Firewood

Good morning,

We're working on the firewood again.  We had some large branches come down during recent storms so we're cutting them in fireplace sizes and stacking them.

We still have plenty of wood to split, too.

A friend brought us a truckload of firewood, some of it a little too long for the fireplace.  This will be cut later.

Look carefully in the image above to see the metal hook in the branch.  That was put there many years ago by Warner Cable.  Hmmm.  We've not had that cable service for years, but the hook lasted the life time of the tree.

So, the stack of firewood is growing again.  We have two fireplaces so we use quite a lot of wood each winter.

Family fun!

;),
Lois

Pink Rose in Bloom

Good morning,

A pink rose planted about thirty years ago is still providing beautiful blooms for us. 

I took this image after a Spring rain.

Lovely!

Enjoy,
Lois

Comfy Quarters

Good morning,

We have dog kennels on each floor of the house.  The kennels are where the pups can go for private time and space when they want to "get away from it all."  The doors are left open so they can come and go as they please.

Above you see our sweet retired twelve year old Penny in her "house" reclining on her personal afghan that she took to dog shows throughout her career.  . 

And, here's the silly little three year old.  She was asleep when I approached with my phone camera, but opened her eyes slightly as I prepared to take the picture.  She sleeps like this all the time. What a cutie.

Both of these gals like their own comfy quarters.

Lois

Erik Update

Good morning,

Thank you to everyone who has asked about Erik's progress since his orthopedic surgery last month.

Erik is doing well.  We are keeping him on limited activity which isn't easy for an active 8 year old Labrador Retriever.  We have set up a special "hospital room" for him at the end of the living room since he is not supposed to climb steps or jump.  We take him in and out of the house through the doors from the living room to the patio.  He is an agility dog so jumping was part of his "job" until this surgery.

Erik's beautiful black hair is growing back on his tummy, leg, foreleg, and on his back where he had the pain patch after surgery.  

Above you see Erik at my feet on the patio which we were out enjoying the Spring air.  He's wearing an "easy walk" harness which discourages pulling.  He's generally very good when walking on a normal leash, but I can't control the appearance of squirrels or the neighbor's cat while we are outside.  He likes to take off after those.  ;)

We have two more weeks to go until Erik is well.  We are restricting visitors and are keeping him calm while continuing to give him his medication every eight hours.  We hope to have a good report when we take him back to the surgeon for a check of his right rear knee in another two weeks.

Thanks again for all the good wishes for Erik.

Lois

Queen of the Mississippi - Nashville to New Orleans

Good morning,

Today's images are courtesy of our friends Martha and Russell who just returned from a cruise aboard the Queen of the Mississippi.  They had a fabulous time and I appreciate having these images they sent so I can share them here.

Martha and Russell are very experienced cruisers on the high seas so this was something quite different.  I got a kick out of Martha's comment about being able to cruise without taking her passport this time. 

Of course, there were fewer people on board the riverboat than there

The Queen of the Mississippi has elegant lounges...

...in all my favorite relaxing colors.

He's a little hard to see here, but at the lower part of this picture is an alligator smoking a cigar table. 

Transportation is provided between the terminal and the riverboat.

Snacks!

Entertainment!

What a darling rocking pig.  Perhaps an idea for My Honey's wood workshop?

I love these areas.  They look so relaxing and have the feeling of Southern Charm.

Look closely at the chairs.  There are rocking chairs at the rail and deck chairs behind.  Something for everyone. 

According to Martha and Russell, the selection of alcohol and other drinks was extensive.  I can see Makers Mark there in the middle.  Makers Mark is so appropriate for a riverboat.  :)

Food!  Martha and Russell said the food was wonderful.

There was a variety of entertainment during the cruise, some of it from shore side.

Ah, the classic paddle wheel image. Beautiful. I remember taking a similar image aboard the Delta Queen. 

A tour of the wheel house was a high point.

And, of course, a meeting with the important people who get the riverboat needs to go.

Martha and Russell also enjoyed plantation tours.

How beautiful!

And, finally, here are the Victory Belles providing entertainment.

What a wonderful cruise!

Thank you, Martha and Russell, for sharing the great images of your wonderful river cruise. 

Lois

Catalpa Blossoms

Good morning,

These lovely blossoms blew down from our huge catalpa tree in our front yard during a storm.  The aroma is of these flowers is amazingly sweet and wonderful.  I'm sorry I can't share the aroma with you here on the blog.  :)

Enjoy!

Lois

The Cacadas are Here!

Good morning,

The cicadas have arrived.  This year's batch isn't the "big invasion"expected two years from now, but they are making their presence known.

We once had a dog who loved to catch and eat them.  They are edible by humans, too, but I'll pass.

;),
Lois