Take a minute to compose yourself (long)

 The last week was so frustrating, that I wasn't in any shape to write rationally, at the time.  Now I find I can't remember quite a bit of it, but I can, sort of, remember the frustration and brain fog, that I felt most of the time.  The best thing was that we could sit in the garden and try to relax.  It was often too windy to read, but we could just sit.

Sunday was a meeting out in Selkirk, but at 10:00 rather than 10:30.  It amazes me how much that 1/2 hour difference makes to me.  Prior to the formal part of the meeting we had a visitor give a presentation, which raised hackles on most of us.  After finishing, she left, after commenting that she "sensed a little tension in the room". We have brand new member in the room, who knew nothing of more remote history within the organization, including relationships between several Board members and the visitor. While more recent history was explained briefly and the matter at the center dealt with, the following two days were filled with phone calls from both sides, trying to get  me on their side.  Talk about walking a tight rope!  During the meeting I had advised them of my resignation "within the next few months", probably before snowfall.  Then the newly elected President announced that she and her new husband were hoping to be able to move to Alberta in the very near future.

This all left me with a lot of mixed feelings.  I enjoy my time with them, both the work I'm doing, and the social atmosphere.  But I have to be realistic and accept that I'm no longer as capable, either mentally or physically. 

Immediately following my arrival home from the meeting, we did our end month grocery shopping.  We got it put away and that was the end of my ability to participate in an active life for the next couple of days.

But--we have a light switch in the pantry that has been troublesome for awhile, and have been talking about having it replaced.  This was brought to a head when we had to replace a light bulb.  Quite a challenge, as it was very high above the door.  But it got done, and then the switch appeared to have developed a short. and was unreliable.  I've had concerns for some time, as we haven't been able to cover it with a switch plate for several years.  Finally David agreed to pay an electrician to look at it, at least to make sure it was safe.  He was to come between1:00 and 4:00  Wednesday, and I wanted the kitchen somewhat tidy--pure self respect, I know.  So, we did a good general cleanup and collapsed.  Wednesday morning, we were up at 5:15am for our Doctor's appt. and to get our 4th vaccine.  Lab work that would have to be completed at home, and the sample taken back, immediately.  Got that done, and barely made it home in time for the electrician.  Got a call that he would arrive about 2:30.  No show.  About 3:00, got a call that he was tied up and wouldn't make it. Could he come Thursday at the same time?  Okay with us.

Now, Thursday was the one day of the week that I had very carefully kept free of appointments, so that I could spend some time in my studio.  The electrician called early, about 11:00, asking if he could come early, and arrived in less than 40 minutes.  He declared the switch obsolete and defective, and had to go to Lowe's for  a replacement.  While he was away, the stairlift gave up the ghost, just wouldn't move. Since supplying a functional electrical source is our responsibility, David asked the electrician if he would please check the line, to see if it was live for, us?  He graciously did so.  But the rest of my afternoon was spent trying to get someone out to see about the stair lift.  That was accomplished with one phone call and three call backs from them. We expect someone out next Thursday.  Then I spent the next four hours dealing with calls from a very assertive sales person from Acorn Stair lift wanting to sell us an extended warrantee for $700/year.   We may buy one, but not from him.  Thursday evening we took off for the casino, only to find a hand written, paper sign saying the casino was closed.  No explanation.

Friday was more peaceful until the mail arrived.  There was our contract for snow clearing for next winter, including a 60% price increase, more so if we want any options, which we probably do. And no way to contact them until Tuesday.  

Yesterday was laundry, and studio work, which included a stupid mistake on my part that is causing some concern, as well as a machine problem that ended up costing me almost an hour of delicate, frustrating, hand labour.  

But the Bombers did well last night!  And this morning there was a "0" at the right hand side of my weight measurement. The first time I did this, I always celebrated hitting one of those even decade numbers, and today I am celebrating, as well, even if only in my heart.

 ...and sending a few words as the weekend approaches. Strange weather yesterday - torrential rain mid morning and then it stopped -abruptly- with sun and blue sky appearing. But a deep puddle of water at the front sidewalk that I needed to shovel in order to get out. At least it rained and the garden got some much needed moisture.

Eating from the garden can be fun..take my walk about and pick cucumbers and tomatoes and a few beans along the way. A really need to dehydrate some more herbs as they are growing beautifully and are fresh looking. To dry them I shall have it to use all winter in different meals.

