birthday boy . . .

yesterday was the 9TS's birthday. He turned 39, or so he says. That's fine with me because that would make me 33.5.

Being Friday, we planned to go to dinner at Carrabba's as usual and I was going to take my camera and catch our rituals . . . and Richard . . . and celebrate. But our duo got a little larger and I didn't want to be THAT woman with the camera, so I left it at home. There is always next week . . .

The 9TS got THE absolute perfect card from Joanie and Eddie, our neighbors. On the cover is a little black cat with a band of light crossing his eyes, very ninja like and the caption reads: Ninja Cat . . . don't turn your back. Inside: Watch out . . . another birthday's creeping up on you! The 9TS actually giggled. He is not a giggler. It touched his funny bone. And mine. And Ninja's when we showed her.

speaking of ninja . .

I used a shot of her pudgy body for my Saturday exercise in my Pen Tablet class:


credits: Template: Jessica Sprague, Papers: Amanda Taylor, Cat: Dawn Inskip

productivity . . .

I woke this morning resolute in making this day more productive than those of late. It started out badly as I drove Kaitlyn to school while still in my pajamas . . . the bed having been so warm and inviting. One of these days, I am going to have to explain to the officer I just went screaming past that there is no way I can step out of the car, sir . . . I am not adequately dressed for the job, sir.

Things improved once back home on the range. I finally hemmed the 9TS's new khaki's, emptied the dishwasher, did the ironing, and vacuumed the downstairs. Then I picked up 'Tis by Frank McCourt, and starting where I had left off last night, lost all hope of doing anything else even mildly smacking of productivity. What a wonderful read.

As the 9TS made the trip to retrieve Kaitlyn, I pried my nose out of the book long enough to throw some brownies into the oven.



How can a day with Frank McCourt and Ghirardelli Brownies be a bad day!

Lesson 4 . . .

Of Jessica's pen tablet class . . . minus the extractions. It seems I went a little crazy with the brushing and didn't leave enough room. That and I have always been intimidated by them.


Credits: Template: Jessica Sprague, Papers: Amanda Taylor

I also, it seems, am intimidated with my own handwriting. It displeases me. Chicken scratch. Bah! But I was delighted that my wild child actually laid still while I clicked away, some almost in his face. How things have changed from when he first arrived fourteen years ago. Crazy man has finally mellowed. Love him.

cat bytes . . .

Spring has sprung . . .

This little tree is around the corner from us. WOW!



So since I had my camera, I scrambled up close,



I absolutely adore the pale pinkness of these buds. And then I noticed that I had company.



Bees! Lots and lots of bees. Too many bees. Time to leave . . . quickly. But I had to try and get one close up.



Sorry for the fuzz but this wasn't a macro situation, the branch being way over my head. But, look at those honey sacks!!!!! Dinner's coming!!!

Renninger's - part 1, getting there . . .

Today the 9TS and I piled into the Vette and headed to Mt. Dora, home of Renninger's Antique and Flea Market Extravaganza. It's held three times a year and is a favorite place for us to nose around.

Mt. Dora is pretty far out in the woods. A little boring on the interstate but once you are on back roads, it is a fine ride. This time though, I started to notice a pattern of signage. The first was a deer crossing sign. I missed a shot of that one, but everyone has seen one a time or two, unless of course, they are in downtown Manhattan, in which case, believe me, there are much more interesting sites to see. Any way, after the deer crossing sign, came the bear crossing signs. Lots of them. This one even had a number to call.



Then I noticed these babies. Not sure if you see them outside of the state of Florida but they are pretty common around here. You can click on the picture to see it better but remember we were doing 55 at the time . . .



But it was this one that got me thinking . . .



I mean really!! Doesn't it make you wonder just a little???