My Walk and a Few Pretties

I have a beautiful place to walk practically next door to my house. This is the walking trail where the train tracks used to be. Buddy scratches on the front door upon arriving home wanting to go for his walk. He greets other walkers with baby dog excitement.

This is one thing I see when walking. The train depot museum.

This is an old church still being used today. It's hard to see but the stained glass is beautiful.

Old homes line the street and I love these old places.

Some pretties I found. The canna has 4 flowers on it. Awesome.

I could not get any closer to the butterfly. They love the zinnias.

I hope all of you bloggers out there have a wonderful day gardening or whatever you are doing.

Health Note

There is still no explanation for my black on Wed and why my pressure dropped so low. Can dehydration cause this? The paramedic said she thought I might be a little dehydrated.

I had a calcium score test done on Friday. The findings are that there is some build up of calcification in two arteries but isn't real bad. I have the early stages of heart disease. I take cholesterol meds already and try to stay away from certain foods but admit that I love the rich southern foods cooked with FAT. I will make more changes to my diet and watch the fat and cholesterol rich foods.

Changes are being made in my diet and to STOP smoking. I had set a date before any of this began on Wed and that date is 9/28 - my birthday. My STOP journey began yesterday with the change of places where I smoke. I have made it not so convenient to smoke. Next week I'll reduce it even more and start the patch on the 28th.

The grandson is much better and no fever. They have been quarintined.

Thanks for all of your prayers.

Tomorrow I am posting some flowers - enough of all this health stuff.

Heart Scare

Well - I had a big ole scare last night. I got real dizzy and passed out cold at home - alone. Don't have any idea how long I lay there before I came to - but Buddy was right by my side. I managed to get to the phone to call 911. My blood pressure had bottomed out at 50/30. I was so out of it - confused and very scared. I spent the night at the hospital. They don't know at this point what caused it. I will be having a calcium score test tomorrow and then don't know what's next. I do not know anything about this test/procedure. I will be asking a lot of questions tomorrow at the cardioligist. I do take a small handful of meds including high blood pressure meds. My pressure has always been on the high side and at times on 2 different meds but currently only one. The doctor has suspended the blood pressure meds for now. I see my primary care doctors on Monday.

Let me say this about Mr Obama's health care plan proposal. I am one of the ones he is speaking of in his speech. I have no insurance. I have a few pre existing conditions that BCBS would exclude so why should I pay high premiums only to have my illnesses denied. I am not an Obama fan but he sure gave a good speech. Anyway I just wanted share that.

Keep me in your prayers as I go thru these tests hopefully to discover what caused this episode. It is bad to not know.

One more note - My grandson 11 yrs old has strep and swine flu combined. Keep him in your prayers too.

Friday Fill-Ins

#140

Graphic courtesy of Tonya at Friday Fill-Ins.

And...here we go!

1. I feel like I am ready for a 3 day weekend.

2. Going to the beach is always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: radio and phone ringing .

4. I miss my kids and grandkids and I'm glad I am going to visit one of them next week..

5. The last time I went away on vacation was 4 years ago .

6. I will visit family and friends this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for my weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a movie on TV, tomorrow my plans include cleaning house and Sunday, I want to attend church!

Have a great Labor day weekend and stay safe.

Buddy's Happy

This is all it takes to make this little baby happy. A NEW toy. Is that an Auburn tiger there. I do believe so. Tare it up Buddy. ROLL TIDE!

You know I mentioned in a prior post about how tucked out Buddy was walking with me in the afternoon with his tongue dragging the ground. Well he waits at the door to go on those walks now. He is certainly tired after his walk which is a little less than a half mile - but he loves it. After dropping him off - I set out to walk alone for some well needed excercise. I love this time of year for walking.

Have a nice evening everyone.

The Guiding Light

The long time running "Guiding Light" is turning off the lights on September 18 when the final show will air. The final taping is complete. I grew up watching this soap opera. This show has been running for 72 years beginning as a radio show debuting on radio in 1937 as a 15 minute serial. The Guiding Light came to television in 1952 and expanded to a 30 minute show in 1968.

