Rainy Day Sunday, Tire Guy

The Ridge

Sunday, July 19^th we got up around 7:30 to a dull morning. The breeze coming in from my window and all the other Suite windows was so refreshing. We’d both slept well after crawling into bed close to midnight. Bill went in for his shower and I went for my walk. It was humid already and even though I wore shorts, my ¾ sleeves were too much. LOL It was 23C/73F.  I had the road to myself and enjoyed the peacefulness. 

The geese were relaxing in the field across from our lane

Last night, Donna had passed on some information from our other sister, Gayle, about the plantain weed benefits. Some of the things the leaf cures and heals were amazing to me so just to be sure what it looked like, she found one in our yard. Well, more than one but because Bill had just cut the grass, they were shorter and the skinny leaf type.

Bill has a re-occurring wart on his foot that our doctor tried to zap years ago so we wanted to see if the weed will help. I wet it, folded it and applied it to the area with tape for overnight. It will indeed take a few applications but we are willing to give it a try. The tape came off through the night so we'll replace it again. This morning, when I returned from my walk, Bill and I sat with our drinks. I had my post to finish so did that first.

A chickory flower is such a pretty blue

I was happy to find some nice plants of
broadleaf plantain to bring home

We knew there was rain coming so Bill took the convertible jet pump that he borrowed from Gerry down to the pond’s edge. This would be the be-all, end-all test for our chances to get water up to the gardens and for vehicle washing, without drilling a well. If it works, we’ll pick one up for ourselves. I can envision how much easier certain things will be up here. I didn’t do much while he hooked things up but was happy when he showed me our sprinkler hose working! Yay!

The next thing on today’s agenda was to dump the black tank. Our gauge has never been 100% accurate so we can tell by the sound when the toilet flushes that it is time to dump. He just finished that when Mike’s ‘tire guy’, from Home Town Tire Service, who didn’t make it yesterday, arrived. The two of them did their thing, crawling around under the slide-outs. I think Bill learned some stuff about our tires and I even caught wind of some useful info.

At the bottom of the corral hill, Bill has the hose and valve in the pond water

When light rain drops started, I went into the Bunky and closed the windows and worked on the puzzle. It is challenging and I’m enjoying it. I heard Joe and Bill saying their goodbyes in the midst of the downpour. Bill had at least run inside to get his rain coat on and Joe was in the truck.  After he left, I thought I’d better get my butt inside the Suite before I got stuck out there so once it slowed a bit, I ran ‘home’. 😊 Bill was caught in it as he put the pump under shelter and replaced the tire covers. He was a sopping mess when he came inside.

And it worked but the pump kept overheating

We had a second hot drink together and around noon, I made him a toasted tomato sandwich with bacon and cheese. I’m not sure why but I wasn’t hungry but knew I could eat something in a little bit. The rains kept us inside, neither of us wanted to get caught out in our sheds if the downpour and storm hit. Bill dozed in his chair and I sat and read beside him. Our buddies texted and invited us in for Happy Hour so that sounded like a plan. It had stopped raining when we left.

Joe from Home Town Tire working on his own time on a Sunday

As it turned out, they were taking a mini vacation sooner than expected so they wanted to let us know and share a drink together. We arrived around 3:30 and the time flew by with lots of stories and laughs (as usual) and we got out of their hair after 5:30. We didn’t mean to overstay our welcome but that’s what happens when you are having fun. The rain held off until we just nicely got inside. You could sure feel the humidity in the air and inside the Suite wasn’t a whole lot better.

for a few hours today, this was our view

Windows were open and a fan blowing so we were soon comfortable. We’d been munching at Rob and Pat’s so weren’t very hungry. I’d eaten some pecans and sunflower seeds before we left for town so I’m not quite sure what we’ll need tonight for supper. We’ll find something. Also, before we left home, I’d wrapped some plantain around Bill’s wart again and he put socks on, in the hopes it would help. 

You don't need to see it uncovered unless we can heal it

We watched some Highway Thru Hell, American Pickers and relaxed for the rest of the evening. It was a good day with two main things taken care of. The pump and the tire check. The bonus was having Happy Hour with friends. We finished the night watching Unstoppable with Denzil Washington and then Good Witch at 9. I hope you’ve enjoyed your Sunday as well!

Another meeting we weren't invited to
Good night all!

Thanks for popping in!

Lingering Rains, Dry Afternoon

The Ridge

On Wednesday, June 24^th (how can it be Wednesday already?) Bill knew I didn’t have to get up so just let me sleep until I was ready to rise. I actually didn’t hear the alarm, if it went off, nor did I hear him get up, shower and move downstairs. At 6:30, I heard him pouring cereal into his bowl so I slowly roused myself and slipped into my housecoat.

I planned a shower after he left so didn’t bother getting dressed. Wearing something non-restrictive for a while was good for my leg. I’ve been pestered with two batches of shingles, since Saturday, one immediately following the other within an inch of each other. Good grief! There just isn’t a rhyme or reason why they appear. Last night they really made me uncomfortable even with the pill in me and the cream covering the spots. Sleep was a relief, let me tell you.

Bill left for work in the lingering rains this morning around 7:15, I think. He’s hoping they don’t have rain so he can get a full day in. I finished my tea, read blogs to see what our friends are all up to across our country and the U.S. I do miss seeing them so this is a wonderful way to stay in touch. I know they are all doing well. Still a few that we haven’t met (yet) but hopefully one day that will happen.

The garden was a real mess

I flipped the furnace on for a few minutes to take the chill of the Suite off. It was only 11C/52F outside this morning. Crazy weather! Sunday we were longing for some heat relief. When the bathroom had warmed up, I had my shower and when finished scrubbing it down, removed the shower head for a good soak in the sink. It seems ‘sputtery’ so maybe a bit of bleach will help clean it out.

The tomatoes and peppers are coming with some
flowers on the tomatoes BUT...

I’d hoped to get outside today to get the weeding in my vegetable garden done but that isn’t going to happen too early. The ground will be soft though once I get out there. I chatted with sisters, Donna and Cathy, and my buddy, Pat, by text and then played my 3 games on Facebook. I wanted to try and make some ice cream by using Nancy’s recipe. Sounded simple enough, 2 ingredients! It was simple enough but didn’t get as stiff as it maybe needed to. Into the freezer it went, we’ll try it later.

Things at this end of the garden just aren't doing so well

Since it was an inside morning, I got the dusting materials out and started in the bedroom. No matter how small our home is, you need to know that I dislike dusting. Mainly because of having to move items out of the way. It doesn’t take long but still needs to be taken care of. The woodwork in here seems to be more prominent than in any house I’ve lived in. It’s right there, beautiful indeed, but right there in your face no matter where you look. So, it needs to be wiped down. I let it go as long as I can and then start at the top and work down. Now it’s done.

With that done, it was 10:30, so I made a coffee. Goody, the sun is making brief peek-a-boos out of the clouds so there is hope for an afternoon of playing in the mud. We are so grateful for the rain. Me, especially, since they are more ‘my’ flowers and vegetables than Bill’s. It means less trips up the hill for this gal with the watering cans.

A few of my healthy evening primrose are blooming

After seeing a friend’s plants on his blog, I realize that mine have a long way to go. I do have some Miracle -Gro so could add some to the next watering can. I keep forgetting that I have it, I’d never ever bought it before living up here. Outside in my work duds and ball cap I got the hoe from the storage shed and went up to the garden. My oh my! The weeds have taken over! Mostly grass but very ‘root-laden’.

I never have the energy or stamina to keep at the hoeing for very long before I need to take a rest. That worked okay for me though as I’d hoe a 20” x 20” section and then sit down to separate the weeds from the dirt. The soil is actually quite nice up there now, after 4 years of working it up. While working, I had a text from my sister-in-law about our July 1^st get-together. Yay! It’s on! We’re both thrilled.

There was quite a conversation going on between the bird
on the chair and the one in the birdhouse
See his beak?

When the garden was hoed and looking good again, I came down to see what else I could work at. Deadheading my geraniums didn’t take too long and then I took a walk down North Line to the east. Our neighbours who moved out on Sunday have a few things out at the road so I thought I’d see if they had added anything since Bill and I were there.

Can you see him now?

We have no interest in a 4-drawer file cabinet and small tube tv but the lounge chair cushion appealed to me. There were no holes or stains and is covered in an outdoor material so I hauled it home. I only have one lounge chair and a light cushion for it but this would be good for the King chair. 😊 Yes, I’m a scrounger but I come by it honestly. My Mom and Dad took us to auction sales, garage sales and would not hesitate to pick something up along the side of the road, if they wanted or needed it. 

Bill called on his lunch hour and we discussed our ‘joy’ at having family come on Canada Day again. We talked about menu, which we fully provide. We just need good weather now for that day.

It was past lunchtime for me so I thought I should take care of that. I don’t want to gross anyone out but my lunch plate today consisted of black olives, Triscuits with chive and onion cream cheese spread, cheddar cheese and sardines. Oh my, they are so good! I haven’t had them in a very, very long time. My sisters were talking about them on Thursday so I picked some up at Costco. No skins, no bones, just yummy sardines in oil. 😊

Lunch

I cleaned up dishes and then boiled 8 eggs in Madame IP. Bill asked if I could make some egg salad for his lunch sandwiches. Easy request. Inside, I didn’t have much going on so turned NCIS on and waited for Bill. He was home shortly after 5 and we sat and caught up on our day. 

Nice chair cushion, eh?

I mixed up the last of my strawberry mix today
Not Canadian Club but a classic all the same!

Black clouds moved overhead, over and around us and then the sun made an appearance. Strange weather continues and Bill said that we  may get more rain tonight for a clear day tomorrow. At 6, I started supper.

Madame IP sautéed a thick pork chop for Bill and a couple of chicken thighs for me. I added 4 little potatoes for the 9 minutes of cooking and prepped vegetables for the microwave. A good hearty meal tonight. We were eating before 7 and everything tasted delicious, done perfectly. I need to stop saying it but I love my Instant Pot! 

Supper was delicious

We cleaned up dishes and then I brought out the homemade ice cream. It was exactly the texture of ice cream and tasted wonderful! Wow! Bill didn’t want any tonight but I scooped some for myself and added some of my choke cherry syrup. Thank you, Nancy for the recipe. 

Yummy, homemade ice cream
whipping cream + sweetened condensed milk

The rest of the evening was me working on my post, Bill making his lunch and watching some tv together. It was a good day with a few accomplishments taken care of.

This was the sky after supper - a tease?
Good night y'all

Thank you for your visit. Your comments are welcome!

Good Rains Overnight, LadyFest Begins! Humidity Lingers

The Ridge - Priceville and Cedar Haven - Chatsworth

I think it might have been excitement for the week with my sisters that had me awake at 4:30, then 5:30 and finally at 6 on Tuesday, July 30^th. It is crazy to think that it is here already, meaning the end of the month too. I’ve been looking forward to this time as we have a lot of laughs but when I finish putting everything together to take, it looks like I’m going for a month!

A nice little walk this morning

When you consider the outfits for 3 days and evenings out for dinner, that is one thing. Then, when you consider a cooler with my drinks, my camera bag and tripod to get a group picture and I’m also taking my Bullet and laptop. Oh, plus, I’m taking the bag of clothes that I’ve already started for the fall exchange. I may as well let my sisters have a poke through while they are together. Probably nothing there they’ll want but you never know.

The tracks through the wheat field

I got out for my walk this morning, under a cloud-filled sky. The temperature was 67F/20C so very nice. We had our morning brew together and read a few blogs. Bill went to the Hangar to tidy up a few things and when he came back up, he brought Ptooties over to the patio. He is such a sweetheart. Little things mean a lot to us, don’t they? I finished my tea and then hopped in the shower. Donna texted me that she would be leaving her place at 9 so I put the push on.

It was a bit misty out there

That was the time we’d planned on but all of a sudden it felt like I had a lot to do to get ready. I made Bill bacon and eggs because I doubt he’ll do that when I’m gone, and finished packing up. Gerry drove up and Donna loaded her bags into the bag of the SUV and we were off. I took the back route to catch Hwy #6 and we were the first to arrive. We knew where we were sleeping so carried out ‘stuff’ into the downstairs bedroom through the back patio door.

And a visiting family crossed our laneway on my return

And a couple of downy woodpeckers prefer the tree
rather than the suet

I was indoors with just my phone camera so not as nice
a capture as I wanted on short notice

Donna and I encountered a downed tree on our way
Good thing we could get by or we'd be out playing lumberjack

Doesn't Ptooties look happy under the gazebo?

Cathy and Audrey arrived next and the hugging began. This is something we all so look forward to. Gayle, being the host, we agreed a few years ago that she purchase the breakfast/lunch food and at the end of our time together, we will all pitch in towards the cost. 

Our spread and our hostess in the background
giving us the rules of the house (haha)
The recycle is here, the compost is here etc.

My plate

 This works well and she is very good at entertaining and knows what we all like. I would be terrible at this part! We had quite a spread of food, unusual things and low carb, keto, high fat keto things.

We ate, we chatted, we laughed, we ate, we drank and then after dishes we got cleaned up and hopped into Cathy’s GMC SUV. For 5 of us, it was the most comfortable ride. She drove us first to Value Village in Owen Sound where we spread out and easily killed a couple of hours. I did really well and was very particular with what I purchased. 

This is the challenging puzzle

 Next was just down the street and across the street to the Mission Store where prices are crazy cheap. I did well there too with only a 3-item purchase. Cathy isn’t keen on driving downtown Owen Sound so Gayle took over and weaved her way to the new Salvation Army location on the west side.

Our 3 vehicles, Cathy is the red one

This store wasn’t as appealing to me but I did find a very comfortable pair of leather loafers and some paints for my rock painting. A lot of mine are drying up so I can replace them. We contacted our youngest sister, Wendy, who had to work today, as it was 5 o’clock and we were getting ready for supper. A few ideas were tossed around and we settled on a homey restaurant where we’ve eaten a couple of years ago. We drove to Rockford and couldn’t have made a better choice.

I had a lovely Raspberry Ice

Yummy!

Lisa was our waitress and had us seated and laughing within minutes of our arrival. She was wonderful. We ordered drinks and then meals. Most of the group ordered liver and I debated but ended up going a different route and had the chicken quesadilla with sweet potato fries. Oh my, great choice! The liver looked good too but I was quite pleased with my meal and even brought some home for tomorrow.

And we enjoyed our first meal together

Back home, we did our usual ‘modelling of our purchases’, taking turns with a little flair. They went through the exchange clothes and I was happy that a few things were claimed. Yay! We had an on-going game of Scrabble and Audrey brought a challenging puzzle for us to try. The rest of the evening was relaxing and chatting and around 9:30 I touched base with Bill to say goodnight. We finished the game and the puzzle before calling it a night. It was 11:20!!

A wonderful day! Thank you for popping in. Stay tuned to see what tomorrow brings.