The Raymond Community Garden

Earlier this year, I tried my hand at growing 30 tomato plants in the community garden. I planted them in May, after raising the seedlings to where I could transplant them to the garden. Alas, I planted them too close together. I guess I didn’t realize just how large they would become in such a short amount of time. Back then, they looked so weak and lonely that I tried to group them together. As a result, there were tomatoes, but mass confusion ruled. I’ll know better next time. 

This fall, I tried my hand at greens, and it is a bonanza! The seeds jumped out of the ground after 4 days and have been growing and flourishing ever since. I planted Turnip Greens, Mustard, Collards, Kale, and Rape. I couldn’t be more pleased. Mother Nature has rewarded me for my efforts. Greens are a staple here in the south. Most everyone knows how to cook up a mess of greens, and they are so nutritious! Some years ago, when I was living in California, I cooked a pot of greens and my guests thought they were lawn clippings. Whoops! Wrong culture! When I returned to Mississippi, that was the first thing I looked for in the grocery store. Now the community and my friends can share in the bounty this winter. And they’re organic!

Kitty Come Home

SeeKitty, my 17 year old cat failed to show up for breakfast about two weeks ago. I searched and called for her for days. I checked the streets to see if she had been run over, opened all the sheds in case she got locked in. I even crawled under the house to search, but to no avail. I haven’t been able to write about her until now, and as I write, the tears fill my eyes once again. Her sweet little face, her beautiful green eyes, and her bob tail... it breaks my heart. She is sorely missed. We had a bond that grew closer each passing year. At her age, she seldom left the yard, and now there is an empty bench that reminds me each time I go out the back door.

SeeKitty was a feral cat and I remember it took almost a year for her to make contact. I never attempted to touch her, and eventually, she became curious as to why I didn’t. I let her touch me first before I ever tried to pet her. As a result, I was the only one she would allow near her until later in life. Eventually she accepted my friend Elaine who lives next door.

I suppose I will eventually take in another rescue kitty, but for now, I am still grieving.

Bay Lee Bird

This is a photo of a Cockatiel deep inside of a Snyder's Sour Dough Pretzel box. She doesn't like sharing and we often bicker over who gets the most pretzels. 

Flowers For August

                                                                Wild Clematis in the Side Yard

                                                           Red Cypress Vine in the Back Yard

                                                        Chrysanthemums in my Kitchen Window

The Basket That Named Itself

A few days ago, we had a super moon, and being August, it was the Corn Moon. I got up in the middle of the night, to view the super moon and moonlight was shining on the basket I just made. What a magical sight. So I had no choice but to dedicate it to the Corn Moon 2014.

A Flying Dream

When I was very young, I used to fly a lot in my dreams. Each time I would start to feel that lifting feeling, I would remember to make sure I reviewed my knowledge and take a few practice runs through the house before venturing outside. It was kind of similar to learning how to ride a bicycle. Balance was essential. I flew to a lot of places, some that were familiar, and some new. No matter what the scenery was, flying always gave me a sense of freedom and exhilaration. Apparently, when you leave your body, your body becomes very still. I remember two incidents where I was jarred back into reality because someone was shaking me. One was my mother, and the other time was my childhood girlfriend who thought I had stopped breathing during a sleep over. As the years went by, and I grew up, those dreams faded and I stopped flying. I missed them and wondered if I would ever experience the feeling again. 

Well, last night, I got my wish. After 50 years, I got to fly again. I found myself in an old monastery like building with cobble stones for flooring. I had on a long robe and could feel the coolness of the stones under my bare feet. As I lifted off the ground, it took me a few moments to realize that I was at least two feet off the floor, and I seemed to be gliding like a ghost. It was very pleasurable, and I then wondered if I could go higher. As I arched my body and spread out my arms, I rose further up in the air, and flew down a number of corridors. It was delightful. I then heard a voice in my head tell me that I could fly around the old house, and also on the outside surrounding grounds, but no further. That was fine with me, so I explored every room and all of the gardens. As I was glancing up at the moon some time later, this naked young man greeted me in the air and invited me to come back to the house where he served me some wonderful food he had cooked, just for this occasion. As I began to eat, I felt my feet touch the ground and he then told me my flight was over. I laughed and told him how grateful I was. When I tried to thank him, he stopped me and said he was only the messenger, not the source. So whoever granted me this flight, thank you! I will always remember it. 

Utility Boxes

One of the interesting things that local towns have begun doing, is the painting of utility boxes by the side of the road. Different artists have come up with unique designs. Some depict Mallard ducks, others are paintings of chairs. My favorite one so far is the hand sticking up out of the river. Each time I pass it, it makes me wonder what kind of story goes along with the painting.