The Adventures of Being Me

Had another chipmunk in the house, thanks to the cats. Woke up my roommate with my screams while watching a small furry animal run across the floor. Finally trapped it between 2 boxes, and my roommate took it outside. Put things back that were moved, searching for the varmint in the living room to discover the tail of the chipmunk. Poor dear was scared to death. Always fun to watch TV when the dogs bark every time the doorbell rings on the TV. Nobody at the door.

Visited my Dad at the cemetery. He was Air National Guard so I stand by his grave and play "Taps" on my smartphone. I told my Mom once of my tradition and she thought it was sweet. Now I visit her on Mother's Day buried next to Dad.

Why do I have argue what my yard should look with people? Then I get compared to my neighbors' yard and how pretty their yards look. Because I don't want a f---ing golf course for a yard and pretty flower beds surrounded by pretty bricks or stones. I want a natural yard with flowers and plants where pollinators, butterflies, birds, etc. are welcome. I purposely spread seeds to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and pollinators and your ideas of my incorrect yard are destroying all my work. No weed killers and no pesticides, espcecially around my pets.

Funny how some people complain about weed killer causing cancer. Yeah, so does the air we breathe, full of pollution and the cigarettes they suck on. Once a year, spraying in patio and driveway cracks won't trigger cancer. If it did, why is it being sold if so dangerous? They also said Extra Virgin Olive Oil causes cancer, too. I checked on that, and it protects you from cancer and is a healthy vegetable oil.

Interesting. Someone called, and my roommate answered. He said they were calling about the bathroom wall. I haven't contacted anyone about the bathroom wall. I've Googled and asked for recommendations, but not contacted anyone yet. He gave me the phone, and they hung up. Odd. I asked if they said bathroom or basement wall. He assured me they said the bathroom wall. Bet it was a scam from my Google search. I once searched for a private loan and was bombarded with emails and phone calls offering loans before I contacted any bank about a loan. Technology today.

Read an interesting question while Googling. Do we touch the same water as the dinosaurs? Had to check the answer. Yes, due to the water cycle we in fact touch the same water as the dinosaurs. We also view the same sun and moon. Though, we don't walk on the same dirt and plants because the dirt is now sedimentary rock and plants disintegrated into fossils.

Rosie found trouble today. She got stuck between our fence and neighbor's shed by their dog guarding the opening to the neighbor's yard. I climbed up the slope covered in elderberry branches to reach the fence. Gave her a pet and she climbed the fence. She jumped into my yard and took her inside.

An old classmate has died. Saw the obituary on social media. Haven't seen him in years. Last time was at a class reunion. He apparently was engaged and his kids grown up. One about to join the Armed Forces and the other graduated high school early to look forward to joining a trade union. He was a good guy and single father. He will be missed.

Was told they added more videos to the training modules of the online courses. Turned out, they redid all the videos of the exercises. Have to watch extra videos. Goldie catches a chipmunk in the tiger lilies. I quickly shut the door so that no wild animals would be allowed into the house. Goldie sets it down and plays around with it. Rufus races up to grab it, then starts shaking his head. I scream "No!" and he drops the chipmunk after just turning his head once. Chipmunk races into the tiger lilies. Relief.

Goldberry turned 1 year old today. Gave her a can of tuna and took her picture with her cake. I ate the cake with the dogs. I realized I forgot Rosie's 1st Birthday last month, but I was distracted by her ligament tear to celebrate. Tomorrow cats will get Delectables instead of tuna. Dogs and I ate some more cake.

Celebrated my Brother's 60th Birthday tonight with cake and ice cream at his house. Family came by. One didn't come so call them. They forgot and visiting grandkids. Such as life. Had an interesting morning. Let the cats outside, and later on, one carries a garter snake towards the house. I shut the door, saying, "No snakes in the house." Don't know if alive or dead, but didn't want it in the house. See Rufus rolling around the grass near the snake. I checked the grass near him to no longer view the snake, so maybe slithered away. Then, after both cats are inside, I decide outdoor time is over and shut the door. Next, I hear a thumping against the sliding door. Cats rushed to the door. Behind the curtain is a bird, red head woodpecker. I grab the bird to take it outside, and it flies around the house. Finally, Rosie caught the bird and I picked it up again, covering its wings to proceed to take it outside. Once outside, the bird flew up into my tree.

Just watched a Father’s Day gift suggestions on TV. It may seem outrageous and sad, but the best gift a man can give his family is to take care of themself. Many men won't eat healthy or exercise at all until forced to by a doctor telling them they have diabetes, or high blood pressure, or worse need heart surgery. Please don't wait that long. Your family wants you around as long as possible. Trust me.

