Loose Leopard and Chaos in the Garden...
If I had my camera with me today I could have taken some wonderful photos, but as ever, it tends to be at the house I am not, and despite having nipped into work for dog care this morning, I failed completely to return with it, SO...We make do with two more Photos by Cat Mihos.
And we make do well, I believe.
I let Magic out of his room this afternoon, with the basement closed off. Venus didn't LIKE it, but other than chasing him back into his room when ever he crept out, she didn't do much. He even lay down across the room from us, and Watched us!
I think it is good for Magic, getting out. Venus and Mim bully him horridly, but they don't hurt him. Which is good, he has NO claws, front or back (Not MY doing!) so if they were attacking, I wouldn't be able to let him have Adventures.
For those of you who are new, Magic is an F1 Bengal, a rescue, who was in pretty sad shape when I got him a year and a half ago, very scared, of everything and everyone. He will never be "Normal" (What Bengal IS?) but, slowly, he is moving towards it. He took meat from Cat's hand, in that picture above, which was a first, from anyone other than me. Even coming out when other people are in the house is huge. He has his own room and Screamed Porch.
I would love it if he could live in the whole first floor with Venus and Mim. Hence, the letting him out experiment.
Venus kept coming to me tho, frantically trying to explain I had LEFT HIS DOOR OPEN!! And Magic had got OUT and I should DO SOMETHING about this.
She would then go and chase him back. Which is good. Magic is getting FAT.
My next door Neighbor was mowing her lawn when I came back from the Grocery Store, I stopped and waved. She made Strong Women gestures. I pointed at the Lawn Service Truck across the street, who were doing mine and made Victory Women gestures back.
I would feel more like I should be doing my own lawn too if I didn't know myself better. Quite frankly, I don't see it happening. Even with help, getting my wee landscaped (And I use that word loosely) garden beds in order is going to be all I can manage.
I have no order and sense when it comes to these Gardens. I just sort of Plant things and hope for the best, with no sense of What should go Where. I have the colour thing down. Everything I plant is purple or white. And someone has promised to come next week and take care of the Weed Things, so I will have ROOM for more, uh, purple and white things.
We have a Garden Event every year in my town. The 20 best gardens are selected (PICKED would be the wrong word, wouldn't it?) THREE of these last year were on my block.
I like to think of my place as "Before"
But maybe this year...
Since I don't have to mow.
Love, Loose Leopards and Gardens,
Lorraine
96 Comments:
He's so gorgeous.
I have a garden, and I try to keep up with it, but I suspect the neighbors secretly hate me...
I have mostly taken the day off, a bit of a novelty.
I'm telling you: Lenten Rose. They are not actual roses, but I think you could grow them. Possibly also Lungwort and Bluebells.
And hostas. They grow anywhere. Sort of.
Also: make the landscapers put down some topsoil. A layer of topsoil helps when you have mostly clay and big rocks. And mulch! Then you will not have to weed (much). Unlike me, because I keep putting off the mulching even though I've got a pile of it behind my house, waiting for me to Fork It.
/Victory Garden segment
Leopard on the loose! \o/
I've had SORT of a day off. Except for dogs. And arranging a couple train tickets to Paris. And a flight to Scotland, and some car rental. Forwarded a few AP links. And Dealt with bits from people who are too silly to know I don't work weekends..Other than that tho, day off.
Jess, I dont' HAVE a landscaper. I have someone who needs the work who is going to weed. I am SO on my own here.
The Lawn People just MOW.
When I took them around today they asked " How do you KNOW this bit is your garden??" I know what they meant, but it was funny.
In the first pic Magic looks unsure of taking the meat from Kitty, it's lovely that he got over his fear and took it. He's learning!!
And maybe Venus will relax about Magic's door being open once she gets used to it, and realizes he's not going to challenge her for Top Bengal.
I need to make plane & hotel plans... no train though. I wish I had an assistant!
Leopards on the loose, hurrah, hurrah!
(ticky box)
why am I still awake?
