memories from the past...

You can probably tell that I've been going through boxes and albums of old pictures... trying to organize. Of course doing this brings back memories and I end up spending too much time reminiscing and not organizing. 

I graduated in January of 1968 (2 days after our wedding) with a B.S. in Animal Science. 

my parents and I after graduation 1968

The plan was for me to get a 4 year degree from L.S.U.B.R. and then apply to Veterinary school. DH was in a 5 year program for Engineering, so he didn't graduated till May. We lived in the married student apartments his last semester. 

But of course by the time he graduated, I was pregnant with our first child... and Veterinary School was no longer an option.

We moved to Sattellite Beach Florida that spring for his first job after college and had our first 2 children there.  Living on the beach sounds idealistic, but with 2 redheaded babies with very fair skin... it wasn't the best idea.

I found this pic of us on the beach (taken when first born son was about a year old - and not a very clear pic due to age).

3 of us on Florida beach in 1969

But we stayed in Florida for a little over 2 years while the space program was in full swing. Left when 2nd child was 10 months old and moved to Texas. 

That's probably enough memory from one pic. But be fore-warned, as I go through boxes, there may be more... 

Going to close this with a these 2 pics:

baby raccoon

This is one of George Cooney's (our regular nightly visitor) kids. He now comes every night with or without his dad. He is a cutie. We call him Georgie. But he does not yet know how to back away from the door when it's opened... as he tends to want to come inside (...but he will learn).

And this next pic is a dark chocolate espresso trail mix that our grandson brought to me yesterday. It's so-oo good if you are a lover of dark chocolate and espresso... 

dark chocolate espresso trail mix

Our grandson has lived with us since he was 18 or 19 when his family moved to Hawaii. We've loved having him here. But recently his good friend bought a house and invited him to come rent from him... and so he has.  

We miss him, but know it's good for him to be out on his own, and he seems to be happy. When he came by yesterday, I loaded him up with 2 home-made dinners, a carrot souffle he likes, home-made rolls, and some peanut butter brownies. I know the boys can cook on their own, but a few grandma cooked meals never hurt.

That's my post for today. Hope you are all staying safe and out of the heat. We keep getting "Extreme Heat Warnings"... supposedly could go up to 110 today (ugh!). 

pinterest pic... but accurate

This reminded me that we also put ice-cubes in the outside water bowls and bird bath... and just added a large square plastic tub filled with water to the back patio - when we found the raccoons sitting in the water bowl.

 

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

an old story... one I may have told before

me in my office in Veterinary Hospital

Recently I came across this old picture of me when I was the Office Manager and Animal Medical Tech at a Veterinary Hospital years ago. It reminded me of an incident that happened during those years.

It was lunchtime and the Vet had gone off to lunch while I remained in my office (which was an office in front but separate and behind the Receptionist area) and the other Tech and Computer guy were in the back office (behind the two waiting rooms and the surgery).  

Well, I heard the front bell ring as someone entered the front door of the clinic. I walked out and said, "Can I help you?" Standing there was a very tall rough looking man with a very large gun in his hand... and he said, "Give me your money and your drugs..." 

I almost laughed as it sounded so 'unreal'. But before I could do anything, he was up next to me with his hand on my arm and the gun pressed against my head. 

I said that we didn't have any drugs... (well, maybe we had some euthanasia solution and a few minor narcotics for use on small animals - as it was a cat and small dog hospital)... but I took him into the back where all the drugs were on the shelves (except the low dose narcotics which were locked up in a safe). 

But just as we walked into the back, the computer guy stuck his head around the corner of his office and saw what was going on. The man with the gun quickly pointed the gun towards him and told him to "get out here!" 

After that, things happened very fast. For whatever reason (??) I wasn't terribly concerned when the gun was on me, but the minute he pointed the gun at Roy, I thought, 'oh my god, he's going to shoot Roy'. 

