Work Day to Start, Visit with Mom, Frustrations of this Pretend Author

The Ridge

On Wednesday, Sept. 25^th we got up together around 7 and Bill made his travel mug of coffee. I don’t have mine before going to work but I will be home in an hour for my tea. Bill was going in to help Jamie at the Mat to try and figure out the lighting and where power runs etc. We didn’t know if it would be a long day or a short one so he took a couple of snack bars just in case. We took two vehicles and when I finished cleaning, I left.

A visit to Rockwood Terrace to see Mom on a sunny day

From there, I drove to the West Grey Library and sat in their lot trying to download the newest software for BookWright, which is the program I’m using for creating my photo book. I’m frustrated with it as it says I need to update but also that their website is not responding. That’s just dandy. Even at the library, the message was the same so I came home after updating Facebook. At home, I decided to download the program again but got the same message. Grrr!

Mom showing off her matching fingernails

Back home, I had my tea and fiddled away trying to figure it out until it was time to go see Mom. She was asleep on her bed and when she woke up, I knew she was quite chilly. ‘Why don’t people like heat?’ she asked. So, we got another layer on her and she warmed up with that and my hugs. It was a fun visit and her spirits were good. There was no delay at her table when I walked her down for lunch, she sat and waved me goodbye with 3 kisses for Bill. She’s a flirt I tell ya!

I sat on the bench for a while and just watched it

I stopped at the Mat to see how the boys were doing and they were getting frustrated too trying to find where electrical plugs were connected. I’m sure they’ll succeed so I left them and drove around for my 2nd annual (at least) photo shoot of McGowan Falls. It draws me with the rushing white water. Then I came home to make something to eat. It was 12:30. 

This picture shows how shallow it is at this point up at the bridge
(which I won't cross)

Of course, a selfie

And the calm water of the Saugeen River on the other side

I knew Jamie would take Bill for lunch so I made myself a lovely breakfast quesadilla with 2 eggs, olives, tomato, onion, bacon, pepper and cheese. With sour cream and salsa, it was delicious but I could still only eat half.

Love this little wildflower, there were plenty all around
so I pulled one up by the roots to try and plant it at home

 I'm not sure it is a Gerbera daisy but it's lovely

I sat and took pictures of each page of my new book so I could print the pages and copy them into a new program. Then, I will delete Bookwright altogether so I don’t start using it later. Blurb.com should have just stayed on its own instead of creating ‘new and improved’ pages under its umbrella. I’m determined and as Mom said today to a nurse and me ‘I have lots of patience!’ 😊 The nurse gave a lop-sided smile so I’m not sure that is always true.

Such a yummy breakfast

I heard from Jess that she was happy with the pictures I took of their wedding so that is a relief. I would feel terrible if she were disappointed. Bill texted at 3 that he was on his way home and I was busy plugging away at copy-writing my book into another program when he walked in the door 10 minutes later. The weather has taken a crazy turn today from how it started this morning. We had sun and so I unplugged from electric power when I returned from town at 9.

My walk/drive has yet to show pretty fall colours

Most of the cows are laying down today and although it doesn't look like rain
we did get a light shower later on

Now, it is looking very ‘iffy’ with very strong winds and heavy clouds overhead. I’m holding off plugging in since our batteries are still registering 13+. I’ll need to plug in to make supper regardless so I can use Madame IP. If I had mushroom soup in the cupboard, I would cook our chops in the convection oven but I don’t. They are very thick so I’m hopeful that cooking them less will help them appeal to me more.

The sauteed pork chops

 At 5:30, I started to sauté them with onion soup mix and then cooked for 6 minutes with the inner pot of rice and string beans on top. In the microwave, I cooked Bill’s corn and everything turned out great. The thick chops were done perfectly again and I enjoyed and ate all of mine. The beans were nice for a change, I seldom buy fresh beans. We cleaned up the dishes and sat to watch some of our recorded programs.

And a wonderful meal
Good night!

Starting with The Good Doctor, we ran through the list until 10 pm. We had a dish of creamy Jello that was left over and needed to eat. It was a good day and I got to see Mom for a nice visit. Bill and Jamie made some progress at the Mat and we are one step closer to our trips. Life is good!

Thank you for stopping by.

An Early Departure, Quiet Afternoon, Being an Author

The Ridge

Bill and I were up around 7 on Sunday, Sept. 22^nd and we could hear rain. Actually, a few times during the early morning hours we heard wind and rain. With all the windows open in the Suite, we slept well otherwise. Before Bill came to bed, he had pulled the awnings in in case it was windy. When we saw Jeff and Joan come out of the Bunky with Aurora, we knew they were loading their vehicle.

Aurora is ready to get going

I invited them in for a coffee so they put Aurora in their vehicle with her blanket. She’s used to that, travelling in the truck a lot to rc flying shows a lot. While drinking our coffees, we each showed them a few things on the laptops, pictures of Arizona and Graceland etc. They are quite impressed with the lifestyle we are living and soaked it all in. Around 9, they said goodbye and headed off down the lane. It was a nice visit but one day is long enough. We have things to do.

Saying goodbye to Joan, Aurora and Jeff

I debated going in to see Mom but instead sat at my computer and worked on my post from the previous day.  Then I puttered away on my photo book. I was getting close to finishing when I exited without saving. OH, MY GOODNESS!!! The air was a bit blue and I almost cried realizing that I’d lost 10 pages of writing and pictures. I’m sure we’ve all done it at some point in our life and it was stupid but I thought it was referring to something else. Anyway, I redid them to the best of my knowledge, saving each page as I went this time, and now just need to proofread it a couple of times and finish.

