Friday hugs... to everyone!

 

I actually have nothing to write about, but felt the need to send out virtual hugs to all.  And I'm not sure why. Perhaps it's a strange feeling after listening to the debate last night... a debate that IMO didn't help either party. One just spat out lies and the other didn't look or sound too well. But that's all I'm going to say about that.

It's the end of June already, July will be here on Monday... and it's hot! Not triple digits yet, but close. Excessive heat warnings issued.

On top of that - DH and I will both hit 79 in July. How does that make you feel, you say? Not sure... a bit apprehensive maybe that the big 8-0 is next (if we're lucky). But all in all, our kids are supposed to come for a visit sometime in July - as well as my cousin and her grandson from New Orleans, so we are both looking forward to that.

On another mundane subject, I made a new recipe the other night... oven fried chicken. It turned out well. I think the guys liked it. We don't deep fry anything here... but this chicken came out crispy and it's done by pan frying and then put into the oven. It may be a keeper.

I don't know about others, but sometimes I get so tired of making the same dishes (after almost 57 years), that I have to try something different. But I'm not going to do anything too complicated, so when it's fairly simple, but turns out well, I'm pleased. 

The feral cats (and kittens) are doing fine. We've had 2 little tiny possums visiting lately. One climbs up into the cat tree and naps on occasion. He is really cute... DH says he thinks he's a cat.

A neighbor couple stopped DH this morning when he was out cutting the grass and asked him about our sign on the fence which says "Wildlife Sanctuary". They asked if we get other animals besides feral cats. Of course, he said yes we do, possums, raccoons, box turtles, etc.  This couple live over by the stables and said they did too... but not as many as you would think.

Will leave you with a few funny cat memes:

Have a wonderful last weekend in June 

and please 

Stay out of the heat!

Hugs (virtual), 

Rian

 

Sunday thoughts...

Recently a friend sent me some Scottish heather honey and some Scottish seasoning mix from the Scottish Gourmet. It was an early birthday gift since my 79th birthday is coming up in July. I've never used a seasoning mix that has flowers in it - although I'm aware that some flowers are edible. This has marigold petals, rose petals, and heather flowers in it. I plan to try it, but was wondering if anyone else has used something like this... and if so, what did you think?

Oh, and I should mention to anyone out that is Gluten Free, that I tried a new brand, Cappello's frozen GF biscuits and Brown Sugar cookies. Both were very good. Expensive ($8/bag), but good!

And I tried the lavender flavored Lafamiere French yogurt... it's really good. And comes in those cute little ceramic jars. The lavender flavor is very subtle, not strong, and the yogurt itself is delicious. I will buy more.

Also youngest granddaughter is spending the weekend with my daughter in the Hill country and has found one of her favorite bugs (she's a bug lover - future entomologist?). It's a walking stick bug.

She called me to let me know of this exciting find and sent me a picture. She named him 'Brancher'... and he's a very welcome addition to her collection of snails and doodlebugs.

Nothing else of interest to talk about except that I made The Durney House Meatloaf recipe this week. Haven't made meatloaf in a very long time. The guys liked it. Plan to serve it again today with some home-made scalloped potatoes. The Durney House is (or used to be) a house converted into a restaurant and one-room B&B in (or near) McKinney, TX. We haven't been there in years, so I'm not sure it's still in operation. But they were known for their meatloaf... and it is a good recipe.

And since I just listened to Face the Nation this morning... all I'm going to say about the upcoming elections is Please Vote! Whatever or whoever we end up with will be the country's choice and we will deserve what we get (one way or the other). Heaven help us, but IMO, that's the way it is... and we will have to deal with it. If we fight it, it'll only make things worse. We must accept what happens or there will be chaos... and I don't think (but hope) that no one wants that (although I suspect that some do).

Virtual hugs and loving thoughts to all of you out there. It's nice to have someone(s) to share my thoughts with occasionally.

