Flag Day

This is Denver, AR about 1900. My mother was born in this little village. Her father had a grocery and gas station here. Someone enhanced the photo with AI. No cars whatever year it was.

Laura is fixing me a new clothes line for my birthday. Yes, I requested it. I like hanging things on the line. Larry put the wire up in 2009. It was rusty and ruined anything I hung on the line.

Eric fixed my supper last night. It was as good as it looks. I saved half of the t bone for another night.

Ada lost another front tooth. She was caught in the rain yesterday. It rained most of the day there. She’d gone to a party at church and had to get to the car when Erin picked her up.

I’m going to Sam’s today with Laura. Siggie and Logan E. Are fixing me lunch. 

 

Saturday

 

This is the pattern I’m using for the neighbors baby girl. Mine will have 5 rows pink, 3 rows yellow, 5 rows pink, 3 rows white…repeat. 

Astrid’s tomato is loaded and so pretty. She said she’s wanting ripe ones.

This is the baby blue blanket I made using Red Heart. I soaked it in vinegar water an hour, then washed it and used Downy. Dried it on gentle with dryer sheets. Took out early and blocked. It is lots softer. Astrid is gifting it to a friend who is having a boy.

Astrid, Laura and I went on a Master Gardner tour this morning. Astrid wants to find more about the group. I think she’s already a master. We had a smoothie bowl before coming home. Very good. One of Sigrid’s friends has the store. Tomorrow I’ll be 76. OLD.

Alpena Cemetery

Ingrid shared this today. The Great Blue Heron is fishing. They are known for their ability to concentrate on the water watching for a fish to catch.

My neighbor’s Jake and Maggie are going to have a little girl. I bought these for a blanket. I’m not really good at picking colors. Laura said no gray or lavender so I’m getting another yellow and white. I want to make the blanket big enough they can use it longer than the baby stage. I’m working on a blue blanket now for a boy. Astrid knows who gets it. I’m using up a big skein of Walmart Red Heart yarn. I hate Red Heart yarn. It feels coarse and rough. I saw that if I wash it and use fabric softener it will soften. I’m going to do it before astrid gifts it. If it doesn’t help, I’ll just trash the project.

The cemetery where my family rests has rules. I can see why. Keeping it mowed is a big deal.  Fleta sent a photo of the rules for the Alpena Cemetery. I will be able to find them and the address to send a donation now by searching my blog. Helen fixed this bouquet one year when ours had blown away. The wind is always strong here. I guess it’s caused by all the spirits whirling there. 

Results

Astrid made this trellis in early spring.  She planted Mandevilla to climb the wires. And tada it is working. The pink blooms will be all over it by fall.

My friend came back to exercise this week. She moved to assisted living from her home. It’s a big adjustment. She wanted to go back to her house but her son said no. He has since sold her house. She has adjusted to the new environment. She still has her car and go as she pleases. She’s 87. I made hats for her to wear as her hair was burned off a part of her scalp. She was trying to light her gas fireplace and it blew back burning her. Some older folks really amaze me. Just seeing their lives makes me realize that I’m doing ok. A hairdresser comes to the center and she can have her hair fixed to hide that bare spot. Only 15.00 too. Sounds like a bargain to me. 

 

Wednesday

 

Logan and Astrid got a new camper. They love camping and their dogs love going too. Logan sold his side by side and they used the money to get this one. Best part is no payment. They are excited to try it out. In September they are planning a trip to Utah. 

Laura bought new chairs for her patio area. They’re Adirondack. Astrid made her two but over time they decayed. These are plastic covered and will stand the weather. This type of chair was used to treat tuberculosis patients. They could rest and nap outside.

I requested this book about life along the Buffalo River. It’s a history of who lived along this National River. I’m still reading about the Edward Fitzgerald.

June 9

I mowed yesterday afternoon. It was like cutting hay. Afterwards I weed eated for about 30 minutes.

