Texting while riding

A friend of Gerry's was at a garage sale and saw this old typewriter and knowing that Gerry collects old typewriters bought it for him. Gerry had ridden the bike to work that day, but never fear. Here is his solution for bring it home.

I guess I should not be surprised, because he has brought an air conditioner home on the back of the motorcycle. Go figure!

Mystery dinner

The Red Hat group I belong to had a mystery dinner and husbands were invited. It was held at the home of an Amish woman. There were 12 things on the menu, but they all had Pennsylvania Dutch labels. At the beginning of the meal each person chose four items for each course. For example, my first course consisted of: roast beef, dressing, coffee and pie. Note - no eating utensils. I smashed my plastic cup and used it to eat with.



For my second course I chose bread, pork chops, mashed potatoes and (thank goodness) a knife.
So did the man next to me.




My third course was buttered noodles, a broccoli salad, a fork and spoon.

For the foodies in my readership, please note the entire menu. Lots of meat and starch.

But as we were leaving I was offered a ride. Aren't we a colorful group. These girls did not have to wear black dresses like the Amish order around us.

Usual activities "in the sticks"

I have been working in the yard all day every day that I can. Since I am the primary gardener in the family, I have difficulty getting caught up in the Spring. I have met a neighbor who loves to garden and has a beautiful yard. The other day when I was walking I stopped to say hi and she gave me a tour. One thing led to another and yesterday she gave me starts for about 10 perennials (mostly sedium). So this morning I planted them. It is getting up to 87 degrees today, so I planted and mowed until noon. She also was quite encouraging in telling me that I should not think I will get it all done in a year or two. It is an ongoing project. I am trying to look at it that way so that I can enjoy it as I do it. There are no before pictures, because it would be embarrassing (ie weeds). I will post after pictures after everything starts growing.

I may be the primary gardener, but Gerry keeps the equipment running and does the difficult jobs I cannot. I had mowed along the road, but could not mow some grass for fear I would fall into the ditch. So he came with the sickle mower and big tractor. He was going to mow some tall weeds for the neighbor also, but did not know there was an open ditch in the midst of the weeds and the tractor front wheel fell in. But never fear, he figured out a way to jack the tractor up, put boards under the wheel and backed it out.

Here is small tractor to the rescue of the big tractor, bringing the jack and boards. Gerry is never nonplussed. He just looks at it and figures out a solution. I am amazed.

Update on my life

A quick rundown on what has been going on here:

-Gerry returned home safely (he flew home) with his bike to be shipped by truck within two weeks. Since he did not have that one to ride, he hurriedly got another up and running so he could ride it to work.

-I was able to download all 340 pictures he took. He is now ready to do some editing. We then hope to post them on Picasa. Each new thing like this has a learning curve for me. I will put a link on the blog when that is done.

-I have realized that I will never be caught up with the yard and garden work. Guess that is the nature of it. Peas and spinach are ready to harvest and freeze. Several perennials are blooming nicely too.


-One evening I babysat while son and wife went out. B is already cooing and laughing out loud. I love it.

His sister has a favorite toy, an alarm clock that you wind up. It was her mother's when she was little. Burt says something about it is time to get up, wash your face, brush your teeth, etc. She plays it over and over.


Today I went to garage sales. MostlyI bought clothes for the two of them but I did get several paperback books and have "wasted" several hours today reading. No, it is not wasted. It was quite enjoyable. The one I am reading is by Fern Michaels. She has written a many Sisterhood novels.

Hocking Hills State Park hike

I introduced my New York friend to one of our state parks. This is a sample of the hiking path.

One of the features is called "Old Man's Cave". Legend has it that a man lived under this overhanging rock in the 1880s. I hope he appreciated the views! That is my hiking partner in the picture.

Don't know how often the boulders let loose, but wouldn't want to be near them when it happens.
It was amazing how the trees grow on top of the rocks.

To get perspective, note the hikers at the bottom of the picture.

In all we hike about four hours. What a great workout and such spectacular scenery.
The park is 2 1/2 hours from our house. I really want to take my son in law here.

Reports from DH

Each day I receive a call from DH. He is able to talk for about 5 minutes before they are on their way again. He reports he is having a great time. He has driven in mud, snow banks several feet deep, been rained on, tipped the bike over at least once, slept in 28 degree weather. He has also seen lots of vast, beautiful scenery, had a few feasts and lots of just interesting experiences. If you read the blog, you will see pictures also.

It has been like a vacation for me too. I do enjoy being alone. I have kept very busy with garden and yard work, done several hours volunteering and visited with friends and neighbors. What is really interesting is that I had great (unrealistic, it turns out) plans of what all I would get done. I did get some unexpected things done, like make 12 jars of strawberry jam and a strawberry pie.

A real hike

I find it hard to call my two mile walks on the country road a hike. Seems like it needs to be somewhere where there is a view or it is more challenging. On Saturday I "hiked" with a friend of S with RM who has moved to Ohio. We hiked in one of the Cleveland metro parks.

This is a picture out the windshield when I was driving to the park. Even the drive is nice scenery.

My hiking partner.

This is a river in the park.

We are planning another all day trip to a state park this weekend, weather permitting.

Bon Fire time

What an ethereal view!

It was just the bon fire lover at work.

As you can see from the table, his wife and I finished off the wine while he "worked".

On Friday I was invited to E and M's so E had an excuse to start a fire. He had cut down a tree and was itching to burn the branches. It must have been the weekend of outdoor fires, as I was invited next door for one the following night. Guess it is our turn now.

Sharing your life journey

In a book that I am reading it was suggested that you share your life journey (which some would describe as spiritual journey, but I think they are the same) with someone you can trust. Yesterday I called a friend, J, who lives in another state. I called to thank her for flower seeds that she had given me. But within five minutes we were deep in a discussion about our lives, what we need to work on and what we are learning. I am so grateful to have her in my life.

Lettuce for breakfast

I know, people who don't enjoy gardening cannot understand the effort I put into my yard and garden. I could do with a smaller lawn and be just as happy, but I haven't figured out a way to make it smaller. A bean or corn field in the front of the house just looses something. So, whenever it is not raining I am out weeding, planting, mulching and mowing. The rewards of all of this? This morning for breakfast I had fresh lettuce from the garden. (No, A-In-A, I did not have any butter spray.) It gets bitter after a few weeks so I may have lettuce for every meal. (Can you OD on lettuce?)

I am also taking pictures of every flower in bloom. I am finding that my macro (close) shots are much better than the overview ones.



























One plan was to set the hammock up by the pine trees, so I can hear the wind blowing through the pines, but that hasn't happened yet. Maybe when the work is done.