It's on the quiet side here at the Brat Farm. The Beast got up shortly after 5am and I didn't get out of bed until almost 7:30am. We sat outside on the deck while it was nice and pleasant. The Beast actually had some pants on so I didn't worry about our next door neighbor coming out on HER deck since this is her week off of work. After a bit, the Beast decided it was time for him to go back to bed and, of course, the dog eagerly followed him. The two of them are now soundly asleep for a bit and that gives me time to think and blog.

I wrote sex in the sixties mostly to mislead a lot of those people googling such words (HA! Take THAT perverts! LOL) With the hubby on blood pressure meds, it's been a long time now since sex has been a part of anything other than our vocabulary. And take more meds for any help in that department, I don't think so. It's okay with me because we still cuddle and that is a lot less messy. I've been in too much pain for too long to even WANT to get into any uncomfortable positions so....enough said. Hallway sex is fine with me....ROFL !

I watched the hummingbirds come by the feeder to check and make sure it had food in it but they didn't stop for a sip. I'm glad because there are still a lot of good flowers around for them. I'm a big believer in natural foods for them when possible.

One of my neighbors told me that, when she first spotted my feeder in my backyard, she was afraid I would get all *her* hummingbirds! I thought that was a hoot because there sure seemed to be enough of those hungry little beggers around at the time for everyone. The area was in a serious drought and, although we aren't out of it yet, it's better now and most of the feeders in the area are more like snack bars than serious feeding sites. That will come next month and continue until the colder weather forces the cuties to migrate to warmer climes.

I think I know why one of our Topsy Turvy planters with a tomato plant in it hasn't done well. The past few days, as I was outside drinking my first cup of coffee, I've noticed this one small bird land on the top, look around and drop down into it. Today, it had a bug in it's beak. I think it's got a nest and some little birds inside there. I would check it out but I don't want to disturb it. The bird stayed in there for about 5 minutes and flew out but returned with another bug a short time later. I didn't hear any chirping but I have no clue if these birds chirp at all. I don't know what they are but they are tiny...barely bigger than a hummingbird and they look like a stretched Z in shape. They are a dark brown and I can't make out any other distinguishing marks without spooking the little thing. I see flocks of them at times around here and they always make me laugh because they really do look like little Z's stretched with even the beak being straight out from the top of their head. I have to get serious about finding an illustrated bird book of birds common to this area. I keep saying it; one day, I might actually stop at Books A Million and find one.

I started reading a few other people's blogs and, know what? Mine might not make you laugh like others can, or talk about the foibles of little kids (and some of those make you laugh because of memories of your own kids at the same age) but mine isn't as boring as I thought. Every blog has something that gives you pause for one reason or another. Maybe mine is to help prepare you for when you get older. I don't know. I enjoy my life most of the time because it's actually pretty calm and I remember times when it seemed like I lived in total chaos with one disaster after another.

It's nice to live somewhere where life is NOT hectic, traffic is not enough to make you tear out your hair or have a road rage episode, you can sleep as little or as much as you want, nap whenever you want, get dressed or stay in your jammies (unless you have neighbors that drop by a lot and then you dress because you MUST), you shop whenever you feel like it. I used to have no choice because of working and then I had to shop when most of the people in my area also had to so there were long lines...always.

I have, due to experience, more patience now for many things. I enjoy other peoples kids, even the whiny ones because I am not shopping with my own. People open doors for me because I am old and they give me respect. I am not the subject of oogling any more (which I confess I miss at times because I DO have an ego) and I don't have to wear makeup every single day so my complexion is my own and no more sudden zits to deal with either. I can eat breakfast early or late, eat late lunches, early dinners, play on the computer all day, travel whenever the urge strikes you and stay longer if you want. If you've got some savings, you can indulge yourself in some things when the need strikes you and just use your savings. We lived week-to-week for many years while raising our kids but did well when we started our own business. It was a world of difference to be able to buy things without worrying about whether or not we could afford the payments. We actually paid cash for a lot of things including a brand new Mustang that was MY first experience with doing that. I never even looked at the price tag for it but just found the one with all the goodies I wanted on it and said *wrap it up*.....LOL

Getting old meant THAT to me, anyway. It's not the same for others but it's part of what *I* enjoy and I know some people even older than me may find my *discoveries* a walk down memory lane as I do other blogs. So it is encouraging to me.

What else is good about being retired? Let me see..... Some of the funny little things like...farting It doesn't cause me quite the embarrassment it used to when I was young. It's become a fact of life. I do, however, hate when I have an attack of the *granny farts* as my grand-daughter used to call them. You know the ones I mean (if you are older). They are the little ones you have while walking down the aisle of some store or another most of the time. Or when you bend over to reach something that's fallen or you need something from a bottom shelf.

