Clouds!

The sky was interesting to look at today.
Those dark clouds seemed determined
to take over the white ones...
but as you see the sky remained that bright blue
through it all.
In the end the dark clouds went away!

...sort of like my own mood today...
struggling to keep the dark clouds away
and the sunny-blue-sky day intact!

~~~


Bleeding Heart

Love,

Junie

Music of 'Rush'

This was my music listening of late last night... 'Rush' - a band that started out in the early 70s and is still going strong !

They are: Lead guitarist and vocalist Geddy Lee (born with the name Gary Lee Weinrib) is joined by Neil Peart on drums and Alex Lifeson on guitar and backup vocals. All three members of the band call Canada home.

They are currently on tour to promote their newest album, 'Snakes and Arrows.' I'd love to see them but don't expect to!

Got into a discussion with a friend last night about Rush and decided to look up some videos.

I had little experience (or exposure) with the music of Rush. I had bought one CD-a greatest hits- a while back... Of course, their biggest hits are on this - or most of them!
Well, I really am not sure about how many hits these guys have had- but almost all the songs on my CD can be found on Youtube vids!

Here is one I liked a lot~ take a look!

~~~some of the lyrics of this song~~~


Words by Neil pea rt, music by Geddy lee and Alex lifeson


There are those who think that life
Has nothing left to chance
With a host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance

A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
The stars aren't aligned ---
Or the gods are malign
Blame is better to give than receive

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice.....


Also this....(not on my CD ...wish it was!)

~~~

OK~
Nothing like Rock music to get rid of a headache!
lol- after some hours of watching these videos I found my headache had vanished and I slept like a baby when I finally settled down to sleep...past 1:30 AM!

Skeptics might argue that it was just the stopping of the loud music
( eased the headache and my sheer exhaustion of the long day) that gave me my restful sleep!

No!
It was the music that relaxed me and prepared me for the rest! IMHO!


Love,

Junie Rose

More flowers!

Today I went to do a little shopping. I had a few needed items of groceries but , mainly, I wanted to get 3 more of the 'Knock-Out' rose bushes. I want to fill in that spot along the walkway ( the spot that usually has only weeds! :) ) I got the smaller ones as I couldn't see paying almost double for one just a little bigger. I know these will do fine, once they're planted!

I also got some more Caladiums and some Marigolds! These are the first Marigolds I have bought this summer, though I'm fond of the flower and usually have some growing in my garden! All of these flowers are for the back - along the walkway we are working on.

~~~

Yesterday I got another music package from my friend in Reno.....More Pink Floyd and some others!

I haven't had a chance to get into Pink Floyd yet, but will soon. Thanks, Bonnie!
I had hoped to play them tonight but my headache is gonna force me to bed with a sleep aid soon!


~~~

This day didn't turn out as I hoped...I envisioned getting my roses planted this afternoon... I guess I wasn't thinking how a shopping trip just wipes me out, these days! I'm wasted for the rest of the day! Especially so, this day! Oh well, I just have to roll with the punches- just do the best I can! There's tomorrow!


This last pic is of Honeysuckle-and old fashioned- very fragrant -roses which I have growing at our front entrance! (a courtyard entrance) The Honeysuckle is not a spectacular flower in the way it looks- but-Oh-the smell is heavenly- especially growing next to the roses there. (Honeysuckle is a wild vine type plant-and like most wild plants it can get out of hand...but I love having it!)

Usually the last thing I do before going to bed at night is to walk out into the front garden...The mingled Rose and Honeysuckle fragrance is 'out of this world!'
Sometimes I stand for awhile, just gazing up into the star-studded sky and taking in the sweet smells of the flowers!















~~~This is a little poem I wrote a long time ago- about my flowers~~~



How Will My Garden Grow?


How will my garden grow?
…Marigolds marching in a row!
Zinnias in sunshiny places!
Petunias to fill the odd spaces!

Gardenias and Queen Anne’s Lace,
adding their beauty and grace.
Geraniums and Ivy, in pots,
and sky blue Forget-Me-Nots.

The Mums will be overflowing,
from pots, in which they are growing.
The sweet Seven Sisters will bloom,
adding their special perfume.

Along the fence row there will be
red roses, rambling fragrant and free!
The Peace Rose- ever the rage-
will, naturally, take center stage!


June Kellum
(written in ‘80s)



Junie

Another day at Junie's Place

Just spent a little time with the roses-snipped a little -groomed a little- watered - took a few pics -as is my way!

