‘Al, the Awesome’

Getting an early start to yardwork was the brilliant idea of ‘Al, the Awesome’. Major tree trimming took place. He not only cut out lots of dead wood but did it before the trees were weighed down with leaves. While at the compost dump, he picked up a load of mulch.
That spread nicely on all flower and garden beds, he built another 4’ x 12’ grow box. Two cubic bags of “Black Magic’ garden soil later, we were ready to plant. With time on his hands and energy to burn, he built a nifty greenhouse over the (now) two grow boxes. Stretching plastic over the framework he got from his brother Doug (saved us $100), there was no stopping this man. With openings on each end for doors, our garden seeds nearly jumped out of their little packets to their new home.

If that wasn’t enough, he moved half a house of furniture with the industrial strength dolly I borrowed from work, and then took a rest. I really don’t lay awake nights thinking of jobs for him. I may have to since he has obliterated the list on the bulletin board.

From Her House to Ours to Yours

Pictured are the pieces of furniture we inherited from Mom (Grandma), that we either have picked up already or will move from her house to ours & yours this year.

Colleen: The rocker lounge chair we picked out for her, when she had her hip surgery.
Jenn: Got the antique china hutch originally Grandma Grace Park's.
Mauri: (Hunter especially) got her 4 piece bedroom set purchased about 1965.
Alicia: Nil! Sorry you live too far away. We will pick out some light weight stuff.
Breann: The cedar chest she bought with the money earned working at the Purity Biscuit factory after graduating from Granite High in 1947. (Has to share it with Camille in five or so years when she has room for it.) Won't download.
Jory: Brand new luggage.
In addtition many have towels, sheets, table cloths, lamps, irons, trinkets and more junk than we really need but, whose complaining besides our spouses?

Utips link

http://www.ucutips.org/~schmidt115/

Whipped by the Wind

A huge gust of wind looking for a weak link whacked our fence across the face, wrestling it to the ground. We were away at the time.

What is worse, this isn't the first time. Why would we want to try standing it up again? Was it that our fence posts weren't strong enough? What to do. What to do.

Gas Grill Gives Eviction Notice

While filling the bird feeder one morning this week, Allan noticed small branches hanging out of our gas grill. Lifting the lid, he discovered it full of grasses in the shape of a full blown nest. He removed all of the home construction materials. That evening he opened the grill lid to find the nest had been rebuilt. Talk about speedy home builders, this couple was serious. It's obvious we haven't used the grill lately.

The week before I had observed a couple of starlings having quite the noisy conversation on our deck railing. They were singing at the top of their lungs. Now I know why. Perhaps a heated discussion over choosing a home. Announcements of their new digs was being telecast over the neighborhood.

Gives new meaning to the adage, "A bird in the hand is better than two in the grill."
"Give a bird a meal (inch) and he will steal your grill (a mile)."

Suffice it to say, we blocked the small one inch openings on each side of the lid that they were accessing for this perfect spot. Now what to do when you have been evicted. We used the grill today.

Is April Fooling Us?

The news report predicted snow; but I didn't believe them, when it was 71' on Saturday, April 2nd. The warm brisk breeze felt good as we worked in the yard. As afternoon wore one the temperature dropped with rain clouds threatening. After a successful shopping spree that night, rain followed me home.

Occasionally the weathermen are correct, because we woke up to a wonderland of white. It was so serene I had to snap these pictures. With no church to attend, the roads were barren of man or machine.

April Fool's is trying to hold out for more than one day. Either that or Old Man Winter wants to be remembered. No thanks, we are reeaallly ready for Spring.

Pallbearers Perform

Sons and grandsons worked together as they lovingly carried Grandma Crane's casket from the hearse to the grave recently. A representative from each family, including son, Jim at the head. It was a tender time, for service and reflection.