Thursday, February 2, 2023

Wonders Of Nature, Pleasures Of Life


The tea olive with its miniature flowers and hugely enchanting scent is blooming again. This is one of my very favorite plants in the yard. 

Here's another that has also come to life. 



The trillium! 

The spot where this grows is off to the side of the front yard and I seem to have a mental reminder of when it is time to go check and see if it's come up again. I did that this morning and there it was, doing its spring thing and it made my heart happy. I'm so glad I remembered to look. 

I picked up Levon today and the first thing he wanted to know if we could go buy a toy and if I'd brought treats. 
Ooh boy. We have a real ritual going on here now. 
I had brought treats- more of the Nutella with dipping pretzels but I did need to go to Publix and I had not eaten my lunch and I was getting to that place where I wasn't thinking that well, probably because of that. So off we went to Publix where I was talked into buying sunglasses for the boys and also some rather nasty (in my opinion) breakfast bars but they made him happy. Then we went by my pharmacist to pick up a prescription and the sweet southern lady there offered Levon a lollipop and not one of the tiny ones either but a big fat gourmet one and he also got to pick out one for his brother. So it was a big treat day. 
We went back to the house and I ate the not even marginally healthy salad I'd bought at Publix but at least it had some fiber in it. And then we read some books. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that I still have Levon who likes to listen to books. It is truly one of the greatest pleasures of my life to read to a child. Today we read some of his favorites. One of them, Murmel, Murmel, Murmel, by Robert Munsch, is about a little five-year old girl who finds a baby in her backyard. The little girl says that she cannot take care of a baby but that she will find someone who will. 
"I would keep that baby," said Levon. And we talked about that. He said that they have some pull-up diapers at their house so that would be okay. Oh, how I love that boy! He truly meant it. He would keep any baby that he found. And he would love it. 

Before we went to get August, we went to May and Michael's house to drop off the clothes and the very late Christmas present. May was at work but Michael came down to meet us and lug the bin upstairs. It was good to see him and have a little chat. Levon was about to fall asleep in the car and I think he may have had a tiny doze while we talked. 
And then we were off to get Brother who gave me a wonderful hug and then immediately said, "What treats did you bring us today?"
Ooh-boy. 
On top of all of the goodies and the sunglasses, I had brought over some costume mustaches that had been in Linda Sue's box. There was picture posing. 


Somehow I see Vergil in that mustachioed gent on the left. 

Also, here's a selfie that Levon took of himself earlier. 


What a kid. 

When I left they gave me more hugs and kisses and thank-you's and also requested chicken and dumplings and pancakes next time they come over. I have just spoken to Gibson on the phone who wants spaghetti and meat balls on Saturday night when he comes over. I was almost certain that was what he would ask for and I will be most happy to make them. 

And now I need to go make supper for the man and me. But before I go, I'd like to show you a picture that anyone contemplating moving to Florida should see before they sell their house in Ohio and rent a U-Haul. 


That is a very dead and very large beetle whose name I do not know and do not have time to look up at this moment. I found it under the loveseat in the library when I was searching for Three Billy Goats Gruff which has simply disappeared. 

To a true Floridian, this creature is neither frightening nor disgusting. Now- a roach that big? 
No thank you. 
But somehow I just can't help but admire this guy's size and shine. 

Oh! One more, one more thing. 


Do you see what's happening here? Maurice, for some unknown reason decided to assert her seniority by coming to bed with me and then, just as I was about to turn out the light, Jack showed up and perched on the end of the bed. I was afraid to move, as was Mr. Moon when he got in the bed. All was well (no it wasn't) until right after we'd fallen asleep when all hell broke loose and there was cat-screaming and yowling and a feline tangle that fell off the bed and continued into another part of the house. 

Mr. Moon did indeed receive a bloody wound but I escaped unscathed. This will not be happening again. 

Love...Ms. Moon
 

33 comments:

  1. Yes, I think you've got a pattern there with the kids! And since I like animals, and insects are animals, that beetle's fine! I have fellers that big around my storage area. We coexist.

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    1. Isn't it odd how some insects are mostly interesting to us while others cause us to react with disgust? I suppose I am mostly thinking of roaches here. I do not want to coexist with them. I just do not.

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  2. 37paddington: I was thinking I could the future man in that sunglasses and mustached picture of August! Such cute kids.

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    1. Yes- that was what I was feeling too! Seeing the man in the boy.

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  3. The story of finding a baby has been a dream of mine since i was wee. I am so pleased that Levon would indeed keep a foundling . I adore the bug- what a handsome beetle- sorry he is dead- he looks really great even though stone cold. The lads look amazing with their new gear!

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    1. Me too, Linda Sue. Why has no one ever dropped off a baby on my doorstep? One would think...
      Levon was so sincere in his statement. "I would keep that baby."
      I imagine that beetle lived a pretty long and healthy life. For a beetle, anyway.

