Monday Still Cold, Sister’s Birthday

The Ridge

Bill and I started our Monday, Apr. 26^th as per usual. I was downstairs before 7 to say goodbye as he headed off to work. I had my tea and after washing up, drove into Durham myself. The Mat wasn’t too bad but the floor was messy with regular dirt plus those stupid little (prepare for vent) detergent beads. You know that German woman in the commercial who dances around pathetically? Well, if you haven’t seen it, lucky you. I dislike the commercial and I dislike the beads more.

The day started out bright and calm

Anyway, those laundry beads are the worst thing to clean up and when users let them spill on the floor and leave them to get stepped on………..grrr *+#$%! I lose it. They don’t sweep up easily nor do the wet mopping get them all. My arms get tired going back and forth trying to get the ones that are ground in. Often, there are also loose ones in the machine as well indicating that they don’t all disintegrate in the wash. Or perhaps too many are used. That’s it, I’m over it now.

More visitors to brighten the yard

So, with only Jamie’s cousin in to do her wash and another lady to dry her loads, it was quiet. I’m beginning to get sedentary again, comfortable in my work space and just pray that it lasts. 😊 When I left there, it was just after 9:30 and I drove down to Foodland. I haven’t been in here for ourselves yet this year and only planned on getting the 4 items on the list rather than drive to Hanover. I did find 3 more things that were on sale before I left.

These Mallards were so pretty
Their irridescent green heads were hard to miss
And they weren't shy of me like our normal Ridge ducks

Beautiful!

Last stop was the Beer Store for a case of Molson Cdn for our drop-in visitors. It is Gerry’s drink of choice so we like to have some in the Bunky fridge for the summer. I meant to take the RO water jug but forgot it so headed home. I did remember to get lotto tickets at the grocery store though, saving an extra stop downtown. I was excited for today because it was to be a warmer day, giving us hope for our spring to return – again.

I added cattle manure to my newly planted raspberry bushes
Only one was showing life but I hoped the others
would follow

It was sure cold out there this morning, -3C/26F. No wind though and that is a bonus at any time. The sun was out first thing but by the time I returned from town at 10:30 the clouds were taking control of the sky. That sure wasn’t going to help increase our temperature! Driving up the lane, I was tickled to see so many geese in our west pond. It shouldn’t be too much longer before we see babies and that always gives us added entertainment.

Not a great picture but this Dianthus was begging
to come home with me

Inside, I followed up on a couple of things online and then went out to plant my Dianthus plant. It was on the table at Foodland and looks like something that wanted to come home to our garden. 😊 I thought I might stay out after that was done and spread more mulch but that air was not warming things up. With no sunshine, I wimped out and came back inside. I got the vacuum out instead and did the floors, upstairs and down.

And the Downy Woodpecker was visiting too

We were unplugged so I was happy to see the sun re-claim the sky again by 1 o’clock. My sister, Wendy, had sent us a link to the VanVugt Greenhouses in Owen Sound so I went online and ordered 4 plants for pick up. They will be ready for me next Wednesday so that will be a day trip for me. Not sure if Value Village will accept donations but that would be ideal if I could get rid of the results of my purging from a couple of weeks ago.

He moved around the first tree with no luck
so moved to this one
I just followed him with my camera as much as I could

Around 2:30, I sat outside when the sun came out and read my book. It was nice for about 30 minutes until the clouds returned. 

It didn't last long but it was nice while it lasted

I walked to the corner and back

I don't know what this wild plant is but it's pretty
BUT, it also appears invasive as it was spread all over the area

Turning back for home

I came inside and made a cup of tea. It was sure warmer indoors. Bill got home from work around 4 and had his wood and a filled bottle of propane. Maybe now that will slow down a bit, once we aren’t using as much for heat. We had burgers for supper, Bill had his on the last bun and I had vegetables with mine.

Clouds floating around the blue sky

Turtles on a log

Clouds 'floating' in the pond

It didn’t seem like enough so we each had a couple of scoops of ice cream to finish it off. I’m going to have to make some desserts, good desserts for these meals that don’t fill us up. 

The garden is below the bird feeder so they made a mess
trying to get to the seeds. I didn't plan that very well
My new dianthus is at the far end.

Supper was good though and after dishes, Bill had a friend who came to pick up our scrap metal. There isn’t enough to make a trip to the scrap yard worthwhile for us and he can add it to his collection. We will be watching 9-1-1 and 9-1-1 Lone Star later, provided they are new episodes.

