Good Morning Mr. Fog. Bus Delays? Turbines and Mail

The fog was as thick as pea soup when we woke up on Tuesday, Oct. 10^th. We got up after 7 and it was so thick that it felt like rain when I stepped out to snap a picture. You can’t see through it, so it must be black, Daddy. The temperature was hovering around 12C outside and 15C inside so we took the damp feeling out with our Blue Flame heater for an hour.

There is a house across the pond......good luck seeing either one!

With the fog out there this morning, I’m sure the school buses will be delayed. We can barely see the house next door at 9 o’clock. After reading blogs and having our first cuppa java, Bill called our London mechanic, Hi-Tech Auto Care, for an oil change on our car. We’ve planned another jaunt to London to tie up a few things before heading out. Oil change, Costco, Value Village and a stop at our former Union office.

This is only part of the pile we removed from the storage under the bed

The before picture, packed full

Watching the sky clear out, we never did see the bus go by. Don’t tell me they cancelled them for the day? Nah, we must have just missed them. Today’s first job was sorting out the under-bed stuff. We knew we had some winter accessories under there and I have a few purses/hand bags that don’t need to ride with us all winter. I’m not ready to part with them …. Yet.

We pulled a lot of things out of there, Christmas wrapping paper, bags and trimmings for gifts, scarves, mitts and hats. We don’t use the wrapping stuff now since we, thankfully, don’t buy for our children or grandchildren anymore. Heck, we don’t even buy for each other and that was actually refreshing last Christmas. Our lifestyle is our gift to each other and if we choose to buy a surprise for each other, we can do it anytime.

After, lots of empty space

 There was quite a pile, essentially a few pounds of weight that we removed from the Suite and put into the bunky. We aren’t ready to think of the stuff we’d need to get rid of if we didn’t have the storage up here on the Ridge. That day will come, probably sooner than we want, so in our heads we are tucking that list away. I made up an omelette for breakfast and we cleaned up the dishes from that. 

Bill suggested we get cleaned up a bit and go into Priceville to set up the mail forwarding. We have it forwarded to my sisters in Hanover. Cha-ching, that is another big expense but still cheaper than holding it for us and much more practical. At least with it being family, if there is something questionable in the mail she can advise us and open it for us if we need her to. It is a definite bonus to have this service, therefore justifying the cost.

On our way back from town, we noticed more service workers for the turbines pulling into site locations. We stopped at the lane back to ‘our’ closest wind machine. Bill wanted to know if they knew that 2 beacon lights have not been working all summer and was just about to call when the truck pulled into the open gate. The driver said they were not aware but would certainly check it out on his evening rounds. Nice fellow. 

“Awesome!” he said a few times about us informing him so you can guess his age.

Chatting with the young Mr. Turbine

Back home, I did a thorough sweeping through the Suite, even the carpets. Yes, the broom I have works wonders on those too, at least until we get the vacuum out next. The floors were really dirty! Bill went out to his planes trailer and started removing batteries and giving them a good charge. We take them with us so he can keep them charged over the winter. No more flying this year, sadly. Hopefully next summer will be a more typical Ontario summer and he’ll get more flying in.

While working in the closet, I brought down a couple of pairs of pants that need minor stitching so will get those out of the way too. I can do them without getting out my machine. See? I could probably do a quilt, Shirley! Ha ha. Not sure what kind of day we are getting here. It feels like it could get warmer but it is now sitting at 16C under the wispy clouds and feels cool. I know we are darn lucky for what we’ve had in October so far so I won’t complain.

Clemson and I get the mail

 Most of my outside work is done, Bill and I went through the remaining list of things and it is quite minimal and we can do it after this weekend. Did I tell you what this weekend entails? It is a bit of a change for us, me especially. I haven’t been away from the Suite much all summer. I can think of 4 nights off the top of my head, so it is a big change for me, really.

We are both working the Toronto RV Show! I used to do these with Bill helping out CanAm for a couple of years before we bought the Mobile Suite. Since our lifestyle changed and we moved, we are only home to work one in October. Last year, we didn't have anyone to leave Clemson with so I stayed here with him while Bill went for the whole weekend. We ate our dinners and slept in Hanover and came here during the day.

Wispy clouds

This year, Pat and Rob have offered to puppy sit for us both so I can go as well. I’m not worried about Clem, I just have a concern that he might upset their regular routines too much. He will definitely show them who is boss! Anyway, it will be a nice break and I will enjoy seeing and working with the CanAm staff again. The hotel stay will be a treat (but I have to pack a bag!) and being treated to dinner out is always a bonus.

