Coping on our Own, Grass Gets Cut, Tomato Soup, Hummers Happy Too

On Tuesday, Aug. 14^th Bill got up with the sound of the alarm at 5:30. It didn’t fit into my dream so woke me too but once I realized what it was, I drifted off again. After his shower, I woke again and knew he was eating breakfast. Clemson was curled up near me, on top of the sheet but under the lightweight bedspread. I think I must have done that after Bill got up.

Walking with my buddy today

The one thing we had to do together before he left for London was give Clemson his liquid medicine. Short of the straight-jacket, we managed to get it down but feel like real bullies doing it. In bed was a good spot because Clem was still in prone position with his eyes barely open. Bill squirted it into his mouth while I held him still. The vet said it wouldn’t taste too bad but to see our pooch afterwards, shake his head back and forth, I beg to differ!

But this buddy is goofy

Bill was out the door by 6:30 and within minutes, Clemson was patrolling the edge of the bed so I lifted him downstairs and watched him jump up on the couch. I closed the door and tried to go back to sleep. I guess I did because it was 7:30 when I got up and slipped out the door for my walk. Clemson was sound asleep. It was 59F when I left with my windbreaker and at least 65F when I returned with it wrapped around my waist.

It was going to be another hot, humid day so I’m glad I left the a/c on. It didn’t come on after 8 pm last night but by 10:30 it kicked in to keep the Suite to a comfortable 75F. That is 23C for our Canadian readers on the metric system. There was still some morning dew on the grass so I came inside after my walk and made my tea. I sat at the laptop and read to see what our blogger friends are up to.

So, this part of the lawn got cut today

I make no commitments to my friends that I can and will read every day. I try to but sometimes I just don’t get to it. I will promise to pop in every few days to catch up though because I do enjoy your daily writings. Bill contacted me at 8:35 that he had arrived safely. That must have been a good drive as it only took him 2 hours. Hmmm. When I finished my tea, I put my shorts on and my hat and cleared the lawn area of chairs, etc.

Bill had plugged in my lawn mower battery last night so there should be a good charge on it. Starting at 9, you’d think you were well ahead of the heat but no, by the time I finished around the flower garden, bunky and front area, it was 10 and I was done in. The heat was heavy and my back and hair under my hat was wet with it. 

That’s enough for today. Tomorrow morning, I’ll try and start earlier to finish down the corral hill at least. I doubt the trimming will get done until Thursday or Friday.

I was sitting in the shade trying to cool down, admiring the look
of no tall weeds

I had the pertinent blinds pulled down to keep the direct sun out but also put both awnings out for a while. There is a breeze but it is coming from the southwest. I’ll keep an eye on them in case they start flapping. 

My next project was to make tomato soup from my stock pile of fresh tomatoes. Some are getting soft and we can’t eat them fast enough. This was my plan anyway, since last year the soup turned out so good.

fresh tomatoes

The soup will stay good in the freezer for 3 months so I can at least take some of my garden offerings across the border that way. Same with the carrots. I’m hoping that they turn out so I can blanch and freeze them. I washed 2 lbs. or so (about 10 or 12) of tomatoes and quartered them, cutting out the stems and harder core pieces. In oil, I added some green onions and a couple of small carrots, cut up. Once cooked, I added the tomatoes and 5 cups of soup stock.

onions and carrots tenderizing

The only thing I goofed at (again!) was with the 2 bay leaves. It says to break them and add to the pot. I neglected to count the pieces and when it came time to fish them out, I didn’t know when I had them all. With my green onions, the green floating pieces weren’t always bay leaf. Darn! I like jigsaw puzzles, right? So, I pieced what I could find together. Hmm, still missing some so I’m bound to get some bitter taste down the road. Now, I’ve made an addendum to the recipe; “count the pieces of bay leaf”.

Hmm, I'm missing some of the puzzle pieces

I blended the soup after it simmered for 25 minutes, ooh, it smells good! I have about 8 cups of delicious homemade tomato soup to put into freezer containers and plenty more tomatoes on the vine and in the bowl on my counter. 

Nice and creamy tomato soup

Maybe spaghetti sauce is another recipe I can make. I’ll google that too! We don’t eat enough salsa to make that but we do like lasagna and spaghetti. I needed to make some more feed for the hummers. They have been thirsty and plentiful this summer so have to keep them happy. It's in the fridge cooling right now.

Clemson is much better today; the head tilt seems to have diminished to almost non-existent. Even though he isn’t interested in his food, his treats or cheese today again, I managed to slip the ½ pill into a teensy piece that did go into his mouth and didn’t come back out. When he is outside, I let him wander and it is like he’s experiencing a brand-new place. There is still some circling as if something pulls him to the right but he is doing really well.

Clemson follows me to the Ridge Restroom

Once I’ve seen him jump up onto the recliner a few more times, maybe we can open the bedroom door. He loves sleeping up there on the bed shams and pillows but I won’t try that today. It is challenging me, being with him alone. Before I slip outside I need to make sure he is comfortable somewhere. When he jumps on and off the couch and stands at the door,I have to determine if he is just curious about where Bill is or if it is just his disorientation. He doesn’t always want out to piddle.

