Author: Julia

I am a retired software solutions architect. I have been married to my husband, Bruce, for over forty years. We have a 12-pound dog, Nox, who we love dearly. She has been with us since 2009. We went full-time RVing for 3.5 years and saw much of the United States. We bought a ranch house on a hill in the middle of five acres. We are working on creating our homestead. I love cooking and enjoy sharing recipes. I am also an artist and I’ll share my current projects. Reading is my favorite hobby.

Tiny Little Pecans Are Leafing Out

April 12, 2025 On Thursday (April 10), I had PT in the morning. I was still sore from all the work I did on Tuesday and Thursday. Bending over and pulling up poison ivy was a lot of work. We’ve got so much to pull up. After PT, Bruce drove me home. I was sore […]

If You Don’t Like Snakes, Don’t Open This Post Since It Is About a Snake Visit

April 11, 2025 On Saturday (April 5), Bruce noticed a fairly long rat snake (a little over 4 feet) near the garage. It was coming into our yard from our neighbor’s pasture. Bruce was mowing at the time when he first spotted the snake. When Bruce brought in two of the mower batteries to be […]

After the Storm

April 10, 2025 On Monday (April 7), at Blackberry Homestead the land was still very wet. We decided to go to Costco and shop. Our Costco list had gotten long. On the way to Costco in Madison, AL along alternate Hwy 72, we enjoyed the beautiful yellow fields of mustard blooming. Once we got back […]

Before the Storm

April 6, 2025 On Thursday (April 3), after my physical therapy, we checked out a salvage store and purchased 4 metal chairs at $35 a piece for the blueberry circle. We just need a table for the circle now. We also bought two end tables at $45 a piece. I like the shape of the […]

We Are Okay, Blackberry Homestead With Downed Trees

April 6, 2025 The tornado that touched down in Muscle Shoals was about 6 miles from us. We huddled in our closet part of the night when the tornado warning sirens went off and the electronic warning said a tornado had touched down. Nox really didn’t like hanging out in the closet. I believe she […]

New Style of Artwork, “Abstract Sensualism”

April 5, 2025 Surprise was expressed at how much we were willing to spend to ship and have our DeRubeis’s artwork “Autumn Wind” repaired. (We were both sick to realize it had been damaged.) I want to explain why we are willing to spend so much to ship it and have it repaired. Bruce and […]

The Damaged Artwork Shipped for Repair Today

April 4, 2025 After carefully packing the entire four panels of the damaged artwork, we packed it into the large art moving box from U-Haul. We used bubble wrap and U-Haul styrofoam corner proctors, along with bubble wrap corner protectors. We used a lot of tape to keep everything in place. The styrofoam corner proctors […]

Into the Drink and Out Again

April 4, 2025 On Tuesday (April 1), I was using the loppers to cut down small trees and bushes in the cross fence. Bruce came out of the house and called out to me, “Hey, I’ve got a situation and need your help.” I called back as I started walking towards Bruce, “Are you okay?” […]

I Started Physical Therapy Today

April 3, 2025 For the last four years, I have had issues with my left side of my back. It is triggered when riding on the back of the motorcycle for more than 30 minutes. I have the same pain when washing a large load of dishes by hand or when I spend a significant […]

Podiatrist and Dermatologist Visit

April 2, 2025 On Monday (March 31), I went to see the podiatrist my new primary care doctor recommended for an ingrown toenail. The podiatrist gave me three options to deal with my ingrown toenail. After additional discussion with the doctor, I picked option one which was the simplest and least invasive treatment. The doctor […]