This and That: A Blog

 I found what I think are some nice things to share this week!   First, from St. Vincent de Paul, my first salt and pepper shakers in the nodder form.  They're the cutest shakers I've ever seen!  I was happy to pay $8 for them.   They are older than I expected, made in Japan by the Takito Company (1880-1948) between 1935 and 1945. Moving on the a Goodwill store.  A Makonde, Tanzania, carving from mpingo (African blackwood). The dark wood isn't painted or stained, it's the heartwood, the pale is the sapwood, the live outer layer under the bark. It's about 6" high and probably made in the 1960s. In the 70s they began using power tools, and this shows chisel marks. There are several different types of these carvings, this is the Binadamu, realistic human figures representing everyday people.  I only paid $3.88!  Now to the Goodwill Outlet, or Bins. A fabulous birdhouse! It's folk art, most likely done in Connecticut or upstate New York, pa...

First, some things around town. There was a new double sided case of fancy dog treats at the grocery store.  The prices weren't up yet, but they look expensive. There's finally a restroom at the park.  It's a kind called a  Portland Loo .  Now, the garden.   I forgot Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day on the 15th!  I seem to do that a lot lately. Some neglected calendulas and globe gilia. Lance-leaf coreopsis  I'm not sure of the name of this bearded iris.  It's by the back fence, out of sight, so I'm going to move it when it's done flowering.  Finally, snap peas!  The tomatoes are growing well.   Sungold and some morning glories Pantano Romanesco   Bonny Best was bought at a yard sale the weekend before last.  Turkish Sage  The front yard.  I got some cat repellent spray for the bed in the foreground.  So far it's working!  Whenever I decide to use it the wind picks up, so I end up having to shower ...

  Sunday Stamps is the letter P this week.  P latypus Australia 1938 P ine Chafer Czechoslovakia 1992  P artridge, Red-Legged Oman 1982 Q is often a difficult letter, so come back next week and see how I did!

 

  Skywatch Friday The sunsets to the northwest are always filled with wires, poles, and rooftops.  So, here's one reflected, which makes those a bit less noticeable! The white foam board in the window is because of Mickey.  He is reactive, and while the sofa is pulled away from the window about 3 feet, he would just put his front feet up on the window sill to see out.  Now he stands up on the back (often with three paws up!).  He can still see out, but he can't bash the glass.  If the curtains are closed he moves them with his nose to peek out.  From outside he looks like a dog ghost!  If you've ever had a reactive dog you know you can't just " Train him !" out of the behavior.  You have to work on avoiding triggers and distracting.   I have some new foam board with Contact paper, both from the Dollar Tree, on one side to put up.  This makes it a little more private for me too.    Have a nice weekend.

It's Public Parks today for Thursday Postcard Hunt .   The lily pond at Shaw's Garden (now the Missouri Botanical Garden  - search " lily pond " for more images from the past),  St. Louis, MO  postmark 1909 Portland, OR Classical Chinese Garden     Princes Street Gardens , Edinburgh, Scotland with Scott Monument in the background. Postmark 1942 The famous Swan Boats in Boston Public Gardens , Boston, MA  This garden was the first botanical garden in the U.S.  Boston also has the honor of having the first public library.  It's not the oldest, but the first publicly funded free one. Next week we visit Beaches.