NorcalGma2

NorcalGma2, 25 days ago to random

Byron needs attention, too.
He is a very handsome cat.
They both love to hang around the monitors.
#Caturday

NorcalGma2, 25 days ago to random

Quiet day today.
Still adjusting to my new thyroid meds.
Summer says I should rest.
She is helping.

GottaLaff, 25 days ago to Canada

Today's #CountdownToCanada 🇨🇦... we start driving on May 26.

Have a peaceful evening, everyone!

#Canada

video/mp4

NorcalGma2, 25 days ago to random

Summer is in the mood for a big breakfast. She said she would keep an eye on her pal while I cooked.
Teamwork to start our Saturday morning.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer

NorcalGma2, 26 days ago to random

There is a nip in the wind that chills us, but the air is clear after the rain.
Summer is patiently waiting for me to get a photo of this sunset that is too bright for my phone.
I finally gave up on trying to capture what we were seeing. Sometimes, these things are to be enjoyed and appreciated in the moment or not at all.
Using this time to let anxiety float away with the clouds is just what I need to get in the mood for some restful sleep.
Summer says tomorrow fun is something to look forward to, and she is always right.
Have a restful evening, Mastodon friends.
#Sunset

NorcalGma2, 26 days ago to random

I love the critters that congregate around our house. It seems like we are on the wildlife super highway on some days.
I thought Summer might scare them off, but the quail can see that she is usually restricted to her front acre.
She sits super still and watches from the other side of the gate. They totally ignore her.
She is a good dog letting them be, so I can enjoy them too.
#BackyardBirds

Eight California Valley quail foraging in the grass.
Eight California Valley quail foraging in the grass.

NorcalGma2, 26 days ago to random

Sometimes, a dog has to go outside even when it's raining. I decided to get some fresh air and follow Summer on her rounds.
We saw some wet flowers and a bunny.

Yellow rose blossom about half open in the rain.
A wet rain-soaked bunny in the green grass.

NorcalGma2, 27 days ago to random

Today, I am more comfortable than yesterday.
Summer decided we should curl up for a short nap after thirty minutes of speed walking on the treadmill, moving as fast as it would go.
This treadmill doesn't go as fast as a real one, thank goodness. Summer is a dedicated personal trainer and was encouraging me the whole time.
She is an expert at napping and making her humans feel loved, too. A lab of many talents
#Summer

NorcalGma2, 28 days ago to random

Sunset time.
Summer and I went outside for a quick look. She had to bark at the giant daisies in our raspberry patch just because the wind was making them turn. I told her they are staying there until next winter. She isn't sure she is on board with this plan.
I am feeling a little under the weather, probably from my new thyroid medicine.
I do feel lucky that the doctor insisted on tests, and hopefully, everything is fixable.
The sunset sky looks like rain is coming.
I think I will make it an early night.
Take good care, Mastodon friends.

NorcalGma2, 28 days ago to random

My husband is a sweetheart.
I mentioned that my doctor ordered thirty minutes of heart-pounding exercise three times a week. He is very aware that it is hard for me to make arrangements to exercise away from home regularly.
One of the grandkids recently brought me a small, low-profile treadmill that can be stored easily when necessary. The problem is that to go fast enough to get my heart rate up, I feel a little wobbly on it.
I was surprised to see my husband found a solution by sharing his walker. He isn't using it right now, and it actually gives me something to grab if I need to steady myself.
A declaration of love that is better than a card or a box of chocolates.
He is pretty cute and resourceful. A keeper.

