect today. An effort to triple the tax was defeated in the House.  (Remember that when you vote next time! – Repeal the Toilet Paper Tax!)

The most expensive toilet paper in the world is from Portugal, a brand called Renova.  Renova is three-ply, perfumed, costs $3 per roll and comes in several colors including black, red, blue and green.  (Pass)

When asked what necessity they would bring to a desert island, 49% of people said toilet paper before food.  (Must be the same people that bought baskets of toilet paper when isolation first happened.)

Two

People keep asking: "Is coronavirus REALLY all that serious?"  Listen, the churches and casinos are closed.  When heaven and hell agree on the same thing it's probably pretty serious.

Three

The spread of Covid-19 is based on two things:

1. How dense the population is.

2. How dense the population is.

Too true.

It’s Memorial Day Weekend here.  I always feel reluctant to say HAPPY Memorial Day, considering it is the day we honor all the men and women who died serving in the US Armed Forces.  Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day as people went and decorated the graves of the fallen) originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War.  But during World War I when the United States found itself involved another major conflict, it evolved.  Today it includes American military personnel who died in all wars and conflicts, including World War I, World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in the Middle East, Africa, Bosnia, and anywhere else our military is sent at the behest of the president.  In 1971, Lyndon Johnson designated the last Monday in May as Memorial Day, a federal holiday.  So, instead, I’ll say – A Thought Evoking Memorial Day to you.  Remember and think positive thoughts about those fallen during military conflict and positive thoughts in the hopes that someday the world will get smart enough to stop and think before doing rash stupid things.

Today is laundry day.  My washer and dryer are out in my garage.  Not a totally bad thing since I just walked out to find water all over the garage floor.  And, it doesn’t seem to be coming from the washer.  Instead, it seems to be coming from the ½ bath next to it.  The bath that has the water shut off – completely.  Apparently, the guy that installed that bathroom tied the sink drain to the washer drain and now, it’s overflowing.  Argh.  A blockage in the sewer line is my guess.  So, next weeks big deal will be the plumber.  And, no more laundry today.

One last thing.  I have a grandfather clock.  It’s an old one – about 1750.  And, it’s sensitive about where it stands and when it runs.  When I was gone this past Christmas, it ran down and stopped – okay – expected.  But, since then it has not worked for longer than a few minutes.  Yes, I checked the mechanism – no obvious problem.  Yes, I checked the level – perfectly level horizontally/vertically.  Yes, I spoke politely to it – it’s old.  Finally, I moved it – just a bit to one side and . . . . it started right up!  And, seems to be working fine now.

Good things / bad things.  I guess it all comes out even.

24 May 2020