Catnip Mouse Toys

Dear Mom,

Prior to Christmas when my list was a mile long and I was helping Jessica with her new nonprofit (AlphaWom) fundraiser which was a huge success by the way, I spotted an article in ReadyMade magazine about making a mouse toy filled with catnip for cats. I never think about getting Smeagol something for Christmas but when I saw the article, I decided I would make the little stinker a mouse. And while I was at it, I’d make one for my friend Carole’s two cats Cookie and Amy—and one for Jessica’s cat Kitty. I probably could have made 50 for all the cat lovers I know, but there wasn’t time.

My husband came down while I was sewing. He’s been hearing me whine about all the tings I have to do and how this and that probably won’t get done. “What are you doing?” He had that tone—what is she up to now?

“Making these.” I pointed to the article sitting next to me. I felt like a child getting caught at something.

Of course he rolled this eyes and walked away. As he was leaving I said, “It’s something I really want to do!” I had no idea why I wanted to make cat toys when I hardly had anything else finished on my list—and even scratched some things off the list! But I was happy sewing cat toys.

I took the cat toys over to Cookie and Amy. Much to my surprise they loved them, licked them, cuddled them, tossed them and you could see how happy they were to have them. Cookie and Amy normally stay curled up napping when I’m there. Cookie meanders out and allows me to give her a belly rub. Amy barely wants to be seen but on rare occasions permits me to rub her belly too. But that day I found out they could move!

All the love I put into making the cat toys was absolutely worth it watching how much they loved their catnip mice. There must be something to doing what you want—what’s pulling at your heart to do.

Just look at those little cutie stinkers. Cookie is the mother of Amy. Cookie is in the first picture, Amy in the second. The last picture Amy sits a bit disappointed as Mom took over both toys!

Birthday Blessings

Dear Mom,

I do believe I’m overwhelmed by all the sweet things that loved ones have done for me for my birthday. It started a week before my birthday when my “other mom” Elsie (that I wrote about when I wished my best friend a happy birthday) came over with a gift. About 20 plus years ago, I had started on this little quilt. Recently I found it and decided that I was never going to do anything with it and gave it to Susan to give to her mom who quilts. Some of the pieces of material came from Elsie’s mother and it seemed appropriate to give it to her. It just needed a back and to be quilted. I had already appliquéd the hearts on the squares. Now that little stinker finished it and gave it back to me—for my birthday.

The next day I met a dear friend who gave me a cookbook (The Route 66 St. Louis Cookbook by Norma Maret Bolin) and some beautiful stationary. In the cookbook is a gooey butter recipe that I’m anxious to try to see if it’s as good as mine ☺. Nothing like bragging, but somebody has to do it.

Sunday my little sister Ruthie drove on the snowy highway and delivered a homemade birthday/anniversary cake for Norm and me. OMG, it was so delicious that it is now my favorite kind of cake—Spiced Chocolate Torte wrapped in Chocolate Ribbon. She told me it came from the December 1984 Bon Appétit magazine. The cake has 42 ounces of chocolate in that baby—what’s not to love?

My daughter Rita knitted a lovely scarf—not the kind that keeps you warm as she has knitted me several of those. This one is to class up my looks! My stepdaughter Robyn created an owl necklace that’s absolutely beautiful—it goes along with my new role as Mother Owl. My granddaughter Logan wrote the sweetest note and letter to me.

Norm and I decided not to give each other anything—there’s nothing neither of us need. However we decided I would purchase the goods that are needed to go with a book that my sister Ruthie gave me some time ago (Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg, M.D. and Zoë François). Anyone who loves homemade bread will love this. It doesn’t fit in the “trying to lose weight” category, but better for you if you’re going to eat bread, in my opinion.

Then there were many birthday wishes via email and Facebook. Real birthday cards were sent my way and phone calls all throughout the day. Such overwhelming love —who could ask for more?

Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary!

Dear Mom,

You gave birth to me 53 years ago—on Friday, the 13th. You had mentioned more than once that you had appendicitis while in labor and we both came close to not making it. You were 40.

My husband, Norm’s mother gave birth to him 63 years ago—on Saturday, the 13th. No mishaps with her labor. She was 19.

Eight years ago, when Norm and I finally tied the knot after having been together nearly the same amount of time, we decided to celebrate that occasion on our birthdays. As we grow old together, there won’t be any confusion ☺ remembering the date.

