WHATCHA DOING TODAY?

[Ambergris]

It's been hot for me, indoors and out.  Apparently I've had a come-and-go fever for the past ffew days.

[Mt_Rider]

By end of summer, I run a low-grade fever most of the time.      It IS NOT HELPFUL! 

 

Has your part of FL gotten the rains recently, Ambergris?  Drought and then heavy rain is something we've had here sometimes.  Ground can't even soak anything into the baked clay parts.  And the sandy/rocky/grit parts have a tendancy to wash down the steep mountainsides.  One our are valleys had a mini-flash flood last week.  Not as bad as one several years ago but you can see the evidence from the road.  That was the day rain came in sheets for at least an hour. 

 

I did tell y'all that we mailed out my Life Ins. papers last week, right?  

 

MtRider ...seems like the only thing happening is weather.... 

 

Edited June 11, 2017 by Mt_Rider

[Ambergris]

We've had a couple of downpours, yes.  One of them, fortunately for me, caused a roof-leak in an older house (on 2/3 acre) that I'm looking at.  The roof is getting patched this week.

[The WE2's]

Just copying and pasting from another thread...

Consistently in the 90's and often the humidity to go with it.  Working in "spurts".  MrWE2 is working on a job project (with a friend) but he stays well hydrated and takes plenty of breaks.  Me?  I take care of the home front & keep this yard mowed...and also take plenty of water breaks.  The garden's beginning to bloom but we've had to fight for every one.  Fought the birds, now the bugs.  After each watering I sprinkle DE.  About half of the tomatoes are having a "droopy" time so I gave them a vigorous watering today, maybe just to hot?  The green bell peppers are doing great and have tiny little pods forming.  One egg plant bucket has a pretty purple bloom.  One squash bucket has a bloom.  The yellow sweet peppers are blooming and I have one pepper in the bucket already.  The bucket with the Annahimes is blooming and has a small pepper.  The pole beans are growing but I think the birds got our Okra seedlings.  The mixed bell pepper plants are starting to form pods too.  The Swiss Chard is peeking up (a re-plant) in it's container as is the Kale (also a re-plant).  The yellow neck is doing OK too and the Zucchini is going OK.  Picked a big bunch of Lambs Quarter this afternoon and it's rinsed and the frig to go with our scrambled eggs.  The onions have formed their seed heads (I wanted them to) and they're gorgeous.  The Chives are doing great...of course...they always do!  In the wild section, the Mullein is beautiful, the Edlerberry bush is doing great, the asparagus came up and has seeded...goodie!  The Echinacea has several pretty little buttons ready to bloom, the Yarrow is ok, the Queen Anne's Lace plant has some teeny tiny blooms so it looks like it will survive the transplant from our neightbors farm.  Also planted some Lambs Quarter in that section.  The Egyptian Walking onions are doing great, and so fun to look at now that they're forming their "weird" little pods...LOL  Picked about a half quart bag of Mulberries and they're in the freezer.  The herb section...some doing great, some just "there".  The Aloe plants are alive but look weirdly colored.  The Basil plants are really struggling for some reason, so I moved them again so they'll have a bit more shade?  My mint baskets on the homestead's front porch are growing great as well as the corner section where the green bell peppers are at.  The mints (peppermint, spearming & orange) are struggling.  Maybe to much sun?  About 80% of our garden area gets sun from sun up to sundown.  The wild section gets morning sun, and the deep mulch area gets eving sun.  So...I HAVE BEEN BUSY!  We also do some volunteer work at our local food distribution center (pantry, soup kitchen & summer food bus for children) on Monday mornings.  And in the midst of all this, I seem to find time to cook and do laundry...and run a vacuum etc.  My Abby-girl is right by my side (or within sight) most every hour...except when we do our shopping because we don't leave her in the truck.  She has to stay home...and she no like it! LOL

[Annarchy]

 

 

 

I leaned up against our waterbed frame, sorting the laundry basket, reached over to pick another handful, and... the waterbed bed frame fell apart.

 

 

 

    Really?  Why does this crud happen to me?  DH says I break everything, why doesn't it happen to him?

 

Had to drain it and re-drill all the screws................................

 

Cold bed tonight............... God willing the extra blankets under the sheets will keep us from freezing......................

 

 

[Mt_Rider]

  Poor Annarchys.....  Reallly!  I keep asking that same question....how do these things keep happening????? 

 

The MtRiders officially gave UP on waterbeds a year ago.  Just one last incident out of MANY!  Waterbeds are a pain.  ....tho I can't say I've heard of a frame falling apart.     Yeah....know about freezing in a bed that's not warmed up.  EVEN in  AZ !  Watch out.  You can get muscle spasms too.  Throw a couple of sleeping bags and/or insulating pads for camping underneath you tonite! 

