It has been a struggle to get and stay online. So frustrating so I’m keeping busy outside. There is lots to do and luckily, like Barbie, I’m content on my own. While it has been another hot period I’m taking George on the moors very early but that means I don’t often see my usual dog walking friends. The area around the cyst is finally drying and he is no longer trying to contort to get his nose on it but with the fur removed round it by the vet, it is rather ugly and I’m concerned it is vulnerable to getting knocked. The antibiotics run out next Wednesday and I will decide the next move then,

Sandy, that’s good news you sorted a new lease so can relax for 3 years. My attitude is to not worry about what might happen but enjoy each day, much like your one day at a time.

Good for you Lin, not paying for that work until it was completed. I’m surprised a contractor would try that trick these days when we are more savvy!

Wow Barbie, that’s a great step forward for Annie staying home when you go out. She has obviously settled after the changes in your lives. I picked another cucumber today, a sweet, long one and also a handful of mini tomatoes but generally it is a disappointing year. Too hot by our standards I think.

Bedtime and fingers crossed this post won’t disappear into the ether.

Jackie 🥰

I discovered my IPhone had blocked Wi-Fi first thing but while I was in the shower the phone had popped up a message showing me a way to get back online so I’ve followed the instructions and here I am. A software update iOS 18.6.1 had failed in the night so I wonder if that had something to do with it. Looks like it’s only for users in United States so I've cancelled it!

It is another warm day but not so bad I can’t work outside because there’s also a blustery wind. I’ve watered all my pots and the greenhouse plants, something I was going to do yesterday at dusk but a friend phoned as I was preparing a meal and by the time we finished our chat and I had something to eat, it was dark. The days are rapidly drawing in!

This is my afternoon tea break then I will continue pruning for an hour.

Not just me then Lin? 😕 Try to tie today’s down with a sturdy piece of string!! 😛

Happy Sunday.

Jackie 🥰

Hello, another very hot day. It is the last day of the State Fair. From what I have heard, attendance has been very good. No one making noise in this neighborhood this afternoon. It was nice to have a day without lawnmower mowers, or other types of power tools. In fact, no roaring cars or trucks either. Very enjoyable.

Sandy, sorry you had a stormy evening. I commiserate with you on losing sleep. I hope you can sleep tonight. We have thunder storms in the forecast tomorrow.

Jackie, I am glad you discovered how to get your electronic things working again. That is great. Is the blustery wind over with for now? How is George today?

Barbie, I am glad Annie is adapting to different circumstances. Progress!

I read a book today, did a load of laundry, and attended a few Zoom classes. Each week I check daily on new videos from my church. I don’t know what is going on, they have not posted the church service for 3 weeks now. I want to ask what is going on but sometimes you have to be patient I guess.

Be safe my friends.

Lin 🙋🏼‍♀️

❤️❤️

😀 I attended an event yesterday afternoon that I haven't attended since before the pandemic. I saw a few people I know and a few I know primarily throught Zoom. It was pleasant, like going back to a familiar place after years away. There was a giant spread of food, but I resisted the natural impulse to eat to cover my uncertainty. I just found a seat and introduced myself to the people around me. I stayed away longer than I had before and Annie hadn't gotten in any trouble while I was gone but she was beside herself with delight to see me and was a giant pest for a long time after I got home. . We'll have to keep practicing. It gives me hope that I'll be able to leave her home in a few months when I have to take the car to be serviced.

😀 Garden continues to grow. So far only enough tomatoes for me. My friend brought another cucumber. Sunflowers are starting to bud. They are taller than me so it's hard to see what's going on with them. There are three pumpkins staring on the vines. I'm glad I kept it simple.

❤️ Barbie

Thunderstorms here today as well. I did manage to walk round the village with George before it started and because there was no rain, just a lot of crashing and flashing, I spent time shutting up the greenhouse and bagging up cuttings left from yesterday. After that I relaxed, did some reading and researching new walking shoes because the pair I have are not supporting my ankles enough so bruising is appearing that feels achy. The cottage shook a few times when thunder was right overhead and that sent George upstairs to jump on the spare bed and bark! He was more cross than scared. We finally had a small amount of rain before it all moved away so drought conditions continue. More storms due tomorrow so I hope to do some shopping and buy fuel for my car before walking George.

l love the photo from your fair Lin. Very American! 😁 🇺🇸 With the problems in Britain right now, it is reported that more people are returning to attending church services which can’t be a bad thing. Certainly a peaceful option!

Sandy, congratulations on the lease signing. You should have a little celebration!

Another social event Barbie and sounds like Annie is coping well with your absence.

I noticed on returning from walking this morning that there are blackberries growing in the hedgerow along side our access track so must pick some and buy cooking apples to cook together. Sometimes I place in my freezer for eating on porridge in winter months but we seem to have a shortage of local soft fruit in the stores so I will enjoy now.

Bedtime for me and George. Brady is already snoozing in the garden room.

Stay safe.

Jackie 🥰

This area saw some odd clouds, wind, and a bit of rain this morning while other areas received over an inch. More may arrive tonight and in another day or so the heat is forecast to relent a bit. I spent quite a bit of time this afternoon calculating how to move money around in order to pay my quarterly estimated taxes as well as the first half of property taxes in both counties. I think I will look everything over one more time before I mail everything. No mistakes needed!

I participated in quite a number of Zoom classes today. Very enjoyable!

Sandy, I did not go to the Fair. Haven’t been there for years. Attendance was down a bit this year but still over 1.1 million people attended. So hot and a lot of standing or walking around in horrific heat. I am not sure why so many people wanted to spend time that way. They did have long lines to rent mobility scooters.

Jackie, poor George, storms are upsetting. This morning we had some kind of flash and lost power. My generator started up but I was glad that the power was restored relatively quickly. Oooh, blackberries. Delicious!

Barbie, you are becoming a social regular out there. Annie is really adapting well.

A friend wrote a note this morning that his dog was 13 today but has been suffering in ill health for quite some time. They were off to the vet today to see if any type of medicine or supplement might help.

Nothing else exciting.

Be safe.

Lin 🙋🏼‍♀️

❤️❤️

I love that teapot Lin!
It has rained on and off all day but I did manage to walk George first thing without us getting too wet. Groceries were bought before coming home and fuel for the car. A quiet time at home after that. A few more tomatoes picked and potato salad made following an online recipe. Tomorrow is the last day for George’s antibiotics and although the cyst is less angry it still needs a few days to settle, but the drugs will stay in his system and hopefully do the job. I will phone the vet practice to discuss when to take him in to remove it surgically.

Dry and sunny forecast for tomorrow so I’ll set the washing machine tonight.

Nothing else to report! Hope to have my new shoes by Friday.

Take care.

Jackie 🥰

Good evening. We had a morning of fog today. Not really bad here so I made a trip to Trader Joe’s at opening time. School has not started yet but the route out to Trader Joe’s was packed with cars. Eeeck. There’s one spot where cars are merging from the Interstate and those of us who want to go to places needing the right lane have to merge at that same point. Also the speed limit increases in the same area. Makes me sweat!

I did get my checks reviewed today and am ready to mail the last of them tomorrow.

My green beans are done for as is my lettuce. I need to clean those pots up and maybe I can plant a bit more lettuce.

Zoom classes again today, of course.

Barbie, I used to go to the State Fair every year to look at all the entries people submitted in pursuit of a blue ribbon. Vegetables, fruits, quilts, hand crafts, photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, jams, jellies, honey, knitting, sewing and more. And I would get lemonade from a stand in the Agricultural building. And of course there were lots of displays of companies selling things. It was interesting but tiring. I didn’t care for much of the fair food and then of course my life changed and I couldn’t eat much of anything out there. Not the tiny homemade chocolate cookies or the mini donuts. And no food was allowed to be brought in. Dancing at the county fair sounds like fun.

Jackie, I hope George is healing up well and will not need surgery. My friend did end up having to put his dog down. Of course, he is very upset as the dog was picked out by his wife. It was her first dog and she was so happy having a dog, the first in her life. Unfortunately she died a few years ago but her husband always thought of the dog as a part of her.

Sandy, oh my, Santa’s Village. While it sounds like fun, the crowds would make me crazy. Best wishes!

Be safe everyone

Lin 🙋🏼‍♀️

❤️❤️

Hello, not quite as hot today but still muggy. A fairly quiet day, Zoom classes, starting on the birthday cards that should be finished! I am behind. Some reading and contacted the company who built my fence to see if they can make it look better by removing the blasted on mud from the contractor who worked on the new power line. He may be out next week. Talked to a friend at church to catch up on upcoming activities.

I always seem to have little things to do. A bit of cooking, ordering missing grocery items, adding salt to my softener, cleaning sinks, etc.

I hope everyone is well. Be safe.

Lin 🙋🏼‍♀️

❤️❤️

It has been a lovely day, sunny and not too hot so I walked George early on the moors then spent time weeding and trying to dig ground that has become solid due to lack of rain. We have a Bank holiday weekend that should remain dry and warm so I won’t be going far because the roads will be busy. George is feeling a lot better and the cyst area is finally dry.

Nothing interesting other than the Women’s rugby World Cup began this evening with a match between England and USA. Sorry ladies, we trounced you!!

Bedtime.

Jackie 🥰

😀 Tomatoes The tomato plant is producing well. It is a good bending and stretching challenge to pick them In addition to having enough for myself, I was able to give a snack bag of tomatoes to each of several neighbours. Each snack bag holds about 20 tomatoes.

😀 I bought two bags of garden soil this morning. Annie wasn't happy with the woman putting the bags in the back of the car. It took her a long time to get comfortable with the grocery man and now she doesn't growl or show her teeth with him. The soil will be for a few little projects in the back yard like replanting iris and crocus bulbs. It's hot today so I walked early and watered again.

❤️ Barbie

Apologies for not posting yesterday. I worked hard in my garden and finished by cutting the grass with what has become a heavy lawnmower so of course, when I sat to relax in the evening, I fell asleep and didn’t wake up until gone midnight!

It is another beautiful day and I’ve already walked George on the moors where there is a cool breeze. I was up just after 6 because Brady brought a mouse into the dining room so I had to get up to chase both of them out! By the time I had done that I thought I may as well shower and go for a walk.

We are due more hot temperatures but rain possibly arriving tomorrow so I will do my best to finish garden chores. My cucumber plants are fading already because in spite of regular watering, the air is too hot for them. The tomato plants aren’t much better but I am removing a lot of leaves which should give the fruit more energy. It is a Bank holiday for no particular reason. It used to fall on the first Monday in August to give everyone a summer break, then got moved to the end of the month to extend the season. You’re glad I explained all that aren’t you! 😁🤣

George’s appetite has improved and he will be happy when the rain arrives. Not me so much!

Happy Monday. Stay safe everyone.

Jackie 🥰