Here Come The Naked Ladies

It's the end of July, and that can mean only one thing:  it's time for the Naked Ladies to bloom. 

Thankful Sunday

I won't go in detail out of confidentiality to some friends, but let me say that after hearing some mind-blowing stories  the past few days from some friends about their parents and other family members, today I am super thankful for the Lord for keeping the 'Rents in a good frame of mind and body.  Amen.

Another Super Saturday

As I type this, I can hear the wind chimes dinging on the back porch. That means that the wind is out of the north.  And it's pretty breezy.  It's also very, very nice today.  It's only 82 degrees.  At noon today, it was only 70.  That's 25 degrees cooler than it was at noon last Saturday.

The 'Rents and I took advantage of this awesome morning and made a trip over the river and through the Knobs to Hubers to get some sweet corn, green beans and peaches.  Buying the produce from their market made us work up a powerful thirst, so we headed over to their winery and sat out on the patio as we shared a bottle of cold Sweet Marcella wine. 

The blackberries are ripe now, so this brief "cool spell" is what the old school people call Blackberry Winter.  I'm sure it won't last too long.

Super Saturday

The Rents and I were up early this morning, and went to one of our fave local joints for breakfast.  It was awesome as usual.  Then we headed over the Big Water aka the Ohio River to southern Indiana for a trip to Huber's.  We got a bunch of corn, green beans, peaches, and tomatoes (since the squirrels have eaten most of ours).

We stopped to share a nice bottle of Sweet Marsella wine on the patio of the Huber's Winery.  Let me just say that at noon today, the temperature was 25 degrees cooler than it was this time last Saturday.

It was an awesome morning, and the only thing that could have made it better was if friends and family could have been with us.

Flashback Friday

Of course I have this down in the basement in The Archives.  Of course I do.  

Thankful Thursday

I had planned for another post for today, but I am deviating, because I can.

As soon as I came through the door tonight from work, The Old Man said he'd been on the phone for an hour talking with his cousin down in Brecinridge County.  To sum up the convo, Cousin Wayne is going to hook us up with a bushel of sweet corn and a half bushel of green beans.  Score.  We'll have a road trip down to his place on Saturday to gather the harvest.  Thanks a bunch, Cousin Wayne.  You rock.  I'm very, very thankful for Cousin Wayne.  When The Old Man was in this hospital two years ago, Cousin Wayne and his sister drove up from the country three times to visit him in the hospital.  But, you know? That's what family is for. 

Another Spring Meet Horse Racing Update

I had a bad week of almost-rans, and as of this morning, I was down to $26 in my Twin Spires account.  This afternoon I had one awesome race, and have my bankroll up to over $200.  And it was thanks to a race at Saratoga. 

Today is my Life Day, and this is an awesome way to celebrate.  I can't help but think of the line from one of my all time favorite songs, "You're So Vain" - "I hear you went up to Saratoga, and your horse naturally won."

Farmtown 2017 Update

I'm afraid I don't have very good news to report on today's Farmtown update.  The squirrels have eaten almost all of the tomatoes on our four plants.  I don't need to tell you that The Old Man is beside himself.  Between the squirrels and the damned ground hogs, he's not having a good summer.

I told him that on Saturday morning, I would get up early and go to a local farmer's market and buy some local grown tomatoes for us to have.  He was quasi-ok with that, but we all know it won't be the same as eating our awesome heirloom tomatoes.

Maybe the squirrels will have mercy on us and leave the remaining few alone so we can eat them.

Stay tuned.

Happy National Tequila Day

TWIT and I would like to wish everyone a very, very happy National Tequila Day! 

I've given you, faithful readers, enough advance notice so you can make plans to have a shot of good tequila tonight to celebrate.  I know I sure will!

Strange Sunday

It's been another Strange Sunday.  There's a lot that I would like to get off my chest and say to some friends today, but I am keeping my mouth shut because I feel that's the best thing to do. 

Moving on.

A Record Week At The Compound

It's been a record week here at The Compound.  On Monday morning, we caught the elusive Hogzilla. It was without a doubt the biggest groundhog the Old Man has caught.  We caught a smaller one on Sunday.

They set the trap last night, and this morning we caught another one that was just shy of the size of Hogzilla.  The trap was set again and less than a half hour later, we caught another one that was just a bit smaller than Hogzilla.   That's a record - two in a half an hour, and four in one week. 

The trap has been reset, so stay tuned.  We might have an update.

Heat Wave Update

It seems like we're in day 87 of our big heat wave.  I know that's not exactly right, but it sure feels like it's been this hot for 87 days.   This morning when I woke up at 4:30 it was 81 degrees here at The Compound.  As I type this right now, it's 98 degrees, with a heat index of 106 degrees.

I'm very, very happy to report that The Girls don't seem affected by the heat very much.  They are drinking more water than normal, but as far as their activity, they are running around as much a they usually do. 

