You had to know I’d be taking pictures of the flowers I bought the other day. I’ve been deprived of that pleasure for several months.
Ice Station Zebra, meet some wonderful things called ‘flowers.’
Yes, they do exist. I’m not kidding.
They look especially pretty against the white of the snow that has become a seemingly permanent part of the landscape here at Ice Station Zebra.
But wait. The snow has actually been melting. That’s a wonderful thing.
But wait again. Hugs amounts of melting snow = Mud. Lots of it. The kind of mud you slip and slide in. The kind of mud that gets all over Scout’s feet. And that has to wiped off her feet every time she comes in the house resulting in a struggle as she tries to elude my grasp. Yesterday she tried a move to the side and I barely managed to catch her.
There is mud everywhere, along with the snow still on the ground. Yesterday I grabbed some straw and covered some of the paths with it. I still have more to go.
It helps a little.
As someone who tries to steer away from 24 hour cable news, I have to admit I have been mesmerized by the disappearance of Flight 370. The mystery seems to deepen every day, with some clues that seemed promising fizzling out and new clues taking their place. I cannot begin to imagine the agony the families of the missing are going through as more and more time elapses since the plane’s disappearance. It’s a real-life mystery that I can’t put down. Have you been following this story? It seems impossible that they are still alive, but there is always the faint chance that the plane landed somewhere. I hope that is the case.
And since I have been watching so much cable news, I have to once again say how much I dislike pharmaceutical commercials, which push a drug while including an endless list of possible or probable reactions from taking that drug – including death. Every time we hear one of these lists, Don and I roll our eyes: Really? This is supposed to make me want to take this drug?
And now they’re trying to be hip. Low testosterone is called “LowT.” Hepatitis C is called “HepC.” Medical conditions have become the equivalent of a rapper’s nickname.
What??
Another head shaker from yours truly.
The winner of a copy of The Accident is Kathy. Congratulations!
Happy Sunday.
Our snow is finally gone leaving muddy paw prints everywhere I love it in the morning when the ground is frozen..No mud!!
Yes, the missing plane saga seems to change with each day..I wonder who will star in the movie??
Me too. The ground was frozen this morning and I’m sure Scout was relieved that she didn’t have to have her darn paws wiped.
The pharmacetical houses are doing to men what the did to women in the late 60’s and 70’s. There was even a book called, I think, “Forever Feminine” or something tooting HRT. Found out it was deadly. Now the men are falling for it. It makes me so angry.
Scout is so lucky to have a mom and dad that have straw to put down.
And yes, I have been following the news on the lost plane. I have started to think someone has the plane and is going to load it with a huge nuclear weapon and fly it over the US and detonate it. I hope they find the plane soon and the passengers are all still alive. It’s so terrible.
Tana
Yes, you’re right – it is the exact same thing. And people will fall for it, especially with the big marketing extravaganza.
Claudia, I love the tulip pictures. Pink tulips are so pretty. I know your doggie is going to love being able to venture into the yard without wetness. I like your take on the trying to be hep medical commercial…and really do we need to hear about some of those things, thru the day. If you listen, the cure is scarier than the disease. Blessings for a wonderful sunny Sunday. xoxo,Susie
There are so many of those commercials. I think I read a statistic that we are the only country in the world that allows pharmaceutical companies to advertise on television. Figures.
Love the tulips, they are beauties. We have lost about 50% of our snow too and yes we now have mud, lots of mud. I have some straw on the porch I may use your idea to coat my paths.
It really does help, Dawn. I have to buy another straw bale this week.
Of course, it’s a pain in the tush to clean up but the mud is worse.
Happy Sunday, Claudia. This missing flight is certainly a mystery I do not watch TV very often by I have been checking the news on my computer frequently. I pray that they are alive but the chances are so slim.
Your flowers are lovely. I buy them every week. Trader Joe’s is a favorite for us. I have not been to Ikea as there is not one near us but I certainly admire the items that everyone buys there.
Hope Don will be home soon. You have managed admirably during his absence. Take care.
Carol
Unfortunately, I think you’re right. The chances are very slim. Heartbreaking.
Don will be home 3 weeks from tomorrow. Counting the days.
Happy Sunday Claudia. Like you, I am mesmerized by the mystery of flight 370. It’s like the bad, really bad accident you pass that you can’t turn your eyes away. You know you should, but something keeps you staring at the wreck. I think It is the hope of survivors. However, if there are survivors I fear for what they are being put through or what is being done to them.
We don’t get TV anymore. We gave up our dish service. I hated the pharmaceutical companies pitches to the viewing public. I can not imagine going into see my doctor and presuming to know more about what drug would be best for me based on a commercial.
I love your flowers.
Bingo, Trudy. I feel the same. Why would I tell my doctor what I need? And that, of course, is exactly what the pharmaceutical companies want us to do!
