8 Responses to “Chillstep”

1. Jill Says:
   November 6th, 2020 at 10:37 am

   Poof tail-what a beautiful coat of fur! Alert ears-looks like it was a lovely day for a walk!

2. Sharon Says:
   November 6th, 2020 at 3:01 pm

   Godspeed on your journey, sweet Charlie <3

3. Katherine Says:
   November 6th, 2020 at 8:52 pm

   Thanks for taking us along on your earthly journey, Charlie! We all hope to meet you again on the other side of the moon. ?

4. torre Says:
   November 7th, 2020 at 12:35 am

   love this picture – makes me want to go on a hike

5. Alan Says:
   November 7th, 2020 at 6:41 pm

   That’s a poignant shot of Charlie. I’m going to miss the Charlie updates.

6. Andy Says:
   November 9th, 2020 at 11:58 am

   If you ever publish another Charlie book Shreve…and I hope you will…then this would be a beautiful pic for the end or back cover.

   All that’s missing is Eli keeping him company.

7. Rockrat Says:
   November 14th, 2020 at 5:02 pm

   See ya, Charlie.

   Thank you for being. To all the animals I’ve had the honor of interacting with as sentient souls. Life doesn’t stop. It just keeps on going, like Charlie in this picture.

   Been a good 12 years for me also. Please, Shreve, keep posting pictures of animals like a smiling contented cat (Mushy) sitting in a snowdrift during soft snowfall. And keep posting stories of orphaned baby animals that connect and try to make the best of it. You keep looking, they’ll find you.

8. Mary Laiuppa Says:
   September 9th, 2024 at 2:22 am

   Just checking in.

   August 2024. So much has happened which I will not burden you with.

   I’ve been going to Emeritus art classes through the local community college. Watercolor online and an in person class every Wednesday. I try to go to the YMCA pool to work out twice a week and take the dogs to the dog park on Fridays. That four days accounted for. the other three days I’ve been working on the house and yard.

   I was reflecting on the summer and what I have accomplished. I am home permanently and doing what I should have done right after I retired. I’m putting myself first and taking care of #1.

   I got my second raised bed up, and running on the drip timer and planted. I had extra seedlings left after I planted bed #1 so I made a second trellis and I have four bean plants and a pumpkin and three watermelons in there. Possibly more watermelons as I’m not sure what they are. Bed #1 has tomatoes, basil, cucumber, corn, pumpkin, cantaloupe and watermelon. I have the other two beds to go but I am hoping to get them up, on hte system and filled ready for planting if not by Spring at least Summer 2025. I want a surplus of produce to preserve for the remainder of the year.

   I finally cleared the planter on the south side of my front walkway. It’s beautiful with roses, Calla lilies, hydrangeas, Salvia, Agapanthus and I’ve been putting annuals along the walkway. alyssum, marigolds and I have zinneas blooming. I’ve never planted zinnias before.

   In the back I am reclaiming Caesar’s Garden. I planted it after he died. He used to love to lay under the dining room bay window. Later Goliath and Ramses liked it there too. It’s been neglected for years so I will be replacing the DIG irrigation timer, redoing some of the drip system, I need to repair the postst and gate on that side of the yard, replace the awning above the window which is now just shreds, restore the garden art and get it replanted. I’ll be planting or transplanting white Calla Lilies, Iris, Roses, Salvia, Agapanthus, Geraniums, Vinca and Penta. It will be an all white garden. I have a St Francis to hole their collars and a Buddha dog.

   I have finally taken down the Schefflera that grew way too big and I’ve been pruning the Sweet Bay Laurel. I have more to do.

   I bought an electric pruner, reciprocating saw and my first chainsaw. I’m not enamored of the chainsaw but I love the reciprocating saw and the pruner is my favorite.

   The peach tree I planted last year had a dozen peaches and I got to eat 11 of them. Freyja Grey stole on and ate it still green. Next year I hope the apricot tree that I just pruned will finally have fruit. The Black Manuka grapes did well. Freyja stole the three Eastern Concord grapes I had.

   I’ve added a camel to my garden art. I have a green elephant and a white elephant. also some bunnies riding a tandem bicycle and a bear on a tricycle. I’ve added a lot of Italian tiles to the walls.

   It has been wicked hot this weekend, a record breaker at 106, 6 degrees hotter than the previous record set in 1984. I am looking forward to the weather cooling off enough for me to prune the bay tree and turn the dirt in Caesar’s garden in preparation for replanting.

   I’ve also been cooking more. The crab soup wasn’t great but I have been eating more meat to help build muscle.

   My goal is to get my house in order, on maintenance and the way I want it before I am physically unable to do the work myself. I’ll be 70 in a month.

   How is our girl, Queen Daisy? I she still around enjoying her retirement? Chloe?

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