And Time Slips Through My Hands, (just being melodramatic), Rainy Day, Birthday Celebration

On The Ridge

On Tuesday, Aug. 27^th my big sis, Gayle, is celebrating a birthday. I’d say not a special one but I believe that e-v-e-r-y single one is a special one. It doesn’t have to end in a 5 or a 0 to warrant grand celebration. So, tonight, her husband, John, has invited a few of her sisters over for a bbq for the occasion. Usually, we opt to go out for dinner somewhere but this is Gayle’s choice and it will be quite nice.

The cows and Mr. Bull don't seem to mind the rain

Bill and I woke up around 6:30 and decided that there was no reason to rush out of bed since it was dull, rainy and windy. More snuggle time in the morning is always wonderful. Our feet touched the floor around 7:30 and I felt very well rested. I was in bed at 10 last night and Bill not until 12:30 when he finished his sewing. What a guy! He knew if he didn’t finish that last, most difficult handle strap that he would wake up to it today. Good logic.

And this little guy tries to sleep

We had our coffee and tea together and since I knew I was going to the library after 10, I took the time to proofread my 4 days-worth of blog posts. That would save time in town. I made him breakfast at 9:30 and headed in soon after he was finished. The library was busy today, maybe because it was a rainy, albeit mild, day. No outside work or play will be done today. I settled myself with my laptop and that lovely sound of data connection in a chair by the window.

Bang, bang, bang and bang, the days flew through my fingers as I added pictures and published post after post until I caught up to today. It took 2 ½ hours and I certainly don’t expect you to go back and read them all. One of my regular readers commented that even though she understood why I wasn’t posting, after reading it daily for so long, it felt ‘weird’. I took that as a compliment and thank you for those words. It feels weird to me too, NOT posting on a daily basis.

And there he is, adorable Gerard Butler

So, since watching that special (to me) chick flick (which Bill likes too, I might add), I checked the library shelves to see if they had the book in stock. Tickle me purple, they did, so I checked it out. In between books right now, before I start one with Jack Reacher (one of my favourite characters) I want to read this one and see how it varies from the movie. This will be fun since I know the movie pretty much by heart.

And for most of the day, our skies were filled with clouds and rain

Back home, through the rain, I was happy to see (and almost hear) my flowers and veggies saying ‘thankyou’ to the sky. I’m grateful too that I don’t have to water them. It would have been on the list of things to do today. I had hoped to get our laundry done this morning as well but after hearing the forecast, it will be tomorrow during cleaning. I still enjoy the smell of freshness from clothes hanging on the line.

Driving to Gayle's, we go through the small village of Williamsford

I made myself a coffee, and since it was 1 o’clock, made myself some lunch too. I had some feta cheese, ham and fried radishes and zucchini. Yummy and filling. Then I did up the morning’s (& last night’s ice cream) dishes and started today’s post. Some people may think that writing a post every day is a drag and must feel obligatory and time consuming.

a drive through village with little traffic

Here is what I’m thinking and have probably said before. For me? I love to write. I could write and write and write (as you’ve probably noticed from my long windedness) about many things. Not educational things, just things. I’ve always enjoyed it, especially when there is no pressure to accomplish something according to someone else’s instructions. Don’t tell me what to write and I’m happy.

We arrived at Cedarhaven around 4:30

Writing a book, although I’ve thought of it often, feels obligatory to me.  Now, getting right down to it – publishing the blog is the part I’m not keen on. I like sharing, don’t get me wrong, but the process of copying, pasting and then waiting for pictures to download and selecting appropriate pictures……..that’s the part that feels a bit pressured. There you go, those are my thoughts on blog posting. Plus! When you don’t have data, oh bother, don’t get me started! 😊

Instead of starting my library book, I took my phone and some water out to the Bunky to work on the jigsaw. Around 3:30 we both came inside to get ready to go to Chatsworth. Bill needed a shower so I dressed and packed our cooler with drinks and a salad to help John out. We didn’t want Gayle having to prepare anything. We were second to arrive with Donna and Gerry arriving half hour later. John offered wine or beer and we sat outside on their lovely back deck overlooking the pond.

John set the patio table up nicely

John barbecued honey mustard and seasoned garlic chicken thighs along with boiled corn on the cob so with my Caesar salad, Donna’s potato salad and Cathy’s macaroni salad, there was plenty to eat and we wasted none! For dessert, John and I placed candles on a 3-tiered strawberry/vanilla cake and he served her favourite Chapman’s ice cream on the side. Everything was wonderful, even our voices as they mingled to sing Happy Birthday. Don’t you love traditions!? We left around 8:00.

And looking out across the pond

After turning onto Baptist Church Road, driving through the trees on the gravel section, on the right about 25’ in front of us a mid-size deer ran directly across. Bill was quick to hit the brakes and thankfully he safely made it to the other side and we safely remained on the road. Your heart goes to your throat and even though I had my camera in my hand, the reaction wasn’t on taking a picture, rather it was directed to the ‘oh my God!’ moment.

