Month: June 2023

Ron mowed the property yesterday, front and back, including the “hayfield” in front of the deck garden. I’m not sure which performance was more impressive, that of the ancient human being or the old-ish mower.

I picked up annuals for the deck planter from Chenail’s on Simonds Road. Added planting soil and watered this morning.

Did a little organizing in the kitchen and a lot of weeding and a little rosebush pruning in the back yard.

In addition to his Olympian mowing, Ron fixed the hoses, which were leaking abominably.

Watered the new garden last evening and this morning, as well as the driveway plantings; they are not doing especially well. Pulled off a slug from one of the Gazanias.

Progressive world is in an uproar about the end of the Affirmative Action by race. Was attacked by another WSJ reader when I wrote that inner city youths have access to educational and cultural opportunities unavailable to their counterparts in rural communities, but I was defended by several people.

I am pleased that SCOTUS upheld Sullivan – a blow to Trump. I’m ambivalent about Groff. Accommodation for religious beliefs sounds good but seems fraught with ambiguity, even though it was a unanimous decision and attempted to better define “hardship” to a business. We’ll see how the lower court rules.

I am, of course, ecstatic about Moore vs. Harper and ambivalent about the decision in favor of the web designer. She’s a sanctimonious bigot, so take your trade elsewhere. Turns out, though, there was no client and no project. Free speech? Seems like a stretch on the part of the conservative majority.

Will the inspector from Mass Save was here yesterday and enthusiastically approved the insulation installation. He said we were very fortunate to get that particular crew. He used an infrared device to check the walls; intriguing.

Heard from the people in China about my raised bed order. They found the supplier sent the wrong goods and have “arranged” for a partial refund as compensation.

James and his BIL – also James – unloaded and toted 10 pieces of subfloor up the stairs and reinforced the railing after removing and replacing it.

Today I did a small grocery run to Stop & Shop for essentials, like bread and ice cream as well as a little marigold for the deck table. Then fell asleep off and on for the rest of the afternoon.

Ron brought yard leavings and recyclables to the transfer station.

We were trying to figure out whether we’d actually ordered a new power cord for his Norelco. Delightful surprise: it arrived today in the mail.

Air is worse today that it was a week ago. Fires in Canada. Poor trees, poor people!

Switched around hoses to make it easier to water by the driveway.

In spite of threats of a thunderstorm, which looks like it may not happen anyway, I stumbled around Hoosick Falls, NY, until I finally found Elhannon Garden Center.

Shades of Mahoney’s without the whoop-de-doo.

I bought ten plants: Astilbe, Phlox, creeping Phlox, Lady’s Mantle, Amsonia, Penstemon and Yarrow.

Ron and I planted them in a little over an hour: a record. Except for some neighboring tree roots and a couple of rocks, the soil in the old junk pile was a pleasure to work with. Easy dig that I figured would take hours.

I managed to knock the driver’s side mirror off the Corolla. The service person at KM in North Adams fixed it for me – clever gent, didn’t even charge me.

Four Suns packed up and if we see them again, it’ll likely not be until the winter.

I picked up 3 bags of topsoil from Aubuchon and filled the hole that used to contain the cement footing for the giant bird feeder.

We had pizza at the senior center and listened to an informative presentation about ticks by a lively speaker. Disappointed that Linnea wasn’t there so we couldn’t wish her a happy birthday.

By the time we left the center, it was pouring.

Bill was here to finish painting, left before we got back. I was hoping James would take a break; he did.

Dropped off compost materials and picked up produce. Justin gave us a lead on a nursery in Hoosick Falls.

Pruned the peony today. Cut off the winter kill from the plant that circles the front lamp post; it looks much better.

The Stellas and Evening Primrose have started to bloom.

Stopped by Tourists yesterday and was given a copy of their Field Guide!

James stowed the back yard eyesores on his truck and put the new header in the garage. Bill and Ryan have been working on the driveway side bedroom and it already looks great!

I made a quick trip to Wild River to drop off compostables, the post office to certify mail the ZAI Trust settlement agreement that arrived earlier today, Stop & Shop for Peet’s and another Gazania, then the senior center for our lunches. Got the Gazania in the ground just as it started raining.

Ron met with his primary today. His main goal was to square away his eye meds. He says he’s pleased with his care.

Toward the end of the day, I dug out and attempted to weed a little hosta at the end of the driveway.

The weeds were so solidly embedded that I didn’t accomplish as much as I’d liked.

Worse, as a consequence of digging, my left leg hurt all last night.

I think my big planting days are over, but I was able to plant seven annuals by the side of the driveway. The transplants in the back garden seem to be doing fine.

Yesterday, Ron made the best cake brownies I’ve ever had!

Changed sheets and cleaned a couple of shelves in the frig. Removed more cobwebs in the basement.

It rained solidly until about 7:30 or so.

We hoped to get donuts at Jaeschke Orchards but contrary to their advertised hours, they were closed. We did a short walk at Greylock Glen – exceptional trail; annoyed by bugs, we quit after a short while.

We had a so-so lunch at the Firehouse Cafe and Bistro, then viewed the first floor exhibits at Mass MoCA. The LGBTQIA+ fest was getting set up. We’d worn our Pride shirts with the idea to attend but it was muggy which didn’t help Ron’s allergies and rain was predicted, so we vegged at home. In spite of the outside conditions, the downstairs was cool and comfortable.

It’s pouring now: glad that we don’t have any errands for today.

Good news on the construction front: got the word from the Building Inspector that we don’t have to have finishes done for his final sign-off. Peter and James got their heads together on electric work. James was pleased with the wall materials that he uncovered for the new header post.

We’ve celebrated with the boys, gave Bell an articulated wooden snake and a bubble pistol to Ben. Ron talked me into buying a bubble pistol for Bell, too. Their Mom was clever enough to get the pistols to work. Left a big bottle of bubble stuff in their yard.

We had burgers and CSA salad vegetables for lunch today.

James has invited another crew to work with him. We came to terms on budget. He found a major problem which he will fix: one of the headers didn’t reach all the way across. Sort of like my legs that don’t go all the way up.

So, how is a home inspector supposed to find something like that (rhetorical question); usual rationale: “old houses sink”.

James knocked down both of the eyesores in the yard!

A house up the street that listed for $275k a couple of days ago is already under agreement. It has an acre of land. Built in 1905. Only one permit on file.

A tech from Modern Pest was here today to check the bait boxes. There was activity under the kitchen sink (not good) and in the smaller attic (not bad).

Went to Walmart yesterday for meds, again.

Pruned a pile of dead branches from the front bushes. Did a quick transfer station run yesterday.

We figured out a billing issue Ron had with Harvard Pilgrim. Turns out there was a premium outstanding since November 2021!

Good news: we are getting $3,100 from the Zonite Trust for vermiculite removal.

To minimize disturbance to James, I’ve been working in the sunroom today.

Yesterday, Juneteenth, we did laundry and James built a temporary wall.

Bruce did another run through with James yesterday and when I balked at James’ predicted increase in the project cost, came up with an idea today to make the project more affordable. Thank goodness.

Bill and Ryan were here today to sand and touch up the driveway side bedroom walls.

Ron and I sorted through a small-ish pile of debris left from yesterday’s big corner yard cleanup. I brought it and some other yard cuttings to the transfer station.

Ron mowed the yard, front and back, and it looks great.

The tech from Spectrum, an efficient and cheerful sort, solved our streaming issues; what a relief!

Laundry, carpet cleaning, changed sheets.

Disgusted by the torn living room shades, I took them down and hung summer curtains. No doubt just in time for demolition but certainly an improvement for now!

We missed a 9 am walk and I think it’s best to not sign up for any others. We were up late last night and didn’t get out of bed until after 8 this morning.

Ordered some cool grammar pencils for James M.

Cleaned my laptop keyboard and screen with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Booked an appointment for service from Spectrum.

Went on a hike with Ron on the Williamstown to North Adams Adventure Trail. Must complete it!

Made burgers and salad for supper.

Ron did the transfer station and redemption center runs before they closed.

I cleaned off the shelf in the upstairs closet that was covered with insulation and loaded the truck with metal, plastic and paper recyclables and a big bag of trash.

Afterwards, I attended the I Am Afro street fair, had a beer and brought home Spire donuts.

Bell helped me fold tarps and explored the front of the truck while Ron supervised.

I picked up a book on hold at the library, which was lucky; they are closed on Monday.