Independence Monday

[Nancy]

Saw blip on only of the news today.

I walked the ddog.
It is chore day for me.
Had a great long talk talk with dd this morning while we both did some folding of clothes.
PUPA as well for me.
Dining table has been cleared off.
I have a nice bfast taco for brunch - lunch. with a side of veg.

Bread is raising.
Did the dishes.
Laundry is rounded up will do it when fireworks noise is happening.
Put away some clothes winter ones.
I need to clean the bathrooms dog is hiding out in the main one so it may wait I can do the other.
It is raining here 75* is our hi temp.

Waving to all.

[Harmony]

Blessed, was so sorry to see this latest. I am watching the news. They are searching now, going door to door. I am sorry for those affected, but glad you weren't there.

Just filled out a raft of papers for DH's Dr. Apt. tomorrow. We sat and he signed stuff. I'm always grateful when we can fill this stuff out ahead of time, it's so much easier

I just bandaged up his latest boo-boo where he scraped his arm and bumped his head. Actually, I bumped my head yesterday too, on a low shelf in the store getting something off a low shelf. It hurt for a while and I just realized that's what the red mark is on my cheek. I think both of us are ok. We need to stay in our old people recliners where we're safe!

LadyM, those poor bunnies. They're wearing fur coats in this heat.

[Lady Maverick]

I'm taking a break with a glass of iced tea while I'm in the recliner with my feet up.

I have watered two more raised beds while harvesting tomatoes, peppers, and onions. I was surprised by the damp roots when I pulled the onions out of the ground. That raised bed has not been watered in over a week. It fascinates me even with the triple digit heat that the soil is damp a few inches below the surface. I remember my grandfather (master gardener) and my dad telling me the roots of the plants grow down toward the subsurface water that comes up from below (water table).

I have 3 cookie sheets filled with tomatoes that need to be processed. I'm going to help Gibbs solve a crime or two while processing the tomatoes.

DS13 is working today. His boss gave DS13 the option to work or not. There was no hesitation on DS13 part with that decision. They are cutting down trees and hauling/dragging them to the burn pit. DS13 was filthy dirty when he came home for lunch, but he had a happy attitude as if he was having fun.

DH is with his DMom.

[lucylee]

Blessed -- (((HUGS))) -- I thought of you immediately when I saw the news. Praying for those injured and the families of those who were killed -- and for all in your area who are dealing with this trauma. Also for first responders & law enforcement. We lost a deputy in Alabama (not near me) just this past week. Young man with two children, just heartbreaking. He was an organ donor, and there was news footage of the hospital when he was taken to the donor room(?) facility(?) -- the halls were lined with law officers from all over the state paying their respects and his K9 companion following along with him. Just heartbreaking.

Actually, prayers for all of us in our society today. I have to admit, I have some misgivings about going out tonight to the large fireworks exhibition we plan to attend. Nothing has ever happened there on the Fourth of July that I am aware of, but random shootings DO occur in that town. It's not a big town, nothing noteworthy... but these things can happen ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, as we are all too aware. The main thing about this fireworks thing, for me, is the congested traffic. It's just a mess getting in and out. But if dh wants to go, well, it's okay with me. I know dh worries that he won't be able to go and do things with the dgrands forever, you know. His health really concerns him a lot and he worries that he won't see them grow up.

He's concerned about being able to make the trip to Atlanta on Wednesday, but he wants to go so much!

I hope Mr. Dee is having a better day.

Bsweet, thanks for starting us off! I was also surprised to see such high record heat in Canada! Here today, it is "only" 91 right now, but I just went out and trimmed the shrubs -- I know -- y'all are gasping in surprise -- and I was only out there about 12 minutes. When I came in, I was so weak my hands were trembling. I don't know if it was the heat, or blood sugar, or what. I was having trouble controlling the computer mouse! (And I still am, actually, and I've eaten Triscuits, two slices of cheese, some turkey, and a donut -- in case I needed a faster shot to raise my sugar.)
But 12 minutes was all it took to get the wild stuff that sprouts up through the shrubs and trim the little shoots of new growth to keep them at a height that I can reach. That is my goal. I made myself a card to do this at least once a month during the growing season. I think I need an electric saw thing like dmom's though. I can tell my friend made improvements to these old hedge clippers, but some of the shrub branches are very thick and need more than you can do with manually clippers.
I didn't try to weed ANYTHING because I am still waiting on the girl to come and do ground cover and mulch. Ha! Twins -- I certainly don't have a firm idea of when she will start, either! (And ds is in that situation with his painter.)
* Just got alert that we are under a heat advisory, however. So maybe I'm not being a sissy, complaining about the heat.

