Friday, June 18, 2021

I was setting up my computer last night when we arrived and I realized I had forgotten my mouse. The laptop has a touch pad but I hate it and I’m not very good with it. Fortunately other than checking messages, wasting time on Facebook and a journal post every now and again I won’t be on my computer much.

Last night I had just finished reading and turned the light out when I realized I forgot to attach the trickle charger to my car. Pat says it should be fine but I’m not so sure. We’ve had trouble in the past getting a boost from Pat’s truck, mainly because we don’t really know how and it takes a few tries to get everything connected properly. If it doesn’t start I am within walking distance of my appointment so I’ll be okay.

I had a slow start to the day. I went out to the deck with my coffee but it ws so cold I had to come back inside. After a video chat I joined Pat outside where it was a bit warmer; he set up a couple of chairs at the front, more or less in the driveway, but in a position where it was getting the sun. When we came in we put out the hummingbird feeder and I sat out on the deck to see how long it took for them to find us – not long. By then it had warmed up considerably. I had a late lunch on the deck and it was very hot by then.

I’ve been sewing today. It seems like I should have more to show for it but this is all I’ve got – a bit of progress on three different projects.

I’ll finish off the afternoon and evening with some cross stitching – two different projects.

Thursday, June 17, 2021

That sounds like a horror film but it’s not. I’m killing time until I go to my Guild year-end wrap up. I don’t want to be too early, but I want to be early enough to get a good parking spot so I can make a clean get-away in order that we can catch the early evening ferry to Texada. I have a couple of stops to make on the way there so getting the timing just right is tricky.

I was out in the yard early today because I panicked this morning thinking that I wasn’t as prepared for either the meeting or the trip as I thought I was. I had the back yard all cleaned up by 9:30; I thought that getting out earlier would be cooler but it really wasn’t. We get the sun at the back in the morning and it was a hot one from the get-go.

After cleaning myself up I started on my packing. I added a couple of extra projects into my Texada bin; I must think time stands still over there as I have enough things to keep me busy for a month.

It didn’t take long to pack up the things I needed for the meeting tonight. I had to dig my log cabin quilt out of the quilting bin and I had to take my Magnolia Mystery off the bed; the rest of the items were already packed into my Guild bag. I like to prepare for social distancing at these things and not everyone understands the two metre rule so I pack one large bag to sit on one side of my chair and another large bag to sit on the other side. People might still be closer than I’d like but at least they are a little apart. I’ll wear my mask so I don’t expect to have a problem.

I’ve got mixed feeling about the party. I wouldn’t go if it weren’t for the fact that I ran the mystery and I promised the designer I would send photos. I’m still a little freaked out about being in public but the worst thing might be that I know there are games planned – I hate group games!

Anyway, I killed some time this afternoon by sorting through my embroidery floss. And yes, it is about as exciting as it sounds.

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

I thought I was going to get a reprieve from yard work today because it was quite rainy when I got up. After breakfast I sorted out the recycling on the back deck and it seemed rather nice out so I headed out with the weeding gear.

Because we see the front yard from our living room it seems to get the most attention. The last few times we’ve come home from somewhere I haven’t liked the greeting the morning glory in the roses and the weeds in the driveway were giving me. The roses look great after my day yesterday so it was time to tackle the weeds.

Our driveway (outside of the carport) is cement that is rapidly eroding into … dirt I guess. The weeds grow in the cracks and break the cement down and then large chunks of the cement break off and more weeds grow. I cleared off most of the driveway and then moved the the drainage trough we have running the length of the back yard.

Because of all the rain and the dirt that accumulates in the driveway the trough gets full of dirt and then full of weeds. I have a tool that is just the right size for clearing the trough but sometimes those weeds get really attached and are hard to pull out. I got it about half-done before I quit.

I’ve got another day’s work out in the back before I can say it is done. Today I cleared out the spots you see if you are coming to the house through the back but there is another section that you don’t see unless you go around the corner of the house. About the only people who do that are the meter readers but I know the weeds are there and if I don’t get them out they will just dig in and/or spread.

I picked up another book at the library today and I have to say I didn’t cringe when I pulled into the carport – no weeds in sight. I’ve packaged up a couple more calendar blocks to take to Texada; I don’t plan to do a lot of sewing but I know I’ll tire of my two cross stitch projects and want a change. I’ve started loading my bin for Texada and tomorrow I’ll pack up my electronics.

We are patiently waiting for our produce bin to arrive. We paid up front to have deliveries once a week from a local co-op farm. We’re not sure what we’ll get but I’m hoping for some strawberries and rhubarb.

Pat has an online session tonight so I’ll have a chance to do a little more packing and tidying up.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

I was clearing out the roses at the back today and they, as well as the blackberries, fought back. It’s the second time through this year for them and although the bindweed was pretty thick I think there were less blackberries. I was dressed in long sleeves and pants but I’ve still come out with quite a few scratches on my arms as well as my legs. By lunch I had everything cleared out and looking good except …

… except for the bindweed and blackberries I threw off the ledge and onto the driveway. So after lunch I went back outside and picked all of that up. Tomorrow, if I’m still able to move, I’ll clean up the rest of the back yard.

It’s a good thing I did my computer work this morning before going out to the yard as I certainly don’t have any energy left to do it now. I always have a few items scheduled for the middle of the month so they came first. Then I did a bit of an edit on the Sunday Song Circle recording and got it posted. Next up was to get a message off to the Cranberry Hall accountant so we can start our year end process.

Pat has a couple of online sessions today so while he’s busy with that I’ll try getting a few more blocks cut out and ready to take to Texada. I’ll be honest though – I may just lay on the couch under the fan.