Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Whaddya mean girls can't barbeque?

Life is funny. Today was a wierd day for me, so late this afternoon I headed to the grocery store for a beer. While there, I ran into Amy, who had a marvelous day and was headed home to celebrate with a couple of steaks... but she was all by herself. So I ended up taking my beer up to her house and celebrating her amazing day while she listened to me whine about mine.

After a couple of beers, you can do anything. And, I am happy to report, that I feel a lot better than I did earlier, and Amy still feels great about her day. One thing I really like about being a woman is our ability to share, relate, and celebrate who we are. And tonight, we discovered that we can barbeque steak pretty well, and we make a mean bonfire. All is well with the world.

Spring, Birds, and Cats

Today I buried a small bird out back by the flowers. Last night, our cat decided to bring this poor bird in the house to have a little snack. By the time we realized what he was doing, the poor bird was too far gone to try to revive, so I wrapped him up in newspaper and laid him outside under a tree to die. Both Maegan and I felt really bad. I know death is part of life, but it doesn't make it any less sad.

I have saved you all by resisting the temptation to photograph it's little body and post it here, so I decided to feature the blossoms it was beneath as it died.

The cat, however, does not seem to show any remorse.

So, along with the spring I have been anxiously waiting for came the birds who sing to me all day long. I would like to post a warning for them "beware of the cat" in my garden where they hang out. "He may be lurking in the grass."

Monday, May 5, 2008

Manipulation

I have decided not to wear warm clothes anymore. I have put away my emu fur-lined boots and my long-sleeved shirts, and pulled out my flip-flops and colorful, bright, short- or no-sleeved shirts and shorts. It is time for the weather gods to understand that we need to start planting, weeding, watering, and enjoying the outside. And this is my way of manipulating the weather.

Yesterday was a good start for this actually. The day was sunny and beautiful and Kevin and I got a lot done in the yard. We picked up all the dog poop, mowed the yard, weeded the flower beds, and I was just short of planting beautiful flowers, but I chickened out and decided to give it one more week. As much as I am trying to convince the powers that be that it is spring, I am not going to waste money on delicate flowers to have them succumb to another frost.

But some flowers are doing marvelously well. Today is a tribute to the dandelion. It really is a pretty flower, and its leaves are quite yummy when steamed, but it just isn't desirable in the lawn to most people, including me. But I do love the first ones of spring. They are bright and tenacious. I wish all my plants were as hardy as they are.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Kitty in the grass

I love the way cats think (or seem to think). Here is Juggernaut hiding from the dog in the grass. I swear he doesn't think anyone can see him. About 3 seconds after this photo was taken, he shot off across the yard with the dog, Jack, in close pursuit.

Jack is another story. When he was a puppy, he was smaller than the cats, who quickly became his friends and playmates. I have always thought that Jack actually believes he is a cat. And now that he has grown to be 
quite large, he just doesn't understand why the cats get to jump up on our laps to be petted, and he doesn't. He is almost 14 years old, can't hear or see too well, and doesn't ever seem to want to do too much. But he will go outside if we are outside, and the puppy comes out, and he is determined to kiss the kitties!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

My friend, the tree

When I was little, we lived in a cul de sac, and there was a huge old oak tree in the front yard. He had a large trunk with three large branches rising out, leaving this little hollow in the middle. Sometimes I would sit in that hollow, and imagine he was my friend. I called him Mr. Oak.

In later years, when I was reading Tolkien for the first time, my favorite characters were the Ents, tree-like creatures who protected the forests. I think still that they must be real, because I remember my friend who I felt protected me.

Now I have this gorgeous Maple tree in my front yard. Over the years as the kids were growing up, they would climb her, and hang from her branches... even the neighbor kids across the street. There is a protective quality about her, too. And I always thought she seemed happy at the attention they gave her. Last year, my friend, Lynne, gave me one of those tree faces. I added it to her (our human need to make everything look like us, I guess), and she stares at me through the window. When Jill and I are sitting on the front porch, we feel as if our friend is visiting with us, too.

Anyway, I guess today is my tribute to the trees, especially my tree, Mr. Oak.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Could it be real?

Today is sunny and in the high 60s. It sure feels like it could finally be spring. We are all holding our breath.

And TGIF! I got up this morning thinking it was Thursday again. What a nice surprise to find out it was, in fact, Friday. There may be a bike ride in store for us this afternoon. Perfect biking weather... not too hot, but not cold enough to freeze your fingers in the breeze.

My friends and I love to bike all summer long. Two years ago, Gail and I went everywhere, biking from Post Falls into Coeur d'Alene where we would have breakfast downtown before returning home. Then we'd start at the falls in Post Falls and bike along the trail into Washington. We took our bikes on several excursions, one along the Trail of the Coeur d'alenes up by Rose Lake. That was gorgeous.

This last year, we added Amy to our little bike trips, and would go into Spokane to the Liberty Lake Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. Once we drove to the Farmers Market before they opened, biked into the valley past Mirabeau Park and back, then shopped before driving home.

This year, we are planning more exciting bike trips. But definitely every Saturday morning for the Farmers Market. This year I will have to get some photographs of the colorful fresh fruits and vegetables in the market. On a sunny day, there is no place better to be (unless you are in like, Bali or somewhere... maybe Ireland). The big ride this year, though, will be through the train tunnels on the Hiawatha trail up near Wallace. It is supposed to be an incredible trip through tunnels and over trellises of railways past. (www.skilookout.com/hiaw/)

When I ride a bike, I feel just like a kid on a swing set with the breeze blowing through my hair. I just love to ride fast, and feel free.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

The buds are bursting


The last couple of days, the grass in our yard has taken on a vibrant kelly green. It looks delicious, and everytime I look out the window I just want to go roll around in it. It is inspiring me to dig out our croquet set and map out a course. I think we have to mow first though. Isn't it funny how once spring decides to finally arrive, it just busts out!

I just heard from my friend, Beth, down in Florida. She says it is warm and pretty down there.

I am just happy to report that the sun is out and we had no snow today.