Accomplished more than anticipated this morning. I only planned to put down three or four blocks but all went well and all fourteen were in place.

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Additional positive tasks: Roof repair. She came to help adjust the TV antenna. Then Maintenance arrived to take the table and chairs (as a donation for CARE garage sale). For many years that table (and a twin) held my computer, printer, microfiche reader, scanner and the research material I was currently working on. It served me well when preparing  LaVerne Evergreen Cemetery Tombstone Inscriptions (book) and Frantz Families–Kith & Kin (in three volumes). Living in a 5th-wheel trailer demands “downsizing.”

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One-thirty and I finally stopped for lunch (a big salad). From flooding during each storm, there has always been debris in that area.  Slowly, very slowly, my yard is becoming more attractive (IMHO).

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Postscript, Friday, September 26, 11:45 AM: See why I must cover the ground in my yard?? An old lady can twist an ankle stepping in one of those tunnels!! Those are new overnight or early this morning.

Well, almost the best. The raw almonds and dried apricots were getting old and (IMHO) “not for human consumption.” ~~ I worked in the yard because such a pleasant day–weather-wise. I was pulling weeds and got into an area with fire ants. Instantly, they were all over me. I’m really suffering from their attack. Even Cortizone-10 Intensive Healing Formula isn’t relieving the itch!!

Yesterday, I very slowly flooded the area where a critter dug a hole. Later I filled in the dirt and hosed the extra dirt from the patio.  Today, no new digging so I did a thorough job of  cleaning up under the trailer and on the patio. Flower pots stored under the trailer were washed and put away. Likewise, tools went into the little storage building. I hung garden flags for Fall (originally on display in North Carolina).

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Later (actually 4:15): I bought fourteen paving blocks and will continue that project now that the weather is cooler. I had my “breakfast of champions” this morning (but not Wheaties) so I could lift and carry five hundred eighteen pounds!! (Thirty-seven pounds at a time.)

This is very unique and a must see (IMHO).

I tried to copy the image but Google probably has the image under lock and key?! I hope the link doesn’t disappear in a couple of days. It would be nice to revisit next year at this time?! ~~ I worked for over an hour trying to capture the image of trees turning to autumn colors, and then leaves falling, but will abandon the endeavor. Take my word for it, it is clever.

Worked in the garden all morning. Came into the trailer for lunch after one o’clock. I trimmed dead growth from plants; I emptied the wheelbarrow full of rain water. The birds received fresh seed to replace the rain-soaked. Nothing spectacular or unusual to write about.

While eating fresh veggies for supper, I was browsing the Internet. By some circuitous route, I ended up reading this May 1988 article titled The New Inferiority. I found it very interesting and very long. I wonder what the author would write about present day politics and world events.

On the lighter side (LOL), here’s a recipe for steak that a vegetarian will eat.

Does my pesky mole dig a hole like this?? I thought it only “tunneled.” Do I have another varmint in my yard–under my trailer??

Armadillo, oh my gosh, could it be? So-o-o-o-o, after reading the comment from Deb, I went to the Internet and read up on the armadillo. So much information, so many links: Armadillo in Texas, and my favorite. I must have spent two hours reading about the unique little creature!!

Embrace the Opossum is suggested in this web link.  “The opossum, while not the most beautiful of animals is extremely beneficial to the environment. Should an animal become a nuisance, the Wildlife Center can provide techniques to exclude the animal from the area in question, they should not be live trapped or harassed.”

Now I just watch and wait to see what happens next?!

It’s raining!! Briefly, I pulled some weeds (while it was sprinkling). Now I’m indoors reading some email messages. One message was about God missing for six days. Well that email would have required a lot of work to “clean it up.” I went to the Internet and found the same message but about Texas–rather than Virginia. Enjoy this site titled Just for Laughs. Here’s the content of the email I received.

Postscript, 5:00 PM: Rain has stopped. I went outdoors planning to pull more weeds.  I wasn’t out five minutes. The mosquitoes have a voracious appetite!!

…while I was on the computer, someone delivered a berm. Because I don’t have television, I haven’t heard weather reports. Maybe we are expecting another hard rain that will flood my yard?

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Next Internet search: Ground-cover. How can I camouflage the ugly old pipe? Hey, I’m not complaining!! I’m in favor of diverting the water out of my yard. But I want “natural” beauty and there might be an attractive ground cover. ~~ This sounds good; I’ll check further. ~~  Pictures of Periwinkle.

Vinca minor gets only 6″ tall. It is also called periwinkle, because of its beautiful blue (periwinkle) flowers in spring. It roots as it goes along, so it works well on a hill or flat. If it invades an area, you can easily lift its 1″ roots out and aim it in another direction. Buy them in the 4″ pot and plant about 1 foot apart for a quick fill in. Use soil conditioner in the holes, and sprinkle some on the surrounding areas to aid quick fill in. In a couple of years, when it is well filled in, you can harvest some of it for other areas. Just dig out a 4″ area with a trowel in the early spring, refill the hole with soil. It will fill in.

Ajuga sounds like a hardy choice. So many things to consider: Shade and sun, drought resistant, fast growing, etc. Pictures of Ajuga.

My rain barrels are full and overflowing!! (One inch of rain in each of my two rain gauges.) I thought I’d release some water from my overflow rain barrel but found the faucet is poor–or faulty. So I searched the Internet regarding “self-tapping faucets.” I discovered this website that tells you how to build your own rain barrel. He also mentions self-tapping faucets. Another site telling us how to build our own.

Here’s the answer I was looking for. That clip art isn’t exactly what I’ll use; my faucet will have threads to attach a garden hose.