HEY, YOU FORGOT ME!

Today is the annual "Mudbug 5K". A "Big Group" of our Ruston Runners went over to run the race and then MOST IMPORTANT EAT! This is our annual ONE AND ONLY ONE 5K that will all participate in. Unfortunately, I was not able to go this year. I will miss the fun of us all going to The Big City-Shreveport and running 3.1 miles on a concrete HOT road and then the treat of a wonderful and fun meal out. There is always next year.

The reason I didn't go is trying to finish the kitchen before family arrives Saturday and the "James Family Reunion" Sunday. The painters made 2 trips to my house today and hopefully tomorrow will be the last. The electrician came this afternoon and finished putting up all of the light fixtures. The plumber is coming tomorrow to hook up the gas. THE END IS IN SIGHT!

Saturday Gabe & Scott and his family arrive from Austin. The brothers and their entire families will be here Sunday. It has become increasingly difficult to get our James family together since we are scattered all over the nation now. Camille, Adam, and Amanda (Noel's eldest) are the only family members not coming. It will be a "GREAT TIME"!

GET READY ERIE, I arrive Monday night! I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures and lots of yard work at the Jennings' Abode!

SHORT SHORTS

Note Lovely Skin Around Chicken's Head

Once upon a time, LONG LONG AGO, I wore short shorts. I loved short shorts. I have about 4 ft of legs on this 5 ft 6 inch body, so you could say LEGS FOREVER! There was a time that those long-bird legs looked alright, thus the short shorts. Sadly, those days are gone! I am now in a perpetual hunt for Bermuda shorts, carpi's, and HEAVEN HELP ME! long running shorts. It is almost impossible to find running shorts with an inseam more than 2 inches. It seems, in the running world, most of the runners are young and fit and don't have to worry about covering up unsightly dimples or loose skin. My friend, Stephanie, refers to this as "chicken skin". That actually is a really good description. Camille recently sent me a comment that Demi Moore had plastic surgery on her knees. GIVE ME A BREAK! If I have plastic surgery on my legs, they will need to pull up all of the skin from the knee up tight. It would be sort of like pulling on your pantie hose (I KNOW ANOTHER RELIC FROM THE PAST) up, only it would be your skin. Maybe while they are at it, they could also lift my rear end up since it seems to be getting lower and lower. Between my stomach sagging and my rear dropping, my once 4 feet of legs now look like about 3 and a half feet. WHAT IS A GIRL TO DO??????

There We Go Running Down The Road

TOO MUCH HELP!

Yesterday's post drew a couple of comments that I feel like need a response. Friend, David Boersma, sent me an email with a few solutions to the skink's obvious dilemma:NO TAIL. If you don't know David, he has quite the sense of humor. VERY DRY-think of the driest wine (sorry if you don't drink wine-I cannot think of any better comparison) and how when you take that first sip you instantly gasp and your mouth is drawn into a permanent pucker-perfect description of David's humor. Anyway-David was SOOOOO concerned over my lament about the skink's lack of a tail, that he came up with a few solutions:

I call this the:skinkapus. He reminds me of a platterpus. You could sharpen the edges of this tail and it would become a lethal weapon. He could then teach any varmint a lasting lesson that dared to bite that tail.

This is the rotarskink. He reminds me of a skink with a propeller in the rear. He could become a marine skink who can use that tail as a means to propel him in the water. Only trouble is that the stream that flows behind the house is a LONG way down the hill.

This is the hippieskink. Free and easy-just blowing in the wind. This could be very dangerous for Mr. Skink since his lack of conformity and letting his hair down could ultimately lead to the ease of entrapment by the varmints. Sometimes it might be better to just "fit in" with everyone else since when you look so different and stick out-you become the Target (((o))) of the varmints.

Last but certainly most elegant is the Hollywood Skink. Quite the fashion statement, I am sure every skink would love this tail. On the edge of couture and sure to make Ms Skink stand out in the crowd. Sure to lead to all of the other skinks being critical and watching each and every move she makes. The paparazzi will be relentless!

