A Working Morning, Bill Takes a Day to Himself (Happy Independence Day!)

The Ridge

On Tuesday, July 4^th as our American friends celebrate their July holiday, ours has been put behind us. The employed masses are back at work, unless they’ve extended the holiday, and we move on into the month with oppressive heat hanging over us. I’m not complaining. It won’t last and I still much prefer heat to cold so will take it as it comes. It’s why we have air conditioning. 😊

This is how I choose to start my pictures today
This was last night. I love how those little legs push
against the cupboard as he sleeps 💗

I slipped out of bed ahead of the boys and passed a small treat to Gibbs as I left the Suite for work. The day was already very warm, 16C/60F, so I wore shorts and a strappy top. Even with the a/c at the Mat, it gets warm while cleaning, especially with the hot dryers running. There were three washers running from two patrons but they were outside waiting for the next cycle. I swept the floors first, they were cluttered with ‘stuff’, then went about the daily chore.

Also from last night - I can't help it.
He is the joy in our world.
I know some find him annoying with his jumping, barking
and pawing for attention, but this is our puppy and to us
he is darn near perfect. 

I was disappointed that Sandy had forgotten to drop my pay in the lock box but I know he’ll follow through soon. He’ll kick himself for forgetting so I won’t remind him – yet. 😊 I nipped up to the Water Store to fill our bottle, opened the door to call hello to Mark, the owner, and headed home Bill needed Ptooties today. I’d taken our sheets in so took them, plus my work bag out of the back and spent the next half hour with Gibbs and Bill.

It didn't take long for the sky to the east
to clear out and bring us heat, heat, heat.

Bill left for Concord, Ontario around 9. He had a couple of things to do there, the main one was to cash in his $50 gift certificate at their hobby store. It is a 2 hour drive so a bit frustrating to have to go that far, but $50 is $50. (insert shoulder shrug here 😊) He made the trip worthwhile by stopping at Shelbourne on the way home at a trailer repair shop for a piece of metal. I’m sure he’ll explain that later.

It would be a lovely drive for Bill today

At 10, I stopped at M’s and took a quick run into town for him in Black Beauty. I had to drop something off and then I reported back to the shop to work on the VW. It has a lot of sanding, hand and air, now that the rocker panels have been replaced and hopefully it will be done with a new paint job by the end of the month. I’m encouraging the quick movement on these vehicles, get them outta here!

Not much breeze today but I'll bet the sheets
dried in very little time.
(oh shoot! they're still on the line!)

By the time 1 o’clock rolled around, I was a hot, dirty mess from top to bottom so hopped in the shower before doing anything else. Bill wasn’t home yet, and I hadn’t expected him to be, so I made myself a bowl of mushroom soup from a half can that was in the fridge. I topped it off with a couple of teaspoons of yogourt, for the fat content that would contain me until supper. It was a late lunch though so when Bill returned home at 3:30 with some leftover fries from his late lunch, I finished them off. LOL

a cold supper which suited us just fine

The a/c was on inside and it was lovely in here. Gibbs didn’t get much outside time today at all but he ran out a couple of times, chased Chippy down the fence, did his business and quickly returned indoors to the cool air. 😉 He’s not just a pretty face! (although he sure is that!) ♥ We chatted briefly with Bill’s cousin, Rick, Bill dozed and I read my book. I’m really enjoying this new one and find it very hard to set down.

Peeking out the window and through
the awnings as the evening sun
peeks back at me through the trees
"Good evening, Mr. Sunshine, you brighten up my day"
(another song title for you with a twist)

Set it down I did at 7 when I knew we needed to eat something. We weren’t overly hungry (late lunch, remember?) but had some potato and bean salad with a bit of flaked chicken I’d opened earlier. That did the trick. Bill went to the Hangar, saying it was cooler in there now and I wrote my blog and went back to my book. Gibbs was hungry tonight and gobbled his supper up like no tomorrow. I love hearing that sound, him eating.

Such a GOOD story!

This has been a hot day, another one in a set of 4 or 5 before it cools back to normal. I’ve enjoyed it and Bill had a good day travelling. I said enough prayers to bring him back safely, so I’m glad about that. ♥ He had to travel on those busy 400 series highways, which we love to hate.

For our friends across the border.
Good night y'all!

