The weather has been rather unsettled - hot at times, humid and drizzly but no real rain (although flooding in other parts). At least not locally for us and the water situation has become an issue for some folks. We were only a few days without water in 2016, but used conservation measures for quite a while. And although we haven’t had the dry spring this year, this month’s rainfall matched the August of two years ago. We still have about a foot and a half of water in our well and as we all know, you can’t save it…the water table dictates but no use in looking for hassles. I have instructed the gentleman farmer that the crops need to be watered by an alternate source. Previously when the well went dry we’d continued on with our usual habits which included the hose to the garden. As I said “not going to use paper plates, drag clothes to the laundromat and shower at the provincial park in town so the garden can get the well water”. A good solid rain would put this all behind us. Thoughts have turned to well drilling as the more permanent solution others have invested in.
Fair bit of infrastructure renewal required this year, which we hadn’t anticipated as we’re having to have the roof redone. When we built the house in 2005/6 the contractor used ’50 yr’ shingles which are now in need of replacement. Wouldn’t trust them another winter season, especially if it’s a windy one like last year. Turns out there’s a class action suit for the shingles and quite a number of local folks are having to do re-roofing. We’ve chosen a metal roof as replacement which will hopefully outlast us (said that last time) and one of the positives is not having to remove the previous shingles (less mess and labour involved) so no worries about the weather. Thinking of going with charcoal grey this time. Decisions, decisions.
This past few days, while being a relaxing at the beach house kind of week, has seen the completion of some projects. I managed to finish the mobius shawl for the baby daughter and although it’s a prototype…I think it will suit. I have worked the kinks out of it and it’s a bit snug on me so should fit, I have offered it to her on trial and she can gift it and I’ll redo if it doesn’t fit. Working along on the mommy part of the mommy and me poncho and should have it together by the weekend. I’ve got the coffee pot cozy done for daughter #1 and will adjust it onsite if required. Lots of plans for projects. Always more projects than time…that’s the reason for the yarn stash :) With the garden bounty, we’ve done a large batch of million dollar relish and a double batch of sweet mustard pickles - I eat neither of these, a true labour of love to chop, stir, cook, boil, seal and label these jars.
Had a message from a nursing school classmate who was forwarding sad news that one of our classmates had found her husband of 41 years unresponsive and expired on the floor. He was a diabetic of many years and the situation hit close to home for those of us sharing the same age group. I sent along a note expressing my sympathy and received this reply... "Knew I would find him this way someday, thought I was somewhat prepared, but wrong again! Thanks for your kind words."
I dropped over for a Sit and Yarn session at my summer neighbour’s and worked on my projects while we drank tea and ate cookies and caught up on the news. Tomorrow we are heading to another yarn shop (she’s a fan of wool fibres) and then off to walk the beach. She’d met a ‘come from away’ person from that area so she and my former coworker will make it a foursome. We’ll likely source some lunch before heading home…such is the life of the (mostly) non-working folks.
Saturday morning was clear (no early morning fog which has been the daily norm for over a week) and I took in the village wide yard sale doing very well (especially for my Cuban friends) in the form of new towel sets, sheets, beach toys, shorts, pencils a collapsible colander, as well as blocks for my grandkids, and yarn for my stash. It was a good chance to chat with folks I hadn’t seen for a while. And the most positive outcome was an arrangement with a girl who’d posted online about housecleaning on her days off, she agreed to take on our place. Woohoo! Even with a stop to pick up a few groceries, I was home by 10 am. We had donair burgers on the BBQ and salad for a great summer supper. I tried the peach, chicken and brie quesadillas recipe which I’d seen online, using my neighbours peaches which she’d gifted. It was (sadly) one of those recipes which sounds a lot better than it turned out. Edible but…
This week will bring the visit of a previous coworker who is heading north to work in homeware for Government of Nunavut. She’s going to Kugluktuk (formerly Coppermine) where I’ve been twice so I’m doing a short tutorial on the northern lifestyle. Mostly packing tips. As I told her….think camping x 8wks and you’ll be on track. Have some former coworkers coming on Thurs for a visit (hopefully the weather cooperates for a swim) and so pretty excited to have the cleaner the day before. Thursday night I’ll pick our grandson up from his ballgame and Friday a.m. we’ll be on our way to Ottawa for a long weekend. Getting excited to see the oldest daughter! The summer is slipping away and lots of plans aren’t going to make the cut this year it seems.
Tonight is the clearest and brightest of the perseid meteor showers. The life partner and I enjoyed a few in the front yard just now. Reminded us of the time decades ago when we were newlyweds and mister came home from an evening RCMP shift, wrapped me in a quilt and we sat in front of the open window in the frigid Labrador air watching the meteor show. Crazy kids.