Chives, phlox, tri-color sage, salvia--and I found a wonderful Jacob's Ladder that has variegated leaves and tiny purple flowers. All sturdy, easy, purple and white plants. Sounds like a lovely scheme. I'm less discriminating myself, I confess. Year two of my garden and it's fun to see the perennials coming up all different colors.
I don't mow, either. I wouldn't want to put my cute, helpful, musician lawn guy out of business!
You'd think the fence on the one side and the edge of the Cliff on the other might give them a clue. :D
Did not realize they were merely Lawn Guys. Do they double as Landscaper Guys? Sometimes they do-- it's worth asking. or they might be able to refer you to someone who does.
In any case: topsoil and mulch. I stand by my recommendation.
I would help you, but I am here, and I don't seem to be able to get my butt moving on my own garden. I need to dig up and move so much stuff. And mulch. And prune. And clean up dead stuff. And plant the little basil plant that's currently dying on my kitchen counter. Argh. Really what I wish is that the garden take care of itself, while I do more important things, like sit here.
Mr. Jess has just shown me a photo of what Chicken McNuggets are made of, which he found on The Internet (don;t ask me where). It is the colour of strawberry milkshake and looks like a big snake. Oh dear god.
Hi Laura, and thank you! You should SEE my herb garden and veggie garden at Boss's. Wonderfully kept, a joy yo behold...
It's just mine that's lacking.
I know I could hire people to make it lovely, but it might cost more than I want to spend. I need a saddle for Dim, and I want to go visiting this summer, and just got a bunch more pictures framed....
And my Resolution this year was nothing goes on a credit card, only the $$ I have in hand.
Jess, I'm so glad I gave up McNuggets years ago. Do they really make them out of not-chicken?
Hugs to Phiala, and LiHua-Emily and others that need them. I am ingonoring much housework and reading Wizard of Mars by Diane Duane. A tasty addition to the series, indeed.
And, oh, Magic...he's come so far! Who cares if you grow gardens, FabLo, when you resurrect cats!
Thanks Dabbler, you are right. I do have other skills.
Boss just called, so tired. He had many things he needed to know about. To EVERY one, I was able to say "I have taken care of that, it's set, no worries, all well"
Assistant WIN.
We're not sure what the McNugget Snake was made of, Dab. Only that it was very, very pink.
That is a wise credit card policy. Can always have topsoil and mulch delivered, you know, if you don't want to spend much and are willing to spread it yourself (or dragoon A Good Woodsman into spreading it for you). It's usually $20-$25 per cubic yard from a landscape supplier-- and you don't need more than 3 yards of either, because your place is small.
Topsoil and mulch: good investment! Of course, so are Horsie Accoutrements.
Assistant win! Woot! \o/
Yeah, I need both. Mulch to patch up the existing bed and cover the new ones, topsoil to fix the mysterious holes in my yard.
Good for Magic being able to be part of the household, even briefly.
Yard work, yuck. Container gardening on the deck is what I do.
Saw Wicked today and loved it!
A winning post and discussion - my favorite things, cats,dogs and gardens.
Magic always makes my heart sing, when I look back on how he was.
Wicked - I so what to see that show. I know some of the songs from the show, and I'd love to know the context.
We have a public holiday here in Aus today for ANZAC day. The sun is shining after a wettish weekend and the neighbourhood is pretty quiet. Bliss.
Oh thank goodness for win Assistants and Bengal wranglers - I cannot sleep and needed this distraction. Another blog post full of win.
I dunno why, but I keep thinking Magic would get on better with the Royals - rescue bonding and all that. They have similar backgrounds and could talk about the awful old times together.
I love my garden. I love working in my garden. I really really hate ground elder - there is no win for me there. I stupidly composted it two years ago and now it's all over the place. Learn from my mistakes people.
tick
Have to share this (in the cat lover emporium that this is)
I'm giving Louie some midnight cuddles..
Louie: Mmm. I'm hungry. I'm gonna see if there is something to eat (wonders off to food station No1)
There are 2 different types of wet food and 2 different types of dry food down
Louie: I don't like any of this. Do you have any cat milk?
Me: No.
Louie: Are you gonna get some?
Me: Yes, next shop.
Louie: tut.
