Kousa Dogwood; Blood Donation

The dogwood that I transplanted earlier this year is suffering, and it may be due to lack of water.

My level was high enough, 14.1, so both of us donated to Cape Cod Healthcare yesterday. One of the nurses is a gardener; she encouraged me to not give up on the poor tree.

We picked up my Mashpee 9 tee and on the way back, stopped at Sprout Farm for corn and marked-down herbs. I finished making a planter of basil and mint this morning.

Ron wanted to stop at the library on the way home, so while he was browsing, I stepped in to the Mashpee School Department store, and wrote a note to a service person. Did some window shopping at Williams Sonoma on the way back.

Passed on an interview for a job in town.

Made egg salad yesterday. Haven’t done much today besides watering.

Ron’s “Birthday” Cookout

We worked on cleaning the house and yard for two days, and it was well worth it.

Weather was ideal for a cookout; no bugs, either.

Cathy and Cindy brought cheese and crackers, ice, cranberry juice and a superb salad. We had rum, hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls, coleslaw, swiss chard salad and watermelon.

Summer punch: coconut and dark rum, cranberry and pineapple juice.

Zucchini Land

I picked up a huge zucchini a week or so ago and finished cooking it today as zucchini bread and pasta sauce/panko “boats”. I baked one bread in the microwave and one on the grill.

Also made coleslaw with a mayo/horseradish dressing.

Bitch, Moan, Complain

I was so impressed with Peter’s new little outdoor niche that I decided it would be nice to have the pop-up in place for the rest of the Summer and Fall.

Big mistake: Ron offered to help and because it’s impossible for me to do this on my own, I accepted.

He complained the entire time that everything I’d done was wrong, from selecting the site (too many trees) to putting on the canopy at the wrong time.

Today, there was another argument about buying outdoor chairs. Ron yelled that we can’t afford it. I asked him how he would know that, since I’m the keeper of the household expenses.

I found two folding camp chairs on sale at Aubuchon. These are ideal: they are lightweight so we can bring them to concerts and the beach, and they take very little storage. With a 20% off coupon, they were half price: $15.06 for both, which we can easily afford.

I ordered the chairs online and picked them up at the Falmouth store. Unfortunately, one of the chairs had a tear, but the South Sandwich store manager cheerfully allowed us to exchange it. We’ll be back.

I helped a very disabled lady load plants into her car.

We’ve been working on laundry. Ron hung sheets outside, which I think was crazy, but good for him.

We went to Shaw’s for bargain bagels. We saved so much on the chairs, it was like getting the bagels for free…..

I made green salad, potato salad, egg salad and baked an eggplant loaf on the grill.

Transfer Station

Got that done today.

Ron did the lawn. He discovered that I was using the wrong gas, duh. Mower seems to be running fine, though.

Picked up a stellar old candelabrum for the garden at the transfer station.

I finally prepped the first set of harvested garlic. Used some tonight with spiralized zuccini. Fresh corn.

Herb Garden

I’ve neglected it this summer; bad move because it has some of the best soil on the property.

Filled a barrel with weedy biomass, including violets. Gave everything that was left a good watering; putting a layer of compost on first would have been smart, duh.

Speaking of “duh”: Ron macerated the chipper bag. I swept up what I could and removed the rest with the shop vac.

Drove with Peter to get his car. Did a little shopping and funds transfer in Falmouth so I could pay the property taxes on Edgewater.

Boca burgers, salad, leftover mac and cheese for supper.