Friend, Sheila, in an effort to be useful suggested getting an electric weedeater. She missed the point. I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER JOB! For once in my life, I can say without guilt-I DO NOT WEEDEAT!

Thanks for all of the help in solving my dilemmas, but I think I will skip the suggestions. I don't need any other jobs and I am NOT ABOUT TO TOUCH that nasty looking skink-unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!

JUST PLEAD IGNORANCE!

For some strange reason, I have spent my life trying to "do it all myself". When the yard needs mowing, I can do it. When the walk or drive needs edging, I can do it. The list goes on and on. Somewhere along the way, I FINALLY WOKE UP! By the time weed eaters came along, I had learned that not knowing how to start it was not necessarily a bad thing. I mow, I rake, and I blow, but I don't know how to weed eat. Well actually I don't know how to get it started. Bobby has tried numerous times to teach me the technique. I JUST CANNOT SEEM TO GET IT! I may be ignorant, but I am not stupid!

Look carefully among the ferns. Do you see something between all that green?

Oh Yes, there is my cute little rabbit planter. I love this planter, but the bed has become so thick that it needs to be moved. This means sticking my hands down in the pine straw, where Mr. Jake loves to hide and lifting it out. I finally worked up the nerve to do just that, but when I tried to move it, it will not budge. The concrete planter weighs a ton anyway and it seems to be full of damp soil-which makes it even heavier. HUMMMMMM-What to do-What to do.

Mr. Skink, sans tail, is sunning on the walk. I think some varmint probably got that tail, but I heard another twist today. The tile man told me that when the skinks are in danger they can pop their tail off. The tail then continues to twitch which lures their enemy. I have never heard that one before and will have to research whether it is true or not. I do know they can regenerate their tails. Perhaps I should mark this skink and watch him while the tail grows again. Now I know you all would love to see a new tail on this lovely creature.

The back splash completed, but before cleaning. Mr. Tile Man came today and grouted, the final step. Now after it has dried for 36 hours, I can clean it and it will be finished. THE PAINTERS SHOWED UP!!!! I could have hugged his neck if I hadn't been so nasty after my morning run. He had an entire crew of 5 with him and they got all of the wallpaper down. IF I PUT UP WALLPAPER AGAIN, just put me in the "Loony Bin" for I have definitely gone over the edge. The man from the permanent paint came to look at what they need to do outside and they will start tomorrow.

I THINK I MAY ACTUALLY FINISH THIS PROJECT BEFORE I DIE!!!!

Larry, Susan & I ran 5 this AM. The temperature has turned hot again as it was almost 60 when we ran. The sun has long been up by 6 AM, so it contributes to the heat and it is humid again.. I feel the days of 5:30 AM running coming, right around the bend. SUCH IS LIFE IN LOUISIANA!

REGRET

I have been reminded this week of an incident that happened during those final weeks of Momma's life. During one of the periods that she was back in the Nursing Home, Pam (her trusted sitter) and I took her to the Parlor for a group from Grace church that were singing hymns. We went and I began to sing with the group the old familiar hymns that I love so dearly. I looked down after a couple of hymns and Momma was silently crying-big tears were flowing down her face. I tried to comfort her, but she was in anguish and inconsolable. Pam & I finally took her back to her room and eventually got her calmed. Where did this come from? What had happened to bring her such agony? I have come to realize that Momma was experiencing grief brought on by her knowledge that her life was drawing to a close and she had regrets. The hymns had reminded her of the infinite love of our God and the life she had lived. In my memory there were only brief periods that Momma attended church and I never remember her pursuing a relationship with Our Father. She told me during the latter years of her confinement to her apartment that she attended church on television. I am grateful to Trinity MC for their broadcast ministry. I know this time must have pricked Momma's heart. My ever faithful Bobby questioned Momma about her assurance of her salvation and she assured him that she had accepted the grace offered by Jesus. I am thankful to God for Bobby's boldness that now gives me the knowledge of Momma's salvation. That day as the hymns were sung Momma was sorrowed to know that she had not pursued that oh so important relationship and knew little of the peace that comes from it. She was saddened to her very core by this regret.

