BUTTERFLIES!

I had a lovely morning sitting out on the lawn by the dunes grass watching the water and waves. There were only a couple other people in the pool while I was in exercising and swimming. The water was cool, but nice - it's been getting in the high 60's at night but warming up to near 90 during the days.

While I was sitting out there, there was a steady flow of butterflies. There were yellow ones, green ones, and some dark orange and brown ones. All sizes. They seemed to like the flowers that were close to where I was sitting and several times they almost landed on me! They were beautiful!

Also saw a flock of pelicans fly over and dip down into the water.

No surfers out today. maybe they had to go back to school.

My friend, GW, arranged to have a car today and caught up to me as I was heading down to the beach. She asked if I wanted to go shopping with her. I thanked her, but was already in the mind-set for the water.

This evening we will all be heading to the Convention Center for the 19th Hole of the tournament. Food, entertainment, vendors, new golf equipment to check out!

Stay safe!

aaaaaahhhhhhhh! (that's a good sigh)

I have not written very much recently. I've thought about it, things have run through my head; they just haven't made it into actual writing.

I've been sort of busy lately. I've been putting in extra time at the office and doing lots of things around home getting jobs finished and things done up ahead. I'll be having knee replacement surgery in two weeks and will be off work at least six weeks and in various stages of incapacitation for a while. Then there will be rehab and much work trying to get back to "normal".

I've known this was coming for a long time. I have damage in both knees from the RA and some deterioration from OA, also. And there are bone spurs in both. The left one is the worse and it's time to fix it.

I have a very good doctor. Golfer and I have been to the pre-surgery class at the hospital where we learned way more than we expected. And just from reactions of other patients, way more than they wanted to know. But we believe in being prepared. I've gotten my leg brace and had it fitted and got the cooling unit for my knee for post-surgery.

I will be in the hospital for a few days. Nurse J and Bikini will be helping Golfer take care of me after I go home, and helping him with all the other things involved with the daily workings of keeping house. He knows all these things and is absolutely quite capable of handling it all himself, but I like knowing he will have help. We think we've gotten things planned and under control for now.

So, having worked very hard and gotten things ready, Golfer and I are on vacation right now! He's playing in the Amateur Championship in Myrtle Beach. Several of our friends are here and the guys are having a great time playing a different course each day.

I am enjoying beautiful weather and spending the week resting and relaxing. I have finished one book and am starting on another. The balcony door is open and I can see and hear the waves on the beach. I'll be going down to "sit" and to swim in just a few minutes.

The storms out in the ocean - Danielle, Earl and possibly Fiona - are making large waves and I actually saw surfers yesterday. Not boogie boarders, surfers! There are rip tide warnings out now, but since I don't swim in the ocean, I'm just enjoying the sights and sounds of the waves. (I know my limitations!)

When we get home next weekend I'll get my walker and cane out of the back closet and clean them up and have them ready. But for now, it's time for a swim. Take care and stay safe!

FOR BIKINI

I follow Bikini's tweets, and she's expecting an email response from me. I decided a post was better!

Yes, dear, you and wildlife. Um..... There have been some interesting experiences. For those who are wondering about that cow comment in your tweet, Bikini and Nurse J were young girls. We were visiting family in Ohio and staying with Golfer's parents on the farm. The guys were all out and away doing something and the cow got loose. So Mom P says to the girls and me that she needs help and we are glad to assist. However our round-up skills were not so great and when confronted with a large roaming cow we were really out of out realm of expertise. Let's just say there was much running and squealing. But the cow was safely returned to the pasture and barn and all was well. And the story lives on.

And yes, we all like to watch fish. I don't remember Bikini or Nurse J either one being very helpful at the cleaning of fish bowls and tanks though. When they were in school they sometimes got free coupons from a pet store for a free goldfish. Usually they lived a day or two at the most. I didn't want to try any more, but they talked me into it and we got two more goldfish while they were still in grade school. Those babies set a record! I was still cleaning the bowl and feeding the fish long after the girls graduated and moved out! And I have to tell you geriatric goldfish aren't all that interesting to watch. When one of them died, the other one got bigger to fill in the space. And he faded so he almost looked albino when he finally died.

So now, on to chickens. I would recommend banties. (sp?) When I was a small girl, Mom and I lived in a large house with a huge yard right on Main street in the small town where I grew up. I have great memories of that time. It was a big old house with a secret passage between two of the rooms that most people did not know about. There was a pump in the back yard. We had a long grape arbor and several fruit trees and large garden. There was even a tiny fish pond. My Grandpa liked to fish and he would often keep a couple alive and bring to put in the pond. Mom had some banty chickens and I would gather the eggs. We also had a couple bunnies at times. And a pair of geese! Large and protective geese! Mom made little leather bands for their legs and I could walk them out front. NO one came in our yard with them out there!

So, anyway, Bikini, if you want to try chickens, good luck. Once you get to know them they aren't that scary. For the most part they have tiny beaks and don't bite much. They are fun to feed. And you can have the joy of washing your own private supply of eggs!

Stay safe!

It's like a scene from a classic Mafia movie......sort of!

Hey, all!

So I'm busy around the house this morning and go out the front door to do something outside. There's a dead mouse stretched out on the sidewalk right in front of the porch. I'm sorry for the mouse, but ICK! Couldn't he have died under a bush or something? It reminded me of those scenes in the mobster movies where the bad guys put a dead fish at someone's door as a warning. But what does the mouse mean? Was it from a neighborhood cat warning our indoor kitties to stay indoors? Was the little mouse trying to reach help and he just collapsed there in front of the door? Or was it just to freak me out?

Geez!

Have a good day and stay safe!

WELL. HOLY CRAP!

I can not believe it has been so long since I've written! I have thought about things I wanted to say many times, but never got them down. Sigh.

It's been a busy Summer. We had our beach trip the end of May. We got home and got caught up and then there were little projects to get done and other "stuff". Golfer and I have had some doctor's appointments. I have had work. He has played golf.

We took a short trip to Ohio to visit family and attend his 45th high school reunion - Hooray! Fairless H.S Class of '65! It was a nice time and we got to visit with people we had not seen in years! I'm class of '67 and knew a lot of the people also, so it was fun for me too! Seems like the girls from my class dated and/or married the guys of Golfer's class. Anyway, we had fun!

We came home to 105 degree heat. It's been a rough Summer around here. Not much rain and too much extreme heat. Plants have died, grass is brown, and leaves have dried up and fallen off the trees. So we had some extra yard work. I decided not to replace any of the dried up plants at this time, just cleaned them up. A couple nights ago and storm rolled through. Not much rain, but lots of wind. We finished cleaning up from that today and have a pile out at the curb for pick up tomorrow.

I have been busy at work and here at home, getting things done and cleaned and in order. We are looking forward to our end of August Myrtle Beach trip. Several of our friends are going also. The guys will be playing in the big tournament - I think over 3,500 players at last count. Some of the ladies will be doing major shopping trips. I am planning to rest and relax and enjoy the beach and the water. The week after we return I am scheduled for surgery and will be recuperating and doing rehab for while. At this time they say I'll be off work for a least six weeks. Oh, the surgery is for a new left knee. It's time.

Bikini says Boxer and Bloomer are off to a good start with their new school classes and new teachers. They start in early August in Georgia. They are all doing fine. Bikini is planning to come and help after my surgery.

BeyB's school starts the day after Labor Day. She'd like Summer to last a little longer. Nurse J is also arranging to have some time to help after my surgery, so I think we've got things covered. I'm in the process of stocking up the freezer and pantry.

I hope you all are well and happy! Stay safe! I'm going to close this with one of my favorite pictures from the beach!