Flower Update

Hi All!

I know that there are people who doubt the existence of God but, when you look out your kitchen window and see this, how can you doubt?

This, of course, is one of my moonflowers in full bloom. They are such lovely things and so unexpected at twilight and gleaming in the light of a full moon. This flower is at least six to eight inches across. *Sigh* so beautiful.

I guess that since I am showing pictures of flowers, I should give you an update on the "new" flowerbed.
Here is a wider shot of the moonflowers. The vine isn't too pretty but darn, those flowers!

Here are the cone flowers I started from seed. No blooms or flowers this year but I am optimistic about next year. They are perennials here and should put on a show next year. I am planning on thinning out the bunch and planting some elsewhere in my year. I don't know where yet but . . . that is the plan!


Here is a slightly fuzzy shot of my biggest Hosta. These I planted from root things (I have no clue what they are called!) and they are taking their own sweet time growing. My mothers says that next year they will probably be a lot bigger. I hope!

Again, sorry about the slightly fuzzy picture but it was starting to rain and I wasn't in the mood to be patient about the focus. This, friends, is what I hope will be a date tree, bush, plant, leaf, some day. I planted five dates in this little pot and this came up. It looks like a date frond but that is all it does. I don't know if it needs more soil or what. I will investigate when I take it inside for the winter - I don't think it will handle even the mild winters here in Texas.

And Hubby said it would never grow! Ha!

Moving on. Here is the cactus my mother sent me in the mail. Notice that it has several new lobes on it. I need to get in there and straighten it up a bit so it doesn't lean over the pot and "get" us when we trim shrubs.

Next is a picture of my balloon plant which had lovely blooms on it this Spring. Last year (yes, it survived the winter and came up all on its own this year!) it only bloomed once but, I noticed that it has a bud on it! True, it only has ONE bud but still, it is progress!Then, there are the shrubs. I call them the Ugly Shrubs. You may have seen them before if you have read my past blogs. There is a good reason I don't like them too much. I will explain.

Here is a picture of the Ugly Shrubs when they are pretty much under control.

See - all nice and neat. One could even say that their silver green color is nice against the brick of our house. They might even be said to be a nice contrast with the other shrubs in the bed (grudgingly I admit that is true). However, there is one trait that they have which inevitably makes smoke come out of my ears.

What could that be? You might ask? Well . . . you see every time it rains (or Hubby waters the flowerbeds) these ugly beasts do this.

They send up shoots. Shoots which grow by leaps and bounds. Shoots which grow about three inches a day! I said DAY! They are fast growing little buggers! In this picture, the shoots are at least ten inches long. And this was only a few days after it rained a half inch!

These shoots, of course, mean that I have to get out there and trim shrubs. Again.

I just "love" trimming shrubs over and over and over and over . . .

Trisha

Voice Update: Still in my funk. I did some massage but . . . that is about it. I think I have speech this Wednesday so I am sure that Susan will shake me out of my funk.

Mom's Yard

Hi All!

I know that I promised to show you some pictures of my parents' yard. You need to know that while I was visiting it was very, very dry there and so all of the color was pretty much drained from the flowerbeds, etc. However, it was still beautiful to me!

First of all, you need to know that someone is always watching you when you are on my parents' deck out back . . .

Isn't that cute? This little man is a bird house! The wood under him is supporting flower bags full of white and red impatiens. They were blooming while I was there thanks to Mom's faithful watering each morning.

This is a view from the deck. The yard stretching out is all my parents' until you get pretty close to the house back there. That house, by the way, is a pretty recent addition. There used to be just empty fields back there.

The deer like to run across the back yard (near the back of the yard) and then come up on the left side of the picture where there are pear trees and an apple tree. They also like to check out my Mom's flowerbeds (you see the round one here and then there is another round one to the left behind the tree) for any munchies.

My Dad spends a lot of time spraying foul tasting stuff on tender foliage to discourage the deer. Isn't he lucky to have that job???

The rope you see in the upper left corner of the picture is supporting the big birdfeeder (which you can't see) and a hummingbird feeder (which you can see). There is an additional finch feeder and hummingbird feeder hanging from the railing of the deck. Yes, the birds like Mom and Dad's yard!