I tease Norm that when we hit our 10th anniversary that it will be a record for me—I’ll have been married to him longer than all three of my previous marriages combined! He’s already broken the record strictly for the longest, period.

Norm likes teasing me too—and modified this comic strip depicting me with my girlfriend.

There was a time when I didn’t think we’d make it. I wondered what was wrong with me and that maybe I wasn’t the marrying type. Turns out I didn’t have the right one—someone who wanted it to work too! Every day I give thanks for I am blessed to have the best little stinker. And the decorative pillow that Norm gave me one year sums it up for me as well… “If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.” Winnie-the-Pooh

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary Norm!

Chicken Soup for the Soul Fan?

My writer friend, Linda O'Connell posted a blog about a book signing that is going on in St. Charles on Main Street for Chicken Soup for the Soul, Canned Food for the Body event. Check out Linda's blog: Write from the Heart.

There's a few other friends who will be participating too - Becky and Tammy - check out their blogs too!

Another Family

Dear Mom,

It’s Susan’s birthday today. My best friend from grade school. After you died, Susan’s mom Elsie was like a mother to me, and I became part of their family—ha whether they liked it or not because Susan, being the oldest, always got her way. And now I’m really like part of the family since Susan and I fixed up her brother Bud and my sister Ruth. They have a son Josh. Susan and I always joke, if we were married that’s what our kid would look like. No one gets that—what we’re saying—it’s a friend thing from having had over 40 years sharing the good and the not-so-good times in our lives.

Before we could drive, we wanted matching cars. Susan a light blue Volkswagen Beetle and I wanted mine a bright yellow.

Susan and I went to different high schools. I was dating a guy, and went to a CYC dance at my old grade school. It was at the dance my date laid eyes on Susan and he fell in love—love at first sight. After high school the two moved to Hawaii and married. The good thing from that marriage was their son Steven.

Both Susan and I have gone through three divorces and are currently on our fourth marriage. We didn’t plan it that way. It seemed like when she was getting a divorce, I was getting married and vice-a-versa.

We’ve had a brief period of not speaking, but the love of our friendship was too strong to let that go on.

Even after 40 years I’m still discovering something new about Susan. There are as many differences between us as there are similarities, but we both accept each other for who we are—and that is a beautiful thing.

Happy Birthday Susan!

P.S. Mom, here’s a rendering of the two of us that your grandson Casey created from our grade school pictures that's below the painting.

NaNo is Over

Dear Mom,

I tried something new this month and wrote a fictional novel (50,000 words) in 30 days. And I did it! My official word count is 59,415.

Now the real work will begin. I’m not really sure how to go about it, but it will be quite some time before it’s worth reading. I managed to get in my 50,000 words before Thanksgiving so I could relax (ha) getting everything ready for that meal.

Thanksgiving was good—I suppose I learned from osmosis from you on how to cook. I made the most moist turkey this year by soaking it in a brine mixture for 8 hours, thanks to Ruthie who gave me the recipe. I made the usual mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, broccoli with cheese sauce, corn, cranberries, rolls and a relish tray. Then of course cherry pie, pumpkin pie and pecan pie. This year Jessica wanted to learn how to make cherry pie, which I taught her using my vegetable oil pie crust (instead of shortening). She did a great job. I’m glad she’s taking an interest in cooking as it seems to be another lost art.

Once Thanksgiving was over, it was on to the next occasion—Logan’s birthday party.

It was a hoot (owl themed). I was Mother Owl and may have scared the kids a little.

But I’m sure the cupcakes made up for any scariness going on.

And just when I thought I could breathe, I remembered… oh yeah Christmas.

NaNoWriMo Day 29

I'm official! A NaNoWriMo winner! Woot! Woot! as they say at NaNo. I did have a piece that was missing and after five days of not writing a single word on the story, I thought I'd go insane. I finished it today! Yeah! An additional 2,445 words.

That brings my total word count to: 59,583 (according to my word counter). When I officially turned it in with my word count as 57,140, NaNo said I wrote 56,992. A difference of 148 words. Not sure what's the deal there.

NaNoWriMo's official word count: 59,427 (a difference of 156 words).

Doesn't really matter, I did it!

NaNoWriMo Day 24

I just realized there is a key part to my story that is missing, so it looks like it's not quite finished yet, but that's okay. I'm so excited that my characters told me about this particular piece that needs to be added. It's so strange how these folks are living and acting in my head.