Going without a bra and having your nipples NOT show because they are pointing so far south that they don't touch the fabric of your shirt. It's a fact of life that gravity wins. Or, if you are big breasted, the nipples show somewhere in the vicinity of your waistband. I once saw a little boy take a double take at this (and it was obvious that it was what he was noticing). He was a well-mannered little boy because I saw him whisper to his mother and she shushed him up and said *we'll talk about it later* so I knew. He couldn't keep from looking and I finally pulled my purse to the front of me to help redirect him to something else. Thank goodness kids have short attention spans.

Not caring about how well your clothes *match*. If it's in the same basic category, who cares? I mean just because the red tshirt you have on doesn't quite match your red shorts or pants, it's no big deal. Who cares? You are no longer copying any fashion trends.

Wearing comfort clothes instead of the newest fashions. I have clothes that are probably over 10 years old. They make my grand-daughter shudder but they are comfortable and that is all I care about these days. I'm no fashion plate, never was, never will be, especially at this stage of my life. I might update for a special occasion like a wedding or a funeral (the latter being more common lately) but it's my choice.

Ditto for my shoes. I wear comfortable shoes. My sneakers don't go with my dressy pant suit? Who cares? Why should I wear uncomfortable heels? Fashion? ROFLMAO...not me!

Meals? Here is where it gets really funny. Remember how when you were young, it was always important to have a balanced meal? Meat, potato (or some starchy food like rice or noodles), veggie? Pfffft! I can make a meal out of JUST macaroni and cheese. A bowl of potato salad. Macaroni salad. Ramen noodles. I can eat cereal for dinner. Cold pizza is a good breakfast. How about chili? I mean, the sky is the limit. Oh, I still on occasion make the well-balanced meal but I am not manic about it any more. I am both old and retired these days. I can do what I want for a change.

Give me time and I can think of dozens of other reasons but those are the ones I have enjoyed lately and easily pop into my mind. So, Brat Farm will continue. Perhaps with some added vigor for those that may enjoy it for their own reasons. I shall go on instead of dropping it like I was considering.

Love you all. Live well, laugh often and dance like no one is watching. Life is too short to worry about what other people may think. Meet you back here soon, I promise.

Today I spent doing a lot of remembering partly due to a blog of my sister's. But I also had done some jelly canning the other day and put it out in the garage cabinet until it *sets up*. IF it does, and I have my doubts for some reason. It didn't set up to begin with the way I remembered it doing a couple years ago when I first started doing it. But, don't do it for a while and you seem to lose the technique. Ah well, we shall see.

I had to put the hot water bath kettle up on top of one of the cabinets because I won't be using it again on any of our fruits or vegetables. First, I didn't have a garden this year due to the fact that I knew we would be doing a lot of traveling and it kind of gets away from you if you don't tend it on a daily basis. But, after watching the trees THIS year, I know that will be a different matter next year. I told my niece, Tara, she better be prepared to come and help when I have to start doing it. She is eager to learn so I don't think it will be a problem and she will enlist the help of the boys if necessary.

Anyway, I put the kettle up where it will lay until next year. All the utensils I will need are inside it so that helps. Well, everything except the food mill which I use for de-seeding tomatoes and some berries when I can. For tomato sauce, de-seeding is a must. Otherwise, it's a breeze. I looked around and saw a shitload of various cobwebs that had formed all over different areas of the garage so I took a broom and started cleaning them up. I hate how they look and the bugs they trap that are dead. I really think of the garage as the Beast's lair but he doesn't notice stuff like that unless he does a total cleanup. That might not occur for another couple years.

As I was cleaning them up, I remembered doing that at various other homes we have owned. I also remember enlisting (well, more like INSISTING) my son's help out except for our house in Margate. I think that was the only house we ever owned that the Beast kept really clean all the time because he was doing so much wood working. His saw was messy so the sawdust would get trapped in any cobwebs and become so obvious that he HAD to clean them up. I loved it and enjoyed NOT having to do that chore myself.

My niece had been here earlier and we discussed a problem she had yesterday that sent her to the emergency room. She started having numbness: first in her fingers, then up her left arm, into her shoulder and neck and then down her back by the time she was seen there. They did all kinds of tests on her, including an EKG. I think from the description that she might actually have had a TIA (transcient ischemic attack) which is a mini-stroke and it's very common in women, even young ones. Many times these go undetected or ignored because they DO pass. But they leave their mark in your brain or on your heart. She is going to see her regular doctor and discuss the possibility. I told her that, because of her dad's history of TIA's, she might be put on a low dose aspirin regimen. She had called and talked to the Beast because he had had those two strokes and she felt her symptoms mirrored some that HE had talked about prior to the *big one* that paralyzed him on the left side. It was HER left side that was affected and it scared the shit out of her.

