Greek salad

On these dog-days of summer, when it's too hot to cook, my daughter's cucumbers are about ready to harvest, my husband's tomatoes are still growing... 

It's time for Greek salad!!!  :)

cucumbers, tomatoes, purple onions, sliced black olives, feta cheese(s), and Greek vinaigrette

Cut the veggies however you like 'em, and feel free to mix it up with different varieties and colors of veggies, and one or more of the many flavors of feta available.  We used to mix our own vinaigrette, but some of the new bottled varieties are really good, (and so easy).  Be generous with the vinaigrette so you'll have "juice" to dip your favorite breads in.  Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors mingle, (or at least a couple of hours if you can't wait longer).  Then ENJOY!!!  Poly Kali, (think that's Greek for very good). 

(I'd post a photo of the finished product, but we ate it up before I thought to click one!) 

Proud Parent

Last night while watching my youngest and her friends accept several awards for all of their hard work at a summer academic "camp" at the local university, I realized that while I am proud of my children's  achievements, I am most proud of the wonderful people they are becoming.  My kids are honest, generous, loving and kind, not just to those they know, but even to folks whom they've never met. 

While my adult son was recently out of work we sent him to the grocery with some bottles and cans so he'd have a little spending cash, when he came out he met a homeless man and gave the money to him instead!

My daughter gave the speeches to introduce the Salutatorian, Valedictorian, and Most Outstanding Student at last nights ceremony.  Last year she received the Salutatorian award herself, and knowing her competitive nature, I thought that it would be difficult for her to announce the winners this year, but she was so gracious and obviously happy for her fellow classmates. 

My eyes are misty, and my heart is full of gratitude for the wonderful kids that God has given to me!

New addiction?

I think that I'm becoming addicted to blogging, not necessarily my writing, but "meeting" all of these wonderful and very talented people from all over.  Seeing so many beautiful photographs, heart-wrenching stories, so many kindnesses, strength in times of great difficulty, etc.  It is restoring my faith in humanity!  Thanks to all who share on these blog spots.  *Virtual-Hugs!*

A fungus among-us!

I love this photo, took it a couple of years ago in northeast Iowa, (U.S.A.).  It's an unusual mushroom called Rhodotus palmatus.  I was cozied up to the fire as the sun was starting to go down and my husband shouted from the woods for me to come quick and bring my camera!  This is the natural light of the setting sun, thank goodness for his good eyes, and giving me enough time to haul my kiester down there!

My theory about poor Caylee

I suspect that perhaps Casey did not intend to kill Caylee, but to keep her quiet while she enjoyed her party life.  I think that she gave her too much chloroform, (any is too much in my opinion), and when Caylee died, Casey refused to accept the responsibility and consequences for the tragedy that her actions caused.

I can not fathom the mindset of any mother who is capable of partying while her child is missing, or recently deceased.  

I guess that my biggest problem with this is that I expected justice to be served.  But as Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. once quipped;  "This is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice."

I'm a firm believer in Marin Luther King Jr.'s quote that, "Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere."

I have faith that Casey will get what she deserves someday, via karma, as will we all, one way or another.

Our crazy critters

We rescued both of our furry girls from the local humane society.  Our cat about 8 years ago, and our dog about a year and a half ago.

Queen Cat came into our home as a very cocky kitten, tail and head held high and ready to conquer!  She climbed everything, including the fireplace.  She can be very sweet and lovable, but only when she deems it necessary, she will demand her affection from you when SHE is ready for it and ONLY then.  She loves the checkbook, and the flyswatter, and will come-a-runnin' to be swatted with either and then rub 'em up with her "love-scented cheeks."  She will smugly ignore a call of "here kitty, kitty, kitty," but when my husband whistles once she's on the way.  She spends most of her days luxuriating in the softest, warmest, nooks she can find.  But like all good things her reign as sole furry beasty of the house came to an end when we brought home that crazy Dog!

We suspect that Crazy Dog was abused before coming to live with us as she tends to "go Psycho" often.  Hearing a car door close, (no matter how far away),  or a doorbell ring, (even on television), sends her into a barking frenzy!  She seems a mean dog to any passersby as she charges the fence barking furiously, (and even trying to climb over on occasion), but I think that she's really afraid of anyone she doesn't know, (human or animal), and that she tries to scare them away with her booming voice.  To us she is a lovable moose.  She won't even steal food from Queen Cat if she gets a table scrap first, she waits her turn, albeit impatiently.  This summer my daughter has filled her old ladybug sandbox with water on the very hot days.  It is hilarious watching this huge dog splash into this tiny "pool" and try to swim circles!  Most of the water splashes over the side when she first plops in, but it does not deter her in the least, she even bobs her head under to cool off just a bit more.

Our lives are certainly more hectic since we adopted our girls, but they've been richer for all of the insanity too!

Early in the morning...

I relish the quiet of the early morning, sitting on the front steps with a warm cup of joe, soaking up the quiet!  It's a magical time when the "hood" doesn't seem too bad afterall.  I can hear my own thoughts,  the scolding of the chickadee reminding me to refill the feeder, the tinkling of my wind chimes, the song of a distant cardinal, or the hammering of that silly woodpecker.

I watch an elderly gentelman being pulled down the sidewalk by his little black and white dog, (Brody), who wants to go faster, faster, faster!  I notice the sun inching a little higher in the sky, and try to drink in all of the beautiful colors of the flowers and the various shades of green of the trees, grass, and shrubs.

A few more languid deep breaths of peacefulness until the spell is broken by the blaring of sirens, a train, someone driving by trying to share his favorite song with everyone within a radius of 5 blocks... (sigh).

As Miss Scarlet would say, "Fiddle-dee-dee", thank goodness that, "Tomorrow is another day!"