May 31. Memorial Day.

No garbage pick up today because of the holiday, so already it's a good day. To top it off, Kiki was on the porch with Little Bit and Honey Bun at feeding time. Was so very glad to see him! Hopefully he'll be around more often now. Don't know where he was. Simply glad he's safe. 

Honey Bun didn't even try to run him off. Kiki would have kicked his butt. Honey slunk around the porch for a bit; you could tell he was nervous.

Talked with Sue yesterday for over an hour. She is such a blessing to me and her family, although I sometimes think they take her for granted. Guess we all do the same - take for granted that they'll always be there to love us back. Oh what I wouldn't do to talk with Mom and Gran and Bummie and Grandfather and Grandpa Johnson and ... Well everyone. Perhaps in the next life.

Wish time didn't move so fast. Yes, I know that time is a constant and we are the ones who are moving through it. Maybe it's just me. Filling my days with so much "stuff" to try to fill the void of loneliness rather than simply enjoying the day. Pressuring myself to do more tasks; to make more art. W is right about me being my own worst enemy.

Ugh! Time to get a cuppa and change this mopey attitude. The rain has stopped. The sun is shining. I'm burning daylight.

May 30. Sunday.

7:30 a.m. and I'm back in bed with the electric blanket turned on. The warm spell we had for a couple weeks moved on and now we're back to more typical Spring weather (50s in daytime; 40s at night). Including rain, rain and more rain.

Gets me out of painting more of the house so I'm relaxing with only housework on the to-do list. In my dreams anyway. In reality I have today, Monday and Tuesday to complete the barn quilt sign for Aunt Judy. Plus spit-shine the house.

Working on my third cup of coffee and am still sleepy. Perhaps I'll take a nap first. Seem to be super tired of late. Super creaky too. Still breathing though. Time to count blessings.

May 29.

Took a trip to Coudersport today to see an old grade school chum and meet his wife. They bought a huge four bedroom house for their retirement home. Nice place, but needs some work.

Quiet day otherwise. Right hand, arm and foot very painful. Guess I shouldn't have painted the whole front of the house in one day. Live and learn.

May 28, 2021. Progress Report.

Well, it was a good thing I weeded Monday because W was here by 9 a.m. with boards to put up. Spent the morning helping with the installation. Spent the afternoon using what the last 1/2 gallon of paint on about half of the shed. 

Made a couple trips to ValuHome this week for paint. Spent close to $200 on about six gallons of different paint so far this year. Will have $50 in rebates coming back if I can get the rebate site to work. They don't sell Dutch Boy paint anymore and the closest they could get to matching the color had a bluish tint. Liked the color so well am painting the house with it. Painted the other half of the shed front, the front of house and about half of the South side of the house so far. 

Raining today so am taking a break. 

W's stopping by this morning so I gotta get the dishes done. Only daily chore left. Not bad for a little after 9.

Hasta la vista.

May 24, 2021.

Sometimes I look around me at all the pretty little flowers and the trees full of tweeting birds and blue skies and sunshine above me and think how lucky I am to have a little slice of heaven right here in my own back yard. Even inside looking at the flowering thorn apple tree with the windows wide open to hear the bird chorus welcoming the new day. Already the hummingbirds are at the feeders and playing tag with one another.

The house seems empty somehow now that the bulk of plants are on the back porch. The aloe Vera plants aren't taking the move well, but the rest seem to be doing well.

Garbage day and I'm hoping the garbage men don't turn me in for all the yard waste piled at the edge of the shed. Of course, it's nothing compared to the mess down the road. The neighbors next door are a bit critical and I don't want to be a messy neighbor.

Worked on the blue jay barn quilt sign long enough yesterday that my back and shoulders hurt before I even finished. Looked at the portion taped and painted with two coats of Rustoleum Premium latex paint and realized at least one more coat of paint will be necessary. Don't really care for this brand of paint but it's what's on hand so I'll make use of it.