Realistically I know I won't be able to write today or tomorrow with cooking Thanksgiving dinner and all.

No new word count today... yet... maybe.

NaNoWriMo Day 23

I am happy to report that my story came to an end today. I had a fear it was going to go on and on like the Energizer Bunny since that's how a lot of my stories I write seem to go. My husband will say it's because that's how my brain works, because I ramble on and on and there's no real end to it. My children are always waiting for me to make my point and when I see their eyes glazing over, I know I've probably gone on too long. So the fact that the story came to an end, well I'm more than relieved. However, I do plan to continue writing until this NaNoWriMo things is officially over (November 30). But my story ends at the final word count of: 57,140.

Now the real work begins...

And I'd like to thank all of you who supported, encouraged, and downright pushed me in this endeavor.

Giving Thanks

Dear Mom,

There’s no doubt I never thanked you for all your hard work when I was little. But then I was just a kid and other than the everyday please and thank you’s, you didn’t just tell your mom how much you appreciated her doing the laundry, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, sewing clothes, canning food, cooking meals every day, and all of the other endless tasks. When I was a kid I never thought about all the things that magically got completed.

It also may sound crazy and I mean no disrespect when I say that I’m also grateful for your death. It taught me how to be responsible for myself. Naturally I’ve learned a lot along the way from other people and experiences, but I really believe it was a gift. Never thought that way when I was younger after first losing you, but over time I began to see things differently.

To name all the people and things I am grateful for… well the list would be endless. But I am truly grateful for everyone who has come and gone in my life and those still in it. I’m grateful for all experiences even those that appear negative as I’ve always believed something good will come of it. Haven’t been proven wrong yet.

Thank you Mom.

P.S. And thank you everyone.

NaNoWriMo Day 22

I didn't get up quite as early as I had been before I reached my 50,000 word goal for NaNo, but I did write 3,294 words today. It's getting closer to the end. My characters haven't run away, yay!

Total word count: 56,656

Ooopsy

Okay no one can accuse me of being quick - it just dawned on me that I was honored with the Beautiful Blogger award by my blogging buddy, Lisa (Writing in the Buff). I knew she mentioned me in her blog, but I didn't "get it" when I was reading it. Maybe because of all this typing/writing with NaNo, my brain seems to be a little fuzzy lately. Thanks Lisa!

NaNoWriMo Day 21

Now that I've made the 50,000 word goal, I considered taking a day off. My story isn't finished, so I thought I better keep it flowing and today I wrote: 1,010 words (probably my lowest word count per day, but it was better than blowing the day off and not writing at all, yes?)
Grand total: 53,362

NaNoWriMo Day 20

WOOT! WOOT! I hit the 50,000 mark. My word count for today is: 3,468. I didn't have to type that much to hit 50,000 but the story kept on going. It's still not finished, but now I'll be a little less stressed for Thanksgiving since I'm cooking. Anyone who cooks knows there's lots to do. But I love doing it. I'll continue to write until the story is finished. If I finish before the end of November, I plan to continue to write to do this daily NaNo thing. Then again maybe the story will keep on going beyond November. We'll see. It's been a fascinating adventure.

Grand total: 52,352

NaNoWriMo Day 19

I'm getting close to the 50,000 mark, but my story is not going to be finished when I hit that magic number--which is certainly okay. I'm just amazed that it kept up the momentum. I have a busy evening, so my word count for the day is: 1,345

The grand total: 48,884

NaNoWriMo Day 18

I did not want to get up at 5AM today, but I did. Since 1PM I've been dragging and I am going to bed soon. Gee, it's 7:30PM. Word count today: 2,888.

Grand total: 47,539
Look at that line on the widget below, it's almost filled. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh that's so scary!

NaNoWriMo Day 17

Today's count: 2,490

Grand total: 44,651

NaNoWriMo Day 16

Today was my least productive day for writing with a total of 1,084 words. But that's okay since I've exceeded my goal every day (other than the two days I was not able to write at all). My left eyelid is beginning to droop--is it from getting up too early or too much time spent in front of the computer screen?

Total word count: 42,161

More on Mr. Smeag

Dear Mom,

After my daughter leaves here with her two dogs, I have to go find Mr. Smeagol. He’s a true scaredy-cat and hides under the bed while the dogs are here. The next day he is exhausted from all the anxiety he’s dealt with.

Naturally, I had to snap a few pictures. He’s cutest when he sleeps. I just wish he’d do more sleeping when I’m sleeping rather than pulling my hair to get me up or howling like a wolf. Really he does howl.

