As it is in most parts of the country, it is extremely hot here for the first part of July. We have posted several days of temperatures greater than 100 and working outside is not an easy trick. By this time of year we are usually in the cooler climes of the great Northwest.
For instance, the thermometer in greenhouse three spikes at 125 degrees and it sure felt like it. I was in the very back yesterday afternoon watering the papyrus and started to feel very nauseous due to the heat.
As you already know, Mike is shutting down the business and we ordered a dumpster. It didn't arrive till just before one yesterday afternoon in the heat of the day. We loaded about half of it with worn-out and damaged trays. The heat in the UV really does a number of those trays over the years.
We have closed down greenhouse 2 and moved the table said the greenhouse one after we had on dismantled the tables are already in greenhouse one. Those tables or parts thereof ended up in the in the dumpster. The patio sure looks a whole lot better. We spent a good percentage of the morning yesterday cleaning up the office. Mike is donating a couple of pieces of office equipment that we haven't used in the five years I've been there. The office sure looks a lot less cluttered.
Every year on 3 July, the city of Bartlett puts on a fireworks display and music and celebration of our nations birthday. Fireworks are you always spectacular, but last night was the best fireworks show I believe I've ever seen. Almost everybody I talked to agreed with my assessment.
Every year the breakfast club, gets together on the shady side of the concert hall and we have a picnic.
Pam, our organist at church, is in the volunteer Bartlett concert band and she plays every year. The orchestra was its usual excellent self. She is such a talented musician and is accomplished at several musical instruments.
After the concert band played, a local group called 240 loop played for an hour or hour and a half. They really were a talented group. They played songs from my era and brought back a lot of memories.
Adam, my brother's middle son, is having a get together over his house this afternoon to celebrate the Fourth of July. It seems that one or more of the boys usually have a get together for this fairly large family is there houses can accommodate that number of people.
The family get-togethers are usually at Allen's house as he has a pool, but it seems she's having trouble with the pH of his pool and were having over Adam's house. It is always a good time no matter where we have it.
Brenda is doing quite well with her physical therapy and a range of motion on her right arm is improving daily. She has physical therapy three days a week and is due to see the doctor again on Friday. We are hoping that formal physical therapy per se will end, and she can continue her exercises at home.
We will be leaving for Washington a week from today. We're really looking forward to seeing the kids as the last time was other was October of last year. Then, two weeks after we get back, they are coming here for a 10 day visit. Only a few on this side of the family have ever met Fred and he's known the family for 12 years now. I think this side of the family is a little more subdued than the Houston side. He has been exposed to this rambunctious family for many years now and it's not quite so overwhelming for him as it was the first time he met this group.
All I can say is both Brenda and I are really excited about seeing the kids.
Ta ta for now.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Synopsis of last 3 months
I know that it has been a long time since I have posted and a lot of things have happened since then.
As you know from the last post, Brenda is employed in a bike shop. She is doing well and still enjoys going to work.
But there is some news that you may not know. Brenda bought a used bike about 6 weeks ago and was out riding not far from the house, when she fell and broke her right elbow. She had the bike only about 24 hours when the mishap occurred.
She also hit her face on the pavement and had two black eyes and a skinned nose for about 3 weeks. She is now her beautiful self again.
She has a doctors appointment tomorrow, and hopefully the brace will be removed and she can start physical therapy. We are both tired of the brace, she more than I. She has accidentally hit me with that metal contraption more than once. It sure beats a cast, as she can take it off to shower, but she must wear it the rest of the time.
On a sad note, Rena, Brenda's oldest sister was found dead in her bed in early April. She was only 65, but had many health issues. It was a total shock to all of us. Her death reminds you of your own mortality and reaches up and smacks you in the face.
My brother, Mike, has decided to close the nursery. It is not making the money he had hoped for and is barely paying the bills. He is selling off a lot of the infrastructure and the stock and plans to be completely shuttered by the end of August.
Mike and Barb now have 3 horses and they plan to convert the nursery property into a stable for up to 21 horses. They plan to offer space and care, for a fee, to horse owners in the Memphis area. There is a need for barn space and they will try to help fill that need.
They have offered me a position, full time and year round, to help build and maintain the facility and I have accepted. There is no monetary compensation, but helps keep me busy. It also introduces me to something new to learn about
Brenda and I had decided to curtail a lot of traveling this year due to the extreme cost of fuel, so when the opportunity arose we decided it was best to come off of the road for awhile.
