Then it Got Hotter, We Both Found Shade!

The Ridge

On Monday, June 17^th I woke from a deep sleep to Bill calling to me at 7. “Are you awake?” He was leaving earlier than usual as he was going to get some blood work done, as a routine check, before going to work. I kissed him goodbye and then, slowly, made my way to total wakefulness by getting washed and dressed. Gibbs was sitting at the window as if to tell me that Daddy had left. 😊 

Good morning!

The mat outside our door was quite wet so it was obvious we had some rain overnight. I wouldn't need to water today. It was a bit later when I headed in to town to clean the Mat and soon after I arrived, one customer came in. Today was the day to clean the big dryer lint and that usually means an hour and a half clean. That was the case again and, on my way home, I stopped at the I.D.A. Pharmacy for a container of Epsom salts for M, since he’d given me his. They are on sale so I should pick up a full container for us too.

I opted for shade, wherever I could find it today,
seeing Gibbs' side for once. ♥

That was it for my work day and I was glad for it. The heat was rolling in, already a heated 23C/72F at 9:30. I pulled blinds but did open windows as the breeze was nice coming in. 

We watched this baby and mama red-winged blackbird.
She'd squack for food, and then watch as mama went for more.

We watched the group  of 5 Chippys
but Gibbs mostly just watched. Too hot to run.
A couple of times, he played the stealth hunter and crept
slowly before making a mad dash for them. 😂
After a nice Epsom bath, his foot is looking better
again today. Puzzler for sure.

There is no real ‘perfect’ way to keep cool inside, we just do what works for us until we’re ready to turn a/c on. That may happen tomorrow as the heat is with us for a few more days. Gibbs and I spent most of the day outside in the shade, on the patio, under the trees and in the Bunky. 😊

I read some of my next book.
It's a good one, caught me on the first page!

I worked on the puzzle for a while, breaking my cardinal rule of working on the easiest part first. The border wasn’t even completed! I figure the missing few pieces are skinny little things that I set aside because it was hard to tell what they were. I’ll find them eventually. The breeze in the Bunky was quite nice and I was very comfortable. Around 4:30, we moved outside to the shade again and that was when our time-keeper sat on the top of the corral hill.

I admired my Primrose gardens.
Finally colour at the front gate! ♥ Yay!

When I got tired of standing on the inside of the fence, I texted Bill to see how close he was. Another 30 minutes of waiting so I sat and Gibbs went back and forth a few times with the sound of each vehicle coming down the road. He was very good when Bill did finally drive in the lane and ‘stayed’ and ‘waited’ when Mom asked him to. I’m proud of how that training has sunk in – mostly. ♥ It was later so Bill started bbqing sausages around 6:15.

The wait - it was a long one today.

The reward - how sweet it is!

Who feels like eating in this heat? I had nothing for salad fixings so he had his on a bun and I had mine with a vegetable. It worked. The evening will be a quiet one, I might be sitting outside after my blog is done for a little while. This has been an easy day and I expect tomorrow to be the same. Robin paid me this morning for my weekend’s work so that is nice in our winter account. It helps a lot to build them up over the summer months.

We have to eat but some days..........
we just don't feel much like a big meal.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping around. We reached a humid high of 32C/89F today and that is very warm for us.

Dare I Complain about the Heat? Nah, We've Waited too Long

The Ridge

Tuesday, May 30^th and we have somehow slid incredibly close to the end of the month already. We’ve had a mixed bag of weather but it much improved throughout the latter half and again, has spread some early summer across the land. It’s too soon to be this hot and stay this hot, I will say that without it sounding like a complaint. We’re just not ready for it to stick around for the long haul. 😊

What a wonderful start to our day!

Bill was up and downstairs already by the time my eyes opened to the arrival of this new day. I didn’t have to be anywhere so it was very sweet to sleep in until 6:30. Then, after a kiss and he drove off in Ptooties, Gibbs and I went back to sleep until 7:30! My little snuggle bum beside me, understands ‘go back to sleep’ even without it being said. If we ignore him, he doesn’t bother us. ♥

On the way home, Gibbs heard a big scary noise
behind us at the corner

It was the graders doing the road to the west
He had to keep checking to make sure it wasn't
following us. 

