Category: fences

Return to the Scene of the Crime

Posted in animal rescue, animals, beach, bench, California, carbon monoxide alarm, dogs, donations, fences, Good Will, hard boiled eggs, memoir, Monterey Bay, Nordstrom, repurposing, smoke, smoke alarms, thrift store, yard, yard workLeave a comment

(re-run) Two weeks ago, I tried to burn my house down.  I came home in time to turn off the burner under the hard-boiled eggs. Eight of them had become missiles and hung in pieces from every surface in the kitchen. Four of them turned black in the Teflon pan. When I put the key… Continue reading Return to the Scene of the Crime

Daisy Gets a Rap Sheet

Posted in animal adoption, animal shelter, animal training, dentist, fences, insurance, medications, memoir, Prozac, veterinarianLeave a comment

(re-run) Jack Russell Terriers get a bad rap for being hyper, alpha, and prey driven. Sometimes the reputation is earned. The last two weeks have been anything but easy. Two friends and a neighbor died. I hosted a party, lost a crown, had a $1300 dentist bill, took one dog to the vet for chewing… Continue reading Daisy Gets a Rap Sheet

Pyracantha and the Path to School

Posted in California, deer, fences, gardeners, memoir, native plants, photinia, pyracantha, school, school district, shortcut, smoking, trash, weedLeave a comment

(re-run) When my kids were 14, 11 and 6, we moved into a house that bordered the school district’s property. The middle school sat to the right of our backyard, and the high school sat to the left. Only a chain-length fence and a hedge of Photinia separated its property from ours. I called the… Continue reading Pyracantha and the Path to School

Apple Tree

Posted in apple tree, dog park, dogs, fences, foundation drain, gardeners, landscaper, memoir, tree hugger, trees, wheelbarrow1 Comment

(re-run) You know it’s apple-picking season when the dogs start bringing in the bruised ones and then growl at each other. When I bought the house, I inherited the apple tree. I didn’t realize how prolific it was until one day, after the gardeners left, I noticed a line of fat apples sitting on my… Continue reading Apple Tree

Daisy in the Spotlight

Posted in Alpha, animal rescue, animal training, dogs, fences, gates, Jack Russell terrier, leash, memoir, reservoir, Roomba, seniors, tennis balls, veterinarianLeave a comment

(re-run) Daisy’s favorite spot at the beach house is on the back of the couch. From there she can see the squirrels taunting her from the trees outside the window. She can see part of the street where dog walkers go by every five minutes or so. Pepper has taken over the antique silk wing… Continue reading Daisy in the Spotlight

The Universe Is Laughing, and the Joke’s On Me

Posted in Bay Area, beach, dogs, fences, gardeners, irony, Karma, memoir, Murphy's Law, neighborhood, neighbors, universeLeave a comment

Down in my little beach town, I used to share a property line with an old lady. Six years ago, I asked her to split the cost of a solid fence between properties. She refused, saying she didn’t need a fence. I had an escape dog, so I needed it and paid for it. A… Continue reading The Universe Is Laughing, and the Joke’s On Me

Pyracantha and the Path to School

Posted in California, deer, fences, gardeners, memoir, native plants, photinia, pyracantha, school, school district, shortcut, smoking, trash, weedLeave a comment

(re-run) When my kids were 14, 11 and 6, we moved into a huge house that bordered the school district’s property. The middle school sat to the right of our backyard, and the high school sat to the left. Only a chain-length fence and a hedge of Photinia separated its property from ours. I called… Continue reading Pyracantha and the Path to School

Return to the Scene of the Crime

Posted in animal rescue, animals, beach, bench, California, carbon monoxide alarm, dogs, donations, fences, Good Will, hard boiled eggs, memoir, Monterey Bay, Nordstrom, repurposing, smoke, smoke alarms, thrift store, yard, yard workLeave a comment

(re-run) Two weeks ago, I tried to burn my house down.  I came home in time to turn off the burner under the hard-boiled eggs. Eight of them had become missiles and hung in pieces from every surface in the kitchen. Four of them turned black in the Teflon pan. When I put the key… Continue reading Return to the Scene of the Crime

Pyracantha and the Path to School

Posted in California, deer, fences, gardeners, memoir, native plants, photinia, pyracantha, school, school district, shortcut, smoking, trash, weedLeave a comment

(re-run) When my kids were 14, 11 and 6, we moved into a house that bordered the school district’s property. The middle school sat to the right of our backyard, and the high school sat to the left. Only a chain-length fence and a hedge of Photinia separated its property from ours. I called the… Continue reading Pyracantha and the Path to School