I like it when he sleeps, I have a bit of freedom

Today his tummy seems upset so he wants me to sit with him. Now that I’ve made what I wanted to make and swept the floors, I’ll give him some of my time while I catch up on my post. Don’t we all want that special attention when we’re feeling out of sorts? Someone to rub our tummy, whisper sweet nothings in our ear? 😊 You get the picture and Clemson wanted it all this afternoon. Before long, we both dozed. That got in the way of me reading my book.

Still a bit confused and walking slowly

Clemson and I went outside and with him on his leash, we walked down the lane. The leash is necessary right now because he tends to want to walk the very edge of the lane. The problem is that the very edge of the lane is also the edge that drops down to the pond. I really had no intention of slipping down to get him if he fell in. He walked pretty good but it is obvious that his tummy is still not settled. Back inside, we sat in my recliner and he finally laid down and slept again.

I turned Bull and NCIS on at 4:30 and sat once more with my book. I chatted back and forth with Rob and Pat about some of our winter plans and with Donna about what they were up to. The good news today is that our 3 girlfriends from London have confirmed definitely to coming on Sept. 8 for the clothing exchange AND staying overnight here at the Ridge. An offer of a lovely fifth wheel will be here on the property for them to sleep in. That will be a fun weekend!

At 5:15 I wondered if Clemson would eat anything so removed the hard food in his dish and cut up a Cesar pack. He seemed interested and yet only ate about 4 small pieces, if that. That was better than nothing but still not going to sustain him for too long. At 5:30, it was time to get my own supper. It isn’t exactly a day for soup but since I’d made it, I was interested in seeing how it tasted. I mixed up a Caesar salad, toasted a small piece of rye bread and warmed up a bowl.

It was actually very good. Success! After cleaning up dishes, I poured some of the hummingbird food into the feeder and tried once more to sit and finish this post. Up and down, in and out, I’m worn out with the little bum. I had a brain wave and put him on a long rope so I could leave him out there for as long as he wanted and I could come back inside.  That worked like a charm and I knew when he was ready to come in. The air outside felt cooler and the breeze was coming in the right direction even though it had calmed down. I pushed the a/c up to 78F and opened the windows until bedtime.

Clemson asking another question
Will you come sit with me?

The rest of the evening went quietly, well, with the same repetitiveness. Bill called around 6 and later, before bed. He has had a busy day, which is always good. Sure beats standing around. I hope you’ve had a pleasant day with whatever you got into.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. It is always nice to hear from you.

Lazy Days Stacking Up, Clemson Gets Groomed, Reading Bug, Hummers and What Do I Miss?

Wednesday, Dec. 13^th arrives. Just 12 days until Christmas. Holy moly! Doesn’t seem possible. It is certainly different for us now. Part of me misses the excitement, because believe it or not even at my age I still felt the thrill of the season. Speaking for myself here, I’m expressing the odd feeling of sitting in 70F temps in shorts and tanks this close to the fabled White Christmas.

Notice the year - nope don't miss this part

I don’t miss the cold and snow mainly because I don’t do well in cold temperatures. I dread the bundling up to go outdoors with cold biting winds. I can’t comment on being at home during an Ontario winter while retired, because I haven’t experienced that. Yet. I’m sure our time will come, when we can no longer do this or if one of us needed to fly home for an emergency. 

And Bill doesn't miss working all day and coming home to do this either

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, without having to go out to work every day, not having to shovel the driveway as often. Um, no, I still wouldn’t enjoy bundling up to risk my life if I wanted to walk around the block.  I might feel differently if we could sit inside with a fireplace, hot chocolate with marshmallows, a blanket draped over my shoulders and not having to take a pooch outdoors.

Bill loves these bushes
Christmassy, right?

I do miss the glistening of the Christmas lights on the pure white snow but so far, I’m getting that itch scratched with the prettily decorated homes in the southwest so that doesn’t count. 

These creative touches sure make me smile

The hustle and bustle of shopping I used to enjoy when life was simpler. When our children were small and I knew exactly what to get. Not so much recently when we had a tough time deciding ‘gift? Cash? Gift card?’

What I miss the most are the family gatherings, seeing our children and grandchildren, our parents and siblings and also our dear friends who we formed a tradition with of getting together over the holidays.

Christmas at our place 2015
with just a few absent

Today, things are definitely simpler, the way they should be in this lifestyle and I’m glad that we aren’t exchanging gifts with family back home anymore. It is nicer for the kids, as well, not having to spend their hard-earned money on reciprocating for us. Which our kids would and did feel compelled to do. They wanted to do that so we’ve taken that ‘burden’ out of their hands. We don't 'need' anything and if we do, we buy it for ourselves.