Me: Want me to get you some other type of food now?
Louie: Would you?
Me: OK, I'll open the can that we both know you like.
Louie: Great. Hurry up. I'm STARVING.
Me: All right, hang on.. (I open the can and start spooning food out)
Louie: Don't put in too much, I'm only going to lick the jelly.
Me: If you are thirsty, you should drink water.
Louie: Nah, jelly.
Me: OK. (I spoon out mostly jelly and put the dish down)
Louie: nomnomnomnom
10 seconds later there is a dish with few dry bits of meat in it.
Louie: I'm going out now.
Me: OK, have a nice time.
Louie: Thanks. Bye.
BANG bang B a N g banG BaNG - cat flap (going out is so much difficulter than coming in)
I am certainly not letting Tysie see that PG, she will demand the jelly only bits too.
I don't blame you Sally! :)
*twirl*
walked around a craft fair. bought some stuffs
now tired.
love hat magic and the girls are coexisting, even if not entirely peaceful yet. warms my heart to see how far he's come with your love. you are bengal whisperer
Yesterday, I made the mistake of making myself a tuna fish sandwich right after feeding the cats their wet food. They came running when they heard the can opening but were less than happy with me when they realized they were both full.
FabLorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr: Right now I'm watching Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, cleaning, and thinking of you.
Love that first picture!
*tickety tick* It's been a really long weekend.
Lovely, lovely pictures. ::sigh::
I really need to clean out grass and weeds in my garden beds. Gee, if I weren't on the computer so much, I might actually get it done. ;)
From comments at the end of previous post: I grew up going to rodeos. I even enjoyed them. Went to one about 20 years ago, and the enjoyment was gone. I empathize too much with the animals, and I'm not fond of watching people putting themselves in peril. I can't even watch rodeo events on television. There are certain circus acts I have a really hard time watching, too.
Hi, Laura Benedict! Welcome to Fiendom! As a Fiend, you are entitled to this lovely white, buckled jacket. On that table over there, you'll find just about whatever you desire to personalize your jacket. :)
So is it good when a cat gains weight like Magic is? Or do you have to worry about his weight? Does it depend on how old the cat is?
As for lawn care, we have a huge lawn that we don't need and it's festooned with puffy white dandelions. And the grass is just ... I'm sure you can imagine. Our next-door neighbors have this sparkling pristine front lawn and we sort of just slink out of sight whenever we're getting into the car ...
Morning!
HAd about 18 phone calls all before nine. Ack! Day is taking OFF!
Magic is too fat, Emily, he should not gain weight. Venus is way too thin, she needs to gain weight. It's like people, they should be at a healthy weight, not too fat, not too thin.
(secret at work tick)
That was what I thought, but I wasn't sure if it was a bit different for cats, whether it was good if they had a bit extra: I often see fat cats and so was wondering ... is it hard to get a cat to shed weight?
Swinging by to ticky, then back to my ever important relaxing.
It can be if they don't get out much. I have to keep to very strict food measurements with mine.
*high five* for the assistant WIN!
and Magic - so well named.
hello all! i missed Kitty's visit.
i am in decompression mode. last week wrapped up months of oh-fods-how-many-hours? weeks, which i know is normal mode for many, but i'm the at-home parent, so it means very little sleep and zero me-time, which makes Na a very cranky kid. (the poem was a nice break, and i am grateful you liked it, Lorraine.)
part of decompression mode is thorough dusting, vacuuming, and Culling of Stuff, and some rearranging.
and the kids and i are getting out for long walks! we had actual warmth last week for a few days. in a townhouse complex, so don't need to worry about the grass, and have two garden patches; both have tulips (there before us), and one has purple yarrow and a potentilla i put in that overwintered just fine. i spent last spring clearing the beds and making them plantable. this year i can put more plants in. maybe just more yarrow and another potentilla? heh. i have some hollyhock seeds i gathered from around the neighborhood last summer, but those things take OVER, so not sure.
i think it may really be spring here! \o/ and the days are already so long. *relaxes a fraction*
witter witter, tick tick
tick
Lots of garden got done today. Not by me mind you, but by Merry Housekeepers sister. Merry bought me five bushes too. The kind hummingbirds like, they look like trumpets. Weird name. Pink even.
