Laundry, Rain or Shine? Just blink and it will change.

I woke up on Sunday, July 2^nd to a solid blue sky with no clouds. It was around 6:30 and within minutes decided to get up and enjoy it. I was surprised that it was cooler at 13C outside compared to the past few nights. No worries, the clothes would dry regardless.

Great start to the day

  By the time I’d made my tea, Bill got up and joined me with his coffee. By 8:30 the car was loaded and I was on my way to Durham. Bill loads the car with detergents and dirty clothes and I wash and hang them. Fair exchange. I was the only one there and town was quiet at that time on a Sunday morning.

I stopped at the bank machine and then to Beckers and cashed in my lotto tickets on the way home. What a surprise! I thought I’d only one 2 free tickets but I’d won 2 free tickets plus $5. Yay! So, I picked up another 649 ticket. Who knows, it just takes one to win!

When I got back Bill was up on the roof again, lowering the solar panels from his wash job yesterday and giving the air conditioner covers and vents a good cleaning too. I set about hanging the clothes. How much nicer now that he has raised my umbrella line.

I had a second tea and a nibble of my peanut butter cookies. Good stuff in those, oatmeal, peanut butter, flax seed and honey. Kind of breakfast things.

to the southwest at one point

Clemson was inside shivering, we can’t understand it. I guess the cool air comes inside from the open door and even though it says it is 21C in the Suite, little Mr. Hardly Any Hair is still cool. So, I offered that he come outside with me in the sunshine, which he did gratefully. The shivering stopped immediately.

I’m so involved in this book that I’m surprised anything is getting done around here. I hate putting it down but know that I have to keep up with things. I used to think I was lazy when I sat around reading but now that I think of it, I only sit around when there aren’t other things to do. Justified!

and within minutes it is followed by clearing

A big black cloud rose up from the southwest, threatening yet again. We should have known. Within 20 minutes Bill, Clemson and I were scrambling inside to avoid getting wet. It wasn’t a hard rain but enough to be uncomfortable. So, inside now watching my clothes get a second rinse. Grrr.

All things will pass, if you just wait a few minutes. Such is the life up here on The Ridge and believe it or not, we are getting used to it. The winds pick up and die down, the sun shines for most of the day and then a dark cloud hovers. We had a pretty great day really, with all of that going on.

These clouds were sporadic and didn't spoil our day
They moved quickly and painlessly

Bill asking Mr. Snapper if he was lost

My clothes dried in record time and were put away by 12 noon. That is awesome! Bill got out the weed eater and did the trimming around the upper Ridge and the corral with just the field fence line to do another day, if he chooses. It looks so nice. I got my lightweight trimmer out and did around the patio table just as he was finishing up.

The entertainment of the day was this fellow. Bill noticed him crawling up from the east pond while trimming down there and called for me to bring my camera. The rest of the afternoon, I was intrigued and kept an eye on Mr. Snapper. He proceeded to make his way up the grass driveway until he ended up here by our patio table. Where is he headed?

He must be old or sick, he'd take 3 steps forward and drop for a rest

Bill felt  sorry for him and washed the grass off his back

Not sure if this will play, but let's try

Bill, at one point, felt sorry for covering him in grass trimmings so used our watering can to wash him off. I think that cemented their friendship for good. At one point, after taking numerous videos on my phone, Mr. S. took 5 steps and dropped. Bill found me outside with tears running down my cheeks. We both thought he expired after all of that travelling.

Don't know where he was headed
To Clemson's water dish perhaps?

As we were about to read him his last rights, he lifted his head and motored forward. My oh my! I googled how to move a snapper before he crawled under the Suite where we couldn’t reach him. 

Eyeball to eyeball - eyes open

Eyes closed

As it was, Clemson was banned indoors for the moment. Bill and I got him into a rain pail and carried him to the dock area of the pond and released him. Silly fellow, just turned around and tried to head across the road.

Walking down the lane with Mr. S. this fellow was crossing to the other side

I swept the bunky out today, hoping for some visitors soon. Donna and Gerry arrived soon after and had to stop the car until Bill moved Mr. S. out of the way again. 

Anyway, we had a nice visit with our company and showed them around the property. They hadn’t been over for a while. I treated them with a peanut butter bite, hmm, never got a yay or nay come to think of it.

My worker bee today

With a dark cloud again to the northwest, they left for the Acreage to start supper and I headed inside to make up our burgers. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that dinner might have to wait until the sky cleared. When all was clear, Bill lit the Weber and we had a couple of burgers, with bacon and cheese.

to the west at 6 pm

We watched the news, weather and I’m determined for some reading time tonight. I’ve been spit reading all day and very involved with all of the happenings in the book. Wow! I recommend it and I’m not even finished. It has been a great day, we got a lot accomplished and some great relaxing time too.

The little fellow who likes my peanuts

He wasn't sure whether I was danger or provider at this point

One stuffs them in, this one takes time to sample first

 Lots of nature today and I've enjoyed every minute.