At one point had to knock a spider off my face. Tried to get his picture but he was too fast for me! :)

I get satisfaction from my gardening efforts, for , who can deny that roses, flowers of all kinds, are beautiful to have around. And the more I do the more I see that needs doing-as far as adding more roses- more flower beds.

Our project at the moment is working on a walkway from our back porch door , along the length of the house to the little spot I have dedicated as Mom's garden! We will need stepping stones for a length of about 17 ft. We looked at some last night. Charles wants the smaller ones (a foot square) but I am insisting on the 18' size. It will look better-IMO- plus , be a safer walkway for this old gal, here!

I want to get all this area taken care of- planted with -whatever- and with a heavy mulch covering! It will cut down on the dirt that accumulates in the screened back porch! The whole area is a built -up bed-type thing-with plantings on the side next to the house...a walkway down the middle (which was never anything but dirt or mulch)-and a wider planting bed on the outside. This has always been over- run with weeds! I made part of this into my herb garden and it is doing great! Another section of it I will probably plant 3 or 4 Knock-Out roses. They are hardy bloomers and spread well...will be a good use of that space!

You can see in one of the pics a Knock-Out bush-and my little old dog Nighty, curled up in the corner. This is the area just in front of the porch.
(Nighty is very old-over 17 years-She is almost deaf and blind!) I don't have the heart not to leave her some cool spots around! She's always been an outside dog!













These roses are the ones I rescued a few weeks back- from that terrible weeded spot behind the fish pond! I KNEW they were worth saving!























~~~

As much as I enjoy my flowers-and all the free time I have in working with them- as much as I enjoy having unlimited time to play with my computer stuff and my photos -as much as I enjoy
my MUSIC listening (which has become so much a part of my life the past 2 - 3 years)......
I really, really miss having my grandkids still around! That old swing looks a little forlorn, doesn't it!






Junie Rose
(Ginga)

Stalking my cats!

Utt-ohh!

Wake up, Buddy! Here comes that weird lady with the camera!








Oh, no! Not again!!!
Can't a guy get any catnapping in
around here ?














You'd think we were a couple of Rock Stars, the way that lady stalks us with that camera!!


OK-

I'm Roger and you're Pete!





'Behind Blue Eyes' - The Who










Love,

Junie

Household Tips

I got this in an Email - I don't often pass these along but thought this was worthwhile!

This is long but there's lots of good tips here that you might find of interest - just pick and choose!

~~~

Got Love Bugs?
Use wet Downey Sheets to remove from car! Other brands work but not as well. Takes a hard spray of water to remove 'paste formed by bugs and sheets...but really works well!!!



PLEASE BE SURE YOU READ THE LAST ONE ABOUT THE CLOTHES DRYER!!!!!!

GREAT TIPS:

1. Reheat Pizza

Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove , set
heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No
soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really
works.

2. Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal , mash till they are all
broken up. Add remainder of ingredients , reseal , keep mashing it up
mixing thoroughly , cut the tip of the baggy , squeeze mixture into egg.
Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

3. Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store , whip it with
your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to
frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar
and calories per serving.

4. Reheating refrigerated bread

To warm biscuits , pancakes , or muffins that were refrigerated , place
them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will
keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

5. Newspaper weeds away

Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet
newspapers put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with
mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening
plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

6 Broken Glass

Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass
you can't see easily.


7. No More Mosquitoes

Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

8. Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with
cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the
squirrels won't come near it.

9. Flexible vacuum

To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an
empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be
bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.


10. Reducing Static Cling

Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a
clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when
wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- ta da! -- static
is gone.

11. Measuring Cups

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot
water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your
ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right
out.

12. Foggy Windshield?

Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the
glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works
better than a cloth!

13. Reopening envelope

If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include
something inside , just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an
hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily

14. Conditioner

Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than
shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way
to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it
in your hair...

15. Goodbye Fruit Flies

To get rid of pesky fruit flies , take a small glass fill it 1/2" with
Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid , mix well. You
will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

16. Get Rid of Ants

Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it , take it
"home", can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so,
especially if it rains , but it works & you don't have the worry aboutpets or small children being harmed!




17. INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS

The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things
around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and
he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean.
(I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He
told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to
the sink, ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh
material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like.
WELL...the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through
it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh
that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film , but
it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft
and static free - that nice fragrance too, you know how they can feel
waxy when you take them out of the box, well this stuff builds up on
your clothes and on your lint screen This is also what causes dryer
units to catch fire & potentially burn your house down with it! He
said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to
keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out & wash it with
hot soapy water & an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six
months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!
How about that!?! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know
dryer sheets would do that. So , I thought I'd share!
Note: I went to my dryer & tested my screen by running water on it. The
water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the
mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water & a nylon brush & I had
it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it the water ran right Thru
the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what
he was talking about!


PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK. NOT ONLY
COULD IT SAVE SOMEONE'S HOME , BUT IT COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.


( I checked my lint filter and this is true!!)


Junie

Spider in my kitchen!

Last night as I was sitting at my desk here...I happened to look down to my left and saw this spider a few feet from me. It was crawling away from me so the beginning of his trek must have started somewhere near my feet! Probably was under my computer desk and just came out for a late night stroll!

Did I panic and run for the broom or a can of Raid? No, my dear Blog Buds! When possible I avoid killing spiders so I calmly stepped over him and got a double paper towel , got it good and wet and picked him up and carefully took him outside!

Well, he's pretty - right? Would you rather have seen a smashed spider? ;)

~~~

First news of the day was from our young renters telling Charles the AC had stopped working! :(

We don't get a huge amount of rent and the possibility of this repair to the AC would have eaten up any profit for the month...and maybe much more! Charlie says to me, "Just another day in paradise!!" Lol-

OK- The first thing to do would be to call a repairman, right??

Most people would- but not my Charlie! The first thing he does is take a look at the situation -any and all - and this problem was no different!

Next time I saw him- maybe an hour later- he was drenched with sweat but had taken the AC apart. He says," There's just 2 things that could be wrong...the motor or the capacitor!"

So next thing to do is take the motor to have it checked. (someplace-I know not where). Turns out it was NOT the motor but WAS the capacitor!

He bought this part for $30.00 something and figured it out- put it all back together...

Next thing I hear is ,"It works!!"

It always amazes me, how he will just tackle a job he knows nothing about and usually figures it out and fixes -whatever...! Hey, he saved hundreds today! :) I'm proud of him!

With all that $ he saved today I'm gonna ask him to go to the garden shop tomorrow in search of some stepping stones to use in my garden. I need about 30...plus several bags of mulch! ;) Can't explain this project but will show you when it's finished.

~~~

Speaking of gardening- I spent some time clipping, weeding, watering - etc- again today! Nothing very major...but I figure if I do a little each day- hopefully- I can keep ahead of the weeds!

My cat-'General'- was about, but was not too willing to pose for pics! He always looks cute, tho, even when he sulks!





We added this small flag to the garden recently!
I always love to see our flag waving in the breeze.

A good day!


Love,

Junie

In my garden today

Today I was drawn to the garden and ended up doing some little tasks that I had not planned to do! (I am very impulsive in these things and most all things!)

I intended just to look and enjoy the flowers- maybe snip some faded blooms from the roses...but then I remembered I wanted to lay these few rocks for a small walkway into the back part of the rose garden! Then I planted the 4 small Caladiums I had planned for this area.





I just enjoy my garden and want everything to look pretty!







This is a very beautiful rose which I don't believe I've posted here - or at least I haven't identified it!
It is the ' Cary Grant 'rose. (Orange)

The pink rose is 'The McCartney.'





















~~~

Look at that! No wonder the birds haven't used that house!!
Those lizards are taking over!














Junie Rose

Last night

Last night at this time I was into a music vid watch. It was- these vids!

It's The Wizard of Oz movie- and Pink Floyd's -'Dark Side of the Moon' - combined! :) It's fun to watch! All links are to be found at this site!

I was up way too late last night-doing fun stuff - and I am up late again tonight....but NOT doing fun stuff. I have been doing cleaning in the kitchen.
Have not heard a single note of music tonight. "A pity," I say! But it's just not a music night, I guess.

Am very weary tonight. Yesterday's shopping in the hot weather and today's hot ride,
(though fun) has worn me out.

Have to go and try for some sleep...Oh, I DO sleep- but quality rest is what I wish for and never seem to find!


Goodnite all,


Junie Rose

Our Victory Ride today...

Do you see a 'Poodle' in the top right part of the clouds?
I do!

Today we went for a Victory Ride!



We were out only 3 hours to our usual 5 or 6. We went for breakfast and then road around for awhile with no definite destination in mind- other than to spend a few moments remembering Mom.








It was a fine day with that blue Florida sky. Very hot, but pleasant when we were moving!

















Too hot to stop for long but here we are stopped to photograph one of the Art Horses.
This one is in front of 'Ocala Breeder's Sales' building.







~ Click on labels to see more Art Horses. ~

~ Click on pics to enlarge ~


It was a good day.


Junie

Rainy Day-continued (Post #2) MUSIC!!!

I was remembering this song by 'Gordon Lightfoot' today and looked for the song lyrics and a Youtube vid. It just seemed to fit the day!

Some Lyrics of...

Rainy Day People

(Gordon Lightfoot)

Rainy day people always seem to know when it's time to call.
Rainy day people don't talk
they just listen till they've heard it all.
Rainy day lovers don't lie when they tell you
they've been down like you.
Rainy day people don't mind if you're cryin' a tear or two.

Rainy day lovers don't hide love inside, they just pass it on.