Tomorrow (Sat) I am planning to meet up with Willie and his crew camping near North Bay on an island. He will get me from the dock and take me over in the boat. It will be my Birthday visit to him (was on July 26) and I shall have his chosen Cherry Cheese Cake in tow. So that I shall make today.

And next Thursday we go to Huntsville to attend the big Wedding of sister Donna's daughter Julia. It was to be a lake side ceremony but we are checking the weather and it states rain/thunderstorms right now - hope it changes but if not they have arranged to move it inside to the Reception Room. The wedding is being held at Hidden Valley Resort which is a very nice (posh) Muskoka resort. 

Oh, the house is awake early and so I must sign off for now. Take care all... and be safe (as we always say nowadays). 😄 

Yes, I am still here

 And of course, lounging outside in the sun, and drinking and lazing about... Nice try Pati. I know both of you, like me, are not engaging in such idle activity...after all, we are people of action...haha!

The weather is finally helping out with lower temps and less humidity to allow some comfort again. I had to cut the grass and trim and clean up yesterday as the visible ground/grass was looking terrible from the perspective of the other yards. But I enjoyed it..I have always liked to get out and to putter. Now, I may have to water as the expected rain did not materialize last night. Things are growing wildly right now. So, I know how Dave feels to be out and work in the yard. I know Cathy also likes to do this. It is rewarding.

I am slightly hampered though by the neighbours being next door still. We tend not to walk at the back as they are often in the yard and sitting out on their patio. We are not being rude, but only wish not to disturb their time here. Maybe they see it as being so, but they have an agenda, are often off each day exploring and then he posts the visits with pictures etc on the facebook. So we actually know where they have been haha! 

And yes, it is starting to get scary out there as we hear of the statistics. But no one is wearing masks around here in the stores ( I am, by the way and often get a funny look).

Well, the house is awakening. Time to get on with the day i guess. take care...and keep safe. Nice to hear from you both as always ..😉

Anybody out there?

We must all be enjoying our summer tremendously , sitting out in the sun, lazing the day away.  Or is that just me?  Whoops!  Sorry to be so long in posting.  Life really has been a whirlwind of sorts, with a lot of "hurry up and wait", and then exhaustion to the point of not being able to do anything but sit and veg in front of the computer.  I'm now up to Season 14 in Midsomer Murders, and finding quite a few shows that I have never seen before.

Things may be settling down a bit now-maybe.  We have a doctor's appt. Wednesday morning early, and then an electrician coming to do a safety check on the wall switch in the pantry in the afternoon.  I may or may not go to the craft group in Lorette that afternoon.

Is that enough to bring on tension headaches maybe? Well, I plan to deal with that by visiting the Massage Therapist this afternoon.  We have coverage for this, and rarely use it, so why not?

Sadly, Loren, Amber and Darren have all now tested positive with Covid.  Amber has been quite ill, and Loren as well, although he is better now, but still testing +, and working from home.  I'll call Amber later today and find out how she and Darren are doing.  We get our 4th shot on Wednesday, and I'm not planning anything for Thursday, as the shot put me out of commission for awhile every other time I had it.

But now things have settled down a bit, it's time to catch up on housework.  We were pretty good at surface cleaning whenever we were expecting company, but now it's time to pay the piper.  Too bad, as I'm still hearing the call to creative frenzy from downstairs.  I may find time to get down there for awhile today, but, over the last while, I find myself better able to take things as they come.  All of my stress reduction activities have been tested, to the limit, during Covid, and are no longer quite as effective.  Thus the need for Massage Therapy, but maybe it's time to find other ways of managing the stress, anyway.

Now that he no longer has to worry about keeping the grass cut, David is puttering in his garden almost every day and appears to be loving it.  He will sit to weed, and use tools including a long handled reacher, set his own pace, and rest regularly.  Wonderful, and it pleases me to see him happy.

But now he's up (finally, I was wondering if I needed to check), so the day begins, and it's only 11:30.  What a life we lead!

Statistics are getting scary.  Stay safe, ladies!

Storm warnings and tornado warnings...

 Good morning,

Just a quickie note to say all is well here after severe storm and tornado warnings for our area last evening and night. We have had two days of severe storms now but luckily no tornadoes. it is a bit scary to get the warnings as I have no way to secure all the outdoor stuff as they caution one to do. I put the umbrellas down but just left everything else. i made sure my cell was charged and that I had a flashlight. The list of things to do as outlined in the warning message was much longer than that!

