Coffee...and for AUGUST 1, 2006.

M5- nice soft waves- looks good!! Just got our elect/gas bill - only in the low 80's...very reasonable...Our high ones are in the winter....

Maria= beautiful pictures...looks so inviting, and pristine clean.... How long were you out there? Hang tight - cool weather is coming your way - one more kinda hot one here tomorrow, then a cool down. Gonna be a hot night here again - in the low 80's.

Had to go to the pool store to get a new scooper and thermometer. Then onto DS/DIL to see their paint job. They chose a light yellow to go with beige furniture...hmm different... The walls were paneling, so the paint is a nice update for them. When we got there, they were both downstairs under quilts- watching a movie... DS mentioned he just got a tuition bill for 900 bucks - I just smiled. I'm sure he thought I would offer to loan him the $$

Darius- hope the water line gets repaired ASAP. What's the timeline for the AC to be completed?

Mary- had to show DH the pics of the hay - he's a farmer at heart - worked on his grandpa's farm growing up. He loves old tractors...

Time for dinner- take out pizza sounds good to me!!

m5-Looks great, nice and soft!

Hi All,

Sorry to be MIA for so long. Actually I have been just lurking. Wasn't in the mood to talk (if you can believe that). No work, money running out and all that stuff. I generally just stay to myself during times like that.

Then Friday I got this thing. After looking up the definition of Flu, I found that I have been wrong all these years. I always thought a cold is a cold and the flu is all the other stuff. Ok, I will adjust to the new thinking. I don't have the flu, nothing resembling respiratory infection. But I sure wish I did.

Up north (in Michigan) they have this "bug" involving the gastro area. In Florida we don't get that stuff unless we have been in close contact with a Michigander or Michiganian who was recently infected. Sarv, you know what I'm talking about, I know you do.

As you know Jeremy was up there and while there he was down for about 3 days with the "bug". And then he brought a bit of it back to me. I would rather have the "flu" for 2 weeks. This thing just knocked me off my feet and we had a job to start on Monday. I can't afford to be down.

Well, we finished the job in 2 days and I am not back to normal by any means but am sure working on it. Probably down by about 5 or so pounds tho, no doubt. No more water retention for me. LOL

I haven't been able to do my garden walks but did take a few minutes this afternoon to walk around and take a photo of a daylily or two. Broke out in the worst sweat since I still have a touch of fever.

A bit of good news! The neighbor, the one with the yacht in his front yard, is giving us a Murray riding mower. Jeremy is ecstatic about the thought. So DB is coming to help guide Jeremy in getting it to run. Seems it might need a solenoid or something like that. Our Murray pushmower broke again. It's just a sissy on this rough and wild ground.

I went to the neighborhood association board of directors meeting a week or so ago. They needed 3 more board members to be proper. Well there was not a whole lot of attendance, barely enough to fill the 3 positions. Well, I can tell you I didn't want Pres and Secretary is too much work so I accepted VP. I'll be in training for Pres when the new Pres sells his property and can't do it anymore. This association is strictly for dirt road maintenance.

My first duties was to send Jeremy down to the entrance with a post hole digger. The Development sign got blown down when TS Alberto blew by here, so now the sign is back up again. Okay, I'm tired. Going to sack out on the couch in front of the tv for a while.

Oh yes, Yall don't even want to know what my electric bill is. I have no other utility to pay so this is heat, a/c, well pump, cooking etc. $210 last bill, down by 25 while Jeremy was gone. This is not unusual though, any place I have ever lived down here with central air, the cost in the summer has always been very high, sometimes to $300.

Well, I'm getting Jeremy to paint the roof white. I need to deflect some of that heat from this oven. Feeling a little heated now, going to take a motrin and lay down.

BBL
Molly
P.S. Thank you so much for your concern. It does warm my heart.

Glad you are on the mend, Molly!

HVAC guys just left and the water is back on! They expect to be finished by 2 pm tomorrow afternoon. Most of the new ductwork is installed, along with 4 new ducts. Still the main unit to install, take out the old unit, install new wiring, balance the flow from each duct, yada, yada, yada.

M5, you may be right about Gracie and worms. However, she's now eating like a normal cat, not a starving cat. Friday will Tell the Tale.

BBL

Hi everyone
Well, I've been MIA since the DH has been back. It's been nice having him home. He got back on Sunday afternoon ... and his luggage made it on Monday. His suitcase had a tear in it, and they had straightened the hook completely out for him on the hang up bag ... even though he had it tucked and zipped inside and snapped to the suitcase when it was checked. Oh well. Just glad he's home.

Molly, so sorry you have been under the weather.

Casy, I do hope your DH is better and not driving you bananas.

Maria glad you are home and hope you and Samson are doing okay.

Defoe, yea for Mr. B. So sorry for y'all though. LOL

Ann, hope you have a good time in Japan.

McCool, how is your DH? Didn't notice where you've mentioned him lately?

Cece hope you have a nice time at the state fair. Those can be so much fun. :-)

Darius glad you are getting AC

Kathy had to LOL at goats on the roof! Good to see you.

Critter, thanks for the info on the "cool tie". That's great to know. :-)

sarv, you're so sweet to let the kids come play in the pool. wish I lived close by. LOL

Well, please forgive me for not speaking to everyone. This just tires out my arm to sit here so long. Had PT today and they're calling the doc tomorrow to have my appointment moved up. Hope everyone has a good night and finds a way to stay cool.

~Elaine~

Maria i llove your pictures the falls is so neat..

Molly sorry you have not been well.. Hope you are on the mend now...

Shelia nice to see you on , i know make up just melts away.i do not like to go any where with out it, if I do scare everyone.. so..

Elaine hope your arm is improving to..

we had a goat once was so stupid got up or in everything.. ate on back house boards so he had to find new home.. he was so ugly to.. them before him we had nice one kinda liked to sit on my hus. lap.. he was pretty sorta.... take care everyone..


Twyla

uh oh... Elaine, I hope that moved-up appointment doesn't mean you're not progressing well with the PT. *HUGS*

Molly, glad you're on the mend, and hope everyone else is staying well despite the heat! Good news about getting the riding mower... DH reported that our new neighbor has a riding mower... reported with a gleam in his eye, LOL, as our "lawn guy" just quit (2 other people in the area moved, and he couldn't keep coming up this way for just us... only a few mows left this year, so that was OK by me).

Sheila, I love your new soft "do" but must say that if the previous photo was supposed to be you having a bad hair day... hmmm... I thought you looked great in both pics! :-)

Darius, hope everything checks out with your new kitty... Thanks again for posting the peach melba jam recipe... can't wait to pick up a box of peaches & nectarines from my friend tomorrow (she had a system emergency to fix at work today so couldn't drop by with them) and give that a try! If it's a big box, I might see about putting up some spiced peaches as well... haven't made those since I lived in GA, and they were gooood!

Maria, I felt cooler just looking at that waterfall and all that lovely green!

Hello again.

Molly, it's nice to hear from you again. Sorry to hear that you have had the bad bug. That's a hard way to loose 5 pounds! I hope your gardens haven't suffered from lack of watering, or is it raining? You mentioned painting the roof white, that helps a lot, but another thing you can do (cheaply) is vent your attic space and install an exhaust fan. I know a trailer has maybe 6 inches of attic space, but you might be able to figure out how to use one in it.We have one for our house, and one year when the thermostat went out we sure could tell the difference. It is oriented to take advantage of the prevailing wind, so the wind actually helps it work. Another fix would be more expensive, building a roof over the trailer. This is done a lot in cold climates where they get a lot of heavy snow, but it also works for shading the whole roof all day.

Sarv, tell your husband this hay wagon is called a Stack Cruiser, made by New Holland, and it is quite old. It picks up the bales in the field by a chute, puts them on a conveyor, turns them around and the only thing the operator has to do manually is turn a couple of bales in every load to tie the whole thing together. It loads from the front, the bales are accumulated in rows and when the platform is full it is raised up and adds the new hay in front of the stack on the truck. The stack keeps moving backward until it is full. The plywood sides are guides to make the stack straight. You may be able to see one of the tie bales on the load in the second picture. I'll post another picture of the whole thing, it's a strange looking beast. We used to bale our own hay, pick it up one bale at a time, stack it on a wagon, unload it at the barn, wrestle the bales to make a stack, oooof, hard work. We finally found a conveyor we could use at least in the barn to make the stack, that helped a lot.

