Weekend travels

Yesterday, I drove to the Big City. I haven't been there in....a LONG time. As I got closer, I realized how glad I am that I no longer live there. A cloud of smog was hanging over down town. I decided to drive by the old house. Unfortunately, it was the neighborhood garage sale so driving down the street took 10 minutes. I took a quick right at the corner, not really seeing much of the house (although what I did see didn't look changed). We drove to Wild Birds Unlimited. The parking lot was FULL (a shopping center with a grocery, bagel place, Starbucks and other small stores). ARGH! Was it always this congested? Where did all of the cars come from?

While in the store, the resident cat decided to play games with me. Quite fun....I miss the charm of a cat, sometimes, although I recognize that I no longer have a cat safe household. I also had a nice conversation with a gentleman who lives on the outskirts of the Big City. he has rescued dogs, and was extolling the virtues of living with animals. He was preaching to the choir on that one.

After that, I visited a friend. We met via the dogs. Her oldest dog and my oldest dog were puppy playmates. I think we started having play dates when the dogs were about 6 months old. Both of our dogs will be nine in a few months. They have both slowed down. In the olden day, they would meet and romp and do zoomies around the yard. Now, they were both content to lay on the deck, and after about 30 minutes, they were all interested in going back inside for a siesta.

How did all of that time pass? When I got Darby so many years ago, I didn't realize how having these dogs would change my life. I have made many friends in the dogs/whippet world. It has also changed my life. The main reason that I chose to move to Smalltown America was so that I could have more room for my dogs. I do believe that it has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
The flowers around my place are beginning to bloom. I discovered that whippets love to eat gladiolas, so last week, I put up some protective fencing.
Last year, I planted 4 butterfly bushes. One died (anointed by male dog urine a few too many times). However, the 3 remaining buses are growing like wildfire this spring. I am hoping that will mean lots of butterflies. The first has begun to bloom:

I hope everyone is having a good and relaxing weekend.