Moment To Moment

Life is just one moment after another.  
Some moments are not remarkable, others we'd rather forget, and some are memories we will cherish for a life time.  This week started with a weekend full of many wonderful, memorable moments.

Saturday 4/18 - Happy Birthday to Joe, now 74 years old.



Britney had arrived after I'd gone to bed last night.  First thing this morning, she and Cookie hit it off.



Puppy kisses.



This puppy can be Cookies and Cream  or  Cookie Monster.  

Patty came over to visit with Britney.  Joe cooked ham and eggs on his flat top grill, there was a fresh fruit salad, and Patty brought a home baked raspberry pastry.  We all enjoyed brunch.
 

After more puppy time and a little walk, Joe took the dogs to Patty's, ran Britney to the post office, and got gas.  I had breakfast cleaned up and the cooler pack and we hit the road when they got back.  

Our drive to Dan and Vale's in Murfreesboro was quick and uneventful.  Patty reported that the dogs had settled in at her house already (Cookie is in Ellie's cat bed).



Arriving at Dan's, Ava showed Britney her bedroom set up.  


Kitty seemed unbothered by our presence.  

  

 





Dan and Vale are preparing to put their house on the market (May 1st), so have been in the process of de-cluttering and packing things to go into storage.  

Ava helped Dan with shredding old bank and army documents and Papaw joined in to help.  









I was holding Layla at the time and we scurried over to join in the family fun (video).  Later Cathy had commented on this photo 'The family that shreds together stays together!!'


Kitty wanted some lovin' so Britney obliged.




Britney and I with the two babies.

Pass the baby.

I was feeling tired so had a cup of tea, which Layla was interested in.
 

Snack or lunch time for one and all.  

It was a beautiful day so we spent part of the afternoon out in the backyard.

Britney thought it was a tad cold at 68°.  Well actually, later in the day a cold front with rain moved in and it did cool down a lot.

I just love this series of photos and have to include them all.  
Look at these silly girls.  Ava doing squats (video).

 




















Later in the afternoon we went to look at the lot and subdivision where Dan and Vale are having a new house built.  

It is River Landing subdivision located between downtown Smyrna and downtown Murfreesboro.  







They are building on lot #58, a corner lot.  

This is all very exciting, while also being a bit overwhelming with cleaning, de-cluttering, painting, staging, and selling their current house.  

With all the permits completed, they are ready to break ground.  When looking for information on this subdivision, I found this, which sounds like the house is already built, but it's just the plans.  

Under 'Amenities' it says playground, but there are actually three little park/playground areas.  There will also be a retention pond that we walked around.  It did not have water yet, due to the lack of rain and because there are no houses in this section of the subdivision yet (so no roofs and driveways for the water to run off of).  But it will manage storm water runoff by permanently storing water, which reduces downstream flooding, prevents erosion, provides an aquatic habitat while also serving as an aesthetic amenity for the neighborhood.

For those of you interested, this is the floor plan of their house and below the plans for the subdivision, which is already ¾s completed.  I marked their lot in red.












Last of all, this map shows where the subdivision is located in Murfreesboro.  

We took the river walk down to Overall Creek right near where it runs into West Fork Stones River.  










We found lots of aquatic snails, some minnows and a dead crayfish.  The water level of the creek was low also.


  







Heading down the river walk towards the path around the retention pond and to a playground.  

Always a fun group.












During dinner at Steak & Shake it poured down rain but was over when we left. 

But man had it gotten windy and much colder. 
It was bath/shower time for many of us once home.  Dan and Vale took Ava to the big screen movie for a first experience for her.  They saw the Super Mario Galaxy movie.  We 'babysat' Layla who was in bed and quick to fall asleep.
 

Sunday 4/19 - We woke up to a 47° morning.  Vale fixed Layla‘s bottle which I gave to her and then we played so Mama could go back to bed for a while.  


Look who's peeking in the window of the door.






I love this series with both Layla and Kitty.  



 










Kitty did end up jumping in to the play space with us.  





Selfie time.  








This is a great play space with a very soft padded rug and 'wall' to keep Layla in.  







