Home Sweet Home

Since summer I've been, way, too busy running here and there and everywhere! I'm a homebody by nature and love it when I can stay home for several days without having to go anywhere. Sometimes life gets busier than usual, but I'm adapting to a more active schedule than usual and having fun at the same time.

I'm also, slowly and one-garbage-can-at-a-time, trimming back the 'jungle' in my backyard. Quite by accident, I discovered a wasp's nest when a small squadron of angry wasps attacked and inflicted two nasty stings on my arm. Even though pollinators are welcome in my garden and an essential part of it, I much prefer to come across the dainty little Skippers who don't seem to mind if I get a bit too close.

This BIG fella was an unexpected discovery I came across while working in the garden on Saturday. I looked him up and he is a Giant Leopard moth. He was flipped upside down and when I turned him over, I realized he was not in need of rescue but pretty close to death. I discovered him near my angel trumpet which is listed as one of his favorite food sources. He sure is intriguing and quite a specimen! Another new discovery ~ ~ just wish he wasn't in the process of leaving.

After my morning walk today, I was able to plant my tomato seedlings, cucumber seeds and 4 grow boxes with a variety of greens. I've been wanting to do this for the last 2 weeks, and can now mark that off my list. I always seem to procrastinate on doing this ~ ~ could it be the heat, I wonder!

We have a new addition to our family. Take a look at this cute little guy we rescued off a busy street in town at 7 am on the way to school. He was much smaller at the time (May) and was trotting down the sidewalk. We quickly made a u-turn (luckily there's not much traffic out at 7 am), and headed up the sidewalk to retrieve him. He hid from us in a sickly Sago with lots of stiff lower branches, when a guy out jogging stopped and pulled him out for us. 

He had an upper respiratory infection and was scared to death. We named him Henley and he has made himself right at home, as they always do.  Out of 8 cats that I've had in my adult life, he's my first short-hair kitty. He's very sweet and our other 4, with the exception of one (the siamese) have graciously accepted him. Who could resist such a sweet little face!!!!

He entertains us with his high energy which involves running at high speeds around the house or rough housing it with Arthur or Zoe. And, he's absolutely adorable when he's pooped out! 

This crazy little boy is showing off  his pearly whites. He provides a lot of entertainment around our house. We sit around watching his crazy antics and laugh out loud. I'm telling you - it's better than television or politics!  

Enough said about Henley. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to some less humid weather, which I hope is just around the corner. I have quite a few small projects I want to get started on, but don't feel like it when its 80% humidity outside. I know ya'll know what I mean!!!! On the flip side of that, we've been getting our fair share of rain this month and that is always something to be grateful for!!

Cat Tales

Oh, I'll bet when you read the title of this post, you thought I had misspelled "tales"...especially when you saw the photo. Come on...admit it...you know you did. :-)

Well, the truth is that I have two "cat tales" to share with you. The first is actually on cat tails. The clay soil at our new house stays moist about 9 months out of the year, so we weren't surprised to see these cat tails pop up between our property and the vacant lot next to us. I've never grown "cat tails" before, so I was excited at this new discovery.

Now, for the second of my "cat tales."

 

Our two cats...Makayla and Allie...really, really like their veggies. And, since they're indoor cats you can guess what they're eating. 

YES, MY PLANTS!

Here, Makayla is munching on some parsley. I swear our cats have the freshest cat breath around, but they're putting a serious hurting on my patio plants. What am I to do? I've relocated most of them to the back deck, and I buy canned cat food that includes veggies,

but still...they keep munching.

During my last visit to a local nursery I mentioned this to the proprietor and she suggested I plant some "cat grass." She handed me a packet of Organic...can you believe it...organic cat grass seed.

So, I thought what the heck...I'll give it a try!

My daughter and I planted it in a pot, kept it damp and 'voila within a few days we had a nice crop of cat oats.

Now, for the true test. We placed it on the patio and waited for the cats to find it. Hmmm, Makayla is cautiously checking it out...giving it the old sniff test, and then....yes, a taste. Hurray...she seems to like it!

Now, for our picky eater, Allie (check out the hair in those ears). She's curious, too. Oh, goody, she's taking a bite...

WHAT!  Yikes...she's sitting on the grass. Can you believe it? Yes, you're seeing right...this indoor kitty would rather sit on the grass than eat it. Now, she's making me feel bad that I don't let her roam around outside. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to keep my plants on the back deck instead of the patio. :-)

In Memory of Mocha

It's always difficult to lose a true and trusted friend, and if you're a cat lover that's exactly what our kitties are. We, unfortunately, had to say goodbye to our beloved cat Mocha way to soon. She would have been 13 this year had she not experienced a sudden downturn in health.

 

She loved being outdoors and would follow me around the yard as I puttered around doing gardening things. She was my official "garden cat!" As I moved from one spot to another, she was always close by...sometimes watching me...other times talking to me...or rubbing alongside me.

 

Twelve years ago she was picked up by Animal Control as a stray, and it was our fortune that fate led her to our family. Mocha's personality was not that of a typical cat...it was more like a dog. She wagged her tail continuously, liked licking our faces, and following us (as well as repairmen) all around the house. She was a true "people-cat." Whenever company arrived...Mocha was there to welcome them, and to receive as much attention as possible.

We all miss our "special" Mocha...a/k/a Miss Mocha, MoMo, MochaJo, MoJo and Mo....very much. We knew the day would come but did not expect it to be so soon...we never do. The tears still spill from my eyes when I think of her. We lovingly buried her beneath the large oak in our backyard where our two other cats Roxanne and Gus were buried in the past three years. Together, the three of them will have a very special garden planted around them. We have enjoyed our time with her immensely, and thank God for entrusting her to our family for 12 years. We miss you MoMo!

You can read more about Mocha here.

The Dog (I mean Cat) Days of Summer

Makayla seeks cover from the July sun behind a large green intertube propped up against the screen enclosure. It's the time of year when it's just plain HOT, and we all seek shelter from the midday heat. You've got to get it wherever you can find it.