The Ridge
On Wednesday, Apr. 14th I was up before 7 and was able to see Bill off properly. I was fully awake and thought it would be good to start my work day a bit sooner. Usually, I dawdle and go in to the Mat for cleaning for 8:45 and then I’m ready for working at the body shop for 10.
Just about to leave the Mat |
The sky
was clear blue and the sun had given me that burst of encouragement. I would leave
for town and work from 8 to 9 and hopefully start at M’s for 9:30. It was only
30 minutes difference but that is a big deal for me. 😊 First, I had to stop at the bank and take out some cash. I
needed coin to wash Bill’s work overalls and 2 work coats. I won’t lie to you,
my nerves were a bit on edge, afraid of what I would encounter this morning.
Back home, the serene pond was calming when I needed it |
It was
quite a relief to see ‘homeless girl’ sitting outside the RBC branch with her
bags set inside the foyer. That meant she wasn’t going to be in my way at the
laundromat. I relaxed, withdrew my $$ and left. I found the floor a mess, so
before doing anything else, I swept first instead of one of the last things
today. Within 10 minutes the front door opened and in she came and set up shop
to sleep in the chairs.
No mail today - a chilly walk to the end of the lane |
I’ve read
your comments and I’m so touched with your concerns. I’m paying attention and
have decided that I won’t speak to them anymore. If it is a hopeless situation
to do my job, I’ll leave, otherwise, I’ll go about my business as best I can
and get out asap. They are not my responsibility even though I have great
concern myself for the customers who come in. So, I cleaned, didn’t speak to her
and left at 9.
He's back |
He has his eye on that feeder too |
As I turned down a side street towards home, I was pleased to see the familiar West Grey police parked at the side. I rolled my window down and stopped across from him. Whether he recognized me from last fall or not, he was very friendly. After the pleasantries, I said “I clean at the laundromat”. He said without missing a beat “Is Tara at the laundromat?” Me: “is that her name? yes, she is” Him: “Tara or Renee” with a shrug.
Now there's a nice splash of colours |
Back and
forth about how I saw her at the bank, him saying he had booted her out of
there too and would do the same at the Mat. 😊 Nothing more needed to be said but I let him know that I
will not approach or speak to her anymore. He confirmed that was a good idea. The Mat can’t be monitored any better
than what Jamie is doing now with his home cameras unless he drives in to town every evening and kicks
everyone (customers or not) out at 10. So, this is how I move forward because I
do enjoy the job.
Chickadee-dee-dee |
I came
home feeling better, made a coffee in my thermos and drove to the shop. I taped
and sanded the F150 for 3 hours. As I was leaving, a neighbour who occasionally
uses the Mat stopped in for Jamie’s #. She was doing some laundry when a man
and woman (different ones) walked in (daylight). One began asking for $$ and
the other passed out in the chair. She. left with her granddaughters. It’s sad
and it can be scary for young and old alike. ☹
And another pretty visitor but these trees are pretty hard to peck at |
Okay, my
rant is over. I had hung Bill’s things on the line and that sun had dried them
within the 3 hours that I was gone even though the air is much cooler today. I’ve
had to run the blue flame heater, set on low, to keep the chill out. We’ve
stopped using our infra-red heater, for now, hope to use propane instead but we’ll
see. The temperature reached 10C/41F today but will be going down to freezing
tonight. That means there may be some mixed precipitation. Yeuch!
He sat unmoving for a few seconds |
Inside, I changed out of my work clothes and got washed up. I had no other plans than to have some lunch (another yummy jam-packed wrap) and read my book. Around 4, my book was done and it was added to Bill’s pile. He’s not reading much these days so I may have to pack some away under the bed for now. He texted and said he was working late which is good to know. I’m just planning a simple, poor man’s supper so no big deal.
Two batches of pancake mix |
There was
no mail for us today and although I’m expecting a parcel, no word of when it
will be arriving either. I looked out my window and saw a picture/video worthy
scene. Loree, only for you. If I’d been quicker on the draw, 3 of the calves
were running back and forth before following their parents into the barn. They
head in every night around this time for milking and the evening. I love how
they just follow each other.
It is a bit blurry but it worked!
Bill's plateful |
Bill was home by 5:30 and at 6 I started supper. I knew he’d be pleased with what I’d planned as he loves pancakes. 😊 Regular for him and almond flour no carb for me along with peameal bacon/ham. It was delicious but it meant a lot of dirty dishes. Woops! I made way too many pancakes and had some left over for lunch. We didn’t need dessert tonight.
My supper, I wish we'd had more of the bacon |
The
evening went along quietly. After dishes, Bill made his lunch for tomorrow and
we watched ‘useless’ tv until bedtime. Wednesday night doesn’t provide much for
entertainment for us. Our CTV meteorologist didn’t confirm any snow flurries
tonight but in the wee hours of Friday morning we could have some in the air.
She doesn’t expect accumulation so that is good. Lots of rain though over the
next few days.
A memory from 2 years ago when we brought Bridgette and Chris their new slippers 😉 |
Then we moved on to Easton's baby shower |
then we moved on to dinner with Bill's family Apr. 14, 2019 Good night! |
This was
a good day here in The Ridge neighbourhood. Your comments are always
appreciated. 😊
You are smart not to confront the Mat people. Better to just smile and go about your business. Hopefully with the warmer weather they will go somewhere else. Love the cattle video. There is always a "leader", usually an older cow (don't take that wrong) who leads the group ... everyone else follows her everywhere. If we had to move the cattle, we just made sure SHE went where we wanted. Getting the rest in was easy! Pancakes ... I LOVE pancakes, but never make them because they need to be swimming in syrup!!!
ReplyDeleteDo you have shelters for the homeless? I know some, because of mental issues wouldn't use them anyway. Hopefully the local police will move them on somewhere. Asking for $$ etc is not good and could definitely drive away business. Just too sad. Your pancake dinner looks so yummy! I grew up on corn syrup on my pancakes, which I still love but you can't get it sugar free LOL. Now I just use butter and sugar free jam. Now I'm hungry LOL.
ReplyDeleteJamie might have to ask the Police to patrol the Mat or he'll start loosing business.
ReplyDeleteDinner looks yummy but filling.
Hoping the weather doesn't affect you too badly.
Watch the Blue Flame heater doesn't cause too much moisture inside the Suite.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
I think you did the right thing talking with the police officer and definitely letting Jamie know of the issues. Sadly, these folks fall through the cracks. I would suspect Tara has a shelter to stay in by night but has nowhere to go in the daytime which is why she's carrying her bags with her. So she moves from place to place until she gets the boot.
ReplyDeleteSorry the weather is turning a bit cool for you, we're warming up here again so it should head your way shortly.
Love the family pictures. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't get the snow we got here at the beginning of this week. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteI agree do not engage with anyone other than customers and perhaps now that the police know where the girl is hanging out they will make a few more passes by in the night.
Love the cardinal picture.
God bless.
I'm just wondering what's going on with the social services around there. (I used to work in that sort of thing.) Of course people have the right to refuse those services, but if they are a threatening to others or themselves, then the situation is changed. I'm writing from the US, and there are things like "no trespassing" orders, I csn't think of the proper term. At any rate, I do hate to think of you being afraid to go to work.
ReplyDeleteP.S. That would be up to Jamie to get going as owner of the business. It's not a nice road to go down, but maybe whatever social services are around could help so that could be avoided.
ReplyDelete