All good things come to an end and the Lights go out on The Guiding Light. So Long.

Bingo Beautiful Blog Award

I received an award from Jo @ A Brit in Tennessee. Thank you Jo. It is the Beautiful B-I-N-G-O blog award. It is always nice to be recognized by fellow bloggers. I still can't believe people actually read what I write but I am glad you do. I enjoy everyone's blog so it is so hard to pick only 8 blogs to pass this onto. I want to give it to everyone but I will pick. Please don't be offended if I did not pick you.

I must pick 8 blogs to pass this onto and they are -

Beautiful - Denise @ An English Girl Rambles and Lynn @ Best In Bloom Today.

Informative - Kim @ Beautiful Wreck and April @ Homeschool Musings.

Neighborly - Ginger @ Law of The Land and Chicken Boys.

Gorgeous - Jamie and Randy @ Creating Our Eden and KeeWee @ KeeWee's Garden.

Outstanding - Prospero @ Serendiptous Garden and Tootsie @ Tootsie Time.

If you do not accept awards then please ignore since I did not check who accepts awards.

If you do please pass it on.

This and That

I found this piece of an egg laying on the ground but didn't see any babies near by. I thought it was neat to find anyway.

Luci turned 5 and had a puppy dog party with many of her homeschool friends and neighbors. Happy Birthday Luci.

I have been wanting some homemade chicken pot pie. I printed off the recipe 3 weeks ago and finally made it. It was the best chicken pot pie I have ever made. The recipe "Lady and Sons Chicken Pot Pie" came from Paula Deen and I picked it up on the Foodnetwork.com. It made a beautiful pie with lattice crust on top. I don't think that I should post the recipe but I can tell you that it the creamyness of it comes from using a quart - yes I said a quart of heavy cream. I was kinda concerned but it was wonderful. One thing I did different is that the recipe called for raw onion to be added to the mix - but I prefer my onions cooked so I cooked them in the oil that I used for browning the chicken. The recipe makes a ton. I baked a 9x13 pan and had enough for an additional 9x9 pan. Also the recipe calls for 4 sheets of puff pastry - I used only 2 and had too much.

I also have been wanting a fresh pound cake and I love to make them. Another Paula Deen recipe. This one was also different than others I have made in that it called for heavy cream also but only a cup of the rich stuff. The recipe is "Southwest Georgia Pound Cake" and it is awesome and rich - ooohhhh. You absolutely have to try a piece of warm cake right out of the oven. It will leave you wanting more. Sorry about the blurred picture - I was about to drop the camera trying to get a photo before taking that warm bite of cake. MMMMmmmmm.

I decided to take the whole pot pie and the cake to my Mom's for their dinner. They were so happy to get a good meal they didn't have to prepare and it was sssooo good.

Well mom had really nice eye candy in the gardens. The leaves are so pretty on this plant. Don't know its name but it in the 'wondering jew' family with its beautiful color on the leaves.

The clematis are so full and the flowers are like velvet and such a rich red.

I love the leaves on this one too. Again I do not know the name but it sure is pretty.

Hope you all have a great Monday.

Friends Blog Award - Thank you

A blog award.

I am humbled to receive an award from the Chicken Boys at chickenesque.blogspot.com. Thank you for this Friends Award. I have made so many new freinds on blogspot and I love to read others blogs. I never knew there could be so many blogs about gardening and blogging about other things. This has become a favorite place to ponder and see what others are up to and to get new ideas for my place. There are friends who blog about so many different things and I love to read each and everyone.

I will be passing this on to The Smiths Benny and Patsy, Beautiful Wreck, Sue at Luxe Lanai, Darla at More Family and Friends and Sheila at The Gardens of Petersonville. Go on over and check out these friends.

