She's such a tease

Misty has been teasing us for a few days now. She looks longingly at a door and I obligingly leave it open for her to waltz in. She has, very briefly, on two occasions. Today was a bit different. Both long-suffering partner and I were busily getting laundry organized in, of all places, the laundry room. We noticed her in the Critter Café and opened the door to see what she was up to. Don't worry, there were no birds or squirrels in sight. Anyway, Misty heard the door open, and as the laundry room in one place she has briefly explored, she walked over to peer in. Once she saw there were two of us taking up space, she decided against coming in, but seemed very uncertain about that. Just to see what might happen, I left the door open and found things to do while I talked to her. She kept coming over, walking away, coming closer, and we hoped for the best. The closest she got was the threshold, but that's progress. I thought of feeding her just inside the door to see what she would do, but was convinced not to. If we go through this tomorrow, the food bowl will indeed be just over the threshold. Rains are coming and, for her sake, having a dry warm place to hang out seems like a good idea. We'll see what happens.

This is her first foray into thinking about entering the room:

And now she's bolder, but still not entirely enticed. Patience...something I'm not known for!

Squirrels rule

I have a squirrel who loves to come right up to me and take a walnut out of my hands. Of course, that leaves no opportunity for photo evidence. So this adorable little statue in a garden will have to do.

  

It's time to say goodbye...to the arch and corner plantings that is

The arch that everyone in the neighborhood loves has seen better days. (To see it in its glory, check out the 3/31/24 post). So it's gotta go. But don't despair. There is a new arch in the making right next to it. In fact, there are a couple more starting up as well. Unfortunately the foxtail agaves are maturing at roughly the same time, and flowering means they are done with their lifecycle. It sounds a bit daft, but that makes me sad to know that plants that have given the garden such beauty and life, are now nearing the end.

You can see the new arch forming right in front on the left.

There's one which is going to impede the driveway, so alas, it won't be allowed to stay very long.

And this one really makes me sad. This an agave that was mature when we moved in eons ago. I guess everything decides to retire at one point or another.

Now, you're going to confirm that I'm absolutely bonkers for deciding that the corner area is far too overgrown and not the artistic vision when first implemented. So, it's going to be reworked and be less of an obstruction to viewing passing pedestrians when we're trying to back out of the driveway. So say goodbye to the jungle look.

I've already done a bit of pulling out and thinning. Amazing the things you find under all that foliage. Definitely overdue for a clearing up. Don't hold your breath for the new look. It'll take a while for it to take shape.

Can't get enough architecture

Once again, going down a street that is too familiar and gasp! happen to notice yet another house with interesting lines. I sometimes wonder if dog walks are really sleepwalking adventures since these things go unseen for so long. The lines on this house are interesting and give me an idea for something in the garden. Whether that idea materializes or not is a different story. Don't hold your breath. 

 

Misty is just chillin'

At  last my obsessive desire to make Misty comfortable (other than just making sure she's fed), is happening -- sort of. She has finally accepted the basket I put out for her as a good resting place until she convinces me to serve her dinner. Or breakfast. Or an afternoon snack. Whatever. Anyway, while she doesn't curl up in it for very long and doesn't use it for her bed at night, she deigns to curl up in it to make me happy. Or just because she can. Don't know, don't care. Just delighted she uses it at all. And yup, she's the dark spot in the basket.

Hiking adventure complete

Because the cuteness factor just never goes away, another Paco post is required. His Dad decided to check out his hiking ability the other day, and took off on the trail of one of our beautiful mountains. He was very alert to the idea that Paco might not be as vigorous a hiker as his previous dogs, but he was prepared for rest stops with water and potential carrying of a pooped out dog. Actually, Paco kinda amazed him with his willingness to go along with this endeavor and apparently did very well, though there were the expected breaks and a bit of carrying. Paco looks quite pleased with himself.

The other interesting thing in this picture is the art work on the area below. Don't know what it's supposed to be, and if it were possible for me to hike up to see it, I would, just to figure out what it's all about. And what a view. Wow!

October is a nightmare and not because of Halloween

To say it's been an interesting month is something of an understatement. It's been a month of frustration, repairs, and doctor visits. First my computer of 13 years (you read that correctly) decided it was ready to retire. The good news is I found one on sale (hooray!); the bad news is it needed an adapter that was crazy expensive just so I could plug in the ethernet cable. I'm sensing a conspiracy.

Then there was the refrigerator drama. Yes, the fridge was going on 17+ years. We love that fridge. Found someone to come fix it and hooray, it worked -- for two hours. OK then, hopped online to look for something we can live with, called 6 places, and went shopping. Here's the thing. Amana has been bought out by Whirlpool and Whirlpool apparently feels that stainless steel is the only way to go. As is the design choice for every other major appliance company. Because of our kitchen layout, etc., we prefer white to reflect light. Not to mention that I just really don't like the look of stainless refrigerators. Searching for a white fridge proved to be far harder a quest. We found one that we don't particularly love, but it's cold and that's what counts. Six days of throwing bags of ice to keep the food alive was no fun. And we'll get used to the new layout because, well, just because.

But wait, there's more. We're having plumbing issues (small but annoying) and have been told that we a. need a new part for a 4 year old faucet; b. need a whole new faucet for another sink; and c. the tankless is on its last legs and will replaced tomorrow. Deep sigh. As for the bathroom fan - you guessed it - needs to be replaced. 

Saved the best for last. And kids -- DON'T DO THIS. I succeeded in performing the stupid old person trick of falling off a ladder. Yup - the classic it's an easy task and will only take a minute fall. Fortunately, nothing broken, though the bruises make a great Halloween costume.  

And thus endeth the tale of October - the true horror show.