These Apply To All, Not Just Sons

So much easier to see these when looking back...

Let The Show Begin!

Here are some of the recent planting I've done around my yard -

This clump of Cannas are one of two that I over-wintered in my basement this past year.  I chose to plant it in the same spot I had it in last spring\summer, as it did very well there -

Added some Marigolds to add some color along my driveway -

These two flower pots, with "Main Street Abbey Road" Coleus and "Daybreak" Gazania will adorn my front stairs -

These Cosmos came from my farmer friend and have oodles of blossoms coming -

A current pic of how well all (33) of my fall planted garlic is doing -

Now, if only the sun would come out and stay, all my plants would surely take off!

Sweet Baby Jesus of Chicago

The oddest thing...

While cleaning up the front yard flower bed at my daughters new house in Chicago, I found this 3" Jesus status that was upside down and pushed into dirt with only the base visible.

I'm thinking this is a good sign for the new homeowners, so with a little elbow grease and the garden hose I hosed Him off to remove all the dirt -

He cleaned up quite nicely and now sits upon their front deck watching over the house and those that pass by.

#Blessed

I Did It Again!

Working towards donation pin #10 and I've already booked my next eligible appointment for September!

My 2:00PM Power Red donation appointment went without a hitch -

Power Red donations allows you to safely donate two units of red cells during one appointment versus only one unit when donating as a whole blood donation.

So, they're getting twice the goodness of ME 😊

Honestly, the toughest part of donating blood, is trying to get all of the glue that gets left behind by the tape they use to hold the gauze and band-aid on post donation!

Ever take a price tag sticker off an item you've purchased, where the tag itself comes off but it leaves behind the sticky, glue residue?!  Well, it's just like that but on your skin...

#Blessed

I Went With "Yellow Sun" This Year!

Yesterday was a light day in terms of mail and I was able to finish up early, so opted to run some errands versus heading straight home. The timing was prefect - well after lunch and before the knuckleheads got out of work, so traffic was not too bad and less POS to deal with!  For example, I was the only person browsing and shopping at the nursery, perfect 👌

Although, my farmer friend had given me oodles of plants when I visited with him a couple weeks ago, I was "jonesing" for more.  So, I headed to my favorite local nursery, The Pumpkin Seed in Bellingham!

I picked up another 4-pack of peppers, as well as a variety of annual flowers to fill a couple other planters I have, pics to soon follow.

One of the planter plantings I look forward to doing every year in the concrete planter pictured below.  This was my mothers planter that I relocated here to my homestead many years ago.  I always hose it down and wash it, then put undercover from the elements for the fall.  Come spring planting time, I pull this gem out, add fresh compost and plant a nice vibrant and beautiful annual in it!

I'll water it daily and tend to it with care, as it always reminds me of my mom and brings a smile to my face regardless of the day I had or the mood I'm in.

I changed into my yard cloths and spent a couple hours out in the yard, decompressing, and planting what I bought -

2025 -

Here are the plantings I've done in this planter the last several years - 

2024 -

2023 -

2022 -

2021 -

The petunias really does the best in this planter and look the best too!

Will They Come?

I've had milkweed growing along my side yard for several years now.  Of course I leave them be, even the ones that have started growing into the lawn, all in the hopes of attracting Monarch butterflies and their caterpillars.

Last year a couple milkweed plants sprouted in a flower bed inside the pool fence.  Again, I let them be and this year LOOK at my reward - oodles and oodles of them!

As you can see these are doing really well, which is because they have full sun for most of the late morning and all afternoon!  I also have plenty on the side yard again this year but they don't get as much sun, so are on the smaller side.

Invasive perhaps, but either way, I couldn't be happier that they've taken so well, keep coming back year after year, even if they're taking over in some places.

Fingers, and toes, are crossed in the hopes they finally attract Monarchs!

Bush Bean, Not Poll Beans

And since I'm on the planting theme here, I planted about (30) of the below "Burpee Stringless Green Pod" beans yesterday (Memorial Day) afternoon -

I planted them in my tomato garden this year, up against the wire fencing I installed last year.  Hoping this will help deter the deer and rabbits from easy access to them.  Also, I believe tomatoes and beans are very good companion plants...

Ehh, What's Up Doc?

I planted a couple row of carrots on Sunday afternoon.

This year I planted them width wise versus length wise, so instead of one 8' row, I have two 4' rows.  Really doesn't make much of a difference other than I now have freed up half of the raised bed to plant something else and I'm thinking more peppers...

I planted the below "Touchon" carrots last year but they didn't do very well at all.  Even though I have half a package from last year, I tossed them and opted to try the "Nantes Half Long" above this year.  Gardening is all about trial and error to determine what works best for you.

We have oodles of wild rabbits again this year, UGH, and I've not yet seen any babies.  They're already doing a number on my perennials, like they did last year, and eating my echinacea, balloon flowers, spiderwort and even the milkweed, GRRR!

