SO MUCH FOR IDYLLIC...

Well, Blogging Buddies... I have bad news to report.

When we relocated here from Austin, Texas, I felt a little more comfortable about the lack of potential for crime, vandalism, etc. After all, we were leaving a city of 650,000+ for a town of about 10,000. Don't misunderstand me... there are crimes here and bad things happen to good people just like anywhere else. I still lock all of my doors and keep the gates on the fence locked. I still lock my vehicle at night. Most of that is simply habit. But I honestly felt like there was less potential for any difficulty here. In fact... when I was working so hard on the front yard to try to improve the property, the spousal-unit was helping me to hang my Gecko on the exterior garage wall. There was a perfect spot for it and I thought it would add interest. I hesitated briefly when we were hanging it and asked him, "You don't think anyone would steal it, do you?" We both agreed that it was unlikely and moved forward.

Tonight as I type this, I am awaiting the arrival of a city police officer to take a report on my now-missing Gecko. While I have little hope of recovering it, I want to at least make the local department aware there is theft occurring in my area. Perhaps there are others who have had items go missing. I don't know. I just know I am deeply saddened by the loss of my "critter" who has been with me for a number of years. I am even more saddened knowing that tomorrow morning my spousal-unit will be moving all "yard art" items from the front yard to the back. The worst of it is not knowing whether I will be able to find a replacement or not. Just a minute... there is the officer. I'll be back.

I'm back. The officer who arrived was a very nice young man... and the nephew of a childhood pal!! Yep. It's a very small world, isn't it? Especially here. He will make a report. I provided him with a copy of the picture I am posting below (as a fond farewell to my Gecko) for his report.

So... it is with sadness and a heavy heart I bid a fond farewell to my Gecko. He was a wonderful addition to my yard and a joy for me to see every time I pulled into the driveway. I will miss him greatly. I have also become more suspicious of every car driving down the street and less trusting of anyone who even slows to look at my yard. How sad.




Until next time, my Blogging Buddies...

FESTIVALS & MORE

Helloooooooo, Blogging Buddies! It has been too long and I am aware of that. Mea culpa. Many things to do... believe it or not.

So... let's talk about the Louisiana Doll Festival I attended this past Saturday. It was held downtown and included lots of dolls, a small carnival, a puppet show, assorted vendors, and just a lot of things to see.

The street scene (carnival at the far end):

Some hard-working young'uns (Tae Kwon Do participants):

The puppets were busy telling the story of Jonah and the Whale (the whale is at the upper right corner of the black draping):

The town lost one of its Sheriff's Department detectives on May 5, 2009, in an auto accident that seriously injured three other officers. They were returning from a S.W.A.T. team competition in northwest Louisiana. How could I pass up the opportunity to contribute to the cause? Besides, the German Shepherd was just begging for a photo-op!!

Oh!! I guess I should point out some of the dolls that were at the festival. Got busy with other things.

Interestingly enough, there was a couple from Cedar Park, Texas there with their collection. Had to snap a shot of them!! She is Patsy. I didn't get his name and I reckon he doesn't want it on the business card about dolls. :) It was nice chatting with them. They don't have a web site on the card but if you have an interest in dolls, they can be emailed at dolzdolzdolz@aol.com.

A farewell to dolls with a ride on the dragon-coaster!!

On another note entirely, for those of you interested in my "tire garden", the planting was done on April 2, 2010. It looked like this: Today is April 19th so we are only 17 days in. There have been two "Grape" tomato plants incorporated, adding a touch of civility in their faux glazed pottery planters. I'm very pleased with the progress so far. (Don't worry... the flamingos are just off-camera to the left!)

So... I hope you feel "caught up" now and will forgive my delay in posting. I'm not sure what fascinating event will be upcoming so I can't tell you to what you should look forward. Just be prepared!! You never know!

Until next time...

RECYCLING MAKES ME SOOOOO TIRED!!

Hello there, Blogging Pals!! Welcome back!!

First of all, I have found, to my displeasure, that my Google Blogspot account has suddenly begun attaching "ads" to my text!!! I did NOT request this and I am presently trying to get it stopped. If you see ANY words in green with double underlining, do NOT click on them or roll your cursor over them. The links I place in the posts which are heavy pink/purple in color are still good for you to click on.

