Category: fences

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

Daisy Gets a Rap Sheet

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

Jack Russell Terriers get a bad rap for being hyper, alpha, and prey driven. Sometimes, however, the title 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

Apple Tree

Posted in apple tree, dog park, dogs, fences, foundation drain, gardeners, landscaper, memoir, tree hugger, trees, wheelbarrowLeave a comment

(re-run) 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 side fence. One of the gardeners had picked them with the intention of taking them home, but he must’ve forgotten.… Continue reading Apple Tree

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

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 in… 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

(rre-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

My Favorite Oak Tree

Posted in bobcat, fences, gardening, memoir, neighbors, pine tree, sunand shade, tree hugger, trees, valley oak, [pine treeLeave a comment

I can’t stop my neighbors from making bad decisions, like three years ago when the neighbors kitty corner and below me cut down five large pine trees and changed my back yard forever.  I lost a number of plants to the afternoon sun, plants that had established themselves in shade.  My own small pine tree… Continue reading My Favorite Oak Tree

Pyracantha and the Path to School

Posted in California, deer, fences, gardeners, 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 bushes separated its property from ours. I called… Continue reading Pyracantha and the Path to School

Pyracantha and the Path to School

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

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 school… Continue reading Pyracantha and the Path to School

Thank God for Girl Scout Cookies

Posted in books, California, clean the garage, Coronavirus, Covid 19, dog walks, dogs, Facebook, fences, Girl Scout cookies, grammatical mistakes, memoir, social distancing, swear words, ticketLeave a comment

(re-run) This is my 21st day in quarantine. I started early when my sister’s infectious disease doctor told me not to risk it. I sold my ticket to a Motown review and went to the beach house. When the nursing homes shut down all visitors, I saw my sis for another week. She lives in… Continue reading Thank God for Girl Scout Cookies

Apple Tree

Posted in apple tree, dog park, dogs, fences, foundation drain, gardeners, landscaper, memoir, tree hugger, trees, wheelbarrowLeave a comment

(re-run) 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 side fence. One of the gardeners had picked them with the intention of taking them home, but he must’ve forgotten.… Continue reading Apple Tree