It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

…of Instagram. It does have some darn funny posts, and this one made me chuckle with my morning cup of coffee, in part because it embodied my childhood experience of all local city parks.

Number one – the merry-go-round business. I slid off that sucker so badly I had severe road rash on my tiny little possibly six-year old behind and right leg. It was a mashed mess and required my parents to leave the wedding reception for my cousin and head home with the crew. It was a painful 15 minute drive with me wailing as I had to selfishly take up half of the back seat lying on my tummy. (I do not recall any sympathy, the recovery, the bandaging, or anything else, just that early memory of being whipped around and finding the concrete less than accommodating on my tender skin. We did not see a doctor. I wasn’t dying.)

Anyway, there were many butt-burners in the days of yore. Enjoy a few of these memorable antiquated playground structures.

This lovely photo appeared in the Pinterest feed.

Growing up I had too many “sunshine” salads, though they were called something else. I detested any “salad” which had marshmallows, pineapple, maraschino cherries, or jello mixed in. I never understood how these lovely creations were salad, though they were honest attempts to get us to eat fruit. Always canned fruits, too. Maybe that was my real aversion?

Now, a plain jello salad with whipped cream? That I could do! I did have my preferences, even as a child. Thus, no surprises here when the grands come over and have their own opinions on my gourmet lunch service.

Maybe I should try a Jello salad with them?

We’re pushing for summer over here, wearing shorts and skorts, thinking we don’t need a jacket at all times, opting for shorts sleeves, etc…

Yet, we have our blankets wrapped around us as we sit on the front porch discussing the weighty events of the world and prospects for the day ahead. And when I step outside to water the plants, my legs give off a bright white glare from their lack of sun exposure for seven months. Thank goodness I don’t have a serious beach vacation planned!

I’m hanging on to the promise of an 80 degree day ahead as I sit in my lily-whiteness with a jacket at the kitchen table. Time to shock the world and head out to hydrate the flowers!

The word is, “bedraggled.”

Remember the old television game show, “Password?” You gave hints up to ten times – something like that. Well, my hints would be, “petunias, ferns, impatiens, roses, me…” The weather has certainly done a number this past week. Some sunshine would be nice to perk things up a bit and allow the effort of potting plants and bringing color to the yard to shine forth. Also, it’d be lovely to not feel like I’m slogging through every afternoon with the cloudy, grey skies. Just saying. Not complaining about the moisture, but it sure would be welcome to get gentle spurts and serious sun in between.

Here’s hoping tomorrow’s forecast is true. I need a burst of Vitamin D.

The hummingbird visited this weekend…in a small margin of dryness on Saturday. What a wet weekend.

The gnats in my nose have definitely dwindled…the pesticide is doing its magic.

Coyotes have returned, sighted twice in one day in the gray days of the weekend.

A successful birthday party has resulted in leftovers to last the week. No cooking!

Sunshine’s return for a spell has made the droopy petunias perk up, the ferns consider a resurgence from being wind-and-torrential-rain-whipped, and pollen’s havoc on the outdoor furniture and decks has abated with the deluges.

All in all, calm and quiet reside.

It was an interesting ad in this morning’s publication. I was discerning the appeal of this tog. The price? The fact it had so many reviews? It does come in 17 colors, maybe that was it? Or perhaps it looks like the pile of ironing I have currently sitting on the board, thus invoking nostalgic thoughts?

Perhaps the choice of this faded-shirt with a model as pasty white as I isn’t the best and most exciting photo to use on bland newsprint? Anyway, I’m just looking for a little more color and excitement in the day, and this was not it.

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows!

If you squint your eyes when you look at the backyard, it can actually look charming. The weeds are so natural, the non-manicured trees and bushes seem to enjoy the extra foliage surrounding them. If you were searching for an appealing look in your professional photos, the wispy weeds on the berm could just do the trick. Wear your overalls and a nice straw hat.

Yes, I’m a little slow in getting this yard up to speed. Day three of groundskeeping is looming – but not today. The influx of estrogen is about to happen.

Perhaps today will be the day the hummingbirds make their appearance? The Indian Paintbrush is astounding.

One of my “habits” is that I spend an exorbitant amount to have my hair cut and colored, then proceed to come home, throw it on top of my head, and head out to mow, paint, rake, whatever task needs to be accomplished that day. Rarely in the past 30 years of seeing the same stylist have I returned to have a hot date or big event to sport my “do.”

Thus, today while the wind whips around I will probably do the same, just to keep the hair out of my eyes as I run errands, play bridge, and mow the front meadow. Oh, and get a shingles shot.

It’s good to have a low-stress day. (Except for that vaccination part. Ugh.)

Every year, without fail, I get to repaint the top railing on the front porch, the result of the previous year’s hail. Without fail, there’s hail on the rail.

And when I’m painting I am reminded of Tom and Huck whitewashing the fence for Aunt Polly, slapping on the paint which will inevitably need a new coat the following year. I guess it’s good I can relate to some literary characters in a tangible way?

The only thing missing from my adventure was a cute pair of overalls. Still too chilly and cloudy for that. Alas, I have more painting to do and another opportunity to emulate Mr. Twain’s twosome.

Where’s Becky Thatcher when you need her?

“I’ve got gnats in my nose and they won’t go…”

So the Strumbellas have a song about guns in my head and it comes to mind frequently as I have been waking up with a gnat in my nose many mornings. Talk about a brutal wake up! I’m surprised my nose isn’t bruised from batting them away.

My mother’s solution with Dawn dish soap is obviously not working on eliminating these pests from my beautiful palm plant. Even Vick’s Vapo-Rub is not deterring them. It’s time for some hard core pesticides. Thus, today’s outing will be to the garden center for a solution.

I’ll be looking forward to wakening “gnaturally.”