Tomato-snatchin' Swine-Deer

This post has been two weeks in the writing... not that I've sat at the computer for 2 weeks, but the incident that perpetuated this post happened two weeks ago today.

I've learned a wonderful truth... if I keep moving DAILY I don't hurt as much. I used to *take Sunday off* from taking my walk but soon realized that those are the days that I REALLY hurt. Welp, I love walking enough that adding a 7th walk each week is, frankly, a delight.

So, Sunday a fortnight ago, Harley and I were just returning from our evening stroll. As I rounded the corner into my backyard movement in the tomato patch caught my eye. I caught two 4-legged thieves in the act of pilfering my prized tomatoes. (I'd noticed a partially eaten tomato a couple of day before and thought, stupidly, that it was the birds!) THEY were surprised at my untimely return and bolted, not towards me and out of harm's way, into the backyard... from which there is no escape! (Dun! Dun! Dun!)

I brandished my dog-deterring, fly swatter, sans the swat, and challenged, "And now what are you going to do?!" They stared mutely back. I loosed my fierce hound-companion on them. They quickly sized up the situation and decided that this Grammie looked less intimidating than said fierce hound and bolted past me and sailed crazily over the newly erected fence and existing hedge meant to keep THEM out and ran home to their mommy.

I waved my swatter-less swat again and hollered, "And don't come back!"

I suppose that it was too much to hope that they would actually leave my open tomato patch alone, even though they've never ventured there before. This meant, you guessed it, more fence building.

My original plans from nearly two years ago had included this section that closes off the raised garden from the side parking area but I had hoped that I was really finished with the fence. No such luck.

I got another section of hog-panel and made a temporary fence whilst I build the new, TALLER section.

The first order of the business was posts. I measured and the center post, at 8 feet, landed right behind the beautiful boxwood bush on the left (pictured below).

WELL, THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN! I've nursed these babies for 10 year and they were finally filling the measure of their creation.

Plan change! I trussed up Bush 2 and Bush 3 like a couple of big fat Christmas turkeys and dug the center post hole between them.

The weather has heated up (it is summer, ya'know!) so I didn't work as fast this time. I took 3 days to put in 3 posts. That used up most of week 1.

Then a wonderful thing happened. I got a surprise visit from my niece, Jill, and her family. They've never been here before and wanted the 10 cent tour. When I showed them the partially constructed fence Doug, her husband, suggested that I carry the picket area at the same level as the first section of fence and then go taller from there, keeping a more cohesive look. I loved that idea!!

Saturday I completed the second gate that leads into the raised garden all by myself (remember I had a great teacher). But when it came time to hang it I called son-Kevin to the rescue me again. He brought Chloe and Ethan and they had a wonderful time climbing Grammie's new fence and finding *hidey-holes* under the grape vines.

Monday and Tuesday this last week I finished the fence off. I'm so pleased with how it turned out. The other thing that is an unexpected bonus is that, since I am slow, the new wood is taking on a wonderful patina in the elements. I like it so well that I'm not going to stain it, but seal it in a couple of weeks when all of the new wood is burnished red.

Gordon points out that the deer can still jump over the lower fence into the backyard and then into the garden. I just hope that the swine-deer don't figure that out before I get something tall planted along the inside of the backyard fence.

Keep it on the down-low for me, OK??

Bonneville Shoreline Trail

I discovered, quite by accident, one day that the trail referred to as the upper canal trail is actually a portion of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. The happiest part of this part is that it's only a short UP-hill jaunt for me access it.

I usually only walk a small portion but THIS-day I wanted to explore uncharted territory. And can I just say how much I love Google maps? I love knowing where I am on the map! (You know... the little *You Are Here* circle?)

I successfully maneuvered the transition from my regular route to the continuation of the trail. Last fall I got off on the wrong trail and had quite the mountain goat adventure.

And Harley? Oh yes! He is my partner in crime. He loves our daily walks but he especially appreciates THIS route because it is the only time I let him off the leash to explore. I talk to him like he's a little child, "You stay where you can see me or you will have to go back on the leash!" Interestingly enough, he seems to understand and only rarely goes beyond my sight.

Several times this trail merges with the power line road. But for the most part it is narrow like the photo above.

I spotted this happy little face brightening up its little corner of God's masterpiece. I'd never seen one of these before (except in my niece's photos from her nature walks).

