My Sign Is Scorpio

June 19, 2018

Good morning.  Yesterday was a hottie!  Thank goodness for the beautiful breeze flowing through my yard.  It made it easier to deal with the warm temps.  Late in the afternoon, things started looking like a storm was coming.  Or at least some heavy rain.  Nope.  Eventually, we did get a little rain, but not very much.  There's only one tiny puddle out front. 

I was born in November, and my original birthstone is Topaz.  Imperial orange and yellow Topaz.  For some reason, some birthstones have been changed over the years.  Now folks use Citrine for November's birthstone.  This is also a beautiful stone.  But I've been hunting for a long time for some Imperial Topaz (that I can afford).  Here's a photo of an Imperial Topaz that I borrowed from the web.

The colors range from a peachy orange to yellow to golden orange.  Isn't this gorgeous?  Is it any wonder that I am partial to orange? 

A while ago, I came across a small planter (or pencil holder) shaped like little Groot.  Oh gosh, I fell in love with it and just had to have one.  God bless Amazon.  They have just about anything.  I ordered my little planter and it arrived in the mail yesterday.  I put  a tiny plastic plant in it and set it on the railing on my porch.  Isn't this just the cutest?

When I go outside to tend to the plants in the greenhouse, my little Pogo stays right by the gate on the porch and keeps a watchful eye on me.  I can't help myself.  I have to take another photo of him.

Pogo feels really safe on our porch.  He can bark at anyone he wants to and then he runs behind me or beneath the little plant table if something starts to feel threatening..  Behind this gate, he's a Great Dane.  Or so he thinks!

I got a couple new catalogues in the mail, and one of them has the cutest animal planters.  They are all shaped like different doggie breeds.  I thin I may have to get me the Yorkie planter for the porch.

Today I want to find a place to hang my new red, white and blue star.  Once it is hung, I'll take a photo to share.  Other than that, Pogo and I have no special plans for today.  We're just going to hang out and enjoy watching the birds and the little critters in the yard. 

It's sunny now, with temps in the high seventies.  We should reach the low eighties in a few hours.  My new little Windmill wind chime is telling me that there is a gentle breeze outside, keeping things quite comfy. 

On that happy note, I'm going to take my coffee and head for the porch.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have an awesome day.

Hugs, Edna B.

The Heat Is On. Summer Is Coming.

June 18, 2018

Good morning.   Well, yesterday got rather warm here, but today is supposed to be even hotter.  Pogo and I will spend some time on the porch this morning before the heat takes over.  Temps yesterday reached the low nineties.  We do have a little it of a breeze to help keep things comfy. 

Yesterday, while we were out on the porch, I moved a few plants around.  I brought out an elephant planter that I bought a while ago, and put the double impatiens in it.  Then I found a shady spot for it.  Two of the plants eaten by the critters were placed back in the greenhouse.  Hopefully, they will be able to recover from their injuries. 

 I also took a photo of my owl wind chime that hangs on the porch.  He rarely ever makes a sound, but he's nice to look at.

While we were at Home Depot the other day, I also picked up a couple of tiny cactus plants.  They are looking rather nice on the porch rail.

I also got another nice photo of my handsome little guy while we were on the porch yesterday.  I think he's wondering how long before we get to go back indoors where it is much cooler.  He talks to me telepathically.  Does your fur baby do this?

While I was at my doctor appointment the other day, I asked the doctor if he had any ideas how I could get rid of the loose fatty skin hanging from my arms.  I don't know how it got there and I'd like to get rid of it.  He said I could try exercising, but that I couldn't really get rid of it all.  Hmmm, not quite what I wanted to hear.

When Deanne was here, she suggested the rubber exercise bands.  So I went online and ordered them from Amazon.  They have just arrived, so guess what I'll be trying out this afternoon.  I'll let you know what I think of them in a few days.

Yesterday, Joe turned back half of the black screen cover on the greenhouse.  This will allow a lot more sun to get in at the tomato and pepper plants.  I hope this helps.  It gets hot in there, so I'm going to have to keep the door up during the wicked heat and just keep an eye out for critters.

It looks like the breeze just picked up a bit because my flag out front is starting to wave a bit spasmodically.  It's time for me and Pogo to go out on the porch to enjoy the breezes..  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Happy Father's Day

June 17, 2018

Good morning.  Gosh, what a beautiful day we have here in New England.  The temperature is currently in the low seventies and will soon be in the mid to upper eighties.  The sun is shining and there is the tiniest breeze keeping things comfy. 

Friday, a package arrived with a new wind chime that I had ordered for the porch.  I love wind chimes, and this one is a little windmill. 

I made a big bottle of hummingbird food, and Joe filled the feeder and hung it up for me.  Now I just need some little visitors to use it.

