It's a Cooker Out There - - -

32 degrees and I'm sweating in the snap pea patch -mercy! I was up early and should have been in the garden.

My first harvest of snap peas - the garden peas are nearly ready, also.

I checked up on freezing and calls to blanch for 1.5 minutes to freeze. Actually, I hate to turn a burner on but guess for a short bit, it will be Ok.

We'll probably eat some raw this afternoon and stir fry tonight.

Happy, hot Monday out there.

Cat Manicure

Years ago, Wayne always cut Buddy's nails, then help with Robin and finally I was (honored) to do it.

Well, the cat saw me coming for a country mile - and he can count, too!

It's a ritual only a cat could demand and I cave because otherwise, it wouldn't get done. He set the rules - I follow.

(1) Get clippers and let cat smell them, rub on them and then have his chin rubbed with them
(2) Set cat on my lap, back to me, all the while telling him what a good boy he is (not)
(3) Clip one nail, "Good boy, Buddy, you're a good boy." To self, rotten cat:)
(4) After nail #5 on first paw, I get up and he follows me, at his pace, tail held high (I have her wrapped around my little finger, uh, paw). 5 snacks are plopped in his bowl.
(5) On to the second paw - and so it goes till all nails are done - he sits smiling in the corner thinking up another game to pull on me.

From our friend, Carole

Monday, Monday - - -

It's just a beautiful sunny morning here. I have a lot to do but will read the paper first on the front porch. Hope everyone has a nice day.
Update: Got all my laundry done and put away (miracles never cease), mowed 3 lawns and got fertilizer on 2 - ran out of it and energy! It's 25 here (80 degrees) so a bit warm to be working. That's def. it for today.
Well, went out and fertilizer the last lawn a bit ago and started the water. That's def. it for the second time:)

Martha, here, well maybe not, b/c Martha wouldn't have let plant waterings run all over her new floor! Luckily, Buddy the cat, is curious and sat there mesmerized by the dripping overflow.

Jumped up from my trusty chair grabbing anything which would soak up water fast. The saucer that overflowed holds a fairly large plant in a fairly heavy porcelain pot. Did I ever mention that I'm a wimp physically?

Luckily I knew where our plastic camping pans were - with a big grunt and lots of whining (on my part), Wayne and I lifted the pot (heavy with the water) into the pan. What a wet mess on my precious floor - plus the plant stand was soaked. Luckily, the floor appears to not be marked.

Found a big plastic tray to set the pot in - it's all been sitting in the dining room as I don't have the energy to try to move the whole shebang back in place.

***The painting was done by my brother, Neil.

Oh, the Martha thing? I sprayed Pled*e on the dark brown saucer and it looks new. Something had to go right in all this.

Summer Solstice and Remembering Dad

Sitting here in Dad's old rocker recliner, remembering his words as the solstice approached, "Yup, longest day coming up and then it gets shorter and shorter and before we know it, winter's here."

Interesting how dates or events conjure up memories tucked deep in our brain - happy time to reminisce. I miss him and his wit and wisdom. We could sit for hours and talk, talk, talk about nothing of importance. One time I was visiting him on my day off and looked at my watch, "I have to get home, if I speed, can get home before Wayne."

I have enjoyed reading blogs and the entries on the solstice.

There are some new rules around our yard. Crows (?) mess on our windows and the sides of the house. I'm leaving a little brush and pail of water out there: "Please clean up your mess!"

This reminded me of a sign in the pool store: We don't swim in your toilet, please don't pee in our pool."

Anyway, I guess I'll have to clean it up!

Little evergreen houses a family of quail. The white shrub is my unknown.

Garden is a Mess of Weeds!

Spent time outside today weeding. To bolster morale, I took pictures of flowers. Does anyone know what the white flowering bush is? My neighbor gave me a cutting years ago and she has since passed on. Oops, will post bush in a moment.

It's very muggy and only 16 (62) outside - need a shower - both the plants and I.

Saddened to read Cyd Charisse passed away - I remember her well, yes, I'm that old:)

Our Front Step

Tried to upload pics yesterday, no way. This is our front step. Pictures taken 2 weeks ago.

Happy Father's Day, Hon

With love to you on your day. xx oo

Mom

June14/18 - March 28/98

Loving you forever.

Happy Birthday, MiHwa!

It's great having MiHwa for a DIL - she's witty, intelligent and very caring of Dad. Family is important to her and I feel for her this birthday - being several thousand miles from home.

I know Mark will spoil her. Happy birthday, my dear. Will be with you in spirit.

Much love

Dad and Mom

Happy Anniversary, Shirley and Robin!

Happy Anniversary, Kim!

Hair today - - -

So, in Sept. 04 I had my hair cut very short - we were holidaying in NS and I decided I needed a new "do".

Shortly after we got home and I'm back at work, a patient comes in with long, soft, wavy, blond hair. "I want that" I told myself so I embarked on a journey to grow my hair at least shoulder length. (and he prefers it long) It has been that several times and just 2 weeks ago, I had it cut to just touch my shoulders - about 4" taken off.

In all this time, I have never done the "soft, wavy thing!!!

Today I was in a church thrift shop and saw electric rollers for $2.00 -done.

Tomorrow I may have soft, wavy, blond hair - cause I'm planning to cut it short in September.

Planted lupins from seed last spring - they are doing great - about a week ago they burst into bloom. It's too wet to get pictures right now but maybe tomorrow. This picture is before blooms.

The Rock

Watering the pool bed and dreaming away - that's sure a flat, interesting rock - then it blinked at me! A frog about 2" x 3 1/2" - most interesting pattern on it's back. I carefully backed away and got the toad house from our garden, set it in the bed. Mr. Frog was gone - hope he comes back and uses our rent-free little house for the summer - of course, no camera in hand. I think I should just wear it around my neck where ever I go.

Servers and Stats

Felt sorry to read servers are down at StatCounter. A few years ago, I'd have probably thought, "that's too bad" and gone on my merry way.

Having a son and DIL in the tech world, I know or have an inkling how much sweat is pouring from the brows of the employees at SC over the last 24 hours.

Speaking of the tech world, our lovely DIL, MiHwa, started work today. Good luck to you. She is a developer - as if I know what she or Mark really does at work!

Happy Birthday, Neil!

So our baby brother is 58 today. Seems like yesterday that Mom and Dad brought him home - causing me to run snorting into the wheat field. (This has never been documented but so they say - - -)

Anyway, life has never been the same since June 1st, 1950. You are a blessing to us and much loved. I know you were spoiled today - sounded like Christmas in June! Much love, Shirley and Jean

Extra, Extra, Read All About It

Well, this post isn't that exciting but had to get your attention somehow:)

I stripped our bed and have the mattress pad in the washer - I am going to buy a second one. It's so annoying waiting for this one to be washed and dried. Maybe this is being silly but I like to strip and make the bed - not wait for laundry.

We had rain, rain and more rain overnight and all day. Uh, it's June 1st, Mr. Weatherman, time for sunshine. Anyway, yesterday I checked the garden and the weeds looked wonderful! Shoulda, woulda couldna weeded yesterday but didn't.

The robins are a riot to watch in the "birdbath". I just have a 16" saucer for them to bathe in but they love it. The peas have grown tall enough that all you see is water flying all over the place. Then the robins sit on our deck railing to preen themselves, driving Buddy right nuts:)

Summer - - -