African Violets

After reading how to propagate violets, I decided to try it on my own. The directions were a little misleading-it didn't take 6 or 8 weeks to sprout but much longer, I've now got quite a few violets growing, but I was afraid that they wouldn't bloom. Ta da, at least one has:

Wally world hatin' again

You know I very seldom have a pleasant experience in Walmart. I hate going there, but I also hate going to three or four stores to get all of the things on my list so I usually go to Walmart and look at the people and scratch things off my list.
It bothers me that the people working there have no people skills (there are exceptions). Even more alarming to me that out of fifty states Walmart is the number one employer in 23 states. I expected some of them-Arkansas, Wyoming, but Texas? That one surprised me. I still hate shopping there.

Storms

Last night it feels like I barely slept at all. Normally, I love a good thunder storm, but the tornado that went through our area March 7th might have ruined it for me. I heard the wind pick up and I could just imagine starting to clean up all over again. It's not as if we've finished picking up after the first storm yet. I could feel myself tense up and I remembered going outside to see if anyone was hurt. I think that's the hardest part-fear of losing someone dear to you so quickly, without warning. I kept listening and eventually the wind died down and the rain kept coming. It may eventually stop, but everything will be soaked. I'm not looking forward to getting muddy or the work involved today, but I am looking forward to the day when I can sit on my porch and watch a good storm.

Bee-ing Careful

Dwight and I have started keeping bees. More like, Dwight has started bees in a hive and I have watched and kept notes. He removed a hive for his aunt that did not want them in her yard and they are doing well. He literally picked up the queen and her followers and put them in a box and made it home and set everyone up in their new hive with no incidents. He even saved me some comb so that I could render the bees wax (I'm thinking candles). He moved thousands of bees without being stung. I worked on one comb and got stung. I see a problem here.

Two, three, four and NO more

Some time in the past, knowledgeable dog people have told me that it is much easier to handle two dachshunds than just one, and I would have to agree; however, I'm going to go out on a limb and tell you that four isn't any easier than three. Oscar and Mellie love to play fetch. Loki and Oscar love to play with toys. Dixie and Mellie would like to be held at every opportunity. Loki, Oscar, Mellie, and Dixie all hate the bathroom rug so exiting the shower has been a fun experience.
Oscar and Dixie sometimes play a little rough-and this drives Loki nuts. When Loki and Mellie play rough-it scares Dixie and Oscar and they run and hide.
Dixie is interested in keeping frogs off the bank, but Mellie wants to catch one and has dove into the pond to catch one. Her swimming has not been affected by her injury. Good thing, because the water is still very cold.
There all balls all over my kitchen floor-thanks Mellie and Oscar.
The living room fares no better-stuffed animals everywhere.
And the visitors leave Saturday and Beth gets to keep everybody in July.

They still got it

I went to a wedding this weekend (strawberry wedding cake-yummy) and I got to see my daughter and son-in-law dance. Their moves have improved and they looked adorable. Also, they did a line dance with the wedding party to "Copperhead Road." I never knew that existed. Obviously, I need to get out a little bit more.

Going back

There's a song that says "you can't go home again" and you really can't. Once you move on, what you thought was your home isn't the same any more. When I left Jasper Saturday, I was going back to Little Rock-where I was born and the place I called home for over forty years. It isn't home anymore. So many things have changed-Little Rock has gotten bigger, the roads confuse me, and I don't belong there any more. I went to a wedding at my old grade school-St. Theresa's (Go Cougars), and the Little Flower statue is still there but there's another one too.

Who knows? Birthday surprises

So today I get another year closer to retirement. People always ask-what are you doing for your birthday?
Well...I'm going to a wedding and to have drinks with my adult children. I will get to see some other special people at the restaurant and I'm spending the night with my dad.
I can tell you I won't be doing laundry or housework or even going to work.
I can tell you I might have a drink or two and that I plan to take pictures.

