Sixty-eight degrees with 98% humidity! There is a reason people in the south do things more slowly; Minnesota take a hint. What's so important that you must race about like the world is ending tomorrow?
Hearing that these high temps will continue, and very probably be just like this next summer, Bob and I decided that we should replace the small window AC unit servicing the living/dining/kitchen. The ultimate on-line shopper, he'd already researched what was available where and for how much, so early in the morning yesterday Bob ordered a unit twice the size as what came with the house, with a delivery date 8-10 days hence. Deciding to look at the tracking an hour ago, much to our amazement we found that the AC is enroute to our house today. Coming from Horsham PA, just north of Philly, to our house in just over 24 hours. Can you believe it? He ordered a new phone system a few weeks ago, a little box with four handsets in it and it took 6 days and three different carriers to come from Dallas. Go figure.
The whole end wall of our livingroom, which faces W/NW, is windows extending to the 23 ft. vaulted ceiling. The lower section is comprised of 5 windows 32"x72", plus a door with glass in it. Above these five are three windows of the same size, topped by a shorter window at the very top. Although there are blinds across the bottom, the heat gets very intense during the summer and we'd been trying to determine how to deal with this problem with a solution that 1)we could afford, and 2) would allow us to retain the view across the mountain ranges without opening and closing draperies and more blinds. After much discussion, earlier this week we had the three windows covered with a film that blocks the evil rays and keeps the view. Already we can tell the difference in how much heat is kept out, and now we are really looking forward to having the lower windows done in another week.
So, speaking to cooling and heating, earlier this week our propane gas tank was filled, and much to our surprise and delight, it took much, much less than we expected. Two years ago we had a chimney insert installed and put a wood burning stove in the large fireplace in the livingroom. The non-insulated vaulted ceiling is such a heat loss that after our first winter we knew something must be done or we'd go broke paying for propane. (The man we bought from was the manager of one of the propane companies, so he apparently got huge discounts and didn't care about the cost). Now we have a new energy efficient furnace, an efficient woodburning fireplace (both of which gave us tax breaks) and appliances, including a whole house attic fan that works thanks to brother Dean, to keep us cool and comfortable.
The ortho said what I've been doing with my shoulder appears to be working; i.e. gauging my activities by level of discomfort, and that the X-rays yesterday show it to be in place with no damage to my rotator cuff.
We went to the Verona Farmers' Market yesterday and found some wonderful produce. Last night we had our first real tomato of the season, and with his first bite Bob said "whatever we paid for this, it wasn't enough." You know a tomato is really good when you drink the juice off your salad plate. Early this morning he made ratatouille with findings from the market and our own herb garden. Since it always tastes better the next day, we'll enjoy some with a whole roasted chicken done on the grill rotisserie tomorrow night. We stocked up with lots of good things to eat when it is so hot and you don't want to cook. Life is good.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
It's definitely summer...
Today is July 19, 2011. As we sat out on the deck early this morning with our coffee the temp was 68 it was so still as to be oppressive. At bedtime last night the humidity was 30; this morning it was 86. Now three hours later the sky is still grey and the air heavy, but we've had a little misty rain which has made it seem a bit cooler somehow; but now we have fog as we look into and over the forest surrounding us.
My shoulder dislocation seems to be healing quite well and I see the ortho tomorrow. I wore the shoulder immobilizer for 10 days and have now gone a week without it. It's been okay but I noticed yesterday that my arm and shoulder was feeling the effect of perhaps being a bit too active. I need to be a more cautious for a while yet so I don't cause permanent damage.
A week ago, we and Saku, headed to Lake Pymatuning (Jamestown, PA) and spent several days with brother Dean and his wife, Helen. The drive there is like from Minneapolis to Chicago except that much of the trip is through the mountains of West Virginia and lower PA. We had the most beautiful weather - in the mid to upper 80's and around 90 the whole time, cooling off at night to make sleeping easy. On Wednesday we went into Cleveland where Bob got to experience the Westside Market (it was a good thing we live so far away). We did manage to bring home some veal shanks for Osso Buco which Bob prepared for last night's dinner along with Rissoto Milanese (YUM!), some divine smoked pork chops, and Kielbasa. I've never been especially fond of smoked pork chops, finding them too dry. These, which are cut to order, were lightly smoked and beautifully moist.