My phone caught this fellow walking

Bill caught him in a sitting position with his zoom

We puttered around the rest of the day, I got my pants finished and did another sweep killing flies in here. Bill is keeping an eye on the weather over the next two weeks, especially in the areas we were thinking of travelling when we leave here. It can all change but if they are getting cold and snow now, chances are we will turn left and go further south. No one knows but Mother Nature and God so we trust that it will all work out.

Two workers on this one

I went outside after a while and moved a chair around to the southern side of the Suite. The sun was warm as it shone through the wispy clouds but when the clouds moved out of the way, it was downright hot. Just the way I like it! Sitting around here was also putting me in plain view of our noisy turbine and I knew they would be working on it again today.

So, I read more of my book, Split Second, sitting in the sun while Bill finished up with his planes. Soon he joined me and it wasn’t long before I noticed that someone was walking across the top of the hub. Bill hurried into the Suite to get his camera with the zoom lens and snapped some pretty good shots. One of the turbines further away was also stopped and Bill noticed two workers on the outside. Not on your life!

With my phone camera, this is what I could see

When the clouds moved back over the sun, the air felt cool so we came inside. Bill turned the tv on and I moved upstairs with my book. Supper was simple so there wasn’t much prep necessary. We were having leftover chili from the other night. I had a can of Compliments crescent rolls so made those up and baked them in the oven. It was yummy as chili usually is on the second and third days. There is just enough left for one more meal for a rainy night.

After dishes, I snapped a picture of what was anything but an exciting sunset but it is what it is. Tonight, being Tuesday night, is jam-packed with our favourite shows so we settled in for the evening. It all started at 8 pm and ended at 10 for me with 2 shows recorded for another evening. We still have Monday night’s shows on PVR. 

This has been a pleasant quiet day and I managed to finish another book. Yay!  It would be great if yours was just as quiet.

Good night all

Thanks for the pop in today. I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Windy Heat, Just what the doctor ordered!

Wednesday, May 17^th and the alarm woke me at 5:30, I think it was. Bill needed to be on the road for 6:30 so needed to be sure he was up. I heard him finishing up in the bathroom at 6:15 so had dropped off again. I don’t like him leaving without a proper goodbye kiss so got up until he headed off.

Sunrise with a little Vignette flavour

What a glorious morning! The sun came up as it should and even though it was windy already the 16C felt wonderful! Still sleepy, I crawled back into bed with Clemmy for another hour before getting up and making the bed. It sure puts a spring in my step when the day holds such promise.

Drive safely, dear

 I donned my runners and Clemson and I did our 1.30 mile walk down to the turbines. I didn’t need to put my windbreaker on, it was so warm, but wanted a pocket to hold my cell phone. I’ve learned not to go without a camera so took my large Canon this morning. The one time I forget to take it, I’ll see that perfect ‘thing’.

Love the sun's reflection in our pond

We were early today so met 3 school buses

We left the Suite at 7:30 and returned at 8:15 well refreshed but really craving a cup of tea. With our Keurig, this takes no time at all. Bill had turned the inverter on before he left and unplugged us from the power. No problem, with the sun beating down on our portable panel we stayed at 100 % charged all day.

Brave Clemson stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the cows

Sometimes I grumble about the wind up here and today might have been no exception BUT without the wind, that 28C we had all day would have made it very difficult for me to complete the jobs necessary. I had gardening to do and the strong breeze not only kept the bugs away but it also kept me cool while I worked.

He had to get closer to stare back at them

I first took my Christmas cactus outside as well as my non-producing orchid. Well, the orchid that refuses to flower again. Both needed some attention. I topped up the potting soil in my cactus pot as it had dropped considerably.

all refreshed

I emptied the orchid completely, noticing a healthy-looking root that didn’t seem to be ‘grounded’ to anything. Is this normal? Anyway, I read that a plastic pot would be the best way to go so transplanted with mostly new Orchid mix out of the ceramic pot to a plastic one I had kicking around.

Both plants got some fertilizer and a good saturation as directed on the bag. Now all I can do is hope for the best. My cactus always flowers but it will be a miracle of some sorts if the orchid follows suit. I put my tools and soil away in the shed before moving on to my next project.

It would be fun to be a goose for a day, so peaceful

I took our spade up to the garden plot and proceeded to dig new spots for the oregano and the Echinacea I found in the bunky from last year. 

Oregano and echinacea planted, encircled in stones

I’m sure that was something else Donna gave me. She advised that the Oregano can spread so not to put it too close to my veggies. This spot should do just fine, it can spread in the grassy area if it needs to.

I'm sure he's thinking "I'm the King of the Castle"

From the rain pails where we had collected about 4” of water since the last dumping I filled my watering can. Just enough to water the green onions (shallots) and swiss chard as well as the new plantings. I hope I gave them enough but I can always do it again tomorrow.

But he must know this guy really is King
(sorry it is so blurry, I'm lucky I caught him at all!)

On my hands and knees, I pulled grass from around the rhubarb patch, it is actually growing, albeit slowly. It might not be ready for this year but that is okay. I am still encouraged. I put the can and shovel away and came inside for some cheese. I’m never too hungry for lunch but a couple of chunks of good fat cheddar gives me the energy and protein I need.

Red Maple temporarily planted in a pot

Back outside, I was hot and felt I deserved a rest so I took my book and my camera out to relax for a bit. Of course, Clemson joined me. We walked to the end of the lane to get the mail before taking in some of that glorious sunshine. The wind was making it a challenge so I had to situate my chair and his ottoman just right so he didn’t end up in the pond.

I know you will all recognize this. In Canada, it is a dying art BUT I
highly recommend that you keep a few on hand. In your purse, your pocket, your car ashtray....
I got bit today by a sweat bee (that is what we call them) and it hurt like heck!
I came into the Suite, placed a penny on the sting for a minute and voila!
Seriously, I've done it many times, it works.
You're welcome, you WILL thank me.

We’re talking 35 mph winds, so I wasn’t surprised that I had to chase a few things around the property, including my hat! My book is so good, it is hard to put it down but when Clemson wanted to come inside, put it down I did. I went for one more walk down the lane and then got down on my hands and knees once more to pull grass out of my 3 phlox plants. Painstaking job but it is now done and that sun felt good on my back.

Poor guy must have hit our window

I have a sad story today. Once when I walked around the back of the Suite, I noticed this little fellow on the ground. He obviously met his demise after trying to fly into the back window. Maybe the hit didn’t kill him but maybe his little heart gave out from the shock. So, I put my gloves on and dug a hole up by my compost bin. Right and proper he was buried.

Laid to rest before I covered him and placed a stone marker over his grave

Donna and Gerry made a short stop over after spending the afternoon at The Acreage. They have some tidying up and preparations to get it ready for the long weekend. This will be the first weekend of the season that they spend on their property.

Strange when 2 vehicles stop at the front of your place and keep looking your direction

They came over at my request, actually. I’d been sitting outside relaxing when 2 vehicles pulled up out front of our field. They put on safety vests and had clipboards in their hands looking up the hill at where I was sitting. Um, excuse me? I was feeling a bit unnerved, wondering what they were doing.

Gerry and Donna to the rescue

After about 20 minutes of them watching me? And me watching them, Gerry pulled up in front of them and chatted with them. Turns out they weren’t watching me at all! They were monitoring the turbines in the area to get a handle on how the bird population could be affected. Well, there certainly isn’t any problem here, let me tell you! We are overrun with birds on The Ridge and I’m loving every minute of their flights.

Hard to see him but I'd been trying to catch this oriole all day

No shortage of birds here, yay!

By the time they left, it was time for Clemson’s supper and sure enough he was waiting at the door for me. I figured I’d soon hear from Bill so stayed inside and read the flyers that came today while starting my post. After he called just before 6 I got my supper out of the fridge to heat it up on the stove. Fried potatoes, corn and cut up sausage. Yum, I’m hungry!

That was a nice supper and I know Bill was having the same thing warmed up in his Vintage trailer’s microwave. I cleaned up dishes and Clemson and I took one last walk down the lane to the front field. No sign of the prehistoric creature I saw earlier crossing the lane from one pond to the other. Donna informed me, upon the description I gave her, that we have a snapper. Good thing we don’t swim in that pond.

Corabelles getting ready to bloom

Garden colours are so pretty

Chives ready to bloom

Black-eyed susan coming up nicely

Our rose bush that we brought from the London house

A bouquet of dandelions for Deb

Rhubarb still trying hard

And the shadow lady is pleased that her Phlox is weedless

I read outside for another half hour after our walk with Clemson on my lap. Such a beautiful night. I hope the wind dies down, I’ve been watching our car shelter swing back and forth all day. Not much relief in the temperature overnight, crazy that it is still 29C outside at 7:30.

Clemson battled  the winds today too and stayed out for most of the day with me

and the sun is bidding us farewell at 8:20 pm.

Goodnight folks, I hope you have had a great day. Thank you for reading today and any comments are welcome.