Call Me Crazy

My hours Needle Crafting are time well spent for friends and charity! I don't get it? I think some people have too much time on their hands. Yah, I guess that's a PUN!  Take a look at the link.

104-Year-Old Activist Yarn-Bombs Her Town With Colorful Art.

Happy Weekend.
Mary

Did You Have A Good Day Yesterday

I ask because I hope it was better than mine. Maybe, we could play "Can you top this?" No, let's not. Well anyway, there were two noteworthy experiences. One inconvenient and one disgusting.

OK #1 - I locked myself out of the house! So, I worked outside until I decided what to do. Get this! I eventually poked my head, right shoulder and right arm through the small pet door and used a long handled item to open both the deadbolt and door knob lock. Good thing I am still a little gal. I got a lot of dirty outdoor work accomplished while pondering what "my attack" would be. Success was predicated on the fact that the pet door was not locked from the inside. Yes, I have an extra key outdoors that I faithfully return after using. However, I used it the day before and it was sitting on the dining room table. Am I getting old and forgetful? Impossible, right.

OK #2 - Hold your hat on for this one! At 2 AM, Lily had to go outside (her medications for her heart problems include a diuretic) and she was sprayed in the face by a skunk. That is a first for her and I hope the last. It was just a couple days ago that I was thinking how nice it was that Lily had not had an encounter with a skunk during her 10 years of life. It wasn't to bad, mostly her eyes. My heart hurt for her and her puzzlement over "What Happened?"

Living in the country has it's very own activities that are unique to the area. Some day when I have time I will tell you the story about the first time (in 1994) when my little Yorkie was sprayed. Remember, I was a city girl prior to moving here.

What a weapon he carries! Trivia - both male and female skunks spray, males especially during mating  -  against other males!
I hope your day is nice and calm. I think maybe I should sit in a chair in the house all day.

Mary

Have You Heard About The Yarn Bomber

I have heard of yarn bombing but I did not know that there was the distinction of Yarn Bomber given to one person. However, it looks like if anyone deserves to be called "The Yarn Bomber",  the creator of this project may be the one.

Red Heart Yarn was donated for the project!

A few statistics for you:
1 crocheter
2+years of work
1089 square feet
50+pounds
approximately 25 miles of yarn

The size was established by the aid of a professional surveyor! The gentleman (YES - gentleman) that crocheted this is hoping to win the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Granny Square. Check out www.yarnbomber.com/world-record-attempt.html for more interesting facts and photos.

Enjoy and have a good day.
Mary

My Head Has Been Swirling

So much has happened during  the past seven days and my emotions have swirled the full spectrum.

First off, I want you to know that even though it has been an unusual week I still remind myself, on a regular basis throughout each day that My Gratitude List is long!!!

Yesterday, the Advisory Evacuation was lifted for my area. The firemen have done an exemplary job. I imagine some of them will be traveling to the Valley Fire. I sure hope they are getting enough rest. This was at one of the many staging areas.

Next, I would like to show you a picture that I find absolutely stunning, for lack of a better descriptor. Look at the tire tread rubber. It almost looks like art work! Perhaps like a springy slinky! I hope you do not think I am weird, just looking beyond the severe reality of the disaster.

I continue to be in awe with the devastation and hardship from the fires. Neighborhoods have been completely annihilated. I certainly am thankful for my safety and house. This was an experience that I will never forget. Last Saturday was particularly difficult for me. On that day I felt so much uncertainty and dismay.

Moving right along with a different topic. I have spent two days in doctor's offices this week specifically for my chronic back issues which have increased significantly starting approximately two months ago. I will try to make this succinct as I can. The characteristics of my back pain have changed markedly. It is constant and burning and travels down my leg. For the past month I have  been taking a new medication. The same medication was prescribed several years ago and I was unable to tolerate the side effects. Well, this time I am determined to make it work for me. The first couple weeks I was totally useless and wanted to sleep all day and night. The pain level is less and that is a real motivator. The dosage is being increased gradually as the side effects are less. I guess I am getting accustomed to feeling light headed. I do not like it and I have to be very careful that I do not fall. The pain had been so bad before this medication and this is encouraging. My MRI shows increased deterioration of my spine along with the scoliosis. The surprising item is that the lumbar spine has rotated 45 degrees. More nerves are being compressed. No wonder my pain has changed. In addition, during the past year I have lost one and a half inches in height! Next time I will talk about what the Physiatrist/Rehabilitation Specialist had to say.

