Bug Killing

Hello,

 I went on a bug killing mission again this afternoon. I employed my learned skills whether they were correct or not. I looked all over the plants and only found two adults that I promptly killed. One of those adults was a female in the process of laying eggs. The number of egg patches surprised me since I saw so few adults. Most of those egg patches I tore off part of the leaf as I threw them on the ground and bore done hard with my swirling foot. Hopefully that was adequate to eliminate them. I did spray some of the eggs with soap, but could not remember if that was to work or not. At any rate most I just tore off. Then there were some youngsters that were newly hatched or hatching. Those got the full spray treatment and died almost immediately of suffocation. Who knew this could be so satisfying. I am sad to report that one plant has died. Wondering if I used too much spray on it, or if the bugs were too infested in it? I have great hopes that it will not be joined by many others.

We with our downstairs friends are planning a block party again. The idea is simple we just provide watermelon and something to drink along with great conversation and a place to sit. When it was announced at the neighborhood meeting someone there thought we should invite the entire neighborhood. I guess we are doing that with a little bit of anxiety on my part, but I know that everyone seldom comes to anything. In fact that would be an amazing result. So it will surely be a size of group that we can handle.

Paula

My Neighborhood

Hello,

I headed off early to the garden, but not as early as I would have preferred because I hung out two loads of clothes. As I approached a small park I saw two people in the park with a number of dogs or maybe one was a cat. The woman was yelling at a dog that was running free while the man had hold of two more. That loose dog ran across the street, stopped at a hedge to check out the aromas before it headed a little farther on. I wondered if I should help, but then the two people moved back to a house with a beautiful wrought iron fence around it, deposited all the dogs, the man grabbed the gate and swung it shut. The woman grabbed a small white dog that I thought might be a cat and proceeded after the dog across the street which was being pursued by a man who had been driving by. I felt a little guilty as I realized I should have gotten on the move right away and followed that dog. As I came up to the guy at the gate he explained that he had come to service something at the house and accidently let the dogs out. I looked up them to see the woman holding the small white dog and crouched over holding the collar of the dog that was larger, but still quite short. I then went over and asked if I could help. She gave me the small dog and gathered up the other that surely weighted 40 or more pounds.

From a guided historical walk in the neighborhood I learned that this house was the start of the idea of a funeral home, although it is a private home now.

At the garden more excitement was in store as I spotted the squash bugs had returned to feed and breed. I went back in the afternoon armed with soapy water in a spray bottle. Between tearing off eggs, spraying small ones, and squashing adults, I figure I did a little damage to the population. The problem is I should go back tomorrow, but I have to work and do not know if I can manage that task as it took me almost an hour as well as lots of courage to grab those first adults and kill them. In the meantime I found three zucchini that I had missed on the morning hunt. Luckily there were people out and I gave away all of them. Again I found someone who did not know what to do with a zucchini. I think I am educating the neighborhood. Now if I could just find someone who would like to learn to weed, life would be easier.

Paula

Bike to Work

Hello,

Leroy rode his bike to work today for the first time since June 23 when this eye problem started. Perhaps it is because I invited him to take a bike ride with me last evening and we went eight miles. His ride to work is only three miles, but the downside is that more of it is on city streets. It also looked as if it might rain. He wore his rain coat so he was almost prepared for that possibility. He took along our camping towel which is quite small, but absorbent. He could change clothes at work so he felt he could deal with wet if it happened. It did not rain here so he was probably just hot and sweaty in that raincoat. When riding the bike he wears his patch over his right eye (He switches the covered eye from time to time.) so he can better see the traffic on his left.

I rode the bike to work on Saturday. It was quite an uneventful ride. I just gained a sense of peace as I was out there much of the time by myself for the morning ride. The path is canopied by trees in many places with mown grass on the sides. The river is visible for the beginning miles. Again I have to go about three miles on city streets, but Saturday morning is not the busiest time except for the farmer’s market and I avoid that area. I am proud of myself for riding to work for four days. Last year I believe it was only once. It does get easier with more trips even though I still had to talk myself into it.

Leroy is going to lead a church bike ride this Wednesday evening. He had talked about me doing it without him, but I would imagine that he now feels up to the task. One positive thing about these rides is that there is no pressure to go a certain distance. Also speed is more each rider’s choice, but there might be a need in each rider to keep up with the group.

Paula

Leroy's Glasses

Hello,

Even though we had been told that it could take a week to ten days for the second new glasses to come, we checked to see if they had come. After all a week had passed. One of the lenses on Leroy’s new glasses was coming loose so it was an excuse. I have to confess that I am a tiny bit irritated when people come in the library and ask about a book that they have on hold even though we have not called them. Here I was doing the very thing. At least I understand the anxious need to do this. There are all sorts of things that go through the mind. Such as: Maybe I missed the call, maybe someone forgot to call, perhaps someone missed that it came in. All very human responses. Not that I ever said anything to them, but I would look, not find the item, check the due date, and let them know, with a smile, we will call. Now I will know that I have walked in their shoes.