Love the flowers you bought. They do brighten up the day. Scout looks so much more happy now, I don’t blame her! I have been buying house plants and have some herbs growing in the window. Getting ready for spring, bought some mulch and seeds. I can’t resist buying seeds and lots of them! Take care, Spring is on its way!! ((hugs))
Too soon to buy mulch here, Nancy. Seeds, though – that I can do!
Just discovered your blog via The Gardener’s Cottage. I sure am enjoying it and looking forward to reading more…I, too, agree with you about the commercials (they are funny in a creepy sorta way!) and the mystery flight. We certainly are addicted to drama and sensationalism in this culture. All we can do is pray for those people and families. What a nightmare.
Thank you for stopping by, Susan! I’m so glad you did.
First off…those tulips are beautiful…love that color! Great idea to put straw on the mud…we’ve got two holes in our backyard from the gas & electric guys trying to fix an underground cable. They say they’ll come back this spring to repair our lawn…we’ll see. So, we have mud, green grass, and still large patches of snow…but it is melting! As far as the pharmaceutical companies….seems like they are always hawking something! And you are so right…the side effects seem to far out way the benefit of any of those drugs. We kind of roll our eyes too…who would take some of these drugs? Hope you and Scout have a wonderful day! ;)
Yeah, just like the guy who dug our new leach field a couple of years ago said he’d come back and clean up – never happened! But maybe the gas and electric guys will be true to their promise!
We will see won’t we! Just saw two pairs of cranes in the field across the street…a very welcome sign…woohoo! ;)
We put straw down on Friday. It is a mess. We are actually *happy* when it goes below freezing at night so we don’t have a mess in the morning. At least some of the straw kind of disintegrates back into the ground.
Oh, those commercials. We are the last country which still allows advertising. I believe New Zealand just banned it in the past year or 2. Working for an insurance company, I remember about 10 years ago our Docs said they were needing to allow more time w/ their patients because so many come into their appointments with a list of drugs ~ and, they were doing what the tag line at the end of those commercials says: “Ask your Doctor about __________”. Many don’t even have the diagnosis for what the drug is for, but the commercials are so vague,,,,, so, by watching it …. if you own a dog, walk it, love flowers, and have neighbors…… well, it just MIGHT be for you.
The missing plane….. how in the world does this happen in 2014? We can listen in on conversations from across the world, we visit the moon and beyond, we can track marine life as they swim in the sea if we put a simple “tag” on them, but we can lose a passenger jetliner. Seems incredulous. And a week later we know very little more than we did an hour afterwards. If it was a terrorist group, it seems they would have been boasting about their feat by now. I’m sure there are screenplays being written as we watch this tragedy unfold. It is beyond belief what the friends and families are having to endure. It is heartbreaking.
Yes, I was happy when it froze last night. Unfortunately, during the day it’s become muddy again.
It’s absolutely crazy that people are going to the doctor and asking for a specific med because of a commercial!
I hope that plane has landed somewhere, but if it has, what is it going to be used for? And are those passengers still alive?
Beautiful tulips! A nice bright spot in your home! I’m sure Scout appreciates the hay on the mud path. I’ve also been fascinated by the missing plane. Quite the mystery. I watched the movie ‘Captain Phillips’ last night and was really happy that it was such a good movie. A real edge of the seat thriller. Tom Hanks was wonderful. It’s raining here today, so just snuggling in and reading a book this afternoon!
hugs, Linda
Hope your book is a good one, Linda!
I agree with your observation about big pharmacy and their commercials. I’ve noticed that they have reconstituted low testoserone into a medical condition rather than just a normal part of aging. As someone already mentioned, this kind of marketing directed toward women has been going on for a very long time.
So true, Gina – you’re absolutely right. Those levels are supposed to drop!
You know I love those tulips!!..I guess the question is would you rather deal with the snow or the mud..I know the real answer is neither..lol..I too have a bad feeling about what has happened to all those people..I was so moved by that poor woman crying for her son who was on that plane..So heartbreaking..I don’t know how I would deal with it if he were my son..I don’t even want to start on the pharmaceutical companies..Do you know that when they visit doctors office to pitch their products that they go and buy restaurant meals for everyone in the office?? I have witnessed this happening and had it confirmed by my niece who is a nurse at a local office..now imagine that cost multiplied by the number of doctor offices in this country..and the number of pharmaceutical companies in this country because each company and every one of their representatives does it..Kind of gives you an idea of why drug costs are so high right??? And the people who have to go without their meds because they can’t afford them..disgusting..OK..I’m done ranting now..Enjoy your Sunday Claudia..I hope the sun is shining for you there!
The answer is neither, Nancy.
Big pharmaceuticals pass on all that money to us in the cost of medicine. And they have a huge lobby in Washington.
I’m ranting right along with you, Nancy.
With our dog we keep a small basin and put some warm water into it. Dip one foot @ a time and dry with a large towel.
I’ve done that too, Rebya. Unfortunately, whatever way I do it, Scout will not stay still. She really hates me doing anything with her paws.
I would just like to take a moment to thank you for your wonderful blog. I take great joy in looking at your beautiful photographs, as you certainly have a gift for capturing the essence of what you are photographing. Thank you and I hope you get sunshine enough to brighten your day and clear up the mud. I love flowers as well.
