New Kittens....Our Garden Spot...and Dying with Dignity

So...Miss Kitty (James and Nicole's Bobtail Maine Coon) finally had her kittens...er...kitten.  Not  black and white,  when it dried it became more of a grey and white with a bob tail like Mom and a bit of tabby stripe mixed in with the grey.  Off for a closer look next week. And whose cat only has 1 kitten, anyway...lol!
 Mom and fuzzy fur-covered marshmallow are both doing fine!

So...the garden spot is just going crazy after all the rain and sunshine...and the green peppers and tomatoes are big enough for cages now.

And looking forward to another gardening and brunch (and kitten) day with Nicole next week.

Lost my oldest friend this week.  After two brushes with death (once being brought completely back from flat-line)...and after spending more days in hospitals and rehabilitation centers than out in the last two years...she finally was released to home on Monday. She died that night. At home. In her own bed. The way she wanted. Surrounded by those who loved her and her animals. I am, perhaps selfishly, grateful that we were able to celebrate our combined birthdays together one last time. She was 57 this year. I turned 56. It was a wonderful day, and we laughed a lot.  I am honored to have been a part of her life (and her, mine) for over 43 years. We should all go with such grace.
Until next time around, my friend.

Planting a rose soon in her memory. She is to be cremated and her ashes scattered up on the hill where her childhood house stood until it burned in 2014...and where we used to play as girls.

I will miss her.

Was planning a four day retreat (Fri-Mon) this week...it seems more important than ever, now. 

See Everyone Tuesday!

Bernie Wins West Virginia!

"Yuuuuuge"

And still all CNN can chatter on about is when is he going to step aside for their "Lady Hillary" 

"Bernie...you've won 19 States...a great many of them in landslide victories...isn't it time you drop out?"

The latest pile of steaming bullshit created by Wolf Blitzer...who during an interview asked Bernie if he would "...consider running as Hillary's VP." To which Bernie resoundingly replied

"We are in this to WIN the Presidential Nomination"

So, of course, what are the headlines screaming the next day?

BERNIE SANDERS WILL CONSIDER V.P SLOT

I shit you not.

Apparently, they are making their own news now.

...and the Grinch simply said...if I can't FIND news...then I'll make some instead...

And a shot of the crowd in Sacramento California this week. 

You certainly won't see THIS covered on CNN or MSNBC.

Isn't that ODD???????????????????
(...sorry channelling "Redacted Tonight",there...)


Hang in there...it isn't over until the fat lady sings...or in Hillary's case...weeps...

Donate, Organize, Phone Bank, Protest at the Philadelphia Convention and Write-In if all else fails !  

We can do this!

More anon..

Game of Thrones...Jon Snow....and now we wait for ANOTHER week!

Yeah...yeah...if you are hearing the HBO "Fire and Ice" theme song right now...you're hooked, too. 
Don't judge me.

So after Season Five's ending (...with the murder of Jon Snow...) I waited and waited and waited with bated breath, like the rest of you, to see where Season Six was going to go with this.  One thing I learned during the previous four series was that they have no problem getting you attached to characters...even main characters only to kill them off later in the Season. 

Seeing Melisandre show up on horseback seemed a clue...though almost too easy.

During the first episode of Season Six (...in case we had any doubts...) her witchiness was certainly revealed (pun intended) with the removal of her  apparently magical choker. And what woman over 60 wouldn't sell most of her soul for one of those, eh?  
Hell, I want one.

So imagine at the end of Episode 2...the very last seconds before the screen goes black and the credits roll...after Melisandre performs her "Revive the Dead" chant and bad haircut...and everyone thinks it has failed and leaves the room, especially her...and, of course, us...Jon's eyes open and he utters a single gasp!

You have to hand it to the scriptwriter...THAT is a Cliff-Hanger!

But face it, we all went to bed that night warm and happy with little smiles on our faces in the thought that Jon Snow was back!

Which brings us up to date with Season 6 Episode 3. 

Opening with a very NOT DEAD Jon Snow in the buff.

Yeah, amazing,  right?

The coming back from the dead thing was pretty cool, too.

And a very bewildered Jon trying to figure out why he is once again alive...with Ser Davos.

 Whereas Ser Davos' speech was quiet and comforting and fine...with his

"Maybe we will NEVER know"

This is probably the speech he gave off camera...

