Archive for the ‘Poison Ivy’ Category

See these lovely wild blackberries?

We have rows and rows of these bushes all along our very long driveway.

wild-berries.jpg

Here’s the problem. I have never, ever been able to pick these berries without contracting a poison ivy rash. I’m not just talk about a “little itching” rash. I am talking about a livid, oozing, burning, put-your-life-on-hold-for-a-month rash that requires medical intervention with strong drugs.

Do the berries still look enticing? Not so much to me.

Aside from thinking of debilitating poison ivy, I also think of the birds. Berries such as these are a major part of the diet of many of the wild birds. Taking food out of the mouths of little birds (while simultaneously carousing with poison ivy) just seems wrong.

So forgive me if I take a pass at these berries. Of course, if you’re my way and want to bring a bucket, you’re more than welcome to help yourself to as many as you want. I’ll even throw in my doctor’s phone number.

Robin

Right Now at Bumblebee

February 3rd, 2012

If you’re in the neighborhood and just happen to have your paintbrush and paint clothes with you, stop on by. Harry and I are taking the day off from work to start painting the master bedroom. We figure it’ll take until Sunday. Harry does most of the rolling—no small chore with high ceilings—and I do all the tedious detail work. You, of course, can pitch in wherever you like.

We’re painting it a dove grey. So if you see some grey in my hair in the next few days, it’s paint. Got it? The grey is paint.

Robin

February 2nd, 2012

Happy Groundhog Day! What are you doing to celebrate?

We’ll have a special dinner of NOT groundhog. Dinner will be a special pasta (TBD) and some yummy homemade yeast rolls. Then we’ll pull out the photo album of past Groundhog Days and reminisce. We will toast Puxatawny Phil by opening the first bottle of my homemade apfelwein, which I hope is sparkly by now. If it’s any good, you’ll hear more about it.

Cheers!

Robin

February 1st, 2012

Working from a home office is not always what it’s cracked up to be. I have a lousy IT department (me). Interruptions range from barking dogs to crowing roosters. I hear my business phone ring during non-business hours.

But there is a lot good about a 15 step commute. Such as today. It’s cloudy and a bit drizzly, but the temps will climb into the mid 60s for the second day in a row. I will turn off the heat, throw open the windows and give the house—and office—a good airing. Ahhh!

Robin

January 22nd, 2012

It’s cold here with a bit of ice and snow on the ground. The hens hate it.

There was a huge, chicken-y traffic jam at their window/door this morning. As I opened it three hens bolted outside. But they beat a hasty retreat back into the coop while other hens were still trying to get out. There was an impasse and much chicken shoving. There were no injuries—unless you count my sore sides from laughing so hard.

Robin

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