Rubbish Tuesday #1

Thinking back to August 2011 when Hurricane Irene's effects struck our area, and remembering the loss of the old willows that my dad planted so many years ago. The first tree was broken in 2009. Then it was shattered again, taking the second one down as well. 

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2009

2011

2011

2011

196?

Linking up to Rubbish Tuesday here: Rubbish Tuesday

Fixin' To Go

The 2006 Ford truck failed inspection!! The rusty holes and wear and tear did it. In Pennsylvania all vehicles must be *inspected and get a new sticker every year. Ours was due during the month of April. The ball joints have already been replaced and it is now in the body shop. We have a small hole on both sides of the rear doors at the bottom.  The inspection rule pertaining to this reads: "The floor pan is rusted through so as to cause hazard to occupants or to permit exhaust gases to enter passenger compartment." The estimated cost from the body shop (an long established local and very honest business) is $600.00.

*at an official PennDOT safety inspection station with certified inspectors.

Besides emission tests, the inspection usually includes head and tail lights, turn signals and warning lights, mirrors, windshield, seat belts, wiper blades and other safety equipment; tires, brakes, steering and suspension. We also have to bring our driver's license, vehicle registration card, and certificate of auto insurance.

I'm sure you have already guessed that the Mister has done everything conceivable to care for this truck with as good care and maintenance as he possibly could. Oh well, just another bump in the road. So here we sit until the phone rings.

This is what I like about photographs. They are proof, that once, even for just a few years, everything was perfect.

Springtime Changes

James is changing seasonal attire today. For eight months he has worn his wool hat with the red pom pom and his warm patch scarf. Today it is frogs and dragonflies. This is all because we had to put up a new clothesline. Well I couldn't put his winter clothes back in the drawer dirty, could I?

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This winter took its final toll on my line and there was a really fragile section. It was definitely threatening to break. Have you ever changed a 50 foot long rope clothesline that is high up in a tree? With a pulley at both ends? One that is as old as the cabin? It is a major one man and one woman job. It's a bit tricky to keep tension on the rope while threading it through the parts in a way so it doesn't come off of the pulley at the tree. Have you ever had to buy a 200 foot long quality line when you only needed 105 feet? Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Today was the day. It is sunny and fairly warm. It is time to do Spring things. The bed covers all need to be laundered and hung out and, for one minute, do you think I would chance the line breaking?  Mission accomplished. Done ! Everybody is happy.

Decisions and Choices

Decisions, decisions! With the variations created I just can't decide which I like best - opinions are welcome.

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#1 Original-no changes.

#2 Dark Dancing

#3 Dark Dancers

#4 Dark Deer Dance

#5 Dark Dancing

Good Fences #5

" Don't ever 

take a fence down 

until you know 

why it was put up. "

Robert Frost

The Black Eyed Susans thrived in August 2011.

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Easter Day Rideabout

The first thing I wanted to do was to re-shoot the wheel fence but there is no place to park to get great pictures. Oh well...

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We passed an old farmhouse that has been renovated. I do not like the blue tin roof! Notice the stained glass window on each side, is a nice touch.

The barn siding caught my eye.

How about the "tractor color parade" having a mailbox to match!

This very old schoolhouse has been vacated but someone is maintaining it well.

Last year I trespassed to get the serpentine rock wall and now I see that three more sculptures have been added.

Moss grows everywhere.

The rushing stream is not to its fullest ability to flow as when the snow was melting.

This fence form is a style from long ago and is still popular.

I see two small trees here that have survived the harsh winter.

Ouch!

Be careful, be VERY careful if you ever have any *kinesiology taping done. I have been having severe spasms in my left ribcage area. Not knowing why, I consented to have the area taped by my chiropractor. I have visited him twice since my sacroiliac is out of place again (this is an ongoing issue through many years). After the last visit I actually wondered if I had a cracked or even broken rib it was so painful. I have had broken ribs in my past years due to falling off of horses so I know how it feels. 

I also think the muscle spasms could have been caused my my extreme sneezing spells lately. I have them often and they are sudden and violent and long lasting. 

Anyway, my chiropractor determined that the muscle in that specific area was swollen and heated and explained that the taping would help ease the pain. OK. I asked if it contained latex because I have VERY sensitive skin and often react to things touching my skin.

I left with a 3 inch wide piece of tape adhered all along the area front to mid back. It stayed on for eight hours before removal because I felt tingling and itching getting strong. 

Well, what do you think? I had a horrendous red rash that itched and burned and tested me to the limit of endurance. It was awful. I took a picture to show doctor at my next appointment, but I won't show you here.

I have been treating the area now for 3 days with gentle cleansing and application of good old fashioned *Resinol ointment. It is healing nicely, though slowly. 

Learned my lesson. Added that product to my allergy list! I should have known better. And....there are warnings "out there."

My use of Resinol is a family tradition. My grandmother, mother and I have all used it for multiple kinds of irritations. It works! I swear by it.

* Kinesiology Taping Inf.

Good Fences #4

This fence is to prevent more beaver damage to our tree!

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Awkward April

Oh! Those April "showers" -yeah, snow showers- will kill my flowers! 

The walkways are treacherous, the daffodils are sad and the little birdies are frozen! The truck doors won't open, and James wants a new outfit! The good thing is that the sun is rising. It's 6AM April 16, 2014. I have demanded that it shines strongly ALL DAY!

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Mother Nature! 

Do you hear me??