Puppy Gal Welcomes You To
Judy's August 2009 Journal....
I started this feature for friends and family to answer their "What's going on?" emails, therefore, I probably tell too much, but you are welcome to laugh, cry and sigh with us.If you have been gifted with the ability to love, you are a fortunate person indeed.
Hardeman Co. Animal Control
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The E-Mail Function has been disconnected due to the unbelievable number of Spams
and Scams. If you need to speak to me please call (731) 376-0635 between the
hours of 7 AM and 7 PM CST. This is a private residence, we are not a company. This
telephone number is on the State of Tennessee and Federal NO CALL lists for telemarketers.
Please do not call me in reference to when we will have available puppies, I will post that information on
the website when the time is appropriate. Be polite and you will receive same in return, but if
you are rude (don't call me Judy if you refer to yourself as Mr. or Mrs. I'm not beneath you in
life's pecking order) or ask explicate sexual questions about breeding, I'll say goodbye
and hang up the telephone.
"Mercy", Sunday - September 13, 2009 4:45 PM
Doing better today, Thank The Good Lord!!! - Judy
"Hiccups", Saturday - September 12, 2009 9:05 PM
Hiccups are horrible ... I was in a restaurant when a case of hiccups hit me hard. The lady at the next table told me her son was prone to hiccups and she had found the solution to his ... mustard. I asked the waiter for a serving of mustard. I held my breath and downed a teaspoon full. Miracle upon miracle the hiccups STOPPED. Now I tote around these little packets of mustard that you can find at Sam's Club or other places who serve corndogs.
"Crazy Body Response To Meat", Saturday - September 12, 2009 7:40 PM
I'm sharing this story with you in hopes that I will prevent another person from going through what I have. I've been to three different doctors, no insurance so it cost me a bundle, trying to find out what in the world was going on with my body, I've had bouts of horrible pain in my joints to the point of having to crawl up the stairs to get to the bedroom. First of all I've never been a big meat eater, which was probably subconscious. At any rate I finally came across a website which explained "gouty arthritis" which is a body's negative reaction to protein. I limited my protein intake and I was amazed at the difference, much improved.
So I'm going along not eating every much protein, chicken twice a week kind of thing, when all of a sudden I cook Bob ground sirloin patties. Just like an addict I could not help myself, I ate 3 small bites of a patty. Later, in the middle of the night I woke up with the most gosh awful pain in my legs that ever was. I begged Bob to wake up and get me an Aleve, cause I couldn't stand the pain. Aleve is wonderful for most folks but not for me. I can't take any kind of pain reliever, NONE, they turn my digestive tract into cement. Couple that with the fact that I have this awful inherited problem of a small rectum and I've got a real problem. I've been operated on twice for this condition and believe me when I say never again!!! The last time it took almost 5 months to heal. (Elvis died on the throne and a acquaintance of mine died from a ruptured intestine ... so if you have this problem let that scare you like it does me.)
I'm religious about eating veggies and fruit, any and all kinds. It does not matter, if it's a vegetable or a fruit I'll eat it. I can drink wine for the pain, but if the digestive system is clogged up I'll upchuck, without warning, does not matter if it's water I've consumed or wine. Today I'm upchucking because I've drank a lot of water and wine ... head in a trash can when a woman calls about her Bully. She's in law school due to graduate next year and I tell her the vet has made a wrong diagnosis. She has an appointment for Monday at 3 PM I tell her to go in raising "The Devil" and if she needs the support to call me around 2 PM and I'll pump her up. I tell her I hope she will be a better lawyer that most in the system today, because I think very little of them. We talk about the wrongly convicted to which we totally agree. Convict and move on .... justice does not prevail, many defense lawyer pay little attention to their client's case, just collect the money. Serve on a jury, or go sit in your local criminal court and you will see what I mean.
A couple of years ago I happened to be in a court room, meeting a friend at the courthouse to sign some papers and I was extremely early, so I just sat down in a court room to "wile away time". There was an idiot lawyer assisted by a beautiful, flashy, sexy paralegal. I swear he was either demented, on drugs or drunk. His client was convicted of the crime .... dang I could have gotten his client off with just a little investigative work to prove where he was at the time of the burglary, but his lawyer was so mentally incompetent that he never thought of doing so. Even the victim testified that the accused did not DO IT!!! Lordy the victim was the one who gave the accussed a ride to the courthouse for his day in court. I was never so shocked in all my life. I was shaking my head thinking either this is "crazy white trash gone amoke" or the guy didn't do the crime.
So I'm still shaking my head over "the things people do" and decided going to bed was the right thing for me to do. - Judy
"Sucker Punched Boxer", Saturday - September 12, 2009 2:40 PM
I've been at odds with myself ever since the lady in Tupelo told me about the man who hit the horse with a baseball bat ... years ago there was a Boxer which was going to be "put down" because he was major aggressive, the owner made him that way by fighting and picking at him when he was young, but anyway ... he was beautiful and so very sweet until he went "bullistic". My friend John asked if he couldn't try to reform him, both owner and vet agreed to allow John to take ownership. What John did was the first time the boxer got aggressive he popped him full face with his fist, bout knocked out the boxer ... the boxer was NEVER aggressive after that. John's grandchildren were all over the boxer in the years after and never did he offer to bite anyone. So this story screws up my brain and makes me want to cry ... one sucker punch saved this dog's life ... but brutality to animals should not be allowed. I suppose if all humans were like John and knew when a sucker punch was NECESSARY this would be a better world.
I've rescued animals for 50 years or more. I take in the sick but I'm too dang old to take in the ones with behavior problems, they need the strength of youth, to match their attitude. IT'S HUMANS THAT MADE THEM WHAT THEY ARE and only a human can undo the damage. Gosh I've held out my hand to aggressive dogs and told them to bite it and die cause this was their last chance. I've cuddled with the most fierce of canine because they needed reassurance that a human was not going to beat them, but those days are over. And it makes me sad. - Judy
"Went to the Big City Today", Friday - September 11, 2009 9:40 PM
Gracious we went to the "big" city of Tupelo, MS for supplies today, mainly dog food. From our location we have a choice of going to Memphis (TN), Jackson (TN), Florence (AL) or Tupelo(MS) to a Sam's Club for a load of dog food. All are within equal driving distance. I feel more comfortable in Tupelo, folks seem more friendly, etc. Well I connected with three "gabbers" just wanting to interact with someone and there I was. You know if you really listen to "gabbers" you will learn some valuable lessons.
I don't ask questions as a general rule, so I don't know how their son, only child, was killed but a very nice couple on the dog food aisle told me all about the puppy who appeared on their doorsteps. The puppy helped to console their breaking hearts. They think the Good Lord sent the puppy and I am not one to challenge their belief. I hugged them both before taking leave and said I was sure the puppy was sent to the right people and if the belief that the puppy embodied their son's soul was a comfort to them, so be it.
The next person was a "rescuer" of animals, she saw our load of dog food and asked what kind of dogs we had. I had to tell her about all the critters, my favorite subject, and she told me about the rescues that had become permanent residence at her home. Seems the Sheriff's office recently arrested a man in their county who was hitting a horse with a baseball bat. He claimed he was trying to train it. I had to say the man should have had the baseball bat taken to him. I'm sorry if that offends you but .....