Having decided to make up a gift box for our "chicken lady" as thanks for her keeping watch while we were gone, we were all delighted to find that the new Penzey's store in Cleveland is just across the street from the Westside Market. Linda is a prodigious berry picker, and resultant pie baker, so we included a large jar of Vietnamese cinnamon and fresh nutmeg. If you haven't tried Penzey's spices, you are missing out on wonderful products. By the way, did you know that the McCormick of McCormick's spices is the McCormick of farm equipment fame? I didn't until we moved here. That homestead/museum is just a few miles from us at Raphine.
I'm getting off the beaten track. On Thursday, again with a picnic lunch, we went for a tour through Amish country on the Ohio side. We visited the general store in Mesopotamia and ate our lunch in the village park, after which Bob and Dean and Helen walked to the Amish auction taking place a block distant. I'd seen much of this countryside on previous visits over the past 30 years, but had never gone through actual farm neighborhoods where house after house is only of the Amish. We were fortunate to find haying underway with horses pulling young men standing on the rake as they go back and forth through the fields. We also saw children with miniature horses and buggies, many children playing in the yards, the little girls in their light blue dresses and little caps, and all of them barefoot and just like one wants to see children playing; along with women sitting in the shade on porches spending the afternoon visiting. And then there was one standing on a stepladder washing the siding on the house.
On Friday morning Bob and I went into Meadville to pick up a collapsible clothesline at Home Depot to bring home with us. Doesn't everyone buy such items while on a trip? I've not been able to locate one here, and when I saw how Dean had installed theirs, I was more determined than ever to get one. He put the cylinder into which you place the pole, into the deck floor. The perfect solution for us here in VA where the ground is very hard and/or rocky and trying to dig a hole is often futile. What's more, we can put it on the little deck now off our bedroom which is adjacent to the laundry which is in our master bathroom.
Friday noon we packed up a picnic lunch, hammocks (Dean and Helen really know how to enjoy themselves) books and towels and in our swim suits and water shoes, went down to the lake where we spent the whole afternoon. After lunch Dean showed Bob about kayaking and they went out onto the lake for awhile, with Bob returning to say he would never canoe again. I didn't kayak because of my shoulder, although I could have gone out in a double and had someone else paddle; but I was content on shore. Saku loves the water and he was having a great time, plopping down with feet in front and just letting the water run into his mouth. Helen took him, on his leash, out to the end of the docks, he dog-paddling and loving it. Isn't is interesting how dogs seem to know when you're on your way home again? He was excited and anxious for the drive to PA, and quiet for the whole return; of course, he was probably also tired, but he was really good for the whole trip and will accompany us again next summer.
We took an alternate route home, heading east at Morgantown and into Maryland before heading south again at Hancock. The vistas on that stretch are magnificent, and being on a freeway there is far different than one across Iowa or Indiana.
We're still waiting for our first eggs, and are hopeful the chickens begin producing soon. We discovered that it was deer which ate our tomatoes. They, too, can apparently tell when the resident dog is away as they got three more tomatoes while we were away, along with the tops of the romaine, and the tops of some of the hosta. We've been told that this time of the year they are fattening themselves and will eat just about anything they can. We're not big gardeners by any stretch, but it would be fun to produce some things. We'll have to put our heads together and see what solution we can come up with for next year. I have some ideas. In the meantime, our chard is continuing to grow, we will soon have some peppers, and the leeks are looking good. And the herbs are really flourishing.
Next week my friend, Manako Fujiwara, now of Geo. Mason Univ., is coming to visit for a couple days. I do hope it cools off a bit by then. It just occurred to me the other day that I've known her for 18 years; where does time go?
My shoulder dislocation seems to be healing quite well and I see the ortho tomorrow. I wore the shoulder immobilizer for 10 days and have now gone a week without it. It's been okay but I noticed yesterday that my arm and shoulder was feeling the effect of perhaps being a bit too active. I need to be a more cautious for a while yet so I don't cause permanent damage.
A week ago, we and Saku, headed to Lake Pymatuning (Jamestown, PA) and spent several days with brother Dean and his wife, Helen. The drive there is like from Minneapolis to Chicago except that much of the trip is through the mountains of West Virginia and lower PA. We had the most beautiful weather - in the mid to upper 80's and around 90 the whole time, cooling off at night to make sleeping easy. On Wednesday we went into Cleveland where Bob got to experience the Westside Market (it was a good thing we live so far away). We did manage to bring home some veal shanks for Osso Buco which Bob prepared for last night's dinner along with Rissoto Milanese (YUM!), some divine smoked pork chops, and Kielbasa. I've never been especially fond of smoked pork chops, finding them too dry. These, which are cut to order, were lightly smoked and beautifully moist.
