When Your 64

When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I'd been out 'til quarter to three, would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?

You'll be older too
Ah, and if you say the word, I could stay with you

I could be handy, mending a fuse when your lights have gone
You can knit a sweater by the fireside, Sunday mornings, go for a ride
Doing the garden, digging the weeds, who could ask for more?


Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?

Every summer we can rent a cottage
In the Isle of Wight if it's not to, dear
We shall scrimp and save
Ah, grandchildren on your knee, Vera, Chuck and Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say, yours sincerely wasting away
Give me your answer, fill in a form, mine forever more
Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm sixty-four?

Happy 64th Daddy!!  

Pretty Little Things

 Several years ago now Will and I scavenged seeds from a neighbor's plant after we saw it bloom.  We have been waiting patiently for those seeds to grow and bloom.  Finally, after two years, the plants have produced gorgeous little blossoms.

The leaves and greenery of the plant are very lily-like, so we assume that this is sometime of lily.  We aren't exactly sure-- and we aren't exactly sure how we can ask the neighbor.  Do we admit that in the middle of the night, we pilfered seeds from his plant that was, to be fair, growing in the tree box and so technically in city property? Or do we keep quiet, make up a name of the pretty flower, and not say a word?  Hmmmm, I think I know which one it will be....

#3....

 The King and Queen of Cunninghame celebrated our anniversary #3 of 1 today.  Most you know what that means.... 

Window Decoration

Another one of the free orchids has rebloomed and is the perfect window decoration in our living room.  It is absolutely gorgeous, with multiple flowers on multiple spikes.

We are especially thrilled because it isn't another white one-- the lady who gives these to us after the plant finishes its first blooming, seems to had a preference for white orchids.  We were pleasantly surprised when these petals opened and were a deep purpley-pink.

Happy Father's Day!

To the Best father in the World!  I love you, Daddy!

Oh, Shucks!

And then, deliciousness! 

Friday, Through Sunday

We have a special weekend this weekend.  We have Friday, through Sunday! 

As in, Friday the dog.  She is here now through Sunday.  We went on a hour long walk through the woods by Rock Creek.  Stirling was in the water every possible moment; whereas Friday was a bit scared of the water.  She kept leaping out of it! For such a big dog and one so furry, I would have thought that she was keen on being in the water.  Apparently, all bets are off if the water goes over her ankles. 

Blueberries are ripening

Finally the blueberry bush  is producing fruit.  The bush had been planted at the side of the house for years, not getting enough direct sunlight.  A few summers ago, we transferred it to the lower garden and it immediately did better, finally producing some big berries. 

This year, we seem to have a nice crop of blueberries ripening.  The entire plant is covered! We haven't netted the bush...yet.  But as the catbirds gather, I have a feeling that there will be some competition.

Start of Beans!

We quickly ran out of room in the upper and lower garden this year.  We limited our seedlings to things that we wanted to grow (tomatoes, tomatoes, and tomatoes), and when we transferred the sprouts into the ground, all of the space was taken. 

We then decided that we wanted beans.

Therefore, we resorted to sowing the seeds into a container. 

So far, success!  Beans have sprouted.  Next stages: to get them to trellis up the stakes.

We should be okay, so long as Stirling doesn't keep burying bones in the dirt...  I have had to remove rawhide twice so far...

Citrus growth

Meyer Lemon tree

 It being summertime, we have put our indoor plants outside to get some fresh air, direct sun, and rain water (so they can be watered as well dusted off).  We have a Meyer Lemon tree and a lime plant.  They are thoroughly loving the outside temperature and humidity.  Lots of new growth-- hopefully this stint outside will stimulate some fruit growth.  Just think, I *could* have my own lemons...

Lime tree

A Spoonful of Sugar

Chloe got to go to Disney World as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation!  She has been loving it, and who wouldn't!  She was greeted at the airport by Mickey Mouse, who handed her a Mickey doll.  And then she got to meet Mary Poppins!!  I am slightly jealous, as I think that Mary got her to say
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Slovak Comfort Food

We have a new friend staying with us for a bit.  He is from Slovakia and he decided to make me a traditional Slovak comfort food: fried cheese and boiled potatoes, along with a sliced tomato and special mayo.

It was cute to watch him prepare the cheese, breading it and frying it.  We can't get the correct kind of cheese in the States, so he has substituted edam.  And as for the special mayo: it has eggs, oil, onions and pickles and lemon juice-- or, really, tarter sauce.

It was quite delicious and he promises to make it again, because everyone needs to be eating more fried cheese...