Only have about half my chores done this morning. Had to weed out behind the herb boxes in preparation for the batting board installation. Lord knows I didn't have enough on my to-do list. It's done now, so: Hey! One thing crossed off the list.  As long as I was weeding the front, went ahead and trimmed down the side and around the starting to bloom weigela. 

I either have to take a nap or drink more coffee.

Sunday, 23 May 2021.

As I write today's date I realized that Bill and I, had we stayed married, would have been married 46 years today. Next year I will mark this date with an annual visit to Dubois Dermatology for a body check to verify the skin remains problem free.

Gonna be another beautiful day in Pennsylvania. Much like yesterday.

After finishing some items on the to-do list, I spent a couple hours relaxing on the back porch. Simply watching the mesmerizing natural ballet of the blossoming choke cherry and  thorn apple tree as they bowed and swayed to and fro in the breeze. Chartreuse pollen flying through the air in literal waves. Shifted the hummingbird feeders so there are plants between them. The different charms still battle, but not quite as often. It helps that so many flowers are blossoming now.

Hardly any bees. It's freaking me out.

However, a close look at the apple trees and blueberry bushes shows fruiting has begun. No evidence of fruit on the plum trees; they're pretty anyway.

Gonna drink my coffee before it gets any colder. 

p.s. (COVID19 vaccination number two has left my arm rather sore, but seem to be okay other than that. Also, pulled a tick off my belly when I got up this morning. It's always something.)

May 21. Surgery Follow Up Day.

W surprised me before 8 a.m. letting me know he was on his way to put the air conditioner in the window. Would have been nice to get advance notice so I could have everything ready and waiting. Oh well. It's in now and is quite nice knowning Bandit and the kitties won't get overheated. Nicer for sleeping too.

Had to make a run to ValuHome for duct tape to close up the gaps so the kitties can't get out. As long as I was there I got a good welcome mat and the painting supplies for Judy's barn quilt.

We had a bit of a spat about the board he's selling me for barn quilt signs. I wanted MDB board. He insisted that the board he has is "perfect" for barn quilts. My concern was not having a smooth painting surface. He brought the board later in the day and it has cracks - just like I suspected. Already paid for it so will have to make do. Means more work for me. It's 3/4" plywood. *sigh*

Got gas at the reservation on my way to Strayer's Greenhouse yesterday. $2.76 there vs. $3.09 in Bradford proper. Bought one zucchini, two crook neck squash, ten coleus, a huercha and a blue Echinacea.

Came back home and planted the coleus after weeding out the front flower beds. What a chore that was. Buttercups are hard to get rid of. They spread by sending out root runners similar to strawberries. 

One of the neighbors on Main Street is putting in a garden, so I'm giving them some herbs for it. Chives, thyme and oregano. Will probably give them a couple kohlrabi plants as well.

Still need to plant more radishes and parsley. Have to plant the beans too. 

Guess I'll get the household chores done and get ready to head to Dubois.

May 20.

Not quite 6:15 a.m. and the animals are fed, Bandit walked and the garden watered. Even refilled the hummingbird feeder. 

Speaking of hummingbirds, they are accustomed to seeing me in a straw garden hat, but when I wear a ball cap they dive bomb me. There seem to be three families of them right now. They have epic battle over the sugar water and seem to like the blueberries too.

Put the hanging plants outside yesterday. Guess I'll move the rest of the plants out today.

Got up to 86 degrees in here yesterday. Have the bathroom and living room windows open with fans blowing cooler air inside hoping to avoid the same today. Right now it's only 50 outside. Thermostat says 70 in here in spite of leaving the windows open overnight. 

The transplanted beets and kohlrabi survived. 

Might make a trip to Strayer's Greenhouse today. Have to get plants for the graves. 

No real plans today other than trying to distract myself from tomorrow's drive. 

May 19.

Planted the aphid infested green peppers this morning after spraying them with Neem Oil again. 

Worked a bit more on the shady foundation bed and the perennial bed. Butter cups are pretty, but really invasive. Glad there is a little landscaping cloth under that bed - makes them a little easier to pull. 