Why thank you, Angie! That is so nice to hear. xo
Love today’s topics. Yes I am a bit consumed by this missing flight. It does seem that the plane was diverted and landed in some remote region. If that is so, I cannot imagine what that might mean for the passengers. Regarding the pharmaceutical commercials, I think they are horrifying. Once you begin to hear about the possible side effects of these meds I really think one is trading one issue for another. If all the pharm ads were dropped there would be very little commercial programming because the money would dry up. I don’t even like to take an aspirin unless it is absolutely essential. Enjoy your lovely flowers. They bring welcome sunshine into a home after a long hard winter.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I don’t like taking anything either, Susan.
I’m very worried about what might be done with the plane if it has indeed landed. And for those poor passengers.
Love your tulips!
As a nurse, I despise commercials for drugs, especially psychiatric medications. People think that medication is a quick cure for every kind of ailment when in fact, it is usually the last resort. I teach medication classes, mainly to college students and young adults and I am continually shocked by how many of them take several psychiatric medications to help them stay alert, go to sleep, be more extroverted, etc. They tell me that they present to their physician with symptoms they hear in the commercials and get their prescriptions. I am frightened for their future.
This missing plane is an interesting mystery!
I share your feelings, Debbie. And as a nurse, you must get so angry about the proliferation of those commercials. I am amazed by how many people I know who take medication to go to sleep, wake up and for all sorts of other things. Yes, some meds are necessary, of course, but I think people abuse meds – especially to ‘feel good’ rather than experiencing real emotion, pain, sadness, etc.
Ahh. Tulips and bokeh? My favorites! This really fed my soul today, Claudia! Thank you! :)
You’re welcome, Beth!
Topic of great concern today Claudia. I’m so concerned about that jetliner. Since we have son living overseas in Asia it is especially troubling to me. How can they possibly lose a plane that big? Unbelievable. And the commercials. It’s almost embarrassing to watch if you have your kids or grandkids with you. We do laugh at the warnings. Who would want to take those things with the side effects? Scout and your tulips look beautiful. Spring IS coming.
Blessings,
Betsy
I’m sure this hits home with your son living in Asia, Betsy. It looks like the Malaysians dropped the ball as it was clearly on their radar when it changed positions and crossed their airspace once again as it flew west. They could have scrambled fighter jets, if they had noticed the plane on their radar.
That transitional stage between snow and sunshine (known as mud) is such a mess. We have to clean Bella everytime she goes outside. It always stays wet longer right by the back door. I think this summer, I might put down some of those concrete stones to keep her from bringing so much mud, etc into the house. Great summer project!
Judy
Scoutie really stinks right now, Judy. I’ll have to give her a bath before Don comes home!
I know exactly what you mean about those commercials. By the time they rattle off the 4th or 5th possible side effect, I’m always thinking, “No thanks, if I ever get that particular malady, I think I’ll just cope with the original problem. It sounds like it might be easier…” Certainly less expensive. And probably healthier in the long run. I truly believe the less chemicals we subject our bodies too, the better. I have a feeling all these 50 and 60-something men who take drugs for their “low T” situations [something that’s probably a normal condition for 50/60 year old men anyway] are going to find themselves in trouble later. One of those “cure being worse than the disease” situations.
I agree, Janet. Low T is normal. I think someday we’re going to find out that all those medications are nothing but more trouble.
I know you and Scout will both be so thankful when the weather finally turns. I would be at a complete loss in those conditions, Claudia, and I am so glad you got some cheery flowers to enjoy and got the straw down for Miss Scout. Knowing what you have gone through, I think how hard it must have been for the wives of sailors in the centuries past to live those long months alone and have winter to boot! I would have lived on the captain’s walk, waiting for my sweetie to come back!
And you are echoing our sentiments about he drug companies. It is horrible. I watch the Hallmark Channel and started to feel a million years old from all the diseases they are touting treatments for on the commercials. And the side effects are treacherous. I only took aspirin when I had that wicked fall last September. They gave me something far stronger, but I didn’t trust the side effects. Baby aspirin worked for me!
xo
Sheila
I take an antihistamine or something like Advil Cold and Sinus and that’s about it, Sheila. I try to avoid medicine if at all possible.
Oh the mud…. yes. We wish for the snow to melt and then we get what we wish for! (But I’m still glad the snow is gone, aren’t you?) I, too, have been glued to the television, although I wish the news anchors would be less eager to promote conjecture before they have facts. I think *that* more than anything is adding to the absolute agony of these families. (I always get the feeling these anchors are itching for the next Pulitzer or Eward R. Morrow award the way they hype things that may not have even happened, and it makes me want to slap them.) I’m with you on the meds commercials. I would rather deal with the various things that are wrong with me than risk one of the 47 horrific side effects (yes, including death) that the announcers murmur under their breath and put in small print. (Let’s see…. do I want my joint pain to go away but have liver failure instead….?) It’s insane!