The New Less Is More

This is my spa. Someone yelled @ me as I left work and said it's 89 degrees out there, I said I'm laying in the sun then!! So I decided to do just that, I have a nice lawn it's a shame to always be working in it, I need to enjoy it. An old chaise lounge lawn chair, a glass of wine (I don't drink enough to be considered a drinker, just seemed to be appropriate, it even had a cork!) suntan lotion, my phone, a towel to wipe the suntan lotion off of everything and flip flops, (we don't call them thongs anymore, no no no!). I called everyone I could think of, drank wine, suntanned flipped over. Then I napped a bit, bichon crawled on top of me and the other dogs (I'm watching the bulldog Opal for my daughter while she's on a trip) couldn't be left out, I finally convinced them the shade was better for them, napped some more and watched the things you aren't supposed to have floating around behind your eyelids when you close your eyes. I listened to the birds call and watched the cumulus clouds build and dissipate. Flipped over again, listened to the kittens in the bushes, called another person. Wondered if the Mockingbird that wakes me up @ 3 am (I just know it's him, not that many different birds take turns calling @ 3 am) was within shooting range.

Then I noticed how many bees were flying around, nope they were flies, but they weren't bothering me? I thought maybe I should move the cat food from by the back door. Then I looked over, saw the bird feathers scattered about, kitty has been being kitty again, then I saw a snake wrapped around a folded up lawn chair by the cat food, it was dead. It was more than dead, it looked like it died in the throes of agony. The only thing I could figure is the cats tortured it to death and it was striking @ them (garter snake, harmless) and it had a heat stroke in the sun because they had it cornered. So I got rid of it in the gravel road and the flies left and the dog crawled up on top of me again, the cats got under the chaise lounge and we just had a grand old time. There was another glass of wine in there too I believe?

Part of this was brought about by listening to a broadcast on PBS about a lady who had been watching prairie dogs and thought she would go mad the first three days. The fourth day she couldn't write down what the prairie dogs were doing fast enough, because she had learned how to slow down and really observe them and be in the place. The more we know about a place and observe what is going on the more we are really in tune with the place and learn about it. So I was one with my lawn, and my glass of wine, and my bichon, and my borrowed English Bulldog, and the birds, and my lab, and my phone and sun tan lotion too I suppose. Of course the terrier, lab, schnauzer,and cats figured in too. For those who are interested a guy has spent his life studying prairie dog language and they have "words" for man with red shirt, man with blue shirt, man with gun, man without gun, lady with yellow shirt, and so on; it's totally amazing to me. And when left undisturbed the prairie dogs get up out of their little burrows in the morning and face the rising sun with their little paws folded across their chests for half an hour like a religious meditation. Then in the evening they do the same thing toward the setting sun before heading to their burrows. I found it fascinating and that was before any wine!

It was a simple couple hours but thoroughly different and refreshing. I'm sure most of us have learned to make more out of less even if we don't have to. I think we should celebrate it instead of bemoaning the new way of life. Of course I would like a wooden chaise lounge with cushions but then I would have to be more careful with it, this old $9 one from the discount store does just fine as long as it still supports me. I can't stand expensive wine, there's no way to get a sun tan and be cool except a tanning booth I suppose but I've never been in one. Aren't we all supposed to have a lack of vitamin D? I have my supply for a couple days. The bird song and the clouds moving will be in my head for a long time as will the prairie dog stories and the sounds of dogs snuffling (the bulldog) by my ear. Just a generally satisfying spring afternoon.

Most Wonderful Favorite Award

This award is based on friendship. My friend SquirrelQueen passed it on to me on her blog Through Squirrel Eyes . Thank you very much SquirrelQueen I am honored. I would like to change the rules and pass it back to who gave it to me but that's not the idea!
These are the rules in accepting this award:



Deliver this award to eight bloggers who then must choose and deliver the award to eight more and include the following text into the award.





"These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers."





I would like to honor the following bloggers. As noted in the text above, my aim is to find them as friends. These are blogs that I hope everyone will visit and follow.

Oranmental, by Nina.

aMusings Blog, by aMusing.

Drawing and Painting, by Poet.

Hypnotic Visualization, by Monaliza.

Checkers The Peek A Poo, by Checkers.

A Majority of Two, by Jo.

Eduardo The Snuggle Puggle, by Eduardo.

My Fire Hydrant, by Bev and Bailey.

Once again thanks SquirrelQueen, and for those who read my other blog Animals that give pause I didn't make a mistake, I won the award twice!!!

Life Changes

Just when you think life will go on like it is it changes. I've been waxing rather philosophical lately and there is a reason. My life or my future has changed drastically in the last month or so. I hesitate to write about it because I don't want to jinx it but as Monaliza has pointed out in her blog Hypnotic Visualization I have to own my life and dreams and visualize positive things. Also it's funny but my friend SquirrelQueen posted about a river today and how it ebbs and flows like our own lives on The Road To Here today. When Monaliza commented on my beautiful garden home it was all the more poignant because I knew I would be leaving it.

What's the big change, it's all good, the answer to our prayers actually. Husband has a new job. The problem, it's 700 miles away right now and possibly further later on. The benefits? Retirement, excellent pay, being able to pay our BILLS (notice capitalization!) and save, we will get to see each other every day, husband won't have to fight for truck loads and drive all night on icy roads as I stress. The drawbacks, it's so far away from friends family and home although I'll get to come home often. We had just decided to bite the bullet and we both work after being in business for ourselves for years then this job comes along and it's just too good to pass up. We have family here (police officers next door!) that will take care of the house and probably one of the kids will move into it. If so we will build a new one that is smaller and more sensible (we will probably build a shop or storage building and move out of this house so the kids can really use it) but we were just getting this one whipped into shape after being gone 2 years cleaning up after hurricanes. I won't have to work but will do something because I've always helped my husband in his business. We have a really nice 5th wheel to live in while we are away from home that we bought while cleaning up after hurricanes.

So life changes. I never thought I'd be thinking about building a new house, that part isn't set in stone yet but it's a possibility (the first time I've even considered it). I'll be @ home most of the summer, we are doing this all gradually, planning the smart way for once. As my daughter told my husband (her stepfather) "it's too good a job, no complaining and no quitting and could you take my husband too?" His daughter told him he could always step in a pile of poop and come up with a rose. Old saying in case you aren't familiar with it. Hopefully all 7 kids will come visit us often. I'll still be blogging, the younger dogs will come with us, the cats and older dog will have to stay here (6 cats in a camper don't work no matter how big it is) but there will be people here they are all used to so it will be fine. Life changes and stays the same. What stays constant is the people who truly matter.

I've Been Awarded Neno's Award!!

The award is:

1) a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
2) to seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
And I received the award from....... Monaliza M. Amid she said it was for my beautiful garden home that inspires her to get one one day, my husbands and my combined hobby is our yard so that sentiment is very precious.

The aims of this award:

1. As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
2. To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
3. Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.
4. Don't forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
5. Answer the award's question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
6. Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
7. Don't forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

THE NENO'S AWARD IS NOW PASSED ON TO:

aMusings Blog because she makes me think.

Suze my cousin who doesn't blog but should, hint hint.

My cousin Peggi who is a guest writer sometimes! She designs web sites, me blogging was her idea.

CJ @ ShoppingKharma because she give me courage.

AND the reasons I love blogging?

1. Exposure to new ideas through others comments and blogs and "meeting" so many interesting people. I've even had an author of a book comment on my Missouri Books when I wrote about his book, scary.
   
2. Ability to vent @ times or share what I'm thinking, I think my relatives and friends are rather relieved they don't have so many lengthy emails to wade through, my daughter admits she scans them.
3. I can take pretty pictures and share.
4. I can share experiences.
5. I found I can write which I never thought I could do, sure if it was an ebay ad or I was venting I could write but I can actually write about any given subject, who knew? Mom would be proud, then she would correct my grammar. Maybe not in that order.
6. I can talk about my 3 favorite subjects, animals, books, and my views/stories, what more could you ask for?

