Hello Brandy!

I’m home and I’m doing alright.  We’ll be posting more later.  I’m up and walking around already!  I’ve got a set of fingers a-typing for me. My granddaughter, Courtney (SEB Junior and a wonderful child), is up and helping out.

She’s up here for a week or two, Deb took her out earlier for some practice runs in the truck.  Now she can drive us around town.  It’s good I’ve got the help, I’m as fast as a racing car with three tires.

Hello everyone. This is Momma’s son, Les, who got her into blogging so many years ago. I wanted to let everyone know that it will be a few days before Momma is able to post anything as she is in the hospital after having fallen while weeding her yard.

Details are a bit sketchy at the moment, but I do know that she has broken her leg and possibly dislocated it as well. She’s in a lot of pain, obviously, but is otherwise OK and is enjoying the finest in pharmaceuticals in the E.R. while they track down a bone specialist. It sounds like it’s a pretty bad break and they’re pulling out all the stops to get her mended. I know she would want you folks to know that she is out of commission for a bit, but that she’ll be back to tell you all about it as soon as she can be.

As soon as I have more details I will post them here and I will be sure to pass along any good wishes for a speedy recovery you folks would like to send her way.

Yes thanks to the help of my visitors and Jay and I  having the 31st available my list is some what smaller now.  It started with the umbrella.

Colorful yes--practical no!

I made the mistake of not reading the label first.  I thought it was such a good buy.  It turned out to be a beach umbrella and it had to have the pole cut down.  Jay did that.  But this morning when I went to open it I discovered that I don’t have the strength to push it open.  I need one with a crank.

Next came opening the five cupola windows up in the loft area.

Open windows allow the heat to go outside.

Darlene came to my rescue on Saturday.  She opened the windows and changed the direction of the fan to draw heat up, out of the lower area of the dome, allowing it to escape out the windows.

The grass next to the retaining wall on the back driveway.

This area is too steep for the mower or for  me to stand and try to weed whack it down.  So on Sunday morning my son-in-law David trimmed it down for me.

all trimmed down.

This allows me to take the tractor and do the rest of the hill.  David also did the other side by that retaining wall.

The joys of growing old just kick you in the ass every once in a while and really piss you off. You have to ask for help doing the things you used to do by yourself.  I do feel bad about putting someone to work when they come to visit because it takes precious time away from communicating.

David and Brandy

David did get to relax on the swing with Brandy for a little bit much to Brandy’s delight.

Yesterday was my turn.

Half of the back yard + the left side of the front yard

Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time on the tractor mowing different parts of the yard.  Today I have to get out to do the other half of the back yard and check the right side of the front yard.  I should really get out the lawn rake but I’ll leave that to Jay.

Here are some more flowers coming out.

Peonies in the trees

White Iris on the berm

They are just a delight to the eyes.  I started working on one of the extension gardens yesterday but the knees said forget it lady so I didn’t get very far.  Debra said she would be up this coming weekend to work on them but with seven areas to do I should help a little.

A view from the birdbath at the berm.

The Cosmos are blooming all over the berm in many different colors making the color greater than I thought.

Well my friend I have to pull on some long pants, goggles, and gloves and go attend to the ‘back forty’.  Have a great day and a better week!

Darlene and Michael

On Saturday they were up and made an early  birthday dinner for Jay.

Seafood Enchiladas made with crab

An excellent salad with a special dressing.

There was these two dishes plus corn chips with salsa.  As usual a delightful meal prepared with love and attention.

Sunday morning Cindy and David had breakfast with us because Cindy had to work that afternoon and would be on duty for the next seven days.   She wanted to spend a little time with Jay on his birthday.

Early afternoon Jay and I made Shrimp Caprese Kabobs for an appetizer to take to Wes and Debra’s house.

Basic ingredients are shrimp,cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella

All these ingredients are put  on short skewers, placed in glasses.  Then a dressing is drizzled over it.    Jay chose a Homemade Balsamic Vinegar/Olive Oil Salad Recipe.

1/4 C extra virgin olive oil

3/4 C balsamic vinegar

1 clove garlic, crushed or to taste

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 pinch salt

1 pinch freshly ground pepper

Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight lid.  Shake well before serving.

Garnish the kabobs with crushed fresh basil.

Of course I forgot to get a picture of them.  Even forgot to take my camera to the cookout.   The cookout  Bill of Fare was two salads, cubes of grilled steak, chips, cucumbers and onions in cream, a six layer lemon cake and Debra’s ‘make your teeth curl up’ lemon bars ( this is a complimentary remark).

There were neighbors and old neighbors, of Wes and Debra’s,  there and it was a time to catch up.   An enjoyable ( but picture less) evening.