Milan the Wonder Dog

We adopted a rescue dog back in January, from a farm in northern Missouri.  Her name is Milan and she has been so full of antics and events since we got her that we are either moved to laughter or tears any day of the week. I have been telling a friend of mine about Milan's daily adventures, and she has come up with an idea--as in, why not start posting these stories?  So she contributed her creative genius to start sharing the Life of Milan The Wonder Dog.

Episode 1:
I tricked my humans again today.  For some reason they don't seem to like the delicious smell of creek mud, which is heavenly!  I run down there when they aren't watching, take my wonderfully relaxing mud bath, chase a few frogs, and as soon as I return home to make sure my humans are still okay, they gang up on me.  The next thing I know they are washing me again.  And beyond humiliation, in a baby bath tub! I am NOT A BABY!

I have to admit, they do provide great food or I just would not put up with this nonsense.  They are pretty good for humans, all things considering.  The female cooks yummy things and gives me lots of treats, and lots of tummy rubs, which make me feel good all over.  The male sleeps a lot (they call this "nap time", gets into a big scary machine that brought me here, and does something he calls "errands".  Then he sits down in front of another machine he calls "No, Milan, let me type now".  But he also pets me a lot, gives me more tummy rubs, talks a lot to me, throws my squeaky toy, and when the female isn't looking, he shares chips from his lunch.  I like it here even if my humans still think they are in charge. Ha, ha, they are gullible but lovable. Now if I could only get that cat to run away from home...


Stay tuned for the next installment from the Teapot Nut.

June's flowers

We have many things in bloom this year, but most are in pots, owing to the fact that "Big Foot" Milan does a daily survey of all natural wonders around her.  Mrs. Wren has taken up nesting in our yellow petunia pot, hanging in front of the fireplace, so I guess pots are an improvement.  She scolds and scolds when Mr. Lucky, our outside kitty, hangs around by the door, hoping for his treats.

A "good" Tick Year

About a month and a half ago, I found a little "seed" tick buried in my leg, down where the outdoor kitties rub against me. So I took myself to the doctor, after I dug and dug and just could not get the thing all the way out. There was a huge red circle developing around it, and I thought, hmmm, this is way more serious than I thought it was.  Anyway, got the tick dug out professionaly, had a blood test, and yes it was a tick-borne bacterial infection, got on Doxycycline, the only antibiotic prescribed for Lyme disease, and had the 21 day doses.  This past week our pup Milan got the same thing, had to go to the vet for an overnight stay, had the blood work drawn, got her diagnosis, and now we get to fight the battle of the pills.  She remembered that last time I lured her into taking some pills, the peanut butter on the finger turned out to have a hidden prize.  So she rejected the first two times, and had to be tricked into eating it mixed in with her regular food.  Ran into a friend who works at a veterinary clinic and she suggested hot dog pieces. It worked!  Milan knew she was being tricked but just could not resist that old hot dog. Let's hope it continues to work for the next 19 days.

Oh yes, I did apply a fresh dose of Frontline as soon as we got home from the vet's, taking no chances this time.  Our neighbor farmer said this year was a good mushroom year, and an especially good tick year. He should know, his farm dogs are out in the field daily too.

More May flowers

 Since I think I finally figured out how to correctly rotate pictures with this blogger, I had to include some more iris pictures hubby had captured.  This time you don't have to turn your head sideways to view them.

May crafting

Been a little busy inside the house too, getting some jewelry done and then working on another American Girl doll outfit.  Hope the grandniece likes it. I also made a matching apron for her to wear with her doll.

The jewelry is made with rainbow agates, and carved butterflies, some coral, and Swarovski crystals of course--had to add some bling.

April showers bring May flowers!

Yes, now it is May, and our gardens are going gang-busters!  We had a cold, not cool, cold mind you, April, and the rains came right at the end, bringing us into a stormy May, with heat building into steaminess.  Which makes it easy on transplanting and pulling those weeds, but then one has to water regularly because in one day's time (today for example) the newly transplanted baby plants are suddenly laying on their sides in the dirt, panting for water.  Yes I mulch. But I obviously have to renew it.  I have even mulched pots out on the patio in the summertime.   We have our very first green pepper on the bush, tomatoes are budding forth blooms, lettuces are fantastic, been eating on them, and spinach and swiss chard are finally coming on.  Peas are getting ready to bloom, potato plants are huge, and we got squash plants last night at the Powell Gardens annual plant sale, so we are hopeful there too.  Our son weed-whacked around the garden, and surprised a rat snake taking care of business.  Of course he left it alone, they are good for our garden.  Just have to remind myself, when I go into the vegetable garden, be careful where I put my fingers.

Our roses and irises and peonies are looking better than ever this spring. I have set out the hummingbird feeders, and the first ones came within 5 minutes of my hanging the feeders.  Hubby got two courses of stone today,to begin our fire pit construction, and I still have shade plants to transplant into pots for the screened porch.  This year's flower gardens are going to be hanging baskets, plants on pedestals and in giant pots, and maybe a few marigolds and angelinas sprinkled around, because our new pup LOVES stomping through the flowerbeds (of course they are made just for her entertainment).  She has narrowly missed two double marigolds--so far being the operative word here.

Adieu armoire!

Finally got rid of the old armoire. It was adopted out to a lady who also quilts, and who wanted it in her basement sewing area.  Her husband came with help to move it out of our sunroom, and I later learned the story of what happened when they got it home.  She said he insisted on its going into their bedroom. This thing is a piece of furniture turned MONSTER!  I  kid you not.  After dismantling the door frame, through which the armoire still did not fit, he dismantled the window frames, once more scoring zero on squeeze room.  So she finally got it down to the basement where she had planned it to be parked.  All I can say is, we are breathing sighs of relief to see it moved onwards to a new home.  Some things are just like that.