Hope to get into the garden today as last two days have been inside work mostly. I have observed how many zucchini blossoms I have on the many plants and now wondering how ever shall I use them all up once they grow into big long green things. I thought of sending some "on the bus".

Hope all is well there. And hope this heat will soon disappear although it feels much better now and the temps are down.

Take care... thinking of you all. ❤👀

Another milestone in aging

 This morning we arranged to have Victoria Life Line installed for both of us.  We had almost cried, prior to calling them, when we realized that our house only has one phone outlet, and it is wired in.  But the fellow just laughed and said that made things easier, as they could just send out a wireless unit.  But there is a stumbling block and that is their recommendation for a "lock box: or "Hidden Key".  Evidently these are easy enough to buy at a hardware store, but our locks have not been working very well lately, and we may need to get a locksmith out to sort them out.  Loren had wanted to be here during the install and training session but, unfortunately, has tested positive again, but he can maybe attend via speakerphone.

Yes, Cathy, it's too hot to do anything.  Even with the a/c I slept much better last night with my fan on, but didn't figure that out until about 5:00am.  Then I slept soundly until 10:30.  I'm blessed with how well the a/c keeps the basement cold enough to be wearing a sweater or light jacket when I'm down there.  It's ridiculous, but we had to wear light jackets in Starbucks yesterday when we sat to read for a bit.  But I will not complain about too much of a good thing.

As of today I am back on Dr. Phil.  We spent the weekend getting ready.  Bought lots of pre-washed baby spinach--at Walmart, of all places- as well as a big bag of Royal Gala apples.  The apples are smaller, less well formed, and slightly cheaper.  This is what I used when I first started the diet, yea those many years ago.  The bread machine is stored away under the stairs. There are no "goodies" in the house except Cheese Ritz crackers, and those are going to be hidden in the computer room.  (Yes, I know most of his "hidey holes, but out of sight, out of mind.)  No more wine, and no more dried cranberries or Haagen Das ice cream.  But I will force myself to be determined, and take my Zoom meetings in the studio.  I spend so much time sitting by the pantry door, working on my computer.

There are three big handwork jobs planned for the studio.  There is one more machine quilting job to do and then the machine goes in for servicing.  Then the three jobs mentioned should fill my time quite nicely until it comes home again.  I have a major hand beading piece to work on.  This will take weeks, if not months, to do.  There is a big EPP job that hasn't even been started.  I have the pattern, and most of the fabric, even a collection of papers, but have decided to cut more papers out of cardstock, which is better for my style of basting.  I'll use the lightweight papers to create templates to use for that job. Thirdly, I have another Maria Shell inspired piece in mind.  It will require lots of small pieces to be cut and then stitched together before I can start to assemble the larger piece.  The cutting should take quite awhile.  So, not problem keeping busy while the machine is in the shop.

So, it sounds like we have lots to keep us busy, even if it is "bloody" hot out there.

A day of doing nothing

 The house is shut up and dark, with fans blowing every direction.  I tried to take Lucky for a walk this morning, but it was already hot and he wasn’t too interested. We walked a ways in the long grass of the hay field, he had a pee and was quite content to return home. I envy him being able to lie on the cool concrete of the basement floor. Even if I got down to it I would never get up. I am glad the golf tournament was last Sunday. It was hot but not like this. Even the 100th anniversary of the cenotaph was not this hot. Poor Rrain has to be out today covering the Minnedosa fair/rodeo. I’ve given up on cleaning my house. It is what it is. I envy both of you your beautiful yards. Mine is still nothing but dry sand and weeds☹️  My garden is growing, but I water it daily. I have flower pots around but the flowers did very poorly this year. None of them spread out like they usually do, so I have big pots with one scrawny flower in each. There is rain in the forecast for Tuesday with a big drop in temperature for the day. I hope to open the windows and cool off the house. Even the nights have been hot with a high humidex. We do have Rrain’s old, portable air conditioner but all our windows are newer with the window cranking open and a full length screen inside. You can’t open them part way to run the hoses outside☹️  It is an old unit so maybe the newer ones are better. We need a new furnace so that will have to come before an air conditioner.  We had to get a new fridge already this month so it is going to be a case of too much month at the end of the money. Today Jim has decided that we will go to an air conditioned restaurant for a late lunch/early supper. In this heat I don’t feel like eating, let alone cooking. I stocked up on some cold cuts and tomatoes yesterday so we can have a cold plate for our meals for a while. I don’t even want to cook on Tuesday because I want to cool off the house. There is just no satisfying me😊    

Your heat and hot is now my heat and hot......

