Author: thecapeblog

Peony: Super Phosphate
Rhodies: Holly Tone (finally dug up the dead one)

Ron is bringing a pile of brush to Davey: ours, the Winslows, the Janicks. Good fellow, he! He’s been busy today: dropped off bread at Peter’s, went to Cormier’s to book an appointment for tomorrow, brought cans to the Redemption Center, and now he’s off to his credit union.

Went to the Senior Center, pruned the roses and the rhodies, vacuumed and cleaned out the truck, made lunch, transplanted some pretty ground cover from Edgewater that I dug up to make room for the azalea, did some watering, enough so that I was soaked to the skin. Having changed into dry clothes, feel like I’m in heaven.

Ron was right: none of these things “just happen”.

Picked up Ron’s birthday present at Cape Mac today, an OlloClip iPhone 4/4S Lens. He whipped it out of the box and attached it to his phone immediately.

Weeded in front of the fence and put down compost and mulch. More weeding in the little garden. I will be dreaming about weeds. Did two loads of laundry, including two sets of sheets. I may be dreaming about laundry, too.

Emme came with us to the transfer station, then we went to Spohr Gardens. She stayed for supper and made a cheesecake which we all devoured.

I planted a pretty Girard’s Crimson azalea at Edgewater. Closed up the cold frame, there’s a frost warning tonight.

We’ve been hearing ducks. Wonder if it’s the pair we saw the other evening and if they’ve taken up residence at Flashy Pond.

Rain and wind last night. Great timing.

Ron reminded me that his knee surgery was less than a year ago. Less than eleven months ago in fact (May 23). Time does fly.

Did some seeding and weeding today in the back and in front of the fence.

Left ankle bothering me last night and today.

Red tulips are starting!

Stopped by Cotuit Liquors to see Colleen and buy some wine, then took a spin around Cotuit Bay. Picked up compost at Paramount Landscaping for the front garden. Amazed at how good the soil is there – FINALLY!

We return the lawn mower and cut back the forsythia today at Edgewater. Ron cleaned off part of the front lawn; couldn’t dethatch because Tom had fertilized the day before. We emptied the big tarp, washed it and put it in the shed to dry.

Absolutely pleased to see that the Clematis and Honeysuckle in the little shed garden at Edgewater made it through the winter.

I made calzones for lunch, pasta salad and a really good grilled chicken with a chipotle mustard marinade for supper.

I’ve been warning people lately to not expect much from me because I’m not a “nice” person.

It’s taken a while for me to figure out exactly how to explain this.

“Nice” as in using insincere “tut-tut” noises like “Bless your heart” or “Well, that’s different” like a rapier.
“Nice” as in making allowances for those who don’t merit the courtesy because they have money or position.
“Nice” as in “butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth”.
“Nice” as in being loathe to tell the truth or for that matter to listen to it.
“Nice” as in doing things just to ingratiate yourself with others and/or just to appear – nice.

“Nice” doesn’t mean loyal, trustworthy or even observant of basic social graces. It doesn’t mean doing volunteer work or helping out a friend.

There is something sinister and manipulative about “nice”, as opposed to “decent”, “hard-working”, “generous”.

I am not nice and am quite self-righteous about that. So, there.

We (actually Ron) cleaned the bedroom carpets today. I was amazed and dismayed by the amount of dirt we’ve been living with. Then again, I’m pretty sure that I’ve only vacuumed since I moved in here 11+ years ago.

We were well pleased with the unit we rented from Stop & Shop. It was easy to use and pretty easy to clean. The carpet looks much better – still worn in spots, but a heck of a lot cleaner.

I think the next big chore is going to be staining the deck rails, but only those that need it. That means just the horizontal surfaces, probably.

Stopped by Cape Mac to see Peter and got their advice on a great birthday gift which they ordered for Ron.

I paid the real estate taxes today and went to Feed Falmouth to work in the kitchen. There was a “plethora” of helpers, so I just had a quick supper – very good – and beat it out of there as fast as I could so I could work with Ron on putting back furniture and sundries.

We cleaned my stuff out of his closet so it’s finally his. He is pleased.

Ron is playing the guitar right now and even with the grass still in recovery from winter, the back yard is pretty as a picture. Nice time of day, for sure.

Spent about 45 minutes combing a sedated Fluffles yesterday. Unbelievable amount of undercoat. I felt like a monster.

We’ve been watering the lawn, front and back, hoping to get the grass recovered and the Chickadee absorbed. I’ve been weeding. Cut back the Montauks.

Received and faxed back the paperwork from Avid.

Washed the slider with a vinegar/dish liquid solution. The person who wrote about the wax residue from commercial cleaners must have been right: I had a devil of a time removing a film from the glass, finally used a razor.

Emailed a few possibilities for apartments in Marshfield and Weymouth. Joined NuRide and found several people in this area who commute into town.

There were three hawks circling the field yesterday. Very exciting. May it continue.

Put in the rest of the cold weather plants today: Asian greens and collards.

Picked up some really nice pansies for an incredible 45 cents a six-pack at Walmart. Planted these as well. Also bought some cherry tomatoes which I put in the cold frame.

Ron and I watered the lawn this morning, front, back and side yards.

Burned some blow-downs.

Cut back the Montauks; not much, maybe 1/4-1/3.

We went to the credit union this morning and stopped at Highfield to visit Carolyn’s memorial marker. Took a walk at Spohr garden. Many beautiful flowers are in bloom, more to come.

Went to Steering; small group, only five of us. Ron got us an incredible all-meat pizza from Zoe’s for supper.

Full day today. I’d planned to go with Ron to help out at the Folk Music Society but finished work here only a short time ago.

Did laundry and washed one of the door mats.

Dropped off a present for Cindy (her birthday) and picked up winter vegetables, top soil and Chickadee. Planted the kale. Did some more raking and put down the Chickadee in the front and back.

Made fishcakes for lunch with leftover cod, mashed potatoes, egg and bread crumbs.

I don’t so much object to women being “objectified” – if someone wants to be seen as an object, that’s her business – as I do being discriminated against because I’m not a woman who was born lucky enough to be objectified.