Hello, Hello, Hello

I'm back at last!

We got the computer virus and spyware infestations in January and have been unable to safely go on-line since then until just recently. The solution for us was a new computer so I am now adjusting to Vista and will soon have to re-adjust to Windows 7 when it comes out as we get a free up-grade.

The old computer was gone over by our computer savy nephew and he succeeded in taking care of most of the problems but some remained. He told us the solution may be to reformat the hard drive so we have been saving files (photographs! music! crafts! and so much more!). But when it came time to do the reformat we lost courage. So we will be asking him to help us once more.

I have missed you all! It was difficult to try to get computer time elsewhere and I have had to read blogs on the sly and not very often.

It has been such an "interesting" time for us. So much to share. But right now I want to catch on what I have missed on your blogs.

Another week has passed

since I last posted. I don't know where the time is going right now. But I was out taking pictures this morning and wanted to share with you. The maple across the alley is developing nicely. It is not as full as last year, maybe as a result of a rather dry summer.

Before the sun actually topped the hills I got a few softer shots including this one of a dewdrop.

Then the sun came out and I got some nice web shots with rainbow gleams on the webs.

I also got a different view of Mom's flowers by the basement door.

The "twin" tree by the alley has its oak part turning and these leaves dangle low enough for nice pictures.

And the goldenrod is starting to fade but still provides a nice landscape.

More

I did go out and get more dew-covered web photos yesterday. These are both the same web that I discovered in Dad's Japanese Maple.

Then I worked on winterizing. I replaced the plastic on the basement windows on the south side of the house but discovered I must wait for cooler weather to do the north side - the bumblebees are still working on the daisies there. Then I started on the front porch - taking down old lights and plastic and replacing with new. We put up a panel of plastic to break the wind that comes from the north and right into the front door. The old panel had lasted 2 years but was becoming brittle. Then we took down the old string lights that we use for porch lighting all year (so much better general illumination than regular porch lights) and replaced them with new strings of LED lights. I like the new look. DH helped with the front porch so it went quickly as he could hang the lights without having to climb the ladder.

I don't like ladders and heights though so it was a real challenge for me to go up and down the step-ladder and balance myself while stapling plastic and threading the cords through the hooks we use to keep our lights up.

I managed to injure myself, of course. I had a can of air to clean out the electric sockets and at one point I knocked it off the bench onto the floor and then stepped on it with my left foot. The foot is not as sore now as it was after that and after all the climbing on the ladder so I may just get away with some aching. No swelling or bruising at least.

It is dark later in the mornings now and earlier in the evenings. I will enjoy Linda's posts from Australia so much during the coming months as she is moving through spring and summer. She tagged me for something I am still thinking about. I have not forgotten, Linda.

Update

DH had his prostate surgery on Monday. We were at the hospital from 5:30 am until after 3:30 pm. All went well with the radioactive seed implantation. The actual procedure only took about an hour then he was in recovery for a while then was taken down to the cancer center for more scans to be certain everything was where it should be. Then he was told to walk and drink and walk and drink so they could be sure the bladder was working before they would discharge him. So we walked, and walked, and walked, and walked. He kept telling me I could go sit down with Mom and Dad and did not have to walk with him but I told him if he was walking, I was walking. It took about 4 hours to satisfy the cancer center people that he was emptying his bladder satisfactorily. We stopped and ate on the way home then went to the pharmacy for Rx for him then home. The next morning we went back to the cancer center at 8 am for a re-check of things then he was released to come home with more Rx and take it easy for a few days instructions.

So then I collapsed. Probably just the stress of worrying about him and pushing so hard at work the week before to get as much done as possible so I would not feel guilty for taking this whole week off. I spent most of Wednesday and Thursday in bed with a slight fever and internal upsets. Back to normal now.

So this is the first time I have even been on the computer all week. I have tried today to check in on everyone's blogs just to see what you have all been up to while I was "away".

Oh, yes. We have not put the kits away at night all week either. They have not been crated at all since we got back from the cancer center on Tuesday. They are enjoying their freedom immensely. Once we settle down for the night we have a few problems with feet moving under blankets (Spot especially likes to attack feet) and have learned to keep an extra multi-folded sheet on the bed to help protect our toes. During the night we are sometimes aware of little bodies bouncing across the bed and creeping up the sides but for the most part they are good little kittens and bother the adult cats more than us.