At the same time as Roy stepped out into the room, the other Tech (who, by the way, was 8 months pregnant and  had been sitting in Roy's office) took off running down the hall and out the back door. The man with the gun took off running after her, Roy started running after him,... and I took off out the front door. 

As it turned out, there was a 'getaway car' waiting for the gunman, and as the Tech had run out and hid behind a dumpster, the gunman jumped in the waiting car and left. 

Nothing was taken and as far as I know, the man was never caught. But the Vet was sure surprised when he returned to find the police there taking our statements.

So... as stories go, it's kind of an interesting one. And once, during a jury duty interrogation, we were asked if any of us had ever been involved in a crime and I had to tell the story.

OK, that's my post for the day. I'm sure there are other stories that may come forth eventually. But for the moment, that's it. I will however, post a picture of DH and I's breakfast this morning at Frogg's Coffee Bar and Creperie.  

The Coffee and Lemon Blueberry crepe is DH's. Mine is the Plain Jane (has only butter and cinnamon sugar) and the hot chocolate. Both were good!

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

Weekend is here again...

Just getting back to sketching again. Decided to work on bunnies for a while. It's been over a year since I've put my pencil to paper (due to eye problem)... so, I really need to work on it. But for a first attempt after so long, it's not too bad. And since I've got very little to post, I thought I'd better add what I could. 

We did have company this weekend. Our son-in-law spent Friday night with us. He was returning back home to the Hill country from a visit with his mother (who is in hospice in Kansas). It was good to see him, even though circumstances were not good. His family farms in Kansas and he brought us some cucumbers and peppers as well as a loaf of zucchini pecan bread... which we are enjoying.

Nothing else much going on. I have to have an old root canal redone (ugh!) as it has too much bone loss under it. And also I have been having a bit of TMJ pain in my right jaw. This is new. It has 'popped' on me before, but has never caused me pain (not unusual I'm told as the right side gets more use than the left due to missing back teeth on the left). Anyway, I'm eating soft foods, using warm compresses, and taking Motrin.

My good friend also texted me to say that she was in the ER yesterday afternoon... and apparently most of the evening before they transferred her to another hospital (due to lack of beds). She has congestive heart failure which has, up to now, been controlled with meds. But luckily, she says that she should be going home tomorrow.

OK, I started this yesterday and now it's Sunday... and as I've mentioned before, I like Sundays. 

and just a blast from the past...

my cousins I grew up with... (me on left)

My cousins (my mom's sisters' kids) were like brothers and sisters to me. My own sister was 10 years older and brother 4 years older... so I spent a lot of time with my cousins. Luckily, they are still around and we stay in touch. 

OK, that's about it. Hope you're having a good weekend and a fun week ahead. Stay out of the heat if possible... and hang in there, we'll be complaining about the cold before you know it. 

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

 

Getting back in the game... sort of

Thinking that my left eye will let me watercolor a little... not my best skill... but fun. So, decided to try to watercolor this sketch I made about a year ago. If you can see the picture on my ipad to the right, I generally try to copy their coloring. 

This is what I've done so far... still needs work. But nice to be back at it again.

I was crocheting, but my left arm and wrist started really aching... don't know if it's the use of unused muscles (maybe like carpal tunnel?), but I  had to stop. I'll try again when the aching goes away.

As you know, it is HOT. So, no doing anything outside. I did transplant my little Violet plant. Need to transplant to larger pots several others that are doing really well... but have to do that outside and don't want to go outside in this heat. So they will have to wait.

Oh, have to tell you a funny story.  You know that DH and I enjoy watching the antics of the wildlife in our back area. Well, we have 2 cat trees on the back porch and cats, kittens, raccoons, and possums have used them in the past. I also tend to put kitty treats out on the different levels... mostly for the 2 feral cats that stay around. 

