Garden

It is such a glorious day out there today, something that hasn't been happening around these parts lately. Here are some photos I took of one of the flower beds this afternoon. Things are really starting to spring to life in the gardens despite our cold spring.

Friday Fill-Ins #74

Questions courtesy of MindFul Mimi who had some thought- provoking ones this week; thank you, Mimi!

1. For me destruction [?] is the opposite of creativity. ( This was a hard one!)
2. I know this much is true - Wally Lamb, was the last excellent book I read was.
3. I like fill-ins because I enjoy reading other answers and visiting other blogs.
4. In nature I like looking at the ocean, water can be very hypnotic.
5. I'm not sure who should win the US elections.
6. The last time I laughed with all my belly was yesterday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing (I should make some plans), tomorrow my plans include going to dinner with Hubby and Sunday, I want to clean and organize the linen closet, this is my goal!

Happiness

Happiness means different things to different people at different times in their lives.
What does happiness mean to you today?

... a daily pursuit. It's being content with yourself and your life.

Empty Bed Blues - Bessie Smith

I'm feeling some Blues today

I {Heart} Bessie Smith

Lyrics Here

Hey! You don't own the road

Surely you've noticed it’s closing in on summer. The mercury shoots up to 10 degrees Celsius and the city goes mad. Men shed their jackets to show their muscles and strut around town, women all decked out in their summer dresses and cute little sandals. The crotch-rocket motorcycle dudes zoom by, ripping holes in ear drums with their noisy exhausts. And the Hummers and giant SUV-types take over the (all ready cramped) Halifax streets. I know they were here all winter, I guess I’m just noticing them more because of the patio’s that food establishment construct that take up half the street, leaving little room for road traffic (another thing that irritates the hell our of me). The SUV’ers are cruising around the city, cutting people off, parking wherever they like, they think because they are bigger, they rule the road. Well, I’m getting sick of it! People, you live in a tiny little city – This is Halifax, not Toronto!

Driving a giant SUV is the vehicular equivalent of jumping up and down on a busy street screaming LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! Driving one every day is like an Ad nauseam re-enactment of standing up through the sun roof of a stretch limo going 50 clicks down Spring Garden Road screaming "Woo! Yeah baby!"—the thing you imagined was the coolest possible thing to do when you were 10.

The megalomaniacs who drive huge vehicles revel in their environmental punishment. It's not that they're ignorant of their impact and excesses; it's simply that they don't give a shit. That is the SUV Motto...I can haul it right up over the curb and squash you like a little bug! I can burn $100 in gas in a day or two! No one can stop me! Woo Hoo! Yeah baby!

Photo and video courtesy of FAH2

Friday Fill-Ins #73

Questions courtesy of Michelle this week.

1. On my laziest day I like to curl up in a cozy chair, in my comfy pants and read the day away!
2. Being organized makes me feel like I'm being productive.
3. I love little Steven and big Sugar.

If I had my way - Big Sugar

4. This summer I want to learn to golf.
5. Admiration of other blogs made me start my blog.
6. Red is associated with heat, energy and blood, and emotions that stir the blood, including anger, passion, and love and orange has less intensity or aggression than red and is calmed by the cheerfulness of yellow.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out for some wine and laughter, tomorrow my plans include something spontaneous and Sunday, I want to enjoy the day relaxing in the wilderness with Dave (hubby)!

A garden - not a litter box

I don't have any cats but I constantly have to clean up after my neighbors’ cats that freely roam the neighborhood. I have seen at least 5 cats occasionally in my yard and have no idea whose cats they are, but they all look pretty well taken care of so I don't believe they are strays. The little buggers are using my flowerbeds as a giant litter box, and the smell is really bad in the area around my front step and it is becoming very annoying. I'm so disgusted!

I do believe that my city has a "Cat by-law" in place that states, all cat owners must register their beloved felines and place a tag around a collar. I don't see any of the cats in my neighborhood wearing tags, so there is no way for me to know exactly whose cat is using my yard as a loo.

