No Complaints Here! Grass Cutting, Dip in the Pond, Bill Returns

It was 6:30 when Clemson first woke up and hopped off the bed on Friday, June 29^th. With every window, minus two behind the sofa, in the Suite open all night, we slept like logs. For the first time in a long time, Clem did not sleep next to me but instead spread out across Bill’s side of the bed. Even with his haircut, he feels the heat too. I won’t complain about it though, never, it is the summer weather I love.

the grass looks so nice cut
(ignore the brown sandy area please)

The humidity does get pretty unbearable at times but my system seems to accept it like a pro. I know how to slow down and take it easy, especially now in retirement. This in no way negates the empathy felt for those who have to work in it on a daily basis with no relief. I hope their employers are considerate and flexible at these times.

 I had a goal in mind this morning as soon as I finished my tea. After chatting with Bill in the big city, I got dressed and took a bottle of water outside with my cowboy hat. It was already 63F/17C and I had grass to cut. The grass itself isn’t that long but those long spindly weeds, you all probably know what I’m talking about, have shot up 12” since the last cutting! I knew that I would work in stages so began with our ‘front lawn’.

Early on, there was hardly a breeze as this flag indicates

45 minutes later, I took a break in the shade and I took the hat and glasses off. After a cool down of about 20 minutes I cut the hill beside the corral. That was a little more strenuous because it is inclined (it’s a hill!) so 25 minutes later, it was done. Phew! The mower battery had a full charge when I started so it was still going strong. Another 15 minutes of rest and then the push to finish by the outhouse and sitting area. The battery died about the same time that I did. 😊

and Bill's wind sock

When cooled down for the last time, the mower went back by the shed, the battery got plugged in and I put some bird seed in the bird bath. Soon enough, Chippy found it and took it as a special gift as he hopped up and down a few times filling his cheeks. It was a nice opportunity, sitting in the shade, to use my telephoto lens and snap pictures of him and the birds around the area.

The sleek gray bird is back
He's so plain, he's beautiful

Inside, Clemson sleeps in his bed on the couch. I don’t like him to be outside when I am cutting, it is too hard to keep an eye on him at the same time. He wouldn’t be happy for very long out there anyway and that would be an interruption I don’t need. I communicated with Donna, my son, Patrick and Bill for a bit and then came inside for a glass of my smoothie. At noon, I made myself an egg sandwich using those 'heels' Shirley and I love. 

doesn't look too appetizing but it was!

As I sit here, catching up on my morning, I’m thinking of the busy month ahead. I love plans and preparations for things as much as I love the heat. That is what summer is all about for me. We have a lot of things going on and one of the most important ones is that my little brother, Michael, and his wife, Crystal are bringing their travel trailer to Ontario for a holiday! Yay! It will be so nice for all of my family to get some ‘chill’ time with them.

Pretty robin red breast

Sooner or later, they sense me watching

My Sisterfest is July 9 – 12^th. Should be another good time together. A couple of new things on the agenda this year! We are also having a few of our rv’er friends bring their units here to the Ridge for a week or so near the end of the month so lots of fun times on the horizon. I’m sure that all means that the month will zip by and before we know it, we will be getting serious about our fall plans to head south. So far, we haven’t discussed too much other than a possible departure date.

Last night Donna gave me a kohl rabi
I peeled it and sampled some raw, it was actually a very fresh taste

I decided, since it was now too muggy to work outside on my fire starters (too much trouble to move everything into the shade) so pulled my sewing machine out and re-created a summer top. I actually turned it into a tankini. It was a semi-sloppy job but it is very comfortable and works very well. To test it out, I was invited over to the Acreage to have a swim with Donna. You don’t have to ask me twice! I closed windows, plugged us in to power, turned the inverter off and the a/c on before I left. I had to take a few back-up steps but the result was the same.

Chippy checks out the bird seed
But if you think this is cute................

this is my favourite picture today
He looks so modest with his little paws crossed and his cheeks full
"what? I'm not doing anything!"