Joe, Britney and I took Ava and Layla for a nice long, somewhat brisk, mid-morning walk so that Dan and Val could attack cleaning out their master walk-in closet.  


The sun was warm but the air was cool.  




Ava, who had been up way past her bedtime (to go to the movies) ended up in the dual stroller and then in her doll babie's stroller. 




I don't think Ava was sound asleep at this point; but she sat in the little stroller, still, quiet, and with her eyes closed, for quite awhile.  She was tired.  


Dan and Vale hadn't quite finished with their closet by the time we got back so we continued 'entertaining' the girls to give their parents more time.  




I tried to do some blogging, but there were just too many distractions.





Once the dew had mostly dried and it had warmed up, we went outside to do some landscaping.  

Ava and I pulled weeds from the raised beds and Joe trimmed the honeysuckle and other weeds back from where they were encroaching on the yard.  









Ava took some time off 'work' to play in her sandbox.  




Joe and Dan removed the smaller middle bed because it was really falling apart and then Joe did a little mowing.  







I added some soil and got the large potted flowers planted.

Dan seeded the spot where the little bed had been.

Most of the marigolds in the 18 pack were too dried up to look like they would survive, so Dan and I discussed a plan for them and finishing the two beds.  

It was odd that the marigold flowers still looked good, but that all the green leaves were brown, wilted, dead.  





I thought, let's plant them anyway and see if they survive.  Ava was great help.  







Britney did a wonderful job of taking photos and keeping an eye on Ava while she played and ran around in the yard.  




Val fixed a very tasty honey fried chicken and rice for lunch.  Daniel made one trip to the dump and he and Joe both took a load to their storage unit.  And Ava continued to entertain herself under Britney's supervision (video). 







Ava pulled the wagon and drove her tractor around the yard numerous times.

Daniel brought home some more flowers so we switched out healthy marigolds for the dead ones. 










Some flowers were also added to the front flower bed.  



We finished up with the eight bags of mulch out front that Dan had also bought.  

 





Joe picked up carry out Chinese for dinner and we got an up-date from Patty.  Ellie and Cookie were getting along well.  






Patty even sent this (video) of Ellie grooming Cookie, which I took this last photo off of.  









It was early to bed because Monday was a work/daycare day for Dan, Val and Ava.

I was too tired to do any blogging, but did get photos organized.

Monday 4/20 - Layla was up fairly early, bright eyed and bushy tailed (after Vale had already left for work).  

Britney gave Layla her morning bottle.  


You may notice the white on the walls in some of the photos.  All the wall hangings had been removed and holes repaired with plaster.  Ricardo will be painting next weekend.



When Ava got up, she said she was tired and a little grumpy.  It had been a busy weekend.  I had done pretty well in the 'sleep department' but could relate to how Ava felt.  


Dan left to take Ava to Pre-school and we watched Layla.  

I caught Peter Cotton Tail in the yard near our new flowers.  

Dan works from home, so once he was back, we soon headed off to the Murfreesboro DMV.  Britney was very quick to get her driver's license re-newed and then we were off to shop.  





We were headed to Courtney's eventually but had time to kill because she was at home on a work conference call.  There was no clothing at this Walmart, but we did pick up a Covid test Courtney had requested.  


We dropped off the Covid test at Courtney's and next went to this giant thrift store.  We all bought pants, and each of us picked up some other items.

We got carry out from Zaxby’s and had lunch at Courtney's.  She had tested negative for Covid. 

Leaving Britney at Courtney’s, we hit the road for home.  



We unloaded the car once home (2:45) and then I went to pick up the dogs at Patty's while Joe picked up a new gate at Tractor Supply.  

I started a load of laundry and then took Cookie on a long walk.  





We saw this large snapper, just under water near the marshy area of the pond.  






We went up #18 and around the Druid clubhouse construction site and then back on the Library Trail.

Before bed, I threw a second load of laundry in the drier, started a third load, and filled the dishwasher and turned it on.
 

Tuesday 4/21 - I worked on the weekend of this blog while following Britney's travels.  She had Ubered to the airport for a very early morning flight.  

