Fodder Toss

Once again, the absence of posts here isn't due to lack of fodder, but from excess. I have fodder coming out of my ears, people! For the sake of getting something up here, I'll toss some of it at you now.

___________________ Fodder #1 ___________________

I finally got my flower beds & pots planted. Last year the very second they were established and gorgeous, the deer tromped through for flower salad, leaving me with a sorry stem garden. This year, I intend to be diligent with deer repellant and chili powder. From the Indian grocer. Not that midwestern chili powder from Walmart, jack. This says "extra hot" on the bag, and they aren't a' kiddin.

Addendum: I wrote this post last night, and woke up to this, this morning:

Fat lot I know about chili pepper, I guess. Actually, we believe this is the work of a rascally raccoon. Back to FS Farmtown, to find an alternative critter repellant.

___________________ Fodder #2 ___________________

I picked up garlic scapes from the farmer's market for the first time. I sauteed them in a little olive oil and threw in some grape tomatoes til they popped. Eh. I wanted them to be exquisite, but they weren't all that.

___________________ Fodder #3 ___________________

It's almost time for my "God Bless America" pedicure. Stars 'n Stripes for the 4th of July, baby. Because I am 12.

These are representative patriotic toes that I found in an image search. It says "let your children have fun with pedicures!" See? I told you I'm 12.

___________________ Fodder #4 ___________________

My mother, in addition to Amazing Grace, has taken to singing "Lori, Lori Hallelujah." I think it has such a nice ring to it that I invented a martini and named it just that: The Lori Hallelujah. Recipe:  Vodka, ginger liqueur, and fresh shaved ginger.

___________________ Fodder #5 ___________________

A Country Casa update really is in order; you will not believe what all we've done since I last wrote about the construction. We have an upstairs deck now! No railing or stairs, mind you, so the first step is a doozy, har har.

See lower deck mapped out with wood planks below.
Whee! Can't you just imagine it?!

___________________ Fodder #6 ___________________

Brian is going back to Iraq. Again. There's been a confusing mess with 12 months "dwelling time," they call it, the time they're entitled between deployments. Yes he can have it, no he can't, oh yes, he can. He was to deploy July 3, but is now slated for September.

It's kind of amazing how when your kid is leaving in 1 month you're shaken and weepy, but a 3 month postponement leaves you in comfortable sweet denial. Enjoy this stateside time while we can.

___________________ Fodder #7 ___________________

Clint and I are going to a lobster boil this Friday. The lobsters are being flown in from Tim Handrigan, from the Discovery channel's Lobstermen. Here's a pic from his website, The Lobster Guy. I will definitely be taking pix and blogging this party!

___________________ Fodder #8 ___________________

Nursing home care is overwhelmingly expensive. It's easier to think of Mom being in a $200/day, all-inclusive resort.

 3 month's worth. Oof.

___________________ Fodder #9 ___________________

We have finally attracted Indigo Buntings to the country casa. They are brilliant and mesmerizing, and we have to stop what we're doing every time we see one on our feeders.

They're skittish and I haven't been able to capture even a halfway decent photo, myself. Steve Creek, of Steve Creek Outdoors (stevecreek.com) has kindly given me permission to use his photo of a male indigo bunting. I think his photo most captures why we become hypnotized when these beauties stop by.

___________________ Fodder #10 ___________________

Toys for Troops is still going strong. While finding names and addresses has always been the most work, I'm amazed to find them coming at me like wildfire right now. I have more summer soldiers than I've ever had, and I want them to get boxes. I'm getting ready to recruit offices, groups, and clubs to sponsor a package to each, and THEN I'm going to hit you up for money. A bona fide fundraiser is in order, the first since 2007. Who wants spaghetti?

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That's all for now. Stay tuned for suicidal turtles, some exciting news from Zappos, and a picture of me and Red Green.

My fodder really doeth runneth over.