Category Archives: dogs!

dogs!, grandkids, New York City, Nora at home

Seasons Change

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It may be nearing the end of October, but spots in my garden still bloom like July. I’m so grateful for these bright, lush spots of color. Those I’ve had to cut back—the Susies, the purple coneflowers, cardinal flowers and so on did their job beautifully. I look forward to seeing them again next year.

I spent a week in NY with family and friends, and before I left harvested my herbs. Don’t want to leave it too late. The little bit of basil I left for if/when I wanted fresh has grown. I snipped and chopped some last night for a potato dish. Mmm, fresh basil.

The view. Photo by Nora.

Had a great time in the city with gorgeous weather, and much Christmas shopping checked off. We had our annual visit to the Central Park Zoo where the sea lions put on a delightful show. I think Griffin, Jason and I ranked the sea lions and penguins at the top. So much fun. For the first time, no stroller, so the boy walked from the hotel to the zoo. That’s a serious walk, and so’s the walk back.

In the Aviary. Photo by j a-b

Griffin didn’t care much for the Aviary where I had a peacock fly so close, I felt it brush the side of my head. I found that cool, the boy, not so much.

Griffin/Grizzly comparison… Photo by j a-b.

Hit all my sweet spots, ice cream at Seredipity uptown, pizza at Lombardi’s downtown, a show on Broadway. I’d never seen Chicago in the theater, and it sure didn’t disappoint.

Back home again, back to work, and a lot of sorting through purchases to start organizing gifts. As usual this time of year, my One More Room looks like a department store stock room. I’m fine with that.

I also brought home a vicious cold, but finally, that’s over!

After a bit of a dip, the temperature rallied, so I’ve had some working walks in the garden.

A couple weeks ago, when searching for the poop shovel needed when one or both of the dogs decides the pavers will do, I discovered impatiens from last year had decided to somehow grow, thrive in the window well. I don’t know how as there’s no soil in there, but they’re delightful. It must be the year for it, as more have decided to grow at the base of a garden wall.

I find these little surprise treasures.

It won’t be much longer before the first frost comes, but until then I’m going to enjoy.

Nora

2025 Ireland, dogs!, grandkids, Random Katness, Travelogues

Ireland, day 10

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An all day rain keeps us mostly indoors. Though most of us, Kat, Jason, Griffin, Kayla, JR. Colt and Savanna shuttle over to spend some time meeting the castle dogs. Gorgeous doggies, and very good boys and girls. The Irish wolfhounds are so special. Big as ponies and with such an easy, steady calm.

Savanna and a new friend.
Kayla, JR and their new friends
Jason, the dog magnet.

I decide to set up my laptop after my workout while Kat and some of the gang head to the indoor pool. Figured I’d work a couple hours at the desk with the fire going and the rain falling.

I guess I put in more like three before Jason came knocking to see if I wanted lunch. As a matter of fact, I do.  So we meet Logan and Savanna. Shortly after we order, the swim team rolls in, and Colt joins us.

I try the chicken soup. It doesn’t restore my voice, but it’s delicious. And as the rain continues, it’s a good day to just linger awhile. We vote on what movie we’ll watch tonight.

Catherine’s arranged for us to have dinner in the Cinema (conveniently located directly across from Colt’s room. So a fun night, with dinner and a show, with the dress code: Pajamas.

We need family friendly so go with Madagascar. How can you go wrong?

Plenty of time before dinner to laze around, check email. BW stayed back this trip as he’s going to Portugal later this year with a photography group. So I catch up on news from home. Dogs are behaving, gardens are thriving. He followed my instructions and fed my sour dough starter! Yay! Deck’s being painted and so’s our gym. Both really needed it.

Then it’s time to meander my way through the castle—so many happy faces—and up to Kat and Jason’s room. Kayla and JR are already there, in pjs. Griffin puts on the Griffin-size provided robe. Adorable. And we meander to the Cinema. You can smell popcorn!

Now I’m hungry.

 Colt, Logan and Savannah just walk across the hall.

It’s a big, comfy room with a huge movie screen. Tables set for us in front of the big, comfy chairs—front row! Peruse the menu, get soft drinks to go with our popcorn, place our dinner orders. One of our hosts takes a group shot of the movie-goers.

Dim the lights.

It’s a fun, bright, happy movie, and dinner’s served unobtrusively. Beside me, Griffin laughs out loud again and again during our private family screening.

From left: Logan, Savanna, Kayla, JR, Colt, Nora, Griffin, Kat and Jason

We loved it. Thank you, Catherine!

I’m off for an early night. Think about reading, think about TV, do a little of both, but bed calls.