I will show you more pictures tomorrow.

Trisha

P.S. As we speak, the skies are filled with clouds from Ike. We haven't gotten rain yet but are due for a downpour anytime here. I hope that everyone who lives in areas hit by Ike are safe and if you have friends or relatives in that area that they are safe as well.

Voice Update: Lazy,lazy. lazy. Yesterday I didn't do ANYTHING! I know, I know . . . get my butt in gear!

Justice!

Hi All!

Thank you for the kind comments about HER! And, yes, Coffee Bean, I tend to be a little competitive!

Well, there is justice is the world! Yesterday I went to lab really early hoping to finish everything I was behind in. As soon as I walked into the lab, both lab assistants began telling me to ignore HER because SHE didn't know what she was doing in ASL and that I know more than SHE does. That made me feel better.

I did tell them that SHE had made me feel stupid because she kept correcting me. They were not happy about that. The lab assistant I worked with this time, Sherry, told me to point HER out when she came in because she didn't know the name with the face. However, once SHE came into the lab, Sherry looked at me smiled.

A couple of other women from my class joined me to work with Sherry in practicing Unit 16. I was happy because these women are very nice and are fun to work with. Then. In. SHE. Walked! SHE joined our group (not next to me, thank goodness!). I did have a little chuckle when Sherry had to "yell" at HER because SHE wasn't paying attention! Tee hee!

As I was leaving the lab Sherry asked me if that was HER and I said "Yep." Sherry just told me again not to worry about her! Apparently, the Lab assistants don't like her because she is arrogant and argues with them when they correct her. Way to make friends!

So - it might not be nice but . . . I am still gloating!

Trisha

Voice Update: I have really been working on my massage. I did it at every single stop light I hit (every RED light) on my way to and from class last night. I also massaged as I was watching TV before going. The exercises - not so much! I know, I know. I NEED to do them but . . . I am still in my funk and DON'T WANT TO TALK - even to do exercises!

The Homework Hurricane

Hi All!

Whew! I finally dug myself out of a virtual homework hurricane so that I could pause to blog a bit!

On Tuesday I went back to my ASL class and found myself in the midst of a homework hurricane - there was a BUNCH of homework which needed to be done by Thursday and little time to do it! Needless to say, that freaked me out a bit and I spent my blogging time yesterday feverishly working.

I got almost all of my homework done Wednesday morning but I had to go to an activity or place to interact with Deaf people in order to write a paper about it. So . . . I jumped in my car and headed to the Deaf Action Center. This is sort of like a senior citizen's center for the Deaf. The center does other things as well but the part I was concerned with provided low cost meals and activities for Deaf seniors.

These dear people are nice enough to allow ASL students to come to the center to interact with them and to practice their sign language. They are patient and kind and just a bit mischievous at times. I had visited the center several times during the last semester and so many of the seniors recognized me (this despite my shorn locks!). It was fun talking to them and teasing them as they teased me.

I have been in a real funk lately but, while I was at the DAC, I found myself really having a good time. I guess I have found the secret to getting out of my funk!

Now, if I can keep my positive thoughts through lab and class today. On Tuesday, I went to the lab (the ASL language lab where you practice signing with the aides who are all Deaf) and, of course, had a lot to make up because I was behind by a week due to going to visit my folks. I got right to work and was making my way through one of the two lessons I needed to make up. I was doing pretty well despite many brain blips caused by not practicing for a week. Then . . . SHE came and sat next to me.

SHE is a woman in my ASL II class. She is older and always looks sad and bored. I could never figure out why but she was just not the friendliest person in the bunch. I found out her story on Tuesday in the lab.

SHE sat next to me and proceeded to tell me that the signs I was doing were wrong! SHE always had something to say about whatever I was doing. This unnerved me and I was soon making more and more mistakes. Great! The ASL department head, Henry, came in and began talking to HER in a flurry of ASL. I didn't understand but, during this break, when SHE was paying attention to someone else, the lab aide I was working with told me that SHE was repeating ASL II so I shouldn't mind her. Apparently, SHE is a church interpreter and knows a LOT of signs. However, SHE knows ENGLISH signs and not ASL signs (there really is a big difference!) and was repeating ASL II because HER receptive sign language wasn't good enough for ASL III. That means that while SHE can sign up a storm, SHE doesn't do too well understanding what people say to HER. That made me feel a little better.

