Checking my blogs

Everything in the studio is finished except the tidying up, of course.  So after a short ( very short) nap I checked my blogs.  There was an entry on " Not Afraid of Color" that made me think of the work you have been doing in your garden, Beth.  She sounds like someone who thinks a bit like you.

Frustrating week

I have been putting together several pieces for my friend, Carolyn.  One in particular has proven troublesome.  I now have it to the stage of a bit of hand finishing, but have devoted the last four+ days to it.  But it will be done today, and I have made arrangements to deliver it tomorrow afternoon.  I am dropping it off with the friend she will be staying with overnight on her way back to Montreal.  This friend is also an acquaintance of mine.  When I called to arrange to go over, she invited me to stay for tea, and I thought why not?  I had spent some time on the phone with my friend, Shirley earlier, and we had talked about the philosophy that a door is never closed without a window being opened, and how you have to be able to recognize opportunity when it is presented, because it is often disguised.  Shirley has had many challenges in her life, and has worked hard to overcome them, but now is living a life where she is content.  I admire her for that, although she sometimes makes me a little crazy.  Anyway, to come full circle, I think that maybe the lady I will be having tea with tomorrow could have been more of a friend, had I been open to the opportunity.

But the work I've been doing has caused quite a bit of stress and a few tears.  I'm very glad it is done.  There are a couple of flaws, but I'm ignoring them, and hope that they won't be noticed.

On Monday, our next door neighbour had some very expensive new windows installed, and of course, David had to help him supervise.  The neighbour has a new bird feed this year and the subject of squirrels came up. ( Two of this years red squirrels were playing in our Elm tree) I think I have mentioned this neighbour, and his fear and loathing of squirrels before. He is convinced that they will get into his house, and asked David if he should poison them.  We enjoy watching the squirrels play in our yard, and especially enjoy the young ones learning their way.  I think David dissuaded him.  I certainly hope so.

There is a surprising amount of wildlife even here in the city.  When talking to Shirley, she told me that she had been standing on her balcony ( third floor) when two  of Mississippi Kites flew by.  These are very rare here, and the bird watching community has been very excited to discover a nesting pair in River Heights.  It has been written up in the paper etc.  When Shirley spoke to the local bird "guru, she was told that there is more than one pair around, and her spotting was legitimate.  I think that things like this say as much for climate change as anything else going on.

So I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in the studio.  The downside to this is that I will now have to do all of the housework I've been neglecting over the past week.   BLa-a-a-a-h!

Neighbours leaving...

The next door neighbours who live n Holland will be leaving today to return to their home there. They are both still working and were here since end of June on vacation. They love it here and can hardly wait until they can return for good ( 3 to 4 years). But will be back again next summer for vacation. In meantime her sister across the street cares for their house while they are gone. It was nice to see and hear people next door. They bought a BBQ and tried it out several times. I guess they loved that and wonder if they didn't have one in Holland? We gave them several bags of ripe tomatoes, and parsley and garlic. She handed me a little ornament the other day of two small wooden shoes tied to a string the colours for Holland - red, white and blue. Today is a bit dull, but still nice to work outside. I was just cleaning up a bit in the kitchen before heading out- the table is covered with baskets of tomatoes - want any? We finished the construction of the arch in the back and now have created quite a special sitting area. I ate my breakfast and supped on my coffee there this morning. I went up to the bank yesterday afternoon, and surprised to run into on my way not one but three different people I knew and all wanting to talk. Usually I never see anyone!
Well time to get busy! How are things your way? Take care.

Another silly little thing....

