It’s 2:45 PM and I am still in my pajamas!! I’ve been on the computer since I got up this morning!! First: Heat and humidity. Currently: Severe thunder-storm–that (gratefully) cooled the air. I collected more rain water for my plants.  Look at that outside temperature: 72 degrees.

I’d love to own a rain barrel but refuse to pay $99. at Lowe’s or $179.00 for this beauty. Maybe I should consider a collapsible barrel? Oh, with further research, this is my favorite because rain can run off the awning into the unit. With the others… I’d need to modify?! On closer examination, the $179. “beauty” would collect directly from the run-off. (I can dream can’t I? I don’t like the appearance of a dozen containers in my yard!!)

I would rather create blog messages, search clip art and information on the Internet, than eat. Truthfully, I haven’t had breakfast or lunch!! I’m on my second glass of ice tea after two cups of coffee earlier.

Spending time on the computer, uploading pictures, creating blogs, reading blogs, etc., gobbles up time on my Verizon Hot Spot. Last month I used my five gigabytes in eleven days. One thing you won’t hear me say today “I’m too tired to square dance.” (Square dance class tonight.)

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Hey, my Verizon usage (today) wasn’t bad. Look, just 0.250 of 5 GB used (copied from my Verizon account at 4:20 PM).

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Almost one inch of rain today!! I’m still at the computer. Lots of email messages, and blogs, to read. Time to get out of my pajamas, shower and dress for class!!

Frequently I’m asked: “What are you doing?” My answer: “I’m fighting a mold problem!” They say: “I have moles, too.”  Reply: “That, too; I’m fighting M-O-L-D in my tiny travel trailer and a M-O-L-E digging up my yard.”

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This morning (before it got blazing H-O-T) I watered plants in my yard. I discovered that a bird (or critter) had nibbled on my first ripe tomato. I harvested two tomatoes, and question whether the green pepper should be picked.

Beastly, ghastly, horribly H-O-T-!! I had to turn on the A/C about ten o’clock (and I hate A/C). I worked on neglected indoor projects until 12:30 when I came to the CARE Center for the mid-day meal. Pre-planned, of course, (12:30) because I wanted to use free WiFi–and I’ll water all the houseplants. (I like to water on a Sunday afternoon when there are very few people around.)

…into the freezer!!

The better part of my day was spent volunteering at Habitat for Humanity thrift shop. I did not leave the air-conditioner running in the trailer (at 9:00 AM) so I came home to “an oven.” I turned on the A/C, grabbed my laptop and headed for the CARE Center. The thermometer (on the thermostat) says 73 degrees. It really feels like I am in “a freezer.” ~~ I didn’t plan to eat the evening meal in the Center but speculate my trailer has not cooled significantly.

… “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

Intimate friends, casual friends, acquaintances…. ~~ Living at CARE, I experience losses all too frequently. Yesterday two acquaintances…, last month two acquaintances. Oh, the ache!! I’m at a loss for words. ~~ Eight years ago today, the father of my three sons….

Strange comparison? Gone, too, is my faithful, hard-working Samsung digital camera. We traveled thousands of miles and saw beautiful… and boring! (Most of the pictures on my blogs were taken with that small camera purchased [in 2010] from a pawn shop for $100.00.) S/he joins the Vivitar 35mm camera I used for decades.

Another sadness: My Bluebirds have disappeared!

Truly, the end is in sight!! This morning I vacuumed the cushions, and put some things away. Actually, more kitchen items needed to be washed before being stored away. I tried to eliminate grime on the small plastic table, and hoped to “whiten” (with bleach) the inside of the T@B door. At one o’clock–due to heat and humidity–I retreated to the “big” trailer. In the near future, I’ll have more laundry for the T@B plus washing two sleeping bags.

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Did you read Rome wasn’t built in a day, Mold in T@B–part one, Mold in T@B–part two, Mold in T@B–part three, Mold in T@B–part four,  Make hay while the sun shines, Mold in T@B–part five, Mold in T@B–part six, and Mold in T@B–part seven??

Essential oils from Young Living are a pleasant new experience (for me). Better than “essential oils,” the natural sweet aroma of flowering trees. My trees are loaded with blossoms!! I have yet to learn the name of the trees (but I’m resarching).

Postscript, June 6th: Received this answer from a long-time Texas resident friend.

It is a Chinese Tallow. These are very pretty and the blooms do smell terrific, but it is v-e-r-r-r-r-y invasive and will crowd out our native trees. It is one of those trees that was imported back in the 40’s and 50’s for landscaping because they grow fast, look pretty spring thru fall. The fall colors are outstanding.

Can’t trust a woman with a task!! The Texas flag is upside down!! (Did you notice??)

I checked the Internet to be certain. Yup!! I hung it upside down!! (I’m eight months “young” in the Lone Star state and [frankly] only approached the project as a favor for another CARE resident.)

Why couldn’t the Texas flag be simple like my home state, California?

You can’t mess up with the Ohio flag. (I lived there for several years.)

