Charlyn’s Web

We enjoy watching the hummingbirds that frequent our feeders.

It’s fun seeing them zip about.

They even share, once in awhile.

Alternate title: Embarrassing Oneself On the Internet….Again.

We have a weed problem. Due to various reasons, too numerous and varied to mention, the weeds got ahead of us this year. Well, they often do but this year it seems extra “bountiful”.

The Weeds are up and down the driveway, around and in the parking area and taking over the driveway to the shop. One method of weed control we are aggressively pursuing is the “Drive Over Those Puppies” application.

You see The Col. applying the technique here.

At first the kids were a little apprehensive about going down the driveway at such a slant but now think it’s quite fun. We’ve all come to appreciate the smell of weeds burning on the exhaust.

It even works, kind of. It’s sort of environmentally friendly- no chemicals being sprayed about. It’s an efficient use of time- The Col. is on his way to work here.
I think it’s a “win, win” situation.

They are trying to see the light.

Does it shine through?

No? Are you sure?

Nope. Can’t see it. Something must be in there.

I thought I would show you what my Mom looks like since she doesn’t post pictures of herself very often. See? She has long hair, mainly because she hasn’t gone to get it cut for a long, long time. Her nails are all grown out. I have nails, they need to be trimmed.

She wears dangley ear rings on her ears. See them? I want to be able to wear them too.

She has lots of teeth too.

The sun is shining! See all the letters I wrote?

Sorry about the foot being torn off- it was an accident.

Bye!

Pixie

P.S. Mom says I can’t show you the picture I drew of Papa. She used big words. Something about it being correct. Then comes the really big word- anatomically. I don’t know what that means.

I have a passionate supporter of Rose #1. She sent me a cropped version of it and I do have to say it makes a difference. Here it is cropped and with a few of the background distractions gone. What do you think?

Or, why not go all the way?

I can’t decide which I like better.

Click on thumbnail to enlarge.

Which is your favorite?

Yes, another post about footwear.

Not sandals, though.

Not involving the Fashion Queen.

It involves boots and how The Mother just can’t pack.

We arrived at The Grandparents with a large plastic tote in tow filled with footwear. Slippers, sandals, clogs, “strap on shoes” and one pair of boots. One would think that would be adequate for all our footwear needs. Teach One to think. I know, I know- I should give that up. I’m trying, really.

The one pair of boots belonged to The Boy- just in case he went out to do some work with Grandpa. The last day we were there it rained just a little. The Boy wanted to go out to the garden to pick some berries for our homeward trip. There was a little concern about mud so it was decided that he should wear his boots. These precious items were spotted by Little Miss Sunshine who promptly wanted hers, which were at home in a closet.

I promptly received a tongue lashing. How could I not bring them? She wanted them! Where were hers?

This nagging would crop up every now and again on the way home. She has a tendency to nag and not forget things.

After we arrived home there has been one choice in footwear, as far as she is concerned. She doesn’t care how hot it is outside or what fashion would dictate.

Ah, that we were all that confident in our footwear choices.

A strap on The Boy’s sandal broke awhile back but it still stayed on his foot.

Last Friday, right after we arrived at the park to play, the other part broke. It no longer stayed on his foot. He stayed on the play structure or the grass most of the time to protect his bare feet.

We headed straight to that “Evil Out House” place that is basically the only place to shop here. I knew that trying to find sandals at this time of year was a nearly impossible task. The shoe people and the stores seem to think we need to buy sandals in February and snow boots in August. I have found, from past experience, that if you don’t shop for sandals before the end of April, the selection will be pitiful. Then hope that the child’s foot doesn’t go on a growing spree or they don’t break. So there we were, in need, scurrying (The Boy was shuffling; trying to keep the sandal attached to his foot) to the shoe aisle with very low hopes. The sandals, the few that were still languishing there, were relegated to a small, far section of the shoe area. There were a few scattered sandals for toddlers on the shelf.

And one pair of size four.

On sale.

I think it was a God thing.

Here it is 5 o’clock and I haven’t written a new post yet. Geez! Where does the time fly?

I have been distracted by stuff today. The kids and I went on a “long, long walk”. They ride their bikes and I walk. We went up the some hay sheds about a mile away. We have seen hawks in the trees by there and owls live in the sheds. We didn’t get to see many today though. The Boy said he say a hawk fly by but I missed it. The owls must have been in bed. It seems to take forever, even when I keep them moving at a good pace but I suppose an hour for going about 2 miles is pretty good- by the time we get the bikes out and put away.

I have been putting sprinklers out on the trees for a good soaking. And they are getting that as I keep forgetting to go move the hose. Ah well, it can’t hurt, can it?

The Boy had found a recipe in a Boxcar Children book for making Buns. One “secret” ingredient is missing but it had all the right things to make it work right. He copied it down before returning the book several weeks ago and has been after me to make them. Today was the day. I could hardly contain my enthusiasm. Or maybe it was the other part of the baking crew? Anyway, it was a good experience for him. I tried really hard not to gripe and be patient. The recipe was an old style one- where it lists the ingredients but expects you to know what to do with them. Things like mixing the milk, butter, sugar and salt and then heating them, mixing the yeast with the flour, kneading it and letting it rise. I had to pull out my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook to help me out. I usually let my bread machine do all that stuff. But we pulled it off- it tested The Boy’s patience having to wait for it to rise- not once but twice! They turned out good, even without the secret ingredient.

I have been sending and answering emails about genealogy which is fun but time consuming.

I did some laundry too so now we have something to wear, which will be a vast relief to one of us who has nothing to wear.

My throat feels better. Every time I went into the bathroom yesterday I gargled with salt water. I also took some heavy doses of Vitamin C, etc. etc. So I hope it was just a passing thought.