Merry is going to paint my Garbage House too!
If I ever remember to bring my camera back here, I will take some pics. You mgiht remind me tomorrow if you think of it, my FIends.
Where ARE you, my Fiends, it's like a tomb here.
oh what color will the trash shack be?
Yellow and white, to match the house. I know, odd for me, but Merry talked me out of purple.
I have a little bit of brick patio too out there. It will also be yellow.
My own wee yellow brick road.
Sorry. I was napping. The sides of my throat have decided to close in, and I thought a nap might cure me.
On a related note, why is it that all of the symptom figure outer sites have disclaimers that say "If you have trouble swallowing, go see a doctor immediately" then list a number of ailments you might have that will all go away on their own, with time?
Didn't those same sites tell you that you had TB last week, Wendy?????
Yes. I am a doctor's worse nightmare! I am addicted to self-diagnosing on the internet!
Do not consult Doctor Internet! Doctor Internet is a bad doctor.
Pictures pictures pictures! I wish especially to see the Mystery Pink Trumpet Bush (sounds dirty, isn't).
Am I the only person who thinks Dave Foley is a dreamboat captain?
Don't know Dave Foley but my new bushes are called WEIGELA...
I have had a crush on Dave Foley since I was a teenager watching Kids In the Hall. It's something about his adorable smile and almost innocent demeanor. He looks like he could get away with anything, and you just know he uses it to do devilish imp things.
Eee, Dave-Foley-twenty-years-ago!
So that's what those bushes are called! I always wondered. Now I know everything. About Weigela, anyway.
Dave Foley was on News Radio and Kids in the Hall. And, he was Jack's boyfriend on Will and Grace.
dave foley makes me *swoon*
kith, talk radio... <3
I was sooo happy when he did the recurring guest spot on Will and Grace.
Because I feel I should continue to be awkward and maybe keep on keepin on being a spinster, I've decided I might like a person I met here. Except, he is six years younger than me. Although, he may be flirty. I do not know. Awkward Wendy is awkward.
Uh 6 years is nothing. Unless of course you are 21 and he is 15, cause that's illegal in most states.
Yup. 6 years is nothing if you are both grown ups. Go for it! Why not????
Sort of grown ups. I'm 27 and he's 21.
Also, my going for it involves a lot of standing around awkwardly.
GO!GO!GO!
Weigela is pretty. It will look very good with purple and white. :)
Wendy, you'll never know how big/small that six years is unless you go for it. Nobody said that you can't take your time with flirting.
Yes. Taking my time. I met him and maybe started flirting in February. I just sent him an email asking for info on a game night a bunch of my new nerdy group is going to on Saturday and telling him he should let me know if he ever needs someone to do awesome stuff with like go to the park.
I have his email address, because on Saturday he stole my phone and used it to log into HIS Myspace. Then he left it running on MY phone. I don't know if that MEANS anything.
There's a picture of him younger and shaven here:
http://noln.cmancuso.net/pictures/people/John%20McDonald.jpg
Also, the page has pictures of my new gaming group pretending to be VAMPIRES.
I've learned that nerd packs seem to resemble high school in many ways.
six years is nothing Wendy - go for it.
Go for it, Wendy. :-)
Ticky.
I don't know who Dave Foley is and have never seen any of the shows references. I did watch the first two episodes of the new Doctor Who last night.
Wendy, not too young at all. My rule of thumb (must have one for everything) is that the lower age limit is around half your age plus seven. At 15, a six -year difference is immense. At 40, nonexistent. At 27, possible but maybe a bit awkward. Definitely worth investigating.
I seem to have made oatmeal soup for breakfast.
I just found a lovely-looking recipe for honeycakes. Makes me want to visit you so I can bake you cookies with your honey.... The recipe seems to cry out for fresh local honey.
No, I still haven't made it off the couch. I blame the cat. I should be out the door around now and haven't showered yet.
The cat says it's the dog's fault.
