by sheila morris
the Carport Kitty Legacy Cats like breakfast served before dawn
Pretty decorated with holiday cheer
rain, rain and more rain this early morning – the flag of Ukraine heavy,
weighted down like its people after nearly two years of war
Pride colors gleam in the rain
thanks to Pretty, my true love, for the gifts of the season
As reliable as our big shaking dog Spike is to predict inclement weather, often with more accuracy than the professional weather people in the media, last night’s storms were much less than he dreaded. We still hunkered down with our battery powered lights as the winds howled, the rain pounded the leaves off the trees – but today brought sunlight to mitigate the old blue norther that dropped the temperatures to levels in line with December in South Carolina.
Carl assesses the leaf situation in our back yard this morning
Carl wondered if the new dog would be friendlier than Spike
Charly thought this dog looked familiar from holidays long ago and far away
sniff, sniff – nope, no problemo
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Look at what came to us yesterday afternoon when our little granddaughters went with their cousin to talk to Santa – thanks so much to the mothers of these children for sharing the joy (?)!!
Daughter-in-law Caroline (l.) holds our two year old granddaughter skeptic Molly for her first chat with Santa while Caroline’s twin sister Chloe (r.) holds our four year old granddaughter Ella who appears to be planning something to stir the pot while Santa holds one year old cousin Caleb who is chill, going with the flow.
Molly unconvinced, Ella ready to jump ship, and Caleb still chill
let’s get down to the business of what I want for Christmas, Santa
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So many storms around the world this year during a season celebrated for peace, love and hope; I wanted to share these pictures as a reminder that the sun also rises in time to bring us another day to be thankful for all creatures great and small – the most magical gifts we’ll celebrate in any season.
Slava Ukraini. For all the children everywhere.
Laura Ann “Lauri” Carleton
Hate had no place in her heart or in her store when sixty-six- year-old Lauri Carleton was shot and killed at her place of business on Friday, August 18th., 2023 for her refusal to take down a gay Pride flag she flew outside her store in Lake Arrowhead, California every day. She will be celebrated by her family and friends as a brave ally of the LGBTQ+ community who gave her life in the outrageous act of believing love is love.
Rest in peace, Lauri, but know that the community you died for will never rest in peace as long as forces rage against equal justice for all.
Say her name: Laura Ann “Lauri” Carleton.
the Pride flag and the broom
Last week I saw our 3 year old granddaughter Ella trying her best to strike our Pride flag with a broom she found in the back yard. I watched as she struggled to swing the broom handle several times in the air with increasing agitation each time she flailed without success.
“Ella,” I said. “What in the world are you doing? That’s our Pride flag – it’s very important to your nanas.”
“I’m waiting for the candy to fall,” she answered with a withering look in my direction.
Lol.
Ella and Pretty at the Gamecock Women’s basketball game several days later
“Nana, did any candy ever fall out of your Pride flag?”
We had to report no candy yet.
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Slava Ukraini. For the children.
horseshoes moved in with Pride
getting ready for summer in South Carolina
I’m so thirsty…
hey, can you drink this stuff?
I’ll give it a whirl…
OMG, that water was n-a-s-t-y
“The Calla Lilies are in bloom…”
Does anyone remember that line from a famous old movie?
Hint: Katherine Hepburn was the actress who recited it.
Happy Mother’s Day to every mother wherever you are from the children who were your worst nightmares and, often simultaneously, your dreams come true. Thank you.
I'll Call It Like I See It 
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