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.