So, will need to fence in the above raised bed before the carrots take off, otherwise they'll become rabbit food...

Happy Memorial Day!

So, the USPS has a contract with Amazon to deliver some of their packages.

Yes, we deliver said packages during the week and lots of them but seems there's enough to warrant Sunday deliveries too, so I signed up.  Sunday deliveries are to Franklin residents, out of the Franklin post office, so I was in my own backyard...

Today, was my first day, so they went easy on me.  I delivered (21) packages, which took me 2.5 hours.  On my way back to the Franklin PO I made a small detour and stopped at my house for a photo op, see above, and to water Trixie.

Ironically, you can see several Amazon boxes sitting on the front steps.  These could very well have been delivered by one of my fellow carriers. Would have been comical if they were in my batch to be delivered, HAHAHA.

I also volunteered to do the same tomorrow morning too, Memorial Day.

Grabbing hours when I can.

Happy Memorial Day everyone and remembering all who sacrificed! 

Look Both Ways Before Crossing

While out on my route this morning delivering mail, and driving from one location to another, I noticed this awesome creature making it's way from the safety of the sidewalk and heading out onto the street!

I immediately turned around and chased it into the underbrush and hopefully back into the water!

There is no way this big Northern Water snake would have made it across the street.  There's no doubt it would have been run over.

We had a nor'easter around these part the last 24 hours or so and it dumped upwards of 7" in some locations!

Most of the local streams and rivers and ponds are above their banks and with the water roaring in torrent's.  I suspect this BIG beauty was collateral damage and likely washed away or washed out of it's home as a result.  Also, the temps have dropped considerably this past week hovering in the 40's at night and maybe the 50s to low 60s during the day - chilly and raw.  Perhaps, this snake was simply drawn to the warm pavement of the sidewalk.

Whatever the reason for it venturing out, I'm VERY happy I came upon it first and chased it off to safety.

Now, back to delivering mail...

The Woman On Lansing Way

Today, while delivering mail at the retirement community housing, an elderly woman came into the mailroom saw all the CBUs open and packages everywhere and asked if it was okay if she grabbed her mail.  Said she guessed there was a lot, as she's been unable to find the time to make her way down to collect it.

"Of course" I said and asked which box was hers!?

She did have a lot; a full box actually, and as I was pulling it she told me that her husband has been sick.

I handed the stack of mail to her and wished her husband a speedy recovery, to which she said that he was suffering with dementia.  Said that he hasn't been sleeping and struggling more of late and that she was exhausted herself.

We chatted for a couple minutes and I told her that my mom suffered from dementia too and offered up that I felt the caretakers seem to suffer more than the person with dementia (to some extent), in my opinion. She looked tired too.

That simple encounter and exchange brought back SO many memories of my mom and her struggles, so I thought I share this with you all.  The mailroom door hadn't even finished closing and there I was in tears. My heart went out to her.

We all have our battles that most people have NO idea about.  Be thankful for what you have AND be kind.

Kudos To All Those Fighting

Hang in there...

A Sprinkler Conundrum

Posting to get your thoughts on what appears to be a lawn sprinkler, that is recessed in a ground level green PVC pipe.  It's located in corner of the front yard of my daughters new house in Chicago.

It's the only one on the property and I was unable to locate any button or switch or spigot or anything, both inside the house and out, to control this thing.  Nor was there any way to physically raise the sprinkler up directly.

** Side note - look at how nice the flower bed is edged in the picture below <pats myself on the back>!

The yard itself is tiny, so this one sprinkler as installed would be sufficient to water the entire front lawn without any problems.

 The house was originally a one story house with a basement.  However, a second floor was added and the house remodeled from top to bottom, including a complete finish of the basement.  What I'm guessing is that this was installed BEFORE the house was renovated and during the remodel, the switch or nozzle or whatever it was that controlled this device was either removed or covered up with sheetrock and plaster.

It's unfortunate to lose the ability to control this but what worries me, especially residing in Chicago, is the winter and the very real possibility of the water line feeding this freezing and busting.  How would you know, assuming it wouldn't puddle?  Perhaps, a super crazy water consumption bill!

Any thoughts on how something like this can be troubleshot in an effort to locate a way to turn on\off or confirm it's still connected to the water lines?

SO weird!

I Survived The First Ever Chicago Dust Storm!

To get to the Cubs game on Friday afternoon, we walked from the house about a mile to the train station.  Took the train 3-stop, then hopped on a bus, which brought us close to Wrigley and then walked the rest of the way.  Other than the train and bus being jam packed with fans also making their way to the game, it wasn't a bad experience.

Of course we did the reverse heading back home.  We stopped at a sports pub a couple blocks from Wrigley, had a couple wobbly pops and watched the crowds walk on by.  Our plan was to stop at Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria restaurant for diner, which was located right across the street from the train depot.

