day 169

we woke to rain; real rain, not the normal dessert rain we get here most of the time. it cooled everything down and washed away the dust, which covers everything, including the few herbs i have growing in pots in our small little yard. it is odd how everyone's sprinklers still run, because they are on timers. it was a good day to read, which is what i did for most of the afternoon, needing to get done with this months book club book, which meets tomorrow night. there was a new homemade soup for dinner from this cookbook and sliced watermelon. 

day 168

it was a productive day. 
a lot of little things, which had been piling up, were taken care of.
i made it to yoga and the dog was walked twice. 
but it was so hot, he had to stay home when errands were done.
it is good to be back home with him.
sometimes i have to work my way through the bouncing back and forth.
feeling torn between two good spaces.  
reminding myself that i don't have to choose. 

day 167::father's day

i felt bad that he had to work most of the day in the yard. but he was okay with it, and it felt good to get so much done. Justin was there helping and Jordan called from Alaska and Brandon from Bellingham. i made fresh strawberry muffins for breakfast and Basil brought the turtle out of us to see. we worked most of the day and then packed up and headed east of the mountains. the truck was full of flowers. there were cards waiting for him when we got home. it feels good to be back. 

day 166

they both worked non-stop in the front yard with me today. every power tool we own was involved in the process. huge blackberry bushes were removed and the lawn was mulched. azaleas were trimmed and so were some rhododendrons. new landscape fabric was laid along with some new bark. it looks like someone lives here now and i am a happy camper! we spent the evening out, having dinner with some old friend and i can't wait to go to bed. tomorrow we leave to head back to the east side. it has been so good to be home. 

day 165

she and i went picking this morning, just like we use to in years past, but with no children. we met her sister and her kids. i brought my 9.5 pounds back and made two batches of strawberry jam and there is still enough left to eat fresh for a couple of days. Justin got into the jam before it had even set. tonight there was homemade baking powder biscuits for dinner with butter and fresh jam and scrambled eggs. he worked some more on the garden beds and cut out an old shrub in the front yard. and the dog; he laid around waiting for his walk which didn't happen until after dinner. 

day 164

the sky has been gray all day today
off and on rainy
the dog and i were outside for a bit
he played with his turtle i took some photos
but he did not get a long walk
cleaned the bathrooms
and clean sheets on the beds 
leftovers for dinner
oh, and the fever broke around 4:00 am
and he is on his way home tonight

day 163

another day spent with yet another close friend running errands, because that was all we could fit in. it felt so good to catch up, hear about her kids and laugh. i could feel it coming on before we got home. once home i crashed and spent the rest of the afternoon on the couch, sleeping off and on and watching Rosmary and Thyme  on my iPad, with the dog curled up beside me. by late afternoon Justin was taking me to urgent care. i have not had this happen for several years.... always makes me wonder why? home now, with antibiotics and the dog again, who will snuggle with me tonight and make me feel better. by morning the pills will have started their magic and it will be all better.