Another Storm

We had such wind and rain last night, we actually lost power for a time.  It's amazing how dark total darkness really is.  No glow from the microwave or the oven clocks; no light from the neighbor's porch.  It happened really quickly too.  One minute I was watching the end of a television program, the next we were groping for a flashlight and trying not to stumble into furniture.  About the time Alan found the flashlight downstairs, and I was convincing the shivering and terrified Max that the weird chirping noises coming from the fire alarms was not some sort of alien invasion...the electricity came back on.

We managed to have a good dog walk this afternoon, though shortly after getting home, another storm hit with more torrential rain and wind.  The landscape guys had planned on digging and laying the pipe for the sprinkler system today, but were having such a hard time slogging in the mud, they had to call it a day earlier than usual, and I don't blame them one bit.  It's miserable out there this afternoon.

Speaking of the landscaping.  Yesterday they finished the connecting bit from the front walkway to the back deck.  Still rough, but the stone path is done.

Ozzy, looking through the back gate.  He is such a Nosy Parker.  Heaven forbid he miss something.  And look at the poor wee fuzzball.  His hair is spiking out all over from the terrible grooming nightmare--like he stuck a paw in a light socket and got electrocuted.  At the rate of growth, it will be way more than a year before he looks like his old self again.  Buggers.

The view in the other direction, to the curve, before going down the front bank.  Again, pretty rough, though at least the stone work part is finished.  For some reason this photo makes the path look like it's tipping to the left.  It's not.  Just the photographer...

It was good to see my mother yesterday, even though it was a very short, drive-by visit.  She did indeed bring the famed Brother-in-Law Biscotti...and yum, is it ever good.  I think, after all his experiments, Scott has nailed the proper balance of taste, texture and deliciousness.  Here are three perfect pieces that I scarfed down with a cup of coffee immediately after taking this photo.

Tomorrow we have to drive 60 miles north to talk to a tax person.  Yes, 60 frigging miles.  We tried to find someone local, but apparently there isn't one single person qualified to help with international finances/taxes in the whole of Douglas County, let alone Roseburg.  I might not be blogging tomorrow, depending on how the day goes.  We'll see.

So, on this stormy day, I'm going to sign off now, and go read a book.  It's the only thing to do on such an astoundingly crappy afternoon...

Yep, It's Monday...

It was a semi-eventful weekend, starting with Daylight Savings, which I totally forgot about so my time has been off since I got up Sunday.  It takes me about two weeks to adjust to the time change, in either direction, though the Spring Forward one does the most mental damage.  And every year I have to question why...??  Why, why why...??  There truly is no point to this any longer.  It doesn't benefit the school children, the farmers, or any soldiers from World War I when this sorry business started.

Yesterday we experienced the worst storm since we've moved to southern Oregon.  The house was actually shaking, from the wind and the thunder.  Seriously.  The thunder was so intense, the building was quaking with the rumbles.  As was Ozzy.  He doesn't do fireworks or thunder, and he was especially not happy with the house rocking under his feet.  Poor wee boy.  He spent a good portion of the storm buried in my armpit.  Max, on the other hand, could have cared less.  He was more concerned that Ozzy was getting all the loves and attention.

I tried to take some photos--through the windows as I would have ruined the camera if I'd tried to go outside.  They're not great, but maybe you can get the idea.

We could see it coming from across the valley.  Suddenly, the mountains disappeared, then the valley below, then this solid mass of rain and wind slammed right into our ridge on it's way over the mountain to Roseburg....

The view through the front windows.  Too bad I couldn't take a video...the howling wind and lashing rain were one thing, but add in the bolts of lightning and Thor's thunder, and wow, it was a great storm.

Here's our own Little Muddy as our soil runs out of our front yard and down the bank.  Good thing we haven't gotten our top soil delivered yet...

We have to take the dogs to the park earlier than usual today as my mother will be here around lunch time.  She's been visiting my sister in Vancouver and is stopping by on her way back down to Grants Pass.  The whole of the Northwest got hammered with the storm yesterday, including Mom and Sis as they were driving on the freeway--the worst scenario when driving: zero visibility, torrential rains, etc.  Thankfully, today is cloudy, though warm and not raining, so Mom should have an easy trip.

