It only took 15 years but IT'S DONE

Nobody on the planet can ever accuse me of going forward with projects in a hasty and timely manner. The front retaining wall to the house has taken 15 years to complete. Part of that delay was working too hard at a job which didn't deserve such dedication (a story told over a good caramel latté and pumpkin muffin only), partly because I kept dithering about how I wanted to approach it and get it done, and partly because I was distracted by other projects that required more immediate attention. OK - well those are the excuses I tell myself anyway. But it's finally done. And I can honestly say I don't hate it. And to those of you who wondered why the Sam Hill I would do something that detailed behind hedges for Pete's sake, I say this...I dunno know, I just did.

From Goose to Geese

I posted before about a goose hanging about on the playing field of a local school. Well, on Sunday, as Nellie and I were walking by, I spotted our friend again -- this time with a mate. Couldn't resist sharing this unusual find.

Alas, I couldn't get anywhere near them (well, the fence was keeping me out and having a dog along would've spooked them anyway). Wherever their nest is, I hope it's safe and away from wayward schoolboys who like to mess with things.

 

I've been busy...really!

It seems to take me longer these days to hop on the old computer and post things, even though life and interests have not stopped. But it's life and interests that are also keeping me very busy. 

Activity 1:  Pictures forthcoming. Even though I can never remotely be called a dog whisperer, or trainer for that matter, I am currently helping a neighbor with the most beautiful German Shepherd. His guardian is reluctant to walk Otis because he's such a powerful dog who's a bit reactive to other dogs. Also, he's not leash trained. So we've started working on basic commands and calm walking. Otis is just a big love-bug and I hope (fingers-crossed) that in a few weeks we can assure his guardian that he can behave himself on forays into the real world beyond his (admittedly beautiful) backyard.

Activity 2:  We're experiencing a super bloom this year. Walking around the neighborhood and seeing the explosion of color and smelling the intoxicating floral aromas is truly amazing (not to mention very bad for the old allergies). I know I've posted a picture about this mysterious alien plant before, but it has blossomed even further and looks even more otherworldly:

Activity 3:  I've moaned about my front wall mosaic before. It was supposed to be finished by Thanksgiving. When that fell through and winter (such as it is here) arrived, I had to do a serious re-think of how to finish it off. Short of dynamiting the doggone thing to just get it over with, I decided instead to use stained glass for the background to the main design of whirls and swirls. Then, naturally, I dithered for weeks about how I would approach it. Well...I FINALLY got started on it a couple of weeks ago and have surprised myself. I don't hate it! Oh, I still have a few weeks of work left on it, and I won't show pictures until it is complete, but again, I don't hate it. It's unlike anything I've done in the past -- more chaotic and free form -- and it's shaping up into something I can live with. WHEW! Once it's done, then all the agonizing over starting the back wall begins. And here I thought only actual artists were supposed to be so tortured.