Thursday July 19, 2018

Posted on 19 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

Gym this morning. It was been cool and cloudy this morning but the sun came out this afternoon. Temperatures are in the mid 70’s with a breeze and low humidity.

I picked cucumbers, beans, zucchini, and yellow squash this morning.

Posted in Gardening | Leave a comment

Wednesday July 18, 2018

Posted on 18 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

I made a trip down to Winston today. I had a 12:30 doctor appointment but left here about 8:15 to give me enough time to run all my errands and grab a bite for lunch.

It was hot down there; 90 degrees and humid. I was back home by 2:15 where the temperatures are in the upper 70’s, low humidity, and a bit of a breeze.

Posted in Barbara | Leave a comment

Tuesday July 17, 2018

Posted on 17 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

I am reading The Last Chance Olive Ranch by Susan Wittig Albert.

Gym and grocery store this morning. Warm and humid today. At one point it looked like it was going to pour down rain then the clouds blew away and the sun came out. I watered the garden and the pots then moved the stuff off the pad under the deck and the wash tub with the hens and chicks from the side porch. The front porch is finished and they are working on the sidewalk. Not sure when they are getting to the side porch and under the deck but wanted to go ahead and move everything out of their way.

 

 

Posted in Books, House | Leave a comment

Monday July 16, 2018

Posted on 16 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

Got him! Mr. Boyer came by last night to bail the trap with some more KFC. We set it on the grass next to the area where the bird feeder is that he dug out of last time.  When I checked the trap at 9:45 and again at 10:30, no raccoon. This morning when I got up about 6:45 I looked out the bathroom window and saw the front trap door was down. I went out to check to make sure he was in there and called Mr. Boyer. He was here in about ten minutes to haul trap and raccoon away. Hopefully he does not have friends and family nearby to take his place.

After said raccoon was hauled off I fed Colin and let him out, ate breakfast, and headed to the gym. The guys were here working when I got back. I left again to work an 11 to 4 shift at the gym.

Warm, humid, and partly cloudy today. We had a lot of thunder and lightening last night around midnight but no rain to speak of.

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Sunday July 15, 2018

Posted on 15 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

Last night I went with Joyce to another great concert at the Blue Ridge Music Center to hear the Steep Canyon Rangers. I saw them back in February in Winston when they played with the W-S Pops Orchestra. Last night’s show was even better. They are an awesome group of guys.

I set the raccoon trap before I left. This time I put it on the sidewalk. The rascal ate the chicken I placed in the front part of the trap but left what was in the back where he needed to go to spring the trap. Today I will hose off the trap and reset it tonight and move it to a spot over in the grass. I took down the hanging feeder and wired shut the feeder on the post to keep him out of there.

House cleaning chores and washing a load of towels. I have chicken and potatoes cooking in the slow cooker. This afternoon I will cook up the beans I picked yesterday and freeze them into small meals.

Posted in House | Leave a comment

Saturday July 13, 2018

Posted on 14 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

The raccoon did return. I thought he had not been back until last night. I left the hanging feeder out night before last and it still had food in it yesterday morning so I left it out again last night. It was empty this morning. But, I had not checked the mounted feeder on the post since Thursday. It was covered in dirt and empty even though the lid was down. I refilled it and cut coat hangers for the two side holes that keep the lid secure. He may have figured out how to hang over the top and hoover it from front slot. If he sits on front the lever comes down and closes it off. I will reset the trap tonight but I am not hopeful.

Cloudy and cool today. I started a load of laundry then went out to the garden. I picked a big mess of green beans, lots of cucumbers, and a few zucchini. I took the cucumbers and zucchini next door to Vicki and Gil.

 

 

Posted in Gardening | 2 Comments

Friday July 13, 2018

Posted on 13 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

Gym this morning, home, play with the dog, shower, and back to the gym by 10:30 to work until 3:30.

It was over cast and cloudy most of morning. The sun came out this afternoon. Temperatures have  been in the mid to upper 70’s with no rain, not even a thunderstorm in sight.

Work on the porch continues. They have finished laying and grouting with cement the rock past the front door. This is great because Colin is more or less trained to go in and out of the front door; especially at night. He is good about using the open garage door during the day but he would not change his habits for last time out at night. I finally had to start taking him on the leash to keep him off the porch. He will be really happy tonight. Border Collies do not like change.

Posted in Colin, House | Leave a comment

Thursday July 12, 2018

Posted on 12 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

I am reading Vineyard Deceit by Philip R. Craig.

Partly cloudy and a bit more humid than it’s been. Temperatures are in the upper 70’s with a slight breeze. As predicted we need rain after the 20 plus inches in May. Now we can’t buy rain. Things are getting really dry though the grass still needs mowed this week at least.

I am painting all my iron porch furniture today in the garage. With the doors open it’s 83 degrees; warm but tolerable.

The guys are making great progress on the front porch. I have decided to get ahead and do the sidewalk, the side porch, and under the deck. All poured for rock finishing but never completed. It will make it look nice all the way around. Like the front columns, the AC unit under the deck is sitting on a rock foundation by itself with space left under the back door stoop for the rock.

Posted in Books, House | Leave a comment

Wednesday July 11, 2018

Posted on 11 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

Gym this morning. Work on the front porch continues. No sign of the raccoon since Sunday night. I will wait a few days and try baiting the trap again.

I worked at the gym from 11 – 4.

Posted in Barbara | Leave a comment

Tuesday July 10, 2018

Posted on 10 July 2018 by Barbara Fritchman Thompson

The house we bought was built about 12 years ago by the owner Jerry. He and his brother did all the rock work on the house and porch. They ran into some financial difficulties soon after they finished and moved in but ended up loosing the house to the bank the time we purchased it.

The house itself was finished and they had been living it in but they ran out of money before the finished the front porch and the sidewalk which was poured but did not have the slate top. The columns to the porch are set atop just a cut square of the slate. Bob and I discussed several ways we could try to finish the porch but never came up with anything that would look good. It’s roughly a two inch gap between the poured concrete top of the porch and the top of the slate pieces.

Several weeks ago the owner came by and told me he had the slate that goes on the porch and had been storing it off site but needed to move it. Guess he thought he could sell it or something. Wish Bob and I had known that after we we moved in!

Anyway we settled on a deal and had it moved to the natural area. He and his brother laid the rock when they constructed the house.  Jerry no longer does rock work but his brother is still doing it.

So, long story short, they are starting on laying the slate today.

 

Posted in House | Leave a comment