The severe weather we were forecasted to get this evening went south of us instead. That doesn’t mean we didn’t have rain off and on today.
Rain creates a big mess when you have big dogs.
It’s not like you can have wee wee pads inside for rainy days like you can with small breeds. Large dogs have to go out — and they bring in some of the outside with them every single time.
Rain creates a great example that shows the uniqueness of my two hounds…
Merida hates water, so her trips are fast, furious, and infrequent. Dharma, on the other hand, goes out, shakes the bushes so water will fall on her back, and lies down on the deck to ensure she’s got plenty of debris to bring inside with her.
Now you know: GPS, despite being free for global use, costs around $2 million a day to operate and maintain. This budget covers satellite launches and system upkeep, funded through American tax revenue.
Dharma was diagnosed with bad hips at her first vet appointment. The Purdue experts said her condition wasn’t bad enough at the puppy stage for surgery, but we knew it wouldn’t be smooth sailing as she aged.
Fast forward to today…
Dharma has some phobia about floors and steps. Floors are lava and steps are similar to jumping out of an airplane without a parachute. Only with her pink lead will she take those 2 steps from the deck to the sidewalk to make it into the yard.
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays me from escorting a brown hound to the yard — 100 times every day.
Is Dharma faking — or capitalizing on her challenges?
Last night I had Dharma’s pink lead around her neck walking her to those darn steps so she could pee, get a peanut butter cracker, and go to bed. Merida took off like a jet after some critter that had infiltrated the yard. Little Miss Cripple jerked that leash, ran off those steps, and barked — ready to tear something apart.
I know Dharma has bad hips, but I also wonder if she’s milking it a bit. To some extent, I think I’m getting played by a dog.
Now you know: In the early 60s, the US Coast Guard got letters from the public demanding to know why the castaways on the TV show Gilligan’s Island had not yet been rescued.
Pretty sure I could begin every post in the month of April and May with “today I did yardwork.” Except for today… it rained last night so now it’s too wet. I’m thrilled about that because I need a break.
My landscaping crew needed a break also.
Pear trees to boxwood shrubs to thorny bushes…
In the early 2000’s, there were 3 pear trees planted at the Villa. Large when purchased, they arrived on a semi trailer. I can’t remember the name of them (they weren’t Bradford or Cleveland) — and I don’t recall them stinking. And at the time, there wasn’t talk about how invasive Callery pear trees are or that they disrupt nature. They were beautiful in the spring and again in the fall.
They lasted about 10-years until one spring season of storms wiped out all 3. Of course, I’m done with those.
Next came boxwood shrubs…
The Seymour house had boxwood shrubs on every single side. Trimming them — and cleaning up the debris afterward — was AWFUL. Some were already allowed to grow too large and cutting them back too much would leave sticks instead of green. I’ll NEVER have those suckers again either.
And now I’m plagued by thorny bushes that rip flesh from my arms and legs.
Mowing next to a wooded area is hazardous. Getting close to the edge of a tree line means thorny vines will reach out to grab body parts. Cutting them back doesn’t help because they grow like wild fire. They’re just a part of rural living I have to deal with.
Unlike pear trees and boxwood shrubs that you can get rid of — those those thorny vines are there to stay.
Now you know: Researchers have found almost 10% of U.S. adults ages 65 and older have dementia, while another 22% have mild cognitive impairment.
I’m not a morning person. Dharma is not a morning doggie.
Nevertheless, we went outside and pulled weeds — along with Merida — for the biggest part of the day yesterday.
The previous barndo owners were decades younger and it shows.
I mentioned yesterday that one of the flowerbeds here is large. Today, I measured it. It’s 48 feet long and 6 feet wide. And there’s about 3 times that much waiting to be landscaped in addition to that space.
There’s NO WAY I can keep up with all that… especially in addition to all the mowing and weed eating around here. We girls just don’t have that much energy anymore.
Hakuna Matata!
Hakuna matata has a connotation of not worrying about things outside of a person’s control. It’s fitting in this instance, even though I’m not Swahili, because concrete edgers will be delivered tomorrow. Of course, it’s supposed to rain (again!), but I’ll get those edgers placed whenever.
The weather — along with about everything else in life — is out of my control. 🙂
Now you know: The first African American woman to win an Oscar, Hattie McDaniel in 1939, wasn’t even able to attend the premiere of the movie she preformed in because it was held at a whites-only theater.
Facial expressions have a remarkable ability to communicate emotions and convey messages effectively. They can be a genuine indicator of true emotions. While words can be chosen carefully, facial expressions are more difficult to control consciously.
Are you watching or just listening?
Facial expressions can reveal underlying emotions and attitudes. These fleeting expressions, which last for just fractions of a second, (not that fake smile we’ve all perfected), can provide valuable insights into true feelings and intentions. While listening is important — you can glean a wealth of information just by observing.
It’s universal understanding!
Facial expressions are recognized across different cultures and languages. Think about how you can understand the thoughts and emotions of others without the use of words.
Facial expressions allow us to transcend language barriers and communicate — even with those who are non-verbal.
Now you know: John Quincy Adams partially blinded himself looking directly at an eclipse in 1791. He was also the first president to be interviewed by a woman. Anne Royal found out he skinny dipped in the Potomac every day at a certain time. She went down and held his clothes hostage until he would give her an interview.
