The Never-ending Song

I believe I had mentioned  seeing a wee Praying mantis on my porch earlier.  They do grow so rapidly!  Or at least I think what I am seeing now is the same one I rescued not that long ago, guiding him (or her) off the cement platform into the garden. A week ago, Edgar was staring intently at something in the grass.  At first I did not see what he was finding so fascinating, as the grass was in need of mowing and the well camoflaged  creature was himself so green.  There he was, "my" Praying mantis, now a "teen-ager", standing tall among the blades of grass with his hands folded in prayer before him. Edgar edged forward, sniffing at the small insect, ever so gently.  This boistrous, pouncing dog of mine!  As he eased forward, nose working, he barely touched the miniature triangular head.  SWISH -one tiny hand swept forward, slapping Edgar right on the end of his nose.  Edgar jumped back, startled.  His curiosity was not dissuaded tho...

  Tossed my trash bag into the dumpster yesterday and a string of brown wasps came  roaring up and out. Fortunately my scooter backed up fast and I got away from there with only one sting--on my left hand which I had put up in front of my face.    I took Benedryl right away.  Washed the area and checked for a stinger. None there.  Put on Benedryl spray which did nothing.  Swelled, throbbed--nasty!  Then I recalled someone saying to put honey on a sting.  Honey is something I always have.  So I put a glob right on the sting area and covered it loosely with a gauze bandage.  Within minutes the pain subsided and the swelling began to go down. This morning it is only slightly puffy and red.  No stiffness and does not hurt. Moral of the story---keep a jar of honey on hand.

I am realizing just how much I missed during those "dog-less" months when I did not sit on my porch.  Every day when sitting out there with Edgar I see something new and wonderful.   I do wish I could learn how to take pictures with my phone camera and send them to my computer so I could download them to the blog.  I take lots of pictures and know how to text them to someone's phone, but being so technically challenged, I simply have not figured out what I need to do in order to post photos. I will try  reading the instructions once again to see if I can make heads or tails of them. Anyway, ---a few days ago I saw the tiniest Praying Mantis yet.  It was so wee I thought it was a smidgeon of the newly mowed grass which had blown up onto the cement platform.  Even Edgar did not see it, and he misses nothing!  Then the little arms came up into praying hands and the tiny triangular head turned towards me and I recognized the bright green for what he w...

  Last night my daughter came for supper.  We could not find any fireworks nearby listed anywhere.  So she went to a friend's house for about an hour.  It was dark when she returned here to my apartment.   While she was gone, two members of the community stopped by saying they had heard there would be a fireworks display at the D-Day Memorial.  We can see the D-Day grounds from our hillside, though trees on the road below us have grown tall and do block the lower displays.  By the time Terry returned, it was very dark and people were moving outside, some with chairs, towards the areas with less buildings, street lights and trees.  Terry wanted me to go out with her.  I was hesitant as I was not certain about leaving Edgar alone. Ginger, the feral community cat, was feeling very lonely.  She was clinging to my door, not only allowing Terry to pet her, but begging to have her neck scratched.  So there was that concern also--bring...

  From Jon's blog I have learned that pictures of the gardens and flowers here in the East have brought enjoyment to those of you who have so sadly lost yours.  My daughter works very diligently on her on her flowers beds.  She carries buckets of water on a daily basis, and puts out deer repellent frequently.  Lots of trimming and weeding.  She has been aiming for an "English country cottage garden"  look.  She was so pleased yesterday when a neighbor complimented her flowers and said just that--"I have been to England and this looks so much like the English country cottage gardens." So I am posting a picture of her front steps and a single flower.  Hopefully for your enjoyment.

  So sorry--no photo today.  My aide said she did not know how to send the photo to my e/m so I could use it.   My daughter does know how.  She will be here tomorrow and we will try to get Edgar to pose to show off his coat, and especially that gorgeous tail, to advantage. Edgar has been wearing the shock collar less.  We have had a couple of heavy rain and thunderstorm days when Ginger has not shown up. I have no idea where she disappears to, but this often happens.  So Edgar has been going out free of the collar. I have never used it in the house.  The other evening Susie jumped off the bed where both she and Edgar know she is "off limits".  She came tiptoeing out from the bedroom to the living room where Edgar was lying on his pillow beside my computer desk.  Edgar spotted her, got up, and herded Susie into the bedroom closet.  He did not growl or bark.  He did not charge as is his custom.  He walked slowly.   Susi...

It was hot and muggy out on the porch as we awaited the arrival of Nomi, the new person in Edgar's life.  She arrived right at the time she had said she would.  Edgar greeted her with waving tail and his silly Corgi bounce.  We came inside to the welcome A/C.  Nomi looked at my bathroom to see where she would be working with Edgar.  Not much room in there and since this is a handicap apartment, no bath tub.  Just a large shower stall with a bench.  I had laid out Edgar's four big bath towels and his medicated shampoo.  Nomi spent some time getting acquainted with my boy before going back into the bathroom.  Edgar peeked in to see what she was  up to, then followed her in.  Nomi quickly shut the door.  I stayed out in the kitchen. Having spent many years doing dog grooming myself, I anticipated she would rather have the dog's owner out of sight, and yes--she does find things work better that way. So I sat doing a crossword puzzl...