I knew from listening to the forecast this week (hot, hot and hotter), and from experiencing the inside heat yesterday, that today the windows were staying closed. Bill unplugs from power when he leaves but I knew I would most likely be reversing that process to turn the a/c on. I had my tea, played my games and it wasn’t until 10:30 that we went out to water the vegetables and take our walk down the road.

I finally remembered to bring some Iris in the Suite
They look great in our Algodones vase

The pond looking inviting even
though it really isn't. 

I woke up thinking of a project to work on, assuming the bugs and/or heat would prevent me from sitting outside, so did that after our walk. I download daily pictures into a dated folder, as many of you likely do, but I then move them into a general folder eg. ‘Summers’, ‘Snowbird Trips’ (with years and months contained in that folder. I hadn’t moved them since last spring, 2022. Also, my ‘Ladyfest’ folder was neglected and needed those moved from 2021 and on. Now, it’s all done!

Gibbs wasn't the only one opting for shade
today but no flies was a bonus!
I am nursing 3 bites from yesterday!

Nice and cool on the tummy

After I had some lunch, bacon, egg and toast, I turned the a/c on. We’d sat outside for about an hour but there was no breeze at all. I’d finished my book last night, The Friday Night Knitting Club, so started a new one today. It’s written by David Baldacci called Wish You Well. A different type of story for him but very interesting so far. 😊 I worked on the puzzle for a while but left Gibbs inside as it was much nicer indoors for him.

Just after 5, I had my tea and shower, in that order, and both helped to cool me down nicely. Bill was home at 5:45 and when he was ready, he grilled burgers for supper. No cooking inside tonight! 

Our firepit and base all ready for company!
It will be so much nicer to weed trip around this.

My flowering raspberry is looking healthy
and
the conversation piece sign we have out all summer. 😂

It has been a very quiet relaxing day and the pictures will justify that. Not sure what we’ll get into tonight on tv, perhaps the new episode of NCIS. What a lovely day and hotter tomorrow! The good news is that the black flies seem to be gone. Ssssh. 

Once more the birds are happy.
Oh! I need to find my finch feeder tomorrow.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping around.

Rough Night – Some Got Less Sleep Than Others, Hot hot hot is the order of the day, So Let’s Bake Cookies!

After being awakened 3 times through the wee hours of Wednesday, Sept. 5^th, I was informed that my bed buddies were up 5 times. Clemson, for some reason, had urges at 11:30, 12:30, 2:30, 4 and 6 to go out. With his improved but still a bit loopy state, added to his obvious cataracts, darkness is not his friend.

It was a beautiful morning, albeit humid already at 7 am

Bill was a good Daddy and got up each time to answer the call by letting him out to do his business. There were a few minor accidents that we cleaned up and by morning, the little guy seems fine. I remained in bed and once I knew they were settled easily dropped off to sleep again. It was 7 when I got up to greet this hot, humid day. At that time, it was already 71F/22C.

Looking back, I'm glad he doesn't stop at our lane
Clemson isn't going to school today, he's been up all night

Caught this one with her lights flashing at the corner

I let Bill sleep and didn’t disturb Clemson on the couch when I went out for my walk. We had a job we wanted to do this morning before too much heat crept in so I only went as far as ‘Elvis's’ house and back again. 

I know I've taken pictures of this before but when the view doesn't change
it is one of my favourite sun/tree captures

I had a feeling Bill would be up and raring to go. He was, I could see him at the storage shed starting to get things out. Today was the day we set aside to ‘attack’ the laneway with gloves, clippers, hedge trimmer and bladed weed eater.

Notice how close the bushes are to the lane?
that is what we need to change today

All things went into the little wagon with the old generator behind the mower and we were off. No matter how much you prepare for the heat, even working in the shade, within the hour and a half it took us down and back, we were drenched and red-faced. I knew it was time to quit at 9:30 when I could feel my face burning up. Don’t check my blood pressure now, please! Good thing we were done as much as we were going to do today.

Around 10, Rob brought their Cedar Creek out for the weekend

set up and plugged in

We just pushed the clippings off to the side, off the gravel, and put things away. My, how much nicer it looks! If there was a blade attachment like a hedge trimmer that would go on the front of our riding mower and slide to the right and left about 30” and up and down between 6 to 12”, we would invest in it. That would be exactly what we need. It would have to be universal, of course, so it would fit old and new mowers. Okay, inventors get to work!