Landscape guys are already toiling away, in the process of joining the top landing to the back deck area.  That will be a great thing:  To be able to walk right from the driveway, up the slope and around to the back.  Very cool.

So, in light of Mom coming, best get on with things so she doesn't have to hang with the landscape crew because we haven't returned from walkies.  Besides, Scott (bro-in-law) made more of his Biscotti and is sending some down with Mom...woo hoo.  This batch is supposed to be his best yet and my mouth is just watering. What if I'm not here to give Mom some lunch...??  She will eat my Biscotti...!!

Must go.  No time to dawdle...

Weekend Off

Busy Friday

I had some errands to run this morning, and a hair appointment, so no time to blog.  I didn't get back until early afternoon, which means I barely unloaded the car before reloading it with dogs for their walk in the park.  It's been a pretty busy, rushing around sort of day.

Between the errands and the hair cut, I managed to find some time to wander around Macy's...and found an amazingly great sale on a new duvet.  It's very fresh, and Spring-like, and just what I needed to perk things up a bit.  I don't usually do blues, but I thought, because I don't usually do blues, why not try it..??  Though the duvet is a subtle blue, in this really bad photo, you can't tell it's blue at all.  Oh well...

Today was an absolutely beautiful, sunny and warm day, so the landscaping guys were able to work without fighting the elements.  They have finished the path in the front yard.  It looks good, though you really need to use your imagination to picture how it will look when everything is finished with top soil, plants and shrubs.

Late yesterday.  Top of the path as it curves toward the back deck.

From the top, looking down the steps.  They finished these three levels before mud and weather forced them to call it a day.  What a mess.

Close-up of one section, showing the pattern of the path, and how it will ultimately look as it winds from the driveway, up the front slope and around to the back.

Today they finished the front walk: driveway to the turning point at the top.  There's still the portion from the top to the back deck that needs connecting, but this is a major accomplishment and a good finish to a truly difficult week.

Standing at the top, looking down the walk.  I know this is a terrible shot, with the sunshine glaring on the mud and puddles, and straight into the camera, but wow, look...!!  There's a path...!!!!!  It's wonderful to walk up the slope and not careen off into the ditch.

So, all things considered, what started off as a crap week ended on a high note--well, except for that frigging jury deal, but never mind.  

I'm going to pretty much just kick back this weekend...and hope you all can do the same...

Bluster...

I didn't post the landscaping photos yesterday as expected.  I took several shots after the crew left late in the afternoon, then we walked the dogs down to the mail box at the end of our road, and I had every intention of doing the blog when we got back.  

Unfortunately, I got a bit of mail--from the frigging court system--which blew my plans right out of my mind.  I received a terse postcard that said, "You are NOT excused."  So much for my writing skills, and/or my ability to persuade.  I am forced to comply with this summons, and spend the month of April tangled in judiciary crapola.  I won't go into my feelings (again) about this.  I have to do it--though it galls me on so many levels--unless, of course, I really want to waste more of my time by sitting in a jail cell.  Comes out the same, doesn't it..??  On one hand sit in a courtroom for a month, on the other sit in a jail cell for a month.  Loss of liberty no matter how you look at it.  Buggers.

Due to ranting and raving, and a (failed) attempt at attittude adjustment, I never got around to the blog.

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So.  New day, with yesterday's photos...

Looking up the path.  It's hard to get the drift from this angle.  I'm standing about two lengths up the walkway here.

Now I'm nearly to the top of the yard, looking back down.  You can see the curvature of the path, but again, with all the dirt/mud and no depth perspective, it's sort of hard to see what's happening here.

Top of the walkway, just at the corner where it heads toward the back deck.  You can really see how steep the slope still is, even after the leveling and tearing up of ground.  Nothing like living up a mountain, huh..??

At the same place where I was standing to take the photo above, I turned to take this shot where the front yard path will end at the back deck steps--notice wheel barrow in both pictures.  This was the stopping point yesterday...obviously.

