Well, it happened! Dad sold his truck, in a pleasant and smooth transaction. A man named Mike came Saturday afternoon, in fact, earlier than expected. Ray had been back to John's for more wood and gotten home about noon to empty it and sweep it out. Mike got there about a half hour later. We were quite nervous by then, but he was very happy with the truck and had brought a cashier's check for $500 less than the asking price, which Dad was very willing to accept. After signing papers, he drove away and we said goodbye to a good and faithful truck. Dad treated us to dinner at Porterhouse, including champagne, and we all had a lovely time. At one point, he said, "it's hard to imagine that in a few months something bad will happen, and we won't be as happy as we are now." Ah, yes, fleeting happiness.

Yesterday, Ray and I had to be at UUFA at 8:15 to get ready to sing. I also had to speak briefly at both services, since I am "retiring" from the lay ministry. There are several new ministers and I will have plenty to keep me busy, and happy not to attend those long Thursday night meetings. I guess I'll go to one more this month. I also think we should have some sort of party. My Dad was there for the first service.

The thing I hate about having two services, especially when I have to be at both of them, is that the second ends at 12:30 (if it's on time). By then, I am starving. It would be one before I got home to eat, assuming I had something already prepared. I often have a snack--this time it was a banana and half a piece of peanut butter toast. Anyway, I am not in much of a mood for chatting and just want to get somewhere to eat. On this occasion, Janna and Ron, Becky and Kent were waiting for us at Five and Ten. Actually, they had already ordered, not that I blame them. Ray and I were the only ones to have alcohol (I guess some people don't drink that early in the day?), a mimosa for me and red wine for him. I had a lovely dish of sliced ribeye (a much smaller portion than I would get at, say, Porterhouse, but it came with coddled egg and several other accompaniments, including fried potatoes). Then we were the only two to order dessert. What is wrong with these people? Well, yes, I know they are all on diets for one thing. I also thing they eat out much more than we do. For us, it's a big special treat and we like to do it up right. Rhubarb flip cake, with a dab of whipped cream, of course. It was wonderful. Rhubarb is hard to find around here. We tried to grow it for a few years, but it is gone now.

I did harvest 5 strawberries yesterday. They were heavenly, but small. I would need about 50 plants to make enough to eat and freeze. Maybe it makes more sense to let Washington Farms grow them for us.

Janna's birthday is today. She had requested that we attend the Jason Carter for Governor fundraiser yesterday, so we went to the Melting Point after brunch. It was pretty hot by mid-afternoon, but we sat in the shade on the patio. There were a lot of young people there, more men than women, interestingly, and few that we knew, mostly politicians. Jason (Jimmy Carter's grandson) spoke for about 15 minutes. He is a pleasant, lucid, young man, father of 2, married to a teacher. Education is important to him. He is the only Democrat running, I believe, and so I will of course, vote for him. The Republican incumbent is pretty awful. I am cross, though, that Jason (as a state senator) voted for the "guns everywhere" bill. He was asked about it, and explained pretty clearly that he thought those decisions should be up to the communities. I don't have a lot of flexibility on that issue, though. I did write him a small check as a present for Janna.

By the time we got home, about 3:30, I think, my Dad was gone. I felt bad, but I tried to call him a few times and he never answered. He had watered some and done some other gardening. It was pleasant in the house, but hot outside. Ray and I were both tired and had trouble getting the energy to do anything. I finally managed to put away some socks and reorganize my shirts so I can find what I want to wear for my interview. We took turns reading to each other, while the other one de-cluttered some. It worked pretty well, but for the last chapter or so, we were both lying on the bed while Ray read.

Trying to figure out what to eat was hard. We didn't have much of anything in terms of leftovers. Our eggs are dwindling... I should buy some "store" eggs for baking and save the good ones (Gladys lays about 4 a week). More chickens are on my wish list. We did have some homemade bacon that Mike C. had made and given us to taste. Ray sliced off a few small pieces and cooked them up. I put in a couple slices of red onion and then some potatoes. Meanwhile, Ray washed some lettuce and we cut up some tomatoes too. So we had a BLT salad with potatoes. Pretty tasty...not quite filling enough, so we had popcorn later...

Which reminds me, it's lunch time now and I must feed myself!

Very sore from yesterday...moving slowly when I got up. Slept badly, although I would have expected the opposite. Woke with strange bad dreams...school social worker visiting family that raised fish to eat and sell for food...in terraced concrete ponds, but they were mutated...I was explaining they need to be licensed, when I realized they would probably not let me leave alive, since I might report them...

Beautiful cool sunny morning, brief walk helped clear my head. Ray loaded some junk in the truck and took it to the dump. They will recycle the metal from an old wheelbarrow, gas grill, rusty barrel, and lawnmower, so that is nice. He is finishing up the wood splitting with John and returning the splitter. Then he will bring the truck home and we will rinse it out, so it looks pretty when the potential buyer arrives at 2.

Meanwhile, I expect my Dad to come and we will keep setting out veggies. I finished the cucumbers yesterday, when it was cool again in the evening. There are about 15 of them, and not much room left for anything else! I will continue weeding and mulching. Trying to figure out where to put winter squash, melons, and peanuts. 

Death of Yesterday by M.C. Beaton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's nice to have a new mystery series to read. This one is set in Scotland, in a beautiful rural area. One of my objections is the number of people killed off...there can't be more murders in this same area, or everyone would be dead! The detective/hero is a common man with flaws...Some parts are implausible, but I will try another in the series.


View all my reviews

Garden Day

Before the sun even showed itself this morning, I was out in my green barn coat (from LLBean), setting out the last of the bunching onions, mostly to get rid of them. They needed to get out of their pots and I needed to stop carrying them in and out of the house. It was cool and overcast, looking like it might rain. We always read the forecast, and there was very little chance of it. But it was pleasant for working outside.

Ray left before 7:30 with the truck. We are selling (my Dad is selling) the truck and someone is coming to look at it tomorrow afternoon. So Ray is spending the day helping John O. cut up and split a big red oak that came down at his house. They are borrowing a splitter from Kevin Manglitz. John has a trailer hitch, apparently. He used to trail a boat back and forth to Lake Hartwell...So they worked on that all morning.

My Dad arrived about 9:30 and we worked hard all morning, too. We set out 6 zucchini plants and a couple cucumbers. I assisted, fetching tools and water and manure and giving opinions. In between times, I sprinkled a little wood ash around some of the broccoli and green beans. I'm often doing a little weeding here and there, punctuated by periods of sitting and enjoying the weather and the view of the garden. Gladys, the last surviving chicken, is not far most of the time. I don't think she is lonely, really--I'm not sure a chicken can be lonely. But she may feel safer when someone is nearby. At one point, she was following me...and Cameron was trailing behind. We had a little parade.

At about 11:00 or so, Ray called me. He and John had loaded up the truck and they were going to bring it here and unload it, followed by lunch at our house. This was a great plan, except we didn't have anything much to offer. John was bringing ham and beer. I set about clearing the table and putting on the tablecloth. I washed a head of romaine and some broccoli. I took the sweet potato rolls out of the freezer and put them on the table in a basket to thaw. I started some sun tea on the porch. I steamed the broccoli and marinated it with canned cannellini. I sliced up a few tomatoes and put them on the table in a pretty dish. I channeled my mother and grandmother. We had a lovely lunch, with fruit and cookies for dessert.

They rushed off to get another load...Ray should be back about now, I'm wondering where he is. Grampa headed quickly to Normal Hardware to buy some more staples. We had to put the Remay over the squash plants to keep the bugs off them until they are big enough to flower and we need to let them in, at least the good ones. By now, the sun was pretty hot, but it was still a very pleasant day. Dad also set a couple  tomato plants in pots for the deck. We sat on the porch for a bit, talking and relaxing and feeling good about what we accomplished. We spend a lot of time discussing what we need to do next. It often seems there isn't enough space for everything. Pumpkins and melons take up lots of room. We don't even have the sweet potatoes yet...and I like to plant peanuts, too. We need more beans, too. Hmm.

The Job Fair was, in some ways, even worse than I expected. Fortunately, I am a cheerful, positive person. It was quite entertaining in some ways. I've already had a call from Eric, from Primerica. He wants to interview me to train to be an agent or broker and sell financial products (insurance and mutual funds) to my friends. I would almost do it. It would cost $99. The problem would be trying to convince people to become my clients. I would be happy to help existing clients, but I just don't think I can recruit people I know to buy from me. Based on the number who came to me for taxes (1), I would probably starve.

I dressed in my suit, printed my resumes and headed out with Ray at 9. After I dropped him off, I drove to the Classic Center and got a parking spot on the street. How many hours should I pay for? Maybe two... I walked across the street and up the stairs and found a sign that said, Job Fair, 1:30-5...OK, now what to do for 4 hours? I retraced my steps and pulled out of my paid-for parking spot, ran by the bank and spent some quality time in the library. I love being in the library. I know how to find what I'm looking for...and there are nice people to help if I need them. It is quiet and the temperature is comfortable. There are comfy chairs or sunny desks, depending on my mood.

