My Weekend Project

Lew worked on removing cobblestones, but I also accomplished something this weekend.

The inspiration for my project was a gift I received when I was about two years old:

For some reason, many modern-day people think that clowns are creepy, but I don't agree. My clown does look a little "worn" but he is 55-years-old! He's still cute in my eyes.

Below is my project. It's not an exact likeness, but I'm pleading artistic license.

It was a productive weekend indeed!

Lew's Logbook: Cobblestones to Remove

(After a long hiatus, Lew is back as a guest blogger! I think he is joking about setting up a page.... I think.... ~ Tracy)

Projects are a never ending reality if you own a home. As the saying goes, if it’s not one thing it’s another.

My latest involves our very old and deteriorating driveway. Over the years the right side has been sinking and cracking and exposing the rather large cobblestones along the edge. This past winter we started to pay someone else to plow our driveway and these protruding stones are a real menace.

In anticipation of having our driveway repaved, I have begun the process of removing the cobblestones. I’m not sure why I want to keep them, but they are very nice stones. Each one weighs about 25# and are basically flat on five sides. Fire pit, maybe.

Anyway, I figured it would take me a couple of weeks to dig them out because I am only willing and able to expend so much energy each day. I have included a picture of my progress. Fifty stones out so far.

I’m going to get a couple of bids for the paving job. After that I will be setting up a GoFundMe page.

Dad 516: Afternoon Musings

(Dad had success with his sign tonight. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! We are experiencing a summer day today. Even supposed to be warmer and more humid tomorrow. Today is from 70° to 90° away from the ocean.

 

Lew dug up about one dozen stones from the side of the driveway today. Also raked over the gravel by the shed. Looking good. The weather is very enticing to get out and accomplish things around the homestead. If the good warm days keep coming, I might even get out and do something. Hope to mow in the next few days.

 

Just returned from a visit to Spouse (Mary Lou). However, I failed to see her as she was not in her room. Probably roaming the halls or playing some sort of game. Hope to see her tonight to say good night. I have a little sign for "Good Night" which I also show to her roommate, Terry. Can't talk to her in the evening as we can still only visit through the window. When will this foolishness end? When will we get to visit again in person? No one knows.

 

Tune in next week.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Three-Day Weekend, Part 2

On Sunday Lew and I watched the golf match. You know the one: Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning teaming up to beat Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady. It is possible that everyone in the country watched it. It was nice to see a live sporting event. Dad has also been watching NASCAR about every night.

I spent a good portion of the weekend organizing my LEGO collection. It's not a large collection, but I still want it to be easy to find the elements that I need. Once it was organized, I had to make something, of course. I designed this myself! Hopefully you can guess what it is.

Three-Day Weekend

My company was closed today for the Memorial Day holiday. I regret that I didn't really do anything to recognize the day.

I was in the band in high school, and we used to march in three little parades in our town on Memorial Day. Each "parade" was a procession to a cemetery in town where they would then have a ceremony. Two of our trumpet players would play "Taps"; one first and then the echo.

Lew and I did watch a military-themed movie from the late 1980s tonight: "The Rescue." It is a totally unrealistic story, but it is a movie that I really enjoy. I hadn't seen it for probably 25 years. Lew had never seen it.

I did go see Mom through her window a couple times this weekend. We even took a selfie!

Dad 515: To Buy or Not to Buy

(My father is keeping the blog afloat during the pandemic. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! A touch of summer today. Temperature in high 60s. Tomorrow even higher! About time.

 

Busy day today. Still deciding whether or not to buy our leased car. Checking with Subaru Motors Finance and a local credit union which I just joined. My other option is another lease. Hopefully I'll know by next week as our lease runs out on June 6. Present vehicle has only 9,330 miles on it as our ending mileage for three years. We'll see.

 

Lew and Tracy's vehicle had some work done on it today. The stick-on strips on the door were coming loose. Not under warranty, but as a goodwill gesture there was no charge for the repair.

