Good evening. Odd day here. It was a chilly start today and worked on addressing some 4th of July cards and I am getting close to finished with the addresses on envelopes. Need to finish notes in a few of the cards and then finding all the appropriate things to affix to the envelope, return address label, postage and some kind of seal on the flap to make sure it is fastened during its delivery trip.

I switched over to online ordering and placed a grocery order and requested some library books.

Orders started arriving in the afternoon, the checks I had ordered recently (UPS dumped the envelope on my deck and did not ring the doorbell or anything which bothered me a bit). An Amazon order arrived just as my grocery order got here. It was busy for a while as one of my grocery bags was missing. Much discussion with the driver and although she reported the exact code and bag number as missing, I had to report missing items and the stupid form said I had refused the items but they would not ask for them to be returned. Really, missing items do not need to be returned? Now I should receive a credit on my account in 5 days. Lovely. I will adjust the tip.

Okay, so several long phone calls this afternoon. I think maybe 3 hours in total. A friend is having unknown medical issues and spent lots of time in the emergency room and then was admitted for tests. She was ultimately sent home with a couple off new prescriptions and an appointment to see her doctor tomorrow. She seems to be relieved to be home and thinks there is nothing wrong. But she did have heart problems some years ago (before I met her) and had heart surgery. Maybe quadruple bypass? Anyway, I am concerned for her.

Next, we had storms roll in with wicked wind and hail. I just went out to look. Yep, more shredded leaves and other miscellaneous damage. We will see what happens next!

Bob, lovely photo and wahoo, more bargains. Do you ever get any DVDs that skip or do not play all the way through? I purchased some at Half Price Books years ago that didn’t work too well. No worries now, I haven’t been shopping there for years. 😂 I need to schedule an appointment for a haircut but given I won’t have to wait a year, I guess I am not in a rush.

Patsy, chilly here as well although I hear things will be hearing up again soon. Good news regarding your Camilla. Wahoo!! I rearranged several of the containers this morning and I think things can grow for a few more weeks before I have to make any life and death decisions and storms and other natural occurrences may make any decision unnecessary. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Jackie, oh no, leaking water? Argh. I hope you have someone who will address that quickly. I am glad George looks after you. Good boy. Different topic. Keswick is dedicating a statue to Max in Hope Park next week I believe. On one of the recent walks, we were shown through Hope Park. It is lovely. ❤️ Facebook comes in handy for a few things. Beautiful photos and videos from all over the planet are very entertaining. I love the photo of the quince and the beautiful sky! Should I hunt for a little container of quince jelly just to see what the flavor might be? I looked at a recipe for jelly and goodness, it seems the required amount of sugar is astronomical! Wow.

Anne, and you have your protector as well in fierce Jilly. Well, the old neighbors will soon be gone but yes, you will get some glimpses of the new neighbors moving in so the excitement will not be finished. My veggies are not totally done for but they are having a difficult time with the up and down temperatures, wind, hail and of course, my poor planning. Oh well. I have enjoyed my little lettuce crop, the daily zucchini and there are a multitude of little green tomatoes hanging on out there.

Sandy, back to your own digs again and too chilly to be outdoors right now. Enjoy being home.

Well, I guess I should cleanup my dishes. I thought of making a cup of hot tea but we will see.

Be safe everyone.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

A child’s tea set? Love the rabbits.

When I was little we had Bunnykins pattern children’s ceramic cups and saucers etc. I think the company closed or it was bought out by Chinese manufacturers so not great quality but your set Lin is a Beatrice Potter Peter Rabbit design. Still going I assume! I must google the Bunnykins because in the back of my brain is a memory that it was designed by a nun!

The leak was invisible by morning but Dave continues to check the system but when I went into my cottage from the garden an hour ago became aware of a puddle in the middle of the floor and wet streaks down the new plaster in an alcove. Dave was next door plastering a single wall for Debs and Louise so I waited for him to return before pointing out the new leak. It seems when he switched on the hot water system a connection of new pipe into old expanded so it’s switched off and new fittings will be brought tomorrow. Therefore NO!! Today is not freedom from builders day.
Patsy please do insist John gets professional plumbing help rather than crawling under floor spaces!

