A Rose for Lilly

This rose is a thank you for Lilly. You can visit her here.... Lilly's Life ! I know it's not a Lilly, but I'll work on that later this week. Enjoy...

This is a picture of one of my favorite types of rose, the Knock Out Double Rose in Red. Beautiful, intense color and no fuss. Disease resistant and hardy. They bloom abundantly from early spring to late fall. How can you beat that? I absolutely love them, and I'm going to add more to my landscape.

This is the 2nd season for this rose, and I think it's a winner. The plant has all ready grown about 2' by 2' and shows no signs of slowing down. It's covered in blooms all ready, and the color is stunning. Last year I had no problems with the rose what so ever. I never had much luck with roses until I found these. They are so tolerant of the Texas heat and humidity. Finally a show-stopping rose for our state!

Texas Indian Paintbrush

Today rated on the excitement meter about as high as watching paint peel off the walls. I hate to use the same cliche term the kids use, but I was bored. Bored, bored, BORED!!! There I said it. I think my teens think it's "cool" to be bored. On their space their status is almost always "bored" when it's not "crunk." Did I spell crunk the right way? I never know anymore. I'm not even sure I know what crunk is. I'll have to google that one. My kids' definition makes no sense. Teen speak....ugh! I do know that being bored is not "cool." It's just boring. Sorry, couldn't resist.

I tried to paint. My dog knocked over my water. I tried to work in the garden. The hubby came outside to sit on the porch and watch. (He must have been really bored.) That annoyed me.

So now....I'm going to work on my blog. If the computer crashes, I'm done.

On a more creative note, if only to raise your excitement meter, or lower it, depending on your interests....

I want to share my picture. YAY!

This is an Indian Paintbrush, and is one of my favorite Texan wildflowers. When these appear in the spring, they put on quite a show. They are usually grown along roadsides here mixed with bluebonnets. I don't have any blues growing in my pastures, but I do have these red beauties. The Texas Paintbrush only grows about 6" to 8" tall, but they do make quite a statement for their size. An added plus, our hummingbirds love them!

Coding the Cabbage

My sis and I got together this week for a little bonding time. We love to conversate, and often, as with sisters, we spend a whole lot of time laughing. This is just a little snippet from while we were getting our nails done.

We were discussing my sister's day of nursing challenges.

"Hey, did I tell you about having to do chest compressions on a cabbage?"

I was thinking well....okay I'm not sure what on earth this had to do with her day, but I was going to go with it. Sisters sometimes switch directions quickly....

"Chest compressions on cabbage? Did ya'll practice on cabbages in nursing school, too?"

Sis is laughing now...." No, Tia. We didn't practice on cabbage. A cabbage is a patient that just had bypass surgery."

Now I'm laughing...

"Kinya, I've told you before speak English with me. Not nurse speak. I thought you were doing a subject switch on me back to nursing school. I mean, heck, ya'll practiced giving shots on oranges. I just figured why not chest compressions on cabbage?"


For those who need to know : Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery or CABG pronounced cabbage.

Crap, I hate it when she does that to me. I'm beginning to think she does it on purpose just to mess with me.

The San Antonio Chili Cook-Off

My husband sent me this hilarious email, and I just couldn't resist sharing. I was crying with laughter by the time I finished reading....seriously.

This is an actual account as relayed to paramedics at a chili cook-off in Texas .

Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in Texas , you know how true this is.

This Chili Cook-off takes place about the time Halloween comes around, and it takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio City Park .

Judge #3 was an inexperienced chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, Illinois.

Frank: 'Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table, asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy; and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and became Judge 3.'

Here are the scorecard notes from the event:

CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI

Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN 'S AFTERBURNER CHILI

Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

CHILI # 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI

Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now mybackbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t-faced from all of the beer.

CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. woman is starting to look HOT ... just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

CHILI # 5 - LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER

Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding bypouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw them.

CHILI # 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY

Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic. Superb.
Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted, and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.

CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI

Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about judge number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.
Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing. It's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI

Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?
Judge # 3 -- No Report

Busted for Speeding on Mother's Day

It didn't start out bad, but I have to say...UGH and GRRRRRRR!!!!

Here I am on Mother's Day doing the motherly thing of taking my daughter to the mall to find a dress. My son and one of his friends have come along for the ride. Just setting the scene here...

Cruising down Interstate 30, and I decide to pop in some AC/DC to get the blood pumping. Enjoying my new little Honda Si. It's so much fun to drive! I guess I stomped the accelerator when the song started. I mean, come on...it's "Thunderstruck!" Who doesn't get a little hyper and turn into a speed demon when that song plays. It's meant for that. Sporting events, fast cars and breaking the rules.

Lyrics please...... My thoughts in RED

I was caught By the Highway Patrol
In the middle of a railroad track (Thunder) Nope, it was I-30
I looked 'round, And I knew there was no turning back (Thunder) Damn, I'm getting a ticket!
My mind raced
And I thought what could I do? (Thunder) He flipped on his lights
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you (Thunder) Like you could....
Sound of the drums
Beatin' in my heart Police scare me.
The thunder of guns! Not really...I didn't rob a bank or anything
Tore me apart
You've been - thunderstruck!
Rode down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the ton Damn sure did. 83 in a 70
Went through to Texas, yeah Texas We all speed here
And we had some fun Didn't last long
We met some guys, Just one and that was enough
Those dancers who gave us good times Bullshit, it was the darn highway patrol
Broke all the rules, played all the fools Broke 'em and will PAY not PLAY
Yeah, yeah, they, they, they blew our minds Cuz they outta be out catchin real criminals!
And I was shakin' at the knees
Could I come again please. Next week....maybe ye ole highway patrol will be elsewhere
Yeah the ladies were too kind Most of us mothers are
You've been - thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah
Said yeah, it's alright No...it's not
We're doing fine
Yeah, it's alright
We're doing fine Whatever, I'm not doing fine. I'm sure gonna pay one though!

No more AC/DC for me.

My Child

Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were here an hour I would die for you
This is the miracle of love.

Maureen Hawkins

We've got Baby Birdies!!!

Isn't this little killdeer the cutest ever??? I wasn't home when the eggs finally hatched, but my daughter was. She called me all excited. "Mom, we've got baby birdies!!! You know the little bird by the driveway that we've been watching?? Her eggs hatched! One of them is all ready walking around, and another one is coming out of its egg!" I told her to go grab the camera and take some pictures for me. I think she did a great job, and what a wonderful thing for her to experience.

Only one of the four eggs did not hatch. I checked it out, and it had a tiny crack. Made me sad, but that is the cycle of life. Some make it and some do not, no matter the care that is taken.