Once we got home we had to catch up on all the chores, now it is "downtime" and I'm going to bed. - Judy
"Good Lord She's An Odd One!!!", Thursday - September 10, 2009 4:30 PM
This is a photograph of the top of the antique "liqueur cabinet". The whole house is this way, stuffed
and crowded with "things". I told you all I was cleaning house and I am. I've got this box that Bob keeps taking down to Mildred's house. She calls it the comunity box, all are free to take what they want. I tell Bob to empty it on the table she has under her carport and come on back home, with the empty box. lol lol
Just now I called and the person answering the phone was an "unknown" so I told him Bob was on his way to dump anther box ... then I got to thinking about it ... called back and asked the young man if there was anything he needed or wanted to which he responded "I can't think of anything" so I said OK but if you think of something give me a call and hung up the phone. -Judy
"Casket Picture Hung", Wednesday - September 9, 2009 3:30 PM
Gosh I'm making progress ... I've found a frame for and hung on the wall Aunt Maggie's Casket picture, taken April 1923. I know that sounds really weird but one day I'll write a story about it. Also I've repaired the frame (nailed that sucker) of my most prized possession, a print that is a reflection of my soul. Originally bought at a Goodwill store, I've toted this print around with me for 40 some odd years and it's not worth 2 cents but what a comfort it is to my soul.
I've started a box of "Mildred's Stuff", she can keep what she wants and pass along to another the rest. Mildred the embroidery hoops can be used to hold screen to sift your seeds.
I'm in the process of trying to find a frame for a reprint of a picture for Bob. It's a photograph of a gathering of Episcopalian priests, one of whom is his Grandfather, who raised him. The picture is undated but it's probably around the same time as Aunt Maggie's funeral.
"Fight For Dignity", Tuesday - September 8, 2009 1:30 PM
I believe these are the most powerful words in the world "fight for dignity", without dignity we are nothing. If we are enslaved by government support regardless if it's nature, we begin to lose our dignity.
"Addictive Veggies", Monday - September 7, 2009 10:30 PM
My friend, Mildred, has a BIG garden and has been supplying us with assorted veggies all summer. I've decided the Okra is addictive and Bob agrees. Microwave or fry it, it does not matter how you fix it, it's just plain wonderful.
Mildred remind me to send you pictures of a spring "seed sprouting" greenhouse made from hog wire panels, using heating cables beneath the flats for faster germination, we need for you to get at early start. Also in case I forget, please put those new daylilies behind your fence ... they are like candy to the dang deer, they will put your lily bed on their daily schedule ... dessert at Mildred's.
We are committed to a new PuppyGal feature aptly named "Round Here". I envision videos of such things as the "horse drawn" logging", Mildred's giant goose-necked pumpkins, wonderful fog enclosed swamps, lonely Fall lanes and much, much more. It should be lots of fun. - Judy
"Labor Day Holiday", Monday - September 7, 2009 4:30 PM
I had a long entry completed and was attempting to post it when my computer when into a snit and I ended up having to do a "hard shutdown" which resulted in the loss of the entry. I'm not in the mood to try to recreate it now, maybe later. It was just a wordy entry on our two week vegetable and fruit intake that began yesterday .... no bread, no meat .... we'll see if we stick to it or not. Jeb is excited he said he thought he saw some meat in the refrigerator so our change in routine must mean he gets the meat. Jeb you need to be on the same restrictions as us, you're getting too fat, even for a Bully. He says he still dreams of the day Bob made me mad about the refrigerator being too full so I started tossing food out the back door, where he happened to be. And he's still mad at Melanie getting some of the best stuff cause she's tallest. lol lol
Take care. I hope you have had a good weekend. - Judy
PS The website server went down this afternoon, came back up around 6 PM
"Awful Storm", Sunday - September 6, 2009 10:30 PM
We just had the most gosh awful storm pass through our area. Thunder and lightening like I hate to see and hear. All the critters hunkered down in their dens except for a couple of Bullies who could sleep through anything, just like Bob!!! She who must be obeyed (Fluffy) condescended to cuddle up with the "boys". lol lol When Bob went out onto the porch to check on them while "in the thick of things" she looked at him as if to say "they're scared, not me". She's such a brat!!!
"Doing Everything But Housework", Sunday - September 6, 2009 5:00 PM
Mercy this house is awful, I've been doing everything BUT cleaning on it. Played with the plants, moved the sprinklers around several times to water the complete "yard" area. Then I collected seeds, spread them out to dry on a tissue covered pie tin and bagged up others that were already dry. Next I went thru my bag of seeds to see what needs to be planted now in order to bloom next year and thought how hopeless it all will be unless I can keep the deer away. I figured out the deer haven't touched the tomato plants, Azalea, Angel's trumpets, Devil's Trumpets or cannas, so that gave me an idea. I know Tomato (vines and leaves) Azalea, Angel Trumpets and Devil Trumpets are poisonous to humans if ingested so maybe they are to deer also. If so next year I'll just plant a "fence" several layers deep of those around the garden area and hopefully it will keep the deer away from my lilies, iris and roses .... wishful thinking I'm sure.
I'm off to cook up a batch of chicken bits for dog treats, they love them. I get them on sale at a local market and figured out they are cheaper by far than dog biscuits, which I hate to use because I don't know what's in them. Remember the Chinese doggie treats that were tainted!! - Judy
Mr Cat asleep under the protection of a begonia on the back porch.
I had taken the begonia to my "potting, seeding, plant nurturing area on the south end of the back porch, to take cuttings whenever I "got around to it". (lol lol) Under it became Mr. Cat's favorite place to perch, sleep and watch what was going on. He's as bad as all the other critter in reference to not wanting to miss a treat or a chance to rub on my legs.
Japanese Morning Glories
They don't often "grow true to parent plant". These are somewhat deviant but beautiful nevertheless.
Devil's Trumpet (Datura) - Triple Yellow
Very Unusual seed pod.
The above is a "normal" seed pod.
Now for the abnormal pod
I found this to be interesting and thought you all might enjoy seeing the comparison.
"Working Away!!", Sunday - September 6, 2009 2:30 PM
I slept 11 hours straight, I surely needed it. Bob was up and working hard at 5:45 AM to keep the critters quiet so they wouldn't wake me up. How very sweet of him!! He knew I hadn't slept well the prior two nights and if I don't get my sleep, I not only get weird I get sick!!. He's just now laid down for a nap and I've got lots of work to do. - Judy
Pictures taken 9/06/09
I would never be able to explain to anyone the pressing demands the Bullies and the Rescues place on us. If I'm on the phone, they think I could be paying attention to them so they start acting up. Each is jealous of the attention we give to another critters, so they start demanding the same. The strays (dogs) have long ago staked out the northern part of the back porch as their territory and if one of the Bullies dare to invade there is grumbling. The cats have the front porch, we've blocked it off from all other critters, however they are welcome on the back porch ... the "stray dogs who have come to stay" say loud and clear "don't rub on me, cat!!!"
Melanie, rescue, thinks that since she is the largest of the critters that it is her duty to ensure all is "right". She'll get between critters when it's not necessary, just to let them know she will not put up with any "nonsense", like she's meaner that a ticked off Bully, I don't think so. They are however intimidated. They are confused in regard to her long pointed nose and big teeth .... "all the better to eat you with my dear". -- Doesn't this sound like a house full of children. Maybe we should do a reality show!!!
First one then another, then another must "go out". We can't let out more than two at a time because they start playing and forget it's "potty time". So when we are worn to a frazzle we escape for a few hours. Today was one of those days. I was being "short" with the critters because they were getting under foot when I was buzzing around trying to get chores completed. I said timeout I need a break. About 1 PM we hit the road, but no sense in wasting precious time, we multi-tasked while trying to have a "time out" ... how stupid is that. We should have just flopped down at Ruby Tuesdays for a chilled out late lunch.
