November 2020

November weather turned cold, as our area prepared for winter to set in.  We still have not received hardly any rain, and the whole state is in a drought state.  We are hoping the water reserves will receive enough snowfall to get us through next year, without a need to ration water.  We had temps in the 50's during the first week of November, then they steadly declined each week by 10 degrees.  A couple of days we had some small snow, but it was always less than an inch.  It was more of a reminder of what is to come.  

November is the month that Dave and I do most of our doctor and dentist visits, so we were quite busy coming and going.  Dave is still working from home.  

On the 14th, our youngest grandchild moved in with us.  So our basement is now once again occupied.  However this grandchild shows more respect for our home, (keeps the downstairs clean, doesn't burn the lights 24 hours a day, helps our upstairs - i.e.: carrying out trash, cleaning dishes after meals, etc.), and is very quiet.  It's a very long and sad story as to how this 22 year old person ended up with only a couple boxes of items for all the worldly possession one person could amass, no place to live, no means of support, and no where to turn.  Hopefully with time, and some guidance, this person will be a productive citizen and able to live out in the world someday.  Some of the stories from my grandchild, the first couple of days, broke my heart.

 On the 13th, I started a part-time seasonal job at Honey Baked Hams.  I only work 3 or 4 days a week for 4 to 6 hours.  I sit at this little cubicle, and I answer the phone - taking orders for Thanksgiving and Christmas hams and turkeys.  It's very easy work, I get to talk to some very interesting people, and I work with some interesting, (much younger) people.  When I work, I get a free lunch, (if I want). I get paid every 2 weeks - a very nice wage.  And for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I get a Honey Baked Ham, (or Turkey Breast, if I want), for FREE.  At Thanksgiving we got a 12 pound ham.  It was suggested to me by my friend, (Rosie), that I apply last year.  She worked here several years ago, and said she loved it.  I applied last year, and they called me this year to come in and fill out my paperwork.  If you have a store in your area and you're looking for some easy part time work - apply.

This year Dave and I had a vacation planned to Maui for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We were to leave the day before Thanksgiving and return the week after (Nov 25 - Dec 2).  We went and got our COVID test, (both come back negative), filled out all the health questionairs for the Hawaii Dept. of Health, had our bags all packed.  Had our days off approved by our employers.  Had a Thanksgiving meal from the Maui Safeway ordered, prepared, and ready for pickup.  Then Tuesday evening, we were watching the news about the airports and the crowds.  The CDC and NIH were suggesting that people not travel if they did not have to, and expecially the elderly.  We discussed it, and decided to cancel our plans.  We called the airlines, the resort, Safeway, and stayed home for Thanksgiving.  We had our Honey Baked Ham, I prepared sides from our panty, and the three of us had a nice dinner.  Dave and I just relaxed around the house for the week, did a few little things that needed to be done.  And enjoyed the week off.

Here's hoping your Thanksgiving was a relaxing and enjoyable as ours, even at home.  Take care, continue to wear your masks and wash your hands ofter.  Take care and stay healthy.

October 2020

October started out warm and sunny, which was a real blessing.  It allowed us to continue getting the yard and garden cleaned up and ready for winter.  But, the 2nd Sunday of the month the weather changed drastically.  

We woke up to bitter cold temps and rain, then on Monday the rain turned to snow. I spent most of the time working on putting my butternut squash in the freezer, and making soups.   It was a full week of cold weather before it finally warmed back up to Autumn like weather, (back up to the 70's).   

Once the temps finally got warm, Dave and I managed to make a trip down to the Green River area, and we stopped by one of our favorite melon stands to buy several melons, (the last of the season's).  We got a Crenshaw, a honeydew, a spaghetti squash, and a cantelope, (for a friend in our neighborhood).  The prices were marked down, but the flavor of each melon was still as wonderful as ever.  We wished we had brought more home to enjoy.  We always enjoyed Vetere's Melons.  They have the best in the state, and they are genuine Green River Melons.

Our local farmer's markets were winding down by the middle of the month, and everyone was getting ready to shift over to the "Winter Farmer's Market".  I so enjoy the sights, smells, and buying fresh items that I didn't plant, from the farmer's markets. Now it's all gone until next summer.

Our return of warm Autumn weather didn't last too long.  We got another snow storm the last week of the month, and more bitter cold temps, (in the 20's during the day and teens at night).  Dave did manage to the couple of windows that needed some caulking completed and touched up the paint around them.  And the concrete outside that needed to have some caulking, he got done just before the weather got cold.  We got the tall decorative grasses cut down and the patio furniture covered over.  So, I guess we're ready for winter.  The prediction is for a drier and warmer November.   

Dave is still working from home, and we are still practicing "Sheltering at Home".  We are still not going out much, and wearing masks everywhere we go.  

Here's hoping our friends and family all stay healthy, and things get better quickly.

September 2020

 As the end of summer rolls around, September was still a very hot, and dry month.  We saw just one day of a very light sprinkle of rain on the 8th of the month, and the rest of the month was bone dry.  There was also a cold front that moved in that day with hurricane force like winds.  It hit the Salt Lake and Northern parts of the state extremely hard, (uprooting large old trees and damaging property).  We were fortunate that the winds did no damage where we live.  After 3 days, the front moved out and the temps were once again back in the 90's.  Dave and I still practicing the sheltering at home, and doing our best to stay safe.  The Covid 19 virus saw large spikes in the state, as students started back to school, and businesses were opening back up, (as much as over 1000/per day).

I spent most of the month gathering the produce from the garden and getting ready to put the beds away for winter.

The tomatoes did really well.  We've been eating from the daily harvest everyday, I've given some away to friends, and I've canned several quart jars to replenish my pantry stock.  As of the end of the month, my plants are still loaded with tomatoes, so as long as the frost don't come to early we will be enjoying these beauties for another month.

The winter onions are all harvested, and in storage in the garage, (We got about 10 pounds).  I am trying my hand at garlic, so I planted a couple of rows this month for harvesting next year.

It was also a good year for the butternut squash.  I have already harvested 13 squash.  I gave away 5, (here are 8 sitting on the back porch with 3 of my pumpkins drying and getting ready for winter storage).  I still have another 6 in the garden, (they are still not quite ready, but another week or so and I'll be adding them to the box.  You will notice, as they dry the outer shell deepens from the light yellow to a more orange.  They are such nice size.  Dave is so ready for butternut soup.  There also one more small pumpkin on the vines just starting to ripen.  In the next week, I'll start processing the pumpkin pulp and getting it ready for cookies, pies, and such.

We got about 5 pounds of carrots out of the garden, I'm so glad I cut way down on the planting this year.  Hopefully, I won't have to buy too many this winter.  I'm thinking of freezing some of the carrots.

Our apple tree was very good to us this year.  Dave and I picked a large bushel of apples.  We had to pick them just as they were still slightly green, and just starting to turn yellow, (the birds were starting to eat them, and we needed to get them off the trees quickly).  I gave 1/2 of the bushel away to family, friends, and neighbors, then I started freezing some for this winter.  After spending a day coring, peeling and slicing - I had Dave take me to the local IFA store and I purchased an apple peeler.  It made a world of difference.  I am able to core, peel, and slice a tray full of apples in the time it used to take me to do a couple of apples.  Why didn't I buy one of these years ago??  After putting 6 bags of apples in the freezer, I then started making apple sauce.  I also made a delicious apple sauce bread.  I'm down to just about 1/4 of a bushel left, and I thinking about canning some apple pie filling.  This year the apples are so juicy and sweet.  Everytime Autumn comes over she eats a couple of apples down to their core.

When I saw this picture, it reminded me of how I work to get our garden produce ready for winter.  I remember spending time at my aunt's and uncle's houses in West Virginia and walking into their root cellars, (dug into the side of the hills).  The shelves would be lined with canned goods, the potato bins filled to the brim, and baskets of various other goods all ready and wating to be eaten during the long cold months.  As I grew up, I ofter wished I had one just like theirs.  But, I look at my storage pantry, and I'm happy.  It supplies Dave and I well.  During this pandemic we have made very few trips out to purchase food.  We've had most of what we need in our pantry and freezer.  And we're grateful for our garden.

One little bit of excitement - our neighbor's little rabbits have dug a hole under the fence, and at least once every week, they come over to our yard.  The boys have to chase them and try to catch them and get them back home.  They try plugging up the hole, and the rabbits re-dig the hole out.  The rabbits have discovered that we have a garden, and I've found a tomato with bite marks.  They also love our lush green grass.  Our cat, Opal, runs from window to window watching them.  She is so fascinated by the rabbits.

October is predicted to still be warm and dry.  So Dave and I will continue getting things ready for winter around the house.  Our lives have really slowed down, and we're OK with this new lifestyle.  We're hoping everyone is doing well and staying healthy.  

 

August 2020

August was an extremely HOT and DRY month.  In fact, it was reported as the hottest August ever for the Salt Lake area.  We still did not see any rain until the end of the month, and it was just 1/2 of an inch spread out over the entire day.  But, we were grateful for the little amount we got.  The restaurants starting opening up, (at half capacity, and with social distancing in place).  Dave and I are still practicing "shelter at home" safety order.  We only go out to the grocery store every 2 or 3 weeks for essentials.  We have been living off of the stock from our pantry, the freezer, and now the garden, (which has been producing abundantly this year).  It has been a nice not to have to worry about making trips down to Vegas to check on Bruces' house.  Selling it last month was such a relief.  The new owner has been busy doing renevations, and sending us photos.  It's looking great.  We have finally settled up all of Bruce's debts, and can put behind us that part of our lives.

Dave and I had one final wish list item for the house, and it was to install a pergola over the deck.  We have been saving for a couple of years, and just by luck we found a company that could do the kind of work we wanted.  So the first part of August, we were able to have it installed.  It has been a blessing.  Before, we couldn't use the deck during the summer, (it was just too hot).  You couldn't walk outside without shoes.  Now it's so nice and cool.  We can enjoy our deck all day long, and the house was instantly cooler also, once the pergola was installed.  It cut down on the sun blaring in through the windows.  I used to have to keep the blinds closed from noon to sunset, or the house would be too warm.  It was definately worth the money.

This year I again planted sunflowers in the backyard.  But, rather than planting them along the fence, I planted them next to the house just outside Dave's office window.  They have grown to 7 feet tall, and the flower heads are the size of dinner plates.  This fall, we will have plenty of sunflower seeds to roast, and to save for future plantings, (the seeds I used were from sunflowers I planted a couple years ago).  Dave enjoys looking out his window and seeing the sunflowers.

We must have a beehive close by.  I have been seeing bees in my flowers and the garden all summer.  Which or course would explain the great results I've had with the fruit trees, the garden, and the flowers.  I love to stand on the deck next to the sage brush I have planted and just listen to them buzzing in the bush as they hurry about.  And when I walk up to my sunflowers, they are always busy walking across and flying around.  They are such marvelous creatures.

The tomatoes are coming on strong.  I have to keep them picked every two days.  I've started pressure canning a few jars for the pantry, and I frozen some tomato sauce for this winter.  I made a wonderful roasted tomato sauce over pasta one evening, and Dave said "I could eat like this every night".  He really likes fresh garden food.

Our apples are almost ready to change color, if I can get to them before the birds.  The tree is loaded this year, and the apples are very large, (I think it's the work of the bees).  We should be able to pick apples next month.  I'll share some with Audra and Trevor, a few of the neighbors and friends.  Then I'll make some apple pie filling, apple sauce, and put up some sliced apples for this winter.  I'll save some apples in the downstairs frig for eating this winter.

The carrots and butternet square are also doing very well.  At the end of the month, I counted 12 very large butternut squaash, and more little ones coming on.  I'll give Audra a couple and share some with friends and neighbors.  Then I'll store some for us for the winter.

This is a representative of what I pick from my garden every coupld of days.  Some green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, summer squash, and sometimes I'll dig up a couple of onions and a couple of potatoes.  Dave had gotten fond of roasted vegetables for our dinner.

I harvested 1 of our pumpkins, and I noticed a second on is almost ready.  The third one will probably be ready the end of September.

I've pressure canned some green beans, and put a couple quart bags in the freeze, and shared a couple bags with Audra and Trevor.  Everytime they come over, I try to send some fresh garden produce home with them.

Dave received a phone call from his 92 years old cousin the last part of August.  They talked for over an hour.  They caught up on happenings on both sides of the families.  Dave and Arthur have always remained closed over the years, and it meant alot to Dave to have Arthur call him.  Arthur was an onocologist for many years, and a very renowned and trusted member of the medical establishment.  A few years back when Dave was having trouble with his foot, it was Arthur that Dave turned to for advice and council.  Even at his advanced age, Arthur's mind is so sharp.  He is quite a gem.

We are hoping that our friends and family are staying healthy and practicing good social distancing practices.  Dave just found out that he will be working from home for the rest of 2020.  We feel that this have become the new "normal" way of life.  We are wearing our masks, using sanitizers, and washing our hands more often.  Doing all we can to stay healthy for our age.  Now that summer is getting ready to wind down, we're getting ready to get our flu shot, and in about 6 weeks, we will start to put the exterior part of our house to bed for the winter.  Stay safe, and stay healthy, everyone.

 

July 2020

July was a very hot and very dry month for us.  We reach 100 degrees and more than 5 times.  And no rain at our house the entire month.  I had to resort to watering my garden a second time during the middle of the day to give it some relief from the heat.

Over the 4th, Dave and I went down to check on Bruce's house, and possibly do a few minor repairs to get a jump start on getting it ready for a second "winter" home.  We left Salt Lake on the 1st, and got up on early on the 2nd to start some work.  I had been making a list of items we would need to accomplish by the end of November, (it was rather long).  Dave took one look at it over breakfast and said, "You know, I didn't envision my retirement being spent doing a lot of manual labor and money, and fixing up a house".  I asked him what he want to do instead.  He told me he thought it was time to sell the house.  He asked how I felt about it, and I said, "Well it's technically your house, so it's OK with me."  Bruce's next door neighbor, (Jax), had been after Bruce to sell him the house, so we walked next door, and talked to Jax about him buying the house.  We knew what the appraised value was, and we decided not to take a low ball offer.  Jax immediately offered us a fair cash price.  We accepted, the real estate papers were signed, with a closing date for the 21st of July.  Dave and I both felt a relief.  We then rented a U-Haul 10 foot truck and loaded most of what we wanted to take home, and came back on Monday the 6th.

Dave drove the U-Haul and I drove the car.  Opal rode back with me.  She decided that the back seat and the passenget seat were not good enough for her.  She loved watching the cars go by.  And she needed a better view.  So she crawled up on my chest, settled in, and rode home.  It wasn't the easiest for me to see over, but she was happy and content.  Sometimes she would doze off, but mostly she watched out the window.  As people would pass by, they would laugh, smile, and point at her.  She would rest her hind legs on my right upper arm, and her front legs on my left upper arms.  It was a perfect fit - for her.

We went back over the 24th of July weekend to finish clearing out Bruce's house.  This time we did NOT take Opal with us.  We borrowed Trevor's pickup truck, loaded up the last of the few things we were bringing back.  We then called 1-800-Got Junk, and had them clear out the rest of the house.  There was just under a truck load to clear out.  We then locked up the house tight, and it was ready for the closing.  Dave took a flight back to Vegas on the morning of the 28th for the closing, and came back that afternoon.  We were lucky to be able to sell and close on the house in 26 days.  I passed some of the items we brought back to Trevor and Audra, and I cleaned up a lot of them and I'm selling them on Ebay and the local sales website.

While we were in Vegas, Trevor told us to try a place that he loves to go to whenever he's on his way to Portland.  It's called Peg's Glorified Ham 'n Eggs.  They have a couple of Vegas locations.  We went Saturday morning the 25th.  When Trevor said they give you large plates, we wasn't kidding.  I ordered Mexican eggs, and they brought the meal on a 12 inch skillet.  It's impossible to finish a whole meal.  And delicious!!  If you're ever in Vegas, try Peg's.

Our peach tree did very well this year.  We ended up with almost a full bushel.  We had to be quick to pick them - the birds were enjoying them, and even when I want out to pick them, the birds weren't afraid of me.  I would try to wave them off, and they would just sit on the branches and chirp at me to leave.  We gave a few to Trevor and Audra, some to the neighbors, and we've been enjoying them everyday.  Everyone remarks about how sweet and juicy they are this year.  And they are big and heavy sized.

My garden is simply loving this heat and the extra watering.  I have several pumpkins on the vines.  These were growned from seeds that I saved a couple years ago, (so no cost).

Every week I've picked a 1/2 basket of green beans.  Trevor and Audra enjoyed the first basket.  I cut back the amount I planted this year, since I have so much in the freezer, and canned jars in the pantry.  These were growned from beans that I saved from last years harvest, so they were free, (no cost).

The butternut squash is doing great this year, aslo grown from saved seeds.

The cucumbers are finally taking off.  The birds ate the first plantings, just as soon as they poked up out of the ground.  I ended up buying these seeds, (I only paid 20 cents a pack at the dollar store).

My gladiolus are starting to bloom.  I got these planted rather late, due to all the trips to Vegas.  I moved them to a new spot this year.  They seem to really like the north side of the house.

I hope to get several good bunches of cut flowers for the house this year.  The bulbs were 5 little bulbs that I purchased about 20 years ago from the dollar store.  Every fall I dig them up and bring them into the gargage to protect them.  In the spring I divide the bulbs and replant.  Now I have lots of gladiolus.

The tomatoes have been riping since the weekend of the 4th.  They are juicy and so delicious.  I enjoyed a tomato and lettuce sandwich on several times.  On day, at Dave's request, we have BLT's with home grown basil added.  It just set off the baon, lettuce, and tomatoes.

If you look closely you can see one of several butternut squash.  Last year, I have 5 large squash from the garden.  Dave's company had a pot luck soup day, and I took the 5 squash made soup, (over 2 gallons).  Everyone loved it.  He only brough home a half cup.

The onions - these bulbs were purchased.  We've been enjoying green onions, and this winter will have yellow onions.  I break off the tops, and let the bulbs get large, then dig them just before the frost and store them in the garage.

I planted sage, it's doing well.  I love brown butter with sage over pasta or gnocchi.  I'll dry some for use in turkey and chicken stuffing this fall and winter.  Another dollar store find at only 20 cents a pack.

My parsley is doing good.  I had to dig it up and replant it.  The bed needed some work.

Dave is still working from home.  He keeps very busy in his office from 8 to 4.  And I keep busy puttering around the house, yard, and the garden.  The house is very quiet with just the 2 of us now.  Opal misses Autumn, she searches for her, and goes to the basement door and meows.  What few times Autumn comes over, one of the first things Autumn will do is pick up Opal and give her hugs and pet her.  I hint around to Dave that Opal needs a little kitten playmate, but he doesn't get the hint.

We are still "sheltering in place" at home.  We go out very little.  We make sure to always wear a mask and social distance.  It appears that this will be the new norm until well into fall.

We hope everyone is staying well.  We're happy when we hear that our friend test negative for the virus, so far we don't know anyone who's tested positive.  So have a good summer, and stay well.

June 2020

Like most of America, we are still under a "stay at home" order for the month of June.  As we entered into summer it is still very hot, but we finally got some rain during the first part and the latter part of the month, (but it was still very hot - in the 90's, and very close to 100).

Our garden loves the heat, and when we get the warm rains, it perks up and grows like gang-busters.

The 4th of June, I noticed that we were already getting tomatoes on our plants.  These will be ready by the 4th of July.  We already have green onions, chives, lots of blooms on the squash, potatoes, and the herbs are growing great.  Everything loves the heat.














It was a sad morning on the 16th, when I found my bird, (Toni), had died.  That little guy really left a big hole in our home when he passed away.  I caught myself twice walking over to where his cage used to stand to feed him in the morning, only to find an empty spot.  It tugged at my heart and reminded me how fleeting our time on earth really is.  Our home is extremely quiet without his chirps during the day.

I also decided to start working with sour dough.  On the 17th, I started my very first sour dough starter, (just water, whole wheat flour, and white flour).  After feeding it twice a day for 2 weeks, it was finally ready for my first test loaf.  Surprise !  It came our beautiful.

The loaf had decent crumb, nice holes, baked beautifully, and tasted delicious.  The only thing in the loaf is; water, flour, and a pinch of salt.  I am still working with my starter and feeding it, I will continue to make more breads.  I have made sour dough waffles, and brownies, (both delicious).  I'm thinking of doing a focaccia bread next, or maybe a pizza dough.






When the HVAC tech came out to do the regularly scheduled A/C spring check up this month, he mentioned that we were quite low on freon.  Dave and I had already discussed last year that based on the age and the amount of money that we had already put in the system, if we had another large expense, we would just replace everything.  So - we put in a new A/C, funace, and water heater.  We had planned it just right, we were able to get a little rebate from the utility company and will get a small tax credit as well.  Good news, is that we won't have to worry about the system for at least 15 to 20 years.
On the 19th, Dave got an email from the estate attorney - Bruce's estate had been approved and signed off by the judge.  We are now free to do whatever we want with the house.  We can keep it, or sell it.  I made a list of things that we will need to do to make the house liveable for us, and it's going to take quite abit of money and time, (around $20,000 - $30,000).  And we're both getting a little too old to do all this work ourselfs.  Who knows??  We are planning on going down over the 4th of July weekend to do some more cleaning inside.  We always feel so exhausted when we come back.
Dave and I went over to have brunch and celebrate Trevor's birthday at their new house.  It's small, but a nice starter home.  Audra showed us her little garden, and Autumn showed us her room.  They are so happy to finally be homeowners.  I remember that same feeling 44 years ago, when I purchased my first home.  It was also a small home, but I was so proud, (it was my castle).
Here's wishing everyone a safe 4th of July.  Hope you're well and healthy.

Toni (the Tiel)

Once again our house feels as if a giant hole has been left where once a small little body occupied.  My precious little cockatiel, (Toni), passed away in the early hours this morning.  I got him when he was just barely 3 months old in October, 1999.  I was his mom and protector his entire life.  He loved me and I loved him.  He would chirp for me, and yell for me when I left the room.  He tolerated Dave, but I was his mom.  He would let me pet his head, stroke his back, rub his cheeks.  He tried so hard to talk to me.  He would stretch his little neck, open his beak, but no words would come out.  He would sit on my shoulder, my finger, and nestle down on my chest for warmth.  The only thing he didn't like was when I would clip his nails and wings.  Everyone who came into the house would poke their fingers at him through the cage.  I would warn them that "He can bite, and he can draw blood".  Some had to learn the hard way.  Very few got Toni to warm up to them.  You needed to be a regular visitor to our house, and be a patient person around him.  Yes, our house is very quiet this morning.  I have no little chirps when I walk into the livingroom.  Toni is now flying free with his little wings flapping, and the warm sunshine on his face.  Fly Toni, be a happy little bird for all eternity.  I'll miss you.

May 2020

Like most of American, we completed the month under a "shelter at home" policy.  But we did manage to get several items completed.  The month was so hot, and we didn't get any rain, for the 2nd month in a row.
The first weekend of May, we went down to Vegas and started cleaning up the exterior of Bruce's house.  We also have a few maintenance items performed, (i.e.: replaced a broken window, had the A/C checked up before summer heat hit, had a pest control company sprayed interior and exterior).  We only spend 2 days there, then hurried back home.

This trip we decided to take Opal with us.  We want to get her used to traveling to Vegas and staying at the house.  She travels fairly well, and loves to sit up front and watch the action.  She was a master at unzipping her carrier and getting out in just a matter of a few minutes.  We learned quickly not to fight her on that issue, since she will always win.  She loves to sit on the dash of the car and watch the trucks and cars, as we pass them.  She eventually settles down on the arm rest between us and sleeps.

On the trip home, we stopped by our friends, (Howard and Roxie), to stretch our legs, get dinner, let Opal roam the house and get some love.  Roxie was very generous and provided us each with 2 face mask.  We were so thankful.  She makes basketsful of these and is sending them to the Navajo nation to help the tribe with the Covid 19 outbreak.  She also sends large boxes of craft items, so they can make items to sell.  She is such an angel to everyone.  We now feel so much safer as we make our few little trips out to the store.  A big hug and thanks to Roxie.

As soon as we got home, Dave got the neighbor boy who mows our yard, (Riley), over to till our garden beds.  Dave coached him on the first bed, and after that, Riley was a pro.  I told Dave, that one more year of working with him, and then it will be; "Hey, Riley - go get the tiller and do the beds", on his own.  I immediately got alot of my garden in, (tomatoes, carrots, onions, beans, pumpkin, cucumber, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, tomatillo, basil, parsley, sage, potatoes, etc.).  I know it sounds like a lot, but I didn't plant alot of each, (just a few).  The 6 tomatoes were plants, and everything else was seeds that I had saved from past years.  By the middle of the month, everything was popping up and growning great.  They just loved the hot weather. 

The lilac bushes were loaded with flowers this year.  And as you walked outside, the smell was so heavenly.  I cut a large armful, and placed them in a vase in the kitchen.  For about 10 days the house had a wonderful lilac smell.  I loved sitting on the deck and enjoying them.  They must have really enjoyed the early heat.

Our rhubarb was ready to cut by the middle of May, and we enjoyed our first Strawberry rhubarb cobbler.  I shared some rhubarb with a friend, and I'm thinking about making some rhubarb jam, (just a couple jars), for this winter.  It was a good batch this year.

The raspberry patch is loaded with berries, our apple tree has quite a few apples.  Our peach tree will not be bearing much this year, since last year was a bumper crop, (it doesn't do well the year after a bumper crop).



Trevor, Audra and Autumn were finally able to close on their new home the 3rd week of May.  They moved out the weekend before Memorial Day.  This made for exactly 12 months that they lived with us.  They moved in the weekend before Memorial Day last year.  They are excited to have a place of their own.  A couple days after they moved, they came over and told us that when they went to take showers they didn't have any hot water.  Trevor checked the water heater and the pilot light wasn' lite.  He checked and there wasn't any gas to the house.  Turns out they didn't know that they needed to have the gas turned on.  They are now learning about the extra costs of home ownership, (i.e.: utilities, home repairs, etc.)  We just smiled.
The weekend of Memorial Day, we did another trip to Vegas, (with Opal in tow),  to work on the yard at Bruce's.  It was all dead weeds about 2 feet high.  We rented a mower and mowed the front and back.  We took our chain saw with us and trimmed the trees away from the house, (many were hanging on the roof and when the wind would blow they scraped the roof).  We also trimmed up all the low hanging branches, and cut up all the dead trees around the property.