Well, Des Moines has a lawn watering ban again, like last year, due to nitrates. After all this rain and mushrooms popping out, my yard doesn't need any water for a while. When I left Pilates class tonight after driving through a thunderstorm to get there, the instructor pointed out a rainbow.

Another chipmunk in the house. This one was a baby. I fed the pets and heard a squeak by the door. Rosie was pawing at a funnel by the back door. I looked in it and found a tail curled up. Took it outside and forced it out of the funnel. It was a baby chipmunk. It wobbled around at first and ran off. Go find your home, little chipmunk. Cats had been inside for hours by this time, so I don't know which one caught it.

I got my 1st Pilates Board. I even got cards to describe exercises to do with it. The cards actually encourage to make videos to promote their product (the exercise cards not the Pilates Board). Maybe someday, but for now I'm doing the 28 day challenge of 15 minute routines. They also have 30 minute routines for Strength, Flexibility, Core, etc. I tried it out right away. Wow, my roommate's guardian angel protected my roommate driving today. Almost got hit by a car zooming high speeds, but got out of way in time. The car rear ended another car to make its hood pop up and hit another car. Then took off. He said it was at a traffic light so hopefully the cameras got the license plate. He said it was a blonde lady. Wonder if that will be on the news today. (Probably not since it's Primary Voting Today)

Let pets outside. Goldie comes back with ball of fur in her mouth. I try to see what she has. She dodges me and runs into the house. She releases the chipmunk in the house to start chasing it. Rufus dives into the chase. Chipmunk gets to the glass sliding door and crashes into it trying to get out. I open the door, hold Rufus back, and move the curtains to guide it out. It finds the opening and jumps outside. Rufus follows behind and I call him back so chipmunk gets away. Good dog. Roasted my very first pot roast with potatoes and carrots, like my mom made her roast beef dish. Had plenty to feed some to the dogs instead of their kibble. Waiting for the verdict from the roommates. Hope they like it, I certainly enjoy it.

Drove home today. Pets so happy to see me. I heard from roommate that Rufus refused to eat and Anna had high anxiety. I texted my sister asking if in the future to watch my dogs for me. She agreed. Cats are more manageable and less needy for my roommate.

Attended the graveside service. Priest said a prayer and that was it. Uncle Jim was happy to see several people came. I introduced myself as Janet's niece. I gather most people there were from their church. Visited Uncle Jim in his apartment after the service. He has a cat and dog, Cookie and Poppy. He said he spends most of his time in the assisted living place. We had a good talk catching up to what we were doing. I showed him photos of my pets. This cemetery is huge so I don't know if could find their tombstone again if I came back to leave flowers for Janet. Her coffin had no flowers and I thought that was sad.

Drove to Aunt Janet's town and checked into my hotel. Too bad nobody wanted to join me. 2 beds was the cheapest option. Ready to hit the bar downstairs. I've been driving 10 hours including lunch break, potty break, and get gas. My hands are sore from holding the steering wheel. I need nourishment. I wonder what food they serve. Lunch was Dairy Queen. They have an outdoor pool, but it's raining all 3 days of my visit. Aunt Judy finally text messaged the name of the cemetery to attend to burial service. Took her long enough. She upset my roommate by leaving a vociemail asking if I left yet and instructing not to visit my Uncle Jim cause he doesn't feel like entratining me being deep in grief. Excuse me? Deep grief is the time to visit someone. He doens't need to entertain me. I'm there to comfort him. Geesh people. Enjoyed my dinner. Roasted chicken, buttered rice, and vegetables. My drink was called Candied Apple that tasted like cinnamon apple candles they s...

Had another murder. Goldie caught a chipmunk in the bushes and brought it out in the grass. She set it down, and the chipmunk scampered around. I tried to hold back Rufus and Goldie so the chipmunk could get away. Well, Rufus grabbed it and shook it vigorously to drop it. I picked it up to see if the poor dear was okay. I set it on the patio table. I stroked it and pressed on its chest. It vibrated its foot, so let it rest a bit. I couldn't see any chest movement, so I think Rufus broke bones in the shaking to kill it. Poor chipmunk. Since nobody wrote an obituary for her hometown paper, I wrote an obit for my local paper since my Aunt Janet was born here. I realized I barely knew her. I had no idea where she worked or what she did. I didn't know when she married either. Would have been nice if someone closer to her wrote this. She had Alzheimer's and was in a coma for a couple days before she died. My Aunt Judy keeps telling me not to visit my Uncle Jim mourning the lo...