I am sharing a few photos from my walks with Jernee from Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Don’t worry, I was NOT outside with her long. We were out long enough for her to do what she needed to do each time and we came back inside immediately after our adventures into the wild, wild, winterland.
A Saturday morning glimpse of snow and ice “around my way” #1. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A Saturday morning glimpse of snow and ice “around my way” #2. I love the bareness of the trees and the road as it shifts up. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
A Saturday morning glimpse of snow and ice “around my way” #3. Walking around this part of my neighborhood is where it became tricky for my baby girl, Jernee. I had to pick her up and walk to the overpass where there is a hill and some covered area (patchy dirt and grass) that was protected from all this mess. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
The view from my 4th (technically, 5th floor) balcony on Friday afternoon. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Friday afternoon as Old Man Winter began his swoop into our neighborhood. See my little blue, compact Chevy Spark? Its name is Solo. I love that little car so much! Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
Old Man Winter decided to shake his soul loose this past Friday and Saturday morning. And when he did, he only graced us with about two inches of snow and the rest was sleet, which led to ice and hazardous road conditions.
I stayed my hind-end at home the entire weekend because I have seen HOW these folks drive and witnessed my share of accidents. Black ice doesn’t care who you are, how you drive, or where you’re from.
It’s slicker than oil, and I want no parts of it!
I hope Sunday will be more than kind to all of you. And if you are in the areas affected by this winter storm, stay warm, dry, and safe.
Because, even after all these years, my sweet baby still loves ice, and she will wait patiently for some every single time she notices that I have something “cold” to drink.
She’s so incredibly smart, and she keeps me on my toes to this very day.
I thought, maybe all of you, could use a smile or two. Happy Sunday.
A photo collage of the new coconut-scented substrate bedding, Zumi in its portable terrarium, and finally back in its main terrarium after a thorough cleansing. Photo Collage Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
It had been nearly seven months since Zumi’s terrarium had been cleaned from top to bottom. It was time to do just that and discard the old wood chips and dirt.
I ordered two bags of coconut substrate bedding. The brand is ReptiChip. I used one bag, and I have another bag for the next time I do this which will be in May of next year.
Per the Zoologist, I should thoroughly clean the terrarium and replace the substrate every 6-8 months. I got ZuZu on March 23, 2024, so it was under seven months last night when I took on the challenge.
Let me tell you, beautiful human beings, this is not a task for the faint of heart! Once I transferred Zuse to its portable terrarium, I carried its main terrarium to my kitchen where I used the sink hose to rinse and clean the space. I used Dawn dishwashing liquid, Fabuloso, and hot water. I made sure it was rinsed, and free of film and soap and then, I hand-dried the terrarium with a cleaning cloth.
I set up the terrarium with the new substrate bedding, all of Zumi’s fake plants, food and water, the favorite hidey-hole/cave, and then I put Zuse back in its home.
While ZuZu was in the portable terrarium, it pooped. I said to it as I lifted it to transfer it back to where it should be, “Aww, Zuse! You weren’t even in here for thirty minutes!” It just looked at me as if to say, “You’re the one who bought this comfy and sweet-scented bedding, Mom. Now, clean up my mess!”
Zumi Tye walks around the terrarium, getting a feel for the new bedding. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt
I live in a building that does fire drills to test the alarms. The fire department comes out every few months, runs the drills, and then leaves after 30-45 minutes. The last time this happened, I gathered up Jernee and ran out of my apartment.
I totally forgot about Zuse! But even if I remembered, I had no portable terrarium for my baby, so I couldn’t take it with me anyway. After that drill, I made it a point to remedy the problem.
We are to treat the drills as if they were actual fire alerts. So the next time one takes place, I’ll be prepared for Zumi. And this fact makes me feel a lot better about all of our safety.
Some days, it still boggles my mind that I am Mommy to a 16-year-old Chorkie and a Red-Footed Tortoise. A comfortable home is what I want for all of us, and that is what I aim to give us every single day. Zumi’s new portable home and its clean terrarium with new substrate bedding are pieces to our overall comfort.
Saturday night was meant for change, and I am glad I made time for it.
humidity sits on the sidelines, jealous of the calming sun.
the dog and I walk to loosen up my shady knee. her little hips wobble and creak, but she presses on.
we’re both breaking down in different places, but Autumn lets us relax in ways we never dreamed we would.
I, eyes glued to the TV, watching men violently crash into one another for the grip of tightened leather. she, asleep for most of the day, no worries on the horizon.
we found ourselves comforted by Sunday’s kiss and Autumn’s embrace–we sunk into an ocean of quietude, blended with satisfaction, and stayed there until evening made its appearance.
neither one of us is ready for Monday. but it’s coming anyway.
I am in love with weather that pulls you into a tight embrace and offers you time to appreciate death & dying for the renewal of strength and life.
It is shaping up to be the time of year when animals scrape at the barrels of nature to begin their pursuit of unlimited rest; the time of year when sun settles into the clouds a little longer and wind shimmies in, performing its best act.
Our walks will be longer. Our food will be hotter. Our clothes will be warmer.
And everything that makes up Autumn will sashay into the rooms of our hearts, making this state a bit more tolerable in the weeks to come.
I will drink in the goodness of a season that is always on time.
The dog and the tortoise are growing old and I am an ancient soul trapped in this aging body still yearning for the Fountain of Youth to offer its purity in life.
For now, I will take this shift in weather as a peace offering until healing comes at the heels of our feet. We’re all eager to walk this road of life temporarily unscathed.
I long for Autumn when it is not around, and in just a few weeks, that will be a truth I will love to embrace. Happy September! And Happy Labor Day, if you celebrate. May today be full of rest, relaxing, and enjoying good food, friends, and family.
A Cornered Gurl 
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