Usually I get to the city several times during the growing season. One of the pleasures of staying with my friend Cathy is that I get to see what her flowers are doing each year.

She hasn't been out here in the summer for some time, so I thought I'd post the few decent photos of a couple of my flower patches for Cathy's perusal.

I dug up most of the delphiniums along the east wall and moved them to the newest flower patch, which Everett and I dug this spring. What I left for delphiniums have surprised me by growing in spite of their rough treatment, and I stuck red nicotiana and evening-scented stock in pots so there would be something blooming along the wall, as well as a sweet fragrance coming in through the open night-time window.

This new flower patch is situated in a spot where we can see it from the window we stand at as we do dishes.

Next spring I'll be moving all the perennials and rosebushes to the new yard; some 20 different varieties, at least a half-dozen of each. It'll be a job and a half but I don't mind the planning stage ... which will last over the winter. Heh!

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,

If you're wondering why you don't receive notifies like you used to, it's because -- well, don't make me explain, just sign up again:

One morning this week I was awakened by Scott calling the power company to inform them that we had no electricity because a bird had flown into the power setup on the pole in his parents' yard. After sipping my hot black coffee out on the step, there was still no power, so what could I do? I couldn't work at the computer, or even wash dishes or use the phone. Instead I took my cue from the cat, who was stretched languorously on the swing. The day was already becoming hot, so I put on my bathing suit, grabbed a notebook, a library book, and some cushions, and headed for the swing myself. I spent a couple glorious summer-holiday hours there before the power came back on and my friend called to say he could come over and help me wash windows.

He and I spent six hours (including a couple half-hour breaks he took so he could smoke two cigarettes in a row!) at it, with him on a ladder doing the outsides and me on the inside.

When Scott came home at 7 and I told him how long we'd been at it, he remarked, "I guess you two won't be going into business as window-washers any time soon." Smartass. He should've been the one helping me with those damn windows in the first place, shouldn't he? I may just ask him to reimburse me the $50 I paid the fella to do Scott's job.

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,

If you're wondering why you don't receive notifies like you used to, it's because -- well, don't make me explain, just sign up again:

It didn't do terribly much damage:

Just joshin' ya. The cloud above didn't turn into wild weather at our place; somebody, somewhere, got a heck of a storm. The collapsed building was seen on the way to a birthday party on Saturday.

Here's the window above our kitchen sink:

Man, do I know how to take you guys for a thrill ride, or what!

Tues 17 July 2007

I went to town Sunday to take Grandma out for a drive, thinking we'd go for an ice cream. When I arrived she'd already had cake and ice cream, served up at an afternoon birthday gathering in the dining room. I suggested we go for a drive anyway, and she thought that would be all right. We invited her friend and neighbour, Pearl, to come along, and cruised around town looking at the houses and flowers for about 45 minutes. Grandma is 90 and Pearl is 91, and they both lived in my home town, Margo, for most if not all of their lives. They're both getting forgetful. When we'd seen every house and street in Wadena twice, I drove back to the lodge, to the same spot where the van had been parked when we left. Before they got out, this is what they said to me:

Pearl: "What do we owe you?"

Grandma: "Where are we? I don't have to get out here. I need a ride home."

I just smiled and shook my head.

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,

If you're wondering why you don't receive notifies like you used to, it's because -- well, don't make me explain, just sign up again:

I like brass.

I don't actually use this beaded wallet; it is sitting on a windowsill right now, where it can be admired.

It was made by either a Chipewayan or Cree First Nations person somewhere around Flin Flon, Manitoba, where I used to work in a souvenir store that bought fur and sold First Nations crafts to tourists as well as locals. Everyone needs mukluks and slippers, man.

Saturday
Dear Everett,

Why shouldn't you spend 50 bucks on a game? It's not like you buy a new one every month or something, or like you spend your money on anything else.

One of the orange (I think) neons was stuck up against the filter this morning.

The washing machine quit.

