I'm Baaaccckkk!!

It's been 3 years since my last entry.  I completely forgot how to even sign on to my own blog! You really haven't missed too much.  Life on the Square hasn't been interesting enough to write about, but I have to say things have changed! Ok, that's really not true, but it's the excuse I'm going with for now. I'm a few years closer to 50! O.M.G. Cubby has a pacemaker and throws out his P. M. Gang sign for Pacemaker and his W.M. sign for Walmart, which is where we visited most frequently when I was off, not blogging.  I've started a new job, which I totally LOVE! I'll be sharing more about it in my future posts.  Just wanted to say hello and I'm Baaaccckkk! I hope Life on the Square will provide you love, laughter and even a tear every once in a while.  Our Dogs, Harley Tucker and Bella are still kicking it and our cat, Linus, turned 20 back in April and is still left in charge as we head out to work each day.

Looking forward to sharing Life on the Square again and hoping to pick up a few more followers!

An Out of Body Experience, a frosted Mug and an Extra Hour with Razorback Red Velvet Cupcakes!

Here it is... the big birthday finale...a Razorback Red Velvet Cupcake! It's a tradition...the birthday is an all day event...as birthday's should be. It IS the day that God chose to bring you into the world to serve Him and His ultimate purpose for you...so we always celebrate them with zest!

It started early this morning...should have been 8am, but fortunately it was 7am since we were blessed by the time change and not the bad time change...the good one...where we fall back and get an extra hour added to our day. I would personally like to have the person that created daylight savings time voted OFF the island. But the good point here is that Cubby had an extra hour on his big day. We relaxed this morning and had coffee and PRESENTS...I stayed up late last night so that they were perfectly wrapped. I gave him a retro Cubs and a retro Bears t-shirt...he gasped for air when he saw the Cubs t-shirt....I was soooo cracking up at him. I also gave him a pewter Arkansas Razorback coffee mug for traveling to work in the mornings...and just when he thought it couldn't be any better...he opened the retro Bears hat...I think he passed out for a few seconds...I know he at least had an out of body experience! Don't you just love it when this happens? I know I do!

We then got ready and hopped in the car to head to Cracker Barrel and Cubby enjoyed his traditional pancake breakfast...usually I make it, but I sat on the concrete drive way for 3 hours yesterday carving pumpkins and my back was just saying, "No Way"...we were seated in Angie's section and that was a good thing. She has been my server several times lately and she is great. I asked her if she could get our order out quickly because we didn't want to late for church on the "extra hour" morning...LOL!...Cubby has a ritual when ordering his pancakes...I think I have written about this before, but this morning was great. He orders his pancakes, then a side of bacon saying he wants it, "Burned". No matter where we are the server always says..."You mean crisp"...you would think he would catch on, but this has been going on for 8 years...then he says, "I also need sugar-free syrup, please." Everybody agrees and then the best part..."I would like a large glass of milk, but do not bring it until you bring the pancakes." You see, the milk has to hit the table at the same time as the pancakes so he has COLD milk...if it's not cold it ruins his entire pancake experience. LOL! I dig this about him! He is so consistent. This morning everything was timed perfectly...Angie had our meal out within 5 minutes and not only did she have the milk and pancakes timed perfectly...she brought him a FROSTED mug for his milk! Angie had no idea that she was dealing with a pancake and milk ritual...she didn't know about the COLD milk...she just stumbled into his ritual with perfect timing. :) I guess if it's your birthday that specials gifts come throughout the day. I was thinking..."an extra hour AND a frosted mug!" I love the small things in life that warm my heart. Needless to say, Angie got an extra nice tip today. We got to church on time and we were blessed by a great sermon about Passion, Mission and Vision....3 of my FAVORITE things...especially these days as I have been learning so much about what mine are about from this day forward. Don't you just love it when you get a NEW passion?

After church we headed home for the 12 o'clock kick off on Soldier Field in Chicago to watch the Bears play the Cleveland Browns...a sure win for the Bears this season...we are having a little trouble winning some of our games...I mean, Urlacher is out for the season! (I've been complaining about this since the day he broke his wrist...not likely to stop until the season is over)...I was suited up in my Official NFL #54 Urlacher Jersey and blue sweat pants to match...Cubby put on his new retro Bears t-shirt and grabbed a blanket and pillow....and yes, the Bears won with ease today. Another special gift on Cubby's big day. They were so far ahead at half time that he fell asleep and took a much needed nap. He was tired from all of the Halloween and Fall Festivas fun we had yesterday...check out FB or yesterday's blog, if you missed it. While he was sleeping Bella and Harley Tucker started to get unruly, so I decided to take them for a walk and let him rest. HAHAHAHAHA...what was I thinking????? Once I pushed the garage door opener...they took ME for a WALK! Around the block and up and down the hills....when we got home I had to ICE my back. The Dog Whisperer needs to do some Whispering around here!

So we brought the day to a close by going to a local restaurant near our house that is cozy and has great food...we had a nice quiet dinner and finished it off with the tradition of the Razorback Red Velvet Cupcake! We came home and he went to bed with a smile on his face. I will do the same after while...Cubby is married to a night owl that sometimes howls at the moon around 2am. LOL! I mean, I'm just getting started around 11pm.

Thanks for indulging me this long entry, I just want to remember everything when I go back and read this again later on. With my memory these days...I need some documentation.

Pumpkins Seeds Flying, Pigs Racing and a Thousand Trick or Treaters!!!

I'm not sure where to start to explain this day...It's Halloween and we packed it full of fun and crazy things. This is a big weekend already. Yesterday, Baby Millee arrived...being her Aunt Tabby and Uncle Cubby, we really were excited. Tomorrow is Cubby's birthday and he'll finally be a decent age in his 40's...42...at least he is climbing now. We started the day having breakfast at Cracker Barrel with Katie and Drew. We told lots of stupid Halloween jokes and had a really fun time. Cubby had his pancakes, so everything was great. You know how he is about his pancakes. He'll be having more in the morning for his birthday breakfast.

So this first picture...what in the world?? Why are there pigs flying around?? After we had breakfast we headed out to the pumpkin patch...and there is SO much more than pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. There are pig races! This is the 3rd race where they were really rounding the corner. I think Porky won the first race, Wilbur won the 2nd and Porky stole the show again on race 3. This was absolutely hilarious....Go Wilbur Go!


We headed out to the pumpkin patch after the pig races ended...Katie and Drew picked out their pumpkins for the pumpkin carving contest that was being held on our drive way later in the day. Little did I know what was going to go down in the drive way!!!! LOL! Cubby and I already picked out our pumpkin and we were already scheming on how we were going to win the carving contest. :) We also visited the petting zoo and a goat grabbed Cubby's finger and started sucking on it. A picture is posted on FB. LOL! He went to the hand sanitizer booth right away. We saw the ducks and the crazy roosters that were crowing at the crack of Noon....little late fellows!

We had our pumpkins loaded up in our cars and headed home for the carving contest. Once we were all at the house, we headed to the drive way with our prize pumpkins, knives, carving tools, markers and scrapers. We started making our cuts around the top. I told Drew and Katie to angle the top cuts so the lids would not fall into the pumpkins later....Drew made straight cuts and now his pumpkin lid has to sit at an angle...silly man. Once we cut the tops out, we started pulling out the seeds and slime. I love the smell of fresh pumpkins...so does Katie. Cubby thinks it is the nastiest thing in the world and chose to just sit and watch the carving contest. We all got tickled over how much stuff we were pulling out of the pumpkins and it didn't take long before we were throwing it all over each other. The pumpkin seeds were flying and the slime was every where. I don't know when I have had so much fun and laughed so hard. Cubby kept saying, "Settle down, you guys are going to make a mess!" He was acting like a MeMaw! LOL! It was too funny. I carved 2 pumpkins, dancing ghosts and a Happy Pumpkin. Speaking of Happy...I found a pillow to give Cubby....it says, "I'm Happy, Don't Ruin It!" ROFL...I showed it to him today and he thinks it is hilarious. Too bad I already bought his birthday presents. :) Drew carved a skull and cross bones...really cool....and Katie carved a Cat that took forever and by the time she was near the end something went terribly wrong and she tossed the whole thing in the trash. I still can't believe she threw it away. She went OCD on the pumpkin! Cubby and I got the front porch ready and we placed our pumpkins on display just before the 1000 trick or treaters came to the house. As I am writing this, they are still coming. I left to run an errand and when I drove back in to our neighborhood there were hundreds of cars lined up...It took forever to make it back to our house. I've never in all my life seen so many kids trick or treating...it was really neat to see so many kids with their parents having so much fun.


This is Mr. Bunny and he has been with me for 12 years. Every holiday or festivas he always dresses up. He is wearing his Halloween scarf and is looking very dignified this evening. I love Mr. Bunny.


This is the Happy Pumpkin that I carved...this one took a while to clean out and I think most of the slime from him was on Drew, but I'm still picking pumpkin seeds off my blue jeans. The carving on this one only took me five minutes....he was easy.


This is Drew's pumpkin...his turned out really great and then he added the "Beware" at the top to add a little spook to his creation.


This is my Dancing Ghosts pumpkin. They are all wearing bow ties as you can see, but can you really tell that three of them have on top hats? My pattern didn't copy on the right side, so I had to free hand it on the two ghosts on the right....I don't know, I think it looks pretty good.

Cubby was the judge since he didn't actually carve or even touch the pumpkin junk. The contest was threefold...One, Difficulty in carving....Two, how well you followed the pattern....Three, presentation. Judge Cubby ruled as follows....Difficulty in carving goes to the Dancing Pumpkins....Presentation goes to the Skull and Crossbones....and following the pattern goes to the Happy Pumpkin. Best in Show overall goes to the Dancing Pumpkins. WooHoo!!!!! Certainly I agree with Cubby's ruling...but, Drew is calling foul for some really crazy idea he came up with since the judge is my Cubby. Obviously, Miss Katie was disqualified for going OCD on the pumpkin that ended up in the trash. Happy Halloween everyone. What a great day it was today!

Why did the coffin stop chasing the people once they threw cough syrup on it???? It stopped coughing....get it? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

A Miracle, Raindrops and the ability to accessorize!

Publish Post

This awesome accessory means that one of my favorite things is happening on the Square.
Yes, it means it is RaiNiNg....rAiN DrOpS are FaLliNg!! And the forecast for the week calls for more rAiN DrOps FaLliNg all over ArKaNsaS until Saturday. PaR TaY for Rain lovers and Eeyores everywhere!



This picture is just right outside our front door. Isn't it the best? This is the perfect ending for not such a perfect day...but I have rejoiced and been glad in it anyway. Let me explain... Eight years ago today I had a saddled pulmonary embolism and was alone at home waiting on a friend to take me to the doctor. I had been to the ER the night before and they sent me home. I begged Cubby not to let them send me home because I felt like I was dying. I ended up having to go home anyway and was told to see my doctor the following morning. While I was waiting, I stayed in bed until it was time to get dressed. As I stood up, I couldn't breathe and began passing out if standing. I crawled to the other side of the house to get clothes and passed out 3 times along the way. The final time, my dog Gracie saved me. She did the unthinkable...and was licking me on the face and mouth. She knew this wasn't allowed and freaked me out, but it caused me to regain consciousness again. I crawled with my head and body as flat as possible to the floor. I had to get to a phone and it was in the back bedroom...yeah, where was my iPhone then? Where was my App for that? I had to stand up to reach the phone and as I dialed 911 everything went black and I fell on the bed. Being flat again, I was aware of what was happening. I immediately heard the sirens of the ambulance and fire department. I knew help was on the way. I prayed that God would not take me on that day because Katie was only just 2 weeks short of being 12. I knew I had to be here for her and I knew God was in control.

The paramedics had to peel my garage door up like a sardine can to get in the house. I felt embarrassed that they had to come get me and that the sirens went all through the neighborhood. I kept telling them that I was sorry. The paramedic that was working on me said the funniest thing...he asked why I was sorry, that it was like apologizing to the pizza delivery guy for delivering your pizza. I was having a terrible time trying to breathe. He put this huge oxygen mask on me and I could tell he was worried. When we arrived at the ER, there was a doctor there that was there the night before and I had noticed that he had been watching me from the other side of the ER that evening. He immediately recognized me and told them to put me on the elevator to go for a CatScan because I had a blood clot. I was saying...oh no, that can't be it. For 6 months, this clot had been forming and no one could figure out what was wrong with me. Tiny clots had been passing from my legs to my lungs the entire time. Any one of them could have been fatal.

I came back from the CatScan and every specialist you can imagine was standing around my bed looking very serious. I was thinking...ok, now I have your attention and someone was going to tell me what was wrong with me and my peace of mind would be back in place. They told me alright and also said they did not know how I was conscious or even alive at this point. The clot was huge and was laying over both lungs and blocking the blood flow to my heart. First thought that ran through my mind was...gee, I could be in the morgue with a toe tag by mid afternoon. (I find humor in most things...I was also glad that my toe nails were freshly painted from the pedicure I had gotten 2 days before and that the toe tag would at least accessorize a lovely toe)...I was still calm and knew God was in total control, so I snapped out of that crazy thought and asked the doctors what they were going to do.