Donna and Gerry and Clemson

Thank you for sticking in and reading. All comments are welcome.

HAPPY 150^TH BIRTHDAY, CANADA!

Saturday, July 1^st welcomed me a few times early morning but when I actually fully woke up and looked at the clock, it was 8:25! My goodness, that was a good sleep with my window open beside me. I didn’t have to shut it once because of rain and the breeze was wonderful! I've intermixed some of our home pictures for the special day.

Clemson had returned to my side after getting up once already with Bill and the door to the living-room and kitchen was closed. No wonder I slept so soundly. It wasn’t a bright start to the day but it wasn’t raining either, just overcast skies. Such a warm morning though sitting at 19C first thing. This is okay, we’ll play it by ear.

Bill and I would usually be bustling around doing last minute things before our company arrives for the afternoon and Canada Day dinner. It has been our own tradition to invite Bill’s parents, 2 sisters and spouses to come for the day. I’m trying to remember how many years we’ve done this but it has sadly come to an end, as many good things do. At least 10 years, I believe.

My new garage sale stone

 So, for one reason or another, no fault of anyone, we have all called it a success and moved on. It is a good year, I guess, in a way for it to end since there is so much going on around and things to do to celebrate this special birthday. On the other hand, boy, could we have thrown quite the shindig!

Bill wanted to take advantage of the nice day to wash the roof of the Suite so he went out about 9 to start that with the water left in the bladder after filling our tank. Half way through, he made a trip to the Acreage to fill up again. This time he hooked up the pressure washer instead of just using the hose. That made things easier with the extra power.

At 11, he came down as the sky, right on cue, looked black. Soon after he was back up there to finish. I remained inside after sneaking out to take a picture of this beautiful pink bush that I noticed yesterday up on the hill. Talk about a diamond in the rough! 

From a distance

As close as I could get to it in the long wet grass

You can bet I’m going to set about digging the smaller one out and moving it closer so we can appreciate it.

Today's music pleasure

It was a good day to do you know what? Yes, bake! I pulled out the recipe book I’ve put together of favourites and found 4 or 5 possible recipes. After a bit of deliberation (do I have this ingredient? How much room do I have in the freezer? How long does it take?) I decided on 3.

Bill was up and down while determined to complete the washing portion of the roof but when Donna texted me at one point saying they just got dumped on (6 km away) I ran out to warn Bill what was coming in that black cloud. He didn’t hesitate but carried on since he was so close to the finish line! Ten minutes later he climbed down within a couple of minutes of the cloud burst.

Bill gives the Suite a quick spray down after doing the roof

The rain gave it a good final rinse so that is what you call perfect timing, my friends. The windows are quite a mess and now I’m glad I didn’t clean them last week. When the sky clears, Bill did a final spray of the whole Suite for now and clear the windows.

A better picture of my hosta garden

One batch of 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Bites are done, in the fridge hardening. One dish of Cherry Pudding Cake finished and one apple pie in the convection oven baking. At least these are not all sweet things and will give us something for dessert when we need it. If Donna and Gerry come tomorrow night for a visit, they can check them out.

We’ve had rain off and on over the past few hours but it is a pleasant enough day otherwise. Not a sitting outside day for sure. I turned our Sirius radio off and have been popping CD’s in the stereo. Something I seldom do but should do more often. These are CDs of artists we chose, not someone else. The exception to that is that I have included a couple that my son, Patrick and daughter, Bridgette made for me.  Right now, the Eagles are crooning me into the late afternoon.

Clemson respects the flag and doesn't piddle on the stones today

As Bill finishes washing the slide tops, the sun makes a nice appearance. How would you like a sunny side up with a cloud chaser? Funny day for sure. I settled beside Clemson and read some of my mystery. My baking is done and can now relax. Bill soon joined us inside.

Here he comes at a fast pace

Around 6 pm we lit the Weber Q to barbecue the last 2 Mediterranean style chicken breasts. With specific instructions on how to cook (bbq, fry or bake) whether thawed or frozen, Bill did his best. Remember he isn't much for chicken in the first place. I cooked corn, broccoli and did a couple of baked potatoes as well.

We are both glad this is the last of that pack of breasts. They don’t cook well and the flavor leaves a lot to be desired. So much for Blue Menu, they’ve taken all the fat out of them and the flavor too, in my opinion. The rest of our meal was great and since I baked today, we have dessert for an extra filler if necessary.

Our flag through the trees and across the pond

I was hoping our supper on Canada’s birthday would have been more special but a lesson was learned. I feel a lot was accomplished today, even though Bill did most of the heavy stuff. I did the fun part.

WARNING: Sunset picture overload

I didn't know which one was the best from last night

This one was to the right of the red brightness in other pictures

another one off to the side

Last night was one of the most beautiful displays I've seen

I hope you’ve had a wonderful Canada Day doing the things you love. 

I want to thank you for reading today, feel free to leave a comment.