TheCapeBlog

Made the bed, put away the laundry. Watered. Dug up weeds and trimmed a random woody plant that was choking the astilbe on the SW side of the house. Placed the ant traps under the sink.

Ron put up the clever wooden jar lid loosening device that was a house warming gift. Works beautifully.

Proud of my Libertarian brethren for booing the non-Libertarian Trump at our national convention. It made the news in all quarters. Turns out, four of us voted in the Williamstown primaries this year.

Spent a couple of hours visiting open studios at Greylock, Norad and Eclipse Mills. My favorite artist was in and I gushed unsparingly. I’d like to go back for small works, need cash to spare the artists the expense of bank card processing.

Made a nice salad (took an hour from start to cleanup, appalling), baked french fries and grilled burgers for supper.

My study is very comfortable with the A/C on.

Yesterday Ron mowed the yard front and back.

I washed the kitchen and first floor bathroom floors.

The boys tossed balls to us over the fence until they got bored, I guess. Good exercise for us.

This morning I picked up dill, Shasta Daisies and Garden Phlox at the Pine Cobble School annual sale. Got them watered and in the ground.

We dropped by the Senior Center art show, the NORAD mill candy store and the Mass MOCA open house.

Ron treated us to beer from Bright Ideas Brewing and lunch – falafel wrap, sweet potato fries, fried mozzarella wedges from BIGGDADDY’s Philly Steak House. It was nice to see so many people walking around and enjoying themselves on a gorgeous Saturday.

The Insight electricians worked the entire morning.

We moved the big desk and put in my office (third bedroom) A/C.

Dodging the giant pile of solar panels, Ron was able to get the Corolla into the garage.

I did a quick Stop & Shop trip, mostly for produce.

Ron mowed earlier this week. I washed the sunroom deck wall yesterday. I fell asleep early, got up at 6.

It’s been hot, close to 100 yesterday.

We made a big salad for lunch.

Solar panels arrived yesterday. We put the loose boxes in the garage.

We went for a drive to Hoosick Falls the other day for donuts and flowers. Found a dark purple lantana for the deck: gorgeous color.

Have been trying to get stains out of the living room rug with limited success.

We spent Saturday afternoon and evening in North Adams.

We were too late for gallery open houses but enjoyed the artwork on the corridor walls of floors 1, 2 and 3 at Eclipse. Stopped briefly at the reception then enjoyed the BAAMS performance at Studio 9.

I completed two hikes on Sunday, one in the morning at Mt. Berlin and the other at the Clark.

Grateful for my new trekking poles, which helped me right myself from a wobble on boards across a wet area on Mt. Berlin. The trail was steep and muddy at times but I enjoyed it. Good group and excellent guide.

Didn’t do anything else for the rest of the day, fell asleep early.

Planting, which seems so straightforward, always takes longer than I expected. Yesterday I found spots for the last two, one from last weekend’s sale and the mail order viburnum.

Raked the side corner and hope some of the seedlings survived.

After a struggle with the mower, Ron took care of the front and back yards.

Bell visited the deck briefly.

I was warmly greeted at the bank. Did a food shop.

Washed the Corolla.

This morning I swept the deck, mulched the lily of the valley garden and some other spots, and did a little weeding at the other corner garden. Ron got the mower started and took care of a couple of spots that he missed yesterday.

The boys and their Dad came over for a short visit.

Accomplished very little today after yesterday’s flurry.

Suffering from mosquito bites. One so bad it woke me up and I ripped it last night.

I had a fine visit to the Williams College Museum of Art. Wanted to see the exhibit of works by the Class of 2024 and was not disappointed.

Made an organic spray for the kitchen to keep down the no see ums, or whatever they are.

Made a beautiful salad and heated soup for lunch.

Did a little detailing in the Corolla, reinstalled the mats. Did a terrible job but it still makes a positive difference.

Ron and I took the truck to West’s for wine and IPA.

Spread a bag of mulch on the center garden.

I vacuumed the Corolla and washed the front mats.

Washed the front shed with Krud Kutter; it looks 100% better.

Planted the Joe Pye today. Planted yesterday as well; two of the original twelve to go. Dug out a couple of good-sized rocks, made a soil/peat moss mixture to fill in.

Replaced the furnace filters.

Cooked ravs for lunch. Made quesadillas yesterday, froze half of them.

Paid bills.

We visited Linnea earlier this week. Very encouraged by her progress.

Dug out the giant root from the corner of the house yesterday. Not sure what to do with that area.

Stopped by the food pantry but it was pretty slim pickings today. Dropped off a check at Town Hall, ran into Brian.

Watched some excellent videos on using storage containers instead of raised beds.

I made a big salad and baked potatoes for lunch and brownies.

Cleaned up the kitchen. Did a laundry and loaded and ran the dishwasher. Ron fell asleep early. I’m wondering if we’ve been fighting off a bug.

We changed the sheets today.

Found my long-handled shovel! The fairies must have put it in the corner shed for safekeeping.

Today I got half the new plants into the ground and watered. Hope to finish tomorrow. Undid the hose with a giant slice cut out of it (lawnmower). Fortunately, I don’t need it for now. The hose and soakers in the corner garden work great.

Dug out a couple of good-sized rocks in the lily of the valley bed.

Missed the Northern Lights.

Ron is helping me dig out an invasive something or other.