Through The Mud Clearly

I have returned. Took my camera....never even got it out! I did take one picture with my phone but neglected to save it! The weather was great. The food was excellent...everything tastes better outside! The company was good too. I made a Pineapple Upside Down Cake in the dutch oven which was incredibly good. I wish I would have gotten a picture of it. The cake and the dutch oven pancakes (dutch babies) are going onto my list of preferred camping recipes! Marmalade was very cat-like upon my return....I was glad because that means she was well taken care of (I knew she would be) and didn't lack for attention. Of course she could have been aloof because she didn't like the aroma of campfire smoke that permeated me and everything else! I had a great time and can't hardly wait until next year's camping trip!

My cat came in the house this morning with a new plaything. It was a giant sewer roach which; immediately upon entering the house; Marmalade let it go! She then began telling me all about her treasure. Meanwhile, the roach is scurrying about the kitchen looking for a secure place to hide. Marms soon realizes she lost her toy and frantically begins meowing (in her really, really loud voice) and searching all around. As far as I know, the critter is still on the loose! I will be carrying a big stick and opening all the cupboards when I get home tonight. Why, oh why doesn’t Marmalade catch birds like normal cats?!

It is the end of September and the temperature is STILL over 100*. My garden doesn't like this. I would take pictures and show you just how dire the situation is, but I think I will spare you the pain and agony of extremely wilted squash, a dead pumpkin (I already pulled it up and tossed it) and beets that a bird or birds had for lunch today!! The tomatoes however, are doing great. I am not to sad about all of this because I am getting ready to go camping!!!!!! Leaving on Sunday and I am looking forward to making pineapple upside down cake in my dutch oven and other goodies. I am excited about campfire coffee and smelling like that campfire for a few days! I am taking the entire week off work too!!! I will be taking plenty of pictures of my trip and will replant the garden when I return!

Yesterday one of my coworkers found a rusty-orange and white kitty wandering around in the parking lot. He was probably dumped there. One of the supervisors, knowing that I am a cat person, brought him to my office. She asked me to watch him and she would try to find kitty a home by the end of the day; she would take him to the pound after work if a home wasn't found. Of course I said I would watch him until then; but I also made it known that I couldn't take him home. This was about 1pm. After checking out every inch of my office; kitty jumped up on my desk and laid down on my keyboard! A few moments later he had maneuvered his way to my neck and somehow stretched out and went to sleep...purring contentedly. After his nap he inspected the office again, sat in my spare chair, took a bath and another nap. Upon awakening kitty jumped in my lap and onto my shoulder where he perched like a bird! This type of activity went on all afternoon. At 4:45 the supervisor came in and said she had found kitty a home and they would pick him up at 5pm. I was glad to hear it because I don't think I could have let her take him to the pound and I might have had to bring him home with me. I would have named him Rusty!

A few days ago Mari posted a meme (what is a meme?) which contained five words that another blogger chose for her to write about. Mari asked if anyone wanted her to send them five words. I said yes, so here goes:

1. CAT

Well, I've got one! Let me tell you...she is a character. You probably already know this from the several posts I have written about her. I adopted her from the Humane Society about three years ago. Within the first week she almost died from a severe respiratory infection. But, after several Vet visits and medications she pulled through. She has definitely added much to my life. Everybody knows that cats rule and dogs drool! Hey, I like dogs too!


2. DIRT

An interesting word choice Mari. I never actually thought about dirt much until I started gardening. I have found out that not all dirt is created equal! My grandmother had a garden. She had the best dirt ever! Rich, black soil that yielded all kinds of fruits and vegetables. I don't think it started out that way though. Hard work, compost, time and good topsoil helped. I like to garden barefoot except of course when I am using the shovel.



3. FAITH


Just this morning a coworker gave me a container of "double superfine mustard powder". This of course reminded me of the scripture:

The Parable of the
Mustard Seed Jesus told them another parable: . . . (Matt. 13:31-32)
"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

and, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you"Matthew 17:20

I don't know what I am going to do with a can of mustard powder. I think I will keep it in sight to remind me that faith sometimes is small like a mustard seed but can grow into something amazing.

4. ZUCCHINI
What can I say about this vegetable? It grows well. It also make great bread, is delicious sauteed in butter and garlic! Also, it is excellent stuffed with a ground beef and rice mixture and baked. It is great on the grill. Anyone hungry yet?

5. JOY
This word is the reason it took me sooooo long to write this post. Let me explain. I have joy "down in my heart" (part of a song) and I am joyous. But, that joy doesn't often manifest itself on the outside (in my opinion). I remember a long time ago when I was going through an extremely difficult time, my friend told me to be "joyous". My response was "I am joyous; you just can't tell it". (exact words) This made us both go into uncontrollable laughter (and healing) and has been a running joke between us for 30 years! I recently reconnected with her on Facebook and being joyous was one of our first topics of conversation!

So there you have it. My five.

.... The Bumbling Genius. Mr. Genius, if you and Fieldlily ever want to see your beloved shovel again, you must obey the following instructions:

1. DO NOT contact the authorities.

2. On Saturday morning make coffee and send a text message (to you know who) when finished.

3. When shovel arrives; provide a cup of coffee (or 2), creamer and one (1) maple long john acquired from your neighborhood QT to the deliverer of said shovel.

4. Failure to meet these demands could result in.....

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