the cat came back

 BW under the ottoman ..our little barometer.  Now lighting and thunder. 

Amazin cat story--this time, not mine, Big Un came back.  She is 14 and lives in the Valley with Ms. BF.  She was Mr. H's cat and used to accompany him on walks around the circle.  She had little to do with Ms. BF in those days.  Their cat/human love began when Mr. H. died and both needed some TLC.  Big Un even became a lap cat for Ms. BF. Then about two weeks ago Big Un wanted to go out at night.  Odd but she let her out.  Well, there was a storm and then no Big Un.  The neighbors staged a hunt with no results.  Then "the cat came back the very next day"  well not exactly .. This was after having to endure stories from well meaning friends about how she'd probably gone off to die. Well, she's back with another life in her and Ms. BF is over the moon.

Father's Day with my MOS

Clark Kent is staying in our guest room while hiding from the US surveillance.  Don't tell anyone.  Wow.  Man of Steel alright.  Very dreamy and fine.  My Man of Steel suggested we go for Father's Day and we did.  3D.  First 3D I've seen in forever.  Not as cool as I'd expected but the movie was intriguing.  Don't remember the last time I sat for nearly 3 hours without a potty break--and I shared a large drink with My MOS.  We remembered our popcorn bucket.  Hurrah.  I draw the line on taking it into the restroom.  Gaggy to see all those under the stalls when searching for an open door to dash in. Just need one or two more movies to break even on that impulse buy.

 

My MOS

My original MOS

My Dad, Gene Erwin.  I remember Saturdays and riding to a haircut and bar-b-qued chicken with you in Fairfield.  Then of course a trip to Puckett's, Erwin's Appliance, and if I was good the 10 cent store.
 

Peace in the storms

Outside watching the storm come from Atlanta.  Lots of lightning and hopefully some cooler breezes.  BW and Double N lay at our feet for a minute and then BW wanted in the house so she could get under the ottoman and Double N cat walked over to her real family's house.  Maybe they let her in?

Peace and safety to all from the storms tonight.

Hot and thinning

Hot, hot, hot.  My flowers were eager to see me tonight but even more glad to see the water from my hose. Somehow the tiny zinnias that I transplanted are still living.  Thinning new seedlings is not a strong suit of mine. I'm always so glad to see all the little babies that it hurts my feelings to pull them up.  Last year I had some really crowded pots though...so I tried this year to obey the rules.  I did not thin as many as I was supposed to--oh well.  I'm tickled the seeds even came up.  Seeds are allergic to me like I'm allergic to sweeping. 

I won't bore you with my sweeping allergy.

Pray for my niece in Colorado.  She has a fire five miles from her house.  Very scary

Peace from the Hooch..

Does God have a score card?

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush? What? If I could get my hands on the two in the bushes perhaps I'd get more than 3 blueberries to go with my cantaloupe this morning.  I know, whining, about the blueberries again. I know, get a net.  I have my reasons for not doing that.  Gardeners who plant willy nilly, meaning there are cherry trees growing up in the middle of blueberry bushes, have to suffer the consequences of their poor planning. There ARE shiny things hanging in the bushes, the birds use them to admire themselves while they snack.  Double N is lying on my chair cushions giving himself his morning bath while the birds snack on.

"Be good to me, God--and now!" Psalm 57:1 from The Message .
Bold admonition for Tuesday morning.  Great way to start the day though.  Think I'll try it.  Wonder if He's on the birds side or mine?

Peace for the day from the Hooch.

 

Grasshoppers love these for snackin! 

AuGGGGG!

 

 

 

Double N and weeding

The following post will appear in the West Point/Valley Times News this week.  Sorry if you've already read it.  It's so good just relax and enjoy it again.  Peace to all from the Hooch.

 Deadheading my daylilies could be a full-time job.  Actually they are Duke Boy’s daylilies but I keep them looking perky.  Another life lesson in the garden comes from letting go of what’s holding us back.  After the wonderful, refreshing, thank you God for the rain so I don’t have to water today, my daylilies are looking beat down.  I’ve discovered if I cut off those dead blooms that the stem with new buds will usually spring back up and look for the sun.  There’s not much more I can say about that except it helps sometimes to rid ourselves of what’s keeping us down. I’m not advocating running away from home or not paying your bills….What about not stressing over those uncontrollable circumstances?  I’m not sure what they are for you—I do know we all have stress.  Some of us handle it better than others.