Her Happy Place

Unfortunately late Wednesday night our beloved beagle Bailey crossed the rainbow bridge. Dwight promised that he would bury her the next day so I expected to see fresh dirt under the dogwood tree when I got home Thursday-but that didn't happen. Instead, I found a dirty shovel on the porch and two bouncing weenie dogs. Dwight explained that he had taken them for a car ride and they were still excited. He went on to explain that he had taken them down by the creek to bury Bailey. She was laid to rest where she had her last good rabbit race. In true beagle fashion, Bailey was a rabbit dog through and through and loved to run. I'm not happy that I won't hear her bark through the holler anymore, but a part of me slept better knowing that she would forever be in her "happy place". I'm also glad that her human loved and cherished her enough to make that happen. Meet you on the other side sweet girl.

Days like this

Every have just "one of those days?" It's not that anything particularly bad happened today, but I'm waiting for something "good" to happen. Our door and window still aren't repaired, but it's much better than missing half a roof. The yard still isn't picked up, but progress is being made each day in spite of the rain and snow. Our horses are safe and secure in their little pasture but will probably be blamed for damage done by horses that aren't fenced in-running wild in the neighbor hood. My chicken coop light isn't working, but the girls are laying lots of eggs anyway. Snow has killed so many spring blossoms-the nectarine, the pear, and strawberries were all blooming when the last snow hit. In spite of being in great health, Bailey didn't survive delivering pups. No word on Fluffy's kittens.
It's supposed to rain again today.

Michigan research

I know May is months away but according to my count down calendar, vacation is due to start in 71 days. So, I've been doing more research on Michigan and things I must see while there. This tops the list:

It's a dairy farm that has an ice cream shop on site. Moomers.

Still showing the love..

I know it's a month after Valentine's Day, but can I help it if I love our dogs?
Would it surprise you to know I've been reading articles on dog affection? Research strongly suggests that dogs don't like to be picked up and hugged, but they have their own way of showing affection. To them leaning in on a person, is like a hug. When you're standing around and your dog puts their feet on you and applies pressure? That's supposed to be a hug. To hug them back, lean back or if you're laying down lean towards him/her/them. They're also supposed to like being looked directly in the eyes-I know Oscar loves this. The same research people suggest that raising the left eyebrow is really supposed to get their attention (sorry kids you have a really uncoordinated Mommy). Co-sleeping is supposedly a way to let them know that they are family (added bonus when they sleep on your feet). If you're really against co-sleeping, plan to spend ten to fifteen minutes daily playing on the floor so that your "pack" is firmly established. Above all, just be yourself-they know you and love you.

Storm damage review

These photos have been posted on face book and some have even made the local news paper and tv stations, but I wanted them put in one location so here goes. Hard to believe that this happened a week ago tonight.
This Ralph's plane and what is left of his hanger.

 Another view of the hanger and things out in the yard.

Views of the back bed rooms.

 View of Popular trees down and roof gone.

Daylight Savings

Hope you remembered to set your clocks ahead last night/this morning. I usually think of Springing forward with robin birds, spring flowers, butterflies, but today this is what I got

Little Blessings

Whenever something bad happens, I'm always reminded how lucky and blessed I am. There have been so many people that have come out of the wood work to help with the clean up. One of the best things? Having coffee with my father-in-law first thing in the morning. I don't care how quiet I try to be, he's up before the coffee quits brewing. I've even tried just heating some up in the microwave thinking it's the coffee pot that's waking him up-nope he's up. I think he's up waiting for my alarm to go off. I don't know where he gets the energy either. As I was leaving for work at 6:15 am, he was headed to his house to start working-I know he'll be there until the sun goes down tonight. Our coffee time has become a morning ritual and I'll miss it when he gets back on his feet.
We've also got the dinner time thing going too. Now Chris and Ralph have eaten with us several times, but not every day. I kinda like all four of us sitting down and eating and visiting.  It reminds me of the past and how lucky I've been to do the same thing with my family.
Oh, I know I have to share a bathroom with 3 men (pure hell-I feel for my sister Lee), but these guys are big enough to help around the house so each of them gets a chore from me each day. This girl got it going on.