It also made me feel better when I realized during my homework mania that one assignment SHE did (and I saw) had been done incorrectly! Conjunctions in ASL are totally different from conjunctions in English and we were to write sentences using conjunctions. SHE used English conjunctions instead of ASL conjunctions.

Is it wrong for me to gloat a bit . . . just to myself?

Trisha

Voice Update: A large part of my funk is that I just don't want to talk. Period. I haven't done my exercises this week (bring on the wet noodles!) but I have done some massage. My whole neck seems to still be really tight from my bout of stiff neck last week. I actually had my "thumper" massager out last night working on my shoulders and neck and plan to do it again today before heading to class.

Potato Chips and Bananas

Hi All!

Believe it or not, we had some rain yesterday evening and last night. Of course, it wasn't enough to register in our rain gauge but . . . it was rain! It means that I didn't have to water my new flowerbed (how long can I call it new?) this morning which is a bonus!

Getting back into the regular routine of home after being gone is always interesting. Yesterday I got up and walked with C and then spent time catching up on my blog reading. I also printed out all of the info I had gotten from my ASL teacher about the classes I missed last week. Then, joy of joys, I got to go grocery shopping!

Grocery shopping in the very literal sense of the word isn't a real problem for me. In fact, I sort of enjoy wandering through the aisles looking for new things to cook for dinner. I also enjoy the looks of people as I talk my way through the aisles - on strict orders from my speech therapist! Talking to myself seems to make other shoppers a bit nervous around me. I wonder why???

Bringing the groceries into the house and putting them away, however, is another story. I really don't enjoy this part of the whole shopping trip. Especially in the summer. Lugging the bags from the car to the kitchen, which is on the opposite end of the house, is such fun in the Texas heat. Going in and out of the air conditioned house makes the heat even more noticeable and, well, hot. I work up a good sweat by the time the last bag is sitting in the kitchen and the garage door is closed.

And then I have to unpack. Since the sweat is already running it just keeps going while I go between the fridge, freezer, and pantry. By the time everything is stowed away I feel as if I took a shower in my clothes! Yes, grocery shopping (or the putting away of the groceries) is sure fun.

This week was a little cooler - thank goodness! I didn't work up the full shower strength sweat while unloading and unpacking. AND . . . I got a bonus.

I had bought potato chips - something that I rarely buy because I only eat them up by myself - and bananas. One of my shopping bags near the beginning of unpacking contained these two items (I thought it interesting that they would pack bananas with chips). I put the items away and continued unpacking. Reaching the last bag with a HUGE sigh of relief, I dug in and unpacked . . . potato chips and bananas.

This brought me to a very unusual pause in operations. I literally stopped and stood with a bag of potato chips in one hand and a bunch of bananas in the other as I pondered the fact that I must be going crazy. I mean, I had already unpacked this bag, hadn't I? I even looked at the counter where I put my bananas. Yep - there was a bunch of bananas. I looked at the chips in my hand and noticed that while they were rippled (crunchier and less greasy that way), they were a totally different brand than what I picked up in the chip aisle at the store. I opened the pantry and saw my chosen bag of chips. Hmmmm.

The very nice woman in front of my in line must have gotten home and not had her chips or bananas.

Trisha

Voice Update: My voice is doing well but, honestly, I don't want to talk. I guess all of the talk in Ohio just wore me out. That isn't a good thing since I am going out to lunch with a friend today! I did massage yesterday but didn't do a whole lot of exercises. Bad, bad girl!

Bobby Knight and Skor!

Hi All!

Well, Hubby and I are home safe and sound! I was rather anxious about the trip this time for some reason and, luckily, both ways, the trip was actually pretty easy! We didn't have long layovers to wait through and the actual flights went by quickly. Yeah!

