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

just a little catch-up...

 

It's the weekend (Saturday) and I'm not up to much. But I did a bit of baking this past week, cookies for our neighbor who gave us some phone numbers for service people...  and I experimented with some dinner rolls for us. I've never tried baking dinner rolls before... or working with yeast, but they turned out pretty well. 

cookies for our  neighbor

dinner rolls

I apparently made the dinner rolls bigger than the recipe asked for... as they were supposed to be 24 and I think I only made 16.  But they were light and tasted good. I want to try choux pastry next. There's something called Nun's Puffs that really sound and look good.

I think they are similar to cream puffs... with or without filling.

Later this evening we're heading out to a Mexican restaurant with family for a belated celebration of DH's birthday. Will try to remember to take a picture...

DH's birthday cake

DH is still cutting the lawn. We did have someone come out to give us an estimate, but haven't gotten the estimate yet. 

Same with the porch contractor... still waiting to hear from them. 

Not planning to do much this coming week. Supposed to be all triple digits with 104 for several days. Sure hope they're wrong.

I do have an appointment for some dental work this week. I really dread that... wish I could be less anxious about it, but can't seem to make that happen.

And I will share a picture of a new recipe I found on Pinterest that certainly looks good.  I haven't tried it yet, but DH and I both think it looks very refreshing.

Lemon cream cheese dump cake

OK, now going to close this with some pics/memes I like:

adorable...

so very true...

Hope you're having a wonderful (if not hot) weekend. Stay inside, stay safe... praying for those who are dealing with fires and floods. 

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

Triple digits have arrived...

It is HOT! Not unusual for Texas in July and August... but apparently the heat wave is causing problems in other places too... places that don't have AC. Can't imagine it being in the 90's and 100's withour AC. I know we lived without it growing up... and believe me New Orleans is hot... and humid! But back then we had lots of fans... attic fans and little black iron fans... but still. Triple digits can be dangerous. 

It's one of the main reasons we put in a home generator a few years ago. Didn't so much worry about the cold. One can always pile on the clothes when it's cold, but triple digit heat in a home for a few days can kill. And even though I'm one who hates the cold... and am almost always cold... even in summer, but I do know the dangers of high temps. And I do realize that having electricity does not guarantee your AC will be working, but with all the summer storms, it's a possible safe-guard.

So, if you're one of those who live in an area that's not usually this hot, please get yourself one of those small portable AC's out there... and stay safe... or else get yourself to a shopping mall or store that has AC and spend the day... or if possible, an air-conditioned hotel. 

That's my main post for the week! 

But...

I will say that we've accomplished a few things this week. We finally got a contractor out to give us an estimate on what it will cost to extend our small front porch across the front of the house. It's already covered by a 6 foot roof overhang... so it's just a matter of extending it. Actually, there's a little more involved since I would like the whole front to be either a composite board planks or concrete... so the existing small porch which is a pebbled concrete would have to go. Also there are sprinkler heads that will have to be removed... and bushes... and a fan added, etc. Anyway, at least we will have an estimate.

This is the closest picture I can find as to how I would like the porch to look:

The other thing that we accomplished is having a hole patched up in the office ceiling that was from a leak - and has been covered with a black plastic bag for years. We finally got a guy out that did a beautiful job. It was a pretty good size hole and no one was willing to sleep in that room (it has a trundle bed in it) in the fear that 'something' (raccoon? squirrel? bugs?) might come down from the attic through that hole. Luckily, nothing ever did...

And lastly we have someone coming to give us an estimate on what it will cost to mow the front and back lawn. DH has always done this, but at 81 and this heat, I think it's time for someone younger to take over this job.

Started this post yesterday, but now it's Sunday morning and I'm making a pork tenderloin for supper. Hope it comes out alright as I just learned from Google/AI that I shouldn't cook it past 145 degrees or it will be dry - and I already cooked it to 165. Guess we'll see when we eat it. Plan to serve a spinach souffle and sweet cob corn with it.  Will post a pic (if I think about it). 

(Sorry I forgot - but it was good, very tender, and not dry)

That's it for your informative (?) post for the day. Oh, we had 7 crows and 5 squirrels come by this morning for their morning feed! And in the back our box turtles are getting bold... they don't run away anymore when we go out to add food to their bowl. They just sit there and wait patiently.  

Here's a quick video of one eating...

*Remember to click on the small square on the right to enlarge pic... and then the Esc key to get back)

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit! July 1, 2026

 

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!  
(having a bad hair day?)


OK, it's July 1, 2026 already!!
We will soon be celebrating America's 250th Anniversay!


(...and this month DH and I will both be 81!)

For those of you who haven't yet reached these 'golden years', it's a strange time. Yes, we're glad to still be here and to still have each other, we are very grateful, but as the saying goes, "old age is not for sissies".  Losing family and friends as time goes on although expected, isn't easy. Losing abilities that were always taken for granted as our bodies gradually wear out is a bit frustrating - to say the least. 

Knowing that time is running out... thoughts of leaving those we love, and wondering what our next great adventure will be like fill our minds. Will we make it to the next decade? Do we want to? 

With the way things are going...  political chaos and global disasters, we worry about what lies ahead for our children and grandchildren. 

  A few pics of us in our older years...

                                                                                                                     ...most recent of us together

But... this week we will celebrate America's 250 years of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We celebrate what America has always stood for... and hopefully will continue to stand for as quoted on the statue of Liberty:

This country has been good to us for our 80 plus years. Yes, it's not perfect... but what is. It offers the opportunity for a good life, no guarantees, but the possibility of creating a life filled with freedom, equality, and justice for all. America is made up of immigrants. My own father immigrated here with his family from England... like so many others. 

As an Ethiopian immigrant once told me (he was driving our Uber in New Orleans) "I love this country. Here I can work, feed my family, and not be afraid"... (this was a few years ago. I hope it's still true for him).

Well, I didn't really mean to go into all of this... but my fingers sometimes just relate what my mind is thinking. That's what I like about blogging... getting things out of my head.  Hope I didn't say too much. But... Happy 4th!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian