Definition of “nerve”

After the Mass. state auditor found that the DTA paid $2.4 million in welfare benefits to dead people plus “millions” more to recipients living in Florida, Las Vegas and the Virgin Islands (!), their spokesperson sarcastically “thanks” Rep. Shaunna O’Connell for paying $800 for a report of EBT balances over $1,500 “so taxpayers don’t have to pick up the tab.”

Unbelievable, incredible arrogance.

And by the way, Mr. spokesperson, I’m one of those taxpayers who gave Rep. O’Connell a contribution so she could pay the $800 “ransom”.

Gardener’s Diary

Transplanted two grasses today. Weeded almost everywhere. Pulled out some hosta and planted them in the back. Pulled out a mostly dead lavender. Spread more mulch; the giant bag is down to a couple of gallons. Transfer station run. The yards at Edgewater look great. Visited with Laura for a bit. Changed the sheets, washed the spread. Wish I could remember which plants are the “rescues” from last year.

Miss Kim’s are really beautiful and fragrant this year.

Gardener’s Diary

Cleaned the dishwasher trap, something I’ve been wanting to do for a while but figured it would be too difficult; it wasn’t.

Ordered Ron’s Father’s Day gift today. He mowed the front lawn at Edgewater, came home red as a beet. I did laundry and transplanted one of the Stella d’Oros which was being crushed by the rose bushes. Trimmed the others so Fluffles can’t eat the leaves. Transplanting took a long time because the new site was loaded with grass and rocks, hundreds of them. I sifted the rocks out of the soil and ended up with a bucket full.

Put down mulch, weeded the front garden and pruned the rose bushes. Think I got most of the damage from the caterpillars. Moved the poor fuschia to a shady spot and put out some pretty annuals that like full sun in its place.

I grilled burgers and hot dogs, and Ron made a salad.

It was quite warm today but gorgeous tonight. I signed up for Pandora One and Ron enjoyed listening to it. He had his window open and was playing the jazz station while I was working in the garden out front. Talk about a peak experience: it was exactly right!

Aereo

I started our subscription to Aereo; what a treat for only $8 per month. We get to see shows on PBS, movies and even “Route 66”!

Work went well yesterday, the boss was pleased with the code review and gave us sailing orders for our project.

Ron picked up a Boston cream cake and a Game Stop gift cert for Robert to celebrate his last day of school.

Took the train home again; MUCH better than last Friday. It’s a nice change.

Looks like the Gypsy moth caterpillars are done for now. Something really hacked the roses, but I don’t want to spray them because it seems the pesticides we have are toxic to bees.

Feeling much better today than this time last week.