The first hour we were in the shadow of the mountain and it was quite comfortable. Soon we emerged into the hot July sunshine.

These are my new *trainers*. I absolutely love the Go Walk by Skechers!  They have saved my poor plantar fasciites feet.  I credit this wonderful shoe, in various colors and styles (*if the shoe fits, buy it in every color!), with helping in the healing of this last bout (well, that, and losing 23lbs!)

We hiked 2.6 miles north-west along the trail when I could see that the trail was diverging more from the houses just below and the next opportunity to get off the trail wasn't until 970 N. Since I didn't want to make that long trek back through town we turned around and started back the way we came.

I knew there was a shortcut back down to the houses so we alternately took deer trails, and did some slipping and sliding down the dried grass hills to the street.

Oh Snap! I knew wrong! See all of the squiggly streets about a third of the way down the trail?

Yeah, let's get a close up of that! I was shooting for Spring Creek Dr instead of Spring Oaks Dr. I didn't want to go up that step climb again (You can even see how steep it is on the map!)

We (read Grammie) just didn't have the energy to take that long asphalt detour so we mountain-goated it again... only this time I slipped on my bum (hey, not so bad) and then another slip that pulled a muscle in my thigh! But, not to worry, I still had over a mile walk home so I worked that stiffness right out!

The happy news about this alternate route is that it got us back down to sprinkler water. Our water was all drunk up! Harley drank his fill and I filled my water bottle. (Note to self... take your camel-back next time!)

We were both glad to get back home and take a bath; well, Harley not-so-much. It wasn't until evening, when I saw him licking his front paw and investigated expecting to see a fox-tail I'd missed in the bath.

What I saw was...

THIS!

I've only seen this once before on a dog when we took Amber to Vasquez Rocks and she wore blisters on her little padlettes on the sandstone!  Poor Harley! I felt so bad!

By bedtime these were MY stats for the day...

Harley easily did one third more with all of his up & down and  back & forth. Poor boy had to take a rest day today...

but no rest for the Grammie. I had my 10,000 steps by noon.

Mountain-Goat Grammie

Earlier this week a friend posted a photo of her and her walking buddy, Cooper, on the trail that runs above our houses- the Bonneville Shoreline trail. It looked so glorious that it tempted me right out of the house and up onto the mountain.

I grew up right at the base of the mountains in our little town in the Indian Valley, California. I used to take off and explore all over the mountains. It always refreshes and rejuvenates me to take a hike (which is different than a walk!)

Harley could hardly believe his good luck! I never let him off the leash when we go on walks. But since this was a hike and we were up the mountain I told him he needed to stay where I could see him or he'd have to go back on the leash. (Yes, I talk to him like he's a person... a little person in a hairy-suit!) He understood and was quite obedient to my conditions; well, most of the time.

We hadn't gone far when the view opened up across the valley to Utah Lake with the cerulean sky overhead.

At this point I couldn't tell where the trail went next... silly me, I should have just looked on Google Maps on my iPhone which clearly shows the trail. So I doubled back and headed up the side of the mountain on a mountain goat deer trail.

I wanted to get up to the power lines and survey the fire damage (which is almost imperceptible after the wet September we had). I quickly realized that this mountain goat trail went up and down each of the gullies that one almost doesn't perceive when looking up on the mountain. After one such gully I was seriously doubting the wisdom of where I was (what if I tumbled down the mountain and had to call for a rescue? Now that would be embarrassing!) and decided that I needed to just start down hill until I hit the real trail again.

There is a lovely rock that was just right for resting on. I spied out my house. It was easy since my other neighbor has a wonderful bright red tree in her yard.

I'm always surprised at how a camera diminishes distance. This photo doesn't reflect how far this Grammie had hiked!

I've often thought I'd like to hike to the top of this mountain... but not this day!

We got back home just as the light was turning all golden and lovely.  We'd had a happy outing on this golden, stolen November day!

MY SITTING ROCK.

I know that all too soon we will have snow and it will be months before this kind of hike will be possible.

Play-Date with Harley

This morning Fiona's daddy had a doctors appointment so I went early to watch her. And since silly-Grammie forgot her phone at home we came back to my house today.

Fiona fell asleep on the ride and somehow I managed to sneak in the house without Harley noticing that HIS baby was here! You should have heard the racket he made as soon as she stated making *I'm awake* sounds.

