How does one try to find a new "normal" when you don't know what "normal"is. I know it is still early-only 3 weeks today but I feel like I am still in a daze at times. Evenings are especially hard. At least I got out in the yard today-moved around some of the pots-put spring bulb containers out(they are starting to bloom), moved the old fall stuff out back, It seemed so odd to go out and not worry about it getting too cold for Mike. Yesterday I was going to ask him if he wanted to go for a drive?(guess I need to get used to those thoughts-
I have to go to the dentist tomorrow. I'm rambling tonight-should go to bed I guess.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Plum wine. Love that stuff. I found 2 different brands at one of the local bottle stores, but I know there's more out there.
I wouldn't dare try to make it myself though.
Home made wine just HAS to start with home grown fruit - the stuff you get at the market wouldn't be the same. And I'm so tender hearted that even if I planted plum trees and had an enormous crop every year, I'd let the birds and "bandits" have it all!

Thanks BC. The plum harvest wasn't big this year. Gave some to the neighbour and the rest are in the fridge-think I can munch them. They are prune plums but I have never tried doing prunes. Mom used to can them but I'd sooner share. The grapes even with the bandits is another story. I gave a box to the neighbours, will give some to my friend when I go for lunch tomorrow, will take some to Mike's old physio, I picked 3 BIG baskets yesterday and left the green ones to ripen I hope. Some that I picked aren't really ripe so hope they sweeten a little.The bandits didn't get in last night so hope they don't come back soon. I do have it covered. I might try making some wine again-used to be not bad at it.

Congratulations on the plum harvest. What will you do with them? Do they freeze well or will you try to dry them for prunes?

Darn little bandits.

I hope it left you some.

quote:

Originally posted by gypsy:
The plums are almost ripe and the grapes are coming-all fenced in to keep critters out(the cute brown, antlered ones and the furry masked ones) don't think my "cage" will keep the flying ones out if they spot the opening at the top where I can't reach. I see something has snitched a few that stuck through the wire mesh.
wish me luck in getting most-I like to leave them till they are really ripe-probably at least another couple of weeks.

The plums are picked. The grapes-if there are any left will have to get picked tomorrow. Awhile ago I heard a noise in the bedroom-thought it was Sandy but she was right behind me. Turned off the TV realized it wasn't IN the bedroom but outside the window. Grabbed the flashlight, turned outside lights on-little bandit scrambled out somehow and went over the fence to the neighbours. I went and got some solar lights to put on the chicken wire-just going to reach for the wire when I heard a noise the the vine started moving-I retreated and closed the gate and watched-I was afraid he was going to get caught but he finally climbed up the chicken wire, somehow got over or under the netting and down to the driveway-I had the flashlight on him the whole time-he sat on the top of the wire and looked at me-I kind of felt sorry for him BUT he better find some other garden to rob. I tried to straighten the wire and put up some solar lights. I'll leave both outside lights on. Guess my wire is too stiff-he had no problem climbing. Couldn't tell how many they ate-I would like to leave them a few more days but think I better at least pick the ones that look ripe.

Well, it's starting to feel and look like fall. We did have a great summer here. Finally had some rain the last couple of days-supposed to be sunny again tomorrow. The last few days have seen the garage totally(well almost) non-packratted. Know what I mean? I think the neighbour took out 3 truck loads of "junk" what could be recycled was, the rest went in the landfill. The critters had nested in various places-didn't see any-guess they moved out for the summer. A lot of the home care stuff went to a charity that will use it. Another load is going tomorrow to Habitat for Humanity. Then I will be down to Mike's tool box and a bit of other stuff plus what stays for sure. The reason for this you ask? I'm having the back deck and ramp rebuilt. The lumber(at least part) was delivered today-it is in the garage to stay dry and will get painted there. I have actually been going to bed at a more decent hour(started because I had to get up earlier-no sleeping till whenever when people volunteer to help. Tomorrow morning I go for coffee then the load will go to Habitat. Oh and I should do some grocery shopping-was out for supper tonight so didn't worry about it today. The plums are almost ripe and the grapes are coming-all fenced in to keep critters out(the cute brown, antlered ones and the furry masked ones) don't think my "cage" will keep the flying ones out if they spot the opening at the top where I can't reach. I see something has snitched a few that stuck through the wire mesh.
wish me luck in getting most-I like to leave them till they are really ripe-probably at least another couple of weeks.