 Gardening helps me alleviate stress—I weeded two flower beds on Saturday.  Double N, the cat with No Name, who now is a part-time resident of my garden, helped me weed.  I semi-encourage the presence of Double N because I do attribute the relative absence of snakes, seeable snakes, in my garden to the cats in our neighborhood. Double N did get an evening of shunning from me last Sunday when I discovered a baby bird; dead, chewed, that was left as a gift for me after a weekend absence.  I know it was gift because it was near my chair where Duke Boy and I share coffee on Sunday mornings.  Hopefully, I made it clear that I was unimpressed.  My Chatt-a-while garden edict is: you may eat of the snakes and squirrels but leave my birds alone.  Actually there is a clause that says: You may frightened the birds with your presence if you notice them in the blueberry bushes but you may NOT capture and eat them, or toy with them, or use them as presents. 

Back to the story about Double N and weeding the back hydrangea bed.  It’s a very viney area with about three different kinds of vines that will choke the life out of anything if you keep your head turned for more than a week this time of year.  I’m on my little Sunday school chair at the edge of the vine convention when I see movement—yep, it was Double N.  I barely had time to get my breath back when while I was throwing vines in the wheelbarrow I saw something rising up—upon closer inspection I discovered it was Double N’s tail.  He was on the other side of the wheelbarrow and all that was visible was his tail.  This is why gardening for me is an aerobic activity.  It never fails to get my heart rate up.  I also get many opportunities to laugh at myself. 

Double N is probably here to stay even though I don’t allow him to sit in my lap.  He wants to but after Donnie’s last sneezing attack when he made that mistake, I decided not to give in to that comfort—on both our parts.  How will you alleviate stress today?  It’s a new day.  Rejoice and be glad in it.

Call the Pastoral Institute if you need help alleviating stress. 

Karen Erwin-Brown is the director of the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She offers individual, marriage, and family counseling by appointment.  Call 334-768-2341 for more information or to make an appointment. The office is located in the Shawmut United Methodist Church in Valley, AL.  It is a satellite of the Pastoral Institute in Columbus, GA.  1-800-649-6446.

Rain, rain, come some more

Garden dance occurring.  Just had a wondrous shower. God has done my job for me for most of the week.  Good thing since my flowers were signing a petition to have me fired.  Nothing like rain for the garden.  I'm about to go out and join in the happy dance.

BW still under the ottoman. She's not sure the thunder is over.  She isn't a fan. 

Peace to all this weekend.  Prayers to those in the path of the hurricane. 

I come to the garden with friends who dreamed

Happy June 5th!

I do have a little play in me.  Ms. M gave me some burlap.  Think it looks a little like Willie Nelson with a bow on him.



We had a lovely day at the Pastoral Institute.
  Celebrated Richard Robertson's genius at starting the Pastoral Institute. 
The prayer garden was named after him today. The birds were out in force to sing about it.


That's Mr. Bill Turner speaking. Another swell guy.  He was the wind beneath the wings of Richard's dream.
They are why I get to do the work that I love.

Peace from the Hooch. Thank the Lord for the rain and the night time full of groovy sleep.

 

Hooch bugging me

Buggy on the Hooch tonite. Hydrangeas begging to be inside with me.  Must have been hot today.  I was inside my office with a/c today.  Pray that it will continue to cool.  So much nicer to work when it's cool. 

Duke Boy gets home from UMC conference tonite.  I'll be glad to see him.  He's not just my chef, he's my ear, advisor, squeeze, coffee sharer, garden walk abouter, Double N fellow petter, and all around good guy. 
Love is good. 

Bluffton Antiques has a great assortment of flags for your 4th.  Got a great Betsy Ross.

 My Mom worked sewing flags at the Betsy Ross Flag Company after my dad came back from the war.

 I  only lasted an afternoon sewing letters on football jerseys when I was in college. 

No genes for sewing.  Give me a garden!

these are back and more plentiful

  . 

Sending blessings down the Hooch

Wonderful to have friends where you can jump into the conversation you had 7 years ago like it just occurred.  Not talking dementia here--just good stories.  Sitting, visiting, and enjoying the day. Thanks Sopigopnopa and Cophropropisop for sharing the day with me.

Back to the office today to catch up and finish yesterday's wildness.  No A/C again and no fax.  Guess I will take a stick and rock in case I have to make fire to get the lights on.  Pray the A/C guys discover the source of the problem. 

Looks like another beautiful day here. Lugged in all the chair cushions yesterday.  My fault that it didn't rain.  Sorry.  I do love watering though.  Not a sprinkler girl except in drought times.  I like to talk and visit with my plants while watering.  Double N makes that challenging--hose, coffee cup, and cat tail curling around the legs --perhaps Dr. M has sent Double N because business is slow. 

Cheesecake factory--oh no.  Something stole our cheesecake!

Family weekend here.  Putting up room darkening curtains in guest room.
 Everyone should purchase a sleep mask.
 Cheaper than drapes that's for sure.

Peace to all of you from the Hooch.  We are letting the mighty Mississippi show itself this week while we remain calm.  Hear the white water in Columbus is a hit.  Sending blessings over the rapids as they come y'alls way.

Before and after --never dull

 

Life on the river is new every morning.  The scenes below are before and after.

 

 

 

 

remember the day of the burn--see the tree on the right

here is the same tree on the ground

 

Not sure when this happened.  Guessing it was big thump. 

 

 

 

 

Shut off the movie and go to bed!

Relaxing weekend. Watching "Downton Abbey".  Up to Season 2, episode 3.  I'm making myself go to bed.  Also spent time outside in my garden.  Planted seed--wish me luck.

I never cease to be amazed at the life lessons in the garden.  Duke Boy was ready to throw away our pineapple palm that wasn't coming back in it's pot.  Convinced him to plant it--Voila--as they say in France.  It has a new huge shoot right out the top.  Too often we give up on others before giving them another chance in a different spot.  Ok. so it's preachy but true.  Room to grow, bloom in a different place from where you were planted--

Great visit from almost 30 year old SE today.  Good to see Ms. Artsy.  She gave me some suggestions for my dressing room paint.  Hmmm.

How gorgeous the weekend has been.  More geese and babies by the river.  Fun to see the Momma in the back spread her wings and honk to get them to line up.  Too funny.  Like Highway 29 travel. 

Enjoy your time relaxing on Memorial Day.  Remember those who died for our freedom.  Peace.

Double N

 

I did not kill him.  He is alive and worshipping me

. He is quite the sweetest cat ever.

  He is enamored with me.  

 

 

Happy Memorial Day weekend, time for traveling pants

Need to be paying bills but this is much more fun. Friday--wahoo--still have to go into the office though and see if I can get my computer to work. Will go in early before the sun hits my side of the building. Thank God for those lovely churchmen who installed my ceiling fan last year. Life saver.
100+ year old buildings aren't known for their insulation. 

Excited to see a older friend--na, na, you're older than me kind .  Even when the distance isn't great life gets so busy that we don't take the time to catch up and see those we love often enough. 
Hugs to all of you who I don't see nearly enough.  Erma Bombeck blog had a great article about a couple in the same room having a fight on Facebook--it is so true.  Duke Boy isn't on Facebook so we still fight the ole fashion way but not nearly as often as when we were younger and still had the

 

look closely for the duck--look how green too

 

notion that we could change the other one and the rest of the world.  Now we just sigh and go to bed or go dig in the dirt.

Can't wait till the sun comes up so I can see what new critter has ventured into my garden.
Fox, geese, mallard ducks, Double N--or NN as Duke Boy calls him.  I need some turtles.  I'm hoping my Hedgie Children will capture another that can roam that big Flex vehicle they drive since they rarely carry turtle capturing boxes in their car. You must get Hedgie Girl to share this story.  Too funny.   This must be turtle mating season or they are trying to get to a Memorial Day sale at JCPenny because the roads have been full of them.  I've decided though there are worse things then squished turtles, like squished me from trying to do a turtle rescue.  Sometimes they are very ungrateful for your kindness.  I've been peed on and nearly bitten by one in front of the Episcopal Church in West Point.  I had to go back home and change out of turtle pee pants.

Gorgeous Memorial Day weekend to all.  Be safe.  Save a turtle. Carry turtle saving equipment--a box, band-aids, and extra pants.

