Blog Archives
Commando trained weeds take over the gardens
Posted by doggonedmysteries
We actually had sunshine today. What a lovely change from the last several dreary, rainy days. The pups were ecstatic about being able to go for a walk, so was I for that matter. We don’t walk a long distance but we do it at a brisk pace. Both the dogs and I are panting when we finish.
After the walks, I was in the gardens weeding for hours again. Geez, I can’t get ahead of them no matter how hard I try. They must be commando trained. I get one area weeded and those darned weeds sneak over to another one and laugh at me. They can’t grow that tall in such a short time, can they?
My leather gardening gloves have holes in the finger tips I guess it’s time to buy some new ones. I can’t use those cotton ones because we have some prickery weeds that can bite through them.
After a day of weeding, I can tell I’m getting older. My knees, hands, and back ache. At least that’s the only time I feel my age.
I added some pictures to my pond and garden page today. I took them the other day in between rain storms. I hope you enjoy them.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog, my garden
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
The great robin rescue
Posted by doggonedmysteries
First, let me get this straight. I don’t like heights. I don’t like to climb ladders, cliffs, or tall fire towers. I occasionally will still climb trees but I feel more secure in them than I do on a ladder.
Today when I took Patty out I heard a fluttering in the top of the magnolia tree. I didn’t think anything of it. Then I took Gavin out and heard it again. This time I looked up. There, high in the tree was a robin dangling on a string from a small branch. I’m a real softy when it comes to creatures in trouble but for the life of me, I couldn’t quite figure out how I was going to save this bird. He was awful high up in the tree.
“Hmm, ladder? Oh, crap I hate ladders and Dear Hubby is asleep so I can’t ask him to stand there and hold it steady for me.”
The poor bird flapped frantically.
“Okay, I’ll get the ladder.” I dragged the step ladder off the porch and climbed up to the top. Knees shaking, hands sweating. “No way I can reach you. Now what? Broom?” Climbed down the ladder. Climbed back up the ladder. Tried the broom—not even close. “Well, crap. Maybe the long pole branch cutter.” Long, poled, very, heavy branch cutter that could easily knock me off kilter. Don’t forget I’m also a klutz. There I am with the long pole balanced against a tree branch so I can climb the dreaded ladder. The robin is still dangling and watching me with trepidation. I slowly make my way up the ladder, reach for the cutter, and haul it up. Next comes the hard part. (As if all of this wasn’t difficult enough.) I now have to extend this 8 foot long, very heavy pole with a cutter on the end up above my head and try not to hit the now panicking, wildly wing flapping robin.
My plan was to cut the small branch as near to his foot as I could. (If I didn’t over balance and fall off the ladder.) I eased the cutter closer to the crazed bird. I hooked it onto the branch and suddenly the bird was flapping downward. I hadn’t cut the branch but somehow managed to clip the string. I eased the cutter down to the ground, rested it against a low branch, and climbed off the ladder. I was glad to be on solid ground, though from the way it looked not nearly as glad as the robin. Once he caught his breath, he shot out of the yard like a red and brown arrow.
Posted in Misc, My blog, my garden
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
They may act dumb but these dogs can spell
Posted by doggonedmysteries
After dinner tonight I asked Dear Hubby, “Do you want some I c e c r e a m?”
“Ice cream?” Gavin ran to sit in front of the counter. “Hey sis, she said ice cream!”
“For real?” Patty woke up from her nap on the couch and joined him at my feet. “Oh, boy!”
“No one’s getting anything if you two don’t move and let me dish it up.” I pushed the two sixty pound door stops out of my way. They started to boogie and bark.
I dished up our ice cream and put a small scoop in each of the dog’s dishes. Then I waded through what seemed like a dozen dogs. Two excited Bull Terriers can magically multiply their number.
Gavin and Patty danced around the kitchen. “We’re getting ice cream, we’re getting ice cream!”
I took DH his bowl dodging the two fur balls of energy on my way.
“Us! Us! Give it to us!”
“Wait your turn.”
Two noses poked DH’s bare legs.
“Yow! Give them theirs so they get these cold noses away from my legs.”
I went back to the kitchen and rattled their dishes. Two rockets hit warp speed. Patty sat in front of her dish holder her tail wagged furiously.
Gavin stood in front of his, looked at me, and barked. “Now?”
I gave them their treats, picked up my bowl, and went to sit in my chair. I hadn’t taken two bites when one cold nose hit my elbow and another one nudged my foot.
“You had yours. This is MINE.”
