I got the stitches from my wisdom tooth extraction taken out yesterday.  That was quick and painless, (about time something was) but still annoying.  I mentioned to her that I was still having a LOT of aching, and all I got was a lecture on how long the healing process will be, because she disturbed the bone so much.  Apparently, I can expect pain for at least four to six more weeks until the hole fills itself in, and the occasional twinges as the bone re-grows.  I was hoping for meds, but no such luck.  And you know it's got to hurt like a bitch if I'm wanting meds.

I swear, at times, it's about enough to make me give up on life.

Blackberries are just ROLLING in from the brambles around the house.  The best ones are from the bramble right in the front, though.  I think it's an older bush, so the berries are bigger and sweeter.  Some of the ones from the other bushes are downright bitter and sour!  I'm freezing the surplus to make blackberry wine, later, at Cat's suggestion.  I'm thinking of gathering dandelions next spring for dandelion wine, as well.

Besides the unexpected free foodstuffs, there are other reasons I'm finally reconciled to leaving the yard go feral.  It's a wildlife sanctuary!  Two days ago, I went out picking berries and scared off...something, hiding near the house.  It moved all the tall grass as it went away, and I'm estimating it was about the size of Phouka.  Lots of little and not-so-little lizards, small frogs, yesterday I ran across a snake that I think was an Eastern King snake sunning itself in my little path.  He wouldn't get out of my way, and I finally had to poke him with a long stick.  I would have been happy to step over him, he was non-threatening, but I didn't want him to change his mind while I was in mid-stride.  And then, there's this guy:

I see this rabbit all the time in the yard.  I'm pretty sure he's the same one all the time, and he's pretty fearless.  He was only about 12 feet away when I took this picture.