 

Hope to get to the store tomorrow. Been trying to get there since Monday. Want to get our garage refrigerator filled to the brim by Memorial Day. Need a few more sodas and much ice cream. Come and get it, gang!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Ready or Not

May we please be "done" with the pandemic?

I am fortunate that I have been able to continue working full-time throughout this, but I know that there are many families that are not as fortunate.

Churches need to be able to meet.

Kids need to be able to play with their friends.

People need to be able to walk down the street and not feel obligated to dash away from each other.

I want to watch a Red Sox game on TV.

And I especially want to be able to visit my mother INSIDE her care facility.

Real life is full of all sorts of risks, and we will never be able to eliminate them all.

Let's get back to living.

(Putting my soapbox away now....)

Dad 514: Not Just for the Birds

(Cats are really good friends. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! A cold start (30s) to the day. But it turned out to be a great sunny day. Temps in low 50s but still a little windy. Tomorrow might be 60s. Hope so!

 

Visited Spouse (Mary Lou) again today through her window. Did talk with her on the phone from window-side. Sure will be glad to touch her once again. She seems to be functioning well. Better than me!

 

Lew bought and installed a new birdfeeder pole today. It holds the food a little higher so he can see it from his lounge chair – a very big comfortable recliner, used by Lew and his friends (Marilyn and Jerry).

 

Kim and Kaelen got to fly home Friday. They certainly were not on crowded planes. There were 12 travelers on the plane to Chicago, and about the same number from Chicago to Peoria. They came for two weeks and stayed for about nine weeks.

 

Hoping that the re-opening of the country goes well and we get back to as near normal as possible.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

And Then There Were Five

Our household now consists of Dad, Lew, me, and the two cats.

After a two-week visit that turned into nine weeks due to COVID-19, Kim and Kaelen flew home to Illinois yesterday. They had nice masks to wear as they traveled. As far as I know they had a good trip home, all things considered. (It probably is not the most enjoyable time to fly.)

It was nice to have Kim and Kaelen here, but I'm sure that Joe and Cocoa are happy to have them back!

Of note here in Maine today, May 9th, 2020:  It snowed this morning! ❄❅❆

Dad 513: Kim Makes a Purchase

(So proud of Kim's accomplishment. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Another fairly bright spring day, but the temperature is a cool 50°. Please warm up the air! Thanks!

 

A historic day today. Kim is all excited because she was able to finally buy a thermometer. She has been trying to purchase one since arriving here for a two-week visit. Her visit, however, has lasted from March 6th to her scheduled leaving this Friday (May 8th). It has been a visit with many twists and turns.

 

When are our "super smart" governors going to allow our workers to get back to work? Soon, I hope!

 

We still have to go and see Spouse through her window while we stand outside in cool weather. Spouse was quite happy today as they got several residents outside. She has a couple of friends whom she travels about with in their chairs. They also enjoy playing games, using their physical abilities as well as their brains. Sure will be glad to get to hold Spouse's hand again. Maybe soon if our state leaders get back in the real world. We are ready!

 

Complaining done for today.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Working at Work

After over a week of working at home, I returned to the office today.

The first thing I did was have my temperature taken (a daily procedure that they instituted last week). My temperature was fine, so I got to stay!

Although I kept up with some things while working from home, I had left a lot for "when I get back on Monday." So I had a busy day "digging out" and I'll leave it at that.

Complete change of subject: We are still eating my birthday cake! So yummy, and I'm sure there are no calories in it. 😉

Crona Birthday 2020

Happy Birthday to me!

My cake is from Debbie's workplace, "Nothing Bundt Cakes"

My birthday gifts had a running theme.... CHOCOLATE!
(From Debbie)

A "Crona Birthday 2020" gift bag of goodies all purchased at the grocery store
(From Kim & Kaelen)

My Birthday Selfie  :)