For Our Freedom...

Today is Memorial Day.  Some people may call it Remembrance Day.  A day to remember those who protect us, our home, the United States of America.  The men and women fighting for our freedom.  They were the soldiers that didn't make it home again from the war.  Or the ones that made it home to live out their lives, but not without the memories of wars fought and friends lost.  I'm fortunate to not have lost any close family members as a result of military action.  My husband is retired Navy Reserves.  I have 2 sons that served time in the Army.  My dad and several uncles have served in the military.  I have many memories of seeing little american flags waving on over the graves of soldiers and knowing my grandpa was one of those who placed those flags there each year.  And I have countless friends who have served or are still in service with the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines.  So here I would like to simply say Thank You and God Bless You all for a job well done!

Spring flowers in AZ

Just a few flowers from my yard.  Barely Spring and the temps up to 100 today!

Packrat Pandamonium

I hate PACKRATS!  

Okay, that's perhaps a bit harsh.  I do enjoy watching the desert wildlife as it roams through the grounds... as long as it keeps on roaming right out of my yard.

  

I'm resigned to the fact that those cute little cottontail bunnies who love to munch on my flowers will not be restrained by a simple chain link fence.   

And the wonderful winged creatures; doves, finches, thrashers, wrens, quail and even tiny hummingbirds... leave behind acidic poop that must be washed off the grill, chairs, railings and cement patios frequently to prevent discoloration and/or damage.  

But when those ungrateful little rodents, those PACKRATS,  attack my comfortable outdoor furnishings, I'd like to wring their tiny fuzzy necks!

Todays example of destruction focuses on the patio swing. 

I always find it comforting to sit and swing, to and fro, while listening to the soothing tone of the wind chimes and watch my feather friends flitting from fence to tree to bush, back and forth.  Even Sam and Mr T love to relax and take a little nap on the softly padded cushions of the patio swing. 

But after 4 years of this blissful activity, the PACKRATS have invaded.

As the photos show proof of their destructive behavior... those bodacious beasts have torn holes into the very fabric of the swings gentle cushions!   Of all the nerve!

 

I guess there's nothing I can do...

Nothing else...

except...

go out and buy new cushions.  

Of course, shopping is such a pain...   yeah, right.

Out of the past...

Today, I received a letter...  

It was addressed to me, but the writer wasn't certain I was the person she was looking for.  No, it was a short letter searching for a long lost friend.  Searching for someone who had a baby the same time she did.  Someone who lived in Sandy, Utah and same time she had.  Someone who lost a friend's phone number a long time ago and was trying to reconnect.

It was a letter from my long ago friend, Carol, and she found me!  That was such a wonderful surprise! We had sons that were born 10 days apart at the same hospital over 20 years ago.  I immediately called the phone number that she wrote in her letter.  She had been in the Salt Lake City area on a work assignment and wanted to get together.  Of course, Carol had no idea I had moved to Tucson four years before.  It was so good talking to her once again.  She now has my phone number and (hurray) we are both on Verizon so we can talk, talk and talk some more.  

Some days it's really great to get up in the morning!!!