The Colors are Showing Up
•October 7, 2025 • 1 CommentI feel like once the leaves turn they are hitting the ground a day or two later. But it’s still pretty out!
Allie and Simon Update
•August 31, 2025 • 4 CommentsI haven’t posted an update on them in awhile. It was a busy Summer with vet visits and illness with Allie atleast.
Simon is good, this weather hasn’t been great on his asthma but he is doing ok.
Allie I hate to say passed away recently. It has broken my heart and I miss her and wish she was still here.
She was losing weight and I noticed an issue going on with her mouth. Took her to vet and ran bloodwork only thing it showed was a thyroid issue and they thought maybe she had a bad tooth so made an apt to have dental work done. Day arrived she had one bad tooth but then they said they found like a sore on her tongue and a mass under her tongue. It was in a spot that would be invasive to do anything with and any time a mass has been found in the mouth it never ends well even if we tried to remove it. We put her on new antibiotics and a steroid but a week later she was gone.
I got to cuddle and love on her doing that week and am grateful I had that time with her. Simon wanders the house crying and looking for her and that breaks my heart even more. They have never been separated for longer than a day. I know animals grieve losses too and it’s hard to see.
She was loved by many, her loss was even felt by my vet clinic and those that cared for her came to say goodbye. My eyes I don’t think we’re the only ones to shed tears that day. And I can never thank them enough for the love and care they showed her.
Love you Allie and I miss you…
Almost Fall Sunset
•August 25, 2025 • 1 CommentTook a minute to enjoy the sunset on the way home last night.
Beautiful Morning
•August 23, 2025 • Leave a CommentIs a gorgeous day finally, little humidity, not as hot. Took the dogs on a walk to the lake, they loved being getting out.
Past Favorites
•July 5, 2025 • 1 CommentWas going through photos for something and looking at them makes me realize how much I love taking pics. If only it wasn’t so buggy out 😂. The mosquitoes are horrible.
Have a great weekend, stay cool!
Happy 4th
•July 4, 2025 • Leave a CommentHope everyone has a great weekend. Enjoy the fireworks, stay cool and stay safe!
The Furbabies
•June 27, 2025 • 2 CommentsAllie and Simon have not been liking the heat and have been finding their cool spots and generally not moving much. Allie was a bit off one day but seems to be doing better, I always worry when they get blah because of their asthma. But both are good.
Bit Stormy
•June 26, 2025 • 2 CommentsHad a niceThunderstorm move through. Wind got a bit crazy and knocked some limbs down, nothing serious though, but we definitely needed the rain.
Cooled things off for a few but doubt that will last. I’m over the heat already!
Stormy Times Ahead
•June 24, 2025 • Leave a CommentI love how the skies look before it storms and It did storm not long after this. But we need the rain, And it’s been so hot and humid the cool down was welcome..
Afternoon Drive
•May 22, 2025 • 2 CommentsThe temp was perfect and the sky was so pretty. I could handle days like this year round.
Pretty Sunset
•May 16, 2025 • Leave a CommentHad to snap a pic of the sunset on my way home last night. Need to find a better spot for them but was still pretty.
Another Dreary Day
•May 3, 2025 • 2 CommentsIowa seems to be stuck in dreary mode these days. If the sun comes out it’s not for very long and then goes back to dreary and rainy. As it was this morning when I went for a walk. There was just a hint of blue skies.
But hope everyone has a great weekend!
Quick Visit to the Park
•April 14, 2025 • Leave a CommentWas a beautiful afternoon to get out of the house for awhile. I went to the park I like to visit but so many others had the same idea.
I was hoping more of the trees would be in bloom but they weren’t. Maybe by next weekend.
Go away
•March 25, 2025 • Leave a CommentEven though it is March and spring is here, there is always a chance we can see more of this. We did not get alot thankfully but there was enough for me not to want to see it agsin. And the days of bone chilling cold. So please snow, stay away til next winter…
West Des Moines
•March 24, 2025 • Leave a CommentGreat place for a quick walk or enjoy some lunch or just sit on a bench and enjoy some quiet time. In the summer you can usually find some event going on.
Favorite Weather You ask??
•March 23, 2025 • Leave a CommentFall is my favorite time of year followed by Spring. So my weather is mild, semi sunny days. I love a blue sky with big fluffy clouds and temps in thr 55-65 range, sometimes it can be a rainy fall day and I would not complain… I hate hot humid weather and extremely cold weather.
one day Im going to find the place that has my perfect weather year round. And yes I jnow it probably does not exist.