Humble Pie

I've always tried to be a good person and help others. I keep change on me to give to the Salvation Army bucket. My unwanted things go to the Good Will donation box. I give blood when I can, stop at the car washes sponsored by the youth groups. Heck, I've even spent a day painting houses for the elderly and picking up trash off the streets. I'm sure on some level this stuff was appreciated.
Lately, I've been on the receiving end. It's not like I didn't have food in the refrigerator BUT...we were busy taking care of things outside-debris needed to be picked up, shingles and trash are everywhere, fences down -you get the picture. Some people pulled up to the work site with warm, home made meals-any one could stop for a minute , eat,drink, and go back to work. To have something hot and not lose day light time was a very special gift. Rain is expected soon-so we work as long as we can covering what used to be a roof and salvaging what the wind may have misplaced.

They really love each other

Even though we searched for damages to the fences, we over looked some.  The morning started out with coffee at day break and someone yelling "oh crap, the horses are out." They were out by the feed house and the first one dressed (Dwight) ran and grabbed a bucket of feed. Usually, the horses will become your best buddy for even a small bit of fresh grain, but not this time. The three horses there actually ran from him. By this time the coffee, sets in and he realizes that his girl Daisy isn't with them and he's chasing them and looking for some white that might be a part of Daisy. Finally, the horses are circling and he sees a flash of light. There was a sink hole that Daisy had fallen into. She landed where she couldn't get her footing and her buddies were circling the hole and nickering to her. Dwight and his son put a sturdy halter and multiple lead ropes on her and helped her position herself where she could get some footing and she was out. Weak and probably a little sore, but no open cuts and she seems in good spirits now that she can get back to her buddies, fresh grass, water, and hay.
If the other horses hadn't come to the house or led us to her this might have been a story with a much sadder ending. Even though they bicker sometimes, they come together in times of need and up here in Newton County, Ar., there's a lot of that going on.

Happy Birthday Lauren

There's going to be painful moments in your life that will change your entire world in a matter of minutes. These moments will change YOU.  Let them make you stronger, smarter, and kinder. But don't you go and become someone you're not. Cry. Scream if you have to. Then, straighten out that crown and keep moving.
I love you more than words can say and I am so proud of the woman you have become-keep it moving baby. There are great things in store for you.

The monster in the night

When you're a child, you think the monster is under the bed. Last night it came through town. I got up shortly after midnight and could hear it howling outside. I was going to the end of the hall but it was dark, so I turned to get a light and when I got back to the door the back door blew open. Sticks and frames flew down the hallway. I heard shattering glass and Dwight grabbed me from behind. We couldn't go into the hallway and in a few short seconds it was quiet. We picked up a couple of things and he headed for the open door, I went in search of the broken glass. It didn't take long to find-the picture window in the living room was shattered. Dwight met me halfway and said one word "Dad". We went outside and I tried to get to his house but there were too many trees in the way. Shining a light towards his house and it looks as though the monster just opened his mouth and took a huge bite out of it. His dad showed up and looked ok. I could hear our son Chris muttering in the darkness. It hadn't occurred to him how lucky he is to be alive. The hardest part is waiting for day light to come and wondering what you'll find the dark hid. We got electricity back at three am. No water yet. Looking around this morning, no one knows where to start. Obviously, getting clean water is a priority. I found all of the horses this morning-huddled in a corner of the field. They are shaken, but ok. The sun is breaking and it's going to be a long day.

Yard Sale find

So it's no surprise that I yard sale on my way home from work on Friday. Every Friday. You just never know what you might find. This week I only found one. Curses to getting off work as late as 4:30 pm. But I managed to find a wooden shoe holder (I needed one and it's very sturdy for a whole three bucks) and the other find (also for $3) was a horse decanter made when Jim Beam was going by the name of James Beam. Ebay lists it for thirty dollars, but I think I'll keep it for a little while just because I like it.

Exploring the Ozarks Litchen Falls

So if you've driven to the Glory Hole, you probably know where the tiny town of Fallsville is located. Keep going west another 2.6 miles and turn left on the gravel road. It's Arbaugh Road, but it's not labeled so set your odometer passing Fallsville. Another helpful tip, most GPS will lose signal so set the odometer. Then, go down the gravel road-it's a little rough but nothing the Prius couldn't handle at a slow speed. Hang a left at the fork and keep going. There's a trail head and across the road from the park signs is another well worn path. Go down that path for 3/4 of a mile. You'll see a little creek to your right-it feeds the waterfall.

Hopefully, you'll go on a day that has a lot more water falling:

The non-traditional birthday cake

I'll never be as good as my mom was on making Birthday cakes-I think she passed that gene on to Lauren or Lee, but I try.
This year Lauren gets a Cherry Cheesecake and I've simply got to share the recipe because (1) it was easy and (2) it was good.

One cup of heavy whipping cream-and whip it good real good.
Add 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and one cup of confectioners sugar. Whip some more and add one tsp of vanilla. Then pour into the pre-made pie shell of your choice and refrigerate 3 hours.
Then add the topping of your choice-Lauren got cherries this year.

All things March

So technically, today is the third day of March. The month of Spring. The month of Hopper, Lauren, Connor, and me. There's St. Pat's Day. Daffodils are out and puppies and kittens are coming soon.

It's time to get started on the garden-onions are going in the ground. Red and yellow this year. Garlic bed is doing great. The husband has some huge tomato plants growing in the basement-waiting for the last frost to be over.

I'm excited as usual-I love to see all things blooming. Expect pictures soon.

Cheyenne

A week ago today, Cheyenne crossed the rainbow bridge. I know I should be completely over her passing by now-she wasn't my dog, but I'm not. My baby is still reeling with a huge whole in her heart and I can feel her pain. As much as I'd like to, I can't wave a magic wand and make her loss disappear but I can remind her of the good things Cheyenne accomplished. First of all, I've never been a fan of Pit Bulls. They have a bad reputation for being strong, quick tempered, and violent. I never saw any violence. She showed amazing patience with my dogs and grandson. I was really nervous having her around my grandson, but they adored each other. Every where he went, Cheyenne would follow three feet behind. Close enough to get to him in one jump if he called for her to get a stick(he knew she loved them) or if he needed help finishing a sandwich (he didn't like the crust and she didn't mind disposing of it). She was incredible playing with my much, much smaller dogs. She even understood "be gentle with granny" a phrase I used when I had a headache and couldn't quite take her jumping up into my lap. After telling her to be gentle, she would climb slowly into my lap and sit quietly for as long as I needed her too-sometimes we would even take a nap that way. She never begged for food-oh she would look loving at you with those gorgeous golden eyes, but she wouldn't bark or beg. She taught a lot of people not to buy into the hype that the media gives to her breed. I've never seen any dogs do the tricks that she did. Climb under the chair or over. Stay and leave it. Bark. Use your inside voice(which cracks me up just thinking about that huge dog barking in a whisper). Fetch. Sit. Roll over. Shake. Give me five-up high and now down low. She did it all and took a part of my heart with her.

Photo/blog challenge

My much younger and more organized sister has vowed to blog every single day in March and some friends of mine issued a Lenten photography challenge-forty days of lent with a theme for each day so I figured why not combine the both? We all know I can't do forty days of anything but maybe just maybe I can keep up with sis and combine the two into 31 days of blogging and or photography.
So let me start off with some of my favorite pictures taken recently.
The first one is taken at Haw Creek Falls.

 The second is taken on 123 near Fort Douglas and if it seems a little crooked or off center-give me a break, I was on the back of a Harley.

 The third is of "Big Creek" near the Buffalo River at Carver.

 The fourth is also of Big Creek, but I was admiring the bluffs in the distance. I think it's pretty even though spring colors aren't here yet.