Am probably going to plant spinach in the shady bed. The raised beds are too hot for more than an early spring crop. Thinking of putting basil where the spinach is now. Will need to compare habitats first.

No zucchini seeds in my seed stash. Hard to believe with all these seeds.

Still need to plant more radishes and some parsley. Not sure what else.

Was very hot yesterday. 73 outside and in the 80s inside. Closed up the house early this morning to try to keep it a bit cooler today. Gonna need A/C soon.

Washed two loads of laundry yesterday and have three to go today. First load was sofa cushion covers. Would like to get a cover for it someday. Not in the budget right now. Might use the blue Jean quilt.

Took off my bandaid last night. The incision seems to be healing well. Already stressing about the follow up on Friday. The ride more than the actual examination. Plus being around people brings out a girllot of intolerance on my part. Anger issues. 

Guess I'll get cleaned up and find something productive to do that doesn't involve overheating. 77 degrees already at 11:30 a.m.

May 18, 2021.

Planted carrots, Swiss chard, romaine lettuce, cucumbers and a second planting of beets along with replanting the existing beets and kohlrabi yesterday. The weather was gorgeous; hot sun and cool breeze. Gotta make the most of the nice days. They go so fast.

Planted the tomatoes purchased from Mrs. Geoff. Had to spray them and the pepper plants with Neem Oil because they're loaded with aphids. Am isolating them all to reduce the likelihood of spread. 

Also got the RAV4 inspected. Will need rear brakes and rotors come Fall. Will need tires before Winter. 

Gonna have to tighten my belt to get through the next few months. Story of my life.

Bandit's giving me the stink eye, so I guess we'd better go feed the birdies. 

Home again, home again.

Been an eventful week so far. Not sure I'll write about it all in this post.

The trip down went without a hitch although the RAV4 needs new tires badly enough to make the ride a bit rougher than normal. Might need aligned as well. Only took a half tank of gas down and another half tank back. Around $45 at the current per gallon price which averages out to $3.09.

Was great seeing everyone, but it's nice to be home where I can relax.

The kitties were glad to see me. Henrietta was wary of me for hours. Peeking at me around furniture. Romeo walked right up to Bandit and rubbed up against him. Tigger couldn't stay away. Poor old Tom cat.

Boy, am I gonna sleep good tonight. 

Monday, 10 May 2021.

Travel day and am mostly ready to head out the door. Vacuuming, mopping, garbage gathered and out for collection, animals tended to.

Having a cuppa before I head to the shower while I wait for Bandit's blanket and toys to dry. Making some toast and jam for breakfast in hopes it will calm my stomach.

Both Sue and Bill called me for Mother's Day. Kinda surprised me. 

Sunday Morning.

Last spring I planted the third and final bleeding heart plant along the north side of the house. Previous plantings on both the east and west sides were (obviously) unsuccessful. When number three refused to grow I gave up trying. Imagine my surprise when seeing a hint of pink among the weeds whilst we strolled along on our merry way. 

The hostas have poked through their leaf mulch. Rhubarb has been growing long enough for that one plant to flower.

Have a busy schedule today in preparation for the journey to Wyoming. Tigger woke me around five by horking on the blanket by my side. Took a bit to relax after that. Kinda dozed for a few minutes before giving up and starting my day. Got the wash started, fed animals, walked the dog and made a pot of coffee. Will make a list of tasks and items to pack while I'm sipping a cuppa or two. 

Will try to keep busy today so I don't dwell on the surgery or the trip down. Should be a pretty drive. Gassed up at the reservation yesterday. $2.79 there vs $3.09 in town. Route 219  has been rerouted to one lane in each direction for highway construction. Seems like that stretch of road is always being worked on and always full of potholes. 

May 8.

First thing yesterday morning, while Bandit and I were on our morning walk, the under wire on my bra broke. Normally not a big deal, but this time it broke on the tender side not quite under my arm. Every time I took a step the sharp wire stabbed me. 

So once we got back home and the offending garment was removed, I paid all the monthly expenses to see what remained. Then decided to use some of the excess to purchase much needed new clothes rather than transfer it all to savings like I usually do.

Top of the list? You guessed it: a new bra. Opted for a Nike sports bra. Am hoping the quality will make up for the high price tag ($30+). 

Please note, dear reader, I'm pretty out of touch on prices. I tend to wear clothes to the falling apart stage before they are discarded.

Bought two pair of jeans - that actually fit. One pair is my preferred brand (Lee) because the cut always fits. They cost $36; the most I've paid for jeans in a good ten years. The other pair is a brand new to me: Full Blue. The cut around the hips isn't as comfortable as the Lee jeans, but at only $15 they were more affordable.

The jeans and bra were purchased at Dunhams. Was rather hesitant about buying without trying them on, but compared the seams on the legs to the ones I had on. Was happy when I could try them on and both pair fit. No fitting rooms due to COVID restrictions.

Before going to Dunhams I went to Tractor Supply to look at their shirts because I liked the styles they had to offer online. Was very disappointed that those styles were made in China. Rather than purchase three or four as planned, I bought one.

Friday, 7 May 2021.

It funny how certain, everyday mundane items can trigger a memory. Came in from our morning.walk and kept my knit watch cap on in an attempt to stay warm without bumping up the thermostat. First thought was the college kids at Mast General Store talking about how they could lower the thermostat and stay warmer by wearing layers - especially a hat. Logical when considering the rest of your body is, presumably, already clothed and the head represents about 10% of the body's surface area.

My second thought was how cold it always was in Gran's house. Both the one on East Second Street and the one on Park Avenue. I remember how she almost always wore a sweater and if she didn't have one on it was on the back of her chair.

Anywhoodle...

W unexpectedly came by and mowed the lawn yesterday. Although I still had to mow the garden and around the edges, him mowing saved me a lot of work, which I immediately replaced with pruning the hydrangea and weed walking lest I feel guilty that it's not done.

We also talked about the poor quality flooring. I had a bit of a meltdown. Frustrating being pressured into purchasing something and then being told it's not good. All that money wasted on delivery and the box I opened to look at. Now it has to be schlepped back to Erie and I have to order from Lowes and transport it when it arrives.

It's probably for the best. Lowes has Pergot for about 20 cents more per square foot and the patterns are more what I had in mind. Se la vie.  It's only money, right?

Cleaned and reorganized the bulk of the items being stored in the back bedroom.  Will finish it up before I head downstate.

Leftover steak and eggs for breakfast this morning. Then to find something constructive to do.

Smile... It makes folks wonder what you're up to.

Got the bulk 

May 6, 2021.

Sitting here on the couch listening to the coffeemaker sputter and groan. Waiting desperately for a fresh cuppa. Cold out this morning. Thirty nine at 6:45 when we went walkabout. Was glad the scarf Sue made was close at hand and this old brain had the foresight to grab it before stepping outside.

The bright sunshine is a welcome sight after several days of rain. Am hoping it dries up the grass so I can mow it before it gets so tall that raking is required. Folks in the neighborhood are kinda fussy about their yards. 

There's a hummingbird at the feeder. Saw one a few days ago trying to get a drink from last years supply. Took the feeder down and cleaned it up before refilling it and hanging it back out. 

Cinco de Mayo.

W and T sign the papers today and once the paperwork is filed at the courthouse on the seventh this property is officially mine. 

Left a little early for the lawyer yesterday. Ran up to ValuHome and picked up white paint so the painting can be completed. Might have enough to repaint the small bathroom. It needs updated anyway. 

These days my motto seems to be: WTF - it's only money!

Got the rider from my homeowners company to cover the property and out building. No additional fee that I can see except when the policy renews in June.

Speaking of money... Went to TOPS yesterday and got enough groceries to last a couple weeks. Was not impressed with their meat sale. Looked like they had raised the price to cover the BOGO. Splurged and got a couple steaks. Can you believe they want $13.99 per pound - On sale!