 

Whew...you guys are busy, WE2.  Lotta work this year after repeated attacks on your lovely garden!   

 

 

We had another pretty warm day.  So doggie-dear got a bath.     She has not begun to shed [what with snow recently....ahem]  but a bath does encourage the fluff to start.  She doesn't like this procedure.  But we found if we are in her 10x20 enclosure and take scoops of water to wherever she is, she tolerates it WAY more than a hose.  We have the option to run any temperature of water thru the hose if we hook it up inside the basement.  So hose goes in 5 gal bucket and I dip out Cool Whip containers of tepid water to wet her.  DH has the doggie soap bar and we work our way down the body.  Then I pour and rinse while he keeps handing me filled containers from the bucket.  As quick as we can to put her out of her misery.  Once she's rinsed, she's getting happy.  Happy to SHAKE all over us.      Don't care...it's hot.  Then she gets escorted upstairs to the porch.  So she doesn't roll in the dirt, of course.  Then she loves being dried/rubbed with towels.  Were able to teach her that rubbing was loving!     So she's happy for that.  Then she stays on porch til mostly dry.  Perfect day for this activity and it takes both of us to keep it calm and moving right along.

 

MtRider  ...had to take a shower myself after that activity! 

Edited June 12, 2017 by Mt_Rider

[Jeepers]

Hot here today. It's 88 degrees  but was supposed to get up to 90.

 

I ran a few errands and drove past a McDonalds. Figured I'd pick up a salad and a sweet tea. And well, I added an Oreo McFlurry. I started to drive off and knew I'd better check the tea. Sure enough (as usual) it wasn't 'sweet' tea. I don't like unsweetened tea. And there wasn't a piece of ice in it. I took it inside and waited while a girl just stood around trying to look busy. She looked at me and turned around and continued to wait for some orders to be processed. After a few minutes I hollered out, "Could you please wait on me?" She looked me in the eye and said, "Yes." That was the end of it. She turned around and continued waiting for orders to be ready. She bagged up some fries and waited some more.

 

The manager happened to walk by. I told him all about it and he looked embarrassed. All I wanted to do is change out my tea for some sweet tea and get a little ice with it. I don't know about any other places but McD's tea comes out of the dispenser warm. It needs some ice. Plus it's hot outside. I would appreciate a cool drink when I pay for it. Anyway, the manager got an earful and Miss Priss still didn't make a move to wait on me. Manager had to get my drink himself.  It was sweet and iced!

 

She didn't even know what I wanted. I wasn't at the registers but was standing at the pickup counter. I know without stretching it that I was in there over 10 minutes. And my ice cream was waiting in the hot car. I asked him her name and he told me. I told him I was going to complain to corporate. I don't know if I will or not. Let them worry about it. Some people can really ruin your day and for what?  Heifer.

 

It took all of my resolve not to throw that drink on the floor behind the counter for her to clean up. Then I thought about cameras. I've seen other people lose it in a food place. I also knew I'd end up on Youtube. Not pretty. Ohhh, maybe manager will review the cameras to see the whole thing.

 

I can just see it. "Not so sweet senior citizen loses it at Micky Ds over warm unsweet tea. Film at 11:00 and 24/7 on Youtube."  Oh, and this wasn't at a rush hour either. It was right around 4:00pm. Honestly, I didn't go in there with an attitude but I sure came out with one.  

[snapshotmiki]

I truly dislike the disrespect which seems to be rampant in our society today!  Not much to do about it but complain or not go back.  As they say, vote with your wallet!  Besides, youtube isn't my thing either.  LOL

[Jeepers]

She really did have a 'tude with me and I don't know why. I didn't start out rude with her. I even said please. I didn't call corporate. I figure she will hear about it from the manager. I might change my mind. Who knows. Zero customer service. We have 4 McD's in my area and one is as close as the other so I won't be going back there. I do like their salad though. And mocha frappe's. And sweet tea and vanilla ice coffee. A large vanilla ice coffee is only $1.50 now. It's big too.  

[Mt_Rider]

Goodness...you've had a baaad day!  (((Jeepers))))

 

I'm thinking it's good I don't get out much ....cuz my tolerance for 'just aint doin' your job' is very low. 

 

MtRider ...glad you FINALLY got your correct order that you paid for.   {warm sweet tea} 

[Momo]

It's hot here today too.  I made the mistake of doing errands yesterday afternoon and it was miserable outside.  Summer is here!

 

I'm doing laundry in the basement right now.  I always wait until it is a chore and I have several loads to do.

 

We are trying to tie up all the loose ends around here.  I don't know if we will ever get things completely finished. DH will be 80 and is really slowing down( for him).  He still gets alot more done than most 80 year olds though. I was gonna have a Bday party for him but I don't know if I am up to all the cooking etc. I'm much younger than him, but it is so tiring to do things from a wheelchair.