After stopping for lunch and shopping for supplies we finally made it back home around 6 PM, tired but more relaxed than when we started. THEN the explosion of demands from the critters. Oh well we were in a better frame of mind and could handle the pressure better. - Judy
"Blooming Now", Friday - September 4, 2009 12:30 PM
Double/Triple Purple, Pictures taken 8/31/09
Purple Specks - Delightful Fragrance
"Computer Bit The Dust", Thursday - September 3, 2009 10:30
Just wanted everyone to know we're OK, just experienced computer problems ... more tomorrow. - Judy
"Got To Retire This Computer", Monday - August 31, 2009 Noon
Big Daddy is getting me a "bullhorn" for my birthday. He thinks my "demon from down under scream" combined with the bullhorn would scare the devil out of anyone messing around here. I can't understand stupid men coming out in the country, pulling over in a wooded area and start shooting at whatever moves. I think the next time I'm gonna call the Sherrif's Department and tell them it was attempted murder cause they are about to give me a heart attack. - Judy
"We've had the most wonderful weekend.", Sunday - August 30, 2009 7:00 PM
Gosh we've danced with the critters all over the porches, we turned the music up loud and boogied like we had good sense. Don't you just love it!!! I'm 62 years old and Big Daddy is 72. Did you ever think people our age would be boot scooting around 7 foot wide wrap around porches like fools. Well we did and loved every minute of it. Whew, I've got to go to bed now. I'm tired - Judy
"Wonderful Birthday!!!", Saturday - August 29, 2009 7:00 PM
I'm happy! Judy facilitates my happiness and I appreciate it so much.
The world is reeling with subversive leaders... the economy is limping along
under the control of neophytes... the weather is heading into global cooling...
and common sense has left us scratching our heads. But, I'm dancing to the
oldies on the wrap around porches with Judy because I'm as happy as I have ever been.
After extensive tests, my doctor says I'll live for a long, long time.
- Bob
"Crazy Screaming Woman In The South Part Of Hardemen County Tennessee", Thursday - August 27, 2009 8:00 PM
Lordy Have Mercy!!! I had taken a little nap and was on my way out the back door to tell Big Daddy I loved him, when gun shots pelted the air and made me crazy. They were right at our house ... so I went down on my haunches for a second, then sprang back up and started screaming, trust me you don't want to hear this scream. It's backed off street people and a couple of people intent on harm. I told them "no more guns, I was calling the law, they better kill me first cause I wasn't having them shoot their blankity, blanky guns this close to my house, scaring the devil out of my critters".
I don't have guns, well actually I do, but Lord knows I wouldn't shoot them. Harold who "stays" across the road at times is the only person I would trust to shoot a gun anywhere near me and I sincerely believe he would come tell me "what he was up to", therefore I'm certain it was NOT him.
Don't get me wrong, those deer have totally ticked me off and I would have been more than willing for someone to "take them out" .... they "could've" even had a soft seat on the porch while they waited for the deer to show themselves, but to be firing a gun that close to my house was inexcusable.
Whoever this person is, they've got me to "reckon with" ... therefore I told them so. - Judy
PS (Years Ago) Jamie didn't mean to kill that pig, she just wanted to scare it.. (My friend called me in a panic, seems their neighbor's pig kept getting in her yard and rooting up everything. So she decided to get her husband's gun and shoot above the pig's head to scare it off. Dang she killed the pig, shot it square in the temple. Her husband worked for mine so I told her to call Philip and ask that he come home and explain to the neighbor. As it turned out the neighbor was on the verge of taking it to a slaughter house to turn it into many winter meals, so there were no hard feelings, they just scooped it up and took it to a cold locker for overnight. BUT Jamie will never, ever shoot another gun. ....... AND I'm not going to be A DEAD PIG or have one of my critters get hurt.)
"We're OK", Thursday - August 27, 2009 5:00 PM
Just wanted you to know we're doing OK.
We went to the big city to get supplies. I saw one of those fuzzy, small, smashed faced dogs (Shih Tzu) along side the road not far from here and when we came back there were three of them right out in the middle of the road. I screamed out for Bob to stop the van, while I got out to get them out of the road. He and our van were the back bumper so that no vehicles could run over and kill them. They had gotten a potato chip bag and were running down the road with it. I can't tell you how mad I was. Evidently they were hungry, why else would they think a chip bag as a prize. What in the world were those dogs doing in the road, unattended, going to be smashed into the pavement before my very eyes. I was yelling and screaming at the dogs to get off the raod when they turned into a yard. There was a kid getting onto his bicycle. I asked him if they were his dogs and he said YES. I told him dogs were not supposed to be turned loose to be run over and killed. Good God Almighty a woman got out of her van still talking on her cell phone. I asked her if the dogs belonged to her and she said YES. I proceeded to "rip her a new one", if you know what I mean. I told this stupid woman that people came along this two lane road 60 miles an hour. She responded some incomprehensible something, about her cousin did that and she was "right there" as in the van so it was OK that they were in the road. Fortunately I calmed down enough to remember that she was stupid and dogs were after all animals, therefore I should not attack her!!! The only thing I regret is that I didn't tell her ... maybe you were bred a little too close to home. - Judy
"Uncle!!", Tuesday - August 25, 2009 2:30 PM
Lord Have Mercy, I went into a full blown asthma attack, so I'll put the dust rag down for the day. I had to get myself into a cool room and inhale steroids. Hopefully, I'll get back on the job early tomorrow while it's still cool. - Judy
PS The situation with Kate reminded me of the time my sister came to visit, uninvited. I had Pearl (Pearl, Pearl mama's little girl) out to potty when she drove up. Pearl was about the age Kate is now and she had had a stroke but had slowly recovered most of her abilities. The only obvious problem was her head was cocked sideways, it was a little extreme I admit, but she loved her Mama Judy, Big Daddy and all the "babies". Almost the minute my sister got out of her car, she started asking why I didn't have her "put down". I told her, "Pearl is OK except for her head being turned to one side". She's a good, good girl". My sister then went off saying if I didn't have the "where with all" to put her down she sure did.
How dare she assume she knew what was best for Pearl. I had taken Pearl to the vet for evaluation and he lovingly agreed that I would know when or if she needed assistance to cross the "rainbow bridge". I've had no use for my heartless sister since.
"Working Like Crazy", Tuesday - August 25, 2009 2:00 PM
Puff, huff and huff, puff. To no avail, I tried to hire help to do a "spring cleaning" on the house and porches, so today I decided to "get her done" even if it kills me. Please do not expect to hear from me for a few days.
Maybe when they asked if I had a good vacuum cleaner, I should not have responded "I've got some great shovels. We need to shovel it out, then vacuum". Perhaps I should not have started out with "you've never seen such a dirty house, but the difference you will make in just a few days will make you proud". (My attempt at humor)
Whatever, after today is over, I'm sure I'll be in bed sick for several days, but at least I will not have had to listen to anyone telling me the obvious ... Melanie with her heavy coat of hair should not be in the house, the Bullies are tracking in dust and dirt faster than I can clean it or that I have too much stuff sitting around to dust. These things I already know and I don't need to pay someone $10 per hour to make disparaging remarks. All I wanted was someone to keep their mouth shut and help me clean up the mess the critters made, maybe Bob & I should be added to the "mess makers" also, not all is the fault of the critters. - Judy
"I'm Sad And Will Be For Awhile", Monday - August 24, 2009 8:00 PM
Kate barks every 30 minutes or so day and night because she is so restless. She wants a drink, wants to tinkle, wants loving .... she doesn't want to die.
Like all of us will be at some point, she is clinging to life and doesn't understand that her time is
growing near, her body is worn out, her organs are failing.
