Friday Rambles and Update

 Hello from the potting shed. 

It's been a rough couple days with our little Francois here.  

He'll  be 13 years old on June 8th and is such a faithful friend.  

 Sunday evening,  I discovered a weird knot he had on his underside.   

It wasn't slowing him down too much- he was still right smack dab in the middle of things.  

Well, Monday rolled in and I decided to just watch it and see if maybe it might get better? Besides, he didn't act sick, and was still eating and drinking good.  

Because he's so short, I wondered if he got something in it... got poked by a stob, or I wondered snake bit too but 

he didn't  have a fever.  

By Tuesday I knew he needed to go to the vet.  

but ... Doc wasn't in that day.  

Wednesday they said they'd see him ... and Doc thought maybe it was from a tick bite?  

He lanced it and my poor little guy ya'll.... -- It was brutal on him.  He cried... 

and nothing really came out other than a thick jelly like blood.  

They patched him up and put him on antibiodics.  

By the time I got to the lobby to pay out he was dripping blood on the floor.  

They had to take him back in and rebandage it.  

When I got him home it just kept soaking through... 

We dillydally'd around yesterday and I kept thinking it would have to quit.  

He kept licking it though and sometimes would dig at it with his foot.  uggh. 

I withheld food and water after midnight and took him back today.  

Now he's  in surgery.  Doc said he wanted to just take the thing off  and do blood work.  

I'm kind of holding my breath... man I just love that little dog. He and his sister Addie are 

with me all the time.  Constant companions.

I know he's gettin old but ... I hope and pray he stays around awhile longer.  

Okay we must  change the subject.

  gulp

Let's just shift gears and get corny, huh? 

(lame I know... and agree)

 So with all the rain; 

our seeds are now sprouting.  

This is Painted Mountain Indian corn.  I sure hope it does good this year.  

I ran up to the big garden as well and the regular sweet corn is up too.  

I'm so excited.  It's like new babies when you see those sprouts pop out.  

 All the roses have started  blooming too ... 

even this little struggling yellow that I nearly killed with the weedeater.   

Seems like so often when one flower type ends, 

another begins...   

 The wisteria is now finished.  

I picked the last of these blossoms to let air dry. 

 I think I'll make some homemade paper with it  using junkmail,  grass clippings and rosemary.

Then press some of these blossoms right  into the wet paper.  

Wouldn't that be pretty?

I like this color combo:  earthy brown, green, and light lavender.  

I'm seeing plants so differently this season.  

Not only for food; but 

dyes and inks. 

I read this sunflower was grown by the Hopi to dye baskets a dark purply black. 

I hope  to make my own dye out of it for art journaling papers.  

 These two books are in my lap alot these days.  

I never knew there are so many plants you can use for dye!

To me the colors are so organically luscious.

Muted, faded hues ... especially with  frayed or torn edges... 

I'm learning what colors are my touchstones ... indigos are my most favorite... and purples... 

and mustardy yellow... greens.. someone stop me before I go plow another garden.  

Actually ... I really might need to. lol  

 I better sign off.  

If you're reading this and a believer... please lift a prayer for our little buddy: Francois Zacchaeus Star. He's our wee little frenchman.  

... a wee little man  is he...

 I leave you with a scripture picture.  

Thank you for visiting the potting shed. 

Until we meet again... 

#sharethelove

Update:  Look who is home!  He's groggy and
staggers a little but is  sleeping at my feet as I write.
Thank you to anyone who prayed for him.  It means so very much to  me.
I didn't get to talk to Doc yet but they said he got  the whole mass out and
he's all stitched back together.
I'm so happy he's home.
Thank you again!