I have been trying to figure out why my carrots aren't growing.....this could be the reason! Marmalade is inside the chicken wire and laying on them! I guess she doesn't like carrots.
, pumpkin, and assorted squash
This is the true story of Mrs. Chicken. It was a hot, hot summer day in Arizona. Mrs. Chicken was kicked out of her coop....the victim of new decor.
She found herself in a very nice back yard. There was however, a large cat that seemed very interested in her. Mrs. Chicken was concerned because her mother had always told her that cats and birds were a bad mix.
The lawn people were here the other day. They mowed, trimmed bushes and repaired the (almost impossible to open) back gate. Now it will be much easier to take the trash out! Marmalade and I went outside after they left. She was hanging out by the newly repaired gate when, suddenly she disappeared. I went over and observed a small space between the gate and the wall. Amazingly, she had managed to get through it! Just as I was about to panic; she came sauntering through the small space and into the yard. I quickly blocked the space. A few minutes later I noticed she was loitering by another area of the fence. Then; you guessed it; she departed through a hole in the fence! I ran (as quickly as one can run with a bad right knee and bone spurs in the left foot) to get my keys and opened the side gate. She was just lying in the dirt next to the hole in the fence. I told her to get back in her yard NOW!!! She reluctantly got up and walked through the gate with me. I then placed a board in front of the hole.
Apparently the yard guys removed all of my “escape prevention systems” and neglected to put them back when they finished working. Anyway, the next morning, knowing the backyard was one again escape proof, I let Marms out. A few minutes later I went out also. She was lying in the garden and I was sitting in a chair pondering why my carrots have not yet started growing. After a short time I noticed two things simultaneously. Marmalade was nowhere to be seen and the board over the hole was flat on the ground!! It probably had blown over in the windstorm the night before. Again I ran for my keys and out the gate. This time I couldn't see her anywhere. I looked everywhere-up/down the street, front yard, neighbor’s yard, checked backyard again…no Marmalade. I went out the gate again. I was just about to call my boss when I saw her. I think she knew she was in big trouble because she immediately ran through the hole and into the backyard. I then put large cement block in front of the hole. There will be no more escapes!!
Remember last year when I was riding the city bus a lot? I wrote several “bus stories” because…I was riding the bus. Today I was reminded about one particular rider. The one I am referring to is the gentleman who I thought could be Tiny Tim’s older brother. You know…Tiny Tim of “Tip Toe Thru The Tulips” fame. He definitely had the hair and the clothes. Anyway, today a young man came into the office. He looked like he could be Mr. Tim’s younger brother; or possibly his son. He had the same hair, facial features and mannerisms. I kept waiting for him to break out the ukulele, but he never did. After his appointment, the probation officer came in my office and said: “did you see that kid that just left?” Yes I did. “Didn’t he look just like Tiny Tim?” “I was waiting for him to play the ukulele”! I then shared my bus story with her. Funny huh.
I couldn't let the deaths of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Senator Ted Kennedy go without mention. Eunice was the champion of the Special Olympics and I am sure her absence will be felt greatly. Ted Kennedy has been a fixture in Washington for as long as I can remember. Although I was not a supporter I feel it is appropriate to honor him and his family. The Kennedy name has endured many triumphs, tragedies and scandal. Although there are more Kennedys in high profile settings, none will ever come close to the "fame" of John, Bobby, John Jr and Ted. Rest in peace senator Kennedy. It is the end on an era.
OK, so anybody who knows me realizes that I am "directionally challenged". Meaning: I get lost or turned around easily. Today I was on my way over to feed the dog and cat when I decided I needed something to eat. I thought Taco Bell sounded good so I turned down Bell Road in search of one. I made a turn into who knows where and encountered a maze of streets leading to unknown locations. No Taco Bell. Well, I wound my way through until I came to a main road. Here, you were only able to go right so I did. Then, thinking I was on the correct path to the Wright house, I made another right. Guess what?? I was back in the same maze of unknown streets. Hummm, I thought, maybe if I just go to the next signal I can get on the right path. By then I had given up on finding a Taco Bell and decided to hit whatever drive-thru came in sight. So anyway, the next signal did little to get me in the right direction. I did however, find a Sonic. Upon leaving the Sonic, I took a wild guess and drove in that direction. It was right!!! Lady was VERY happy to see me. She greeted me as only she can. WooWoo! I made her even happier when I gave her part of my hamburger! I figured she deserved it because she had to wait extra long for her dinner. Sparky was glad to see me too. She is laying as close to the keyboard as she can possibly get...purring contentedly. No more side trips for me....unless I have a navigator.