We hug her up and love on her. We take her out although she's just been out.
She's gotten to the point she's a tad disorientated at times and very much disorientated
at other times. I begin to think it's time to "help her across the "rainbow bridge" but when
I try the true test of "Kate give me a kiss" she extends her face toward mine. Only those of you who have gone through this know the emotional toil that is extracted from our beings ... we love our "babies", young or old.
The picture is of Bob, Kate's beloved Big Daddy, having gently picked her up then loaded her in the wagon to take her to an outside dog run for a few minutes so she can do her business and bask in the early morning sun. Give your Big Daddy a kiss Kate ... Kate says, I love my Big Daddy. - Judy
"Blooms", Sunday - August 23, 2009 4:00 PM
Different - Variety
Japanese Morning Glories - More pictures same plants
I can't abide an aggressive animal of any type, all here have to get along ... funny story ... Jeb who was neutered at 6 months decided to breed Mr. Cat today. I ran to the rescue and scolded Jeb big time. Jeb is 6 years old and I think he's going senile. lol lol I hope the incident didn't warp Mr. Cat's outlook toward the other critters, but I'm sure he will stay away from Jeb in the future.
The dang deer are eating up all my lillies, hardy hibiscus seedlings, roses, etc. I declared war on them today. I put down a fertilizer which is suppose to deter them from wanting a lily salad. The "ditch puppies", pulled out of a cave in a ditch by BigDaddy, bark to let me know the deer are munching but the "strays" have decided they are not worth the chase. I suppose they are getting too old. Dang, ditch puppy alerted us to the fact that there were 4 deer eating the roses.
Oops there goes the barking again .... later - Judy
"Long Day", Friday - August 21, 2009 9:00 PM
Thunderstorms from about 4 'til 8 AM. 3 of the Bullies were barking to come get in the bed with us. Melanie, poor baby, is so afraid of the storms that she had to be put in a covered crate and given 2 Equate Chlortabs, antihistamine, to knock off the edge. After the storms had passed we made a trip to Corinth, MS for supplies and a little time out .... for just the two of us.
Since I was having to "lay low" due of the spider bite, I did a lot of day dreaming about plants and puppies. Lol lol, like I need to create more work for us.
Have a wonderful weekend!!!! - Judy
"Mid-Night", Thursday - August 20, 2009 11:44 PM
I got bit by some insect most likely a spider so I've been laying low. The dern bite is as big as a silver dollar and I have a curious red whelp extending out from it, which was kinda scary. Strange part is I don't know when it bit me I just woke up early Wednesday morning with it hurting and itching, which would lead one to think I was in bed with a spider. lol lol
I should be back to normal by in the morning. - Judy
"Electrical Storm", Wednesday - August 19, 2009 8:30 PM
Dad Gum!!! You would not believe the electrical storm we are going through. Strays came into the house the moment I opened the back door. I was going out in it to find my "Big Daddy", 'bout that time he came in. Poor ole strays they looked for a crate/den to get into but all were full of Bullies, who did not want their company.
"All Clear", Wednesday - August 19, 2009 5:00 AM
"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone". - Judy
"Baby Boomers", Tuesday - August 18, 2009 3:00 AM
Yesterday I laughed so hard and long. My friend Cathy called to alert Bob that a young lady was taking over the publicity part of the Friends of Hardeman County Animal Control. She has set up a new website for "part" of their activities and needs assistance from Bob in reference to PayPal, etc. So she will be calling.
Cathy and I go back 40 something years so there are a lot of memories to laugh and cry about ... today we laughed. About two hours after we hung up, I called her back and begged her to share her memories on the Rescue Website ... there isn't enough in this world at present to laugh about.
Cathy remember the time you and Donna were wanting me to join a demonstration and burn my bra for the good of Women's Lib, I countered by asked ya'll not to mess with my pedestal. lol lol lol
The folks in charge of the government were not a part of the 60's or have conveniently forgotten the struggle for equality, but they are messing with the people who changed the world in some very dramatic positive ways ... they best back way up and ask these people how to make the world better. The Baby Boomers are the real Movers & Shakers of the USA, they wanted everyone to be treated fairly.
A little talked about fact, Martin Luther King, Jr lead the protest march in Memphis for the Sanitation Workers, plus the women who were being systematically eliminated from the work place of some manufacturing plants and replaced by white men. These women had worked for the companies for years and had been praised for their work, then for no good reason they were being laid off permanently. My mother was sure to be on the next round of layoffs but because he laid down his life, the welfare of my family was saved. My father was a victim of WWII, at sea in a lifeboat for 3 days with the bodies of his buds, he never sought or asked for government compensation, but he lost it somewhere in the ocean and became a meer whisper of the man he had been. Wild and crazy, to be avoided if at all possible when he was "out there". When he worked which was seldom it was in a low paying job therefore my mother was the main bread winner. My humble "thank you" to the heirs of Dr King.
In the end my father was my friend, but she yelled "I hate you go away". She hated every breath my father took, hated him until the day he died. They lived together for 65 years. Their life together was HELL. He loved her in spite of everything. - Judy
"Tropical Storm Claudette", Monday - August 17, 2009 7:00 AM
It appears Tropical Storm Claudette has got her heart set on visiting the Bullies. The good news is, at least right now, that she's not a hurricane and her winds are going to be under 40 MPH. I hate to break the news to her but I must, "All the critters will be in their 'hidey-holes' waiting for you to pass. They won't come out to greet you."
However I'll have to go stash the orchids and other light "things" so they don't get tossed in her wind. - Judy
"Mildred's Trying To Kill Me", Sunday - August 16, 2009 8:30 PM
Now she knows how thrift I am, I can't let anything go to waste ... we went to their house this afternoon because the electricity went off, the cell phone battery was down and we needed to call the electrical company. These Bully Babies can't take the heat. First of all she has a wonderful son, Kevin. He handed me his cell phone, I handed it to Bob cause I don't like them. Bob said he didn't know how to use it so Kevin got the electric company on the telephone for me. BUT it wasn't that which makes me think he's wonderful, one look into his eyes and it's easy to see a reflection of kindness, true kindness which is a rare quality.
Back to my tale, so I take Mildred stuff and she picks a bucket full of tomatoes for me to make salsa. How deceptive that bucket was. The more 'maters I pulled out, the more there seemed to be. I've got a GIANT pot of salsa cooking right now and enough 'maters for another giant pot. lol lol Worked my behind off, I did.
Mildred invite helpful friends over to your house after work one day ASAP and I'll lead the crew in making salsa out of all those tomatoes you have on the vines, or prepare them for you to can. If Kevin can pick and your Mother direct, I'll bring my food processor and big pans ... we'll get her done for you. This winter you can fix up a big "Thank You Stew Dinner For All Who Helped", but I surely don't need anymore 'maters. lol lol - Judy
"Mildred's Angel Trumpet", Sunday - August 16, 2009 5:00 PM
Lord Have Mercy that Mildred knows how to make those Brugmansia bloom
If you are a praying person, please say a prayer for Larry, Mildred's husband, who is in a great deal of pain due to a ruptured disk. - Judy
"Angel's Trumpet", Sunday - August 16, 2009 5:00 PM
Other Pinks -
have finally started to bloom.
Angel's TrumpetLike to have killed myself walking around in the dark trying to get these pictures of her. First I tripped over the hose, then something brushed against my leg causing me to hop backward. and let out a squeal which caused the "strays" to start barking which set off the "ditch puppies" who set off the Bullies. The only guard critter not in on the act was Blaze, the Sun Conure. It was that dang Mr. Cat rubbing on my leg.
The first picture was taken with a flash the second was not.
