Down right cold here!

 Still, I have so few summer tops that I'm still wearing my heavier ones, so, at least for today, I look right in style.  Bill paying and grocery shopping this morning.  I had a very short shopping list, only about 7-8 items on it.  So why did the bill come to $159 and change?  But we did stock up on chicken breasts, pork chops and blue berries, all of which are now re-packaged and in the freezer.

Shortly after our getting home, it started to rain fairly heavily, and is supposed to last over night and into the morning.  Not so sure it's needed after all the rain in the past week or so, but maybe it will re-hydrate the soil enough to improve things for next year.

The grass has greened up and grown so much that David had to cut it this week, something that I don't think he's had to do for over a month.

David's hat has been sent back to Europe, and we have received a refund onto Paypal.  So, of course we spent time trying to find the ordering info again, and finally were able to  order the same hat in a much smaller size.  I sure hope it suits when it arrives, as I wouldn't want to go through that again, although the e-mails exchanged with Aziz in Germany, were friendly, helpful, and upbeat.

Little studio work this week, as I was concentrating on more "bread and butter" items.  The gift shop where I place items on commission is having a compete change over of stock this coming weekend, and I need to replace a bunch of stuff.  I doubt I'll have as much as I want, but I'll have something, so that will have to do.  And three more of the pieces I painted last month have now been used.  Good enough!

Early this week I tried something in the nature of an experiment.  I was sitting drinking tea after breakfast, and realized that I had just spent an hour reading a book in my nightie.  I remembered the phrase "Just Do it!"  and decided that the only way I was going to build my energy and catch up with things was to take the first step and start moving.  So I started, moving at a steady pace, getting dressed, cleaning up the kitchen, and writing  a "to do" list for the day. (Easy to do with my Bujo layout!) Not hurrying, and with planned breaks, and, at the end of the day, I found I had pretty well completed my list, was tired, but not sleepy, nor wanting a nap.  I've continued this all week, and am feeling much better, without the extreme fatigue I've been experiencing.  So either I have reached the stage of recovery where this was just the right time to start moving, or there is something to say about the old rule of physics that says that a body at rest tend to stay at rest and a moving body tends to continue moving.

And that completes my thought for the day!  Have a good weekend ladies, and stay safe.

A bit cooler this morning

 ...and thank goodness for that. I am about to go out to cut the grass which has been neglected in this heat. Not a big deal as it is mostly weeds anyway but it does look nicer cut. And it is cooler so that I might be able to manage it. Had to water again last evening because they keep forecasting thunderstorms and rain, and then it never materializes. But maybe tomorrow it may come?? Still lots of beans and cucumbers and tomatoes. I made another cucumber smoothie yesterday to use up all the excess cukes in the fridge and again, i quite enjoyed its freshness and crispness and most flavourful lemon tinged juice. Of course we picked more this morning so I still have more to use up. Harry got two more big zucchini from the "free" stand set up at one persons house. That makes four big ones so far ...what to do???

Well, the pensions all came in at once this month and it looks nice on paper but that will soon disappear once I pay off the bills  - I'll do that tonight on the computer when I can concentrate on the  process. I do not like to use the computer and try to be very cautious.

I am sorting through some of my cloths and putting in bags to put into those containers on the street corners. I have lost some weight and find that some of my cloths are too big, but mostly I have too many now that I stay at home and have no social outings, so I am being ruthless in the sorting. I may find myself without a thing to wear..haha!

Have a nice weekend folks, and please be safe in going out these days. The situation has not improved much. Take care ❤

So sorry, about that

 but I didn't win 20 million dollars last night, nor did I win the smaller amount that was also won in MB. I didn't even win a free play!

Still hot around here...

 But then you folks have been through it all before me. It is the poor dogs that i worry about..they want to go out which has been our habit, but I take them just a bit along the road and back into the yard and they look at me as if to say " what is this all about". Although yesterday just before supper i took them to the little park in the next street where we have gone so frequently before. Sure enough the Village has started the renovations to turn it from the quaint little wild park to a Family playground which is to have skate board run, and swings and whatever. it had gone to vote at Council just before the Covid and then nothing happened until now. The bulldozer was in there plowing up all the wild raspberry bushes and a dump truck hauling it away. So sad for me and the dogs....goodbye little peaceful walking place. And I fear it may never be used to full advantage once it is finished. 

Yesterday we went to Huntsville early to shop - went to Freshco for groceries and then over for gas and for Harry to go to Dollarama. i still do not go into that store. But on the spur of the moment i decided to go into the Starbucks right beside the gas pumps. it has been months since I went so I treated my self to a Chai Tea latte - my favourite. I handed her my card and asked if there were enough dollars on it and sure enough it paid for my Tea with $1.13 left haha! Boy, did i ever enjoy that Tea while waiting for Harry. I checked my account when i got home and it had been in March that I last bought anything. 

The day before I went over to Daisy's having been invited to have cake and tea to celebrate her son's Birthday. Harry chose not to go. We had cheesecake and tea and a lovely visit - her next door neighbour was also there along with her son, and daughter in law and granddaughter. Daisy was not to communicative but sat through it all in good spirits. She has good days and bad days.

Today i go to the Dentist for my appt for cleaning. I will be glad to have that done. Otherwise it is outside work, inside work and trying to clean up on veg - we found a huge cucumber hidden in the patch - missed by us both along the way but maybe I can use it up somehow. I have lots of tomatoes to use and always more kale. keeps me busy. Harry's Monarchs are hatching and we have released about 8 so far. Interesting process. Take care folks.

Weather

 I am lying in bed listening to the rain fall. It has been a long time since I have done that. Too late for most of the farmers but I really feel bad for the ones that swathed what they had and now it is lying in the field☹️  I got rid of some more cucumbers today. We went to Barb’s for our round table Friday and Lucille took a bag. She said her  neighbour would love them. I got some more tomatoes done today and made more cookies for the dog. I never dreamed that making dog treats would be worth talking about! Life is what it is. But I am still here listening to the rain. It is calming😊

"Hot" damn

 It is indeed hot here right now, and I am about to head out to the store for some grocery needs. I thought i would walk but have changed my mind and will take the car. Yesterday i walked and quite enjoyed it but with groceries to bring home, not such a good idea today.

I made zucchini muffins this morning ( still trying to get rid of the zucchini that nice neighbour dropped on me). And for my meal I shall make a sort of casserole with zucchini and other veg topped with bread crumbs and melted cheese. I made it the other day for the first time and since I liked it decided to rid myself of the last of the zucchini with another. Oops, that is not quite true.... Harry went to the Farmers Market this morning and brought me three more zucchini. Nice!

Yesterday i worked in the yard and accomplished a great deal in cleanup for which I am grateful. Actually it is a drop in the bucket but anytime you do something on your To Do list and can cross it off, it is a victory Right?

Well off into the heat i go now. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. I have a Lotto Max ticket for tonight and expect I shall win big. And I shall watch another Time Team episode before bed - I believe I am truly addicted... Thanks Pati for that haha! Take care 😅

Life at the "new Normal"

 Things are returning to normal here, but most people, other than young adults, are wearing masks.  Friends have expressed horror at how many people aren't, but I haven't seen it.  Yesterday I went to the dentist. We knew that Corydon was a mess of construction ( for the second year), so left a little early, but leaving the house, David said something about the route we had to take, and my brain got screwed around.  I had a vision of needing to get to Maryland St heading south, when I should have been thinking of heading through Confusion Corner to Corydon Ave, heading west.  It all worked out in the end, but we ended up touring through River Heights. Still got there too early, but they let me into the waiting room ( one occupant at a time and that one masked--firm rule). Then David headed out to buy me tea, and hopefully, enough time to visit Cabella's.  Turned out that construction on Route 90 caused some confusion.  I don't know where he ended up, but it wasn't Cabella's, but he was waiting when I left the Dentist.

The we headed towards home and Starbucks,(my reward for visiting the dentist), but we ran into a train, at Mission and Panet.  It was already passing and there was a line-up, but just as we got there a second train started going by in the same direction, on a parallel track.  It was almost 20 minutes before it was clear, but I have no idea how long the people in line ahead of us had had to wait.

Before the dentist there was a Zoom meeting with my on-line sketching group.  During Covid this group has been a source of community to me, and I value the time I spend with them.  Recently I've come to realize that there are other mixed media artists in the group, and I don't have to be shy about posting work that doesn't involve sketching. Yesterday's meeting was almost raucous, moving from a Jets ball cap found in Stillwater Minnesota to a special piece finally being completed and displayed in California. So I spoke about my art, being quite candid about it, and my comments were well received.

Speaking of comments, I have realized that we have people viewing older posts, and leaving comments that we have missed.  I'm going to pay special attention to comments, and bring them to your attention.  We have viewers from all over the world, and the comments are all good.

I think I told you that David bought a hat on-line that is being sent from Sweden.  It has now arrived in Canada Customs, and we're getting Canada Post tracking info.  No idea when we might actually get the hat, but it is in Canada.  The other thing I bought on-line, was two very pretty note books to use with my BuJo. I was very excited when they finally arrived, but when I started to set one up for BuJo use, realized that the paper was so flimsy that the ink bleeds through to the other side. Very disappointing. But the price was right and they are pretty, so I'll use them as much as possible and not worry if they aren't fully used up when I discard them.

Today I'm going to treat myself to studio time before housework.  We are in a challenge from Starbucks, and have to buy something, after 2:00, so grocery shopping and a trip to the shoemaker will wait for this afternoon.  Then it will be time to worry about supper, so best make good use of the time I have this morning. 

Be safe, ladies. 

Mid week...mid August

 Where has our summer gone I ask? I have just realized that it is starting to come to an end and thinking of all the Fall work ahead does not please me. I have been trying to organize the planting pots from this Spring and only now getting a handle on that but then see all the pots around the yard full of plants and clearly what has to happen to all of them before Winter. Perhaps i am getting a little ahead of myself in time, but there it is...the reality of what has to be done. But in the meantime I have tomatoes and cucumbers and zucchini to deal with. that kind neighbour dropped a bag full of huge cucumbers and zucchini on my doorstep the other day. I can try to eat the zucchini by cutting and frying as I like that for a meal, but will have to preserve the cukes somehow. Our own cukes are manageable by just picking and eating as is - we really do not need any pickles in jars but that may still come to be. it is hot here right now with high day temps feeling higher with humidex. Not like you folks have had though so i should not complain. Harry continues to breed his Monarch caterpillars and they are cocooning and I wonder how soon the actual Monarch butterflies shall emerge and want to fly away south. The natural life process is fascinating but the reality of containers full is not pleasing for me. 

So on with another day. Hoping you are all well, and now preparing for an Election shortly. I already see signs going up on the roads and corners and the news broadcasts now have something to talk about other than Covid. take care 

Enquiring minds want to know

 How did you hurt your head?  It sounds nasty, especially if there was concern about damage from a closed head injury.  I'm very glad that everything is alright, but this is not something to take lightly.  Take care of yourself!

Contentment

 You are right Beth.  I am content. I have food and shelter and love…. (Extra love cause I have a dog and cat). What more do I need?  Maybe a few less cucumbers?  And to think I was worried we wouldn’t get any. The neighbour took about 20 yesterday and I am still overloaded. I made a cucumber salad tonight. I had to adapt it (1 cucumber instead of 4). It wasn’t quite right but I could see that it really had potential if I could adapt it for 2 people instead of a family. I also made a freezer cucumber salad that was recommended. I will thaw it and try it next week. If it is good I will make more. The owner of the rest of the quarter we live on had a surveyor out last week. He says they just want to stop the owner of the next quarter from using their land. I was surprised that our acreage is actually about 30 feet onto the field he uses. At least now we know exactly where are acreage is. The north east corner was a lot further west than we thought, but the north west corner was way into the next field. The surveyors said they based the markers on where our road should be, not where it is.  So things are kind of skewed!  I hurt my head a couple of weeks ago but the doctor says there is no sign of brain damage but that my head is still quite red and abraded.  Sort of explains why it still hurts (externally, not internally)  I had a Physio appointment right after I hurt it and she took pity on my pain and worked on my neck that day. It really helped.  The doctor said to keep doing the neck exercises and get her to work on my neck next appointment  (this growing old sucks!)  Tomorrow is Friday so we will be going to Barb’s for our Friday, Legion round table get together. We have been doing it for a while.  Those of us that sit at the “round table” at the Legion have been going to Barb’s on Friday afternoon for a visit.  I think I will miss it when the legion finally opens again (maybe Sept. 7th)  Barb is anti-vax but the rest of us are fully vaccinated and we have all agreed to agree to disagree.  This pandemic has strained families and friends.  Not good.  Manitoba has relaxed regulations but in Neepawa most people  and staff are still wearing masks.  The only customers I saw without masks was in co-op and it was two couples.  Every store we have been in the staff have been masked.  We haven’t been to Home Hardware but we have been told no one on staff is wearing masks  not surprising since the owner has been quite vocally anti-mask.  From what we hear most customers are wearing masks.  So now I will take my much deserved nap  oh wait! It is 7:30!  Does that make it bed instead of a nap?

Sipping on a tea...

 ...in my Duchess China Mug and reading the Blog and what a wonderful way to end my day. Cheerful, upbeat, contentment all around. Your message today Pati filled me with joy and with hope. And I am sure that Cathy, too, has had a good day. So... we all three are as content as can be. 👪👏❤.  Take care .

Today's adventure

David is again reading the community newspaper, and finding different places to go.   So we continue to get our daily outings--masks in hand.  There has been a shortage of distilled water lately, something David needs to use his CPAP machine.  Knowing that some grocery stores get new stock on Thursdays, away we went.  Firstly, I was dropped off at Starbucks, and then David hit all the usual places he finds water--no luck.  While out and about he grabbed a breakfast biscuit at Tim Horton's ( I was eating some very nice oatmeal at Starbucks) When he finally reached me, after more than an hour of searching, and shopping, he wanted something to take the taste of the biscuit out of his mouth, so declared an early lunch at bought us both a piece of coffee cake.  We both like it, and--well--any excuse that works.  Then it was time for the library to open and we were there waiting at the door.  So home to drop off the books, and to find the actual address of a market he had found in the community newspaper that was advertising Ontario Peaches.  It was off Henderson Hwy, North of Chief Peguis Trail, one we had often driven by but had never entered.  We bought corn, new potatoes, baby beets, Ontario Peaches, and butter for the corn.  Paid ridiculous prices for it all ($$$).

So supper tonight involves corn and peaches and maybe the two huge Imperial Cookies that slipped into our bag somehow.

I was persuaded to enter into the All Members' Show in Selkirk, so there has been studio work, but also the cleaning and freezing of the 10 pounds of blueberries that David found on his travels.  This has been a satisfying day.  We got out, even though it was cold enough to wear jackets.  We bought fresh veggies.  I got my coffee, and had time to finish an excellent book by Linda Howard--"After Sundown"--an after the apocalypse book that was very interesting, but also more gentle than some I've read.  Beth, do you remember the Book "Alas Babylon" that Mom found very engaging?  So much so, that she often mentioned it, and adopted the title as a code word for disasters, even small ones. This book had a somewhat similar plot--a group of slightly isolated survivors and how they created a community that worked for them.

It's almost time to start thinking about cooking that supper.  But I sit here, in my kitchen, and really think about how content I am at this time and in this place.

Session two of a pile of crap

I, too, have been watching videos and reading about Cosmic Smash booking.  The homework from yesterday's session took between 3 and 4 hours between last evening and this morning.  Session two today left me almost speechless, with disbelief.  I think I get the concept.  We all have barriers to releasing our creativity.  We have to recognize a barrier, and find some way of dealing with it, before we can relax and become our most creative self.  Overall, I would rather relax with a glass of wine.

I know that may sound judgmental, but I think I know that my barriers are my deep felt need to adhere to the standards of womanly and wifely performance, that was drummed into me when I was young.  Those would be that pleasure and creativity only comes after all of the work is done.  And we know that in those days woman's work was never done.  Then there was the added expectation that we could hold down a good job and still meet the expectations of household standards etc. I like to feel as though I fought my way through all of that and still came out with a feeling competency in my creative work.  Also, I was always blessed with a husband who didn't inherit unachievable standards from his mother.  ( Don't think that there weren't any battles there)

I do have high personal standards in my creative work.  I know this.  I believe that my biggest barrier is procrastination.  Often, I would rather read a book.