Today I went to Focus Fitness and did my weight training. I road the bike there. I chose interval training. It goes from easy to really hard and then through the cycle 3times. It’s more difficult than my therapy bike ride.

Our electricity was off for 4 hours. The alert said an animal caused it. A large area was out. FF was out but I just did my workout anyway. Really got hot in there. I push mowed my dog pen. And I must weed eat some more after I rest a while.

Astrid shared this showing how much her plants have grown. She invited me to the Master a garden tour Saturday. I’m going to try it. Hope my knees how out. 

 

Monday

Ada picked her Mother a bouquet from my yard. Erin and Greta came to get her after the basketball game.

Laura invited her to swim. She’s still cautious in the water, but at least she enjoys the play. She’ll take swimming soon. I hope she’ll at least learn to put her face in the water.

Youngest two granddaughters of my two daughters. I could tell Ada was so thrilled with Siggie’s  company. Sigrid connects to people, young and old. 

We got an inch of rain over the weekend. I need to mow. Hopefully, I get it done today.

 

Last Day

We found a duffle bag of toys in the garage. This was her favorite outfit. She saw Aunt Helen’s shoes on the shelf and asked if she could wear them. They worked great for dress up. She had a tea party with animals. 

Laura and Ada took my car and vacuumed it out. It really needed it

Late today Erin will pick Ada up. All will be quiet again. I noticed this time Ada asked questions about everything. I am glad she’s inquisitive. Lots of her questions were about death. A sweet lady from church is ill. Ada is afraid she will die. She said young people die too. I just said “ yes”. Sometimes we “over” answer.  She asked if I called the ambulance when Pop passed away. 
 

Ada Day

Ada is here. She has on her Gigi shirt. She’ll be here until late tomorrow. She asked if I would make Mac and cheese tonight. Sure thing! 

Greta had her basketball outfit on. She’ll be playing the entire game as some of the players couldn’t make it. She’s playing at Cabot.

I finished another Aldi’s bag.
 

Found A Book

A friend thought I’d like this book and my library had it. “Gales of November”. It’s about the Edmund Fitzgerald going down in 1975. I don’t read a lot of fiction. I used to but after I turned 60 years old, I began having difficulty reading fiction. I’ve started this book and am thankful for something to read.

Fleta’s son found this baby and tried to save her. She didn’t make it. Several strikes against her from the start. 

 

Reading

 Sometimes Erin sends me a video of Ada reading. I love reading and am so glad she does too. Erin is not encouraging reading as much this summer as Ada does it on her own. They are working on math skills. Ada loves camp. She gets to swim and engage in all types of brain building activities each day. Greta may have a game at Hot Springs this weekend. If she does Ada will stay overnight with me! My treat. Ada has a speech impairment but it’s improving too.

I was blessed with two very smart girls. I took them to the library in the summer, but I don’t think their achievement had much to do with my assistance. They are just highly intelligent girls who learned at school. 

June 3

Astrid has tomatoes getting ripe.

Mostly I have Cardinals at my bird cam.

I get lunch today with my friend Kay. She first said Mexican but yesterday she asked if we could go to Brangus Steakhouse instead. I’m thrilled as ribeye is my favorite. It’ll be expensive though.

I did not find any books. Left empty handed. I requested one I want to read by Theodore Catton. I hope Kevin can borrow it.

Logan E is at drill at Fort Chaffee for two weeks. Siggie is here. She doesn’t like staying alone. She’s working at C & D. She likes pickle ball and on family chat asked if anyone would like to go to the courts. Astrid said maybe after it cools off. Logan R said 10:00 pm. It’s been way above 90 each day and humid. A front came through and this morning it’s nicer. Arkansas weather has extremes.

Ada has to get going early to go to camp. Erin sent this of how her hair looks each morning. It reminded me of the 1960’s when we “ratted” our hair and then combed the top out and added hair spray until it was stiff. I’m glad that fad has passed.