Special Delivery

NO! I  DID NOT KNOW IT WAS CREATED OR COMING!!! As I was getting ready to go to an optometrist appointment, a truck pulled up and I saw the fellow come to the door. In the back of the truck was a very large, chain saw carved statue. He asked me where he should put it and we decided that it needed to face the road and be on a kinda-sorta level area. He drove the truck to the spot for unloading and his wife was here to help. The fact is that this lady was one of my 4-H club horse leaders and I have known her for about 40 years! WOW! 

Another surprise to knock me off of my heels! The series of images below tell the story. MEET JAMES 2 — Chain saw carving to replace the original, which will be removed after the bee infestion becomes dormant. Of course I had to document his arrival even though I was shaking in my efforts to capture the difficult placing of this wonderful artwork. I am honored to know the artist and happy that James will live on.

He was still here this morning with the sun shining brightly on his face and he brings me joy and a feeling of peace.

I'm not alone. I have wonderful caring and sharing friends. What more could I ask for?

(My friend who arrived to take me to the optometrist appointment met Razor and Becky. They live close to each other and she recognized the truck!) There are "connections" that come to be just about every day if you think on it. About 60 years ago I did some oil paintings  and one is quite close in appearance to Razor. I sold it but kept a photo. Here ya go!

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So Far So Good

I've been in contact with my granddaughter who lives in NY about her sister (my granddaughter) who was just visiting there with her daughter (my great grandaughter). They headed back to her home in Coral Gables via air just before Ian came through.  They could have stayed in NY but her husband was in FL so they left. I just heard this morning that they had arrived safely and now have no power and lots of rain and water issues but are OK. Whew!

I have another friend whose two adult sisters live in Naples and they stayed, did not evacuate, generator quit so have no power and have severe damage to their home but also are OK.

My friend from Western PA is in SC at the campground where we often went in the past. She used to camp there but for the last few years has rented a villa instead and planned to stay until November 1, visiting me as she traveled home. Well, I haven't heard anything from her but do know the campground usually had an evacuation plan for hurricanes. We evacuated once and after that, for a long time, had a tub full of necessities ready in case of another event. I'm hoping to hear from her soon. Right now I think SC is in a state of emergency but no mandatory evacuations yet.

Threes...

First the sewer situation, then the full day of crowded surroundings and stress, now the third occurrence that is the most difficult! Guess that I'm being a crybaby and wanting sympathy. No, that is not it. IT is that when things in life go awry, I have difficulty with getting them set right. 

I woke up yesterday morning with a swollen, red, hot and burning leg and foot. I had warning the day before but didn't suspect what might be going on and am still not sure. BUT! I called a nearby friend to take me to emergency because I knew it was an extreme situation. After the doctor looked at it, the RN took swabs of the sore on top of my foot and started a medicine IV fluid drip. That lasted two hours. Then my friend picked up a prescribed antibiotic for me and when we got home I started to arrange things to be able to get my foot and leg above my heart. Not easy, as I have the frozen shoulder and a bad back. I did my best. My friend then did the large grocery shopping that was planned for Monday and I rested. Went to bed 8pm, got up this morning 6:30am and leg still looking the same. I do have a follow-up appointment with my regular doctor this week. The cause is suspected to be a tick bite. (I did see a tiny black dot on the top of my foot for several days but didn't pay attention to it.) I have been going out barefoot to pull weeds in the flowerbed in front, a couple of times in the early mornings. WRONG! 

I sure hope the antibiotics will start doing their job and it will all go away! The lab result of the swabs taken should determine the true cause of this painful cellulitis. 

I am SOOOOO lucky to have such a good friend nearby that I could call on when I needed help. In fact, I have several and love them all!

Visitors and Manips

I had a friend and his lady stop by and we had a great visit. They rode in on his 1983 Beemer and we had a wonderful time getting to know each other a bit. She is a real sweetheart. He has been here before and he wanted to show her the cabin and the area as she is from Canada.

I have been working on a log photo that a friend from NY sent me and my visitor had just what I was looking for -  a dancer graphic for the log's interior. 

I created a picture of her and then the log creation. Really I should have started this earlier in life. It is fun to do!

Well the cut-down tree left a nice start for my imagintion!

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What do you think? Do I need to be sent to LaLa Land?

Friends

Today there were TWO MEN here helping me with miscellaneous jobs. One patched an old hole in a bathroom bottom log that was formerly used for a drain hose of an old dehumidifier. At least the log wasn't rotten! He then figured out why the bottom drawer of the newer (but still quite old) dehumidifier wasn't cooperating with me when I attempted to put it back in after emptying it into the toilet every day last summer. Let's hope that it will function better for this year and I won't have to invest in a new one yet.

The other man is my "yard guy" a very dutiful and thorough fellow who sprayed for carpenter ants a couple of weeks ago. Today he raked, wheelbarrowed debris away, cleaned gutters, blew leaves out of places they didn't belong, fixed the ramp to the shed and then moved the snowblower into it to rest beside the lawn tractor. Soon he'll take the tractor for a ride just to make sure it still functions, even though he uses his own. THEN...the summer mowing and weed-whacking will begin. The porch chairs still need to be power-washed and the swing will be uncovered as soon as the 'squiggleys' have fallen from the trees. They are actually tree catkins and are a nuisance. In early spring it's the turn of the willows, populars, maple and oaks to open up their catkins.

How lucky am I? I have a long story that a friend sent me from SC about the need for having friends. There sure is! I'm keeping that story as I continue to clean out my files. It hit me really hard. 

One Day at a Time...

Well, the white hyacinth blossoms have died and I put the plant outdoors to finish off so I can store the bulbs for replanting. I have had a lot of short breath and coughing lately and have had to resort to Coricidin-D for relief. It helps and I really think the pollen from indoor plants with flowers might be my problem.

I received 5 little bulbs with sprouts in the mail yesterday. The soil in front has thawed and the daffodils are poking up so I planted them there. These are special because they came from a family I met in SC who have now moved to the far western part of VA and are building their homestead. Meg found the flowers last year growing "wild" on the property and shared them. Here is one of last year's pictures she sent me.

Of course I then had to research this yellow beauty and here is what I found.

I sure have high hopes they will thrive and join the daffodils for me!

In the meantime, I designed and painted an Easter egg yesterday, using the application on which that I have been trying to improve my skills. I first painted my egg and then resorted to photomanipulating to be satisfied with the results. It is just a hobby, but I like a challenge and will keep trying to paint better projects.

Well there you have it...I'm hangin' in and I'm hangin' on.

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New Spring Surprise

My neighbor and his daughter stopped by last night with a gift of Spring for me! I have never had so many indoor plants! I do like watching them develop and grow into their destined shapes and colors. Join the gang you three youngsters! I will care for you.

What colors will you show me?

I am aware that you come in many, including white, cream, pink, rose, apricot, lavender, cobalt blue, deep purple and wine red!

Your blooms also have one of the most powerful garden scents of spring! 

You are the flower of the sun god Appolo and are a symbol of peace, commitment and beauty but also of power and pride. You are special. The gift and the anticipation of your approaching blossoms have made me feel grateful for everything that I have. 

This is a very sweet surprise and inspiration.

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APPLE Time!

I got four more 1/2 gallons of the wonderful cider from Jayne's Orchard this morning and now I'm set until next year. Just topped them off and, after they freeze, will re-cap and move them to the big freezer.  A friend generously took me to the orchard in the past and I got four 1/2 gallons then. Today a different friend took me there and she had a great time playing with the dogs. How could I not go for freshly picked and sorted apples? They are extra large this year! 

1/2 Peck Cortlands

1/2 Peck Macouns

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The link below is to the Orchard's Facebook page.

Explore the Orchard Store

Change

I can't believe summer is already over and soon the natural world will turn orange, brown, grey and white. AND COLD.  It seems as if the days are flying by, like what happens as the roll of paper gets smaller and the end is near. I have been able to keep pretty busy, sometimes doing nothing which is busy on a different scale. I did manage to vacuum the kitchen and living room this week. Major work for me now. The other day I was a social butterfly, chatting with the trash pickup man, the Schwan's delivery fellow, the mail carrier woman, the potter, my brother, and then a neighbor who was walking his dog. He stopped to help me with the filling of distilled water into the golf car batteries with a special system of doing it all at one time. Soon after, another neighbor made a special delivery of a bag of her home-made cookies! Killer Cookies, I might add. Soon things will have to be covered - the porch swing, the golf car, the air conditioner. I plan to have my lawn and yard guy help with this after he cleans out the flowerbeds and gutters and blows leaves. He does the snow removal as well. Perhaps he can use the Mister's great blower. It needs to be taken from the shed and put into the carport for easy access. A gasoline supply will be needed. I still see a couple of hummingbirds at the feeder but sure hope they leave before frost! It is time!

When I watch TV, which is for the morning news and weather and the suppertime updates, I know I have nothing to complain about. My health is fair for my age and as long as I have books to read, my computer for communication, shelter, warmth and food, I know I'm one of the lucky people in a safe environment. I also know this could change in an instant, but for now I'm going with the flow of good vibes, good friends and neighbors. 

The photos below are from last year.

It's Nature's way.

for a closer look and to be prepared, click on an image

Almost March..

Each day brings us closer to less snow, more mud, but it's OK, it's nature's way.  We got out this morning to pick up Ed's meds and to get our two week laundry done. The driveway was a sheet of ice here and we were lucky enough to be able to find an 8 lb. container of snow melt stuff; wouldn't want to have the Schwan's delivery guy fall when bring our frozen foods next Tuesday! Also it will be safer taking our trash to the curb on Tuesday as well. The Mister takes the car to the mailbox instead of tempting fate! He did loose his balance in the parking lot of the hardware store today, fell right down and cut his finger and bruised hand but otherwise not hurt. Guess having a cane in one hand and the snow melt in the other when trying to open the back door of the car was just too much. There goes my dishwasher for another week or so!!

Looking  back, what  was the thing to do when driveways and walkways were slippery? Wood ashes were spread. Not anymore.

Friends in Barre, Ontario Canada sent pictures today. The images below show what they have there.

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Friends

My friend Joan died nine years ago today. She was a loving and devoted woman. I miss her - a lot! From junior high school through marriages and births, we were close and supported each other in everything we did and experienced. 

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