Clemson and I loaded into Black Beauty with a pool noodle, my hat, water, phone, towel, water shoes and my purse just after 2:30. Donna and Gerry were sitting in the shade facing the pond. Many would think the pond is dirty, and yes without a doubt, it is brown and the bottom is gushy. We wear our water shoes and float on noodles or in boats or rafts. We don’t touch the bottom. But you know what? On a 90F day after working, cutting grass or whatever, it was sure refreshing!

this bird sits as part of the tree and a few pictures in a row
He hardly moves over the few minutes I watched him

Gerry kept an eye on Clemson for me and Clemson kept an eye on me which I found quite endearing. When we got out of the water, we sat in the sun for a while to dry off. Bill texted at 3:30 to let me know he was leaving London for home so I knew what time to expect him. After a nice visit of an hour and a half, we returned home. Bill pulled in the driveway 45 minutes later, right on time! We unloaded Ptooties of the groceries and I found cubbies for everything. We are fully stocked again!

and this finch poses

The wind is quite brisk but knowing tomorrow will be hot and humid again, we are going to leave the windows closed and the air conditioning running. I have thawed a couple of Italian sausages for supper and will warm up the last bit of potatoes for me. That dish has certainly sustained us all week! Bill will have his sausage on a bun with sweet and sour sauce and onion.

and he especially likes to show off his profile from this side

We were all cleaned up by 7:50 which is later than usual but considering Bill didn’t walk in the door until 5:50, we did pretty good. Supper was good. The rest of the evening was quiet and we settled in for the night. Too windy for the awnings and too windy for an outside fire. I hope you’ve had a great day like we have!

Clemson stretches out at the Acreage

And at home, loves his bed
good night all!

Thanks for stopping by. Your comments are welcome!

Clean Bedding, Drive to Hanover, Bill Returns

On Friday, Sept. 8^th I was not surprised to see another dull day. It seems we get two in a row. Really hard to plan things this summer with the weather so unpredictable. I was awake before 6 but managed to curl up with Clemson and go back to sleep until 10 to 7 when I got up. Before notifying Bill that we were up, I stripped our bed and pulled out the sofa bed to remove those sheets.

I made my tea and texted my sweetie. He called immediately and we had a nice chat. We’re both hoping that he will be home close to or soon after the supper hour but you never know! It is only 10C now at 9 pm and the clouds are controlling the sky. When I had caught up on blog posts and finished my tea, I began loading the car.

the west sky as I'm going to Durham

I like that we are so close to Durham. Everything at our fingertips. It is funny that when we drove through town during the Fall Fair weekend, we found no difference in the traffic downtown. All events were held at the Community Centre away from the hustle and bustle and it was a success for the locals. I drove straight to the laundromat and found the only parking space left was the closest one to the door. So, I pulled in and unloaded.

This tractor was parked at the corner farm beside the church
A smelly load, I'm sure

I must have caught the tail end of the customers since there were only 3 ladies inside and 2 had come together. I used one of the bigger Double Load machines and put 4 sheets in that one and then 2 sheets and the pillow cases in the regular size machine. My intent was to dry them in the dryers as well.

The sky looked great for hanging clothes when
I got home

While waiting for the wash cycles I took 4 of our finished novels across the road to a free book drop/exchange. I had brought along all of our completed James Patterson, Michael Connelly and David Baldacci books but won’t exchange them here. When I go to Hanover I’ll go to the flea market with those and get a credit towards new books.

I loved this little box

At the Durham Exchange, the little 15” square wooden box was inviting and filled with many good choices. I liked that! So, I left 3, J.A. Jance, Tami Hoag, Dan Brown and Clive Cussler books in the little ‘library’. I walked away with 4 James Patterson novels that we haven’t read yet. Yay! 

With the wash done, the sky appeared to be clearing and sure enough when I looked back out towards The Ridge direction, the sky was blue. Hmmm.

These pictures are from the local Spotlight magazine
This box didn't offer anything of interest on my first visit

Decision made. I loaded the damp sheets in the basket and left the laundromat. I found a parking spot on Main/Garafraxa St. on the south side of the street and took my script from the doctor in to the IDA Rexall Drug Store. The pharmacist I dealt with was very pleasant and offered up some suggestions for me for the shingles cream I buy.

Without health coverage anymore, the cream I get is an exorbitant price. With her information, I decided no way did I need the cream that badly! I will try some of the over the counter itch creams that I’d previously found online. If you can imagine, this small 4 gr. tube is $97. Maybe when I’m 65 I’ll start getting it again but in the mean time I can deal with the 2-day pain/itch. You can also now understand how much the 30 gram tube is.

From there I walked across the street to Chickory Common Natural Café to check out another local Book Box/Exchange. It was at the back of the store and not impressive at all. It was probably 3’ x 3’ square with 3 shelves inside but no books appealed to me. I left the last J.A. Jance book I had taken just in case I found one but walked away empty handed.

The line is full of sheets and notice the shadows?

