Gardening at Fort Doberdale

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I saw this lovely succulent masterpiece at a local Home Depot over the weekend, and tried to resist, but could not. First, I tried to resist getting a sales person to tell me how much it cost because there was no price on it. She said it was $14.99. I had in mind it was five dollars more. Even so, it took some convincing in my own mind to put out that money on a trinket. OK, a beautiful living trinket, but it wasn’t something we needed during these inflationary times. I tried to resist putting it in the cart, but could not. Being it was the only one, I figured I would push it around while I shopped for what we did need and eventually I would lose interest in the trinket. That did not work. Three people made comments on how cute and adorable it was, and by the way, where abouts did you find it? “I’ve got the last one, it’s in my cart and going home with me.” I did not lose interest, and now I know why dogs covet one ball, even though there are similar ones in a toy box.

The trinket’s name is Sam. Sam does brighten up the yard, though. I am sure to look at him a lot, and pray I can take good care of Sam the Succulent. Those succulents that are planted with glued stone are not my forte. But! Sam’s worth a one-of-a-kind try!

Here are some lovely bloomers in my garden. The Hibiscus and Frangipanni.

And here is a sweet potato plant, chamomile and corn stalk, and more corn with some squash.

Finally, the neighbors around me have some really nice mango trees. I have 2 or 3 in pots. I haven’t planted them yet due to I am not sure I can do the maintenance on them. <sigh> There is a lot of work to the great outdoors.

 

My Buddha Dog watches over the place when the rest of us are snoozing or otherwise making a living.

Isn’t he adorable?

Helen

Jingle Bell Tire Ball

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We got a new toy over the weekend. Many Fort Doberdalians like to play with balls, and this one looked sturdy. The big bell securely inside provides noise, and as a secondary feature, repels unwanted spiritual intruders. The texture is appealing, and there is no noxious smell. Yes, I sniffed it a good one. I gave up $5 and tax to the cashier, and brought it back to Fort Doberdale for the real test. Would anyone play with it?

Scroll over the pictures for captions. Click to see pictures bigger.

Taylor took the plunge and was the first to hold the new ball in the beak. It takes an Aussie to get things moving along. Shortly thereafter, big Luigi got into the action, and took ahold of the new toy.

Soon we were playing catch and games with the new ball. Luigi was gaga over the ball, and Lilian continued to eye ball the situation from behind the scenes.

Taylor says she prefers the yeller Cuz Ball, thank you very much. Regis does, too. Actually, Regis will grab any toy I’m throwing. Hence the reason I have a pair of fang marks on my arm. He opened his jaw and lunged to grab the ball as I was throwing it. Even the elderly can be rascally.

Amen!

Helen

Doo-Dee on The Floor in the Wee Wee Hours of the Night

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I woke up last night and knew the deed had been done from the earlier butter episode by the “Someone’s Pooped Somewhere” fragrance. Yes, a liquid pile was on the living room floor. The culprit had not been Pippin, however, because she was in a crate next to my bed all night. I figured if she’d needed help, I could hear her before smell her. That didn’t happen.

I’m not sure who it was. My suspect list doesn’t coincide with those that were available to do the job last night. Lunchtime was uneventful, so I figure that must have been it last night. OK, I’m hoping the was it last night. I really am.

Helen

Butter

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Someone ate 3/4 cube of butter tonight.  I found the plastic baggie that it was in, but couldn’t figure out what was in that baggie.  Later I went to find the butter to make some popcorn.  I found it nowhere, and bingo!  The light came one.  Then I looked around and wondered who will be having the shitz or an attack of pancreatitus or pukitis tonight.  Luna had the bag, but that’s when it was empty.  That doesn’t mean she is the one who did the deed.  I always have to point the finger at Pippin first.  Then Annie.   Luigi gets the third spot.

I don’t want to go through this.  I really don’t.  It’s awful when you know it’s coming and can’t do anything about it.

Eeek!

Helen

The South Florida Code

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When giving directions in South Florida, you should always start with the words, Take I-95 . . .If you’re a snowbird or a non-working retiree, you absolutely cannot drive between the hours of 6 am and 10 am or 4 pm and 7 pm. This is considered to be rush hour and you’re not in any rush. No exceptions.

Some roads just stop for no reason and then start again: Congress Avenue, Lyons Road, Jog Road.

Freeways can only go north and south. Not east and west..

A1A and ALT A1A are the same streets.

Traffic Lights aren’t timed and never will be.

We measure the distance you travel in time not miles.

If you travel more than 5-10 miles on any road in South Florida without seeing an orange Bob’s Barricade, you’re lost!

If you miss your exit on I-95, its perfectly acceptable to back up.

Once the light turns green, only 3 cars can go through the intersection. Eight more go through on yellow and 4 on red.

Know the difference between Sun Pass, Sun Fest, Sun-Sentinel, and Sun Trust.

Flip flops, tank tops and baggy shorts are also known as business casual.

Your blinker means nothing.

English is our second language.

It is perfectly acceptable to brag about the size of your generator.

It is totally acceptable to be living in South Florida but not root for the Dolphins, Marlins, Heat or Panthers.

We have alligators here in South Florida and they WILL bite you. Don’t be stupid and try to feed or pet one.

Clematis is a street not a disease.

When a hurricane is headed our way, even though you have advanced warning and you are told to be prepared, you’re not a true Floridian unless you wait until the absolute last minute to go to Home Depot to pick up plywood or go to Publix to stock up on water, ice, beer, and potato chips.

You know how to spell Okeechobee.

Do NOT buy a boat. Make friends with someone who already owns a boat That way you don’t have to deal with the headaches.

There is an Okeechobee blvd, street, avenue, town, lake and county.

You weren’t born here. If you were, you’re angry that everyone else moved here.

There’s always a Walgreens across the street from a CVS on almost every corner – with more being built every day.

When picking up a woman on South Beach ,always look for an Adams apple.

It’s normal to sweat when you are putting up your holiday decorations.

Jupiter is a city, not a planet.

Seniors have to do their errands during the weekdays. Not weeknights or weekends – that’s for the working folks.

There are three types of dolphins: Mahi-mahi, flipper, and also one called a football team.

You can’t say; “this is how we did it up north”, if you think that way, then go back.

No matter what they decide in Tallahassee you will never be able to figure out your property taxes.

Learn how to dress in layers. It will be 95 degrees outside but inside any restaurant or business it’s 65 degrees.

There are three things you will need to survive a south Florida winter: A long sleeved T-shirt, sunscreen and restaurant reservations that you make at least three weeks in advance.

The same neighbor who smiles at you every day will be the first one to rat you out if you are violating water restrictions.

Helen