NorcalGma2

NorcalGma2, 1 day ago to random

These days watches aren't for everyone. Between phones and fitness bracelets, watches seem redundant.
My watch stopped working about a month ago, and even though I was sure it was the battery, there was nowhere here to get it repaired.
I hadn't really thought about why I wear it, now that I'm retired, until it was broken.
I am pretty sure that this gift from my son makes me feel a connection to his memory. I missed wearing it.
So I shipped it off to Detroit and was excited to see it returned shiny and like new so I could wear it again.
When I look at my wrist, I know it is time for a smile and a happy memory. It feels right to have it back.
There must be a little bit of magic in my Shinola.

NorcalGma2, 1 day ago to Dogs

We are all feeling perky today. I finally got some sleep as my hand swelling is almost gone.
Today is physical therapy for my husband, and his stitches come out tomorrow. We are on a good trajectory toward a healthy summer.
Summer woke us up with happy dog energy and hasn't slowed down since.
It feels good to feel better.
We agree.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #Dogs

Golden Labrador retriever and her pal sharing the brown recliner. Summer is gently trying to encourage him to move his hand. He is talking to her.

NorcalGma2, 3 days ago to random

Even though I didn't feel like it, because of my sore thumb, I had promised my childhood best friend I would meet her at the Botanical Gardens for a walk. Her birthday is this week.
It was the perfect day for a short walk and a bench to sit and catch up.
When we were kids, I was the instigator, and she was the rule follower. I'm not sure those roles have stuck with us into old age.
I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to let her know I care, so I'm glad I went.
The tree in the photo is a dogwood dedicated to the memory of my son, at the garden, and it was in full bloom.
#HumboldtBotanicalGardens

A garden path with blooming trees and shrubs.
A rose bud in gold with red accent.

NorcalGma2, 3 days ago to random

I finally got an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to fix my painful right thumb. I have been trying to get someone to fix it for the past seven months.
I'm excited but nervous to get an owwie shot. Actually, anything would be better than how it is now.
The office has its own little stand of redwood trees.

Purple rhododendron.

NorcalGma2, 3 days ago to Dogs

Summer says, take a minute for yourself, maybe even sniff the roses today.
Good morning, Mastodon friends.
#Summer #Dogs

NorcalGma2, 4 days ago to random

The weather has been cold and drizzly on our hill, most of the day.
A good excuse to curl up with a blanket, a friendly lab, and a book until I need to start dinner.
The rose bushes were pretty wet earlier today.

NorcalGma2, 5 days ago to random

My daughter has always been inclined to ignore commercial holidays like Mother's Day.
Our biggest celebrations have been birthdays and solstice related. Occasionally, we celebrate just being together.
This year is different for some reason.
In a good way.
I'm just rolling with it. Who doesn't love getting unexpected gifts?
Summer says to enjoy your Mother's Day if you celebrate.
#Summer

NorcalGma2, 6 days ago to Bloomscrolling

Wisteria is growing around the arbor post at the Humboldt Botanical Gardens this afternoon.
I needed a few minutes of alone time, so I walked around the garden.
When I was growing up, my parents had Wisteria framing both of the gates to our yard.
Brings back memories.
#BloomScrolling

NorcalGma2, 6 days ago to random

The new rose in our garden today is from a small bush I relocated and have been nuturing back to health.
Looks like the effort is paying off.
#Rose

NorcalGma2, 7 days ago to animals

Summer needed a distraction so she could get a break from pining away for her pal, who won't be home until this evening.
After our housework was done, we skipped off to the refuge.
Today is extra warm for our neck of the woods, so Summer headed right for the water.
I threw the stick, and she worked on improving her diving score.
I gave her a 10 every time, but I'm biased.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Golden Labrador retriever mid dive to fetch a stick in the cool water.

NorcalGma2, 7 days ago to Dog

We got my husband off to the hospital at 4:15 this morning. Because he has skin cancer on his face that has stubbornly recurred after three removal efforts, today they are trying a different strategy. Hopefully, the mohs surgery is successful.
Summer decided to spend the rest of her very early morning in his chair. She has one of his sweatshirts to cuddle while she misses him.
Hope you got more sleep than we did.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #Dog

Golden Labrador retriever laying in a brown recliner with her head resting on the arm of the chair. She is looking at the camera.

