My word for today: Acute. Stress on this old body is acute but the desire to complete the project is ACUTE. Can’t stop!! It was a cool morning. Rain in the forecast–maybe as early as this afternoon. I’m hoping the rain will help settle the paving blocks. It will certainly soften the ground where I plan to lay ten more blocks.
The pain is worth it!! I’m delighted with “a cute” rain barrel!! I had it unpacked within ten minutes after FedEx delivered.
Just could not stop!!
The dish pans, waste baskets, etc., were not an attractive addition to my garden!! The new rain barrel has charm (IMHO). ~~ The coco fiber in hanging baskets worked well in North Carolina. Texas heat and humidity killed the Petunias. Now I plan to buy more wind chimes and hang them from the four “arms” of the wrought-metal display.
Is it disrespectful for me to use a play-on-words of Martin Luther King’s I’ve Got A Dream speech?? ~~ It was a cool morning and I accomplished a lot!! It takes half-a-dozen attempts to get the paving blocks level. Several need more work!! Changed my mind AGAIN. Originally it was going to be two blocks width. But I need to make a firm base for the two new rain barrels. (The moles are relentless as they tunnel through my yard!!) The planter will be moved to the right and two paving blocks inserted. ~~ By eleven o’clock it was time to quit. When the sun came out (after a brief rain) it was hot and humid.
I confess I have been very concerned about my memory. There was a time when I had instant recall. Now I grope for an answer; sometimes the answer just isn’t “there.” I’ve always had a command of vocabulary–I knew how to spell every word I wanted to write. That has waned; I rely on the Spell Checker to verify the material I have written.
This morning I reworked the paving stones that were in place–and added several more. It was hot and humid–and the mosquitoes were savage. I have citronella candles burning; there is a mosquito plant nearby; marigolds in adjacent planters (but it didn’t stop them). ~~ Changed my mind!! Frequently my yard becomes a lake during and after a thunder-storm. It makes sense to me that I should have some drainage between the paving stones. They are a lath width apart.
Speaking of thunderstorms, I ordered two (yes, two) rain barrels yesterday. I’ve shopped Lowe’s, Home Depot, Tractor Supply and Walmart for large trash receptacles (for a do-it-myself rain barrel project). I wasn’t happy with the choices. My garden is important to me–I want it to be attractive!! The rain barrels I chose will be a nice addition to my yard (IMHO). Pictures of rain barrels later.
…I could probably fry it on the sidewalk!! We’re heading for 97 degrees this afternoon but (according to weatherman) “will feel like 105.”
A friend sent an email message with a dozen very unusual pictures. I wonder if she was suggesting my pictures are boring (LOL). Truthfully, I wish I had captured pictures similar to these because (for several years) I’ve had birds and squirrels in my yard. “Practice makes perfect.” An unusual shot may be in my future?!
Yesterday, I was out of my trailer home almost the entire day. I left at 7:30–and deliberately did not turn on the air-conditioner (to save a few pennies on the electric bill). I drove a friend to her doctor’s appointment in Lufkin. Later we shopped, and enjoyed a delicious Chinese buffet. Home–very briefly–at 3:09. I turned on the A/C, snapped the picture, and retreated to the CARE Center. I stayed for the evening meal, and watched the evening news, before returning home. The A/C ran all night… but off now (6:00 AM) because a pleasant 75 degrees outside. This weekend will be extremely hot. No relief in sight until late next week.
With our extreme heat and humidity, we need all the natural air-conditioning we can get. I didn’t want to sacrifice tree limbs to place the antenna on the roof of the storage building. Save a tree, capture rain water, organic gardening… I’m an advocate!! My not-so-reliable indoor-outdoor atomic clock is registering 95 degrees outside. 
I worked in the yard until moments ago but couldn’t stand the heat a moment longer. (It’s 11:30.) Yes, I’m wringing wet!! ~~ “Triple digits” is the forecast for this weekend.
Three Quarters & Counting 