wildlife update

If you plant it they will come. I removed all of the plants from pots and put them into the ground. I never had any problems with the flow beds...until now. Apparently something likes the fresh tilled soil. Almost every morning when I go to work something has been digging around in the flower beds. The dirt is pushed on to the sidewalk and the roots are exposed on the plants. The plants are doing well otherwise. I just need to keep the roots covered to prevent them from drying out. The temperature today was 103 so roots can dry up quickly. Now that plants are in the pond, I see leopard frogs around the edge every week. Way cool. I have been trying to get wild life in the pond for a while now, except the raccoons. Them I can do without! I planted grass in the back yard. It is doing real well. I have had to cut it twice all ready. I was putting some water down yesterday and caught a gardener snake that was about 18 inches long. I haven't seen a snake in the yard since I first put the pond in years ago. It's nice to see the critters enjoying the yard.

Mom's Birthday celebration

We went to Dads today to celebrate Mom's birthday. We had steak and shrimp with baked potatoes as well as a cucumber salad and a garden salad. The birthday cake was a carrot cake. Jim got mom matching shirts for their Vegas trips in the first picture. The next picture is Mom with all present grand kids and the next includes the one on the way. The last picture is singing happy birthday to the birthday girl. We had lots of fun talking. It was a great day.

It's On!

I weighed my self when I got back from California on the 19th...196 pounds! OUCH! I decided that it was time that I get serious about my weight loss. I hate having to take care of my hair...so I told my self no hair cut until I am 185. I have started to pay attention to all of the food that is going in and try to keep it at less than 1800 calories a day. I have been lazy this year and not getting out of the house very much. I have committed to walking at least 4 miles a day at least 5 days a week. We have a Rock-N-Roll marathon in November. I think that I am going to train for it.The 1/2 marathon that is. Right now I do 5 miles in about 70 minutes. I need to get that down to 45 minutes and then increase the distance. I will weigh my self every Friday morning to see how I'm doing. I would love to get back down to 160.

Shoes Nike Vs. New Balance

I have a pair of Nike running shoes. Nothing fancy. I paid less than 50 dollars for them. I told my self that when I could afford a good pair or running shoes I would get them. A local shoe store was closing and had everything half off. I went in and was fitted for a 1200 series of New Balance. At half off I still paid over a hundred dollars. They are a great work shoe. Very good cushion for standing around. Went walking in them the other day and had blisters the size of silver dollars on the side of both heals. OUCH! I took out my old Nikes today and did the same walk. No blisters! It doesn't matter how expensive your shoes are as long as they fit your feet. I guess I will stick with my Nike.

Santa Monica Pier

More spring flowers in my front yard

Moving at the speed of life!

Summer has to be here because the temperature is staying near 100 and water restrictions are entering stage 2. I had to mow my newly planted grass today. I am pleased at how well it is doing. I hate to see my water bill though. I have been watering every day as the web site recommended for the first two weeks. Now I need to water only once a week. Good thing, I leave to California tomorrow for 5 days and I know nobody here will water it while I'm gone. The Owl House remains empty. I am sad about that but I have read that it can take several years for the owls to find it. We had high winds here several times and it remains steady in the tree. The woodpecker family has moved on as well. The nest is empty and it is all quiet back by the fence. The squirrels have pissed me off and I removed the bird feeder. I need to find a squirrel feeder before I put more food out. That feed has gotten expensive and the squirrels can empty a feeder in a matter of minutes. The humming bird feeder is doing real well on the end of a long coat hanger. The squirrels look at it but can not reach it. I have several hummers that buzz around it and are amazing to watch. The pond is doing great. The lotus is doing real well as you can see from the picture. Still no flower and no flowers on the lilies. The Koi will come over to feed now but are still very skiddish. Christopher got his gituiar and is taking lessong once a week. I hope he sticks with it. If not maybe I will learn how to play. Well, thats about all that's been going on in my neck of the woods.

Shakespeare in the Park

Shakespeare in the park was fantastic once again this year. The play was the comedy "As You Like It" and was put on by the Magik theater group at the Botanical Gardens. It is all lawn seating on a first come basis. We always sit about 20 feet from the stage. I have only missed the first year production. The acting is first rate and is produced to the highest standards. It is always a good time. The gate opens at 6:30 and the play started at 8:00. They have food booths and souvenir booths set up and you can roam the grounds, after you lay claim to your spot of course. I usually just get a water and read my book until the play starts. I usually try to go twice but due to my surgery I was only able to attend the one performance. Net year is Shakespeare it the Park's 25 anniversary and we were told to expect something special. They said to keep an eye on the Magik Theater web site for more information. I can't wait til next year!

Bet you can't!

You have to try this..... It takes 2 seconds.
It is from an orthopedic surgeon.
This will boggle your mind and you will keep trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but, you can't. It's pre-programmed in your brain!

1. Without anyone watching you (they will think you are GOOFY.......) and while sitting at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction. I told you so!!! And there's nothing you can do about it!

You and I both know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so.