Such an improvement although until the cleanup
crew picks up the clippings, you might not be able to see it

I sat in the shade on our patio and once cooler, made my tea and Bill’s coffee. No sooner was I doing that when we saw Rob pulling up the lane with the Cedar Creek. Right on time! This was their offer to our friends from London who were looking for a place to stay overnight on Saturday, after the clothing exchange. I’ve said it before and will say it many times over, Rob and Pat are some very special people. Rob unhooked after doing the ‘swing around and back up’ into the spot and then sat with us with a coffee too.

It isn't often that we see transport trucks go down our road

We caught up a bit and he opened slides and was soon on his way. I watched him leave and Bill did a bit of trimming before putting his weed eater away. It was 11:00 and time to make us something to eat. I did the usual alternate meal to bacon and eggs and made us a toasted egg sandwich each. We worked for brunch today! 

Not a great picture but that blurry little blob
is Clemson on the bed
He stayed there for at least 4 hours!

Clemson has managed to jump on the bed again today and I see him up there curled up with my shirt. I feel so much better that he is back in his routine.

Our King chairs need a touch up

So, with Donna's palm sander, I set to work

They bought the can of stain and it will last both of us a long time!

 When Bill went down to his Hangar, after dishes were cleaned up, I got the palm sander, the stain and brushes that I’d borrowed from Donna. I moved the King chairs over to the shade of the Roost and followed her instructions as to how they did their chairs at the Acreage. One coat of the stain and already they are brightened up so a second or third coat on the rougher spots will make them look almost new! I took a break so they could dry and came inside with Bill.

They already look better and this is only the first coat
I'll do a second and maybe a third on the worst spots another day

He was stretched out on his recliner for a much-needed snooze. My lower back was proof that I’d been in a position this morning that my body wasn’t familiar with. That told me to stretch it out and go for a little walk before settling into my own chair. 

Can you smell them?

Donna and Gerry are headed out to the Acreage after lunch and have invited us for a swim on this crazy hot day. I’m not complaining by any means but it sure is nice to get an invite to take a dip. I think we’ll stay put though and just putter around here for the afternoon.

Up close, you can almost taste them

Bill went back out to the Hangar and I decided to do what everyone shouldn’t do on a hot day, I baked cookies! We are finding that being strict with our attentiveness to avoiding sugar and carbs that it eliminates a lot of snacks that we enjoy. We aren’t buying potato chips, no chocolate bars, no licorice so at night when we feel like ‘something to munch on’, we have nothing. That isn’t a good feeling, I don’t care who you are. Cheddar just doesn’t cut it unless we have chips along with it. At night, I mean.

A nice plate of cookies to snack on

So, I’ve been collecting Keto recipes. No sugar, low carbs, gluten-free, that kind of recipe. And right now, Bill, who use to grumble at my keto recipes, is quite open to many new things. The cookies are Low Carb Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter, Protein. Hmm, sounds good. I first made one batch of 12 cookies and when they actually turned out good (how can they stay together without flour?) I mixed up a double batch. I should have about 48 cookies by the time I’m done.

At 5, I turned the boob tube on, because that is one of our late afternoon, inside routines. It is 86F/30C on our thermometer and that is outside. Inside, it is staying around 80F/26C and it is surprisingly comfortable, even with the convection oven baking up a storm. So, the cookies are done and approved by Bill. Yay! That recipe gets a check mark for ‘Easy’ and ‘Tasty’ plus ‘Healthy’!

Bill came in before too long and we chilled in our chairs until 6. My lower back is giving me grief so moving feels like a punishment. My left tricep is also showing signs of not being used very much, the muscle hurts when I extend my arm. Such as it is, we are pleased to have the hardest part done down the lane. At 6 I boiled us each a cob of corn, only 1 left for another night, and fried Tilapia loins for supper. Bill set the table and it was another good dinner.

The sky was looking threatening in places at 8:30

After cleaning things up, we relaxed for the remainder of the evening. I think I took a walk and then closed up the bunky for the night. Storms were coming, according to both our weather networks so we wanted things ‘battened’ down. The rains began around 9, heavier at times but it seemed to filter off to just a gentle downpour. The winds had been strong all day, off and on, and were much appreciated if you were out-of-doors.

