Early Phone Call, No Grass Cutting This Morning but....

The Ridge

On Friday, May 17^th I was up just after 7 and downstairs to join Bill as he finished getting things ready for work. It was a cloudy morning, although fairly mild with no wind. I was hoping to cut my small area of grass today, it sure is growing! Bill left for hopefully a bit of an easier day; we’ll see about that. Drywalling is hard and dirty!

Good morning!
After attempting a few things outside in the rain,
I came in for an early brunch. 

I was having my tea and playing my Wordle games when Robin texted from Newfoundland. Could I clean today? Hmm, we went back and forth over the days she needs me and then she called. It is the long weekend and now she has bookings from 3 people between now and Monday. So, I’ll go this afternoon and tomorrow morning after 11. Check in is at 3 so I’ll be sure to be out by then. It is usually 2 hours from home to home.

A cloudy drizzly start to the day.

Gibbs and I sat for a while before taking myself outside. My little follower was right there with me. 😊 As soon as I opened the Bunky and got my garden bags out, it began spitting. Darn! I checked the forecast on my phone, and although I knew it would be a warm day, I didn’t realize it was to be a rainy day up until 4 pm. I won’t be cutting grass today after all. I pulled my hoody up, let Gibbs into the house and filled one of my bags with soil. It’s my slow start to gardening.

This is the Blacksmith Air bnb that I clean.
Such a cute little house. This is the upstairs bedroom.
Robin and Andrew did all the renovating.

I’ve needed to get a bit of cash flow ahead so I can buy vegetables plants. No seeds for me, since I’m always late. Hopefully this weekend, I can get a few at least. It was 9:30 when we came back inside. I decided to have some bacon and an egg then to get me through the morning. A small bit for lunch and then head out. I stopped on the highway to buy eggs from a ‘honour cooler’, left my $5 in the pot and carried on.

This is the main floor with kitchen, bathroom, bedroom
and living room area.

When I got to the bnb, no vehicle was there at 1:15 but when I entered, the dogs from the other room barked. ☹ I backed out and drove down the street to a garage sale for 10 minutes. When I returned, still no vehicle and I knocked and tried again. They had evacuated so I was good to go. Robin pays me from the time I leave the house so giving the benefit of the doubt, I didn’t start my work time until 12:45. It didn’t take long to clean, strip the bed and throw them in the wash and then dryer.

Back home, after I cut some grass, Gibbs and I enjoyed
cuddling for a bit while I rested.
My Woodpecker that Keith made loves the breeze up
here on the Ridge. 

I let myself out at 2:45, new clients were allowed to come in at 3, and drove back to Durham. In town, I filled the 5-gallon water jug and deposited some coin and bills into my account. I was home at 3:30. The day started out wet but it sure was nice now! I unplugged from power and turned the inverter on to soak up what free hydro/electric we could for the remainder of the day.

Surprisingly, the flies weren't terrible.
I could pay tomorrow though with itches from bites
 I didn't know I got. 

I got my mower out; black flies be damned! (apologies) and cut the grass in the area we sit. My area, I call it, because it is my responsibility to cut it here with my battery mower. 😊 I finished just before 5 and texted Bill to see if he was on his way. Gibbs and I were outside waiting. It was 5:30 when he showed up, so later than usual.

You can see that they are still around

The grass looks great all cut nicely.
It got our umbrellas out today since the winds
over the next few days aren't supposed to be too bad. 

It's starting to feel like May should be!
We have the best site in the area. 💖

We discussed hopping on the bike and going to a food ‘truck’ for supper but discovered that it wasn’t open yet and it was getting late. Let’s have grilled cheese instead, Bill suggests. Hmm, I’ve not fallen off my keto wagon for 10 days and now this with no keto bread. Crap! So, I used 2 small pieces of sour dough bread with mine and it tasted darn good. It still has the carbs but still better than white or wheat bread.

Bill loves his new mower and I
love that he is happy. No more break downs.

Supper was good but I need to stay focused
on my meals. I'm noticing progress in the area I was hopiing. 

After we ate, Bill hopped on his Cub Cadet and went to cut some grass for an hour and a half. He has a new movie at 8 so wants to be in the Hangar to watch it. ♥ I recorded my hours for Robin today and finished my blog. It has been an absolutely wonderful day. Last night, I caught up on Survivor, with just a 3-hour finale to go. I was on the edge of my seat last night but pleased with the result. No spoiler here. Not sure what I’ll watch tonight. I finished my book this morning, a slow but good read.