Happy 4^th of July to our American friends! Celebrate your ♥’s out!

Thank you for stopping by.

Happy 4th of July and a Working Monday

The Ridge

On Monday, July 4^th I wanted to wish our American friends the best on their day of celebration. We’ve all enjoyed a long weekend regardless of where we live. 😊 Bill didn’t have to be to work until 9:30 so it was a bit of a leisurely morning for both of us. Gibbs and I went for a walk on this lovely morning and I took the garbage and recycle bins down to the road.

Just a beautiful morning for a walk

I had some cereal and my tea before going to M’s myself for 9:30. I knew that I’d be working in the bed of the Chev again so tried to put a positive attitude on. It isn’t an easy job but at least I had my knee pads. Too bad they don’t make ‘butt pads’ too! It’s my back that felt it most of all so I’ll do some stretches tonight so I can move in the morning. I’d almost finished when my 3-hour shift was over so I used the air nozzle to blow the blue off my arms, jeans – well, everything.

The clouds are lovely

No long grass along the side of the road to walk in
Woe is Gibbs 

I wasted no time at home. I greeted Gibbs and hopped into the shower. The day today has been so ‘still’, if that is a reference you understand. There’s no better word for it, nothing was moving. I took it as a sign that a storm was brewing but nothing has happened yet. I’m hoping for some rain overnight to water the potted and garden plants. It wouldn’t hurt to give them some before dark. There has been no sunshine all day but I’m sure they’re very dry. ☹

A nice view of our home from the bottom of the corral

Bill had our little flag at the
mailbox on Canada Day

I worked on the puzzle after Gibbs and I sat and dozed in my chair. I actually got some of my book read today too. It isn’t that I’m not enjoying it, the time just hasn’t been available. Bill got home around 4:30 and he turned around and drove into Durham FS Co-op to get propane. We had an empty tank. 

Sometimes, I think Gibbs plans these pictures! 💓

Supper tonight was a little better than last night, sausage on a bun for Bill and I had asparagus. We both finished the potato salad and the last of the cheesecake from Friday. Yum.

Now, it's looking better!
There are definitely 3 pieces missing so far

After dishes were in the dishwasher, it was time for some relaxing. I am trying to get back on track with my blog writing so this one is short and hopefully ‘sweet’. 😊 It was another good day, heck, they all are!

It doesn't look like much 
but with cheesecake for dessert
it was plenty!
Good night!
Happy 4th of July!

Thank you for popping in.

Happy 4th of July! Chippy Fun, Lunar Eclipse

The Ridge

Both Bill and I feel that we slept really well last night and when we woke and got up at 6:30 on Saturday, July 4th, we felt refreshed. There was no point in going to work before 7 (just in case I couldn’t get in) so dawdled at the table with Bill and read a couple of blogs and comments. We’d sorted the dirty laundry upstairs into 2 small loads and I drove into Durham for 7:15. Back door was wide open so that was good.

I know, we've had our holiday and I'm not flaunting this
BUT when I took the sunrise pix this morning, it looked too
sweet to not include it
It is a window sticker but looks like it is on a flag pole

I was alone but some dryers were in use and one customer arrived to wash a comforter. I couldn’t find Jamie’s key to the machines so I’m glad the change machine was full and he didn’t me to reimburse him for anything. I roughly folded our damp clothes in the basket and finished with dry and wet mopping before I locked up ‘our’ room and drove home.

My greeters when I returned home from cleaning

There were lots of people in town out walking at 8:30 trying to get exercise before the real heat of the day hits. On the way home, I stopped at a garage sale and got a couple of deals. I stop here every year at least once, she never lets me down and I find something small that makes me happy. Today, chair cushions, a Nicholas Cage dvd, 2 puzzles and a book.

I didn't move too fast but they still scurried out of the way and across the field

Back home, I hung clothes on the line and then sat and enjoyed my creamy tea. I took it outside on the shaded patio and relaxed. It seemed like I’d put in a day’s work already! Ha ha. Bill joined me for a bit and then he went off to the Hangar or cargo trailer. It felt good not to have to do anything else. Donna and I went back and forth a bit on texts and then Cathy, Gayle and I about Ladyfest. There was some confusion so I asked Gayle (our host) to send out a note to the female sibs.

