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 May 1

steps 12,000

The lamp on Tommy's table was acting up, flashing on and off, getting brighter and then so dim it was barely visible. I was alarmed. Tommy said it was not hurting anything. Finally, I had him tighten the bulb. That worked for about thirty seconds. All this really worried me. 

Finally, we changed bulbs. His bulb still did not work correctly.

All the while, I was making plans. New lamp from WM or used somewhere? Then, I hit upon the solution--have Tommy rewire. Now, he has no idea what to do. So, I was going to buy one of those kits that required little electrical skills. Before we did that, I checked the bulb and found the solid white piece was cracked in three places. A new bulb from our stash solved the problem. So, it was not the lamp after all. Thinking saved the day and $$$. 

The mower from last year came to mow and weed eat. The experience was cheaper and less upsetting to my stomach. In an hour he was done. He pushed a fallen-over dogwood tree to curb. One day, it fell over in a very strong wind. I hated that ugly tree. After it fell, the leaves budded. So, we had a lying down tree in our yard. Now, there is no greenery in our front yard.

Our mower works for a landscape company. We talked with him about planting trees. That will be a fall job. So, we will be blasted by sun and heat all summer. I have decided to plant crepe myrtle. LOTS! Plus, I want other flowering trees. I do not want a tall tree to eventually fall on the house. I have seen too many pictures of tornadoes' aftermath. We did get our last year mower to mow this year--less stressful. 

I have done anywhere from 5000 steps to 15,000 steps each day I have not reported, depending on how I have felt.

Tommy upgraded his wardrobe all on his own. He shopped for knock-off Crocs and a belt. I told him to get a leather belt which he did. 

We had a forecast of three days of bad weather. Today has been just fine here. 

Tommy had to pay $180 for one Dexcom G7 to stick on his arm because of some mix-up with his prescription. Usually, he pays about $35. 

Pool Noodle Lollipops

 I had plans. But, the heat this summer, pain in my hands, all sorts of excuses slowed me down. So, it did not happen. Maybe the next year will see if I get it accomplished. 

It was a good idea. In the past I had some sort of project going all the time. I rarely failed to succeed. For outdoor decorations we have--three deer, three trees from tomato cages, wreath, mailbox wreath. Plus, mailbox is painted red. 

Missed cardio appt, party will be missed. I wonder if we will have a car in time to make the other dr appointment. 

We picked up accident report by creeping along in car, hoping we won't make it worse by driving it. The accident report is wrong. And, the police can no longer arrest anyone who is a hit-and-run. Since when?

I have contacted attorney. 

Monday and Trees

Today has been weird. Granted, I slept late, but we both have been drowsy all day, napping at the drop of a hat.  I heard snoring and looked at Tommy, slack-jawed and sound asleep. It would last from three to fifteen minutes, then he was wide awake. Tommy never missed Jeopardy, but today he said he went to sleep during final Jeopardy. Once I was in bed for my second nap, I wondered if something was seeping into the house. But, I went to sleep mid-thought.

We are going to buy one of the tiny chain saws and Tommy will cut the part of the dogwood that has died. Hopefully, we won't hurt ourselves. He is strong and steady, so it should be okay.  We have a plan. 

I did things but have no idea what I did. We went nowhere even though we need bread and pimientos. Tomorrow, we need to go to pharmacy and to The Pig. 

The call about the dogs was forgotten amongst other calls I needed to make. Tomorrow, I promise. 

I fear I have to cook tomorrow! Rats! 

Do Your Research Before Planting One Of These Trees That Might Ruin Your Yard - Explored Planet

Do you have any of the trees on this list? 

Little Things Here and Rhizomes

*It was silver with a blob that had remnants of hands and feet. I found a painted rock on a shelf in a store as I was browsing the shelf. I almost moved the rock to see what was behind it. Finally, I focused and realized I had found a Halloween rock. I believe it was a ghost. Cute. This is my fourth rock. It really makes he happy to find one of these painted rocks.

*Finally, someone helped move things so I could turn on the heat. It has not been so cold in here as it has been damp to the bone. I hung up a pair of pants in a doorway, and four days later the pants were still damp. Now, it is comfortable in here. The heat is as low as it will go.

*On Thursday, I saw a tree that had turned. It was the most brilliant yellow. Since then, a few more around town have turned. Mine are still greenish.

*When Tommy was here on Tuesday, he asked me about my having caramel corn and where I got it. Since I don't have any caramel corn, I got up to see what he was talking about. It was a bag of onions to plant. We had a good laugh. I had started out the back door to plant them and went to bathroom and did not go outdoors to plant them.

*Stupid little chipmunks! They eat anything. I will have to leave all pots of flowers and Hosta on a table to keep them from have lunch on my plants. Maybe I will have to plant things in a combination of dirt and gravel. 

*My reduced mums were doing fine and blooming. Then, I fell behind on the deadheading. If I did not deadhead, I would not have more flowers. I just grabbed my kitchen scissors and gave the whole thing a haircut, cutting about four inches from the whole plant. Then, I watered it. Maybe this will work. What do you think?

*I spotted a "free" box and looked into it. I had to ask what was in the box. It was just a lot of dirty looking stuff. It turned out they were iris rhizomes. The guy told me it was flowers. I got two and he told me to take more, take all I wanted. I grabbed a handful and it turned out I had six rhizomes. They are now planted and greening up on top. I just pushed them down sideways and pushed a little soil over them. It worked. I really do know iris rhizomes, but these had the tops cut off, the roots still attached, and just a bunch of trash from the yard. I did not lean over or touch the rhizomes before I asked.

*Have you ever wondered what was the difference between bulbs, roots, rhizome, and corms? I know I have, but this article will help.

Where is Autumn?

I went to Birmingham twice this last week and then north about 25 miles plus two little trips out in the county. There is absolutely no change in foliage. A couple of trees might have been fading a bit but still green. There is not a tree in town that is any color but green.

I love the heat, but right now, it comes and goes. I have yet to wear a sweater, but I have felt a bit of chill that almost calls for a sweater. As far as I am concerned, this warm weather could go on another two months or more. It just needs to be a bit colder for Christmas.

I do miss the vibrant colors of the trees!

As for the pain, it is strange and almost gone. After breakfast, I decided to lie down again. I always lie on my left side. The right shoulder, arm and back were hurting, anyway. As I lowered my body onto the left side, I felt and HEARD a rip between right shoulder blade and spine. The pain and ripping sound took my breath away. Most of the pain went away after the spooky event.

I still hurt, but not so much and not in such excruciating manifestations. Every footstep makes my shoulder and back hurt. It is weird, but no matter how lightly my foot touches the floor, there is excruciating pain. I suppose the shoulder bone is connected to the foot bone or something like that.

How are the temps where you live and where do you live? Does your weather suit you? I am in no hurry to have to wear a sweater, and  love my sandals!