Pella, Iowa
•March 21, 2025 • Leave a CommentBefore we know it the Tulip Festival will be here. We have had such weird weather lately that my flowers have been popping up. But looking forward to flower season..
Where Does the Time Go
•March 20, 2025 • 2 CommentsTime has definetly gotten away from me. Last year was a trial, alot of things were going on and I felt like I was not in a place to do much with the things I loved doing, Especially after losing Brady. I mean I have lost beloved pets before but Brady just hit hard and it took a long while to not want to cry when I thought about him and to shake the depression and funk I found myself in, on top of all the other stuff I was dealing with. So needless to say I am glad 2024 is done and gone.
The beginning of this year has at times been a challenge but I like to think I am in a better head space to deal with it. And I am determined to get back to doing what I love. I have missed the blog and photography and hope I can get back to it .
Simon and Allie are doing ok. They have bad days but the good outweigh the bad thankfully. Allie is a bit more feral and cranky but those moods leave her little brain quickly. But they are enjoying the nicer weather and enjoy laying in the windows getting some sun.
I hope to get back into the swing of things but not going to say I can guarantee it since we all know shit happens. I will be posting photos I took at random times but never posted.. But hope everyone is doing good!
Stormy Summer Day
•October 1, 2024 • Leave a CommentWas driving downtown this summer when storms started moving in..
Happy 4th of July
•July 4, 2024 • 2 CommentsHard to believe the year is at the half way mark of being over. Not sure if I am ready for the year to be over but I am ready for Fall. But then I always am.
Here are a few pics from our 4th of July parade last night. Good thing it was last night since it’s a rainy morning.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day! Stay safe and Happy…
Beautiful Morning Around Town
•June 30, 2024 • 2 CommentsJust a few shots of things around town. Was a beautiful morning for a change, cool temps and low humidity. My kind of morning!
The gas prices are across the street from each other. But definitely higher here in W Des Moines than other parts of the metro.
Hope everyone’s weekend is going well!
Morning Visitor
•February 17, 2024 • 2 CommentsThey are beautiful to look at. Makes me happy when I can look out the window and see this.
Only had my phone so didn’t get to good of a pic.
Hope everyone has a good weekend…
Goodbye Brady
•February 6, 2024 • 7 CommentsI hate this…
Brady lost the battle. It was not the kidney disease that got him, it was the arthritis. He got to the point where he could barely walk and was in constant pain. No one wants to say goodbye, no one wants to watch a beloved pet suffer. I agonized over the decision. Went to the vet twice, discussing it. And he would just get more stressed and then crash for days after. I could not do that to him anymore. He deserved better. When I let him go he was snuggled in my arms with tears rolling down my face. Telling him he was loved and what an amazing boy he was. And that he would be loved and missed every day.
It has been 10 long days since I said Goodbye to Brady. I knew the day was coming, had known for a long time. But it still was horrible, still hurt, still does. I think about him all the time. I look for him when I walk in the door. Reach to pet him when I am watching TV. But he is gone. My other cats look for him, they call to him. They mourn and miss him too. People think animals don’t feel it but they do. They are more clingy and constantly have to be laying on me or follow me from room to room. They always do that but not this bad. Allie is really bothered by it, she shows it more than Simon. She is alot more bitey towards everyone. Chirps for him. Just sucks all around.
Eventually the hurt will not be so bad. But I am always going to miss him, always look for him. And I hope that he is with his other brothers and sisters that have passed before him. And they will all be waiting for me.
Love you Brady….
Finally
•February 2, 2024 • Leave a CommentFinally January is over. It was definitely a FML month that’s for sure. You think every New Year , that year is going to start out amazing and you have high hopes. Yeah that lasted all of 5 seconds.
Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t all horrible or. Ad. But a good percentage, let’s just say it sucked.
Snow storms, sub zero temps, family stuff, Brady. It all starts to add up and most of January I was just done. Full of anxiety, hostility and just burnt out. Think a lot of it was an accumulation over several months and January it came to a boil.
Hoping February things are better.
Good news is Brady is still with me. He’s had some rough spells and I thought I was going to lose him but he’s hanging in there.
And it was pushing 60 today and the sun was out and it was sooo nice. Was beautiful.