It has made quite a difference in the appearance in the property.  Dave trimmed back the palm frons and now they don't hang over in the neighbor's property, and people can walk down the sidewalk without the palm frons hitting them.  All the junk, and dead tree limbs are gone from the front property, and the neighbors don't have the eyesore to look at.  I sure they appreciate us cleaning up around the house.  I gathered up all the shovels, rakes, etc. and hung them up on the back side of the house.  I gathered up all the hoses and electrical cords and rolled them up and put them away.  It really is a big improvement.  It was hard work, and the weather was hot, (in the 100 degree temps).

The forcast for Utah in June is extremely high temps and more dry weather.  We're glad we have secondary water that we only pay a flat fee for.  We hope to be closing out Bruce's probate estate the last half of June.  Then we'll decide what to do with the house, (keep it for a winter home, or sell it).  We've been enjoying the peace and quiet of just the 2 of us at home again.  Dave is still working from home, and I keep busy with the garden, house, and yard.
Hope your summer plans are going as planned, and your families are all well and safe.  We're just staying at home as much as possible, and actually enjoying it.  Stay safe and be happy.

April 2020

April came and when, pretty much for us like the rest of the country.  Our weather was mild and very dry.  It ended up being the driest April on record.  Dave is still working from home, and seems to enjoy it.  On the 14th, the governor declared that all Utah schools would not return to classrooms for the rest of the year, and would complete their assignments on-line.  I am still working with Autumn to help her complete the daily assignments.
We were hit with some family tragedy on April 16th.  Dave's brother, Bruce passed away, (he was 66 and had a few medical problems, but seemed to be doing ok for the most part).  We left at noon Thursday, and took immediate possession of the house, (Dave is the executor of the estate).  We changed the locks to prevent people from walking in and cleaning out what very little Bruce had.  On Friday, we met with the mortuary people and walked through the arrangements to have Bruce's body transfered from the coroner to the mortuary and cremated.  It's so sad how they prey on the feelings of those who are in their saddest times, (anything to make a buck at the expense of the love ones of the deceased).  We then met with an estate attorney, walked through the proceedures we needed to do to close the estate.  He was very helpful.  At first it looked like it was going to cost us $10,000., (Bruce had no life insurance, and no other health insurance, just Social Security).  We explained to the attorney that Bruce owed almost as much on the house as it was worth.  We were then advised to get the house appraised, and if the difference between the assets and the liabilities was less than $100,000. we could do a quick estate closing for $3,500 plus cost.  That first weekend cost us $5,000. out of our pocket.  Turned out the difference between the value of the house and the amount owed is about $60,000.  In the meantime, we will have to keep paying the mortgage and utilities, until the estate is settled.  Bruce had a car, (2000 Buick LaSable).  It was estitmated to be worth $1,000.  We needed to bring it to Salt Lake, so it wouldn't get stolen from the property.  I advised Dave to get the oil changed, (since we weren't sure of the last time Bruce did any maintenance).  Turns out, Dave had to have $1,300. work of work done to make sure the car would make it to our house, (brakes, surpentine belt, oil change, radiator work, etc.).  When Dave, called and told me how much, I suggested Dave ask for a "senior discount".  They knocked of $300, when they heard the story of Dave's brother dying, and what happened.  Dave asked them, how much the car was worth - we put $1000 into a car worth $350 - $400. !!!  The next time we met with the attorney, I told him to make sure the papers did not list the car at $1,000.  That weekend, I worked my butt off, cleaning the house and doing 13 loads of laundry.  I bagged up 14 large yard sized black plastic bags with Bruce's clothes and shoes.  Then we took them over to the Salvation Army and donated them to the homeless shelter.  I called them on Friday, and told them that the donation was not to to the the thrift store, but to go directly to the homeless shelter.  They explain where I was to go, to the administration office to make the drop off and who to ask for, and that it would go directly to the homeless shelter.  When we made the drop off, they were extremely grateful, and said a lot of people would be benefiting from our donation.  There were 2 bags with just shoes.  I don't think Bruce ever threw anything away.  I gathered up a plastic grocery bag of glasses, and I'm going to donate them to the Lion's Club.  I remember that they refurbish them for the needy.  I remember as a youngster, my parents had to get me and my brother, (David), glasses from the Lions Club.  It was much needed and very much appreciated.
We are thinking about keeping the house, and possibly becoming "Snow Birds".  We can winter in Vegas from Mid November to about April, and then summer in Riverton from May to Mid November.  We will have to put a lot of money in the house to fix it up, but it is doeable.  We are going down to Vegas every other weekend.  We have a lot of outside cleaning to do, and we want the neighbors to get used to seeing us.  We have visited with a couple of them, and they are keeping an eye out for us, so that if anything happens they will let us know.
Dave's family has been no help at all.  They just want to know, "How did he die?"  The death certificate which will take about 6 weeks, will not list the cause.  The death certificate with the cause of death will take about 3 or 4 months.
On the possitive note, Trevor and Audra have bought a modular home.  It was Audra's mom's house, (she moved into a new house).  They are getting the downpayment from her, and once the closing and all the paperwork is completed, they will be moving, (about mid May).  It will be so nice to finally have our home and our privacy back.  It will be coming up on a year, and this has been very difficult on Dave and I, (financially, mentally, emotionally, and physically).  With all the work I am doing at home, and now in Vegas, and then what I have to go through with them, it is exhausting.  And we have received not one cent from them towards anything.  If you were to estimate, they have saved well over $20,000 to $25,000 in rent and utilities, (plus other little incidentals).  Plus, the fact that when not any family member on Trevor or Audra's side would take them in, (without any restrictions), but we did.
Will it is almost gardening time, and in just a couple weeks, I will be putting my garden in.  I am thinking of cutting back the amount of planting I do this year.  Dave is thinking about hiring the neighbor boy, (Riley), who mows our yard to do the ro-a-tilling.  I am so ready for warmer weather.  When we are in Vegas, the warm mornings feel so good.  I really like getting up early and taking a walk around the neighborhood.  It will feel good, when we have those nice warm mornings here.