100 and 1

I just realized my last post was my 100th. Wow!

I have added a new slide show and a separate link to it celebrating Stormy and Smoke and the new kittens.

PS: the kittens are still in the box under the computer room table today. For how long?

An Abundance of ...

day lilies in my yard and Mom's yard

is still no competition Jen's amazing tiger lily photo. Go to her blog to see her breath-taking photo.

This was taken yesterday of the four kittens curled up in a corner of their box. You can see the tuxedo kitten's face, paws, and chest. It has a spot of black on its chin, too. We have discovered one of the black kittens also has just a touch of white under its chin on its neck.

I changed the papers in their box last night.

First I tried to distract Stormy with some tuna in her bowl. Apparently I didn't move fast enough or she heard some sound because as soon as I had the box out from under the computer table she was right there. I had to take box and kittens to DH to hold while I transferred the kits to another box temporarily so I could take the soiled papers out. Stormy insisted on getting in the temporary box with the kittens. Once I had the papers changed and the kittens back in their nesting box and back under the table, Stormy settled down with them again.

The kittens have grown considerably in the past week. One of them has started to open its eyes. Smoke is interested in them but has not tried to get in the box with them. He just looks.

Tuesday

I think I figured it out. Linda presented me with a blogging award which I now show to the side. The award is "dedicated to many who nourish and enrich the spirit and creativity, camaraderie, joy and above all, ART. much art. I wish that this prize is entertaining to all those bloggers and to bloggers who day by day share this space and enrich it a little more each day." Arte Y Pico.

Now for the rules:

1. Select 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award, creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogger community, no matter the language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4. The award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. To show these rules.

I've gotten this far but will have to consider the rest of the process.

Back to work today after vacation thru yesterday. So glad I took the vacation for VBS. I was really worn out this year by all that went on and needed done. DH goes back to work tomorrow (his normal work week is Wednesday thru Saturday).

Sadly, the littlest kitten died overnight. This was the last born and was the smallest of the five. It was nursing well along with the other four but was not as vigorous as they were. Sad but not surprising.

Contests, kitten pics, and awards

Jen has entered a contest that has a Nikon D60 DSLR camera as the prize. She has a link to her photos on her blog and if chosen as one of the finalists will need votes to help her win. See her Friday June 20 post for the link. She has submitted wonderful photos and there are THOUSANDS of others on the site. But I think Jen has some of the best (of course).

When DH and I went to bed last night Stormy and her kittens were in the blue crate in the living room. When I woke up this morning and went to check the crate was empty. No problem, I just went into the computer room and checked the box we had placed in another of her favorite spots and sure enough there was the whole family. It is quieter in the computer room and the box is more protected from the dogs as it is in a corner sheltered by a bookcase on one side, the leg of the computer table (and a "windscreen" of poster board to block the a/c from blowing on the box) on the other and the paper shredder in front (turned off, unplugged, and no chance of it coming on accidentally).

Stormy is still ravenous and is getting fed nearly every time she comes into the kitchen. She prefers tuna, of course, and is getting her fill of it right now. We have also added pedialyte to the drinking water. I will check with the vet tomorrow to see if I should do anything else for her. She is already eating dry kitten kibble which is supposed to help pregnant and nursing mothers.

I have been given another award (I never did figure out what to do about the first one Jen gave me, have to get back to that, too). Linda has passed on an award for bloggers who contribute to the blogging community through creativity, design, and interesting material. As soon as I figure out what/how to do it I will pass it on to others as well. Just too tired to figure it out tonight. But thank you so much, Linda. (See how tired I am, I almost forgot to say thanks and I really mean it.)

Darla and I packed away VBS for another year today. This meant multiple trips up and down three flights of church steps to store the decorations, etc., after first taking it all down and packing it in containers. We didn't get it all put away. Darla says she will do the rest over the next week or so herself as it will be stored in her third floor office area for the most part. Sister Beth stopped at the church on her way home from her churches in Cameron and we packed my craft supplies in the Tahoe then came home and she backed across the field to the gate and we unpacked the Tahoe and DH and I went up and down basement stairs getting it all inside and out of the way.

We are already making plans for next year. We hope to do the next in this series which is supposed to be Paul and the disciples in Rome. Many of the decorations we have will be suitable for this as well but I anticipate more yard sales in the future.

