Saturday, May 30, 2015

Hello yet again

I am having a huge issue with Blogger vs. Windows Live Writer. From what I've been able to discover, it's a Microsoft issue and Twitter blew up over it just a few days ago. Until I get it figured it, I'm trying to post directly through Blogger, something I haven't done in years, so bear with me!

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It goes without saying that I haven’t been putting myself out there in blogland lately, but there . . . I’ve said it regardless. I’m not going to apologize but I will admit wholeheartedly that I’ve missed you. I’ve missed your kind words and your visits to this space and I’ve especially missed writing. I really have been busy and I don’t think there was a single weekend, until this one, that I’ve actually been home.

Earlier this month, I was in Massachusettes for my youngest niece’s graduation from Smith College.



It was beautiful. The weather was perfect and spirits were high. And it was such a pleasure being with my family. I’m sure they are still waiting on the photos I took that weekend but I haven’t had much time to work on them. Excuses, excuses.



My computer is running a bit slow and it’s taken me over an hour so far to edit the few photos I took this morning, then to open my blog writing program (Windows Live Writer). I ended up having to shut down once.

I’m afraid the writing is on the wall with this laptop. I’ve had it since August 2010 but I’m not going to say anything out loud for fear that it will hear me. I’m like that with machines ~



My niece on her graduation day. I have such high hopes for her future. She graduated with honors and has a great job lined up, a new apartment, and a new life away from her long years of study. So glad for her.
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Last weekend, I visited friends in NJ and then went to a barbecue at Helen & Bob’s. Helen is my husband’s sister. My son (the one who lives in NYC) came down for the weekend and it was so great to see him again.

And look who is getting so big!





Baby M turned two in March and I think it’s time to stop calling her Baby M on this blog. Her name is Maddie and her new bff is my eldest son, who she calls “Unca Matt”.



Blowing bubbles with Unca Matt.


Maddie’s mother. My lovely niece, Kim.

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This morning my alarm went off at 5:48 AM like it was a work day. At first, I was very upset because I was certain that my work week had ended but I guessed that I was wrong. Then I quickly realized it was Saturday but now couldn’t fall back to sleep. So I came downstairs, put on the coffee, and then opened the front door to let in Miss Blackie, who had spent the night camping outside.

And zoom . . . from behind me raced Kitten Kitten. Oh, holy heavens. I’d let my son’s cat outside.



This is the first time the cat has gone outside without being constrained. I think it’s silly, quite frankly. The cat belongs to my youngest son (the one who lives here with me) and I believe he’s afraid that the cat will run up one of the giant trees on the property and not be able to get down. My opinion is that it’s a cat. If they run up a tree, they’ll eventually come down when they get hungry. But my son doesn’t really listen to me.

I fretted for a little bit, especially after the damn thing promptly ran up one of the big trees on the property. I’m not kidding. Then I decided to relax about it and went inside to get the camera. By the time I’d popped on the long lens and came back outside, the cat was making its way back down the tree. All was well.

As you can tell from the photo above, I still haven’t addressed all of the weeds on that are growing between the bricks of the back patio. I have most of it done but the cats preferred to stay on that weedy section of it for this morning’s photo shoot.

* snort *



As you can also see, I still have pansies and johnny jumps in my planters. This is something else I need to address this weekend.



My best buddy.


 Kitty poser.

I finally got the kitty back into the house although he yowled with displeasure at this affront to his freedom.

I really think he can go outside from now on, though. My son is just being over-protective.


 My goal for this weekend: Clearing out this weed garden, putting in my husband’s giant aloe plant tubs and planting shade flowers around it. I have been meaning to do this all month and finally have set some time aside for this task. Wish me luck, ok?

So good to see you again. Thanks for taking the time to visit me here ~


35 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

What a beautiful grey tabby kitten (don't tell Miss Blackie though - she is beautiful too). You are quite right - we had a Siamese who went up on to next door's roof when we moved house. We rang the fire brigade who said if he was still there two days later to ring again as he would come down when he was hungry - they were quite right. He appeared, rather sheepishly, at tea time!

Jill of All Trades said...

It's nice to "read" you words again and see the beautiful photos. I admit I've been missing too. Just so much to do that I can't seem to stop to form thoughts.

Nellie said...

Welcome back! I've been away awhile, too. I have always posted through Blogger and have had no problem there. It sounds like you've had some wonderful time with family. "Baby M" is truly a baby no longer! Have to laugh about your cat experiences. They do have their own minds! xo

Sheila said...

Glad to hear from you. Sounds like you have been keeping busy; it is good to be with family. Take care,and enjoy your weekend!

happyone said...

Nice to see a post from you. : ) Sometimes life keeps us too busy to blog.
Maddie is adorable.
Good luck with those weeds and flower planting.

Michelle said...

Lovely photos as always; glad you said "hello." That second photo is mesmerizing; the top of the building looks celestial!

Sabrina Steyling said...

You and your son have such beautiful animal friends! George is handsome as always, and Kitten Kitten and Miss Blackie are equally wonderful. I love 'em all. :)

Congratulations to your niece on her college graduation! And Maddie is indeed getting so big! What a sweet little lady she is.