Today’s as bright as yesterday was gloomy. The lake’s bold and blue. This afternoon some of us are doing a painting class. Fun! For those not artistically inclined, it’s a great day to explore outdoors, which I may do myself before painting time.

Plans are to head into Cong for dinner tonight. Maybe we can happen on a seisiún ceoil.

Nora

Today’s #randomkatness

dogs!, Nora at home, The Garden

See how they grow

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May decided it wanted to rain. And rain, and rain. I doubt I watered pots a half dozen times through the month. It also decided to sprinkle in unseasonable cool.


But now it’s June, and I’m hoping for more sunshine.

Still, the pots and gardens seem to have enjoyed the rain—except for the basil which looks pretty sad. I hope it perks up.

Warmer weather’s due this coming week, and I’m looking forward to throwing windows open again, and taking walks around outside after work.

Meanwhile everything’s growing and budding and blooming and making me smile. Except when Milo decided to dig in the impatiens, then went at the zinnias. We were able to save most everything, and shame Milo—who really does know better.

I only have to point at the destruction, put on the Mom face, use the Mom voice: Did you do that??? And he hangs his head and slinks away. Then I shun him for the rest of the day, which for a dog who craves his humans, is a hard lesson.

Milo’s thirsty! – Photo by Nora

He came out with me today—Atticus opted to stay inside as it’s still pretty damn cool out—when I took pictures. Since The Incident, he’s behaving himself.

BW’s in charge of sprinkling dog repellent and spraying for deer. So far, except for The Incident, we’ve had pretty good luck.

I thought you’d enjoy seeing the progress since the April planting. I don’t think I’ll fit in another gardening blog before we leave for Ireland later this month.

If the sun’s shining where you are, hope you can get out and bask a bit. I know I’m going to.

Nora

cooking, dogs!, grandkids

Ho Ho Holidays

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I’m ready, more than ready. I put the last ribbon and bow on a package today.

For a couple of weeks, I did wrapping marathons on the weekend with Christmas movies keeping me in the spirit as I turned the One More Room into a disaster, cleaned it up, created the next disaster and so on.

Done now!

None under the tree as BW and I agree Milo would drag them out and tear them up. It’s his first Christmas with us. Never worry about Atticus in this area, but Milo’s a different story.

The tree. Photo by Nora.
Snowmen! Photo by Nora

Since it’s a lot, we put the tree up, did the decorations right after Thanksgiving. If I’m going to that much trouble, I want to enjoy it awhile! And today, the Solstice, I’m enjoying it all a lot.

Last weekend was the cooking baking marathon. Lots of help, with Kayla in charge, and J.R. Along with Colt joining in. At this point, I’m more consultant, and the put cookies in the oven, take them out, wash bowls girl. I did make the sugar cookie dough the evening before, stuck it in the extra fridge to chill. Otherwise, all dough made by the younger generation.

Cookie specialists (JR, Kayla and Colt). Photo by Nora.

Later, Jason, Kat and Griffin arrived, as did Morgan, one of our foundation staff. And they brought Chipotle! No cooking required.

Lord knows we baked our hearts out. Double batch of chocolate chip—the crowd fave—snickerdoodles, peanut butter blossoms, candy cane cookies. All taste-tested, of course.

Success!

Before long, we were down to the sugar cookies, which means rolling out, choices of cookie cutters, and painting. Kat, the artist, mixed the evpaporated milk and food coloring, so lots of choices there.

The cookie painters take this activity seriously!

We end with a bevy of pretty, fun, delicious cookies, which will be divvied up and sent home with anyone who wants. No one refuses.

In a few days, the family will come and gather, and happy chaos will reign. I’ll have snacks—including deviled eggs another crowd fave—champagne for the big kids, and plenty to keep energy up while we tear into stockings and presents.

Ready for goodies! Photo by Nora.

A salad bar, lasagna, the Italian bread I baked and froze a couple weeks ago for Christmas dinner, then an ice cream bar for dessert. And, of course, cookies.

The day will be a blur of fun and surprises, and when it’s done, we’ll all crawl into our beds.

Kayla and JR leave the next morning for some holiday time with his family. Whoever’s left and wants to can come for a pancake breakfast the next morning.

Thanksgiving may be the turkey and the feast, but around here, Christmas is no weak sister on the food scale.

Here’s to the light. Photo by Nora.

Laura and I wish you all the happiest of holidays however and whenever you celebrate. And light, peace and hope on this, the longest night.

Nora

dogs!, Nora at home, The Garden

Stepping Into Fall

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It’s here, so might as well embrace it. It’s coming on time for boots and sweaters and reading by the fire. Time to cook up weekend soups and stews, and admire the show my surrounding woods will put on.

