Bogieblog

Plans, Best Laid - Try Again

We didn't get as much of the yard work done as we (read: "I") had planned. We got about 2/3 of the area dug up, and no mulch laid. We would be further along except I had to run WS's tire into Concord, so went ahead and did the grocery shopping while I was there. I had originally planned on doing basic shopping at the local (in this case "local" is 4 miles away) Shaw's. The rest of the shopping could wait for during the week as I pass a Walm*rt on my way home from work.

That meant that I took 2 1/2 hours off from digging instead of 30-40 minutes. WS had a Chiropractor appointment at 4, so there was no digging for him after 3:15 (he had to take a shower and all before the appt.) I can see some digging in my future - most likely after getting home from work Monday and Tuesday. Then, WS will bring home mulch (he passes the place on his way home from work) on Wednesday or Thursday and we will need to spread it that night.

Jeeze, and I thought I was going to get some rest when I went back to work.

A Little Maintenance

We won't be leaving as early today as we had hoped; WS found that he had a bald back tire and we are waiting for it to be replaced. Now, you and I know that replacing a tire and balancing it are a matter of what - 10 minutes? Apparently the local dealer ("local" is  relative, it is 28 miles away) needs a lot more time than that. I dropped the wheel off at about 3:30 yesterday afternoon and we should count on it being done by noon today. Oh, we'll get a call if they can manage to get it done sooner.

Yep, I'm holding my breath - NOT!

Self-Induced Project

With the family gone (see previous post), we have been working as if we get paid for vacation. I have planted 6 shrubs, 2 lenten roses and some partridgeberry groundcover. All of these I have had since spring (a couple of shrubs since last fall), and figured it was time to find a place for them.

In the process, I managed to make another project for WS and myself (like we don't already have projects) - we are stripping off the top layer of "soil" and weeds in the area between the well and the shade garden at the corner of the driveway. Then we will get a truckload of mulch and cover it all up so it will be ready for planting when I am ready to plant. Although this area will not be completed for another year or two, some of the shrubs I planted were in that area, and I figured that while I was stripping and mulching those, the rest should get the same treatment.

I also took some starts from a couple of the shrubs; 2 types of mountain laurel and a summersweet. Hopefully they will take off and I will have more shrubs to put in the new area. On a distantly related note, the lilac tree sucker seems to be getting roots. The leaves are all shrivelled, but I am hopefull that the shoot will survive.

A Nice Visit

I'm back, but not for long.

WS's brothers and their wives made it here on Thursday. WS had gotten Thursday and Friday off as they weren't busy at work, so it wasn't a problem. I worked Thursday, but last Friday was my normal Friday off (I get every other Friday off), so it worked out well. We had both taken off the week of 4th of July, so the timing on everyone's part was perfect.

Friday, everyone piled into the rental van and went on a tour of the Isle of Shoals thru the Isle of Shoals Steamship Company.. It was about 5 hours long and we got to see 6 lighthouses in NH and Maine. The weather was perfect; sunny, in the high 70's and just a light breeze. We also got lucky as this was a special cruise set up for a lighthouse society and they brought with them an esteemed author on the subsject of, naturally, Lighthouses. He knew all the histories and gossip which made for interesting commentary during the cruise. Afterwards, we had lobster at a little riverside place that only served lobster and oysters. It was bring your own salad (or whatever else you wanted), and BYOB. 

Saturday, we helped Karen move (agoain - 3 times in 3 years). The in-law's were on their own and they went to the LL Bean Factory Store in Maine.

Sunday, we led the in-laws to J&S's place (WS's other brother who lives nearby). They spent some time visiting, then everyone came back here for a barbeque.