March 2020

In Utah, March came in like a Lion - very cold and bitter.  But on the plus side, it went out like a lamb, lots of warmth and sunshine.  The first weekend, we managed to see a Broadway Across America play, "Dear Evan Hansen".  We are lucky that our tickets were for the first week of the play.  The next week, on Wednesday, the 11th, the governor implemented a "Stay at Home" for all of Utah, due to the Covid 19 epidemic.  Then 2 days later, the county mayor activaticed a county wide "Stay Home"order, till the end of March, then it was extended to the end of April.

Since Dave and I are over 60, we qualified to free lunches from the County Senior Center, (a bit help for us).  Of course I had my pantry and freezer well stocked with garden items.  And, I always stocked up on goods when there's a case lot sale, or anytime there's a great buy.  So we were'nt worried.  But I was so shocked how people were panic buying, and clearing shelves.  Especially toliet paper - what gives?  Being a senior, we were give special hours and days set aside at grocery stores that we could shop, before the stores opened, (to allow us not to be exposed to the herds of people rushing in and also being exposed to the virus, since the eldery are most likely to get the virus).  We go about every 2 or 3 weeks, mostly for fresh fruits and vegetables, (like lettuce, mushrooms, bananas, etc.)  Prices have gone up so high, that we've been thankful for our food storage.

Dave's been working from home since the 11th.  It's nice to have him close by.  I've been helping little Autumn with her home schooling Monday through Thursday, (it's all on the internet).  On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday her mom and dad are at home, so she spends her time with them.

Dave's follow up doctor visit was a tele-comute, computer visit, and all was well.  So, he was released and told if the symptoms return, to make an appointment, and they would most like do a rescope of this throat.

Our fruit trees are starting to bud out, and the daffodils are in full bloom.  Another week or so, I will have to spray the dormant oil on the fruit trees, and get the garden beds ready for spring planting.  It will be so nice to finally start working outdoors.  The neighbor boy, (Riley), noticed me raking up the tree leaves, (the end of the month), from under the fruit trees and he asked me if I was going to be able to hire him to mow again this year.  He's getting anxious to mow again and start making money.  Everyone is getting anxious for life to return back to normal.

Here's hoping your life is starting to return to normal, and your family is healthy.

Happy Spring !

February 2020

February started out with a LOT of snow.  The first Monday, we had 12 inches of snow at our house.  Most of the schools, goverment buldings, and a lot of businesses were closed for the day.  Over 150 accidents on the freeway were reported before 10 AM.  It was a cold wintery day.  But by the next week it warmed up and was all forgotten.  We got tickets to go see Jeanne Robertson, (a very funny, southern humor comedian).  We went with Rusty and Robin Scheerer.  Dinner before the show, and a good time with lots of laughs.  We celebrated Valentine's Day quietly with dinner at a local restaurant, and Dave sent me 2 dozen roses.
On the 18th, Dave saw the doctor for his throat, it turns out that the muscles the constrict and relax as you swallow were not working properly, (it's called dysphagia).  They said they would have to do surgery, (they would put a scope down his throat to his esophagus, then insert a balloon.  Blow up the balloon and deflat it a couple of times and it would get the muscles back in working order).  Two days later he went in as an outpatient.  While the surgeon was in with the scope, he noticed that Dave had acid reflux and an extremely bad ulcer.  Dave said he didn't feel any acid or problems.  The surgeon said, "Those are the patients that have the worse problems and need the most help".  They put him on medication for the acid reflux and ulcers.  So far, it's been a couple weeks, and he's doing just fine.
On the  24th, Dave got a call from his nephew, (Max), telling him that Bruce, (Dave's brother), was in the hospital in Vegas.  He fell at home, and it was a couple of days before anyone found him, he was very dehydrated.  At first it was diganosted as a stroke.  We drove to Vegas on Thursday, by that time, they had ruled out a stroke and done a spinal tap, and found out he had viral meningitis.  They put Bruce on strong viral medications.  He had a physical therapist, a speech therapist, an infectist disease doctor, a medical doctor, and a case worker.  When we got there, Bruce could barely speak, (it was very slurred), and he couldn't even feed himself.  Dave had to feed him.  He couldn't get out of bed, or sit up on his on.  Dave was the only person he knew.  By the time we left on Saturday afternoon, he was finally able to talk, and they were able to get him up in a chair for a few hours.  They said he would be in the hospital for at least another week, and then go to a rehab facility, (to learn how to walk, and etc.).
While we were there, Dave developed a bad cough and mild fever.  We would have stayed longer, but I told Dave he needed to get home and see our insta care doctor, (I suspected he had broncitis again).  It turned out he had influenza B.  Even though we both had the flu shot last October, it didn't protect against the B bug.  So, Dave was back on medication and order to stay home from work for a couple of days.  Luckily, I kept my distance, and washed my hands often for the whole week that he was sick, and so far, I haven't gotten it, (fingers crossed).  It's been quit a month. but we've survived.  We're ready for spring and warm weather.

