Author: boomingbanter

We sat on the patio this morning and watched our Church in Ireland. It was cloudy and not too warm so when Church was over we were well fortified with fuel and good to go for a long walk.

As soon as we got back Ma took off. She was determined to get to that flea market because she wants to restock her space with some new goodies tomorrow.

Dad and I took it easy while she was away but when she got back the excitement was great. Loaded!

She says during her drive into the heart of the country she’s finally worked out why she loves doing this. It’s like Christmas shopping all year long except you don’t know who you are buying for. All you know is that you love what your offering.

There was quite the haul. An eclectic mix ranging from needle work to rococo and wooden plates of a funny French Man!!!

All though have one thing in common in Ma’s eyes they are beautiful. Just like me!

Blessing # 742 – Eye of a Beholder

We are back where we started the day sitting on the patio drinking! This morning it was coffee now the fizz leftover from yesterday.

I’ve commissioned the table / foot stool as my bed as it gives me support and a great view. I am awaiting the next in a series of storms that ruined Ma’s day.

She had planned to abandon me and go to a big flea market about an hour from here but the first storm came in just as she was dropping Dad home after doing a few local estate sales.

Two of the sales were useless for antiques but at the first she picked up a 1957 watercolor for free by a man called Micheal  Sweeney.

She takes pity on homeless works even if they have serious issues. This one was especially interesting since she likes ducks but it was covered in big brown marks.

All sorts of horrendous smelling things like bleach and acetone were tried to remove them but to no avail. A brainwave hit!  Out came the paint and since it was still storming and the flea market was scuppered she decided she’d add to the original. Vincent help!

She didn’t do too bad a job. At first it was going to be clouds but that soon evaporated and it just became a wash. It is better than before for sure. Angelic? Maybe!

Once the paint was out there was no stopping her. She hit the bathroom that had been Versailled by herself a few years ago. The stencil work was awfully annoying so today we said adieu!

Flip me it went on for every and I was totally spaced out by the fumes and had to retire to bed but at last it’s done. Love

It’s meant to be distressed. More possessed if you ask me but anything is better than before.

Blessing # 741 – Restorations

Many people love Friday, so much so it’s given rise to sayings and even a restaurant chain.

Our superheroes like Trinny on social media also do something special for the start of the weekend. This helps build excitement even if we’re going no further than the living room.

My Dad doesn’t go so crazy about it as Mom does. Mind you he rarely does. You can’t make herself mad on Friday unless perhaps your name is Aaron!

There’s no reason for this now as she doesn’t work five days a week and Friday is one of the days when she actually does work.

So why is this? Maybe because she saves her fizz for a Friday night or it could be the prospect of pizza and no need to think of what’s for dinner. Dad cooks it for us too!

Whatever it is if she’s happy so am I. We both feel that the sun is shining.

Blessing # 740 – Frown Freedom

My Mom follows a number of Facebook groups to get ideas for her antique business. One ironically is called Style On A Shoestring by Gill. 

I sit close while she’s screening through waiting to hear all the oohs and aahs. She’ll tell me what she finds if it excites her and this morning the topic was sweet peas.

She says they smell wonderful and always remind her of her Auntie Helen who grew them in abundance many years ago on a fence in her garden.

We tried to find some old photos of them in bloom but only found the fence! It has two tiny humans in it too. One is my Mum and the other is her cousin and Auntie Helens daughter Mandy. They sure look like little rascals don’t they! Bet there was some mischief going on that day!

Ma has given up trying to grow sweet pea the best she’s ever managed is a few flowers.

Fortunately there are other plants of fine fragrances like lavender which she has managed to get going. Albeit somewhat wild!

Today we plucked our first blooms and again Ma thought of Auntie Helen because lavender is her all time favorite.

Strange when the mind pulls up one memory many more pop up too. They must all be in the same filing cabinet deep in the soul!

Blessing # 739 – Prettiest Perfumes

We canines appreciate almost everything in life. Bicycles are my exception to this rule!

We are born to sniff out joy.

Over the past months I’ve taught Mom that no gym in the world can beat a long walk with me on a fine day or even in the rain provided we’re together. It’s builds appetite.

Pretty much all food tastes good if you are hungry but it is nice to spice it up a little now and then.

The simple things in life like being able to dig a bit in the earth is a great stress reliever and when it results in a little harvest of home grown flavors it’s even better.

We are very fortunate that we have all we need and don’t have any worries about where our next meal is coming from.

If my humans wanted to they could get takeout or even eat out every day but don’t. They eat the same breakfast most mornings and the rest the menu rotates around about thirty main dishes.

Why do they make this choice? My guess is like me they find their joy in simple things like snipping a scallion and making a little meal from scratch that fulfills and satisfies and comforts.

Blessing # 738 – Staples and Spice

A little sunbathing is a delightful thing. My favorite spot is by the gate on the patio. I just lie there and watch the world go by.

After a while when the hard ground gets to be too much I hop on the sofa and that can induce a slumber.

