Busy in the studio

but still finding time to head out for coffee and then a  few minutes peace, while drinking it in the back yard.  We bought a new finch feeder on Friday, and filled it.  Not much action until yesterday, and then only sparrows, although I did see a little bird with a rosy breast, that might not have been a sparrow.  I know that birds are a very suspicious bunch, and imagine it will take them awhile to take the finch feeder seriously.  David continues to fill the larger feeder at least once a day, so today I mentioned that maybe we might not want to spend that much on bird food.  A medium ( 20lb?) bag costs almost $30.

Sunday morning, I couldn't live with my hair, so showed up at the walk-in hairdresser in Walmart right at 10:00 opening, and had most of it cut off.  Feels much better.

Yesterday, while I was out in the yard, the neighbour lady across the back called me over and offered me 3 cucumbers, and an handful of radishes.  Had one of the cucumbers, the radishes, a handful of cherry tomatoes and a bit of chicken for supper, and it was just fine.  But my weight was up this morning, and then when I read the paper, I came across a comic that I ended up cutting up and posting on the fridge.  Usually I send them to you, Beth, but this one I kept.  A chubby, disheveled fellow was sitting at the bar and says to the bartender, "Maybe I need to stop eating so many donuts".  The bartender asks "why?"  The fellow says "They seem to make my clothes shrink".  So today, it was back to phase #1.  This time, I bought sole rather than cod, by mistake.  Knowing it is a more delicate fish, and only takes seconds to cook, I "fried" it up in a frying pan with a tiny bit of Pam, rather than baking it.  A much nicer meal than the usual cod poached in tinfoil.  Yuck!

I have actually started finishing the needlework project that I found awhile ago.  All of the stitching was complete, and I had the rest of the supplies, so why not?  There are several components to the task, but all of those are now ready to be put together, slowly and painfully by hand.  I'll try to take a couple of pictures.

Nothing urgent on the calendar until Saturday, when I pick up my pieces from the gallery in Selkirk.  I'll be glad to get them safely home, as I need them for the show in Pinawa in September.

Unsettled weather over next few days

Evident today at home when I had to water the plants as they had been left a day or two and obviously were wilting from lack of water? As I was watering rain started to sprinkle - so I am watering the plants with the sun almost shining and the rain coming down and me with an umbrella in one hand and the hose in the other. Does this seem right? All the while Harry was at the BBQ doing hamburgers. Crazy.
We went to North Bay this morning to shop and I also went to the Bus terminal and purchased tickets for my trip. Dates are as previously discussed - leaving Sept 12 from North Bay for WPG and leaving Winnipeg for North Bay Sep 19.
Hazy skies and the smell of smoke evidence of the fires just to the west over Lake Nipissing - these fires are not under control and encroaching on Highway 69 to point it may be closed - one report said the visibility was 0%. The weather conditions and winds are not helping but hindering attempts to fight. 
In North Bay I was able to purchase an overblouse and three sleeveless under blouse tee shirts all of which will be perfect for the trip. I believe I am set for clothing (I'll rectify if after making a master list, this is not so) - so now I will plan the other articles/items I may need to bring. This should keep my mind focused until I can actually pack and get on the bus haha!
In meantime, life goes on and I have produce to take care of. The apples from my one really good tree are falling off - birds or just falling- so I have picked these smaller freefalls off the ground and hope to make an apple crisp. This tree produces larger greenish apples that are perfect to bake.   All for now. Take care

Made it home

David and Loren arrived home about 11:30 last night.  They both looked like they had a good time.  Not much talk about the football game, but this was David's first time at the new stadium, and there was lots of talk about the seats and elevators etc. Evidently the bus ride to and from, leaving the car at St. Vital Centre Park'n'Ride, was an experience for both of them.  David spoke of having to ride, packed in like sardines, standing up.  I can see David's concern, given his balance problems.  David was tired, as expected, and he's still sleeping, although I've been up for a couple of hours.