There will come a day when most of us will realize that our life is drawing to the final act. Will we be filled with regret or will we have the knowlege that we have pursued the peace that comes only from The Father? I pray for you all no regrets and only peace, but one thing remains a constant in our life:Jesus provided our atonement and we can rest assured in the promise of eternal life. We are told in the scriptures that there will come a day of accounting and though we are in Heaven-we will still stand before that throne of judgement. Though we will regret our grievous sins, we will stand white as snow since Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Regret-our regret will be that He had to suffer and die since we are incapable of living a holy life and we all fail Him. I thank God for His Sacrificial Lamb and His great great love for each and every one of us. I pray that my regrets will be few, but have the peace and joy that only His love can bring.

SIGNS OF SUMMER

Mr. Lizard thinks he is hiding from me since he is up under the edge of the green Lantana leaves. We have many lizards and a back yard full of skinks. I like the lizards much better since they are so pretty. The skinks leave a lot to be desired in the looks department. I saw a skink sunning on the back deck a couple of days ago-sans his tail. This is an indication that some other varmint has been in the back chasing the skinks. I do not want to know what that varmint is since this is out the deck door and I found the markings of something that has been digging to get under the same deck.

Look carefully and you will see the young butterfly. In a very short period of time, they will grow into a large and beautiful butterfly. I love watching them flying around the blooms all summer.

Mr. Copperhead. While running this AM, we saw just such a snake, only fatter where we had run by earlier. From the time we turned out on 167 and ran our downtown route, he had been run over. NOTE TO SELF-watch where you are putting your feet and THINK before putting your hand under the bushes in the flowerbeds. If you have never jumped over a snake slinking between your feet, you just don't know what a "GOOD SQUEALER" you can be!

It is definitely beginning to be summer as all of the varmints are moving about. One of the sure signs of warm weather is the multitude of road kill up and down the highways. It seems that once the weather begins to warm all of the varmints become active. For every carcass on the highway, you have multitudes running loose in the woods surrounding us. HUMMMM! It will not be long and the armadillo will be digging in my beautiful flower beds. Time for a little target practice before the Annual Armadillo Hunt!

We ran only 9 this AM. I had a hard time after missing a couple of weeks of long runs. I WAS SO SLOW! Larry & Ivory ran along with Grandma and took pity and slowed to run with me. I do not think I can get much slower!

AM I A OUISER????

Blooming Spirea
Bed Almost Finished

Pot of Zinnias

Young Swallow Tail

Mr. Hummingbird-slightly out of focus

Ouiser Boudreaux: I'm not crazy, I've just been a very bad mood for the last 40 years!

One of my favorite Ouiser quotes is about We Southern Women are supposed to garden, I don't know why it's just one of the rules. I have been accused of having Ouiser's personality. Well maybe occasionally, but not all of the time!

BUSY BUSY DAY! Started out with a 5 mile walk and kept right on going from then. I have the front yard in tolerable shape and should finish it up tomorrow. I dug up a couple more lantana today, but in honor of the butterflies, I have left 2. I will just cut them back-often-so they don't take over the entire front. I was back at the nursery today and got all of those plants in the ground. I have been digging, pruning, picking up sticks, potting plants, and raking up the mess I made. In spite of what Ouiser says, I actually love gardening. I went to Babs' home this morning to pick up a couple of hosteas that she gave me & I needed to plant. When I saw how beautiful her yard was, I came home inspired. Will never live up to her standards, but will make lots of improvements.

On the home front, the tile man finally showed up after lunch. Therefore, he did not get finished, but will be back tomorrow. I called the painter AGAIN today and whined about the impending reunion. He called back late this afternoon and asked "Is this Mrs. Panic"? WHATEVER! He PROMISED he would be here Monday AM with the full crew. We shall see!

While trying to catch the butterfly and make a picture, he actually landed on my camera. HOW COOL WAS THAT! One of the joys of living in the woods, I left a brand new-full bottle of fish emulsion fertilizer on the back deck. When I went to get it today, it had disappeared. The man at the nursery said the raccoons will pick them up, tuck them under their front feet and take them off. WELL THE LITTLE THIEF!