I also spent some extra time in Bible reading and study this morning -- well it was actually this afternoon. DH and I lay in bed a long time today, just talking. Except for him having so much pain and being so worried about his health, we are thoroughly enjoying our holiday.
LOL -- I know y'all are thinking every day is basically a holiday for us, judging by our "Parade of Daily Activities," but when there's no mail, no newspaper, no where to go and nothing to do -- it gives the day a different feel.

Sorry the bar-b-cue experiment didn't turn out as you hoped, LadyM. I need to slice some tomatoes too. THANK GOODNESS I only have FOUR to do -- not FIVE GALLONS. I do NOT like peeling & slicing tomatoes.

I also need to do some laundry, Nancy.

Last night we had neighbors on both sides of house shooting fireworks, and I went out and watched for awhile. They were not next-door -- I couldn't see the people, could only see the fireworks above trees when they exploded. I enjoyed that for a while, but they were kinda sporadic -- neighbors aren't quite as organized as the professionals, you know. So finally, I came in and got clean sheets on the bed and did my walk away the pounds routine!

(((HUGS))) For you and Mr. Harmony, Harmony. Hope all goes well for him at doctor's appt tomorrow.

I also washed the sheets in the dgrands' room yesterday. I truly do not remember when that was last done, and need to make a card for that. The thing is, they very rarely sleep in there! Usually they want to sleep in our bedroom on a pallet. DGD because she is afraid of the dark and doesn't want to be in the bedroom by herself; DGS because he wants to watch whatever we're watching on tv when we go to bed.
But I need to put the sheets back on the bed, and do today's laundry, and then get ready for fireworks tonight.

[Sunny]

Happy 4th of July!

Blessed, I was sorry to read about the trouble at the parade today. I'm glad you and your family are safe.

Dee, sorry to hear about dh being in hospital again. Praying for him.

We're having a pleasant day. Temp is 83* now. We spent most of the afternoon out on the front porch. We took turns playing Cornhole, I took a nap too.

Good luck at the doctor appointment tomorrow Harmony!

Dinner is ready, guess I better go in.

[blessedw2]

All the north shore and many other far out suburbs have cancelled fireworks tonight. the streets were empty but what was weird is all the chairs etc. left behind. We did go to sister in laws - but there was a shut down for safety. They have caught the suspect in Lake Forest. Our dearest friends are shaken but are safe. I haven't heard the names yet. dd younger was originally going to fly in and visit these friends and go to the party at the sailing center she used to work at. This is an area that I know well. So sad.

Many thought it was the veterans shooting their guns in the parade but when the shots were multiple they realized they had an active shooter.

This has always been an very very safe neighborhood. I am praying for all those affected. Thanking the police, FBI, and all the helpers!

[Harmony]

I am sitting here watching the fireworks in Washington DC...on the TV...the easiest way to see fireworks and of course, those are way better than any we could be watching in the town south of us. Plus, NO TRAFFIC! DH asked if I wanted to go down there and I said no because I have to get up insanely early to be at lab for fasting bloodwork. His Dr. appointment is 1:00 so I have plenty of time. Probably will come home and nap.

They are putting off fireworks in the neighborhood. The ones down the street are not as big as last year's. Ones around the corner are very noisy and I finally went out to see, but we have a whole bunch of trees between us and them so I could only barely see them through the trees. That's ok, as long as the trees don't catch on fire.

Not the greatest Fourth for our country. Sorta takes the joy out of our holiday.

[Harriet]

Hugs to all who need them.

Harmony, I'm sorry the two of you got bruises. So easy to do.

blessed's extended community on our minds here. Dd23 and I stayed up talking on the phone about several things, this definitely among them.

Dee, thinking of you and hoping there's upcoming good news all 'round for Mr. DeeClutter.

Hugs to those who just need hugs.

Tomatoes - my dmother used to peel by quick immersion in hot water, pricking then pulling peel away, which seemed very easy compared to getting out the knife. Plus, in her opinion, I think, it saved more of the tomato.

It was a process to get that staking done, but it is done. Not perfect. Lots of storm damage and then so hard not to damage it more doing the work.

Ds rented a limb cutter (very long, with what looks like a mini chainsaw at the end) and did some landscaping work. I worried watching him but everything was okay. They took their children to a pool somewhere this afternoon - maybe a bday party. I warned him to watch out himself, he burns so easily.