During a visit with a neighbor, it was suggested I lock my refrigerator. The laundry room is shared with my “across the driveway”  neighbor. As I’ve indicated in earlier blog messages, he is very angry with me. He shouts and curses at me; pounds on my trailer demanding I come outdoors and talk to him about the disputed situation. My several-doors-away-neighbor suggested he is the type of person who would poison my food in my refrigerator. My “several-doors-away-neighbor”  has known “across the driveway neighbor”  for seven or eight years and knows he goes to great length to get his own way. I haven’t caved to his demands so his anger is red-hot toward me.

Invariably, I “need”  something a few days, or a few weeks, after it is sold or donated. I had fifty feet of new chain, in original container, that was reasonably priced and sold during the yard sale. Now I’ll pay “top dollar”  at Lowe’s. ~~ The last several days, I’ve been delighted to function as a hostess; I’ve served my guests iced tea, Gatorade, or V-8 from my auxiliary refrigerator. Now I risk poisoning my guests??

Almost the first thing I accomplished this morning: Spray the plants with Fels Naptha. Here is information from a blog I published while I was deeply immersed in veggie gardening (at that other location). I have a large quantity (previously prepared) that will last for years. It only takes a teaspoon in a quart of water. ~~ I also prepared Epsom Salt for garden projects.

Truthfully, first thing: I was working with the blocks AGAIN. I’m so eager to complete that project so I can turn my attention to other projects!! After spraying plants, I transplanted recent purchase mark-downs–and tomato plant. I robbed soil from planters that previously held beautiful plants (at that other location) but plants perished because I neglected them after the trauma of the eviction (and hard freeze in January).

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I told a friend I’m so tired I’m cross-eyed. Six-thirty PM as I publish this.

P.S. April 29th: Last night, went to bed at 8:50 and enjoyed nine blissful hours of sleep.

Remember all the glass containers (bottles, vases, etc.) I collected for Bottle Bushes and Bottle Trees? Today I made phone calls to locate a recycling site for glass. (Because I have more… than I can use and more than other folks can use.) The closest location is WACO, TEXAS. ~~ I’m passionate about “recycling” but definitely will not be driving that distance to properly discard of. ~~ I don’t know the mileage because every website I searched wanted me to add software to my computer. “No thanks!”

“The guys” will look at the project and say “It isn’t even; it has waves.”  I’ll answer: “It has character.”  Here are several before and after pictures. (I never expected it would be three months before seventy-five percent completed.) Before I declare the project completed, I need to develop a pattern at the end of the ramp and set the blocks in place. (I have ten additional blocks.)

.

Friday, April 27th: Today, time and energy spent on blocks.

Monday, April 30th: Cement block project completed.

Three-fifteen: Just got home after a long day of activities in Livingston. So far, the rain hasn’t appeared; a bright sunny day. First thing this morning, I went to  a favorite restaurant for breakfast (an almost never experience). Second (for the first time), I visited a local barber shop for a haircut. With a long wait, a total of two hours… but so much interesting conversation between folks who have lived in this area all their lives. Third, to Angelina College seeking an answer to a nagging question. Fourth, back to Habitat for Humanity ReStore (thrift shop) for a pleasant conversation with the manager. Fifth, a long time browsing in Lowe’s as I attempted to locate hardware to meet my needs for a project. Apparently such an item doesn’t exist. Among other things, I bought “mark down” plants. Sixth: Gas; seventh: groceries. Last (but of great importance) bird seed and sunflower seeds for the birds and squirrels. Later I’ll wrestle (wrestled) the fifty-pound bags to the laundry room. Previously (for years), I’ve stored seed in a fifty-gallon aluminum garbage pail. The new location will be exceptionally nice (imho).

A husband and wife were walking down the street–as I struggled to load one bag on my hand-truck. The man ran to help me. I’m so grateful!! ~~ Now, at five-fifty PM, the seed is safe behind a closed-door and the birds have fresh food. ~~  About seven PM, I’ll walk across the street to the Clubhouse to watch the movie The Greatest Showman. I rarely, rarely, rarely attend Wednesday and Friday night movies but this movie is one I want to see. ~~ An out-of-ordinary day!!

“If you liked yesterday, you’ll love today” according to Houston TV meteorologist. Then she went on (during forecast) to say “showers on Wednesday,” ~~ Definitely “yo-yo” weather!! ~~ I’d planned to go into Livingston today for unimportant business (and groceries) but decided to wait ’til tomorrow.

Above, I belatedly “got around tuit” and installed recent purchases. ~~ Below, a neighbor delivered the refrigerator I purchased last week. ~~ The refrigerator also “protects my investment”  because I’ll have a larger selection of fresh fruit and vegetables–for my health.

.

.

April 26th: A dear friend brought it to my attention that I need to “tweak” the earlier project. 

Lorraine, that flat rectangular yellow metal plate on your wheel lock is “supposed” to cover some or all of the lug nuts on a wheel. Otherwise, all someone has to do is take your tire off. You’ve got the silver bar at about “4 o’clock;” and maybe that’s all you could get out of it…but can you get it up higher on the tire so that some of the lug nuts are blocked? It will certainly be an excellent deterrent either way.

Tuesday, May 1st: Alone, I struggled to reposition that heavy awkward item. I recruited a big strong man to assist. Obviously, the tire is too large for the plate to cover the lug bolts.

.

This… and adding the shelves in the laundry room. Items added to shelves and refrigerator. More work on cement blocks. Sweeping…, etc., etc.

A friend promised to loan me a sledge-hammer so I can pound the stake into the ground. This is my neighbor’s number and the sign will go on his side of the driveway.

Please see this earlier blog message.

Little by little, one-at-a-time, projects are scratched off the “to do” list. Honestly, I was so focused on “doing,” I failed to take pictures. Furthermore, I failed to eat and I am starved!! But I’m “too tired” to prepare a meal and I don’t want to drive twelve miles, round trip, for “fast food.” Maybe I’ll open a can of soup?!

.

.

.

.

“The old lady” is so tired but just can’t quit. The weather has been perfect so drawn outdoors to work on projects. ~~ Speaking of “abstract art,”  have you noticed I enjoy a creative tendency?