Tommy's Surprise/My Surprise

 Tommy came in from the mailbox holding an envelope with what appeared to be something thick, about an inch thick, appearing to be something about the size of a magazine, albeit, a thick one. He looked puzzled. I asked him if it was for me and to let me have it. He said it had his name on it, but it was from La Jolla, California.  I knew immediately and told it was from my friend, Janet, that she said he never got things, so it was a surprise for him. 

Well, he looked at the Reminisce magazines the rest of the afternoon! He also read some of the articles to me. So, Janet, that was a success. Thanks. Now, I cannot wait to read them, too. 

When I struggled into the kitchen before I turned off the lights, I noticed there were no dirty dishes in the sink. I looked in the dishwasher. Tommy had loaded the bowls and saucers. Several months ago when I could not load dishes, he started by only putting in the utensils. I had to correct the way he did that. He took to loading utensils often and well. Then, he decided he would load plates. Other than turning all the plates in one direction, he did well and corrected the way he loaded plates. 

Now, the task is almost complete! He loads the top rack! As I load while he hands things to me from the faraway sink, I talk about what I need and why I do whatever I am doing/loadiing. Of course, sometimes he puts the dishes on the counter over the dishwasher. 

He has gotten where he takes instructions better, thankfully. I am not strident or judgy, just commenting as I work. He finally understands I am not being bossy. 

I quit taking the antibiotic since I had taken 7 days already. Another 8 days would be undoable for me. I was getting sick again. Plus, the pain from the med was unbearable. It is like my body shuts down. Now, I will need another appointment! I finally feel human, just ill.

The temperature will be in 80s this week, so I am looking forward to this coming week. 

Have you ever read REMINISCE magazine? 

Lunch and Dinner and Seminar and a Plant Question

 We had to leave too early for Cullman this morning to go to Aldi to get fresh grapes. So be it. 

We went to the pick-up lunch and offered to bring one to 90-yr-old friends. They said they would get their own since we could not come to their house and eat. We had other plans.

There was an event to attend with food from a food truck. But, since the event and meal was indoors, we decided not to eat since we cannot eat with masks on our faces! We took the free lunch and ate outside the venue and went in for the lecture.

Lunch was a hotdog and a hamburger, two of the largest slices of tomato and some lettuce, 6 packages of condiments--catsup, mustard, mayo, pickles (we picked off and discarded), package of chips, two cookies, one oatmeal cookies with icky white stuff inside. We drank water. 

Tommy's burger was pink inside. Mine was red-raw. It is in the oven right now with a second burger in a second plate we both got. I never cook when we go to Cullman because I am soooo tired. He gave me his tomato for lunch and the other slice of his dinner meal. So, he had hotdog and last bit of slaw for his dinner. I will have a burger, two huge tomato sliced and four huge pieces of iceberg lettuce. He is saving his other burger and my hotdog for tomorrow. 

Then, we went inside the agri-plex, a center that is all things agriculture. There was a table of free things--hardback books, sweet potato sprouts, okra seeds. I took one book and three sweet potato sprouts. We love these events. This is where we heard the professor from Auburn University speak about Alabama rivers and bought his book. 

The book I took was written by Thalasso Cruso, Making Vegetables Grow, 1975. This read will be interesting. Have you heard of this woman or read any of her books? She was on Johnny Carson Show. 

We checked on my lot and found my friend had finally mowed. My other friend, his bil, could not meet me there, so we must go back another day. sigh

At one grocery store, I bought one package of Ronco spaghetti, my favorite. Price has gone up about 25%. But, I pick up a package of spaghetti just about every week. This store had stacks of pasta. The store is small, but are never out of anything! I know they sell their food because it is a popular store. 

Before we left town, we visited the PO and delivered cans to our elderly friends to give to a mutual friend. She collects them for selling. 

My next-door neighbors put up a huge flag at the beginning of Pride Week, a Progressive Pride flag. I cannot keep up with the more than 30 different pride flags. It certainly adds color to the street along with my flowers. I saw it was a pride flag, but Tommy pointed out it was different, so I took a closer look and investigated on the internet. 

On the way home today, the car kept making a funny noise for about ten seconds and then the noise quit. I think it is cooling system. I was suffering from the heat riding in the car with ac. After getting so sick I thought I was going to throw up, and complaining of the heat and how I felt woozy and faint, I finally figured out Tommy did not have fan or cooling on highest it would go. And, the choice of where it came in the car was not enough to keep me cool. So, after three adjustments, I finally felt a bit better. 

I was in the bed and in my nightgown before Tommy could get in the house, and I had put the food in the refrigerator first and changed into a nightgown! I talked on the phone an hour, cooled off, got up and then went back for a nap. This was a long day, but the sun and sky was glorious. 

From now on, we will carry two bottles of water for each of us. Tommy usually says the two inches in his bottle will be enough. This week will be in high 90s, so we cannot take chances, especially Tommy. He thinks he is invincible...lol. He thinks I worry too much. 

Don't get me wrong. I love the heat and I love this weather. But, luckily I don't have to work in the heat. Plus, we have ac and we do not hesitate to crank it up. Tommy said he only watered each plant just a little bit to cut down his time outdoors. Me? I got under a quilt and wool blanket for my nap. 

Last month, I received a Better Homes and Gardens that I did not buy. Today, I received a Cosmopolitan. I wonder why. 

My long list only has one item: buy a spray bottle. Maybe I will add bake capon and sweet potatoes.

My Stella de Oro has not bloomed in a week despite watering it, deadheading, and a bit of Miracle Gro. Did it get too much fertilizer? There are swollen buds that never blossom. Does anyone know what is happening with these flowers in a pot in FULL SUN?

It is after 9 pm, and I suppose my hamburger is about done. I hope so since I am hungry.

Does your community have free lectures and events to learn? What precautions are you taking for the higher heat? 

Sunday Thrift Store Shopping

Sunday, a 67F day, I suggested we take sandwiches to the park to eat. We did and thoroughly enjoyed the repast, simple as it was. Then, I suggested a drive. Then, when he was returning, I suggested more riding. Then, I suggested a destination that required more riding...lol. We left here at 12:15 and returned at 3:15. 

Earlier, I told him my three goals. When we returned home, he started on his part, retrieving boxes with his reacher. He retrieved so much other stuff I was covered in stuff as I sat on the couch! I finally had to beg him to stop. Now, it is after 4:00 and I have a day's worth of sorting and carrying. I am not happy but will finish all this fully.

When we went past the Thrift Store, I realized it was open on Sunday, so I told him I wanted to go in on the way home. We did. I had one thing in mind, finding a cheap and small ottoman for my legs. I went straight to the furniture and bought things as I passed. 

A red scarf, fine knit and the perfect shade of red. The fringe is not the kind that is cut in strips. It is a very fine knit "string fringe." I LOVE IT! Now, I need to hand wash and hang it to dry. This was a rack of new scarves, not used. 

A glove bin stopped me. I found a pair of gray cuffs of some sort, too wide/big to be sleeveless gloves and no holes, anyway. I bought them thinking I could wear them on my ankles. Even barefoot, just my ankles feel a breeze. I have sensitive ankle bones? I think they would be great as cuffs on a coat. 

A red bracelet caught my attention and jumped in the cart. It has very large red, beads on red elastic. Now, I need a white dress with red polka dots. 

An stainless steel mixing bowl  caught my attention, an identical one to my mixing bowls acquired in 1966. I love them and never felt the need to get something newer. 

A heavy glass divided dish for crudite or candy caught my attention. I had one like it. Now, I have one again. 

A glass Christmas dish with a poinsettia embossed into the back is now mine.

One Rod McKuen album adopted me. Tommy said--What are you going to do, just look at it?" I gave him a withering look and said nothing. 

Southern Living The Joys of Summer  2020 edition was $0.49. I will enjoy the pictures. These are usually at least $5 for special editions.

Simplicity Pattern

The only thing I stopped for, spending no more than 15 seconds was the scarf purchase. It was sort of tangled in other scarves. I saw the red fringe from a distance and had to find the scarf, I went for an ottoman, saw beds without footboards, found they sell mattresses, saw signs for things I might look at if my back did not hurt. Tommy said I spent about 30 minutes in there. I doubt it was that long. He was not complaining as I asked how long. 

I am seriously thinking of buying the wood, commissioning someone to make the ottoman from my specs and upholstering it myself. Any carpenters around? It will basically be a box on legs with cushion on top, just like I had. I will probably have a skirt on it. 

So, I sit now, Sunday,  with aching back and need to get on the elliptical for five minutes, and get on with the day. Okay, I could only  pedal for 4:45 instead of 5:00 minutes.

Sunday night, I had gone to sit while Tommy washed the crock pot. He came into the room at my request to see if TV was on the right station. As he came in, he was carrying cloth in his left hand as he held onto his walker. Startled, I sort of shouted, "What are you carrying in your left hand?" He looked down, took both hands to get the cloth straight. "WELL DAMN!" He was louder than I was. He was carrying a pair of my panties! Dirty panties! Yes, he washed his hands. 

He had finished drying dishes and was not quite to the crock pot. He went back in and found the dish towel lying on the counter by the sink where he left it. I have no idea how he got a pair of my dirty panties. The clothes for the washer are in the kitchen, but why would he get panties out? He guaranteed me he had not dried with them. I am still laughing. 

Today/tonight we got all the dishes washed except for three cookies sheets. I boiled six eggs for my use since he will not eat eggs in any form.

At 3 am Monday morning, the temperature was 68F in the house. I have lots of calls to make today. And, I need to finish the list.