Friday night after having worked like dogs from 6 AM until 3 PM, we immediately jumped into the van to go get supplies and I had to stop at all the stores. We had fun, fun, fun. BUT by this time I'm suffering from all we've done, then a stop by the neighbor's house, racking my mind to see if there wasn't some token of kindness I could bestow. Making two trips to their house because the first time I forgot the pile of tops I had pulled out of my closet.
While I was doing all that Bob was taking care of the critters. The moment I got settled back at the house, I put Bully food on to soak, started unloading the groceries, put the pork roasts in the crockpot and seasoned them, stirred up Bob a mince meat pie .. jar of mince meat pie with a half can of apple pie filling, a dab of sugar and dried cherries, then mixed up a bread pudding cause he loves them. I set the oven to 400 F with cook time of an hour. Meanwhile, I'm feeding the critters .. cats, strays, rescues and Bullies.
Then finally at 11 PM, I sit down long enough to make an entry here. Afterward I fell asleep but the ole body woke me up at 2 AM, glass of wine to kill the pain, then back to sleep until 5 AM. This is how life goes but the good news is .... I came across an article on the internet which confirmed my body's reaction to insect bites, unfortunately it was news worthy because the famous person died. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/14/skateboarder.kessler.bee.wasp.stings/index.html)
Symptoms .... fever, high blood pressure, flu like symptoms and joint pain, it's called "serum sickness" which can be transmitted by bees, ticks, mosquitos and others in their family. Also it can be triggered by an allergic reaction to Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs {NSAIDs or NAIDs) The most prominent members of this group of drugs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
Now I have to find out how it can be definitively diagnosed via medical tests, but there isn't a cure or a control, so what the heck. In 62 years there has only been one pain reliever that I could take without side effects, but it was removed from the market because there was one death in a million people who took it. They couldn't even make a connection but removed it from the market anyway ... where in the world did those FDA inspectors/regulators go, we need them back!!! - Judy
"Up & Going", Saturday - August 15, 2009 6:30 AM
I've been awake since 5, did WAY WAY too much yesterday, if I listed everything I did you would say no wonder,
so my legs kept waking me up hurting. I had a crockpot full of pork
butt roasts cooking over night and by smell concluded they were done. Poor Bob, I woke him up and asked if he
would go downstairs and cut off the crockpot ... I didn't trust my right leg due to shooting pains like a pinched
nerve. Oh well I started working on the pain by getting out of bed, drinking a glass of wine (can't take pain medication
of any kind) and doing range of motion exercises. I've about got it under control.
A cup of espresso coffee is sure going to be satisfying this morning. Scrambled eggs and slices of shaved ham topped with salsa rolled up in a flour tortilla sounds great for this morning's breakfast. Off I go to start letting the critters out to potty, they have just started to let me know they are awake. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Remember the local Farmer's Market has lots of fresh vegetables. - Judy
PS Mildred a suggestion, leave the seeds in those hot peppers if Larry wants it HOT. They will crank it UP!!! Also leave out the sugar on "his batch" sugar offsets the hot. The Hell Fire Hot Salsa I made 2 years ago was so hot I had to be careful not to get a whiff of the steam coming off the pot ... it took my breath away. There was no way I was going to taste test it, I let Bob have the privilege. lol lol He liked it!! A valuable lesson I learned the hard way, if you get pepper juice on your skin, keep vinegar on the place until it takes the heat away. Also works for burns of all types ... sun, grease popping, hot steam or accidentally touching a hot surface.
"Mercy", Friday - August 14, 2009 11:00 PM
This morning I was going in 15 different directions trying to get it all together, get organized and get the chores completed. When I bobbed out into the porches I kept hearing this big truck weird sound. It sounded like a cement truck with it's back part turning to keep the cement from setting up. Finally Bob and I crossed paths, I asked him what is that sound, like a truck blowing the road clean ... we don't have a service like that but what do I know. He said it sounded like a fire truck to him and he thought he heard an ambulance earlier. Since there wasn't any smoke, he thought maybe there had been a vehicle accident. I asked him if he could discern where it was. He said it sounded like it was at the closest neighbor's house. I walked the 1/2 mile down to the intersection where I could see what was going on. Bob was having a fit because I've been having trouble walking, but I was afraid to take the van, might not have a place to turn around. Lordy it WAS the neighbor's house. The yard area and grassy area across the road were full of trucks and cars, so I figured they didn't need me. The volunteer fire department was there in force.
Later we went to town and passed by their house, Mercy what a mess. I figure it's totaled. I surely hope they have insurance. On the way back home we stopped, I hugged them and told them how sorry I was. They didn't even have clothes to wear, everything in the house was destroyed. A person had dropped off a few items for the lady of the house to wear. I told them if they thought of anything I could do let me know. I came home gathered about 20 items (tops, pants and shorts) which still had the store tags on them for the Mrs. (bought last year end of season for $1 - $7 each), a container of wine and plastic glasses. I figured if the same had happened to me, someone would have to knock me in the head. I hope the box of wine would fortify them a bit. I didn't have anything stronger to offer.
When I got back home, I called a friend, told her about the neighbors and asked her what in the world I was going to do with the 25 lb of lard I got for $5 ($30 value). I bought it at Wal-Mart and figured at the very least I could use it in the critters food, good for the skin and fur. She cooks with lard all the time, so we decided she could make a dent in the bucket for me. lol lol Then our attention turned to the LARGE cans of pickled jalapenos I got for $.25 each She said she was one step ahead of me through Wal-Mart and didn't see any of these "bargains". I told her family and friends always said I could smell a bargain. It was a fun shopping trip. Bob just kept shaking his head and saying .... only you.
Please say a prayer for my neighbors. - Judy
"Baby Girl Deer", Thursday - August 13, 2009 4:00 AM
Last night I'm sneaking up on the baby deer to take her picture munching down on the peaches ... just a few more steps. She bolted, ran like she had been struck by lightening. Dixie Pie had slipped her lead and was "east bound and down". Bob was walking her, she saw the baby deer threw on her brakes popped backward to slip the lead and was quick as a flash. lol lol Funny part is ... if she had been able to get to where the baby deer was eating, she would have flipped over on her back and gone belly up, as a sign she wanted to be friends. CRAZY precious Bullies.
"Cats", Wednesday - August 12, 2009 2:00 PM
When I first went out to the side porch, both of the cats were curled up in the one pot but evidently Bob and I disturbed Miss Kitty because she moved onto the boardwalk, ready to zoom up a tree if any of the Bullies tried to get too friendly.
Shhhh ......
He is looking at me out of the little slit in his eyes
Mr Cat says now that I have him awake it better be important, like a can of tuna
Miss Kitty is in her "flee" position just in case I'm a critter lol
Here are pictures Bob took of me rushing to get all the plants watered before they died. It was a couple of days ago when I worked so hard and fast that I plopped into bed ... then he tried to kill me, just kidding, by giving me whiskey instead of water to "wet my whistle", burned from my tongue to my toes!!
I really do have lots of other clothes, but I found this type baggy pants and sleeveless shirts so comfortable to work in with all the squatting, bending and running I sometime have to do with the critters, that I went back to Wal-Mart and bought all they had to fit me, that was about 5 years ago.
Devil's Trumpet
This is the same ole purple, Blackcurrent Swirl, but the blooms are lower on the plant therefore the position is very different and I really like the way they look.