Thank you, Becca

Buddy And Some Blooms

Yesterday Buddy and I went for a walk. Half way through he began to pant with his tongue hanging out. Well by the time we were a little close to home his tongue was dragging the ground and he was leading the way home. He couldn't wait to get inside to his water. Upon entering he laid down for me to remove the leash and went to the bowl and drank - take a breath - drink more - take a breath - and drink some more before laying down right by his bowl. I enjoyed the walk. He'll get used to it and love it.


Begonias getting leggy. I'll cut them all soon and set out new starters from the cuttings.

The Johnsons Blue Geranium FINALLY.

This blue baby looks so lonely. Maybe more will bloom soon. I will be getting me more of these seeds.

Happy gardening fellow bloggers. Hope everyone has a fabulous day.

The Weekend

My favorite swinging bridge. You have to click on the photo and enlarge to see the swinging bridge just above the concrete railing here. This is in Florence MS.

You couldn't have asked for a prettier day than this. Such a pretty shade of blue with a few wispy clouds. Even the temps were pleasant. Actually set some record lows for this time of year. This AM is was 62 degrees - temps we normally see in Oct. (Could this be the reason a few pecan trees are losing their nuts prematurely?) Maybe an early fall?

Buddy has to be clean to visit relatives. He hates the whole bath process - but just like children he loves the water.

He rides in the passenger seat in his bed. He is most comfortable in his own diggs with a pillow to block some sun.

Luci's birthday cake. She is going to be 5.

The hand is suppose to be a puppy dog begging, but one hand had to hold the purse.

Ben love the pirates. Everything is about pirates right now.

Calm.

I had a great weekend. The only thing that could have made it better is if I had stayed and gone to church with them. I regret not attending with them.

Friday Fill-Ins

It's time for Friday Fill-Ins. Head on over to Tonya at fridayfillins.blogspot.com to join in the fun. Here we go...

1. I remember, I remember _ when the beatles began.

2. Dear _blogger friends__ I want you to know __how I love to read your blogs.

3. Is that my __purse on the floor - Buddy !!???

4. I'm trying to resist the temptation of ___ making a blueberry cobler tonight with berries I picked _.

5. I'm saving a __piece of cobbler __ just for you!

6. If I made a birthday list __ a new computer _ would definitely be on it!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __ packing and making a cobbler _, tomorrow my plans include __ seeing the grands (the daughters) with birthday surprises with a cake in hand __ and Sunday, I want to ___rest from the drive and visit my new fellow and try to get over to Moms _!

What Didn't Grow

What didn't even make a show.


Gladiolas, 4 varieties of Dahlias, Ranuculus, Liatris, 4 varieties of Day Lilies, Bleeding Hearts, Rudbekia, Phlox, Purple Verbena, Double Decker Coneflower, Crazy Daisy, and Yellow Perfection Viola's. I know there are some more to list but this is enough to discourage someone. I won't be beat by some no shows. Even though these didn't make a showing there is always the next season - fall and winter.

I have begun the planning and hope to have more success with fall than I did with the spring stuff.

Finally I Have a Bloom

I have been waiting for at least 2 months for a bloom on my Johnsons Blue Geranium. Finally I saw it Sunday morning. There is only one opened up but there are some more little buds. I expect next year it will be producing a bunch of these little pretties.

Thats all I have to show today. Hope you all have a great day at work - blogging - gardening and whatever else you can get into - Just enjoy it.

Buddy's New Toy

A brand new toy to chew. Oh boy.

Play with me momma.

After about 10 minutes - "Oooops Mom - I took its leg off."

And that is the story of Buddy's toys.

Pecans

Anyone wanting pecans I will be happy to share as long as I have nuts. They should be ready sometime over the next 4 weeks or so. If you want pecans email me at: becca7376@yahoo.com

This and That

The pecan trees are dropping pecans left and right but they are still green. Walking in the yard at this point you are very likely to get bonked on the head with a nut. The trees are still loaded so I expect that I may have an abundance of pecans. Too bad I can't eat them and I absolutely love pecans especially during the holidays when everything is made with pecans. It is truly southerners delight.

If anyone wants me to ship them some pecans I will be happy to do so as long as you pay for shipping. I have eight trees - Stewart Pecans, one I have never heard of - Silver Queen and Paper Shell. I cannot tell the difference in the pecans or the trees. They are different - but I cannot identify which is which. I will send what I can if you request it.

Buddy is liking the pecans because the squirrels are having a feast right now as they prepare for the winter and have plenty for now too. The quirrels break them open and drop them to the ground and Buddy scarfs them up and runs to the house when he has a mouthful. If he's not grabbing a nut he is making a bee line to the pear tree where he quickly spots a pear on the ground and grabs and runs toward the house. You would think that it would make him sick. NOT. Buddy eats everything.

We are certainly into the summertime pattern of rain nearly everyday. Down here in the Mobile area we get an abundance each year and we love it and depend on it. You can watch the grass grow right now - needs cutting every week.

Along with our typical rain the Atlantic is beoming active which means hurricanes will be forming. Our first tropical system is expected to form and be named today. It is going to be imperitive that I get me some supplies soon. You don't want to be in the store trying to get supplies when we have one come into the Gulf. It is literally a MAD HOUSE people scrambling. Seems like nearly everyone waits till the last minute.

I hope I didn't bore you too much just rambling on. Wishing you all have a great day. Just for today - make it the best.

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins

Graphic courtesy of Tonya! Go on over to Tonya's at fridayfillins@blogspot.com and join the fun.

1. _ Begonia__ is my favorite summertime _flower__.

2. My favorite John Huges movies is __Honestly I don't know.

3. ___Buddy__ is something I love to touch.

4. The full moon __reminds me of the strange things that occur on full moon__.

5. __I am working between post__ right now.

6. When daylight fades __ the mosquitos come out in droves__.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __ another pina colada like last weekend__, tomorrow my plans include __ visiting a new cyber friend, and Sunday, I want to __attend church and visit another friend - former co-worker.

Today is the Day

This morning when I awoke I thought of the poem - Just for Today. This is a version of the same poem. I don't know why I thought of this today but maybe I needed it and/or maybe someone in blogland needed to read this.

Today I will live it up

I will live it up today by praying when I awake

I will live it up today by doing a good deed for someone and not getting found out

I will live it up by smiling at the people I meet, knowing that those who do not return the smile need it most

I will live it up today by being the best me there is beliveing that God's will is for me to be me

I will live it up today by excersing my body, mind and spirit, aware that excercise is the key to health

I will live it up today by taking responsibility for just that is mine to be responsible for

I will live it up today by enjoying the gift of today and the miracle of the day, even when I do not understand what the gifts and miracles are

I will live it up today knowing that God is with me always and that I am never alone

I will live it up today because God gave me the power of choice, and I choose to live it up.

by Tuchy Carl Palmieri

Hope everyone has a blessed day.

A Little Bit of Color

I found a little bit of color in my yard after the rain. I am so glad to see something in bloom. More flowers are needed but now is not the time to do any planting. I need to get busy planning the fall and winter gardens. I am learning more about planning - something we learn through experience and what works for us.

The vincas were so full a couple of months ago and now they are straggly but with some color again. Yea!
I love begonias. Why? Because I can grow them so easily. They are beautiful performers and bloom and bloom. They did get stunted due to the draught we had but that is over now. They bounce beautifully. When I cut my plants back all of the cuttings go into a pot to make the next mound to plant. Just stick the cutting into the soil and watch them grow.

The four o'clocks are great performers. They have sprung back since we had rain.

This lantana that is growing wild is prettier than any that I have babied and tried to encourage blooming.

These zinnias are also great performers.

This is what topped off my Saturday night. A pina colada with whipped topping and of course the cherry. Mmmmmmm - so good. Sinful for something to taste that good.

Hope you all have a great Monday.