The Day After a Celebration, Find Another!

The Ridge

On Saturday, July 2^nd, I was in no hurry to get up. I know I slept well and deep but I did wake up with a couple of dreams. One, not so nice, so because I am superstitious to a degree, I will not repeat a Friday night dream. Ever. When I got up, Bill had the blinds open downstairs and was getting his breakfast and thermos of coffee made. Wait, what day is it?

This is me trying to finish my blog
from Canada Day

Then I remembered that he wants to go flying today and tomorrow, which is much better than work! Looking out my window, yes, it was very calm and sunny. 😊 We got up on time to say goodbye and I sat with Gibbs, played my word games and drank my tea. I’d already set my mind to a chore and so got the Norwex mop/window pad system out and went out with only water to wash the Suite windows. Outside first.

A Grosbeak visited today
He didn't face me long enough to get a picture of
his brilliant red throat

Gibbs waits while I wash windows

It is so easy now, that I never grumble about it anymore. I got at it and finished all around before it got too warm. I washed the 2 pads in the stain remover liquid and they came out almost like new. I had to share that with my Norwex rep since I was so impressed with the outcome. Then I washed the insides with the regular window cloths. We can see out again and take pictures from indoors without streaks! Yay! ♥

You may wonder why we love 
and keep this dead tree
It's because it gives the birds a place
to gather 💓

Gibbs was outside with me but on his rope so while I watered the garden plants, he ran around with me. I’m pleased with them all, the tomato and pepper plants have flowers and the egg plant is now standing nice and tall. The other day they looked wimpy. 😊

It's another beautiful day for outside sitting
or for doing whatever you fancy

I wanted to go into town to check out the celebrations for Durham’s birthday/homecoming so left around 11. It was packed and people were lining up all along the main street. Lots of pictures but you can skip through if you like. 

I've never seen Durham like this
but yahoo for the vendors!

Durham's Fire Department
We pray never to need them

Ptooties had prime parking
Shaded and free

I parked at the Mat, and had the best, most shaded spot in town. 😊 The parade didn’t start until 12 noon so I wandered around and picked up a few small items. I donated some $ at the groomers for the Animal Shelter in O.S. and she gave me 3 sample treat bags for Gibbs. He’ll be happy about that! He loves his treats. 

I haven’t been to a parade in many, many years, never really getting the oohs and aahs out of them that many people do. Santa Claus parades are not my thing, but did see a couple when the kids were small. This one was special, our home town. 😊

These are the 'used to be' fire trucks,
some from nearby towns

It was very long, which was quite impressive for such a small town. It lasted 55 minutes from beginning to end. I took way too many pictures so will have to collage the most important ones down to give you just a taste. 

A showcase of vendors
Rockwood Terrace, Mom's last home 💖💗
Durham Furniture and Northline Service and Repair
just down our road
(also where we get our hair cut) - they don't use
weed whackers, btw!

Methinks the hearse in the top picture
had carried many former Durham residents to 
their final resting place

I enjoyed it and when it was done, drove home. Bill had also just returned and we had a late lunch. He rested and when he went down to work in the Hangar/cargo trailer, I drove over to do a bit of secretarial stuff for M for an hour. I offered this time.

It isn't just because I'm working at M's now,
but I've always loved the old classics
I'm sure many of you can name all of these in
the  pictures

After I got back, Gibbs and I sat outside until Bill suggested we hop on Jazz and go to Jenny G’s, the chip truck near Hanover, for supper. Sold! No cooking for us tonight!  

I thought they were winding down but
then the tractors came

I have never seen so many different ones
in one place!

It was a lovely ride, just after 5 and I had a loaded hot dog and poutine, while Bill had a cheeseburger, fries and milkshake. They were all good, we like their food and their dedication to their customers. Bill took a self-made detour on the way home and it was nice for a change.

Everyone seemed happy and enjoying 
themselves
I know I was both!