Bill and I don’t buy gifts for each other and I DO miss that tradition. I’m a stocking stuffer kind of gal and loved the hunt for small things to put in Bill’s felt stocking. He, on the other hand, didn’t. Claims he isn’t good at it and soon enough I was filling both. Kind of took the fun out of it. Of course, I like to be surprised too. 

I'm not the only one who likes stockings

Last year, our gift to each other was this adventure and that carries on now and for each year. As we purchase things for the Suite, we are celebrating the gift-giving part. It just isn’t quite the same as opening a stocking filled with an orange and nuts!

Okay, back to the present. Today, the morning was quite cool at 9C/47F outside. Inside, it was 62F  so Bill clicked the fireplace on at 5:15 when he got up with Clemson. This was to take the chill off since we didn't have it on through the night. We both dropped off to sleep again and woke up to the ping, ping of an alarm on his phone at 7. Oh yes, today was the day we had an appointment to take Clemson for his grooming.

Going to get a haircut

We had our morning coffee and tea and headed into Lake Havasu City. Clemson had a ‘date’ with Kaylyn at 8 am so we pushed the buzzer to be let into the store before opening hours. When she said it could be 4 hours, I held in my surprise, but as we walked out we both knew it wouldn’t be that long. How can some groomers do a perfect job in 1 ½ hours yet Pet Smart takes 3 or 4?

My delicious breakfast

We drove from there to Denny’s for breakfast. It has been a while. I think the last time we’d eaten there was in Ontario with Debbie and Mike in 2016. I ordered the 55+ Omelette with hash browns and a biscuit. Bill ordered a “Make your Own” kind of deal with eggs, bacon, sausage and hash browns Both were delicious and the bonus was it was mostly good fat fare plus I didn’t have to cook it.

Bill had loaded the small propane tank so we got that filled at a Mobil station. From there we drove to Mesquite Ave where I spotted a car wash with a sign that read:

 

We'd been looking all over for a large enough place to wash the truck

For a $15 upfront fee we got one of the very best washes ever. We didn’t just drive through and let the high impact machines do their stuff. 

The manager, an attractive lady, met us, took our cash and began scrubbing the lights, and backs of the mirrors where bugs ‘splatter’. She gave us the sign and we drove in and stopped. While the wash, rinse, wax and clear coat sealer was applied she walked around with her wash mitt and brush and scrubbed.

Notice all the big fan dryers as you drive out

We were very impressed. As we were guided out by signs, 3 other staff were waiting to give Black Beauty a wipe down and window wash. This was awesome and their entertaining abilities had us chuckling the whole time as we stood off to the side. 

Roof? No problem

Windows? You bet!

The price just became even more worth it and we tipped them after they offered us a marguerite air freshener. We’ll go back for sure and recommend it to anyone in the area.

Back home we sat in the back yard and read our books in the sun. It was only 59F but the heat from the sun made it feel more like 75F. 

Look at Black Beauty sparkling

And we can see our reflection again

When Bill got the call, at the 3-hour mark, that Clemson was ready we drove in to pick him up. Being first time customers here, we got $10 off, which is always a bonus. I asked for a new Christmas scarf for him, he looked so spiffy and the cut makes him look 10 years younger! I need a haircut.

I still say one day, I'm going to sneak in and watch when he's on the table
(without him seeing me)

When Clemson walked out, he looked like a baby again
"Get me out of here!"

Daddy saves the day and he's happy as well as pretty

Before leaving Pet Smart, we had decided to get him a personalized name tag so picked one out. With instructions we inserted it into the machine and watched his name and our contact information be laser-etched on front and back. 

This is a very good idea and very reasonable price too

The etching was free after buying the tag. Now if he should run off, we know he hopefully will be returned to us.

At home, more reading, until the sun got too hot. Bill moved inside and I stretched out on one of their gravity chairs. I know my eyes closed for a few minutes but hey, no apologies! 

another great story about Jack Reacher

When I was out earlier this morning, I pampered my feet. It seems that sandals do a number on my heels here as much as back home. My toenails also need attention so I took care of that and now have pretty pink toes to prove it.

Up, Close and Personal so you can see his tag

I moved inside around 3 after deciding not to work on my jigsaw puzzle today. I don’t want to finish it too soon since I only have one. I like savoring the moment. Ha! So, I set to work writing my post before going back to my Lee Child book. At 5 we started prepping supper. Simple tonight, burgers and spaghetti squash for me. I went with

out the bun so wanted an extra filler on my plate. It worked well.

Before supper, I went for a walk around the block
I couldn't resist playing with the sun and these palm trees

After my walk, I sat with my book facing the sun and the hummers arrived

Dishes were cleaned up and we found the Golden Globe 75^th Anniversary on the boob tube. Lots of laughs and special moments watching so many of our favourite actors of both genders. I finished up my post around 7 and got pictures in place. This has been a lazy day, oh, yes, another one but we are enjoying the warm weather and our books a lot.

another shot of Lake Havasu - that is, after all, where we are

I hope it has been a good day for you too. Thank you for taking the time to stop in.