leder legends

For some reason I purchased a rather large package of Epsom salt recently. My impulse buying was a recently viewed recipe for mosquito control in the yard.  Who likes mosquitoes, right? The recipe called for equal parts of stale beer, mouthwash and Epsom salts. So I purchased a box of Epsom salt at Sam's...turns out it was two packages of 7 lbs each. (that's a LOT of Epsom salt!!!), I found some cheap beer ...Stroh's  6 for $4.99 and a cheap bottle of mouthwash ...minty fresh!  I mixed it up in my new sprayer and the back yard is now protected for 80 days against mosquitoes!! hurrah!!  but I am a skeptic and we shall see.  I do worry that the minty fresh smell might attract the critters that I have been trying to discourage...we shall see! My battle against the critters that inhabit this neighborhood has been in high gear.  Milorganite has been applied ...again, Liquid fence has been applied over the all the flowerbeds a...

After our week long stay in Rome, Italy, it is good to be home.  We stayed in a hotel near the Trevi fountain which turned out to be a great central location.  Arie had a 7 minute walk to the Gregoriana University and I could easily head out from there as well.  First of all the weather: the skies were blue and cloud-free the entire time.  The temperatures were in the 90s the entire time.  Old Rome is a concrete/ stone/ marble jungle and that raises the temperature  the entire time (even at night) so we were thankful that the AC in our room was excellent. Piazza Venencia , piazza Navona, Trevi fountain, the numerous bascilicas and chiesa I explored were wonderful.  The bizarre Crypt of the Capuchins also held its own charm.  The Plaza Rinasente was an oasis...6 floors of heavenly, air-conditioned shopping pleasure with every high-end brand you can think in its niche.  Arie even sat in and pretended to drive a Tesla there as well....

So, so upset...with myself and the one deer that had a banquet in my BACK yard last night. I have never had to protect my backyard against the deer.  The ground hog has been a problem but the deer seem to have been content with my front yard.   Last night I sprayed the front yard with Liquid Fence and upon inspection this morning the day lily buds, (the few remaining ones ...I was gone for 8 days), were still there. Last night I also proudly told a friend that the Tangerine and the Calvin College lilies were about to bloom. I guess bragging is not allowed. This morning they were ALL gone!!! I am beyond disappointed!  That will teach me... Milorganite and Liquid Fence will be applied forthwith.

Because of unfortunate circumstances, we had to close our second Toppers location. I won’t go into the whys and etc but the end result was painful and costly. It was not in the nicest condition when this happened and it needed to be organized and cleaned.  After multiple three hour forays, yesterday I decided that it was now or never.  I started at 9:45 and left at 5:15.  It is DONE.!!!!! I was almost out of steam at 2:45 when Arie showed up and we cleaned the floor together! We loaded the cars and locked the doors...I thought for the final time but have since discovered one or two small details that require my attention! Nonetheless, it looks GREAT  and the broker can show it with my pride intact!!  The males in this endeavor thought that it was not necessarily a big deal to do this.  I thought it was a matter of pride.

I have an ongoing problem with wild garlic. Today I pulled Lenten rose, ligularia, tangerine day lily and a big patch of heuchera. Took Round Up and sprayed the the problem.  Of course that created a new "problem " lol! Where to put the plants. They are all in somewhere and if they thrive they can always be transplanted again. Hoping all the wild garlic dies!

A 10 lb 3 oz blessing! Born Monday, April 22, 2019, a beautiful baby girl. Love those cheeks!  I'll be heading there on May 8...can't wait! Big sister June I think she approves! What's this??

They say memory is the first thing to go and I'm starting to believe it.  It's Thursday night and I'm having difficulty remembering what I did this week. Monday and Tuesday were filled with Asher that's true but ...what else? Wednesday I think I spent recovering from Asher time!! lol Today is clear enough...as it should be.  I went out for breakfast with two dear friends at a restaurant called Real Food. It's local and it's good.  It's open for breakfast and lunch.  When the three of us go out, we always talk more than we eat.  We always say we should meet more often and we should but life in retirement gets busy...too busy. After that I went to our store and decided to do some much-needed cleaning. Employees do as little as possible.  Then I went and did my regular 3 hour volunteer at  New2You! I am a cashier there and today it was busy!   I got home tonight...bone tired. I fell asleep watching TV and feel like I am turning...