A beautiful day with lots of outdoor chores and battery about to die so back later.
Jackie

PATSY, I walk around the house for half an hour before breakfast. I've done this every day since the last week of January, it's about 3000 steps and I can tell you this simple thing has strengthened my legs and knees no end.
The high and the kitten heels are now in the garbage. My very favourite pair was the shocker. I bought them for my work retirement party 23 years ago. Gorgeous Italian real leather strappy shoes. Well I tried them on and thought "I do believe I can wear these" - until I took them off for closer examination. Unbelievable the heels started to crumble and dissolve in my hands! Not so the other shoes. Why?
Our garbage men must be fed up. Every week something is put out, the worst being all the twigs and trunks from an overgrown garden I couldn't manage last year.
It's horrible having to admit time is catching up with us and the trick I suppose is to embrace each progression of our lives in the best way we can and ENJOY! I'm so glad John "saw the light" as it were and didn't crawl under the house in the dark. I vaguely remember a chap doing just that in Florida and encountering a giant snake. Do you remember? The photo showed 8 men carrying it away!

I did wonder about Ewok and exercise SANDY. He looks the sort of dog who needs long walks. Even little Jilly will walk for miles if allowed.
Patsy has explained kitten heels exactly.

Oh JACKIE, to quote us northerners "trouble at mill" yet again. It looks a simple fix, out with the old and in with the replacement new pipes, but what disappointment you must have felt. I am sending positive thoughts that soon all will be fixed and you can put your tootsies up in a beautiful like new old cottage. I'm sort of glad I don't own my old place because things are forever going wrong. It's only a few days ago my kitchen pipes caused the cupboard and floor flood. At the moment bathroom and kitchen fluorescent lights are dying and the stores still not open to replace. A few more days Mark says.

Anne.

Hello friends. It is back to hot and windy today so I will be watering my containers this evening. We have chances of storms each day for the next few days. Back in the high 80’s F which would be sitting at the pool weather right Sandy?

I went in person to a grocery store that usually carries the items that were not delivered to me yesterday. I purchased those and some of my favorite frozen vegetables. Then I stopped at the library and finally went inside to return books, checkout books on hold and to ask questions about making donations for their ongoing book sale. And yes, they are finally taking items to sell. Yes! I can pack up the books I have been holding for over a year.

I called the pharmacy to see if they could get a prescription renewal for me. I am guessing no and expect to hear from my doctor’s office about what will be required.

After lunch I drove to the post office and actually went inside to have some cards weighed and measured to see if additional postage would be required. It was very difficult for me as the wait for service was over 20 minutes. I just about bolted but made it through. Thank heavens.

My final stop was at a convenience store for a free lottery ticket. Again, another fairly long wait. I am finally discovering that places are open but they don’t have many employees working. One window at the post office and one check out person at the convenience store. I guess the employee shortage must be true.

Jackie, I probably would have blown my cork at the water stains and problems. You are much more calm than I could imagine. As far as tea sets, I did look and stores here are selling Bunnykins tea sets. I wondered if the photo I posted was Peter Rabbit but I couldn’t identify it from sets I looked at online. They are cute. I would use them!

Sandy, oh yes, the joy of chasing down a run away Husky. They are wonderful runners that can go and go and go. I had to chase mine several times. A lawn company did not close the gate one time and when I got home there was no bill from the, and I didn’t drive by my gate. I let my dogs out and wooo, gone immediately. Another time my male dog figured out how to open the gate himself. I found a way to secure the gates after that. I am not certain you can own a Husky without at least one escape!

Patsy, how amazing that you got that exact set for your daughter. I am sure she treasures them. So goodness, a trip to Walmart? To actually shop in the store or to pickup an order at the curb? One of these days I plan to shop in the store as there are several things that I would like to purchase that cannot be included for curbside delivery. I have no heels left in my shoe closet but I wasn’t much for wearing heels given my height. Flats are fine! 😄

Anne, I had a pair of shoes with cork soles and as they aged, the cork started to break up. Just another indication that I keep things too long. Oh well, there are worse things I guess.

Time to think about watering, doing dishes and getting the mail.

Be safe everyone.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

I adore the intense blue of this teapot.

Good morning BOB. Ive already done my half hour walkabout and me and the Bean have had our brekkie. Love getting up early. The world is quiet and peaceful and I watch the dawn as I trot around the house.
Anne.

That's exactly what happened to my posh strappies JACKIE. You explained it so much better. By any chance did your sandals come from Italy?
Buttercups and daisies the little children's dower,
Far better than this gaudy melon flower.......IF I've quoted correctly!
Anne, about to dig out the new vac, but would rather be with Betty, George, AND Jilly in that meadow.

Sandy, sometimes on our morning walks I see a young man with his two rescued Huskies in that buttercup field. He has trained them to return to his call and it’s wonderful to see them bound about and run to greet us. They do catch the occasional rabbit but kill them instantly… natural instinct I suppose?

