I remember when quality meant something.

August 26, 2023 Rivergirl 20 Comments

One of our favorite watering holes has been disappointing us lately.

Not with the cocktails, they’re still perfect… as this fresh blueberry mojito demonstrates. But the food, which is more than a tad overpriced, has been letting us down on a regular basis and that’s sad.

This is a seared scallop on vegetable risotto dish I’ve always adored. And while it looks lovely, the risotto crunched… which it definitely shouldn’t do.

This massive portion of mashed potatoes the husband was served with his salmon arrived stone cold. But when he complained and asked them to reheat them? They brought him another large portion of cold potato. Eating out with my husband should require a travel size blow torch because nothing is ever hot enough. Even when he asks the waitress to make doubly sure it’s steaming.

The final nail in the proverbial food coffin? I ordered a Bananas Foster cake for dessert.

And it didn’t have any bananas!

WTH?

😖

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Random bits.

August 26, 2023 Rivergirl 28 Comments

I’ve always loved bugs and insects, the bigger and weirder the better. My father used to swear he found a new variety in the garden every year and I believe it’s true. Their diversity is amazing.

That being said, you know I was thrilled when I found this little beauty in my flower bed the other day.

Now that’s a spider!

Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this product’s Amazon pricing?

🥴

I think we’re down to four woodchucks now.

I haven’t seen six together for quite a while so I’m guessing momma finally booted some of their big butts out of the burrow.

Damn.

I wish they’d had these when I was young and in love with dinosaurs.

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Up close and personal.

August 25, 2023 Rivergirl 11 Comments

The other day my husband went to the woodshed to pull out his garden cart and came back in the house shortly after.

“I think one of your woodchucks is hurt” he said.

That made me drop what I was doing and rush out back to find this:

Junior, momma chuck’s full grown offspring from last year.. the one who never left the nest, was wedged in between the cart, some wood and a few landscaping bricks.

Or was he?

I knelt down, spoke softly and determined he wasn’t stuck… just scared.

We backed off, hid around the corner and waited for 10 minutes but he wouldn’t move.

Wanting to get on with his chores the husband slowly pulled the cart out of the shed and bam!

Junior was off like a shot to hide under the deck.

Not hurt, just antisocial.

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Let’s play.

August 25, 2023 Rivergirl 32 Comments

Because laughter is good for your health, that’s why.

Finish this sentence…

Well aged and from Scotland.

Smokey, firm and full bodied.

Able to leave me breathless.

Feel free to change men to women… and tell me how you like your whiskey.

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Crying… and laughing at the same time.

August 24, 2023 Rivergirl 9 Comments

It’s fallen to me to gather old photos of my husband’s late sister for her celebration of life.

Her daughter is still having a hard time…so the get together will be small, informal, and at her home. I’m going to set up a table of remembrance with flowers, this plaque…

A guest book where people can share memories…

A flameless candle…

And a large digital frame filled with pictures that will play continuously like a slideshow.

It’s been bittersweet collecting and uploading the photographs.

Life.

It’s fleeting…

And over far too soon.

I shed quite a few tears looking at the 160 pictures I’ve pulled together, but every once in a while I’d smile. Like when I found this old family portrait proof of my husband and his 8 brother and sisters. (Hint- he’s the one in uniform. Top left.)

And sometimes I even laughed.

That’s my husband, standing behind his late sister on the right. The couple with them had just gotten married and I think he was the best man.

I may have to print one of these for framing.

😉

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Pink sky at night…

August 24, 2023 Rivergirl 20 Comments

There’s always something beautiful to see when you live in the country.

Last night?

It was a gloriously pink sky.

A sailor’s delight for sure.

But I liked it too.

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Hummingbird wars.

August 23, 2023 Rivergirl 15 Comments

We have two hummingbird nectar feeders on our back deck. (Sugar and water only please. Don’t buy that packet with the awful red dye. Use red glass feeders instead.)

2023 has been a banner year for hummers and I don’t think we’ve ever seen this many at one time. But with high numbers come battles, because while they’re beautiful … they’re also quite territorial.

The minute one sits down to feed, another arrives to chase it off.

Please appreciate the fact I had to take 20 photos to get these two of the little jewels in flight. Those little suckers are quick.

Here’s a short video of a male and a female. They drank together for a short while.

And if that wasn’t amazing enough?

Three hummers. Happily feeding together…

That’s never happened before.

❤️

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My body has developed a sense of humor, but I’m not laughing.

August 23, 2023 Rivergirl 39 Comments

Me and my body used to be pals. It performed well, was always there when I needed it and rarely let me down. I’ve never had a cavity. Or a broken bone. Or a migraine. Or heartburn. I still have my wisdom teeth, my tonsils and my appendix. My body was a well oiled machine and had never been in the hospital until I had a full abdominal hysterectomy in 2015 which threw me into menopause before I was ready.

My body was not pleased.

And the bitch has been seeking revenge ever since.

Weight gain. Fatigue. Night sweats. Joint pain. Insomnia. Hot flashes. Brain fog.

Yes, it’s safe to say I don’t even recognize this creaking, flabby husk in which I now reside.

I have a bum knee that won’t heal. A recurring pinched nerve in my neck which flares up as I sleep. Yes, even going to bed is dangerous now.

I have bunions which painfully distort my toes. When I’m staying home? I get to wear sexy accessories like this:

Which because it’s black Velcro attracts Lord Dudley’s cat hair. Such a good look.

Not.

And every once in a while… just because it’s bored? My body does something weird that has me saying WTF!

As it did yesterday morning when I woke up looking like this:

*Warning- photos of me without hair and makeup to follow.

Proceed at your own risk.*

What the… what?

Half of my face was red, swollen and my eyes were puffy.

The lids were so enlarged it was hard to keep them open.

And I had absolutely no clue why. Nothing bit me. I didn’t brush against anything poisonous. It didn’t hurt or itch… it was just there when I woke up.

I iced it.

I took Benadryl.

And 10 hours later?

I was still red and puffy and looked like someone punched me.

Knock it off body.

You’re not the least bit funny.

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Things seen while shopping.

August 22, 2023 Rivergirl 15 Comments

I went out thrifting with a friend the other day. We both love a bargain and had a ball at Goodwill and Salvation Army. You never know what treasure awaits.

Banana Republic linen blazer for $3? Yes please. Talbot weekender chinos for $2? I was all over that.

And as we stepped into the parking lot at Goodwill?