I don't blame the cats; they are only doing what comes naturally to them. I blame their owners, who obviously have little respect for their fellow neighbors.

On The Hood

It all began without warning
On a strange winter’s morning
The sky turned red
The vibrations went dead
With these terrible songs on a rainy day
The pressure just started to fall
Your scene doesn’t do anything for me
It doesn’t do anything at all

Is the music gone?
Is it gone for good
It’s only 6 metal strings on a piece of wood
And all these things goin’ on in my head
Make it kinda hard to deal
Like seaweed swayin’ in the ocean blue
For me, it’s got to be real

I don’t care anymore
People tell me I should
They’re out lookin’ for hits
I’d rather lay on the hood of an old car with my girlfriend
And my real friends
Until the end

I’ll take you on a trip
Inside my soul
There you’ll see
The part that somebody soul
Now can you see this picture that I painted for you
It’s of you that you’re not used to
But you refuse to don’t you?
You’re thinkin’ too hard
You can’t think too hard

I don’t care anymore
People tell me I should
They’re out lookin’ for hits
I’d rather lay on the hood of an old car with my girlfriend
And my real friends
Until the end

It all began without warning
On a strange winter’s morning
The sky turned red
The vibrations went dead
With these terrible songs on a rainy day
The pressure just started to fall
Your scene doesn’t do anything for me
It doesn’t do anything at all

I don’t care anymore
People tell me I should
They’re out lookin’ for hits
I’d rather lay on the hood of an old car with my girlfriend
And my real friends
Until the end
East-Coast rockers, Matt Mays & El Torpedo

Long weekend update:

4 days, 9 hours, 46 minutes, 33 seconds, smoke free.

My goodness! What a tough weekend it was for both Hubby and myself. It's not easy being supportive of one another if you’re both cranky and in a state of constant nastiness when you’re craving a cig.

---

Monday was the only sunny day but it was too damn cold for any outdoor activities. I did get a pleasant surprise on Monday when Baby Sis showed up with some tasty guests – Pass the garlic butter please!

Last night we went for a little drive and got some photos of the pretty sunset and moon over the ocean.

Friday Fill-Ins #72

Questions courtesy of Jennifer this week.

1. There is absolutely NO way you can get me to be in a good mood today!
2. Those dreadful dandelions growing on my lawn, reminds me that summer is almost here!
3. I cannot live without my supportive family.
4. Rafting and windsurfing are two things I'd like to try.
5. When life hands you lemons you make lemon tart, lemon ginger scones, lemon bars.
6. Catching snakes with my Sis is one of my favorite childhood memories.
(reminds me of this photo of us last year)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to tomorrow, tomorrow my plans include grocery shopping and Sunday, I want to spend the day with Hubby!

Dear Ciggies,

Today I must say good-bye; for it is the last time I will ever smoke you. You have been there for me during the good times, the bad times. I will miss you at first, but as time passes, you will fade from my memories - hopefully!

Tomorrow is quit day. Hubby and I picked the date a while back, we were told it's much easier to quite if you pick a date and stick to it. I have quite smoking before, this will be my third try and you know what they say - third time's a charm or third time lucky.
Wish me luck!

Baby Steps up-hill

Anxiety update:

I believe that we need to attack my daughter's anxiety/depression from all angles, including dietary and nutritional aspects. Doc has increased her meds and we are waiting for an appointment with a psychiatrist who specifically treats adolescents. My Daughter has gone through group therapy, but I feel she will benefit more from a one on one situation. I am also looking into meditation and yoga techniques to help relieve her anxiety in stressful situations. I have also read that acupuncture can help lessen anxiety symptoms but I'm not sure that type of treatment is an option for a 15 year old.

If anyone reading this has any suggestion or advice they would like to lend, I would appreciate it. Please leave a message or email me.

Related posts:
Don't worry dear - it's all in your head
To Hell in a Handcart

I think I think I think a little too often

Saturday Hubby and I were driving around listening to Wintersleep. A song titled "Dead Letter And The Infinite Yes" came on and Hubby suggested I put it on here for my Tuesday tune. He said these lyrics (I think I think I think a little too often) make him think of me.

