08/29/2020, Saturday

So...during one of our recent winery trips ( yes, there are still scores to discover on just two of the Finger lakes) we saw a gas fire pit made out of a wine barrel. We inquired about it, and contacted the shop they had purchased it. $3,245 !!!! DC says, "WE could make one of those !" We purchased a wine barrel, a fire pit gas kit and some fire rock and for under $200 it is almost done and will become a fixture on our deck later today ! Working with wood is addictive and therapeutic ! My SS (Syracuse Sister) and BIL are coming for a visit and some hiking tomorrow. They are planning a short trip to Ohio to meet their DS and DD, who both live in Chicago, as Ohio is mid-way for both and NOT on THE LIST. We wanted to see each other prior to all of that exposure. Schools here have just been told $20% + of their budgeted for state aid has been cut. With less than two weeks until various types of reopenings, many districts have reverted to remote because they simply can't afford to open safely without that $$. Shirl, it is funny that you mentioned only naming the cows. They shared some of the names they've given the bison, and none of them were bulls. One of the white bison had a white calf this year. Evidently, they are often sterile.

That fire pit sounds really cool! I wish I was handy like that.

Happy Anniversary Diane C. Have a great day.

I am in a beautiful city on the water in a lovely Inn. I have a bottle of wine as old as DS (1991), some good cheese, and my wedding album. I will poke around in stores a bit today, then dinner at a good looking place on the water which DSD friend runs. He is going to make sure I have a good spot and don't feel too weird eating alone.

This is DH and I on our 37th anniversary in 2018, the last one where I took him out to celebrate and he more or less knew why:

Have a safe and healthy day!

Liz, I remember that pic. What a lovely memory to share with us.

Happy Anniversary to you, Diane C.!

Diane Mc., I'm not surprised about the budget cuts. We have had the same here. It's just amazing to me for what they will find money and on what they are willing to skimp. It is hard for me to swallow that California is the 5th or 6th largest economy worldwide, but we are 41st in per pupil spending in the nation. It's nonsensical.

I am firmly planted at 268 again. Must be my body's happy place. LOL! That's okay. I talked with the NUT and I am starting out this week on my first step towards sustained weight loss. It is a basic, no brainer step, but one I have never really taken too seriously. I have to just keep track of hunger and satiety levels when I eat using a specific hunger scale. Easy enough, IF I commit to it.

Finished watching the last season of 13 Reasons Why. It was a bittersweet ending to a very intense show. I was left feeling the need for more concrete resolution. As if there is such a thing in life - especially a graduating senior's life.

Work is exhausting. Not physically, just mentally. I carry on and I am smiling. This is good.

I slept a good long time this morning. I didn't waken until after 7. I got up with the dogs, but hopped back in bed and stayed in bed drifting in and out until about 9. A good rest feels quite nice.

Some grooming on the books today, but not much else.

Thank you for remembering the pic. You know Paula said something recently that really resonated: that having a good life with good men made us want something for the future. It seems as if DH gave me the love and support I need to find my way.

It so PO's me that our local governments are always cutting education spending. WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT (especially now)????

I am avoiding watching the last season of 13 Reasons Why. Not sure I am ready for it...

So glad you got a good rest and are smiling!

I read Paula's comment about Ben and Paul setting you both up to be well loved in the future. I had really not thought of that prior to her comment, but it sure does make a good deal of sense.

Another comment I read recently, and sadly I can't remember who wrote it (my guess is Diane C.) is that at "our" age, meaning more mature, we don't have the luxury of time so it's really not a bad or unwise thing to jump in with both feet and experience what life has to offer, especially in the arena of relationships and love. Again, another pearl of wisdom I had not considered.

I remember, too, many of the pictures you posted of Paul when he was still living at home. Those pictures tugged at me curiously. I wondered how someone who appeared so normal and healthy could be so sick. Those wonderings always led me back to understanding we don't always know someone else's story or reality. What we present to the world is only the tip of the iceberg of who we are. The journey with Paul that you shared here helped me grow.

Wishing you much love and reflection and being awash in beautiful memories today.

I've been creeping up in weight the last 3 mornings at 1700 calories (which I can easily lose at). I'm doing what I know works, so this feels like a cosmic test of my resolve.

This morning I walked with my friend (I am loving getting time with her) and we both said that while we really enjoy walking together and feel good after walking, we both were praying for an excuse to not go. That led to a pact to only cancel if we REALLY need to. It helps to be so similar in our thought patterns! Makes mind reading much easier.

I started another puzzle and made a quick trip to the grocery store. It's a beautiful day here and it's only going to be 79! Woohoo! Open doors and no a/c! I'm also watching hummingbird battles in my backyard. They sure are territorial of their feeders. They don't even drink, they just fight off anyone else that wants to.

Liz, I'm glad your weekend is a going well. DianeO, love your project! Peps, the money thing in this state drives me crazy. Where is it going? It's why I am so against them continuing to raise taxes. They waste what they get on nonsense and stiff the people *****ally deserve it.

Greetings All

Another slow day. I will for sure get to the pool.

Yesterday I took Chip to the vet. DH was insisting something is wrong because he is not eating well. But he has lost no weight and his bloodwork is fine. I think Chip is just in covid hibernation like all of us are. And he is nearly 14.

DH wants me to cut his hair which I will attempt. He got out these clippers. Not sure what will happen with my fumbley hands. So I told him he had to decide which clipper head is to be used so I won't be blamed if he gets a stripe down his head. He actually does not have much hair at all so it won't matter. If his hair gets too long he gets this "clown" look which is not so cool.

We have been watching Anne with an E. Its pretty good. Sweet and fun.

Yeah I just hate it when they cut school spending and I don't even have any kids. But I want to live in a society of able competent people so I am happy to pay school taxes. I just can't figure out what excess stuff they are cutting especially when there is greater need. One of the small towns here allegedly has 100 kids covid positive.

Bison are so cool. There is a drive through prairie wildlife place back near Omaha. I remember riding through a pen of bison and now can't imagine how that could have been safe. Oh well.

DianeM good work on the fire pit. Good idea to make your own.

Liz hope your weekend is meaningful. At first I wondered how you could manage without iPad but now it seems like a good thing not to have it. Nice pictures. Enjoy.

Cecily those little hummingbirds are ninjas! They are not shy. I am sure you have been "buzzed" by them as we are on our deck.

Well the sweet peas have gone to seed and fall is around the corner. We are worried about how to run the studio in the winter as it does get cold. There is a furnace but right now we keep all the doors and windows open for fresh air and that won't be possible. Air purifiers under research.

Rest uo Peps. School is just beginning.

Diane S

I loved Anne With An E! And the hummingbirds definitely buzz by. I've always thought they sounded like a flying car out of the Jetson's cartoon.