Could This be a Sign of a Mild Winter?

Nov 052011
 

As we were leaving for our Friday night “Date Night,” I pointed over to my Geraniums on the deck, and commented to Rick how amazed I was that they were still blooming in November.

“Better take a picture,” he said.

“I already did,” I replied with a smile.

I’m sure their longevity has something to do with the fact that they are under the protection of the deck roof, saving them from the harsh frosts that we have been experiencing lately.

And I’m not looking forward to the day that I finally have to bring them indoors for the winter.  Truth be told, I didn’t have any luck over-wintering last year’s batch that my MIL gave me.  They never recovered this spring, so I was ecstatic when she presented me with 2 new plants this year.

I’ve picked out a different location for their winter rest this year, hoping that the conditions will be ideal so that next year they will produce their beautiful colors once again.

Just on the off chance that they don’t make it, I think I’ll put in my request for additional plants early, just to be on the safe side.

Do Not Look Under the Bed

Nov 032011
 

I introduced Nichole to my new camera last weekend.

It was love at first sight.

She started by taking pictures of the most photographed cat in the world.

I could tell that only one of them was enjoying it.

But in order to find Fat Man (this is what she has renamed Thor*), she had to get creative.

Because of the fact that this feline is not a fan of small children (or thunderstorms, the UPS man, or any stranger that comes within 10 feet of the house), he quickly escapes to the safe confines under our bed, which has only 6 inches of clearance to access.

So she had to lie on her stomach and turn the camera upside down.  She was a true photographer.  I was so proud.

Besides holding a cache of 4,956 cat toys,

it also contains the equivalent of 398 pounds of fur,

which accumulates on a daily basis because he sheds more than anything I have ever encountered in my life.

Nichole says that in order to remove all of it, we would have to first remove the mattress and box spring (which weigh as much as a small car) and then use a rake to gather it all up before bringing in the vacuum cleaner (which he’s also deathly afraid of).

If there was ever a way to market the stuff, I think that I would make a fortune.

If not, I could always go with Rick’s alternative to deal with all the shedding:  shave him.  Not down to the skin, but at least the outer layer.

I’m not so sure about this idea.  I remember once my oldest shaved her cat, and I also remember how I laughed when I saw it.  The poor thing was so embarrassed (the cat, not my daughter).

Thor has enough issues the way it is.  I don’t think we need to add anything else to the list.

 

*Yes, I know it used to be Twitchy, but that only applies when catnip is around.

Adult Supervision Required

Nov 012011
 

Nichole and her two munchkins paid us a visit this last weekend.  When she leaves the rest of the crew back at their homestead, Rick usually kicks us out of the house and sends us up to the casino to have some Mother-Daughter time together (read:  adult beverages and gambling).

The grandkids are at that age (5 & 7) where they don’t need as much supervision as they used to.  Give them some coloring books and crayons, or perhaps a computer, and they are entertained.  Actually, this is what the normal adult would do.

We’re talking Rick here, who has a different idea of what constitutes entertainment.

For Saturday evening’s pleasure, the main attractions were a large supply of orange cord and scissors.  (Apparently Rick doesn’t remember what little girls like to do with scissors:  cut hair.)

So when Nichole and I arrived home a couple hours later, we were welcomed into a kitchen funhouse created by the precious little darlings.

 

And where was Rick during all of this?  In the living room, watching TV.  I guess he figured that as long as they were quiet, there was nothing to worry about.

At least nobody’s hair got cut.

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