I think the 'Rents and I are taking the heat worse than The Girls.  We just finished supper and we're getting ready to hunker down on the couch and recliners in front of the a/c vents and watch tonight's Reds game, with a big bowl of ice cream in our future.

Stay tuned.

Post Construction At The Compound

It's been over twenty-four hours since The Girls were introduced to their new big play pen, and they love it. 

This morning when I went out to let them out of the coop before I went to work, they were antsy and were waiting at the small door for me to open it and let them out into their big yard.  Each of them let me go through our morning ritual of me petting each one and telling them are pretty, but after about two minutes of interaction, they were ready to get into the yard.

They don't mind this 95+ degree heat we've had all week.  They don't seem to be drinking more water than normal, so I guess they are handling this heatwave better than us humans.

Construction Day Three At The Compound

This was a historic day at The Compound. This was the day that The Girls got to experience their new big play pen. Here's the video of them coming down from the coop to see what it's all about. At first, they were hesitant and didn't want to step out of the dirt (which had been their previous play pen space). But it didn't take long for them to get used to the new grass. Their new play pen is 14 ft square. 

I'd like to give major props to my dad and my cousin-in-law Craig for working out in the 95 degree heat for the past two and a half days to build their pen extension. Those two are truly iron men.

Construction Day Two At The Compound

In spite of an early morning shower, construction has gone on here at The Compound. 

Both doors are installed, and the fencing between the doors and the posts on the run are installed.  As I type this, the wire fencing will be installed on the top and half of a roof will be put up.  The Workers are very hopeful that all of this will be completed by this evening. 

Let me stop right now and give major, major props to the Old Man and my Cousin's Dear Husband.  They've worked out in the 95 degree heat the past two days to get the Chicken Coop Expansion project done.  They've taken lots of water and rest breaks, and I will say they are two tough men.  Hats off to them.  Even though I've been off from work the past two days, I haven't just sat on my ass all day long.  I've made sure that the big cooler is full of ice and bottles of water and adult beverages, and have made sure that the workers sat down in the shade every hour to rest and cool off.  I also was put to use stepping on the fence that we stretched out on the driveway. My size 9's came to good use.

Stay tuned.

Construction Day At The Compound

The sound of hammering started pretty early here at The Compound this morning.  The Girls are getting a big expansion on their home.  They will be getting a ton of more space to run around.  My Cousin and her Dear Husband from up in Lafayette, IN came down yesterday and are assisting The Old Man with the project.  Actually My Cousin will be assisting me and My Sweet Mother in watching the two workers to make sure they have plenty of cold water and sandwiches to keep them going. 

As of now, the hardest part of the project is finished - the six metal poles have been pounded securely into the ground, and as I type this, the two workers are heading to Tractor Supply and Lowes for some lumber and whatever else they need.

Stay tuned. 

Happy National Ice Cream Day

TWIT and I would like to wish everyone a very happy National Ice Cream Day.  

We had a soft serve cone on the way home from church today, and we plan to had a bowl of ice cream later on again tonight to keep the celebration going. 

 Update:
In honor of national Ice Cream Day, Krogers was having a sale on Kroger Deluxe Ice Cream - any flavor for only 99 cents.  I waited a bit too late to go up there and get a couple of half-gallons, and believe me when I tell you when I got there at 7:00 last night, I got the only two half-gallons left in the freezer case.  They weren't my first choice of flavors, but beggers can't be choosers for 99 cent half-gallon ice cream.  I was still happy with lime sherbet (which I like to use with Sprite or 7-Up and make a float) and chocolate cherry truffle. 

Super Saturday

Today was a Super Saturday.  Mainly, because I am taking two vacation days and won't have to be back in the office until Wednesday morning.  

The 'Rents and I had a great morning out shopping. I took them to our huge new-ish Krogers that has everything you could want in a store.  They loved it.  They especially liked the Wall of Bins - dozens and dozens and dozens of clear plastic bins with every kind of nut, grain, candy, pasta, etc that you could think of.  I spent a small fortune on chocolate covered raisins, Macadamia nuts, and various other items, but we enjoyed snacking on them last night. 

Flashback Friday

Happy National French Fry Day

TWIT would like to wish everyone a very happy National French Fry Day.  I hope will be able to have some fries for supper tonight, or as a snack, or both.  The 'Rents and I will be doing our part to celebrate by having burgers and fries for supper. 

Trivia Update

I am happy to report that the Divas came in second at trivia.  After a few weeks off, we've still got it going on.  

I am not happy to report that we didn't win a prize for second place.  This place just gives out a gift card for first place.  We also weren't real happy with the format of this trivia game.  We're not sure we will come back or not.  Stay tuned. 

