Halloween cometh...

There was a time that I always made us a pumpkin custard pie for Halloween. Haven't done it in years now. But I will make some pumpkin and bat tea cakes to give to my granddaughter and the twin girls next door... as well as a Halloween bag full of candy (we no longer open our doors for Halloween trick or treaters - stopped with the pandemic and was replaced with "trunk or treat" at the schools.) 

And I already had our grandson order Pepperoni and cheese pizza for tonight (no usual Sunday roast or whatever due to baking cookies!).

I did make a Shepherd's pie the other night. I make it a little different from the original Irish recipe... as I use a Pet Ritz pie crust brushed with a little bourbon, vanilla, butter, and a tiny bit of sugar. We find it makes the crust taste very home-made - got the idea from a Chef on TV. It works great!

And I've been doing a lot of reading. Now just finished "The Last Letter" by Rebecca Yarros and am in the middle of  her "Great and Precious Things". 

By the way, our feral cat numbers have been low lately. Only Shadow (the grey) turns up. We have however been getting a mother raccoon and her babies, as well as 3 possums, and several box turtles.

Shadow and a box turtle

The crows continue to come. My son sent me this sign for the house.

So I will leave you with this:

and...

Wishing you a great Sunday and a Happy Halloween! 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

(Update on my eye... had to reschedule my eye appointment this past week as not feeling well, but will go in this week to see what the doctor has to say)

Oh... and my youngest granddaughter makes "masks" (think I've mentioned this before?) . Anyway, she made a bunch more and brought them over for me to see yesterday. They are really good. My favorite was this one:

Had to share this... so cute!

 It's a purple Yorkie mask!

October 18, 2025 No King's Day

We went to the No Kings Day protest yesterday.

It was a great turn-out... probably over 3000 people there in our area alone lining the streets from one end of the shopping center to the other... and past into the neighborhoods - waving flags and holding signs! Cars passing were honking and giving the thumps up! There are more all over the city and the U.S. If the turnouts are all this good... and peaceful, it's a hopeful sign.

Loved some of the signs people waved. Most said "No Kings" or "No Dictators", some said, "Congress - Honor your oath", "We have a constitution, not a King", "This is what Democracy looks like". But my favorite was an elderly woman's sign that said, "I need to be able to tell my grandchildren I didn't stay silent". I agree with that. We didn't take a sign, but if I had, it would have said, "Make America KIND again!"

Favorite signs:

and 

Seeing all the news coverage of the event today was definitely encouraging. Thousands plus turned out all over the country (and apparently there were No Kings protests in other countries  too).

Wish people realized that we all love America and just want the freedom and equality that the constitution promises...  and we need to remember the words that are on the Statue of Liberty.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

 your huddled masses 

yearning to breathe free."

IMO, basically we were all immigrants... and America was built and became great on these words. Yes, understandably there must be some control and regulations... but not like what's going on now. Fear is not the way and whatever happens, I believe history will prove this. 

The words "WE, the People... " are so important. 

And at the moment I'm remembering the words of Mother Teresa when she said that we can't all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. Hoping and praying that this is enough.

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Saturday thoughts...

I found this pic on the internet, but DH actually saw a white crow one day when he was pulling in the drive. I watched for days, but if it was there, it never came back. I believe that any creature can be born albino. It's just rare and I'm not sure how well they're accepted. 

I googled it and read that they are extremely rare and occur only 1 in 30,000 to 100,000 births. It is due to a genetic mutation that prevents melanin production. Sadly it also said that it can impact the bird's ability to find a mate and also harm their eyesight.

And... in some native American tribes a white crow sighting signifies a great blessing.

We have 6-8  black crows that come by every morning and evening for peanuts and Cheetos. The other day we came home from an errand and they were all over the trees cawing... like "They're home! They're home!". It was only about 3 o'clock and not actually feeding time... but I went out and threw them a few Cheetos. They were down on the lawn before I even got back in the house.

And observing them, it's possible that they come from different groups as one can be fine feeding close to some, but chases others off or is chased off himself. I raised and bred English Budgies and Zebra Finches years ago and it was fascinating to watch their interaction. Seems like these crows also have a pecking order.

OK... just wanted to share about the white crow. Didn't mean to go on and on. 

If you're still with me, I'll talk about something else... although it's not terribly exciting either. I've been baking a lot lately. Sent teacakes and home-made nutty granola to a friend last week. She was having some down days and thought it might perk her up.

And now making espresso shortbread and pralines to add to my oldest granddaughter's care package for her birthday this coming week.

espresso shortbread cookies
with dark chocolate centers

Also wearing my back brace today as lately my lower back is acting up when I get out of bed. It acts like one wrong move and it'll freeze up on me. But once I'm up and moving about (albeit very slowly at first), it seems to loosen up and be OK. (Just another sign of age, I'm sure).

And remember that Halloween is coming - so please keep your inside cats in - and possibly create a safe yard for the outside ferals.

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

(For those interested, eye is healing and seems to be doing OK... but still the possibility of a 3rd surgery looms.)

just a few thoughts...

I was texting this morning with a friend that has a lot going on in her personal life these days. And we were discussing how worrying about it doesn't help... and that we need to find little things that bring us joy. 

And I happened to look up at my cat calendar hanging on the wall above my desk... and smiled.  Gary Patterson makes these and I find them adorable. They make me smile, so I thought I'd share a few with you.

 

This last one is my favorite!

I know this is a post without much content. But if it made you smile, then I'm happy. 

On a more serious note, I want to share a few pics I came across of Jane Goodall:

May she rest in peace... her life made a difference.

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

October 1, 2025 Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

October is here... and I'm so-oo glad! 

Although it's still pretty hot here in Texas,  

I know it should start to feel like Fall soon.

 Here's wishing everyone a happy healthy safe Fall Season!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian