Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
We got up early and headed to the Vet because it was time for Grace’s checkup, nail trim, and a precautionary de-fleaing—just in case she’d picked up any tiny freeloaders during her two-week “outdoor retreat.”
Getting her into the carrier was less of a task and more of a full-contact Olympic event. Grace had approximately 14 legs, no bones, and the strength of a panicked raccoon. It took both of us, several strategic maneuvers, and possibly a small violation of the Geneva Convention.
After surviving that adventure, we came home. We headed to the garden to plant our seven new tomato plants. I dug the holes, added fertilizer, and planted them with the confidence of a man who knows someone else will handle the aftermath. Mary followed behind, cleaning up after me—which, judging by the dirt trail, scattered tools, and general crime scene appearance, was not a small assignment.
My gardening uniform consists of some shorts with a tomato plant on the front. Looks pretty good for an old fart!!
Thank you, Mr. Tomato!
At 11:00, we were off to the Elks for the weekly “Girls’ Night Out” activity. Great fun with the gang! As the afternoon progressed, Mary assisted Sandee so Sandee would see, speak, or hear any evil!!
The “three wise monkeys” — see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil — are a famous symbol of moral conduct and self-discipline.
They are usually shown as:
• Mizaru — covering his eyes: see no evil
• Kikazaru — covering his ears: hear no evil
• Iwazaru — covering his mouth: speak no evil
The most famous version comes from Japan, especially a 17th-century carving at the T?sh?-g? Shrine in Nikk?, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. The monkeys are part of a larger set of carvings meant to teach life lessons.
The phrase is often linked to a Japanese proverb.
“Mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru”? Do not see evil, do not hear evil, do not speak evil.”
See no evil!
Hear no evil!
Speak no evil!
We headed home, and I took a two-hour nap, which was not so much “resting” as it was my body filing an official shutdown notice.
After I rejoined the living, we watched a little TV and then headed for the pool. The water is still 92 degrees, even after we lowered it to 90—apparently the warm weather took that as a personal challenge. At this point, the pool is less “refreshing swim” and more “giant outdoor bathtub.”
After getting out, we watched the rest of PanAm 108 and then went to bed. Gracie was roaming around the house and headed upstairs when we came down the hallway. Finally, I got a face-on photo!
During the night, I saw our hallway, family room, and living/TV room lights go on and off, which means Grace is on the prowl! Nothing like a four-legged burglar alarm! Who needs a random lighting timer when Grace is on duty?
“I am mad!! You took me to the Vet this morning!!!”
At 11:00 pm we were sound asleep!
