And Then They Were Gone, Quiet Afternoon

The Ridge

On Saturday, Aug. 13^th things happened, kind of in sequence. Bill had said goodbye to our company as he knew his plan was to be up, pack a lunch and on his way around 7:30. He slept in, we all did, longer than he’d hoped, but it wasn’t too much after that when he left. No cleaning for me today so I took my slow old time getting moving.

while they were all together, it was time
for a picture

the Wilsons' leave first

It felt quite chilly inside the Suite but the sun was out full so I went out to see how it was. Kim and Ken began packing up around after 9 and I puttered by putting the chair cushions out, boiling and filling the hummer feeders. George has seen them around and when I saw one in our tree out front, I filled 3 to encourage their return. It’s my fault they vacated for a while. I also filled my one regular seed feeder and the finch container. 😊 They should all be happy now for a couple of days.

George took the dogs to the field for a run
and a tustle

I had my shower and after the Wilsons’ left around 11:30, I think, Gibbs and I went out. George wandered around with Gigi mostly, around the fields, and Gibbs ran back and forth trying to encourage Mom to join. I was just sitting with my coffee and was quite content. Rose and George were also packing up to go and around 1, they, too, pulled out. It always seems so quiet when our company leaves, whether it be 1 or 2 rv’s.

Rose and George left just after lunch

I didn’t put ‘the dreaded’ sign out, Kim and Ken know it well, although Bill threatened to a couple of times. It always gets a laugh but I doubt it will ever be necessary to put it outside anyone’s door! ♥ We had a great week. We don’t have to change any regular routines, everyone does what they want mostly and we get together at Happy Hour. No pressure on anyone and that works best for all of us.

Here's the sign that has brought many
chuckles
I think it keeps guests in line. 😂😂😂😂

M had called around noon needing some help with an app on his phone so I went over at 1:30 and it took a few short minutes to fix the problem. He took me on a walk through of the boarding rooms/apartment that his brother and friend are continuing to work on. It is coming along and maybe Monday I’ll paint a couple of doors at the entrance. I don’t know if he’ll ever get it rented again but he’ll have much better control when he does.

Garden fare, rhubarb still?

I needed to grind some of my coffee beans
from Patty & Duncan

I got my puzzle out
It's a small 550 piece one this time

Bill was home around 2, I think. You can tell I’m on vacation, time isn’t as important this week. 😊 He’d taken his lunch as I mentioned so we relaxed together for a bit before I went out to start one of the puzzles I bought at the thrift store. It should be fun! Bill worked on his big plane in the Hangar for most of the rest of the day and quite enjoyed himself. No, we didn’t meet for Happy Hour, I had a tea in the Bunky and he had a Zero Coke while he ‘worked/played’.

Finally, the field behind us is being harvested
It sure wasn't pretty anymore!

Thankfully, it wasn't windy and we didn't get
any crop dust

We consume more alcohol when company is here and that is fun but on our own, we seldom crack the bottles. It was bittersweet to see everyone leave but that’s just the way it is. We enjoy our friends very much and appreciate that they enjoy coming enough to pull away from their home bases to come and visit. We also enjoy our own time even though we aren’t always side by side.

I'll have lots of cherry tomatoes soon

I did getsome gladiolas from my bulbs
but I kept forgetting to take a picture!

For supper, Bill grilled steak and potatoes while I made asparagus and corn inside. Yum, that was like a Sunday meal and it was delicious. 

Yummy supper

Bill went to the Hangar and Gibbs and I went up to watch tv upstairs around 9.  I couldn’t keep my eyes open and felt chilly so I crawled under the covers. I still saw and heard midnight glowing on the ceiling but didn’t watch any complete programs the whole time. LOL This was a nice day. Gibbs is lost. He can't figure out where everyone went, especially his new sweetheart, Gigi. 💓

Bill got his drone out for the yearly Ridge photo

Good night!

Thank you for your visit!

Baby Easton Goes Home and Takes Mommy and Daddy Too, Summer Swim

The Ridge

On Sunday, July 7^th I woke around 5:30 and rolled over to Bill who was in a semi-sleep state. We both got up at 6 and made the bed. I was out the door into the Laundromat by 6:25 and worked for an hour. The Mat wasn’t too bad at all with machines just needing a basic wipe. I like those days! I wanted to be back in good time to say goodbye to Jess, Matt and Easton. Our company was leaving at 8.

Good thing Easton and Domi  ride in the back seat
Jess brought everything but the kitchen sink!

That was no problem for me and by the time I returned they were mostly packed and there wasn’t room for anything else in the back. We said our goodbyes and I got a picture of the new little family. Oh, and yes, Domi too was in the back seat with Easton for the drive home. Domi has calmed down considerably since their visit last summer. It is about an hour and a half to Stratford from here so a nice drive in which I’m sure our grandson will sleep. 

Couldn't get a smile out of the little guy this morning

Bill finished emptying the trailer and because of dog hair, I shook and hung the sheets and quilt on the line. I will take them in this week on one of my work days and get them washed – minus the dog hair. Now that I know how hard it is to get hair out of the washing machines, I’m extra careful. We never had to worry about that with Clemson, our precious non-shedding sweetheart. One of our main reasons for choosing him at 6 weeks old.

Domi is ready to go too

While I was gone, my other sweetheart had hooked up the pump to the hose and water bladder and watered my vegetable garden. Then he moved the truck around a couple of times to continue watering my flower beds and new plantings. That is not a small chore, they are spread out all over the area up here. When he finished that (he can’t slow down, I tell ya!) he hooked up the Ascend and pulled it over to our dump ‘station’ before parking it against the back of the gravel area. He will be taking it back to CanAm on Tuesday when he goes to work again.

Bill watering my plants for me

Breakfast of peameal bacon and eggs was ready for him when he finished. We did dishes and then I cleaned up and went to visit Mom. My visits aren’t a full hour any more and there is a certain amount of guilt I harbor over that. Today’s was about 40 minutes and it was tough. Her spirits were certainly great when I found her down the hallway, walking. Her face lighting up at seeing me "what are you doing here?" she asks with her lovely smile. 

Pumping water from the bladder

She talks steadily, which is nice, but there is no sense to any of it. No sentence is complete with her loss of words. It is heart-breaking. I smile and don’t even try to fill in words because I don’t know what she is trying to say. I chant a mantra to myself “patience, like she’s had raising us” and try not to, but still watch the minutes. It is just my patience that gets tested, tried and true. Today, at her table, she actually sat and let me go to the door myself. She searched for me though, as I walked, so we waved at least 6 times before the final door closing. 

watering the hill - now that was slick!

On the way home, I met Black Beauty as Bill headed into town for some screws and to fuel up. There is a large garage sale on #4 highway which I’ve stopped at often but today decided to again. I’m looking for a couple of things for my eventual ‘she-shed’ so stopped. I found one of the items and for an easy $2, I was happy to replace a low plastic folding 14” x 20” table with a taller wooden one. The shape isn’t the same but I’ll make a round one work.

Back home, I made a coffee and sat here for a few minutes. Then I changed into a swim suit and drove over to the Acreage. Donna and I had planned on an afternoon swim. Now where are my water shoes? I couldn’t find them but I know they’re here somewhere. I did find Bill’s and they fit me fine so I took them and a pool noodle over to see Donna. Bill wanted to continue working on the doors in his Hangar. He sees the light at the end of the tunnel now.

Jamie stopped around this morning on his way to NewMarket to pay me
and he gave us a bonus!
A full bottle of fresh local maple syrup

Donna and I sat chatting for a while until the heat convinced us to take a dip. It was no where as muggy as yesterday and there was a slight breeze. The water felt wonderful. We floated around in the water for maybe 30 minutes before getting out and stretching out on their gravity chairs. Gerry was puttering around splitting cut logs for their fire pit and then joined us once he called it a day’s work well done. It was around 3:15 when I headed for home.

I've been meaning to get a picture of this tree for weeks!

I pulled some of the long grass and weeds in the flower garden and that was made easy from Bill’s early watering. The ground was pliable. I also picked some more radishes; they were bursting up out of the ground. Not huge, but a nice size for salads or munching. I stretched out on my lounge chair until my swimsuit was completely dry and while Bill worked away. Feeling that the sweat bees were just there to pester me, I moved inside with my book. I think they like the new spray I got.

And because I don't have a lot of pictures...........
you get it closer

At 6 I was getting hungry, not having eaten since breakfast at 10 so Bill lit the Weber and began grilling burgers. I was going to avoid the bun but with only 2 left, figured why the heck not. That’s why the tummy bulge isn’t going anywhere. I talk myself into these things instead of out of them! But on a summer day, a burger is quite satisfying loaded with the works. We enjoyed them very much and each had a Creamy Lime Jell-o for dessert. Yum!

And this close up isn't as clear as I'd hoped
The reason for the shape of the tree
The hydro lines run through it

With dishes cleaned up, I decided to leave the sheets and quilt on the line overnight. A little dampness won’t hurt them and they’ll be sure to be aired out for washing on Tuesday morning. We got the garbage ready for morning pick up and I sorted the laundry for tomorrow. We’ll take a run in and get Bill’s shirts and work pants washed along with whatever else is in the bag. Hot weather, we don’t wear much that’s for sure!

And a simple burger for supper
with Jell-o dessert

What a wonderful day this has been. Perfect temperatures, the end of a perfect visit with the kids and a nice swim with my sister. How was yours?

And it's time for another old picture of Clemson with his temporary
house mate, Link (Jess and her cat lived with us for awhile)
Good night all!

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