Aren't they curious and interesting, the little worlds we live in?
You, and we and us?
My dad always says…
"Cada cabeza es un mundo."
Which translates to, "every mind is a world of its own."
I love our own personal mind worlds, don't you?
A place so special, and vastly complex, you can't ever really fully express it to anyone.
A place all your own, that only you will ever truly grasp.
Your own world.
Then there are the little worlds we live in.
Our homes, our spaces.
Books we stack up high, plants we water, secret hiding places.
Jewelry boxes, growing seeds, what we see when we wake up.
Our loves.
I adore peeking into worlds.
Here's a little photo catch up of what has been going on around here.
Growing things taking center stage.
I am rolling 3 posts into one because life stuff has gotten us behind in posting.
I caught a 24 hour stomach bug, don't you love those?
I am all cured now, yay!
Then yesterday sweet Miles had the oddest episode ever.
Gave me grey fear hair for sure.
A seizure or something of that sort (scary horrible thing), so we spent all evening at the vet hospital.
My first time seeing anything like it.
My sweet boy.
He went from fully asleep, to jumping in the air, freaking out, convulsing, shaking, glazed eyes.
I had never seen anything like it, have you?
(the more I replay this in my mind, the more I think maybe a bite triggered it? Because when it first began and he jolted awake, he was reacting as though something bit him on the face, pawing at his face going mad, it's all so strange, then he started shaking/convulsing. I know when that tiny scorpion stung me in my sleep years ago, my reaction was wildly violent, and I thought my elbow had been shattered in my sleep by a burglar, as a gut reaction. It was so terribly painful and confusing)
Trust me, I have scoured my brain, how could this happen?
I have asked myself all the questions.
Like…
Is it related to what Matty has and is on medicine for (valley fever)?
Did he get into something?
What could it be???
The truth is, they (pups) are with me all day.
I protect them like a mama bear.
We don't keep toxins around.
They get fresh water and food several times a day.
They sleep with me.
I am careful with everything they come into contact with, and they are taken care of like gold.
They eat really good dog food and I make them a few dog friendly meals from time to time.
My dad says, there are some things in life that happen.
Darn those wretched things.
I am determined to help my boys in any way I can.
We are waiting for blood tests to see if anything shows up.
(toxins, organs, valley fever, etc)
I am learning a lot, and doing research like a mad woman.
You bet, I am on it, 200% concerned.
The good news?
Today Miles is acting like he did always before, and he is feeling seemingly great again.
We are back out watching butterflies lay eggs on passion fruit vines, just like last year.
Ever so many of them visiting us again.
Last year, and all its scary things, have made me a stronger woman.
How to be strong and love, even through ups and downs.
How, sad/scary things will happen, but you have to forge on and be strong.
Stopping for a couple freak out breaks.
Life is ups and downs.
It just is.
You gotta take the sweet with the sour, and take deep breaths.
It's all you can do.
So today is a fresh happy day.
Miles is back to normal.
As if nothing ever happened.
(I am watching him like a hawk)
Matty's pills keep him feeling fine, just not as rambunctious as before.
But hopefully one day, he will be fully well again.
But today…
Today we have pumpkins and a garden.
A garden that serves as a healing place.
We stroll around, wishing the rain would come back to visit us.
We need more than two storms you rain clouds!
Little trees grow, dogs chase lizards.
Pumpkin leaves get HUGE.
I needn't repeat myself.
But, I will – now I know why I keep a pumpkin patch.
Exploding vines, you see.
Blocking the path between the domed garden and the big veggie garden.
And ever ever ever so many pumpkins this year.
I think pumpkins love growing upwards, because, I am getting more pumpkins on single vines than ever.
Pumpkins everywhere, I tell you.
I try to show folks who stop by my "amazing" pumpkins – but, I guess, if you aren't a pumpkin lover, then a pumpkin is just a pumpkin, haha! And maybe, they are only amazing to me.
I think any pumpkins on earth are more than swell.
Green orbs hanging everywhere, on their way to turning orange.
Are you a pumpkin lover?
The domed garden has turned into a pumpkin vine house.
When you go inside and look up, you are shaded by vines.
To me, it's just awesome.
I want to move in 😉
Pumpkins hanging all around.
Oh my!
I wonder, why do I love pumpkins so?
I don't know, but goodness, I do!
Did you hear that sound?
What could it be?
Someone trying to jump over and see…
Look at that!
Mister horse is on the other side of our wall.
Hi there Mister Horse!
I'd love to drape him in flowers, and have him pull a pumpkin cart down the road.
A parade of 1.
Imagine?
The neighborhood would think I was certified.
Nut.
But a girl can dream.
Look at all the roses on one stem.
A horse covered in zinnias, yes yes, that would do the trick.
Oh and did I say, gourds are turning up?
Matty's been snooping around the garden too.
He acts like he hears things.
I bet he hears gophers digging tunnels underfoot?
Gosh I LOVE that little fur.
I want to squeeze him up.
And I will, even though he will growl in my ear 🙂
Hear that?
I spy a cinderella pumpkin or two.
(French heirloom – Rouge vif D'Etampes)
Not to be confused with a fairy tale pumpkin.
No no, we would never do such a thing 🙂
Great source to read all about pumpkin varieties, here.
Oh, there is another cinderella pumpkin, slowly turning red.
Carrots and beets come out to play too.
Collecting collecting, a little everyday.
Lately every veggie in our meals comes from the garden.
I love this time of year for that reason.
Washing, putting away, using.
I look out my office window at the wild grass and weeds that I keep mowed.
They were very green, if only it would rain again.
My lawn mower needs some help, the primer ball is stuck inwards.
Anyone know anything about that?
Never thought that would be any concern of my day, haha!
Our little world.
Growing and changing every day.
This morning there was a cool breeze.
As night stays hot here now, I never thought I would ever feel a cool breeze again.
Now, if only rain would come out of those thick clouds.
And bathe those growing things…
Wouldn't that be just peachy?
Well, I am off to walk around the garden with the boys, see what we can see.
What ever have you been up to?
Got any secrets brewing in your little world?
Love, V
ps: In the tiny lawn right now…
Is that happiness or what?
Maybe I need to give it a try?
HI V!
Lovely post! Love seeing all your loveliness….Is that too many loves?? Your water comes from a community well??right? Do you ever have the water tested? I imagine if there was anything wrong with the water it would show up in our little pets first? Anywho just a thought..Sure glad Miles is okay. Hugs! deb
Hi there, yes we have a community well. The water is tested once a
month – But good thought for sure, thank you soooo much!! hugs back 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/6/2013 8:13:46 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Wow, that was my thought too, about your water and or maybe a scorpion bite? I JUST CRINGED when you said it was Miles that was ill this time.:( So glad the three of you are ALL well again! Love all your pics Vanessa, especially the boys enjoying your garden and pumpkin jungle!;) Your garden keeps you busy Happy! I need a some “thing” to keep me from going down the deep end cuz school starts this Thursday. It will get very quiet here and school stress begins and another graduation to follow. I don’t know where this summer went. Very sad indeed! Although,
I do love the cooler weather today but we NEED more rain! Is it too late to plant pumpkin seeds?
It could be epilepsy, but there are meds for this for fur babies too.
Love your garden Vanessa we need rain here in Denmark too, we have had the warmest dry summer for ages here
Poor little Miles, glad that he’s feeling better now. Hopefully you’ll find out what caused it.
Your garden is looking beautiful as always, I love that basket of veg, so much yumminess.
We rent our house so I can’t really dig the garden up that much, however, I do plant as much as I can in crates and pots so we can still have plenty of herbs, strawberries and tomatoes. I might have to do an experiment and see if you can grow a pumpkin in a pot. Potted pumpkin!
For several weeks now, my black baby boy has been throwing himself down, doing that happy back roll every time I get near him. It’s pure joy! In winter time when I come home from work, he stands a little to the side, sniffs the snow covered ground, wanting to roll for me, but just can’t bring himself to… 🙂
Your garden is wonderful. I love the domed pumpkin patch. You pumpkins look so happy! One or two weeks ago the powdery mildew took hold of our pumpkin patch 🙁 It’s been an unusually hot and damp summer here, and it was just a matter of time I guess. Most of our pumpkins have turned color by now, since we planted them early. But I would have wanted them to “curate” in their own time.
Regarding Matty and Miles: How long does Matty have to take his medicine? All his life? I am keeping my fingers crossed that Miles “just” had an epileptic seizure. I know of both humans and pets who have had only one or two seizures in their lives and are fine.
Hi, lady! I am so sorry about your precious Miles. Growing up, my goldie had seizures and his son had seizures as well. It’s absolutely frightening! If you haven’t already, just take him to the vet, to ease your mind! You’re already doing oh so very much for him, giving him good food, water and so much love and space. You seem like an awesome pup momma!
Even scarier, in ’11, my gorgeous wife Jen had a stress seizure while working from home. I was terrified. She’s fine now, and we make sure meds don’t cause a seizure again. She’s my world, my life, my wife, my soul mate.
So I understand. I do.
Also, I love pumpkins. I love everything green, and other colors, growing and loving and living. Whether it’s a beautiful weed (I’d rather be a weed than a flower) or an amazing giant ancient tree.
Thank you for sharing your world with us!
Here’s hoping You, Matty and Miles are feeling much better, hope that Mr. Lovee is good also. It is always scary and stressful when family is sick.
Wonderful photos you should be very proud, all is grown by you.
Kelly, the more I replay the events in my head, the more I think like you, that maybe it was a scorpion. Where he was sleeping, I have killed a tiny (more potent when tiny) scorpion twice in the last 4 years.
Miles went from sleeping, to sort of first freaking out, pawing at his face, so I thought something bit him on his face at first, then he started shaking as in seizure mode with a vacant look on his face, mixed with utter fear. And he was seizing. It seemed to last a long time. Then he got up and started barking and howling – he went outside still in a shivering mode, and he seemed to convulse a little in the driveway.
Then after a few minutes, he got up and was fine.
I called the vet immediately, got dressed, and off to the vet we went. It was after hours, but they got us in.
I talked to the well guy, and he reconfirmed that the water gets tested by law, once a month. He was telling me that our well is on the top of some list for clean and good well water – so that makes me happy.
It does taste offly good.
Anyhow, the vet said if it was epilepsy he might have another seizure at night, so they taught me how to administer a drug in the most invasive way, eeeks. Anyhow – no seizure since.
Could it have been a scorpion? I don’t know – but the more I think about it…… the more it seems possible, you know??
I can hardly sleep watching over him.
I am with you, where on earth did summer go????? Where?
Well, we have a little left, maybe you could plant some fall seeds for winter veggies?
Love, V
Susanne, I can’t wait to get the test results back so we can have some idea, maybe, if anything shows.
It has been warm and dry in Denmark? That’s so unusual isn’t it?
Rachel, I have grown a pumpkin vine out of a big pot before. It did okay, but the seeds I used were from a not ery strong pumpkin I had grown. So I bet with good seeds, you could do it for sure 😉
I love that rolling around, imagine how good it must feel? My boys make happy noises when they do it. I should try it 😉
Well on Matty, he has to take the medicine for a long time, Valley Fever is a sort of fungus spore that lives in the dirt/soil here. They say that everyone who lives in Arizona has small amounts of Valley Fever in them, but I am not sure if that is true?
(other places have an earth/soil fungus type illness as such called Blasto)
Valley Fever is a very confusing illness, as it can attack any organ or part of a person or animal. There is not one set distinct symptom. Although there are some common symptoms – it can show itself in other endless ways. For example, my sister wa telling me about her friend’s dog who went blind from valley fever.
So, Matty is on medicine and tested frequently to see if his valley fever levels are high or low.
His levels were never high, but since they could not find anything else wrong with him, they are sticking with valley fever.
He is also on a steroid for any inflammation in his body.
We tried to take him off the steroid once, and he relapsed. His symptoms when not on the meds are weakness on the left side of his body, falling over, seemingly dizzy or in pain/confusion on his left side.
Valley Fever in pets is huge here. And we have caught Matty scratching dirt and licking it, so that is not good. I keep him from doing it as much as I can.
The vet thinks that it is valley fever which is causing a nervous sytem inflammation in him, maybe in his brain or spine.
So, basically, you give the medicine and test and check all the time, until they seem better. However, valley fever meds are usually administered for 6 months to a year.
Phew, long answer from me 😉 haha!
I myself, can’t seem to find it in me to get rid of some of the weeds around here. Unless they are those allergy spiney bramble ones, and then they get mowed.
I love seeing what grows naturally.
Oh my, Jen’s seizure must have been beyond terrifying, my gosh!
I popped Miles in the car within minutes of his episode, and we rushed to the after hours animal hospital.
They took blood and did a bunch of tests, so we may or may not learn more.
But like I said to Kelly, the more I replay it in my mind, the more I think some sort of bite could have triggered it.
His reaction was a series of strange events.
Thank you for chiming in and sharing, truly!
Imagine the secrets ancient trees hold???
😉
Miss Linda,
we are all seemingly very well again 😉
Gosh, when it rains it pours doesn’t it?
I just had a quick little stomach flu – but it did keep me down a day and a half or so, horrible thing. Mister Lovee and i ate the same things, and he was fine – go figure?