~~~

I always liked Gordon Lightfoot. He was one who I would always put on my wish list for Christmas! :) I had -still have- most of his albums.
We saw him once in concert, in Miami Beach. Fl. It was a good show which Charles and I both enjoyed a lot.

Listen to this song - Early...
and - Later...
WOW! This is very recent- May, 2007!

~~~

It rained most of the day -not constant but frequent showers all day and no sunshine at all. This is looking out south from my front door.



( Click to enlarge pics )






But my roses are happy. Here's some pictures of their little, soggy, smiling faces! :)




























~~~

Late in the day I found this Youtube of Early WHO!



How could I not smile watching these guys?


Junie :)

Rainy day (and some poems)

Today is a rainy and gloomy day and as much as we still need the rain, these kinds of days bring me down!

I had thought I would go shopping but have decided I don't want to take a chance of getting caught out in a rain storm...or to have a big bill of groceries to contend with on this kind of day!

I guess I will just hang out here at home! Heaven knows there's enough to keep me busy...for instance that sink full of dinner dishes from last night- OR that overflowing laundry room...

...So don't expect anything too exciting to come from 'Junie's Place' today! :)

~~~

These kinds of days have inspired me in the past in my poems- so- who knows what may come today! :)

~~~

The Rain


The rain came down today,
littering blossoms on the ground.
Leaving all in disarray.
Spring’s glory scattered!
…As my love’s been beaten down,
with consistent disregard
- impersonal as the rain-
as if it never mattered.


June Kellum
2004

~~~

The Sky Today


The sky, today,
is dark with clouds.
The sun is hidden well.
And though
I have the heat turned up,
the chill
I can’t dispel!
The gloomy day
has taken hold-
seems settled in to stay.
All things of cheer-
all sunny thoughts-
have all
been chased away!
…But is it just the
sunless day
that chills me to the core?
…Or fear that I have lost you -
will not see you anymore?


June Kellum
2004

~~~

Raindrops


Raindrops fall, relentlessly!
The color in the day,
has vanished so completely-
been taken, clear, away.

Just one name I’ll give it.
Drab describes it well.
The day is wrapped in sorrow,
a dismal shade of pale.

Raindrops on the window
make ripples in my view;
distorting all I’m seeing-
cast in this faded hue.

The world outside seems burdened,
bent down with all the rain;
the way my heart is heavy
and drowning with the pain.


June Kellum

June 25, 2006

~~~


K-

There you have all my rainy day poems!

Not to worry, friends!
I realize into every life a little rain must fall!


Love,

Junie Rose ;)

Ozzy ( cows and chickens - and The Who)

Meet Ozzy!
He's another of my friend, Bonnie's Collies!
Isn't he a good looking guy?
I think so!
Here he is, freshly groomed!
Very spiffy!

*Ozzy is the star of my blog today!*

~~~


Yesterday was a weird kind of day, here on this little farm!

First off- there's the chicken thing! As stated before we gave up on having chickens a few years ago. I just got tired of having them taken by hawks and animals, in the night! Actually, I have had hawks swoop down and take the baby chicks , 2-3 feet in front of me! Not fun to see! So finally I decided I had seen enough and experienced enough of that kind of heartache! (I always became attached to my little hens-and roosters...most had names.)

Recently our neighbors have gotten a rooster and 2 hens. They roam the whole property...but I don't plan to become too close to these birds- so if they disappear it will not be a personal loss for me!