Posted in Dog related, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Weeds, rain, Koi, and worms
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Whew. It’s a good thing we had another sunny day. When I said that all that rain made the plants happy, I should’ve said the weeds were the happiest. I spent all afternoon and most of the evening (while there was still enough light) pulling weeds. I’ve only managed to clear the garden against the back fence and the backside of the pond garden.
Unfortunately, the weather report predicts rain for tomorrow and Tuesday so all my work might’ve been for nothing. Two more rainy days and those weeds will be shooting up like sky rockets. I hate to think about the growth spurts the weeds I didn’t pull will go through.
While I pulled weeds, I found a bunch of worms and as I found them, I tossed them into the pond. My Koi were going crazy—they sure do love worms. If I take the time, they’ll take them right out of my hands. Tiki and Yang are real pigs about worms and will fight for the chance to get first grab.
Tags: Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Fish, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Koi, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Taking joy in a bad night of writing
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I look forward to sitting down in front of the computer, taking an idea from my notes and running with it. I spend hours painting pictures with words. I indulge myself in murder, suspense, and fantasy. I relish creating characters, scenery, dialogue, and plot. On a good night, ideas flow in torrents from my fingers to the keyboard, to the page.
My allotted time passes by in a flash. I long to delete the tiny clock in the corner of my screen that shows me my interlude is nearly over. “Just five more minutes,” I whisper. A line used on my parents when they caught me reading a book, under the covers by flashlight, long after bedtime.
On a bad night, my Ideas come in fits dragged from the depths, screaming in agony the words struggle to be born. Those are usually my best works. At that point, I realize again that the best things that come to us in life come through struggle and pain. Therefore, a bad night is the best time to take joy in my writing.
Posted in My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer
Royal Pains a royal flush
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’ve been very pleased with the USA and TNT Networks the past several years. They offer a number of original and enchanting shows, most of which I find better entertainment than what the major networks hurl at us. These USA and TNT shows have clever writers who seem to enjoy entertaining the public.
I watched the season premiere of USA’s newest show, Royal Pains tonight. They’ve hooked me once again. I must say, Royal Pains is different, clever, and so far, entertaining. They hooked me with Monk, In Plain Sight, Burn Notice, and Psych, when they came out. I watch them regularly. TNT has me hooked on Saving Grace and Leverage.
Hey, CBS, NBC, and ABC take a lesson from USA and TNT, hire some good writers, buy some good books, and give us back real entertainment. We don’t want the reality crap shows you seem to want to palm off on us.
Posted in Misc, My blog, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, TV, TV Shows, Writer, Writing
Rainy night rainy day…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
My plants are happy. We’ve had rain, rain, and more rain. The dogs aren’t happy they don’t like wet. I’m not happy because I’m typing this up in between thunderstorms—not my favorite weather.
We did need the rain, if only so I didn’t have to water the gardens. It was beginning to look as though I might before the rain began last night, and has continued throughout the day and into the night again.
I took the pups out for their last chance for the night out a few minutes ago. Patty went out first, she hates rain, and she thinks she’ll melt in the stuff. She cringed out the door, her tail tucked under, and clamped so tightly against her belly, I wondered if she’d actually untuck it long enough to pee.
Then Gavin had his turn although he’s not as theatrical as Patty he does show some disdain for the rain. Rather than dawdle he was done quickly and back in the door like a shot.
Earlier in the week, I’d thought about penciling in cleaning the kitchen floor on Thursday—not going to happen with the pups tracking in. I’ll wait until the mud is gone.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Frog songs and gardening
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It was such a lovely night tonight that instead of watching TV Dear Hubby and I sat out by the pond listening to our bullfrogs sing. No, they didn’t sing The Michigan Rag. Gosh darn it, we could’ve made a fortune if they had—no, wait they’d only sing for us and everyone else would think we were crazy. Think? Heck, I know we are.
I spent most of the day pulling weeds, dead heading flowers, cleaning algae off the waterfall and rocks, backwashing the filters, and cutting back overgrown plants. DH spent the morning with his mother and then rode the mower around our yard. I think I got the better part of that deal.
We have a ground cover growing near the waterfall. I spent several hours thinning it out. I have no idea what its name is. What I do know, is that it hides the wild strawberries and those, ever so devious, hummingbird vines until they are well established and difficult to remove. I thought I liked hummingbird vine, well I did actually, until I planted it in my yard. Now it is a curse. It’s invasive as hell, as difficult to control as a fresh from the wilds mustang, and a real pain in the aster to pull out.
Posted in my garden
Tags: Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, Craft of writing, Crafts, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Never a dull moment
Posted by doggonedmysteries
There are days when I swear I own two baby elephants and not two Bull Terriers. When they decide to tear around the house, they rock the joint. Two wooden camels, Don Quixote, William Shakespeare, and a few other carvings on the top shelf of the curio cabinet walk from one side to the other. On the top of my desk, my computer speakers do a square dance with pictures. Ganesh swings his partner gargoyles and they promenade left and right.