I started a small fire last night after supper and made some S'mores just for me. Harry declined my offer.
I had marshmallows, and graham crackers on hand but no piece of chocolate (shame on me!) so used a chocolate sauce in the jar . It worked OK. I smeared the crackers with sauce and then placed a burnt marshmallow in between. Yummie haha  I even had a splash of white wine to wash them down. Pure pleasure !
Now on with the day for today! It is drizzling a bit but Harry has an arch to finish with my help (the pieces bought at garage sale). We cemented the bottoms into the ground yesterday and will finish it up today. I don't expect the wet to continue for long so likely be another nice day.
Best wishes to Jim - Happy Birthday old boy.....
Take care

And here I am, late Saturday morning

We have no plans for the long weekend.  Jim's birthday is Monday and he is trying to decide what he wants for supper that night.  That is our only dilemma right now.  Our garden was a complete failure, except for the Saskatoons.  It is our worst year ever.  I am seriously thinking of maybe moving the garden to another location next year, except that would mean starting over from scratch.  Jim thinks maybe we should load it up with fertilizer this fall and see what happens next year.  It is so disheartening to work so hard for no results. Jim offered to come back to work for 3 months, until Patty returns from Mat leave, but the powers that be decided to hire a student for 3 weeks and then worry about it.  We were all hoping they would hire Jim, cause we wouldn't have to train him on everything.  At least the student will only be expected to be a body in the office and do odd jobs for us.  Greg is coming out from Portage for 3 days next week.  He can do everything in the office, including accepting documents (which I am not permitted to do)  I think I will ask him to work on the plans that I have gathering in the vault.  everyday I try to get to one but all the other work has to be done and before I know it the day is over.We went to meat draw last night and there were very few people there (summer long weekend)  We bought more tickets that usual and still came away with nothing.  One man at our table won 3 times!  My big plans for today are to put the last of the Saskatoons into freezer bags. I freeze them on cookie sheets.  Then maybe I will clean the bathroom (be still my beating heart) At least I have 3 whole days before me with nothing that I have to do.  Sounds good to me.  Hope you have a relaxing weekend too

Here I am early Sat morn

There is a wash on, a coffee by my side, and a list of TO DO for today started. Harry has left for his garage sale journey, so I shall write a few words before I get started. Apparently the Lotto Max people made an error in not posting the winning numbers that were congruent with my ticket numbers - should I complain?
There are four bowls of ripe or ripening tomatoes on the counter - they are the small ones but nevertheless need some attention. Not enough to make ketchup, or even juice so I shall have to decide what to do.
Yesterday Harry decided he wanted to drive to Mattawa - about 60 km East of North Bay to see a Flea Market set up. It turned out not to be great but we drove into Mattawa and had a brunch (breakfast special) at a restaurant we had tried many years ago located at the marina on the Ottawa River.But it is picturesque area so a nice drive. Back to North Bay and to Sears to buy a pair of hiking boots for Willie. We had been looking for a pair (Birthday gift) but he hadn't found a good pair at a reasonable price. The day before he called from Sears to say they had a pair on sale and if he had them held over and put away on hold  for another day they would be 40% off. When I went in to get them the lady said if I used my Sears card they would be 50%off. So a $150.00 pair of boots cost me only $50.00 in the end with the discounts applied- Bonus! Harry only had one of his two pairs of glasses on order at the Store to pick up - 10 days after the order went in. So we got the one but with promise that Tuesday the other pair should be in. Means another trip up on Tuesday. The garden is starting to look neglected. The weather has been so cold and wet that things are growing but also starting to yellow and brown up. i need to cut the grass badly, but again has been too wet. Perhaps with forecast weather improved over weekend I can get out there and do some cleanup? In meantime, I have been trying to go through some craft/sewing notions to sort out into keep or chuck piles. The keep pile seems to be bigger than the throw out pile. Somehow can't force myself to do the chucking always thinking that maybe some day I might use it?? Pati, I admire you for making the tough decisions in your sorting out haha
Anyway, I guess I have procrastinated long enough - time to get at the day. Hope you folks have nice long weekend - what are your plans? Take care

What a thrill

To open the blog and see your two faces together - smiling at me!! Only thing missing ( besides something to drink in the glasses you hold) was me sitting beside you on the church pew!!
I am so happy you had a nice visit.  We had a busy day today, and since I am worn out, I shall say goodnight for now, and continue writing more in the morning. By then I will have won  the $10 million Lotto Max draw for tonight haha
Take care