Air & Weather

 It would be nice if we had more than one day of clean air.  Last week for 5 days the winds blew ozone North from Milwaukee, Chicagoland, and possibly from Gary.  Yesterday we had one day without an air quality advisory.  Now the winds are blowing smoke down from Canada's wildfires in Quebec.  I hope the Canadians can get those fires under control soon; they've been burning for at least a month now.  It would be really nice if the weather pattern went back to a bit more normal with weather patterns blowing from west to east.

On the garden front, things are progressing more slowly than I'd like.  The compost bin needed to be relocated again, primarily because the last 3 years it was receiving grass clippings from my yard and the neighbor lady's yard and it was getting full.  Celia passed away last year, and the new owner has started mowing his own yard after being reminded that the city doesn't observe no mow May.  Hopefully the compost bin can stay in its new location for a bit longer.  Spreading the done compost is taking extra time, but the main garden has finally been tilled, composted, re-tilled and planted.  The old fence was getting rusty, so a new one needs to be installed before the seeds start sprouting.  The store still didn't have 2' tall chicken wire, so I had to go with 3' instead.  Hopefully, it will be fairly simple to cut and fold down sections for entrances, because I'm short.  The rest of the planting beds around the yard still need work, but at least most of the tomatoes have been planted.  It would be nice to get some rain.

When Driving After Dark

down a road frequented by white tail deer, do so with the radio cranked and the windows open.  The expression on their faces as they walk away from the road rather than into traffic is priceless. 

Finally

 The snow stopped.  Best guess, there was at least 8", probably more.  It was difficult to tell with all the drifting.  The snowblower auger drive belt has been replaced, and the snow overnight wasn't as sticky as the stuff from yesterday.  Being able to use the snowblower in some places saved my back a little.   It's time to get back to the chores that were set aside for a day to clear snow, lots of snow.

Precipitation is predicted again on Wed.-Thurs.; although they are predicting rain this time.  That presents a different challenge involving a pump and 150' of hose at dad's house to keep the really big puddle that forms from overflowing into his garage.

I am looking forward to spring, when the ground thaws and the water soaks into it.  Oh, and more variety in outdoor colors other than white, black, and brown would be nice.  Spring will arrive eventually.  This week a few foolish Robbins and a sassy Cardinal were spotted.  The Robbins must be eating squishy crab apples, because there aren't any bugs or worms available yet.

It Can Stop Snowing Anytime Now

 Please!

It snowed two days ago, the wet heavy stuff.  Heavy enough to snap the drive belt on the snowblower's auger.  I think I found the correct replacement part at Fleet Farm yesterday, but I haven't had time to install it yet.

It doesn't really matter if the snowblower is working or not, because what is falling from the sky is more wet, packy snow.  There's no point in hurrying to fix the snowblower, when I'll be using a shovel to clear this batch to avoid destroying another drive belt.  Beginning to end (sometime tomorrow) the storm will probably have dumped 8-10" here.

On the plus side children all over town probably had a blast today making snowmen and sledding (if they could get to a hill).

Wishing you a Happy New Year

 2022 has been a year with some hellos and many farewells.  We reconnected with friends and family and said farewell to others.  One aunt, a cousin, and stepfather died this year.  Mom is now a widow; although most days she doesn't remember.  For privacy, I won't include their photos.

Also gone are two family pets.  We lost both Tigger and Ember this year.  Tigger wasn't a big surprise because she was over 20 years old.  I looked back through the photos and did not find any recent ones.  Even the one from last year showed her primary pastime, sleeping.  The other four of eating, drinking, barfing up hairballs, and peeing were never photo worthy.  Near the end she was a very grouchy and probably deaf old thing.

Ember on the other hand was a sweetheart to the very end.  She developed a tumor in her abdomen that interfered with her liver function.  She had her final trip to the vet before the symptoms became really bad.  Mooching the chin an ear rubs to the very last.

Duke, the stray cat who wormed his way into our household on Labor Day weekend 2021 is now an only pet.  He keeps us on our toes and will get himself into lots of trouble and get stuck in inappropriate places if allowed to do so.  As below, "Get your furry behind out of the appliance parking cupboard please."

Wishing you a Very Happy New Year!

(And watch out for the pillows with claws lurking below.)

No Matter How Badly the Day is Going

 When the organ retrieval vehicle goes past on the way to the hospital, it serves as a reminder that someone else had a much worse day.

Drive safely out there on this Labor Day Weekend.

Happy Independence Day!

 Wishing everyone fortunate enough to live in the United States of America a Happy Independence Day!

To sister-in-law living in Britain, light some sparklers and remind them of their revolting colonies.

(That's all for now.  There are outside chores to do before the weather gets hot and the big rain cloud arrives.  At least the garden won't need watering today.  Hopefully the rain won't interfere with fireworks displays later.)