Sounds like your sure having a great time! Thats wonderful you're really enjoying the trip.

Well, the rest of my holiday was just as great as the first 2 days. I can't think of one bad thing, or even slightly off thing about the whole holiday. It I think(hope) was a real turning point in my grieving process. My friend (that I have always kept in touch with) is making a trip to Victoria again sometime in late fall. She will let me know when(after she gets back from a trip to Italy in Sept.) and I will make reservations to go at the same time. I am looking forward to meeting her step-mother-I had a long chat on the phone with her while Eva was out. Sounds like a great old lady(she is almost 90 I think) Eva's 2 elderly aunts that we had lunch with were both very with it and extremely interesting listening to their old stories. I did go upstairs to the pub the last night for late supper. It was worth the hike up the stairs-it looks out over the outer part of Victoria harbour. Found out they do have dog friendly rooms but they are suites so more expensive(also in a more modern building, not a heritage one.) Think I will still leave Sandy in the kennel although it would be great having her for a walking companion. I had a pretty lazy day today-did a little shopping, went to the nursery(oops have to stop that too many $$)Hope everyone here is finding something to smile about.

Couldn't believe the fantastic time thelast 2 days. Reunion was so great we decided to have one every 5 years- couldn't wait another 50 now could we. Had lunch with a couple I had lost track of about 45 years ago. Had supper with my bro, sis, BIL and one niece.
Tomorrow I go with another old friend to her aunt's for lunch.Don't know what I'll do tomorrow later. In between lunch and dinner I took the harbour ferry tour-really neat. Haven't taken any picts. Just had a rain shower and soak in the jacussi tub(first time turning the jets on for a real soak. I don't think I want to go home but I miss Sandy.It is almost 1 am and breakfast comes about 9:30 so I should turn this thing off.Hope all is well with you guys and your charges.

well I didn't get on that island trip but we hope to do it next week. Don't expect much from me till Sun.I am using my laptop while on holidays. Staying in a different hotel.Tomorrow I go to my reunion. I have mixed feelings it has been 50 years. I may not even check in here tomorrow depends on how late I am. Then Fri I have dinner with my bro and sis and hopefully other family. I'm feeling kind of lonely tonight-it has been MANY years since I stayed in an hotel(actually this is a guest house.) by myself. It is a beautiful spot. Went for a walk along the beach walk then had supper didn't go to the pub-the stairs looked like more than I felt like doing. Sat out on the patio overlooking the water in the restaurent(not as many stairs) May venture upstairs Sat. night for supper in the pub.Think Sat. I'll explore on the harbour ferries. We'll see. It is only 10:30-seems later think I'll go to bed soon. Goodnight. Hope all is going well with this family. fplease excyse the typos silly laptop(that's my excyse,

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gypsy,

Wow, that sounds so fun Gypsy!

Leg is still attached to my hiney

I'm still on blood thinners. Doc hasn't said when he wants another doppler. So dunno if I still have a blood clot or not.

You can sure have our rain down here! I'm so sick of it. Every single day, yuck.

quote:

Looks like your slowly finding your way to a new normal

I'm hoping you're right-I don't spend as much time looking for kleenex. Staying busy really helps. This group of new friends I only met since Mike passing. We are all widowed within the last year or so. I'm the most recent. You can come along boat riding- the one next week is a little private boat from one hotel to the one on the island-same owners. When I go to Victoria later in the month I'll explore with the harbour ferry-you can come do that too if you want. couldn't do it with Mike as they aren't wheelchair friendly-just neat little passenger boats that go to various parts of the harbour. The hotel where I am staying has their own dock so instead of the bus I'll just take the ferry to town. I'll try to get back picture taking so I can share after I get back.
Our weather is just about back to normal-not so hot but still dry-we need rain but hope it doesn't do it when I have things planned.
You are sounding better yourself too. How's the leg?