They quicky gathered a few more doctors and said they were going to give me a clot buster. What I didn't know was that they were 100% sure that part of the clot would break away and send me into cardiac arrest and that it would be fatal. I hurried them along because it was taking forever....just give me the shot already. They were not working on the same level as the ultimate physician and ultimate healer that I knew was surrounding me. I felt my parents presence around me as well...they had both already gone to be with the Lord.

They finally gave me the shot through an IV and stared at me for what seemed like forever. I asked them what they were looking at and if there was a problem. I was still calm and I was so excited that the doctors finally believed and knew that I was really sick. I can't tell you how many times I was sent home when I knew something was very wrong....especially the night before. The clot buster caused no problems and they took me to ICU where I stayed for a week before I was transferred to a regular room for an additional 2 weeks. All of the doctors in the ER came by to see me one at a time and were in disbelief of my situation.

As I have grown in my relationship with Christ over the past eight years, I realized that God gave me a miracle that day. As I have gone over every detail of the events leading up to 9/14/01...I have realized that God has a huge purpose for me. He has taught me so many lessons through so many trials in my life. I am at peace with this. I have now reached the part of my life where things are about to change and my purpose, mission and vision for Him will be unveiled (at least what I need to see for now)...He has been preparing me for this crossroads in my life for 45 years...I don't know what it is yet, but my heart is convicted and I hear Him. I wait patiently, but with great expectation. It is coming and I couldn't be more ready.

My true mission and purpose for this life He gave me started Sept. 14, 2001, just 3 days after the 9/11 attacks. I watched television from the hospital almost 24/7 and I was heartbroken, but thanked Him for my miracle. I prayed for the loss of life and the families affected by 9/11 and had a deep connection with the loss since my situation should have been fatal except for the miracle I was given.

I started a new Bible Study tonight with my small group. Beth Moore's "Breaking Free"...I couldn't think of a more perfect time or perfect day to start this study. I've left my old job behind (since it went bankrupt and all)...I'm waiting in great expectation for what God has prepared me for....and this eight year anniversary of God's Miracle has so much more meaning this year. I'm telling you...something big is on the horizon.

So this not so perfect day turned out okay...after Bible Study, I came home and checked on Cubby...he has been really sick for several days...I was able to talk to the doctor at length on the phone and have decided that we need to be a little more proactive for answers. Remembering what happened to me made me think that I have to trust God in this situation and get the answers we need in order for him to be healed.

I had to go to WalMart after 10p, because we were out of everything. I generally can not stand to go to the store, but tonight I realized it was just me and the stockers in the store. It was actually a calming experience...and for once, I did not have to abandon my groceries and make a run for the ladies room. Normally this would be unspoken, but it has become a joke in my family...every single time I get to the back of WalMart or Target I have to make a run for it. IBS is not my friend. (Sorry to be graphic...but my family has convinced me that this is hysterically funny). I was able to shop, get back home, put the groceries away and not even break a sweat or feel the least bit aggravated by dodging baskets coming at me from all sides.

Once home, I heard my RaiN DrOpS and just smiled. I so love the rAiN! It's soothing to my soul. It just cleanses everything and makes it beautiful. I felt a blessing with the rAiN as I remembered God's gift of the miracle He gave to me 8 years ago today.

One final note..off the subject...you must remember from previous posts that I flip subjects in mid sentence, but I always eventually get to the point. Enough of the sentimental stuff for a moment...(Only on special occasions will I write something on our blog that is more serious in nature...today was one of those days...thanks for indulging me.)...So we all know by now that the Bears lost to the packers last night...bad enough...but I was awakened this morning with the news that Brian Urlacher was in surgery for his wrist and he would be out for the season. This was one of the low points in the day. Why...Why...Why...not Urlacher...but I keep repeating...."God is Good all the time...All the time God is Good!" So, I'm sleeping in my Urlacher Jersey until he returns to the field...he is not going to be out all season.

And remember...RaiN calls for AcCesSoRiZiNg!!! I love you Tallee, you little Tigger.