We both enjoyed out time up north visiting with family and friends. I will admit that there are some friends that I didn't get to visit this trip - there just wasn't time! I hate it when that happens because then they always are disappointed that they didn't get to see us! Oh well!

Hubby did have a celebrity (of sorts) sighting on the first leg of our return flight. Sitting in the front row of our SouthWest flight was . . . Bobby Knight! The pilot was chatting with him as we walked by and, frankly, I wouldn't have recognized him if he was throwing chairs around! Hubby was impressed though. We didn't talk to Bobby (Hubby said "Hi!" but Bobby didn't respond.) but it was sort of neat to have him on the same plane. Hubby did wonder why he was going SouthWest though and not some other airline with first class seats.

Our little girl, Miss Cleo was glad to see us. She was VERY vocal yesterday wanting us to pet her and play with her (even though she doesn't really play!) and to pay attention to her! She slept with me last night. How sweet. She is a great little girl!

Speaking of sweet little kitties . . . Jay and I got the word yesterday that we are going to be the proud parents of a sweet little Ragamuffin boy, Skor! Isn't he a cutie?

When we first saw pictures of him his coloring was much lighter and, with age, it has gotten darker. We think he is really cute and noticed that he looks a bit like our angel, Q-Tip.

We are not really sure when we will actually be getting Skor as he is currently in Kentucky and will be couriered to us (can you believe it???). So - stayed tuned for Skor updates.

Oh - about the name. He was named Heath by the breeder but I am not able to say words starting with H very reliably so we had to change the name. Skor is the same thing as a Heath bar but by Hershey so . . . Skor. I think it is cute but my friend, Joan, doesn't think it is cute enough.

What do you think?

Trisha

Voice Update: My voice is pretty good today. I was a good girl and did my exercises prior to meeting C to walk and I have been doing some massage for the past two days. I haven't been doing exercises while writing this (rats! I forgot!) but I assure you that I will get on them ASAP! I still don't really feel like talking too much but . . . what are you going to do?

Soggy Saturday and Memories of a Chinese Feast

Hi All!

It is a soggy Saturday here in Ohio. I woke up (late of course, I AM on vacation and didn't get to bed until past midnight last night) and saw that the deck was wet and the world had that nice grey look it has when it rains. Have I mentioned before that I like rain?

Mom tells me it was just a heavy mist but, I think that still counts as rain! All of Mom's flowerbeds need rain. The grass needs rain. The trees need rain. Ohio needs rain (well, THIS part needs rain - I am not sure about the entire state!). We all went out to eat at our favorite Chinese restaurants, Hunan Coventry, last night and it rained the entire time - a nice light rain.

Our meal last night was wonderful. Hubby and I haven't found a good Chinese restaurant in our area and so we don't eat Chinese too often - usually only when we come up to Ohio and can visit Hunan Coventry. I have been seriously craving Chinese food. It has been horrible. I have even resorted to eating mall Chinese. I know, not a really good example of the cuisine but when you are craving Chinese and there is nowhere else . . .

I had the crispy and delectable sesame chicken. Whole chicken breasts breaded and fried crisp and then sliced and bathed in a semi sweet sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Scrumptious! Hubby had his perpetual favorite, Triple Delight. This entails beef, shrimp, and scallops with peanuts and some insanely hot purple peppers the size of my pinkie all cooked together with a brown sauce. I always snatch one piece of the amazingly tender beef from his platter and can deal with the very spicy aftermath of that one morsel. Mom enjoys the sesame chicken and Dad loves pretty much anything so we always order one or two other dishes - last night it was beef and green peppers and combination fried noodles which had chicken, beef, and shrimp. All of these dishes served with steamed white rice makes for a veritable feast. Yum.

We have leftovers for lunch today. Is it noon yet?

Trisha

Voice Update: I really, really, really, don't feel like talking today. I am in a bit of a fractious mood. This always seems to happen towards the end of a visit home when I have been talking a lot. I snuck some massage into the routine yesterday as we drove to the Chinese restaurant- not nearly enough but I did remember how sore my neck was after my last speech session and so I am dedicated to more massage to prevent that "lovely" feeling again.