More Beans

Jett and I were up at 6.

Light rain this morning. I planted more bean seeds for an August crop.

Ron has an appointment with his nurse practitioner to discuss his knee. I’ve urged him to ask for a blood test for tick infections.

Think I saw a Black and White Warbler yesterday in a tree on the right side of the yard.

Paid off Home Depot with Greylock and Rockland Joint accounts.

Signed us up for Elizabeth Warren’s town hall in Pittsfield this Saturday.

Bought tickets yesterday to a Williamstown Theater Festival play reading with Susan Sarandon and Kate Walsh. First for us.

Spent some time figuring out how we will cope individually once one of us is gone. I’ll be okay with a survivor’s benefit from Cal. Ron will need either to sell the house or take a roommate. I suggested he find one who likes to cook and clean.

Ron did a transfer station run this afternoon. This was the second this week, I think. The first was memorable because he got an earful from the attendant for being so late. He’s now off to Pownal for cans of Grateful Dead beer. I say cans because he wants to build something with them. Jett went along for the ride.

What Do Gardening On a Slope and Landing an Airplane Have In Common?

Both are controlled falls.

Jett and I were up before 6. Ron got up before 8, complaining that he goes to bed too late.

After our (Jett’s and my) breakfasts, I attached the two soakers and watered the vegetable garden. Also planted the Viburnum about halfway between the roses. Encountered landscape fabric in the process, unexpected.

We had an easy rain for much of the day. Great for the gardens.

Had lunch at the senior center and listened to an informative talk about tick prevention and symptoms of infection. Lots of comments so it went on for quite a while.

Gave a ride to a gent who was in the parking lot at Stop & Shop. He lives on Cole Ave. I wanted to get no-salt broth for Jett. It was pouring.

Almost done with “The Wager”.

Haircut

Fed Jett, had coffee and breakfast, showered, then met the hairdresser at 10:40 this morning at the senior center. She did exactly what I asked. Think it’ll be nice when it flattens out.

Made appointment to meet Andi at Remedy Hall next Wednesday at 1.

To Stop & Shop for a couple of things, including a Whiskey Sour mix.

Stopped by the antique shop to ask about a base for the pole lamp.

Trimmed the holly bushes, didn’t need much. Started trimming in the front, first cut was a mistake. It’s 81 and feels muggy, not planning on doing any other gardening or cleanup today.

Father’s Day

We had a nice Father’s Day.

Today while Jett kept me company with an occasional fetch, I dug up grass and weeds around the center garden.

I also did more work on the bean trellis. Unfortunately, someone has already attacked the seedlings.

Ron and I sprayed the roses. He watered the hydrangeas and daylilies by the driveway.

We really enjoyed the biennial “Arrival” art fair at Tourists. Exhibitors from across the country were there. We met gallery representatives from Dallas, Detroit, Boston, LA.

Had a mid-afternoon meal of Thai Food at “Blue Mango” on Spring Street. Topnotch.

All But One

Finished planting everything but the viburnum, still deciding where to place it.

Moved one of the new daylilies so it can be seen more effectively.

Found spots in the corner garden for the astilbe and heuchera.

Finished organizing the third bedroom, folded up the card table so there’s now room for a guest bed.

Did a drawing class at the Clark this morning. My subject was “Cleaning Off (Connecticut Valley)” by Asa Chaffetz.

More Planting

Planted the gift daylilies in the hydrangea area. Waiting to see what blooms before I plant anything else.

Now that the two America’s Cup posters are on the wall, Ron and I put the third bedroom back together.

The butterfly bush is wilting. I think either I damaged the roots or shipping damaged the roots.

Senator Alex Padilla was dragged out of a Noem press conference, pushed to the floor and handcuffed.

So, where was his security?

Sauteed some tired greens with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Good with bread and feta!

Ron went to Walmart for clothes hangars and vitamins. Bought the wrong kind, had to go back.

Progress!

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.

Beans

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.

Odds and Ends

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.

Wing and a Prayer Nursery

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.