 

I am anxiously awaiting my maters.  So far we have only harvested cherry tomatoes.  Maybe another week or two for the big uns.

 

Have a great day all!

 

[Mt_Rider]

Momo...have a party at a local ice cream shop.    to MrMomo!

 

This is the first morning in several days that Woody Woodpecker has not woken me up between 7-8am.  Since that's not nearly thru an 8 hr sleep cycle for me, I'm ready to throttle him!!!  Gives me an altogether new image of that formerly funny cartoon of my childhood.  Seems he thinks the end of the gutter over my bedroom is his new DRUM!          Yeah, that's what it sounds like ....bolting straight up from sleep.  Crawl to the end of the bed and stagger to my feet, swaying with the bed.  Reach over to shove window up and open.  Maneuver the slider-window-screen out of the window to wave at the stupid bird.  Cuz he's up and over to the left of the window.  Then pull screen inside and shut window.  Stagger back down to try to fall asleep again. 

 

Honestly, if he doesn't quit, I'm going to start doing this whole precarious procedure IN MY SLEEP!  I've done such things before....I'm a bit prone to sleep-walking anyway.  I need to get a bit of cloth to wave.  Something besides the awkward screen...cuz I'm gonna drop that!  I'm gonna drop me on the floor.  Bedwalking while half-asleep is contra-indicated!!!   

 

Anyway, DH stopped yesterday and bought a "red-tailed hawk".  We have real ones nesting in this valley every year.  This plastic version gets attached nearby Woody's drumming site.  Hopefully the WIND [which is Mach 4 today!!!]  will not rip it loose!  Maybe the WIND is why Woody couldn't come for my wake-up call?  But I sure did sleep like a rock today. 

 

MtRider  ...come to think about it....the stupid fake bird would be banging around in this WIND, making more noise than Woody. 

[Jeepers]

Ugh. I hate to say it but I don't like woodpeckers. I like them in the woods just fine. But they have caused so much damage to my house. The only way I can keep them away from my porch...EVERY YEAR...is to sneak around the house with a water hose and blast them...over and over again. Yes, I look like a stealthy idiot out there.  Neighbors are probably laughing at me saying, "Oh hurry and come look Marge. Mrs. Elmer Fudge is out there hunting again! Ha-Ha." 

 

Canadian Geese are second on my list.

[Jeepers]

I got the grass mowed today. Front and back yard. It is looking a little dry even though we have had plenty of rain. Must be the heat. I don't care. Just means I won't have to mow as often.

[snapshotmiki]

We are back in the waiting limbo after taking papers to town and then returning the same day for more signatures on Tuesday.  Pest inspection is ordered and loan is underwriting.  Tomorrow I will pick more string beans and jalapenos.  And make spaghetti for dinner.

[Annarchy]

Our trip to the river was quiet.  Gunny had fun playing with his "duck rope" we found the first time we went to the river.   I found a towel, a rope, a bandana, an old rattle lure, a nickel and Gunny found an action figure toy.  We also saw a herd of wild horses.   We left early, cause DH had a SVT.

 

Yesterday, I clipped the celery seeds and got 2 pints of ground celery and 1/4 pint of seeds from each plant.  DH said one of the plants smelled a little like 'citrus'.  Dually noted. Harvested a dozen tomatillos, 8 tomatoes and a zucchini.

 

Today, I harvested an head of cabbage, and 8 more tomatillos. 

 

I was sitting on the porch swing watching all the birds playing in my yard and garden, as the thermometer reached 120*  It's almost time to feed the birds, so they are flocking into the yard.  We are seeing a lot of baby birds this year. I think it is because of the water dishes we keep out for them.  The ring neck dove, that nests in my pine tree, has two babies.  

[Annarchy]

Oh, I forgot to mention.  I clipped the celery around 9 am and put it on the spa, thinking I'd get to it a little later, after I finished a couple of other chores.  By noon, I went out to work on it and found it was already completely dry. 

[Annarchy]

Today. I got up around 4. Watered the yard. Read a little.  Then went to motor vehicle to renew a registration. #6 in line at 7:45 am. Came home, moved the chicken tractor to connect it to the coop, so the hens would have more shade. That project included, moving the lick tank, that I'm using to grow potatoes, all my yard tools and a bunch of bricks. I cut off the tractor handles, so it now butts up to the coop. Then, I removed the staples used to connect the wire mesh on the coop and folded the bottom half of mesh over the roosting bar in the corner. 

 

When I moved the bricks, a mouse darted out and away. It was squirreled away under the lick tank and the bricks. 

 

The girls immediately entered the additional area and were there all day, scratching, and doing dirt baths. They dug the mouse holes out and made hollows to wallow in. 

 

After that, 11am, I had to come in to cool off. The temp was already over 100. 

 

A couple of customers came over, shortly after noon and I busied myself with quite work, until I cooked dinner for everyone. 