On this occasion, I greeted Aleta, who works at the check out desk usually. I climbed the stairs and walked into the Large Print section. (I like to read in bed after I take out my contacts). There are many ways to choose books. I tend to think the large print books have stood the test of time. They must be popular to be worth reprinting in this format. I generally choose books by women authors, not that I think no men have written books worth reading. I think I have probably read more books by men and I am trying to even it out. Also, there are way more books than I could read and I have to eliminate some of them. I learned that from Anne Camoratto years ago. I remember how peculiar I thought it was when she told me. I wonder if she is on FaceBook? I digress... I pulled out my cell phone and looked at my list on Good Reads. Over 100 books marked as to read...it took a while to find 3 or 4 in the large print section, meanwhile getting distracted by some other things, like Janet Evanovich's Twelve Sharp. What? A new one that I haven't read? Exciting. Then I looked in the card catalog (digital, of course)  for books about caring for older adults. I found a couple and settled down in a comfy chair. There was a backpack and sleeping bag next to the chair across the way, but no sign of the (one assumes) homeless person who had left them. He did come back after a bit and settle himself against the wall to sleep, with his jacket over his head. I wonder if the library keeps count of how may homeless people are there on any given day. It's certainly a pleasant place to pass the time, but I wonder how many days like that a person can stand. Does he have family that is worried about him and doesn't know where he is?

I had texted Becky to see if she could meet for lunch and she said yes (she almost always does). I found a parking space near Junkman's (which is closing, I've heard). It was another beautiful sunny day in Athens. I walked around to Porterhouse. Andy was at the front desk and it was crowded! Three mega-parties and several others. Becky got there after a bit. We ordered. Food took a while to get there. They brought me chicken instead of steak and the waiter insisted that's what I said...not that it was awful, but I didn't want to wait for them to redo it. We had a nice time, although I was a little nervous about the job fair, so not as good company as sometimes.

About 1:30, I walked back to my car and drove to the classic center. This time I parked in the deck..paid...walked across the street and up the stairs, and encountered a massive line. I walked to the end, stopping in the ladies' room to brush my hair and put it up in a bun (which remarkably lasted all the way through the line). I was between two gentlemen, younger than me, but not young. Many other people were young, especially black young people. A lot of them were very inappropriately dressed. I was the only one I saw in a suit. We slowly made our way forward. At one point, a security guard asked to take the line into another room. We waited there, but the people behind us just closed the gap. At least 8 or 10 people got in front of us. Annoying, but not worth complaining about...the security guard had disappeared...mission not accomplished. After about an hour and a half, I had to opportunity to talk to about 20 employers (along with all the other hopeful applicants). Most were not hiring office workers; some I did not ask (Caterpillar, for instance). I talked to one home health care company. They were not hiring social workers, only people who could clean, cook, etc. Not there yet...I talked to two temp. agencies...I talked to the Athens-Clarke County government and picked up info about some job openings they have. I talked to the Classic Center, where I have already applied to be an event planner. They will have mass interviews Monday and Tuesday. I talked to another company I applied to on line (in Watkinsville). She said they were hiring welders and she didn't know anything about the job I was talking about. Not very friendly either. I got back in my car, picked up my husband and went home.

I was glad to get out of my suit. I talked to my Dad and worked on supper. Unfortunately, I had to be at the UUFA at 5:30 for a run-through of the service this Sunday. It is for Earth Day and I am leading the meditation. It was fine and fun. Then I went home and picked up the Bean Snap and went to the Kenney Ridge potluck. There were about a dozen people, no kids. We had a pleasant time and some good food, including an awesome apple pie that Sky made. Ray arrived before everyone left. He had been at the Democratic Committee meeting. Mike and I bemoaned the fact that Jason Carter voted for the horrible gun law. I just can't bring myself to actively support him, although I expect I will vote for him against Governor Deal. It's just heartbreaking. I want to get out of Georgia. It's terrifying to think of what will happen when everyone starts bringing guns with them everywhere. Must clean my house, step one of the plan to sell and move. Or should I apply for jobs first?