I took this picture to capture the shadow of his ear, but if you just look at the sunny part, like you would with one of those hidden pictures in a picture—the button on the bench Smeagol is sleeping on looks like an eye to a fish’s head with its mouth opened like it’s going to get ready to eat Smeagol’s head. I think it’s rather unique—a fish getting ready to nab a cat.

If Smeagol could see this, I wonder whether he’d run like he does when he hears the dogs coming in.

NaNoWriMo Day 15

It's getting harder and harder to get up around 5AM heading into week 3 of NaNoWriMo and so I crawled out of bed closer to 6. I was up at 5, does that count? Not that getting up early matters--that's my own little rule I've set for myself during this crazy writing a novel in a month. I know writing in the morning is best for me so I'm taking advantage of it and I suppose the proof is in the word count. Today's count: 4,078. That my friends brings my grand total to: 41,077. That's less than 9,000 words before I finish. I know (I think) how it's going to end and I don't think I'll be able to say it in 9,000 words. I suppose that's a good thing.

NaNoWriMo Day 14

I attended a fundraiser for my daughter's Lacrosse team. She's the coach now. I would have thought these days were over, but actually it's a lot more fun now. We got up early since it was an all-you-can-eat breakfast. I did my writing after we got back. The food must have fueled my fingers as I wrote 3,961.

And my grand total is: 36,999.

Why didn't I type one more word and make it an even 37,000? I stop when I stop.

Within my manuscript I make little notes of what I have written and what time it is - I subtract those "words" from the real total.

To all my writing buddies and fellow NaNo participants--Write On!

PS Happy Birthday to my big sister Suzanne!

NaNoWriMo Day 13

It is my granddaughter's 8th birthday today, so I didn't get as much writing as I thought. Had to make homemade donuts for breakfast you know. Day 13 brings 2,358 words and that brings my total to: 33,038.

NaNoWriMo Day 12

Here I am Day 12. I thought I would be able to do more writing this evening, but my brain just doesn't want to function, so I have to call it quits for the day. My total for the day is 3,096.

Grand total: 30,680

NaNoWriMo Day 11

Ooopsy, just realized I had my days all wrong in previous posts. Today is November 11 so it would be Day 11 of NaNoWriMo. I think getting up early (5ish) is catching up with me. It's been busy, but I still managed to write 2,534 words today.

Grand total: 27,584

NaNoWriMo Day Ten

I think there must be something about not discussing your story with anyone verbally that gives it more power or something. Or the writing Gods have decided I really need help, but whatever it is, I'm happy and my count today is: 3,335. We have dinner plans this evening, so I'm finished for the day. And I hope that whatever is working for me works for all my writing friends doing NaNo or just doing it on their own.

And ta-da I'm HALF WAY THERE! WOOT WOOT!

Total count: 25,050 (The little widget thing below isn't updating...)

NaNoWriMo Day Nine

Today's total: 4,220 And let me tell you, it was pretty tough. Total: 21,716

Hair – Wanted and Unwanted

Dear Mom,

I remember one time coming to visit you in the hospital and a mustache was growing above your lip. I couldn’t understand this. I get it now, growing hairs in unwanted places. Although in your case, I’m sure the medications didn’t help. I also didn’t understand why someone didn’t shave you. I wanted to crawl in bed with you and at the same time I was deathly afraid.

I’ve had my lip hairs removed through laser treatment. Why not? There are a few stragglers here and there, but it beats looking like Sam Elliot only with dark hair. There are some stragglers on my chin. I swear they grow overnight. One time I was driving and I looked in my rear view mirror and saw this black thing hanging off my chin. What? It was a hair. Thinking it was a loose hair, I tried brushing it off, but no, it was attached with a root and all. I tried pulling it. All that did was make the hair curl and then I looked like I had a pubic hair resting on my chin. I continued to pull until that sucker came out. For the life of me I can’t seem to grow hair on my eyebrows in the places that are sparse. Can’t grow hair where you want it and yet it blossoms where you don’t. But I got creative and now have a comb-over eyebrow. Who would’ve thought?

I think everyone has problems with hair—either wanted or unwanted.