Ser Davos:


Fook yeah...they tried to kill you off, al'ight. Bloody Prima Donna. But then, the fan mail started. Huge fooking bags of the shite. And some of the things these women were threatening if we didn't BRING JON BACK. Jaysus. That will teach HBO to  screw with millions of pre-menopausal viewers. Why'dja think they opened the scene with you bare-ass naked? You think they did that for me to get my jollies? No, they was tryin' to get the women to stop threatenin' them a hundred times a fooking day.  Fooking eye candy...that's what you are, Jon Snow.

How old are you, anyways?  I've been an actor for more than 'alf my life...do you think they would give one damn if my character was killed off.  No! They would just say let's torch up the pyre and toast the old rotter, and pass the marshies. Even that damned dwarf gets more fan mail than me. 

I should have burnt you when I 'ad the chance.


So, anyway,  Jon's back...and tendered his resignation to the Night's Watch, having been recently dead and all,  therefore technically fulfilling his oath...and taught those that killed him that when it comes to female viewers "hell hath no fury" . We have lost four more characters by hanging...bet the mailbags won't be bulging for THEM to come back from the dead.

And to HBO...thanks for the "Jon" full back-al nudity...that more than made up for all of it, okay...

"Allus did like me a foine backside." 

Now we wait...

Saw this interview with Kit Harington and HAD to share...too funny!
https://youtu.be/sn8ptplqQ38


More anon...

An Afternoon Cup...(Virtual) The Cotswolds...and Cotswold Sheep

A year or so ago...Idgy and I did a brief jaunt (virtually) to The Cotswolds...where I fell in LOVE with their sheep. 

"Seriously...the apartment lease allows small pets...omg...I WANT one of these!"

Okay, probably not. 

But since the weather has turned off damp and coolish, it is perfect for having tea & biscuits (cookies), and exploring the British Isles portion of Mayes' book. Specifically today- The Cotswolds.

Land that dates back to Neolithic times, the Cotswolds have been settled through the Bronze Age, the Romans, and the Celtic. The area and its shaggy Cotswold Lion Sheep helped establish the area as a very prosperous wool trade center during the Middle Ages. This breed of sheep has existed in this area since before the Romans in 54 BC. 

The Honey-Colored Limestone (everywhere) dates back to the Jurassic Period and is filled with fossils.

  Several foot and bridal paths run through the Cotswolds and access from one parcel of land to another it merely a matter of opening (and remembering to close behind you) wooden sheep gates in the stone walls that zigzag through the countryside.

https://youtu.be/Rxuz-ZRG8E0

An Hour-Long Tour of The Cotswolds.

For the Crafty amidst us...Etsy offer hand spun Cotswold Lamb Yarn

Natural or Brightly Dyed.

www.etsy.com/listing/268142533/handspun-yarn-curly-cotswold-lamb?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-craft_supplies_and_tools-fiber_and_textile_art_supplies-yarn_and_roving&utm_custom1=1172daf3-8c22-4294-b392-abcd9177b459&gclid=CjwKEAjw6sC5BRCogcaY_dKZ2nESJABsZihxe5C3DFUdk-Rfb8zc7B4q-ymIRCjFKgx-zufKvGKDjxoC2wXw_wcB

And for those of us who still want to hear the tinkling of sheep bells as they wind their way through the paths...

Available on eBay fairly reasonably

I may string them into a wind-chime, of sorts, for the patio!

A Symphony of Sheep Bells

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DSTYrGOo0c

More anon...

Mother's Day...

Mine started yesterday with James, Nicole and the Grands!  Celebrating Aiden's 2nd birthday  (...something that will always be my coolest Mother's Day Gift ever...the day he was born...) and since he was technically a Cinco de Mayo child...it was also a great excuse to get everyone together for Nicole's Homemade Steak (Fire) tacos and salsa & chips...and freshly squeezed Margaritas.  (...James teaching Brenden to shoot pool...and Preston playing James...)

Enjoyed a Lunch and Chat and Homemade Cookies with Chris...and Card and Chat with Lennon (who is way too far away today and I miss him)

Spend the late afternoon digging and planting and relaxing with the Tucker-Cat.

Soon to see Captain America...then off to a deep hot bubble bath.

I'm Sorry, did you think you were going to FINISH the paper before you FED me?????


Life is very good and I am blessed!

More anon....

A Long Week's Cup...

Taking a Moment to just BREATHE this morning.

After a seriously over-scheduled week.

Oh, it was wonderful...just non-stop. 

From this roaring over last Sunday

A "Holy Fuck" moment as it passed right over my apartment.

Dropping ping pong ball sized hail as it went...which will definitely get your attention. Seriously messing up my buddy, Tommy's, newly painted and polished show car "Red"  Not to fear...they picked her up the next morning and brought her back good as new yesterday!

The Tucker-Cat was so scared, when it roared by, he surgically implanted himself up under the glider rocking chair for almost an hour after it was over.

Although it sounded nothing like a train...it was definitely LOUD, and I am so  thankful it didn't touch down until it got outside of Greencastle.

Worked in our Garden Patch on Tuesday, which is starting to come along nicely and had a sparkling Moscato brunch with Nicole.

Had my Spring Brunch (Almost Home) and Political Chat with an old friend I meet "seasonally" now...lamenting the fact that this

Has somehow floated to the top of the GOP's cesspool as their Presidential Offering for 2016.  Try to wrap your brain around the fact that this guy beat a field of 15 other Republicans.

Seriously.

Sure...he is a loud-mouth, bigoted, narcissist, Cheeto-colored guy...but damn it- he is THEIR Cheeto-Guy...okay???

Even my "Republican for Years"  friend shook his head and said

"No way in HELL will I ever vote for this guy"

So I feel better about that. And we parted, with hugs and kisses and

"I will see you in the SUMMER!"

Which is just around the corner.

Finally made a bit of time to start poking (virtually) around Bath, England midweek..

Loved the geothermal Roman Baths!

My Youngest Grandson turned 2.

THEN (with his Fraggle Rock Cap) :

                                                       
                                                             5-5-2014

 

And NOW

                                                    "SUP?"

His party is late this afternoon...with cake...but also authentic handmade tacos and margaritas!

And KUDOS to Nicole who has homemade fondant icing down to an ART Form!


Friday, Loretta and Judy and Sharon and I did our Monthly Brunch and Chat together at The Double Decker and are making plans for Terre Haute and mall-ratting soon!

Oh, and Che (Idgy's son) is gearing up for his High School Graduation next weekend! How the HELL did that happen?  Hard for either of us to believe...

Having just finished with their PROM last weekend.

                                                 "Che and Rey at Prom"

Got his announcement this week...and will be mailing his graduation card and gift on Wednesday!


So I am planning a Four Day Retreat really soon!   I've earned it.

After the 15th life seems like it will slow down a bit. 

More anon...








                                                

Bernie WON Indiana...Gardening and Brunch...

An excellent day yesterday for Bernie who won Indiana (and, incidently, also my country of Putnam)  Chris, Nicole and I, all helped.

Thing are starting to heat up for Clinton with both the FBI Investigations and rumblings that she may not be the candidate to beat Trump. And face it...we HAVE to beat Trump. Not long after Sanders won Indiana the hash tag  #DropOutHillary started to fill twitter-land. As of 6 AM, it was trending second and was numbering over 100,000.  We did manage to unload Ted Cruz last night which was GREAT...and John Kasich dropped out this morning.

Polls show Bernie beating Trump in a general by a wide margin.

I think we are going to do very well in W. Virginia, Kentucky, Oregon and California...and at this point we are definitely looking at a contested convention unless Hillary does like she did in 2008 and drops her bid .  Not likely, but perhaps the best thing for the DNC and This Country.  If her arrogance and sense of entitlement prevail...I would not be surprised at all if Trump gets the presidency in 2017. 

 We need to choose wisely.

Clinton has burned a lot of bridges and alienated a lot of voters during this primary. It is very doubtful she can pull off the general election, for the presidency now.

 Do we REALLY want to throw those dice?

Anyway...Guam on Saturday and W. Virginia on Tuesday...

Nicole and I having an after voting Brunch

before heading out to play in the garden!

The GARDEN!  It is thriving!  We've Corn and Onions up in rows...potatoes and beans and squash started. Planted MORE garlic since apparently the (now beheaded) mole was an Italian...and decimated our garlic. Nicole dispatched him execution style with a trowel...sorry mole...it wasn't personal..it was just business...  We're already using the Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Cilantro, Basil, Parsley, to cook with, the snow peas are winding their way up a twine trellis. The tomatoes and peppers are doing well despite the week's sudden cold snap...and all of the strawberry plans are now up.The flower bed has lilies and irises and gladiolas up, and it is weeded.

We even planted Sugar Baby Watermelons and Kohlrabi!

Love playing in the dirt again!

Busy week, this....but will catch up on Sunday!

More anon...