My camera is never very far away. Actually, I was in my yard when I saw the four Armadillo in the field–and ran for my Canon. Gratefully, I have a telephoto lens because they were too far away. These are the first I’ve seen in Texas. (One viewed briefly near my T@B travel trailer while I was living near Orlando, Florida, 2010.) ~~ Mystery solved: Now I know what has been digging up my yard and the adjacent field; the Armadillo have been digging for insects and grubs.
Yesterday, this little fellow was clinging to the side of my trailer home. To my knowledge, I haven’t had a frog in my yard before.
On the Internet, there is a wealth of information (speculation) about the closure of numerous Walmart stores. It is a serious blow to our small community of Livingston, Texas. We do not have another “general merchandise” store to turn to. I spent hours reading articles–and comments. Read what the Health Ranger has to say. Check the comments?! Here is one dire scenario.
Check the Internet for Jade Helm; there are numerous interesting articles. I’ve read many…, I won’t burden you with the links.
You won’t see the details on the TV news. Lots of other severe weather for meteorologist’ to report. At 11:47 PM, Saturday, April 18th, I was jolted awake as the trailer shook violently. The wind was “noisy”–and whipping the awning!! I was certain the awning would be torn off the trailer (seriously). It rained for a few brief minutes so I rushed out to the patio for the blankets and afghans. I was terrified; was it a tornado? It’s 12:15 as I type these words; we’ll survey the scene for damage in the morning. Eerie quiet right now!! (Lots of exclamation marks needed to emphasize the seriousness of the incident. I still have a “knot” of fear in my stomach. In fact, I am weeping with joy because my home, and I, were spared.)
Postscript, 7:00 AM, Sunday: Brief check, all OK. Lots of small tree limbs on the ground but no damage. Later, I want to walk the neighborhood. ~~ “More heavy rainfall later in the day” according to morning news weather-woman.
Postscript, 9:30 AM: Pictures of (1) windsock that blew away, and (2) a few of the downed tree limbs.
Confession: I still have that “knot” in my stomach, AND I have a lot of wet things cluttering my small living room floor (no room to walk). I’m questioning my sanity for choosing to “save” and store things for six months. These days, I question a lot of things I do!!
Nope, didn’t work for me!! Recently our local Walmart (now the subject of controversy) had 5-hour Energy on sale. I bought three… and this morning was my first time to try the product. Nope, it didn’t work for me!! This is the sixth–and final–day of our CARE Garage Sale and I hoped for a burst of energy to get me through the final hours. Oh well, “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” First: this blog message; second: some work in the yard. It is a gloomy overcast day and more rain is predicted. Major, major flooding in Houston, and Huntsville (made the “major” NBC Today Show weather news). Seventy-two degrees outdoors so a pleasant temperature to work in the yard. Bird feeders need filling; downed limbs need to be picked up; “dead heads” (flowers) need to be nipped. My yard looked good a week ago but is a disaster today. OK–with waning energy–I’m off to work in the yard.
Plants received (in the mail) less than two weeks ago are taking root. The Strawberry plants are doing so well I separated them into two planters. Hummingbird-Trumpet Vines have progressed from bare root to leaves. Blue Geranium from bare root to leaves. ~~ “Tommy” survived the Winter and has rewarded me with delicious tomatoes. ~~ “Mary, Mary, quite contrary” because I didn’t stick around the CARE Center to pack up the items donated to other non-profit organizations. Just too tired!!
Three weeks later.
Postscript, June 2, 2015: Too much rain!! “Tommy” probably will not survive.
Slowly, but surely, I am “downsizing.” In my humble opinion, the picture frames were “too nice” to sell for fifty cents at our garage sale. I specifically requested they go in the CARE Gift Shop.
Now I need to package, protect, and store the wool blankets and afghans–at my doorstep–for next October CARE Garage Sale. Linen table clothes, napkins, embroidery, doilies, etc. (in white plastic container) will go to the appropriate shop (near Huntsville) and bring a substantially better price than our “garage sale” prices.
Only a few more hours ahead of us–for CARE garage sale. Tomorrow (Saturday) is different: Customer buys a large bag for $5.00 and can stuff it full. I refuse to let wool blankets, and beautiful afghans, go into a $5.00 bag!! So I’ll store items until next October.
I’m eager for time to work in my yard.
“Lake Lorraine” is lapping at my doorsteps. Major rain storms, off and on, for two days. ~~ I’ve had an exhausting day working the CARE Garage Sale!! ~~ I had planned to joke about “changing my mind”… but all seems so insignificant after reading information–and speculation–about the closure of our local Walmart and numerous other Walmart stores.
Yesterday I bought a nice new shopping cart for $4.00 (at our CARE Garage Sale). At first I planned to transfer the cucumber planter to it but “changed my mind” and moved the tomato plant instead. The plastic clothes drying rack will serve as a trellis; the red tray will go under a planter. I’m always shopping for things for my garden.
Half the bedding items sold–in my corner of the CARE Garage Sale. Despite serious rain storms, we had lots of customers and consider it a very successful day. One-and-one-half more days….
Three Quarters & Counting 