Mmmm. Honeycakes. bet they would work with non-wheat flour. Mmmm. Restraint. Sigh.
Bees arrive on Friday! Bee hives being painted with pretty today by DD and friend.
Bee pool being dug today, also, I hope!
Wonderful Financial Aid news from Bard College for DD! Yay! Happy dancing day!
!!!! kinda day....
Morning!
Busy.
And I am going to hunt with Ginger with the Birdchick. I forget why exactly, but I am all for it.
I also think you should go for it Wendy. There is nothing quite as annoying as regret ;)
I think the honeycakes would work just fine with other kinds of flour.
Today I am doing Math. Should be doing Manuscript Revisions, but at least I'm doing something.
Today I am finishing up my coursework for the semester. I've already registered for my courses for the summer. I need to register for my fall courses.
To get a full master's, I will have to take one extra semester of coursework. I'm going for it.
Oh, and I received an email back from the possibly flirty guy AND sent him an email with my phone number.
The cats are sleeping. Serious Black is attached to my hip.
Turned on my car and heard Q's boss speaking to me. Huh? Also the words sounded very familiar. Perhaps, I thought, I have finally lost my mind. No! It was the broadcast of the event I went to a week ago in Stillwater.
Sounded good.
Made me smile.
BEAUTIFUL day here today.
Anyone have a job for me starting in Sept?
I thought you fiends would probably like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp_TBm3Gwq0
For those not on Twitter: just posted the first half of mty blog about EvelynEvelyn here
u're right Wendy -that clip was brilliant. Off to read about the EvelynEvelyn adventure now.
G'morning Sally. How's tomorrow looking?
pretty wintery, unfortunately. But green, very green which is nice. ;)
Here too. It's supposed to be well below freezing tonight. I hope it doesn't hurt the flowers...
I didn't know they were going to air that until they called 30 minutes before and did some fact checking. Very cool. The dogs could hear Boss, and ran everywhere looking for him.
Then he Skyped me and they ran back and forth between the office and the kitchen.
I laughed so hard.
Went to the woods for a few hours today with Birdchick. Learned a lot, had a lot of fun. I didn't know about half those trails!!!
The dogs approved.
Sorta just caught up on this post. Craziness.
I always buy purple flowering things too. Made my landscaper go buy me things a couple of years ago so i have some color variety. It's lovely :) No idea what anything is called but bees love them all.
I just about have everything packed up and in the rooms not affected by the carpet-ripping-up-bamboo-floor-going-in project that starts friday. We fly to chicago friday afternoon, come back a week later to a brand new house (well, it will look that way at least!!).
Soooo excited.
Got green paint for the dining room, grey for the hall, the entryway is now a pale bluish-y shade.
Yay!
Haven't listened to the MPR broadcast of boss yet but read Instructions to ben 3 times over dinner. Love that book. Ben said, "that was weird....can you read it again?"....and again...and again.
Poor goggies! Boss needs to Skype Cabal and tell him he misses him and to be a good dog.
I don't know what plant suppliers stock the various WalMarts, but the ones here have amazing annual salvias in the most gorgeous dark, dark plum purple. The 4" pots are about a dollar and the little six-packs (which I bought) are $1.50. Some really nice small-flowered true (bluish) purple petunias that are supposed to really spread out, for about $5 for a 6-pack of 4" pots. I also saw purple verbenas and purple sweet potato vines. All of these are really easy plants.
Me, I'm hiding from my work right now.
Is anyone on Second Life?
I am utterly confused...I can't even get my avatar right.
Oooh. If any of you have a minute, could you click on my high-school friend Carla's book trailer on YouTube? Her Third Book
It would give her a thrill to have some hits on it. The "homeless" people in the trailer look rather well-fed and clean since they are the author and her friends. I was going to send a picture of me sans makeup to include in the slideshow, but it's a mystery, not a Stephen King novel.
And I can't even handle my First Life, Sally. Sorry!
11pm here and I *just* finished working. looong day.
Sorry Sally I don't do Second Life.
I love purple flowers. Irises are my favorite, I think I have mentioned that before. They smell like purple to me. It's the most delicious smell ever.
