Rustling Reeds

Reeds on Irondequoit Bay

There are instances when I do some really dumb things. I mean really dumb!

See the reeds in the picture, to the right? Not only do I like to photograph them; I like to cut them, dry them, and use them for decoration as I do other natural flora and fauna in November.

The first time I decided to try this, I carefully cut an armful of reeds to the desired length, so the reeds would fit nicely into the decorated milk can I use for floral arrangements. Then I hung the reeds upside down, and outside to dry for a week. After they were properly dried, I brought the dehydrated  reeds into the house and plunked them into the milk can, where I displayed them in the corner of the living room. They looked really pretty and I was complimented on how something as simple as a local "weed" could add such a nice touch to the decor.

About one month went by and I started to hear rustling noises in the living room. Then it went away. Then it came back. This went on for about three days. I finally figured out where the rustling sound was coming from because after 30 days there was major movement coming from the milk can.

There were millions of bugs nesting in the reeds...I mean millions! The warm temperature in the house re-activated the little buggers. Little did I know that I was supposed to expose my dried hanging arrangement to at least a couple of major frosts in order to kill any dormant critters. Shame on me.

Reeds, milk can, and ribbon went out the back door as fast as you can say "Horse Pucky". It all got tossed in the woods, except the milk can, which got scrubbed. The rest of the house got liberally sprayed with Raid and I spent a lot of time in the barn, which is a polite way of saying I was in the doghouse.

Now I use silk flowers in the milk can. I still spend a lot of time at the barn...but not for the same reason.

Day After Thanksgiving

Jon and I

This shot was takent the day after Thanksgiving, which just happened to fall on my grandson, Zane's 17th birthday. Needless to say, we were having a good time, especially me.

 Believe it or not I had nothing alcoholic to drink, but could be suffering from food overload. Thanksgiving was filled with an abundance of fresh food from the harvest and a yummy turkey we all enjoyed. My son-in-law cooked the turkey, my daughter baked pumpkin pies, and the rest of the family brought their signature side dishes.

Day after Thanksgiving: Zane wanted his favorite meal for his birthday; "Grammy 's"  homemade sauce and meatballs. And that's what he got. The sauce was made with fresh tomatoes from the garden, other fresh veggies, and loads of meat (homemade Italian sausage, grilled spare ribs, and my special meatball recipe). 

After all that food, my grandaughter, Ivey, let me borrow her faux fox hat to try on. Jon said, "Cute, just don't go out in the woods with that on your head." He's always looking out for my safety as well as being lovingly supportive of me. Secretly, I think he wonders why he ever got mixed up with The Horse Pucky Queen.

A Thanksgiving Ditty

Squash is squished, pies are baked; cranberries are chillin'.
Sprouts are cooked, turkey's stuffed, but something's really missing.

I know what I forgot.

It's time to take a gratitude break and have some words with God:
"I'm really glad I woke up today, on this side of the sod."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!  You are loved.

~The Horse Pucky Queen

Horse Pucky Advice: Nude Beach or Not

Dear Horse Pucky,

We have been invited to go to a resort in the Caribbean that has nude beaches only. My spouse and I aren't exactly in the greatest shape and are embarrassed to expose our never-seen-in-public-parts to the rest of the world. We don't want to be stick-in-the-muds or seem boorish. What should we do?

~Flabby and Conservative

Dear F & C,

Let it all hang out and be sure to bring lots of sunscreen. It's a great incentive to get in shape together.

Teddy Graham Experiment

Friday is the end of the work week for me. That's when I start getting a little squirrely.

During my lunch break, I decided to see how long it would take before a teddy graham would sink to the bottom of a cup of milk. I put four chocolate "teddy bears" into the milk at two second intervals. As you can see, the first one is almost totally submerged. You can still see the complete body of the last bear I plunked on top of the milk.

Purpose of the experiment: To see how long before they sank, and to let you know I think I've finally lost it. Boredom during lunch breaks does strange things to people's minds when they eat alone. 

In case you haven't already figured this out, the main reason I did this was to eat these delectable chocolate graham cracker morsels with an ice cold cup of milk. Believe me, they're delicious on top of the milk as well as after they've sunk to the bottom. It's one of those kinds of treats that are perfect when you're not sure what you want, but want just a little something.

P.S. Thanks to the Sisters of Mercy, I got my very own box of Nabisco chocolate teddy grahams when I went trick or treating at the convent on Halloween.

Dirty Picture

Blue human legs...me. Black human legs...my good friend, Donna. 

Now that I have your attention, I want you to know that my two thoroughbred mares, Silver Lining on the left and Silver City Sadie on the right were shiny, sparkling, silver-clean yesterday. Today they look like a couple of very large mud balls.

Horses and young children are alike. Wet dirt and mud puddles attract both species like a magnet.

It's bad enough the horses have to roll in it, but Silver likes to grind it in. She even had dirt on the inside of her ears. Sadie isn't quite so messy, but filthy dirty nevertheless. They both had fun in their new digs, and they're happy. For those of you who know me, when my horses are happy, I'm happy.

The Pumpkin Patch



My favorite pumpkin patch.

Everyone has a favorite pumpkin patch. The one to the right is my preferred acre of choice. It's owned by a local, third generation, crop farmer and his family.

I used to buy the best hay you'll ever find here, but I no longer have my own farm so I'm not currently in the market for forage. Part of the charm of picking up hay was the chit-chat with farmer Dave about crops, our John Deere tractors, and the weather.

The next best thing to all that "farmerly" charm is now visiting  Dave's pumpkin patch, where I purchase the round beauties from him for pies, decoration, and for an occasional treat for the deer out back.

Pumpkins are really cool because of all the different colors, shapes, textures, and versatility as a food item. Warts, uncommon colors, and bizarre shaped pumpkins are my favorite. I can find them all in this wonderful, homey, someplace-where-you-can-go-back pumpkin patch.

Horse Pucky Advice: Odd Gift

Dear Horse Pucky,

My husband wanted to buy me something different for my birthday. He wanted it to be practical yet sexy. You'll never believe what he got me! A purse-size taser gun! He thought it was sexy because it fit in my purse and that I'd be safe in case of an emergency.

I hate the damn thing. I don't want to hurt his feelings by telling him that I refuse to carry it in my purse and I think it's the dumbest gift he ever bought me. What should I do?

~Mrs. Taser

Dear MT,

Your husband is just looking out for your best interests. HOWEVER, I'd seriously think of using that sexy, yet practical gift on him.

~Horse Pucky

Treats Instead of Tricks at the Convent

This Halloween I decided to do a little trick-or-treating on my own rather than answer the door for the little crumb crunchers in my neighborhood. I figured a safe place to go would be to the local convent a few blocks away from my townhouse.

Around 6:30 p.m. I drove my pick up truck to the nunnery and parked it in their driveway, disguised as myself. I rang the convent bell, holding an empty champagne glass, with a huge grin on my face. The Sisters of Mercy actually let me in. They poured me a glass of champagne, fixed me an elegant meal, and sent me home with a box of chocolate teddy grahams.

It was one of the best Halloween Eve's I've had in a long time; especially after the second glass of champagne accompanied by loads of laughs.

The best part is having a box of chocolate teddy grahams all to myself.