TheCapeBlog

The thing about work is that I do it all the time even though I’m retired.

Today I finished scrubbing the pantry walls and shelves and started on the kitchen counters.

Changing venues to outside, I picked up branches blown down in last night’s rainstorm.

The hardest thing about work is getting started. The hardest thing about housework is that unlike a paid job, you don’t get rewarded, as with a paycheck.

On the other hand, you’re gratified that you haven’t had to spend your money to hire someone else to do it.

Ron did a great job mowing in the rain yesterday and this morning finished two “squares” that he’d missed in the downpour.

Today I raked up grass clumps in the back yard. Front didn’t need much care, was good.

We both worked on cleaning the lawn mower. It was so clogged on the bottom that it wouldn’t start, so Ron scraped it off and I emptied the grass catcher and cleaned the top, sort of.

It was good to be outside for a while.

Later on we lost power but only for about an hour and a half. Ron took the truck to Walmart; I showered with flashlights for illumination, which was rather nice.

Unfortunately, I did something wrong opening the garage door and now it doesn’t work electronically.

Ron cleaned the air cleaner cover and replaced the air filter with a brand new one from Walmart. Then he mowed the front and back yards – the last chunk in the pouring rain.

Vermont Roofing inspected the roof, found problem with the installation of some of the base plates.

Quick run to the transfer station with compostables.

I prepared a package of ravioli that’s been in the freezer for a while.

One roofing company came today, another is scheduled for the 16th. The one who came today doesn’t do repairs.

I’m done with cleaning the shelves in the pantry and still working on reorganizing.

We went to Walmart for meds and stopped at the Project for take-out. Picked up vegetables that are too far gone so we’ll compost them.

Did a laundry.

Missed the annual “Night Out” last night. I wanted to attend but it slipped my mind.

We picked up the CSA veggies and harvested rhubarb and mint that the gardeners at Wild Soul River generously provide to the community.

No watering today but had lunch at the Project and brought home muffins and pumpernickel bread.

Went to the transfer station with Ron, then Chenail’s garden shop where Ron bought two cone flowers and a perennial hibiscus. I got the coneflowers in the ground, holding off on the hibiscus until I can figure out what is eating the leaves of the two in the garden now.

I made stuffed zucchini, new recipe, and corn for supper.

The boys rang the front door bell after dark, wanting to retrieve their balls from our back yard. We had quite a time getting Ben to stop tossing them over the fence.

We yelled and cheered throughout Tim Walz’s stump speech. Happy that young people are seeing an old-time political campaign like those we remember – fun, energetic and inspiring instead of the dismal MAGA spectacles of the last 8 years. Could not be more pleased.

So now the battlegrounds are down to the Blue Wall – Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan and the Sun Belt – Georgia, South Carolina and Arizona.

Yesterday I reorganized the pantry a bit.

Today I vacuumed carpets, disposed of two mice and washed the pantry shelves – a task long overdue.

Ron found a sprayer that fits the kitchen sink and popped a pizza in the oven for supper.

Cleaned both sinks, toilets and the small bathroom floor. Also cleaned the small bathroom shower.

Continued work on the 4 foot cedar planter. Ron also worked on it after his transfer station run. We are very close to done.

Neighbors are back from Cape. Hard to believe: their photos made me nostalgic.

The roofer never showed. Phoned him today, left message.

There is free activity at the College tonight, but I want to stay home. I’m feeling angry, deprived and depressed because money is so tight right now. Ron is doing his best to keep the coffers full enough to pay bills, and that’s appreciated.

It cost $95 but almost worth it to meet a real craftsman from North Adams.

Aside from getting the window rebuilt, didn’t accomplish much yesterday.

HMLP turned down my loan application, claims I’m not disabled enough to justify it.

Found more leaks in the garage roof. Sent photos to Insight, talked with a couple of roofers.

Muggy today, but off to a productive start: took a bunch of inside and outside photos for Lemonade renewal.

Poor Ron was up until midnight last night. He also made supper, angel hair pasta, and it was very good.

Stayed in after the writers group met. Made arrangements to drop off the window pane tomorrow.

Set up account with Insight Energy. System seems to be doing well so far.

Picked up produce, nice conversation with Justin about mini splits.