Days Continue to Fly By, A Little Rain Must Fall

The Ridge

On Wednesday, July 27^th Bill left the Ridge at 6:50 for Mildmay. He took Ptooties because it is a 40-minute drive. After he was gone, I had to leave as well. I wanted to see if my adjustment to the timer at the Mat made any difference. ☹ It didn’t, the more I fiddled with it, the worse it got so I had to use the Bypass so I was able to use the lights anyway.

this is the kind of sky we bounced around
all day

Before I left, I texted Jamie, even though I hated to bother him at this unsettling time for him. I asked if he could stop in today as the doors weren’t unlocked unless the timer all of a sudden came to life. I left the door propped open. He responded later this morning that he would pop in. I should have left it alone. Back home, I remembered that I was going to get a water jug filled but forgot. Another day.

The cows across the road are huddling
under the trees before the rain

At 9:30, I was around the corner starting work. M was on his way out the door so assigned me to a job and left for about an hour. I jump around at different jobs according to what M has in mind so I guess you could call me a Jill of all Trades. 😊 I got myself covered in red Datsun dust first until he returned and then did some ‘secretary’ stuff, e-transfers and phone updates, before I returned to the hand sanding.

Our apple tree out front is
very lush and full
There aren't many apples though

These yellow wildflowers give our
laneway etc. some colour

This is the first thing you see when you drive into our lane

He paid me for the day at noon and disappeared so I finished my last 30 minutes and drove home. The day has been partially sunny, partially cloudy and it looked like it could rain a few times. After I got washed, free of paint, I made myself bacon and an egg for lunch. Gibbs and I sat in our chair and played Wordle resting until 2:30.

The chickadees and finches are loving
their seed

I was going to get my sewing machine out for a project but decided tomorrow is a better day for that and I took Gibbs out to the Bunky. With my paints already out on the table, I proceeded to paint rocks. Just a solid colour for now, I’m not in the creative mood quite yet for anything more than that. The clouds darkened, moved on and then returned off and on all afternoon.

A frog jumped in so Gibbs had to try and catch him

This is what you do

Then this stretch is important too

I didn't help, other than keeping Gibbs
occupied and taking pictures

The light rain wasn't a distraction
I'm sure it was refreshing for Bill 💕

Bill drove in around 4:15 and suggested we all go over to the Acreage so he can finish building the boxes for the gazebo. You’ll see what I mean when you look at the pictures. 😊 Bill worked the drill and screw driver while Gerry and Donna offered the assistance he needed. Gibbs took a partial dip in the pond and then ran around in their top soil. He was a muddy little mess by the time we left at 5:30.

And here you see what they are actually building
Donna and Gerry will fill them with top soil
and she will plant annuals each spring
You can see the top soil that Gibbs ran through with wet paws

The few brief spatters of rain didn’t help but he is our little mess so we brought him home with us anyway. ♥ He let me wipe his paws and he ate his supper and fell asleep – as did Bill. I was in no hurry to start supper and gave them 30 minutes before I started warming up the leftovers. It was just as good tonight as it was last night.

The finishing step, after eating, of course

Amazingly, he dried off nicely and the dirt disappeared

With the dishes loaded, we relaxed for the evening. I’ve enjoyed the day but cannot believe that tomorrow is Thursday already! Where has this week gone? 

Supper was good and we had a cookie for dessert

I did water my vegetable plants and flowers today so that will help along with the rain we’ve been forecasted to receive overnight and tomorrow. Get it out of its system before the long weekend. Our Civic holiday is Monday. 😊

Good night!

Thank you for stopping in!

The Week Flies By

The Ridge

Wednesday, Oct. 20^th already and for those who commented yesterday about sensing our excitement for the winter, I’m all for the days flying by. 😊 We do enjoy the present, each day being a gift and all that, BUT after hearing about the cold days on their way after tomorrow, time can fly all it wants right now. It was going to be a lazing day for me but Bill got up as always and was out the door by 7:30.

Such a beautiful morning sky

And as we were leaving for our walk
I captured the sunrise

Gibbs and I were up early too so I had my cup of tea. It was looking like a lovely day with a gorgeous sky so we went for a walk. I left his cone at home and we walked to the corner and turned right for a change. I wasn’t sure how far he’d go but we went over a mile one way and I decided to turn back. 

This might be my favourite pix of the day

These two properties are appealing and well looked after

It was a great walk! Back home, it was time to relax. For both of us. I really had hoped it would tire him out and it worked! He slept beside me in the chair.

Gibbs had to drink his coffee on the go
When I told him we can't recycle that cup,
he dropped it

At 10:30 M called and asked if I could work for a couple of hours after lunch. I hesitated because of leaving Gibbs at home but then decided to take him along. He could stay in the car with the windows down since it was such a lovely day. The temperature reached 19C/67F so he would be fine. M and I were in and out of the shop, near Ptooties, so I could hear if he was misbehaving. He wasn’t. 😊

Yesterday, I finally cut the holes in my hats
hoping the birds might be attracted for nests in the spring
We'll see

When I left, I remembered that Bill had told me his purchase at Saunders Men’s Wear was ready for pickup. No secret, he needed a suit for the upcoming wedding. I turned the car around and drove into town to get it for him. I am happy that he is buying more clothing items for himself, and since he didn’t have a suit, it was a good thing to do. As he said, it'll be the last one he ever buys. And, he’s supporting the local community! Funny that when I returned home, he had another bundle of clothes from Atlas for Men waiting.

Are you mad at me, Gibbs?

Inside, I took Gibbs’ leash and cone off and made myself a tea. It was a good time to start my post for today. Gibbs slept ‘briefly’ in his bed but I laughed because it looks like he’s ticked with me, his back facing me. I’m happy to see him using his bed more often especially after my cousin, Rita, suggested that I not cuddle him more than necessary. 😊 She’s right, I don’t want him getting used to anything out of the ordinary. Our cuddles are pretty normal on a daily basis and who doesn't love puppy snuggles?

The geese drew his attention
I did wrap a few small gifts to send in the mail today

Bill pulled in shortly after 4 'sans' the work trailer and we relaxed together before supper. Billy took it home tonight for a different job tomorrow. The rain or the no rain will determine what Bill does tomorrow.  For supper, I reheated the last of the turkey breast, some glazed carrots, fried some cauliflower rice while Bill cooked himself some French fries. It was good, that turkey is definitely going on my list of ‘get it again’ food items.

We were surprised that even after Daddy was home,
he remained in his bed

After dishes, Gibbs had his supper and then took me on our walk around the corral. He thinks this is our habit now as he didn’t do anything. With darkness coming so quickly in the evening, and it not being my favourite thing, I don’t like to dawdle out there. Bill obliges when he wants to go out later. 😊 This was a pleasant day, a bit of resting, some work and some time with my family.

Good night!

Thank you for popping in! Comments are always welcome.

The Week is Zipping By, Got a Nice Walk In, Special Birthday

The Ridge

Thursday, July 23^rd brings us a special birthday. Bill and I were up as per normal and he was getting ready for work when I came downstairs. I don’t have to go anywhere until 9 but it was a chance to get out for a walk. I haven’t had one all week with other things going on. I wished Bill a good day, kissed him goodbye and headed out at 6:45.

It was a beautiful morning

A mile out and a mile back felt good and I didn’t meet anyone until I turned back onto North Line and my sweetie was just pulling out of the lane at 7:30. Ptooties is running on fumes; the gas light came on when I was coming home yesterday down the back roads but I don’t come home through Durham so forgot to get gas. I was prepared to walk to Graceland 2 this morning but Bill had a few gallons in a can that he transferred to the car. 😊 He looks after me.

Very calm, no ripples on the reflective pond

I had my tea back home and briefly sorted through some of my clothes in the closet. I have to hang the new to me items and therefore get real about what I put in the exchange bag. There won’t be an exchange this year, sadly, but our Ladyfest with my sisters is still taking place. We’ve changed the date to accommodate everyone and have decided to take clothes for each other at least. A couple of them don’t get a chance to come for the clothing exchanges.

There are pink hues in the puffy clouds

Now that Donation Centres are open there is a place to take them after we get together. At a few minutes before 9 I drove around the corner to Mitch’s. He set me to work right away. Today, I was back working on the Plymouth. With a few pointers, I checked the car for dents that needed filler and made sure all the fine sanding was done. At least my idea of ‘done’. Mitch would look it over with his professional eye before moving forward.

The Ford waiting for a Markdale owner to pick it up

I sat and sanded things that had been removed, 2 back fenders, the mirror arms, and the 2 front large fenders. Brian, the fellow who made our King chairs, came to help Mitch replace the running boards on the Ford in the other room and once Mitch moved it out, set up to prime a whole mess of newly made metal deck railings that were dropped off last night for painting. I worked away on my own and almost finished the 2^nd fender before it was time to leave.

Lunch

I’d stayed until 11:30 at the boss’s request as we have the owner coming to check the progress on the old car at the end of the month. The pressure is on. Now, I’m anxious to see this one done! Back home, I did another quick run through of the clothes in the closet, making room to hang the jeans I just bought. Then it was time for a shower and get something to eat. I won’t say it too loudly, but I’m pleased with what the scales are telling Bill and I. We are dropping, slowly, closer to where we want to be especially with all the bouncing. It's encouraging to say the least.

Then I put a lunch plate together and sat and relaxed while eating it. I have a small list of things to do this afternoon so we’ll see what gets done. We have plans to go out for supper, unbeknownst to my sister. Donna is celebrating her 70^th birthday today so at least 4, possibly 6, of us (family) will be picking up supper and dropping in on her and Gerry tonight. She doesn’t know of us coming, but a special birthday like that needs to be celebrated right proper!

On Wednesday, we saw an Oriole in the tree behind us
so I put some oranges out, getting original since the hummer feeder
seems to be leaking and I won't fill it again

Today is starting to be a mostly overcast day but it is warm, with some humidity in the air. I phoned Henry’s Camera to see if they were ‘in business’ yet for repairs and was informed that we could drop my PowerShot off any time. So, next trip to London, we’ll do that. It will be assessed at the factory and we will be advised of the cost for repair – 20% for the warranty coverage. In the meantime, I’m making more money now and we’ve decided I need to get another one. Regardless.

Hanging under our hitch, Chippy(s) can only eat what falls on the ground
This feeder looks fine but the clips are broken for the lid
I need new ones!

 I finished making my Creamy Jell-o by mixing up whipping cream and cream cheese and then blending them together. Next, I made Keto Custard in Madame IP and with those in the fridge, we have some desserts, healthy desserts, for a few nights. The kitchen compost bin was full so I took it up to the garden composter and emptied that. Phewie! That wasn’t a pleasant smell! I’m glad it was covered with a lid while inside!

This feeder has broken edges but if I hang it beside the bell
Chippy again, can't (or won't) access this one
I have a big one hanging in a different tree

Around 2, I made myself a coffee and sat again until I finished it. The neighbor, Drew, is out cutting his lawn. He had 3 evergreen trees brought in today and planted along his property line. Between them and a neighbor on the other side. We have the pond and lots of greenery separating us so no need to do anything there. Their usable properties jut right up against each other. We would want to do the same thing if we were in that position.

walking down to water my planters, this little character caught my eye
as he squirmed his way up the tree
He froze in this position while I took the picture and then tucked his wings in further
Bats are good to have around but we don't have a bat house here for them

I moved out to the Bunky and filled the bird feeders and watered my hanging planters and walked up to the garden. Things are coming along nicely. I want to plant more onions but not today. I found a smooth rock and painted it for Donna but forgot to get a picture before taking it to her. Bill was home before 4 and had a snooze before getting washed up. I packed the cooler and we drove to Foodland so I could pick up some flowers for my sis. What else but a family favourite?

Further down the lane, this little guy was waiting for his Momma
He couldn't fly yet but hopped over to the grass and
she eventually came with a mouthful of food

My two sisters and their husbands, Gerry and his brother all agreed to meet at Swiss Chalet at 6 to pick up our food. It is just down the street from D & G’s. Sadly, this venue is not set up well at all for customers, during over even before Covid-19 according to Gerry. They didn’t have some of our chosen items that were on the menu, only 4 people allowed in at a time to wait for pick up orders and it took the best part of half hour before we were on our way to their house. LOL

Getting chairs moved and set up so we could all sit
She wouldn't stand still for me to get the 'surprised' look

My supper was wonderful
The roll and butter came home with me

Donna was totally surprised when Bill and I walked in about 20 steps behind Gerry and John. Then when my other two sisters walked in, she was even more blown away. Good! Gotcha! With some shuffling of chairs, all but John sat around the dining room table with our own individual orders. It was delicious! After eating, we retired to the living room and shot the bull until 9:30 or so. It was a wonderful evening. Donna loved the flowers and texted me later that she found where I'd hid her rock and loved it and the colours I'd chosen. 😊

Her sunflowers (appropriate, no?) and a gift from Gayle & John
No question whose team she roots for!

I was in bed immediately after arriving home. Feeling kapooped from the early rising and day, I dropped off quickly. 

With a little finesse from Google Photos
The waxing crescent moon was

A little tidbit of information for Donna
It is pretty interesting, isn't it, sis?

Now, all my older sisters have ventured into the land of the 70’s and have so far reported only positive things. Good because even though I’ve got a few years to go, I want to be able to welcome it as well. This was another great day!

Thank you for stopping by! Happy Birthday, Donna!