Hmmmm, what could he possibly be trying to tell me??? Does he think that I think too often or does he think, I think I think too often?
Oh my I'm so confused! (hehe)
I love this song, melody and lyrics so here it is!


Dead Letter And The Infinite Yes

I found a letter it read
"Our existence has serious side effects"
Turned on, turned on the television
It's telling me the world is collapsing
I think it's coming and it comes so fast
I'm hearing whispers of an infinite yes
And I don't know why it is
Our bodies are dead, why you look so sad?

And my therapist said
"We've evolved through a series of accidents"
There's been talk of chemical imbalances
Restless sense of detachment, nausea and or violence

I think it's coming and it comes so fast
I'm hearing whispers of an infinite yes
And I don't know why it is
I feel it coming, I think it's real and significant
I think I think I think a little too often
That's what my therapist said
We're alone in this wilderness
Left to choke on the pills and to feed on the viruses
I think it's coming and it comes so fast

I think it's coming and it comes so fast
I'm hearing whispers of an infinite yes
Our bodies are dead, why you look so sad
Our bodies are dead, why you look so sad

Weekend Update:

Mother's day was pretty quiet; Priss and the Boy had a class for most of the day, Hubby took his Mom out for breakfast and I went out for a nice Mother's Day Brunch with Baby Girl, Baby Sis and my Mom.

I got some very lovely gifts from the kids!

Mother's Day

I honor of Mother’s Day, I thought I would share a little about what motherhood means to me.

I first became a mother in 1987 when I gave birth to Priss, 1989 was the birth of the Boy, and finally in 1992 Baby Girl was born. There were good/great moments; times when I would be so proud of them, I could burst. There were the bad moments; bad report cards, bad attitudes, or just times when they miss-behaved. And there were even ugly moments (I wont lie); times when they would make me want to run away screaming or times I felt like pulling all my hair out. I wouldn’t have traded any of these moments – even the “bad” and “ugly” ones for the world. All of them I hold tight in my heart and will never forget. And although my kids are growing up and starting to go in their own directions, this teen and two young adults are simply “my kids”, only bigger. For me, being their mother is a lifelong joy. If someone were to ask me what was my greatest achievement in life, I would very proudly reply - “My Kids!”

Happy Mother’s Day to all Mommies, Grand Mommies and Great-Grand Mommies out there!

Friday Fill In #71

1. The pound cake had an extra secret ingredient; it was sour cream!

2. Friday morning view through my window.

3. Right now, I need to pee (hehehe).

4. Bed is where I went Thursday night; it was cozy.

5. Why does my head hurt so much?

6. All I can think of is the moment Hubby gets home (been a long week).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to listening to Hubby's stories about his wilderness adventure, tomorrow my plans include shopping for a mothers day gift for my mom and Sunday, I want to enjoy a nice brunch and spend time with my family!

Women's Intuition?

I have been having this odd feeling of Déjà vu. An awful, sick feeling in the pit of my belly. A sense of something amiss. I'm feeling very unsettled this morning. It could be that it's only my anxiety about sleeping alone that is getting the best of me; I'm not really sure what else it could be.

Nothing says SPRING quite like the Forsythia

Looked out the window this morning to see the golden yellow blooms of the forsythia.


Finally!!!

Abandoned this week

What to do with myself?

I've been abandoned this week. Hubby is off for a week of R&R at his fishing camp, Priss is vacationing in Cuba, and the Boy got a new job and is working all week and Baby Girl is off doing her thing. I can't believe they left poor old mom here alone to fend for myself. Whatever shell I do???

Actually, this is a great opportunity for me to get the house cleaned and organized - something I've wanted to do for some time. Garden could use some TLC, and there is always LOTS of laundry to catch up on, or I could try out some new recipes since I wont have to cook for the whole family. I also plan to do a lot of reading, seeing I will have very little distractions.

Ps. I got some lovely flowers from Hubby before he left. Perhaps he’s feeling a little guilty leaving me here all by my lonesome.