Phew, Dave and Joe have finally finished and gone on to their next job. They’ve pottered about quietly today tidying and carrying out carpentry that boxes in pipes and I am delighted with everything. Just have to finally decide on a colour scheme for the snug; the dining room will definitely be yellow and red.
I’m now going to pour myself a large glass of wine then cook a cod fish stir fry.

Jackie🍷😆😋

PS My not so pleasant neighbours have altered the shape of their patio to avoid the risk of building on my property so I’m guessing their builder advised them they might be in legal trouble if they continued the original plan! Still too close for my liking but I’ll wait to see what height fence they erect. 😁

Good afternoon. We had a rain storm early this morning and then it kept getting warmer but there was little sunshine. Looks like we will have rain again soon. The weather forecast said to be weather aware in the late afternoon and again later in the evening. So why take a break? The forecast calls for significant rain chances each day for a week or so. I just need some breaks to keep cutting off damaged leaves and stems as the wind whips around with each rain storm.

This is Thursday so I had my normal conversation with my Thursday friend. It seems to be a lot of stress for her to remember what day it is as she has called me several times with the greeting, I remembered it is Thursday. She told me today she rehearses each day and repeats the day of the week and how long it is to Thursday. Gosh, we could speak any day as far as I am concerned and I feel bad that she is stressing about this issue. Darn!

Bob, my gosh, look at Jean work! Wonderful job indeed and a very sturdy ladder. Excellent. 👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks for all the sharing today. You have a pretty busy and interesting life. I saw this and thought of you although neither photo fits where you live. Still made me giggle.



Jackie, yes, things being cleared away and now you are deciding on paint colors. I am so happy for you. Wahoo!! I hope your neighbor doesn’t bring any further distress. I will say that we are not allowed to put in a deck or patio (or a fence) without submitting plans to the city and getting approval. We have so many zoning ordinances on setbacks, construction materials and standards which is why most people hire a reputable contractor for any jobs. They take care of all the paperwork with the city.

Sandy, you are beyond busy. I am happy that you are catching up on everything. Lucky for me I am not very social and ordinarily keep to myself so I don’t have any catching up to do except things like doctor’s appointments and other misc trips. I hope you enjoy each and every event and party.

Anne, have you placed your grocery order for the week? And is the laptop behaving for you? You have been quite busy catching up on gardening and landscaping. Not to mention shoe sorting!

Patsy, have I missed you again today? Sorry if I have, the iPad still doesn’t seem to refresh on MFP no matter how many times I try. Hope you and John and Katie are well, safe, and happy.

I have a Zoom meeting in a little while hosted by REI. I haven’t thought about them in a long time and was surprised to receive invitations to several online events. I scooped up the opportunity. I have a water color Zoom class tomorrow afternoon. And I lined up a reservation to go to our Art Center next week. Wahoo!

This looks like a lovely place to have a cup of tea.



Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Ps -- The pic of Jean in front of the Body Piercing store was a joke... she had no idea... I simply asked her to pose in the doorway as we passed by... LOL

The watercolor class starts soon but wanted to say hello to everyone.

Bob, wonderful day and thanks for the collage photos. I looked at the tattoo establishment in detail. Funny, it was Closed! Jean is good natured!! It is hot and steamy here today with more rain and/or storms on the way. I hope you have a good day.

Last night I was tired and just was getting ready to settle in for the night, eyes closing, when an amazing gargantuan clap of thunder had me nearly leaping into the air. It went on for a long time and my television went black. That was such a shock that I was awake for another couple of hours! I didn’t want to get up and go to see if there was damage. I didn’t see or smell smoke and no branches had crashed through the roof so I just stayed where I was.

Sandy, keep on enjoying. We do not know what is next so best wishes on all the catch up you are doing right now.

Patsy, I now see you did post yesterday. I finally got to see it this morning. I do not like clammy oppressive weather either. I am not sure if I am grumpy, I don’t think so but who would tell me? 😂

Jackie, good day to you. I was thinking the painting would be a lot of work but I am not certain you are interested in having more workmen in the house. Happy weekend to you.

Anne, grocery day? I want some things from Walmart so may try to get an order for pickup tomorrow. If not, another day!

Well, time to run away. See you later.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Cats!