Having decided to make up a gift box for our "chicken lady" as thanks for her keeping watch while we were gone, we were all delighted to find that the new Penzey's store in Cleveland is just across the street from the Westside Market. Linda is a prodigious berry picker, and resultant pie baker, so we included a large jar of Vietnamese cinnamon and fresh nutmeg. If you haven't tried Penzey's spices, you are missing out on wonderful products. By the way, did you know that the McCormick of McCormick's spices is the McCormick of farm equipment fame? I didn't until we moved here. That homestead/museum is just a few miles from us at Raphine.
I'm getting off the beaten track. On Thursday, again with a picnic lunch, we went for a tour through Amish country on the Ohio side. We visited the general store in Mesopotamia and ate our lunch in the village park, after which Bob and Dean and Helen walked to the Amish auction taking place a block distant. I'd seen much of this countryside on previous visits over the past 30 years, but had never gone through actual farm neighborhoods where house after house is only of the Amish. We were fortunate to find haying underway with horses pulling young men standing on the rake as they go back and forth through the fields. We also saw children with miniature horses and buggies, many children playing in the yards, the little girls in their light blue dresses and little caps, and all of them barefoot and just like one wants to see children playing; along with women sitting in the shade on porches spending the afternoon visiting. And then there was one standing on a stepladder washing the siding on the house.
On Friday morning Bob and I went into Meadville to pick up a collapsible clothesline at Home Depot to bring home with us. Doesn't everyone buy such items while on a trip? I've not been able to locate one here, and when I saw how Dean had installed theirs, I was more determined than ever to get one. He put the cylinder into which you place the pole, into the deck floor. The perfect solution for us here in VA where the ground is very hard and/or rocky and trying to dig a hole is often futile. What's more, we can put it on the little deck now off our bedroom which is adjacent to the laundry which is in our master bathroom.
Friday noon we packed up a picnic lunch, hammocks (Dean and Helen really know how to enjoy themselves) books and towels and in our swim suits and water shoes, went down to the lake where we spent the whole afternoon. After lunch Dean showed Bob about kayaking and they went out onto the lake for awhile, with Bob returning to say he would never canoe again. I didn't kayak because of my shoulder, although I could have gone out in a double and had someone else paddle; but I was content on shore. Saku loves the water and he was having a great time, plopping down with feet in front and just letting the water run into his mouth. Helen took him, on his leash, out to the end of the docks, he dog-paddling and loving it. Isn't is interesting how dogs seem to know when you're on your way home again? He was excited and anxious for the drive to PA, and quiet for the whole return; of course, he was probably also tired, but he was really good for the whole trip and will accompany us again next summer.
We took an alternate route home, heading east at Morgantown and into Maryland before heading south again at Hancock. The vistas on that stretch are magnificent, and being on a freeway there is far different than one across Iowa or Indiana.
We're still waiting for our first eggs, and are hopeful the chickens begin producing soon. We discovered that it was deer which ate our tomatoes. They, too, can apparently tell when the resident dog is away as they got three more tomatoes while we were away, along with the tops of the romaine, and the tops of some of the hosta. We've been told that this time of the year they are fattening themselves and will eat just about anything they can. We're not big gardeners by any stretch, but it would be fun to produce some things. We'll have to put our heads together and see what solution we can come up with for next year. I have some ideas. In the meantime, our chard is continuing to grow, we will soon have some peppers, and the leeks are looking good. And the herbs are really flourishing.
Next week my friend, Manako Fujiwara, now of Geo. Mason Univ., is coming to visit for a couple days. I do hope it cools off a bit by then. It just occurred to me the other day that I've known her for 18 years; where does time go?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Does anyone know what eats green tomatoes
but that didn't take all of them? I looked at our plants this a.m. to find the two tomatoes are missing from the first one in the row. Pretty disgusting when they were about to begin ripening.
I wanted/needed to shower this morning, so Bob got a magic marker and before we removed it, outlined the sling parts so he could put it back correctly. Slings are no longer just a piece of fabric on which you rest an arm. They're complicated with laps and folds and meant to hold the shoulder in place; i.e. to keep you from moving around. It's probably a good thing this happened to my right arm since it's forcing me to take it easy. There are moments, however, when I am not quite so ambidextrous. I've been reminded a number of times that it's okay to ask for help and it was nice to have Bob dry me and apply powder to my upper body after the shower. He's stopping at the library on his way home from the ortho's to get a new supply of reading material, so this afternoon will be spent in the prone position. Tomorrow evening I get to drink my gallon of GoLytely which will not have me prone; whoopee.
We had a great rain last night, badly needed all around and our new flower bed is starting to look really good. The temps have been so good this year for corn, with it being more than shoulder high already. Having lived where you hoped for knee high by the 4th of July, seeing crops so far ahead takes getting used to. I still see the hay bales and in my subconscious think that summer is nearly over when it's only just getting started.
Oops! something has the chickens squawking; I'd better check that out. It was a neighbor's cat and I was surprised to see it as cats wandering in the woods around here is not the norm. In fact, the amount of wildlife we see or find evidence of is surprisingly low. Deer, of course; the rare oppossum, raccoons and skunks dead on or near the roadside. We've not seen the bear for two years, although he has visited neighbors who seem to continue feeding birds which attracts the bear.
Well, that's it for a few days. Friday we're going to pick up peaches to bring with us next week when we go to PA, and Friday evening we're going to Buena Vista to listen to gospel music in the park. It should be a great day.
I wanted/needed to shower this morning, so Bob got a magic marker and before we removed it, outlined the sling parts so he could put it back correctly. Slings are no longer just a piece of fabric on which you rest an arm. They're complicated with laps and folds and meant to hold the shoulder in place; i.e. to keep you from moving around. It's probably a good thing this happened to my right arm since it's forcing me to take it easy. There are moments, however, when I am not quite so ambidextrous. I've been reminded a number of times that it's okay to ask for help and it was nice to have Bob dry me and apply powder to my upper body after the shower. He's stopping at the library on his way home from the ortho's to get a new supply of reading material, so this afternoon will be spent in the prone position. Tomorrow evening I get to drink my gallon of GoLytely which will not have me prone; whoopee.
We had a great rain last night, badly needed all around and our new flower bed is starting to look really good. The temps have been so good this year for corn, with it being more than shoulder high already. Having lived where you hoped for knee high by the 4th of July, seeing crops so far ahead takes getting used to. I still see the hay bales and in my subconscious think that summer is nearly over when it's only just getting started.
Oops! something has the chickens squawking; I'd better check that out. It was a neighbor's cat and I was surprised to see it as cats wandering in the woods around here is not the norm. In fact, the amount of wildlife we see or find evidence of is surprisingly low. Deer, of course; the rare oppossum, raccoons and skunks dead on or near the roadside. We've not seen the bear for two years, although he has visited neighbors who seem to continue feeding birds which attracts the bear.
Well, that's it for a few days. Friday we're going to pick up peaches to bring with us next week when we go to PA, and Friday evening we're going to Buena Vista to listen to gospel music in the park. It should be a great day.
Monday, July 4, 2011
My "oh s..." moment
We've been enjoying beautiful summer weather for the past week with temps in the 80's and 90's and low humidity, but today it's been overcast and we had a little rain. I know; you get tired of hearing about how we love the weather here; but how often do you have temps in the high 80's/low 90's w/33% humidity in MN?
One of the first projects Bob saw needing when we arrived was a power wash of the front deck; a 12 x32 elevated deck off the livingroom and visible through the wall of windows. It was really weathered and looked like a bed of splinters. Well; no more! It's no longer grey and while not one to walk on with bare feet, it looks gorgeous and we've actually felt like sitting out there. Since the view from the livingroom and this deck extends beyond three mountain ranges we thought it should have some color; but what plants do you put out in a location which gets intense sun and heat for 8 hours? Everything that would survive was the same color as the foliage. Until I came to Yucca; but not just Yucca; a striped Yucca in cream and green. Water requirements: arid/dry. Perfect, and in the green pots we already had, they are just what it needed. Now I must look into keeping them over winter without putting them into the ground.