TC

I've Been Tagged Or More About ME!

have been MEME tagged by SquirrelQueen.

Rules of the meme. Respond and rework. Answer questions on your own blog. Replace one question. Add one question. Tag 6 people, more or less. And here we go . . .

What are your current obsessions? Blogging, reading on facebook, FML if you're on there, trying to get my house as organized as they seem to think I am @ work.
Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often? 3 smocky t shirts from 2 summers ago.
Last dream you had? I was driving a semi (I can BTW) up the hill by the barn, my daughter was with me and she was going to drive when we got on highway (like I'm going to let that happen in real life?) I misjudged and hit my father in laws pickup which was sitting in front of the house we used to live in and knocked it forward, then I woke up.
Last thing you bought? Dog Collar and Leash for my Lab.
What are you listening to? Dogs barking @ imaginary intruders, probably cat like intruders.
Favorite holiday spots? Home with family, beach, mountains. I motel quite well with good movies and room service also.
Reading right now? I started the Tending Instinct.
Four words to describe yourself. OK, I'll say what others have said, bubbly, outgoing, pollyanna, obsessive @ times.
Guilty pleasure? Computer in general, fudge brownies too.
Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak? My husband, sometimes he's trying to be funny.
Best spring thing to do? Getting the lawn looking like humans live here.
Favorite drink? Coffee with cream and Margaritas for fun.
What I'm afraid of? Snakes, bad bad storms, abandonment, clowns.
Favorite ever film? Two For The Road, Albert Finney, Audrey Hepburn
Care to share some wisdom? Don't think your life is boring, things will change and it might not be!
Song you can't get out of your head? Any teenybopper one from the 70s.
Something you are looking forward to? Going to Louisiana soon.
What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten? Fried bananas and cheese, my own creation.

And I am tagging ... Drum roll please!!!

Monaliza @ hypnoticvisualization

K2comfort @ Ksquared Comfort

Carolyn @ dogs in my bed

MizLilly @ becoming an author....my journey

Crystal Jigsaw @ Crystal Jigsaw

rickbischoff @ rickbischoff rustic


I know some folk aren't into this sort of game (probably the ones that don't answer the 20 question emails!) so it's up to you to pass it on or not, I was tagged so now you are if you so choose!

Schizophrenic Story With Forked Stick

I know a schizophrenic (which I always thought had a t in it till now) being off his medication and smoking crack isn't terribly exciting almost 4 years after it happened. What happened in my encounter with the schizophrenic was. Now it's humorous, but then it wasn't. BTW I know several people who are bipolar and depressed and have NO bias against them. This isn't so much a story about the schizophrenic but my reaction to what he did. What brought this on? My sons girlfriend remarked she had been told she was pretty by a schizophrenic (she's a nursing student) so here's the story unless you are bored witless by now.

Background, we (husband, son, and I) were cleaning up after Hurricane Wilma in Ft. Lauderdale FL, November 2005 (we had trucks but wanted to try something different due to me being ill, stress, etc). Actually Son had gone back to Missouri for Thanksgiving and I was doing his job which was groundman, fancy word for hurricane debris picker upper. Debris is trash but it's mostly boards and shingles, some furniture and carpet and tree limbs, LOTS of tree limbs. The groundman would get it in a pile so the picker truck (see above, that's son in Hiller Park, Biloxi MS, I think)could pick it up and put it in the bed of the truck, then the truck would take it to these huge dumps and if it was mostly vegetation it was ground up for mulch or disposed of someway. We were picking up debris in a decent neighborhood of 20 year old ranch homes which probably cost way more than they were worth. There was a nice looking young black man (is that politically correct, btw I have a 1/4 black grandson so no racial remarks!) walking down the street, my husband was operating the picker truck, I was raking up branches and the FEMA monitor was there in her jeep. Her name was Patty. As the black man got closer I noticed that he had on Dickies work clothes and they were extremely well pressed and new and he was tall, he had nice cornrows in his hair, he was also crying like the world would end, bawling his eyes out, sobbing, it was horrible. I being Pollyanna asked him what was wrong when he got close enough and he gave me a look like there was nothing I could do and it was possibly my fault he was crying. I watched him out the corner of my eye but kept on raking and piling, he got out of my sight and a minute later all of a sudden Patty the monitor SHOT by the truck in her jeep looking like she'd been scared to death. She NEVER drove by the picker truck while it was operating because it was dangerous because of falling debris possibly coming out of the bucket. So I saw her up the street in her jeep making a phone call on her cell, I kept on raking. Here comes the black man back and this time he glared @ me, THEN when he got parallel to the passenger door on the picker truck he suddenly veered off course and opened the door and got in!!!