Farmtown 2017

I am a bit sad to report that Farmtown 2017 at The Compound is a fraction of the size of Farmtowns in years past.  As you know, we've gone from being gardeners and growers to being chicken raisers. And that's not really a bad thing.  I think our friends that were given the majority of the vegetables we grew are more disappointed than we are.  

The 'Rents still planted a garden, consisting of six tomato plants, two of which died within a few weeks of planting.  But the remaining four tomato plants are very strong and healthy and should be producing ripe, red tomatoes very soon.  

And in a display of turnabout, friends have been giving us some of their homegrown vegetables.  So it's all good.  

Another Spring Meet Horse Racing Update

I am happy to report that I am still betting on Churchill Downs money and am still winning.  Sorta. 

After two continuous days of not winning a dime, when I made my bets for Sunday's races, I had one cent left in my Twin Spires account.  Yep, one penny.  But thanks to a long shot winning, and winning with a decent Exacta, I'm back in business.  The wins weren't big enough to merit a withdrawal into my checking account, but it's enough to play on this week.  

As always, stay tuned. 

New Product Review

Before we go any farther in this New Product Review, I would like to publicly thank Diva Stacy for turning me on to Hostess White Fudge Ding Dongs. 

As soon as she told me about them, I knew it was something I needed to buy.  In fact, I stopped on the way home from work that very day.  And I was not disappointed. 

They are not as thick as the regular Ding Dongs, but they are more fudgey.  Believe me when I tell you I could have eaten the whole box in one setting if I'd had enough milk or coffee to wash them down.

Hostess White Fudge Ding Dongs most definitely get Two Thumbs Up from me and TWIT.  

If you buy a box and don't like them, I'll gladly buy the box from you. 

Update On The Girls

The Girls enjoying a beautiful Saturday morning.

Happy World Chocolate Day

TWIT and I would like to wish everyone a very happy World Chocolate Day.  I posted this information as soon as I found out so you, faithful readers, would have plenty of time to start celebrating.  It's still early so you have time to get a chocolate iced donut for a late breakfast, or get a chocolate candy bar for your morning break.  And if you're home today, there's no excuse for you to not bake a chocolate cake for dessert tonight. 

I've celebrated already by having a chocolate iced Long John for breakfast, and will have a Hostess King Don for dessert with lunch.  

Now go get some chocolate. 

Happy National Fried Chicken Day

TWIT would like to wish everyone a very happy National Fried Chicken Day! 

You've got plenty of time to get some fried chicken for lunch or for supper.  And if you're adventurous, you have time to pick up a chicken at the grocery store on your way home from work tonight and fry it yourself.  Either way, I hope you get some fried chicken today.  The 'Rents and I will be having it tonight with some more awesome fried green tomatoes. 

Fifth Of July Update

I apologize, faithful readers, for not posting yesterday.  I was having too much fun doing nothing on the Fourth of July that I forgot to post.  It was a great, relaxing day.  The 'Rents and I didn't do much of anything, except eat, drink, and take naps.  In fact, I wish today had been as relaxing as yesterday.

Public Service Announcement

TWIT and I would like to publicly thank Krogers for providing a very helpful service to their customers.  

After my usual Saturday morning trip to Krogers, I was looking at the cash register receipt to see how many gas points I had accumulated for June.  Then I saw something on the receipt that said "Recall Notice."  It went on to say that previously I had purchased a pack of Kroger Dessert Cup Cakes, and that they had been recalled.  It explained the reason for the recall (the cake mix had come in contact with peanuts) and said if you still had the item to return it for a full refund.  Well, we had eaten all six of the [small] cakes a day after I bought them, and we don't have any peanut allergies, so we didn't really care. But I digress.  Thank you, Krogers for letting your customers know about recalls such as this.  

So faithful readers that shop at Krogers, take a minute to read over your receipt when you get it.  

Super Sunday

This was a most awesome day, even while dealing with things at work, at The Compound, and elsewhere.

We had a great morning at church - getting to visit with my dear friends G & C from Evansville who made the two-hour trek down I-64 to be with us this morning at WSBC.  Let me just say how much I love those two. They are two of the most awesome people that ever lived. 

Then the 'Rents and I had a good lunch, followed by good naps.  

Then I had an awesome afternoon visiting Diva Stacy like I do almost every Sunday afternoon.  We had a great time catching up, relaxing, and solving the world's problems. 

When I got home from Diva Stacy's, I went out to tend to The Girls, and they were all in a very good, happy mood, running around the pen.

It was a great day. 

Strange Saturday

There's a lot going on all around me right now - at work, at home, at else where. 

There's not much I can say right now.  The 'Rents and I are fine.  The Girls are fine. I'm just hoping that everyone else around us will be fine and that things will get on an even keel.  I'm not going to say "I hope things get back to normal."  Because we all know that "normal" is just a setting on the  washing machine.