Slowly but surely, things are happening to the corner mess

The post dated November 16 showed the corner area of the yard that was seriously overgrown. While it had a certain charm, the plants there were not really doing well after our two years of super heavy rain (for us) and this year's lack of rain. The ferns have a rust fungus and there were volunteer plants that simply didn't belong there. Time to rethink. As an old cranky lady, I can only work for an hour or so at a time. Arthritic hands and bad backs don't mix with heavy yard work. But today I'm proud to say that it actually looks like progress is being achieved. In fact, a runner passing by was delighted to see the marble sink that has been unearthed. The bottle border is slowing coming back into view, along with the rock border. Believe it or not, there are slate pavers under that mess as well. Still a looooooong way to go, but we're getting there.

Is there such a thing as conjoined triplets?

It is rare to see inflatables still fully puffed up during the day, so it pays to notice. What caught my eye first was the dinosaur in the Santa hat. Seems Dinos are very in this year. Cute. But what really intrigued me was the Snow family figure. You tell me -- are they climbing on each other or are they somehow conjoined. Inquiring minds not only want to know, but want to know what in blue blazes is happening here.

Mistletoe for postal workers? Yes - a very special kind.

At this time of year, our neighborhood letter carriers are working harder than ever with junk mail, actual mail, and packages. In order to give them a little holiday cheer, I added a mistletoe booth above the mail slot. It'll cost them 25¢, but I think you'll agree the price is soooo worth it. 

                                    From Nellie and Rascal.

A derpy dog and a sparkly cow - say what?

I suppose if skeletons can wear Santa hats, then festive dogs and cows can certainly be expected to grace lawns during the holidays. Came upon this wonderful duo today. The dog has his tongue out in that way that says he's a bit of a goofball. The sparkles on the cow are meant to convey the twinkly season - I guess? Anyway, they are adorable. Too bad the inflatables in the back don't do justice to the scene when they are clearly too tired to stand up.

So -- they've been lying about Santa all this time...

It comes as a shock that all this time Santa doesn't actually arrive on the roof by a reindeer drawn sleigh. And here's proof he climbs a ladder just like the rest of us who have to get up to the chimney. Christmas illusions shattered.

Well, Christmas decorations are up -- sort of

Those who know me understand that I'm the Bah Humbug of Christmas. The crass commercialism, the waste -- well, you get the picture. That doesn't mean that well done lighting and yard decorations are not appreciated. As Nellie and I stroll around the neighborhood in the evening, we've noticed an increase in inflatable figures. Some are very cute, though the Disney stuff is overdone and just ewww. (Remember: cranky old lady here). What isn't so good with inflatables is what happens when they are turned off during the day. It seems like just a bunch of trash in the yard then. As in:

There is one house, however, that allows their blowup reindeer to enjoy the season non-stop, so that's fun.

What makes more sense to me are decorations that look great night or day. These are here year after year, and have weathered rain and harsh sun. Whoever made them is quite artistic.