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Let’s start with my candy cane dianthus.

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It may not taste like peppermint, but it always puts on a show.

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My lovely line of what once were bushy, thick and healthy marigolds has been nibbled to shreds. Don’t listen to gardeners who tell you nothing will eat them. The woodchucks are dining al fresco as we speak.

I realize I haven’t done an update on my husband’s sister lately. There’s never anything good to report, but life goes on.

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Here’s a sad picture… my husband cutting up the food his sister won’t eat at the nursing home. Hard to believe she’s the younger sibling of the two. There’s no good news here, she’s terminal and hanging on even though she doesn’t want to. Her breathing is labored and painful and yet she tries to bum cigarettes from nurses and other patients. We visit once or twice a week and try to be cheerful but making conversation with someone who’s every other sentence is about wanting to die is heartbreaking. It’s such a sad situation and at this point, though I hate to admit it… her passing will almost be a blessing.

On a happier note I bring you squirrel splooting.

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Yes, that’s what it’s called when squirrels lay flat on their bellies to cool off.

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In other news our local pub has a bartender who experiments with alcohol infusions. I’m happy to say the strawberry mint rum was a winner and makes a fabulous mojito.

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I should know, I had three… alongside some wonderful warm pretzel bites with beer cheese.

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