Pigs and flowers - sure signs of fall

Fall is finally here in South Georgia.  I know this because my neighbors' pigs have arrived for the season and the yard is full of blooming camellias.  The arrival of Peaches and Milkshake each year roughly coincides with Día de los Muertos ( oddly like the monarch butterflies arriving in Michoacán) and they are here for fattening and showing before they become bacon and pork chops.  My neighbors' children have had a succession of Peaches and Milkshakes - each year the same names - which they raise, show, and sell.  And with the same precisely timed arrival, so come the Christmas decoration to the neighborhood.

Here are a few things I have discovered or observed during the past week:

1. No matter how many tiny wooden painted fir trees, illuminated deer, and singing angels my neighbors put in their yards, South Georgia will never look like a winter wonderland.  A thin covering of dried pine straw is a poor substitute for snow.  And when bright pink flowers are actually blooming on bushes next to a Santa, the illusion is interrupted.


2. Yesterday when I checked the mail two lizards were chasing each other on the box.  The road is full of smears from brave frogs who hop across the street oblivious to on coming traffic.  When it rains all the reptiles come out to play.

2. Desiccated frogs and lizards are a reality in my life.  I don't flinch anymore when I find a dried out creature tangled in corgi hair in some forgotten corner.  Yesterday a dime-sized frog mummy was in the middle of the living room floor, probably dropped there by a dog who discovered it and transported it to a spot more convenient for play.  I just scooped it up with bare hands and disposed of it.

3. There is no end to the growing season, the mosquito season, the wasp season, the fly season.  All annoyances continue to grow year round.

4. There is truth in the saying ,"...like a deer in headlights..."  Although few blasts on the car horn will scare away deer standing at the side of the road, it is the ones you can't see before they are running across your path that will nearly give you a coronary.

5. Try to find a grocery store that doesn't stock Kilz-Em-Dead rat bait right next to the fried pork rinds.  However, if you find yourself there because the only other grocery is out of something you need for dinner and a 36 mile round trip to the next town seems excessive, do not look into the meat case.  I repeat, do not look into the meat case.  Feet, intestines, and stomachs from all manner of birds and beasts abound.  And who says the pull-date is really a deadline?!

flat netting

I have been beading, but not taking pictures as often as I need to do.  The time change poses a problem for catching the light at the right time.  I'm getting too many shadows now at the usual time I wander out to take pictures.  I ran out and realized that I was about 20 minutes past the last good light.  But, oh well, I grabbed some shots anyhow.

I tried out flat netting a few weeks ago.  I made a very simple bright red cuff with large toggles.  One of the young ladies who has been in my class since last year (Spanish 1 [which I no longer teach] and Spanish 2) caught sight of it, grabbed my wrist, and declared that she liked this one the best of all she had seen.  I'm not sure I agree, but it was fun to flat net.

two colors of 11/o Czech's and some vintage pressed glass flowers

I love the texture of the fabric and the way the pearl finish beads play against the matte finish beads.

netting works up quickly - next to try some netting layered over another base to give it a bit of substance

I also tried a RAW pattern from the French designer Mu whose site I cannot find to add the link.  This one uses 6/o's and 15/o's.  I added a giant vintage button and a handmade steel hook for a closure.

bracelets mingling

the button is quite a bit more blue in person

Finally, a little bit of flower power and corgi cuteness...

The neighbors's cat

I don't remember her name.  I just call her Sombracita - little shadow - because she chases after us when we walk.

Mingus and the neighbors' cat.

The black kitty runs from her house when she sees us in the morning.  Coltrane and Mingus are always excited to see her and won't move until she crosses the street to greet them.  Then they promptly ignore her.  When we are on the walk back home she hides behind a shrub or in the shadows (we walk before 6AM), and jumps out at them.  Usually I see her hide while the boys are busy sniffing everything, but sometimes she manages to scare me too.  This was a rare weekend morning when she laid herself out on the sidewalk in Mingus's path and demanded attention.

Dew drop

Down the street photos

It is difficult to take super-macro photos while holding two dogs on leashes and a cup of coffee, but it is not impossible.  Here are a few shots of the flora we saw.

The little dogs and I were out for a walk yesterday morning.  Despite the fact that it was just after 8 AM, the air was so humid that I felt as if I were walking around at an indoor swimming pool.  The dew had not burned off yet and it was already blazing hot.  We were out a little earlier than usual for the summer because I like to avoid walking when my neighbors are speeding down the street trying not to be late for church.  We were fairly successful, but did have a problem about a mile from the house when we encountered the Methodist minister's dogs running loose.  These dogs are old and escape artists, and I have on occasion driven over to the church to let them know the Revs dogs are taking a walk without him.  I'm not sure how much difference it makes because he doesn't walk them with leashes anyhow.

Just as Coltrane loves Lulu, Mingus adores Gracie.  She is a large, short-haired, black with white markings, heavily muscled, old, Heinz-57.  Mingus was doing his happy dance and sniffing noses with her.  She somehow turned and scared Coltrane-the-wanna-be-tough-guy, who snapped at her.  She snapped at him.  Cries from my baby boy ensued, and I ended up picking Coltrane up in my arms (unhurt, but scared).  He was fully recovered in six seconds.  Gracie and her brother dog wanted to keep walking with us, but I shooed them away in order to keep the peace.