The Shed Notebook:Best Buddies

Our Springer Spaniel Annie died last June. When we decided to get a brother for Tucker, we decided on a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. Tucker is an Australian Cattle Dog or blue heeler. Above is close to when Riley arrived home.

Since the time Riley got in the car Tucker has loved his little brother, The have romped, played, ran, swam, walked, wrestled, got in some trouble, and played with toys together for the last seven months.  Riley has had some puppy challenges, but sometimes Tucker helps by herding him into shape. Tucker is the barker alert dog in the house, but Riley hasn't picked that up. I have only heard him bark a few times.

Here are some photos below that capture that brotherly love between Tucker and Riley.

Tucker teaching Riley how to do stairs when we were at a vacation house.

Checking out the view from The Shed,

Both love to watch out the window.

Riley showing off his new haircut.

Tucker showing off his new bed

Fifty-Two Cups of Poetry: Poem #3: Behind the Shed

Last week I began the Fifty-Two Cups of Poetry project. You can read it here.

I think all of us has some place that things just end up being stashed. Read on.

Behind the Shed

Broken flower baskets stashed under the eaves for safekeeping,

A dog toy we call Dirty Rope sits in a pool of mud,

The rusty garden shears areburied under the blue tarp,

And the stack of terra cotta pots seems to have multiplied again.

Somebody heaved the last pile of fall weeds out of sight from the house,

The cracked holder for potting soil is now full of water,

After lifting a broken chair the lost work glove was spotted,

And the lasting signs of dogs digging left holes to be filled.

Everyone has the place where things just get stashed,

Often it is out of sight, out of mind, out of the way,

As the winter turns to spring there is a nagging feeling,

Either we widen the shed or decide to clean up.

Christy Woolum, February 5,2018

The Shed Notebook: Photography Review

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all the pictures I have stored. I have never done a good job at labeling pictures, but at least I named folders and they are listed in chronological order. Another goal of mine is to go through and remove pictures I don't need. If I have taken five shots of the same subject, I don't often go back and remove the ones that weren't good. Sigh. That is why I am overwhelmed.
But, another fine way of procrastinating is to just look at all the photos today and enjoy them. Here are some favorites I chose to share. The one above was taken when my brother and I took a tour of the Portland Rose Gardens. Yes, it was raining. I loved this because the couple weren't bothered by the rain. They were embracing the beauty of the flowers anyway.

This is the end of our driveway at Martin Creek in winter. I loved catching the late afternoon light in the winter.

I love this picture because I actually had enough sunflowers I raised myself to arrange a bouquet. Sunflowers in a vase light up the room.

Another favorite spot at Martin Creek wss our pond. I love the red leaves of the maple tree in autumn,

The Shed Notebook: Am I Ready to Garden?

With all the rain this week, I looked around my front flower beds looking for signs of spring bulbs. No bulbs. What did I find? All the weeds that didn't get pulled last fall. When the weather got so cold in December why didn't those weeds get killed. Maybe I am not quite ready to garden.

When I think about two big galvanized tubs that were moved from Mom's during the winter, I see dirt that needs to be added. I see items that need to be pulled out that ended up there during the winter. I think I can blame sweet Riley for that. Maybe I am not quite ready to garden.

Seeing roses that didn't get cut down, vegetables that didn't get pulled out, and more weeds in the raised beds that didn't get removed I know now I am not ready to garden.

I think I will creep back into the house, pull my blanket around me, and watch cooking shows. I know longs days will bring the energy it will take to tackle the garden projects. Right?

The Shed Notebook: Making a New Friend

Today I made a new friend. It is hard to decide whether a person should be a new friend at this time in life. They need to be honest, sincere, share valid and true information, and treat me with respect . Dr. McGinnis did all of this today and more.
I went to this orthopedic specialist today about my knees. Five years ago I visited another doctor in Colville and he said, "Yes, you have bone spurs, you don't want knee surgery yet, wear better shoes. "

Today I learned that my knees are bone on bone. Arthritis doesn't get better. Knees  won't get better. I can buy the most sensible shoes with the most expensive inserts, but nothing is going to fix my knees. Fortunately I can still get  around and only have pain when I climb stairs. or overdo walking. I am one of the fortunate ones.

My new friend Dr. McGinnis kindly and gently told me that he is doing knee surgery on me , but not yet. In fact he will do both knees three months apart. Guess what folks? I am chubby. I am at higher risk for the surgery.  He helped me by outlining a plan to get me unchubby for surgery, set me up with PT, got knee braces,and gave me shots in my knees for my pain.

Why do I share this? At our age we often get fearful  about what is going on in our bodies and don't want to take that next step toward healing. I took it today, found a new friend, and see a rosy future. If you are in a similar situation, take the next step. I felt the stress just flow out of my body today.

The Shed Notebook: Procrastination Expert

Remember the basement project I talked about yesterday? The project I wanted to complete today?
It just didn't get done. The illustration above was not done by me, but a few of the examples could be true.
I think a nap sounded nice. The cats and dogs all needed my love. I had to go next door to visit my brother to make sure he was alive and well. I couldn't leave my competitors on Words With Friends and Trivia Crack waiting for me all day. Oh... and then I needed to read the paper, browse through a new catalog, and read the grocery ads. Just when I was about to head down the basement I just knew I would feel better after a nap. Then I had to find a missing document and navigate the Social Security website . (Feel my pain?) Guess what? Then it was time to think about dinner, then do the dishes, then feed the cats, then write a blog post. Sigh. I did just check though. No crisis. It is all still waiting for me in the basement.
If you need any tips on procrastination I think I have reached expert level. Just ask away.