R.I.P. CINDERALLA

This morning while I checked on the pond I noticed these strange shiny, iridescent things…

I picked some up and showed Jim asking can these be what I think they are? We found a trail of them towards the grass, then on the grass leading to the woods Jim found some flesh. The shiny things are Cinderella's scales. Something, most likely a raccoon, dragged her off and ate her. She must have put up a tough fight, thus leaving so many scales behind. We would never have figured this out if she didn’t leave those scales.

Cinderella was a beloved pet. We feed them both well last night.

We think George is still in the pond, hiding out in fear since his lady love was taken. We hope George doesn’t go to the same fate tonight.

What I accomplished yesterday and this morning

I did pick up the 1/2 finished chair slips,

I love the tone-on-tone single BIG letter.

But I didn’t do any sewing! Because….

MY BACKYARD IS A JUNGLE

It constantly needs trimming,

pruning,

cleaning,

weeding,

and more weeding. Every day I spend hours

cherishing my purple elephant ears,

weeding still more,

sweeping,

mulching,

clipping palms,

skimming leaves out of the pond,

DE-ALGAEING, which doesn't always work,

feeding & watering the birds,

dodging the birds nesting here,

spying buds & new flowers,

appreciating the sweet delicate puffs of the MIMOSAS,

spray painting,

taking a break,

listening to the waterfall and enjoying!

I DID MAKE MY RESERVATION TO DC TO SEE SON-IN-LAW & DAUGHTER!

MY BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

My birthday is coming up next week and husband has been asking what I would like for a birthday gift.

Mostly I want to forget my birthday and I usually answer “I’ve got everything I want”.

Husband must have remembered that I really wanted 2 Adirondack chairs to sit in by the pond, here’s what I found when I walked to the pond this morning.

He’s a sweetheart!

HOW SWEET IS THIS.....

Do you remember back in May, when I accidentally overdosed my pond with MicrobeLift? Grey Beard and Sharkey died. George and Cinderella almost died but somehow pulled through. Well, they forgave me for that horrible, black day. They love me and hubby more than ever. They trust us so much, they eat right from our hands. Especially when we feed them Krill.....freeze dried shrimp.
Cinderella is so greedy, that's why she is in most of the pics. What a funny sensation when they engulf your fingers with their big mouths.

Come on George...get it quick before Cinderella comes back...

See Cinderalla's barbels below? Want to know what barbels are? Ask me.....!!!! Hubby is actually holding her face up so I could get a picture. You can see her barbels on his hand if you click and enlarge picture.. Koi are very difficult to photo....they just won't sit still and pose like good children should!!!! Now that is a loving fish....to let Daddy hold her face.

Below is the post from May:

Self Confessed Lamp Tramp: Read at your own risk...not my usual post

Happy weekend of yard work

Our weather has been beautiful! Things are budding and getting green. And our azaleas are just starting to bloom. I've mowed to pick up the last of the water oak leaves, spread 10 bags of cowmaure to top dress ruts in yard, planted 3 new plants...

and enjoyed my koi.

Cinderalla is the white one....she is very greedy. George is orange. Greybeard and Sharkey are difficult to see as they are so dark.

I love my yard again. It's finally under control since all the Katrina damage. In the Spring, my yard makes me happy to be alive!

I KNOW IT'S SPRING BECAUSE...

the frogs are back, humping in my pond.

Not that I don't love frogs, and I certainly do my best to support Mother Nature's own ecological plan but the little buggers end up in the pond's strainer. They get sucked in by the pump. Then the strainer gets so filled up with frogs and their slimy eggs that water can't flow into the pump housing area. So I have to clean it a couple a times a day.

Two above are hopping off piggyback and the other two were still somewhat attached despite the one lady or gentlman flat on her/his back. They figured it all out and hopped off.

These 2 are heading back to the pond for a little privacy.

This lady or gent hightailed it off rather quickly. Must have been embarrassed to be caught in the act. Happy Spring, ya'll!