This beautiful red rose named Oklahoma was blooming during the fires. During the early morning each petal was glistening with the nights dew.

I continue to enjoy my garden and especially the recent blossoming gladiolas. Pink glads are starting to peek out in the center bottom of the photo.

Glorious.

Beautiful Pastel Blue

The White Autumn Clematis is at its peak of gloriousness.

I am so blessed that the ash has stopped falling.

That's all folks. Thanks for listening.
Mary 

Things Are Getting Better

Yes, It was wonderful when a light rain started last evening. Needless to say, I'm feeling very tired even though Lily and I had a great night's sleep. The last that I know is that the fire is 37% contained. I think houses destroyed is over 200!!!!!! The Valley Fire north from here is so terrible and much worse than what we have been having. Prayers are so important. So, please pray for them, as well as for us!

Someone posted the "Raining photo" and I thought it would bring a little lightness to the day.

Buy the way, I am having a terrible time with Blogger. I do not have the patience today, Spacing is driving me nuts! Don't know how much I will be able to blog today.

This has been the scene throughout the last few days. This was taken at the corner in front of the church that I walk to on Sundays. It is about five houses away from mine. AMAZING.

I think that is it - for today. GOD BLESS THE FIRE FIGHTERS AND EVERYONE THAT ARE HELPING  LIVES AND FAMILIES RETURN TO SOME NORMALCY!

Mary

I Am Still In My Home

I am going to post some photos of the Butte Fire for which I take NO credit for photography. Some are watermarked. I am currently on Advisory Evacuation but NOT Mandatory Evacuation. The fire is less than two miles from me and my home. Again I am so blessed in that I live in town.

I don't seem to be able to download some of the photos I had planned. I know I am very exhausted
from the stress and the poor air quality. These last two photos are stunning photography, aren't they? The others are HORRENDOUS - SAD.

Eighty nine houses have been destroyed. The winds have started up again. If you have every heard of the Santa Ana Winds, that is what  they are comparing these winds to.

On a very sweet and appreciated note. My Granddaughter has offered me shelter (three hours drive) and even offered me her bed because of my bad back. She is always so sweet. She says just give her a call even if it is 3 AM in the night! I really would rather not drive that far - but hey - I would get to see those BABIES. Whatever happens I will just roll with it with my doggy, Lily in my arms.

It's late and I should go to bed.

Mary

The Fire Is Getting Closer

I am still here. Today there may be embers coming this way. Serious! I have friends who have lost their homes far north/west from me. Everyone I have read about are packed and ready to go. The firefighters and personnel are staying at a motel a couple blocks away from me. If, they move than I will have to give all of this more serious thought. I have not prepared to leave. I guess it is either denial or stupidity!

65,000 acres burned with only 5 % containment. Fast moving fire. Very dangerous. Ash is still falling this morning, but air is clearer, but as day goes on the air will get worse with increased smoke. I feel so sorry for all affected by this disaster. My personal view/point is that I am old and have had a full life. What will be will be. The young folks and families are working hard to build their lives and many may lose everything if this fire does not get contained. This fire has moved so fast jumping ravines, highways, thick forest and anything in its path. On Wednesday, the television was showing me scenes of flames ravishing the land like I had never seen before. If I have to leave, I do not know where I will go.

11:00 AM.

Mary

One Hundred Degree Weather With Fires And Evacuation

I just came indoors from taking this photo and it is one o'clock, midday and this is what the sky looks like with a terrorized looking sun that is veiled in a very nasty fire and ash filled sky! In the last 24 hours I am experiencing a first in my life that has filled me with a wide spectrum of emotions.

As I alluded to a couple days ago, a large forest fire approximately 25 miles north-west from here started Wednesday afternoon on September 9, growing from 100 acres to nearly 15,000 acres in 24 hours. The fire doubled again the next 24 hours to nearly 32,000 acres. According to CAL-Fire "Fire behavior remained extreme throughout the night with rapid uncontrolled fire growth to the south and west. Suppression efforts had minimal impacts due to a high focus on structure defense. Hot and dry weather, steep topography and fuel moisture at critical low levels have resulted in extreme fire spread. Evacuation warnings have been issued for additional threatened area and more are expected." 

Last evening, when I let the dog outside I noticed a sky that was very reddish wherever I looked and the wind was blowing AND the sky was dropping grey ash and flakes.  I guess this is more than a flakes. When I first saw it I thought it was a piece of black trash bag. It is about three inches across. 

