A special day

Happy Birthday to The Brother Alan! I have posted about him on several occasions and he is the co-author here on he blog. Although he is 11 years younger in these recent months he certainly has filled the roll of Big Brother. When he was planning to visit Dennis would always say...Alan proof the house!" because he has the reputation of ...well, let's just say things can break. Of course when he was here in June I was the one who broke something and he has not let me forget about it. Alan will be here soon, September 19th and I am so looking forward to the visit. He will be taking care of some business things but we will also be sure to take time to enjoy Scottsdale and go for a wine tasting and just relax and enjoy one another's company. So join me in wishing this guy a very happy birthday!

Kindness

As m any of you know I commute from Providence (RI) to Boston (MA) daily via a train. To say I am not a morning person is an understatement, and unlike my Sister Grace I don't "chat up" people. My story begins yesterday morning on the 7AM train  after commuting for  year you see the same people day after day, like I said I keep to myself read my Kindle and drink a coffee. I am polite and will politely acknowledge the people with I sit next to or if someone sits next to me, the train if full every day. Back to  yesterday I take an empty seat next to a woman and we acknowledge each other. five minutes out of providence she sneezes, and I say "Bless You", then realizing how many people are sensitive, I said "If that does not offend you" she laughs and thanks me. I settle in with my Kindle and she falls asleep. An hour later we arrive in Boston and as I get up to disembark  she turns to me and hands me a lottery ticket and tells me to have a nice day. I look a the ticket and it was for last nights Power ball with a 700 Million Dollar Jackpot. I am stunned and confused, she states to me that she bought ten tickets to give away and that if I won all she asks is for me to buy her dinner. I am humbled at the gesture and thanked her.

I did not win the Power Ball, but the good feeling still resides in me. A small gesture like this which could have been a life changer was so simple for her but impacted me immensely. I do not think that I will be any more outgoing on the train, frankly most people look more unapproachable than myself but will stay with me to make an effort on behalf of others.

I return to my Cowboy Life in September an hopefully will have an adventure or two to share at that time. Knowing my sister there will be, until next time.........Alan

The almost storm

Last evening the winds began to whirl and some dust was in the mix. Later a few loud thunder sounds but no rain in my area. The temp is at 80 and it is 5:24 AM and still dark outside. May each 106 today. It is all okay because I will be indoors today in the cool of the air conditioner waiting for the company to come out and check it. It is running okay but several times it has made very strange loud sounds so I thought it best to have someone come out and look see.  The doctor visit went well. Dr. Paul is a really nice young man. Still thinking about Dennis who was his patient for 13 years. The problem with my right side seems to be a muscle issue. There is a muscle that runs from the outside of the hip down and then around to the inside of the knee area. Mine is swollen which indicates some damage. If after a week of using the gel medicine it is not better then maybe and MRI. No furniture moving...limit driving (being on the right side, driving leg) and liberally apply the med 4 times a day. Good thing I already rearranged and cleaned the lanai and washed the inside of the living room windows and changed the curtains!
I have mislaid a couple of club ID badges and while looking I found

this note dated 9-14-15 from Denny...you know that  put me in tears. I miss him so....
The laundry is about ready  for the dryer and my coffee was delicious. Next on the list is making the bed and on to tatting. Sometime today I will start the task of going through my craft patterns and books...again...I try to do this on/off and weed out what is staying and what is going. I no longer want to hang on to patterns with the thought I may actually make them. It is unrealistic for many.  Better to find them new homes. Thank you for taking the time to visit and for your kind words. Most of all thank you for your friendship.

The Umbrella mystery solved

Oh the day is still dark (5:30 AM) and already very warm at 85 degrees...they say it will be 105 today. Other that the 11:30 AM doctor appointment I have a "free" day with no plans. The weather predicts that the Monsoon will be returning with rains, winds and dust.
If the Goldfinch has anything to say, the red umbrella although faded but not going to trash, will be destroyed in no time~~~~

Do you see all the strings hanging along the edge? This appears on more than one place around the umbrella. I had been curious as to how this was happening. I happened to catch this guy pulling at them! I first I thought he was falling off the umbrella but then I saw him tugging away. Just what I need, Goldfinches!
The mail arrived and so did this

A lovely note card and a hand painted canvas of a feather, (She found this at a craft fair.) Jo
http://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.com/ sent me such caring words and the card has a sweet poem on the backside. In Jo's note she wrote, "the belief is that if you see a white feather it means someone in Heaven is watching over you". I now feel that she is also watching and caring. I value our friendship too dear friend.
I sat outside yesterday morning with my coffee and before I knew what was happening I began to clean and rearrange the lanai. All because as I sat listening to Michael Crawford, the sound of the waterfall and sipping the coffee, I thought about painting the shelves and removing 2 of them to use in the house. One thing led to another and I was washing the floor and moving things around. Well, now at least if I have the comfy weather it is clean and waiting. I thought about taking away the vases with the twigs but the little hummer came in and out and I thought better not...

as soon as I finished and came inside to clean up he appeared on his twig. So, it will remain on the shelf for his pleasure....and mine. Just a little thing but it makes my day to see him in the lanai resting out of the elements.
This week I should think about a few ornaments to make and tat more Denny's Angels. I will be sending them to friends and then will try to send if someone asks. Guess I should try to accomplish a few things around the house. Always a pleasure to chat with you and I thank you for your kind words and friendship. Let's have a good day.

Let me explain

Are you ready for the Solar Eclipse?  I am very interested but not to the point that I would travel to another state and battle crowds and traffic to view this.  No thank you, I will catch the TV coverage and at the same time be sure of safety to my eyes. Yesterday I baked a bread (could have turned out better) and made an apple cake. Today I am trying to find relief with the pain in my right leg and knee. I guess it is time to call the pain specialist. About that Gelato jar....thank you for all the tips. I did try tapping the lid, running hot water as well as using a rubber grip for lids. This was just a case of the gelato company really did not want me to enjoy the gelato at that moment. Well, not to worry as it is gone...and it was delicious.

I am pleased with the Library Bookcase. Fits perfectly against the side wall and completes the area.  the closed door section is great storage for the computer/desk things that I do not need to have out in view. All things tidy now. At some later time I may add a light inside the shelf area. I just want to change out the plug outlet on the wall now that it visible.
I am down to just 2 outside umbrellas and thanks to Keith, the too tight screw is out and now the not so green umbrella is in the stand.

Just to show you what the heat and sun do to the umbrellas...see how pretty (on the right) the blue was? This is just 2 years sun and heat. The red and green umbrellas, although pretty faded still have some time left.
The pond is looking good and working well. I did not want the water to be clear...no pond is clear, and I did notice it a bit green. Okay, there is and always will be some algae, but...remember the patch of green that I bought to add to the water lilies? I decided I liked it so I bought 2 more to fill in space. I just happened to read the tag...did not on the first one...and it said for indoor use only...will bleed green color if wet!

Guess that accounts for the green water! But, I like it. Slowly adding some features around the pond so the frog will not be the only thing there. Soon I will be able to add some annuals as we plant them in the fall and winter here in Arizona. I will be getting my tomato plants next month. Denny would be very pleased.  Our yard was his hobby and enjoyment.  I am learning to care for it as well as the house. Today is 2 months since his passing. I have accomplished a lot and learned a lot and have had the help of dear friends.  Staying strong and brave is not easy. I thank each of you for your love and encouragement and your kinds words.