I'm typing this with my left hand, having had an ordeal late yesterday that my mom would have said "well, this wasn't on my agenda". I'd gone to check the girls' - our laying hens - water and as I stepped over the board below the gate intended to keep out critters, a gust of wind came through this mini-tunnel, swinging the gate open while I was still hanging onto it. Since I was in the process of movement, there was momentum and try that I did to stay upright, I failed, falling onto the pallet we use as a step on my right knee and catching myself between the pallet and gate with my right arm. Have you ever had a dislocated shoulder? OMG does that hurt! I found myself in a "I've fallen and can't get up" situation and the chickens were no help at all, just standing there looking at me and after discussing it, turned on their little feet and went back to look for bugs. I hadn't hit my head at all, and after a couple of minutes, needing to take the pressure off my right arm, I was able to grasp the far edge of the gate and pull myself to a more upright position. Bob couldn't hear me because the house was closed up but long story short, I eventually got myself into a position where I could stand up and hobbled down to the house where Bob cared for my immediate needs and then we headed for the emergency room. Fortunately, although busy, they weren't so busy that I couldn't be seen almost immediately. They asked for my name, then ordered an xray and put me in a wheelchair with a pillow for my arm. The tech was there soon and after the second xray got me back in the chair and took me to the examination rooms saying "this woman has a dislocated shoulder; she needs a room NOW." By the time they were ready to put me out to readjust the shoulder, I was ready to do something drastic. What bliss that anesthesia brought. Emergency room personnel are truly special people. But it wasn't just them. The xray tech knew of the excruciating pain that accompanies dislocations and he acted accordingly. We were impressed.
Tomorrow Bob sees the ortho surgeon in prep for his knee replacement surgery in Sept. and later in the week I have a visit with the gastroenterologist. Ah, joy!
The fire works have begun at the neighbor's. More joy. I hope your holiday weekend was one of fun and good food. Except for the slight interlude, ours was; including cold southern fried chicken for breakfast this morning. I didn't get to enjoy it so much last night. Yum.
One of the first projects Bob saw needing when we arrived was a power wash of the front deck; a 12 x32 elevated deck off the livingroom and visible through the wall of windows. It was really weathered and looked like a bed of splinters. Well; no more! It's no longer grey and while not one to walk on with bare feet, it looks gorgeous and we've actually felt like sitting out there. Since the view from the livingroom and this deck extends beyond three mountain ranges we thought it should have some color; but what plants do you put out in a location which gets intense sun and heat for 8 hours? Everything that would survive was the same color as the foliage. Until I came to Yucca; but not just Yucca; a striped Yucca in cream and green. Water requirements: arid/dry. Perfect, and in the green pots we already had, they are just what it needed. Now I must look into keeping them over winter without putting them into the ground.
I'm typing this with my left hand, having had an ordeal late yesterday that my mom would have said "well, this wasn't on my agenda". I'd gone to check the girls' - our laying hens - water and as I stepped over the board below the gate intended to keep out critters, a gust of wind came through this mini-tunnel, swinging the gate open while I was still hanging onto it. Since I was in the process of movement, there was momentum and try that I did to stay upright, I failed, falling onto the pallet we use as a step on my right knee and catching myself between the pallet and gate with my right arm. Have you ever had a dislocated shoulder? OMG does that hurt! I found myself in a "I've fallen and can't get up" situation and the chickens were no help at all, just standing there looking at me and after discussing it, turned on their little feet and went back to look for bugs. I hadn't hit my head at all, and after a couple of minutes, needing to take the pressure off my right arm, I was able to grasp the far edge of the gate and pull myself to a more upright position. Bob couldn't hear me because the house was closed up but long story short, I eventually got myself into a position where I could stand up and hobbled down to the house where Bob cared for my immediate needs and then we headed for the emergency room. Fortunately, although busy, they weren't so busy that I couldn't be seen almost immediately. They asked for my name, then ordered an xray and put me in a wheelchair with a pillow for my arm. The tech was there soon and after the second xray got me back in the chair and took me to the examination rooms saying "this woman has a dislocated shoulder; she needs a room NOW." By the time they were ready to put me out to readjust the shoulder, I was ready to do something drastic. What bliss that anesthesia brought. Emergency room personnel are truly special people. But it wasn't just them. The xray tech knew of the excruciating pain that accompanies dislocations and he acted accordingly. We were impressed.
Tomorrow Bob sees the ortho surgeon in prep for his knee replacement surgery in Sept. and later in the week I have a visit with the gastroenterologist. Ah, joy!
The fire works have begun at the neighbor's. More joy. I hope your holiday weekend was one of fun and good food. Except for the slight interlude, ours was; including cold southern fried chicken for breakfast this morning. I didn't get to enjoy it so much last night. Yum.
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