At the moment the sky is completely reddish to the point that it looks like red lights are on in the house! The photo does not show the red as much as it really is. Obviously, the air quality is terrible. This morning while I was sitting near an open window the wind was blowing and there was ash coming in through the screens.Yes, I closed the window!

A few more photos. Look at my car windshield!

Many of my friends have had to evacuate. Oh, how scary that must feel. All activities at my church are cancelled except service in the morning. The after church activities have also been cancelled.

Our church is very involved with helping ALL People especially with talking, meals and many other activities like directing them to available resources

My emotions are not really fear but tremendous concern for ALL that are associated with this serious disaster. Living alone does create it's own unique concerns.

Television has just reported the fire is now consuming 50,000 acres. This is very shocking. The entire town (2,700 pop.) of San Andreas that is the government center has mandatory evacuation. As I type this evacuation is recommended for the one side of the highway where I go to the grocery store!!!!!!!

I am very glad that I live in town instead of way out in the country. I hope I am safe!

Sorry, no proof reading today!

That's it!

Mary

Simple Surprises Are Fun

But 100 degree weather today was not so much fun. The forecast is for three days of very hot temperatures. Unfortunately, this evenings TV news reported that a wildfire is in our county for the first time this year. A fast moving fire started at about 3:30 P.M. in the next county over and has now extended into our county. Pray for the animals, fire fighters and all involved in fighting another of these horrible fires.

For a couple weeks I have wondered who lives down this hole. I see no nibbles on my plants. The hole is near a very tasty miniature gardenia and a few other tasty plantings. I googled what I knew about the hole! And, I was thinking it might be a vole. And, I faintly remember something about a toad.  And, then one day I was watering and I did not avoid watering the hole. In fact, I actually watered down into the hole thinking that might bring out the inhabitant! I went about my work and a little later I saw from a distance what I thought was a rock in the vicinity of where the hole is. And, to my surprise, Look who came up to look around.

Then he came out further to introduce himself. His name is Fred. He stayed for quite awhile and looked around. I think he approved of what he saw!

My garden has not had the attention that it needs during the past five years while I was in a relationship with a man who was not interested in gardening or house maintenance. But, he loved to play and be out and about. So, I did many things and went many places because he could afford it. If you read my other blogs (listed on my profile page) you will see lots about our travels. My dear friend passed away last December.

At the beginning of the growing season my roses were in bad condition from some insects. I sprayed and there was no change. The leaves were falling off starting from the bottom and the rose plants looked like they might die. Again, I went to google to see what I could find about my dilemma. I learned that the problem was probably in the soil and migrates up the rose. I do not remember the name of the problem invader. However, I was able to find a liquid product that took care of the problem. LOOK at this rose and rose bush. The photo was taken today. I have two rose bushes that are still blooming!

There are several more buds on the bush. So, I will be able to enjoy more roses.

My fig tree produced a lot of figs and they are very sweet. Even though it produced probably at least 100 figs I did not make any interesting recipe to share. Since I am outside about two hours each day I enjoyed the figs by hand eating. I usually eat about three figs each day. Sooooo Goooood!

Now, are you ready for my biggest SURPRISE. I bought some gladiola bulbs and did not get them planted right away. I did not know if they would grow. Thru some of them out. And, I certainly did not think they would bloom the year. Look at this BEAUTY!

These are all white and I planted them near my other white flowers. I also planted about the same amount of pastel gladiolas in another location and they are starting to bloom. No actual open flowers yet.
On the next photo - can you see the white flower starting to bloom on the top of the fence in the far left upper corner of the photo? Oh, and you can see the gladiola plants at the bottom of the photo.

This is  Sweet Autumn Clematis. It is a vigorous grower with fragrant white flowers that start to bloom in late summer. It is so nice to look forward to this beautiful flower that will cover my fence in the corner or the White Garden! I will take another photo when it completely covers the top of the fence and falls down like a vail.
BEAUTIFUL!

So there you are. I hope you enjoyed my surprises in my own garden. The gladiolas are my favorite. 

And, this is my little sweetheart, Lily keeping and eye on her surroundings. She is my protector! Her health seems to be quite stable. It is over a year since she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Disease. She is on quite a few medications $$$. And, when she goes to the Vet it is some more $$$. But, no matter what, I will find the $$$ to provide for her. She is 10 years old and still plays with her toys every day and loves to be outside with me every day.

THE END

Mary