NaNoWriMo Day Eight

It's Day Eight. I wasn't able to write on Day Six or Day Seven (Saturday and Sunday) since I was out of town, and although it was tough I managed to fit in 2,051 words today bringing my total count to: 17,486. The NaNoWriMo site is "busy" so I can't log in my words yet. Hope all my other writer pals are doing well! Write on!
PS. I have a blogger friend, Becky Povich who's having a give-away contest, but you have to visit her blog and make a comment in order to win. She's a sweet gal, tell her Lynn sent you! You can get there from this link: www.beckypovich.blogspot.com

NaNoWriMo Day Five

Here's my total count--that widget thingy from NaNoWriMo does update, but today's word count was 2,005. I'm heading out to the annual dinner with North American Rock Garden Society's members. One of the couples decided to host it. She is from Brazil, so we will be having a Brazilian dinner. Tomorrow up early and heading to Springfield and then Jefferson City, so no writing this weekend. Wah. Happy writing to all my writing buddies out there doing NaNo. I'll have some catching up to do when I get back.

Here's the total: 15,247

NaNoWriMo Day Four (again)

I just discovered this cool gadget from the NaNoWriMo site. I can just plug this in and it will give my total count. I'll be curious to see if it automatically updates or if I'll have to repost.

NaNoWriMo Day Four

Today's word count: 2536, total count: 13,239

NaNoWriMo Day Three

Total for the day is: 2,301 and grand total: 10,702
I'm not monkeying around, am I?

NaNoWriMo Day Two

Even though Day 2 didn't go as well as Day 1, I'm still pretty happy with the overall word count. For the day it's 2,627--bringing my total word count to: 8,401. High five to myself!

I Dig Rocks

Dear Mom,

I told you about the DR Power Wagon and how it hauls all of my rocks. Did you know I am a huge fan of rocks? No matter where I visit, I want to pick up a rock and take it home with me.

A man I met at a senior citizen’s home who knew your sisters, (Aunt) Anna and Electa, had a little rock collection in his small apartment. He told me stories about how he collected rocks throughout his life. Whew, I thought I was bad—he put me to shame. I began to wonder whether I was a true rock collector. I am—in my own little way.

Mr. (Joe) Zykan told me a story about when he and his family were on vacation and he collected a huge pile of rocks that he loaded on top of the roof of his car. Before long, the roof started sagging and they had to pull over and remove them. But get this—he then shipped the rocks home! Now that’s a rock collector. If anyone knows my husband and his meticulous way with cars—could anyone imagine him letting me haul a bunch of rocks on the roof of a car!

Bringing home a huge rock would... ah, yeah rock. But I stick with ones small enough to fit in my hand. But unearthing a rock in my own back yard really thrills me. These rocks have items fossilized in them. One rock that was in the shape of a fish, had a sea shell where the eye belonged.



And then there's my other kind of fishy shaped looking rock.



Here’s a rock in the shape of a heart. I thought someone stole it until I realized it had cracked. I put it back together.



Some friends who poured our driveway brought us these rocks from their land.



And some more random—way cool—rocks, all from our yard.







I snagged a few rocks from my mother-in-law's yard after her death.




This rock serves as a place to sit when I'm tired. You can see the pink little rock on top of it (which is the same pink rock in the above picture) to give you a comparison in size.



There’s my small collection of various rocks from various places—one bearing the word HU.


I dig rocks!

NaNoWriMo Day One… still

Total word count: 5,774
W00T! W00T!

NaNoWriMo Day One

When giving updates on my NaNoWriMo status, I decided to leave off the “Dear Mom” and if she’s looking down upon me, well… thank you.

It’s my first day and it’s not even over, but I surpassed my goal of 1,852 words and have written 4,357—that’s what happens when you get up at 5AM and follow a schedule. We’ll see what the rest of the month brings. I do have 3 days that I know I won’t be able to write, so having a bit of a surplus eases my anxiety.

With keeping on a schedule, I took my daughter’s idea (marking a water bottle) to show how much water you need to drink before the day is over. I always forget and who wants to drink 64 ounces of water right before they go to bed? No sleeping then. Thought I’d share the idea with anyone else who has the same trouble. I’m ahead of schedule on the water intake too! Go figure.

A blogger buddy and NaNoWriMo buddy is holding a contest on her blog and so I’m going to share it here if anyone is interested. Lisa (www.writinginthebuff.net) is a sweet Southern gal and I’m sure you’ll enjoy her blog.

Now back to writing because I think I’m on a roll. Did I also mention that I rode 4 miles on the stationary bike and did a little laundry?