I went to bed with Clemson at 10 after watching a recorded program on the PVR and Bill followed at 11. This was a bit of business and a bit of relaxing kind of day but it was all good. I hope you can say the same about yours.

Good night all!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

And It’s a Take-Off! Hot Day at the Field, Home Turf and Home

It was 7:30 when Bill and I crawled out of bed on Sunday, Aug. 12^th. That was a much better night sleeping for all of us. Clemson moved from Bill’s side to mine once through the night and didn’t seem to experience the disorientation of the previous night. The actual Fun Fly was only one day so today meant the field was available for free flying to those of us left.

Little sleepyhead

 Bill was dressed and out the door within minutes of getting up and I sat at my laptop hoping to get my ‘belated’ post done. Our neighbours, Bob and his wife, Ruth (who he brought back Saturday night) were still inside so when I got the message that my battery was dying, there was no way we were turning the genny on. This is still our old, reliable but noisy, one since the new one is still at the repair shop back home.

My view from the table with the tv turned

It was nice that the tv in this trailer is on a swivel between the living area and the bedroom area. Nice feature indeed but for me, it meant I could sit at the table and watch for when Clemson began moving. The bed is at least 18” high. So, the decision was made for me anyway since I couldn’t work on my laptop. I made a pot of coffee and watched for him to wake up.

Just showed enough of a hunger so that I could slip the pill in a piece

Once he did, he appeared hungry, no doubt! and ate a couple of pieces of his soft food. That was my opportunity to slip his half pill into the food and he ate it. We moved outside and sat in the sun for a little while. The fridge in this Mallard is finally starting to cool down appropriately so I went to move the stuff Bill had placed in the freezer yesterday down to the fridge section.

So, Bob and Bill walk the Stinson Reliant out for take off

And she's up

Woops! He had put a Coke up there and it had burst. What a mess! The cream was half frozen and so were the remaining eggs in the carton. My goodness! I don’t think we were thinking straight on that plan. I poured Bill a coffee and started his breakfast. Have you ever cooked frozen eggs? Cross that off my bucket list. Ha ha!

The shells were cracked and when I peeled them away, the egg rolled into the fry pan like a child’s toy. They cooked up fine when I cut them up and made Bill a sandwich. 

The pilot and the builder

 He is pretty easy to please with most meals and when he is this involved in other things, even more so. I had to toast the bread on the burner but he didn’t mind the blackness at all. At least he didn’t say so. 😊

And there she is, up, up and away!

Instead of doing the same for me, I waited a bit later and had a grilled cheese sandwich with the crusts of the loaf. It cooked up nicely in the fry pan. I can’t believe I am drinking coffee and enjoying it. Mind you, I am adding sweetener so it is like a ‘special’ coffee to me. The big thing on the agenda today is to get Bill’s big Stinson in the air for its maiden flight. Come hell or high water, it is going in the air! Yesterday, they managed to get it running at a steady rate.

Bob and Bill worked steadily on it this morning and soon it was time. I was inside sorting pictures when I heard the motor. That was my cue to run with the camera. The flight was successful and there were smiles all around from the few friend’s aka spectators but none as big as Bill’s. This was his goal this weekend and he met it. It didn’t matter that he didn’t fly it, Bob was able to get the feel for what trimming it needed. It went up a few more times, successfully, before it was time to start packing up.

That, my friends, is a happy camper and a happy pilot

Walt left, Tom said goodbye and then Keith and Oreo pulled out. Packing up was not a chore I looked forward to but I set to stripping the bed. The ants in this trailer were enough to drive me nuts! In the kitchen cupboard over the counter and in the bedroom closet. I’d put my purse in there on Friday night and when I pulled it out this morning, at least 25 came crawling out. Nothing was in my purse to attract them other than maybe a dark place to hide.

Keith pulls out with his unit

 I swatted and killed as many as I could before they scrambled across the mattress so I apologize to Nicole for the dirty floor. I forgot my broom or I would certainly have swept the trailer out before we dropped it off. Of course, things never go back into the same bags as they came out of but I did my best. The last thing I did after emptying the fridge was turn it off and pour some warm water into the freezer so I could thaw the frozen mess from the Coke.

