Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? No, Cat in a Bread Box!


I took the lid off and she just jumped right in there 'cause
she's curious like that.  She was laying down completely
and I could have put the lid on, until I went to get the camera.
Yes, I purchased my Italian Spode bread box.  I bought it
off  Ebay, it was brand new though and came in its original
box unopened.  Kissa thinks everything is for her.  Every
box that comes in the mail is inspected for quality.  Our 
outdoor kitty Minny came running in the front door the
other day and walked past Kissa and growled at her.  But
Kissa decided she was mad as hell and wasn't gonna take it
anymore!  Kissa hunkered down like a panther, flattened 
out her body, and ran after Minny, pounced on her.  They
rolled around for a few seconds and Minny headed for the
front door which I opened and zoomed out.  Kissa looked 
rather pleased to have taken care of business.  I could only
laugh.  

Monday, September 29, 2008

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Can I get a little Kitchen Aid?


Don't you just love Kitchen Aid appliances?  I have my
blender, toaster, mixer, and food processor.  They are
all so useful and well-made.  I first used to watch Julia
Child and then Martha Stewart using them.  I would long
to have one.  I got my mixer for Christmas as a present
from my husband many years ago.  I'll see if I can find a 
picture of me opening it.  I was thrilled.  I like practical gifts.


This is me and my mixer Christmas 1998.

Bubbly


We almost got to see Colbie Caillat in concert. We heard the last two of her songs as we entered the gate. The traffic in Dallas was unbelievable that night. Everyone must have been on the same road we were on and going to the same place. We were all late. But at least we did not miss John Mayer. But it was disappointing to miss Colbie!

My Blogging Style

I found this on Gattina's blog:


Your Blogging Type Is Thoughtful and Considerate



You're a well liked, though underrated, blogger.

You have a heart of gold and are likely to blog for a cause.

You're a peaceful blogger - no drama for you!

A good listener and friend, you tend to leave thoughtful comments for others.


Well, I don't know how true it all is according to what other's might think but I like it!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Stinkin' Rotten Smelling Flower



5. The Foul-Smelling Starfish Flowers Of Africa

Some of the most notorious carrion flowers belong to the Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae), a very diverse plant family characterized by milky-white sap. Several South African succulent genera, including Stapelia, Caralluma and Huernia, resemble spineless, sprawling cacti with strange starfish-shaped flowers. The flesh-colored, hairy blossom of S. gigantea may be 8 to 10 inches across (20-25 cm), with a nauseating stench. Fringes of soft white hairs on the reddish-brown petals superficially resemble a layer of mold growing on rotting matter (at least through the compound eyes of carrion insects). Occasionally grown in southern California, the curious flowers attract flies and maggots when they are in full bloom. Another South African species, S. flavirostris, has strange blossoms that look and smell more like a furry, dead animal than a flower. The striped "zebra flowers" Huernia zebrina also produce an intensely fetid odor as they lie on the desert sands of South Africa. Another genus of climbing milkweeds (Ceropegia) produces striking, malodorous blossoms shaped like a wine glass, often with glistening cilia to attract flies. Like Aristolochia, they detain their visiting flies until the male flowers are mature.


The putrid-smelling starfish flower (Stapelia gigantea) is flesh-colored and covered with soft white hairs. It attracts flies and maggots to the central orifice where the male and female floral sex organs are located.  I found this information here.

These flowers start out as a big closed white plume.  But buddy, when they open you better be ready for the scent.  If you were a fly you'd be in maggot heaven, otherwise you are ready to clip that flower off and take it outside where it belongs.  With the flies.  I have had several blooms in the past but none lately.  I forget to water my cactus sometimes, so it has been a dry year for it.  Quite like a desert?

The first time we had a flower I couldn't wait for it to open.  Then one day it did.  I was walking by the laundry room and smelled a foul odor.  I got closer to the bloom and realized that it was stinking like rotten meat.  I took these pictures and then decided the blooms needed to take a little trip far away from our noses.  They do look just like a starfish.  

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Helicopter Highlights

Did a little tree trimming yesterday.  Skeptical?  Oh yeah,
I was only taking photos.  It was kinda cool though.  My 
husband called me after he left our house at lunch and
told me to get my camera and drive down our road and
I would see a helicopter doing something.  He said it
might be a good picture.  
He's leaning out a little too far for me!  Here's my puny 
attempt at a video.  There are a lot of blades hanging from
this pole.  He is trimming the trees for the power company.