The strange books I'm reading (Child of another kind, etc.) divide people into 2 categories; empaths and narcissists. Empaths concerned with helping other people and narcissists with helping themselves. I don't personally think it's that simple, but it's an interesting concept.

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

just a few little things...

Nothing terribly exciting going on, so I thought I'd just do another mishmash (hodgepodge? ragbag?) of a few little things.

We do 'teatime' every day between 3 and 4pm, so I took pics of my tea cups the last 2 days (lame, I know... but I like teacups).

 Sculptured Grape by Metlox-Poppy Trail

Wedgewood

Both days I was having GF Schar shortbread cookies with my tea. They aren't wonderful, but are ok. I really like shortbread cookies and real Scottish Walkers GF shortbread cookies are great, but a bit expensive.

These are DH and my coffee cups. I'm not supposed to have coffee due to a bladder/kidney problem, but I let myself have a 'little bit' anyway... and use espresso size cups. 

And this is a new yogurt brand that I'm trying. Haven't actually tasted it yet. But it comes in these adorable little ceramic pots, which I plan to use for something (maybe plants?). And one of the flavors here is lavender. I'm looking forward to trying that.

The only other new addition to our house is my Fiddle Leaf fig plant:

We hope it will do well in this area by the 2 windows.  We shall see. It is part of my new plan to add more plants in the house. We never could when we had inside cats as they would chew on them... and some could be toxic.  Also if you notice the slate floor, that was also due to the cats. Decided a long time ago that slate was better than carpet when you have cats. But don't get me wrong, we still love our slate floors. 

And one meme or saying I saw somewhere and thought...

"Yes, that's how I feel"... even though taking the high road doesn't always win (at first). Hopefully, it will in the end.

and I like this meme too:

Ha!



That's it for today! Hope you are all having a wonderful week! 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

strange week...

It's been one of those strange weeks. Have been extremely tired and headachy, bp spikes and fast heart beats during the night, etc. Wish I knew what caused these flare-ups. They seem to come ever so often... although it's been more than 6 months since the last. 

Have an appointment with my cardiologist Monday and we'll discuss it. Although he does periodic Electrocardiograms and I've worn a monitor twice... he doesn't find anything except some valve leakage that he says is normal for my age. He did prescribe me Rx Propranolol 10 mg to take twice a day, but beings I'm hesitant on taking meds due to bad reactions, I've never tried them. 

I'm thinking that 'pushing 80' has it's own set of mysterious illnesses. Things don't continue to work as they should and just act up on occasion (like an old car).

Despite it all, I made it to my DMV appointment yesterday to turn in my TDL since I haven't driven in 3 years and it would expire next month anyway. Once you're 79, you can't renew online... and believe me, trying to get an appointment or do anything at the DMV is difficult. I now have an ID on order and should get it in a few weeks.

But I will say that going to a Mega DMV office is better than the smaller ones. It's huge... and seems well organized. Whole thing (with the appt) took about 30 mins.

Have to mention this. Do you watch the races for the Triple Crown? We love to watch them. Well, this time at the Belmont Stakes, my horse won! And no, we don't bet on them. Just enjoy picking our favorites and watching them run. Anyway, right before the race I chose Dornoch... mainly because I liked his name (looked it up and it's a coastal town in Ireland). And he won  17-1!  Love it!

Dornoch wins 156th Belmont Stakes in surprise upset.

Key takeaways

• Dornoch, a 17-1 long shot, secured an upset victory in the 156th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course12

And lastly here's 2 pics and 1 meme:

Can you see her in crook of tree?

we were surprised to see a kitten up that high

But we checked later and she had come down. Have to say that it was a safe place for her (dogs, coyotes, etc. can't reach her there). 

How about that?

Have a great weekend! It's Saturday and life is good (despite inconveniences). Reading a strange book called "Child of Another Kind" and it's next one "Earth of Another Kind" on kindle. It's unusual, but kind of thought provoking. Definitely not for everyone. But I like books that cause me to think of things in a different way.