Hello everyone. An interesting day! My first morning knowing Dave and Joe wouldn’t be at my door after a ciggy in their van so I planned a lie in except Brady had other ideas. He brought a mouse into the cottage before 7 am, no doubt as a thank you for his new home! George joined in the chase and by the time I got downstairs the poor thing had been terrorised to death! So that was it, time to get up! As it was dry and mild I decided to take George and Betty on the moors for a long, relaxed walk and we ended up at the stone with strange carvings I’d posted here last year. I’ve done some research and discovered this fascinating piece of history
https://pensilva-history-group.netlify.app/people/daniel-gumb

What a life in such a bleak place but but 400 years ago people survived as best they could, even living in caves!




Back home I’ve been cleaning and dusting a bit at a time and doing my best to keep the pooches calm as next door work in noisy fashion to create their patio!

This evening I went to the allotment with Debs and Louise with a plan to plant turnip seeds and repair our compost area but we were interrupted by an allotment holder who has problems with our new secretary who seems to have a conflict of interest, all too complex to bore you with. The upshot was we sat until the sun went behind the trees and we began to get too cold so I gave said lady my contact details and we managed to create a protective shield around a line of Brussels sprouts before heading home!

Bob, your P.S spoilt my first question that was going to be what body piercing did Jean indulge in? Loved the jazz band too!
As for Dave and Joe’s smoking habits, there were times I did think they were a little too relaxed! We have a similar smoking history because I was “puffing” on cigarettes by the age of 14, mostly encouraged by older brothers who found it amusing, but by the age of 35 questioned why I was bothering because I wasn’t particularly enjoying the habit and didn’t find it at all difficult to stop.

Sandy, have a wonderful time with your visitors. At the moment I’m planning to do the painting myself because both rooms are quite small. The walls that have a sand and cement render could be left but grey isn’t my favourite colour!


Patsy, We are learning here in England the Indian variant is infecting some of us with 2 vaccinations as well as youngsters so please stay vigilant because the bloomin’ thing has a nasty way of adapting! You have similar issues to us in Cornwall…. Too many visitors from outside the area although ours was definitely the G7 meetings that could just as easily have been carried out online… so senseless!
Yes, I do like to think the past 3 months has at least left my legacy in this old property and I just hope I’m around long enough to enjoy some of it myself.

Lin, that’s a funny puss-cat tea set! I hope you get a more peaceful night without claps of thunder tonight. I imagine you might be feeling bleary eyed today.

Wow, where’s the evening gone?

Jackie 🥰

Good Morning everyone… hope you have an awesome weekend and wonderful Saturday. It’s almost 6am and 73 degrees. Should be a T-storm this morning and only going to 88 degrees. Tomorrow should be great at 95 degrees!

Gym opens at 7am – but might start BOSCH – The Final Season; Episodes were released on Amazon Prime yesterday and we have watched since Day #1. Jean passed her cognitive test and annual physical. She had all her results via patient portal before the end of the day. While she was gone, I BBQ’d her lunch and made cauliflower pizza for myself.




Got hooked on Ferris Buehler last night, so it was after midnight before I hit the sack…but I have only seen in a dozen times and own the DVD. LOL

Sandy – It was in fact a wonderful picnic day with Jean. Normally, I like to stop at a small diner or hotdog stand etc., but Jean suggested a picnic. Last night she asked when we were going on our next picnic – so I guess she enjoyed herself, as well. If I lived closer, I’d have loved to take your grandchildren photos.

Hope the weather goes your way today re: Great America. Your dinner plans sounds like us. Many times our plans are on the fly. We occasionally write choices on paper and I pick which hand Jean is holding and we do whatever is picked – it’s a Jean thing – she still has that inner child. Sounds like you have an active weekend planned and glad you can finally meet Will in person.

Lin – Looks like our Saturday weather will be similar to what you had yesterday. The pic of Jean was indeed funny, knowing she had no idea. We pull those things on each other all the time. Good for a laugh. Hope you post some of your watercolor works some time. Jean and I plan to do one of those painting night events this year. Cute teapots – but not sure I want cat’s looking at me like that. Hahaha

Patsy – Sounds a bit uncomfortable where you are…even if I do like the heat over cold. Especially, if unable to get quick a/c relief at home or at a business. I have followed the situations in Portland fairly close and can’t believe the footage of “downtown” and last summer. Hopefully, things will improve at some point for you.
Sorry about the increased cases of COVID. As for gas prices they have certainly moved up along with groceries etc compared to last year.

I agree about the “museums and restored historic houses etc. in Canada.” Had a wonderful time exploring Halifax etc a few years ago. We do enjoy doing those types of things when we can…as long as the entrance fee isn’t crazy. I also like when they have a short video of even 3-5 minutes for background information. Even as we age – it’s nice to learn new things.

