It’s yet another beautiful day but after a leisurely shower and hair wash, plus getting laundry out to dry, I decided to only walk George and Betty round the block before visiting Sheila. She can barely walk and has to hold on to things to steady herself but has another telephone appointment with her GP later in the week so may find out what is available to repair the damage. George and Betty sat in her garden while we chatted although at one point we saw George walking along the top of a boundary wall! There was quite a drop on the other side into a forgotten garden that apparently belongs to a cottage some distance away. No one has been in there since lockdown so it’s a mystery what’s happened to the owners. I lifted George off but 15 minutes later he got up there again so we moved all the dogs to the front where we could keep an eye on them. We have agreed to meet for a coffee at the Post Office on the moors Saturday so long as Sheila can drive.
I’m now home, contemplating more garden jobs. Nothing too strenuous!

Sorry to read of all the aches and pains. We have to remember we aren’t 18 anymore!

Monday, Monday! 🎵 🎶 🎶
Jackie 🥰

Hello, well I have been up and down today. Whenever the pain became too rough, I went up stairs and laid on my right side. That helped and then I went back to work. I finished my cards for charity, just have to get them boxed and an address label filled out.

I sent my BP readings to my doctor as he requested. It looks as if they will charge me for an office visit for taking his time to read my email!

I spoke to the Assessor’s office and got the info on which form to fill out to claim the +65 extra credit. Took quite a bit of research to find everything needed on the form. Hope I did it properly.

Filed a claim for reimbursement on my Rx from an annual bit of money I receive for medical expense reimbursements.

Crushed more boxes and wheeled the bin out to the curb. Still working on the other trash bin.

Glad some people are having good weather. It was hot here today. No rain expected until perhaps the end of the week. Tomorrow morning I will need to water the containers again.

Jackie, George is a daredevil! Glad he didn’t take a fall.

Anne, I hope you are feeling better now and got some sleep today.

Sandy, glad Ewok had good test results. And I hope your day went well.

I need to try and finish my last chores for the day. Fading fast.

Lin 🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Hello everyone. This morning I took George and Betty early to the moors because Linda was picking me up at 10am and I needed to make a flask of coffee to take with us. I spotted David just setting off on his walk so joined him to climb to the top but was shocked when we got back to the car park to see we had taken nearly 90 minutes so I had little time to get home and make that coffee. Luckily, as I rushed about Linda arrived at my door so I explained why I was running late then brewed the coffee while she waited. We spent about 4 hours digging out the steps from her friends’ garden down to the area she grows her fruit and veggies but although we were both tired by the time we finished, we were delighted by the result.

Her friends returned home just as we were packing up so we sat on the patio steps sipping peppermint tea before leaving.
Back home and both pooches are still tired after our long morning walk, plus it is rather humid with a lot of clouds about. I’ve watered all my pots and seedlings so will rest my feet and think about what sort of salad to prepare this evening.

Lin, could your back ache be from sitting over your card making for too long? Just a thought but hope today it feels easier. That’s a very clever teapot design and in a weird way I rather like it!

Busy times for you Sandy! I don’t know how you do it!

Happy Tuesday to everyone else.
Jackie 🥰

Good morning friends....

Another relatively quiet day for me. All is well here. A day with 79 expected, which is a nice break from the heat we have been having. Keep looking at all of the pruning that needs to get done, which my gardener doesn't seem to be doing anymore. After 8 yrs he has really slacked off. It is time to find a new gardener. I end up doing a lot of it over a long period of time and it isn't getting any easier for me. I really want to retire from this and just do a few pots. Keep dreaming Diane.

Jacque has been doing better this past week. It got to the point he was hardly eating because he doesn't care for the carb diet the vet put him on. No protein and he isn't happy. We were just watching him go down hill and it was as hard on us as it was on him. Decided to go back to his Caesars canned food with peas and guess what.....he ate well for 4 days, but has slacked off a bit today. We have decided we rather have a happy dog for the period that he is around with us. Easy for the vet to say not to give him protein. He still gets his animal cookies and gold fish for his carb (haha) treats.

We also drove around our housing community looking at the 3000 homes for ideas on what to paint our house. Per the community office records it was last painted in 2009 from the last owner, so it is way past due. We have a paint chip selection that we need to use according to the elevation of the house. Next we need to find a good painter and some one to power wash the roof tiles that need to have the moss cleaned off before the update. So that is this years project....we can't put that off any longer. Tending to think of a gray home with white trim and maybe a white garage. We have choices from a list for the front door and shutters. Shall be glad when this gets done.

