Meanderings of a Mermaid

These two photos are of my "back forty" as I call it. And they were taken in early April when many things were still grey. Certainly today the image is very different. I have mowed half of the field now and just about died from the volume of sweat exiting my body. So now I'm waiting for a cooler day to complete the work. I use a push mower and the sunflowers are about 3-4 feet high so it's a duel to the death for sure. Round one goes to me!! In the top photo the tree in the centre is a lovely pear tree that is now bearing ripe, delicious fruit. I am so lucky to have this tree. I love pears. I have dehydrated a bunch, all that I could reach from the ground, and soon will get in there with a ladder and grab some more. If my skin goes green soon Folks, you'll know why. The other trees are pecans and in these "before" photos look pretty scrawny. But just as all the other vegetation over the hot and then wet season, they have thrived and I'm told wil...

This is a nickname I've picked up and I think it suits me quite well. Thanks M. I am all over the place all the time. So now I am back to Home South. It is incredible the feeling I had as I levitated over the empty highways through the north part of Texas. As I got closer and closer to home it struck me how strongly I felt for a place that I was just getting to know. It has to be the people. I've collected up some incredible people, true gems, into my life. Here's a toast to them.

Well it's been awhile for sure but no one said that retirement was going to be a time to slow down. I have made my way north to Home North and am happily settling in at camp. The movers have brought the rest of my belongings to camp and if one more box of stuff shows up I will have to throw a tarp over it outside! All the buildings are full. Guess what I am doing for the next few months? Lots of people say they will come and visit and so I look forward to the laughter and stories that come with good friends. I may even have some Texans braving the long journey to try their hand at some real fishing. Come on up! PS. Now the Texas flag flies beside the Canadian flag on the main cabin.

It was a lovely day for a drive through the country and to practice my gold panning techniques. My expert teacher didn't laugh at my slow progress and eventually I think I was doing a fine job. Unfortunately no gold was to be had today. But get a load of the nice places we splashed in. Yeah, I am in heaven.

So this is the next phase of building an outdoor bed. The mattress is installed and a weatherproof cover as well. It wasn't the fabric I chose or wanted, but there were issues with the colour wearing off with just the slightest handling and wear. So over the phone I had to make a snap decision and couldn't see what I was agreeing to. The toss cushions are lovely oilskin creations I found locally. And the final phase will probably have to wait until fall. Because the mattress is a little smaller than the base, I will build up some wooden rails along two sides. Also I'd like to make a headboard so that the pillows don't go shooting off the end of the bed. Already a few chapters of a good book were enjoyed in the new lounge, along with a little beer and some fritos.

no, it's not a catwalk, but Tika could be modelling the latest Milan creation. The Texas adventure continues. I got it into my head that I should have an outdoor bed. So here is a glimpse at the start of it. Mattress and a weatherproof cover are on their way.

this little gem comes to you from the hill country...