As we were riding the train, all passenger cell phones started beeping with an "Emergency Alert", even mine, with a "DUST STORM WARNING"!  Yes, a first ever, rare dust storm warning for the city of Chicago -

The timing couldn't have been any better, as we got off the train shortly after the warning. The wind started to really pick up as we were walking towards the restaurant, and as we entered the front doorway, the metal valet stand literally blew over with a very LOAD crash -

A homemade chips and French dip appetizer, a 14" "House Favorite" Italian sausage, green pepper, pepperoni and onion pizza and a couple beers later we exited the restaurant stuffed to a windy light rain for a nice walk home. Avoiding getting stuck in the dust storm itself.

Here is a pic of what the downtown Chicago looked like at one point - 

A exciting way to end an absolutely perfect day spent with my daughter!

The Law of Murphy...

Well, I've blogged about him in the past and yes, they were NOT words of praise, so no surprise here I go again...

That POS "Murphy" showed up again while I was in Chicago, of course he did!

Stephanie and Audrey took me out to a great Irish restaurant, The Harp & Fiddle, for my birthday.  There I was enjoying the Dubliner Burger when "CRUNCH CRUNCH" happens!  I knew immediately what it was, YES, one of my crowns!

Although, I was really unable to chew on the right side of my mouth, thankfully there was no pain; no issues with hot or cold.

All I can say is I hope that "Murphy" character gets the clap...

Take Me Out To The Ballgame...

I flew out to Chicago to spend a long weekend, and my birthday, with my oldest daughter and her fiancée AND to see their new house! SO exciting and SO much fun!

We went to Wrigley Field Friday afternoon - 

And took in a crosstown classic baseball game - the Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox -

The Cubs won 13 - 3! -

It was a beautiful sunny day.  The seats, season tickets, were perfect! The beers were frosty cold and the Cubs are 2 - 0 when I attend a game a Wrigley!

Early Morning Surprise Visitor

I had a unique and gorgeous visitor this morning, a coyote!

It was early this AM and I was drinking my coffee by my slider, taking in the peaceful and undisturbed morning, when this beauty appeared, WOW!

I spotted her making her way up towards my fence, which gave me just enough time to run and grab my good camera to snap these pics.  I don't believe she knew I was there watching her, perhaps why she came SO close.

She looked a bit nervous or maybe just in the zone in search of food.  I'm guessing she has a litter of pups somewhere and is on the prowl for a meal. I was hoping she'd catch one of the many wild rabbits I have eating my flowers but not while I was watching anyway.  I'm guessing she was following her nose and headed off towards my neighbors chicken pens!  Sure enough, it wasn't a minute or so later and the chickens starting fussing and carrying on.

It was a very nice way to start my day!

#Blessed

Never Ending Lawn Upkeep!

We've had a couple of gorgeous days recently - today and yesterday, perfect!

Yesterday was about puttering in the yard; weeding, edging, pruning, trimming and ended with some front yard sitting, relaxing taking in the blue sky and enjoying the fruits of my labor -

Today, I mowed my lawn after work.  It really didn't need to be mowed and could have gone a couple more days before really needing it.  However, I'm headed to Chicago mid week, and it would have definitely been too long by the time I return. Truth be told, it's gonna need to be cut when I get back...

Luv the look and smell of a fresh cut lawn; MY fresh cut lawn!

#Blessed

Find The Critter

This is an easy one -

Can you find the critter in the below pic?!

Her favorite spot!

She can see out the front windows from that vantage spot and all the activities and passerby's, plus it's comfy.

What's A CBU You Ask?

I thought you'd never ask...

Let me introduce you to Cluster Box Units, otherwise referred to in the biz as CBUs, and a couple of the ones I deliver to on my daily postal routes.

These centralized mail delivery systems are typically used in multi-unit housing or commercial developments, where residents share a set of individually locked mailboxes.

I open these units with a special, unique master key that must be signed out for when departing the PO and signed back in when returned.

Good news, bad news with these - some are inside, some are outside but undercover and many are outside with NO cover.  No covered units just mean that the postal carrier must stand out in the elements, e.g. rain, sleet, snow, etc., when distributing mail.

The three CBUs in the first pic below are fortunately under cover of a gazebo, so mostly protected from the elements.  However, these units are up atop a hill and it gets pretty windy there at times, which was tough back when I first started back in March when it was cold and chilly -

The CBUs below reside in a retirement community.  They're all inside a building that offers heat in the winter and AC in the summer, so very comfortable.  There are over 300 individual mail slots in this facility and typically takes about ~2 hours to complete.

This facility also gets packages, many many packages, each day that all need to get processed too -

Just some of the "fun" responsibilities I get to look forward to each day, UGH!

Ever Lasting Scars

Million Bells

Dodging raindrops I was able to pot up another outstanding annual - a Tik Tok Crystal Calibrachoa -

Calibrachoa, commonly called million bells, is a reliable and awe-inspiring annual that produces a prolific amount of petunia-like blooms all spring and summer long -

I can't get enough...