In the midst of the chaos and mayhem...daffodils bloom

I love the contrast between that wicked looking blade, the muck, and the beauty of the flowers against the tree...

We had monsoon rains that started during the night, to the point that this morning we had our own Big Muddy** running out of the front yard, across the road and down the mountain.  I would have taken a photo, but it was raining too hard for me to even take the camera outside.

**[The Big Muddy, for those who don't know, is the Missouri River.  Back in the old days, the pioneers used to say:  "It's too thick to drink and too thin to plow."]

Anyway.  The front is just a morass of mud, deep puddles, and big clods of dirt.  The crew is here today doing the stonework on the path.  I don't envy them this task; they definitely have their work cut out for them today, with the added thrill of battling the elements.

All I have to do is slog through a swamp to take the dogs on their afternoon walk.

Will Power

A lovely, warm Wednesday morning...so far.  There are lots of clouds, but they're more the big fluffy kind, rather than the dreary rain kind.  The landscape guys are cracking on with the steps and after yesterday's muck, today must seem like a dream.  Later today I will post some photos of their progress, though Matthew has decided to do all the 'hard' landscaping--including the backyard--before getting the new topsoil delivered, which means it will continue to look muddy and meaningless for awhile longer.  The steps are looking good with their new capping stones, and when the other stones are placed in the longer walkway sections, it should be cool.  In theory.  I hope.

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After revealing the No Smoking deal in yesterday's post, I got an encouraging note from my bro-in-law, who quit smoking nearly two years ago.  I know it's all for the best, and really, I do feel better, even after just these few weeks.  It's just....well....I really, really liked smoking..!!  Unless you've done it, you can't understand what I mean when I say that.  Forget the smell, the lung issues, the nasty habit of it all.  It's just somehow relaxing, and enjoyable, and without the comfort of smoking, I look and feel like this ol' bruiser of a cat.  And buggers.  How much do I want to rush to the store...buy a pack of smokes, rip into that pack, light up and...aargghhgh.  


[Okay, okay.  Deep breath...in, out.  Keep the goal in sight.  Remember: You should be damn glad you can even take a deep breath right now..!!  Grab a Tootsie Pop...calm down.  Will power, woman.  You don't smoke.  You don't smoke.  You don't smoke.]

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Here's a good Inexplicable Sign.  And wow...how big are the mosquitoes in this place, wherever this place is..??  I really can't figure this one.  Surely they can't be warning that the bugs are so huge, they can actually carry you off..??

Via DRB

Since I may post again later today with an update on the front landscaping, I'll finish this one with the funniest photo of this wee boy.  I got this in an email from my friend Morag in Scotland this morning, and just cracked up at this picture.  Too adorable...and talk about goose down...

Just a Tuesday

Weather is foul today, which will make walking the dogs a muddy misery.  Though not as much a misery as what the landscape crew are dealing with.  Yuck.  Or maybe that should be more along the lines of muck.  I don't envy them their work today as they try to build the steps up the slope and around the house to the back deck.

Oz seems to be fine today, so go figure what happened to him night before last.  We were all up early this morning, mainly because we had to go grocery shopping, which meant I had to take the dogs out beforehand, have breakfast, take a shower, blah, blah.  And now--through the miracle of time travel--all those things have been accomplished; we're back home, it's time for lunch, then off to Swamp Walk.

I really need to get back to my writing as some point.  I left my main character in Book Two in a very compromising position and have to rescue him pretty soon before he abandons me for someone who pays attention to him.

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Here's a totally cool and fun thing from Cadbury.  You can catapult one of their Easter Eggs to any address, then watch as the goo splatters their house.  I gooed my sister's house--just to see how it all worked--and it's hilarious.  Takes awhile for the whole deal to load, then a little longer as the address is searched out, but it's fun to see that egg fly through the air, and...splat.  Click here if you want to goo someone...