Take Care my friends,

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Friday already...

Tuesday night supper: Marry me chicken, garlic roasted potatoes, and green beans.

Thursday night supper: Fresh corn and bacon quiche (forgot to take picture)

It's now Friday and I'm trying to decide what to cook for the next few days. I don't cook big meals every night, but like to do a favorite or something new a few times a week. 

Haven't made home-made potato salad in a while... may do that this weekend, but have to come up with something different to go with it. Maybe I'll make ham, bacon, & cheese roll-ups with giant crescent rolls? (The guys like those).

Do you (or your family) have a favorite meal or just one that you tend to make a lot?  We seem to eat a lot of chicken and I make Chicken Tetrazinni and Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas. We don't do much red meat. Although occasionally I'll do a roast or meat balls and spaghetti. Pork isn't big on my list, we do a pork roast for New Year's dinner and pork chops once in a blue moon.

I think I've mentioned before that I like Salmon... but the guys don't. So when I have Salmon (maybe twice a month), the guys have a sausage, biscuits, and veggie meal. (I don't do sausage except for seasoning - like in red beans).

Oh, this is a picture of a sandwich I saw posted somewhere...

I thought this looked delicious!

Okay, enough about food. Closing this with 2 pictures:

new great granddog 

this is true

*And just a note here to say that my last post about the baby kangaroo wasn't advocating kangaroos for pets. I was simply amazed at getting to see a baby one up close and personal. He really was adorable.

It's Friday again already! Don't the weeks pass by fast? Hope you all have a great weekend. We've had a lot of rain lately... but won't complain as it's kept the temps down here in North Texas. 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

a kangaroo! Can you believe?

It's been a strange, but wonderful week so far. Monday morning DH and I decided that after lunch we would walk at the mall. With all the bad weather and thunderstorms, we haven't gotten out much and really needed to walk. Never expecting to come across this little darling at the mall.

... a baby Kangaroo! 7 months old and just adorable! This isn't an actual picture of the little one we saw as I didn't want to ask the owner if I could take a pic (although I wanted to). The man was carrying him in a pouch over his shoulder, so only his head and paws were sticking out. The little guy licked my finger like a kitten.  

I found these pics that looked a lot like him on the internet... and also apparently where you can buy baby kangaroos in Texas (who knew?) 

Anyway, I was quite excited at this opportunity. Being in the Veterinary field, I've seen quite a lot of animals, but never expected to see a little Joey up close and personal.

Then... later this afternoon, we had another surprise. A city worker from the local animal shelter knocked on our door. Apparently it was his job to go door to door and let people know that the city didn't allow feeding of feral cats. Can you believe that? I find it hard to believe that a city ordinance can keep anyone from feeding a stray animal. The person himself didn't seem to agree with it, but had to let people know. 

We talked a long time and he did seem like a good guy that cared for the ferals... even said that he tried to dissuade the city from this ordinance. Anyway, we told him that we've been feeding ferals here for almost 40 years, have taken their kittens to the local adoption center, donated food and crates to the Animal Shelter, and even participated in the catch and release program. Even asked him if there was a way to help the feral cats with fleas. We can't get close enough to use any drops on them, and we do put out diatomaceous earth, but could we do more? He recommended a few things that might help. We shook hands and thanked him for his concern.

Anyway, that's how our Monday went... weird, but somewhat wonderful.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

One other odd thing happened over the weekend. DH and I went to Home Depot to get some larger pots to transplant a few of my plants. When checking out the lady asked me if I was ever a teacher?

I said no, why? She said that I looked very much like a teacher she had years ago that meant the world to her. I thanked her, said that was very sweet, but no, I was never a teacher. 

Life is full of surprises...

Hope your week is full of good ones. 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

June 1, 2024 Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!


Can you believe it's June already?  Where did May go?

 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian