And Yet Another

Back to My Regularly Scheduled Program

Which seems to be cats.

Frieda is a strange one. She enjoys sitting in the Wassily chair. Not soft, slanting backward, yet she sits in it a lot.

Give Gatto a box and he turns it into his castle.

Our weather is perfect this week. I spent two afternoons trimming the honeysuckle on the east end of the house. The end with all the window. Windows with no view other than leaves. They grew so fast this year they towered. I knew when I put them there what they are and how tall they get. I'd put several different shrubs in this place and they all died. I have honeysuckle growing everywhere so I dug them up and waited. They did not die. It's been me against the bushes for decades. They are close to winning.

I'll spend this afternoon doing more much needed maintenance. I'll use the weed whacker for as long as the battery lasts, which isn't very long with this one. The forecast has me hopeful, I may be able to get a lot of deferred maintenance done. If my body holds up. I limit myself to a couple of hours a day if it's physical. My definition of physical, that is. How is it the last week of August?

Trees. Guys.

Dude!

Don't tell me he isn't a gentleman of fashion. 

He got me, so I got him back. It's the story of my people. Xcel Energy tree trimmers have been here for several days removing branches from proximity to the power line. The boss lady laid down the rules the first day, saw different guys the next day and did it all over again. Do not mutilate my trees. Do not mess with the ancient pines, just make the channel through the middle as you see has been done before. Every few years I need to repeat myself. They are told to be aggressive. I have to tell them better not. The second group mutilated a cedar tree for no apparent reason before I got to them. I told those guys I didn't want to see that again. Long ago I had a guy call me a ball busting bitch. I thanked him.

The original guys are back at it. They are pleasant, friendly men. I asked the one who was walking around with me as I pointed out what I wanted and I asked him if he would like to see a horse. Yes! I showed him Mr. Big Stuff, Zing, who put on a fancy strutting show. He was a show horse and never lost the flair. The young man asked me my name. When I told him he smiled large and said 'Spanish'. I said yes, it is a Latin name. He took photos of the big guy and it felt like I made his day. He asked if it was expensive to keep horses. Yes, it is. It's worse now than it used to be. The average joe is being priced out. It's a common story. 

Other than bossing a bunch of men around I have been doing little to nothing. Tomorrow is supposed to be the start of a week long break in the heat and humidity. The yard and gardens are calling my name. They will be bossing me around for quite a while.

Progress

Me playing coy when Mark held his phone up and said 'smile'. I created a monster when I showed him how to use it. I had PT yesterday. We discussed my progress and where we go from here. I told her I felt I'd come a long way, that I knew I'm never going to be completely erect ever again, but it's better and I am able to walk more. She seemed satisfied with this. We decided I'd come back in a month to check if I'm progressing or at least holding steady. I am coming to the end of a nearly year long journey with her. She is the only person who took the time to know the issue and do something about it.

The PT did suggest walking sticks, she gave me a pair to try. Wow, where have they been all my life! I came home and ordered a set. They are so much better than a cane and with them I have two weapons to wave in the air. It's a win-win.

The heat and humidity is supposed to lessen on Saturday. Saturday cannot come soon enough for me. Just making this simple pasta dish had me soaked with sweat. I think cooking may be off the menu until Saturday. Whatever is done will be done in the airfryer.  

Okay, time for some toast and another cuppa joe.

Rainy Days and Monday

We had a day without rain on Sunday, but not without stifling humidity. Then rain came along in the early evening and it's still raining this morning. If the extended forecast is correct we will need this moisture later on.

I decided I would make bread. This is a whole wheat rosemary loaf. It's good with sandwiches and soup. Being Monday, it's laundry. The horses are staying in the barn today. I know it may seem odd to many that I keep these beasts in sometimes, but we have black clay soil. It's awful when wet. Well, when dry, too. When it's soaked it sucks people in and won't let go. I have found myself face planted more than once as my foot has been held in place while the body is in forward motion. Lovely. For the horses safety, especially geriatric horses, they stay in because this stuff is tendon popping and also the landscape is rolling. I'm cautious.

Gatto sandwiched between bread. I'm a regular comedian! I am too like my father, which is preferable to the other option. I have PT tomorrow, it's down to every three weeks. I stopped my exercises last week because I was in so much pain I just couldn't. For some reason I'm moving better than I was. It's not a reach to believe I may have been overdoing. I tend to be this way, all or nothing. Go figure.

On that, I think I'll toast some rosemary bread and drink coffee while the washer washes.

Happy Sunday

I came across this while scrolling my phone. Yes, I will admit to doing this. It made me smile. A well-known, wonderful song with a slight difference. 

https://www.threads.com/@music.lei/post/DNayUuHMZcz?xmt=AQF0AI0Sn--lmCHzaBQFI2idmjktP3vE5UtAf--hXJYNJQ

I loved to dance. I still do. I'm not the queen, but I still dance.

Having a Caturday

Get that thing out of my face, human.

We've had lots of rain with more coming. We can use it. For a short time it was coming down at 1" per thirty minutes. That didn't continue, thankfully. Being at the top of a hill means flooding is unlikely. Still....

It feels like life is on pause. That's how I can describe where I'm at. I have a feeling I'm not alone. Going through the motions, as the song says. The motions today will be making bread, straightening up, scraping the cats with a shedding blade and once again the %@#*? moment of wondering how this became a cat house. I guess because I let them in.

 

Forty-Four Years

One this date I made a second attempt at marriage. There were certainly rough patches, but here we are.

My mother, father, brother I haven't heard from in over thirty years and seven year old Matthew. We are squinting into the sun.

Our friends and witnesses, Dan and Terri.

 I feel I shouldn't be forty-four, much less married that long.

All Flowers and Sunshine

The phlox are out of control.

None were actually planted here, it was another flowerbed that started this invasion.

This vase was tipped over during the night. The glass didn't break, the water did spill. One of two culprits. I'm sure you can guess who the two are. Someone had tight naughty pants. My grandma crocheted the small doily. I bet that's a word the youngers don't know. 

We have a break in the heat for a couple of days so this afternoon will be spent on the mower. What would I do if we lived in a condo? Mark will never live in a condo. He audited a condo association long ago and, well, let's say he couldn't wait to be done. We may end up in a nursing home but it won't be a condo.

About the State of the State

64º F 17º C

It has cooled down. The humidity is still high and we have smoke.

I feel this is important. I have for the most part, said little regarding what is happening in America. We have been watching as the person in the White House ignores law and tramples the Constitution. We were warned, as he did say he wasn't sure he had to follow the Constitution at one time before the election. The Not-So-Supreme-Court has given him permission to do as he pleases and he has grabbed it and run. 

Now. Now the FBI, I believe 120 agents, are sent to Washington DC because crime is rampaging. Or so we are to believe. Now the plan is to deploy the National Guard to the city. The homeless are to be rounded up and sent, where? He says the streets are dirty. Does anyone find this to be anywhere near acceptable behavior?

This is my feeling/belief. This is a prelude, a test. He's done numerous tests to see how far he can push the boundaries. So far, there have been no boundaries. If he can take control of DC do you believe he will stop there? Do you believe in the tooth fairy? Is this leading to marshal law? Think about it. Every action has led to another more brazen action. He has no intention of leaving office when his term is up. He also told us this when he casually told his ardent following that if he is elected there will never have to be another election. He told the truth. It got pushed aside as a joke. He doesn't know how to joke.

I had to bring this up. The democrats wringing their hands and saying wait til the midterms. Are they paying attention? I don't know what to do, other than speak out. 

My former neighborhood. I love Saint Paul.

(Stone lions in Handmaids Tale garb)

Sweltering

It's been HOT

Hellaciously HUMID

The kitties and I have been lying low. As long as we don't do anything and stay in front of a fan it's fine. We were about 90F with a dew point of 79*. You'd think the keyboard would have that little circle for degree. Anyway.......miserable. We did have a storm last night with small hail and about two inches of rain. We needed it. Neighbor Bill brought me zucchini, including a larger one as he knows I like to stuff them. I stopped growing peppers years ago and omitted zucchini this year because Bill gives me more than I need, along with green beans. We call them Bill's Beans. He's our one friend in the area and we do value him.

That's the news of the day, folks. Stay cool. In both meanings of the word.

 

 

Hot

Except it's going to be another tropical day here in what once was the Northland. 

I have been lying low the past couple of days due to heat warnings. It's bad enough today for the horses to stay inside their temperate barn. They are old. There's a lot of that going around.

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Laugh

 

Smoky Sunday

We had another smoky day Saturday. I stayed inside and puttered. I am a skilled putterer. I hope to get out later today if the smoke clears. I have my weeding mojo activated. I learned my lesson when I mowed a few days ago. Sore throat and headache were my reward. It can't be good for the animals.

Crabby Tabby contemplating life

I made a blueberry compote for our after lunch ice cream and served it warm. It just cannot get better than that. Melty ice cream and sweet blueberries. Ah, yes. Seize the moment!

Since I was trapped inside I decided to make pizza dough and then later made the pizza. It's been a while since I've made a pizza. The weather is temperate so a hot oven wasn't a problem. A nice, quick dinner. I could eat an entire pizza and probably everyday. But I don't.

 Goodday, one and all. Eat the ice cream, enjoy the pizza.

Another Past Blast

February, 2015. 

Murphy had been with us for one month. Murphy is the energetic little guy, adopted after my last Greyhound, Grace, died. Murphy was a bit of a genetic mess-up, but a perfect match for Howard. He was eleven when he came to live with us, his owner had died. He lived three more years, dying a year after Howard. Howie had glaucoma, common in Bassets, and congestive heart failure. His death, at Ten, was extremely hard for me. He was a big, fussy bundle of drool and I loved him. 

This is just to show you we do have meals that are not all pasta and leftover protein, although there is leftover pork.....

 

Relief

Finally. Finally. The temperature and humidity have both lowered. It's been a long, hot summer. I should be outside taking advantage of the opportunity to work in the gardens. Instead, I'm drinking coffee and typing. Working, being active is a habit and it's one I have broken. Small steps, as is said. 

I did busy myself yesterday morning making sandwich buns and baking chicken for the lunch sandwiches. It's difficult for me to realize I have become a Haus Frau. At least more so than an active outside person. Life does throw obstacles, doesn't it? On the positive, I'm doing well with PT, I just need to stay on top of my exercises. And also, to stop doing stupid things which set me back. There's the hard part.

My yard is ablaze with phlox. They are beautiful and obnoxiously invasive. About fifteen years ago I planted a small amount in one of the flower beds. Now, they have taken over, an invasion of the phlox is successful. Also, morning glory. This does not spread to other areas but it has consumed the garden it's in. Every plant is covered with the vines. Ah..... the troubles, the troubles.

Another leftover meal. The lunch chicken became part of dinner. Can't beat that.

Is any day complete without a photo of a cat. A Gatto Cat? I think not.

 

Clever

Credit: Chanie Gorkin

 

Sweltering

I know I have mentioned this before, but twice is nice, right? In March Denise put up a recipe for this soda bread. I make it all the time. It's the best soda bread I've had. Yes, I still make yeast breads, but this is a constant. Mix it, form it, bake it. Ta-dah.....bread. Not only bread, but good bread! If anyone wants the recipe let me know and I'll send it to you.

It is still tropical in the (former) land of the polar bears. That was my high school mascot. We were the Polar Bears. Go Polars! That's a thought blast from the past. Today we have an extreme heat warning with the heat index of the low 100s F. I don't think there will be an oven on today.

Frieda knows how it's done. Simply spend the day lounging on poppos desk and chill.

Kitties Plastic Books and Friends

Good Morning one and all. Thursday already. Yesterday was an all day soaker. It was also trying to mimic a rain forest by gracing us with a 78* dew point. Mark took three showers yesterday. Welcome to climate change. Anyway....my strange little Frieda has a thing for plastic. Fortunately she doesn't chew it, she ardently licks it. She also lays on it. Strange stray kitties have my number.

Boud recommended a writer, Lily King. She is new to me. I looked her up and the audio book, Writers and Lovers, was available. Boud said she was good at her craft and I must say I agree. My blogging pals have recommended so many of the books I have read or listened to. Reading buds and libraries are a wonderful thing.

I spent another evening with my good friend, leftovers. I changed it up a bit with tomatoes. I still have one more dinner of brisket and sweet potato. Aldi has enormous sweet potatoes, giving me two meals out of one of them.

I'm off to seize the moment. Which includes another cup of coffee.

Random Ramblin'

Mister Naughty Pants

He's so far been on the spice shelf in the pantry rearranging things for me. So helpful. He climbed the paned window in the living room using the wood as his holds. Then there is the usual racing back and forth from one end of the house the the other. Why me? Why wait until I am an elder before the fates plant this bad boy into my life? Some things do remain a mystery.

There was more rain yesterday so once again the neglected property has remained neglected. It will remain so for at least the rest of this week. The dreaded humidity is stifling. I'm a northerner. Tropical humidity is not welcome. I did get the hayfield, otherwise known as our yard, mowed on Sunday. One normal summer day.

We had a bit of lunchtime indulgence. Ice cream with blueberries. I did sprinkle them with sugar earlier although they didn't need it, but we enjoyed them anyway. 

How can it be we are three-quarters through the month of July? I am stunned by the speed at which time is moving. I'm not even busy and it is flying by at warp speed. My son's tenth wedding anniversary was last week. What??? He turned fifty-one in April. Double what? Ah, well, at least I discovered dealcoholized wine to sooth my shattered nerves. 

My good friend, leftovers, came to my rescue for last evenings dinner. My friend will be with me again this evening. I made a brisket on Sunday and have enough for at least two more meals. Good friends are a blessing. Especially when our weather thinks we are in the tropics.

And that, my human friends, is that.

Yippee-Skippy, Saturday!

Frieda decided to sleep in this morning.

We've had a couple of days of rain. Much appreciated. The lawn is a hayfield, the rest of the place is a jungle and I am practicing the philosophy of not worrying over what I cannot control. Which does not come naturally, by the way. Neighbor Bill got the lawn mower fixed and back to me yesterday. I planned to mow today but------rain.

I have plenty to occupy myself with if only I would listen to myself. 

I wish I had more to say, but this is it, folks. Quiet times at the Worlds End. Oh, one thing. How I came up with the name of the farm. I lived in a city neighborhood in St. Paul. I was talking to a neighbor, telling her about the place we bought west of Minneapolis. I kept talking about the marvelous barn, wherein she finally asked if there is a house. There is, albeit a mess of a house. Finally she decreed we were moving to the end of the world. There was my farm name. Ta-da.

Of course, dinner. Salmon steamed in butter with garlic and tarragon, along with a mixed greens salad. I have enough salmon left to make a pasta with salmon meal.

 

This is not about a difference in political philosophy. This is about humanity over cruelty.

https://www.threads.com/@miller_mom5/post/DMLVB-Kuusz?xmt=AQF0kQODFOh8NguaD8YcPDWi3JkB9F6TgkVYI6YQIIujoA

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-aid-workers-lobbied-weeks-save-food-stocks-destruction-after-trump-cuts-2025-07-16/

https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/07/16/trump-admin-incinerate-food/

Way-Back

This is City (WF Maximum Velocity) on the left and Ari (WF Airs Above Ground) as yearlings. City was an Arabian/Morocco Spotted Horse cross, Ari a Lippizan/Arabian cross. My trainer at the time had a Lipizzaner stallion I bred to one of my mares, resulting in a absolutely wonderful horse. City became a really good saddle-horse for an acquaintance of mine. I kept Ari for myself. He was a talented and steady boy. Lipps are born black and turn white over time. Ari never whitened entirely but became a light dappled grey. Every-once-in-awhile they remain black. Ari was a dressage horse and one of my steady trail horses.

We have rain which will result in about 2". We need it. It's not getting out of the 60s today, which would be perfect working outside weather except....it's raining.  

I had the air conditioner on yesterday which allowed me to make bread and a wild plum crisp. The crisp would have benefited from a bit more sugar so I guess we wll need to have it ala mode. Darn.

Dinner was a simple ravioli in a pesto/cream sauce. I have enough for another meal. I always welcome leftovers.

I agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment and with the dog chosen as the image. I've owned three greyhounds and you can see the soul in their eyes. Wonderful dogs.