This is the first summer in well over thirty years that I have not held a job. It has been wonderful having the freedom to truly enjoy it.
Here are few things that made it special
taming a cat (see previous post)
watching hummingbirds all over my backyard
watching a sunflower open
Hanging all my clothes on the line ( haven't used my dryer for a month)
Spending time on gardens
Trip to Nashville
Time with family
Yep, I am one very blessed individual!
Thought for the day: Summer afternoon, summer afternoon...to me, those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. Henry James
I grew up on a farm, and one of the things I did was attempt to tame wild cats. We had plenty of them, and I would sit for long periods of time in the hay shed and meow or simply be quiet. Most of the time I was successful in being able to tame those cats.
Cats have always been a part of my life...from farm cats to house cats. Our last house cat died about three years ago so my life has been catless since that time. I had made a decision not to get another cat for many reasons....they live a LONG time, not a fan of litter boxes, cat hair gets tiresome, etc.
Well, awhile ago this scrawny gray cat started hanging around the area. He was very skittish and fearful so you would only see him on rare occasions. About three weeks ago, I noticed he was around more often so I decided to start setting out food and water. I also noticed that he seemed to have some sort of respiratory infection so maybe a little food would help so his energy would not have to be used for hunting. Because I am not working and have extra time, I used my old skills of meowing as well as being quiet and patient.
We went on vacation for a week so plenty of food and water was set out, and with his condition, I assumed maybe he wouldn't be around when we returned.
Well, guess what! He was around, and just a few days after we returned I was able to pet him. The next day he was rubbing all over me and purring. Today I spent some time brushing his coat. So it appears that a new cat has entered my life and time will tell whether it becomes a house cat or simply a backyard pet. By the way, I also got close enough to confirm it is a Henry and not a Henrietta. Also, it is not a surprise that he is named after Henry David Thoreau.
Thought for the day: a cat improves the garden wall in sunshine, and the hearth in foul weather. Judith Merkle Riley
About two weeks ago, my husband and I were headed to the airport for a trip to Nashville. I decided to stop for gas about four miles before the MN border. As we were getting back in our car, we noticed a young girl who appeared to be hitchhiking with a dog. We discussed the situation and decided that if we saw her again, we would give her a ride.
So as we approached the freeway ramp, there she was. I pulled the car over, and we asked where she was going. Her reply was anywhere in the St. Paul/Mpls area. I opened the trunk to put in her backpack, and the dog jumped right in, too. She got him out of the trunk, and they both got in the backseat.
We discovered her name was Kara (sp?), and the dog was Deter. It was a German shepherd she had gotten as a puppy while in California. She was originally from Philadelphia and had been on the road for quite some time. She had come from California most recently and was headed back that way before winter. We were amazed by a number of things.....she was able to travel with a dog which gave her both companionship and protection...this was a lifestyle that was chosen, not forced.....no harm had come to her (even after riding with truckers).....and last but not least, she had ridden freight trains for most of her journeys.
I am so glad we were able to help in a small way and glad I was able to see that not every one chooses the safe, easy route through life. There are all kinds of different ways of life, and if they differ from our own, that does not make them wrong.
Happy Trails to You!!
Thought for the day: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I.....I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. Robert Frost
This past weekend our granddaughter, Aria, came for a visit. Her parents were attending a wedding so we got the pleasure of spending some time with her.
She didn't cry or get upset when they drove away so I knew she trusted me.
Her first order of business was to check out the whole house to see what might be of interest. We quickly discovered which doors would need to stay shut and what items to put away.
My husband asked a couple times, is this really happening? This was in response to seeing such a cute little person walking all over the place.
Some of the things we did............
Visited the railroad museum
Walked down to the creek
Went to the park
She carried all my potatoes into the living room
Enjoyed our dog, Maxine
Snuggled
Snuggled some more
It was a wonderful time, and I sure hope she visits often.
Thought for Today: There are places in your heart you do not even know exist until you love a child.
I have not been blogging lately because I was having difficulty opening my post page on our computer, but now it works!
Today marks one year since leaving the workplace. It does not seem possible that I reached that goal. Now I have a new one....to make it until the end of the year. Seems like if I break it up into time frames, it is easier for me to sustain. Of course, my sincere hope is that I can meet the goal of never having to return to the formal workplace.
I am just now starting to relax more about being home and enjoying it to the fullest.
Thought for today: Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill
