Sunday, May 24, 2020

Wow! Where have I been?

The weeks fly by, don't they? I didn't even remember that this was Memorial Day weekend...until I ventured into little Nevis and found it swarming with "tourists". Gassing up the toys. (ATV's, etc.) But it's kind of nice to see people on the trail when you go for a walk.

Today I washed a quilt and then took it into the laundromat to dry it in a larger machine. My machine just wraps it up in a burrito that thumps around and doesn't dry well. While it dried I took a 2 mile walk on the trail. I've been doing pretty well with the walks.

We're finally getting leaves! This photo was taken probably a week or more ago, so they're bigger now.
My flowers have moved outdoors. It occurred to me that it isn't too smart to have a house full of flowers when I know I have pollen allergies. (My car is coated with pollen!) The yard still looks a little ratty. The bushes haven't leafed out much yet. We need some good rain. And our soil is just sand, so the grass is sparse in some places. But it was fun to see a hummingbird enjoying the flowers this morning! The hummingbird feeder is in a tree just to the left of the row of flower pots. I'm going to leave them in pots since the soil is so bad and I'm not looking for a major gardening project.
I mentioned a month ago that I was dealing with acid reflux again. It's still going on though I've cut out everything that's supposed to exacerbate it. I have however lost over 10 pounds! Yay! I'll keep going and maybe do some more reading up on it. The last time I had this problem (about 2 years ago, I think) I went to the doctor and he wasn't much help.

In other health news, I just had an eye doctor appointment. Looks like I'm going to be evaluated for cataract surgery on my left eye. She also said my right eye (which also has the beginnings of a cataract) also looks a little suspicious for glaucoma. So, I'm getting tested for that, too. I won't get the cataract surgery unless I'm sure my insurance covers it. I'll find out on Tuesday. If it doesn't, I'll wait for the magic age of 65 when Medicare should kick in. Anyway, prayers appreciated.

Been messing about with ATCs. These were from a swap where we had to create a card out of various bits and pieces someone else sent us. An interesting challenge.




 This is from a continuing series of swaps. We had to do zentangles whose names began with the letter P, Q or R.

 My view is getting greener little-by-little.

These were for a swap called Map It! We just had to include a map on the card. The rest was up to us. 

 Thrift stores opened up! I found this copy of Kristin Lavransdatter. I've had it before (in three separate books) and donated it without reading it. When I saw this I thought I might like to have it on my shelves "just in case" I get around to it. I know a couple of you have read it. Is it worth the time and effort?

 This ancient little book is a missionary story. I felt sorry for it, lol.

And another cool old book. It claims to give definitions for some of the new words we use. Like automobilist!
 Adam resurrected the girls' teepee fort. The boards are now securely screwed into a frame around the trees. But are they playing in it? No...
They've set up an old table in the yard where they are conducting geological experiments. I gave them a book about rocks (thrift store find!) and they've been collecting, washing and studying rocks for days! These kids have more toys than you can shake a stick at, but they prefer to play with sand, dirt, rocks, sticks. I think it's kind of cool that they still like to do that sort of thing. :)
Whoops, they saw me taking their picture. Ha ha. The stacks of boards are siding for the house. I think Adam's going to finish that project soon. Too many projects; too little time! (See their science table?)
I think that pretty much brings us up to date. Think I'll have a little lunch and then visit blogs. See you there!
Shalom, friends and family! 

Monday, May 11, 2020

A quiet Mother's Day...

Hope you all had a blessed Mother's Day! I had a quiet day with the occasional phone call from kids, and some Facebook and text greetings. Micah and her two sisters-in-law headed to Bemidji to shop and have a long visit. Hubbies took the kids. An unusual way to celebrate, but since we can't really go anywhere anyway... I'm glad they had some time to socialize.

I miss being able to share grandkid pictures on here, but I haven't yet figured out how to copy them and transfer them here. Micah posted a picture of Thatcher (age 17 months) standing on the living room window sill looking out the big picture window. He climbed up the couch to get there. She's now rearranging the furniture!

Paris the pony has finally joined her larger friend, Dachessa, out in the pasture. It's taken a long time to get the pasture fence refurbished so it's secure. She's loving it!


It's been below freezing here at night for the last several days. It should warm up by the end of the week.

I should be out walking but after a day running back and forth to town, I'm pooped out. Hopefully tomorrow! I went to town with Micah to help her with some laundry. She decided to use the laundromat to catch up because her laundry was getting behind. I packed up one hamper and when we got home she said, "Um Mom. That isn't my laundry basket." So, I ran back to town to return the "stolen" basket to the poor lady who had, by that time, gone to Walmart and bought a new one, lol. She was very nice and happy to get it back. Oh well. I needed to return a library book and pick up a couple of things at Walmart anyway!

I've potted up some annuals to decorate my window seat. Some of these will go outside once the weather warms up, but most of them will stay here. Mostly petunias, but also a primrose, teddy bear sunflowers, mimulus and a geranium.



I did a few APCs... And, of course, I've signed up for a couple of new swaps.


I finished reading In the Company of Others by Jan Karon yesterday. Very good, but hard to keep track of all the characters!
Now on to Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by the same author. That's sort of the end of the Father Tim books, so I'll go on to other things. She has written more books, but I think I'll take a break. So many books, so little time!

That's all the news I can think of. I'm off to visit blogs!
Shalom, all!