"Deer Are Closing In", Wednesday - August 12, 2009 9:10 AM
Well that just goes to show you how much Ruckus knows ... the young white tailed fawn (just lost her spots http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/white-tailed-deer.html) might have sampled the lilies, but judging from the pile of peach pits I found under one of the peach trees, she's bound to have a stomach ache this morning. Bob sprayed the peach trees several times early spring and the trees are absolutely loaded but the peaches are wormy. They are now ripe and falling off the trees. No wonder the deer (three-legged doe, mama doe and baby girl) were so bold last evening about coming around to eat although there were several Bullies out to potty. Bob said the country music song will have to be amended to include a loaded peach tree. lol lol We do have fun!! - Judy
"Country Music Song", Tuesday - August 11, 2009 8:10 PM
Three-legged deer being chased by a one-eyed dog, there's got to be a country music song in there somewhere. Ruckus said he was minding his own business, taking care of "his business" when along comes the deer real close so he did it like he does the cats, jumped at it, like big dogs are suppose to do, but only like a Bully can do, straight up all 4 feet off the ground. The cats don't run from him but they do notice him and that's what he wants. However that deer took off running, oh what fun!!! Oh no, that baby deer is over there munching on Mama Judy's lilies. She's really going to be mad. Ms. Mildred, I think it likes the seeds. Now Mama's gonna write a country music song about a three-legged deer, one-eyed dog and a seed munching fawn. Dad said country music songs were about mamas, trains, trucks, prison, or gettin' drunk, not about three-legged deer being chased by a one-eyed dog??!!
"Tuesday Coming Down", Tuesday - August 11, 2009 8:30 AM
Long about 5 AM we pulled ourselves out of bed to get the critters cared for before the storms hit. I had checked the weather station and there were sprinklings of red storm cells headed our way. Critters walked, beds changed and in the washing machine, bowls soaking in dishwater and then I realized we were getting hungry. I warmed up slices of ham, cut slices of bread from a loaf for toast and fried up some eggs. We fixed our plates and went to the side porch to eat. Peaceful chirping of birds and one mad squirrel chattering it's head off, were the only sounds. If it hadn't been for the dang mad squirrel I think we could have nodded off right at the table. lol lol Too much work to do so it was up and get to it. Maybe some day we will have the luxury of taking it real easy. - Judy
"Wet her whistle!", Monday - August 10, 2009 5:30 PM
Bob:
Little girl worked so hard... I thought she'd pass out. She made it to the bed ready for a deep sleep.
Just now, I passed by and checked to see if she's okay. She mumbled, "Just enough to wet my whistle..."
Not knowing what the fire she was talking about, I poured some liquid into the tumbler. She drank it down -- and came up out of that bed choking, "WHAT are you tryin' to do? Kill me?"
Seems she was expecting - you know - water or soda, not spirits.
For future reference: Be sure to ask "Just what would you like to wet your whistle?" It'll keep you out of trouble (according to Ruckus, our smartest bulldog).
"Lord Have Mercy", Monday - August 10, 2009 8:45 AM
We worked so hard yesterday that I forgot to make an entry, I'm so sorry. We've been up and working since 5 AM. The first round of chores are completed and I'm exhausted. Bob still has "go power" so he's keeping on working. I'm about to crawl back into bed for a much needed nap. lol lol
In the middle of the night, Saturday. I woke up poor Bob and asked him to please go downstairs and put the ham into the oven to bake. I had lifted way too much, my back was hurting badly. It was 72 F outside and that was going to be the coolest it would be for "who knows how long". Yesterday morning he had a ham sandwich for breakfast, which is a tad weird but I topped that this morning by warming up chicken-n-cornbread dressing for breakfast. I ate mine plain but he topped his off with Plum Hot Pepper Jelly. My own creation, a sweet hot sauce/jelly.
Well, life is for living not sitting on our behinds wishing, so off to work I go. Forget the nap... - Judy
"Following The Shade", Saturday - August 8, 2009 11:00 AM
I've been outside working, following the shade so that I won't get too much sun. I almost got sunburned yesterday and that is definitely something I want to avoid.
Bob says I should be making videos showing people how to take cuttings for rooting, how to
root them and how to repot plants. I told him he didn't have time to take the videos!!!
Besides that I have my own way of doing that is kinda slaphappy, most survive but a few
don't. I would hate for someone to follow my directions via video and have a precious
plant die. First off, respect and love your plants but keep in mind you are going to lose
some sooner or later. Maybe I will make
a video of taking Angel Trumpet cuttings and rooting them to use as gifts for other people.
The hardy Hibiscus both red and pink stopped blooming. I believe it was because they got covered in insects, squash bugs, so I dusted them with Sevin Dust. The red never set seed pods but I collected several from the pink.
The Devil Trumpets are bloom their heads off and setting seed pods. Hopefully nothing will happen to them before they mature. I have several people wanting seeds.
The Angel's Trumpets are loaded with blooms making the yard area smell delicious, early evening especially. I don't expect any seed pods because I don't have enough varieties, but only time will tell.
The new rose bushes and my almost wild rose I rooted last year have been in bloom and
surely make us smile. Our tomatoes have been producing right along although not near as
large as those given to me by my friend. Most likely it is because they aren't getting as
much sun as hers. The pepper plants were a miserable failure, but other people I've talked
with have said the same. I grew most of them from seed so it's not as if the plants had a
problem because they came from a "grower". I'm beginning to think we've had too much rain
and not enough heat to produce robust pepper plants. They will probably kick in the middle
of August. The middle of August through to the middle of September is usually our hottest
period of the summer. (I'm sorry, you can call me stupid, but I can't wrap my mind around
this "global warming" theory .. every country bumpkin knows Mother Nature goes in cycles,
has a mind of her own and loves to throw curve balls, just to keep us dancing. While on
the other hand, pollution of our land and streams is real and serious stuff.)
I'm headed back outside to work. - Judy
"TGIF", Friday - August 7, 2009 8:45 PM
I had a friend who's last name was Friday (R.I.P.) She was a Mother Earth type who constantly wore t-shirts with the TGIF logo. Thinking about her makes me smile. She's the one who encouraged me to grow orchids ... I don't have very many because I forget to water them when we have a litter of puppies, but at least I now know most are easy to grow.
I've been working on my houseplants. I have neglected them so badly that several had died. They all need re-potting and I just went crazy chopping off "out of control portions", naturally I couldn't just toss the extra bits, so I'm starting more plants. lol lol lol I've got to be crazy.
At one time I had about 300 hanging baskets, plus 75 or so pots of plants, but never again. I'll admit, I do like to give them to people, but midway through summer that year I was begging the postman, Fed-Ex driver and the UPS man to take home a couple. lol lol I've worked out a trade of sorts ... a friend who owns a thrift shop loves plants and I'm always needing dog sheets, so we swap them out.
I hope your weekend goes well. - Judy
I had a terrible time getting a good picture of this Begonia. She is beautiful!!! Then I couldn't decided which one to post, so I'm posting them all. lol lol
Followup telephone call from the male Bully's owner ... he had been barking and breathing too deeply all day yesterday and was acting aggressive (I thought she meant growling, etc but it was the humping she was calling aggressive.) This is not his normal behavior, normally a big pussycat, therefore she was very concerned and that is why I concurred with her that he should be taken the the Emergency Clinic. If there is a sudden onset of a change in personality, especially aggressive, it normally means there is a severe physical problem. As it turns out, he attempted to mount both the Vet and his owner in the vet's office. A complete physical rule out everything but sexual frustration. He was given a steroid shot and the vet advised the owner to call her normal vet this morning to set up an appointment to have him neutered immediately. The owner and her vet had already discussed neutering but the vet wanted to wait until September when the weather was cooler, so that the bully would not be so uncomfortable.
