Summer is right around the corner and the kids are finally out of school! Well, sort of...Shelby has to go back on Monday...and every Monday- Thursday from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. She didn't quite pass the math section (missed by 4 points) of the TAKS EXAM. If you are not from Texas...this is a pain in the tail exam the state makes our students take...and even if they have straight A's on their report card...if they don't pass this test...they fail the grade anyway. They get three chances to pass it....and Shelby has already taken it for the second time....but the results didn't come in on time. So until they do...she has to attend summer school. If she passed it...then she doesn't have to go back. If she didn't...she will attend class for 4 more weeks and take the exam one final time. Poor darling. She struggles with ADD and Dyslexia.
This morning Hubby and I finished putting the butterfly garden together and the seeds have been sown. FINALLY! For now, I will have my hands full just keeping Sparky (the resident squirrel) and all the Cardinals from eating the seeds. We planted quite a variety to attract not only butterflies...but hopefully hummingbirds as well. On the opposite side of the deck we have a "Firebush" it was here when we moved in and grows to 7 ft every summer. The hummers and butterflies love it! Once the plants come up a bit...I will add a water source...hopefully it will be a solar birdbath/fountain...and a butterfly house. I just love sitting in the swing in the morning and watching all the wildlife come right up to the deck.
Recently, I noticed a little black cat hanging around on the deck eating some cat food I had put in a bag to give to the Raccoons. Every time we went outside...she would run...but I tried calling her and to my surprise she came running to me... rubbing on my leg and purring quite loudly.It was then that I noticed that she is very pregnant. So for the last week or so we have been setting some food out. As friendly as she is...it is obvious...at least to me that she once belonged to someone....and most likely has been dumped. In my opinion...this one of the cruelest things that a human being can do to a helpless animal. Dump them and just leave them to starve. :( I am not quite sure where to set her up for the birthing...I can't put her in the house as my nosey critters would probably make her very nervous. Anyway...it looks like the event is not that far off...so soon I will be trying to find homes...any suckers...oops! UH I mean takers? :)
"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade. " ~Gertrude Jekyll
Shelby, I wish you all the luck in the world and that those summer school hours go by quickly so you can enjoy yourself for the rest of the time.
ReplyDeleteI can just picture your garden and how wonderful and peaceful it will be to sit and watch the butterflies and birds. I love those kinds of moments.
It sounds like a lucky kitty to have happened on your doorstep.
Tricia,
ReplyDeleteI am convinced that I have "sucker" written on my forehead...and only animals can see it.
Sometimes it makes my husband a little irritated with me...but I just can't help it. I can't stand to see an animal suffer.
This time...He took one look at that poor cat (skin and bones except for her pouch of kittens) and told me "go get her something to eat!"
I'll take pictures of the garden once it starts coming up.
Poor little kitty! I don't understand people who do things like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Ohio now, but I know all about the good ol' TAKS tests; I saw four other kids through them. Ohio has standardized testing as well, but I don't know if the kids have to repeat a grade if they don't pass - it just hasn't been an issue up till now. I do know that if they pass it their junior year, they won't have to take it again, but they can't graduate until they do pass.
I hate standardized testing - it's completely unfair to both the kids and the teachers!
Aaawww, you're so sweet Monica, to tend to that expectant little Momma kitty!! She found the right place to hang out for sure!! You can set her up anywhere, but unless it's indoors, she will probably go somewhere else to give birth. At least that has been my experience. You could google it and see what pros say.
ReplyDeletePlease tell Shelby that I have put her name down in my prayer journal and will be praying that she does really well this time!!
Monica, I so appreciate your friendship and the kind, fun comments you leave for me. You are a great bloggin' buddy and I am so delighted that we have "met" in blogland!! You're a blessing!!
Have a great rest of the week!! I'll be leaving early Friday morning and won't be back to blogging (except to visit a few) until Wednesday more than likely.
Love and hugs to you!!
Becky