Likewise, you can’t mess up North Carolina’s flag. (I’m a recent transplant from North Carolina.)

Two PM: Too hot to work outside–although I spent the morning in the yard. It’s 91 degrees outside; 83 degrees inside with air-conditioning. I was forced to turn on A/C because unbearable in the trailer(s).

I see “the end” of the project in the T@B. On Sunday afternoon I did my regular laundry plus two loads from the T@B. Even though items had been put away clean I didn’t want to risk mold spores in them. (Maybe I’m too fanatical about the mold?) Today I washed all the dishes and cooking utensils.

Determined to stay busy (“idle hands are the devil’s workshop”) I repaired the handle of the oven (already broken when I took possession of the “big” trailer). I’ve also made the rounds with Goo Gone to soak Scotch tape off cupboard and closet doors. I can only surmise the former owners had notes hanging from the doors listing contents.

Regarding oven door: I’ve had to grab the sides to open oven. Because of limited storage… the oven is full of cooking utensils so I open occasionally. (I don’t do a lot of cooking.) Imagine my shock the first time I tried to open… and the handle came off in my hand. (Trust me, I didn’t break it; I’m not that strong!) So I used Loctite Super Glue at each break plus a splint on the top and bottom each side.

Here is some “I (you) could care less” info. I have a box full of miscellaneous stuff  “in case I need… for a project.” The “splints” (for oven door came from a plastic “gizmo”). I frequently find just what I need in that box!!

I dragged out my step-ladder and hung a parrot from the ceiling. He caught my attention at Habitat on Saturday and he begged me to take him home. I call him “Pauly” because–with all that color–obviously a male. “Pauly want to go with Lorraine. Pauly want to go with Lorraine.” (To paraphrase “Polly want a cracker.”)

I recently repaired a “pocket door” that was stuck in the recessed area. Now it has a “stopper.”

I’ve never been able to get rid of the horrible stain in the carpet in the kitchen. I’ve scrubbed it many times. It’s covered with a scatter rug.

An outside project beckons: I’ll buy two (or four) jacks to take some of the weight off the two slide-outs. The living room/dining room slide-out has the extra weight of one book-case. Maybe not a problem but I think worth the expense. (See jacks at a neighboring trailer.) ~~ I’ll need more roof repair (soon) because a new leak at the bedroom slide-out this last storm.

I’ve cleaned the Halo vacuum and packaged the accessories and extra bags–to deliver (as a donation) to Habitat next Saturday.

Yes, I keep busy. But, in the evenings, I enjoy old movies on old VHS-tapes. Last night: The Amazing Panda Adventure. Previous night: The Basket. Both are excellent IMHO. Sooner or later: Denali Wilderness, Gross Anatomy, Reversal of Fortune, Secrets, and The Natural.

I have a list of things to do at Lowe’s on my next trip to town. I bought a glass one-gallon container at Habitat thinking I’d store extra filtered water. Guess what: It leaks at the spigot! (Should-a known! That’s why it was given away?) I’ll see if I can find a PVC (plastic pipe) fitting (plug) to replace the spigot.

Outside, 92.8 at 3:00 PM. The humidity is awful!! Folks tell me my first summer will be the worst. It becomes more bearable in subsequent years.

Outside, 89.4 at 6:30 PM. The door is open; the A/C is off. Somewhat uncomfortable (heat-wise) but better than cooped up with A/C going!! While “cooped up” this afternoon, I matched my garments and hung with outfits ready to wear. (Another task I put off until I got “a round tuit.”)

FYI: 7:30 PM and I’m in the CARE Center using free WiFi. I prepared this message from notes jotted down earlier in the day. 

Postscript, Thurs., June 5th, 2014, 5:30 PM: I loved the Hallmark movie Secrets!! Thomas Gibson was smiling and effervescent; he is very serious and never smiles in Criminal Minds. Jessica Bowman was delightful and I remember her from Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.

Busy day!! First I trimmed bushes, pulled weeds, filled bird feeders, and more. Then–in the T@B–I was down on my hands and knees–and flat on my stomach–to reach areas with mold. A few items were put in the cabinet under the refrigerator. The diffuser was set up and emitting Thieves essential oil.

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Saturday was spent volunteering at the local Habitat for Humanity Thrift Shop. I was their best customer (LOL) because I found numerous items  for my CARE family. A lawn chair and foam cushion for one lady (because her lawn chair collapsed on her recently). Three square vases were acquired because a dear lady was looking … two weeks earlier. To my delight, I found a flag pole (so won’t have to buy at Lowe’s). The Texas flag went down in a recent storm so, today, I got it up for a dear gentleman. (It’s a secret; don’t tell him. He thinks one of the “men” made the repair.)

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Mid-afternoon: The widow was finally able to view the one-hundred-plus pictures I took at the Memorial Service ten days ago. We’ll crop, we’ll make captions… and eventually create an album to be distributed to family and friends. (That’s why I’m in the CARE dining room with the benefit of free WiFi.)

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Square dancing tonight!! I didn’t use up all my energy today; I planned accordingly!!