My garden’s getting ready to go to sleep, though I still have plenty of bright spots. The nasturtiums, after struggling all summer, are finally spilling and blooming. I have a whiskey barrel of impatiens that continue glorious. While my basil pretty much failed—some critter enjoyed most of it—the rosemary, thyme and oregano are champs. I’ll be harvesting soon.


BW and I added a couple more solar lights and wind spinners by the water feature. Gives the whole area a nice glow at night.


Milo continues to be a big, energetic puppy. Except when he and Atticus play each other into a coma.


We had family dinner last weekend, always fun. Then I had a quiet, work-focused week to follow. I should have another couple of those work-focused weeks coming up. Then a big chunk of the family heads to New York for a week.

That means plenty of shopping time, and my goal there is to finish a bunch of Christmas and fall birthday shopping. Also time to hang with my pals—and editor and agent—see a show, visit the big toy store with Griffin, maybe a trip to the Central Park Zoo. Gotta fit a foundation meeting in there.

I’m hoping for pretty fall weather while we visit, but we’ll take what we get.

Meanwhile, in my work-focused weeks, I’m visiting New York in my head, a few decades in the future. It’s always fun to toss a dead body at Eve and the gang and see how they ferret out the how, why and who.

I hope you enjoy the change of seasons—the fall color and crisp air,  or for those in the Southern Hemisphere, the bloom of spring.

Nora

PS. But wait!

After I embraced fall and switched out my summer clothes for cooler weather stuff, I took a walk around outside. And saw this!

A friend divided her toad lilies and gave me this a couple months ago. She’s a fall bloomer, and she’s got her first flower of the season. Plus more buds. I’m so delighted! One more thing to embrace.

A quick note from Laura:
I’m still holding on to summer but will be in NY with Nora for all the fun fall stuff.

dogs!, Nora at home, The Back Story

And Just Like That, It’s June

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I love summer. I love the long days, the quick, wild thunderstorms and blasting sun.

And I love the flowers and the green. I feel blessed to live on a hill in the woods and back a lane where the trees dominate, and summer green murmurs peace.

Down the hill.

I enjoy weeding, deadheading, watering, all the steps needed to tend the gardens. It’s so satisfying to watch it all grow and spread and bloom, so I tend to take a walk-about most days after work and workout. Just a stroll with the dogs, the flowers and a glass of wine.

Shady garden art.

A certain dog, however, has been giving the gardens too much attention. It appears Milo is channeling Parker. He managed to get to one pot, and there went most of those flowers. Replaced—and pots sprayed with Dog Off.

So while I was away last week, and BW spent most days in Boonsboro, he left the pots alone. But. Obviously bereft at the lack of humans for a few hours, he dug in certain spots in the beds. He didn’t get IN the beds—BW would have found more damage. As I’ve seen him plant his front paws on the garden wall in the past—for which behavior he’s immediately corrected. I have no doubt he did just that, then went at the front flowers he could reach. And dug.

Herby bed.

BW came home to lots of dirt on the pavers, along with some dead or dying plants. Mostly my gorgeous nasturtiums, and some impatiens, and some heliotrope.

Where the nasturtiums bloomed.

Poor BW cleaned it all up, replanted what he could, then went to the nursery for replacements, before I got home. Very sweet—and also wise—of him.

Pink, purple and a nymph.
Green and gnomes.

 It’s going to take awhile to fill in the damage, and now we spray the beds, too.

I feel Parker’s spirit is looking over Milo as Milo has started pooping on the pavers.

It’s a damn good thing he’s such a sweet boy!

And I’m balancing this out with the fact that—so far—the deer are staying away. There were herds of them late winter, early spring. And Milo, unlike Parker and Atticus, barks madly at them and gives chase. I haven’t spotted a single deer in weeks now.

I’ve decided the digging—which we continue to work on—isn’t as bad as taking my afternoon stroll and discovering my spreading hostas are now celery sticks, or the day lilies have been munched to the ground.

Plus, he loves to chase balls and sticks. He’ll also run in fast, crazy circles on the swatch of grass BW enjoys mowing across from his shop.

It’s entertaining, and he and Atticus continue to play like puppies.

I have another quick girl trip starting tomorrow—back on Wednesday. We’re celebrating Kat’s birthday a couple weeks early. As BW will, again, be in Boonsboro part of tomorrow, I’m hoping for the best.

Meanwhile, I’ll tend and enjoy the garden—and try not to pay too much attention to the struggling spots.