I had am chores and then Joe came out with Cookie and we got started on putting up a new, taller, dog proof fence and gate for the chicken yard.  





We left Maggie at home because she has gotten too old and arthritic to do much running around at the ranch.  Also, she needed a break from the puppy.  Cookie assumed the role of project supervisor.  





We cleaned the chicken coop while working in the yard.  

Breaks were also taken to catch Cookie a few different times when she had escaped under the yard gate and fence.  We tried blocking the new places she got out each time.  







I was not too happy with the fencing Joe had ordered.  He had chosen a lighter weight, less expensive, and what I thought to be lower quality wire than what I had asked him to buy.  



We measured carefully for each T-post placement and Joe pounded them in.  It was no easy task with the ground being so hard.  

Cookie escaped again when Jan drove by and down to the barn.  We were just finishing up so once found, the dog was loaded up with Joe and home they went.
Below, a wild strawberry along with poison ivy, growing up the yard wall. 

I rode with Jan and did an extra mile alone with Rico.  At first he was very reluctant/hesitant to proceed down the trail without Cash.  But soon he was resolved to the fact that that was what we were going to do.  Then he picked up the pace and did very well for me.  I even did a fun canter up the steep hill towards the new home site.

I dumped the load of sticks and chicken coop waste and finished watering trees.   I hit Food City on the way home, feeling bad I'd never made it to the gym.

Wednesday 4/22 - Morning antics with the dogs.  Cookie keeps chewing on Maggie's paws and ears.  

They eventually settled for a morning nap.  




But then I disturbed them taking the photo.

By 8:15 I was on my way to the ranch for the Farrier.  While he first worked on Cowboy and then Zorro, I sowed some more grass seed and put old hay over it.  

 

Once Amiga and Rico were finished, I watered all the newly seeded areas and then heard from Joe that he was about done at the dentist.  I was in a quandary as to whether to just stay at the ranch and get more work done there, or go to the gym.

The Azazel and Rhododendron looking nice out front, in spite of the drought.

I decided I was too tired to workout, so went home, ate lunch, and took a nap.  What is my problem? 







Joe and I went back to the ranch to work on chicken yard fencing and put in the posts for the new gate.  I was still kind of out of it and only took two photos.  If you enlarge this one, in the center you will see a military helicopter flying over.  

In this second photo, another helicopter (of four total that flew over) can be seen in the center top.

I had my troubles, and actually Joe did too.  I got frustrated with everything I seemed to struggle with.  My hands just aren't as strong as they used to be.  And Joe was getting tired of waiting for me to make decisions.  I was trying to get some old fence up to keep the chickens from escaping while we worked in the new area.  Then our major problem occurred while we were in the process of putting in a temporary T-post.  Twice there were sparks as Joe was driving the metal post into the ground.  I yelled STOP!  Yikes!  We hit the underground electric line to the chicken coop.  It’s totally NOT up to code and just a do it yourself project some previous owner did.

The wire was only about five inches under ground and not inside PVC or metal conduit.  We were not sure how damaged the wire was, and we couldn’t even find the breaker to shut the power off to the coop (none in the electric box in the laundry room).  We would need to get into Debra‘s bedroom to try those circuits.  Why do these projects always have to have their issues?
We were both discouraged and it was getting late so we called it quits.  At least we got the holes dug and the wood gate posts cemented in.

Not long after we got home, Patty called.  There were chickens loose in the yard.  She soon discovered that they had gotten out under the fence here by the door.  Ugh!  




She moved these two stones and secured things as best she could.

By the time Patty left the ranch, all the girls were still in the chicken yard and it appeared all was secure.

After dinner I struggled to stay awake for survivor, but it was another exciting series with many twists that they’ve had in season 50.
 

Thursday 4/23 - I knew I wouldn’t get to the gym if I didn’t go first thing this morning.  So I was there from seven till almost nine.

Joe and I both arrived at the ranch about 9:30, first to check the electric box in Debra's hall (before she left for work) for a circuit to shut off the coop.  

Debra had let Pugsley out, and he and Cookie immediately started playing, a bit rough.  