I advised her to avoid all locations she visited the day before, even their normal walking route because there must be a female in heat, who got him too excited. Some male Bullies get that way if not neutered. I also told her to get a tin whistle from Wal-Mart's Sports department and blow it as loud as she could when he starts the humping action and immediately afterward say NO in a deep loud voice ... that will cool him off in a hurry. - Judy
"Emergency English Bulldog Call" Thursday - August 6, 2009 6:00 AM
We worked hard yesterday! At 8 o'clock my head hit the pillow and I was out like a light. At 10 o'clock
the telephone rang and I let the answering machine get it. It was a emergency call about a 2 year old
Bully, one of mine. I got up and after several attempts to see the numbers on the telephone (lol) called
the lady back. She described the situation and said they were going to take him to the Emergency Vet, I concurred.
My problem is ... without being able to observe the situation I have no idea what to recommend, but at least
she had someone to talk with. After that, I like to have never gotten back to sleep. 
"Judy's Hot & Sweet Tomato Relish" Wednesday - August 5, 2009 6:00 PM
Every "gardener" finds themselves with too much fruit or vegetables and if they are prudent will attempt to "fix" a dish or relish to used the produce. I had a bag of sweet onions about to go bad (sweet onions don't last as long as yellow or white) also we had plenty of tomatoes, wonderful sweet tomatoes given to me by a friend. I remembered cooking a delightful sweet and hot relish years ago which went so very well with peas and beans or on hot dogs so ... First off I fixed Bob fresh Salsa which he will eat on everything from tacos to omelets, but it won't last long without going bad in the refrigerator so the remainder of the produce had to be cook using vinegar to preserve it. I don't do "canning" if I can keep from it therefore my aim was for a couple of pint jars of relish which could be kept in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. BUT it had to be good enough so that we would actually use in that length of time. Here is what I did ....
Judy's Hot & Sweet Tomato Relish
Tomatoes - seven or so BIG ones
Jalapeno pepper - one small mild one
Sweet Onions - 4 medium
Brown Sugar - about a cup and a half, kept adding a tad, to offset the heat of the Jalapeno pepper, so I can't say exactly
White Vinegar - about a cup or two, again I went by taste
Sea Salt, black pepper and cumin to taste
The tomatoes were too juicy so cooking down was taking a long time. My back was hurting therefore I started thinking of ways to thicken it without a negative impact on the taste ... CERTO, used in making jelly, jam and such. I had some on hand so I added an envelope, then boiled it for 3 minutes. The texture was exactly what I wanted, thickened up the "juice" nicely. I hope it doesn't turn into Relish Jelly over night. lol lol
My motto in reference to cooking is: get creative, if I mess it up the rescues or "strays" will eat it, but that doesn't apply to tomato relish. I can just imagine what their attitude toward tomato relish would be. lol lol lol
"Storms Woke Up The Critters" Tuesday - August 4, 2009 4:00 AM
It's raining now and the radar shows nasty storms coming our way. Melanie hates storms so she was trashing downstairs. The noise woke up Bob so he went downstairs to check on the critters. Halfway back up the stairs Kate started barking. She wanted a drink of water before they hit. When he finally got back upstairs, I was sleeping good so he went back downstairs, not wanting to wake me up. Him not being in bed with me, woke me up, then I became concerned that I hadn't closed the gate to the front porch, I went down to check. He was sitting in the living room with the laptop looking at the weather radar. Now that I'm awake might as well .... Judy
"Working Steady!!" Monday - August 3, 2009 9:40 PM
We worked steady all through the day, trying to catch up on all the chores. It was hot and humid, a bad combination. We are forecasted to have highs of 90° F and lows of 70° F, a chance of T-Storms with a 20% to 40% chance of precipitation for the next 4 days.
I started this entry several hours ago but Ruckus got me sidetracked wanting what Bob was eating for dinner, then it was Jeb who said he "had to go". Maybe I need to get me one of those reality shows!! On second thought I'd have a host of people begging me for seeds, plants and Bullies. I've got enough to handle as it is. lol lol
Be sure to tell people you care for that you love them ... we don't know what tomorrow will bring. - Judy
Oops a story .... about this time last year Bob and I were loading up the van with the groceries we had just purchased. An older couple came out of the store, the woman was the driver and was walking ahead of the man who we assumed was her husband. Just so happened he was carrying the single item grocery bag and from the size of it I would guess it as a carton of eggs. Opening the car door he accidentally tapped the grocery bag lightly. The woman went ballistic. He of course was humiliated and felt like a fool when she got through with him. I said to Bob the eggs were on sale for $.88 .. such a small price to pay for his dignity.
"Blooming Today" Sunday - August 2, 2009 6:00 PM
Angel's Trumpet - Brugmansia
Here are 4 different pinks, multiple plants thereof, all loaded with blooms, I hope they make you smile.
Devil's Trumpet - Datura
Japanese Morning Glory Vines - 4 different varieties
I'm hopeful they will bloom soon.
"Blooming Today" Saturday - August 1, 2009 7:15 PM
Angel's Trumpet - Brugmansia
Day Dreams & Judy's Mauve (Rosamond Seedling)
4 years I've grown Day Dreams and this is the first breath takin' bloom I've gotten. She was definitely worth waiting for ... I've been tempted to throw her on the compost pile. If I had maybe she would have bloomed years ago. lol lol
Rosamond Seedling - Looks like a single version of Day Dreams
Angel's Trumpet - Brugmansia
Rosamond Seedling & Double Peach
Devil's Trumpet - Datura
Goldfish
Rose
Canna Lily
"Re-fried Eggplant For Breakfast??!!" Saturday - August 1, 2009 7:30 AM
No lie, that is what we ate for breakfast. I refried it, sprinkled it with McCormick Gourmet Natural sea salt infused with Mediterranean spices, including garlic, basil, oregano, lemon peel, red bell pepper and a hint of red pepper heat, plus Parmesan cheese. What a way to go for breakfast. (http://www.mccormickgourmet.com/gcproductdetail.cfm?id=12878) We also nibbled on fresh cherries.
The forecast is a high of 86° F with a low of 70° F tonight. Thunder Storms are a'coming and there is an 80% chance of precipitation. I'm going back to bed. lol lol Not hardly, I've got too much to do. I've already been out in the flower beds pulling up weeds.- Judy
"Devil's Trumpet (Datura) White/Purple Specks" Friday - July 31, 2009 8:30 PM
For those of you who have gotten seeds or plants this year of Datura - Purple Specks, this is a picture from 2005. This Datura has the most divine fragrance, out performs all other Daturas that I've raised.
"A Few Blooms" Friday - July 31, 2009 6:30 PM
Angel's Trumpet - Brugmansia
Double Peach
Hibiscus Althea
Double Syriacus
Devil's Trumpet - Datura
Black Current Swirl
"Heartache" Friday - July 31, 2009 Noon
It was crazy around here yesterday ... there was a terrible storm which contained tornadoes moving through the area, a couple touched down in upper Mississippi and at least one in Memphis. During the worst of these I went out to check on the "strays that came to stay" and Fluffy was missing. Out in the rain we went searching for her. My little heart was beating wildly I was afraid she had been struck by lightening. She never, ever leaves the back porch, her den and the two male strays during bad weather. We looked for her again during a break between storms. Finally when Bob was walking the Bullies, she came running to him, soaking wet and scared. We have no idea where she had been. She was so upset I had to really tempt her with chicken. A small bowl later and she was doing better, but was hid way back in their "den".
