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Friday Favorites

I absolutely cannot believe July 2026 is coming to an end.  Time flies when you get old!  Today is the last Friday of the month and I have some weekly favorites to share.

Last week I mentioned that I had finished our Book Club book (Cold Sassy Tree) and was looking for another book to start.

I picked one and finished it in 3 days…

Favorite # ONE

Mad Mabel

The story is about the life of Elsie [Mabel Waller] Fitzpatrick, an 81-year-old woman with a horribly troubled past. It is told in a dual timeline format , moving between past and present.  One thing I liked about this story were the characters, especially Elsie Mabel and her best friend Daphne.  From the moment I started,  I found myself looking for quiet time to move on to the next chapter as I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.  I’ll give it 5 stars for that.

Goodreads book review

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This favorite is a stretch.

On Tuesday I had an appointment to get my teeth cleaned.  You would think that I would work that in to my favorites somehow, but no.  I HATE getting my teeth cleaned.  It doesn’t feel good at all.

After that, LB and I went to ACE Hardware to walk through the garden center.  Since I’ve planned to landscape the west side of my pool enclosure we purchased several plants

Favorite # TWO

LIRIOPE

I managed to get them all planted before the rain came on Thursday.

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LB and I used to visit the beaches in town at least once a week.  We had stopped doing this in the past few years so, knowing how much he always enjoyed it, I suggested we go this week.  We went to Little Talbot Island.  It was hot and overcast and the biting flies were abundant.  We only stayed for an hour.  Needless to say, my next favorite is not the beach.  It is this little guy who landed on LB’s hat…

Favorite # THREE

It looked like something was wrong with him so he just held on to LB for comfort while we were there.

~

In last week’s favorites I mentioned the faux suede jacket I had purchased, but I didn’t mention that it was only part of an order…

Favorite # FOUR

Early Fall Haul

with some pretty sweet deals…

~

Ozzy has a favorite this week to share…

Favorite # FIVE

Ozzy’s New Kitty Toy

Interactive Cat Toys for Indoor Cats

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This is a public service announcement:

It is not recommended to go to the beach while the temperature is in the upper 90s!

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

Friday Favorites

Another week has passed and I did not take the time to create a post about all the birthday cakes I have made.  I’m still trying to remember out how it all started.  I know that one of my first creations was Rory’s one year smash cake, but it seems like Stephanie was the person who started my cake baking “hobby”.  I’ll figure it out eventually.

  So, no cake post, but I did take the time to put together another Friday Favorites post.

Here goes…

Favorite # ONE

PROJECT HAIL MARY

The movie

I finished our book club pick on Sunday so I thought I would start another book of my own choosing.  I’ve been thinking about reading Project Hail Mary, but recently saw that it has been made into a movie and is currently on Prime.  So I watched it Tuesday night.  Project Hail Mary is a science fiction story about  a space mission to solve a problem that threatens to end life on earth.  The issue involves a microscopic organism that is consuming the sun.  Dr. Ryland Grace, [played by a very unkempt Ryan Gosling], travels into space to find a cure.  Although I had doubts during the first half of the story, it turned out to be a feel good movie.

During Dr. Grace’s journey he meets “Rocky”

Rocky is totally cute and all the reason you need to watch this.

~

Earlier this week I asked AI for ideas on landscaping the west side of my pool enclosure…

This is what AI suggested…

Favorite # TWO

The photo came with instructions and identified each plant.  Aside from the pictured suggestion that I landscape in front of the screen door, I like it.

I’ll be working on this in the next week or so.

~

Favorite # THREE

Jimothy

Clearly he had to be included.

He is all over social media.  If you haven’t seen him yet, google “Jimothy the racoon” and he will walk across your screen.

~

I’ve  been eyeing a fall staple that is new to Old Navy and this week it went on sale…

Favorite # FOUR

Classic Faux-Suede Jacket

Originally it was $69.99.   You can get it for $41.99. With additional perks, I got it for $35.00!

~

Friday night is pizza night and we have moved up from the little pizzas that LB once loved to this…

Favorite # FIVE

 

This 12 inch supreme starts with this Aldi refrigerated pizza dough

LB highly recommends this!

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

So much has happened in the last 2 months!  We’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to put anything in this blog.  Since it was May 1st that I published my last post, I figured I better publish something before wordpress shuts me down.  Here are my latest Friday Favorites…

Because we celebrated her birthday this week, she will be my

Favorite # ONE

LYDIA

She is 11 years old and I can’t believe it.

The party theme this year was Star Wars…

Everyone came to celebrate the day and shower Lydia with birthday gifts!

 

Glammy was in charge of the cake…

I’ve been thinking about doing a blog post all about the cakes I’ve made.

Maybe next week.

~

Favorite # TWO

I love these adorable little flowers.  They are called Catharanthus roseus and look like a miniature periwinkle (both are of the genus vinca).  The periwinkle is a perennial, which I appreciate, but sadly these little guys are not.  They will last and grow beautifully until we have a freeze.

~

Favorite # THREE

OZZY

is 9 months old.  He has quickly grown to be a big kitty, although he still behaves very much like a kitten.  In this picture he is resting after a major case of the zoomies.  He is so worn out that he didn’t even object to me putting his mouse in his ear 🤪

~

This month the Book Club is reading my

Favorite # FOUR

Cold Sassy Tree

I’m on chapter 42 and so far it has been a fun story.

~

In honor of my paternal grandmother’s birthday, Mema Reid is my

Favorite # FIVE

Irma Nell Knox-Reid was born July 16, 1929.  I published a post all about her here.

Happy Birthday in Heaven Mema!

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog

Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

This is the most recent read that was chosen by the book club.  It is a fictional story that “follows the journey of three characters brought together through grief and trauma. In Violet, Frank, and Harriet’s converging paths, Wood explores The Effects of Incarceration, The Healing Power of Books, and the importance of Forgiveness of Self and Others” (supersummary.com).

The story was captivating and I enjoyed following Violet’s journey, but the discussion and language used by the prisoners was enough to make a Southern Baptist squirm.

~

Favorite # TWO

This beauty

from my garden

Lilium ‘Tiny Massive’ or Asiatic hybrid lily

I found it at Home Depot last summer and luckily the many freezes we had this past winter did not wipe it out.

~

Favorite # THREE

OZZY

This baby is getting so BIG.  He has a delightful personality and makes my heart happy.  In this photo he is sucking on my orange blanket.  I don’t know what it is that he enjoys about this, but it doesn’t seem to be hurting anything.

~

Favorite # FOUR

Forever Friends

When this was posted in our family group chat, my comment was “this makes me happy and sad all in one”.  Many others commented “me too”.

The Starlings spent some time with the Rigdons on their last full day in Florida.  Although the tears were shed later, this photo shows how much these cousins enjoy each other and the great love they have for one another.  I hope they will always remember.

~

Favorite # FIVE

Eaglemania

at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining

LB and I are season ticket holders to Alhambra because it is our favorite type of date night.  If there is music to be heard, I’m usually right on board!  This Eagles tribute band did not disappoint.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Family Day 2026

I am fortunate to be a part of a very tightly knit group.  Until recently I defined this group as my extended family.  During the photography portion of my niece Sydney’s wedding, my sister (Gina) set me straight saying:

“THIS is immediate family”

Mama, My sister, Me, our spouses, children and grandchildren.

My Immediate Family

~

We get together to celebrate so often that LB will jokingly say, “well let’s go, I can’t remember when we last got together”.

Recently, one of our OG members made a decision that will change everything going forward.  My nephew Clay will be taking his family out of the country and into the mission field.  Here is his story: Clay Rigdon – 6:8 Ministries

My sister wanted to send them off with a family gathering that would leave them wanting for nothing.  Her plan was to “have a Seasons Party or Year in the Life kind of situation” highlighting “the major holidays and also celebrate Adrian’s upcoming birthday”

To begin, on Sunday morning everyone went to Jones Road Baptist Church to hear Clay deliver a sermon.  After a tearful dedication and laying on of hands we departed and gathered again at our home base, the house where my sister and I grew up.  We kicked off the event with a celebration of Adrian’s upcoming 8th birthday and a specially made with love kitty cat birthday cake.

She told Amanda it was the “best day of her life”.

~

Because we had recently celebrated Easter…

we moved forward with a celebration of the Fourth of July

which included a cookout in the backyard, rocket pop-sicles, and sparklers…

..

~

The next Family day event to celebrate was Halloween…

which included masking up to go “trick-or-treating”

~

What comes after Halloween?

You know!

We didn’t have any pumpkin pie, but we did enjoy some sausage puff appetizers and apple cider while sharing the things we are most thankful for

~

Christmas would be observed by a reading of the birth of Jesus from the book of Luke

followed by a brutal game of Dirty Santa.  The gift stealing was so intense that hardly any photos were taken.  It was worth every minute.

Gina had gifts for the kids that she designed and several photos were taken of them….

The tee shirts were designed with each name of Mary Reid’s great grandchildren shaped into a heart along with a bible verse…

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”  (Philippians 1:3)

~

There were 2 more holidays that followed Christmas

and

In honor of the next new year, Dillon made a toast and said a prayer then Sydney handed out Valentine’s Day treats as parting party favors.

