The oldest crocus

When I bought my house, there was a, well, shack next door which I eventually bought and demolished. The people who owned it had planted various flowers here and there but most were destroyed when the place was torn down. Several croci remained and bloomed faithfully every spring. When the barn was built and the yard bulldozed, I assumed the old bulbs were gone. After all they had been around for more than 40 years. Last spring I was very happy when the two purple flowers appeared. Meanwhile I had the area scraped for large rocks and debris last fall and assumed that would do the bulbs in. Obviously it didn't and I'm very happy! The other one is 10 feet or so from this. I have planted snow croci but never the large ones so I have reason to believe that these are offspring of the original ones if not that old themselves. They are not the sort that birds and animals propagate.

The poinsettias are late

This is not the old huge 40+ year old poinsettia but it is in the same pot. It is one given to Mom and brought home after her death. It has always been straggly probably because it was behind the big one for a couple of years. I need to give it some attention. The old plant hasn't put out any red bracts this year so far.

Yes!

Friday cat blogging on Saturday

I love the way the cats avoid looking at each other. PuddyTat really wants to get up to her place on the kitchen windowsill but she faces the three grey boys. Little One is in the way.

Meanwhile Jellico has returned and is on the cathouse roof for the first time. Dude isn't happy about that.

Earlier PuddyTat wanted her place but Dudie was there. I opened the window which caused Dude to move away. PuddyTat immediately came thru the other box. There was a tense standoff with Dude obviously unhappy and PuddyTat stubbornly staying in place. Paws were raised but no fight. Then Jellico jumped up and PuddyTat left. The girls don't want anything to do with him. Eventually Jellico left and PT was on the windowsill with Dude and Little One in the two boxes. Now Dudie is in the box but the others are probably stalking the night creatures for protein supplements. Fun to watch while doing dishes.

A spring walk

I went for a walk this afternoon to check the progress of spring. I actually heard peepers but couldn't get the movie mode to work on the camera. It has been too cold for peepers or so I thought. Maybe they know something we don't?

Every year the turtles in the pond get a little larger.

The geese know me and head for the water when they see me. So far I haven't had to chase them off the yard this year.

The oak trees aren't willing to surrender last year's leaves yet.

I wish I could have caught on camera the little beaver who swam up to here then dived under.

S/he appeared just the other side of this dam but you can't see it.

A welcome bit of color in a mostly tan and grey world.

The Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is growing new leaves already.

A ground squirrel watches me nervously.

A daffy will bloom tomorrow?

Meanwhile, Tim just enjoyed the sun.

Jesus said, "Love..."

No longer waiting

Scene today. Same places as yesterday's post.

The daffys in the sun in front of the house are getting tall.

Even the daylilies are showing signs of life.

Spring iz sprung.
The grass iz riz.
I wonder where
Da flowers iz.

Da boid is on da wing.
Oh my woid.
How absoid.
I thot da wing wuz on da boid.

Many thanks to a 4th grade English teacher in New Castle, PA.

Waiting for sun

Clicking will embiggen.

Done, mostly

All but the livingroom clock are ready for tomorrow. Will you miss church?

The world's cutest grandniece and grandnephew

We had an adventure at the Children's Museum today.

You can see the rest of them here.

Friday shuffle

1. City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie
2. Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man - Bernstein, NY Phil
3. We Three Kings - Straight No Chaser (sorry I usually skip Christmas)
4. Mellow Yellow - Donovan
5. Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head - B.J. Thomas
6. Krakowiak Polka
7. Vierne: Symphonie VI, Finale - Michael Farris
8. Everybody's Talkin' - Nilsson
9. Send in the Clowns - Judy Collins
10. The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant

More Friday cat blogging

Besita was the first to greet me this morning.

She sniffed my coat.

Then she took possession.

Cats are such funny people.

Friday cat blogging

A couple of days ago, PuddyTat forgave me for abandoning her for a week and sought attention at the kitchen window. As far as I know there had been no cats on the cathouse roof for a couple of weeks as all were either in the garage or on the second level. I was able to wash all the blankets. PT liked that apparently and has been sleeping in her box. This morning, Little One decided there must be something interesting going on and joined PT. After eating, LO took over the box but PT wanted the box and rather violently in her way pushed Little One toward the window. No big deal however as there is a blanket there too. Love my cats!

Prayers, please

A year ago I attended a birthday party in Hickory, NC. Lutheran pastor, conductor and composer Paul D Weber had arranged it for himself. Yesterday I learned that Paul has suddenly been diagnosed with cancer – not sure what kind yet, but blood-borne (leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma). He has had two major spinal surgeries to remove a tumor and reconstruct his spine.

Paul's wife Florence Jowers is one of my most favorite friends and Paul is probably my favorite Lutheran pastor. They open their home to me every time I'm in the neighborhood. I carry them and their three kids close to my heart.

Several years ago Paul and I went to Golden Corral for supper as Florence was busy. He has had grey hair for years while I have few. I mentioned senior discount which the gal immediately applied. Paul was conflicted as he was not yet old enough to qualify. He looked at me but said nothing and paid the lower amount. I'm such a terrible influence.

Please pray for Paul, Florence, Amanda, Erin, Jeffrey and their farflung family as well as the medical people who are treating him.