Looks like your slowly finding your way to a new normal. I like your friends, can I go boat riding to that island too They sound like my kinda people.

I hear you on the jelly fish. We have them here on the Gulf Coast in Alabama. They aren't much fun when they start stinging! I've always heard to put meat tenderizer on a sting (like that's something you normally carry in your beach bags? Yea, right).

I haven't been to the beach in a long time to swim. Way too long. When I was a teen, it was Gulf Shores every weekend. I don't know if I got old, or all my friends did.

Goodness, gypsy, that is certainly not how I think of the weather up there. Our weather has been a little wetter than usual through July, and only 1 or 2 days that have hit 100° F yet. But August has always been reliably hot and dry. We shall see.

Our air quality mostly has to do with the urban centers on the east coast. Where I live, that is not usually a facter at our home...BUT, last year there was a peat fire burning in NC and VA that really caused some serious smoke. It is an excellent bet that your alerts were based on the wild fires.

yuk

Didn't go swimming in spite of the HEAT the big stinging jellyfish are back. Sandy still goes in. Think she had 4 doggy friends at the beach today she had a ball. The heat has broken records-not just for the date but all time records. We even had a air quality warning today-first in history. It is hot, dry and the forest fire hazard is extreme and there is possible thunderstorms(further north I think) There are hundreds of forest fires in the province-guess that's where the air quality problem is coming from. I didn't notice it being bad here and think the warning was lifted this evening. I went to the farm, and bakery today-lots of fresh fruit. Bought some baby potatoes and carrots too. The strawberries are SO GOOD. The weather is supposed to cool down a little but no rain in the forcast for the next few days.

Well, another month has come and gone-that is 5 months. I have been keeping very busy which is good. Had lunch today with the ladies that were in the grief support group. It was great seeing them again. We are going for an early supper in a couple of weeks-taking a little boat to one of the islands near by. I haven't been over there for probably close to 30 years. Went down to the Goat's on the Roof place on Tues. met my bro there-it is about half way. It was great seeing him. Today I got most of the weeds cut till the weed wacker's line ran out-I have new line but just have to figure how to get the cover off-tomorrow. Sandy has been swimming every day, I only went in the once. Maybe this weekend if we get the heat they are calling for I'll bring her home and go back for a swim.

Sometimes you have to take some time to step back & reflect and FEEL before going ahead.

still working on the car sale.
I had a weird day today. Out for coffee this am. Then working in the garden most of the afternoon. Came in for something and ended up in the den(think I went to open the window as it was getting hot.) I still have the collage, some picts, the book from the funeral home, cards, a poem a friend wrote. For some reason I started looking, reading crying etc. Think it was good though-esp. the poem-I had read it a few times in the days after I got it but not since. She really knew Mike well(she was the one that introduced us over 33 years ago.) It was neat in a way-I was able to go outside and back to work without a problem(hope you understand what I mean)

Bobcat I usually try to at least read every day or so. I got an e-mail from somebody about the van-hope they phone in the am. Sent my # I have to go out but do have an answering machine. Thanks for the charity suggestion-yes they do that here too. I'll try a bit longer.

Hi, Gypsy, glad you stopped by.

I don't have a clue about taxes where you are, but If you don't get a sale for it, can you donate it and get charity credit? I realize it would be a loss, but it could work out. I know it is all different across the border, but it is worth looking into. Maybe a church group or an elder care center???

At least it wouldn't be your property any more. Here that would mean personal property tax, and you wouldn't have to keep insurance o it or tags, if that is a consideration in your area.