Me, Myself and Memories

Updates from June, 2014 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  Noreen 3:12 am on June 17, 2014 Permalink  

  Duck Weather 

  

  These guys are getting a rinse off all too often.

  We seem to be catching up on what was considered drought conditions in this early spring.  Very few days in between showers and today the thunder is a continual rumbling.  At four in the afternoon I do have a light on in the living room as the darkness is all encompassing.  I had been sitting out under our patio umbrella enjoying a bit of the afternoon until I could hear an automatic messaging service on my cell phone alerting me to a fast-moving storm coming from the west.

  Dennis put down the umbrella in the nick of time as the rain began with some really bright lightning strikes.

  The entire week is in question as to rain versus possible sun.  Dennis is strutting his stuff today as the call to mow the yards yesterday afternoon was the perfect timing.  With additional rain forecast and possible temps in the 80s this week I hope he keeps that swagger of his.  As I said it is truly duck weather.

   
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  Noreen 6:26 am on June 16, 2014 Permalink  

  . . . and Dennis Wins 

  Yesterday we had an additional 2.75 inches of rain − just when the garden was getting to the point that my shoes did not become heavy with mud.

  We’ve had a very laid back Father’s Day . . . until 4:30 this afternoon.  I thought I could hear an additional noise over the detour traffic, and sure enough, rounding the corner of the garage was Dennis on his trusty riding lawn mower.  I went out to enjoy a sit on the patio and Dennis assured me he was just checking the mower over and that tomorrow we would be doing the lawns.  As we sat and enjoyed the breeze that was drying the air the twinkle in Dennis’ eyes spoke volumes.

  Well, I am here to tell you that by 6:30 this evening the lawns have been mowed.  After all it was Dennis’ Father’s Day and he won by a landslide.   By the way . . . the lawns do look wonderful.

   
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  Noreen 6:26 am on June 15, 2014 Permalink  

  What are the odds? I traveled 99 miles to the northeast for a golden anniversary celebration. It was a come-and-go event, and after a great exchange with cousins, I bid my adieu. On the way home I stopped for coffee and stretched my legs as I had no timeline. I decided to take a bit of a detour to drive past a home that we had enjoyed as a family in the 1970s. As I slowed down to take it all in, from the opposite direction came another vehicle going slow. What are the odds that my son and daughter-in-law coming from miles to the west would be at the exact same location as I was and that we recognized each others vehicle? We each pulled into an area out of traffic and had a brief, but sweet, exchange. Happenstance is alive and well.

   
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  Noreen 2:55 am on June 14, 2014 Permalink  

  This was a day for errands and best of all . . . hair cuts for both Dennis and me. The traffic is humming and sometimes screeching. The skid marks at the intersection are mounting as the detour is hard on motorists’ patience. Stop does mean . . . “Stop.” Catch everyone on another day!

   
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  Noreen 2:43 am on June 13, 2014 Permalink  

  Prolific 

  

  The seed pods have barely finished falling from the Maple tree and lookie look. Prolific trees abound. Dennis and I raked up several bushel of the pods from the gardens and I can’t tell you how many more are in the lawn. By next spring those that will get a foot hold in the soil will have quite the root system.

   
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  Noreen 6:06 am on June 12, 2014 Permalink  

  A New Nightly Venue 

  Last night the outside temps were great and the best part, there were no bugs.  Dennis and I sat on the patio after dark and watched the parade of semis going north, semis going south – all past our home.  The light show of various configurations on the tractors and trailers were almost better than the yearly parade our community puts on.  This will be nightly venue until sometime in July.

   
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  Noreen 4:11 am on June 11, 2014 Permalink  

  It’s All Coming Together 

  What a great season here on Stauffer Avenue.  The vegetables are up and I mentioned to Dennis that I can’t wait for a fresh salad.  He reminded me that the packages of seeds stated anywhere from 52 to 67 days to maturity.  Bummer.

  Last fall we went to the farm fertilizer plant and got the good stuff for the lawns.  My brother swears by it and I can tell you, our lawns have never looked better.  As luck would have it there was some left over and Dennis went over the flower gardens before the weather got cold last fall.  I will tell you there are some awesome looking perennials out there.

  In the past years I would be sad when one morning I would go for my morning walk with coffee in hand and see the hostas had been some bug’s snack.  This year I am keeping my sprayer ready with Bug Be Gone and I hope I can keep ahead of the little buggers and they will have to get their daily food allotment elsewhere.

  Alright, I will admit, I have one sprayer with Bug Be Gone, one with Weed Be Gone, and the third with Round Up.  I know what many of you are thinking  . . . “chemicals!”  So be it.  I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I don’t use hair spray.  I do have a very healthy life as the spraying is not done 24/7.  In fact, the fumes of all the semi trucks going past our home as we are on a detour route is far more damaging.  I think my little acre here on Stauffer Avenue and the enjoyment we get from having a sweet inviting home for the two of us speaks volumes.   To each their own.

   
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  Noreen 4:48 am on June 10, 2014 Permalink  

  I’ll Take It 

  I’ll take the multiple rains.  I most likely will look good with muddy web feet.  They will go great with my dirty fingernails.  The volunteer trees are easy to pull up when the ground is as wet as it has been.  And then . . . low and behold two small Japanese Ferns were spotted making their way to be respected among the Hosta.  Sweet, just plain sweet.

   
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  Noreen 2:45 am on June 9, 2014 Permalink  

  Back on Track 

  

  Dennis and his Sears mower finishing the far east lawn.

  Several weeks ago I had posted that Dennis’ Sears riding mower had bonked out on him.  As it was, he didn’t take it to Fleet and Farm, but rather to a fellow out in the township that repairs, trades and sells small equipment.  As Dennis is all about keeping the acre tidy, he also took along a blade for a 4-wheeler that was no longer on our property.   If we don’t use it or need it, why keep it around?  It didn’t take Charlie long to see what the problem was on the mower and then Dennis was put to the challenge of the waiting game.

  The mower came back this last mid week and the smile on Dennis’ face was from ear to ear.  Charlie traded even up on the blade for the repair of the mower.  This would not have had the same great result if Fleet and Farm had been used.  Of course,what better day to try out the repaired rider mower than today . . . like in . . . as soon as the dew was off the grass.  My pusher mower was gassed up and pointed in the right direction, ready for me to get my gardening shoes on.

  

  The view from the east and the goal
  is to be on that patio adjacent to the porch
  as soon as the last blade of grass is cut.

  Well, my goodness, here it is at 3:30 in the afternoon, the yards look wonderful, and we are showered up and ready to enjoy the remainder of the day.  It was a good several hour workout for both of us and the satisfaction of a sweet-looking acre on Stauffer Avenue is priceless.  We are back on track with repaired equipment.

  For as long as I can remember, keeping up a yard has been a very rewarding part of my life.  The flowers and shrubs give the home definition and also a glimpse of our personalities.  If I thought I was diligent about yard work,I don’t hold a candle to Dennis’ enthusiasm.  We don’t make it drudgery.  As soon as spring allows, both Dennis and I are outside enjoying either the front patio or the back patio depending, on which has the nicest breeze fluttering through the Maple tree.  Oh yes, life is sweet.

   
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  Noreen 4:55 am on June 8, 2014 Permalink  

  Some Items Are Timeless 

  

  The battery operated clock/radio was given to me in
  1986 and is still a staple in our home. The Westclock of Dennis’
  is from the 1960s — and keeps on ticking.  Priceless!