Picked up some bamboo skewers to put in garden as cat deterrent. Seems to be working. The straw seems to be working better. The cats never go in the asparagus bed. If it ever stops raining I'm going to plant some more beets and radishes and carrots. Will wait until I get back from surgery to replant tomatoes and peppers. By then the rest of the garden can go in. 

Tuesday, 4 May. Closing Day.

At one o'clock today I sing the papers to become the owner of this property. In real life ownership won't take place until six years from now when I make the final payment. 

Six years. That will be sixteen consecutive years in the same place. Long time for me to stay put.

W neither called nor came over yesterday. Possibly because I let him know I was taking Bandit to the vet.

The sore on Bandit's leg seems to be getting bigger and he was limping on that leg. Sixty dollars later (including 10 pills of pain killer), Dr. Rumsey says not to worry - it's just a sore. Might be "a little basal cell". More than likely the chewing is his arthritis. Bandit can have two doses of ibuprofen a day to ease the pain.

Gonna kill the time until closing by distracting myself with reading and tv.

Hasta  la vista.

Monday, May 3rd.

Scrubbed the porch and painted it. Not sure how many more years I'll be able to do it on my own. Tis a bit hard on the knees.

W is stopping by today with some caulk for the living room window. Hopefully it will stop the leak. 

Looks like all the blueberry bushes are going to live. Always a worry when shrubs are moved. Might have to move the little butterfly bush again. Something is burrowing around its roots and I can't seem get it to cease. Am pretty sure it's a chipmunk; the same chipmunk that Little Bit chases from hole to hole on a regular basis.

Gotta run the vacuum and wash up the dishes before he gets here. 

Toodles.

Sunday Sun Day. May 2nd.

Some days when the cats wake me up before sunrise I am overwhelmed by all the tasks that lie before me. I mentally list them off, clean back room, get paint and check on baseboard at ValuHome, purchase screening for garden beds from Worth Smith, decide where to buy furniture coasters, clean out little shed, etc. Too much to do. 

Feel like I didn't accomplish anything yesterday. Truth is I weeded about half of the perennial flower bed, most of the mint bed and 80% of the front foundation bed. The wheelbarrow is overflowing with weeds. Wish I could start a compost pile, but composting has drawn skunks in the past and Lord knows, we don't need no stinking skunks.

Not sure what's up with Romeow and Tigger today. They sure do look cosy on Bandit's blanket.

Saturday, May 1st.

The weather turned cold yesterday. We stepped outside and the wind caught us by surprise. Even had a couple flakes of snow. Walked past the burn barrel on our way back in from Ye Olde Morning Constitutional and was surprised to see a light coating of snow atop the pile. Brrr.

Lost the tomato and pepper plants in last weeks cold spell despite covering them with sheets. Remembered the flower pot cloches too late to do any good; not sure it would have helped three days of below freezing anyway. The lilacs are starting to recover. The plum trees seem okay. The apple blossoms aren't big enough to open yet. 

The garden log from last year tells of a snowstorm on May 23rd. I remember the date because it was Bill and my anniversary. It would be 46 years this month had we remained married. Of course, I probably wouldn't still be alive or if I was would probably be institutionalized. Life has a way of working out. 

Quote from The Bone Clocks "Love's pure free joy when it works, but when it goes bad you pay for the good hours at loan-shark prices."

Waited all day yesterday for the delivery. Had figured it would come at the end of the day. Sure enough. *sigh* Only 11 of the 18 boxes made it here. Have to call the store when they open at 10 a.m.

Rearranged the master closet. Pulled that cheap shelving unit out; it was more trouble than it was worth. Looks better and everything is easier to access now. Will try to reassemble aforementioned shelves into something workable for the shed.

The sun is shining today so perhaps we'll go for a longer hike today. Like we did in the old days before I hurt my back. Would like to get over to Coudersport for plants at some point this weekend. Pancakes for breakfast today. Yum yum.