I know that the fuel prices are down to an almost reasonable rate, but I feel this is temporary and will start to accelerate at a rapid pace shortly after the November elections, no matter who wins.
Also with Brenda's full time employment, that she really likes, we decided that this was the best course of action at this time.
Brenda's family also lives here and Memphis seemed like a good place to settle, at least for a while. We don't plan on giving up our travels, so we are keeping the motor home.
We have a commitment to Livingston State Park for the winter, so we will leave in September and return here in late January or 1st of February.
The people at the park are so gracious and easy to work with. We really enjoy our time there and the work is fun for both of us.
Mike and Sally Ranger, whom we met during our time at Timber Ridge, have been after us to visit them in Michigan. We are planning a visit in early September.
We are not taking the motor home, but we are taking Cleo to visit Aunt Sally. They had a cat who died suddenly a couple of years ago, and they have really taken a liking to Cleo. Whenever we are together Sally always brings treats and Cleo is in hog heaven as she gets multiple rounds of treats.
Today is Brenda's birthday and she has entered into her 6th decade.
She has to work today, so we are celebrating her day tomorrow with a trip to Tunica so she can enjoy the casinos. She loves the penny slots and knows her limit, so an occasional trip gambling is goods therapy for her.
Ta ta for now.
As you know from the last post, Brenda is employed in a bike shop. She is doing well and still enjoys going to work.
But there is some news that you may not know. Brenda bought a used bike about 6 weeks ago and was out riding not far from the house, when she fell and broke her right elbow. She had the bike only about 24 hours when the mishap occurred.
She also hit her face on the pavement and had two black eyes and a skinned nose for about 3 weeks. She is now her beautiful self again.
She has a doctors appointment tomorrow, and hopefully the brace will be removed and she can start physical therapy. We are both tired of the brace, she more than I. She has accidentally hit me with that metal contraption more than once. It sure beats a cast, as she can take it off to shower, but she must wear it the rest of the time.
On a sad note, Rena, Brenda's oldest sister was found dead in her bed in early April. She was only 65, but had many health issues. It was a total shock to all of us. Her death reminds you of your own mortality and reaches up and smacks you in the face.
My brother, Mike, has decided to close the nursery. It is not making the money he had hoped for and is barely paying the bills. He is selling off a lot of the infrastructure and the stock and plans to be completely shuttered by the end of August.
Mike and Barb now have 3 horses and they plan to convert the nursery property into a stable for up to 21 horses. They plan to offer space and care, for a fee, to horse owners in the Memphis area. There is a need for barn space and they will try to help fill that need.
They have offered me a position, full time and year round, to help build and maintain the facility and I have accepted. There is no monetary compensation, but helps keep me busy. It also introduces me to something new to learn about
Brenda and I had decided to curtail a lot of traveling this year due to the extreme cost of fuel, so when the opportunity arose we decided it was best to come off of the road for awhile.
I know that the fuel prices are down to an almost reasonable rate, but I feel this is temporary and will start to accelerate at a rapid pace shortly after the November elections, no matter who wins.
Also with Brenda's full time employment, that she really likes, we decided that this was the best course of action at this time.
Brenda's family also lives here and Memphis seemed like a good place to settle, at least for a while. We don't plan on giving up our travels, so we are keeping the motor home.
We have a commitment to Livingston State Park for the winter, so we will leave in September and return here in late January or 1st of February.
The people at the park are so gracious and easy to work with. We really enjoy our time there and the work is fun for both of us.
Mike and Sally Ranger, whom we met during our time at Timber Ridge, have been after us to visit them in Michigan. We are planning a visit in early September.
We are not taking the motor home, but we are taking Cleo to visit Aunt Sally. They had a cat who died suddenly a couple of years ago, and they have really taken a liking to Cleo. Whenever we are together Sally always brings treats and Cleo is in hog heaven as she gets multiple rounds of treats.
Today is Brenda's birthday and she has entered into her 6th decade.
She has to work today, so we are celebrating her day tomorrow with a trip to Tunica so she can enjoy the casinos. She loves the penny slots and knows her limit, so an occasional trip gambling is goods therapy for her.
Ta ta for now.
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