Lesson Two, Rain in the Forecast, Using up Bananas

The Ridge

On Tuesday, June 13^th Bill was up with Gibbs at 6:15 and stayed up. Working in the Hangar on his planes prompts him to get everything in order, making sure he has all the right parts – even when they are missing from a kit. 😊 He is quite resourceful in many things. Speaking of resourceful, well I’m not sure this falls in that category but I was ready for my second lesson.

Good morning!

First, we woke to a nice-looking morning with clear sky and sunshine. I wasn’t expecting that but I guess I didn’t look at the forecast last night. It was only around 8C/47F when we got up and had our morning drinks/cereal. After my tea was finished, before taking Gibbs out, I had a job to do. Bill and I noticed yesterday when we returned home from town that Mr. Nasty has managed to dig up all 4 turtle nests in the laneway! ☹

There had to be at least 40 eggs here

It is so frustrating and they aren’t even my babies! Those turtles try so hard to find the perfect location and take so long digging, laying and covering and then it is all for naught. So, knowing Gibbs will try and eat the soft shells that are littered up the lane, I raked them up and disposed of them. I just felt like crying. With that done, I took him for our walk. He found goose feathers from their ‘meeting’ yesterday and once he had one in his mouth, wanted to come home. LOL

He loves the feathers for some reason

“Not in the house, drop it!” had to be recited many times before he succumbed to my wishes and came inside. Now, my lesson. Bill said we needed to get water so I went along and followed his direction but did it all myself. There were a couple of admonishments, woops!, but I got the job done under his watchful eye. I think I got it but might need one more lesson so there is no hesitation. I’m only preparing in case he has surgery down the road and might need me to do it. 😊

My boys were waiting for the bladder to fill
Bill's hands in his pockets because this was MY job today.

Before lunch, Bill went to the Hangar for a bit and I worked on the puzzle. Gibbs remained indoors; he was still wet from helping at the Acreage.♥  M called and asked for a lift into town so after lunch I did that. He paid me on the spot for the hour+ and I returned home just before it darkened up. They said to expect a thunderstorm this afternoon so I closed the Bunky up and came in with Gibbs.

Just a few pictures at the Acreage
Donna and Gerry's Landmark sits pretty back there

With 3 black bananas, I set about making banana bread. I changed it up a bit. It’s called Cream Cheese Banana Bread and so far, I haven’t found anything with cream cheese that I don’t like so I hope it turns out so Bill will like it too. Plain banana bread for me, just doesn’t taste as good as I remember it so a change might be nice. 😊 With it in the oven, I started my post and found a pattern on line for a small crochet project to try. I’ll show you if it turns out!

My plants are enjoying the rain
Tomato plants are starting to blossom
Spinach plants have really grown

We got one downpour around 2:30 but it was done and the sun returned within 10 minutes. No rainbow though, darn! Back and forth with the dark clouds for the rest of the day and a chance of more rain. It is nice not to have to water and my vegetables and flowers are looking great! Supper was leftover pork loin, fried mini sausages, fried leftover potatoes and gravy and reheated Brussel sprouts.

This will be done tomorrow
Such fun!

Meals like that are ‘easy’ but they create a lot of dishes. Bill washed the pots for me and disappeared to the Hangar for the evening. I’m not sure what I’ll be watching tonight, maybe I’ll just read. This has been a full day.

Supper and the banana bread.
It looks good, we'll see tomorrow.
good night!

Thank you for the visit.

Foggy Start, Looking After the Yard, A Lesson, Clemson Gets a Treat

Friday, June 16^th I woke up to some fresh air in the Suite from a few open windows and a gorgeous 18C already outside. The horizon was covered in fog but it didn’t take long at 7 to see the sun burn it off. What can I say? It looks like a perfect day!

Still no hummers at my new feeder

I needed to descale our Keurig so did that cleaning yesterday before Bill came home but it didn’t perform for me afterwards. I know this has happened before and he has the patience to get it going again but it takes numerous tries. Finally, after he got up at 7:30, he got it working and we had our first hot drink by 8.

The corn in the field behind us is having a growth spurt

I wanted to write an email to my siblings and children about my time with Mom over the last couple of days. Not all of them read my blog. I know, I know!!! Anyway, after reading posts from other bloggers I took my tea and laptop outside to compose the letter. We all try to keep others informed of our visits, especially for the benefit of those who live far away and can’t see her as often.

The grass cut up on the east hill
That is my veggie garden in the back corner

Bill finished his coffee and started to cut grass down the front of the property. It has really grown. He only has a half tank of gas so will do what he can. My job this morning is to put on my knee pads and weed the gardens. The rain is not particular and seems to pay as much attention to weeds as to our plants.

Our peonny bush at this end and the droopy hostas

I sprayed myself with sunscreen since it was too warm already to work outside in long sleeves and pants. I love the feel of the sun on my skin so will protect myself this morning. I also wear a ball cap and today I even had those garden knee caps. I have the worst knees, can’t kneel on them without discomfort so these were great! Thanks Pat!