While Bill cut, I kept an eye on the little bum.
He loves being outside and keeps an eye on Daddy's 
whereabouts. He's pretty wooly with all his fur.
One week today, he gets his groom and he'll feel
much better. 
Good night!

Thank you for coming by. The long weekend is here, yay! Bring it on!

Sowing Seeds, Baking, Lawn Gets Cut

The Ridge

On Thursday, May 12^th I got up to say goodbye to Bill with the full intention of going back to bed with Gibbs. I didn’t sleep much between 10 and 1:30 and there is only one culprit to blame for that! He’s a furry little 4-legged squirmer. Granted, it was up there in the bedroom and I’d closed the big windows that faced the yard because of the noisy frogs. However, I did open the little one beside my head. 😊

Well, that just meant ‘someone’ had to be next to it as he was very hot. That in turn meant that he was laying above, near and beside my head to get close to the window. Good grief! When I repeatedly told him to lay down and go to sleep, he laid right where he was, which didn’t help me at all. Bill seemed to be sleeping soundly through it all and once he woke enough to admonish Gibbs to go to sleep…….and the little pooper did! At my feet. The rest of the morning, I slept.

If I look distressed, it's because of the darn
black flies
I don't think I got bit ✌
but I'll know that tomorrow

We went back to bed after Bill left and at least I rested until 7:30. Gibbs and I went for our walk to the corner and back. There was nothing definite on my plate today but soon after my tea, at 9, I went up to the garden to plant some of the spinach and Swiss chard seeds. Gibbs was allowed off leash but that lasted for about 15 minutes and he was playing in the garden where I was working. That was no help at all so I coerced him into coming down to his rope leash. He’s too smart for his own good and hence avoids me like the plague. 😊

The rhubarb is coming but slow
Two rows planted for starters
and the rest of the garden is prepped
Each year, the earth gets better

I finished two half rows and IF they come up properly, in two weeks I’ll thin them and replant more. I was disappointed though to see and feel the black flies are back. LOL I had to cover up and don my netted hat in order to finish hoeing the rest of the garden. It is ready for planting now.  I should have some tomato and pepper plants soon to get in the earth as well. These are the only things I’m really needing in my garden; I think.

When we came inside, I made another tea, instead of a coffee, and dusted the entertainment woodwork and coffee table, replacing things that had been tucked in the table since before we left for home. We’ve had seagrass baskets on the lower shelf of the coffee table since 2016 and although they are really handy for storage when travelling, they scratched the wood and the plastic shelf liners just made it sticky. What a mess.

since we came home, the bar fridge sat on the table
so I was happy to lift it and put some things out

Time to get rid of the baskets, at least from there. I might be able to use them in the SS. I had to use rubbing alcohol to get the stickiness off but eventually had success and finished by polishing the wood. My Photo books and a few coffee table books of Bills fit nicely on the shelf – for now. When we move, I’ll come up with something.

If there is a scent to follow
Gibbs will find it
It might be something to eat!

With that done, I had my shower and then refilled the soda in the fridges. Now the obar fridge can be used for its initial purpose again. ♥ Yay! I’ve had 2 shortbread pie crusts that I bought in Quartzsite for $1 at Ken’s Grocery and finally decided what to make. A pineapple cheesecake pie. Oh my! It was a no bake recipe and the pie crust was ready to fill. It’s going to spoil my sweetie but after working so hard, he deserves it. He just has to share with me.

I can't take credit for the pie crust
but I can for the filling!
It went in the fridge for 4 hours

My lunch was healthy and I cleaned
up the last of the pork

I was tired of listening to Sirius radio as well as the local station so played my cd’s while I was working inside. Blue Rodeo, Pokey LaFarge, Billy Ray Cyrus and Johnny Reid are my favourites. Throughout the day, between Gibbs and I, we kept Ma and Pa Goose at bay. They come up from the east pond about 2/3 of the way down the hill and attempt to come up. If Gibbs sees them, we allow him to bark at them to shoo them back down again. Today, he was sleeping on the floor when I saw them so I had to go out and shoo them off.

Gibbs and I sat in the shade while Bill cut the grass
It was too hot inside

I missed getting him on the mower
but it was a job well done
with a mower that is running like a top!

