Fixing Things

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 were plastic and you know I'm never going for that.

My friends have remarked on how colorful my garden is this late in the summer. I have to credit marigolds, zinnias, tithonia, and anemones.

Since I had the wire brush out, I spotted the rusting bird bath that has been annoying me for months, if not years. I checked some YouTube videos, attached a wire brush bit to the drill and cleaned away the rust. Then I painted it with rust proof paint, also safe for the birds. I had quite a selection of leftover spray paint, so no need to visit the hardware store either. 

Before: I was so tired of wire brushing this every few weeks to get rid of the rust!

     After: I even had a can of hammered metal paint, so another successful save.

The last of the coral gladiola. I had to cut them before the dry weather ended them. 
I'm appreciating all the blooms now before the cold grey winter ends them all.

In the evening, I met with Geri and Peggy at Carsons for a drink and listened to the Lustre Kings playing at the outside deck. I had a hard time hearing our conversation with the very loud music. Am I getting old? 

The Lustre Kings have been playing for 30 years. My next door neighbor sometimes fills in for 
one of the regulars, but not this night.

9/22/25

On Monday I hosted book club where we discussed Cider House Rules. It was a beautiful day, so we sat on the patio and had lunch there as well. I made tarragon cranberry chicken salad. Our next book is A Prayer For Owen Meany which I'm looking forward to reading. The only downside was that I got stung by a wasp for no reason at all. I think it just flew into me and stung in a panic. We spent a most relaxing afternoon just enjoying the beautiful weather and talking about so many things after our book chat.

9/23/25

Another early morning in which I drove an hour+ to Millerton, NY and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. I met my sister for a 27 mile ride and lunch afterwards. We talked and caught up during our four hour visit, and planned another outing for next month. It was a lovely cool day, but only a few drops of rain as we were saying goodbye.  I wish my family lived closer to me.

Yesterday: Theresa and I on the trail. 

9/22/21: We did the same ride exactly four years ago.

9/24/25

Rain relief!

Finally, a rainy day. The rain started late last night, so some is soaking into the ground. I'm happily puttering about the house today, getting not much done. It's great! I'll be heading up to Clifton Park for the large book club meeting tonight with the author Jack Rightmyer to discuss On Your Left. It was a YA quick read about the coming of age of a fictional young man from this area; fun to read about many of the locales I've visited often. 

Tomorrow looks like a zero day - no plans and no expectations. I love a zero day!