 Good Sunday morning,

Yes, it is also hot here now and so we all are feeling the pain of it all. The garden as well, as I need to water every evening and often through the day as having planted in pots mostly, they become dry very quickly. But I must tell you about my inside plants which are now outside for the summer. They tend to flourish outside after the initial shock factor. But my Maplewood Cactus is doing so well since it was repotted and the root bound issue was managed. So thanks to  Dave 👍 Even the little shoots that I cut off (the ones growing long and hanging from plant) have taken root in another pot so it appears at least for now that I may have myself not one, but two Maplewood Cactus to cherish. I have other cactus and there are buds coming on them. And the Clevia which I got years back from my late friend Ruth is in blossom again. Remember that big plant I showed in bloom on one of our video calls? - this is the one and I call it Ruth as it seems to flower every July - her birth and death month. Weird but wonderful.

Sorry - as soon as i wrote "weird" the computer went crazy and shut me down and i could do nothing but close it up. But while i waited, i ran out and took pictures which I shall post now.

The blooms are not fully opened yet but you can see already how glorious it will be.

And the cactus in its new pot.

The other thing I am starting to do is to document all the perennials in the yard and garden by taking pictures, referencing my Garden Book to identify, and then put into some sort of album for my ongoing use. There are so many lovely plants growing and certainly in Spring I do not want to weed them out if they will be turning into summer flowering plants every year. A work in progress.

Well this will surprise you...as we were walking the dogs as we do early every morning, I ponder what I would like to make for my breakfast when i return home.  And voila.... I had Coyote Original Pancake mix pancakes - just for me. The surprise is that I actually have a bit of the mix left here that I save and save just so I have it haha! I cannot remember when i actually brought it home - but I remember that Dave mailed some to me as well. Regardless, I have it. And i enjoyed it.

Well lots of work just waiting for my attention so better get on with it. Stay cool and safe ...out of the heat and sun. 👪❤

Busy week?

I seems like I was run off my feet, but when I look back, no particular thing stands out. The stair lift was a wonderful idea and past time we bought it.  The next thing on the list is Victoria Life Line.  We've had a couple of instances where one of us has fallen,  and the other hasn't heard the calls for help.  We've got the info, and discussed it, and I'll be calling them Monday.  We both know that this will mean a lot fewer trips to the casino, but that will just have to be.  

Loren has been quite ill, but Gillian and Jeremy have been dropping in and making sure he eats.  He may have to go into work a couple of times next week, but just for short periods.  I sure hope that this doesn't keep him out of commission for too long.  The basement is still a major trash heap, but I have access to my sewing table, machine and iron.  I'm happy.  I have one more machine stitching chore, and then it goes in for servicing.

We now are signed up for Amazon Prime, mainly for the access to videos, although most of them appear to have an extra charge. Now I can slow down in my watching of Midsomer Murders, as I'm no long working to a deadline.  I may even watch on the actual tv tonight, as it's listed as a new show.

David continues to putter in the garden.  He really loves it out there.  This week the Mock Orange is in full bloom and looks wonderful.  He's cleaned out around the bottom of it, and cut out a lot of dead wood, so it's a much smaller bush than it has been, but I wonder if it's not healthier.

Thursday,  he had to clean out the bird feeder and, to a certain extent, sterilize it.  This meant washing it as much as possible and then soaking it in a 10% solution of bleach and water.  It's now all aired out and hanging with a small amount of feed in it.  But we have the second feeder, so the Blue Jays can continue to enjoy their peanuts.  The neighbour tells us that he's trapped 3 red squirrels in his rabbit trap, and re-located them to Bunn's Creek park/trail.  We've still got at least one of the buggers in our yard, so, for the first time I'm glad he has a rabbit trap in his garden.

This afternoon, I'm meeting Gail, and two other ladies, for coffee.  I plan to add a trip to the grocery store in the outing.  Trying to make food more appealing to David is wreaking hell on my trips to the scale, and the pants we recently bought because I've been getting larger, almost no longer fit loosely.  My only option is to try, yet again, to get back on Dr. Phil.  I know it's the snacking that gets me in trouble.  That and the liquor.  I'll miss both of those, and I anticipate a struggle.