Yesterday Deanne and Pogo and I went shopping at Home Depot so that she could pick up a gift that she had ordered for Eddie.  While we were there, I found a beautiful new hanging plant for the porch.  I took the pansy plant down and put up the new one. 

The pansy plant is now hanging inside the screened area of the porch.  It's rather thin, so I will pick up a couple more pansy plants to put in it. 

When we were leaving to go shopping, I found that the mysterious hungry critter had started eating the other two plants that were on my step.  Well I'll be danged!  I made sure to close up the greenhouse before going shopping. 

Now I have these other plants inside the porch trying to recuperate from their misfortune.  There's a lesson here to be learned.  I just have to figure it out.  I can't understand why the plants in my yard are so much more tasty than the ones in everyone else's yard.  The folks across the street grow lots of beautiful veggies right in their front yard and none of the critters ever bothers them.  Go figure. 

While I was at WalMart the other day, I found the prettiest yarn and had to buy some.  I'm not sure what I'll make with it yet.  It was the jumbo size skein, and the only one they had.  It's called Spearmint, and it's an ombre, so that means it makes its own layers of colors.    I bought some "Minty" yarn to go with it.  Isn't this pretty?

Today is a day to honor all the fathers everywhere.  Keep in mind, a man doesn't have to be a biological parent to be a father.  Father is the man who helped to raise you, he fixed your boo boos, he tucked you into bed at night, he loved you.  So, to all you wonderful guys out there, Happy Father's Day!

Here's a new quick page to show off your favorite photo of your Dad.  This little fellow is resting in his favorite place.  Ah, now this is the good life.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/ph0nyvvx804pvz0/EB_-_QP_2018_-_39.zip

Now before it gets too warm, Pogo and I are going to sit out on the porch for a while.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have an awesome day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Happy Birthday Bobby and Sean

June 15, 2018

Good afternoon.  Gosh, where has the day gone?  I had a doctor appointment this morning, so I only had time to have my coffee, feed Pogo and read some blogs before it was time to get ready to leave.  Today I got to meet my new primary care doctor.  I'm not crazy about change, but I had no choice.  However, the new doctor does seem very nice.  He also takes the time to explain things and answer any questions one might have. 

Today is my grandson Bobby's birthday, and my stepson Sean's birthday.  Happy Birthday guys.  I hope your day is filled with love and happiness.  I love you. 

On the way home from my morning appointment, I had to stop by WalMart to pick up my new prescriptions.  While I was there, I did a bit of grocery shopping too.  The worst part of shopping is having to carry all the bundles into the house and then put everything away.  It usually ends up taking my breath away.  However, today I did pretty good. 

Sadly, when I got home, I found that something had eaten all the flowers and most of the stems on my white petunia plant.  Well, dang it all!  If I knew which critter did this, I could leave out food for it so that it would leave my plants alone.  Thank goodness, I had not opened the greenhouse before I went out. 

The good news is that when I brought the mail in, there was a package for me.  I had ordered a copper ring from JTV.  It is set with a lab created padparasha sapphire.  I thought I would like to try the copper jewelry to see if it agrees with me.  Wowsie!  What a gorgeous ring.  Of course it helps that the color of the gemstone is my favorite color.  Here's a photo, but it doesn't really do the ring justice. 

As soon as I started typing here today, Joe's truck pulled into the driveway and Pogo started barking his greetings to Joe.  Of course, that meant that I had to stop what I was doing and follow Pogo out into the main house so that he could have his turkey treat. 

Today I have photos of more of my flowers and shrubs to share.  I've always thought that this first flower was a Sweet William or a Phlox, but I looked it up on Google and it looks like it might be Lunaria Annua.  The flowers on my plants only have four petals, whereas the Sweet Williams and the phlox have five petals.  Hmmmmm.  Well, either way it is very pretty.

Out near the front end of the driveway there's a huge shrub with the prettiest white flowers.  I have no idea what the name of it is but it is really beautiful.  Here's a photo of it, plus a close up shot.

Now I think I'll go see what Pogo is barking at and maybe sit out on the porch with him for a while.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a fantabulous weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.

So Who Rescued Who?

June 14, 2018

Good morning.  The sun is shining, there's a nice breeze and the temps are seventy degrees and going higher.  I woke up this morning and saw this amazing little doggie sitting up in his chair, just looking at me.  He was wanting his breakfast, but he was going to let me sleep longer before waking me up.  I think to myself, what did I ever do to deserve this awesome little guy.

I guess this is a case of who rescued who.  My beautiful Tootsie had gone off to Rainbow Bridge and I was missing my best friend.  Then one day the shelter folks came by to do a home check and brought this adorable little fellow named Pogo with them.  It was love at first sight, and those shelter folks left him with me.

Here's a photo from that first year.  My little guy was afraid of being left alone, so I took him to work with me whenever I could.  This was also one of the last times that he wore a collar.  I bought him a harness after that.  I also bought him just about every little shirt in his size.  Isn't he just precious?

