The Weather Has Been Outstanding

Sweet Ivy continues to improve but still has some strange behaviors. I scheduled an appointment for her with the Vet for Wednesday.  She has not had very much veterinary care that I am aware of.  Along with her deafness it seems she may have a "strange, bizarre" disorder called Hyperesthesia .  The word actually means "abnormally increased sensitivity of the skin" .  It is also known as  rippling or rolling skin syndrome or twitch cat syndrome.  The skin ripples from the shoulders all the way down to the tail and sometimes up the tip of the tail. The movement has been clearly visible to me. Her behavior of trying to bite me seems to be always associated with touching her back or spine especially when petting her . She can be purring and enjoying being pet under her neck and suddenly growl and try to bite me. It usually occurs if I move my hand around her neck toward her back.  Most of the time she does not try to hurt me but it is more like a warning.  It's like she has "a no-touch zone".

Some of the other behaviors that I have observed include waking from deep sleep and running very fast around the house.  A couple times it appeared as though she was hallucinating ! Believe me, a couple days ago she stopped in her tracks, looked at the ceiling and down and up again and down and then jumped into a closed door and seemed to do a somersault jumping very high and she seemed very frightened, scared and in a trance before she calmed down.

There are many symptoms of the disease, some very serious like chewing themselves until bloody.  Thankfully, she only has a few symptoms which I think will be manageable once I understand them.  There is no cure, just palliative treatment. We will wait and see what the Vet says.

Flowers are really starting to bloom in the garden.  This is an Anemone that was planted here before I moved in 25 years ago.

This is another Anemone in magenta planted next to the white one.  They have bloomed every year since I moved here.

The Iris are starting to bloom and I am so VERY EXCITED.  All the hard work last year of replanting them in healthy soil may have been worth it.  I have already counted 24 blossoms that are starting to bloom !

But, it saddens me that I have NOT been able to clean the weeds that are everywhere I look.

These photos were all taken around 7 PM this evening so the quality is not very good.

Ivy really likes her Catio.  She spends a lot of time outside from morning until it gets dark.  But, she takes her afternoon nap in HER living room chair.  I just thought about this.  She may feel safe and secure in the enclosed small space outside.

Oh, I do hope I will be able to provide a good home for Ivy.  She really seems like a gentle soul and usually starts purring when I touch her.

Until we meet again.

Mary

This Is What It Looks Like

When you don't finish planting your Daffodil bulbs in the Fall .

I think they are special wherever they decide to show their bright faces.

Is there anything more lovely than Daffodils as a harbinger of Spring in the garden ?

The garden is in serious need of lots of TLC .  But I am not sure if I am the one who is going to be able to do it .  I have been out a little bit but I do not seem to be able to get much accomplished .  With the wonderful rains of late the gardens are filled with weeds .  No matter where I look it is green and that green is a carpet of weeds, pathways and all .

We have had great sunshine for a few days which has helped me to get some clean-up done on the patio .  It has been a real mess with all the fallen tree branches and nature's debris from the trees .

I think I am dealing with some fear of expecting too much from my body/back as I try to garden . My low back continues with the annoying tolerable pain and my leg pain in non-existent . Hallelujah !  And, I certainly do NOT want it to return .

I am certainly going to look for someone to help me but it will not be easy .  Have you heard of "Mow and Blow" .  They are grass cutters, not Gardeners and they are easy to find !  Furthermore, I do not have a lawn to mow and blow !  I'll just have to see what I might be able to find in help.  In time past, high school kids were eager to earn a few bucks, but it seems those days are long gone !

I hope this Easter week has been everything you might have been looking forward to and that your Easter plans are fulfilling.  My life is very quiet and that is just fine with me.  I am so thankful for all the many blessings I have been receiving !  Peace of Mind and Comfort are Priceless !

Ivy is progressing but not at a very fast pace .  Nonetheless, I am enjoying her.

'Til next time .

Mary

Very Busy With A To Z

But let's start with a quick healthy lunch.   So often when I get busy I hate to stop and take time to eat, especially if I am working outdoors.  However, today I made myself go inside and put a quick salad together.   Grabbed from the refrigerator.

Lettuce
Tomatos
Avocado
Green Onions
Red Kidney Beans
Artichoke Hearts
Pickled Beets
Real Bacon

And topped it off with High Priced, High Calorie Girard's White Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (0n sale).

Sinful 120 calories  (mostly fat) for one 2 Tbsp serving.     To be more accurate - - - healthy before adding the dressing!

And then, a little bowl of Red Cherries for something sweet.

Most of my recent hard work has been outside.   No surprise there!  Still have a little more power washing of some of the sidewalks.  Lots of clean up of weeds,  downed tree limbs and leaves  and tree trimming of what I can reach and with ladder.  I will be calling a Tree Trimmer man tomorrow to trim the Cedar Tree branches over my garage.  And, I still must get someone to clean the roof and spray for mold, moss and algae on the roof shingles.  Plan to use highly rated Wet&Forget.