At least she went into the hospital emergency room and would have had some of the new medications that stop a stroke in it's tracks if she had really had a stroke coming on. At the worst, it's a warning for her and now she is aware and will immediately take two aspirin if it happens again. Unless, of course, her doctor puts her on the low dose aspirin. She will, I am sure, give her instructions on what to do if it happens again. We shall see.

I always change my linens on Sunday for some reason. Today was no exception. I was in the midst of it when it dawned of me how many times I have done this. Not just during my marriage but also when I was a kid. I hated putting on pillowcases and still do, although I have developed a technique that works (especially with my overstuffed pillows) and makes it much simpler to do. I started remembering all the different types of pillows my kids had. Each of them had different preferences and it bothered me that I couldn't remember which kid liked which kind. It was just another chore and, if I changed their linens, I remember not worrying about it because I knew the kids would know what pillow or pillows were theirs.

I complain about my laundry NOW but it is NOTHING compared to the laundry I tackled when all four kids were home. I often did it when they weren't around and there were stacks of their clothes all over the place, neatly folded and ready for them to put away. The amount of towels we owned was staggering. It took me years after they were gone to stop buying loads of towels on sale. I even found myself looking at some nice towels on sale at Wal Mart
yesterday when I was doing a bit of shopping after having my hair cut. I actually stopped dead and thought, *What the HELL are you thinking?* I have towels in both bathrooms under the sink and a linen closet with towels, wash rags, hand towels and even beach towels!

The Beast got home a couple minutes ago and was telling me about a conversation he had with a cop at the park where he takes Baron for his runs. The cop also owns a Doberman that is now two years old and really understood some of the problems you have when a Dobie is a pup but BIG. He also told the Beast that he had started reading up about Doberman's after he'd bought his own and discovered that the most sought after line is the line from a Doberman named Warlock. He said he had met people that claimed their dogs lineage was from Warlock but he knew the dogs were not from the line because they didn't have the distinctive markings. When the Beast asked about the markings, the cop turned to Baron and said, *See those dots on your dogs feet? THOSE are markings from the Warlock lineage*. Needless-to-say, the Beast was shocked. Now he is going to be doing some research on it. The cop also discussed other differences in the Warlock pups and said that often there is only ONE pup in a litter than has all the distinctive characteristics. The ones the Beast remembered are ones we noticed and was particularly part of the reason we chose him. I have no freaking idea why the lineage is so in demand but I trust the Beast will find out. If Baron IS from that lineage, we just lucked out choosing him.

Oh well, time to fold clothes once again. Love you all. Today I think I will call a couple people I love that I haven't spoken to in a while and just let them know I DO love them. Try it some time.

Don't faint. It's just that I am getting a bit frustrated with the Beast since he bought his Advanced Photo Shop dvd's. You know he had two strokes and has some short term memory problems. Well, he has to SEE, HEAR and TRY everything new he does/has until he can retain it for longer than 24 hours. I understand the reason for this and try to be patient with him because another thing that helps him is to TELL it to someone. That someone is ME.

He set up both his computers so that he can play the Advanced lessons on his regular PC and he can pull up his pictures on his MAC. He watches and listens to the lesson and DOES what the lesson is all about to a picture on the MAC. He will do it multiple times, sometimes on several different pictures. THEN...he has to call me in, show me what he's learned and get MY opinion (like it really matters). He is a perfectionist. He is much more critical of what he is doing than I am so what I have to say doesn't really count with him if he finds something he feels isn't right. Trust me, he is OVER critical of his work. Sometimes the difference between what HE feels is finally perfect is so minimal that you can't really tell the difference, as far as *I* can see.

Worse, I found out there are 80 hours of lessons on these dvd's. It is not going to be fun for me. He keeps calling me into his computer room (really a corner in our guest bedroom. God forbid if anyone comes and stays longer than a week because even the dresser drawers are pretty full with his *stuff* for either the cameras he owns or his computers.

PLUS....I have a big bookcase in my computer/craft room (the third bedroom) that is also full of programs, booklets for his stuff, his DVR's and CDR's (rewritables), picture frames of various sizes, the *dusters* and special cleaning stuff for cameras and monitors. He even has his various chess sets (electronic, of course) so that he can play against the built-in computers they have. He has two of those. I am looking at the stuff and just realized he also has his ammunition for both the rifles and the gun we own. Sheesh. The top of the bookcase contains this one camera he hasn't used in ages (a big negative Mamiya), a couple different flashes, a case that has a tripod in it and some empty boxes that he doesn't want to throw away for some reason. I'll bet even he doesn't remember why he is saving them.

I just found out that Baron has become very sneaky to get what he wants. I've told you about the special food I make as a supplement for him. I have hit upon a recipe that he just loves. It's got chicken gizzards and hearts, chicken livers (I cook those separately and then add them after everything else is cooked and mixed). I make either brown or wild rice, carrots (I leave them slightly crispy because he LOVES those especially), green beans (ditto on the slightly crispy) and peas (frozen and then added to the hot rice). I also confess to using just a touch of chicken bullion (the powder because I can't QUITE get over the idea that Baron does like a bit of *flavor*. I don't use much because I do not think the salt in it is good for him. I use the water I boil the gizzards in for the rice. I just add a little more water to it and the bullion so that it cooks up nice. I simmer the rice, however, at a very low heat. I have it down to a science now and Baron will haunt the kitchen while I am preparing everything. He KNOWS when I am making it and has his nose right by the cutting board when I am cutting up the gizzards, hearts and livers. I'm just grateful that a
Doberman is not one of those dogs that salivate or my kitchen floor would be a mess, I'm sure.

Anyway, today he was hungry and his bowl was empty of his dry dog food. I filled it up for him and he went over to it, sniffed it and came back over to me and sat down. He just stared at me. I figured he wanted the food I make for him so I opened the fridge, pulled out the container and he started hopping all over the place in excitement. Yep! That was what he wanted all right.

So, I took some out, put it in a bowl and nuked it just to take the chill off it. I put his dry dog food on the floor, the bowl of homemade stuff on his food/water stand then gave him the signal he could go eat. And eat he did. I went back into the computer room and a few minutes later, in he comes and sits down by me and gives me this little whine. I knew he wanted more of it but I told him he had enough. He left the room with his head hanging and his tail down.

Now normally that means he accepts what I say. But I found out later that the Beast had gone into the kitchen for more coffee and Baron came over to him, went to his (now empty) bowl and then back to the Beast. So, of course, the Beast (thinking Baron hasn't been fed yet) gets out the homemade stuff (he could see there was dry dog food out), fills up the empty bowl, warms it up and gives it to Baron.

I knew immediately what had happened when I went out to the kitchen later and the empty container was on the counter. I also knew that Baron had *conned* the Beast. I walked into the Beast's computer room and said to him *Congratulations.....Baron conned you into feeding him more of the homemade stuff and I had already fed some to him* The Beast just laughed and said, *He just loves that stuff you make. I can't blame him if he prefers it and it's obvious you are making new so what's the problem?* Men!!! They just don't understand that I didn't want to be under any pressure to get the new stuff done TONIGHT. Now I have to or there won't be any for him tomorrow. I suppose he could live on the dry....a lot of dogs do....but it makes me feel bad. So, here I am. I had to cut up the carrots to get them ready and snap the beans. I just put the rice in the *broth* to start cooking. Good thing I am not in pain for Baron would be out of luck.

The Beast apparently scratched his eyeball somehow and I just put some medicated drops in his eye. He had to shut down his *lessons* and I am relieved. It means I won't have any more interruptions for the rest of the night. *grin*

On another note....my sister *C* got her wedding invitation today for my niece's wedding in September (so did I) so she made her plane reservations. She is shocked at how cheap she got them because she is flying in on a Wednesday and returning home the following Tuesday. Under $300 to fly from Ft. Lauderdale to Chicago. It's been a long time since I've seen fares that low over a holiday weekend (it's Labor Day Weekend that we are talking about).

The invitation to the wedding is unique. I was really impressed with it and even the reply section has a touch of humor added to it. I was surprised because I didn't know my niece HAD a sense of humor. Maybe it was her fiance's suggestion. I won't tell you about it yet because one of my sister's still doesn't have her invitation and I don't want to spoil it for her.

The Beast and I are driving up and staying with his brother. We will be gone much longer than we have before so I am going to double our payments on our utilities next month so we don't have any surprises when we get home. The only thing I worry about really is the water and electricity. Hard to live even for a day or so without them and I have no idea where we could drive to pay the electric bill so we could get our service on by the next day at the very least. And have you ever tasted coffee cooked on a charcoal grill.....you wouldn't like it if you aren't careful. Sometimes the smoke gets into the coffee. YUK! Been there, tasted that! The satellite service is an automatic payment so I won't have to worry about that one. We don't have anything else except our TV satellite service and the double payment will take care of that. Thank god we don't have car or truck payments or a house payment. I just may start seeing about paying these bills online though. It's a free service at our bank (Wachovia) at our age and with the account we have. It really is so simple to do. We might as well since we debit everything else we buy.

Well, time to wrap up for the day. Our weather has sucked today although we got a bit more rain that we needed. It always screws up our internet and tv because they are both dependent on satellites. I have spent most of the day watching my dvd's . It's just a minor annoyance because there are not a lot of programs on that I watch on Friday's except for the Dog Whisperer. Friday's are HIS days....there are a lot of his programs on National Geographic Channel at various times and his new show for the week is on at 8. I DO miss those. I still think he is amazing. I just wish I had him to work on our problem with Baron's jumping up on people, even US. He's 100 lbs now and he could really hurt someone. I just may have to invest in that electric collar to stop that behavior. I don't want to but he is very stubborn. I keep hoping he will get rid of that puppy behavior as he grows older. We just have a bit to go since Doberman's mature later than some other breeds.

Love you all. Live well, love deeply and laugh often. It's good for the spirit. Tell those you love that you do each time you talk to them.

PS: I almost forgot. Thank you for your prayers for my friend undergoing breast cancer surgery. They removed three lumps but had to put off the removal of the other small lumps on the other side. They were too afraid of losing her due to her reaction even to the epidural she had been given. Nurses had to keep talking to her and lightly slapping her face to keep her awake and aware. If she falls asleep, she stops breathing. I will let you know of the results of the biopsy on the lumps when SHE gets them.

Don't faint because I am making another entry so close to the last one. It's just today was a kind of weird day. We got a laptop. The Beast had finally decided that we DID need a laptop so we wouldn't have to drag around his MAC, which is a lot more fragile. It worried me all the time. Plus, a laptop is much smaller. It can easily slide under the front seat even in the case we got for it.

The Beast spent some time loading it up for the first time. You get this warning that you MUST NOT SHUT IT OFF UNTIL THE INITIAL STARTUP IS COMPLETE. He had also bought a wireless mouse for it and it's really neat. You plug in this little thing into one of the usb plugs and the mouse has a battery but works like a champ. I hate trying to use the *plate* area that is supposed to be your *mouse* on a laptop and the Beast knew that. It's why he got it. Yeah, right! Like HE likes to use that plate area.

One question the Beast had was answered though....it DOES have built-in wireless. It automatically hooked into our broadband so we should have no problems using it when we travel. I am very pleased by this because otherwise my email just adds up to an incredible amount to go through when we are gone for as little as a week. Since we will be gone for at least three weeks in September, this was making me crazy. I really was considering having one of my sisters go through and thin it down to essentials but that would mean giving them all the sites that I DO want to keep. And making a list of the spam....impossible. I don't think any of them would volunteer to do that for me...LOL

My sister,D, is recovering well from her open wounds. The Boy has had a great deal to do with this because he kept them cleaned and debreeded (kept the dead skin cleaned off). I am not sure of the spelling of that so please forgive me. I am grateful for his kind attention to my sister.

Her blog on xanga has been funny (to me, anyway) the last few days due to the cats and the strangeness of the Boy. I read it regularly because she DOES write it daily and she has a skewed view of life that I appreciate. If you haven't read her, go to Xanga.com/bratfink and you will end up subscribing. Make sure you go back as far as you can and be prepared to laugh, cry and know that you (and possibly your family) are not alone in this world or as strange as some.

Today was a dull day all told. I got up, took my last pain pill and looked forward to going to Walmart later in the day to do some much needed shopping. We are reaching the point of *nothing to eat if I don't do any shopping*. I also had a prescription that I needed. Unfortunately, the doctor had not replied when I got there (what a surprise!) so I said the heck with it, I'll come back tomorrow after I talk to his nurse. I then proceeded to shop for food. I bought mostly meats since we have plenty of veggies canned AND fresh. I also got more doggie meats (giblets, hearts and livers of chicken). Those are his favorites. I get him lamb when it's on sale in the spring because he loves the bones mostly. I was also out of rice for his *wet food* and carrots. We are set for a couple weeks now with meats and even some quick meals. I bought some pre-made shrimp scampi and can make noodles (I have loads of those), a nice beef roast, some center cut pork chops, stuff for sketti, meat loaf, and a few other quickies like garlic bread pizza.

I wanted to get my hair cut today but the girl who usually does it wasn't working today like usual. I am almost afraid she may have left but I was told she would be there tomorrow so we shall see. I just didn't see her license on the mirror of her usual chair. She does a good job and I would love to have a beautician that knows me, my hair and my preferences. I will need another trim before I go to Chicago for my niece's wedding and then to Wisconsin for my nephew's wedding. September will be a busy month for us and I will be on the road for at least three weeks as I said. I hope to see at least two of my kids and, perhaps, three of my grandkids. Krystin keeps saying she wants to come up for it but we shall see. I need to call her and give her the link my sister-in-law sent for the hotel nearby that she and a few of us will be staying at the night of the wedding. I would love to see her and my great-granddaughter.

Okay, it's bedtime for me. Like I said, dull day. Love you all.

Well, it's finally happened. I have too many different names on too many different sites and I am starting to forget which password goes with what user name. LOL. I know I am not alone in this but I think I have to make some changes. They say you shouldn't use the same password because of those damnable hackers that infest the web but what the hell can you do? I have to, at the very least, prune down the different ones so I am not so totally clueless. Please don't tell me it's because I am getting older by the minute because that would just be too depressing. *sigh* On to more pressing news....

We had my niece Tara's pup as our house guest for almost a week while she drove up to Ohio to retrieve her personal items now that her divorce is final. She couldn't handle taking the pup with her (she's in that very high energy time of growing up) so we agreed to have her. We figured it would be good for Baron since they love playing together and might actually help Baron stop being so excited whenever she comes over to visit. Ha!

I shouldn't say that, really, since they DID calm down a bit after a few days. We did discover that Sadie was not quite housebroken (but that problem was solved after just two days) and she had NO training whatsoever. We had to work with her since both my niece and her boyfriend had the mistaken impression that she had to be older than she is to start working with her. You MUST start leash training them early and she did very well after just a few minutes. It was amazing. It was almost like she WANTED to learn. Perhaps she did. She was very eager to please, which was a nice change from Baron who thinks he is King of the Hill.

We did find out that Sadie responds faster to me than to the Beast but I think it's because she is basically bonded to my niece. The Beast worked with her on the leash (even took her for a leash walk with his *son*, the Baron) and it worked out better than we expected. I worked with her on the simple commands like *sit* (she had NO clue), *stay*, *down* and *no* when she was doing something she shouldn't have.

The two of them gave us a few laughs. Their play was, as expected, energetic and on the rough side. It never got too rough and we were always alert for the change that can happen in an instant by the sound of their growling. Sadie is just small enough that, when we close the gate at the bottom of the deck stairs, she can go underneath the stairs and slip through the risers. I stopped that by standing at the top with a hose and, every time she started to slip through, I would spray her a little and say *No* very firmly. She finally stopped with just a loud *NO*. She didn't like it but I swear to you, Baron was laughing.

One afternoon (it's been too hot to leave them outside between noon and 3pm but we did before and after those times), we watched Baron chasing her all over the yard. We were a bit concerned because he's about 100 lbs. and we thought he might inadvertently hurt her just by running her over. But, lo-and-behold, they ran around the barn at the back of the yard with Baron chasing HER but they came out from in back with Sadie chasing Baron. We found that they *switch* who is the chaser and who is the chased on some sort of doggy schedule. It was just hilarious.

Sometimes Baron would be over her while she was on her back, making low growling noises and biting her lightly all over the place. Then, just as unexpected as you might expect, HE would suddenly be the one on HIS back and she would be all over him making the noises and doing the biting. To see a dog the size of Baron on his back while this little dog (she can walk under him without ducking her head) was *attacking* him was just too funny for words.

My niece had told me NOT to give Sadie any of my homemade dog food and spoil her but I couldn't resist it. She made a pig out of herself on it. She had been raiding Baron's dish whenever I gave it to him (and Baron would let her) so we finally gave her a little whenever we fed it to Baron. I don't think we spoiled her, it was just a treat while at grandma's house (laughing here).

Baron has a toy that is two rubber rings locked together as a pull toy. The Beast and Baron often play tug-of-war with it or the Beast will toss it in the air for Baron to catch. They both seem to enjoy it and it's one of the first toys we've bought for Baron that he can't chew to pieces. Anyway, we noticed that Baron seemed to try to get Sadie to grab one of the rings so they could play tug-of-war but she just didn't *get it*. So, one afternoon we were surprised to see him go get his rings and bring it over to Sadie. We expected him to try to get her to play once again but.....he just walked over, put it IN her mouth and walked away. What was up with that? He plopped down and got comfy and we finally realized that he was tired so he gave her the rings to keep HER busy so he could rest!

I've been a bad girl about keeping this up but it was because I had a flareup of my Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was in too much pain. It took me a couple days to get in to see my doctor but he sent me over to the hospital for a CT scan with both IV and contrast while I was having the flareup. He felt it was a good time and would also tell him if there was anything else going on. I guess there was because I was put on amoxicillin for 10 days and he gave me a different pain pill. I gather that this flareup was caused by some sort of internal infection (?) and that's what he is working on clearing up. I gather he must be right just because of the way I am feeling. By Day 3 on the antibiotic, I knew that my symptoms were getting less painful and I was able to cut down the pain pills to just two a day. I was also sleeping better at night and getting up with less pain, too. So, I am very hopeful that I might actually be able to have a normal life in the near future. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

BTW, those *Topsy-Turvy* planters? A big disappointment. Perhaps they worked for others but they sucked for me with my tomato plants. I did everything just as the instructions prompted and even used Miracle Grow soil in it. They actually seemed more stunted than if I had planted them in the ground. I have no clue why but I MAY give them a try next year. Just wanted to let you know what MY experience was with them. Maybe it was the tomato plants I used (I bought them at Wal-Mart but I have always had great luck with them IN THE GROUND) or maybe the Miracle Grow soil was too much but all we got was a single tomato off both plants. Big disappointment. I may try strawberries in one of them next year and see how that goes. Oh well. You only learn by doing on some things.

I'm not sure if it's the excessive heat we've had this summer or what but the hummingbirds are feeding at my feeder more than the flowers I have for them. A lot of my neighbors planted flowers this year especially for the hummingbirds and they have noticed that they are starting to use the feeders more often now too. Maybe it is also tied into the lack of really hard rains. I'm just glad that they have alternate feeding sites. Some of the *babies*...and you can tell them after watching the different ones for a couple years...are still using the available flowers but they are giving the feeders the eye now too. I just love to watch them. What a treat that is for anyone. Hummingbirds just seem so exotic. Like watching orchids bloom. I miss my orchids. I may go ahead and buy some more now that we are settled in. I know the places where they will be able to thrive here in the house. Since they like indirect sunlight, it works well for this house.

Time for me to go finish up the housework I have avoided so far today. Can't leave it go much longer or I feel I have wasted the day entirely.

Love you all. Oh, I have a Pogo friend having breast cancer surgery today and they can only use a local on her because she dies under a general anesthetic due to other problems and then they have to do the whole resuscitate thing and hitting her with ...well, you know the routines they have when that stuff happens. Her doctors hope they can get away with just a lumpectomy since this seems to have been caught early. Just keep her in your prayers today and I will let you know how it went. I am going to call her later today and find out what has happened. Her mother is in surgery today too to have a hernia repair in her abdominal area so she won't be able to be there for her. My friend has an 8 year-old son that is retarded (yes, I know that's not politically correct but it's the only way I can think of to say it at the moment) so she is extremely worried about HIS future even more than hers.

Have a great day...and a great week, just in case I don't get back here like I hope I will. Tell all those you love that you do every time you see or talk to them. You never know what life is going to deal you or them. Live well, love deeply and dance like no one is watching.

I have a sister that is really good at configuring websites like this. I envy her that knowledge and wish we lived closer so that she could share that with me. I am just not as curious and...reckless?....as she is, I guess. I am always afraid that I will do something that will either crash my computer or maybe totally wreck the site I am on with my lack of knowledge. Go Sis. She is funny and more dependable than I am with keeping up with a blog. Look to Bratfink here on Xanga for a few laughs, a few retrospective moments and some interesting links she finds while exploring the interweb as she calls it. Go back and read a few weeks of her stuff and you will be hooked. I promise you that.

Oh well. On to my boring life and some of the things that have taken place over the past week or so. Since I am, as my sister keeps reminding me, an OLD person, my memory sometimes fails me but I do remember the highlights.

We finally started harvesting some of the different peaches from our young peach trees. It totally amazes me. My hubby was prepared this year for the onslaught of the Japanese beetles and the trees got sprayed as soon as they started showing up. Our red peach variety (forgive me but I cannot recall the exact name and am too lazy to look it up at this time of night) were amazingly sweet and very, very juicy. The first day the Beast brought in a bowl filled with the peaches, I carefully washed them (the spray, remember?) and must have eaten six or seven of them because they were THAT tasty. I kept a big bowl of them on the table so we could grab one whenever we passed it and felt like something sweet and light. My niece Tara spotted them as soon as she walked in on the 4th and immediately ate four of them. She laughed and said they were the best she had tasted in ages. I agree.