Life is simply awesome with this little guy.  So whatever I did to deserve having him in my life, I hope I keep on doing it. 

Yesterday, I got a couple more packages in the mail.  One was the yarn that I had ordered, and the other one was a couple things that I had ordered.  One of those things is a Conway Twitty CD.  It's an album of "never before released recordings" put together by his daughter Joni Twitty Ryles.

This guy is one of my all time favorite country singers.  Today I'm going to enjoy listening to my new CD.  Speaking of music, the coffee mug that I'm drinking from has a photo on it of my little guy singing his heart out.  (I had the photo on my Christmas card printed on a mug)

Today I thought I'd share photos of my Rhododendrons.  I have a lilac bush and a white bush.

I have more photos from my garden, but I'll save them for another day.  Today is a gorgeous "porch" day so I'm thinking I'll grab a bottle of cold water and my crocheting, and Pogo and I will go sit on the porch.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

A Look Into The Past

June 13, 2018

Good morning.  We have a rather brisk wind today, and the weatherman says we may get some rain showers on and off throughout the day.  The sun is staying tucked behind the clouds, but it may show an appearance now and then.  Temps are in the low to mid seventies, so it is still quite nice. 

Last evening, Audrey called me to ask a couple questions.  She and hubby Mac were working on a family tree project and needed a bit of information.  While we were chatting, I dug out my "300 Years Of Louds In America" book to find one of the answers.  Gosh, I just love that book.  Every time I look through it, I learn something new and interesting.

While I had the book out, I took a couple photos (with my cell phone) to share here.  This photo shows two of my great grandparents, Henry and Josephine Loud.  They were my grandfather's parents. 

 
They lived in Weymouth, MA. where Henry was a shoemaker and a flagman.  Both he and Josephine are buried in Weymouth. 

Henry and Josephine had five children, their second born was my grandfather.  Here's a family photo taken in 1934.  My grandfather, Albion, is on the left.

My grandfather married Edna Davis in 1911 in Weymouth, MA.  They are both buried there.  You know, to date, I've never gone to the cemetaries in Weymouth to look up my ancestors who have been laid to rest there.  I think one of these days I should do that. 

I was born in Quincy, MA, then we moved to Weymouth when I was twelve.  All the years that I lived in Weymouth, I felt so safe and close to the area.  I never really knew why this was until many years later when I got my copy of the "Loud" book.  I have so much history there.

Okay, enough history.  I promise to dig out some more of it to share here.  Right now I have a new quick page for you.  This one features my friend Zlata.  She is so blue, waiting for a phone call from her best friend.  Is there someone who might want to be hearing from you?  Today is a great day to make a phone call. 

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/6vc2tqbj876rop8/EB_-_QP_2018_-_51.zip/file

Now I have to be getting busy here.  Deanne will be here shortly.  I haven't told Pogo that she is coming by.  He will be ever so happy.   He gets so excited when he sees her car pulling into the driveway.  On that happy note, I shall take my leave.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

All My Best Friends Have Hairy Legs

June 12, 2018

Good morning.  Tis another beautiful Spring day here in my little part of New England.  The sun is shining and there's a cheeky bit of a breeze.  My flag has been waving happily at the dancing leaves on the big tree out front.  Temps will be in the high seventies today.  Woo Hoo!

I'm always talking about my trees so yesterday I took a few photos to show the height of the huge gentle giants that surround my house.  Looking up, it's hard to show the actual size, but at least you get an idea of how tall these trees are. 

Well, yesterday afternoon Pogo and I went out to do some errands, then we took a ride to Michaels craft store.  We took our time and looked at everything.  Especially the yarn..  They were having a sale on one brand of yarn, and I found a few colors that I can use for future afghans.  Of course these made it into the shopping basket.  These are the new yarns.  They are, in order, Desert, Twilight and Hunter.

I also picked up a watercolor pad and a set of watercolors.  I used to love to draw and paint, so I thought I might give it another try.  I also bought a new pattern book.  This one is for crocheting little animals with cotton yarn.  Aren't these cute?

They also had some really pretty cotton yarn on sale but I decided to wait a bit before buying any more.  I still have that new yarn order coming soon.  The good part of our shopping spree was that between the sale prices and my gift card, it only cost me fifteen dollars for everything.  My kind of bargain!

I give whatever I can to several charities, mostly veterans and animals, and they are always sending me all sorts of wonderful things in the mail.  A few days ago, I received another tee shirt.  I just love this one but sad to say it is not my size.  (it will go to one of my girls)  I just had to take a photo of the front of the shirt to share.  It is so darn cute!

I think I'm going to take my crocheting and my cup of coffee out to the porch now.  Pogo has been hinting for a while now that he wants to go out there.  It does sound like a good idea, so that's what we'll do.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

 

Hugs, Edna B.