When I was a kid I helped pick up loose hay which we piled on a truck and then made a haystack in the barn. Stomping hay to get more in a small space is hard work even for energetic kids. My sister worked for some people that hayed with a team of horses and a wagon, they had a derek to pick up big gobs of hay off the wagon the get it into a big stack. The team was unhitched from the wagon, hitched to the pole on the derek, then when the wagon was empty they were unhitched from that and taken back to be hitched to the wagon again.

I just read on the email that the next endurance ride is cancelled due to the fire near Sisters, Oregon. It is over 9000 acres, and our ride camp area (rodeo grounds) is being used by the forest service for fire camp. There is also a possibility that the fire may spread to burn over the area where the trails are although at last report the wind was not taking it in that direction. A few years ago this same ride was being held in an area about 25 miles away and a fire wiped out a lot of the trail. They wouldn't let anybody in because the tree roots were still burning underground and made tunnels that people and horses could fall into. So, now I have more time off this summer to recondition my horses and take care of the garden.

Dmc, if the horses are sponged down with water to keep them cool they will be ok in the heat. Yes, they will get hot while working, but they can be cooled before and after and if they stay hydrated they should be ok. We deal with very hot conditions with horses that are working in it all day, and as long as the horses drink plenty of water and get some doses of electrolites to replace lost salt, potassium, magnesium and calcium, and are sponged to cool them quite often, they do ok. Endurance rides are done all over the US and Canada, in all kinds of weather, so we have learned how to deal with a real variety of conditions. Often these things are harder for the people than for the horses.

Hubby will be late getting home tonight, he said he would eat in town, so I should use this free time to accomplish something. I rode Patch earlier, now need to ride Breezy while the sprinkler does another section of the flower beds. And after that I still have plenty of weeds.

Mary-Thanks for the info on horses/heat. We don't really condition them for working in the heat and sun. They usually are in an indoor in the shade. I hosed my horses down a few times today. Sassy loves it, turning this way and that, holding her head up so i can get her neck and chin. Tully, the yearling, would push past her and dash through, then dash back like a kid in a sprinkler. It was fun. She like to lap water from the hose like a dog too. I had no idea baby horses were so much fun! I want to take them swimming in the river but DH is in NY and the kids are all away, so until i have help I won't try it. Can't wait to see how Tully reacts.

Hi Folks,

Well it's nearly time for ME to try the act of thread starting. I'm in Eastern time; so it will be a bit earlier than it has been for the last month.

I'm just in from the evening concert. Wonderful concert of music for brass by John Cheetham who lives in St. Louis and who was here for the concert. Went back afterwards and thanked them for alerting me to his music in time that I could escape from the previous commitment to usher at the hot box church tonight. The temps here were 38C which equates to about 101 F. Late this afternoon, the Humidex was about 46C. Hottest, I think, that I've ever experienced in Ottawa although not quite a record apparently. Anyway, it was a nice concert and proved that modern music doesn't have to make you wish it was over sooner. I worked on one at noon that some of the music was in the latter category. Tomorrow, the festival is finished with concentrating on new music though we may get some in regular programming.

I'm assistant stage manager at a coffee concert tomorrow at 10 and hope to attend one at noon. Back again for a 5 pm and working at 8 pm. All except the noon hour one are at the large air-conditioned venue.

Welcome back Molly. sorry you weren't feeling well.

Looks like a good cut, Sheila.

I made an appointment for a haircut on Aug. 22 at a place in Vancouver that was recommended to me by someone on the handbell list. This person no longer lives there, but knew of the hairdresser and it turns out to be close to my daughter's new house. She also said I could have been describing her hair when I mentioned that mine is thick, coarse and wiry.

Hi to everyone I haven't specifically mentioned. Hope you all have a good night.

Ann

Ok folks. the new thread for Wednesday, August 2 is now up at
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/634587/

I know it's not even close to midnight for some of you, but I've got to be up and out early tomorrow, so ...

Well, I ended up not going to the market, DH did it for me. I was pretty much sick to my stomach all day, slept for a while and then felt better this evening. My stomach is upset again though now and I fear a long night. I have a day tomorrow with the girls going to see The Wizard of Oz at Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville, IN and I don't want to be sick!!! I rarely get to do fun things like this and the tickets (I paid for) were quite expensive for 4 of us. (DGD and DD going and a friend)

Nitey Nite all and hoping I make it through the night in dreamland.

:) Kathy

Hi all,

I01, thanks for asking about my DH. His feet look much, much improved. I got a look at them yesterday when he was changing the dressings on them. We're both keeping our fingers crossed that the doctor will okay his going back to work when he goes for his next appointment on the 9th. Hopefully he can get those special shoes quickly as well so that all the standing and walking won't bring anything like this on again.

I also wondered about your doctor's appointment being moved up. Did they tell you anything at all? Is your arm feeling worse? I certainly hope that they can do something to aid in its healing.

It is horrible, sticky, and HOT here as well and is supposed to be even worse tomorrow. I left the AC at my store on overnight so that I don't end up with a store full of melted chocolate. (Never had to worry about that sort of thing until I started doing the gift baskets ---- it takes an overwhelming amount to heat to melt a plastic model!)

Twyla and anyone else without an air-conditioned refuge --- try putting a few damp washcloths in the refrigerator or freezer and put one around your neck. It's like the cloth bands with the water absorbing crystals that people have been talking about. It really does help.

Bonnie, sorry about the puppies to be! Maybe since the Jack Russells are in such demand in your neck of the woods, even a half-breed might be appreciated. I can almost see you shaking your head at that --- no such luck, right?

suzieq, so sorry about your co-worker's condition. There's really not much any of us can say or do to help.

lauriwilson, good luck with the mare. I sure hope that the fires don't endanger you or your home. Living in the middle of all of that would certainly make me a nervous wreck.

M5, one of my cats also loves the "make the bed game". She weighs in at about 15 lbs so there's no way I'd miss her in there either, but she doesn't seem to know that. She waits for me to ask "where's my kitty?" a few times, thumping her tail each time, then she slithers out the side and waits to be greeted enthusiasticly. Oh well, --- small minds you know (probably mine as well as the cat's).

Molly, good to hear from you again, but sorry you've been under the weather. How did the start of the new job go? Has the daylily enterprise started bringing in any money yet?

darius, nice chatting with you today. I thought of another resource that might be of some interest to you. I'll d-mail you about it tomorrow.

I know that I haven't addressed everyone, but it's just too hot and I can't stay away from the air-conditioned oasis of my bedroom any longer! Know that I've read everyone's post and am thinking of you all. Goodnight Gracie and everyone else.

Thought I'd come back for a minute before I hit the bed. I should have done that already but there were programs on and the TV is in the living room.

Mary, My trailer has vaulted ceilings all the way front to back so there is no attic space. Just enough room for the trusses and those are either 2x4's or 2x6's, not sure which. Actually I did have plans on put a metal roof on the house to match the one on the shed, but that is not in this years budget. We still have the hottest month of the year this month and yet another to follow so painting the roof may help.

We finished the job today, it was a rental unit between tenants so it was empty. An easy paint. This was a referral from the one other job we had since we got here. I have left business cards at the paint store. They are disappearing so I know people are taking them. The lady we worked for today teaches school over here in Bronson and she hopes to make some referrals to me too.

Yes, we have had some rain, matter of fact we had about 3 days in a row, mostly in the evenings. So while I was up in bed, nature was caring for the gardens.

Well, I'm tired. Will check in tomorrow.

nitey
Molly

Good morning to all of you, wishing every one who does not feel well a better day.
The heat is here is unbelievable, we are breaking records this year, firsdt the monoons now the humidity and very high temperatures. I have delayed going to the market since I came home but I must this morning, Samson can not go for me lol
I think I was a lot more comfortable when this was in front of my door, at least I did not have to gasp for oxigen

Maria, than snow does look pretty good right now! May I come and play in it? LOL.

yes, yes Darius please come, lol

Can I come too? We'd have such a grand time with a snowball fight.

Wouldn't that be fun? Samson would love to chase snowballs I'm sure!

All of you can come, slipping and sliding all the way, will remind you when it comes like that!!! lol
Here are Ernies pie cherries, very tart but I liked eating them so very refreshing. Linda made the most delicious pies from it

I know this is yesterday's thread, so don't know who all is still watching it.

I hope to plant a couple of pie cherry trees, maybe this fall if money permits. Ernie, any suggestions? Remember, I am in a much colder zone!

Maria, it's so hot here that a romp in the snow sounds awesome right now! Heck, I'm about ready to just go and sit under the sprinkler... I'm already soaking wet from the heat and humidity so a cool shower outside wouldn't hurt. I'd love to have defoe's or Sarv's pool about now.

Just saw it pop up when I looked at the forum....I'm not here. really.