Window Washing and More

 Friday, May 16, 2025

I soaked my shower curtains overnight with one cup of white vinegar to the full wash load to remove unsightly mold and stains.  They came out spotlessly clean.  I hung the liner to dry so that Janice could hang it and the curtain when they came later.

Brad and Janice came prepared to wash windows with their equipment.  Janice took care of the shower curtains while Brad wiped down the balcony screens and woodwork.  Janice finished the job by washing the windows.  Brad vacuumed my carpets, all before lunch.

Janice used jackfruit over rice and roasted broccoli with a lovely sauce and roasted cashews.  We had tea and 'Easter Eggs' for dessert, (chick peas and peanut butter covered with thick chocolate.

Rain was forecast for the evening, but Colin said the game was on.  I had on and off rain as I drove to Hart Park.  When I parked, it was pouring and a bolt of lightening cracked across the playing field.  The team packed up and left.

Janice and Brad were on their way and met Colin at the sponsor's bar.

knitting, Ripping, Peter is Back

 Sunday, May 18, 2025    

I[m working on a two-tone purple and lilac cap and the purple is worse than black.  I twisted the stitches, purled instead of knit and must have ripped three times.  I'm on the lilac which seems to go better.

Peter arrived at 6:38 p.m. after spending three weeks in Germany.  I cruised around before picking him up just minutes after he called me.  We usually ate at a Mexican restaurant after trips and Jocelyn liked Botanos II on East 14th and Howard.  We had margaritas and generous steak fajitas with an extra order of tortillas; I had another margarita.  Peter had a lot to tell about his trip and we lingered until they were pulling up the chairs.

I drove Peter home and got to SRS at about 9:30 p.m. 

Memorial Day 2025

 Monday, May 26, 2025

Eleanor Harris, Cookie Anderson and I planted zinnias and Mexican feather grass in the piazza planters.  Eleanor had some feather grass seedlings from last year that I hope will survive.

I made Rice Krispie treats for the pot luck

I discovered a mistake in the navy hat I'm knitting, so I'm back tracking.

Peter came for the pot luck, which was varied and plentiful with a lot of chicken that Dwight Morgan grilled.

Peter stayed for a while and told me more about his trip.  He wanted a water kettle ordered and I had a name tag/documents holder that he could use.

Lunch wi th Janice/Softball Fizzle

 Friday, May 23, 2025

It was nice to see sunshine with a little warmer temperature this morning.  I took my plants that were keeping warm in my living room to the balcony; the aluminum plant died from lack of water.

Janice came with a different dish that included a side of cauliflower gratin, very nice.  We visited until after 1:00 p.m.  I said I was planning to go to Colin's softball game, we thought we'd meet there.

I started a navy cap and could knit only while it was bright outside; navy is very difficult to see.

I went to Hart Park for the 6:15 game and was surprised to see no one there.  The games were moved to a different park because Hart Park was still too wet from the recent rains.

I picked up a large quesadilla from the truck on Pleasant Street.  I should have bought a small one; this was huge. 

May Red Hat

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Everyone except Rita Bruce was at Japanica in the Greenfield shopping center.  We sat a tables instead of the hibachi.  Everyone seemed to enjoy what she ordered.

June Krueger and Julia Rice had birthdays close to the date.  Each got a dessert while the staff sang their version of "Happy Birthday".

Dinner at County Clair With Laura and Annika

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

It rained all day and was very cold.

After sheepshead I went to the prayer shawl ministry group with three shawls.  I hoped to find matching yarn to finish a shawl that used less yards, but took some navy yarn to finish each end.  The man who took our picture two months ago gave each of us prints.

Laura picked me up to go to County Clair where we met Annika.  I had a delicious meat loaf with mashed potatoes, enough to take home for another meal.

Laura said that she went to Bayside Garden on Monday afternoon, the same day that I went with Eleanor Harris.  She said she bought some dahlias, I also bought a dahlia.  We bought the identical 'Happy Days' dahlia!

Plant Shopping

 Monday, May 18, 2025

Eleanor Harris and I headed headed out to Bayside Gardens to shop for plants for the piazza on a cold day that would not get up to 50 degrees; the wind made it feel colder.  We bought an assortment of zinnias, plus plants for ourselves.  I found some coral petunias, licorice plants for trailing and a yellow dahlia to plant in front of my window.  Eleanor also bought an abundance of plants.

It's too cold for the plants outdoors; I also brought in my dragon wing begonias.

I watched a Zoom program on healthcare that Rod DePew downloaded from Osher.  The figures in trillions and billions are beyond my comprehension, and some of the information was extremely technical.

Balcony Planting

 Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Claude came in the morning to work on my balcony.  He assembled and mounted my new planters, which look very sturdy and roomy.    He filled them with the new soil and had to supplement it with the soil from last year.

I planted two cuphea vermillionaire (fire cracker plant), two lantana and two helichrysum plants (that one might be too vigorous).

Claude swept up the area and went home with a package of frozen vegan lentil vegetable soup.

I drove to Kelner's and bought some fibrous begonias, siky plant, basil, mint and rosemary.  Everything got planted.

In the evening we shared stories about spring.  I told about spring cleaning.

2025 Mother's Day/Birthdays

 May 11, 2025

We had a wonderful afternoon at the Dorns', sitting outdoors, watching many birds.  We always have a lot of laughs at each other's expense, but no hurt feelings.

Brad had hamburgers and brats already grilled and simmering in his secret mixture of beer, butter and onions.  Janice completed the meal with mixed vegies and dip, chips and dip, delicious potato salad, baked beans and a carrot Birthday cake.

We celebrated Mother's Day with gifts of two 12" dragon leaf begonia plants that Claude brought in when he picked me up, plus and Amazon gift card; a pink rose plant from Colin; a long necklace for my Portsmouth charm; and a gift of an overnight in Galena with Jay and Laura.

We sang "Happy Birthday to Claude on his 64th

and Janice on her 59th.

Dentist, Thai Soup, Garage Break-in

 Tuesday, May 13, 2025

I had a lot of tartar on my lower teeth; more in six months than in two years.  It was not a very pleasant session. Dr. Gola advised rinsing my mouth after each meal and using an electric tooth brush.

I picked up my prescription at Walgreen's and wanted to check on electric toothbrushes.  They were all locked up; did not want to waste my time.

Annika was in charge of a Thai soup with a lot of Laura's help.  I was anticipating a burning hot sensation, but it was delicious, along with batter-fried calamari.  

We sang "Happy Birthday" to Claude on his 64th Birthday.

Annika and I stopped at Walgreen's to pick up some Lactaid with my UH benefits.

As I was driving into my garage, two Black boys were riding bikes out of the garage.  I checked the bike racks and the bikes were in disarray.  I reported the incident to the police; I also called Tyler and sent an email to the residents.

PO Hernandez came at 9:15 p.m. for further information and looked at the site.  I really don't know if any bikes were stolen.