The Furry Gnome said...

Nice to hear from you!

JaneK said...

glad you are getting some time with family and friends!
love how surprised both kitties look in that one pic.
as always, thanks for the post and letting us visit..... now carry on :-)

Gail said...

I think the same of cats. I've noticed they have a new reality show about some guys who rescue small cats from great trees. I don't watch tv much!

I have weeded my patio several times already thanks to all the wonderful rain we keep receiving

Your activities are just what you were supposed to do. Enjoy your weekend. If you get distracted and the weeding doesn't get done, photograph the weeds, enjoy the time.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Well hello there! and I have always been one of those who thinks the cats should be able to come and go if they so choose.

Hilarious that the first thing he decided to do was climb a tree.

Country Gal said...

Lovely photos . Glad to see all is well in your neck of the woods .Yup same here with Windows Live Writer it is world wide . Bloggers and web site managers are furious and the CEO of Microsoft Scott Hansleman is also a blogger and is on the problem getting it fixed and trying to make it a open course site which in turn is better for blogging so we will have Live writer back up soon . In the mean time I have been using blogger template as well but I do miss using Windows Live Writer . Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !

Lee Owenby said...

So happy to hear from you. Love all the photos but especially the one of the cat sniffing the flowers.

mary said...

Nice to hear from you. Your animal friends look happy and healthy! Life get busy and in the way from blogging now and then, but we're thankful when you have time. We're taking our 1st trek up to Maine the end of June-will be thinking of you!

mary said...

Nice to hear from you. Your animal friends look happy and healthy! Life get busy and in the way from blogging now and then, but we're thankful when you have time. We're taking our 1st trek up to Maine the end of June-will be thinking of you!

Hilary said...

Don't be so hard on yourself.....blog/write when it moves you, and when it does, your friends will all say, "Yay, she's back." I have found that just going with the flow really is the answer to most everything.
:)

jinxxxygirl said...

Oh lady you have been missed. But i see your life has been full to overflowing and for that i'am happy. :) You just come visit whenever you can we will be here waiting. Lovely photos! Hugs! deb

Gayle said...

Thrilled to see you back but so totally understand bloggus interruptus. We are just pleased when we get to join you. Love the photos, weeds are a part of life, as are the wildflowers. Thanks for such a fine read today!

Daryl said...

hello you! i have only always used Blogger and it suits my needs plus as a Mac person i wouldn't use anything Windows .. did you know MS is giving IE the boot? and not going to replace it .. doesn't matter to me but i bet lots of MS geeks will be upset

Kitty is getting to be a Cat no longer a kitten and so pretty .. you're right, they seem to find their way when it time to eat/be fed .. rattle a box of kibble and they're there

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi! Glad things are going so well for you and that you're keeping so busy this spring. :) I keep my cat on a long rope outside too...I used to be afraid of cars but now I'm afraid of the trees and losing her in a new town. It does make me sad because I know she just wants to run and play in the grass.

You're right...you don't need to make any excuses for taking time away, but I do miss your posts. xo

jo said...

We've missed you. Welcome back. Yes, bite the bullet and get a new computer. You will not be sorry. I got a big screen IMAC and love everything about it.

Jamie said...

I always enjoy looking at your photos, glad to see a new post. I've been MIA in the blogosphere now and then myself. Life is busy and sometimes I'm too busy living it to blog about it (or so I tell myself. Gorgeous college campus and congrats to the new graduate! Whenever someone makes a comment about cats stuck in trees My dad (he is a retired fire fighter and not much of a cat lover) says, "You ever see a cat skeleton in a tree?"

thotlady said...

Busy, busy, I guess that is good. Nice to hear from you.

sharon said...

I love cats. They are in their own little world. And Dogs are your best friends for life. Neither one will judge you. okay maybe the cat will give you a look of disgust once in a while. They have to let you know whose boss. :) It's nice that you still have the temps for pansies. I love them!

Tracey Grumbach said...

What a lovely start to the summer. Your pictures are as beautiful as ever, my dear. Miss you!

Kerri Farley said...

Your pets are sooooo photogenic! and Maddie is adorable of course!
Glad to see you posting again ....it's always fun to catch up.
Your school should be ending soon, right? Or has it already?

beth said...

i love that kitten kitten survived the outdoors!!!
and weeds, i think we all just need to embrace them and walk away……lol

xo

Bluebird49 said...

Missed you and your best buddy there--and the cat (s), of course. I used to use Windows Live Writer many moons ago when I blogged. I loved it, too. But then..I ran out of things to say--I'm glad you haven't, cause I do miss your posts!

Sounds like you are keeping busy--I know that's a good thing. You've got such a good-looking family, Kate!
I see you still have a roomer with you, and I hope things are going well with both of you. Miss hearing from you!

xx Trudy/Ellen/Sybil/whoever!

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Country Gal said...

Windows is back up and running they fixed it for a week now and all works good and I am glad as I love using it ! Lovely photos and post . Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !

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