Opposums really like cat food

They argue and fight over the outdoor kitties' food each night that we forget to bring it in at sundown.

Then one night I chased off 2 raccoons. At some point that same night there was a break-in (or break-out) of the screen door--gaping open at the bottom. All the cats got out and we can only assume the raccoons had free-reign of the house too! Little Cat is still outside, having decided it's nicer there than indoors.

Nuke was out the front door in the morning having spent the night with the raccoons. And Charlie, the giant kitten, well he was gloating in the morning that he was the only one who disregarded the temptation to romp in the night. Until I petted him and found him covered in burrs. Ya, right, Charlie.

Sarah

The KID is here!

Yay!

For a brief visit between Baghdad and Beirut, we get the chance to share time with Kim as she transitions from one adventure to another. What a tremendous threshold she is decisively stepping through!

Brian and I look forward to traveling to Lebanon to see her in her new home as soon as we can manage it.

She has my continuing and undying respect and admiration.

Sarah

Still No Eggs :(

We were under the apparently false impression that our girls would be laying at around 3 months old. Not so...

I attempted to con them into it subliminally by placing a small red potato in each nest box. They don't care...

I tried threats, "One of you girls better give me an egg this week, OR ELSE!" Ignoring me...

What's a chicken mother to do?
Sarah

It's HOT

Oh, Lawdy! It's HOT!

Yesterday, 100 degrees a block from my un-air conditioned shop as I drove to our un-air conditioned home in my un-air conditioned van.

Before, you go nuts calling me "nuts", neither Brian nor I work regularly in air conditioning, so it is more comfortable (and healthier) to simply get used to the weather rather than try to maintain a narrow range of comfortable temperature and then be uncomfortable all day at work.
Plus, we hate closing up the house (windows open all winter too).
Plus, we just like to be closer to nature.

But at 100 degrees...wow!
Sarah

The Wee Hours

Fairly regularly, I end up...up in the middle of the night for an hour or two. Like right now. It starts innocently enough, a nice big glass of water or milk before bed and getting up to go to the bathroom. But then my mind starts to work on all the unfinished business in my life and won't shut itself back off and return to sleep.

So I lay there for a while, maybe a half hour, until there is just no closing my eyes. Eventually, I have to get up so Brian can sleep.

Here I sit, laptop open, warm milk and the mind is still going. I always think, "well I could do dishes or laundry or balance the checkbook." Those are the kinds of things that wake me up in the first place. But I usually opt for more calming tasks to try and tempt sleep. Maybe writing it down will work....

Sarah

Coming Soon...

New Digs!

Since closing my Fountain Square gallery and shop, I've been framing at a home-based shop of a wonderful colleague. Unfortunately, there is not quite enough room there for all my stuff. Some is there; some is my at home; some is in a warehouse in storage. With my scattered brain, I was never able to have everything I need at one place when I needed it. Driving around the city to gather my stuff sent my blood pressure to new heights.

Generously, the fabulous businesswoman, in who's warehouse my equipment and inventory resides, said to me a couple weeks ago, "Why don't you just operate out of here?"

BRILLIANT!

And oh, so welcome! She is offering me space and I am cleaning it out. It's a lovely arrangement.

I am still doing the "Mobile" thing. So I still meet clients at homes, offices, other locations with samples and computer in hand. But now I'll be working out of a convenient location downtown (next to the canal and Cultural Trail--sweet). Details and new photos coming soon!

Sarah

Purple Fingers

...from de-stemming goose berries! These are being frozen for a future goose berry/rhubarb custard pie. When it cools down a little.

Right now (11:10 in the pm) it's 86 degrees in the kitchen. I didn't even cook in there this evening. I cooked dinner on the porch (lp gas burner from a turkey fryer--thanks Christine and Eddie)!

Dinner was fresh green beans sauteed with onion, garlic, and BACON, plus Kabsa (Middle Eastern spice blend--uber yummy). Topped off with the end of the homemade chocolate/coconut ice cream. Delish. Loving this time of year!

Gotta go shower and clean off the purple.

Sarah