Pugsley wasn't aggressive, but relentless in wanting to check out Cookie.  She was not having it.

We had no luck finding a breaker for the coop in Debra's hallway or even in the electric box in the garage.  Joe called his electrician friend who said there should be a box on the outside of the house.  Volia, we found the circuit breaker and turned the power off to the coop.  





It was another beautiful day (although hot and dry).  

I had a moment of worry when I noticed Rico down.  






There is always the concern for colic when a horse is down.  I walked closer to see what he was up to.  






He was just sunning and itching himself on the ground.  He still didn't get up, but I let him be and when I checked on him a little later, he was up eating hay.  






Joe and I got the new gate installed, but not without some complications.  We had measured with the top hinge pin facing up, but to prevent the gate from being lifted off the pins, the top hinge pin should face down.  We almost had to re-drill the hole for the top pin, but were able to finagle it into place.

Then we installed the lightweight, simple to use latch (that was down by the wash-rack) so it will make it much easier to get in and out of the chicken yard.

We (mostly I) were not happy with the sturdiness of the fence Joe had ordered so we decided to ship it back and try again.  So for the moment, there is some old fence kind of spliced to the previous fence we haven't yet removed.  It seems to be holding the chickens in and that’s all that matters for now.  


I marked the hole were the underground wire was hit so we'll know where to dig, to fix it.

I took a break and walked Rico down to the barn, to ready him for a late afternoon ride.  Cowboy was cooling off in the pond.  

 







Rico did great standing in the barn without any other horses around.  He was a little reluctant to head out by himself, but with some urging, he willingly went.

We ended up going to Lake Kirkstone, which we haven’t done in ages.  Rico was nervous and very reluctant once we left the usual route we have been riding since Betty left, but with some coaxing, he kept proceeding.  At one point a huge bird (I think an owl) flew up ahead of us and spooked Rico big time.  I was able to stay on when he drop a shoulder and did a 180° spin, but then we were both nervous after that.  The ride went well, other than our anxiety level being a little high for a while.  I got a nice long trot (what I refer to when he gaits) out of him and loved his forward moving pace.  He is so much more animated when out on the tail without others.

Some of the chickens had gotten out while I was gone (video).  They came right back in when I offered meal worms.  I did feeding chores down below and mucked the upper paddock.  I also watered grass seed and the fruit trees before heading home.

It was after 6:00 when I got to our humble abode.  I did pet and household chores, showered, and ate supper.  It was soon to bed to read. 

Friday 4/24 - My morning routine now that we 'have' a puppy has changed.  Cookie gets fed in the garage and left out there to play during my first cup of tea.  Well, she got herself into more trouble.  Joe had one real of fence boxed and ready for shipping.  Cookie chewed holes in the box and tore off the mailing label.  

This was to be a day for a break from all my different work related activities (no gym, riding, or ranch work).  Although I did go out to the ranch with Patty.  

While Patty did chores, I watered the grass seed and rolled up the long hose.  She planted three tomato plants which I also watered.

Then we went to McDonald's to pick up Karen, and on to Cracker Barrel, where we met Joanne, who drove us all to Muddy Pond.  

We got purses and a saddle repaired, had lunch, and then shopped.  It was a gorgeous day and I kind of regretted not being out on a horse.  After lunch I did enjoy resting while lounging on a slide.  


I was back home for a couple hours, which included a real nap.





When I woke up, Joe was heading to the pool on his scooter, in his loungers and flip flops.  Oh Lord, don't have an accident.  


Shirley picked me up at 5:30 and we went to dinner with Judy and Patty.  Joanne met us at the Playhouse before 7pm and we watched a fun production - "The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On" that started at 7:30.  It was a funny story line with greatest girl-group hits of the ’60s in the first act and classic pop and rock hits of the ’70s in the second act.  So many songs that we all remembered well.  The four ladies had great voices and did a wonderful job.  There was a lot of choreography also. 
← Joanne, Patty, Judy, Shirley, and myself. 

We never know what's going to happen in life, as it can change from moment to moment.  We should be mindful, pay attention to our moment-to-moment experience and living in the present.