NorcalGma2, 28 days ago to random

Can't be all work and no play, so Summer fetched her blue ball to give it a spin. She does love chasing whatever I will throw.
#Summer

NorcalGma2, 28 days ago to gardening

Summer wants to hang outside, and I'm not feeling very high energy, so we decided to tackle the easy job of tying up the daffodils along the walkway to the front door.
I did the tying, and Summer hauled off the random weeds we pulled up along the way.
Job well done, I would say.
Summer gave me a high five.
#Gardening #Summer

NorcalGma2, 28 days ago to random

Matt Beard toot for a Wednesday. This plein air painting is the overview of the beach we visited yesterday. I don't know how Matt got up there and I'm pretty sure it wasn't safe but I do love this painting which lives in a special place in our house.
He aptly named it Precipice.
#MattBeard

NorcalGma2, 28 days ago to random

Today, the three of us are processing some news from my new doctor. I have had a battery of tests, and the results are rolling in.
It seems my thyroid isn't working anymore. I have mostly ignored my health while my husband has gone through cancer treatments.
All of these results are taking me by surprise, but I started a new med and am adjusting my diet and exercise.
Keeping me healthy has bumped up on our priority list.
Summer says she will be my personal trainer.
It will all work out.
Good morning, Mastodon.

NorcalGma2, 29 days ago to random

Lovely trip to the beach today. I forgot to bring my phone so I borrowed a few photos from our grandson.
The day was gray but not too cold, and we had Agate Beach to ourselves. The hike down the hill was a little sketchy when we got to the mud, but we made it with no mishaps.
We ended up spending hours walking down the shore and searching for agates.
We found a few.
Good company and one of my favorite beaches.

Bright green ferns lined most of the trail.
Agate Beach on a gray day looking south.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Summer and I had a warm, perfect evening to hang outside together.
We talked about how much we have in common with the family we love.
My daughter and her dahlia expertise fuels our shared gardening joy.
Our oldest grandson granted my wish when all I wanted was for someone to teach me how to play Zelda, so now we game together when he isn't helping us around the house.
The middle grandson and I share photos of the beauty we find with our camera, plus I teach him how to cook my way.
The youngest grandson loves to help me plan what to bake for them next and is the sweetest, most chill person I know.
We keep our relationships interesting by being interested and sharing each other's interests.
Summer says, "Aren't we lucky that we both love sunsets?"
I said we are.
We love sharing with our Mastodon community, too, and we always get more than we give.
Thank you.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Today did not allow for very much downtime, but if I say Summer, let's go see the flowers. She runs out the door and takes me directly to the dahlias. We watch every day for the last one to sprout.
This afternoon, I got tired of waiting, so Summer helped me dig up the tuber, which turned out to be no good. We managed to sprout nine of the ten we planted, though.
Being a dahlia addict was new to me last year, and I am even worse this year. I have no shame.
Thank goodness my daughter bought me an extra hard to get, dahlia that should be here soon.
Now I have the perfect spot.
It was meant to be.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Matt Beard toot for a Monday afternoon.
This studio landscape is named Study Break. I do remember when he painted this commission. I think it was half of a pair of paintings going to a so cal restaurant or bar.
These large detailed paintings are some of my favorites.
I am probably more likely to win the lottery than to acquire a second one.
Not to say I'm not happy with my collection now. But...
#MattBeard

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Rose blossom number two for 2024. The grandkids planted this one for me earlier this year. They had to put a little cage around it because it was getting nibbled.
Beautiful red with a hint of orange in the middle.
Lucky grandma, I am.
#Rose

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

It's so exciting to see our very first rose bud this year. Looking forward to summertime flowers and veggies.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

When I was growing up, it was considered poor manners to talk about when you did something charitable.
Now, I think I would rather hear that my fellow humans are still capable of kindness and charity. We certainly hear enough about those who are all about enriching themselves.
I have limited means but feel passionate about people having food to eat and will help when we can.
A close friend living in another state is on a fixed income and had to decide between her car registration and insurance or her grocery budget. Everything is expensive.
The three of us decided to buy her groceries for the next month. She got her first instacart delivery from us today. She said it made her cry. It made me cry, too.
There is still good in our world. We just need to make it happen.

NorcalGma2, 1 month ago to random

Summer says it's time for action. Her pal is a little down in the dumps.
We decided the best solution was to bake his favorite pie.
Summer was on board with that plan, so I went in search of enough apples for two pies.
Just in case any of the grandkids are down in the dumps, too.
Pies don't fix anything, but they help and smell really good.
#Summer