Yesterday Charles delivered a load of hay to an old neighbor friend who lives about 3 miles from us. Hay has been scarce lately so when Charles is able to get extra he is always willing to share. He stayed and chatted for a spell with Mr. John.

On his return home some chickens calmly walked off the hay trailer, as if on a planned trip! I told Charles they were on a field trip for the day! We were both amazed that they hadn't flown off in the distance traveled...but there they were-a handsome rooster and two fine hens!

Immediately, the 2 roosters got in a heated argument! (fight) I saw from my window and went out with my camera but was too late to get the real action. Here they are with the stow away rooster in retreat!

And here is one of the little hens! Very pretty but camera shy!
And a close-up of the big rooster!

We were in a quandary as how to handle this situation, because you can't catch chickens by just walking up to them. Charles said he would offer to buy them . Might make things easier all around! ( and I would be back in the chicken business!) But we knew the chickens were not Mr. John's, but his granddaughter's... and , she,( like I always did) makes pets of her chickens! And she would want then returned.

We decided we'd have to wait until night when the chickens found a place to roost! Did you know you can shine a flash light on a roosting - sleeping chicken, and walk right up to it and pick it up! (they become totally helpless while roosting!) .....But- being the worrier I am- I was afraid they would find a high tree for the night and we'd be unable to get to them! I desperately hoped to be able to return these pet chickens to the neighbor girl!

At dusk I looked around but couldn't find them! :( Charles said he'd wait until it got completely dark before looking further...

Meanwhile...something else was developing... After dinner the door bell rang- I let Charles answer. It was 2 police personnel - to inform him there had been a complaint of some of his cows out! They also told him it was a criminal offense to not maintain your fences and let this happen! :) They were willing to give him a break, since he is not a habitual offender in this 'crime!' Of course he went right down to check things out!

Turns out the 2 calves were NOT ours! It was just assumed because we have cows- and these calves were near our pasture- that they were ours! We figure they must have been bought recently at the cattle sale by someone around here- and they were just scared and got free to wander around - lost and scared!

Get this... the cops asked Charles if he would keep them! And if they are not claimed, they're his! LOL! Well, they are still there this morning-and settled down nicely with our herd!

~~~


Back to the chicken story... Upon looking around (after the calf deal was over) Charles discovered the chickens were roosting for the night in an open shed he has- so he called the neighbors who owned the chickens . They came over- armed with a flash light-and took them-one by one!

The guy jokingly said, "Charlie, if you want chickens that bad we'll give you some! You don't have to steal them." ;)

A VERY strange day!

~~~

Late last night - To Relax- :) - I got into a C/L of some WHO vids! Had a good ole time!
Got to bed very late, but up at my usual time!


Wonder what this day will bring!

Hope yours is a good one!


Love,

Junie Rose

Gnome lady-again!

Last night we had a good , long, downpour of rain! I was happy because I knew it would be good for my garden!

Early this morning I went out to take a look at things! Yes! Everything looked bright and clean- if a bit soggy. I see also, there's a very real need for me and my clippers to team up! ( Hopefully, later today!)
Here are some pictures of my water drenched roses! You can see the clipping I need to do!

~~~

I also got a glimpse of the little Gnome Lady! You may remember her from my earlier encounter with her! ~here~
She seems to like spending time inside the gazing balls because that's where I saw her the previous time, too! Also, she seems to appreciate my roses . Both times she had a camera, taking pictures!

One might mistake her for a Fairy...except she has no wings; so I must assume she's a Gnome Lady!

Oh! I DO hope it's not the custom for little fairy ladies to be 'De-winged' for bad behavior- or some such thing! Not knowing a lot about these things I can't be sure! ...I would hate to think that my little lady in the garden is not upright and respectable...whether she be Gnome or Fairy girl!

What do you think?

(I hope she IS just a Gnome lady and never had wings in the first place- to be clipped!)

I DO know...she LOVES roses...so she has to be OK in my book!


~~~Shhh... Just between you and me... I think she has put on a few pounds since I first saw her in my garden! I would not want her to overhear this, though, so ...shhh!!~~~


~~~

In the herb garden I saw this!
Apparently these little lizards have little regard for the personal space of others!!

~~~

Sooo... that's what's been happening at Junie's Place today...Well- that and the chickens-but that's an ongoing story for another time!


Love,

Junie Rose