Wordless Wednesday-As Time Goes By



Time seems to fly by these days. 
For more Wordless Wednesday visit here.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Just Calvin


This is a new kitten named Calvin.  My brother has a mama
cat who has had six litters in the past year or so.  He wanted
me to take this little kitty.  He will live outside with the other
three cats we have.  One of my cats is named Hobbes, so I 
decided this one should be Calvin.  After I had him for a few
days I decided he needed one of his brothers or sisters to keep
him company.  So today my brother brought me his little 
sister.  I will show a picture of both of them soon.  Hobbes is
a year older and he hasn't gotten used to Calvin yet though I'm
certain they will soon be sleeping together this winter.  The
two big girl cats do not like kittens.  But it's ok as they live
mostly in the front yard.  And kittens stay in the back yard.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Washing Time


My new Maytag Epic front-loading washing machine was
installed yesterday.  I am pleased with the small amount
of detergent and water that it uses.  It only uses about 18
gallons of water compared to 40 with a top loader.  It really
spins out the water too leaving your clothes practically dry.
Which means less dryer time and less lint.  The service man
said it would probably last about 20 years.  Which is wonderful 
but they may invent a washer that dry cleans by that time.  And
I may just have to have it?

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Wordless Wednesday-Left Hand*Right Hand

It has been written:  "Don't let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing."  Wrigley's Doublemint says:
"Double your pleasure."

For more Wordless Wednesday go here.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Dry Gulch USA

Friday and Saturday I went to a Women's Retreat at Dry Gulch USA.  It is a beautiful place next to a beautiful Lake Hudson.  The weather was pretty muggy and warm because we were expecting Hurricane Ike to bring some rain.  We got there Friday evening and made our bunks up.  Most of us got bottom bunks.  Then we went off to explore the place and get in line for dinner.  They had plenty of good food to eat.  It was a buffet line with a salad bar and brisket and chicken kiev and lots of vegetables to choose.  We attended a meeting that night and after the meeting we got to shop for arts and crafts sorts of things.  I bought a Dolce & Gabbana purse.  It is made of very soft leather.  The real ones sell for $1800.  Mine was $50.  

Friday, September 12, 2008

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Remembering September 11th

Happy Birthday to Jason, my nephew.
He just happened to be born on September 11, 1979.

He's not in Iraq now.  He was there for
one year though finding land mines for
the Army.  I am proud of him.  And thankful
for his courage.  


Phil Collins-That's Just the Way It Is

All day long he was fighting for you
And he didn't even know your name
Young men come and young men go
But life goes on just the same

And I don't know why
Why do we keep holding on
I don't know why
Pretending to be, oh, so strong

Oh, why
Is there something I don't know
Or something very wrong with you and me
Or maybe

That's the way it is
That's the way it is

They've been waiting for word to come down
They've been waiting for you night and day
They won't wait any longer for you
It may already be too late

And I don't know why
Why do we keep holding on
I don't know why
Pretending to be, oh, so strong

Oh why
Is there something I don't know
Or something very wrong with you and me
Or maybe

That's the way it is
That's just the way it is

You see the dying, you feel the pain
What have you got to say
If we agree that we can disagree
We could stop all of this today

It's been your life for as long as you can remember
But you cannot fight no more
You must want to look your son in the eyes
When he asks you what you did it for

'Cause all day long he was fighting for you
And he didn't even know your name
Young men come and young men go
But life goes on just the same

And I don't know why
Why do we keep holding on
I don't know why
Pretending to be, oh, so strong

Oh, why
Is there something no one told me
Or something very wrong with you and me
Or maybe

That's the way it is
There's nothing I can do
That's just the way it is, oh

That's just the way it is
That's just the way it is
There's nothing I can do
That's just the way it is
That's just the way it is

That's the way
That's the way
That's the way
© HIT & RUN MUSIC PUBLISHING INC;

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Phil Collins & Junebug


Meez and Phil
Do You Remember?

Monday, September 8, 2008

Is it Bigger than a Bread Box?

I liked this bread box until I saw the price of $200. It is Spode Blue Italian. I have the dishes.

This little red bread box is very retro.

I am going to go for the stainless steel model.

I have always wanted a bread box.  When I first got married we didn't buy one because of the unnecessary expense.  Then I forgot all about them.  My mother and my mother-in-law both had bread boxes.  The thought of a bread box once again crossed my mind the other day while I was cleaning out my refrigerator.  Today I ordered this lovely bread box from Amazon.com.  Hopefully it will live up to my expectations.  

Friday, September 5, 2008

And the award belongs to...

I received these awards from Kitten this week.




She has been a blogging buddy of mine for awhile.
Her mom has not been well for some time and she
takes care of her.  Just recently her little KB got sick
and we're praying for her complete recovery.  Gee!
Stay strong, Kitten.  Life is hard, but God is good. 
 

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Monday, September 1, 2008

The Office


For those of you who might like to see the view from my home office.
Here is what I look at while working. This computer is not online.
I like to keep the sun and the moon and the stars around for
company and light.
My three beauties below:  treasures they are!
My little Ziggy poster.  Capture all the joys life has to 
offer!  So true.

Fun Monday-My Place


Gattina at Writer's Cramp is hostessing Fun Monday this week.  She wants to see a photo of our blogging camp.  My Fun Monday logo was borrowed from Gattina many Mondays ago.  I really thought it is a joyful picture.  
Here's the place:


The computer is located in my daughter's bedroom that
is now a music and computer room.  And a mess!