I was just out roaming the garden at 5 a.m. – and as the sun came up a tiny bit between clouds, a HUGE rainbow appeared.
I ran in and got my camera.
It was awesome!!
Vanessa – My relatives also say: Se cuecen las habas en todas partes. Everybody cooks faba beans everywhere. What i think it means is we are all going through the same experiences> I hope you and your animals stay well> Great idea to have the pumpkin and the birdhouse gourd vines growing upward. You are an inspiration to us all.
OMG! Poor Miles! Poor Vanessa and Lovee! When we love a sweet soul, there is so much worry. Pets, children, parents, siblings, friends. Sometimes it doesn’t seem worth all the worry. And then you remember they are the very things that make life worth living. Oh, but the worry.
Your garden is killing me. That peach – and those pumpkins! The peach processing will be replaced by pumpkins. I am a pumpkin lover for sure. You are so fortunate to have such an awesome garden. Although it’s not so much fortune, but some very hard work! Enjoy your bountiful harvest.
Oh, I know that was such a worry when Miles had the seizure. I’m so glad he seems OK now. Years ago when we had our precious little mixed spitz, she had a couple of seizures that we witnessed. I don’t remember getting a specific reason from the vet, but fortunately they happened very rarely.
We have an ever-so-small garden, but anytime I see the fruits or veggies growing, it fills me with happiness! I can definitely see how you are loving all those pumpkins.
Oh dear about that valley fever! Can it affect humans?
I just love walking through your glorious garden alongside you and your fur boys. Thank you for the stroll!
Linda Diane,
Lovely friend!
Oh yes, it was ever so stressful – but like I said – for some reason the more I replay it in my mind – the more I wish I could go back to the moment – as in the beginning he was reacting as though something bit his face/snout. Then he went into spasms and jolts and convulsions. And then he came out of it howling and barking. Which is not common for him.
It was so odd.
OH yes, humans can get valley fever – and they say that everyone who lives in the southwest has a small measure of valley fever in them already, not sure if that is true?
But it is just a soil spore fungus, that can float about. I am sure that the dust storms outside Phoenix don’t help people up in that area at all. There are full blown haboubs.
There was a story on NPR about valley fever recently…
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/13/181880987/cases-of-mysterious-valley-fever-rise-in-american-southwest
ps: lots of animals have valley fever in these parts.
You poor thing you’ve been through the mill haven’t you, what with that bug and then Miles’s seizure. Thank GOODNESS you’re both ok now. Your world is glorious, my dear, and your enjoyment of it deeply inspiring.
bless your little man…I know how helpless it feels waiting for results for our precious four legged family members. there have been so many times I wished for them to be able to talk to me! just tell me what hurts! xoxoxo
p.s. your garden is gorgeous!
thank you Jessica!!!!!
We do love our little guys sooooo 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/7/2013 12:52:45 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Oh no, poor Miles! I hope everything is okay!
I think your pumpkins are amazing! I didn’t grow little pumpkins this year like I have the last couple years because I have just been gone so much I didn’t think I could keep them alive in the heat here. The rain is nice, but we need more! I will be sad to have no pumpkins, but I guess I will just have to buy them at the store like normal people who don’t live in fantastical fairy pumpkin lands like you!
Thank you for the valley fever story link! I will check that out.
I forgot to mention that I am so glad that your stomach bug is g-o-n-e GONE! You are much too magically sweet to be weighed down by such yuckiness! That is a medical term. Yep. It is.
It is ever so nice of you to reply to us here. : )
I’m so glad that Miles is back to regular health and doing ok…what a scare!
Side note, I’m always in love with your pumpkin patch. It’s just too hot here right now, but I need to find out when Florida can plant pumpkins. I doubt we’ll get a crop for the fall since it’s August already…sigh. LOL – which means I’ll have to visit a HUGE pumpkin patch/corn field and pick out a big sucker….just like Linus and Charlie Brown. Yay. 🙂
So glad your babies are okay! My pumpkin patch has lots of flowers, no pumpkins… alas.
I had a cat who had seizures. Just one day, out of the blue he started having them. It was so scary. The vet put him on anti-seizure meds. they worked very well. We never did figure out what caused them. He was supposed to be on the meds. for the rest of his life. It had been several months without a seizure and I decided to try taking him off of the medication. He never ever had another seizure. So WEIRD. He lived a long happy life. Hope your fur baby fully recovers from all of his ailments like my kitty. I’m loving watching your garden explode! It’s so amazing.
Oh, the pups. Oy! You’ve had quite a year with those two.
I hope he’s doing better.
Your pumpkins are a delight.