What a rambling post this has been just thinking with my fingers. Lovely to do. Here are a few non-feline pics I have taken recently.

Oh, yes, the day lilies are blooming too.

Still Here

I've been away from blogging for a while for various reasons and have missed it. I have been able to check some of the blogs I follow but have not posted myself since before Thanksgiving. As sometimes happens, something went around the office after the holiday and several of us have been off sick at various times in the last 3 weeks. It does not seem to want to go away and at least 3 of us have had repeat appearances or lingering symptoms. I am still on tea and crackers today after my latest bout. This plus Christmas preparations and another (this makes 8, I think) right-ankle sprain have taken a toll.

On a happier note, the cats and dogs have settled in together. We wake up at night sometimes to find all 4 critters have crept onto the bed with us. Of course, this is after the cats have had their nightly romp thru the house as we try to sleep and listen to all the thumps and cries. Momma Stormy is not gentle with little Smoke who is growing rapidly. His legs are so long when he walks and his tail has grown amazingly. They follow us around the house in the morning and at night just begging for attention then stroll off to find something else to amuse them as soon as we try to pet or hold them. Cats!

Walking!!

I have not worn the Boot since last Friday!! The foot is a little sore at night and I am aware of my shoe often during the day but I AM WALKING!!

Yesterday I took my car in to be inspected and walked from the garage after dropping the car off to the office (only 4 blocks) in the morning and back again in the evening to pick the car up. The longest outdoor walk I have had in months. It really is different from walking on flat indoor surfaces while grocery shopping. I felt every tilt and irregularity in the sidewalks and street. It probably took me twice as long as it would have before the Boot but I'll get back up to speed.

I missed seeing any of the lunar eclipse because of mist and fog and hills. It happened close to moonset in our area and I had only a short window of opportunity to view any of it. Joe, on the other hand, was up on the hilltop at work and got to see the start of it. I had the camera, he didn't. But I did watch a live feed from Australia on Discovery on line. I wonder if Linda May got to see any of it?

I have been lurking in a number of blogs recently and following different links to find new places to visit. Have heard from some of them and linked to a few myself. Really enjoying everyone's photos and posts and appreciate any comments from anyone. Having trouble leaving comments sometimes and working this out.

Redesign

I have been feeling a little overwhelmed by the slideshows I have put on my blog so I have removed most of them and added links to them instead. This way they can be revisited at will and I can add links to new slideshows, too. Figuring a few more things out and moving things around and redesigning the blog. If something was here and you don't see it now and miss it, leave a comment.

Another day ...

Wow, that last post was a downer. I didn't mean it that way but when I re-read it this morning the irony and dark humor just didn't seem to be there. So, cheer up! The world is wonderful and this is another day with more adventures awaiting each of us!

Lord, thank you for another chance to get it right. This is the day that the Lord has made.

Canes and Gems

Jen made me the most beautiful Cane Bracelet for the cane My Dear Sister got for me. She came to work the other day with the finished bracelet and put it on for me and I have had several compliments on it just in the office. It certainly makes keeping track of the cane easier, too. Jen is inspired by beads and gems. I love looking at the slide show on her blog Dreams, Gems, and Family. Pictures of my Cane Bracelet are there, too.

Finally got a trellis under the rose arching over the back sidewalk. Since I can't get down on the ground to put the new arbor together I imposed upon my hubby to move the existing metal garden arch from the front gate to the back porch. A huge task consisting of pulling it out of the ground (I did that) and walking it to the new location (he did that) and pushing it into the ground (I did that) and positioning the rose over the arch (I did that). He was proud of himself, though. The last light rain we had really weighed the roses down and we are supposed to have a chance of rain tonight. I did not want to take the chance the rose would be damaged by having no support. Someday there will be a new trellis in both locations. But for now, the rose has support and the white arch looks nice there. The roses are fading but the stem is still so full of them its beautiful.

I had a comment from a lady in Australia on one of my posts and have been trying to view her blog with no success. I get to the page but all that appears for the blog is white space. Maybe she has it marked private? or is there someother reason I can't see it? She said my pictures look a lot like her area also. I often think of other places as exotic and West Virginia as mundane and then something happens that makes me open my mind and my eyes again and see the whole world as wonderfully connected and interdependent. How can we not take care of this world God has given us? It's not like we could move somewhere else and forget about the mess.