July 9 chat

Maybe they will figure it out one of these days that this new format isn't really working.  Then again, maybe not.

I missed what happened with Doug and family. Sounds serious.

This past week and a half have been pretty intense, anxiety filled and stressful.  I  am so in need of some calm/relaxing quiet time.

This day is going to drag since I started at 6.not sure how I will make it!

Yes I have had a tough time coming here after Doug's news - Julie if you can't find it here - contact me via text, FB or email and I will respond

Ruby you are so gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad Hot is doing better

Good luck for Missy

Ronnie is a lucky boy and I've seen a few photos so I know he is grateful and gorgeous too!

Kate if you use Chrome browser it keeps your login and you don't get that annoying pop-up. I swear they just keep adding more nonsense that draws more bandwidth and makes it even more challenging to pop in and out of here!!

All is fine here - it's freaking hot, last 2 days have been about 100* - but it's summer. My office gets colder the hotter it gets outside so it is freezing in there. I have to dress for the cold and then suffer anytime I need to go outside.

I think I am going to apply for a neat sounding job - I am having a terrible time making decisions lately. Nothing is cut and dry. My hope is that if my contract employer gets wind of the my job application they don't release me. I have heard some wild stories

OK I must run

The pain is still there.  We've woken up to the clatter of claws on flooring for about 30 years now,  I still miss Piper, and occasionally  talk with Rags in the back yard.  We are going to get another Springer, and soon.  He won't be Guns, but he will be part of our family-possibly our last dog.  I will have to thank the kids, because the money   is coming from their inheritance.

One of my brothers (the one who I got Rags and Piper from) has a friend with an 8 week old litter on the ground.  Bro has a little female  from this litter, and there are several males left, we hope.  If possible, we will get one Sunday.  If not,  there are others available elsewhere and we will find a dog to love.

Surprisingly, my wife is the driving force here.  She really misses Guns.  They spent a lot of time together and they got really close.  I was willing to wait a few months, but acceptance comes faster as you get older.

It is a beautiful day in MN.  I was out feeding the gnats and mosquitos while trimming some grass and brush.  We are going to have a bumper crop of Honey Crisp apples, and the crab apple tree is covered with fruit.  The cherries have all disappeared, and the grapes are growing.  Catherine, the new grape vine, is doing very well.

With all the rain, the yard is lush.  I would send photos, but that means standing still in the yard for a few seconds, and that isn' good to do right now.  

@DougB

It is a beautiful day in MN.  I was out feeding the gnats and mosquitos while trimming some grass and brush.  

There's the Doug we know and love!    Keep us posted on the puppy  news.  It's nice that you have some good leads and contacts already in the loop for Springers.  You may be right about acceptance coming faster as we get older.  It also depends on each person's circumstances.  One of my friends had to euthanize her aging dog a few years ago, and she went to the shelter the very next day and adopted a new dog.  She lived alone and had a very stressful job -- she couldn't imagine walking in the door after work to a totally empty house for even one day.  At any rate, we will all be eager to meet your new family member when he arrives!

Karen, your office sounds like mine -- the indoor temp is inversely related to the outdoor temp.  I always have a sweater on at my desk, then I have to remember to take it off before going outside.  I feel like Mr. Rogers!  Good luck with the new job lead!

Hope your stress levels drop soon, Julie.

Sending Missy good vibes for her toofers!

Back to the piles of invoices here -- I've got an hour or so to get them wrapped up before I head to a lunch meeting at my favorite pasta place!

Doug it is good to see you back and posting and researching a pup!

Ginger you need to post a photo of your plant - google tells me there are at least two plants that wear that moniker

Doug, so glad your getting another dog soon, it does ease the pain. when we lost Bonnie it was not long before we got Ava, our house was just too quiet without the patter of those little feet. I am up in years also our old cat duffy is now gone he was 21 and we lost him in march.  Ava is now 2 and she also will be our last dog, hoping she outlives me.

The pup we are looking at is a relative of Pipers.  The pups grand sire is Pipers full brother.  We will see this pup Sunday, and we are taking the checkbook and a carrier.  The pup is liver and white field bred and is described as confident, trainable, good nose, a cuddler.  Third litter from the same breeding, all good dogs placed in good homes.

No, I'm not excited at all.

wow! sounds like a great prospect Doug! Happy news

Well the above are a sample of the queen.  I started pics at 8:30 p.m....went to bed before it fully bloomed out.  The last pic is at 6:30 a.m. the next morning.  I wish I could have lasted.  This one plant will most likely bloom again around the end of August, I hope.  The most bloom I have had on one plant is 3 at once :)  It is a beautiful site.  I am not a night hawk so I have only seen full bloom a few times.

Doug, btw, I am happy to hear about your possible new family member.  I know the quiet sound you are hearing and I understand.

Thanks Ginger! Fascinating flower!

Doug, the puppy prospect sounds wonderful. Pictures are expected, of course!

I am totally intrigued by the flower, Ginger--that is just beautiful!  

We got about 1/2 inch of rain overnight--a thunderstorm rolled through. I definitely need to weed and mow.

I don't remember who it was, but last year someone here said they were putting in a Knockout rose. I got one--a double pink last summer and it has done well, so I am getting a couple more today (the yellow ones). They are easy to care for, which is just what I need.

Wow!  That flower is so cool!  I can't imagine being able to see it open over the course of a few hours like that.  Great photos -- thanks for posting them, Ginger!

We should look into the Knockout rose if it's easy to care for.  The 4 rose bushes we have now are a little more high maintenance than we like!

Excellent Idea about the knockout Roses.....I have 3  I bought one each year (budget necessity)  They will put them on sale around this time.  I buy them on sale, I have kept them in the pot for a year  before planting.  Usually cause I'm not sure where I want them.  I keep them sheltered from the harsh north wind and mulch around them during the winter.  The only one I have ever lost was a yellow.  I think it was struggling when I bought it.  My Red and Pink are gorgeous and in between them I have purple Iris.  The Iris and the rose starts blooming together in the spring and the color is beautiful.. Of course the Iris quits blooming but the rose keeps going  til  fall.   I love them, they are way less sensitive to bugs and mildew than regular roses.  Still have to spray for those nasty Japanese beatles but other than that I rarely do anything.