I’m a smidge jealous.
It can be such a frightening thing when the 4-legged members of the family are ill.
My wee Molly (calico cat divine) will be 17 years old on Aug. 22nd.
She’s faced a number of health challenges over the last few years, and I’ve had to learn how to not be devastated by each new thing that arises.
Our beloved Bunny (Molly’s littermate, stunningly gorgeous tortie cat, bold as any buccaneer) moved on last August after a brief illness.
After Bunny became ill, and again when Mo started having issues, I found myself recalling the words of grace you posted after your beautiful Baby girl’s test results came back. (entitled “5 a.m. (Garden Twists & More) from June 11, 2010).
A long long overdue, and genuinely heartfelt THANK YOU, Vanessa.
Sending all good vibes & wishes for continuing good health and happiness to all of you in Fanciful, AZ.
Love,
Meg
Yes very unusual Vanessa
It hasn’t really rained in a couple of month and we have had around 30 Celsius here for weeks
I know you are in for much hotter, but we Vikings are not 🙂 and the older I get, the harder I find to cope with these temps, maybe it’s because it’s so humid. It’s just to hot to do anything outside…
I’m used to sleep with my window open all year round, and when it’s over 15 C at night I have a hard time sleeping. Luckily it seams to be over, we are down to 20C now 😉
Lovee and I agree, we think a tiny scorpion may have gotten Miles on the
snout- there has been no episode since, and he has been happy as can
be. Poor little fluff boy.
I didnt really think we would get to have Matty in our lives this long – I
hope he is getting cured, I so do…..
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/8/2013 8:18:14 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I adore your pumpkins! They are so amazing and such wonderful varieties. Poor Miles! I had to read the post twice in one place as I know Matty has been your ailing boy, so when I re-read and saw it was Miles, I thought, Oh! No! He can’t get sick too! I am so glad he is feeling better. My youngest sister lost one of her favorite cats to a poisonous spider bite and yes, the cat went into convulsions, chills, shakes. So very sad. They think it was a black widow, but there are brown recluse spiders in California now too. That was when she lived in San Diego. Scary.
So this past weekend I had not viewed Les Miserables in the theater when it came out so I bought it at Wal-Mart for a discounted price, the DVD version. It’s probably a good thing I viewed it at home as I was being a cry baby a lot watching it. Then, we have a VHS version of Les Miserables, with the cast that traveled the live acting circuits, and it was the version which showed the VERY LAST production acting group, so at the end of the show, they had all 17 John Bel John’s who had acted in 25 countries for over a ten year period of time and it was amazing, it gave me chills as they all sang one by one in their own language. Fantastic! I think the DVD version with Anne Hathaway was incredible. No wonder she got best supporting actress…she was amazing. I think it is the best she has ever acted in any movie.
We have had a cooling trend for the last couple of days too, it is so delicious to walk outside in the morning and be able to do yard work without tons of sweat dripping down all over! Our sky is so beautifully blue today, so our air quality is great!
hugs,
Miss Teresa
Plus I have a couple of altered art pieces on my blog, and have been asked to teach a class online about how I go about creating them. I’ll have to think about it as I have to have Pay Pal, etc. the whole nine yards, but it would be a good experience for me.
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/
Oh! And you too! So glad YOU are feeling better. I figured something must be happening, as you usually do weekend posts.
Smiles 🙂 🙂 ))))) (Cheshire Cat smiles)
I sure am glad to hear that you are feeling better and I really hope that Miles feels better soon. I so love your pumpkin patch. Mine is well.. weird. Not doing well, but I feel like its my fault so I’ll live vicariously through yours. 🙂
Thanks for the pumpkin variety link. I’ll be searching through it soon.
love & blessings
~*~
Your garden is amazing!
I am a pumpkin lover too. We have them growing throughout out flower garden.
So glad Miles is feeling a bit better.
Every one take care there!
I’m hoping your fur babies will be okay, Lady V. Your father’s words are true. The world inside my mind is always full of adventures.
Hi Vanessa!!! How’s everything going with you and the BOYS!!! I hope this will be a pleasant weekend for you all so you can recharge and just enjoy some creative fun. <3
It is good that Miles is back to his normal self. Those scorpions are scary things indeed. Glad that you were home to see his distress and work to resolve the issue straight away. I feel your nervousness, having been there so many times myself. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my furry babies. I am going to miss them dearly going back to work full-time, but it will make our evenings together full and happy – with lots of cuddling! 🙂 Your garden photos are ALWAYS such a delight! You are truly a magic maker!