They played hookey today

Cancer update, crafts, Family

Today our daughter Rachel drove up from Sun Prairie to go with us to Bob’s monthly oncology appointment. Along with Rachel came her youngest, five-year-old Wyatt. Both had put aside work and school to be with us.

Bob’s appointment went well. The results of his blood test were all positive. The doctors (one we knew for years who we met in the hallway) thought Bob looked great. Their positive comments made us smile.

Yes, Wyatt came into the appointment, too. He said he wants his grandpa to get better.

Besides the short appointment, we had fun spending the day with Rachel and Wyatt. Here are some photos Rachel took today.

Grandma Susan advised Wyatt while he painted a ceramic tile.–Wyatt did great!
Grandpa Bob didn’t have to advise Wyatt how to do the puzzle. Wyatt knew what to do.
A closed window kept Grandpa Bob dry as Wyatt practiced with his squirt gun on our front porch..

All around, this day was a good one. Thanks Rachel and Wyatt for adding smiles to our day.

Laddy–an old family friend

Family, Memories, pets

Our family always had dogs when I was growing up. Laddy was a special hound. He was a purebred collie when we couldn’t afford one. I guess we got him from the bargain rack.

Laddy came to us because he was a very sick pup. Mom spoon fed him bread soaked in warm milk, otherwise, he wouldn’t or couldn’t eat. She gave him pills in liver sausage, too. It was all because of my mom’s valiant efforts that Laddy lived and grew into a fine family dog.

Laddy 1960

Laddy put up with my sister and me dressing him up in crazy outfits. Here he is wearing a raincoat and a hat. Laddy would let us do just about anything to him. He never complained.

Dogs like Laddy are trusting, loving, and loyal. They don’t care if a person is filthy from work, they are always happy to see you come home.

I like cats, too, but I’ve never had a cat greet me at the door, wagging its tail.

Little mama

Farming, pets

At the moment we have nine chickens. I do like the eggs that our hens have been giving us, but these birds can be a pain, too.

Our barn cats have gotten used to coming to our front porch for their morning and evening meals. Usually, I call “Kitty. Kitty.” to get their attention, if they aren’t already there, but I’ve had to stop calling them. The chickens think I’m calling them to eat and they come to the porch, too.

Chickens will eat about anything, even chicken. They like to peck around on the cat food and scraps I set out for the cats.

Most of the time the cats keep eating and ignore the birds. It’s only when a rooster comes on the porch that cats are annoyed. The rooster likes to boss the cats around.

Good thing the chickens don’t eat too much of the cat food. It’s just that they are a bother.

One of our little hens has decided she wants to set on eggs now. There’s no dissuading her. I marked 4 eggs so I know that these are the ones that she is brooding. Any unmarked eggs are taken out of the nest daily.

Last year’s co-mothers with 4 chicks–these two sat on one nest together.

I really don’t need any more chickens, ESPECIALLY roosters. I debated about even giving the little hen 4 eggs. She would be happy with two.

Oh well, we’ll see in three weeks if this little mama has any little ones. If she does, let’s hope they are hens.

Out for a ride

Family, nature, pets

Our farm lane still has issues with water, even so, Bob and I took Sunny for a ride in our cart.

Though Sunny thought he would drive, Bob eventually switched places with him.

Bob and Sunny did make room for me to ride, too.

Sometimes Sunny tries to take up more seat than he needs. We don’t like to leave him home. If he sees or even hears the cart running, he wants to join us and he is sad if we leave him behind–yes, dogs do get sad and don’t like to be left at home, even for fifteen minutes.

So we three took a ride this Monday evening. The sun was shining and the birds were twittering, but no deer were seen. Still, we were all glad for the nice farm outing.

Don’t ever regret enjoying a beautiful day. You never know when another will come along.

Salt and pepper

Memories, Odds and ends

My day is ending and I haven’t written my blog. Here are my thoughts for this evening.

When Bob and I were first married we didn’t have anything to decorate our mobile home. In my endeavor to put a little color into our rooms without spending much money, I started collecting salt and pepper shakers.

Back in the 1970s, rummage sales had the best bargains. For twenty-five cents, I could buy sets of all sorts and sizes. I liked the funny ones best, but anything, odd or different was good, too–I even brought home some chipped ones just because they were so different.

After a time I actually had too many salt and pepper shakers. There was no room in my curio cabinet so some got packed away. Also, our toddlers were accident prone and pieces were broken.

As time has passed, the price of the shakers went from a quarter to $2, to $5 or more. Good thing I had no need for more.

Maybe, if I look through my cabinets and stored sets now I might find a few real treasures. But I doubt it.

They served their purpose. But I’ve gone off collecting salt and pepper shakers or any knickknacks. The main reason why I’m no longer fond of them is because they have to be dusted.