He certainly loves his babies! The hardest thing for him is *NO LICKING*! I gathered some *Grammie-toys* (read- Grammie didn't look carefully enough in the diaper bag for the toys so we improvised!) so Fiona could play in my sewing room. Harley was right there to keep her company.

Fiona loves Harley's soft fur.

OK... this cracks me up. This busy little girl doesn't want to lay down. She will hold up her head and feet. Gramma Lewis would call this exercise!

But this was the funniest of the Grammie-toys; my silicone pastry brush. She didn't like the way it felt in her mouth and would make a little shivering-gag each time she put it in. After twice (hey, I had to get the photo!) Grammie took it away!

We even took a little walkie: Grammie, Fiona and Harley. I love this happy view.

Happy Adoption Day, Harley (**well, kind of)

I've waited all month for this happy day!**

I can hardly believe that it was 6 years ago that we adopted Harley! Time has flown with this funny little *fur-covered-sack-of-trouble*!

Since we *deal in used dogs* we can never be certain how old they really are; but for the sake of assigning an age we think he is 8. He has the most soulful, wonderful, puppy-dog  eyes. (And very soft ear-sies!)

• Harley isn't the smartest dog we've ever owned- that goes to Amber.
• He's not the softest or most loving- that award goes to Buddi. 
• Without a doubt Harley is the dog with  more personality than ANY DOG we've ever known. He is a dog that understands a joke. He's a wonderful companion.

One of my favorite Harley stories is the time he and Stuart were rough-housing. Gordon said, "Stuart, don't get Harley all wound up!"

To which Stuart replied, "He started it!" (and he did!)

**(It's not easy being me! I can never remember the exact day we adopted Harley, but I always remember how many years we've had him. It's easy! It was the same month that we went to Texas to be with Brandon when he was ordained a deacon. Earlier this month I pulled out one of my blog books to check the date and SAW the 17th. I even thought at the time, "Boy that was later in the month than I remembered." I just pulled out a different blog book and saw that, in fact, we got him on the 12 January 2008! Then I check the other books- still the 12th! Oh well, he's just a dog, he doesn't care. Hey, he got 2 treats out of this photo op! Like I said, it's not easy being me!)

Good, Deer Friends

Harley and I went on a late afternoon walk to *blow the stink off*. On our was back I decided to cut into our neighborhood since there were horses, kids on skateboards and dogs our on Canyon Rd. As I was passing the Wilding's house I saw 3 deer just across the fence in Heidi's side yard. I stealthily removed my MPC (aka iPhone 5S) from my back pocket and was at the ready to capture some wonderful photos of my GOOD, deer friends (as opposed to the naughty 2-point buck who loves to vandalize my trees).

I love how alert they are; ears pointed forward. Harley is always very quiet and cooperative when we are around deer; which I don't fully understand since he whines for any other animals. I watched as the first adult jumped over the fence. She was quickly followed by this adolescent.

I almost wonder if the last deer is the mama. She is craning her neck to keep me in view.

When she sees that her baby has gone safely she follows.

Can I just say, once again, how much I love where I live?

Harley- Bane of Swine Deer Everywhere!

Now that we have copious amounts of snow on the ground here in our little corner of heaven it means that the *swine-deer* will be making frequent visits to my neighborhood to forage for easy pickin's!

Harley's favorite perch 365 day a year (366 last year) is right by the front window. Right now the couch is pushed up to his window so he it in full *puppy-hog-heaven*!

Earlier today I heard him barking at something outside so I glanced out of my sewing room window to see what his problem was... the culprits! Swine deer have invaded his domain! Yeah, but Harley-boy... they are across the street.

This is what my ivy bed looks like many winter days- (but not this day... there is a foot and a half of snow covering all but the stragglers on the sidewalk. This photo taken a couple of weeks ago). Apparently the swine-deer and I have an agreement: I grow the ivy. They eat the ivy! This ivy bed is just outside Harley's window.

So a few hours later I hear Harley go nuts lunging at the blinds like the UPS man is here (sorry UPS man!) I hollered, "Harley! No!" (There are already bite marks on one of the slats!) and then went to investigate.

This is what I found this time! I burst out laughing! Some poor mama-swine-deer got the scare of her little-girl-life! In three huge bounds she was across the lawn snow and *outta here*!