Nora

The water feature spilling away.
Pots and garden art in front of the beds.
Look! The F’ing Wings made it through the winter!

dogs!, Nora at home

Loss and Gain

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We lost our old guy, Parker, recently. He got sick so fast. Fine one day, really not fine the next. After lots of tests, screenings, and a round of antibiotics to try to beat down a prostate infection, along with a UTI, he didn’t get better, but worse.

Parker, newly adopted, in June 2015.

The next step would’ve been cancer biopsies, neurological tests. Just no, we just couldn’t put him through that at nearly 11 years old.

It’s hard to do the right and loving thing and let a well-loved pet go.

He was part of our family for a decade, so we did that loving thing. And now he’s out of pain and romping over The Rainbow Bridge with the pals who went over before him.

He and Atticus were best friends from the minute they met, and largely inseparable. So Atticus grieved as much, and maybe even more, than we did.

Usually after a loss like this I wait awhile to find another dog to bring into the family. But this time, Atticus’s sorrow was too much for me.

So I started the hunt. Not a puppy, but a young dog. He would have to be happy in a house with another dog, with people, with kids. Friendly.

I scoured rescue sites, as did BW, and while there were so many cute dogs, none of them hit that mark that says: Oh, he’s ours!

Until, a new listing, a rehoming as the little family is relocating and can’t take the dog with them. 11 months old, kid friendly, dog friendly, even housebroken—which is a bonus, not a deal-breaker. And the face! A sweet, sweet face.

And I thought: There he is!

Meet Milo.

Billed as a Lab, but I also thought: That’s not a Lab face, but so, so sweet.

A talk with the owners, questions and answers on both sides. BW and Logan went down to see the dog, make sure everyone liked everyone,

Then brought him home.

Not a Lab, but a Labradoodle—which explains the fuzzy face and wavy coat. A very handsome boy!

And as sweet as his face. Energetic? Oh yes. Happy? Almost delirious. For the first time since we lost Parker, Atticus was energized and happy, too. They played like maniacs for over an hour, non-stop, inside. Then raced around outside. Our new family member had lived in an apartment, and seems to really enjoy having all this room to run.

He jumps some in his crazed joy, but we’re working on that. He enjoys my attention, my rubs on his soft, wavy fur, sits when I tell him to and played ball with me this morning when the other guys were sleeping.

But. He has bonded to BW like glue. If BW’s not around, I’m more than good enough. But if BW is around, I’m next to invisible. It’s kind of adorable.

Taking a break.

So welcome, Milo, you’re just what we needed to fill the hole in our hearts. We’ll try hard to be just what you need, too.

Nora

dogs!, Nora at home

Sunday in June

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BW’s been off to the beach with pals this week, and I’ve tried to make the most of the quiet house—and no cooking. Good, solid writing days—a few interruptions for other business, other duties, but a good, solid week.

That left the weekend to catch up a bit with domestic chores. Weeding, deadheading, watering, laundry—and I do believe our washer is dying, which will be a PITA to deal with. Oh, and scooping dog poop off the pavers. Why, why do they do that? There are countless places for dogs to do their business around here.

BW’s in the habit of giving the paver-pooping dogs their evening treat right around eight o’clock. Since he’s not here, they come wherever I am, sit, stare with loving and hopeful eyes. Right about eight o’clock.

How do they know it’s time? And when I go to the closet where we keep those treats, it’s insanity. Dogs are so easy to make happy.

Though we have a sprinkler system for the garden beds, the lack of rain and the heat (I LOVE the heat!) meant pots needed watering pretty much daily. But they’re rewarding me for the attention.

And finally last night, the breeze started blowing through my open windows, and I heard it coming. Some rain, at last.

So today, on this Sunday in June, after a morning workout, I could just walk around the gardens and enjoy. Something’s knocking up in the woods, but it sure doesn’t sound like a woodpecker. I don’t know what else might make a softer, slower knocking sound, but hope it’s friendly.

I’ve already got Black-Eyed Susans blooming here and there though it’s early for them. And the nasturtiums I planted from seed are growing bigger. Can’t wait until I see them bloom. The sweet alyssum and heliotrope smell glorious. My woods are green and lush.

We’ll be heading out for our family vacation in just a couple weeks—destination to be revealed when we get there. But for now, I’m prizing this home and garden time. June rewards a gardener for work done in April.

Nora

dogs!, Nora at home, The Garden

Springing

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There’s little I like better than saying goodbye to winter. I took the snow we had after Easter as a personal insult. But finally, it’s here!

BW and I hit our nursery—Sunny Meadows is one of my favorite places. Not only because this trip means SPRING, but everything is so beautiful, so well tended. Everyone there is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Can’t ask for better.

