My Country Life

Melvin turns 14 today. Melvin came to live with me in November of 2000, when he was one and a half years old, and I was almost 40. He had been in a show dog family, but that wasn’t working anymore so he needed a new home. Like other 30-something women yearn for a baby, I dreamed of having a dog. I had wanted one for years, but I traveled a lot on business and worked really long hours. My career had consumed me since my early twenties, and there wasn’t room in my life for a dog. But still, I longed for one. So when I took the big leap in May of 2000 and left my technology career, one of the first things I did was begin researching breeds. I agonized over the decision; I knew it was a big commitment, and I didn’t want to make a mistake. I finally settled on the Cardigan Welsh Corgi as the right dog for me. My intention was to rescue a dog, but I quickly learned that Cardigans are rarely in need of rescue. Just when it appeared I would have to go a different ro...

Mama Robin and three babies on Sheryl's back porch. (Daddy Robin not pictured.) I’m in Atlanta for a few days, networking and visiting friends. A very good and generous friend of mine was kind enough to offer me the use of her garage apartment whenever I am in the city. She lives in an area called Avondale Estates, just east of Decatur. Avondale reminds me of Decatur when I first moved there back in 1994. I remember thinking what an undiscovered gem it was. It had the perfect combination of city proximity and small-town feel. It was safe and walk-able with quaint homes and old landscaping, but in 1994 Decatur had not yet fully recovered from the “white flight” of the 1960’s and 70’s. The downtown area lacked any hustle and bustle. Even though you could easily walk there from the surrounding neighborhoods, it provided mostly 9-5 businesses and empty storefronts. It was ripe for the growth and development that ensued over the two coming decades.

Daylily "Lavender Vista" The daylily pictured above is called "Lavender Vista," from the All American Daylily series. I planted it in LaMama's yard back when I worked as an analyst for a nursery and had access to all kinds of beautiful plants. It is in glorious bloom right now. My friend, Becky shared the following poem with me. I love it. Enjoy. ~Pat

Mimosa Vine A hairy woodpecker has taken to hammering away at the eave of the cabin. I’m surrounded by shade trees in every direction, but this black and white woodpecker prefers the cabin. I have shooed her away repeatedly, but she keeps coming back, several times a day. You would be surprised at the noise this 9” bird can make. It sounds like construction has started on the “someday” screened porch.

Goldie, the box turtle made another appearance late yesterday. Melvin and I were taking our usual evening walk, and there she was, in the same general area where I’ve seen her twice before. This time she was obviously digging a hole for laying eggs. We left her alone, and I watched her from a distance through the binoculars. She continued to dig the hole, but then crawled away slowly without laying any eggs. I’m not sure if she will lay eggs there or not. I sure hope she does! It would be so fun to observe over the coming months. From what I read, they typically lay their eggs early morning or late evening, and the incubation period is 3 months or more.

My bedroom for the weekend. I just returned from the most wonderful weekend at The Parker Ranch in Clayton, Georgia. Everything - the weather, the people, the food, the accommodations, and the activity – came together in a lovely harmony, making for one of the best weekends I’ve had in a while. My friends, Becky Hoover and Paula Jones recently acquired The Parker Ranch. Becky has had her eye on this place ever since she spent her 50 th birthday there a decade ago. When the inn and the six acres it sits on went on the market a few years ago, Becky started dreaming about how she could make it hers. With the unwavering support of her partner, Paula, Becky’s dream became a reality earlier this year when she was able to open The Parker Ranch.

I saw Goldie, the box turtle again this morning. She was just off to the side of the driveway. I thought she might be trying to lay eggs there so I left her alone and continued my walk. When I returned, she had moved on. I found her just a few feet away munching on a wild mushroom. She let me take her picture again and didn’t seem alarmed by me. I may need to install a sign that reads “Turtle Crossing” if she continues to hang out around the driveway, and that would be just fine.

Goldie, the Box Turtle I met this little lovely in my driveway Sunday evening as I returned from a quick trip to the local Dollar General to pick up some half and half. Grocery shopping in downtown Ila is an unhealthy proposition. Choices include two gas stations and the aforementioned Dollar General. I drive ten miles to a well-stocked, health-conscious Ingles for my weekly shopping. But in a pinch, one makes do with the Dollar General.

Front porch at the cabin. I finally got my front porch in shape, and I like the result. All along I envisioned a pair of painted rockers, either black or dark brown. The rockers are inexpensive purchases from Home Depot – just $99 each, plus the cost of paint. The coffee table is one I picked up for $10 at a thrift store. The side table has been with me for a long time now; it used to sit on my back porch at 110 Lamont Drive. I have always loved this little table. Painted dark walnut to match the rest of the furniture, it provides the perfect place for my coffee cup and the binoculars.

A country bouquet of fresh-picked flowers. My dear friends, Erica and Sheryl came to visit this past Sunday. I decided back in early May to invite them for brunch, and we settled on June 2. Erica brought her boys, Van and Drew. My mom, sister, and stepdad stopped by to meet them and shared the meal with us. I had great fun preparing the menu of breakfast casserole, mixed green salad, fresh berries, muffins, mimosas, and coffee. The night before I picked a bucket full of fresh flowers from LaMama’s* yard and made two beautiful country bouquets. One for the table and one for the porch. I loved every minute of preparing for their visit and the actual visit.