Rhubarb Patch, now designated

I started up on the hill at the hostas Rob gave me. They don’t look too healthy and I wonder if the grass is choking them out or didn’t I get the roots deep enough? I’ve transplanted so many hostas in my time that I find that hard to believe but anything is possible. I pulled grass out using my hand, like a hand mower kind of, so we don’t have to use the weed whacker around them at all.

Then I moved to the rhubarb plants. They didn’t produce anything worthwhile this year so I need to make a change. Get rid of the grass surrounding them and give them a garden patch of their own. The ground was easy to dig in that area so soon it was finished. From there I cleaned up around the two hostas by the patio table and gave them a clean out as much as I could. Too rocky so my attempts were futile.

The back field, all nicely manicured with a cut

By the time I finished that, Bill had stopped cutting, needing to go to town to get more fuel. We decided to take a run into Mount Forest to Roberts and pick up the oil and filter needed to do an oil change on the Cub Cadet. All 3 of us went for the ride.

Looking from the west along our car shelter
Again, to get a perspective, my veg garden is straight through to the very end

On the way there I had Bill stop at West Grey Butchers in Varney and I picked up a bag of 6 small marrow bones. Clemson will get a treat and hopefully his smile will be brighter. When we got back I gave him one outside and it kept him busy for quite a long time. Digging and biting to get at the yummy marrow inside.

Clemsons marrow bones
Scott, the butcher cut these for me

When we got back from town we both grabbed a bite to eat before going back at it. There was work to be done and the day was young. If rain comes as expected tomorrow, it will be a day where we can sit back and relax.

Oh, this is nice, Mom

Bill finished the back field and I worked in the flower garden with my hoe and hands. Digging up even more of the goutweed. It is less and less each time but it still makes me grumble at it. Once more the garden soil is refreshed and weeds removed.

Cleaned up for another week or so

I realized that the heavy iris flowers that are bent and leaning on other plants need to be removed. I took my clippers and snipped them off. This still leaves lots of buds and other beautiful blooms. Was this an err in judgement, God, when you created these gorgeous flowers? How could such a small stem be expected to hold up such an abundance of blooms? Never-the-less, I couldn’t throw them out.

So, I laid them on my bench

Before standing them up in this pot

I took Bill out a water when I took a break and soon indicated to him that I was finished. I put my garden tools away and joined Clemmy in the shade of our awning. There is just enough of a breeze to keep the humidity down. Soon after, he put the mower away and joined us.

Bill cuts the field

The boys had a snooze indoors and I found the hammock quite comfy in the shade of our little cherry tree. We have one of those body pillows that stretches right across the end of the hammock. I had finished my Michael Connelly book, last night, and had another one I wanted to read still involving Harry Bosch. This one is called The Crossing. After a couple of chapters, I had to close the book and my own eyes as well.

In the hammock under the shade of this tree

Knowing that Donna and Gerry were at the Acreage, Bill and I drove over to fill our water bladder. This is my lesson for the day. Of course, Clemson came too. Step by step Bill told me what to do to hook up the hoses to fill the bladder from Gerry’s well. It seems simple enough and he stood back while I went through the motions.

From a distance, the Iris look pretty
They won't last long, they aren't in water

When we got back here he did the same thing. He instructs, I act. I am a hands-on person and can’t remember things unless I do them myself. Except for the final squeezing (not really) of the bladder I completed the process. I’ll do it again another time until it becomes second nature, just in case I need to do it on my own. I appreciate that my brother-in-law has offered if necessary.

Bill found more of these marsh iris'

We started the Weber for burgers around 6 and had the works. I even had mine on a bun too! Burger, bacon, cheese, lettuce, mayo, tomato, onion and dill pickle, oh my! With dishes cleaned up, we ventured outside to our chairs as it was probably 5 degrees cooler. We’ve yet to turn the a/c on this season and as long as we can stay cool with other means, we will.

At the end of the day, this is what is left of Clem's marrow bone

Clouds have moved in and the wind has died down. It is a beautiful night. Checking emails periodically throughout the day, my family note has prompted many responses. Wendy’s made me chuckle, reminding me of Mom’s attention to one student in particular at the museum. What a flirt she can be!

We’ve received a message that Bill’s third oldest daughter is coming tomorrow for a visit and supper. This will be lovely, being Father’s Day weekend. Krystal, it will be great to see you!

Another shot of my little garden

This has been a great day. As we sit here with our books, we are listening to spatters of very light rain on the awning. Don’t you love a gentle summer rain? It isn’t going to amount to much this evening, I don’t think, perhaps overnight a bit more will water the grounds again.

I took this picture of the clouds and pretty sky

And then I noticed the sun is visible on the horizon

I hope your day has been good too. Thank you for reading today. If you wish to leave a comment, please do.