Two wonderful things happened this week that I must share with you.  First, when I went to the Post Office to pick up my mail,  much to my surprise,  I received A Class Action Case check for $150.00! On many occasions I am tempted to NOT open each and every piece of mail.  But, I won't give that thought any time in the future.

Second,  and most miraculous is that a young man who is the son of the man across the street who occasionally takes my yard waste to the dump for me has returned SOBER and CLEAN following a year and a half relapse with serious drug addiction.  I first met him a few years ago when he first became CLEAN.  He is such a likable young man and I was so surprised and crushed when he relapsed.  He reunited with an old girlfriend who is still using and moved away.   He had been working with his father and is now back again working with his father. On occasion he and his father have done work for me.  They attend the church across the street and there is a tremendous support system.  I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw him and talked with them on Tuesday.  There were lots of big hugs and rejoicing. God is good !!!

Until next time.

Mary

Today Is The Big Delivery

Yes, my new laptop and printer are expected to arrive today in the afternoon and I really am excited. I think it is my Christmas present to ME. Pretty nice one at that. However, I am not very excited about the whole set-up thing. It would be nice to have someone around to help or answer the many questions that I know I will have. In my limited contacts with people I must find someone who knows more than I do about computers.

It is chilly outdoors and I have to go out and clean up a lot more leaves. On Friday, my neighbor blew all the many many leaves off my roof for which I am very grateful. I told him I would clean up all the leaves and mess. I wasn't able to get it all finished so out I go to finish the job. I filled 5, yes, 5 more large trash barrels with leaves and pine needles.

I also was able to clean the leaf covered new Iris Garden Bed. Iris are subject to fungus, so I thought perhaps good drainage along with good air circulation may help to avoid unwanted conditions.

It looks light everyone of the newly planted are doing well. Weeds are starting to come up. If it isn't one thing it's another. One thing about the drought was that the weeds weren't much of an issue. With the rains, which are very good, means more weeds.

AFTERNOON UPDATE - - - The computer and printer arrived. I know what I will be doing tonight.

Hope your week is starting off nicely.

Mary

Thunderstorms, Weeds And Monarch Butterflies

It seems that every few days we have heavy rains, lightning and thunderstorms. Sometimes it is just for a few hours and then sometimes it is longer.

Last Friday the rain came down so hard it was like sheets of water coming off the roof. And, then there was so much hail that it almost looked like snow because the ground was so white. That storm was just before my tall white iris were just beginning to open. The elements were so heavy that the spires of white flowers were leaning over. Thankfully, they were not broken and I was able to tie them back up.

Even though the many fresh blooming flowers take a bit of a beating with the rains it is so wonderful to have the water. And, the garden is flourishing and quite lovely like I have not seen in years.

Lady Bank's Climbing Rose

And then, even without the rain my garden has more weeds than anytime in the past. I only have "so much energy and ability" to do what I do. It's been a very long time since I have used a Weed Trimmer. But, that is what is going to happen soon. I found that I still have a trimmer in my garden shed and it works but needed new replacement plastic cord. I ordered new cord and as soon as I can, I will be trimming.

I can hardly believe how tall the weeds have grown!

My ever faithful blooming Perennial Wallflower Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve always shows up for the party regardless of who is in attendance! Remember, A weed is in fact merely a plant growing where we do not want it. ~ E.J. Salisbury, The Living Garden, 1935.

On Saturday I went "Out and About" to the Calaveras Master Gardeners' Open Garden Day to hear a presentation on "Saving The Monarchs".

Not long after I moved to the country I took the course in 1995 to become a Master Gardener. I think it is an excellent Program and it taught me so much to help me in my love of gardening.

The program on Saturday was very informative. The Master Gardeners have a very large and beautiful Demonstration Garden that the volunteers have developed in the last few years. In addition, they sell plants once a month and the highest priced plant is $3.50 ~ starting at 50 cents each.

The Master Gardeners have planted milkweed and other plants that provide nectar for adult butterflies and their garden has been certified as a Monarch Waystation.

The Monarch Butterflies have declined 90 percent in the last 20 years and it is very important to rebuild their population. Some of the reasons for the decline may be loss of milkweed plant which is needed for the monarch caterpillars to grow,  drought conditions, insecticide and herbicide use, adverse land management and illegal logging. Dragonflies, native bees, and many other beneficial insects are also facing serious challenges. Plant pollination and pest control provided by butterflies is a very important aspect of our Ecosystem.

The garden has a lovely wrought iron entrance but I did not get a photo. When I arrived there were some people that I knew from years ago and I got side-tracked.

 The two black spots on each side of the body are identifying marks of the Monarch Butterfly.

After the program I found a little restaurant called Country Bagel where I had lunch in a very nice setting. I did not take my camera in and I wish I had so I could show you what a cute place it was.

I am so happy to say that I have been feeling better than I have for a long time even with all the pain issues. So much of pain management is in the head. And, the sun has been shinning most days which sure helps me.

Wishing you Beautiful Spring Days.

Mary