So wish me well, and, as always, stay safe ladies.

It looks nice and sleek

 Hi folks,

The entire chair lift looks to be a very compact yet secure piece of equipment as I see it by looking carefully at the pictures. Now the trial begins... I tried to imagine all the rides up and down and up and down you were taking just to try it out. What a great idea you had to get a chair lift - I'll bet you wished you had it long before now. I believe I told you already about my friend Sue deciding some few years ago to install a lift going up their winding staircase from the main level to the second level. it has changed her life for the better - she is afflicted with mobility issues as well. She now even has a walker for working about in the kitchen and loves to sit when she has the need.

Now my tale about my hearing aids. I had my hearing assessment done today in Huntsville as scheduled, to be done at the same time I was  to pick up my hearing aids i left two weeks ago for the warranty check. The assessment went well and the results were not that much different from three years ago so that was good news. Then I was to put the aids in for the Specialist to reprogram to my specifications. They looked a little different and felt different and when she tried to program the right one would not accept the demands. She examined them and realized by the style number on them that they had been exchanged somehow. A call to the company confirmed they had put new electronics into mine but somehow sent the wrong pair back. They were sending mine today and would arrive in Huntsville tomorrow or Wed. But at the receptionist desk i understood from the Specialist and the receptionist talking, that I was getting a new pair.  Wouldn't that be nice!! So i am still left without for the time being and will wait patiently to see what the final resolution will be.

Now I must go to slumber. No Prime TV for tonight. My little Lily dog started to do that spasm like coughing again yesterday ( I had her to the Vet about 2 months ago for this). And I was awake all night with her, and with the worry. I tried really hard to think why she had improved and then suddenly regressed. I thought of a dog treat Harry had got on Friday and she had several over weekend (one she had before when she had her first episode) so I became suspicious. I asked harry NOT to give her anymore and today by noon she had improved somewhat. So i wait and watch for now. 

Take care... be safe.💋💋

And just like that, it's fixed

 I have no idea what was so screw-y about my computer but today, everything is sort of back to normal.  I have all of my pictures, but have to identify them by jpeg number, unless I give them a specific name.  I'll have to spend some time going through, culling, and re-naming all of the hundreds, that have always only been pictures. So, here are my "stair lift" pictures.

We've been playing with it since Friday and it appears to be working beautifully.  And--you notice that David can still store his boots on the half-wall. There are two remotes, one hanging on the wall at the bottom, and the other hanging on the coatrack at the top, but the seat is also run with buttons on the handles.  while the picture shows the seat flat against a wall, the seat also swivels at the top of the stairs so one can get out safely.

However, the basement is still all topsy-turvy, and Loren is now quite ill, so we'll have to wait until he feels better before re-organizing things. He's at home, but has tested positive for Covid19.  Since we were in close contact Friday evening, both David and I tested ourselves this morning and are negative, but I think the current thinking is that we should still isolate for 4-5 days.  This was the first time we used the home tests we were given, and I tested David first, and was maybe a little heavy handed, but it is basically an easy test to use.

David and I have sort of settled into an evening routine.  He watches football games and I watch Midsomer Murders.  I'm now up to season 10, and once in awhile something may look a little familiar, but I expect to get quite a bit further before I find well-watched episodes.

Last week I bought new sheets for my bed.  Because of  the 18" mattress thickness, the only sheets available were bamboo.  After washing them the feel was quite alien, almost silky and slither-y.  Now sleeping on them, I love them.  They are very light weight, but also a little warmer than the cotton sheets I was using.  If they weren't so expensive I would run out and get two sets for each bed, but that'll only happen when I win a lottery.  Won $5 last night, best win in weeks.

Despite our busy days last week. we have nothing scheduled for the coming week.  My fibre art group are going to be meeting in person on Wednesday evening.  I have really mixed feeling about this, and may not choose to go.  I have not driven at night in 2-3 years, and wasn't that comfortable with it then.  The previous, younger me says that this just means I should be looking at this as an opportunity to practice, and the present me says that this may be a normal part of aging. We'll have to see how it goes.  I know I won't be going if it's raining.

So, for now, all I can say is "Be Safe Ladies"

all in

 It took about an hour and half, including then time he took to tell us how it works. But it's all in and David has tried it out sending a laundry basket down, for tomorrow's wash.