Via Presurfer

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I love this photo.  It reminds me of one I framed and gave to Alan for Valentine's Day one year.  The idea that what you see, isn't necessarily what is, has always intrigued me.  In the photo below, you have the suggestion of perhaps what once was...

...then there's my framed photo.  It just looks like an old man, walking along...though his shadow tells a different story of an unexpected what is.

Beneath the photo, the quote says:  

"Some things have to be believed to be seen."

Ralph Hodgson (1871-1962).

A close-up.  Don't you just wonder who he is, this Saxophone Man...??  I do...

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Today marks the end of Week Three of not smoking.  I haven't mentioned it on the blog, nor have I told but a handful of people.  There's nothing I loath more than trying to do something, failing, and having other people know about it.  I wasn't sure I could do it--and frankly, I'm still not sure--but adding expectations from others on top of my own...??  No thanks.  Now, though, having made it this long, I feel more or less safe in bringing it up.

So, Alan and I have managed to stop, pretty much cold turkey; tomorrow starts Week Four.  I honestly feel better, have lost the wheeze, and we can now actually keep up with the dogs without gasping and choking for breath.  It's a good thing.  Even if I'm going through Tootsie Roll Pops like...well...candy.

Yawn...Another Monday

For the first time since November, Ozzy had everyone up in the night.  I don't have a clue what's going on, but the rumbles and noises from his stomach could have been heard from outer space.  As he hasn't eaten anything except the special gastrointestinal food, I truly don't know what's suddenly gone awry with him.  At around 6:30 this morning, Alan took him outside (again), and let him out of the yard and into the clearing next to the house so he could eat grass.  I know, I know, we're not supposed to let him do that, but after an all-nighter--and the only way to calm his stomach--we had no choice really; it's not like I can give him Tums or Pepto.  After 20 minutes, and half the hillside's worth of grass, he threw it all up, calmly came back into the house, and has been sleeping ever since.  Poor wee boy.

Great way to start a Monday:  worried Ozzy's having a pancreatitis attack when we thought that was over for good, and bleary-eyed from sleep deprivation.

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Last night we had a most beautiful sunset.  The weather's been fairly warm, though rainy and windy.  We've had some Swamp Walks with the dogs, no question, but you can tell the truly wintry weather is gone...or pretty much going.

Both shots from the front deck...

The colors covered the whole sky, clear across the valley, though I only took these photos at the point where the sun actually set.  It was very vivid and lush, like fiery cotton candy.

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A few minutes ago Alan asked me to come look at the squirrel hanging from the neighbor's bird feeder.  What industrious creatures they are--nothing is too difficult if it involves getting some food.  He hung there for ages, munching away at the seed, not the least bit bothered to be eating upside down.

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I had a long chat with Morag, my friend in Edinburgh, yesterday.  It was great to catch up on the old neighborhood's news, though I wish some of it had been better.  Still, even with the homesickness every time we talk, it's good.  Next Saturday is the Kirk Jumble Sale (see Meandering photo above), one of my most favorite things in the world.  If I could, I would book a flight so I could be there, bright and early, on Saturday morning.  For the past several years, I worked at the Sale, and had such a great time...to say nothing of getting first crack at all the amazing bargains before the doors opened.  Sigh...I will be so sorry to miss it this year.

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Okay, now I'm not only tired from lack of sleep, but sad and depressed, so will finish this and get on with the day.  It can only get better from here...right...??  Right...????

Spaced, the Final Frontier

I took a couple of days off the blog.  I didn't mean to, but one thing after another was going on around here and by the time I'd think about posting, it was either too late, I couldn't be bothered, or I just totally spaced it.  Some days are just like that.

Plus, we can't ever discount procrastination...which does have its merits...

Via Miss Cellania

I needed to escape for a bit too, which means I leave this reality and dive into a different one: Books.  It's just the way I roll.  When I need to clear my mind, get away from things, find some perspective, the only way I know how to do that is to read.  Some people drink, do drugs, have affairs, run away...I can do all those things just by turning pages.  So, I did my normal, day-to-day stuff, but in between and around that, I dove headfirst into a really good trilogy that totally absorbed my attention for two whole days.