Happy Halloween

Dear Mom,

My stepdaughter Robyn and I made spiders for Logan’s school Halloween party. Figured Halloween was a good time to display them.

It’s also Frank’s birthday – so Happy Biooo-thday Frank-enstein! I always have to incorporate some kind of Halloween message on his birthday—after all he was born on Halloween.

When Ruthie and I were little, you had us make our own costumes with brown paper grocery bags. On the bottom, we’d cut out a big enough circle to go over our heads and then two smaller circles on either side for arm holes. We’d then get out the crayons and color some kind of picture on the rest of the bag. Ruthie had a BooBoo mask and I had a Yogi Bear mask, and every year we’d Trick or Treat in the neighborhood. Yogi Bear and BooBoo, year after year. I often wondered what the neighbors thought—there they are, the Moellering girls, so creative. Did people laugh behind our backs? We didn’t care so long as we got the goods. I couldn’t handle when someone asked me to do a trick or if I had a joke. I’d shake my head no and feel my heart drop thinking I wouldn’t get any candy, but they always gave me some anyway—probably felt sorry for me with my costume and all.

Have a safe and fun Halloween and booo careful.

National Novel Writing Month

Dear Mom,

I’ve decided to do the NaNoWriMo which is writing a 50,000 word (fictional) novel during the month of November. For those who might be interested in my progress, I plan to post here daily my accomplishments even though I’ll be posting on the NaNoWriMo official site.

Why I’m causing myself more work, I’m not sure but that’s how I roll—heaven forbid should I keep things simple.

Since I need all the help I can muster, I pulled out my totem.

Ruthie reminded me to bring out a totem every time I write to trick the muse that it’s time. I’ll be using my silver spoon from the Hilton in Minneapolis—and no, I didn’t steal it. It was given to me. A fun memory with two dear writing friends. I’ll also keep a picture of my Great Aunt Helen (Lena) Moellering whose story I’m obsessed with finding out, but I keep coming up empty handed. And so I’m going to make up my own story about Lena. Maybe then I can quit obsessing over her and finish up other stories I have to write.

The photo was taken from a family photo probably in the early 1900s. The date of Lena’s exact birth is unknown—about 1896—so my guess she’s about 7 or 8 in this picture. Guessing age is not my thing, maybe she’s 10.

Wish me luck as I’ve never been good at fiction, which is going to be tough. I also always write in long hand, but for this project I plan to type on the laptop. That too is going to be different for me. Ah, those secretarial skills will come in handy now.

And Great Aunt Lena, wherever you are, I’ll be open to your help ☺.

My Power Wagon

Dear Mom,

I finally got out in the yard to take care of the weeds before they invaded the house. There’s this wild, native, invasive—but pretty looking—plant. See the plant with the rounded leaves? That's the culprit, trying to take over the phlox.

I decided it looked cool and let it grow. It took off like the moles around here and the next thing I know it’s choking the life out of all my plants. I’m in the third year of trying to keep it out of the garden area and under control. It really is pretty in the spring—tiny purple flowers bloom—especially when it’s covering the ground like a blanket.

While fighting that, I came across another plant that is acting the same way. This water plant has variegated leaves of pink, green and white with scraggly edges. It made its way out of the water and on to ground—also choking out my other plants. It’s more invasive than the other. You know the ole saying, if you can’t beat 'em, join 'em—and I decided to create an area of its own. Maybe it will be happy in its own little section. I gave it lots of love.

The path that I had created was now gone—covered by mulch, weeds, dirt, etc. Again being creative, I decided to line the path with more rocks.

Here's what it looked like before. Do you see a path? It's supposed to be in between the boxwoods (left) and the hosta (right).

My husband had bought me a power wagon several years ago. I gasped at what he paid for it and wondered whether he had any sense. Who would pay that kind of money for a motorized wheelbarrow? The first time my little sister and I used it to create a dry (rock) creek bed, we used the DR Power Wagon. Just once it paid for itself—saving wear and tear on our backs, the ease in which we gathered and hauled rocks. We loved the DRPW.

When creating my path, I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle to get the DRPW since it meant hauling it out of the barn, driving it through the woods, down the hill and into the back (the only way to get back there with a powered machine) and so I carried one big rock. Was I crazy? I went and got the DRPW. And filled that puppy up with rocks (that came from our woods).

Isn’t she a beaut? Oh, and my husband—he has LOTS of sense.

Oh and did I tell you that the DRPW also has a button you can push and it dumps your load for you?