Monotone Monday

Happy Memorial Day, everybody. Enjoy your day, but remember why it is a holiday.

PhotoHunt - Memorial

The purpose of Memorial Day, which will occur on Monday May 31st, is to commemorate U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. This picture was taken at the Essex County 9/11 Memorial in West Orange, New Jersey. In addition to honoring those who died in the World Trade Center on 9/11, I think this soaring eagle statue is fitting for remembering those who died while serving the United States in the military. May they all be remembered for their sacrifice.

Floof on Friday

I am gathering my strength for the weekend - with Memorial Day on Monday, my Dad will be home for three days in a row, and as much as I love it, snoopervising him and begging for decktime (he gives in more than Mom) can be quite tiring!

Thursday in the Garden with Simba

Mom intended to get a picture of me inspecting my new Impatiens plants, but I got waylaid at the catnip plant, which I have not seen since they went away. I decided it needed some serious pruning, because it has grown quite a bit. To stop me over-pruning it, Mom ended up snipping off a piece and giving it to me to love on.

My parsley and chives are doing well in the background - I also did a bit of pruning on the chives. For some reason, the basil almost died when they were away. Maybe it got too cold, as we had some surprisingly cold weather for a few days. So they have some new basil plants and oregano now. Dad even bought and transplanted four cherry tomato plants. Based on his previous lack of success growing tomatoes here, don't hold your breath to see any fruit until late August, if ever. They are in the sunniest part of the deck, but we still have too much shade.

Next week I will try to update you on those, as well as the impatiens, which are newly planted in four planter boxes. That's my deck-garden folks!

Wordless Wednesday

For Maxdog and His Family

We join with so many others in the blogosphere in wanting to pay tribute to Maxdog, who died yesterday after a long, brave battle.

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wondrous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.
'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

cg - 1995

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/beyond.htm

Me on Monday

Mom and Dad got home on Saturday night. We were very excited to see each other. I did stick like glue for many hours, but I also love my deck, so after a while I wanted to spend time out there. Mom made me wear my harness some of the time, which means I don't like to move around too much, and prefer to lie on a comfy towel surveying the scene and smelling all the outdoor smells. Sunday was a Good Day.

My friend Gus took good care of me, so no worries there. But I did get kind of lonely. Also, each time yesterday that Mom and Dad left the house for a little while, I greeted them with talkative meows again when they arrived back home, as if I thought they had gone on vacation again.

Last night Mom was useless to me, because she spent HOURS watching LOST on TV. She still doesn't understand it all.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Snowy Egret on Sunday

I am preposting this, but Mom and Dad should be home by now, and I will be following them around and sticking like glue, so I won't be so inclined to spend time at the computer.

I made a mistake a couple of days ago, saying Mom and Dad had seen Snowy Egrets feeding their young in the State Park, when really it was Great Whit Egrets. But here is a Snowy Egret they did see on the beach, eagerly trying to fish. The Snowy Egrets are quite a bit smaller than the Great Egrets. I think I might be able to nom on this guy, but no chance with a Great Egret.

My humans are home. I am really glad!

Surfing

Mom and Dad, one or two don't scare me, but that's a LOT of Rays!

Wowies, that Florida Gulf water is super clear and clean.