I was in a nostalgic mood the other day whilst looking for my March Meandering photo.  I wanted something spring-like, so I chose the one above...a wonderful shot of the Cramond Kirk, just down from our old house in Edinburgh.  I took this last Spring as the daffodils were shooting up in giant clumps all over the grounds of the Manse.  It made me very homesick, but I love the picture.

The landscaping work is on hold for the week.  Matthew and crew were here on Wednesday to remove some stonework, then we went over our ideas and expectations, so with any luck when they come back to work on Monday the front yard will begin to look more in line with what we were thinking in the first place.  We'll see.

I sent off my "please please let me be excused" letter to the courts yesterday.  I don't stand a snowball's chance in Hell of getting out of this jury deal, but I had to try.  (Like that will make any difference to my attitude when I'm forced to spend the entire effing month of April stuck in a frigging courthouse....aaarrrggghhh.)  Okay, okay.  Enough already with the whining and whingeing--at least for now.

My mother sent me this video the other day.  It just seems too amazing to be true.  I mean, really.  How in the world would these guys have gotten the trajectory just so exactly perfect to make such a landing..??  Though, I have to say, the guy who flies/lands looks pretty stunned that he survived, so maybe it's authentic after all.

I have two Inexplicable Signs for this week.  The first one is just...well...human.  We never listen, do we..??  Or, in this case, we never pay attention to the warnings.  And I'll be the first to admit: there have been many times that I have disregarded signs if I was after a particular photograph or wanted to see a different viewpoint that was off-limits.  It's either a total disdain for life and limb, or as humans we take a perverse pleasure in breaking the rules.  (And really, I don't see why you can't walk along that trail...I would have, too.)

Via Presurfer

Then, there's this one.  Sigh.  I don't know what to say.  Who's the dope..??  The people who made the sign, or the people who put it up..??  Maybe it's a fairy godmother sign and if you park in her space, she'll turn you into a toad..??

Via Arbroath

That's about it for Friday.  Weather is perking up, sunshine is streaming through the windows right now, and I must get on with the morning.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

March

The first day of March.  Somehow we've gotten through the longest, dreariest month (January), the shortest, and now, suddenly it's a brand new month, with the glimmer of light at the end of the wintry tunnel.  In fact, Spring will officially begin in about three weeks.  Let's hope it heralds warmer weather and lots of colorful and beautiful flowers and buds.

Here are some cool March quotes; the Dickens one being my favorite:

"March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb" (traditional Old English)

"March winds and April showers, bring forth May flowers" (traditional Old English)

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:

When it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” (Charles Dickens)

"Up from the sea the North wind is blowing

Under the sky’s grey arch

Smiling, I watch the shaken elm boughs

Knowing it is the wind of March." (William Wordsworth)

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I have to change my main Meandering photo, though have been so angst-ridden about that damned jury crap, I haven't done much except compose letter after letter--in my head--to get myself out of the whole process.  My brain is melting, to say nothing of my lack of sleep, as I endlessly ponder how best to do it.  My mental letters alternate between begging and snarking.  Snarking makes me feel better; begging would no doubt fall on deaf ears.  I'm working on a balance of the two.  All to no avail in the long run, I'm sure, but hey...it can't hurt to try.

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For crying out loud.  Really, people..??  How many students applied for their services, I wonder...

Via Miss Cellania

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I saw this wonderful video yesterday; today it's gone viral, so you may have already seen it.  Still, it's worth watching again if you have.  There's just something about a little kid laughing his head off with so much joy that lightens the spirit.  Here's wee Micah, hysterical, as his father does nothing more than tear up paper...

Via Arbroath

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I've got a big pot of chili cooking in the crock pot, and can't wait to make some cornbread muffins later tonight for dinner.  Yum.  I don't like cooking really early in the morning, but once it's done and I don't have to think about dinner for the rest of the day...it's a good thing.  As the day goes on, the aroma of the chili will permeate the house, and by the time I take the muffins out of the oven, sprinkle grated cheese over the chili, and we sit down to eat...well...it doesn't get much better than that.