However, when I tried to insert pictures, my computer refused to do it.  And the pictures I downloaded to the computer can't even be accessed.  I guess that the computer has been doing updates when I'm sleeping and has done one to screw everything up.

I'll try again when we get home from this afternoon's Optometrist appt.

Big day for Pati and Dave?

 Thinking of you folks and hoping your installation of new chair lift is still a go for today. Had a chance to look it up on the net and I was impressed by its simplicity and yet a sturdy looking machine. Will it go from top of landing to bottom at basement, or was there some way to skirt around the stairs from landing to kitchen as well?  Looking forward to your feedback once installed and tried several times by you both for your confidence and safety.

As promised i took a picture of my rose this morning as the blooms seem to be opening nicely. I do not think the picture does it justice but will share anyway. it is planted in the corner of a raised bed right where i am able to sit at my table and observe. I had my breakfast and coffee there this morning and enjoyed what I see and hear all around me. One needs some peace to kick start their day haha!

 Now a close up of blossoms but the mix of colours is not as clear as i had hoped to display. They really are gorgeous to see in person.

That's all folks... have a great day, and weekend. It is to be sunny so I hope to putter in the garden if I can. I have been reading about what is called Tree Therapy or also Forest Bathing. It is very interesting on a broad level and I think something we all do without knowing or realizing. Take care...💝 💖

We did it!

 Can't offer pictures of big trees, but I can tell you that we bought an Acorn Stair Lift, for the basement.  It will be installed on Friday morning, and before then we need to find the closest electrical outlet to the bottom of the stairs.  This may mean emptying and moving two large book cases, and a large chest.  But we'll get'er done.  I've already alerted Loren that we may be looking for help.  He's dropped in, most recently while biking, in his full biking gear.  Quite a sight.

So not much more to say.  I'm spending my evenings watching old Midsomer Murders shows to take advantage of my 30 day free trial of Prime Video.  I think I'm on Season 7 Episode 7 right now.  Yesterday while at Walmart to pick up a batch of pills, we bought David a package of lightweight socks.  His ankles are swelling just a tiny amount, but enough that he has trouble getting his boots on.  Have either of you ever shopped for socks at Walmart? I don't think I've ever seen so many socks.  Men's, Women's and children's all in the same area.  We found some very nice ones for him and then realized they were girl's sizes.  But finally found some acceptable to David, and he's wearing them today. I found a pair of pants, the right size but very narrow at the ankles.  I have to wonder if Walmart has a "thing" for ankles as the last two pair I bought there also needed the ankle area changed.  As you can see there are some really in-depth philosophical discussions at our house.

My next task (according to my Bujo,) is to set up new E.R.I.K. Kits for both of us.  There have been so many medication changes over the years that the old ones are getting pretty ragged.  I have to wonder if these have any value, now that the EMTs appear to have computer access to our medical records.  But since these new kits were given to me by the Rural Municipality of Tache quite recently, I have to believe they are still useful.

And now we're off to shop for fabric.  I sold some of my stuff and now have $130 burning a hole in my purse.  We also found out that I've made a serious over-payment on my Mastercard, so have that to spend.  Maybe a new set of sheets?  My old ones are so shrunken that I can barely get them on anymore.  

Enough excitement for you from around here?  😁😁

Post note

 

Hi again,

The proper name of the Indian Bean Tree as I looked it up is:

Catalpa Bignonioides.

Now we know... XX

Oh, a Garden Tour - I love it...

 Good morning,

After viewing your pictures, Cathy and Pati, I thought I would try as well. I was able to show the peonies the other day so hope I can repeat my success.

It is a rainy day today but yesterday I started to take a few pictures to contribute, and planned to continue today but too much rain. There is a beautiful rose that is starting to bloom and I wish to capture it in its full glory and with some sun, so I shall wait to do that. But in meantime I have few to share now with you. 

The Gallery is now open

In the small greenhouse we have peppers, kale and lettuce but it is the lettuce that I am treasuring right now and have had several nice green salads so far.

This is just one of four new brick raised gardens we made this year using the pile of bricks we moved from a home far away last year for free. It took three trips each about three hours long to get them all back home. They were piled in the driveway until this Spring and then utilized. In this one at the front looking towards our driveway and the road ( our car in view) are mostly peppers growing.