Keep the Maalox on ice...The Bears are on the Field and in the Living Room!!

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers....plus


Cubby's Fleece.....Plus


Tabby's #54 Urlacher Jersey....EQUALS


Chilled Maalox from the Fridge!

In the 5th Grade, I decided I was going to go to Baylor University....major Baylor Fan. I have no idea where this idea came from or the odds stacked against me to actually go...I just kept my focus...ignored the tuition challenge and graduated from Baylor...

For the same reasoning (which has no logic to it at all) I have always loved Chicago. I actually never visited Chicago until I was 31. I just knew I loved it. And when I visited Chicago it felt like I was home. I have a deep love for the Chicago Bears and the Cubs. I can handle the curse of the Cubs...other than when an idiot sticks his glove out and costs us the World Series. I, as my pastor does, believes that the Cubs are God's team. The Chicago Bears...my greatest love in sports.

So this all sounds good...NOT! I am a tender, loving, calm and compassionate person...I love everyone and I have a kind heart. That is until the Bears take the field! I can not explain what happens to me. I take every call personally, I feel very angry at any player that even touches the Bears or messes up their plays. I'm still reeling over Rex Grossman not being the quarter back this year. It makes it hard for me to love Cutler. I'm trying though. I love me some Urlacher Defense...I love me some Hester going 80 yards on a return for a touchdown!!

Once the real season starts, Cubby and I suit up on Sundays...me in my #54 Urlacher "official" Jersey...Cubby in his Bears T-shirt or Fleece. We sit on separate furniture so no waving arms, legs, clapping or jumping up and down can harm the other. You know I take a blood thinner...so I don't need any internal injuries. After a win the shirts go back in the closet and do not get washed. If we lose (I do not like to even type that word)...we wash our shirts to get the stink out of them. We are often very smelly from not washing them towards the end of the season.

Today, the Bears are playing the Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. There is no greater victory than when we beat the Packers (idiot Cheese heads)...in turn, there is no greater loss if we don't. Of course, our entire goal and focus is to go to the Super Bowl!

The whole point of this is that I turn into this crazed, wild-eyed, rip roaring Bears Fan that does not accept any defeat. This has never been the case in my entire life-EVER for anything! The anticipation all day gets my Game Face ON! Of course, Cubby never saw this side of me...I never knew it existed. When it started...he was fearful! Where had his sweet wife gone? I'll tell you...I'm on the field with the Bears! That's why I wear #54 for Urlacher...the best defensive player in Professional Football!! He whips 'em on the field and I feel like I whip 'em at the same time. I need a #23 Hester Jersey so I can feel the wind in my face as he runs like a cheetah (the fastest animal on the planet)....I could use a #9 Gould Jersey so I could feel the contact of the football on my foot as another smooth sailing field goal flies from the greatest distance ever!! Oh, my Bears!! I could also use a headset so I can talk to Lovie....sometimes I feel my hands around his neck as they begin to squeeze.

What all of this boils down to is that the Maalox better be chilled in the Fridge all week so I can have it on the end table as I kick back, grab the clicker and watch as the Bears kick off every Sunday!! Right now the Bears are down by 1...but are on the 3rd yard line on the 3rd down with 3 minutes to play. I'm grabbing the Maalox and signing out before it's over...the victory will send me to the moon, but the loss will cause me to wither to the floor. Check ESPN to see how my evening ended.

Encore Please!

When we first looked at our house, the description read that there were Encore Azaleas. I lived in Central Texas most of my life and wanted azaleas (red ones) in my gardens. I think they are beautiful. The soil in central Texas is not acidic and contains a lot of limestone, rock and clay.

To properly grow azaleas, you have to have acid in the soil. It can be done in central Texas, but it is not easy. I had every "Texas Gardening" book known to man and I followed the directions. I had to dig 5 feet down and 4 feet around the area and completely replace the soil and treat it with acidic plant food. So I did all of this and planted red azaleas that turned out to be pink. Augh! Not that I don't like pink, I just wanted red ones.

If you know me, the sun is not my friend and I tend to get hot, turn red, not sweat and pass out. A hit with the water hose and a splash brings me back, but with a headache that is unimaginable. You know, the kind where no one can even walk on the carpet in the room you are resting in to recover. Lights out!

After several attempts at Central Texas Azaleas, I gave up. I even talked to my favorite flower market and questioned why they even sold them. I'm a determined woman, so me giving up on this was a big deal! My brother lives in, Texarkana, and he always has the most beautiful azaleas. (Secretly aggravated me to death!)