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  4. Those boys are simply charming. Not in some false, made up way, either. Just refreshing.
    Before I would sell my house in Ohio and rent a U Haul to move anywhere, I'd ask for ten good reasons to leave Ohio. I don't have one.

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    1. I could probably think of a hundred reasons to leave Florida, at least if I listed individual politicians and law makers here. And yet, I doubt I ever will. It still has a sort of magic I need.
      It is good to be satisfied with where we live.

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  5. Bloody cats.
    Your grandkids are so lucky to have a grandma and grandpa who dote on the and vice versa.
    It's springtime? You lucky bugger. It'll come here, eventually, in April or May, I hope. And the bug is disgusting.

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    1. Well, we are definitely seeing signs of spring. But of course by the time you are enjoying the full burst of yours, we will already be sick and tired of the heat.
      If you think that bug was disgusting you really do not want to know what else I found under that loveseat!

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  6. the beetle is gorgeous in its own way (is it a rhinocerous beetle?) Only time I saw a beetle that large was in Texas .......long ago, and not a pleasant memory....they were roaches and the hugest roaches I've ever seen. Boys are gorgeous. Happy Martini Friday and happy weekend!
    Susan M

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    1. We got some giant roaches here too. People try to call them "palmetto bugs" to make them sound less disgusting but they are simply huge roaches.
      Glasses for martinis are in the freezer!

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  7. I'm guessing a triceratops beetle. https://eol.org/pages/1015360/media?resource_id=53. Speaking of fauna - those cats! Those boys!

    Chris from Boise

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    1. Chris- I think you have nailed it. Triceratops beetle!

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  8. A bed that is three pillows wide! I should think that cats could have remained separated with all that room available. Even allowing for you and Mr Moon. I love those moustaches! I would like spaghetti and meatballs too, but it's too far to your house from here.

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    1. Well there would be plenty of room for two cats but not two cats whose life missions are to kill each other.
      If you're ever in the neighborhood, just drop by. I'll make you spaghetti and meatballs.

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  9. Oh Maurice, you evil feline. Poor Jack.
    Isn't it lovely how quickly kids learn that grandparents will always come through with treats?
    You call that a bug? You need to come to Australia. We have bugs that will kill you with one look!!

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    1. To be fair, Jack goes after Maurice as often (or more) as she goes after him. It is a constant battle for alpha status.
      Yes. Grandkids know who to look to for the treats.
      Okay. I totally believe you about the bugs in Australia and honestly, I'd love to see some of them!

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  10. Like you I like that beetle, but would be disgusted by cockroaches this big - I've met them. The boys sure look .... well just like children having fun should look. Drat those cats, poor mr. Moon.

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    1. No, no, NO on cockroaches!
      I think the boys were having fun, pretending to be...who? Someone else.
      Well, Maurice evened up the tally by biting me today. Sigh.

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  11. You have reminded me that when I used to regularly get the grandkids from school , the first words from G would be, "have you got a treat?". He is 10 now and I get him occasionally, but he doesn't ask for or expect a treat now, which is lucky, because I would never have one anyway!!

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    1. It's our fault. It's like I always say- anyone who tells their kids (or grandkids) how spoiled they are should realize that they themselves are at fault for that.

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  12. The boys look like something out of The Blues Brothers with their disguises!!! Either that or cast members of The Godfather!

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  13. Sleeping with tigers!

    That is a beautiful beetle -- a triceratops beetle, I believe. I would be tempted to keep it, at least for a little while. I'm sure it's all dried out by now. I wonder how it got inside?!

    The trillium has such beautiful leaves. It's like someone decided to see how many different shades of green they could fit on a single leaf.

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    1. I did have a dead beetle like that (yes, triceratops- I think you are right) on a shelf for a long time but I finally threw him outside. Who knows how these critters get in the house? On plants? Via the door?
      You are so right about that trillium.

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  14. The boys look like the Mario Bros. with those mustaches.
    When the kids get older, you could volunteer to read to children at your local grade school - my Mom did that and loved it. You would be so good at that.

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    1. I used to volunteer in elementary school classrooms. Maybe I should think about doing that again.
      You're right about the Mario Bros.

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  15. FRESCA here. How are the sea grapes coming along? They are my favorite.
    Speaking of favorites, do I spy a red-hair orphan girlette on the bedroom dresser? :)

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    1. P.S. Not a dresser---a vanity, right?
      I also love that Levon said he would keep a baby--and even has thought ahead to supplies for said baby!

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  16. Fresca, I am worried about the sea grapes. They seem to come up and then disappear which I guess is due them dying. I still have four. Perhaps I am overwatering them. I'll try letting them dry out some. Lord knows that I am not in any way replicating the environment they come from.
    Yes! There is an Orphan on my vanity. Linda Sue sent her. She wanted some adventure and figured that Florida would be just the ticket. She is quite disappointed that so far she has not seen an alligator or even an armadillo.
    Yes. That part of Levon's idea about the diapers is what totally made my heart explode.

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.