... almost forgot
This blog is meant to be a documentation of our journey into the world of retirement. I know the title should be "Older, but wiser". However, I really didn't know if that would be accurate. The "Older, but better...?" title could also be misleading. The 5 cats in the above pics are: Molly, Rose, Tux, Julie, and Ghost. (I have tried to make this collage smaller, but with no luck...)
We don't do a lot for Halloween. We do put out a pumpkin or pumpkins out front and a few crows... and I make bat and pumpkin cookies for our granddaughter and the twin girls next door. But that's about it. (On occasion I have made a custard pumpkin pie... but not this year)
Here's a pic of my bat cookies... same as last year, same as every year!
and our pumpkin(s) out front:
love these little anoles |
DH and I were invited to eat out with friends last week who recently moved into a Senior Living Community. They are very good friends and made the decision this summer to sell their house and move. They did a lot of research on the different 'Senior Living' available and came to the conclusion that this one was best due to location and amenities.
Apparently there are 4 restaurants on the premises and we met and had dinner at one. The food was very good. I had filet mignon which I hadn't had in a very long time - as well as garlic mashed potatoes and spinach. It seems you can pick a salad or soup, entree with 2 sides, as well as a drink and dessert.
After dinner we went to their apartment. It also was very nice... not large when compared to their house, but had all the necessary rooms (2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, nook, and living room).
I guess some of the advantages of going this route is there is no lawn upkeep, no pool upkeep (they did have a pool at their house - now one is available without the upkeep), lunch and supper is available if desired, activities and doctors on site also... kind of a little village in itself... although the place itself is huge.
Made me think. Could we do this? Would we want to? At the moment, I have to say no. I like my house. Next year we will have been here for 40 years. And I like my yard. I'd miss the 'critters'... and we (so far) can still take care of our yard and house. But we're both 79... and I wonder sometimes if we shouldn't wait too late to downsize or whatever.
Anyway, it gave us something to think about. Maybe some of you have thought about it or possibly made the move yourself. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.
And here's some pics of what the boys had for supper last night here at home:
put ham, turkey, cheese and bacon on croissant |
rollup! (I put hot dog on some) |
Finished sandwiches! |
I'm so excited!
On Sunday we were surprised to find two new kittens on our back porch with their feral mom. Posting a video I captured of them. She may have more, but for now she has brought these two. They look about 6-7 weeks old.
(Remember to click on the small square on the right to enlarge video)
And that same evening (about 5 pm) we had about six crows picking up the peanuts and bread we put out for them on the front lawn. I couldn't get a good pic of them without scaring them off... but I got a few through the front room window. Tom and Jerry (our fake crows) did their job well!
This is just a short post as I needed to share these exciting events with you (I know, not so exciting to all of you - as several have mentioned "Why attract crows?") But as those of you know who follow my blog, I have a undeniable love for all critters. Some seem to fascinate me more than others (cats and crows for instance), but all need nurturing.
Crows are smart. They learn fast. And I think they send out scouts. The funny thing is that each time they have come by - a skinny little squirrel comes with them and feeds among them... and leaves as soon as they leave (a curiousity).
Also yesterday evening DH was in the laundry room and I was in the kitchen when a crow started cawing so loud that we both jumped and said, "what in the world?" It sounded like he/she was right there in the house. We looked into the backyard, but didn't see anything. But still wonder what that was about.
Closing with a pic of some blueberry mini-muffins I made this week. They are gluten free mix by Krusteaz and very good!
Have a great week!
Just saw this and thought I'd add it here:
...just 4 years? |
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
It's been a non-productive week. Started off fine on Monday and DH and I walked at the mall to get a little exercise and pick up some 'coffee scented' candles that were on sale at the Bath & Body shop. We even stopped for coffee and hot chocolate at Eataly's while there.
And Tuesday we headed out to Central Market to get our weekly groceries... all was fine. But by Tuesday afternoon while I was in the middle of making some home-made nutty granola to send to our granddaughter, I suddenly felt very tired. I finished the granola and then went to lie down. Told DH that I wasn't feeling very well...
and that has continued through Wednesday and Thursday. My stomach has been queasy, so I haven't eaten much... just some toast and chicken soup here and there. Today I do feel a bit better. Don't know what causes these little setbacks... a bug? my mild IBS issue (haven't had an episode in a long time), or just old age?
Anyway, since I'm feeling better, I'm trying today to make up for my days of doing nothing by getting to a bit of cleaning. Dusted the bedroom, mopped the kitchen, and will do a load of wash... that may be it (not a lot, but better than nothing).
something to think about... |
For those of you who are following my "crow attraction" plan - we've had a few crows stop by on several days... I saw them once, DH saw them twice. Yesterday as he was driving up to the house, he said there were 2 on the front lawn. He tried to phone me to look out the window, but the car scared them and they flew off. But hey, I'm happy some are getting the idea.
As for my sketching, I tried to do some yesterday, but apparently the muse has left me as I couldn't get into it (perhaps he/she isn't feeling well either).
Closing with a few memes: (Forgive me if they're ones I've sent before... hard to keep track)
and just a few of our feral cats:
Lastly:
and
...and they do know. I sit outside in the back sometimes and one of them may be laying in the bushes about 3 feet away. I talk to her and she lays there and listens. Today I told her that I'd leave a treat out there and if she wants it, to come and get it after I leave. I left. As soon as I closed the French doors, she waited for a minute (thinking it over I guess) then came and got it.
OK, enough for today. Hope you all have a great weekend! Fall is here! Although we haven't gotten too much cooler yet - but early in the morning, you can feel it in the air.
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
Can't close without mentioning the awful hurricanes (Helene and Milton) and how much damage and loss of life they have caused. I believe in climate change and know that the climate will change with or without our doing anything. But like so many things, if we can do anything to help... why not try?
This made me laugh... as my daughter always asks us about our plans for the weekend. I don't really 'hate it'... just find it funny. Actually I love that she's concerned. We seldom have plans for the weekend - whereas as much as she probably needs the rest (busy stressful job), she usually does have plans.
Actually they had a major occurrence this past week that shook them up rather badly. They lost their 13 year old Great Dane, Moose. He was a sweetheart and really had become an integral part of the family. Even though they knew it might be coming because of his age, the fact that there were no signs and he passed in his sleep during the night was a shock. Moose had wormed his way into all of our hearts and we will miss him.
On a brighter note, Halloween is now just around the corner... and Thanksgiving. I saw this pumpkin runner on Facebook and thought it was really nice. Love the blue colors in it. Would go well in my front room. But when I checked the reviews for the company, they weren't good. Sad. I would try to make it myself, but would never get it done in time... plus I'm not that great a quilter.
OK, I have been sketching. My 2 latest sketches:
cat in tree |
and
crow and moon |
May do a few more sketches before 'trying' to watercolor them...
Also visited a friend this week that has had a difficult time for the last few years. Happy to say that she is really looking good and feeling much better. She's also an avid reader and supplier of many of my books. This week she loaned me 5 new ones (so excited to have plenty to read). I already took home 3 from the Senior Center and so far, have liked the ones I started (The Echo of Old Books and The Painter's Daughters).
Have to post this picture of what it's like to try to read when you have inside cats (which we don't anymore but do remember).
Also a big fan of Maggie Smith who passed away recently. Found an old movie of hers on Tubi (Keeping Mum). In it she is a serial killer - can you believe? It's a comedy (I guess), but kind of a dark one. Strange, but oddly entertaining...
And I've posted this before, but it could use repeating...