The temperature today is hovering in the ‘summer’ range but I know it will only last until the weekend before it drops off below seasonal again. Such strange weather, everywhere. The winds have been good for a couple of days, increasing a bit this afternoon but pleasantly.  Bill was home early, around 3:30, so it was a nice surprise. After Gibbs greeted him, I got my turn. My tail doesn’t wag quite as sweetly as a little puppy dog’s does. 😊

Gibbs hadn't eaten yet so before supper
Bill sat on the floor with him

That did the trick!
It is obviously 'separation anxiety' 😢

Bill hopped on the mower and got ¾ of the grass cut on the property. It isn’t all in need of a low cut by any means but some areas are quite long and with rain coming on the weekend, he wanted to get it done. We had haddock and chips for supper and I had coleslaw instead of the fries. I knew that dessert would surely fill me up if the entre didn’t. Bill was pleasantly surprised with the cheesecake and we both savoured every creamy bite. ♥

fish and coleslaw and it was good

After turning the dishwasher on, I worked on my post and Bill turned some of our recorded programs on. Magnum PI and Swamp People was a good start. This has been another great day. I hope you are getting this decent weather too and if you are in the areas where the rains are drenching your land, I hope it clears up for your weekend at least.

and then the Cheesecake Pie - oh my!
Easy recipe
good night!

PS - last night, we had Chapmans Black Cherry ice cream. It hasn't been in our freezer for about 6 months!

Thank you for your visit! Your comments are welcome!

Geese Visits, Owen Sound Shopping, Grass Cutting, Turtle Sightings

On the Ridge

On Tuesday, June 18^th it was nice to laze in the morning. We didn’t sleep in but knowing we could have, is always nice. We were up by 6 and I was out the door by 6:15. Even though a dull morning again, the air was warm and the wind almost non-existent. It was the perfect day for a 2-mile jaunt down a country road. The sky to the north showed promise and I knew we were expecting some sunshine later on.

A cloudy sky to start this Tuesday

There were no animal sightings this morning and only one vehicle met me at that time of the morning. When I returned, there were teeny patches of blue appearing in the sky and as I came up the lane, Bill was coming down on the riding mower to cut the front field. It isn’t too bad but by the weekend it will be and he works Thursday and Friday this week. We are expecting company on Friday so we are excited about that and want to have the ‘chores’ done.

Daisy Daisy give me your answer do

The wheat in the field down the road is plush and green
We grumble about the all the rain but this is what it has done

 I caught up on what our friends are doing on their blogs while drinking my tea. With the cream and coconut oil in it, I’m sure that is why I don’t feel hungry for anything until late morning. Bill wants to eat something before we leave for Owen Sound and I won’t be ready before 9 so I decided to make him bacon and eggs anyway. I had some plain yogourt and a piece of bacon. That will tide me over nicely until we are home.

There is that promise off to the north

Good thing no one can see us up here on the hill as I was making a fool of myself outside trying to flag him down for over 5 minutes. His breakfast was ready but he wasn’t aware what I was doing for him so wasn’t even looking my way. First my arms, in all kinds of saluting, waving, flapping motions and then my hoodie flying high like our Canadian flag on a windy day. He didn’t look up once from his cutting so I kept it warm until he came in.

And there isn't a flutter in our flag this morning

While he hopped in the shower, since I was already washed, I did the dishes. Clemson had been up at 5, which I wasn't aware of at the time, and then he slept until 9 before getting his lazy little bones up and out for a piddle. We would have had to disturb him anyway as we would be gone for at least 2 ½ hours. When my sweet-smelling hubby came downstairs, I knew it was time to go. He always smells sooo good and he’ll be embarrassed that I wrote that, I’m sure.

The drive to Owen Sound under a pretty sky

We drove to Owen Sound, the back way, the way that makes the most sense from here. Parking in the area of WalMart, Home Depot and Dollarama we discussed where each of us wanted to go and could we walk etc. I decided first to take the SUV and drive to Value Village which was too far to walk. Bill wanted to go into Home Depot and maybe Princess Auto and my last stop would be Dollarama. We each went our own way.

The Anglican Church in O.S. is gorgeous
Bill finds stuff for his plane at the hobby store

I found a couple of things at V.V. and was pleased that it was Senior’s Day, so 30% off. That worked out well! I met Bill back in the parking lot and he drove to Princess Auto and I walked to Dollarama. I found the landscape screening and a couple of other things for the Suite. When we left there, we drove to Bill’s Hobby Store, UAV & Hobby. He found what he wanted in the tiny store and we checked out.

The back way home

This vine covered tree is worth a picture every year

To avoid the busy downtown O.S. traffic at noon hour, we drove out the back way, twisting and turning and ending up back on #6 eventually. We both felt tired and planned a snooze when we got home. After unloading our stuff, Bill promptly stretched out on his recliner and I warmed up a bowl of butternut squash soup. Now I was feeling more hungry than tired. 