They are still trying to get the last of the seeds
that fell to the ground

We didn't get to the forecasted 10C/44F or if we did, it was for the brief sunny period. It was cooling off by the time Bill got home and it will be dropping to 4C/40F overnight. A warmer day tomorrow will be nice even if it rains. Before signing off, I need to wish my s-i-l, Carol, a happy 65th! 

Happy Birthday, Carol!

Bill called her tonight to pass the message along. Our birthday celebrations aren't the same, obvious by her statement that she went for groceries when asked what she did. 😏 A celebration will be in order after the pandemic is over. 

I have to end with this picture of my supper
It was as delicious as it looks
Good night!

After a good day, we had a nice quiet evening. Thank you for stopping in!

Cold Sunday and a Wonderful Surprise!

The Ridge

       On Sunday, Apr. 25^th I was up around 7:30 and hopped right into the shower. May as well get that out of the way early. We were going to each have showers last night but after working all day (even though it would have felt great) neither of us felt like having one. 😊 The Suite was warm at about 16C/62F but I bumped it up a couple of degrees to take the chill off after climbing out of a warm bed.

Good morning, Mr. Jay

I was making my tea when Bill moved into the bathroom and then joined me with his coffee. I read some blogs, catching up a bit, after finished downloading my own. The Picasa program I use to import my blog title was acting a bit silly last night and then again, this morning, so it took me longer than I’d hoped. Needless to say, after a few grumbles, it got published.

Mr. & Mrs. Jay?

By the looks of the dull day outside, we had no plans to be working anywhere other than in the Suite. I went online and processed the order for my new Blurb book and Bill once more pulled our fireplace out for further examination. My daughter who works at Regency Fireplace Products gave us a suggestion to check for so he opened it up to do that. It didn’t pan out but it’s a process of elimination sometimes so glad to have the idea.

Harvey, Uncle Jerry and me

Bill plugged it in, while it was sitting on the living room floor, and apparently, he jiggled the right wires this time and the unit began working properly. Shutting off as it is supposed to. We waited for about an hour and he re-installed it. Huh! It seems fine, responding to his commands on the remote. My goodness, we’ve been without it for months and now all of a sudden it works again. 😊 Who cares why at this point.

My cousin, Harvey, had messaged me earlier about being in the Durham area and would we be home if he popped out. Of course! We had our lunch of mini sausages and eggs around 11:30, cleaned up dishes and relaxed until we heard a knock on the door. Bill opened it expecting my cousin when an older gentleman began entering first. ?? It was my Uncle Jerry, Mom’s remaining younger brother, who came along with Harvey for a visit!

We all had a nice visit this afternoon

I was very surprised and thrilled to see him. U. Jerry lost his wife just in the last few months and is living on his own in senior’s apartments in Donna’s home town. Harvey takes him out every once in a while, as he lives close by. For 89 years of age, my uncle sure hasn’t changed much. At first, my eyes watered, watching him as he spoke and laughed. I longed for Mom to have had one more visit with him but his antics, his expressions and words were very much hers too. He is a small man and also reminded me of Daddy.

The winds from the north were powerful today
but although cold, it didn't do anything else 😂

They stayed for about an hour before moving on but it was a highlight of my day. Thanks, Harvey, for that surprise! Bill and I have been messing with our Good Sam Rand McNally gps for over a year now, trying to get it working again. It began acting up the winter of 2019/20 after 5 years of steady use. Frustration with their ‘non-user friendly’ site, we found one at a good price and ordered it directly from the R.M. store. Time to stop thinking about it and we look forward to our new one for our travels.

A tasty Sunday night supper

Bill went upstairs to watch a movie and undoubtedly for a snooze.  I made a cup of tea for myself and sat with The 19^th Christmas by J.P. These books are so good and I’m glad to have them to read on these colder days. We are looking forward to the warmer temperatures ‘promised’ this week and beyond. Double digits in Celcius!! At 5, I began preheating the conv. oven and prepped the chicken breasts. Once they went in, I fried up the leftover potatoes from last night’s supper.

I didn't get many pictures today so let's take
a walk down memory lane with Clemson
Apr. 25, 2019

We were eating shortly after 6. It was not a nice day and not many pictures were taken and I sure didn’t get out for any fresh air. I’ll make up for it in the days to come. I hope you had a great day as we did.

Plus a memory of Donna, Mom and I
Apr. 25, 2018

Good night!

Thank you for coming around for a visit.