Trees. Guys.

Dude!

Don't tell me he isn't a gentleman of fashion. 

He got me, so I got him back. It's the story of my people. Xcel Energy tree trimmers have been here for several days removing branches from proximity to the power line. The boss lady laid down the rules the first day, saw different guys the next day and did it all over again. Do not mutilate my trees. Do not mess with the ancient pines, just make the channel through the middle as you see has been done before. Every few years I need to repeat myself. They are told to be aggressive. I have to tell them better not. The second group mutilated a cedar tree for no apparent reason before I got to them. I told those guys I didn't want to see that again. Long ago I had a guy call me a ball busting bitch. I thanked him.

The original guys are back at it. They are pleasant, friendly men. I asked the one who was walking around with me as I pointed out what I wanted and I asked him if he would like to see a horse. Yes! I showed him Mr. Big Stuff, Zing, who put on a fancy strutting show. He was a show horse and never lost the flair. The young man asked me my name. When I told him he smiled large and said 'Spanish'. I said yes, it is a Latin name. He took photos of the big guy and it felt like I made his day. He asked if it was expensive to keep horses. Yes, it is. It's worse now than it used to be. The average joe is being priced out. It's a common story. 

Other than bossing a bunch of men around I have been doing little to nothing. Tomorrow is supposed to be the start of a week long break in the heat and humidity. The yard and gardens are calling my name. They will be bossing me around for quite a while.

Progress

Me playing coy when Mark held his phone up and said 'smile'. I created a monster when I showed him how to use it. I had PT yesterday. We discussed my progress and where we go from here. I told her I felt I'd come a long way, that I knew I'm never going to be completely erect ever again, but it's better and I am able to walk more. She seemed satisfied with this. We decided I'd come back in a month to check if I'm progressing or at least holding steady. I am coming to the end of a nearly year long journey with her. She is the only person who took the time to know the issue and do something about it.

The PT did suggest walking sticks, she gave me a pair to try. Wow, where have they been all my life! I came home and ordered a set. They are so much better than a cane and with them I have two weapons to wave in the air. It's a win-win.

The heat and humidity is supposed to lessen on Saturday. Saturday cannot come soon enough for me. Just making this simple pasta dish had me soaked with sweat. I think cooking may be off the menu until Saturday. Whatever is done will be done in the airfryer.  

Okay, time for some toast and another cuppa joe.

Rainy Days and Monday

We had a day without rain on Sunday, but not without stifling humidity. Then rain came along in the early evening and it's still raining this morning. If the extended forecast is correct we will need this moisture later on.

I decided I would make bread. This is a whole wheat rosemary loaf. It's good with sandwiches and soup. Being Monday, it's laundry. The horses are staying in the barn today. I know it may seem odd to many that I keep these beasts in sometimes, but we have black clay soil. It's awful when wet. Well, when dry, too. When it's soaked it sucks people in and won't let go. I have found myself face planted more than once as my foot has been held in place while the body is in forward motion. Lovely. For the horses safety, especially geriatric horses, they stay in because this stuff is tendon popping and also the landscape is rolling. I'm cautious.

Gatto sandwiched between bread. I'm a regular comedian! I am too like my father, which is preferable to the other option. I have PT tomorrow, it's down to every three weeks. I stopped my exercises last week because I was in so much pain I just couldn't. For some reason I'm moving better than I was. It's not a reach to believe I may have been overdoing. I tend to be this way, all or nothing. Go figure.

On that, I think I'll toast some rosemary bread and drink coffee while the washer washes.

Happy Sunday

I came across this while scrolling my phone. Yes, I will admit to doing this. It made me smile. A well-known, wonderful song with a slight difference. 

https://www.threads.com/@music.lei/post/DNayUuHMZcz?xmt=AQF0AI0Sn--lmCHzaBQFI2idmjktP3vE5UtAf--hXJYNJQ

I loved to dance. I still do. I'm not the queen, but I still dance.

Having a Caturday

Get that thing out of my face, human.

We've had lots of rain with more coming. We can use it. For a short time it was coming down at 1" per thirty minutes. That didn't continue, thankfully. Being at the top of a hill means flooding is unlikely. Still....

It feels like life is on pause. That's how I can describe where I'm at. I have a feeling I'm not alone. Going through the motions, as the song says. The motions today will be making bread, straightening up, scraping the cats with a shedding blade and once again the %@#*? moment of wondering how this became a cat house. I guess because I let them in.

 

Forty-Four Years

One this date I made a second attempt at marriage. There were certainly rough patches, but here we are.

My mother, father, brother I haven't heard from in over thirty years and seven year old Matthew. We are squinting into the sun.

Our friends and witnesses, Dan and Terri.

 I feel I shouldn't be forty-four, much less married that long.

All Flowers and Sunshine

The phlox are out of control.

None were actually planted here, it was another flowerbed that started this invasion.

This vase was tipped over during the night. The glass didn't break, the water did spill. One of two culprits. I'm sure you can guess who the two are. Someone had tight naughty pants. My grandma crocheted the small doily. I bet that's a word the youngers don't know. 

We have a break in the heat for a couple of days so this afternoon will be spent on the mower. What would I do if we lived in a condo? Mark will never live in a condo. He audited a condo association long ago and, well, let's say he couldn't wait to be done. We may end up in a nursing home but it won't be a condo.

About the State of the State

64º F 17º C

It has cooled down. The humidity is still high and we have smoke.

I feel this is important. I have for the most part, said little regarding what is happening in America. We have been watching as the person in the White House ignores law and tramples the Constitution. We were warned, as he did say he wasn't sure he had to follow the Constitution at one time before the election. The Not-So-Supreme-Court has given him permission to do as he pleases and he has grabbed it and run. 

Now. Now the FBI, I believe 120 agents, are sent to Washington DC because crime is rampaging. Or so we are to believe. Now the plan is to deploy the National Guard to the city. The homeless are to be rounded up and sent, where? He says the streets are dirty. Does anyone find this to be anywhere near acceptable behavior?

This is my feeling/belief. This is a prelude, a test. He's done numerous tests to see how far he can push the boundaries. So far, there have been no boundaries. If he can take control of DC do you believe he will stop there? Do you believe in the tooth fairy? Is this leading to marshal law? Think about it. Every action has led to another more brazen action. He has no intention of leaving office when his term is up. He also told us this when he casually told his ardent following that if he is elected there will never have to be another election. He told the truth. It got pushed aside as a joke. He doesn't know how to joke.

I had to bring this up. The democrats wringing their hands and saying wait til the midterms. Are they paying attention? I don't know what to do, other than speak out. 

My former neighborhood. I love Saint Paul.

(Stone lions in Handmaids Tale garb)

Sweltering

It's been HOT

Hellaciously HUMID

The kitties and I have been lying low. As long as we don't do anything and stay in front of a fan it's fine. We were about 90F with a dew point of 79*. You'd think the keyboard would have that little circle for degree. Anyway.......miserable. We did have a storm last night with small hail and about two inches of rain. We needed it. Neighbor Bill brought me zucchini, including a larger one as he knows I like to stuff them. I stopped growing peppers years ago and omitted zucchini this year because Bill gives me more than I need, along with green beans. We call them Bill's Beans. He's our one friend in the area and we do value him.

That's the news of the day, folks. Stay cool. In both meanings of the word.

 

 

Hot

Except it's going to be another tropical day here in what once was the Northland. 

I have been lying low the past couple of days due to heat warnings. It's bad enough today for the horses to stay inside their temperate barn. They are old. There's a lot of that going around.