When it gets too much I seek the shade and sleep.

Clearly I’m mobile and smart and can take good care of myself. The reason all this is on my mind is that I’m thinking about eggs!

My Ma and me found a tiny one in our yard that had the most beautiful color. Just like the sky. It was all alone but perfectly intact. It wasn’t by a tree so there was no nest unless it was in the ground cover.

We didn’t know what to do with it but wondered would it not get cooked in the intense heat. Just in case it’s Momma was sitting on it we decided it best not to move it.

Today we went to look for it and it had vanished. Was it eaten? Or did it hatch?

We sure hope it will be back someday to spend some time with us. Aarons tree is a very fine spot!

Blessing # 737 – Eggshell Blue

I’ve had another great day. It started with rain but as my granny apparently often said “Many’s a rainy morning turns out a sunshine day”. Smart woman! We better get used to it this week!

Just as we started our walk with Auntie Lori the rain stopped so we got lucky and only a tad wet.

Ma picked a few flowers from our yard when we got home. She is so thrilled she got them before the deer did.

I got no thanks for all my efforts of keeping them at bay.

Still not being easily offended thought it wise to give them a sniff to show my appreciation. Gotta pamper to her every whim so she thinks I’m her best pal!

She tells me orange lilies have a special significance in her home land. They do make quite a statement. Let’s say they’re bright.

My tactic paid off richly. She went to work for a while but when she came back we immediately went to Auntie Carolyn’s.

Car ride and another long walk and this time she even had the sense to take along some water for me so I’m in tip top form.

Anyone for Tennis?

Blessing # 736 – Gilding the Lily

As Fathers Day’s go I’d say ours went smoothly until just now.

Dad got his cards when he woke up. The bro had already gone to work so he had to content himself with my attentions. I was adorable

Poor soul it seems gets the same gifts every year whiskey and chocolate cake. Aaron got him an onion chopper too that he gave him three days ago as the bro can’t keep surprises.

Dad and I hung out when herself went pooling. No wonder she feels she needs to give him lovy dovy cards!

She is making him chicken curry for his dinner and when she started that we had a hiccup. She’d run out of turmeric in her small storage jar so had to break into her main reserve. It’s an industrial quantity that is stored in a bin.

When she got the bag out to fill the small jar she burst the bag and the orange stuff was everywhere. There were a few expletives but I said nothing so the men folk didn’t notice and she got it all cleaned up.

It was everywhere though including all over her clothes. Fortunately I didn’t get hit with it as I was still sucking up to Dad or I’d look like I’d had a hair dye.

She had to fill a stack of jars with the stuff and the dish should be reclassified as turmeric chicken. We’ll see if anyone notices.

They certainly should tomorrow but they do say turmeric is good for health.

Blessing # 735 – Golden Promises

I had the house to myself for several hours today. The bro was at work and the parents were out at Barn Sales.

It was so cool. AC on full blast and no one to disturb my slumbers. Wish they’d stayed away a while longer. We all need time to chill!

They were on a mission to find a fire pit so the bro can fine tune his caveman skills. They didn’t find one. That works for me as it’s toasty enough without burning wood for fun!

They found a few baby’s dresses that someone had made a long time ago and that are now destined for the antique store. The work is very fine indeed I must say so hope they find a loving home.

They also were given a trunk full of old books. Some dealer friend of Mums was having one of the sales today and he saw Dad looking at the literature and said he could have them all.

Now you know Dad he could never refuse a book it would be anathema to Anantharaman (aren’t I smart!) and Ma had to agree since after all tomorrow is Father’s Day!

 

There is something for all tastes among them except mine! Problem is there’s now a bit of a musty odor in our house as those books, all 32 of them, date from the 1950s and have been somewhere a bit damp!

Herself will need to get out the Febreeze as it’s about to overpower me. In the meantime I’ll just stay serene and sniff a scented candle!

Blessing # 734 – Happy Daddy 

I’m so pleased with myself and feeling so grown up that I’m holding my head a little higher than usual.

Mom and I went walking with Auntie Lori this morning and as they hadn’t seen each other for a few days the chatting went on a bit. I took this in my stride and just listened. After all Lori is my major provider of treats. Gotta be sweet!

It got a bit hot on the way home so Ma asked if I wanted to go the long way or short way. I choose short. That’s when she struck! Gave me my leash right into my mouth and let me go.

The freedom was wonderful. I took off like greased lightening and she didn’t even scream at me. What fun it was. I hid behind people’s mailboxes and let her catch up and then took off again.

I was expecting her to get me back after a bit but for some reason she must have decided I’m mature enough now to take care of myself.

Poor Dad nearly had a heart attack though. He saw me come racing down the street alone and thought she’d had a mishap so came out to look for her. I just lay down to wait under the big tree.

No need to worry though. In a matter of minutes she arrived and still I got no scolding just a great big bowl of cold water!

Free at last!

Blessing # 733 – Liberation