Sounds like life is getting back to your normal early summer activities around the gardens. Take it easy...a little at a time so as not to create some pains that are not welcome at our ages. Yes it is my back too, so my yard work gets done quite slowly now. There is always tomorrow as they say.

It is getting late, so I need to end for now. Get your rest when your body tells you too. Thinking of all of you.

Diane

Hello. A hot day today but a lower temperature than it could have been due to poor air quality. I made a trip to the library this morning, a stop at the gas station, on to the local nursery where I snared a couple of tomato plants since the ones pre-ordered never showed up, and then a stop at Goodwill to drop off some donations.

My back was giving me fits again so I tried a few different things and did some prowling around online. I used a foam roller on my neck and upper back. I slapped on one of those heated pain patches which was quite difficult as I cannot reach the exact spot where I wanted it. It seemed to help.

Apparently this pain could actually be from a neck and or shoulder issue. All I know is the combo of things helped. Feeling okay right now. Oh, and of course, cause of the problem could be getting old according to several articles!

I am going to plant my new tomato plants tomorrow morning if all goes well. My green beans have all sprouted, maybe I will plant more of them tomorrow too. We will see. I am guessing they will be targets for the birds!

Jackie, yippee, a place for a dozen tomato plants. That will free up space for you indeed! I had a number of detours on my travels today due first to a car accident that closed the main way to get to the nursery. Then another detour due to road construction caused a bit more zig zagging to get to the donation drop off. I thought of you driving on your narrow roads—I am not used to much inconvenience. Oh, and congratulations on your sprouting seeds! Isn’t that just so exciting!!

Sandy, glad you didn’t have to zip about all day. Enjoy the graduation this evening.

Diane, wishing Jacque happy days with you and your hubby. ❤️❤️ Take care and I hope you find a gardener that gets to all of the needed jobs. My handyman only did about half of the things on my list last year but he got to the most essential things so I guess I cannot complain. A friend and her husband are looking for someone who will faithfully mow and trim their yard weekly. The guy they have now just shows up when he has time I guess.

Anne, I hope you are feeling better. Poor darling. It is miserable to hurt your foot. Or any other part for that matter! Your boys would have moved me out of my house by now. I hurt my foot earlier this year and spent 3 weeks with a cane and/or a walking stick. I was glad that healed up.

Be safe everyone.

Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Morning all. With the help of Tylenol I had five hours of good sleep last night.

Oh LIN did you actually have to walk with a cane for three whole weeks earlier this year? How on earth did you manage to drive? Mary Jo suggested a walking stick for me but I’m so clumsy I’d probably trip over one. And now you have been suffering with your neck and shoulder. I’m so sorry - and for all of us. Wouldn’t you think evolution could have dreamt up something better than brittle bones. Rubbery ones for instance.

Actually, when I think of Jackie and her hip replacement and all what her friends have gone through or are going through in the UK and what you dear folks are going through over here, I’m amazed how brave you all are coping with advancing years. What a very resilient brave group. I’m proud and lucky to have met you all.

Meanwhile, I might have another Tylenol before I climb the mountain that’s the old bath tub and wash my hair in the shower before trying to look a little more human. Don’t think I’m ready for the senior place just yet, although a modern building with a walk in shower in one’s own bed sitter room, plus no cooking or vacuuming sounds very tempting!

Anne.

Hope everyone’s day is wonderful and PAIN FREE.

Barbie

Barbie….wow..good walking. I can barely do 10 minutes… goal is to build up to 30.
Joy

Yesterday was a hot and busy day. So much for pottering! Instead when Linda popped round to collect her tomato plants and some wild Salvia that I grew from seed because they are on the endangered list, she suggested we drive to a recycling centre to purchase bags of compost they call Cornwall Black Gold! There weren’t any men to help us load up the heavy bags but Linda spotted a truck arrive to a site next door whose driver seemed lost so she offered to go and find out where he should go while he loaded her car. It worked! No one to help at this end though but we managed with a wheelbarrow…. Slowly!!
Today, Barney will be here to cut hedges and a couple of large shrubs. I’ve already walked for an hour across the moor where there is a cool breeze and now enjoying a fruity breakfast in an effort to lose some weight. The battery in my scales has died so I need to buy a new one. That’s my excuse anyway!

Great photos Sandy.

Anne, Wow, a care home? Lots to digest and think about for sure.

A fabulous cat teapot Lin.

Barbie… 👩🏻‍🌾

Hello Joy and our absent Patsy. ❤️

I’m thinking I will get on with housework while Barney works in the garden and hopefully our long walk will mean two tired pooches! The sun continues to shine here!

Enjoy Friday everyone.
Jackie 🥰

Hi Sandy, I am having those tests done in August. Fingers crossed for good results.
Lin dear, you are always very busy. Hope your aches and pains are a little better now.
My family is arriving for the weekend, so chores today.
Joy

I wasn’t going to take George and Betty on the moors this morning but in the end it made sense to go later, then meet Sheila at the Post Office for our coffee and cake. I was a bit early so sat on a bench seat overlooking the village green with the pooches to watch the cute lambs bouncing about with their mums. It was sunny and warm so we sat outside with our coffee and slice of delicious ginger and treacle cake! The hard wooden seat soon made Sheila’s back ache so when we finished we strolled along a level, quiet road until she could straighten up then it was home to plant a few more veggies in a raised bed. This time it was dwarf beans, Chinese cabbage and turnips. A pot of peas in pods hadn’t taken so I’ve got more planted with fingers crossed.
This afternoon I had a long telephone conversation with my dear friend Anne. We were at school together and at one point we were trying to remember when I spent Christmas with her and her family and how much we knew about another mutual friend’s family saga a million years ago!!

It’s a beautiful evening so I will water plant pots then chill. George has been to bark at someone in next door’s garden, as ever on guard! Another Bank holiday weekend for us and what with the recent Coronation long weekend we are all feeling this is one too many!

A pretty teapot Lin. 🍇🍇

Happy Saturday.
Jackie 🥰

Another busy day trying to get somethings done that were past due. Have done a thorough house cleaning the last 2 days including dusting all of the items that collect dust sitting up on top of the kitchen cabinets. It was also time to rearrange the items in my glass door cabinets, which is part of the entertainment center. Sure I will shuffle some of those items around a time or two. I won't tell you when I did this last.

I purchased some new walking shoes yesterday, which I am trying to decide if I will keep them. I have a hard time finding shoes to fit me. Breaking both baby toes in the past 5 yrs has something to do with that. Still keep a medical boot around here just in case I have foot issues again. Anne I sure hope you are getting some support for your foot. Have you thought of at least wrapping it in an ace bandage ? It needs to heal properly so you don't take a fall. So important of you want to stay in your charming little place. Thinking of you.

Cooler today up to 80 allowing us to have the slider open for the day. It was windy, but it keep the warmer air quite comfortable. I will take any of these cooler days I can get knowing the real heat is just around the corner.

I see most of you are in the midst of planting some vegetables. I am just trying to get to the nursery to get another couple of plants for a front flowerbed. All of our rain this past winter killed a few plants. The soil is hardpan, so it is a job to replant there again. Hubby made an attempt a month ago to dig one of the holes to plant one of the new plants when we get them. Just hoping the two I plan on planting survive. The last one had to be at least 15 yrs old. I thought we were losing our camellias too, but with the warmer weather, sunshine and appropriate watering I think they are coming back. Saw a flyer on another house in our community, which had much less yard work to be done, plus the interior remodeling was already done. However the thought of moving again even if minimal blocks away isn't intriguing enough to check it out.

Take care everyone and hello to those we don't hear from too often.

Diane

It’s a beautiful day and we still have a north easterly breeze that I’m beginning to think will be with us forever but at least it’s stopping the Atlantic storms hitting us. I took George and Betty for an early walk round the block and am now nibbling a light apple and cheese lunch while planning some major repotting of tomato plants. George is having one of his annoying barking moods that no amount of me talking to him stops. Betty is snoozing happily!
Yesterday afternoon a huge swarm of honey bees flew overhead on their way to the lower village and for once I was grateful my hives have been moved away. I wonder if someone now has bees in a chimney or under the eaves! It was fun while it lasted but beekeeping can be hard work.

Hi Diane. After looking about at different properties I think like you, too much effort to up sticks at my age. My property does have a lot going for it so I’ll continue to ignore the annoying neighbours!

Another cute teapot Lin but like Anne, I would probably snap those branches in no time! Sorry to see you are still suffering and Anne with your foot. Strapping it at bedtime might be a good idea.

Lunch finished so time to get those tomato plants repotted. Charmaine’s seeds she sent are doing well. I have a line of beetroot in a raised bed together with pots of Basil and Coriander all sitting up. There is a small envelope of pretty blue Morning Glory that I’m tempted to grow up the other side of netting my French beans are beginning to cling to.

Hello to everyone.
Jackie 🥰