Outside shower is gone

The outside shower hasn't worked for several years. At first it stopped draining and then the water didn't run, it just trickled. The problem was that there was no roof on it so when it rained it filled up with water and had become a mosquito breeding place. So, I had it removed. I am having another shower put up on the outside of the pantry wall so people can rinse off after the beach, but it will just drain onto the ground. I can't believe how big it makes my mini yard look just having it gone. Guess I will be painting the side of the garage this Labor Day.

Avocado Trees

When I got back from England I found these 2 plants growing in my compost bin. I had put a cover on it before I left so they were rather pale and spindly looking. I'm not sure whether I have Kirsten and Carl, or Alina and Nick to thank because I think they both ate avocados while they were visiting me. Don't know what the neighbors thought when they saw me digging around with my bare hands in the compost, don't really care. I put them in pots and set them in the sun and as you can see they are looking pretty good. Give me a few years and I will have pineapples and avocados from my own garden.

My Bargain Bouquet

Yesterday at the grocery store they had gladiola's on sale for $2.99 a bunch. I love gladiolas so I was very pleased with my find.

First Day of School 2009

First day of school for 2009 for Alex and Samantha. Here are some pictures. I made french toast for breakfast. Alex and Samantha ready to walk out the door, saying they were not happy that school was starting already, and Luke Michael who seems to be eager to get down to that school business.

Summer Vacation

Just got back from spending 6 weeks across the "pond". I've posted to Facebook, but I still like blogging and not everyone does Facebook. I stayed with Alina and Nick in their new guest room. Talk about a "room with a view," complete with cows in the pasture in back of their yard. When Alina and Nick were working I ate with Kirsten and Carl. My last night there I made chicken for dinner and we all ate together. Dessert was an apple and blackberry pie made from apples that Carl picked from his mother's apple tree. It will take me several postings to cover 6 weeks worth of vacation. I forgot to say I arrived in England on July 4th right in time for Kirsten and Carl's 4th of July party.

Quick word from England

Haven't figured out how to get my pictures onto Alina's computer so this will just be a quick update without pictures.  The weather has been quite good by English standards--rainy but with sunny patches in between.  I am enjoying working in Alina's "English Country Garden".  It's well grown and just needs tiding up around the edges.  The number of birds that come to their bird feeder and back yard is amazing.  Every thing from small wrens and finches to spotted woodpeckers, green woodpeckers and even parrots.  Alina was calling them parakeets but I think the British word parakeet has a different meaning than the American one.  Since Alina and Nick have been working I've been enjoying my meals at Kirsten and Carl's and helping in their garden some.  They have been in their house longer and were used to having a big back yard so don't need that much done.  Kirsten has a wonderful little vegetable patch.  When I went to dinner the other night I got to dig my own potatoes.  We have also had zucchini fresh from the garden.  She will have corn on the cob soon.  I do need to get a picture of her garden because she ran out of manure when she got to one corner and the 4 corn stalks that are there are pitiful compared to all the rest.  Guess that about brings everyone up to date for those that aren't on Facebook.  Pictures when I get back to my own computer.

Mama Duck

Last Thursday we went to the park on Lake Lily. Luke Michael had been down the slide several times when I saw him squating down and looking under the slide. I went to see what had his attention and there was a mother duck sitting there surrounded by lots of downy feathers. Of course I didn't have my camera with me so wanted to go back, but it took a week before we went again. Sure enough Mama Duck was still there and someone had put up a sign to warn people, but I think she is determined. At one point she changed positions and I counted 9 eggs in the nest. Actually it was Luke Michael who discovered the eggs. He would go look under the slide each time after he slid down and suddenly I heard him calling, "egg, egg," and sure enough there were eggs. Unfortunately we probably won't get to see the ducklings since I am leaving tomorrow for England, but maybe Tamara will take him to the park on one of her days off. (I almost said in her spare time, but I'm sure she doesn't even know what that means with her busy schedule.)