But my I’m going to blog more last month took a nose dive with all that was going on. All those issues are still there. But today I’m not feeling overly fed up.
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying some nice weather!
Continue reading ‘Finally’Winter Wonderland
•January 12, 2024 • 2 CommentsI’m over it! Two storms in a week and way to much snow for my liking..But it is pretty.. I am sure kids will love playing in it, til the bitter chill gets here and drives them back inside..
Some Ink
•January 12, 2024 • 2 CommentsSome ink drawings I did as a gift. Did ghem the way they wanted and they loved them…
Hollyhocks
•January 10, 2024 • 2 CommentsWell it’s my attempt at them anyway. Done in pencil on watercolor paper.
These were Hiding
•January 5, 2024 • Leave a CommentI do remember the day I took these. It was overcast, windy and a bit chilly. Prefer that weather over the snow thats headed our way…
Happy New Year
•January 1, 2024 • 7 CommentsHope this finds everyone well and enjoying a day off. Or hopefully anyway.
New Years always bring on the resolutions and the “it’s going to be better” comments. I do it every year but this year I need to stick with it.
My first is Be Better at keeping up with my blog. I love my blog, I enjoy doing it but sometimes life gets in the way or something comes up and it’s put on the back burner. I don’t need to do it every day but I do need to be more consistent with it.
Number 2. Another thing I love is Photography. I honestly can’t remember when I went out and did landscapes or wildlife. It’s been awhile that’s for sure.
Third, my Art. I have probably done more painting than anything else the last few months. I painted each Holiday card I sent out and did some Paintings for my nephews family and some ink drawings. And I am trying to get better at it. But painting is still a challenge for me.
And writing. I have always loved writing stories. And one day I will finish.
Those are just a few. I will stick to them.
But I hope each of you have a wonderful year full of happiness. Good Luck with your Resolutions if you do them!
Productive Afternoon
•November 8, 2023 • Leave a CommentHad a great time working on my art project. This will be part of a set hopefully, it isn’t done yet, but hopefully will be finished in a few days. Fingers crossed!
Brady Update….Bit Long
•October 21, 2023 • 11 CommentsIts been over a year since brady was diagnosed with CKD or chronic Kidney Disease. He has had ups and downs but seemed at a steady rate for awhile. But he has had 2 set backs. Earlier in the summer it was hot and extremely humid. It was alot for him and he got run down. Would not eat much, lost weight, slept alot. Not much interaction. House was cool but still it got to him. So I got him some cooling pads which surprisingly worked and he loved, tried different foods. It helped
Things improved but it took awhile for him to bounce back. Couple weeks ago he took another turn. He had lost weight again, more muscle wasting. Which the CkD will do that. And he had developed a severe limp. I thought he had broken a leg or dislocated his shoulder some how. With the muscle wasting he’s not always the sturdiest when he jumps.
Off to the vet we go. Brady hates going, he gets stressed, he drools and some of his numbers on his blood work go up. And he gets the nickname Grumpy Cat at clinic and probably worse when I am not within ear shot. He does NOT like to be carried, especially by strangers through a loud scary place. Second time they took him back for blood, said take him in his carrier, everyone will be happier. He gets checked over, xrays, full bloodwork. I wait forever. Vet comes back.
Good news/Bad news. He did not break or dis locate anything But he has Osteoarthritis and his Kidney values have worsened. He is stage 3/4. And hes slightly anemic.
My heart sank, you try not to panic or think its over as you look at him and see he is in pain and not doing good. I can’t fix him, no one can. We can just do our best to not let it get worse and to make him comortable and happy. Hard to do when he is kind of a Grump tho.
My vet gave me a checklist she has for the different stages of CKD that list basically what needs to be changed, added or adjusted based on where he is at. Which is Food, vitamins, supplements, phos binder. I have hopefully made changes in the right direction. Will do blood work again in a few months to see if theres any more changes good or bad.
The pics of the handwritten items, those are my list of, well some, of the good and bad cat food. CkD cats need a low phosphorus food, which most dont like the prescription diets, it can cause them to lose muscle tone but not sure what it is about the food they dont like. Brady is on the fence with most. So I went through alot of the food he does like, well he no longer can eat it except every once in awhile with the phos binder.
