I've been known to talk to cows too, but I'd let one stomp me silly before I'd share that with the entire newspaper delivery area.
Meanwhile, I uncovered my sewing machine (no ants or cookie crumbs) and stitched up a few more witch costumes.
Those bats and spider webs scared the pants off Homer (won on Kathy's blog, along with some sock yarn) so I'm only exposing his decent upper half. I probably should start thinking about snowmen and santas, but I keep seeing cute Halloween prints...you know, when I just happen to be passing by a fabric store. So yesterday I had my hair cut by my west coast hairdresser. I call her California Clara. It's pretty short and I was a little worried about what Mr. Gadget would say because, like most men, he's a long-hair lover. But he actually told me it was cute....which is not a word Mr. G would use lightly. In fact, it's a word he would use hardly ever.
But Clara and I got into a discussion about technical stuff, and how we are both grateful to have husbands who can program our technical gadgets and troubleshoot when necessary. Not to mention, take care of the technical chores around the house so we don't have to ever be involved. Then I had to laugh and tell her the story of my Grandma Ferna. Her husband, my grandfather, died when she was about 60. She didn't know how to drive or write a check or any of those things. Since we lived close by, the job of teaching her all of that fell to my father--a real saint. I say saint because she had a big ol' Plymouth with a standard shift sitting in the garage, and we lived in a neighborhood with lots of hills. After he finished teaching her how to drive the Plymouth, he taught me how to drive a standard shift VW on those same hills. By the grace of God, he lived to be almost 87.
But my point, and I was working toward one, is that girls of my generation were intent on learning those life skills because, unlike our grandmothers' generation--and to some extent our mothers'-- we were liberated and determined never to be in a position of being dependent on a man.....
So Tech Guy is still traipsing around the country, but I continue to keep my pelican head in the sand. I'm pretty sure my worry-knitting project will see me through the weekend when he is expected to return home. He had planned to head due east from San Francisco early this week, but instead he diverted to Wichita and then back to Atlanta. I guess he figured he still had plenty of clean laundry. I hate to admit it but I've always had a little bit of the enabler in me.
What kind of a bird laid this? Too big for a pelican I think....
I wonder if the golfers would mind if I updated the golf course flags? Maybe something seasonal. Do you think it's too early for something with a pumpkin motif?
I can't imagine these folks would care if I borrowed their chair for a few days. Maybe they wouldn't even notice it missing. Do you think? I could get lots of knitting done out on my patio. Worry knitting.
Oh look! It's Max's car--our friendly taxi driver. I wonder if he'd have some time to drop us off at the cruise terminal. Never mind.
And last, but not least. Here's the most intriguing question of all.......
How did Bob get here???
He got this shot just before a jolly fisherman approached and scared the big guy away. At least he was nice enough to apologize.
As Mr. G was taking this picture we both pondered why some people have such a bold disregard for the law.
He offered a special honeydew snack for good car behavior. Never once during their transcontinental trek did T whine, "Are we there yet?"
Of course I had to doodle. Some of them are sparkly too. I sent Big City Girl a picture of my new pens with a "nah...nah...nahNAH nah" note because I know she'll be jealous and 
Mr. Gadget wondered what her boss would say if he knew she was using the office color copier for greeting cards, but I told him not to worry.....it was stuck-on stuff. Here's the inside:
....especially some cactus. While we were walking around, I noticed a clever little gadget I hadn't seen before.
We're hopeful by the time we return in late August it will belong to someone else.
Sometimes we wonder what sold the place. Was it the location on a cul-de-sac? Was it the nice long driveway with the graveled parking area? Maybe the gazebo or the finished basement? 
I think I might be inclined to wear one of these roses on a jacket or sweater. Or even a hat. Maybe even an apron or my exercising t-shirt. So versatile. I love that in an accessory.
Maybe I could finally have a nice bouquet of sunflowers that the squirrels and birds won't eat.
I love this one, but I'm not sure I have the skills. It requires crocheting, felting, cutting and assembling. But then again, I do need to set challenging goals for myself and look for new adventures in life.
I'm not sure about this. I think I'll skip this page. Unless BCG thinks it's big-city chic, and then maybe I'll teach her how to crochet....
For the most part they've been dependable and true although, on occasion, he's referred to them as fair-weather friends. They've helped him wash his car and vacuum water out of the basement. They've protected him from cold morning floors and rescued him from burning beach sand. But lately the friendship had begun showing signs of wear and tear.
It was starting to fray around the edges. In fact, there was an incident recently that almost broke them apart for good. Mr. Gadget was beside himself. I've never seen him cry, but his eyes were welling up. He came to me and asked if I wouldn't mind interceding on his behalf before the friendship was beyond repair. He knows I have mending ways. He knows I've often been called a piecemaker.
I told him I would do my best, but would make no promises. I called the two of them into the treehouse and instructed Mr. G. to leave the house..... maybe take a short trip to Home Depot or the gadget store.
I sat them down and talked to them rather sternly. I told them Mr. Gadget had always treasured their friendship, and that he looked forward to having them in his life until his dying day. Could they just sit calmly, I asked, while I did a little repair work? I assured them I had the tools and the know-how. They must have realized how serious this matter was because they agreed to sit quietly while I did my work.
In no time at all, I had things patched up. It's refreshing to know there are still a few good ol' soles in the world.
I made the scary spider out of Sculpey and wire. I thoughtfully warned Mr. Gadget that it was sitting on the kitchen counter so he wouldn't be frightened and run for a can of Raid. He seemed impressed with my spiderly talents. I especially like how the hat brim lining matches her eye shadow. Last night I stitched this one:
This poor ol' gal forgot to check her shoes for spiders! That's something I'll never forget to do, no matter how senile I get.... During the stitching process I confirmed what I've always suspected. It's much easier to embroider little embellishments on body parts before they're sewn and stuffed and attached to a doll..JPG)
Seems it's just the right size for a one-man dessert. I slice up 3 golden delicious apples, toss them in a sugar-cinnamon mixture, add some raisins, and plug in the crockette for about 4 hours or so.
Every now and then I peek in and give it a stir....and enjoy a little whiff of apple goodness.
Now I feel much better about my own enabling.