The focal point for this picture are the three huge blown glass ornaments, one in each of the three pots holding geraniums. Harry picked these up at a sale several years ago and since then I have displayed them here at the corner of the house leading to the front door from the driveway.

The next few pictures are of the huge tree in the back of the yard called an Indian Bean Tree - it has another name something like Catapulta butI am not sure. The one above shows the full breadth of the tree at the back. The leaves are huge and heart shaped and now I will show you the blossoms on it right now, which eventually turn into foot long beans. I do not know what one does with the beans - they are not what we would eat but perhaps maybe somewhere they might do that???

The blossoms remind me of mini orchids growing in clumps and bunches all over the tree. 

This view shows the full height of the tree reaching up almost as far as the pine trees in the back.

That is all for now .....I had fun doing this. Are we game for showing anymore of our gardens, as sort of a tour of where we play all day haha?

Take care.... XX😄😄

Gobldygook

 Since the last week has been pretty well spent in the studio or sitting in the garden, there really isn't much I can say.  So, this morning I took a cruise through the garden.  

My Hydrangeas have been  a disappointment this year.  David says that I was too ruthless when I pruned them this spring. Lots of green but no blossom, except on one small plant under the living room window.

The Maple Bush by the stairs is doing beautifully, almost taking over that corner of the garden.  We have talked about getting another one for the southern most corner of the front flower beds.  We haven't had much luck growing anything else there.

The ferns in the back are huge!  I actually went out and counted them to see how many there are, since they seem to be everywhere, but there are only 5.  It just appears to be more because of the size.

This is the garden area under and to the west of the bird feeder and Rose bush. Almost a jungle with all of the Ferns, Hosta ( yes, there are Hosta there) and crab grass.  I need to see if I can find someone to weed that section of the flower bed.

And this is the Rose bush I have spoken of so often.

The time in the studio has been well spent, and there are pictures on the other blog.

David has been puttering in the garden, pacing himself, and taking lots of breaks, just sitting and enjoying summer.  We haven't even put up the umbrella yet this year, because of the constant, often strong, prairie winds. These have been a real problem this year, and often prevents us sitting outside.  However, yesterday and today are beautiful.  Last evening I even went to McDonald's and brought supper home in a bag, to eat outside, and we did.  Not sure what today holds, but right now, I plan to head outside with my book.

Canada Day weekend and all is well

 Hi from Sunny Sundridge,

Nice and quiet weekend except for some of the neighbours. Fireworks on Friday night from several different spots well into the late evening. People like to celebrate I guess.  The actual Village fireworks were held last Saturday evening at the waterfront. I imagine the Village decided to celebrate Canada Day last weekend to avoid the commotion over the long weekend here. So many people coming up to their cottages and running the streets.  We sat outside for lunch yesterday and suddenly heard the roar of a chainsaw across the street. The neighbours there have been for the last two years gradually cutting down all their majestic trees lining the road and property. We have the same on our side and it always looked nice. And private! Now they are opening up their view totally and I do not really want to see into their back yard - they have a swimming pool and two young boys and all we hear is yelling and screaming and splashing. And then the mother yelling and screaming at them ( and at her husband by the way) But it is what it is... so we will have to ignore it. And then on the other side of our property the neighbours from the Netherlands have come for the summer. He is not so bad except if he catches you going by the fence he wants to talk and talk and talk. He came June 7 and will stay until early Sept, and now on Thursday his wife and sister are coming for this month.

I keep busy with the yard and garden and some housework - as little as is possible! We have that wedding to attend on Aug 4 and I cannot find my good summer shoes to wear. What do you think it would look like if I just wore my sandals? I am wearing slacks and it is an outdoor ceremony and no one is there to see me, so I think it would be OK? I am wondering now if I did not get rid of those summer shoes some time ago when I realized after not working anymore that I would not need them? I cannot remember and it really does not matter in the big scheme of things.

I have been watching some Midsomer Murders on the computer lately and just the other day Mike hooked me up to his NetFlix account so i could watch another series he was liking. it is a NetFlix show called Pirates Gold on Adak Island. It was the first season and 8 episodes and I whipped through them in three evenings it was so interesting. The season ended last evening and it appears that they will continue with Season two next year. So I shall enjoy picking up on that again.

So the day starts here. Hope all is well with everyone. Enjoy getting out and sitting in the yard. I did yesterday and really enjoyed just sitting ( with my lunch of  hamburgers and two beer to wash it down haha!)  Take care... thinking of you 👀