We all know what this is all about
They're beating us to the punch though

They came to the window to say s'long

In between doing those things, I made us bacon and eggs and I had a b.p. coffee. That hit the spot. 

Bill dumped the black tank and Gerry and Donna popped in on their way home from the Acreage to help us get our microwave down. It was easier coming down than it will be going up, so we’ll need his help again with our new one. 

Pretty but dead

so, out she goes

The rest of the afternoon was just hanging around, it got hot and the rain stopped for the rest of the day. I went out to the Bunky and stripped the sheets off the bed. Now the futon is set up as a couch again.

Joan gave us a nice basket of Niagara peaches

Before we knew it, it was time for supper and what I’d planned (warming up the leftover lasagna) needed a microwave so Bill took me into Durham to Snacks on 6. Rob and Pat said their fish and chips were very good so we thought we’d give them a try. This is a food truck near the edge of town. We each ordered one piece meals for take-out. They were ready in less than 10 minutes. Nice to eat back home and they were delicious! We’d go again for a fast dinner. 

Snacks on 6 - cute little business for fast food

1 pc. fish and chips

We cleaned up dishes and sat with our books listening to Elvis on Sirius XM radio. I was soon dropping off to sleep so shortly after 9:30 I went to bed. This was a nice day and we’re happy that our last overnight visits are done. Now we can focus on ourselves and the last things to do over the next month.

It was a tad windy today but my dress dried after
being rained on overnight
Good night all!

Thank you for checking us out today.

Finishing Yesterday’s Garden Cleanup, Bill Finishes Projects, Happy Hour, Travel Plans with Friends

I slept well and woke up on Thursday, Sept. 13^th from more dreams, Bridgette, Bill’s sisters and a bunch of other stuff I can’t recall. It was just a couple of minutes before 7 when I stretched and crept ‘sneakily’ out of bed. Bill was still in deep slumber and I assumed Clemson was too, tucked next to him under the covers. I got dressed and went out for another wonderful country walk.

This walk wasn’t as exciting as yesterdays with all the webs. I enjoyed taking those photos, I hope you enjoyed some of them too. It was a warm morning so I was able to wear capris and no socks today. When I returned just under 2 miles later, Bill was up making coffee and tea. I had to finish my post from yesterday so downloaded pictures with a much better frame of mind than the previous night and got it published.

A very still morning, flag and turbine both motionless

I didn’t even read any other blog posts as I wanted to get out and clean up the mess I left yesterday in the garden. There were 3 huge irises that were the last things I clipped up at the top area near the fence and I had petered out by then so left the clippings for today. I slipped gloves on and loaded the wheelbarrow and then dumped it over the edge into the brush pile. Good thing that stuff composts, however slowly, or it wouldn’t work as a dumping spot.

Good morning, sunshine!

Bill went down to work on the inside latches on his Hangar doors and said he was getting anxious to ‘finish’ a few small projects. Time was running out. I fried up bacon and eggs shortly after 10 and after eating, sent him off to ‘get back at it’ and I did the dishes. I don’t really have much on my agenda today. Bill has been noticing the blue jays making an appearance and I’ve been missing them. This morning, while eating, one flew into the tree right outside the window but I only caught one photo.

Not the perfect capture through the window, but he is posing briefly for me

Later, I noticed a flash of blue on the tail and body of another visitor. I think it must be a female blue jay or bluebird? The picture I took is not too revealing. 

You birders will be able to name this shy one

I wanted to do a sweep through the Suite and put my head around putting another book together. I enjoy doing them, it just takes a commitment on my part and some self-encouragement. I thought today might be the day to start focusing on that. So outside with my laptop, I typed up my written notes, transferring them onto a Word document. I'll work on pictures later.

My shadow partner walked beside me this morning
instead of in front of me

Ellscott is more visible now, showing off a little leg

The rest of the morning and early afternoon was lazy, chair hopping as Bob says. 

I've missed turtle sightings this summer so was pleased to see these guys on the log

This hummer is lost, looking for the feeder

At 3 I fed Clemson his chicken rice meal and we drove into Rob and Pat’s for Happy Hour, trip planning and supper together. 

Oh-oh, something is not right
This black steer is on the road side of the fence
We don't know who has black cattle in the area

We sat outside for a while on their front porch and eventually all trooped inside, Clemson too, to get the note pads, laptops and Google maps working. It went well, all 4 of us with input but Bill and Rob basically mapping the route.

No smoke but a lot of thinking going on here

This makes me feel excited about the upcoming winter, we look forward to travelling with our friends. We ordered fish and chips takeout for supper and the boys picked it up while Pat put a salad together. 

Clemson makes himself at home
in his 2nd home

We shared a bottle of wine and toasted to friends and travel. Before we knew it, it was 8 and we scooted out of there. Rob and Pat have an early morning drive so needed to relax for the remainder of the evening.

Another poser on the wire

this busy Monarch did everything BUT pose

It was a warm night and it was 10 when I went to bed. I hope your day was as pleasant as mine was.

The view behind us through my side mirrow

Goodnight, says the Moon and Jupiter
The red star, Antares, was also visible to the south

Thank you for stopping by. Your comments are always appreciated.