Skunk Alert

I have no photos but we were warned about 2 a.m. by our dogs that something was "up" outside. After Lee checked the front yard to see if someone was walking a dog at that strange hour, he reported there was a skunk by the fire hydrant on our parking. I had never heard the lovable little mutts carry on as they did last night. . . Crazy barking! I'm not thrilled by seeing a skunk in the area. I guess they have to be somewhere. And that is another reason to make an appointment for yearly rabies shots. The notice came in the mail on Saturday. I'm hoping now the fence keeps him/her out of the back yard.

Confusion

We have a dry cleaning company who previously had two locations. Listed in the phone book were two phone numbers - one for the northern location near our house and one for the store "downtown". I called the number for the closest one and asked a stupid question: Are you open at this location?" Answer was yes. So we grabbed the my coat, worked on getting the dogs in the car and took off. At the drive-through window the sign says they have been closed since July. Why didn't I just ask if they were still open on 30th Street? After the short trip to the other facility, I handed my coat through the window and said, "Just a coat today." She asked if it were a coat for kids....Gosh no! Not donating, I need it cleaned. Good laugh. After getting all my information, she asked if our dogs would like a treat. Well, with that, Jill goes nuts. Jack is calm. The nice lady reaches for treats. Not there. Goes to get some. They are out. No treats today! Why does it seem like all these odd things are happening more frequently? Possibly because I don't ask questions correctly or express myself clearly. Non compos mentis?

Seeds

Kansas used to be plagued by winds most of the summer months. This year we have had very little wind or rain. If these dandelions were out there today, they would be blown away. We have had three days of wind and the weatherman is telling us rain will follow. We'll see.

Prairie House

Two photos of a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I have read that he liked to hide the front entrance. This particular home is in Wichita, KS. The bedrooms are very small. I doubt that anything else would fit in the room if there were a king size bed in that bedroom!

Carmel Corn Salesman

The doorbell rang (it seldom does)and a small Cub Scout was there selling popcorn and other goodies. I bought caramel corn and he had that item with him! I may have to restrain myself this evening from eating the whole bag.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

This is how Jack sleeps, summer and winter.

Maybe it's a security "thing."

Kitchen Towel

My sister-in-law sent us this towel at Christmas time in 1969! There were other  years she sent

similar towels but this is the only one I have in my kitchen drawer for use. Maybe the others

wore out. More than likely they were grabbed and used on a motorcycle or car to wipe up a spot.

I am amazed at how bright the embroidery is although the towel is very faded.

Strange how things we use in our lives manage to stay around for years, yet others are used up

or gone too soon.

 

 

Happy Nineteenth

This cute fisherwoman is nineteen today. I can hardly believe it. Time goes so fast - we have watched her grow up. She's as sweet as she was as a two year old and it is amazing that she is in COLLEGE!

We love you Miss M!! And Happy Birthday.

Large Spider

This morning my sister-in-law in New Jersey sent a photo of a large black and yellow spider outside her window. We have its twin in our morning glory vine. So of course I had to wade out into the dew and take a photo of our resident. I have never seen a web with the cluster of white and a zig zag area near the center. To try to get him to move to more exposed position, I shook the vine and he did climb up a bit but long after the movement should have stopped, the web continued to move. I watched for at least a minute and there was no sign of it stopping. There was no wind that kept it moving and perhaps he was moving his body in some way that I could not see. Quite fascinating. And I'm still surprised the morning glories are still looking so summer-like. It will be 80 again today so that doesn't exactlt say fall and the end of the growing season. (You can click to enlarge the photo.)

Sleeping Toddler

I saw a photo on the internet of a child sleeping on a stuffed toy. It reminded me of this picture I took of our younger son. It's one of my favorite pictures.

Big Bird

Yesterday L. and I were sitting out in the back yard in the sun, enjoying the cool air. I love fall. On my lap was Jack, our black rescue dog that we've had for four years. Suddenly Jack looked up over the back of my head and his eyes followed something in the air. I looked up and saw the widest wingspread I had ever seen on a flying bird. I don't know if it was a hawk, a bald eagle or a Mississippi Kite. L. votes for the kite. He should know. A few years ago we were walking our Great Dane down the street and a kite dive-bombed him and left three large scratches on the top of his crew cut. It was nesting season and I guess we were near the nest.