I was feeling generous so tossed some peanuts out to the Chippy

I took my book out to the semi-shade of the dining tent and read a few chapters, fighting to keep my eyes open. Good grief! I put my feet up and slid down in the high back chair and closed my eyes for a few minutes. I know I dropped off so came inside at 11 and decided to make us some breakfast to wake me up. We had bacon and eggs and after dishes, I did feel revitalized. 😊 I guess I wasn’t so ready to get up this morning as I first thought!

Bill emptied his cargo trailer
He is at a standstill until his flooring material arrives on Wednesday (we hope)

His winged flyers getting some rays

 I went for a walk down the lane and then returned to see what Bill was up to. He said he was going to finish something and then come and join me for a cold drink on the patio. I waited and waited, not realizing what he was doing. While sitting there, Romeo and Casanova flitted about looking for a treat. Lucky for them, I happened to have some. They took turns hopping up on me to get the offerings and then disappeared when they were gone. Too cute!

A pretty little collection
His big one is still in the trailer, you can see it in the first picture

I had a call from Mitch about helping it out on Monday for a job so that’s good. A little change from working on ‘my’ Plymouth. Bill joined me for that drink around 1:30 and about that time, Donna texted and invited us (me) over for a swim. Bill was busy and would likely have a snooze so told me to go. It was nice in the shade but once I stepped in the sun, yup, I agreed that it was a great day for a dip in their pond.

I was ready for a visitor
Top right, he is debating
Bottom right, got skittish (I think I ate one of the peanuts)

Then Romeo came up and was more interested in what book
I was reading than eating the peanuts
Goof ball didn't even see them yet

He could smell them but it took him a while checking out
the chair and table first

 Gerry seldom swims in the pond but Donna really enjoys getting cooled off. Many people don’t and wouldn’t get in the brown water (although clear) but I’m not against going in with her. I had my pool noodle and water shoes as I don’t want to touch the bottom, even if I could. It felt wonderful after we’d sat and got some sun for half hour. Gerry obliged me by taking some pictures of us enjoying the time together.

Finally, peanuts found and devoured
Still interested in my book though

By this time, the Ladyfest plans were well under way and all sisters were on board. Not sure yet, if our oldest sister will be joining us because of other plans. A bit more chit chat while we dried off in the sun and at 4, I headed home. Before sitting (and getting lazier) I brought the clothes in from the line and hung my damp swim things. Boy, I was hot all over again! I popped down to see Bill and then came up and poured a cold Sprite.

Gerry took some pictures of us cooling off

Social distancing, ha ha, the water was wonderful
It is brown but clear and refreshing

Supper tonight was a half rack of ribs (that’s all we had in the freezer) and reheated filet mignons from Wednesday. A vegetable on the side was enough to fill us. We were eating by 6:30 after grilling the ribs for 7 minutes and heating the mignons and Bill’s veggies on the bbq. Everything was yummy and believe it or not, those few ribs had plenty of meat on them. We cleaned up dishes and then cleaned up a bit to go over to the Acreage.

This was a delicious supper!

It was still quite hot at 7:30 so it was hard to know what to put on. Usually, you dress against coolness and mosquitoes. Bill didn’t feel like putting jeans on nor did I feel like changing into long pants. We went as we were, shorts and sleeveless tee for him and capris and my cami top for me. We each took a jacket and our bug spray. You can’t believe it will cool down that much when sitting around a fire but it did enough for me to slip my jacket on and put a blanket over my legs. I'd taken the last of my Girl's Night Out wine and finished that tonight. It warmed my belly. 😊🍷🍷

When the moon came up over the trees at the Acreage
The light you see to the left is in the cabin window

Mike was there as well and we all had a nice evening. We’d hoped to see some of the partial lunar eclipse that started here at 11:20 but even after leaving at 11:10, we saw no change in this part of the country before I went to bed at midnight. It would carry on until 2:30, I think so we would miss it. The moon was still pretty up there in the sky with the yellowish tinge on the wispy clouds surrounding it.

I tried capturing it on the drive home

Even though no lunar eclipse yet, I love this picture
from back at the Ridge

 Obviously, it was way too late for me to finish posting so here I am late again. Happy 4th of July to our American friends! Hope it was great!

Good night!

I hope you had an enjoyable July 4^th! Thanks for stopping by.