I guess what I'm saying is "I'm alright, Jack".  I don't need to put relaxing essential oils on my fabric or paper or canvas. Nor do I need all sorts of relaxation exercises before I start.  I will laugh at my experience the last couple of days, and carry on with what gives me pleasure, in my studio and my life.

He He

 Wow, I looked up your "cosmic smashbook" and watched a video and read an article and all i can say is better you than me Pati haha! I will be so looking forward to seeing your results. And happy that you are trying new and adventurous endeavours. It actually seems to fit into some of your current work. I think I like it...Good luck. 

Rainy Day

Yesterday we saw something that I don't remember seeing in years--a rainy day--and more is promised for tonight.  I got to try out my new umbrella--the one I bought two years ago and finally got to use. No-one anywhere, in the city, was complaining about the rain.  I even had to sit inside at Starbucks.  David has taken to delivering me there as he sets out on his errands, and then picking me up.  It means less time sitting there, but I get my coffee and get an outing.

Yesterday, my husband decided to take me out for supper, and wanted to go somewhere new, and a bit up-scale from our usual burger joint.  There had been an article about restaurants out in Dugald and Oakbank, in the small community newspaper, and he had decided to try them.  We looked them up on line and picked one, made plans and decided to check for directions, only to discover that it was closed on Mondays.  So we ended up at The Olive Garden.  They were limiting the number of customers by keeping the door locked and only letting people in in accordance to capacity limits.  Everyone was wearing masks, even most of the customers.  They were offering tastings of free wine, and I tried one, and then ordered a glass.  It was a  Prosecco, and I've often read about that type, especially in books about women's relationships.  I won't buy it again, but am glad I tried it out.  We spent time looking over the menu and ended up both ordering their regular Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks.  It was enough for both of us, and there was no mention of dessert, even though one of their specialty desserts is something I dream about.

Today was more "same old, same old".  Reading, puttering in the studio, and coffee.  At the meeting in Selkirk on Sunday, I was persuaded to enter the All Members' Show in September.  That meant I have to produce something in a hurry, but the task is well in hand.  I also signed up for a "Creativity Challenge" on line.  There is to be a one hour session with a leader every  day over a week, for an hour, and home work.  I participated in the first one today, and plan to continue--if I can get the homework done.  So that is something to look forward to.  The leaders are all trained in a process called "Cosmic Smashbook", a term I had never heard before, but many of the students (from all over the world) had, so I plan to do a little research into that, before tomorrow's lesson. Oh My!  I'm certainly ambitious today.

But now I hear that the bar's open.  Time to go.

More rain..

 Wish I could share some of this wetness with you folks. It is raining now again and I had the dogs out so had to hustle in real quick. Last evening we had another severe thunderstorm with lots of rain and very heavy at times. We are in a heat spell with humidex very high so very muggy. The power went out twice last night but fortunately not for long each time. We went to Huntsville this morning for a Specialist appt for Harry and a little shop but once again treated ourselves to a Kawartha Ice Cream - this time I tried Orange/Pineapple. On the way home i was suddenly suffering from cramps and only barely made it into the house. Too soon after the ice cream from my way of thinking so now I am assessing what i ate over last 24 hours and cannot figure it out. So I plan to lay low for the rest of the afternoon. Maybe I can finish my Gamache novel that I have on the go. 

Hope all is well there and that you are not suffering from the heat yet? take care...keep in touch. 👵

It seems comforting nowadays...

...to be in the house, not necessarily housebound, but to choose to be in the house or yard. At least I often feel this way and I think it is a direct result of the months(years) of isolation and restrictions, and obviously my own desire to be here. Even to go shopping now i dread the trip. i go into the grocery store now but still not any of the other stores that Harry will frequent such as Dollarama or Canadian Tire or Bulk Barn. 

I really enjoyed the last few postings from you folks, and love your tomatoes Pati. You said it...nothing better than a tomato sandwich and in my case added cut up, fresh from the garden, cucumbers as well. I have no pictures but you have prompted me to get out there and see if I can take some and then actually try to post. How about you, too, Cathy?