After reading about the Encore Azaleas, I searched my gardening books and the internet and could not find what the Encore was all about. Deep inside, I wished it meant that they would bloom more than once a year. I was afraid to let myself get overly excited about this wish. It would be a big disappointment...like the "Pink" azaleas that Pooped out. Poopie Pink is all I think when I recall the hard work, passing out and the headaches. I had to train my daughter, Katie to splash me with the hose. She was a real trooper about it...I can't believe it never scared her. That poor child must have thought it was all part of gardening. LOL!

I'm happy to report that hard work and perseverance do not go unnoticed. I now have beautiful red azaleas that grow all around the front of our home. And, the Encore...well Hello, August...they bloom again! ParTay in the garden!

The Mysteries of the Yard on the Square...Fall Foliage and the Beasts!

Example A


Example B


Example C

Mystery...sometimes it's a really wonderful thing in life. I do like to know what's going on most of the time with a twist of the unknown for excitement. But, there are mysteries that are maddening to me at this point. One happens overnight...I can find no logical explanation. If I try to catch it happening...I get nothing. This mystery also brings out a fit of OCD in me that can't be hidden. I find myself peaking out the windows...slipping around the garage like an undercover FBI agent... But to my demise the mystery remains.

My yard gets mowed every other Tuesday at this point. The cool air at night has slowed the growth of the grass in preparation for fall. Once my lawn is mowed and pampered it looks like green velvet. You just imagine rolling all over it and then popping a couple of benadryl to fight the allergy attack that will follow. This is why we only fantasize about the rolling around in the grass.

So you ask, "What are the mysteries?" Let me share my madness! Every Wednesday morning my yard is covered with fall foliage...leaves are everywhere. Example A: A Green tree with NO dead leaves. Example B: My yard covered in dead leaves (okay, let's call it fall foliage so it sounds better). Example C: Close up of Large Fall Foliage in it's perfect Brown wonderment!

Where are the leaves coming from? They are in my backyard as well. I look all the way up the street and down...NOT ONE yard has a single leaf on it. Their trees are also green. My neighborhood has a POA office that will send you a letter if you have weeds. I'm terrified that it will also arrive if you have leaves (and when I clean them up...they are back the next morning!) This letter of shame as I refer to it, absolutely can't show up in my mailbox. I would be mortified. This summer, I have stayed after the flower beds to keep them weed free. Another mystery unveiled itself as well.....

All my life I have heard the word chigger. Funny word...but, with all the pastures, woods and ditches I have played in during my life while growing up, I have never experienced a chigger. It sounds harmless enough and having not had one I was under the impression that a chigger was a very rare bug or pest...whatever you want to refer to it as...I have my own definition that's not fit to share with others.

Well, first time out in the flower beds...4 days later...I have this weird looking patch above my ankle...never in my life has something itched as bad as that patch. In a wild fit I searched the internet and discovered to my regret that it was chiggers. I treated the little patch and nearly lost my mind before it healed over the course of the next month! I spent a little time out there again 2 weeks ago and I was dressed from head to toe and had on rain boots that hit me at my knees. I sprayed so much "Off" on me that I am sure to have some sort of lung disease later in life. I'll be on the TV show, "Mystery Diagnosis" and will recall the fit of over spraying "Off". My OCD made me re-apply with frequency. Four days later a patch on my forearm...looked like a spider bite or even a snake bite....two marks in the center like a pair of fangs. It itched like a chigger family with out of town relatives had used me as a host for their family reunion. It's still driving me crazy...I bought a bottle of "chigger tox" on the last round. I have applied it over and over.

It still rages on...mentally I'm going with spider or snake. Two things that I believe the world could do without...spiders and snakes make my skin crawl and give me nightmares. However, in reality I know it's the dreaded chigger. It's an itching sensation that could send the weak to the mental ward with padded walls. A single chigger brings fear...you can smell the fear in me when I check out my flower beds. Yet another mystery though...my beds have been sprayed with every insecticide known to man (due to the fear)...and when I prefer spiders and snakes to a chigger...if you know me...then you know this is serious business.

Thus, the mysteries of my yard are great...I've posted proof of the "mystery of the leaves" on the square. I dare not post a picture of my "snake bite" for fear of angering the chiggers and awakening the Beasts of the yard.