 I drove home watching the sky wondering if I’d made a mistake by not drying my sheets but was not convinced yet. I hung the sheets on the line with my still damp Arizona blanket and the sun came out a few times while in the process. Now, I’m no longer concerned, they will blow in the light breeze and be dry in no time. I think the rain is done for the day.

Skinny muffin is quite filling

Bill called while I was in town and informed me of the time change of his orientation today. Darn! It was to be a morning appointment but things jiggled and it was now an afternoon one. This meant it would be a later home arrival than we’d hoped. He clocked out of CanAm at 10 or so and went to get the groceries we wanted at Costco. They would remain in the cooler for the afternoon and be fine.

I poured myself another tea and made up a couple of Skinny Muffins. I ate one with lots of butter on it for my brunch. They are good, easy and I keep forgetting about them! The other one I popped into a baggie for tomorrow morning. A quick brush of my teeth again and I headed out the door to to go to the Hanover hospital and flea market. In that order. It is now 12:30.

Clemson likes the blanket I put on the couch because we can see him better now

I decided that I wouldn’t park the truck in the pay lot at the hospital, not to just run in and drop off a sample so parked down the street at the Food Basics lot. It was a short walk up the hill and I found Life Labs easily. Everyone is so pleasant today! Bonus!

I then drove to The Bread Depot to pick up some buns for sandwiches tomorrow with our company and walked from there to the Flea Market/Sally Ann. I put 7 books in a shopping bag and the lady gave me $6 towards more books. She has to resell them so was particular with 3 and refused them. No problem. I found 4 more by our favourite authors.

Walking up to the hospital took me by the water tower

This beautiful flower was along the sidewalk

While in the area I texted Donna just to let her know where I was as sometimes we meet there for a walk through. Both her and Gerry were on their way to Salvation Army to find a cane for Gerry. He is doing quite well, considering, and wants to be able to have an alternate choice instead of always using the crutches. Pretty soon, he won’t need either. We chatted for a bit, I gave them the 3 books to read and we said our goodbyes. Donna told me that parking for 30 min. or less at the hospital is free so I’ll know for next time.

the hospital

When I left them I stopped at Mark’s. I said I would! Not closing just renovating so yay! However, I had to poke around when everything inside screams “Clearance!” Yes, I found a few things for an awesome price and that means a few more things go in the ‘exchange’ bag. Finally, leaving there I headed home.

I had hoped to pick up some sweet corn on my way home but the little roadside market didn’t have their sign out. Figures, I can get some in the morning at Foodland, it is local and fresh. At home the sun was doing its hide and seek performance but looking at my sheets, they were dry, dry, dry!

I let Clemson out for a bit but he was happy to do his business and get back inside. That 11C was cold for a little skinny fellow. I let him in and gathered my sheets from the line. They smell so nice. I made our bed with the new Egyptian sheets we got at Keady in Aug. and folded the remaining sheets. Some will go out to the bunky and some kept in The Suite for both beds.

Bill called and said that his boss, Phil, had swapped out clients for orientation so Bill got the earlier one. Hey! Thank you, Phil! What a guy! I appreciate you sending my hubby home earlier when you can. With a quick stop in to see his Dad, we decided he would be home to eat with me around 7. I never know what to plan for just me so hadn’t anything in my mind. When Bill called he suggested beans and I had thought mini sausages. That decision was easy.

Clemson was doing a lot of shivering so I turned the Blue Flame heater on around 6:30 and put his flannel sweater on. I don’t want him cold and these temperatures are just not natural for September. After watching the weather forecast on the London news I am happy for the weekend and upcoming week. A couple of cold nights, around 4 & 5C but daytime highs in the low to mid 20’s. That’s better!

My cold little pooch

I started to cook the sausages on low so when Bill gets in we can eat before wasting too much time. I remembered a pack of Pillsbury crescent rolls in the fridge that are probably close to their expiry date so got them out and shaped them. The beans were simmering and I saw our Corolla coming down North Line. It was exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes since he left Dad’s in Stratford.

Clemson was thrilled to see his Dad and greeted him at the door. Bill unloaded his bag and groceries before sitting down to eat. After dishes, I felt the running around today catching up with me so I can only imagine how Bill feels after his day. It has been a good day with things accomplished and my hubby made it home safely.

And the day ends as they usually do up here
with a beautiful sky
and a bonus tonight........clean sheets to sleep on

I hope you have had a good day too. Thank you for reading today. I love to get your comments.