How does the truth overcome lies when the only TV watched only repeats the lies?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

If only they would watch Rachel!

Moving yet?

Check out Lester & Charlie at bandwooley.

Economy has hit bottom?

Thanks to Failblog.org.

Paris photos

All the Paris photos are now online here. Meanwhile these are not what most of us think of as crepes, are they? They are whole wheat. Mine contained mushrooms and cheese. Hers contained bacon and cheese. We had dessert crepes with caramel that were to die for and were the more traditional white but still square. The place is Josselin Creperie, 67 Rue du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris, France. Don't miss it.

Friday cat blogging on Saturday

Little One sticks his nose into Tommie's breakfast.

Tom enjoys the sun and warmth from the sun on the siding. He is a tired battered old warrior this time of year.

Little One sat still just long enough for a photo. He was under the neighbor's porch earlier when I took their mail over. I suspect that will be a stinky place when the sun warms it up.

Even Dudie was out and about.

PuddyTat is still mad at me for going away.

Tim munches on the canned food I put out for Tommie.

PuddyTat took a few bites too. Little One approached but knows better than to horn in on the matriarch of the clan.

Four of the clan enjoying the sun. Tommie, Little One, PuddyTat and Tim in the foreground.

Friday shuffle

1. Handel: The King Shall Rejoice - Kings College
2. A Summer in San Francisco - Hendrick Maurkens
3. Our Day Will Come - Ruby and the Romantics
4. Rock Me - Steppenwolf
5. Mozart: Requiem, Confutatis - Bach Choir of Pittsburgh
6. Good Golly, Miss Molly - Little Richard
7. Montana Cowboy - Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard
8. Baby, It's You - Shirelles
9. Anyone Who Had a Heart - Dionne Warwick
10. I Can't Help Myself - Four Tops

In Paris... updated... again

If you are interested in following, I've posted photos on my Picasa page here.

More photos but they are not edited yet. And I've not yet mastered loading photos from a dark side machine so go here. Lots of garbage to be fixed when we get home tonight.

Photos of Notre Dame and Chartres among other stuff... use the 2nd link above.

Not

on the way to Paris. Yet. Flight cancelled. Rescheduled to fly thru Atlanta tomorrow. Stay tuned...

By the way, the delay is good for the cats as the neighbor who feeds them is away till Saturday. Of course, they may not get home when planned. Snow has disrupted lots this year. Tho I suspect the flight tonight was canceled less because of the weather and more because it was only half full.

Off to Paris

IF the weather gods allow us to get off the ground at PIT and the air traffic controllers allow us to land at CDG, I'll be flying to Paris. Doubt there will be any blogging but who knows? Be safe, warm and happy while I'm gone. Don't start any fights you can't finish. Scritch and pet the critters. And hug whenever you get an opportunity.

Prayers, please

Please pray for Pat Donahue, our priest's wife. She is in Allegheny General in Pittsburgh with an as yet undiagnosed condition which, among other problems, interferes with her rheumatoid arthritis meds leaving her in constant severe pain. Please pray for those trying to treat her, her husband Larry and their family as well. Thanks.

Ashes from this lay perspective...

There seems to be a big flap about clergy meeting people at public venues like the subway to give them ashes without the liturgy that normally accompanies Ash Wednesday. There are opinions here and here and here and here. I find the Ash Wednesday liturgy especially moving whether in my former Lutheran or current Episcopal setting. Part of the flap is the perception that getting ashes without the accompanying liturgy is meaningless, symbolic of the superficiality of today's culture. I have mixed feelings about it. While I agree that something is missing, I believe that those who sought the dirty forehead still have some connection to faith in spite of what many are doing to alienate people from Christianity. If there are clergy who are willing to get up at the crack of dawn, endure nasty weather and provide even this almost remote connection to the Gospel to anyone who asks, they should be celebrated or at least thanked. Who knows how many of those folks will one day return to a parish? No matter how tenuous, the connection needs maintained somehow.

Friday cat blogging

I opened the kitchen window yesterday when PuddyTat wanted attention. I scritched and petted her for many minutes while Little One and Dude watched. They do not fool with the matriarch.

Friday shuffle

1. Mambo Italiano - Rosemary Clooney
2. Blue Velvet - Bobby Vinton
3. I Wanna Be Loved By You - Helen Kane
4. You Don't Own Me - Leslie Gore
5. Body and Soul - Ray Brown
6. If I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & Pips
7. Persichetti: Celebrations - Bach Choir of Pittsburgh
8. Chicago Land Polka
9. I Love the Nightlife - Alicia Bridges
10. Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
11. PDQ Bach: Prelude to Einstein on the Fritz

Memorial evensong in Erie, PA

RC Bishop Donald W Trautman spoke of Bishop Robert Rowley's involvement with ecumenical relations in Erie at the memorial service on 14 February 2010. The Honorable Dr. Stephanie Domitrovich spoke of Rowley's involvement with the fellow lawyers in Erie. Bishop Sean Rowe reminded us that he was working in a history professor's office at Grove City College when he first met Bishop Rowley. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever expect to be the person to succeed him as bishop of the diocese. The service was appropriately contemplative and celebratory. The music was excellent, of course.