A Country Gentleman

My name is Max. I was a city born boy who loved to roam the neighborhood and was welcomed into many of the neighbor's homes.I was the warrior of the whole place, no other cat dared to cross my path. But my real home was with Kathleen. I was born in Kathleen's home 12 years ago. I was carried about by small children and even dressed in baby clothes! Then my family decided to leave my beloved neighborhood and move so far away out in a jungle of trees, thorns, dirt and weird creatures. I could not believe my eyes when I was placed on the grounds to explore. What was Kathleen thinking? There were no other voices, no other tidbits of food to try, no garbage bins to explore. Just miles and miles of trees and pasture land. I decided I would not stay! I meowed my protests, but everyone just smiled and patted my head. So I took off on my own to find my old neighborhood. As much as Kathleen loved me, I knew she would come to her senses and move back with me. For four days and nights I walked and walked, but could still not find any sign of loud cars, loud voices or garbage. Tired and thirsty, I gave in and found my way back to this new home that Kathleen picked out for me. It's been 6 years now. I spend my days exploring in the thick woods and tall grass,..... but more often these days, I spend my time lying on the coolness of the front porch. My warrior days are done. I leave the fighting to the new cats that have come to live here. I have retired my city ways and have slowed down to become a country gentleman instead. Life has been good and I am content. Once in while, while I sleep, my tail thumps and my mouth quivers, as I once again visit the houses..... the neighborhood, where once again, I am the warrior.

Dish Size Sunflowers

This year, I planted several varieties of sunflower. I just love them all. They are such a hearty and cheery flower. One variety is the sunflower simply titled "Gigantic".
Gigantic it is. If I cut the head of this off, it would cover my dinner plate! It measures 7 inches across. It's petals are beautiful. A lot are going to seed now and already the little birds are lining up with their eye on each dying head. I have clipped a few heads to save seed for next year's plantings and will leave the rest for the ever hungry feathered friends that find their way back and forth to our grounds. What are your favorite flowers? I would love to hear!

Bottle Update

Hi everyone, just wanted to say that I found out how old the bottle I posted about in the last post it. It is a 1936!! I am so thrilled! Thanks for all of your comments!

Pieces of the Past

Next to our property is an area of land that is currently not being farmed. It used to have trees all over it until last year, then the farmer knocked them down. Since then it has been plowed and vacant. Even when it had trees, I discovered that there used to be a farmstead on this land. Pieces of glass and old cans were buried in the dirt.My sweetie once found an old tea kettle still in fairly good shape. Now that the land is being plowed up, the dirt gives up it's treasures, especially after it rains.

As soon as the rain is over and the ground is not so soggy, Sophie and I head out over to the pasture with a small garden spade and a pail.Sophie sniffs and searches for the latest rabbit nest or coyote visit, I scan the land in search of broken china. Such pretty treasures I have found! Nothing in value, at least to the average treasure hunter. But for me, I love the pretty pieces of broken glass and china that lies waiting for me.As I wash them all off and stick them in a jar I wonder who the woman was that owned this china,and how she must have been heartsick to have broken it.
I have found pieces with roses and gold leaf on them. Little handles that must have come from a tea cup. Jade colored dish ware, milk glass and beautiful thick pink glass that looks as if it might have been a bowl.

I found this RC cola bottle yesterday in perfect condition. Does anyone remember RC cola? I remember looking underneath the lid and pulling away the cork to see if there was 5, 10, or 25 cents marked on the lid.

I don't remember a star above the RC logo. I will have to go and research to see how old this bottle actually is. Do any of you remember RC cola? How much money did you win when you pulled the cork away? What are your treasures that you hold dear?

A White Dove

Last week I noticed a white bird sitting on my hen house. As I walked over to it, I was surprised to see that it was a white dove and also not scared of me. It allowed me to walk up to it, but stayed an arms reach away. It acted weak. I placed a shallow pan of water and some feed on top of a holding pen by the hen house and it jumped right down and immediately started eating.

It is a little larger than the usual doves we have here as you can see. It is absolutely beautiful. I have the pen door open and fresh hay in the nest box, and I will be placing fresh food and water out for it regularly. Not sure if someone lost it or if it is just passing through. But I feel lucky to be able to see it each day!

Oh, those puppy dog eyes!

Sophie

I think the most endearing thing about pets, especially dogs, is the look they have in their eyes. So much can be seen when we speak to our dogs. "I love you,.. where you go, I want to go... I'm so glad to see you!..., would you please stop teasing me....., I'm sorry, don't be mad..., and so much more can be seen without them saying a word! How can one resist such sweetness?

Slowing down

Once again, another week has passed me by. The rows have been hoed, the weeds have been pulled, the gardens have been watered. Everything, is blooming and producing. Life has slowed down a bit. With Autumn just around the corner, I am already gathering seeds from dried flower heads and I have already been making plans for the gardens I want to plant next spring. I am going to plant every thing in a different way next year and I hope to have great results. I will also be experimenting with growing things in the greenhouse this winter. Next week I will be back hopefully with a picture or two. For all of you, have yourselves a blessed week and weekend!