I am very pleased to announce that the recently implemented DeRidder Recycling Program is a tremendous success!! Relocating here from a city that actually picks up one's recycling at the curb and that recycles so many things (including "used" Christmas trees!), it was quite a shock that there was NO recycling here when we arrived. I did ask the Mayor about recycling last summer. Apparently an opportunity to use community funds obtained through the "Keep Louisiana Beautiful" program arose and the new recycling program was launched.

Now then... it started in early March and requires that one take one's recyclables to a location in town where it is sorted by folks into separate "bins" on a trailer to be hauled to the buyers (I assume) of the various recyclables. It is only available one morning each week. I am SO pleased and impressed that enough folks in this town are concerned enough to make time to get to the location, especially since it is not "worker-friendly" meaning the hours are pretty much normal "work hours" for most folks. At any rate, the city is making plans to expand and perhaps have equipment that allows residents to make drop-offs anytime during the week at specific locations that are permanent. I think they are going to be surprised at how much MORE they will receive if that occurs!!

Now then... you ask "What makes you SOOOOOO tired?" about recycling? Glad you asked. Let me show you.

First of all, I was advised these lovely and huge Boston ferns were to be discarded since they had frozen back during our winter of snow. Oh NO, I said!! They will be fine. They just need a good "haircut", some fertilizer, and some time. In the spirit of "recycling", I brought them home, groomed and fertilized them, then hung them in their new location (thanks to the spousal-unit's fabulous plant-hanging planning and follow-through). I will keep you posted on how they do as the spring progresses.

Okay. That wasn't too difficult, was it? What is so tiring??? Let me point out another item I purchased in the spirit of recycling as well as for its aesthetic (I love brightly colored yard art!). If you'll look closely, you will see this little fella' was a tire in a former life. :) Yep. One less tire in the landfills to never degrade and be a blight on the scenery!!
Okay. Decent pun, Mary Nell. We still don't understand what makes you SOOOOOO tired!!! Alright. Pay close attention. Most of you will figure this out as you see the series of pictures. Those of you who are dazzling Urbanites will likely have some difficulty. That's alright. Don't be ashamed. Just keep looking through the photos.

On March 27th (and thanks to the spousal-unit who wants no credit for his work):
On March 28th:
By March 29th:
Okay, Urbanites. Figured it out now? :)

On April 2nd:

Lest any of you think the garden was complete on April 2nd, I show you the photo from April 3rd indicating true final completion:

I will keep you posted on the progress of the garden. :) There are 3 lettuce plants (in the "double-decker"), 3 tomato plants (all Heirlooms), 2 bell pepper plants, and 1 hot pepper plant (with seeds to be sown soon to join it!). This is my experiment. I have read and researched the internet and this seems to be a viable solution for gardening. It provides an excellent use for tires no longer roadworthy as well as a "raised bed" effect for even the single-decker tires. Easier for us older folks to prepare, plant, and harvest!

Comments are welcomed but please keep the "Redneck" references to yourselves. :)

Until next time!!!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Happy Easter, Blogging Buddies!! I hope the Bunny is good to you & yours.

Since we're talking about bunnies, I thought it would be fun to show you a few of the critters I've encountered lately.

The neighbors were having some tree work done recently. I am always appreciative of those who maintain the trees that provide such pleasure and welcome shade in the summertime! However, I was a little concerned about the quality of the work when I saw the bucket operator! Look closely at the left corner of the white bucket at the left of the picture. That is NOT an operator in a tuxedo. That is a tuxedo-kitty!!! While he may be interested in tracking down the squirrel pathways for future reference, I cannot condone hiring him for this work. I moved closer to investigate. Aha!! He was not actually operating the bucket. Whew!! He was simply checking out the bird- and squirrel-height perspective. :)

Switching to another critter tale (hahahahahahahaha), my aunt's neighbor, Susan L., brought a couple of puppies from the shelter for a visit last week. They were SOOOOOOO cute!!!

Ready!!! Set!!! GO!!!! Until you can't go anymore... Wanna' see them play?
(To obtain a free copy of the Apple QuickTime Player, visit http://www.apple.com/ and select the QuickTime tab.)

Hope you have enjoyed our little critter run today. It's always fun to see what they are up to while we're not paying attention. :)

Stay tuned!!! I have something fun coming for you soon!! No peeking.

Until next time...