And you know how Saradog is terrified of thunder, scare cannon, and gun shots? Well it looks like she is a worse wuss than we thought. Yesterday I was sitting on the swing when Scott came home, and Sara skulked around the other side of the truck, as far away from me as she could get, to greet him. She was shaking and looking at me and Scott said "What did you do to this dog?" and all I can figure is that I had been sitting there blowing bubbles and popping them, and the snapping scared her.

Jesus.

-Mom

Mom,

We were driving back home from Sherry's and we stopped at the Qwik-E-Mart (7-11) and got a squishie(slushie). Emil went to see Ricky and when he found out he got his shoes on in like 1.2 seconds.

Everett

Everett,

We are going to Kelvington for supper and birthday cake (Quinton turns 15) in about a half-hour. I just got home from dropping Grandma off at the lodge. We were in Margo this afternoon. She visited Uncle Bruce and Aunt Shirley, and I went and saw Auntie Karen and brought home your red Siamese fighting fish. She said the reason your fish are dying is probably because you haven't cleaned the tank with that vacuum thing. It should be done once every two months, at least.

If you go to my website you can see a picture of Karen with her two new pups. Well, she got them before Christmas, but they're still not even a year old. I told her I'll take the chihuahua if Danielle ever wants to part with him.

Love,
Mom

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,

If you're wondering why you don't receive notifies like you used to, it's because -- well, don't make me explain, just sign up again:

Wednesday 4 July
Dear Everett,

I got up shortly after 7, pulled some weeds, washed the floors, did a tarot card reading for my friend Ann, made lunch for the two of us, worked for two-and-a-half hours, and did my yoga. So far. For the rest of the day I'll make supper, do dishes (would wait till you get home to do them but am getting tired of eating with crusty forks), and go for a walk or bike ride. What did you do today?

Say hello to my little Emil.

Love,
Mom

Fri 6 July 2007
Hi Mom.

We went to Montana's restaurant but there was nothing all that good. We had to get penne and convince the staff to take the chicken and sauce and vegetables and spices off. I had it with butter and cheese. Emil finished about an hour after everyone else, again. Then we went to Walmart and I looked for a new game but all the good games were still like fifty bucks. But Poppa got a new game called Farcry for nine bucks. We both really suck at it.
That is all.

Everett

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,

If you're wondering why you don't receive notifies like you used to, it's because -- well, don't make me explain, just sign up again:

Hi mom.

When we were driving back to Edmonton we stopped in Lloydminster and Poppa offered to buy me a slushie. I got a cappachino flavored one. It was very good. Not as good as an iced capp, though. That is all that is interesting.

Everett

+++

Ah but you obviously have no idea how I hang on your every word!

A cappucino slushie sounds good; I'll try one if I see one.

It is almost 4:30 and I am done work for the day, about to go out and pull weeds or maybe push the lawnmower. It's pretty hot out though, might be smarter not to.

Mom

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,

If you're wondering why you don't receive notifies like you used to, it's because -- well, don't make me explain, just sign up again:

Everett's face started to get back to normal on Friday morning before we went to see the doctor. Thank F-ing god, is all I will say about that.

We drove the boys to North Battleford to meet their dad on Saturday, and spent one night in the city to visit with friends. After a bit of shopping on Sunday morning, we headed for home, where there was a grad party for Scott's niece going on next door. Food, drink, and conversation aplenty.

This morning Scott's over there getting in a last visit with a nephew (and his wife and kids) who are heading back to Calgary as soon as they get ready. I have not yet had my second cup of coffee so no wild horses can drag me into a social situation, even if it's all family. It's still a houseful, and lots of little people. Over here it's quiet and peaceful.

I drank my first cup out on the step, but there is no breeze and the sun is so hot already that I was driven indoors to eat a bowlful of granola instead.

The photo: in Saskatoon, on Broadway Avenue, there is a little hat store. I have not yet had time to find just the right one ... I need a substantial brim, and a tie to hold the thing on when it's windy. The hat has to be "just right," or doesn't look good on me.

*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,

If you're wondering why you don't receive notifies like you used to, it's because -- well, don't make me explain, just sign up again: