It's been a while

Hello everyone ! ! It's been quite some time since I posted. It seems things have been quite hectic for me of late. Mostly because at my "ripe old age" I have become a mother.....of a kitten no less. Several weeks ago I found a litter of kittens on the property and apparently the mother cat had abandoned them. There were four total, but one was already gone by the time I found them. I fed the three remaining ones goats milk thru a medicine dropper and made a box "nest" for them. Although I returned the box to where I found them after I fed them the mother cat never returned so I found myself committed to trying to raise them. I did some research online and found a wonderful article written by a woman who has raised feral kittens for ten years and her information was invaluable. Unfortunately, the smallest of the three died within a couple of days, and the second one was gone about a week and a half later. However, the third one seems to be thriving and she is now a little over 4 weeks old. She has totally and completely captured our hearts and there is no doubt she is a joy.....albeit a lot of work. The nighttime feedings were difficult for me at first, but I got used to it. I certainly can now understand why women have their children when they are young.....you just don't have the energy for it when you get older ! ! Or at least that has been my experience. Anyway, here is a photo of her taken within the last few days and you can see how adorable she is. Jack was playing with her and she was quite interested in his nose ! !



We have named her "Squeaker" which suits her great. From the beginning she was always the most vocal. She has now gotten some teeth and I am trying to introduce her to solid foods. She still prefers her bottle, but I am slowly changing her over to eating from a dish. For the moment she gets half milk and half gravy from cat food in her bottle. I have tried putting her in a litter box, but so far she just hasn't got a clue ! ! Hopefully that will change as she gets older. I wish one of her siblings had survived as they would now be playing with each other and providing much needed exercise and interaction. She currently spends her nights in her "nest" and much of the day she spends confined to the guest bathroom where she can at least roam around and explore. She has a bath under the faucet in the kitchen sink and despite what they say about cats hating water, she seems to have gotten used to it. We take her outside in the sun to dry.

Anyway, now you know what I have been up to. I will post more photos as she grows and let you know how I do with trying to teach her the things that a mother cat would do. Not sure how successful I will be, but we will see ! !

Photos

And for the benefit of Bruce, who will recognize where this photo was taken, here is a picture of the seeding we are doing.

Spring has sprung ! ! ! (but it's not summer yet)

What incredibly gorgeous weather we have had for the past week or so. I even have roses blooming already. About 6 blossoms on my red climbing rose and three buds about to open on the yellow rose. Today (and the remainder of the week I think) temps are up into the 80's. I have been outside working in my flowers, feeding my azaleas, trimming roses and planting new annuals, etc. I got so warm I decided maybe it was time to put on my swimsuit and try out the pool. Oh.....My......Gosh ! ! ! ! I wouldn't have believed that 72 degree water could feel so COLD ! ! ! Trust me, it is not exactly swimming weather yet. I remember when I lived in Maine we loved it when the pool temp got up to 72. What was I thinking ! ! ! Guess I have been spoiled. However, I haven't totally given up and at least I got some sun for a little while.

Jack had several loads of loam hauled in yesterday for what used to be part of the driveway and will now become part of the lawn. Joe (our jack-of-all-trades) is here working getting the new section of lawn seeded and Jack is putting together lights that he is making to line the new long driveway. He had Joe put up some PVC pipes into the ground maybe 15' or so apart and Jack is trying to fashion some lights to put on top of them. He found some wonderful galvanized funnels that must be at least 18" in diameter and is going to wire them to act as "lampshades" on the PVC pipe. I think they will be really cute and will fit in appropriately with the farm landscape. His creative side is really kicking in with these. I will post a photo once they are completed.

How to leave a comment

Apparently several people have had difficulty figuring out how to leave a comment to my posts. Thought it might be a good idea to post instructions on the process. Once you read a post in the blog (mine or someone else's), click on the bottom of the post where it says "0 comments" or "1 comment" or whatever. This will take you to a new page where there is a box to type in your comment. Once you type in that comment, you are required to fill in the box that says "Word Verification". Just type into that box the letters that you see above the box. Then click either blogger (if you have a blog of your own you can use that box), other, or anonymous, and finally click Publish Your Comment. Done......

Jack's newest "baby"

Figured it was time I posted photos of Jack's newest baby......the 1948 Jeep CJ2A with 22,000 miles on it that he purchased from a guy in Ohio thru ebay. Here she is in all her glory......By the way, he has named her "June Bug"








He is so proud of this little Jeep and it sure seems to run "like a top", particularly after he changed the oil, plugs, etc. He has joined an online forum with other Jeep owners and has gotten lots of advice from other members who have similar vehicles.

I had my first "Master Gardeners" class this week and really enjoyed it. I think much of the subject matter may get a bit boring (particularly things like scientific names of plants, pest control and such) but will do my best to absorb the information we are given. Let's hope I don't make a fool of myself and flunk the mid-term and final exams ! ! ! Been a long time, after all, since I have been in school. There are 39 people (the maximum allowed) in the class and apparently there is a waiting list for the class next year. I am particularly enjoying the opportunity to meet new people and if nothing else, this will be a good opportunity for me to make some new friends.

It wasn't a particularly wonderful day for me today in the sense that my brand new van got crunched quite badly in an automobile accident earlier today. And I can't even blame it on Jack ! ! ! I was driving and he was just a passenger. Fortunately no one was injured but my van is now missing much of the front end. Had to be towed off by a wrecker and we will await instructions from the insurance adjuster as to what the next step will be. Apparently the local Nissan dealer in Valdosta (we bought the van in Tallahassee) does not do body work so we will have to find out where Allstate Ins. recommends we get it repaired. My agent says I should hear from the adjuster no later than tomorrow. Fortunately we have a "yard full" of vehicles so I won't lack for transportation and, of course, it was a blessing that everyone seems to be fine. Apparently the young man who was driving the other vehicle (a pick-up truck hauling an open trailer) only had a learner's permit and was alone in the vehicle. Guess we will let the insurance companies deal with all that ! !

Not much else exciting for the moment, but you must never know what might happen tomorrow ! ! ! Will keep you posted. Hope all my friends/relatives out there are doing fine, and for heavens sakes, don't get into any accidents. Take good care.

Just rambings.....

Hello again everyone. Hope y'all are having a great day ! ! Beautiful one here today, although temps got down into the 30's again last night. Hopefully our cooler weather is about done for this year. The peach trees are now in blossom and warm weather is just around the corner.

Jack is off to Valdosta to get a hitch for my van. He is now the proud owner of a 1948 Jeep which he bought this week-end on ebay. He has been looking for one for a while....although don't ask me why we really need it. The yard is full of vehicles now, but you know about "boys and their toys". Anyway, we will be driving up to a place called Seaman, Ohio to pick it up sometime later this week. Should be an easy drive (about 12 hrs.) as it is straight up I-75. I've warned Jack, however, that payment for his buying the jeep is that he gets to stop at all the outlet malls along the way so I can shop ! ! ! Believe it or not this jeep only has 22,000 miles on it. Apparently it was owned by a farmer who only used it on his farm and it was garaged when not in use. Looks good in the photos, it is blue. Jack talked with the guy on the phone and got all the details. He has been researching jeeps for a while now and buying various books about them. He learned to drive on a jeep on his grandfather's farm and I hope he will enjoy this one.

And speaking of ebay, I have been trying my hand at selling a few items lately. Had pretty good luck with the first batch and will see how the latest ones do. I've been trying to clean out my closets and figured this was a way to get rid of some things that I either don't, won't or can't wear any longer. Kind of fun actually and I have enjoyed the experience.

Plans are now pretty well set for our trip to New Jersey the end of April for cousin Margot's wedding. Hotel reservations have been made and Bruce and Jodi have their airline reservations. Should be a great time I think. The reception will be held at a place called Mayfair Farms in West Orange, NJ (www.mayfairfarms.com) and it looks like a lovely place for a wedding reception. Check it out on the web.

Hello again

It has been a while since I last posted and figured it was time to at least leave a note for those of you who might be interested. We have been busy here having the wrap-around porch on the house screened in. The process is now 99% complete, and we really like the look. Garfield, on the other hand, doesn't seem too certain how he likes the change. We installed a pet door on one end, but thus far, despite our best efforts, he refuses to use it. Instead he sits patiently at one of the four doors waiting for someone to open it for him. I have no doubt that he is very capable of using a pet door, but what it comes down to is whether he will continue to stubbornly refuse to use it. Ahhh, cats ! ! !

Like much of the country winter arrived in Quitman several weeks ago and we have continually had temps down into the 20's most nights. Although the sun has been out most days, the wind has been very biting. Yesterday it finally warmed up to what felt like more typical weather for us and Jack and I are now looking forward to spring. I have about 10 Boston ferns hanging on the porch and many of them look pretty sad after the cold weather. Once I know the temps will remain warmer I will trim them back and I'm sure they will revive and look good again. I bought some canna bulbs a couple of weeks ago but will wait a bit longer before putting them in the ground.

My best friend, Nancy, and I have decided to enroll in a Master Gardener course offered by the University of Georgia thru the Extension Office in Valdosta. She and I really enjoy flowers and had hoped the course would be quite interesting. It turns out that much of the 20 week course involves such things as turf maintenance, pest control and such. Not exactly what we had in mind, but we have signed up for the class nonetheless and hopefully will find it an educational experience. Upon completion we will be required to do 50 hours of community service work to complete the process. Will let you know how it goes.

Hope all my family and friends across the country are staying warm. I know that many of you have had lots of snow recently. Till next time.....Have a great day ! ! !

The hawk that came for breakfast and other news

Hello eveyone. It is a lovely Sunday afternoon here. Sun has been out intermittently and temps are in the high 50's. After a few days of cold with lows in the low 20's, it seems nice to have it a bit warmer. Guess we can be grateful we aren't getting the type of weather that the west and midwestern parts of the U.S. have been getting. I understand that in Bruce's neck of the woods they got quite an ice storm. I haven't heard from him in a few days but guess no news is good news. Jody was planning to move out with him this week so I expect he has been busy getting her settled in.

This morning when Jack and I were sitting at the kitchen table having breakfast Jack noticed a hawk sitting on one of the fence posts in the back field. I went out with my camera to see if I could get a couple of photos. Here is the result.....



We think it may be a red tailed hawk as they are apparently quite common in the this area.

And while we are on the subject of photos, Heidi had mentioned in her blog about her penchant for "killing" plants. Not to brag, but have to show here how beautiful one of my african violets is at the moment. I have five of them on my kitchen window ledge and they seem to like the diffused light. Since we have a wide porch, they don't get direct sun.



I celebrated my sixtieth birthday (yup, the big 6-0) recently. Incredible how quickly the years pass. But then, despite the years passing I am at least still around to enjoy life, and for that I am extremely grateful. In celebration I treated myself to a new van, which really was long overdue. I have 133,000 miles on my 2000 Mercury Villager and although I haven't been having problems with it, I could see the handwriting on the wall. I finally was able to find a 2007 Nissan Quest with just 500 miles on it and managed to get a GREAT deal. Jack and I took it to Naples, FL last week and it rides and drives beautifully. Lets hope it will prove to be as reliable as my Mercury has been. The trip to Naples was planned so that we could attend a mini class reunion of sorts. One of Jack's classmates, who currently lives in NH, has a vacation home on Ft. Myers Beach. For the past several years he has had a gathering of many of the classmates during his month-long vacation. We went last year and had a great time, as was the case this year. Here is a photo of the "old farts" (grin) who attended. All of the spouses of the classmates were busy manning the cameras. Jack is the one near the center in the bright blue shirt. The guy in the light blue shirt on the right lost everything during Hurricane Katrina and he and his wife are just now beginning to rebuild their home. Guess the rest of us really need to count our blessings.