Leroy manages most things very well without seeing out of both eyes, but we are not comfortable with him driving. At least the church is just within walking distance.

On Friday night I convinced Leroy that I needed to go pick blackberries at that park that is a drive away. He wearily decided to go with me because he did not think I should tackle the job alone. After walking a lot loaded with a bucket and long warm, heat trapping clothing to ward off bugs and scratches we managed to find only 16 ripe berries. Now neither of us is sure that we want to go back since we really do not have a clue as to what day would be the perfect day. The birds may just have to feast to their hearts content.

Paula

Sweating

Hello,

After I had hung out the clothes, I walked off to deliver the neighborhood newsletter. The humidity was quite noticeable and the sun was hot. I had on a UV long sleeved shirt along with the new UV hat that weighs only a few ounces, and some crop pants. All of that was so I did not have to slather on sunscreen. It was not long before I was sweating.

On the way home I stopped to see a humming bird nest that was posted on FB. Unfortunately I could not find that small thing. The person who lived there came out because she and her husband had noticed my hat. I have had other comments on it. Guess I am just a fashion plate. I was going to have Leroy take a picture of me in both of my UV hats, but we just do not get that done.

The other day when I was passing out zucchini to a neighbor, she commented, “There was a sweet lady the other day who dropped off some radishes. The radishes were woody, but that is ok because she was such a nice person.”

I felt like Tom and Huck going to their own funeral to hear the good things people might say about them. I left those radishes even if they were woody, it was ok. In response to her comments I just gave some non committal hmms. It was a little embarrassing.

Guess I looked different without my hat and because I was driving a car when I delivered the zucchini.

Paula

On the Bike

Hello,

Yesterday Leroy got in four walking miles. He was so steady in the rain when I was trying to catch up that I encouraged him to go out and ride his bike up and down the alley to see how that went. It went well so we headed out on a longer ride together. I suggested around the neighborhood, but he wanted to go down to Cedar Lake which is close.

He put his pirate patch over his right eye so he would be most aware of the traffic on his left because we ride on the right side of the road. Part of the way there is a designated bike lane that I think most drivers respect so that also makes it feel safer. I have been surprised that some people in church noticed that Leroy had the patch on one eye one week and the other the next. I do not believe I would be so observant. Leroy told me that several people have commented on it. It certainly adds lightness to it if it can be used anywhere.

I rode behind Leroy so, “I can pick up the pieces,” I told him. Actually it is because I thought I would then know what was going on and could warn him if needed. It certainly made my brain active, looking out for him and me as well as any lurking potholes along with cars on the road.

He did just fine. It was wonderful to get out again and ride around the lake. We even stopped and took in the trees, water, waves, and ducks. It was refreshing to the soul. It interested me that there almost no other bicycles out there, but many walkers and a few fisher people. Some of the best gifts in life are free.

Paula

Walking in the rain

Hello,

I noticed some clouds before Leroy and I headed off to church. After checking the report on only one source we headed off without an umbrella. Coming out of church it was much cloudier and more threatening looking. We started off at a brisk walk. A man cutting lilies by a former church caught my eye. I convinced Leroy to go that way so I could compliment him on the good job he was doing.

While visiting we learned that he and his wife were renting the long vacant building. I noticed that he was cutting the lilies off at the ground. I asked, “Can I take some of these flowers home?”

“Sure,” he said handing me his pruners. I harvested several of the beautiful bright yellow blossoms that were left. In the meantime he is talking about what they were planning for this building. Then he asked, “Would you like to see the inside?”

We were both happy to see it. He rang the doorbell and his wife answered. They gave us a nice tour of the main area and what they were expecting to have happen there.

In the course of the conversation Leroy commented that he worked at the Czech-Slovak museum. The woman announced that she is giving a class there on costumes of a period. Leroy knew there was to be just such a class, but not who was doing it. He told her about some books in the library that she might find of interest. By the time we left the sky was seriously dark and ominous. We moved at top speed with me running from time to time to catch up with walking Leroy. Rain drops started before we went two more blocks. At least it was not many drops  and it looked as we might get home. Three blocks from home the rain began dropping down with gusto. Leroy suggested we stop under a fir tree that was quite thick. I dislike standing under trees in a rainstorm, but did it anyway as it was quite dry. We could see water pouring off the roof across the way. With only one crack of thunder and about ten minutes later we left the shelter of the tree and headed on home with a much lighter rain. Again I was barely able to keep up with Leroy. I should practice running or at least jogging.

Paula