THIS is a typical menu item around these parts.
On some random Texarkana Facebook post, most of the residents are gushing about this particular restaurant (which will remain anonymous to protect the guilty) and how wonderful this "hamburger" plate is. I don't know it is a hamburger plate, because I don't see hamburger. I see a future call to the cardiologist.
There's probably mayonnaise on this too. Okay, ick.
With the winter weather (which included mostly teens and 20 degree temps, rain and a little snow), travel to Florida and Arizona, two medical procedures and recovery from those as well as the normal winter flu, it took a while to get the greenhouse up and running.
This past Sunday, while Marty applied the first snake-away of the season throughout the yard and around the greenhouse, Polly and I planted a few starters. I have more to go--and plenty of land to do it in. Last summer I never bought veggies. I hope I can repeat that this summer. I still have one jar of pickles left too. But in the spirit of full disclosure, the rest of the pickles I made last year were too salty, so nobody is anxious to open these pickles.
I planted flowers in pots to start them. Last year, I planted them from seed outside and gave the possums, armadillos, and squirrels a feast. I kept finding my spent flower seed casings on top of my mulch. Once they start sprouting, I will transplant them in the front yard. I accidentally sneezed as I was putting out zinnia seed so I am going to have about 287,000 zinnias.
In order to pollinate blueberries, one needs two different types of blueberry bushes. Last year I brought back blueberry seeds from Michigan (I ate the blueberries and took the seeds). I will buy blueberry plants as well so they will pollinate. Pro-tip, if you want sweeter berries, make sure they are getting full sun.
Speaking of bringing back seeds. A lot of my seeds I planted were experimental. I harvested seeds from plants I grew last year and the year before. I do also have store-bought seeds.
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| Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, herbs and blueberries (just to see if I can grow a bush). I have garlic ready to go into the ground (those white round things at the bottom left). One clove will take 6-8 months and give me a full bulb. It's really warm inside too! Like a sauna. |
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| The pots in the back are flowers. The ones on the left are my outdoor plants that were brought in for the winter because we have to do that around here. Eventually I'll get shelves. But this works for now. |
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| The idea is to plant around the exterior of the green house. The two front patches are flower beds. Only one has flower seeds in it so far. The orange barrel to the left and the brown barrel to the right are different types of lettuce. The orange barrel in the back is spinach. The white fencing atop the barrels are to keep Luna from digging. Speaking of Luna digging, I only have dirt in my front two flower beds because I don't want to put in soil and have it sit, tempting Luna. She will leave it alone once I put in plants. But the outside structure is complete. |
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| Flower sprouts after two days! |
I have writer's block. So, I made these.
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| For a woman I know who is battling ovarian cancer. |
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| For a woman who's about to be a boy-grandma. |
For St. Patrick's Day, a few of us Coronas went to the Banana Club (a 1923 underground speakeasy), to eat really awful corned beef and cabbage and hear a pretty awesome Irish band play. Not only did they play the Irish classics like "Danny Boy," and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," but they tried their hand at Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road," and CCR's "Bad Moon Rising," along with two hours of other songs, all done with an Irish brouge. Sorry, the pictures aren't great. I didn't want to use flash.
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| They did kind of look like leprechauns. |
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| Pretty talented band. I can't remember their obscure name. |
Wonderful news! Calvin has been found He's a bit tired but otherwise, all right. So far no word about his plight.
Not gonna lie. I said a prayer for Calvin's safety and for him to be reunited with his family. As it turns out from my Facebook feed, most of the area has done something similar.
*I really must write about the legendary Fouke Monster, but for now what you need to know is he's sorta like a Bigfoot.
I made it to Arizona and back.
Buckaroo came with me. I'm fortunate both my young adults are good travel companions. We had long talks about complicated topics. We played road bingo ("Find five animals, bonus if one of them is an armadillo.") We took turns playing songs, where I found out Buckaroo's playlist is very similar to mine. We also listened to Band of Brothers.
I saw those on my priority list. Bonus Dad is still battling the after-affects of that massive heart attack he had last August. He tells me he has a few years left in him.
We stayed with my brother and his wife. That comes with a mixed bag of blessings and childhood trauma--but mostly blessings. For the record, we laugh about the childhood trauma. Patrick, my awesome nephew kept us grinning. I would have let him stow away back to Texas (he tried) however, we weren't going straight home.
We stopped by and saw Mrs. Meadows in South East Arizona for the night, which, just like Bonus Dad, turned into another bittersweet visit with an octogenarian. She has a few issues she didn't have last time I saw her and I'm questioning if her living in 10 acres in the middle of nowhere is in her best interests. However, I'm sure her children have been questioning this much longer than I have.
I had purposeful visits with long-time friends, who make me smile and make me think. These are the women who have brought out the best in me and called me out through the years when I wasn't my authentic self. Those visits were wonderful. I wish they would have lasted longer.
Because Buckaroo was with me, I also saw a few folks I hadn't planned on seeing. However, one of those visits turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. Buck's Bonus Mama told me about this book she was reading. She said, "You know, the one you liked on your Facebook page. It's really good." When I told her I swore I had no idea (I truly didn't) she said, "The Calling. Have you read it?" At which point, the lightbulb went off and I put two and two together. So, let me just say this: Someone I know was reading my book and didn't know I wrote it! Woot!
On the way home, we made it from Mrs. Meadow's home in nowhere Arizona to Abilene Texas only to find out there were no hotels in a 107 mile range available. NONE! The annual Rattlesnake Roundup happens in the area on the second weekend in March and folks were coming from all over to roundup their fair share of these critters (pro-tip: do this in Cochise County Arizona!) and there was some sort of weight lifting competition happening the same weekend.
Buck, who had been hacking and coughing for three days, suggested we drive another three hours to Fort Worth. I suggested we sleep in the van. Providence stepped in and the Air B&B owner I'd messaged got back to me and told us to come on over. By the way, if you are ever in Abilene Texas, this Air B&B is the cutest place! Hit me up! I'm never staying in another hotel in Abilene if I can help it.
My phone is currently on do not disturb--which is unnecessary given the Coronas are on some sort of Jesus retreat at the moment. Luna is at my feet. I'm on the front end of whatever crud Buckaroo has been battling. Today I'm doing laundry, resting and fighting off the deep depression which always comes from visiting Arizona (I'm fine. Really.). I'm glad I went on my trip. But I'm even happier to be home.
