What’s the test that it is actually cold in Texas? You find a dog and cat sharing the fuzzy blanket.
Missy the dog has always needed a couch buddy, and Sophie the cat is the most laid back, so I’m not surprised that it is these two we caught sharing warmth. Missy runs very warm, but has a large personal space, so doesn’t usually let the other cats near.
It is annoying when leaves catch a ride on a sock or shoe or paw coming into the house, but it is hard to stay irritated when the leaf is in the shape of a heart. Aw.
In August 2023 I painted several rocks using a line painting tool, then finished them with a clear UV spray coat. One of the rocks I put out in the garden with a collection of other painted rocks. A year and a half later, this is the only rock that looks as good as new. The others’ designs cracked and flaked off since they had layers of paint, sometimes quite thick.
My takeaway for this is that if you make or find a rock completely covered in paint, keep it inside. If you want to be super clever and hide your rock in a place it might take someone years to find, apply the paint sparingly. I think some of my planted painted rocks may have returned to their natural color waiting to be found. Those freeze thaw cycles and UV rays are hard on paint.
Winter has actually made its way to Texas. Tree leaves are down, the temperature has dropped (mostly), and we’ve seen ice. So I was surprised to see a splash of yellow in the front yard in the form of a dandelion head.
I leave the dandelions, I admit. The thistles I remove, but the common dandelion and lawn daisies get to stay.
In 2012 my youngest was hospitalized for a total of 33 days with pneumonia and complications. I was a wreck. To maintain sanity I asked my family for yarn and sat in the PICU crocheting. I learned how to make star blankets and made two (I don’t have pictures of the first).
I still find crocheting a calming activity.
