NorcalGma2

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to animals

We all needed some exercise, and it was sunny outside, so we packed it up and moved it out.
The wind was cold, but we had our jackets and tried to keep moving to stay warm.
Summer really loves this trail, and it is a joy to watch her play.
After we got her pal settled on a bench, the stick started flying with her close behind.
I'm not sure it's possible to wear her out playing fetch.
We all felt excercised and ready for lunch by the time we got home.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Golden Labrador retriever laying next to the water ready to swim after the stick again.
Golden Labrador retriever standing on the gravel trail through the marsh.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to gardening

Summer and I moved our vegetable garden starts into the sun this morning. It looks good so far.
The next two days are supposed to be nice and warm. Seeds love nice and warm, and so does grandma.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Seedlings ##Gardening

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to animals

I'm trying to figure out what Summer wants.
Any ideas?
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to animals

Summer was so excited to see the sun. There is a cold wind this morning, too, but that didn't phase her a bit.
We threw the ball a few times before breakfast, but mostly Summer wanted to bask in the light.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Summer and I enjoyed our sunset time. She listened to me lament how many chores on my list still need to be done. I was like, there isn't enough time in the day.
She gave me the look.
You know the look.
My kids always teased each other about getting said look from me when they were teens.
I asked why?
She says lists hold just us back. If we plan the whole day, we might miss opportunities for fun.
Can't have that.
She says we should ditch the list and just do the best we can, to do what's most important, and be happy about it.
I said, I like it, good idea.
#Sunset

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

On our last field trip with Summer, her pal hooked her leash, to her collar, on the wrong ring. Somehow, her name tag and license fell off.
We looked and looked and found the ring and the license but not the name tag.
Engraved on the tag is her name, our address, and my cell number.
This morning, I got a call, and a stranger was at our gate with her tag. It was so kind of them to return it. Summer came out to say thank you herself, and later, I sent a photo of her since I have a few, and said thank you again.
They messaged back that she is beautiful and she made their day.
I love a reminder that there are still some nice people out there.
#Summer

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Byron is a big fluff ball.
I hear he keeps my daughter warm by sleeping in her lap while she works.
Efficient in chair heating system.
#Caturday

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

In 1977, I was 19 years old and a mom.
Money was really tight, and I rarely splurged to see a movie.
But since I had been a Star Trek and even Lost in Space fan, the first Star Wars movie seemed like something I might like.
The rare movie I splurged for would almost have had a star too talented to make a bad movie. Star Wars didn't fit that bill, at least not yet.
I remember talking my older sister into babysitting for free and then standing in line for a really long time for a ticket.
The movie did not disappoint.
Over the years, a love of all things Star Wars facilitated many family get-togethers with now three generations of fans.
Today, I brought dinner and dessert to my grandkids to celebrate Star Wars day and remind them I have been a fan since the very beginning of the very first movie.
They are dutifully impressed.
I can still remember how much fun I had that evening.
May the 4th be with you.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to Bloomscrolling

It stopped raining for a few minutes, so Summer and I raced outside.
The garden is loving the rain.
This is our third rose for this season. The rose looks like fine silk and has a delightful fragrance.
The other flowers are from the apple tree promising another bountiful early crop of tasty apples. I have no idea what kind of apples they are, but they are tasty, so that's what I call them.
#Rose #BloomScrolling

Apple tree gearing up to bust out in flowers. Right now, they are pink buds.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

I am supposed to get in thirty minutes of heart-pounding exercise three days a week. I still needed one more day, so I ran down to the wildlife refuge, and since the trail was flat, I walked as fast as I could in the loose gravel. Maybe it wasn't quite heart-pounding, but it was a couple of miles.
We will call it good enough.
I left Summer in charge of things at home.
A few photos from my walk.
#Marsh #WildlifeRefuge #Humboldt

Gold and deep red flowers on a large bush.
A large marsh pond with a hen duck and duckling and an egret in flight.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to animals

Adventure time!
It's a bird,
It's a plane.
It's a frog.
It's Summer dog.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Golden Labrador retriever standing next to the shore waiting for me to throw a stick.
Golden Labrador retriever splash sown into the water from a high dive.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

I signed up for my first account here in November 2022.
Before we got Summer.
I had zero social media experience.
I didn't know how to avoid the unkind, unfriendly, and downright mean stuff that felt pretty awful when directed at me or Summer. So, I deleted my account and decided social media wasn't for me.
A few months later, I reached out to my family, who are well versed in these things, to tell me where I went wrong. I missed all the good people and positive interactions and sense of community. So, with some new tools in my toolbox, I tried again.
This time, it's working and a joy. I understand better that blocking voices that tear me down instead of lift me up is ok.
Thanks to all of you all who make Mastodon a better place and offer the kind and caring community I was looking for.
This sunset happened when I was taking a break, but I am sharing it in place of the one that wasn't today.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Summer thinks she is hiding.
I don't have the heart to tell her she has outgrown her hiding place.
She will stay there quietly and watch us while we pretend we don't see her. This can go on for an hour, easy.
At least I know she is staying out of trouble.
#Summer

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to Bloomscrolling

All done planting and watering for today.
Soon, there will be dozens of roses to choose from, but this is what's new in our garden for today.
#BloomScrolling

Happy yellow marigolds.
Large purple and black pansy blossom.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to Bloomscrolling

One more from my daughter's garden.
#BloomScrolling

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

I told Summer that we have a big job today, so we needed to be up and get our other chores done early.
It is time for the annual planting of begonias.
First, we had to locate twenty empty clay pots. Then, the careful opening of each paper lunch bag that housed the begonias, we had carefully stored all winter, commenced. All but one was already sprouting, and all were solid and healthy, so we stopped for a short happy dance.
Some of our begonias have been replanted every year for more than thirty years.
Planting something to look forward to is a good way to start the day.
Summer was a big help except when she mixed up the labels. I guess it will be a surprise when they bloom this year.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer

Clay pots on cement are empty and ready to plant. Summer, the golden lab, is inspecting the begonias.
Clay pots on cement are empty and ready to plant. Summer, the golden lab, is inspecting the begonias.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Wow! Cold wind almost blew Summer and I back in the house.
The sunset was a surprise after thick clouds seemed like they might cheat us out of a view.
Just goes to show perseverance in the biting cold can pay off.
Summer tried to get my mind off of the wind by chatting. She said she has noticed lots of news about older people being lonely. She just wanted to make sure we were ok and say that she was always available if we needed a hug.
I told her that I do have a plan for avoiding loneliness. All I have to do is get the word out that I am baking and friends appear out of the woodwork.
In all seriousness, I thanked her for caring. The reality is that between her and her pal, they fill my heart and soul with so much love that there is no space for loneliness.
I told Summer her question reminded me to reach out to some friends who live alone. Maybe she and I can go visit a few of them just in case they are lonely and bring cookies.
#Sunset