Refocusing...

Yesterday afternoon was sunny and chilly here, quite like it is today. The outdoors beckoned and I lit a fire in the chiminea on the patio. It is an easy way to burn pine needles and small branches without starting a huge fire that I have to watch over for hours.

The G-man was shooting hoops, Gertie was snooping and I had my latest mystery novel. When not reading but staring into the fire I mulled over the situation that a friend is going through. I am not as good a friend as I should be. Maybe as we get older it is more difficult to reach out to a person in need. I fear I am more self-centered than I would like to be. I seem to be wrapped up in my own little life with the G-man & the Gert.

Maybe I spend too much time online or writing & reading or just goofing off and am not making the time for my friend. I have no way to help except to listen; however, sometimes listening is difficult. The problem never changes, there seems to be no solution, and I have never been one to handle helplessness. I should learn to handle it because there are some things that one just has to accept; some things can't be changed; some events occur over which there is little control and it is unlikely there will be a satisfactory outcome.

Recently we parted on tenuous grounds with me having said something she didn't want to hear and her becoming angry because I said it. We will most likely get through this little upset. I will have to remind myself to stand back, listen, and not offer unsolicited comments. I always want to be the fix-it person but being able to fix something is not always possible.

I have left a message of apology which will be heard and hopefully will help to soothe hurt feelings. Now I think I'll cook or bake something to refocus my mind. It is too pretty a day to be sad. Refocusing...

Changing Writing Spaces

It seems I have lost my inspiration to write. Normally I have my laptop set up in a quiet little nook in my little room, but today I decided to move it in front of a double window that reaches almost from ceiling to floor. This way I can look out into our green backyard and watch the birds, squirrels, and occasional rabbit. I think it helps with the "creative process" and I don't feel so closed in.
In our yard I have 3 areas set up where the birds & other animals can get water and splash around. Just a few minutes ago a squirrel was getting water at the "watering hole" in the photo below. Then a Blue Jay flew onto the Shepard's Hook on his way to have a snack. Now I can see cardinals flitting around one of the feeders in the distance.

Just the other day Blue Jay dove into one of the containers filled with water, splashed around, jumped out then back in, and finally had a sip of water before hopping down the wooden retaining wall & into the shrubs. It is so fun to watch. This morning an adult woodpecker was getting seeds and carrying them to the little fledgling who was perched on the trunk of the pine tree. And very early, before the woodpeckers arrived, a large rabbit munched on our abundant grass (which needs mowing & edges need clipping AGAIN).

Yes, I'm happy sitting here watching the wildlife pass through this little piece of heaven that we call our backyard. I was about to get rid of the chairs in the distance because they have rusted and the legs are no longer the same length, but they have become a perch for cardinals, wrens, and sparrows, so I suspect the chairs will remain where they are for a while. The activity in the yard is truly amazing. Oh look, a cardinal is chasing a grasshopper... he almost caught it, but it managed to flit away.

Lover-ly Days

The weather has been lover-ly lately. We've had cool mornings (in the 50s) getting warmer into the upper 70s & low 80s as the days progress. It is a great time for the plants and for us. We are able to sit out on the patio and enjoy cool westerly breezes and gorgeous blue skies. The only thing missing are the myriad birds that we had during the winter months. They have flown north to delight folks in other parts of the country, but they will be back next fall & welcomed immensely.

Gertie & I have taken walks along shaded lanes. She has been able to sniff around in the tall grasses. Even when she is in our backyard her nose is lifted into the air sniffing & sniffing. The fresh air is wonderful with a scent of honeysuckle.

Mexican heather, kolanchoe, and shamrock

Miss Kitty relaxing

Kolanchoe and amaryllis

Amaryllis and honeysuckle

Gerald's tomato plants

Mint, oregano, rosemary

Our lovely green woods with yaupon, pine, oak & mimosa

Gertie Girl enjoying the air & sun.

Even with all this loveliness I sometimes have a sad feeling. Perhaps it's because I know really hot weather is coming. This year I will try to stay out of the heat as much as possible. My skin is rebelling. It seems no amount of sunscreen can really protect my skin... and then there is the heat. I'd like to retreat to a cooler climate but doubt that will be possible since our severest heat lasts at least 2 months and that's a long time to be away from home. I shall most likely spend time reading and blogging in air conditioning as the months progress.

Happy spring & summer to you folks in cooler climes and to you folks in the south... try to stay cool.

The Sage in Bloom...

The sage in bloom

Is like perfume

Deep in the heart of Texas.


The bees are getting drunk of the sage nectar.

The black swallowtail is drinking from the purple lantana.

The sage & agave are beautiful together.

Gertie looks out the window as I photograph
the sage & prickly pear cactus in front of our house.
Gertie always knows where I am...

Deep in the Heart of Texas
(listen to the tune by clicking on the old Decca record in the sidebar... there are 3 other YouTube broadcasts also... including a boogie-woogie piece, oh yeah!)

The stars at night are big and bright
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The prairie sky is wide and high
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume
Deep in the heart of Texas.
Reminds me of the one I love
Deep in the heart of Texas.

The coyotes wail along the trail
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The rabbits rush around the brush
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The cowboys cry, "Ki-Yippee-Yi"
Deep in the heart of Texas.
The dogies bawl and bawl & bawl
Deep in the heart of Texas.

Home Again, Home Again!!!

Home again! Yes, we rolled in at 9 PM after driving 500 miles. We had a fun trip & an extraordinary day today! We went to my favorite little west Texas town today, had some coffee, took some photos, & saw two lovely places that I had not seen.

Posts of our trip will be coming over the next week or so. We had great fun at Padre's grand opening. Hiked in the Davis Mountains and in the Chihuahuan Desert, looked at different birds than we have here, danced in the evenings at Padre's, explored some gardens and native springs in the desert and in general had a great trip. Gertie went too & was such a good girl. She likes exploring too!

Reflection of our flag. Happy Memorial Day!