Geese come to visit

Amazin day on the river.  Had my Naomi group over for lunch.  Just prior to their arrival we had visitors. A family of geese--3 adults and a bunch of babies.  So cute.  Lovely watching them follow behind their mommas or daddies?

We discovered a whole new eating spot .  Under the magnolia on the front lawn.  Wonderfully shady.  Also discovered that Queen Anne's lace attracts bugs. 

I'm ready for the A/C man to discover the problem at my office.  Hot, hot, hot.  Then my computer said I an access violation #4400%%88.  You know what I mean. Very aggravating.  Back tomorrow to finish my work. 

Studying my Windows 8 for Seniors.  I pretend it means for Seniors in HS.  Ha. Like they would need one. 

Peace to all and good night from the Hooch.

Valley life support

Feathered but not tarred by the town today.  Never cease to be amazed by our love affair with
 Chick-fil-a.  I know of two people who didn't get their sandwiches.  So sorry.  One we got to replace. The other one was for one of the sweetest women who I know...she was glad it was her and not someone else. Bless her.   Duke Boy semi-agreed to re- sell his when we had a request for an extra.  Sorry.  I'd already eaten mine. Not sorry.  Thanks to the support for the Pastoral Institute and my Advisory Board that made it all happen.

Prayers for friends struggling with health issues.  Safe travel to family in the skies tonight.
Prayers to the families in Oklahoma.  Very sad.

 

Double N and caladryling

Writing from my second floor dressing room.  Of course, it's dark out and I can't see the raging Hooch. Amazing buckets of rain.  Just Caladryled --this has gotta be a verb--my ankles after an evening of gardening last night.  Duke Boy and I sat under the oaks until the shower ran us inside.  Don't do that.  We could hear the thunder in the distance.  We couldn't see any lightening--denial is a powerful element in this ole world.  One of those nights where we could hear the rain racing toward us. Coming down the Hooch like it was riding the train. 

We'd finish an evening of planting after an afternoon of napping. Duke Boy got an Australian tree fern.  Looks gorgeous in its new home on the patio.  Planted more zinnia seeds.  They heard me brag too much last year about how I'd grown them from seed.  None yet.  Past that germination time listed on the package.  Grape tomatoes are a wonderment though.  Blueberries are loading up my bushes.  Double N follows me around the yard weaving in and out of my legs.  I'm going to be on a walker soon due to his friendliness.

We are smitten now over Double N.  We laughed at him as he lay in the flowerbed--all over the plants!! Little BW can't get away with that behavior.  Grinning when his nose touches my empty cereal bowl.  What is wrong with me?? There isn't room in my heart or garden for a bird eating garden soil soiler. 

My sitting room now holds my Grandmother's Hoosier cabinet. Mine since her death in 1976. Hers since her marriage sometime after 1900.  She was born in 1885.  One hundred years before Hedgie Girl.  The cabinet was syrupy in the bottom and held flour from her biscuits in the crevices. It's all that remains for me of the kitchen where cold biscuits and fried chicken lay on the stove top long before botulism was a killing agent.  Good to have her presence so near.  She loves my garden, I'm sure.

Who's there when you are in over your head?

Isaiah 43:1-4 a great scripture to start the day.  Mine is from "The Message". 

"When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you."

Read the rest yourself. 

Another monumentally gorgeous river day--a little over caste--good for flowers that need watering--come on rain--get it done before the weekend.

Peace from the river.

Tribute to another sister from a different Mother & Dad

Another sister leaped into her sixth decade yesterday. Sopigopnopa.  Y'all are helping me stay young!  Seems like only yesterday we sat on the back row of church writing notes and singing out of the Cokesbury Hymnal.  You were so cool with an older sister still around to school you in wooing boys.  Still remember "True Grit".  We weren't studying John Wayne.  You could also cook and sew.  I was enamored with your gifts.  Angel pie, and new funky short outfits for camp. Who can forget playing the piano and singing. If only Carol King or Broadway had known we were out there...So glad you got the boy of your dreams and now you have the family of it too.  You are a gift to my life. Hope you have a great 60th year. 