The day was coming to a close and he went back to work on something in his cargo trailer and I finally finished yesterday’s blog. Gibbs wanted my attention so until I put him down, he showed me who is boss and who loves his Mama. ♥ 

This was another great day. It reached about 21C/73F and at 8:30, the air felt quite cool. Another repeat of this day tomorrow so maybe another ride is in order. 😉

Oh man, this was good! and I ALMOST
ate the whole thing!
Good night!
(I'm still a day behind, but I'll get caught up.)

Thank you for your visit!

Canada Day Dinner with Family

The Ridge

On Friday, July 1^st the forecast was pretty unsettling. Both in the sky and in our thoughts. It was supposed to be light morning showers and then an 83% chance of precipitation with thunder storms in the afternoon. Blech! That’s how it started. By 9 am, (after a bit of a fretful evening thinking about it), Bill looked at the radar and it was going to clear up by 1. Yay!

Waiting for company after a busy
morning

The day just got brighter from there on in. I went to town to clean the Mat and loaded the last smaller pieces of wood in the back of Ptooties, with the seats folded down. Just the sheet of plywood is left for Bill to pick up and that should clear everything out for Jamie that he asked about. 😊 I feel better about that, we’d told him we’d get it this week. We will burn it in our pit.

Bill dozed in the chair beside me

Bill waited until about 10 and when the sprinkles of rain stopped, he went out and did the weed trimming down the lane. He also did around our seating area up here and on the berm along the fence line. It looks so nice when it’s done and I know he was happy to get at it. Then we got cleaned up, showered, rested etc. Inside, I boiled potatoes for salad and when they turned out too well done, mashed them instead of cutting them up.

Then we were ready

From now on, that is the way all my potato salads will be made! It is so much easier than all that cutting. 😊 I got a snack tray ready with cukes, grape tomatoes, cheese, grapes as well as a shrimp tray and hickory sticks and Cheeto snacks. Yes, probably more than was necessary but we were consuming alcohol so it was important to have snacks.

I can't wait until Gracie gets here!

Carol, Brian and Gracie arrived first, around 2:30 and Gibbs cared about nothing else for a while. ♥ He met Gracie last year, same time, same place and they have both grown up a lot since then. It was just fun to watch them chase, jump, roll and play over each other. A couple of times when Brian let her loose with her long leash in tow (for easy catching), she wandered too far and wouldn’t come when called. Boy, they are like two peas in a pod! So many similar habits!

Then she arrived
She's a Wheaton Terrier
but a mini version, I think

Liz and Bruce came just as we started getting our snacks. Because of the dogs and the wind, I left everything inside on the island (but forgot a picture). The rest of the afternoon was very enjoyable, stories that the 3 sibs and 2 in-laws shared about Stratford. They’ve all lived there for a long time. I don’t know enough about the town or the present or former buildings so I was able to just listen and be happy. 😊 It was a beautiful afternoon and we were thankful for the wind up here.

They were adorable waiting for a treat

Adorable together resting

And even in their play

Bill started grilling shortly after 6. Angus burgers and Smokies and I prepped the Caesar salad and set everything up on the island again. We filled our plates and moved outside to the picnic table to eat. For dessert, it was an assortment of New York style cheesecakes and they were delicious! Of course, some of us had 2 pieces! I can’t refuse cheesecake at any time and we haven’t had it in a while.

Liz and Bruce

Bill and Brian (and Gracie's butt)

Carol

My plate of food

The dessert tray after a few got their pieces

Before they left, I think it was around 8 or so, I got my tripod and took our traditional group picture. It will be fun to look back on and that’s exactly what I did instead of writing my blog last night. 

Happy Canada Day from the Richard's clan
There are McNall's and Schmidt's in here too ♥♥

This was another awesome Canada Day up here on The Ridge.

The start of the sunset

And the finish
Good night!
Happy Birthday, Canada!

Thank you for dropping by!