I loved these clouds on our way home

With that cleaned out, Bill loaded the truck and we were on our way to CanAm. All we had to do was drop the Mallard out front and make sure it was locked up. Back at the field, Bill hooked up the cargo trailer and say goodbye to Bob and Ruth. The drive home should have been uneventful but we were so busy chatting, I guess, that we completely missed Exit 222 which takes us home through Embro. Driving through Woodstock was a pain in the butt with the construction and a delay of another 30 minutes.

Obviously a Corvette club was having a ride together
One is missing.........Jim?

We arrived home by 5 and unloaded the truck. Clemson needed to re-acquaint himself with ‘Home’ again, in his new state, and we closed the bedroom door so as not to entice him. We both kept a watchful eye on his attempts to jump on the couch and chairs and put his bed on the floor hoping that would be enough. It worked for a while Sunday night. Bill went out to cut grass, yes, hard to keep a good man down, and Clemson and I just relaxed.

I had to add this picture of Bob and Ruth when we said goodbye
What a character he is

The night sky was very pretty here at the Ridge

By 9:30, with my post finished, I was done for the night. Still trying to catch up on Friday night’s sleep, I guess. Bill and Clemson followed later, but I was asleep so didn’t hear them. I was glad to be home, at least glad to be in our own home again. It was a fun weekend though for sure.

If you squint, the lower clouds look they are sitting on water

Our late supper on Sunday night

On Monday, Aug. 13^th we woke up around 7 again. Bill and I. I know I slept well because Clemson was cuddled with Daddy all night long. I had room to move, turn over and stretch but I don’t know how Bill slept. He was up and out the door after I sorted the laundry. First on the agenda was to get the water bladder filled. We were down to 13 gallons and Bill was leaving tomorrow for work.

Piling stuff on the couch and moving his bed to the floor
we were hoping he wouldn't try to jump

Clemson slept until 8 and after taking him out, I sat with him while Bill was gone. Then it was my turn to head into town to do the laundry. Bill sat inside with Clemmy. We wanted to monitor how he is with the furniture. Will he try to jump up on the couch etc. if he’s left alone? And can he do it safely?  We were both really pleased to see his eyes had stopped their rapid side to side motion and he was less wobbly on the legs but noticed that he still had the head tilt. It is endearing, I must admit, as if he is constantly asking a question.

I did miss my walks and this morning view of our pond

The road home

When I finished at the laundromat, I drove to Foodland to pick up bread and some veggies before returning to the Ridge. We had bacon and eggs for breakfast and then I hopped into the shower. We had a bank appointment in Markdale; one of Mom’s investments were coming due. This day is just flying by and I haven’t really had a chance to tidy up the Suite. The floor needs a good cleaning. I brought more than half of the clothes in off the line before we left at 1:30. They dried really fast!

Another view from my morning walk
What say you?
Someone had a pleasant safe experience?
on Baptist Church Road. LOL

Back at home, Clemson and I settled in my recliner. Bill was outside working on one thing or another. I was really feeling the heat again today and I’m sure I dozed off while trying to read my book. It is an Anne Penny story called Bluegate Fields and I’m enjoying it. It is strange though because it was written about times in the 1880’s. It is a mystery so I’m hooked. I’m enjoying the Kobo too but need to make an adjustment on the book cover that it sits in. A little bit of Velcro should do the trick.

The elastics on the right hold the kobo in place but they are all stretched

That is a project for tomorrow, I'll add some velcro to hold it in place

For supper, Bill grilled a couple of burgers with the works and I made up a Caesar salad. He also barbecued a couple of small pork loin chops for his supper tomorrow. I cooked some corn for him to eat with them. As we were doing up dishes, there was a knock at the door and we had welcome visitors. 

I missed you soooo much, Pat

Rob and Pat decided to drive out and see how we and mainly Clemson were doing. I love that they feel comfortable enough to just drop in. That is what good friends do.

Clemson managed to get up onto Bill's recliner where the sun was this morning

They stayed for a nice visit and then headed off home around 8. I brought the rest of the clothes in off the line and Bill made up his lunch sandwiches and packed his bag. Clemson settled on the couch while I write this post and we watch Mash reruns. This has been a fine day. The temperature rose to 84F today and just before supper, I caved and turned the a/c on. It is going to be hotter tomorrow and Wednesday so I’m going to leave it on.

And with a bit of a head tilt, Clemson says goodnight all

I hope you’ve had a great day! Thank you for stopping by. Your comments are always appreciated, I enjoy reading them.