Month: September 2010

Did a little watering today, otherwise was mostly indoors cleaning up after Fluffles (again) plus more filing. Fluffles helped by keeping the papers from blowing away, i.e., sitting on them, and keeping me company.

Had a good meeting with Mike Aupperlee about windows and a few other maintenance/improvement items, including why a bay window would be a really stupid idea on this house (has to do with the height of the windows and the roof line). He’s doing a lot of work with the Riverview School. Good to see him again.

Have been wanting to do this for a LONG time: obtained some competitive bids on auto insurance and found to my surprise that I’ve been getting a good deal. Going to check on homeowners tomorrow.

Fed the roses today (Rose-Tone), probably the last feed until spring.
Was wiped out from the Labor Day cookout, but I did plant three mums yesterday, one a gift from Lori and the Robbins children. They are quite beautiful, and I’m delighted to have some Fall plants in the “empty” spot where the daisies were. Next year, Lupine as well, I hope.
Helped out briefly at Highfield, squared away some paperwork at the Social Security office, dropped off trash and recyclables at the transfer station, then went to Sandwich looking for light switch covers today (none), but I did visit a very nice art gallery on 6A. Took on turn on Sandy Neck, but it was humid and too hot with little breeze; much more pleasant here.

Cookout came and went. Everyone had a good time and ate well.
And I get the leftovers. Heh.

Visited 6 stores this morning looking for an outdoor dining set. Just about everyone but Shaw’s was sold out, and theirs was too much ($99). Turns out, I didn’t need it anyway, but I did pick up a nice folding chair for $3 at a yard sale.

Candy’s potato salad was its usual hit. My green salad went, too.

Lori came over with Eric, Ethan and Emily.

This must have been a top ten – outstanding day.

Finished mowing – easy this time with the stiff breeze and cooler temp.

Vacuumed the carpet, aired out the cellar and swept the bulkhead stairs.

Moved a cart on wheels to the guest room, where it will serve as a nice window seat, once I get a proper cushion for it.

Did a run with Peter to the transfer station. Afterwards, picked up a few more things for the cookout, including corn at an astonishing 12 ears for a dollar ninety-nine.

It’s a little after 7 and getting dark already.
Mowed the back and side lawn today. Will do the front tomorrow.
Planning a Labor Day cookout, shopped today. Surf was up in Falmouth, the water was actually brown. Windy all day, it has died down now.
I put the yard items back in place post Hurricane Earl/URL. There was almost no damage except as I feared to a couple of fronds on one of the big silver grasses.
It’s good to know that everything can fit into the shed when the time comes to put away for the winter.
I was able to clear out and reorganize enough files to get rid of the worst of the two filing cabinets, which I brought to the transfer station today along with the wastebasket full of paper. Rockland Trust was nice enough to take the shopping bag of old records for shredding. The “good” filing cabinet fits into the guest room closet.

This opinion, from an interview last year with Norman Podhoretz:
Q:”As one of the much-mythologized New York intellectuals, do you think intellectuals have gone the way of the dinosaur?”
A:”We still have plenty of intellectuals, but they have become so politicized that they’re no longer capable of disinterested judgment.”

There is something very creepy about waiting on a storm that won’t arrive until nightfall.

I worked off the fidgets by culling out and reorganizing the two file cabinets. I filled up a wastebasket with paper for recycling and a shopping bag with items to be shredded. All in all, a good afternoon’s work.

I’m a little worried about the big grasses, which are quite beautiful. I’d hate to lose them when they are just coming into their glory.

Cleaned up another Fluffles-generated mess in the bathroom this morning.
Forced myself to wash, dress and get out there to move and cover the grill and feed Miracle-Gro to the annuals, including the veggies, and the new transplants.
Just finished pruning the lace hydrangeas which were ravaged by mold spots, some of which were as large as owl eyes, and the rain arrived. Not just a sprinkle, but a deluge.

…as Peter wittily calls it is moving up the coast and expected tomorrow evening.
The shed is the hero: I was able to fit everything into it, including a visiting bike (James’): two tables, 8 chairs, all the yard equipment, the fire pit, the hammock, the solar lights and anything that has the potential to be a projectile.
I’ve disconnected the propane tank and will move the grill into place and cover it tomorrow morning.

I planted 3 nice little hardy ‘mums from Home Depot and am kicking myself for not getting more. At 97 cents each, they were a steal.
Just received an automated recording from the Mashpee Police Chief about Hurricane Earl. At a time like this, I’m happy to not own oceanfront.
Bought some last-minute items, including decorated paper plates, thus triggering another deja vu.