Till next time.....

Rain, rain go away.....

Good afternoon.....a rainy Sunday here. In fact we have had lots and lots of rain since we returned to Quitman. Temps have been very mild as well, just like much of the east coast. In fact we even had the air on one day last week.

I just received a photo from Bruce of him and Jodi that was taken in San Diego when Bruce visited her at Thanksgiving. Thought everyone might enjoy seeing them. I think they look like a great couple. She has plans to move to OK sometime around the end of Jan. so sounds like things are getting serious with them. I sure wish them all the best.



Jack and I had a call from a high school friend of Jack's when we returned from Highlands. He and his wife, who live in NH, will be having a "mini class reunion" at their vacation home in Ft. Myers Beach, FL next week so Jack and I plan to go down to visit with everyone. Sounds like fun I think. There was a similar get-together last year and we really enjoyed ourselves. We will combine it with a car shopping trip and a trip to Lake Placid, FL to check out the possibility of purchasing a small condo there. We would like to buy something in that area to use as a "home base" when Jack has to go down to meet with clients. I have done some research online and there are several good possibilities so we will see how that goes. As for the car shopping, my van now has over 130,000 miles on it (thanks to all my travels in the past four years) and although I haven't had any problems with it (it is a 2000 Mercury Villager) I figure my luck is about running out and it will undoubtedly "nickel and dime" me to death if I don't get rid of it soon. Haven't had much luck finding something similar in this area that is used but with low mileage. Have decided I no longer want to spend the money for something new so will look for a good used vehicle. I am hopeful that perhaps I will have better luck in the Naples area.

Have a great week everyone. Till next time......

The first day of 2007

My goodness, here it is 2007 already. Where have the years gone?? But at least it is a lovely day here in the Smoky Mountains today after our heavy rains yesterday. Seemed wonderful this morning to wake up to those beautiful Carolina blue skies.

I am including a few more photos of our holiday. Here is Jack's son, Jonathan, and the other two are of Jonathan and his girlfriend, Stef......





They left at noon today to head south. They plan to stay tonight at our house in Quitman and finish the drive to Miami on Tues. Jonathan has to return to work (he is a graduate of film school and is currently involved in making independent films and music videos in Miami) and Stef returns to her studies on Thurs. She is working towards a degree in elementary education. It was wonderful to have them with us for the holidays. They made several day trips, including one to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinberg, TN and one to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. The trip to Pigeon Forge turned out to be a bit more than they bargained for. When they were ready to return to Highlands they found that the route home over the mountains had been closed to all traffic due to snow and ice. They had to return to Pigeon Forge and take an alternate route home which involved about an hour and a half more driving. Fortunately they arrived home safe and sound but it was quite an experience, particularly for young people who live in Miami and are not accustomed to mountain roads being closed.

We spent a quiet New Year's Eve yesterday here at home. It literally poured all day so we "hung out" and watched a lot of DVDs. We finally had a chance to see The Devil Wears Prada, which I can highly recommend. We also spent part of the day working on a jigsaw puzzle. I haven't worked on one in years and had forgotten how much fun it can be. Of course, it was a bit of a challenge to keep Garfield (my cat that you can see snoozing on the back of the sofa in one of the photos) off the table. He was particularly interested in batting the puzzle pieces around. Fun for him on a rainy day ! ! !

We will be closing up the house tomorrow for the winter and heading back to Quitman. Holidays are now behind us, but it certainly was a wonderful time. I had Jonathan and Stef assist in taking down all the Christmas decorations down yesterday and everything has now been stored in the basement for another year. The house seems rather drab without all the colorful Christmas lights. Today will be spent doing up all the laundry and getting things in order before we leave tomorrow. When I return in the spring I will arrive to my tulips in bloom so that is something to look forward to.

Hope everyone had as joyous a holiday as we did and that 2007 will bring all of you nothing but the very best.