It can all be confusing, overwhelming and scary cause you do not want to screw up and do the wrong thing. But for now he is still plugging along and fighting beside me. And I hope I have a few more years with him.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Never Again
•October 1, 2023 • Leave a CommentI think lol.. This took forever to do and I’m not sure I would want to again. Unless it was to do a better job or a different design. It definitely has flaws and issues. It was easy to mess up and lose what you were doing. Not to mention cats wanted to help.
But I do like it.
The Whale
•September 8, 2023 • Leave a CommentRough draft of the whale, I like how it turned out. But painting it will be totally different, fingers crossed I don’t screw that up… just need to figure out what I want for background etc.
Ocean Life
•September 7, 2023 • 2 CommentsBeen doing some rough sketches of a few things like turtles, whales, and other things. Don’t have the whale done yet but here are a couple of the others. I plan on doing some paintings once I get a handle on doing their shapes or how I want them to look. But it’s been fun doing something that I don’t normally do.
Hope everyone is doing well….Enjoy your day!
Summer needs to End
•August 22, 2023 • 2 CommentsHave not been around much lately. Been way to hot off and on and busy with other things. But I am over summer and over this heat. Our dew point is already in the 70s. Those 80s are going to feel like winter once they get here.. lol
Hope everyone stays cool and Safe!
Tree For A Day
•July 5, 2023 • 4 CommentsBeen awhile since I have done any trees, kinda out of practice. So today is a drawing day, which I should keep up on. Work in progress though so be kind please!
Hope everyone is having an awesome day..
2023 GoodReads Reading Challenge
•June 25, 2023 • Leave a CommentI love to read, im not to picky as long as it catches my interest and does not keep me up at night cause I am afraid to close my eyes. lol
Kept forgetting Goodreads does a challenge for the year, and thought why not go for it this year. I set 40 as my goal even though I can probably surpass that. Especially once it starts getting really hot. And I am in a position where I can sit and read for a period of time without being interupted. But 40 is a good goal.
Right now I am on book 17 and will probably be done with it by tomorrow sometime. But it was a beautiful morning to sit out on the deck and get a good start on it. Til it got to windy.. I have never read this author before, but so far it is not bad and I would reccomend it.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Feast Your Eyes
•June 6, 2023 • Leave a CommentOne more (for real this time, i think) on the colors of Spring….
Silent Knight
•June 5, 2023 • Leave a CommentThis guy stood vigil for many years at the family farm. He basically stood at the entrance to the start of the timber. Every time I would ride by him, I would say hello. It was kind of a comfort knowing he was there. But sadly, over the years the weather and elements were not kind to him and he fell apart, it was just to much for him. I think he has a replacement, but he is not out yet. Not sure what happened to Rusty, I’m sure though wherever he is at he’s enjoying his retirement.
Hate to See You Go
•May 31, 2023 • 4 CommentsFarewell Tulips, will see you again next Spring. These are the last of my tulip pics for this year. I think anyway, sometimes I set some aside for a rainy day. Hopefully you have enjoyed them as much as I have.
I definetly enjoyed my outing to Pella and look forward to next year and hopefully spending a little more time there.
Have a great day….stay happy and safe!
The scent of Spring
•May 24, 2023 • 4 CommentsThey will be coming to an end soon. But love when the windows are open and you can smell lilacs on the breeze..
Picnic Time
•May 10, 2023 • 2 CommentsNice spot for a picnic or just to sit an enjoy the day!
It is that time of the year again. Time for outings and picnics and what better spot to take a break and have a bite then by the river..
Saylorville Lake
•May 3, 2023 • 2 CommentsI took this video of Saylorville last year but haven’t had a chance to post it. I took it with my phone and trying to get it to the computer to put it on here but no fun. And I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. So this is basically a test to see how well videos will work on here and if it’s something I want to add more of later on and if so future videos will be with the camera…
It was a windy day so it’s probably a bit loud. But I love the sound of the water hitting the shore..
Just click on the image to play video…
Blooming Ocotillo
•May 3, 2023 • 1 CommentCan go by many different names, candlewood, vine cactus etc. You would think looking at it, it might belong to the cactus family, but it does not, it is a shrub. They are very pretty though and are easy to pick out when you’re out hiking or walking the desert, which is where you will find them. I don’t think they would do very well in Iowa…
Even though they are very pretty to look at they have nasty little spines that let you know right away you shouldn’t touch. Yes I found out the hard way. lol
MY CREATIVE SELF 