Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Don't Upset the Neighbors

A couple of posts ago, I mentioned I would introduce you to our new neighbors. So here they are...

I'll start by saying that when Mozart and I returned from an errand in town, We found our son sneaking around a Manzanita bush with his camera.

“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Taking a picture of a snake.”
I thought he was kidding.
“It’s in the bushes—do you want to see it?
He wasn’t kidding.

“I held him.”
 “You what?”
“It’s a gopher snake. I picked him up. Then when I put him down he went for the bush.”

Sure enough, he had crawled into a bush—then upwards. He threaded himself through some branches and looked quite relaxed now that he was suspended 4 feet off the ground.

Last night we had a family of Javelinas grazing behind our house. “They are just fine unless they feel cornered,” a neighbor told us. "You don't want to upset them."


We have also met our Italian neighbors, Michellina and Orego, who live next door. Michellina shoos Javelinas away with her broom. "Sometimes they just stara at me like I'm crazy." And once she had a mountain lion lounging in her oak tree. She explained there are more animals in our area now, because of last year's forest fire several miles away.

The neighbor on the other side of us builds race cars. Six are in his garage. Mozart and I were glad about his occupation—as we had worried they might be bothered by our motorcycle noise.  
Trying to kick start my bike--about to give up.
 “Oh don’t even worry about it,” said his wife, rolling her eyes.

And last weekend I met the neighbors across the street. Susie and her husband have just finished building a small art studio. They had an open house including a pillow buying party. Michellina and I decided to go together.

On the afternoon of the party I walked through the trees to Michellina's house carrying a basket of homemade chocolate chip cookies for Susie.  I felt like little Red Riding Hood stepping through the woods hoping the big bad
Javelina didn't show up. 

The art studio had a beautiful window with a bird feeder outside, and we paused to watch assorted sparrows and blue birds enjoy a snack.

Their main house sits on a hill and I have often stared at it from our house across the street--a little jealous that they have a great view of the sunsets. When I mentioned this too them they said it was so hot up there with the afternoon sun, that they were jealous of our house sitting down in the trees.
Our house in the trees
 
It’s not easy getting to know the neighbors when you live 2 acres apart. But once you meet them, you realize how nice it is to know them!  











 

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

A Little Busy Over Here

Okay. There is too much on my "To Do" list.  What to do?  I will make a list of everything and will structure my time. I know from experience, that if I do this, it will free up my time.

So.... 

Monday is a day to shop
buy the food and spend a lot

On Tuesday get an early start
write song descriptions for Mozart

Clean the toilets, showers, sinks
sweep the patio and have a drink

On Wednesdays time to wash the tile
do paperwork, and feed the files

Sons will help me vacuum house
I'll sit quiet as a mouse

Pay the bills, and make some calls
and dream of flying tennis balls

Thursdays are for music titles
keyword searches and sorting styles

On Friday water flower pots
Do the laundry—fold a lot

Saturday make a shopping list
Plan 6 meals, and don't forget

Anything.

Put the list in the car
For Monday's trip to stores afar

Sunday, Oh Sunday, I get to rest
Sit in church and gather zest

Later take a great big nap
Till the dog jumps in my lap

If I do all that's here,
stay organized, and keep God near

I'll not be running this way and that
I might even get a little fat.

Ha!  Not the best ending, but what can you expect when I'm in a hurry. I'm on my way out to have some fun!