Ramblings

Just some random thoughts and observations today.

(1) One Mean Pie.
Remember I said I had to find things to do with my time? Well, a friend of mine has a plum tree that puts out these amazingly sweet, juicy plums. She called to say the plums were ripe, if I wanted to come pick some. I did. A huge bagful. Nobody can (nor, for the sake of their digestive system, should they) eat so many plums. But they were really, really ripe. So I peeled and cut up about 20 of them, added some blueberries, and made a homemade pie! For added measure, I made a some homemade vanilla ice cream. I swear I only eat one piece of pie a day!


(2) Squirrel Aid.
I mentioned that it was 106 degrees here the other day. You know, that's pretty hot. The dogs and I went outside only briefly for quick potty breaks (well, them, not me) and quick splashes in the kiddie pool. Because of the big tree in the middle of our yard and telephone lines, the place is a veritable squirrel super highway. Well, I tell you what. The squirrels have been hot too. Now I don't like that they rouse the dogs and make them bark like maniacs. And I don't like that they eat the persimmons from our tree long before they turn orange. But I feel badly when it is so doggone hot. So I take the hose and spray the base of the tree to cool it off. The squirrels will come down (once the dogs are back in the house) and lie flat-bellied in the dirt or on the cool bark of the tree in the shade. It's really quite an odd to see them splayed out like that if you've never seen such a thing before, so I snapped a few pictures which are not very clear since I had to super-zoom from inside the house. The squirrels in these photos will lie still, in these positions, until the dogs go back outside and chase them up the tree.




(3) Wacky P reaches new heights.
So the other day my DH was on the phone with his mom and I heard him say, "Wait till I tell BWUB about that!" Wacky P lives only about 10 minutes from us. Apparently she is having a squirrel invasion as well, and the varmints are working over her garden. She got her husband (oh, I'm sure it was her idea) to get a BB gun and shoot the squirrels. No shit. Now look, if you live in the country and you have to shoot wild animals to protect yourself or your property, I totally get that. But we live in the freaking suburbs! So first of all, I'm just flabbergasted that they're shooting and killing the squirrels. But wait. It gets better. Can you guess? Oh yeah, I think you can! What would one do, after all, once they have shot and killed a squirrel in their yard? Why, they cook it and eat it, of course! No, I am not kidding you. Wacky P is serving roast squirrel to her children for dinner. This throws a whole new light on my sil (gag).

(4) Awkward luncheon.
Tomorrow I am going to a business luncheon. I used to go every month, but did not attend the past two months. Tomorrow's presentation will be given by three women who will discuss how to make law firm partner. One of the presenters is a woman partner at the law firm from which I was laid off. I worked closely with her on a few cases. I think she is mean, micromanaging and a snob. I know from the lips of a senior partner that none of the associates like working with her because she is so horrible to people. So...it could be awkward. But it won't be. Know why? Because I'm pregnant and I'm happy and I know that the reason she is so mean is because she is insecure and unhappy in her life. I'll smile and eat my vegetarian polenta quietly.

(5) Mouse poop?
Can anybody tell me what these little nubby things are on my tomato leaves? They look like tiny mouse poop or something. I just flick it off or hose down the plant first thing in the morning. But I'd like to know what I'm dealing with.


That's about it for today.
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