Today (Monday) the Beast brought in a bunch of the Alberta peaches that were ripe and I was really surprised at how different (but still wonderful) they tasted. There are still a bunch of both varieties but there were not enough to think of canning this year. It will be different next year and I warned Tara that she would be expected to be here for that. She was excited at the idea since she said she always wanted to know how to can fruits and vegetables but never had anyone that would show her. I'm glad she's excited about the idea but can't wait for her to find out that it is a lot of hard work. The last time I canned, I canned peaches, tomatoes, tomato sauce, banana peppers, jalapeno peppers and some pickled mixed veggies. It was no picnic and my granddaughter did nothing but complain the whole three or four days of intense work we did.

One of the reasons I didn't update this site before this is because my sister, of whom I am inordinately fond, was ill with a dual infection. One of the effects of the infection she had internally was manifested externally and became open wounds. She was house-sitting for her best friend in the world because his brother had died (age 44) and his mother was just home a few days from having a cancerous tumor removed from her abdomen. She needed a lot of attention both physically and emotionally. He had his own home and several cats that, unfortunately, expected to be fed, scritched and paid attention to whenever they felt like it (and ignoring their human whenever they felt like it also). She went there to help him out so he only had his mother to worry about. The cats were familiar with my sister from previous years so there was a measure of relief on his part over that.

The wounds my sister was suffering with were weeping wounds and there was a lot of dead and dying skin plus the wounds were getting bigger. When *the boy*, as we fondly call him, discovered what she was suffering with, he was horrified. She doesn't have insurance nor medicaid so she was reluctant to even try to see a doctor and was doing what most people in that situation do...self-medicate. He literally dragged her to the clinic or wound center (I am not exactly sure how it happened but that is where she ended up) and said for her to screw worrying about payment. He would take care of it in the future. They diagnosed the internal infection and secondary infections (from scratching), cleaned and dressed the wounds, prescribed medication and even arranged (I think it was them that arranged it) free medications for her to take to treat both problems. She was given instructions on keeping her feet elevated because of the edema the infection caused (that's swelling up with fluids if the word isn't familiar to you) and daily cleansing of the wounds plus wrapping lightly to allow for drainage.

I have just enough medical experience from having four kids plus working for five and a half years at a medical center to be able to visualize more than I want to of what she is experiencing. I was horrified and more concerned that you could believe. I love my sister and hate the thought of her being in that much pain for any reason.

She is on the mend now, from all I am hearing anyway so I am very relieved. I give The Boy credit for that because he has taken on the task of the daily cleansing and debredment (I am too tired to make sure the spelling is correct but it means he makes sure the dead skin gets removed). He hasn't mastered how to correctly bandage yet but that seems rather minor, all things considered.

On to other more cheerful things. Our fourth of July barbeque ended up not being as great as I had hoped. Due to a blown engine that needed to be replaced on my son's car, they couldn't afford to make the trip so they were not able to share the holiday with us. My niece, Tara, and her father came though. Her boyfriend wasn't able to make it since he worked until midnight with his deliveries, slept until 4AM then took the (visiting) father out to fish for several hours. Since our area is known for it's bass and crappie fishing, early morning and early evening hours are the best fishing times. He came back to my niece's house, did a few chores for her and then crashed because he wanted to be awake for the fireworks later on. He also knew the best area to view the fireworks along the lake and said they would have to get there early to get a good spot.

I hadn't seen her father in quite a few years so it was interesting to talk to him after all that time. I will discuss him and his history in another blog. Suffice it to say that the food was wonderful, the company interesting and the two puppies (one 100 lbs., the other about 15) exhausted each other for a bit. In fact, the next day, Baron (my dog) laid around like an old man recuperating....LOL.

This is becoming a book so I am going to close for now. It's late and I need to get some sleep. I have to be up early tomorrow because we are going out to take some SI's (significant images) or pictures to the uninformed. The Beast just discovered where he has been going wrong using his Adobe program right from the get-go and now needs to start fresh since the pictures he has already run through the program are lost to him for any alterations that he would love to perform. I'm not totally sure of what he was explaining but I know that he cannot reclaim any of the sharpness or detail he unintentionally lost due to the way he cropped and saved the pictures. Oh well, live and learn.

I know I haven't told you any of the funny stuff but I figure I can do that tomorrow since this ended up being so much longer than I expected. I promise to share a few laughs with you. Those of you with animals will find it funny at least.

Goodnight all and I love you dearly.