Well... the last few days the squirrels have found them. They are so funny as they sniff around the cat tree, stretch up with their little heads to see highter up and grandually climb up and find all of them on the different levels. They look so happy when they finally find them, that I have to laugh. I know that many don't like squirrels, but we've never had a problem with them, so they are welcome to the treats too.

We have one young raccoon (one of George Cooney's family) that likes to take his treat at the door, but climbs up on the cat tree to eat it (usually graham crackers).

I think I may have sent a picture of our feral, Missy, under the fern out back. But this was a close-up.  Can you see her eyes?

Before I close this, I want to bring up a subject that another blogger (Kay from Musings) brought up on her last post. It's concerning Alexa and Seri (online AI - I guess you would call them?) They can be part of your house or part of your phone... and I'm sure are very useful. But I've always been a bit hesitant to make them a part of our lives.

I do use Gemini (Google AI on my iPhone) to ask questions and really find that very helpful. It helps me when I have questions cooking, or research for a story, or just don't understand something. 

And we do have security cameras and Nest doorbell camera on the outside of our house, but nothing inside. I use my iPhone to make appointments and a daily schedule of what needs to be done, etc. So, I guess it's not that different from having Alexa tell you. Just find it a bit worrisome to have someone always listening... not sure why that bothers me, but it does. 

I would love to hear what you think... and why.

That's it for now. Hope you're staying safe and out of the heat.

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

(Bit of bad news at the Endodonist's today... but will not get into that now) 

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit! August 1, 2026

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

 
Well, here it is... August already! Kids will be back in school soon and it's  HOT!  Schools better have their A/C working. 

This is the pic I would have liked to have used this month... but the little rabbit wasn't white.

...more appropriate for hot summer days

Hope you are all surviving these triple digit days. We've been walking at the Senior Center as we certainly can't walk outside. Also keeping the bird bath and water bowls full for the outside critters. 

Here's a pic of the 2 feral cats that stay around. I may have posted these before, but if so, forgive me. I forget and don't want to go back and check.

You can also see how dried up our back area is in this heat. It's so pretty and green in the spring.

Looking back through my posts, I noticed that my 'eye adventure' started last August. It's been a year... one I wouldn't want to repeat. But I'm not complaining, I can see... and really think that although it may never be back to what it was before, I think it's getting closer to normal - as time goes on. Guess I just never expected this to go on and on... for so long.

On our way home from walking at the Senior Center we stopped at Nothing bundt cakes. They had a new one out this week called Turtle cheesecake swirl and it looked too good to pass up. So we got one for tea time today. Actually DH will eat it, but since it's not gluten free, I will only take a taste. 

Looks good, yes?

I've really no more to add, so I guess I'll post a few memes:

and finally...

This last one is definitely me... takes at least 30 minutes (if not longer) for me to feel functional. How about you? THIS I think is an age thing...

Enjoy August... it's basically supposed to be the end of summer, but NOT ! (not here anyway).

Hugs (virtually), 

Rian

What to do? What to do?

It's Sunday and I really like Sundays... not sure why... just do. Maybe because subconsciously I know that there can be no appointments or commitments for the most part. Sure, we can have family plans on Sunday, but somehow that isn't a problem. Family is family.

But mostly, Sundays are quiet. DH talks to his brother every Sunday and I generally plan a Sunday dinner... not anything fancy, but perhaps better than during the week... or just different. 

I also posted yesterday, so this is an extra... sorry. 

It's one of those mornings where I've already mopped the upstairs (grandson moved into his best friend's new place recently - and yes, we miss him! - and the upstairs is now empty). I already texted friends inviting them to dinner later this week, and am now in the process of making chicken enchilada pie (easier and faster than tortillas) for our dinner this evening.

finished pie

It's too hot to walk outside and the Senior Center isn't open on Sundays. So besides reading, I'm looking for things to do. There are many, but as you know, you have to 'feel like' doing it... and that's not always the case. I could file things away in the office or do some de-cluttering... but don't feel like doing that.

