a funny story...

Funny story... about getting older.  I recently called the Emeritus Program at our local community college to check on a genealogy class that was being offered. The class I was interested in was already full, so I asked the lady if it would be given again in the summer session. She said yes, she was sure it would be offered again... then she gave a little laugh, and said, "... but the Instructor is 80 years old."  I laughed and said, "That's alright I'm pushing 70 myself. So, if he (and I) are around next semester, I'll just take it then."

I guess that's the kind of little comments that I both fear and laugh at... that once you reach a certain age (and for me it's 70), people are expecting you to die any day. Maybe the word is not *expecting*, but they are considering the possibility. And I don't really fear it, but there's a little voice inside that keeps saying, "...oh sh...t!"

There's a comic in the newspaper (which by the way, we just cancelled - it was getting way too expensive) called, "Pickles". I don't know if it's syndicated (or for sure what syndicated means), but it's pretty accurate in its portrayal of an aging couple. Do any of you read Pickles?

So, I guess we have to accept that we're getting *to that age* with grace... but maybe not always with *dignity*.

We can still have fun...

books, coffee, and chocolate....

  
The following is another pic of  3 of our inside cats enjoying the sun coming through the bedroom window:

And some recent visitors to our yard:

young possum

fat squirrel

young black feral cat

stuffed artichokes, squirrels, and of course, cats...

Stuffed Artichokes!

We love stuffed artichokes.  I don't make them very often, but when I do... they're gone pretty quick.

Squirrel eating catfood

I was watching this little fella eat as I washed dishes in the kitchen.  He didn't seem to mind when I went for my camera and started taking shots of him.

one of our outside ferals

And with the weather so nice this week, this young black cat was racing around the yard jumping at ? (I would say *bugs*, but it's been such a cold winter, I really don't know what he was chasing.)

It was hard not to buy herbs at Central Market this morning.  Their herbs look so nice and healthy. But I'm afraid that we're not free of winter's grip yet... and we've already lost our night bloomers, so I would not like to lose any more plants by putting them out too early.

Had coffee with some friends from pottery class yesterday. Our ages ran from 55 to 69 (me being the 69).  I didn't know women could talk so much! We got there at 11:00 and before we knew it, it was 2:00. But it was fun... and we plan to do it again soon.

BTW, I have a question for those of you out there on Pinterest. My grand daughter (the 12 yr old) got me on it, and now I'm hooked. But I was wondering... can you save an image off of Pinterest so you can share the pic with those who may not be on it (or put the pic on your blog)?  I know that you can share with others registered with Pinterest, but can't figure out if the other is possible.

a brief hiatus from travel log...

me in my herb garden years ago (before hair turned white)

Unfortunately yesterday (Sunday) I awoke feeling a bit 'off' (stomach queasy and headachy). Spent most of the day either sleeping or reading and eating crackers and coke. This morning seems 'a little' better... but not quite back.

Thought I'd use this time to post a few non-travel related pics I've taken recently. Our backyard is green again... finally... and I caught this picture of a squirrel in the bird feeder this weekend.

                                                                           






Julie in her hidey-hole...

and my cousin's cat, Kuchi, helping my  friend with her knitting.












and this last one is me the last day of the cruise trying to figure out the attraction of putting in money and pushing a button...

I must be missing something... because I still don't get it.

Jack, Rupert, and Reginald...

Good Morning! Thought I'd start your day off with a video of Jack in one of the many places he likes to check out. Believe me, there isn't a cubbyhole anywhere in this house that Jack hasn't tried to squeeze into. This time I found him sitting in my dishwasher...  I've never tried to post a video before so I'm curious to know if it comes through alright. It won't *play* on the 'preview'. So please let me know if it plays OK when you view it.  Thanks!

Beyond that I'm including some pictures of Rupert (a rat) and Reginald (a rabbit). These two had an unusual friendship which we were privileged to be a party to during the summer of 2005.  We were having some remodeling done to our kitchen when we noticed these two showing up in the backyard a lot together. At first we thought it just coincidence, then when we saw them lying side by side in the sun, we realized that these two critters had become buddies. Our remodelers noticed also and asked us if we had seen them... of course we said yes, we knew. The rat (which by that time we had named Rupert) and the rabbit (which we called Reginald) were friends.  The squirrel showed up occasionally, but not daily...

If you make the pictures larger, you can see them better...

As you can see, our backyard is a constant source of entertainment.

Alaskan Cruise... and teddy bears

Squiggles, Grand daughter's squirrel

I'm beginning to think about this Alaskan Cruise coming up in April. If any of you have experience with this particular type of vacation, I would definitely appreciate any input... as to what to bring, things to consider, etc.

DH and the boys will be home to take care of the cats.  My friend and I will fly to Seattle, take a train to Vancouver - where we will have one day to visit before the Carnival Cruise Ship sails.  Yes, it is Carnival Cruise Lines.  Does that make me nervous... a little?

Things I'm concerned about:

1. The cold.
2. Seasickness
3. Incident at sea

Things I'm excited about:

1. Seeing Vancouver
2. Sharing my friend's 'dream trip'.

Teddy bear (for Dee to see)

Recently Dee at One Foot Out of the Box posted a blog about having a teddy bear.  I commented that I had one too. DH gave it to me when we were dating in college at LSU Baton Rouge.... and it's sat in our bedroom for 45 years now. Does Teddy look that old?  (He doesn't, but we do... oh well)  He is great for cuddling, but I find that the cats have taken over in the comforting department. They are great for that... and seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to knowing when comfort is needed.

Have to put this *teatime* picture up here.  I found it on another website just recently and hope she won't mind my sharing it.  It was just too cute...

found at Deb's blog