 

I think I am done for the day. 

 

[snapshotmiki]

We had out of town family company this morning for a couple of hours.  Very nice to visit!  Then we went to town for lunch for our 27th wedding anniversary.  27 is a good start!  Now we are home and have been babysitting my brother in laws new puppy, Cooper.  He is an Australian shepherd and he takes his herding seriously for such a little guy!  He was herding the goats as soon as he went outside!  All 3 dogs are getting along well and played themselves out awhile back.  He will be here overnight, so we will see how he does.

 

Nothing new on the house today.  Yesterday gave the realtor info to give to the closing attorney and the pest inspection was done, I think. 

Tomorrow, I have plenty of cooking to do and happy to stay home!

[Jeepers]

That river in your pics always looks so refreshing Annarchy.

 

Didn't do too much today. I forgot to pay the cable bill...again. So I went in and paid it. It was due today. Sigh. It's due at a different time from all of my other bills so I forget about it Every. Single. Month. I'm trying not to be late on anything so I can keep my credit rating up in case I buy a different house in the next couple of years. I heard paying a bill late can hurt it.   

 

I found another Dollar Tree near me that is A LOT better than the one close to me. I picked up a couple of treasures. I needed a tall narrow container, like a drinking glass, to hold one of those pumice stones on a stick that you use to clean the toilet bowl when you get lazy and put it off and it gets a water ring around it. Found one.    I'm just going to use one of those glass sugar dispensers without the lid. Can't beat that for a dollar. Also got a plastic cup with a little chamber inside to use for fruit water. Says BPA free but who knows. I also found an over the door towel bar for the kitchen. I needed that really bad because the towel keeps falling off of the over the door hook. Not cool when it keeps falling on the floor.

 

Then I found some blank labels at Office Max that I hope I can figure out how to print. They are sort of tan color but not the craft paper ones. Kind of antique looking. I need to redo all of my nasty looking spice jars. Will probably tackle that in a couple of weeks because I plan to go see my Sweet Baby J this Tuesday.

[Jeepers]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MR. & MRS. MIKI 

[Annarchy]

8 hours ago, Jeepers said:

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MR. & MRS. MIKI 

 

And may you have many more!!!

[Mt_Rider]

  Yeah...what they said, Miki.

 

Well....not feeling very good lately.  Not getting too hot.  Really have a good way to bring the swamp cooler air thru to front of house now.  [change of fans when one died.]  But I'm just not energetic at all.    The loss of good sleep with Woody has not been helpful.  But he hasn't been back every day....  I moved the "hawk" and set it on a bucket in plain sight of the gutter corner.  Didn't hear Woody this morning.    May have to move hawk around.     I want to climb up and set it right in the gutter....but don't think it would stay there. 

 

My old cat is 17 yrs old.  Born in my closet in this room.  Lost her momcat to predators a long time ago.  This one doesn't go outside.    She's still quite active for a cat that age.  Eats well but is quite thin.  Pukes regularly.....ancient cats do.    She's trained me over the years.  We MUST play 'string-on-a-stick' if I'm on the phone.  She often is found draped under my chin.... I don't even pay attention to when she comes and goes from there.  Nice in winter; too hot in summer for her warm furry self.  She keeps me company.  Is the only cat I've known who's eye color changes.  Yellow or green mostly.  But occasionally - very blue. 

 

MtRider

[Jeepers]

It's 92 degrees here today and I ain't doin' nuthin'.

 

I got two big gift cards in the mail for Wal-Mart today. They are from the 'rewards' my bank gives. I saved them up for a long time. Also, they give you 500 points for your birthday. They do expire after a few years if you don't redeem them and I was getting close. I'm going to save most of it up for a major 'can' this year. Most likely closer to fall. I'll probably buy most of the veggies etc. in bulk at Sam's Club. I need to make a list...a long list.

[snapshotmiki]

Thanks for the good wishes, you all!  I think we are happier now than in the younger years and it would be hard to beat how happy I was back then!! 

 

Sure didn't stay home today.  Went to Walmart to get oil and filter for DH's oil change Monday, then Lowes to talk to someone about doing our back yard fence (the employee was off today, of course) so we looked at doors and screen doors and I got paint chips for my bed room.  That won't happen for a while but I know the color I want.  And we are having computer issues.  Mine wouldn't go on the internet and DH's won't talk to our printer so we had to get something resolved to print postage labels.  Having to pay full price at post office is difficult!  So we found a "guy" who got mine on the internet and DH will take his in next week.  We have to find people who don't make you leave the computer as we have had bad experiences doing that. 

 

And now I guess I will cook tomorrow!

I hope you feel more energetic, Mt. Rider!  Did you ever try the coconut oil pills? And did they help at all if you did?

 

Have fun seeing your little grandbaby, Jeepers!!!