Happy 4th of July

Nice enough to repeat from a few years ago.

Wishing all of you a nice Celebratory Holiday

Mary

DOG days of summer - But, I have a CAT.

Today I set up the CATIO for Ivy.  She has been very restless. Sitting on the windowsill in front of an open window just isn't soothing her desire to be outside in the fresh air !  So, I got busy and cleaned the CATIO up from sitting outside through the winter. Lots of dirty leaves and cobwebs.   It is so much more difficult for me to do this type of activity than in the past.  But, I knew she would appreciate my efforts .

I don't think Ivy ever smiles.  But, I can tell when she is happy!

She says she is ready to get in and lie down. 

Now, she will be able to enjoy the outdoors when ever she desires.

I always enjoy the fun pictures of kitty-cats!

Ivy is such a comfort for me.  Even with her "special needs" issues she is worth all my efforts to give her a loving home.  And, the love she gives me is priceless!

Do you have a cat, dog or other pets ?  Their unconditional love is so special!  They are always there for you.  I have enjoyed having dogs in the past, also .  Yes, they are very different from one another.  But, a cat takes less care.  And, that works better for me at this time.

We are suppose to have elevated heat today.  It will be the hottest day so far this year.  Maybe it is the start of DOG days of Summer.  What does that mean?

"For many, the 'dog days', evoke those summer days  that are so devastatingly hot that even dogs would lie around on the asphalt, panting.  But originally, the phase had nothing to do with dogs, or even with the lazy days of summer."

"Instead, the 'dog days' refer to Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major which means 'big dog' in Latin and is said to represent one of Orion's hunting dogs."

"To the Greeks and Romans, the 'dog days' occurred around the time Sirius appears to rise alongside the sun, in late July in the Northern Hemisphere.  They believed the heat from the two stars combined is what made these days the hottest of the year,  a period that could bring fever or even catastrophe."

So. Now you know!

Mary

Tablescape Created In Bygone Days

The weather is warming in this area and the waterways are drawing people who want to fish, swim and do water related activities.  Since I enjoyed creating tablescapes in the past I am showing a favorite one of mine from bygone days.  This is similar to the one I posted in 2014 when tablescaping was very popular. 

Interests change and when "shopping shut down" a lot of different activities like shopping also changed.

A Fish Out Of Water

How nice of Ms. Fish and her babies to come out to play with me.  Doesn't this Mama Fish look a bit sassy and a bit glamorous? 

Look at these precious little salt and pepper fishes .

Tablescaping stirs many thoughts for me.  The creativity that one can put into this activity is endless.  The presentation can be "High End" put together with luxury items that may be readily available from ones own china cabinets and cupboards or in some case - "hiding places" . Thrift shopping can be a part of it or not . 

For me the little journey of creating a one of a kind little showpiece was grounded in putting together a tablescape that was pretty to look at and one that draws your eye to all the little hidden nuance of the presentation.  

The focal point of this table quickly became the Blue and  White Fish (Art by Diane) that I saw on Ebay for $4.99 (with low shipping) . What a find!  And, then one thing led to another and I was "on the hunt".

I do not live close to any of the stores that are common place for home items that you find in the cities, so my shopping options are limited.  However, I do have several thrift stores and a Dollar Store nearby.  Actually, the thrift stores are turning out to be a thrill of the hunt.  They are quite good . A half hour drive will take me to TJ Max, Ross, JoAnn Craft Store and another Dollar Store.  Many great items can be found on Ebay but I really resist paying high shipping charges!  That's just me Least I forget, there are many treasures to be found in my little (over stuffed, did I really say that) house.

This is so much fun for me.  I have always loved dishes .  As a little girl, I can remember having an old cardboard box that housed my dishes that were old and chipped and maybe cracked.  My box of dishes was kept in a special spot in the back yard where nobody could disturb it.  I would set a table and play house. I was always excited when I could add a new piece (chips and all) to my collection.

The fish shaped Studio Nova clear glass bowls are what I am using for our soup,  perhaps Gin Tomato Soup with  Pepperidge Farm gold fish on top as garnish.

Salad and Dinner plates are Ralph Lauren, pattern Mandarin Blue recently purchased from TJ Max. I love the simplicity of the dinner plate and the excitement of the salad plate.

Maybe, the menu will include a Ranch Wedge Salad and Asian Marinated Shrimp.

These Napkin Rings from Ebay are quite interesting to me .  I have never seen any like them, specifically the size which is larger than I have seen in the past. They measure 2-5/8 wide, 1-3/4 high and 1 inch deep .  