I finally made an appointment to see the Dentist as it has been a very long time. It is a new Dentist as the previous one, the one I was seeing at the time, has since retired. They were booking the Hygenist appt well into the end of Sept so I opted to see the Dentist directly since i do have some issues. i can always book that other one when I go to see the Dentist next week. And I still have the appt with the Eye Specialist to assess me for cataract Sx - that appt is at the end of Sept.

Time now for me to put the "house to bed" I was going to watch another episode of Time Team but I think i shall forgo that for tonight. it is hot and humid these past few days and I think it is wearing me out. Plus i still do not sleep at night and cannot assess why. I force myself to stay in bed but lately have given in and I am up around 4:30 or so. So by this time and after a full days work, no wonder I am laggy but sleep will still elude me. Poor me...

Good for me to read your messages and to write a few words myself. I feel connected.... take care.

Housebound

This has generally been a week in the house.  Not only has it been hot and muggy outside, but with the Olympics, tv has been more interesting than usual.  We hear about "lazy crazy days of summer", and right now we've been living it.  Catch-as-catch-can meals, for the most part.  No trips to the grocery store ( that may change today).  And more naps than usual.  But yesterday was dull, windy, and cloudy, even a bit of rain in the evening, but no cooler.  Today looks like more of the same. For so much of the year we yearn for summer, and when it comes, hide in the house.  And that just speaks to  life in Manitoba.  But--I do try to spend some time outside every day, and even have a line in my BuJo to record the event daily.  So much nicer now that the Aphid season appears to have ended.  Lots of tiny bugs have appeared though, to challenge my sitting tolerance.

Haven't done well on my lottery tickets for the past couple of weeks.  I was getting lots of $2, and "free play", but nothing for about 3 weeks.  Hope springs eternal though, and I keep buying them.  So much easier when you can do it on line.

We both slept in this morning, and now I see that David has brought the waffle iron up from the basement.  I guess we're about to make brunch. The waffle iron is very old, and still in its original box.  We paid $49.95 for it.  We're both wondering how long we've owned it, as I know we would have to pay at least $125 to replace it.  We're both thinking it may have followed us from the house on McMeans.  That suggest that it may be almost 40 years old.  But, since we only use it 2-3 times a year, there is really no need to think about replacing it.

David has brought in his first tomatoes--pitifully small things that they are.  But they will likely produce a sandwich for each of us, and there is absolutely nothing to match a tomato sandwich made with warm fresh tomatoes.

But David is lurking around the kitchen.  Time to make waffles!

It's been awhile

 But I'm still here.  Not a lot of activity.  Friday I had an appointment out in Selkirk, and then we headed to the local casino.  Mainly as we had been told that we would be able to get our refund on concert tickets, but also to look around and check what changes had been made.  Again, there was no way to get the concert tickets, as the system was still down.   And yes, there have been a lot of changes, but not nearly as many as there had been out in South Beach.  Many of our favourite machines were there, but in different places.  There is a quiet corner of the gaming floor, that we used to go mainly for a break from the noise, but there were a couple of machines there that we liked.  Well, the machines there, now, were some of our very favourite, including one that I had been very worried would have disappeared, as it is a very old machine.

So we decided to make it the birthday and anniversary outing we had long planned, and have a meal and a drink.   It was an excellent way to spend the day, and an outing we had discussed and looked forward to for several months.

But, we really haven't done much since.  It's been hot, and we've been staying indoors.  I'm much more sensitive to the heat than David, who had been cold since he started taking blood thinners.  Yesterday, we wondered if that heat might be causing my sloth, and David turned the a/c down 3 degrees.  I slept well last night and have been in much better shape ever since, actually getting back down into the studio today, and starting three distinctly different pieces.  I'm working slowly, and that suits me fine.

Otherwise we've seen no-one, and I haven't even talked to Gail for awhile, as she is participating in the market in association with the Icelandic Festival for the whole holiday weekend.  We've been watching the Olympics, and enjoying discussing the results and performances, as though we were experts in the topic.

And I can hear the tv calling me now, after a weird supper, but a satisfying one.