Maybe this is why the snow hasn't been methodically moved from the ivy bed to the sidewalk every morning... word's gotten 'round that there is one MEAN dog guarding the ivy!

Tarantula!!!

This evening I had to go repair the fence where Harley has literally knocked off boards trying to get at Wilson-the-dog, that none of the neighborhood dogs like. (Poor Wilson!) While I was out there wielding my power drill the Pickerings came walking by with their little dog, Cooper (who also hates poor Wilson). We got to chatting and pretty soon Cooper starts growling and barking at something. I assumed it was another dog!

NOPE...

It was this bad boy! Walking Stalking across the street, bold as you please!  You know me!  I whipped out my MPC!



What the heck? I'd heard that tarantulas lived in Utah but didn't expect to see one in my neighborhood! This is the first one I've seen in seven and half years.

I've been told that tarantulas don't bite humans (I even let one climb on Tadhg's arm several years ago when we found it in YLP! Yeah, great Grammie behavior!)

I wanted to give my viewers a size comparison so I stuck my foot down by him.  He was ok until I accidentally touched his little furry leg... then he was in attack mode! I could practically hear him hiss!



And even though I read that tarantulas have been kept in captivity for 30 years I wasn't interested in testing that theory! Luckily I had a stray BYU bucket in the backyard from fruit picking (he was making quick getaway for the grass) so I yoinked it up, got a long iris leaf to use as a prod and got this furry creature into the bucket. He, on the other hand, wasn't too excited about this idea! He was determined to crawl out of said bucket and try his fangs at human-bites! (YIKES! Was my adrenaline ever flowing!)

But since he is *just one of God's little creatures* I speedy-quick got a lid so I could safely carry him to the field not too far from my house (read- far enough away that he won't come back for a visit!) and liberate him.



Boy, oh boy, will he ever have a story to tell the other tarantulas!

Helper Harley

So *lasterday* after taking lunch to Miss Camille we decided to do a Costco shop since we haven't been there forever. One of the main reasons for going there was to get Harley more dog food. (He seems to prefer the Kirkland brand best.) Like everything Costco it comes in ginormous one ton bags. And, ya know, my hands are still healing from surgery so I knew I couldn't lift and pour. So I carefully cut open a corner of the bag, used a forklift to get the bag onto the kitchen counter and then poured it into the 5-gallon bucket... bwahahahahahaha...



Sweet Helper Harley, he isn't a begger! He's a cleaner-upper! He was right on the job going to help Mama clean up her mess!



I'm not sure I could have made a bigger mess if I'd tried. And you know... all I did was laugh and laugh!

Toas-Tite Nostalgia

Today was our first one of our first sunny warm days this month (I think we many have had one other day)! I knew I needed to get out and do yard work. Work is good for my soul this time of year**!

I was nearly finished with my work and was thinking how hungry and thinking *Hmmm, what to eat?* All of a sudden it popped into my mind... Mom's sandwich maker that lives on the top shelf of my pantry, which I'd just seen on Sunday when I was putting things away after family dinner.

So, I have to know, how many of you know what a Toas-Tite is, or have one? A quick Google search found this cool old ad.



Now, for those of you who don't know what a Toas-Tite is I will show and tell right now. Here's mine-
I inherited it when my Mom died 34 years ago.



You start by buttering one side  of two pieces of bread(when I was a girl we used to do both sides, but I'm trying to cut back!), add your filling- mine is leftover ham from Sunday dinner and cheese. Scootch the filling towards the middle so it stays in the samich.



Close the Toas-Tite and trim off the excess bread.



Scoop it all together and if you are really nice...



Put it into Harley's bowl for a nice puppy treat.



Then put it on the stove. Gas works so much better than electric.



Turn it several times, making sure to keep the flame low so it doesn't burn.



Tip it out onto your plate, pour yourself a cold drink and get ready to enjoy!


(NOW IF I WAS PIONEER WOMAN I WOULD GIVE YOU A CHINA CHECK RIGHT NOW... SO HERE IT IS- 
KID'S PLASTIC-WARE FROM IKEA! bwahahahahahaha)

Enjoy the yummy meltiness of this samich and remember a happy time 50-some years ago when your Mommy used to make it for you.



Happy samich... happy day.

** Tony's birthday was yesterday, feeling sad this day.