Look at the lovely inside design.

They are made in Czechoslovakia with the familiar Blue Onion design. Pretty!

Oh Dear - is she throwing you a kiss?

Since I first noticed Tablescaping on the Blogs, I have been amazed at the popularity of this creative endeavor. It seems to me that there are an endless number a newly created beautiful table settings. Just think about all the vintage,  lovely, beautiful and spectacular dishes that are being purchased by all these people across the world.  Amazing!

Some find this a great avenue for retail therapy and that is fine . The creative process is what I find the most enjoyable along with "being on the hunt" for a bargain.  And, you know I love a bargain !

I hope you enjoyed my little walk through memory lane .   As the years roll along I find that my life does not present as many snippets of my life to share. I certainly miss a lot of the activities that I have enjoyed so much throughout the years . And, I am so grateful I have had all these years to enjoy those things. It is only this past year that I have felt that I have entered the Aging Season of my life. And, that is from a physical (orthopedic) standpoint.  I think that is quite remarkable at 82 .  I am so blessed .

During the last day I have noticed a huge number of tablescapes on the blogs and that makes me so happy.  And, they are so beautiful! 

Hope you are enjoying some summer activities.

Mary

Neighborhood Wildife Visiting

It is amazing what our outside cameras capture in their frame while we are asleep!

For some reason (possibly climate change - drought and fires etc.) there have been a lot more wildlife visitors a night.  DON'T WORRY.  Not at my home. But, about 5 miles up and beyond the nearby highway.  

Five Lions On A Driveway

There have been many many photos on Nextdoor.com of neighborhoods that I know well and that are not very far away.  The above photo was taken only a few miles from my home . There have been so many photos taken by residents that are absolutely amazing to me.  And, lots of videos.  I wish I could show you some of them. 

The videos of the bears getting into mischief are some of my favorites .  They are so masterful at their craft of finding something that is eatable .  Opening a car door handle is a natural for them . Rocking the car back and forth is so laughable .  Breaking into windows and tearing off wood siding is something that takes a little longer!  They are very tenacious especially when they are hungry!  And, it seems as though all the wildlife are very hungry and thirsty this year.  The videos of Mama Bear and her babies scampering around are such a favorite of mine.

Some of the animals that are commonly seen are Mountain Lions, Black Bears , Coyotes, Gray Foxes - - - and  (Racoons - - They like chickens)!   And, all of them can be very dangerous .

Please don't misunderstand my enjoyment of the wildlife antics .  I will always be respectful of their existence and their place in the world . And, I am very sensitive of the damage of personal property, their surrounding environment and personal life!

Now, lets enjoy a video of a Mama Lion teaching her offspring about navigating the wilderness.   Don't I Wish - We could do that!   

Hug your Huggable Animals .

Mary

How Could Our Country Of Intelligent Human Beings Get Us Into Such A Mess About How We Live Our Lives

I guess it is easy to answer quickly because it seems simple even though it is very complex.  What is missing.?  What went wrong?

Kindness regarding how we treat each other - - - - - 

No, that's not a good idea to go there.  I would have to write for days !

But - - - what brought me to the post title is the most recent disastrophe of the doctor being killed in Oklahoma.  If you read my blog you know that subject could alert my emotions.

First off !  How did the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Industry and Government get us into such a mess with promoting medication that can kill each and every one of us if not cautiously monitored and restricted ? ? ? ? ?            Note:  MONEY.

Then, after years of total destruction of a multitude of human beings - - - take it all away without an alternative treatment plan ? ? ? ? ?

Why should people suffer so tragically that have terminal or chronic or immediate post operative need without a program that is individually developed , closely evaluated and very closely monitored for effectiveness and safety ? ? ? ? ?   

The current Pain Management Specialty Doctors do not provide the immediate care needed at the time of pain medication termination.  Perhaps, specifically trained staff would be necessary to provide the immediacy of the service. Appointments can not be scheduled 2 months out !  It could be similar to a Traveling/Home Care Nurse that meets in safe locations to provide the specialty care.  The current system is near criminal in my opinion!

The frustration, stress and danger for the Physicians/Surgeons and Patients during that critical time period is avoidable if the time gap is filled with a timely positive pain medication reduction program.

And of course there is the issue of how OUR country has allowed the horrendous number of illegal/altered drugs coming into our country.  It is so ineffective to try to "close the barn door after the horse is gone".  

Just a  few of my simple viewpoints !  A lot of talk gets nowhere . Immediate action is needed.  This current situation could have been avoided ! ! !

Wishing you a healthy and happy weekend.

Mary