Anger as Beauty - Hawksley Workman

Oh my, I love this guy! Such a great Canadian talent.

Gather at the church
Say a quiet prayer
Hold each other's hands
Praying that you might be there

In honesty and peace
With the whispers of your god
Falling on your ears
Falling on Your ears

Melt your silver down
Kiss your lover's face
The sirens start to sound
And you're caught up in the only place
Where the honesty of fear
Makes a battle like a song
Falling on your ears
Falling on Your ears

This is anger as beauty, anger as beauty, anger as beauty.
This is anger as beauty, anger as beauty, anger as beauty...

Fighter soul alive
In a whiskey fueled rage
The tears burn in your eyes
The saddest of the souls to save
Sings lovely in its fear
With a voice that's Broken/strong
Falling on your ears
Falling on your ears

This is anger as beauty, anger as beauty, anger as beauty.
This is anger as beauty, anger as beauty, anger as beauty...

Lover don't you wait
Lover you'll be safe
Strangest quiet in the streets
Fighters for the love dug deep
They're under paved ports
Gently lifting up a song
Falling on your ears
Falling on your ears

This is anger as beauty, anger as beauty, anger as beauty.
This is anger as beauty, anger as beauty...
This is anger as beauty, anger as beauty...

Hawksley Workman

Memory by Scent

The spicy aroma of cloves and oranges simmering in hot mulled cider, an ex-lover’s perfume/cologne, rain on a hot summer road. Aromas can recall warm memories from our past and sometimes smelling a forgotten scent can even bring back lost memories.

What are your own scent memories?

Here are a few scent memories of my own:

Maple - My parents use to take us for some maple sugar candy when we were little. A lady who tapped her maple trees made it locally.

The air during the first snow fall - So crisp and fresh - aint it good to be alive! Reminds me of a time many, many moons ago when my sister and I would see the first flakes of winter, and run outside to catch some on our tongues.

Roast turkey - Waking up most Sunday morning when I was a child, the smell wafted from the kitchen into my bedroom.

Wild roses - My Grandmother use to have a wild rose bush growing at the side of her house. She loved those roses.

Baby power - Brings me back to when my kids were infants, all pink, squishy and new. I miss that smell.

Pine - Brings the memories of Christmas' past.

Freshly baked gingerbread - The first time I was invited to dinner at Hubby's parents house. We had gingerbread and whipped cream for dessert.

After a summers rain - This is a very special, and private memory.

The Ocean - I have a number of memories associated with this aroma. My Wedding day is the first thing that comes to mind - It was a warm and sultry July evening at a warfside venue just outside the city.

Friday Fill-In #70

1. Two three of my favorite ingredients in a drink are:
Traditional Margarita

• 1 1/2 oz Tequila
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 1 oz Lemon or Lime Juice

Rub rim of margarita glass with lime rind and dip in salt. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into the salt rimmed glass.

2. I often amaze me.

3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is never going to move. - Jack Sparrow

4. 2 ripe avocados, ½ red onion, minced (about 1/2 cup), 1-2 serrano chiles, stems and seeds removed, minced 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves (finely chopped), 1 tablespoon of fresh lime or lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, dash of freshly grated black pepper, 1/2 ripe tomato(seeds and pulp removed, chopped)
mix it all together and voila! You have Guacamole! (oh and don't forget the blue tortilla chips)

5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow lilies
(from my garden last summer).

6. Sunbathing is best au naturel.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing in particular, although I am craving Mexican food all of a sudden so I may head out with the Hubby for some, tomorrow my plans include the usual Saturday stuff, groceries and whatnot and Sunday, I want to hit the garden center for some soil and new plants and play in the dirt all day!

I seem to have gone quiet

I have ideas in this head of mine, but at the moment they are all jumbled and confused. I had every intention to make a long post today but I doubt that will happen now. Typing then deleting, typing, deleting, type, delete (you get the picture) - nothing is making any sense. Hmph! Perhaps tonight I will give it another go.

Oh, I made a new header for my spot. I think I like it!