Then came the Kate scare .. she was in her crate and wouldn't respond to us. Bob got in the crate with her to take her temperature, check her breathing, heartbeat etc. Outwardly there were no signs of discomfort or illness. I was so fearful that she would pass away in the middle of the night. Along about 1 o'clock she started barking, the heifer wanted food and water but sent out a "no thank you" in regard to going out to potty. It was about that time I figured out when she wasn't responsive earlier it was because she was exhausted. She had kept us awake for 3 nights running and "she was tired - leave me alone". The brat!! Now this morning Jeb is acting "passed out" and when I made him get up to go outside, he told me it was Kate's fault she wasn't allowing any of them to sleep.
Along about 2 o'clock all of this and Juliet dying (the most wonderful of Bullies) I got out of bed and started upchucking. My body's way of dealing with stress. Unfortunately, I hadn't eaten supper so it was a retched affair (little perverted humor). I'm getting better as the day progresses, but it takes time. - Judy
Roses
Mama Judy's beloved Juliet passed away in her sleep last night. There was no warning whatsoever. She was fine and being her usual prissy butt self yesterday. Kate, her mother, whom I'm expecting to pass away because she's so dang old is fine as a fiddle. Matter of fact she kept us awake most of the night wanting this, that and the other. She ate 2 cans of dog food and went out to check on the "strays that came to stay" 3 times. I was about ready to just leave her out there with them. Maybe she was trying to tell us about Juliet. Sorry to ramble .... we're in shock over Juliet.
" Skinny" Wednesday - July 29, 2009 7:00 PM
Oh My!!! I felt my shoulders and they are so bony!!! - Judy
" Lovely" Wednesday - July 29, 2009 1:50 PM
A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck ...... that's how much I love you.
Now doesn't that just make you smile!!! Big Bob loves to hear that!!- Judy
"Summer Bounty" Tuesday - July 28, 2009 5:30 PM
Batter dipped and deep fried eggplant .... actually there are some of us who need "oil" added to their diets. Mercy I cooked up a big batch of eggplant last night ... we ate until I thought we were going to pop. There were leftovers, what to do with them I don't know, limp fried eggplant doesn't sound good at all. Maybe I'll plop them into a casserole dish, add pasta sauce, cheese, etc and bake them.
I met Mildred's mother last night .. oh what a delight. A straight forward lady who thought my Jeb was pretty. With that you know she won my heart. - Judy
"Loaded Angel's Trumpet Tree" Monday - July 27, 2009 8:45 PM
Blooms hang down
"Pass-A-Long Box" Monday - July 27, 2009 4:30 PM
I'm in the process of fixin' two Pass-A-Long Boxes. The first one is going to my friend Mildred. I hated to keep on asking her "do you want" so I asked if I could just give her a box of "things" She said sure, she'd take out what she wanted and pass the box along. With that interchange an idea was born. Into the box I'll put things I don't need or want but that are too good to throw away, or if I just have a lot of something and am willing to share. Right now I'm aiming to add books I've read, American Lotus seeds, dog watering faucet bibs, tin canisters once filled with cookies or such .... oops I have to get a bigger box.
It would be great to gently suggest anyone who gets the box to feel free to add to it, or if taking out an item and they would like more of the same thing, to let the person who put it in know so they will be sure the save them for the person. That would mean that anyone adding to the box would need to attach their name and phone number to the item.
Wanting more of something, for instance I know a fellow gardener who joined a recycle group just so she could get the plastic margarine tubs, etc being thrown away. She raises African Violets, tons of African Violets and uses these tubs in various ways. So we just never know what we are tossing that someone else would like.
Speaking of plastic items being tossing ....... winter sowing of seeds requires a plastic container of some type, it creates a mini-greenhouse for the seeds. If you are crazy about growing from seeds you'll need a lot of 2 or 3 liter drink bottles, plastic milk jugs etc. Winter Sowing website - www.wintersown.org/wseo1/How_to_Winter_Sow.html
With all this thinking I suddenly realized I would like to know if someone had a "wish list" ... my mind jumped to creating a community forum and the next thought was - I'm getting in too deep, just fix the box and pass it along. lol lol - Judy
"Good Eatin" Sunday - July 26, 2009 6:00 PM
Breakfast -
Mushmelon (a.k.a. canteloupe, muskmelon)
Lunch -
Salad (leaf lettuce, tomatoes, sweet onions, cucumbers) Asagio Peppercorn Dressing
Peaches, fresh sliced
Corn on the Cob (microwaved - cut off tassel leaving other shucks, 3 minutes on high)
Supper -
Ham Egg Foo Yung (homemade, it's easy) topped with leftover veal gravy stashed in the freezer for just this type occasion.
Since I had the skillet hot I was aiming to fry up the remainder of the eggplants I bought at the Jackson Farmer's Market, but ... I looked around at Bob who was eating almost as fast as I could cook and decided he might bust if I kept on cookin'. lol lol
"Judy's Journal" Sunday - July 26, 2009 10:00 AM
The "Mushmelon" is wonderful!!! I wish I had taken a picture of it before I started hacking and slicing. I scooped out the seeds from both halves carefully placing them in a plastic grocery bag and then into the trash since I didn't want them producing vines in my compost pile. I then cut it in to length wise sections which I could easily handle to peel and then cut into bite size pieces. We gorged ourselves and had 2 gallon ziploc bags left to put in the refrigerator for later. (Mildred I'm wondering if the seeds will produce viable fruit next year?? Should I dig them out of the trash?) This melon was as big as a medium size watermelon. I'm guessing it weighed 20-25 lbs because it was a strain for me to pick it up and I'm use to lifting critters. I bought it at the Farmer's Market in Jackson, TN and was told it came from Missouri. After I thought about it, that could mean it was raised in Mexico, shipped to a hub in MO and the remainder of the load was on it's way to Chicago, IL GRAB 'EM Chicago they are great!!)
I highly recommend the "elRio" brand. www.elriofoods.com/products.htm I've never been disappointed with any of their products. As with all seasoning mixes theirs are high in sodium therefore don't get addicted ... moderation in all things.
"Judy's Journal" Sunday - July 26, 2009 6:15 AM
You can now get here by using my new URL www.judysjournal.com Now how cool is that!!!
I've been awake since 3:45 AM with a headache and high blood pressure, which I normally do not have. Oh Lordy, I bet anything it was the raw oysters I had for breakfast yesterday. It was a day of extravagant eating which I normally don't do. I was unable to eat last week so I think my body was trying to get restocked. Let's see there were raw oysters, watermelon and plums galore and then the food binge ended last night around 7 o'clock with homemade Mexican wraps ... highly seasoned ground sirloin, refried beans (elRio all natural), salsa (Pace's Pico De Gallo) and mild jalapeno peppers. Hmmm .... there's a giant "Mushmelon" with my name on it, waiting downstairs. lol lol - Judy
"Datura In Bloom" Saturday - July 25, 2009 9:00 PM
Devil's Trumpets (Datura) Night Bloomers
Blooms held upward
These triple yellow and triple purple metel and fully open tonight. The yellow caught me off guard as I made a trip to the van to bring in the remaining groceries.
Black Current Swirl
vitaminhe wind or something knocked the bloom off therefore no seeds, but there are two more buds on this plant and we'll hope for the best.
Triple Yellow - My Favorite of all Datura!!!
Golden
The blooms begin to open as the sun goes down and by 8 PM they have fully peaked, remaining that way until the morning sun melts the bloom away. Then the seed pods begin to grow. Each pod contains many seeds, I'm guessing 50-100 depending upon the size of the plant/pod.
2008 Garden Pictures - Iris
2008 Garden Pictures - Angel's Trumpets
Click Here Judy's Garden 2006!!
Click Here Judy's Garden 2005!!
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Judy's Journal - June, 2009
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