Yesterday we did our monthly shopping.   Missed a couple of things.  David likes to scan his Air Miles card at the grocery store, on days when there is a game on, as there is some sort of deal where names are drawn to win various things, whenever there is a touchdown ( I think that's how it works).  So we can pick up something today, and get the card scanned.  

Yesterday, knowing he would be going out in the evening, I tried to get the shopping organized so as to reduce the physical stress, as much as possible.  We were also doing a laundry, meaning that the beds linen would need to be changed.  This is a physically demanding job for both of us.

I had 7 different stores on the list, but had rated them according to how urgent the visit was.  We made it to 5 of them, and were still home by noon.  The last two, I would like to get to today.  One visit was #1 in terms of urgency, ahead of grocery stores.  That was Dollarlama--for new sunglasses.  Couldn't find mine anywhere, and wondered whether I had left them at Tim Horton's, after my massage Thursday.  Love my nice new ones, and the lady at the bank had a pair of scissors to cut the label off.  Until then I was wearing them with the label hanging down over my nose.  Isn't it amazing how appearances aren't as important when one gets older?
Unfortunately, I found the old glasses this morning, in the bedroom.  I'm not concerned, as they were getting scratched, and were ready for replacing, anyway.

We continue to be be blessed with lovely summer weather.  I'm getting out to the patio almost everyday.  For this, I am thankful.

40-14

Must have been a great night to watch the Bombers win their game against Argos at the Football stadium!  Celebration! Hope those in attendance had a fun time???

Trip to North Bay today

I went to North Bay today on my own to Willie's to celebrate his Birthday which is today. I made the customary and expected Cherry Cheese cake and spent some time with him and his entourage. It is a good day when I can spend a little time there to visit and have a conversation even though we speak on the phone frequently, a visit means a bit more for me.
I shopped a bit first and noticed as I exited my car at the first store, the smell of smoke in the air. I cannot smell it in Sundridge but it was very evident in North Bay. Too close for comfort and apparently many of the forest fires in the area are still out of control.
I had to water when I got home as the forecast rain has never materialized even though around supper the skies darkened and I could hear thunder, it quickly moved off and without any water to moisten the poor plants!  I should not really say "poor plants" as they are producing in excess right now. I have so many tomatoes now to do down, and I have cereal covered with a ton of raspberries every morning. Thankful to Harry for picking the raspberries as I am not venturing into the patch at all and I can see them in my morning walkabout red and juicy and jumping out at me haha!
Time to close up ......take care.

Happy Anniversary

July 25, 2003 Cathy and Jim were married in a ceremony on their grounds joined by many family and friends. Now 15 years later, we celebrate their Anniversary with them  Happy days to you both. XX

Now there's a concept!

Incestuous Budgies?!?

I'm exhausted!  Two days of excitement, trips downtown, and lots of walking--to say nothing of the emotional high of actually seeing world renowned art.  A day to be remembered, and the thrill of a lifetime.  The exhibit was larger than I had expected, and I had to sit down for a few minutes, several times.  We also parked on Memorial Blvd, opposite Memorial park, and it was a bit of a hike to the Art Gallery. This lack of endurance was a bit of a surprise to me, and not a pleasant one.  Not sure how to deal with it.  Obviously I need to increase my physical activity level, without hurting my knees or compromising my back.  

Needless to say, there hasn't been much going on at home over the past couple of days.  Meals have been simple, and housework non-existant  However, this morning, before I went out, David was busy tidying the garage, trying to find a little more room for the car.  I'm still a little nervous backing the car out, and that makes him nervous when I back the car out.  Hehe!  Just as Gail arrived to pick me up, he hurt his head somehow, and came in with blood all over his forehead.  We got him cleaned up, and found a fairly small lesion under all the blood.  It looks worse than it is, but I'm sure he's going to have a nasty bruise, as well.

So, all in all, I don't think either of us is up to much this evening.