When I got up this morning, I couldn’t believe how nice the bedroom is now that I’ve removed the furniture that was in the middle of the floor.

Ron has been working on hanging my America’s cup posters.

Meanwhile, I did find Jett’s special ball. It was on a shelf in the bathroom. When I moved a package of toilet paper, I found the ball. It is not where I was told it would be, so this was dumb luck.

Jett is happy to have his ball back. I am, too, because I’m convinced it’s helped to clean his teeth, which were brown when he came to live with us.

The butterfly bush arrived today! I planted it where a hibiscus used to be.

I drove Ron and Jett up the street to meet a neighbor and pick up two gorgeous daylilies they gifted to us.

Jett and I got up at 6:45.

I planted about half the packet of bean seeds. Started setting up a trellis with an old piece of fencing.

Brought home Major Dickason’s and half and half from Big Y.

Planted the silene virginica in between the flower and vegetable gardens.

Looks like two of the hibiscus plants survived the winter! Will leave the third alone for now.

Flowers on the Sweet100 tomato.

Jett’s food arrived.

We drove to Bennington to pick up a couple of toys for Jett at Walmart. Unfortunately, after texting that the order was ready, Walmart punted. I bought a couple of other chew-and-toss toys but not sure they are really what I wanted. Jett likes them, though.

Jett and I were up at 5:45.

ViaBenefits is reimbursing us for $63. That brings the repayment to Ron for withheld 2024 taxes to $588.

I ordered a butterfly bush from Home Depot. Might put it with the hydrangeas by the driveway. I was going to order a baptisia but realized I’ve already planted a purple one, false indigo, in the back yard garden. Slowly but surely, I’m adding the plants I loved back then to where we live now.

Ron tried out the auger in the downstairs toilet, says it seemed to be fine and had no problems. Hope so.

We changed the sheets and vacuumed the master bedroom.

I found piles of coin wrappers for Ron and cable ties for the plastic fencing on the bean poles.

It’s at 48 Trouble Street but it’s anything but, a unique nursery with over 300 species of native plants.

We brought home three plants.

With no money or checkbook, the proprietors said we could pay them with a mailed check.

Jett was allowed to run with their dog, and boy, did he ever! Raced around, did a trump (we cleaned it up) and had a great time.

The trip there was as eventful as the visit itself. Google maps plotted a course that included miles of dirt roads. Ron enjoyed himself immensely and did a great job keeping the little car steady as she goes.

Before going about the day, I moved the file cabinets to the office and stacked Ron’s trunk onto his other trunk by the window, thus freeing up the master bedroom floor.

Jett and I were up at 5:45.

Rain started this morning and was steady until 4:30 or so.

Jett was hesitant to go out but did a long walk with Ron once it was clear.

I did a transfer station run with Jett exhaust and compost material, then visited both farmer’s markets. Bought sourdough bread from vendors in both locations. Also brought home a deep dish pizza that we had for lunch: Ron said it was the best he’s ever had.

After the rain I planted zucchini (Cocozelle Italian vegetable marrow) seeds in three mounds in the new garden. Germination 10-25 days. I figure maybe one or two seeds in each will sprout.

Very hard to work outside today, mosquitos were aggressive and plentiful, so I didn’t stick around to do anything else.

Ordered Jett’s food, three weeks worth.

Ron did two laundry loads, I’m waiting for the second to dry.

Finishing up “North Woods” and enjoying “The Wager”.

Ron found his wallet. It was in the room “where things go to get lost.”

Jet and I were up at 6:10.

Submitted more requests for reimbursement to Via Benefits.

Made oatmeal again this morning.

Found three stakes for pole beans in the big shed.

Finished mulching the vegetable garden.

Jett found his way to the back yard without our knowing it!

Ron rescheduled his ortho appointment to Monday.

Rained, finally, but not very much.

ViaBenefits reimbursed Ron for three months of Part B premiums, one of which was mine.

That means he’s been indirectly reimbursed for $525 of the $600 he paid in taxes for 2024 that was due to my programming fees.

Jett and I were up early today.

I planted the three zuke seeds from the library swap in a small mound at a corner of the expanded garden and bean seeds along the back edge. Watered today but hoping with all my heart for rain tomorrow.

I’m pretty sure the two hibiscus I planted last year are dead. Okay if so, they were attacked by something that ate the leaves to the veins and I don’t want to have to spray anything.

Frost-damaged roses on the driveway side have recovered on one side, but not on the other. Need to decide if I’m going to do more pruning.

Have been trying very hard to not uproot good flowers. Hoping the loosestrife and the native foxglove come back. Wanting to make room in the corner garden for the Astilbe I rescued.

Ordered a mosquito repelling device. Getting so we can’t stay outdoors for long. We did have our Scotch and Sodas on the deck this evening.

Don’t know what I did today except for some watering and some weeding. Played fetch with Jett for a short while.

I did start reading The Wager. Made a small pot of McCann’s oatmeal this morning to use it up. Leftover pasta and protein-heavy chickpeas for lunch.

Left a message for an excavating company in Pownal. Wrote to the credit union about a car loan.

Jett and I got up at quarter to eight! He ate and trumped. Sniffed around one of the hollies.

Ron in pain, forgot to take his meds yesterday.

I finally got ready to go to the Williamstown Food Pantry with Ron at around 11:30. Came home with everything on our list except yogurt: fantastic.

Finished folding laundry from last night including bed linens.

We went to Coggins to find out how much it would cost to buy the Corolla and end the lease early. They wasted our time figuring out what they’d give me in trade. They wanted me to take out a new lease, and that was a waste of time, too. I was furious: I’d dragged Ron and Jett up there, wasting an hour for no reason.

We stopped at the Apple Barn for ice cream, then at the state liquor store for Scotch. Picked up a book on hold at the library.

Watered and played fetch with Jett while Ron did a shop for groceries.

Didn’t do anything for supper. Ron and Jett did their walk. We watched “Moonstruck” after the news.

Jett and I were up before seven so I did some watering after feeding him. Placed the soaker hose in the veg garden.

Later I set up the trellis, anchored it with big rocks, and planted Nasturtium seeds around it and on the perimeter of the big planter on the deck.

Bought a second painting from Moira. Watched a video from PBS about gay and lesbian elders attending their first prom and participated in a discussion, followed by an ice cream social, at Harper.

Changed the sheets. Did two loads of laundry.

Ron hung Moira’s new artwork; her paintings look great!

Made rotini for supper with sauce and sauteed mushrooms. Ron and Jett went for an hour and a half walk up the hill.

Found my little scissors, were in a drawer. Ron’s wallet is still missing.