Projects Galore

Oh boy has life just been whizzing by or what!!!  We have moved yet again.  This time smack dab in the middle of town.  Not real crazy about it being a country girl at heart.  I do have enough room for my garden boxes and there is a nice variety of birds and squirrels to watch but I miss the quiet of the country side.  We live on a main street so it's constant cars, oh and less than a block behind a train track which my grandson absolutely loves.  He's obsessed with trains and the crossing gate is referred to as "Nana's gate".  

Anyway you know whenever there is a move you have a project list that goes on and on.  I did have a summer garden but that's over now I have started my seeds and planted starts of kale, collards (to be eaten I'm sure by my veggie loving dog), Chinese cabbage, lettuce, onions, radishes and soon I'll plant garlic.  The deer are actually worse here than they were in the country.  Not sure why that would be but in 4 years there I never had a deer issue and now it's a constant battle.  

We are working on the front porch now.  Well actually hubby is working I'm sitting on the swing watching and encouraging :-)  The house is a 1935 small house and the front porch was practically falling in.  Someone thought it would be a good idea to install these huge columns meant for a much larger house so they have been removed, the floor decked over and simple 6x6 columns are now in their place.  The house was white dirty and peeling all over.  It has been painted "grassland" green with "muslin" trim.  I have a nice wicker swing which is my comfort zone and I found the prettiest butterfly to hang on the wall.  I'm all about some butterflies now.  The front yard is mostly gravel since it's the only area for parking but there is a small section which is on the project list to be converted to a butterfly garden.

Okay so now I have to get some things in order so I can be a little more productive with the projects that I can actually work on.  Gotta go make a LIST. 

Days Gone Too Fast

When I logged on the picture of Broch and Annie tore my heart.  It was January of last year we lost Broch.  It was a quick passing but many would comment "at least it was peaceful."  Not true.  I watched and held him as he took his last breath.  I told him he was a good boy.  It only lasted about 20 minutes the last 5 of which were the worst.  He had shown only the normal decline of an old dog, arthritis, slowing down etc.  I suspect he had heart disease.  He would tire very quickly and not recover very fast.  The last few months I noticed he had taken to laying in the front room alone (but always keeping his eyes on where I might be).  The other two lay in the back room what we call out "Florida room."  He was loving, gentle and above all else spoiled as are all of our pets.  

I have lost dogs in the past and it was always difficult but Broch has been the hardest.  Ha, and he wasn't even "ours" until the last year.  I keep saying no more but I know that's not true.  My home is never the same without fur on floors and furniture and that warm body laying on your feet. The eyes that watch you expectantly from first thing in the morning till night fall.   The squeals (Annie squeals like a pig) when you come home.  So there will be another just not sure if it will be fostering or adopting.  I do know it will come from a rescue shelter somewhere there are so many now that need good homes.

We will be moving from this house soon.  Our little yellow house that I have come to love.  The gardens that have given us so much.  The bluebirds by the dozens.  The two hawks perhaps Mr. and Mrs.  Not sure if they are Cooper's or Sharp-shinned but they are beautiful.  The move will be closer to town to help and be nearer family.  I love that part of it but a town dweller I am not.  For me it's like losing part of my soul.  I will be missing a breath not to mention breathing in more carbon.  I love living out here and love the large walking space and just looking out the back and seeing nothing but trees and nature.  Oh well as we all know everything here is temporary and passing so we must learn to adapt and move along as life requires.

The greatest joy in passing days is watching the growth of my grandson.  He is learning and growing so fast.  There seems to be a spirit about him that is drawing.   He watches everything so carefully and really seems to be thinking intently on everything.  He talks ALL DAY LONG.  Which I know is a good thing and it's funny because his mom was the same way as a small child.  In fact, once we were shopping and the chatter was non stop a stranger commented "you sure couldn't lose her could you."  Hahaha, no way!!!!

Well more to come.  Gonna go pick some wonderful collards, radishes and onions and made a nice winter meal.  

Still plan to have some sort of garden in the city.  I'm sure I will increase my house plants also just to help keep the air clean.