NorcalGma2, 8 days ago to Flowers

Our apple tree is looking pretty happy this year.
The neighbors say they are installing some kind of netting to keep the birds out of their fruit trees.
I mentioned that to my husband, and we remembered that we had an abundance of apples last year. We had boxes for us, and we gave away buckets full as well as feeding lots of hummingbirds.
So far, the tree looks like it will be fruitful again, so hopefully, we will all get our share from this tree again.
Even the birds.
#Flowers

NorcalGma2, 8 days ago to random

Today is my go in to town, really early, to get a haircut day.
I stopped at the park for a quick walk in the redwoods before heading to the grocery store and home.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Redwoods

Redwood trees with a little blue sky.
Grove of redwood trees.

NorcalGma2, 9 days ago to random

It is a pretty calm evening. A chilly breeze lingering at the end of a windy day.
Summer's pal wanted to be the one to feed the ducks and close the door on their pen.
I am keeping Summer in the house because I worry that she will rile up the ducks and things could get complicated.
So she patiently watches him go from one end of the yard to the other through the openings on the deck. As soon as he passed by, she moved her vigil to the back door. I could hear her sigh of relief when he came back into the house.
She is a funny, totally faithful dog.
#Summer

NorcalGma2, 9 days ago to Bloomscrolling

Another rose bush started blooming in our garden today.
I love it.
#BloomScrolling

NorcalGma2, 9 days ago to random

Summer used her advanced flower pot wrangling skills to help me plant four more dahlias today. Whew!
#Summer

Golden Labrador retriever is fetching resin pots for planting. She is standing in green grass next to a green hose. There are two 5 gallon white buckets of soil behind her.
Golden Labrador retriever is fetching resin pots for planting. She is standing in green grass next to a green hose. There are two 5 gallon white buckets of soil behind her.

NorcalGma2, 9 days ago to Cats

I also found cats in my daughter's garden. These are happy cats running and playing.
Makes it hard to get a photo.
Byron and Jasper are pure joy.
#Cats

Jasper is a tabby cat hiding in the grass.
Byron is a tabby cat walking on a pot between raised garden beds.

NorcalGma2, 9 days ago to Bloomscrolling

After dropping off the soup to my friend,
I ran our compost to my daughter's house.
Her garden is a mosaic of color.
There are so many flowers to choose from.
She also surprised me with an early Mother's Day gift of a hard to find dahlia called KA's Chiffon. She even included a new oak half barrel.
I feel spoiled, and it isn't even Sunday yet.
#BloomScrolling

Yellow gold flower.
Magenta gladiolus.

NorcalGma2, 9 days ago to random

Lots of good things are happening today.
I took homemade soup to my former coworker, who doesn't like to cook for one. She was thrilled.
She also surprised me with the gift of earrings she crafted herself.
So kind of her. I hardly wear earrings anymore but will have to find an occasion.
I asked about her garden, which is usually planted by now, but she can't get it going with new knees that don't bend well.
I called the grandkids, and we will be weeding and planting her garden on Sunday.
They asked what I wanted for Mother's Day, and that's what I wanted.
It will be fun.

NorcalGma2, 10 days ago to random

It is easy to communicate using photos.
Words, however, are more complicated.
Sometimes, I struggle with expressing myself in writing.
Social media platforms like Facebook have never held any appeal for me. Maybe it was because I wasn't willing to put myself out there or make an effort. Either way, I think I was right to stay away.
From the first post here, I have felt welcome.
It just took me a minute to figure out how to stay in the space where I'm comfortable. The space I'm in now.
I never toot happenings that are happy or sad or in-between without someone reacting in a positive supportive way. It feels like a miracle.
Mastodon is a comforting distraction from hard realities as well as a fitting place to share the joy Summer brings to our house.
So to all our Mastodon friends, thank you.
You make my day every day.
Summer's, too.

NorcalGma2, 10 days ago to random

I stopped to get a quick shot of Humboldt Bay from the top of Table Bluff on the drive home. It is beautiful today if you have shelter from the wind.
#Humboldt