At this point being not to smart sometimes all I could think about was that the truck was running and my purse behind the seat and neither scenario was good. I could picture him getting the truck in gear and driving it off with my husband on the seat up high. (this is where I was not to smart, the stabilizing legs were down, I doubt the truck would move with them down). So what did I do? I grabbed a forked stick, I have no idea why forked but it seemed like a better weapon, more poking power? So I ran around to the drivers door of the truck and get in (now is the time to question MY sanity)! So I'm in this truck with this man who is still bawling to beat the band, he hasn't actually moved, he's just sitting in the passenger seat. So do I tell him to get out? NO, I ask him just exactly WHAT he thought he was doing, like I'm scolding a child, remember this guy is in his 20s, I have kids this old. He looks @ me and shakes his head and bawls some more, I ask him again, and get the same response, THEN I do shake the stick @ him (I'm sure he's terrified @ this point considering I'm like 5'4" armed with le forked stick and he's well over 6') and tell him he needs to get out of my truck NOW. He does reach for the door handle and SUDDENLY the door flies open, husband has seen what is going on but it took him awhile to get down the ladder from his perch on top and he has JERKED the door open. My husband wasn't terribly concerned with the reason for the mans abnormal behavior he just told him to get out now. I don't remember any other words but I'm sure there were more and they were colorful. My husband isn't but 6' but he's one of those guys with no neck and no matter if he gains weight he's still solid. I'm sure my husband was MUCH more imposing than a little woman with a forked stick trying to psychoanalyze the intruder. So the intruder got out of the truck very fast considering he was still bawling.

So here come Patty, seems the intruder had tried to get in her jeep passenger door and then pounded on the back door of it and scared her to death. She had called a FEMA boss and he got there like 5 seconds after the guy got out of the truck. We all exchanged stories and then went back to work and waited for the police because obviously this guy wasn't right in the head, the intruder had proceeded to walk down the block and sit on the curb and sob and sob, he glanced @ us once in awhile but he was 1/2 block away and the FEMA boss was there and the sobbing man was not looking like he wanted to talk to my husband anymore. It took an hour for the cops to get there and in the meantime we had discovered the sobbing intruders parents, they were very neat, mannerly, well dressed, late middle aged people who lived in a brown brick home down the street. Then they apologized for all the boy/man had done and said he was schizophrenic, had just been released from the hospital 4 days ago, quit taking his medication and had probably been smoking crack I believe for the entire 4 days! Those words coming calmly out of these peoples mouths were almost more of a shock than the boy getting in the truck.

I don't know what happened to the sobbing intruder, I know the police took him and he probably went back into the hospital eventually and hopefully back on his medication. I also know that sometimes I need to think before I act but adrenaline kicked in and I was MAD. I don't remember being afraid @ all except that the intruder would take off with my husband on top of the truck in the seat, since I had to pull the truck up sometimes with my husband sitting up there I was well aware of the highlines, trees, etc, that could drag him off (I have my CDL). After I thought about it all I was NOT smart @ all, actually I was an idiot and if I'd known that the guy had attacked Patty's jeep I probably wouldn't have asked him what his problem was.

So tell me what an idiot I was if you must. Has anyone had any weird experiences like this where something happened and adrenaline kicked in and they threw caution to the wind? So this is my forked stick sobbing man story.