The Hawk or the Squirrel

One of the things that sold us on our new house is the view out the back.  The house itself is of the garden home variety, but it backs up to what it referred to as a Wetlands Area (i.e., a shaded swampy easement) that is quite peaceful and attractive.  This morning, as I drank coffee on the couch, an act of nature caught my eye.

Here we have a small, but still noble Hawk.  And, if you look close at the lower section of the tree on the right, is a squirrel.   Before the hawk caught my eye, it appears that the squirrel caught his.  This squirrel was in quite a quandry.   He was literally trapped.   Whether he went up or down, he'd be in open territory, or, in other words - breakfast.

I'm standing at the window wondering if I should go out and intervene, when the thought struck me.   Intervene on who's behalf?    Saving the squirrel seems humane, but will be denying the hawk his meal of the day.   But, saving the squirrel will also mean that he (and his friends) will be eating all my birdseed and chewing the flowers off the hummer feeders.  

And then, just as I've made the decision to save the squirrel, the hawk swooped down, circled the tree three times, missing the squirrel on all three passes and ..... left.

The squirrels finished off the birdseed well before 5pm.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Return of the Stepping Stones

Back in 2004, in an act of shear insanity I made 140 round stepping stones to form a sidewalk through a swampy section of the yard.  Although they were quite simple, the sheer volume, took two months to complete.

In 2006, Hurricane Katrina came along, taking out the Oak Tree that caused the swampy conditions, but the stepping stone sidewalk was still bright and cheerful.   (Amazingly enough, I no longer seem to have a picture!). 

When we selected the new house, I decided I'd keep just 10 stepping stones, for the sentimental value of it all.   The rest I gave away to neighbors and my sister-in-law Debbie (who shared with her sister).    Little did I know that, after several rainy days, that we have swampy conditions between us and the neighbors.    Seems like we needed a about 17 more stepping stones that the 10 I'd kept to make a path front to back.   

For a day or two I considered making more, but just couldn't muster the motivation.    So, feeling like a real Indian Giver, I asked my SIL if I could have 17 back.     Being the ever gracious woman  (particularly considering the amount of work it took to move from our house to begin with).  that she is, she agreed.   

Beau and I drove down and picked them up and hauled 21 back home, 

Where we layed out at a stepping distance apart, right through the muddy section of our new yard.   

And now, I'll never have to make another stepping stone.   I know, pretty boring story.  

Thanks for dropping by, anyway.

Lorrie  

Baton Rouge Produce Markets

One of the things that I'm really liking about Baton Rouge are the produce stands.   They are tucked here and there; think I've seen 4 within the 7 or 8 mile radius of our house that I've ventured.  These are marvelous open markets.

The stands are built up wood platforms filled with boxes awaiting our selection.

And, alot of everything.  Nothing that looks picked over or half frozen, like almost off of the fragile produce in the local grocery stores.

Enough fresh bananas for an entire holiday season of banana bread.

And the garlic!  Not just some, but a lot.   

And, not just lemons, but limes as well. And it is more than fruit, there are freezer cases filled with frozen selections (for those that don't want to chop the onions or okra themselves), along with frozen out of seasons fruits, more bins with legumes, dried fruits, homemade jellies and jams.    And, amazingly enough, the prices are slightly lower than that at the grocery.   

Going to the produce market is officially part of my bi-weekly routine.  

Oh, but one of the things you don't want to do at the market is back into another car as you are leaving.  

All those savings will be quickly offset by the increase in the auto insurance premium.   Beau is still upset, first accident in 22 years.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Don't Put Diesel In Your Gas Engine

 Where this story starts ... The previous owners of our house left us four gas cans in the garage closet. My guess is they were not necessarily being generous with their cans, but all contained mixes that the moving company would not haul, and it is difficult to find disposal facilities.  The yellow can is clearly designated as diesel.

At dinner, we were talking about how to dispose of the products (as we have a lawn service), and Beau mentioned he had checked the diesel can and thought it might be gas.    We told Alex, if he checked it out and it was regular unleaded gas, he could put it in his car.

A couple days later, he checked it and decided it was regular gas.  He put it in his car and headed off to work.

Alex currently works at the very lovely White Oak Plantation, owned and operated by John Folse as a catering and special event facility.    Not too far from the house, just far enough for the car to really start acting up.   By the end of the night, the car would start, but not stay running for the ride back.

It was one of those darn -- guess it was diesel -- type moments.  And, to make the evening even more special, he called home for help and we'd left the cell phone in the car.   He was able to catch a ride with his boss.

The next morning, and after google research, the plan was set.    We drove out to the Plantation with a variety of 5 gallon sturdy buckets (to hold the diesel), picking up regular gas and a syphon kit along the way. According to the internet (thank you Al Gore), you syphon out the gas, and new gas, and after a lot of starts, it will start up, smoke awhile and Probably be fine.   Wrong.   The syphon hose didn't reach down to the gas level.

 As a long shot, a very unhappy Alex added the 5 gallons (of regular unleaded) gas into the car to see if he could mix it up a bit and get a start.   He even went to the back and pushed it up and down for awhile.  Nope .

Dad standing by looking quite unhappy, certainly did not help.  I'm sure he is realizing that Bank of Dad is about to pay for the tow to the shop tomorrow and a hefty auto repair bill.

Needless to say, Alex did not get to drive his car down that lovely Oak Tree lined drive on his way out of the Plantation.

But instead, was stuck in the back seat of the car with his parents.

The moral of this story ... never put diesel into your gasoline engine, or you may be stuck in the back seat of the car with your parents.

Lorrie

A New Home, A New Studio

It's official; Beau & I have moved to Baton Rouge.   We shedded tons of possessions we no longer cared about and fit ourselves right into a sweet little Garden Home.   I'm not sure I'd say it is the home of our dreams, but it is a really nice one.   And, over the garage is a 225 square foot Bonus Room; perfect for my new studio.  

Previously, I called my studio CTStudios, (although I quit posting to the blog well over a year ago).   The new studio space will be called Villaridge.   I plan to dabble a bit with fiber art, but have no defined direction.  I'm just going to hang out and see what happens; perhaps a return to creativity - who knows.

I will continue to run my pattern shops - Todays Treasure and Todays Treasure 2.

And so, this is my new blog.   Here I'll be sharing life in the new house in Baton Rouge, as well as travel, arts and crafts, and whatever else may happen along.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie