Early Watering, Early Sunning, Shopping and Swimming with Sis, My Boys Return

On the Ridge

I first woke on Wednesday July 10^th at 5 and rolled over in the hopes of more slumber. Next, it was 6:30 when I opened my eyes and after stretching, got up to greet the day. Looking out the windows as I opened the blinds throughout the Suite I was shown a wonderful looking day again. I texted Bill downstairs “Good morning, Sweetie”.

First picture of the morning
Notice how clean it is

Second picture, with some dust spots retouched

Now you can see what I am dealing with on my big Canon
I didn't remove any spots

After chatting for a few minutes, we said goodbye while he went to eat his cereal and I slipped out for a walk, safety vest donned. This was a rewarding walk. Well, they all are but today I saw the buck, doe and fawn in a closer field. No zoom today so my phone camera took the best shots. Yay! I love watching the animals and critters around our area. We are lucky to have the peace and quiet that we do and then to get the bonuses of living nature. As I stood watching, they made the trek back into the forest.

All 3 family members

This one you can kinid of see the bucks antlers

When I returned, I made my tea and sat inside to read blogs. Once it was done, I filled my watering can twice to water my vegetable garden early. I first primed the pump Bill hooked up, connected the hose to the rain barrel and filled the can that way. Good left arm pumping exercise but with the small hole on top of the can, it made it cumbersome holding it properly. The second can full, I held it under the tap on the rain barrel but it still required holding the can perfectly to fill it. It only took 2 trips today since we’re expecting rain tomorrow.

Mr. Red-wing likes the suet

There has to be a better way. I’m going to look for a watering can with a wider mouth on top. I’ll add that to my list. I changed into my bathing suit and set up my lounge chair again. Now was the better time to catch some rays, before the sun got too hot and before the sweat bees were awake. It was only 9 and after a flip at 9:30, I retreated to the shade at 10. A little bit of sun each day will prepare me for the hot sun of Cancun. I don’t want to get burned the first day.

I moved inside at 10:30 and made myself a coffee. Our big window at the back of the Suite is pretty dirty and we’ve talked about washing it for a few weeks. When I put the Canada flag stickers on for Canada Day, I gave the inside a wash. That was a poor job! Streaks were driving me crazy so I did it much better today. Now we can see out much better! I also washed the screens in all of our windows. The dust collects in the corners especially so now it is gone.

I'm just going to throw this picture of wild grass in
Not as attractive as a flowering wild flower but pretty in its own way

At 11 o’clock, it was already a lovely 75F/24C with a slight breeze. The humidity is only 47% right now so a great day to be outside. Soon time to make myself an egg or two for brunch with some fried radishes and feta cheese on the side. It doesn’t take much to fill me in the mornings especially. I have a date with Donna this afternoon, as I mentioned yesterday, and Bill is expecting to be home in good time this afternoon as well. I’ll see what time we both get home and give him an option for supper.

I’ve looked out at my suet feeder a few times since hanging it, wondering if it is in the best position. The birds I’ve seen at it are the black birds and the red-winged black birds. It swings freely so it is a challenge for them to hand onto the cage but they seem to be enjoying it. I was hoping for more eye-catching birds but really, I’m just happy that I’ve found something that our many Chippy’s can’t get at. LOL I also want to replace and find a better spot for my hanging seed feeder.

brunch = eggs, feta cheese and radishes

I made my little meal and it was closer to 12 noon. Still more food than I could eat. I should’ve stuck to my norm of 1 egg instead of 2. Where’s my little guy when I need him? Clemmy usually liked to eat the egg that we would leave on our plate for him. Every day there is something and that is a good thing. I love our memories of him. I cleaned up the few dishes and then cleaned up myself and changed into a one-piece swimsuit. Don’t want to scare anyone at the pool! I stopped in Durham on my way through and took in the bottles and cans for the $2.50 refund. Better than nothing!

On the way to Donna’s, Jamie called but he was in his vehicle and with me in mine, the connection was not great and we disconnected. He left me a text saying that he and Cheryl (& kids?) were on their way to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her parents are out there and we knew he was trying to rent a trailer that would accommodate them for 2 weeks. It is 3 days there and 3 days back. I wished them a safe and fun trip and will touch base when they return. Vacations are nice and important.

The entrance to the Hanover Aquatic Centre

Donna and I went to Salvation Army in Hanover first where I dropped off the donations I had. Of course, we poked around as I had a few things I was looking for. We found 3 hooks that I can use for hanging our hangers in the Bunky. They will take up a whole lot less space than the coat rack that we’re using now. From there we drove to what I call ‘Donna’s Consignment store’. Fashion Fables Boutique is a very special ladies store.

I loved it and the gal running it today was a very positive, helpful young lady. I see why Donna raves about it. Most of the clothing was high quality bearing labels that I find in the Ladies store here near Durham but at 2^nd hand prices. Right up my alley! I tried on 3 dresses and walked out with one. Each one was lovely, all under $30 and I’d have brought 2 home had the one not been too big. I’ll go back for sure.

a huge pool with more than one lifeguard on duty at all times

Lastly, I drove us to the Aquatic Centre with directional assistance from Donna. We were a bit early so waited and watched from an upstairs viewing window. The main pool, hot tub and small pool were jam-packed with little people. I’m so glad ours was an adult swim for a peaceful hour. Kids are great but not for us and not in a pool. That’s why we all have choices. ¾ of the way through our time, we got out and took 10 minutes of extreme sauna heat. That was all we could handle before hopping back in the pool to cool off.

That was a fun afternoon with my big sister and during the drying off and changing process, I had a call from the Durham vet that Clemson’s ashes were ready for pick up. Bill had arrived home around 3 pm and we decided that I would stop and pick them up on my way home. That was tearful but I tried to be brave (without a lot of success) as she handed them to me. Bill was waiting for me when I drove in the lane and we opened the cardboard box together.

Clemson is home where he belongs again

All we can say is that it is a beautiful little cedar box holding some very special ashes of an incredible little memory. Clemson, now you may rest in peace, back home here in our Suite, forevermore. It was the right decision.

I was hungry so Bill lit the Weber Q and began grilling our mild farmer’s sausage. Inside, I cut up my garden radishes and green onions plus the last of Carol’s leaf lettuce and some green pepper. A sprinkling of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese completed the salad. I think we’ll be having some dessert tonight! It is nice to have Bill home again. I had to admit that I felt empty yesterday afternoon and last evening. All is well again. 😊

Supper was good topped off with Creamy Lime Jell-O

We did the few dishes up and Bill went to the Acreage to get a bladder full of fresh water. I put the chairs and my bike away, closed the Bunky doors and brought the towels and my suit off the line. Just in time, the rain spattered around, cooling me off as I worked away. It didn’t last more than 5 minutes and Bill would be sheltered in the trees so may not have even noticed over there. 

The geese are still hanging around
making it difficult to determine parent from child now

I hope you’ve enjoyed your day as I certainly have mine. A refreshing swim and some shopping with my sis, my sweetie returns home in great time and we got our little bum back home with us too.

another untouched capture on my dusty Canon

and instead of showing you the sunset tonight

I'll share our portion of the rainbow
Who got the other half?
Good night y'all from all 3 of us here on the Ridge

Thank you for stopping by to see what we’re up to. Your comments are always appreciated whenever you wish to leave one.

Early Cleaning, Watering by Choice, Blow-drying My Canon 30D, Supper with Bill

The Ridge

Well, it wasn’t the best of sleeps. I love having Clemson cuddled with me but I don’t sleep as soundly.  Checking my sleep habits on my Fitbit confirms that. I was awake about an hour and a half throughout the night. I guess I was afraid that I wouldn’t notice him jumping off the bed. Anyway, I glanced at the clock so much, thinking it was later than it was each time, that when he did move to get down, I was actually relieved.

I see a lot of these brown birds around

I slipped on jammy bottoms and a hoody and carried him outside for his piddle. It was so warm! No wind and at least 60F/15C. We went back to bed and then I couldn’t drop off again even though I felt tired. Today is Wednesday, June 5th. I must have though as my alarm woke me to the tune of the Tango. Wanna dance? I got up, washed and brushed my teeth. Because he usually does more than piddle first thing, I lifted the sleepy little body off the bed and took him out to care of that.

Plain brown? Nah, he is very pretty

Grabbing a water, my keys and purse, I headed into Durham after placing him back near my pillow. The Laundromat was quiet, even after official opening hours. That is always appreciated, as I can move about freely without getting in anyone’s way or visa versa. It was 8 when I left there and parked across from the bank. I nipped across the street to deposit my pay and that felt good. I need to continue to build the cash in my Savings for my Ladyfest (sister’s week) in July.

 Back home, I couldn’t tell, again, if the sun would rule today or just what would happen. My plants need watering, regardless, so after finishing a nice creamy tea, and writing the beginnings of today’s post, I went out and started. I need to get a better system but for right now, I do what I have to do. Getting water from the rain pails into the small 2” diameter hole in the watering can is a real challenge.

So for the time being, the pickle jar will be handy

Remember that I said our rain barrel doesn’t have enough water in it to fill the can from there? The top tap is about 18” from the bottom. Well, with the hose on a downward slope, along the flower garden and down the lane, I can turn the spigot on. This connection to the rain barrel is about 2” from the base so all we need is more rain collected than that. We do. The nozzle we currently have for the hose is an old one we’ve had for years and it is on its last legs. The on/off part no longer works.

Challenges, right? We shall overcome! Once, I did the running up and down to fill the can that way. That was enough of that so I resorted to filling an old pickle jar and pouring it into the can to fill it. Twice. So, 3 fill-ups were enough to water all my ‘newly’ planted primrose and marigolds as well as the sunflowers and vegetables up on the hill. My primrose are still on the ‘iffy’ side of living or dying and I believe the hard work of transferring Gayle’s perwinkle was a seemingly useless chore. It looks like it is dying.

Story of the day, it started at 11 am

When we don’t want rain, that’s all we get. When I would have liked a good downpour or two to soak that hill, it stops. I did what I could and other than grumbling over whom I believe is Chippy digging up one of my sunflowers (!*&!), the garden is looking great. I put things away, except for the pickle jar which will remain in the rain pail for now, and retreated inside to make myself a coffee. Our little furball was still up on my pillow all this time, since I left for town.

Naturally, at 11, the rain started. It was a nice steady rain for about 10 minutes, not heavy and not a blowing rain. I rejoiced but never seem to be happy as I wanted more!! I’d heard briefly from Bill when I was watering. He wanted me to know that he was returning the trailer to Guelph that he picked up a couple of weeks ago. I therefore, felt bad for the rain and hoped he didn’t get anything too heavy on the highway.

At 11:15 when I was warming up my French toast for breakfast or lunch, whatever, Clemmy stirred himself and came downstairs. I’m trying to avoid my recliner today, for the most part. Yesterday’s extended lounging/laziness wasn’t good for my back and I was beating myself up for it while bending over to clean this morning. I sat for a while and did a row on my blanket while thinking of what else I could get into, in a moving capacity.

I did finish the Patterson book last night before closing my eyes. It was so good! Cross Fire is a recommendation if you haven’t read it. A one day read for me = good book! I’ll give it a day before I choose another book, long enough to get this one out of my head. I did a bit of re-organizing in the seagrass baskets under our hi-low coffee table. I needed more rv cards for my phone so one thing led to another.

These baskets are great but we tend to slip things
in them for quick storage

Under there, I found an adult colouring book Pat and I got from Pilot Knob RV resort this past winter but couldn’t remember where my coloured pencils were. I’d bought some and a book in London before leaving the city in 2016. Thinking it would be a good pastime – which no doubt it is and yet I’ve only opened it 2 or 3 times since our first winter. I looked in the Bunky, where I got coin rollers to roll my nickels and quarters, but no crayons. Clemson was back up on the bed, sleeping, so I couldn’t lift the bed without disturbing him. They might be under there.

I found them plus the book I bought in London (on the left)

As I’m sitting here, I decided to get my hair blower out to try and remove the dust specks on my big Canon. It was suggested by a fellow in London, the one from Kijiji where I went to look at a camera body. I haven’t used my big camera much since noticing so many spots in my pictures and that is a shame. 

I do love my camera

I’ve used it for close up bird pictures with no white sky in the background.  The way it is now, trying this can’t hurt. I took the lens out and blew into the camera on low speed. Then I took a picture of the sky. Downloaded it and found no difference.

This is the blower I bought for the camera

I got out my lens cleaning spray, soft cloth and blower designed for this. I’ve done all this before but I keep hoping something will work. Then I took a few more pictures. No difference. Hmmm, well, that was a waste of about 45 minutes.  It is very discouraging but I’m too cheap to have it sent away for a professional clean. There is no guarantee there either for the $150+.

Stress free is right - I totally relaxed doing this

I put it away, frustrated and coloured instead. The Color Me White Sheets did say “Stress Free” after all! Sitting at the table in a straight back dining chair was not exactly ‘mobile’ but it was better than in my recliner. Clemson was upstairs sleeping again and after finishing a couple of pictures, I went up and joined him. My restless night, morning work and persnickety back making me tired. We slept for about an hour before coming downstairs for him to start his ‘feed me’ dance.

Since it hadn’t stopped raining since 11, I couldn’t entertain him with a walk so I basically ignored him until 4 when he finally got his supper. By this time, I’d finished a 3^rd picture and was enjoying the childish time passer. 

Finally, I moved to my chair and started a new book by Michael MGarrity called Slow Kill. It started out interesting right from page 1 so I pushed a small pillow in the curve of my back and sat back with it. Clemson curled up beside me with his full tummy and relieved bladder.

Meatloaf and salad for supper

At 5:30 Bill texted that he was leaving Costco for home, his day going much better than we’d originally expected. He will be home for a late supper so I pulled our leftover meatloaf out of the freezer and will wait for him. He should be here around 8. Instead of waiting, I’m going to finish writing. This has turned into a book rather than a posting.

A stop at Costco meant a full freezer again
Lots of pork and chicken

This was an odd day for sure but I’m actually glad for the rain today. Not always heavy or steady, it has dampened the ground and given a necessary drink to my plants. I hope you’ve stayed dry.

By 8:30, the fog had moved in thicker than gang busters

And then it just got spooky so I closed the blinds
Good night from the Ridge everyone!
Get ready for some real spring weather, it's on its way

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