Sally, talk to Adri about Second Life.
Dogs looked happy running in the woods. :)
Waving, not drowning. :)
Just back at work after a few days of sick leave and desperately trying to catch up at work. At least with laryngitis you sound sick.
Love the beautiful photos, and reading about your garden reminds me that I should have planted my bulbs by now. (The weather and my lurgy have not been making things easy!) I always describe my garden style as late rental period - it's been tidied up a bit (no random fridge vegie chiller bins lurking in the undergrowth any more), but there are still some rampant/out-of-control weeds/kawakawa/ivy.
And...
*waves at Dragonsally*
Sorry I missed saying kia ora on Anzac Day!
Hey, if you get a chance (as in, if it's shown outside of NZ), I recommend the film Boy. Very funny! I particularly loved the Michael Jackson Thriller moves to a slightly souped-up traditional Maori song (Poi E) at the end. And the fab names for some of the kids (Chardonnay, and the family of Dallas, Dynasty, and Falcon Crest).
Reminds me that I was also amused to see the ground crew - yes, hi-vis vests and all - greet the first plane into NZ post-ashcloud with a haka.
Oh no, you're sick Ms T?
You get totally better, you hear?
I will put the list on my film...er, I mean I will put the film on my list *facepalm*
Yup, still sick - but getting better. :) Bet the neighbours are glad I'm back at work though; it gives them a reprieve from my coughing fits! Mind you, I'm about to head off home now...
...but before I go, Boy (the film) is the work of Taika Cohen (or Waititi - I lose track of which name he uses where) who has also worked with the Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clements. So that might give you idea of the type of humour involved.
Mrs T! I got your wonderful BEE package! Thank you! Loved every bit of it!!!!!!!
When you send a BEE package, you send a BEE PACKAGE!!!!!!
I am going back to bed now.Just up for a while fixing a few things, but 3 is too early for night to be over...
Sally, I recently got a Second Life account for scientific purposes (no really!), but don't know much about it. except try looking in your library for different hair, bodies, etc.
I sat down for a minute while the oatmeal rests, and of course now have the world's happiest snuggle cat, who must be dislodged if I want my breakfast.
Sleepy. Tea. Email. Ah, morning.
Venus ran outside after Stray Kitty I was feeding and chased him. I ran after her. In a lovely black lacy nightgown. Short one. No underwear.
Thru back yards, down the block we all went.
Ah, the life of a Bengal Caretaker!
And a good morning to you too lacy lorraine!
Escaping Bengals. Not, I imagine, a restful start to the day!
Second part of my blogging about the AFP / Jason Webley weekend is here
Get-well thoughts to you, Ms T.
Lacy Lorraine *g* Did the timing of Venus' exploits minimize or maximize the likelihood of an audience?
Chantrelle, sounds like you're having a blast with the remodelling! The extent of mine has been to purchase one new desk lamp (black) and a new floor lamp (purple shade!).
I was also inspired by vampi to purchase one of these here exercise balls to use in lieu of a desk chair. Sitting on it now. Takes some work, it does. I'm used to sitting with my feet on a footstool, but thinking that may be unwise whilst atop the exercise ball...
Can I ask advise from you cat-wise Fiends? One reason I've not been around here much recently is that the domestic calm I usually enjoy has been shattered by a new neighbourhood cat. I have an enclosed garden with high walls but it's coming from somewhere and fighting with my male which freaks out my female who becomes a cat-shaped ball of hissing and growling. This cat won't get the message it's not wanted; any suggestions for humanely "persuading" it to stay away? Don't know if it's a stray or a pet (it bolts up a ten foot wall when it hears me coming - yes, I am that scary!)
Late to the party. Hi Fiends!
Favorite improbable phrase of the day -- "try looking in your library for different hair, bodies, etc."
I saw this and thought of your leopards.. :]
New post is up!
Mushrooms. And Bees.
Louisa, try citrus oil outside. Its meant to deter cats...I say meant to, because I tried it years ago to keep a outside tom away from my doors and windows because Tysie was going crazy trying to attack him through the windows. Never worked for me.
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