Today was a lovely day, glad to be home. Cool in the morning, but hot out there now. Cool in the house with windows and shades closed. Ray slept in and we ate breakfast late. My Dad arrived before we went for our walk. I had started making a cake (mocha) for Ray to take to the Geology Banquet tonight. My plan was to make an apple cake as well. Grampa and I are going to a pig roast tomorrow and he could peel and cut up the apples, so it would be from both of us. Also, cookies for Robert's recital tomorrow. Sadly, I didn't really have enough sugar for the first cake. Planning fail. I filled in with a little brown sugar and I am sure it is delicious! (Click here for Recipe). Daddy and I spent a lot of time in the garden, punctuated by lunch with Ray (still lots of good leftovers; we finally finished the kale soup, much improved by the addition of ham left from Easter). Our box came yesterday, so we have more produce to use up. Grampa has a new plan for tomatoes. We are setting out 22, with a complicated system of tall stakes. We drove in all the stakes, i. e., I held the stakes while he climbed on the ladder and hit them with a sledge hammer...that's trust! Everything looks great, not much bug damage yet, no spraying (a source of conflict sometimes). We did have to put out some more traps for voles and put mosquito rings in the barrels of water to kill the wigglers. Sunshine, blue sky. Too hot to work, but pleasant for sitting among the baby plants and admiring.

After some time inside, my Dad left me to my own devices.

Alone now.
Water fills the tub.
Warm bath soothes.

And now I leave you to your own devices.

Job Fair Today

A beautiful evening--warm all night. I hated to go to choir. Potluck was slim. Good thing we brought rolls and a salad. I made rolls with the sweet potatoes left over from Easter, the ones I forgot to serve, so have lots left over. They are tasty and I brought home half of them and froze them. Yay!

It isn't light yet, gray outlines of treetops and the first birds are singing.

I am going to get myself spiffed up for the Job Fair at the Classic Center. You can't imagine how much I hate job fairs, unless you have been to one. Do your best to look terrific and talk to a bunch of bored young interns at tables in a big exhibit hall. Make copies of your resume and pick up business cards from people who have no interest in you and vice versa. Pay for parking. Walk miles in shoes that hurt my feet. Odds of getting a job this way: 1000 to 1 or more. And yet, I can't really justify sitting home doing nothing (OK, gardening, making cookies, etc.), when they are offering the job fair.

Better today

Yes, Day 3 of being home.

By yesterday afternoon, I was a little stir crazy. Ray made a lovely omelet with leftover ham, asparagus, potatoes, and, of course, eggs from our hens.

We went to the bargain movie last night: Frozen. It was a pleasant outing, although the movie was a little disappointing. There were some things I loved about it, like the strong female lead and the message about falling in love. The plot was a little lame, though. As Molli said, "it's for kids...," but I can still prefer Mulan, for instance. There was something of a reliance on dramatic special effects, which I find less impressive when they are animated. It was still worth going out for, though. Ray bought me Sno-Caps, even though I have been eating cake and other sweets too much.

On the way home, we stopped at Publix to pick up bananas. They had Easter candy on sale. You wouldn't believe how long I studied it, trying to decide whether chocolate on sale had to be dark chocolate...

Not much else happened yesterday. We get our walk every morning and I spend some time in the garden--between the time when the grass is still wet and it's kind of too hot to be out...at least an hour. Report: flowers on peas, potatoes somewhat frostbitten, surprisingly, onions, garlic doing well. Small carrots  and radishes, lettuces. Set out about 12 broccoli (maybe some are cabbage). Grampa is in the middle of setting out the tomatoes. The first few got frost-burned too. Two short rows of beans are looking good. Mostly I like weeding, sitting in the dirt, thinking about writing. Sometimes I take the spading fork and turn over a few chunks. Then I sit down in a new place. I study the weeds, trying not to pull up the Johnny-Jump-ups. (they're mini-pansies that we planted years ago and have reseeded themselves ever since.)

I listen to the chickens, scratching and making little noises. They seem to prefer to be near me. I have seen hawks and owls and smelled skunk a couple times, so perhaps they feel safer close by. I spend some time, usually after lunch, sitting on the porch, watching skinks and anoles and bees and listening to the many birds. Note to self: learn to id birds by song.

When I am on the computer, eliminating e-mails or otherwise, I listen to my favorite music. It's a good life, just needs a little more purpose. I am looking forward to Ray's vacation, soon. I hope we'll get a lot done around the house, but it always seems to go fast.

Liz calls every day around noon. Calls are pretty rare, even with the truck ad, and she is so predictable, I know it's her when the phone rings. So does Cameron. He barked today when the phone rang and I said, "it's Liz." Then I let him out (if he's not already on the porch) and he heads over to walk with her. If I haven't already, I usually eat lunch then. When she brings him back, sometimes we chat or I give her a cookie or other baked treat.

I'm going to get in the tub now. Somehow I managed not to do that yet today.