This was good but I had to open a carton to get it

With a tablespoon of plain yogourt mixed in, oh my, it was delicious. I made a coffee and sat at my laptop.

No magnifying glasses please!

With my tummy satisfied, after a reasonable amount of time, I went upstairs with Clemson for my nap. It didn’t take me long to drop off to sleep for 30 minutes. When I got up, I gathered my paint supplies including the pint can of white paint that Bill picked up for me. Then I walked down to see Bill in the Hangar. I wanted him to know that I was up and where I’d be. Nothing is never as easy as you think it will be. Especially when it is a first time for something.

Me painting the letters, on a hot day, with the paint drying almost as fast as I’m applying it and the stupid little bugs buzzing around my face – well, it didn’t start out very well. I was frustrated, disgusted with my efforts (and the bugs) and feeling quite incompetent. I almost stopped after painting THE R………. but stepped back and then gave it another go. I had 3 different brush types to see which one would be best. I ended up using all 3. I finished but don’t look closely. It’s a mess.

It looks better from a distance

I want to do another coat before I do the clear coat overtop of the whole sign. From a distance it doesn’t look bad and although not the Roman lettering Donna had used before, I think it will be okay. Bill was still working on the tail for his plane when I finished. We have started to see a lot more turtles. Everywhere we turn, we see one. I guess they figure spring is here and it is time to make nests and lay eggs. Don’t tell them that it is almost over now that the weather has straightened up. Clemson and I took a walk down the lane and even he found and sniffed 3 turtles on the gravel.

Clemson went for a walk with me today
Top left - since Higgins was here, he has to sniff and mark the territory down by Bill's rocks
Bottom left - checking out a turtle in the lane
Bottom right - running across the front field

We were sitting outside under the awning around 4:30 and Bill decided that he was going to cut some more grass. I put Clemson inside, fed him and got my own mower out. I may as well cut grass too. Tomorrow will be busy enough with work and laundry. We both finished right around 6 and boy did the place look good! Bill has a bit more cutting to do and trimming but the main areas are completed.

Bill and I got our grass cut today and it looks so good now
I try not to watch him do the hills, leaning this way and that
I think I chose the perfect flowers for the bucket

When we finished, we could hear our neighbor, Don, cutting his grass too. There were 3 turtles that Bill and I had to cut grass around up here in our living space. Crazy little gals.

Easy supper

We came inside and I warmed up the leftover lasagna from the other night. While it was heating, I put together a garden salad. I had some onion and little radishes from my own garden and a hard-boiled egg to cut up in it as well. It was delicious! The lasagna – well, no question there. The second night is almost better than the first. We cleaned up dishes and relaxed for the remainder of the evening.

These turtles were in our grass cutting area
I love the big picture here - she was saying "Am I out of your way here?"

The geese families have been coming further and further up the hill and I need to open the door once they get too close. We don’t need goose poop up here. It is on the hill, across the fields and down the lane. That is enough. I can’t get enough of them though, watching the babies grow into teenagers. 

The largest family swam off when they saw us coming down the hill

Even now again at 8 pm, here they come right up to my new flower garden. They sure run when I open the door or when we let Clemson out. I don't try to scare them, just keep them in their place. 

And here they come again
You can see where Bill needs to cut to match where I've cut today

Tonight, is America’s Got Talent and something we watch together. The sun is brilliant right now in a solid blue sky and the temperature is hovering around 70F/21C. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it very much.

A cute picture of my boys
Clemson followed his Daddy down to the Hangar and back 

this was actually last night's sunset after I posted
Good night y'all

Thank you for popping in.

Jello Plans Jiggled, Wet Day Ahead, Catching up on Things at Home and Good Books

Well, it was certainly no hardship being in London at our CanAm dealership for the better part of 5 days as we were always waking up in our own home. However, it was a treat this morning, Saturday, Aug. 25^th, to wake up in our own bed on our home base. It is nice to be back at the Ridge where I can just open the door and let Clemson out to do his thing with no leash. It was still dark when I first woke and I could hear rain on the roof.

Bill was up before me and gently closed the door so as not to wake me. I think in my head I was already awake because my mind was thinking of the weekend plans. We had company scheduled to arrive late morning today and to stay in their tent trailer here overnight and head home late morning Sunday. With a full day forecast for rain, I wrestled with cancelling their arrival. What fun would it be for them to drive 2 – 3 hours, set up in the rain, spend 80% of the day indoors with our dogs?

I decided to show you the muffins from yesterday
They really don't look like muffins at all

I made my tea and joined Bill at the table and immediately texted Megan and Neil to open the discussion. They agreed and we have re-scheduled for a weekend in September. We would have welcomed their visit, had we owned a sticks and bricks home and room to spread out more, but now we will take advantage of the dry periods in between the rains and get a few things accomplished around here too. Being away all week means we have catch-up stuff to do.

It is this kind of day

Bill hooked up the water bladder and quickly emptied it into our fresh water tank. It took no time at all! He cleaned up and went into town to buy gas for the mower. While he got the shed opened and cut a bit, I began making breakfast. The rain from earlier had stopped but the sky was indicating that we shouldn't plan too much outdoors as it could open up anytime. I did the dishes after eating while Bill went out and cut more grass on the berm and in the front field.

Mom had fun

Now it was my turn to clean up after addressing some family birthday cards. August and September are busy birthday months. At 10:40 I drove into Durham to visit Mom. I missed my usual Thursday slot. 😊 As soon as the elevator opened on the 3^rd floor, Mom was just walking by in her bright red Cedar Rail hoody. I caught up with her and then asked at the desk if any of the girls knew where the crokinole board was. In no time, it was located on the main floor and Trish had it set out for us.

And was quite pleased to get one in the centre on a rebound shot

 We played 3 or 4 rounds in the auditorium and then it was lunchtime so Mom admitted defeat to me. I put the board away and folded up the little table. She was tickled pink when she landed a bullseye in the centre hole. Many times, she surprised herself with some great shots but I’ll have to try and find some sticks like Rob and Pat use. It would help her aim better so I can stop aiming at pegs (!) and she won't hurt her fingers. It was a fun game and now I know where to find it, I’ll do that again soon.

It was nice and bright in the auditorium

I left her at the table, with many kisses back and forth plus lots of waves on my way to the Exit. It was raining again by the time I left but it was a short hop, skip and a jump to the Rav through puddles. I’m not afraid of melting like most sweet things. LOL I’m so happy our plans for the weekend were able to be changed, it is not a nice day at all to have company. Back home, I wasn’t surprised that Bill was chased inside by the rain too.

A few patches of blue throughout the day gave us some hope

Since I finished my first of 12 Jack Reacher books last night, I’ll move on to the next one. I’ll have to let Bill read them on my Kobo as well, when I’m finished, so he can get the same books. I updated my Book List on my Word document and moved on to the next book. Lee Child’s The Enemy. Bill also finished his James Patterson book. 

We got a fair bit of reading done today.

Checking out the new shed

Bill has not been sleeping well these last few nights, less than his usual 5 or 6 hours, so he said he needed a snooze. I sent him up to the bedroom so he would rest better, undisturbed, and I could read in silence. It’s a two birds with one stone scenario. He had a nice long sleep and felt better when he got up almost 2 hours later. We sat with our books for a while, responding to Clemson’s whims and then I got up and made a Rhubarb Crisp for dessert. This one is not on the keto list so I just cut back on the sweetener ingredients and used gluten-free flour as much as I could. We are planning just fish for supper and corn on the cob so we’ll have room for dessert following the meal.

If you look real closely, you might see Clemson coming through the gate

At 5 o’clock, I realized that even though we're back home, I’m still not getting much walking done. I invited Clemson to walk down to the end of the lane with me. The sky seemed to be breaking up into a few spasms of blue but half way down, the gray clouds threatened to drop rain on our heads at any minute. We checked out Bill’s ‘doghouse’ once more and then came up the hill. It didn’t add much to my steps for today but my Fitbit won’t sync anyway. Bummer, nothing since Monday for some odd reason so I’m way behind everyone else.

Clemson is doing much better

Bill went out about 5:30 and cut the back field of grass and I began preparing supper around 6. We were eating by 6:45 and cleaned up dishes. We popped the tv on for a couple of mind-obliterating hours. Mash reruns and then Live PD was the entertainment of the night. After an hour of Live PD, I’m ready to hop in the Rav 4 and speed down the highway without my license, wallet or insurance. Ha! I can’t believe how so many Americans on these shows (who claim to be so innocent) can’t produce I.D. when asked.

I stopped to take a picture of my hostas

and found a visitor

This day was turned upside down from the minute I heard the rain on the roof at 5:30 this morning and yet, we made the best of it as always. We have re-scheduled a visit from our London friends and will look forward to that. Who said retirement is boring? We have been so busy this summer. I hope you’ve had a good day whatever you were doing.

Our flag was doing a very special dance today

Supper was yummy

And the rhubarb crisp with cream was wonderful!

 Thank you for popping in! Your comments are always appreciated.