A truckload later, we’re home, and I get the fun job of setting plants out. What should go where, maybe move that over there instead. I went for a lot of hot colors this year in my annuals. I guess I wanted the vivid and bold. Up and down the garden wall, over to the shady spot.

POTS!

I’m trying a few Aquapots this year—only water once a week or so. We’ll see how that works.

Now we dig and dig, and dig.

A couple weeks ago, we spent a day digging UP. I love Black-eyed Susans, but jeez! I’m tired of them taking over bed after bed, so up tons of them come. Give them away, transplant, stick some in bare spots, all fine, but now I have two full beds to fill with color.

No longer will the Susies sneak into my herb bed and crowd out my rosemary.

Such fun.

By the end of the day, I see gaps, and make a list. I know what I want, so the next morning after a workout, I head back and fill the back of my car with flats.

Another full day, feeling the sunshine, hearing the birds, watching the gardens and pots come to life.

One more day, just a couple hours, then I make myself a well-deserved Bellini, and walk all around. Ahhhh!

Now we get to watch things grow and spread and bloom.

We’re already fighting the deer, and on my walk to take pictures, I find a geranium pulled out on the patio. PARKER!! Those geranium-filled whiskey barrels are the only planters we don’t have on stands because of Parker’s desperate need to pull out a plant and leave it dying on the ground.

We’ll figure something. At least he’d apparently just done it, so no casualties. Yet.

I’ll go out and dump some cayenne pepper in there, though that doesn’t seem to discourage him very much.

But mostly, I’m just going to enjoy.

Hope everyone in this hemisphere enjoys the rebirth of spring.

Nora

dogs!, grandkids, Nora at home, Random Katness, The Garden

Summer Daze

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I love summer. I like the heat, the sun, the sudden wild storms, the bursting gardens. I love looking out my window and spotting a hummingbird at the feeder, or hovering over my flowers.

Just yesterday while I was deadheading roses, one of these little flying jewels hovered a foot away from me, watching—like: What’re you doing there? Then zipped over to the roses, fed on two or three before zipping up to a tree branch to rest a minute. Before doing it all again.

That’s a summer bright spot in so many ways to me.

I love being able to work all day, get my workout in, then pour myself a glass of wine and wander all around the gardens.

Too often on these happy journeys I rescue a plant Parker has inexplicably pulled out of a pot. And yes, I’ve tried everything. Hot sauce, cayenne, chili powder, dog repellent, etc, etc. He will not be deterred from this strange habit.

BW is building me benches so we can put the pots up higher on the back patio. I’ve already either done this, or tried to block off pots on the lower.

The deer got through all our efforts and munched on a good chunk of Black-Eyed Susans, but I can take it as I have multitudes—so many I plan to dig up twice as many next year as the massive amount I dug up and passed on or transferred this spring.

We’re also going to dig up a whole hell of a bunch of my yellow flags which have gone insane in the last couple of years. They’re crowding out one of my spirea, and blocking the water feature. I’ve got another place in mind for some, and am passing the rest to Jason and Kat who also have a place.

These babies like their feet wet, and since when I planted (a few!) of them a zillion years ago where we have an underground spring, they’ve grown to like it too much.

I’m also enjoying my new patio fountain. Several years ago we were given this great big white stone urn. It’s lovely, but we had no clue what to do with it. We’re just not great big white stone urn people. Then I discovered these solar powered disk things you can put in bird baths or other vessels.

So we did just that. Jason and BW hauled the big-ass (heavy!) urn out of the pool house and onto the lower patio. Filled it with water—and after we’d charged the solar thing, put it in.

A fountain!

We had our little gang up Friday night for pizza, and swimming after. It’s so great to be able to get together like this again, just spend an evening with family, watch the kids have fun.

Griffin also likes the gardens, and wandering (usually at warp speed) around. This weekend he discovered the bench under the huge Black Walnut tree, and spend a lot of time rolling the walnuts Kat would hand him off the bench. Then bouncing them off the end of the bench.

He makes his own fun.

I love spending time on Saturdays weeding my beds, talking to the flowers, deadheading faded blooms to encourage more. It’s not a chore for me, but a total Zen activity.

And I’m rewarded on those walks with wine most every evening.

I hope on this holiday weekend you’re able to—safely—gather with family and friends. And have something that offers you the easy joy my garden offers me.

I’m going to close with the ultimate in Random Katness. Those who followed the travelogue know BW found some buffalo fur in our yard (then Kat found more). Kat, in her Kat way devised a make-shift spinning wheel. (She actually has a real one at home.) She washed and dried the fur, spun it into yarn.

And she made this.

It now resides in our library, and will make me smile every time I see it.

Nora