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General News, May 2009

Ah, spring!

This weekend is absolutely amazing. Clear sunny days, temperatures in the 70s, spring flowers and green foliage everywhere. I love it here in this kind of weather.

Jay finished fencing the front part of the property this afternoon, so I was able to turn the horses out for a while. They'd been eyeing the ungrazed grass for a while, so they were happy to get out. They're good ponies -- relaxed, gentle. Although they certainly have a good time and do their share of cutting up, I don't ever worry that they'll do something malicious, and they're both sensible enough that I don't worry about stupid stuff either. It was nice to just wander around with them, enjoying them and the gorgeous day.

My container garder is enjoying the warm weather too. We have had several days with highs in the mid-40s since Mother's Day and several days with cold spring storms. I watered the containers religiously, but they stubbornly refused to grow, and I thought maybe the cold weather had killed the seeds. Either that or I had a browner thumb than I'd ever dream. (Seriously, how sad would it be if I couldn't even get vegetables to grow in a container?)

But suddenly in the last few days, green sprouts have sprung up in every container. The cucumbers are doing especially well -- I swear they've grown every time I look at them. The tomato plant hasn't died <eye roll>, and there are sprouts in the container where I planted carrots and green onions. Not sure which of those I'm seeing, because they both look like weeds in the beginning. The last ones to appear were the peas and the soybeans, but as of today, they're peeking up too. I'm having so much fun with this!

I love sunny spring days!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Crisis averted

My mom had a medical crisis last night. At the time, we and the doctors thought it was a mild stroke, but they symptoms disappeared within a few hours, and although the final test results aren't in, they think it was something called "Transient Global Amnesia." It's a very rare event and highly unlikely to reoccur. So we had a few tense hours, but it looks like everything is completely fine.

Of course, my brother and I were scared to death. Mom lives by herself in Memphis. Jeff and Stephanie live in Atlanta, and Jay and I live out here in Washington. We were infinitely grateful that Mom was out to dinner with her dear friend Laurie when the episode happened. What if she had been home alone? That terrifies me.

Mom is extremely independent -- and healthy. She's in her mid-70s, yes, but she's healthier than I am. The woman works out regularly and goes dancing several times a week, for goodness sake. She's sharp as a tack and perfectly capable of taking care of herself... but last night shows that can change in the blink of an eye. And then what do we do?

Jeff and Stephanie are going to Memphis tomorrow. Thankfully, it probably is an unnecessary trip, more for their comfort than for Mother's. (She'll be annoyed to be fussed over.) I'm worried about next time though... and it would be foolish to think there won't be a next time. Sometime.

I just hope it's a long way away.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Pflouff and Aslan

Aslan has been smitten with Pflouff since she entered this house. Just one or two "lessons" from him early on (roaring, not even putting his teeth on her), and she has been the perfect playmate -- completely respectful, but a great wrestling partner when he wants one.

Sigh. Until today.

Aslan got his summer haircut today. A couple of years ago we began shaving him for the summer. Murder on the coat, but he's just a pet, and he's sooooo happy when he's cool and comfy. Well, he came home from the groomer tired, cranky -- and looking completely different. As soon as he got out of the car, he and Pflouff were fence fighting.

I'm used to him being growly after grooming and vet appointments, so I just separated him from the others. I'm using an ex-pen, so he's not banished... just not able to interact with them.

Problem is, PFLOUFF won't let it go. He has had a nap and dinner and a chance to stretch his legs and relax, and he's feeling much happier. But Pflouff apparently thinks he's the devil incarnate. She went charging up to him hackles raised and barking when I went up to feed him a treat. (He, I'm glad to report, was more interested in the food than in her. So he got extra!)

I'm hoping that with a few more hours this evening plus a good night's sleep, they'll be back to normal tomorrow.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

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