News from the Hooch

I took a walk in God’s living room on Mother’s Day with Duke Boy and Rock Man.  You can go too.  It’s convenient, free, and gorgeous.  I’m talking about the River Park in West Point, GA.  There are a number of well- marked trails.  Wear your good walking shoes, take a walking stick, stay on the trail.  There is poison oak—and even the Garden of Eden had a snake-- we saw a baby one.  He was on the way to visit his Momma so we let him be and he returned the favor.   Several really gorgeous trees, huge, tall—sorry Rock Man—I can’t remember the names.  Lots of native plants.  My favorite spot is the boardwalk over the beaver dam.  This was an Eagle Scout project that Rock Man helped complete or vice versa.  Get a picture from under the trestle where there is new shelter.  This keeps the debris kicked up by the passing trains from knocking you in the head.  If you get just the right angle from the shelter you can see rails in the river from the Civil War era where a bridge was blow during the Yankee aggression on our neighborhood.  Geography, history, herpetology, botany, and just plain fun and good exercise all in a couple of hours.   Take a friend and a stick and check it out.

Rock Man & Duke Boy

Convertible therapy was also part of my Mother’s Day outing.  It was a little chilly but it was so good to feel the wind in my hair.  We veered off Highway 29 to Lagrange so we could drink in some of that lush green pasture land on Old West Point Road.  Sunset made us let up the windows to block the wind, and the ride home after supper was definitely top up weather. 

We have a new semi-resident in our garden.  NN.  Mr. NoName.  He is furry, striped, and sweet.  He even got to sit in Duke Boy’s lap one night. Duke Boy forgot that kind of fur usually makes him have sneezing fits.  NN is trying to rub his way into our hearts.  He’s even trying to rub noses with our house pet, BW.  NN has a home.  I’m not giving in to his bird eating, garden soiling—not in a good sense of the word—ways.  Perhaps he is a snake eater? Hmm?  Maybe the Garden of Eden could have gone differently for Eve if one of these had lived there??   

Get mooving if you haven’t purchased your Chick-fil-a tickets for the May 21^st fundraiser for the Pastoral Institute.   Friday is your absolute last chance.  Duke Boy made the cookie dough this weekend while I was using up by bend-overs in the garden.  Our homemade cookies really make our sacks very special.  There are only $6.00 for a chick-fil-a sandwich, chips, and our signature chocolate chip cookie.  Call 334-768-2341 to buy a ticket or contact one of our Advisory Board members: Lessie Beck, Bill Edwards, Marshall Sapp, Shelly Hunter, Lucy Royster, Sandra Thornton, Mary Susan Underwood, Christine Simpson, Marilyn Stokes, John Samanie or Donnie Erwin-Brown.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the director of the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She offers individual, marriage, and family counseling by appointment only.  Call 334-768-2341 for an appointment or more information.

Mother's Day Tales from the Hooch

Great little Mother's Day jaunt last evening.  River Park in West Point. Expert guidance from Rock Man who helped create the trails.  Wear good shoes.  Take a walking stick.  Remember you're in God's living room and not yours. The board walk over the beaver dam, an Eagle Scout project, is quite impressive.  Lots of lovely ferns and other native plants to view.  Stay on the trail...lots of poison ivy too.  Only saw one no shoulder creature. Rock Man said might have been a water moccasin. A baby one but their venom is more powerful than their momma's so I hear.

Then convertible ride to Lagrange for supper at Country's. What a day. 

Divine Ms. M and I at Gibbs Garden in 2012. Part of our Mother's day feast.

My beautiful Mother probably a la 1943 before 4 children.

 

Maw Maw with Baby Jake 2012

Lovely lunch a la Duke Boy.  5 star dining experience.  Lemon chicken, roasted potatoes, fresh green beans with basil, watermelon/tomato salad, sour cream rolls.  Dessert: Swiss chocolate cake prepared by one of the woman from my Naomi group for widows.  We had half leftover from group and she gifted us .   

Almost forgot...my annual Mother's Day nap , wonderful.  Duke Boy and I were knocked out for a couple of hours in the sweet afternoon coolness from our open window. 

Maw Maw got to hold the latest addition to our family yesterday.  Baby Ryan, who thanks to many prayers is home from the NICU in Columbus. 

Must be a traffic jam on the river this morning.  Lots of honking from the geese.  No Name, the cat visitor spent Mother's Day with us yesterday.  Got in my lap twice on the patio--sweet and persistent. I'm still not naming him.

Peaceful Monday.

My best Mother's Day present from the late 80's.