Jackie – Enjoyed the pics you posted of bleakness and 4-legged majesty! I tried the link but got a message – “NOT FOUND - You just hit a route that doesn't exist... the sadness.” Could be a fluke and I will try again later.

Jean got a lot of comments on her “piercing” pose with similar questions. You are the only one that picked up on the “closed” sign.

I think you are as happy as I am about not smoking. I was more than the casual cigarette but they were a LOT cheaper 40 yrs ago (under $1. a pack). I joked with a brother-in-law once that I liked his new car. He said he didn’t get one. He always had 2 cartons of cigarettes in his truck and smoked 2-3 packs a day. With a pack costing over $10.00 at only 2 packs a day that was $600.00 @ month! I told him I would choose a car instead. The delivery was all in fun but too hard to explain. We both laughed. Not sure if I would have quit, if I only had an occasional puff – but that wasn’t me so quitting “cold turkey” was best.

Anne – A soggy afternoon isn’t my first choice, but glad you got some groceries and more importantly a bottle of Baileys Bristol Creme “to bid the Lad next door farewell on the 6th.” I haven’t had Bailey’s in years.

Best wishes to Mike on his 2nd shot. I agree, it is going to be something to deal with like the flu etc. Lot’s of new information coming out daily. I can’t believe some of the lockdowns in Canada and Australia. VERY surprised at Canada and I know several Canadians (related to a couple) unhappy with what they see as Trudeau “overreach” – but that’s a different discussion. I am selfishly, enjoying our return to somewhat normal!

That’s about it for now. Best to everyone! Bob

Hello. What an odd weather day here. Humid and stifling at just 75 degrees! We have had light drizzle on and off with a break of sunshine accompanied by substantial rainfall. Whaaat? Birds and bunnies are circling my pots of veggies today. I haven’t seen them for a week or so. Don’t see what has changed to bring them back.

Bob, lovely meal you prepared for Jean yesterday and your pizza looks luscious. Really? 95 degrees tomorrow? Toasty! I love the decision making process, pick a hand. 🤣😂

Anne, I thought you were giving the bottle to the departing neighbors. Haaaaa. Well, I guess you will enjoy it more by keeping it.

Sandy, happy weekend. I am sorry the weather has not cooperated for their trip to the amusement park. Doggone-it. Always a possibility with outdoor venues. How did Ewok like the visit? Oh, and I have no idea whatsoever what is going on with my farm this year. I have run out of people to contact for information, and the people renting it do not keep in touch at all except to negotiate rent once a year and then after my annual request, they send me yield information after harvest. The entire state has been in some form of drought for weeks so I am hoping they are getting rain.

Jackie, thanks for the link(s), interesting person/legend. Right there in your own backyard, so to speak. Oh my yes, I would imagine the clean up will go on for quite a while to get things to the way you want them. Have I asked this repeatedly? Have you decided on colors for all the rooms?

Patsy, I would be anxious to live with some of those conditions. I hope you and John (and Katie) remain safe. A friend of mine with a Portland address seemingly has no worries about the events of the last year. She said, oh, we don’t go downtown to the areas with problems. She walks their dog alone and goes to the gardens where folks rent a space, the U.S. version of allotments, always alone. It is nice to feel secure.

Well, let’s see. The watercolor class was not compelling. She has a number of classes, each to try to show some particular technique although that bit of information is not in the class description. It is supposedly an additive process so you should watch them in a series, building up technique. Yesterday, the main ‘new’ thing was the use of masking fluid. I was surprised that many attendees didn’t know what it was and asked if they could use white acrylic paint or white crayon. She paints at 100mph so watching later on video would be a help.

And you probably thought me quite the fraidy cat with the thunder but I suppose I should have added, as a child, I was watching TV in my room during a storm when lightning hit our house, tracked down the antenna, blew out my television and set the attic on fire. I still remember the sound of the crackling fire up over my head. We called the fire department, drove the cars out of the garage and waited for the firemen to arrive. So, one of my childhood frights that has stayed with me.

And I am not doing watercolor for anything other than card making or journaling. So no artist in the making here.

Speaking of making things.

I made a card yesterday….🤣😂🤣



Here are some bits of coloring for card making I have been doing.





Back to work. I have workmen coming to my house on both Monday and Wednesday. Must clear the way for them.

Teapot again.




Be safe everyone. Miss you Barbie, Jeri, Connie and our birthday lady Diane!

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️