new garden and yard plans

Moses hiding

Nate loves going to the HD, (imagine that), and while we were there we talked about what to plant in this years garden, and also what to replace with what in the front yard. The frost this year has killed back a LOT of plants that are now very brown in the front yard, but I refuse to replant until March. I have a feeling we're going to get another frost before March, so I don't want to risk killing what I've just planted. 

We're going to try carrots and radishes, among a couple other things, in the garden this year. Lettuce has done very well, so we'll do that, naturally, and our onions are still growing in the garden. They are doing quite well, I must say and I'm surprised. I guess I really shouldn't be since they are bulb plants and would do well since they are in the ground. 

Moses will miss his hiding place as we'll be putting the camper shell back on Nate's truck here soon. We need to get more compost first before we put it back on. Much easier to shovel and rake when the top is off. He looked so cute this morning I had to take a picture! 

spool down end of year time

This is Rogue. She lives with us, well, actually, she lets us live here, we just share the house with her. She and her sister, Wolfie, let us live here. Rogue is the prissy girl, but a tough ass prissy girl as she is the one that does most of the killing of rats around here. She is very soft, has beautiful color, and walks like a princess. She does, really. She likes to be looked at and adored, not so much touched and petted. Only petted when she says so, as most cats go. 

Wolfie on the other hand, is queenie of the house. She doesn't do much killing, although she has, I just don't think she likes to get her paws dirty too much. She, unlike her sister, LOVES to be petted. You start petting her and she goes into auto purr. No kidding. And it gets so loud too! Then if you dare take your hand away, she reaches for it. Yeah, she doesn't want you to stop petting her. She does run outside from time to time, and I have seen her climb a tree or two, so she is not totally devoid of animal instincts, she just thinks she's queen of the house. She really doesn't like her brother bothering her.

This is Moses. He's our foster turned adopted cat. You can tell from this picture that he only has 3 legs. He's missing his back right leg. He gets along just fine without it. He is one fast cat! He's a little over a year now and LOVES to be outside. He is always looking for lizards and squirrels and birds and rats. He's caught a rat too. I am very proud of him. He has come a long way since he has been with us. He is my baby boy. 

We are spooling down to the end of year here. This time of year I start to wind down, relax, and look forward to having some time off. I clean out the closets, the attic, start raking the leaves (since mowing season is over until June next year), brushing the kittens and dog, and clean out the psyche too. Getting rid of things that don't serve me, whether that's physical or mental. It's all good and I feel refreshed and ready for whatever the new year brings. 

cooler weather, still no rain

Moses, our 3 legged cat

The weather has been so much nicer to work outside, but we still have no rain, and no great chance of rain anytime soon. Only 20% chance tomorrow and wednesday. That's not much. The standard saying here in Florida is that if there is a 50% chance of rain, you will get rain. One of our rain barrels is empty now. We have one that is almost full, but with watering the new bamboo we put in, as well as our other plants, I'm afraid it's going to run out before it gets filled again. 

This was a very dry season for us, and it doesn't bode well if this continues. We've had brush fires around here in years past, and we really don't want that again. 

Time for another rain dance...

Moses

Moses has been growing by leaps and bounds lately, and I'm not talking physically. He has overcome his fear of the kitchen (go figure, since there is food there) and all the noises that go along with it. He has become comfortable enough around us that he sometimes gets underfoot and we end up stepping on him. (quite by accident of course!) He loves to sit in the front yard under the trees and tall shrubs and look for lizards. He even came across a frog one day. He saw it hop away and I told him "you probably shouldn't lick that" and sure enough as soon as I said that, he pulled back and shook his head, like 'that tastes awful!'

another way I know he's comfortable here is by how he relaxes around us. I don't think he has any bones. 

He's over a year old now and we've had him for 10 months. He is my little boy, my cute little orange kitten!

orange cat in the garden

This is Moses. He's our special needs child. He has 3 legs. He's missing his back right leg. Oh no, don't feel sorry for him! He is a fast and fierce little guy! He has caught so many lizards and he's been eye balling a lot of squirrels around here. I am waiting for him to bring us one someday. It's only a matter of time. At least I know our yard is lizard free and under critter control with him around. We have yet to have any problems with rodents, thanks to the cats. I know people say that it's dangerous, or can be anyway, to have your cats outside since there are so many other dangers that they can run into, but I don't like it that any animal is inside all the time, even humans. We are not meant to be inside all the time breathing recycled air. We all need to be outside enjoying the outdoors, breathing fresh air, (as fresh as it can be depending upon where you are sorry to say), and moving our bodies and getting exercise. These cats are so busy playing in the yard, exercising their bodies and brains, keeping active, and they are healthy because of it. We are too. And they are earning their keep around here and feeling useful. We all want to feel useful. They are great company too. And we have our own natural critter control. No harmful chemicals, pesticides, or traps.