The Years To Remember

9/21/25 The bumble bees are very industrious! Our weather has just been gorgeous for weeks. Bluebird skies, temps in the mid to upper 70's, and not too windy. The only problem is we are now in a drought and my lawn is crunchy. The good news is I haven't mowed in a month, nor do I need to any time soon. There is rain in the forecast this coming week so hopefully that will improve the garden. I had a plan to trim some trees today, but things needed fixing so I just followed in that direction. First the car wouldn't start. I almost panicked, but then tested the simplest thing first. The key fob battery was dead. New battery bought and installed. Next I noticed a lilac bush I planted last fall was so dry and needed water. I've been planning to fix my leaking  watering can all summer, so today I got out the wire brush and the JB Weld, and fixed the leak. Hopefully this 30+ year old watering can will now last another 30 years. The only replacement ones I found in the stores w...

It's a boy! The black dots on the inner wings mean that this is a male. My last monarch ready to fly towards Mexico. Those vaccines I got last week turned out to be more problematic than expected. My usual response is to feel worn out for that day, then I'm back to normal. The bike ride I took the day after the shots was very difficult to get through for a typical ride. I was too tired to cook, so I stopped for food on my way home, ate it, then slept for 3 hours. I also slept like a baby that night. After two more days of intense fatigue and a red, sore arm, I did a little research. I got the 'enhanced' flu vaccine due to my age, and the main side effect is - fatigue. The red arm is called covid arm and is nothing to worry about. Needless to say, I won't be doubling up on vaccines again. Half a week gone and nothing much accomplished!  Sunday, Annette and I went to brunch at the Troy Botanical Garden as I wanted to check out this new venue. The brunch was nice - mos...

A late summer bouquet from the garden.   I walked by the caterpillar jar and saw this recent development. I brought her outside so she could finish the wing drying process. My lovely deck addition next to the hot tub needs to be changed out; reconfigured. I had the spa techs out to make a minor adjustment and they told me when one of the pumps goes, (and they will at some point) the deck blocks access to fix or remove it. I called my contractor, Wayne, who already stopped over. He is going to move it (rebuild it)  away from the access panel next month. I'm so relieved - I was so worried about a breakdown last winter, that it is worth the extra $$ to have it rebuilt. Peace of mind is worth the price. On another note, I have some voles trying to nest in the insulation of the hot tub. I set traps and have dispatched 2 adult and 2 baby voles so far. From what I read, there are likely many more. It's sad, but I cannot have them destroy my spa! First red squirrels, now voles. ...

  Susan, AJ, and Ann Marie on Thirteenth Lake. After trying to get together for a month, we finally managed it. Ann Marie, Amyjean, Susan, and I headed up to Thirteenth Lake for a kayak adventure. It was a breezy day but we had fine weather as we circumnavigated the lake. We saw a group of loons, a heron, and several other nice people boating the undeveloped lake.  We had a good laugh at how we all spontaneously spaced ourselves. Susan, me, Ann Marie, Amyjean We stopped at the Garnet Lodge's private beach for a snack and a swim (not me) before the wind picked up and practically blew us back to the put in. We were lucky that the wind was at our backs! One guy who was also taking out his boat commented that we must be very tough women to be on the lake in all the wind. We all agreed. We stopped at the Docksider on Glen Lake for dinner in order to keep the lake vibe going. We had a fine day. The Docksider for burgers. Glen Lake I finally pulled the trigger and rented a condo in C...

  This is half of my book club enjoying live music overlooking Saratoga Lake.  Last week our book club was supposed to discus James by Percival Everett, but there were so many of us at 2 tables, very little discussion took place. Our next book is On Your Left by Jack Rightmyer, a local author and journalist and long time friend of hiking leader Jim. Jack is joining our book club discussion so it should be a bit more focused and interesting to hear from the author himself. Labor Day weekend was a quiet one. I did some more renovating - this time my pantry. My kitchen storage has remained sub par for the past 29 years, so I decided to address the issue rather than keep living with it. I found a shelf in the garage, painted it white, and installed it in the pantry for better organization. I'm pleased with it, and just found another identical shelf at the same store I bought the first one from - 28 years ago. I may buy it to add to the pantry rehab. Before - Dark and lacking org...