Patty loves to dive onto the couch and race from end to end slamming her butt against the arms to stop and turn. Sometimes she races along the back of it—my poor, worn out couch. I don’t care, she’s having fun, and that’s what matters. Gavin’s favorite dash takes him from the living room to the kitchen where he uses the cupboard to stop and make his turn to run headlong back into the living room. Yes, this can be a lively house.
What I don’t understand is why they wait until I get up to expend all this energy. When they are alone downstairs with Dear Hubby, Gavin is asleep in a chair and Patty is unconscious on the couch. At least that’s what DH tells me.
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
A klutz’s guide to yard work
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Dear Hubby finally listened to me and bought a weed whacker that isn’t too heavy for me to handle. I really like this one. It is battery powered. There’s no electric cord to drag around or heavy gas tank to struggle with or refill.
Today was sunny and warm. I decided to trim around the yard and gardens. I was blithely trimming away then I stepped backwards and tripped over a couple of bricks. As I looked at the sky, I pondered. Why was I seeing the sky? Gee, the hummingbird vine on the arbor needs trimming. I hoped none of the neighbors saw me do that double deluxe flip. Maybe I could tell them I was trying some new gymnastic move. Yeah, sure. They’d believe that.
Time to take inventory. Hey feet, you okay? Yeah, we’re fine. Ankles? Still here. Legs and knees? We’re a go. Hips? Not a problem. Back? Spry as ever. Shoulders, arms, and head? Ready. Whew.
Okay, the human was fine, but how was the machinery? I stood, picked up the weed whacker, turned it on and it worked too. What a relief. I shut it off. Then I heard my neighbor yell from her bedroom window, “Glad you got up. I was ready to send my husband over to check on you.”
Rats.
Posted in Misc, my garden, Writer, Writing
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
High Fashion, high heels, a klutz, and Bull Terriers
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I’m no fashion plate. I wear jeans and T-shirts all the time. When you have dogs, fashionable clothes shred easily if worn anywhere near them. I own a few dresses but they seldom see the light of day or moonlight for that matter. One of my dresses almost killed me. I caught the heel of my shoe in the hem and went ass over tin cups. It was a good thing that I was outside and had a soft landing on a nice, thick lawn. The shoes didn’t have much of a heel and still I fell. Okay, so I’m a klutz. I admit it. I have the T-shirt that says so.
I can’t wear high heels. Hell, I don’t even own a pair for fear of falling off them. That’s why I live in flip flops or, when I have to wear shoes, sneakers. The highest pair of heels I have are about two inches and I’ve only worn the shoes twice—I don’t get out much.
I have two Bull Terriers—not the best choice of dogs for a klutz to have. My dogs are walking road blocks. Occasionally, they seem to take great delight in tripping either Dear Hubby or me. Gavin’s paws often aim for my feet when I’m not wearing sneakers. Lately, since it is flip-flop season, the most often heard expression with the properly added expletive is, “Ow! Foot! Get off my ******* foot!” Patty doesn’t aim for my feet as frequently but she’s managed to get a paw in from time to time.
Posted in Dog related, Misc, My blog
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing
Patty as Esther Williams
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Patty hates baths, rain, wet towels, washcloths, and squirt guns. I’ve spent hours and numerous cookies trying to coax and or trick her into the bathtub to give her a bath. Once I get her in the tub, she cringes in the corner, tucks her tail, ducks her head, and looks pitiful. You send her out in the rain and you get the same reaction. You would think you were killing her if you try to wipe her face with a wet paper towel or washcloth. That is if you can catch her because when she see’s you coming at her with one she runs, hides in the back of her crate, and plays invisible dog.
Now if only someone could explain her fascination with the pond. Why is it, that when I turn my back for a second, I’m certain to find her standing on the rock ledge readying herself for an Esther Williams swan dive? Maybe she does this to make me yell. Could it be that she thinks my blood pressure needs a boost? She’s never actually gone in. However, she occasionally takes a drink while teetering on the edge just to make me crazy.
Posted in Dog related, my garden
Tags: Author, Beads, Bones, books, Books on writing, Bull Terriers, Care giving, Caregiver, Coffee, comedy, Craft of writing, Crafts, Dead, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Fiction, Gardening, Gardens, Home, Humor, Life, Love, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Murder, Mysteries, Mystery, Novel writing, Pet humor, Pets, Pond, Ponds, Rescue Dogs, Writer, Writing



