Herd of Ducks

My sister-in-law, Lyn, and her husband, Mike, are staying the weekend at Baron’s Creekside near Fredricksburg, Texas. Their accommodation is a quaintly furnished cabin on a quiet lake. 

This morning, Lyn posted, 
  
And these photos:

  
My contribution follows:

                   “A Herd of Ducks”

Strutting for all the world to see, a herd of ducks came calling.

Ate our muffins, blueberry and bran, their manners so appalling. 
Nary a thanks in quacked accent as these feathered friends departed
Don’t they ken we’re a flock? The drake did ask, waddling as he farted. 

Question for the Aged 

A friend posted this meme on his Facebook page today and jokingly quipped, “My wife.”  
But being the deep thinker that I am, instead of quickly responding with something like “my vintage Huey Lewis concert tshirt which doubles as my favorite nightgown” I thought I’d turn the question into a blog post.

 

Huey Lewis. I sleep with him, you know.
 
I have a lot of old stuff. Probably the oldest is a bedroom suite that I inherited from my maternal grandmother, my beloved Nannie Grace. It was an antique when she bought it, but she went one step further and antiqued the antique. Sigh. Apparently it was a popular thing to do in the 60’s and 70’s.

   
 I’ve considered having her antiquing process undone and the furniture restored to its original mahogany, but one restorer explained to me that the paint Nannie Grace applied is probably the only thing holding it together at this point.

It’s still a beautiful set, and I’d estimate it at possibly 145 years of age.

There’s also this piece from Nannie Grace

  
And this poor old clock that was my Daddy’s:

  
But my favorite old thing is my side saddle.

  
My maternal grandfather, Grandaddy Carl P., bought this saddle when I was very young. He promised it would be mine someday and here it is. Like Grandaddy, though, I really don’t have anywhere to display it. He kept it in his workshop and Studly always gives me space in the garage for this sentimental piece. It deserves better, so if anyone has a suggestion for how I might incorporate it into my decor I’m more than willing to listen. 

What’s the oldest thing in your house? Why do you have it and what does it mean to you? Inquiring minds want to know.

Peace, people!

Gateway

Beautiful photograph by Julie Powell

Gateway

Overgrown, cloistered
broken path beckons enter,
mysteries await

Beyond yon gateway
sweet surcease entices all
safe harbor perhaps?

Or a peaceful mask
for unbounded violence
does this door provide?

We find as we seek
death or life, evil or good,
poison or sweet balm

Enter then at risk
of encountering your fate
heart safely guarded

If you adore the photo featured above, check out more beautiful photography at https://juliepowell2014.wordpress.com


Peppermint Scented Cat

Whiskers a foot long
Her black coat soft, tinged with gray
Smells of peppermint

My own bonny cat
Thirteen years to her credit
Smells of peppermint

Like a dowager
Awaiting a grandchild’s call
Smells of peppermint

Luxuriant pose
Paws stretch horizontally
Smells of peppermint

Scout, my feline fair
Lingered, languished within sheets
Smells of peppermint

I’ve been trying to ward off spiders by using peppermint essential oils mixed with water as a spray for our bedding. Scout, our older cat, has become something of a peppermint junkie. She lounges about on my bed all day, smells wonderful, and seems to be spider-free.

peace, people!

What Next, Oh Trump? (A top ten list)

  
Every day brings a new look into this man’s character, or lack thereof. Today Trump ejected a crying baby from a venue. A baby, for heaven’s sake! Aren’t politicians supposed to love babies?

In the spirit of a David Letterman Top Ten routine, let’s break down the top ten actual reasons Trump might have had a baby shown to the exit:

10. The baby’s hands were larger than Trump’s.

9. Putin called and demanded the baby be ejected immediately.

8. Trump was afraid the baby was demanding the release of his tax returns. 

7. Baby’s cries of “Waaa! Waaa!” easily mistaken for “Wall! Wall!” and Trump still has no idea how to get one built.

6. Trump had a huuuuge headache and the baby was getting on his last nerve.

5. The baby’s basic understanding of the U.S. Constitution greatly exceeded Trump’s.

4. Because women are having babies and some of them grow up to be murderers, some grow up to be rapists, and some, he assumes grow up to be good people. The odds weren’t in this baby’s favor.

3. The baby appeared to be rigged in favor of the Democrats.

2.  Firing the baby wasn’t an option.

And the number one reason Trump had this baby booted from the event:

Baby might have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Spider Bait

“O what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” 

Walter Scott

  

“Ouch, dammit! Stupid freaking spider!” 

Me

“Spider Bait”

Spiders help or hurt

Depending on one’s point of view

Mine is somewhat jaundiced 

Having suffered bites of every hue.

Apparently my bedclothes

Harbor an arachnid

A sneaky little bastard

Who preys upon my bare shins.

Thoroughly I search the sheets

Looking for this menace

If he be wise he’ll run away

Or serve a fatal sentence.