At this point we were all overwhelmed.

My heart is full.  My life is blessed.

~

 

Please pray for Clay, Chynna, Levi, Thea, Adrian, and Eden as they depart for Costa Rica this week.  Please pray for the rest of us as we remain in Florida without them.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Don’t be scared

Little Kitty Little Kitty

LB and I have been grieving the loss of our little Elvis since he passed away.  I randomly break out in tears and sometimes imagine that I see him; LB has missed calling “little kitty little kitty” every time we come home.  After the busyness of the holidays passed I was missing Elvis really bad.

There was a kitty shaped hole in my heart.

I started stalking the Humane Society website to find a kitten.

Then Richard and Emily told me about a kitten under their house and borrowed Amanda‘s cat trap to try to catch it.

Last Saturday they caught the little black kitten.

LB and I went to their house to get it, but not knowing the rules of cat capture I accidentally let it go. We all went out to breakfast together and then LB and I went to the Pet Supermarket to buy kitten food and a litter box.  I figured the kitty would be needing breakfast again the next day and this time I would take the whole trap home with me.  Fully expecting to hear of another capture I had picked out the name Ozzy if it was male and Lisa Marie if female.  Day after day passed and still no kitty.

~

When I saw a little black kitty (whom they named Ozzie) on the Humane Society’s website, LB wanted to take me to see him.

Meet Ozzy

He was about 10 weeks old and weighed just over 2 pounds.

Richard and Emily tried for several days to trap the kitty under their house, but I don’t think the little fella will fall for it again.

Meanwhile, our new little kitty has kept us on our toes.

There will never be another Elvis, and my heart still hurts for him,

but it is nice to have a furry little presence in the house again.

 

 

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

My Best Friend has Four Paws

One year, for my birthday, my sister gave me this coffee cup…It was true.

My little Elvis was a friend like no other.  He was a full time job, but he was no work at all.

It was in May 2025 that he began to have some physical problems.  We took him to the vet right away.

Dr. Bradberry ordered:

  • Catalyst Chem 17
  • CBC w/Diff.
  • t4/SDMA Catalyst Test
  • Electrolyte test
  • Urinalysis-Sedivus/UA/Bact Confirmation
  • Fluids
  • Cerenia
  • Pepcid
  • Gabapentin
  • and a prescription for a new special cat food.

She found nothing wrong with his heart, kidneys, or liver and she was very specific about his kidneys and liver.  After that visit, Elvis stopped vomiting and seemed to be okay until July.  We went back for another cerenia injection and fluids.

 Right after Labor Day he began showing signs of swelling in his abdomen.  This time we saw Dr. Thoma.  She ordered the Catalyst Chem 17 again and afterwards gave us the bad news.  His liver was failing.  She asked me if I would consider euthanasia, to which I shook my head.  Never would I give up so easily on my beloved baby cat.  I asked if there was anything I could do to save him.  So she drained the fluid in his abdomen and wrote 3 prescriptions:

  • Furosemide liquid (2x daily for fluid retention)
  • S-Adenosyl Methionine liquid (2x daily for liver support)
  • and Mirataz ointment (1x daily in the ear for increased appetite).

We went through several different brands of food to find something Elvis would eat.  His interest would pique and then fall away leaving me to start over.  Eventually I would spoon feed him.

There would be 2 more visits to Dr. Thoma because of fluid buildup.  Then Elvis began to refuse his medicine.  I would roll him up like a burrito and if I managed to get the medicine in him, he would eliminate it as soon as I put him down on the floor.

After much urging from my daughters, I finally made an appointment with San Jose-Beauclerc Animal Clinic and took Elvis to see Dr. Holly on November 26th.  Amanda came along.  The vet requested Elvis’ records from his previous appointments and ordered more tests.  Dr. Holly advised me that Elvis had possibly one of these three conditions:  Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), GI Lymphoma, or Liver Cancer.  She said we could make him comfortable, but it would only give us [maybe] a few weeks with him.  She prescribed Prednisolone (2x daily).  I’m not sure why but was a lot easier for him to keep down.  Probably because it didn’t smell like old meat.

We spent the rest of his days doing whatever Elvis wanted to do, which was sitting out on the patio

or being in my arms

…sometimes all night long.

On Monday following his last appointment I noticed blood in his litter box.  I called Dr. Holly.  When she returned to the office she called back and let me know what I already knew.

Elvis passed away while we were sitting in our spot on the sofa.

It was Sunday December 7 around 5:45 PM.  LB and I will never forget that day.

The reason I’m putting this in writing is to remind myself that I did everything that I could to save my sweet little cat.

I loved you your whole life and I’ll miss you for the rest of mine.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

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