sad faces

After more than a month of me going to work five days a week, the dogs are exhibiting signs of "you're leaving us again!!" syndrome. I was cleaning out the back of the car the other day, took something in the house, and when I came back out, the big dog (Tiger Lily) was inside, and said she wasn't going to get out either. So she got to go for a ride. Normally, she doesn't like riding. She only insists on going with me when she's been left too much; (according to her standards)

purplepurplepurple

For years I've wanted to have a solid row of purple iris across the front of this place. It has now happened. They all bloomed at once, and it is amazing. purple, purple, purple.!! When I planted the first one 14 years ago, I thought, "this will never happen". A friend asked me a few years ago, to help her divide her iris. They were getting too crowded, so I dug them up for her one day, and brought dozens home and planted them. Most of them were too small then to bloom. Not any more.

I know this isn't anything as a photograph, But this is only part of the row of pupleness spreading across the front of this property.

sunshine, etc

Now we're having sunny, gorgeous days. The grass is green and the redbud trees are still blooming and the purple iris are blooming all over the place... sorry, hate to gush, but after all the months of brown grass and dead looking trees and shrubs I just love this. And furthermore I wanted to go on record as being happy about the weather after whining about the rain. The dogs are pretty thrilled too, (and so are the chickens, who love to eat green plants and now get grass and other greens every day--sometimes with bugs on them!!) As I mentioned before, I too love this weather, but am almost too tired to enjoy it. I have very much work right now. This is good, because of the never ending bills, so I am grateful besides being tired.

rain, rain, and more rain

they say this is the last day of this rainstorm. the news nowadays is always reporting THE COST OF (... a storm, flood, tornado, hurricane...etc.) I am glad of the actual rain. We needed it. But the co$t to me? so far, one beef bone, and six raw hide chew toys for the dogs, not to mention-- although you notice that I am in fact mentioning-- 4 loads of dog towels, washed and dried. Just try towel drying 5 dogs about 5 times a day for two days. If its not raining, its misting, sprinkling or just dripping. The chickens aren't very happy either, very very wet and bedraggled.
WET WET WET. yuck

rain

Things have been turning green for a few weeks, and the aforementioned redbud trees are "showing-out". But we've still been officially in a drought. Anytime they forecast high winds, there is a "red-flag warning" which is a fire alert. BUT yesterday we had soaking rains and it is soggy, muddy now, and supposed to be rainy tomorrow too!! Oh gladness!! The purple iris are thrilled too.

Don't tell me , I know, this is a face only a mother could love. Actually, the face is cute. So innocent looking. Even while standing a couple of yards away, with something of mine in his mouth. I don't want it shredded, and he's revving up his engines for a fast getaway...And that face still looks innocent.

The redbud tree is showing off, and so are the wild plum bushes. I love the color of the redbuds, but the fragrance of the plums is wonderful. I'm ready to plant flowers, flowers, flowers. And the dogs want to stand all over them and smell everything. The two youngest will also play tug-o-war with newly planted plants, and then gallop around triumphantly waving their new trophy. And then I wonder why I have to have dogs...