January 2020

January was a rather calm and quiet month.  Our temperatures were in the 40's for most of the month, with a few light snow flurries, (only totaling to an inch for the whole month).  I look out the kitchen window towards my garden area, and I am already starting to get the itch to plant.  It keep waiting for Spring to come and warmer times.  Dave has been having trouble swallowing, he tries to eat, and starts choking, like he has a blockage in his throat.  He went to the doctor the middle of January and a barium xray was done.  They found some abnormalities, so next month he's scheduled to see a gastrendrologist.  I'm a little worried, but hoping for the best.  We did get to one Broadway Across America play this month, (Fiddler On The Roof).  This is Dave's favorite, and he really enjoyed it.

For the last 5 or 6 years, I have been wanting and sort of planning on getting an additional set of cabinets installed in the kitchen.  I need the additional storage, and counter top space.  At the end of this month, I was finally able to get the accomplished.  Dave called the guy who finished off our basement 9 years ago, and after picking out the cabinet and top, (we managed to get as close to the original as possible), it was finally installed in just a couple of days.  I am really happy with the extra space.  And it makes a big difference in the kitchen.  Now I can bake and not feel so cramped.  I really love it.  My next wish list project is to add a pergolo over the deck, to help cut down on the searing hot summer sun.  Well, our weather forecast is calling for much more snow and colder weather next month - brrr.  Trevor, Audra, and Autumn are still living with us, but they are now starting to look at apartments.  They really like this area, and want to stay close by, so Autumn can stay in the same school.  I am really going to my little Autumn.  She has been a real ray of sunshine in our home.  Here's to staying warm next month, and hoping the kids find a place they like real soon.

October to December 2019

October saw cooler temps start to set in very early, (we even saw some night time frost very early).  I was working very quickly to get my garden cleared out, cleaned up, and ready for winter.  I covered the beds with plastic the first week and a half to save my produce.  I ended up putting boxes of tomatoes, tomatillos, potatoes, and onions in the garage to several weeks.  We have our first killing frost on the 9th of October, and I was lucky enough to have all the produce cleared out of the garden by the 8th.  On Saturday the 12th, Dave and I left for Orlando, Florida for a week.  We spent the week just relaxing by the pool, reading, and visiting the area.  On our anniversary, we had dinner at a nice seafood buffet place that we like to visit, (all you can eat lobsters - Dave's favorite).  We returned home on Friday.  We were able to take in a Broadway Across American play, (Miss Saigon), the next day.  Autumn got to do Trick or Treating at school.  She went as Little Bo Peep.  It was a cool raining day, and I picked her up in the car, after school.  We were talking about her day, and she said, "I love Halloween."  I said, "Do you like it better than Christmas?"  She said, "Nope".  I asked, "Better than your birthday?".  She replied, "Nope.  But it's better than Ground Hog's Day."  I had the hardest time to keep her from seeing me laugh as I was driving home.  She has such a quick wit.

November, we started seeing snow, and very cold temps.  It was as it winter decided to come early.  On Friday, (the 8th), I watched Autumn for Trevor and Audra, (she was off from school).  I took her with me to the Senior Citizens Center, for their Veteran's Day Lunch and program.  In Riverton, we have 12 silver star recipients, (they are of course older veterans).  Autumn got her picture taken with one of the heroes that day.  Thanksgiving days saw a big snow storm, (12 inches over night).  Audra, Trevor, and Autumn spent the day with Audra's family celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, (since they were all together).  I made a pumpkin chocolate chip bundt cake with caramel cream cheese icing for her to take.  She said it was a big hit, and she only had 2 little slices to bring home.  Made my heart feel good that they liked it.  I knew that cake tasted good, since I spooned out enough batter and baked 1 cupcake to taste test it, (and it was a good homemade recipe.  Dave and I stayed home all weekend and just relaxed.  We didn't even go out on the icy roads.

December came in with more snow, and really felt like Christmas very early.  Dave and I went to a Christmas party with some friends, (a group of 12), for dinner and a white elephant gift exchange.  We also saw our final BAA musical "The Christmas Story.  Dave's company party was held the 13th, and it was very nicely done, but so bitterly cold outside.  They had a catered dinner, with entertainment, and prizes.  We have now entered the 7th month of Trevor and Audra living downstairs, and it looks like they will probably be with us for a couple more months.  Trevor started a new job, (with a company the builds decks for new home construction) in November.  Audra only works at her CNA job at Sandy Hospice a couple days a month now, and she started working at Starbucks a couple days a week.  They are still trying to save to get into an apartment, but with the drastic cut in income, it's going to be a long journey.  We still have a few bumps trying to mesh with 2 families under one roof.  We've had a few bumps, but for the most part we have learned how to work around things, and are getting better at living together.

Here's hoping 2020 is a better year for everyone, (including our family and friends).  I'm already starting to think about my garden and what I'll plant next year.  I hope the best to come for our country, and the world as a whole.  Dave and I have a big trip planned for next year, and we're now looking forward to his retirement in a couple years.  So I guess things are on track.