Miscellaneous 04-08-21

While KoKo had pancreatitis the vet didn't want him going to the groomer, so he went for almost two months without a trim, although I give him a bath at home a couple times a month, so he was clean, but shaggy. 

I did have to trim his top knot a bit just so he could see.  I also put a little gel on and brushed it back. 

The groomer does such a good job and he is a smaller dog without all the extra hair. 

KoKo doesn't discriminate, if there is a lap available he will take it over.  I took him with me to Carol and Dick's house when Dick was helping me with my laptop.  Carol was watching a basketball game, so KoKo just kept her company.  The cat was lurking under a chair. 

 

Some of my neighbors decorate for every holiday.  These propped up letters have been popular this past year for holidays and for birthdays.  

Our house, on the other hand is very plain, no decorations and very few flowers.

This VW Bug parked next to me in a lot and I had to take a picture! 

#   #   #

Back on my laptop again. 04-07-21

It has been a struggle, but after much gnashing of teeth and many hours of hither and yon and lots of phone calls, I finally (I hope) have my laptop up and running.  I haven't tried everything, but the e-mail works and I seem to be able to access all the pictures.  I wish I could find someone who works with people who don't understand computers and is available most of the time.  I have had several "computer gurus" over the years, but they all go on to other jobs and don't "consult" anymore.  Now I go to Micro Center in Tustin, as I did this time, or make an appointment with the Geek Squad.  It is all so frustrating.  

Our art quilt group met "in the flesh" in SDiego on March 30th.  The first meeting since last February, although we have been ZOOMING weekly since the summer.  It was so exciting to see our friends and everyone did Show & Tell with work they have accomplished in the past year.  We have shared at our ZOOM meetings, but everything is so much better "in the fabric".  Ellen was the champion with her exacting work and everything bound and labeled.  I took the quilts I have purchased from the SAQA auction and website. I have been working on a 12X12 quilt made from scraps, but it isn't quite ready for posting.  KoKo stayed with Cherie, his lovely keeper, because I couldn't leave him alone for the eight hours I was gone.  

If that wasn't enough excitement I went out to lunch on Friday with my friend Carol.  First time since last February at one of our favorite spots, Fitness Grill in Yorba Linda.  In celebration we had dessert - chocolate "volcano" cake for Carol and limoncello cake for me -MMMMM! We enjoyed it so much we have a date for this Friday at a different place.  We have both had two vaccines, but wear our masks coming and going.  I have seen very few people without masks, guess they are wising up.

On Saturday I picked up my friend Verna so we could visit a quilt shop in Garden Grove, about a 20 minute drive.  We thought it was new, but they told us they have been there for three years!  It is a very tiny shop - five people would be crowded!   A small selection of unusual fabrics and lots of accessories and doodads.  They have two long arms which apparently keep them quite busy.  I did buy a yard of fabric and some tiny brushes to clean a machine.  It is called The Sewing Escape and is on Garden Grove Blvd, just off the 22Fwy.  

Soooo glad to be back and I have a stock of images to share.  Hope you are all well and busy and vaccinated so you can get out and about. 

#   #   #

Still on borrowed computer 03-26-21

 

This calla lily plant came from Asilomar in Pacific Grove, CA.  When the powers that be decided to only allow native or natural plants they tore out all the "invasives" which included the calla lilies when were abundan t.  They offered the plants to anyone who wanted them.  I took several, but this is the only one that survived.  It grows under the eaves and does well until the hot summer sun works its way under there.  Then it sort of shrivels up until fall. 

#   #   #

Computer in the hospital! 03-21-21

Sorry to say my laptop died on me and is in the shop at Micro Center until (hopefully) Wednesday.  I took it to Geek Squad, but they didn't have the necessary battery, so I tried a few other places and finally drove down to Tustin to Micro Center.  I have had good luck with them before.  It was packed!  I wonder if that is due to Fry's closing.  Anyway, my friend Dick brought me a little laptop he can spare for a few days and helped me set it up.  I find that most computer stuff is beyond me these days.  Hope sending my blog this way will work.  

 I have been watching this succulent blooming in a neighbor's yard. 

 

The buds started to show color on March 2nd.

Last week the color showed more. 

Today they are brightly colored - like candleabra.

 

I have completed squaring up the 303 HST.  Now to decide what to do with them. 

#   #   #

KoKo is well 03-16-21

The vet called today with the results of yesterday's blood test.  The pancreatitis is gone and his "levels" are all within the normal range.  Hooray!  So, now he is back on kibble, dental treats, and can go t the groomer soon.  

Meanwhile he still wants me to play with him, or at least pet or give him a massage.  So, here is his routine when I am trying to read. 

He puts his head over the top of my book and pushes it down. 

 

I move it over so his head is against me and I try to adjust my glasses to read at such a distance. 

He rolls on his back, "Tummy rub, please."

He stretches out on his back and stares at the ceiling. "Pay attention just to me!"

#   #   #

More sewing 03-15-21

I am still working on the half square triangles.  I don't have the patience to stick to it for very long.    I suppose I have about 300 and maybe half have been trimmed. 

I have been trying to mix them up as I trim them to maybe save some time later when working at the design board.   I sewed them together by matching all the same dark fabrics with all  different light fabrics.  So, there should only be a few that are matching pairs. 

I lay them out in sets of ten and make the four cuts so they are each three inches square and the diagonal is perfectly corner to corner. 

 

Then I stack them in sets of ten with a sticky note on top of each stack.  Hopefully I will not have to keep recounting them as I go along.

 

I Googled half square triangle quilts and looked at about a million different designs, but I think this is going to be a very simple arrangement.  Probably just rows of triangles all with the same orientation.  And lots of borders!   This is essentially "make work", just to keep my hands doing something without much brain needed.  

KoKo had the blood test this morning, but no report from the vet.  We have an appointment on Thursday.  He has been so active I relented and gave him a couple dental treats this afternoon.  It may have been a mistake as he has not since been active at all, but has been clinging close to me and sleeping.  Our morning walk was in the rain and for the evening walk it was still daylight but very windy, which he doesn't enjoy at all.  Nor do I!  

#   #   #

Miscellaneous stuff 03-14-21

My life has gotten so dull that I usually can't think of anything to post on my blog.  Tonight I looked at some pictures from years past and came up with these images.

Ten years ago I had a hummingbird nest in my little tree, which has since died all on its own.  Lovely to watch these little guys grown until they were hanging out the sides of the nest.  Allen's hummingbirds. 

This was March 13, 2020.  I took the picture while we were walking on Brian Street, which parallels Warren Street where we live.  The tall, light colored tree in the right of the image is a "needle" cactus which has turned red in the sun at this time of year.  However, the owner discovered that it is a highly poisonous tree and the white sap is very irritating and can even cause blindness.  He took out all of those that grew in his yard.  I still have one in my backyard and watch carefully when KoKo is out that he doesn't rub up against it.  

Also from a year ago.  A close up of the trunk of a crape myrtle, a street tree in our neighborhood.   This time of year all of their bark has peeled off leaving lovely smooth "skin" to show.  

And finally, here is KoKo last year in March holding on to his Froggy while Froggy undergoes surgery on his foot.  Poor Froggy he is covered with scars, but still holding together. 

We will see the vet tomorrow morning and KoKo will have a blood test to see what the status of the pancreatitis is now.  He seems to be his old self and I would like to get him back on kibble instead of the smelly canned food the vet has him on.  Also a return to dental treats to keep him teeth in good shape. 

#   #   #