Since the sun is still very much present here, my dogs cannot be kept inside ... and I had also gotten tired of sitting inside for a long time last winter, I currently spend whole days outside. In the early morning hours I try to do the housework as much as possible, then walk the dogs… and then the fun begins. We are all outside where the pool in the garden is ready and the dogs can just do their thing. Now I just wish I could do my thing. Only that turns out to be very difficult, especially with our Lana around.
For her, being outside only consists of 1 thing! That is playing with the ball TOGETHER. We never know where our Lana comes from, we don't know who had her in the first three years of her life, but we do know that she is obsessive. If she doesn't want something, it won't happen 100%. And when she does want something, she is 100% focused on it and nothing else exists for her.
In previous years it was always a problem with Lana to keep her out all day because she could obsessively bark in front of the gate, now she doesn't have that as an obsession anymore, and you would think we have made great progress. In terms of barking, it's gotten much better, absolutely. But her obsession with the ball now isn't always convenient for me. I try to do my things, and that includes sitting in the garden with my laptop on my lap and writing a blog, or commenting on others… because believe me, I really really want to do that. Only our black pearl makes it pretty much impossible for me... Her obsession for barking at the gate has turned into an obsession for a ball. And it's fine that she wants to carry a ball around all day. I don´t have time to throw balls for her 16 hours a day. That's the biggest problem now. As soon as she has a ball in her mouth, I must and will join her. No matter what I do, every second of the day Lana walks in front of me to put a ball right in front of my feet, whether I'm hanging the laundry, doing the dishes, cleaning... or whether I'm outside trying to write on my laptop. Every second of the time there is a ball right in front of my feet or on my lap. And not only that, but if I then want to take that ball to throw away ... then I also have to be careful that Mrs. Lana does not close her mouth on my hand too, because the moment I want to take her ball, she wants to have it right away, of course.
In short, where I thought there would now be a time when I would get more time for blogs and comments ... it seems that Lana thinks slightly differently. And yes, of course I can just put her inside and enjoy the peace with Myla and Skipper. But that's not what I want… Lana is also entitled to her day outside, and unfortunately I can't just make it clear to her what the intention is. That she plays all day, great! Please even! I just need to be able to do my own things. And yes, of course I also play with her, I always have and I always will. That's not the problem.
While I'm typing this outside, I also look through the garden and then my eye falls again on one of the many flowers that I can enjoy so much at the moment.
This beautiful flowering plant was bought by my partner during his last visit to the garden center where he had gone for something completely different. When he got home he had these “Million Bells” with him. Also known as “Mini Petunia”. An exuberant bloomer that spoils you with its beautiful bell-shaped flowers from spring until late autumn. And that's what we want...
Because even though I have achieved my goal… we have decided not to go on holiday this year. In all joy about the fact that there is now a possibility to go on holiday by car again, and that we know a location in France where it is very beautiful, AND where dogs are more than welcome, we were just an important forgot thing.
And then I'm back with our Lana! Stubborn, Very sweet, Very Smart, ... but we can't take that girl to go on holiday in the car. She actually suffers from motion sickness. Yes we could give her medicine for that, but then looking at what that would do to her… it's something you should only do if it's really necessary. And as nice as it is, as much as I would like to, going on holiday is not a necessity! On holiday without dogs? That's not a vacation for me, that's not gonna happen. And that is the reason that a holiday is not in it this year anyway. No drama, because I now also think it is better to grow my crypto a bit further. After last month's market crash, it should really rise a little higher before I would like to cash in again.
But if you are sure that you are not going on holiday, then it is so nice to create a nice place at home in your garden, and for me that really includes those flowers.
Back to the Million Bells plant, the Latin name is Calibrochoa, the Dutch name is Mini Petunia, and most commonly known as Million Bells. Now it is no secret that I like to have useful plants in my garden, and that I am also very interested in the healing powers that plants and flowers can contain. So I went to see if this Calibrochoa also happened to have some of that. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything like that. I would like to hear from you if there is anything…
If not, fine too. It is a very nice plant to look at, and now we only have 1, but there will certainly be more because we know very well how to take cuttings. So we will definitely do that. And so there will certainly be more of these plants. But I think we should also buy a few more, because they are nice plants to see. The flowers are beautiful to look at, and when you have a number of different colors in your garden it looks really cheerful. And let's face it, who wouldn't want that if you've decided to spend the summer in your own garden.
I continue to play with the dogs, cool off in the pool for a while and then have a cold glass of water. It could certainly be worse, advantage of a holiday in your own garden ... you have everything at hand.
But believe me, the holiday in another country will certainly come ... just not with 3 dogs. That's not the best idea, especially if there's a car sick.
