Author: thecapeblog

We did our summer trip to Newport yesterday with Emme, James and Mr. Fluffles. Lucked out for weather: no rain, but boy was it hot and humid.

Ron set up a neat arrangement for the Fluff in the back of the van: cage, litter box, water dish. I picked up the kids in the truck and brought their trash and yard clippings to the transfer station. They were grossed out by the “big house”! Good, hope that helps them appreciate the conditions under which some people work.

Fluffles is a good traveler and was quiet the entire time. He’s fine today as well. We think this was his first trip off Cape.

The air bag light went on in the van, but we got home safely. Ron’s got an appointment to leave it at the shop tomorrow night.

We had a great time with the kids: visited the Green Animals topiary garden for the first time. It’s an enchanting place. The kids liked the T-Rex the best.

We stopped for lunch at the Newport Creamery on Route 114 and drove to Ocean Drive to see the kite festival. The kids were pleased to see the octopus kite again. So many cars on Ocean Drive and in Newport; we couldn’t quite escape the traffic hard as we tried. We took 214 and 138 back; much prettier drive than 114.

I’ve seen a hummingbird flying around the Bee Balm the last couple of days, but can’t find the feeder.

Ron and I transported Emme to her job at the Falmouth Chamber yesterday. She’s drafted an attractive logo for their 100th anniversary. She likes the work so far; fingers crossed that her first job will continue to go well.

I pruned the front bushes yesterday and retrieved some pretty flowers from the big hydrangea. Put them in containers on the deck, Woods Hole doyen style. Wouldn’t we love a screened-in porch with a glider!

Grilled a couple of steaks yesterday that I’d marinated the night before. Not especially good cuts of beef.

Sprayed the roses again yesterday.

Two nights ago, we attended a lecture at the Jonsson Center.

Ron and I have been watering this evening. It’s been cloudy and muggy all day, but the thunderstorms have headed north and west of us.

I tied up the plants in the front with gardener’s tape and did a little weeding. Being outside feels like walking through water. For the sake of the plants, I love June and hate July and August.

I posted several items on the O-F websites yesterday and today.

Sprayed the roses.

The editors of the Cape Cod Times published my letter on Workplace Bullying as a “My View” column.

Spectacular.

Got a call this morning from a doctor who wanted to know how she could help.

Ron and I did a big shop at Market Basket.

I went to Steering last night and am getting caught up with website posts.

Van needs another day at least at Cormier’s. The cruise control cable was so old that it needs to be replaced.

Garden is really pretty these days. Saw a hummingbird this morning! It liked the Bee Balm. Ron made sweet syrup; now, if I could only find the feeder.

It had to have hit over 100 today; it was 99 in the shade.

We brought Emme to the Fire Ball ceremony last night. Lots of enthusiasm and very impressive strength and bravery on the part of the players.

We went back to the Pow Wow this morning to hear Emma Jo play the flute. We didn’t stay long, too hot.

Had a rough morning, woke up around 5:45 am with muscle pain in my back and right arm. Thought it was either from the sunburn, sleeping in a bad position or a heart problem. Took an aspirin and a reflux med and went back to sleep.

Fell asleep for over 2 hours after Ron made lunch – crabmeat salad, excellent. Ron’s really been taking a lot of the load off, and I appreciate that!

Made turkey salad from yesterday’s bird for supper. Had grilled the turkey breast (Ron split it) and was amazed at how juicy it came out. Fluffles has really been enjoying it, too!

We skipped Blithewold, unfortunately. Stupid of me to sign us up, I hadn’t taken Westbound traffic into consideration. It’s been a nightmare. Also, way too hot to leave Fluffles outside. I’ll get there one of these days.

Got a sunburn on my back. Feeling lucky that Ron is here to help me. It’s 93°.

Westbound traffic looks to be backed up at least to Exit 5 on the Mid-Cape – and it’s only Saturday afternoon.

From Wunderground:

Temperature
87.0 °F
Feels Like 101 °F

I was ready to strangle Ron yesterday morning when he informed me (semi-accurately) that the visit from our friends Wes and Susan was to include lunch here.

This is after several conversations in which I sounded him out on which restaurant we should take them.

We DID end up eating here, and it was fabulous. The important details that Ron left out were a) we had everything we needed without doing an extra shop and b) Wes did all the cooking and Susan made the salad.

Turns out (dumb luck, karma) Wes wanted to make a brunch dish that included onions, garlic (from our garden), peppers, olive oil, seasonings and eggs – all of which we had. Plus makings for both a green salad and a fruit salad.

Wes is a fabulous cook, and putting the meal together went quite smoothly, including clearing and setting up our table. We even had enough clean dishes and flatware without my having to run the dishwasher ahead of time, something I usually do before visitors get here since we don’t have tons of either.

It was a nice, relaxed visit, and our house was quite comfortable with the air conditioners and a fan going.

We’d watered and planted earlier in the day. A friend of one of our neighbors came over to admire the gardens.

Great feast and lots of music at Ed’s, including a solo by Emme!

Bought two beautiful delphinium at Nessrella’s, exactly what I wanted for the front garden, and at an excellent price.

We came home and found that Fluffles had urinated in the living room. I was so furious that I put him outside for the night.

That put a crimp in our plans, but we drove to Hyannis anyway to see the fireworks and visit the used record store. We didn’t find the store until after it closed and the fireworks were a disappointment – hard to see past the treeline and hidden by clouds. Would have been better to go to New Seabury.

Fluffles had fled the porch but showed up as shortly after I walked on to the deck. He was none the worse for wear.

Impressive display last night at Willowbend. This may become a tradition for us.

Changed the water filter yesterday.

Ron had good reports from both his primary and his cardiologist this week. He’s pleased that his new retirement benefit amount is almost the same as his old one, even though he added me as a contingent annuitant. Thank you, Cal.