I've been wanting to start crocheting and knitting again. It's been so long that I wonder if I remember how. I did start crocheting... just single and double crochet... to get my memory back. Don't even know what it will be (if anything).

Texted with a friend in New Orleans yesterday evening. She's alone, her husband had dementia and passed away several years ago. She has one daughter who is ill and no other family. She's lonely and I worry about her...  

I'm still on soft foods as my mouth is still sore from the dental procedure Thursday, but it's a good excuse to eat puddings, yogurt, and ice-cream!!

Haven't picked up the pencil or the brush in over a year due to the eye situation. But may think about giving that a try. 

This is such a rambling post that I may not even publish it...

The critters in our yard are more numerous than ever. Perhaps the heat has driven them to our sanctuary. There's always water, food and shade here. 

I fear the neighbors (some don't care for any wildlife) might begin to complain as the number of crows and squirrels in the front yard are increasing. We've had as many as 10 crows and 6 squirrels in the morning waiting for their peanuts.

This isn't a good pic as Shadow (cat) is moving, so it's blurry. But it shows how the cat and turtles eat together and don't seem to mind each other. And here's one of a family of raccoons asking for treats at the kitchen door.

such sweet little faces...

Ok... guess I'd better close this. Hope I didn't bore you too much with my ramblings (truthfully, you should be use to it by now). Hope you had a good weekend and stayed out of the heat. 

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

Guacamole so easy... who knew?

I know that's a silly title, but it's true for me. I avoided guacamole ever since I had it in a restaurant once and it made my mouth burn. Didn't know if I was allergic to one of the ingredients or just too spicey. But I love avocados! I eat a half of one almost every lunch. 

Anyway, a few weeks ago,  I decided to just try to make my own guacamole... using just avocado, red onion, garlic, tomato, sea salt and lime or lemon (definitely no cilantro - tastes awful to me). And it's great! Now I make it every week and we eat it with chips or on toast.

getting ingrediets together...

adding avocado and tomato...

Finished guacamole!!

Another thing I've learned lately is how to make alternate oatmeal. I eat oatmeal (in one form or another) every morning - ever since I tried it to lower cholesterol (which wasn't high... but was getting close). And it worked! My next cholesterol test was lower! But one gets tired of eating the same thing every morning. 

So when I saw them make "British Flapjacks" on The Great British Baking Show", I decided that this would be a great alternative to regular oatmeal. And they're very good... more like oat granola bars than what we would call flapjacks, but taste great (I add chocolate chips and pecans). 

And there's another oatmeal alternate that's good. If you don't care for the texture of oatmeal (soggy?), well... you can make baked oatmeal. I found this on Joanna Gaines cooking show. She makes it for her family... called maple pecan baked oatmeal. I tried this and it's also very good. 

At the moment, I can only eat the soggy oatmeal in the morning to which I add cream and sugar - my dental procedure (removing an old bridge that had a decay under it and replacing it) Thursday has made my mouth too sore for anything but soft food for a few days. I won't go into how that went - but to me it was traumatic. The dentist and his technician were wonderful and kind. I just can't tolerate stress very well... my mind tells me it's silly or stupid to be that fearful, but my body doesn't agree... and my heart beats wildly and hands shake... stupid! I know... 

Last post I mentioned things we were trying to get done... hole in ceiling, lawn mowed by someone other than DH, and estimate to extend porch. The first two are done and done... but haven't heard from contractor and it's been 2 weeks. Think I will call on Monday. Even though it's too hot to think about doing the work anytime soon, (it's been triple digits here) we'd still like an estimate.

Guess that's it. Summer is here full force and I imagine it will stay HOT for the next month or so. Temps seem to be gettng hotter all over and that concerns me. If it continues this way, we may be in for some rough times. And the heat is not the only thing, I wonder about the water supply... (but worrying about it is a waste of time). I can only hope/pray that those who do know how to help will do so... 

On a lighter note:

Hugs (virtually),

Rian