John did well putting this dinner together for Gayle

Happy Birthday, Gayle!
l to r - Cathy, Bill, Gerry, Donna, John, Bill, Patsy, Gayle

Back home, we watched America’s Got Talent but I wasn’t too impressed with many of the performers tonight. Therefore, a couple of them were missed as I’d dropped off. I know Bill was doing the same and when it ended at 10, upstairs it was for me. Not sure how late Bill stayed up but I know I was off in dreamland soon after hitting the pillow.

Looks kind of like "71"

Cake and ice cream
Perfect for a birthday

This turned into a nice day and thankfully the rain had stopped by 3 and we were able to eat outside at Gayle and John’s. The evening was mild and still, just the way we like them to be on a summer’s day.

And on the drive home, I played with my camera

And the sun set

And I was still snapping pictures

Playing with the fisheye style

And it was a lovely drive home
Good night!

Thank you for taking the time to stop in. I enjoy hearing from you!

Late Evening News, Sunny then Dull Day, Sewing up a Storm

The Ridge

On Monday, Aug. 26^th I was up ahead of the alarm and made sure Bill was up (as per his instruction last night) before I headed into Durham. Last night, just before bedtime, I had a text from our buddy, Pat, that Aunt Mary had succumbed to her summer-long illness. Sad but at the same time, a blessing for her. Rest in peace, dear Mary, I enjoyed getting to know you over the past 3 years.

A pretty nice day with contrails across the sky

It was 6:30 by the time I arrived at the laundromat. Doors were locked so I was on my own for a good 45 minutes before a customer came in. I do believe ‘some’ people are actually reading the signs – well the recycle bin signs anyways. I didn’t have much sorting at all this morning so that made me happy.  When Doreen came in, we chit chatted about Jamie, whom I came to learn she babysit when he was a young’un. I’d seen her before when I was doing my own laundry but never been formally introduced so we took care of that formality.

The Marigolds down by Bill's Hangar are thriving

Doreen does the laundry for the Homestead Golf Resort in the area. She has lots of bedding etc. so needed a few big washers and she also needed change. The change machine light was blinking indicating that it was ‘out’ so I opened up a couple of washers to get her enough to get started at least. Then I texted Jamie so he knew he needed to drop by.

The cattle across the road look like they want to chat

When I left there, I drove straight home and made my tea. Then I hopped in the shower before we went into Hanover. We got fuel for Ptooties in Durham and then stopped around to see Rob and Pat. A personal visit is our preference over a condolence card. We think they were grateful to see us and we sat briefly and let them talk about Aunt Mary’s last few days. It will be a tough week for them.

In Hanover, I had a parcel to pick up at Walmart, a few minor groceries and Bill wanted something at Home Hardware so we didn’t stay long. Once in Hanover, it didn’t take long to do our shopping so we didn’t dilly dally getting what we needed. We were home by 11. We each made a coffee and Bill sat back and rested while I started today’s post and finished my drink. Then it was time to get to work!

It went easier than I'd expected

We’d had a snack bar on the way back home so weren’t too hungry but we did have some lunch to tie us over until supper. We settled for rye toast and choke cherry jelly. YUM!!! Then I got my sewing machine out of the hall closet. Today was the day we’d planned to sew the wing covers for Bill’s monster plane. The idea is great and as long as my machine needle will go through 3 thicknesses of the quilts we bought; it should work great.

Bill was holding the mass of blanket while I stitched

We worked together, me sewing, Bill folding and helping to hold the edges together for me, and we had success! We now had a 3-fold wing pocket, 91” long and 32” deep and both wings fit in it perfectly. We did a ‘fitting’ and with Bill at one end and me at the other, we measured how it would hang in his cargo trailer.

My little sewer

Along the 91" length, we needed 4 handles that joined
front to back

With 4 hooks on the wall at appropriate lengths, we now needed 4 handles strong enough to hold the weight during transport. Because of the 3 layers and 3 edges closed, I could only stitch a handle on the open end by machine. Bill and/or I will have to stitch the remaining 3 handles by hand. Reaching inside from one end to the other will not be easy. Bill was up for the challenge. This will all make much more sense when I can show you the finished product.

Bill mounted the 4 double hooks to hang the wings on

It was 3:30 when the first part was finished and I assumed we were done for the day. I put my machine away and when Bill sat in his chair to start sewing, I took a walk down the lane to check the mailbox. I’m not sure if the mail lady stopped. This afternoon, UPS delivered my Avon. Just a small order for us and something for Pat. I need to keep my account active so every 3 campaigns I place a small order while I’m home and then I do the same thing during the winter but delivery goes to Donna’s.

And before he went to bed at 12:30 am, all 4 were in place

The rest of the afternoon was spent together, Bill sewing and I sat encouragingly nearby and watched tv beside him. I’d finished The Quickie by J.P. yesterday and wasn’t ready to start a new one yet. At 6 he was barbecuing burgers on the Weber while I prepped the condiments. Just loaded burgers tonight with ice cream for dessert. I had some homemade applesauce with mine and it was delicious.

One of the selfies I'd warned you about

An old movie came on that we haven’t seen for many years so we watched Private Benjamin together. This was a great day tinged with the loss of a friend. She is in heaven now and at peace.

And a hearty loaded burger fit the bill
Good night!
Until my next library visit!

Thank you for your visit today. Your comments are always appreciated.