MEMORIAL DAY

Here are some pictures I shot of the Veterans' Memorial display that is placed each year in Central Park. There are more than 3,000 crosses and markers placed in the park by volunteers. Each and every cross has the full name of the deceased veteran. There are three permanent large stone markers in the park as well. There is one marker near the side walk for the "UNKNOWN SOLDIER" right in front of the yellow flowers. Not all the markers are crosses, in deference to other faiths. If you enlarge the pictures you will see them better.

A visitor here on business said he had never seen such an tribute to veterans before an took pictures to take home with him.

There are a couple shots of a storm that blew in with copious rain and wind. It lasted about 10 minutes. It was a real gully washer while it lasted.

As I was driving the smell of the sewer drains were calling out for a good rain. The only problems is it is always fast and furious, but it does help clear the sewers and the odor.

I didn't work in the garden today. I did work in the garden for a good two hours yesterday in spite of it being Sunday only to notice that all the weeds I pulled returned in abundance.

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Boxes of Moo Juice

I went to the EVERYTHING FOR A DOLLAR store this afternoon because I ran out of trash bags. I was also looking for these boxes of milk, hoping they had more. They did and I bought three more boxes of this shelf stable milk. I tried a box last week and liked the taste. It does taste

just like regular milk from the bottle or jug. It doesn't have an aftertaste or chemical trace flavor because it is real milk. I got the 2%, but they also had whole milk.

The good thing about this product is it will last several months if unopened. That makes it ideal for anyone is is "prepping" or just trying to stay ahead of inflation. Regular, store bought milk does not keep well in the summer months. This carton says it will keep up to 14 days after opening in the fridge. I will get more as time goes on and as I have the money. I do like the stuff. It has everything except the moo and the swishing tail.

I told myself I would get more garden work done today, but it is really too hot and muggy to be out in the garden. Whereas, I usually do not work or plan on doing much on a Sunday, tomorrow may have to be an exception, especially if it is cooler. I HAVE to catch up with the garden and not let the weeds take over.

I had bought a kind of fibre roll to put in the garden to retard weed growth. This afternoon when I went to take it out of the back of the van it rolled out of the van and onto my ankle/foot. Yes, it hurt. I haven't looked at it yet, but I pretty sure it is bruised. It isn't painful now, but it has a burn feel to it. Maybe if I don't look at it...it will go away.

You never know what each new day will bring. I hope the sun will rise and smile on us lowly creations, but if it doesn't...well, we'll be in GOOD HANDS, won't we.

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BURNING BLUBBER

I have been outside most of the day burning blubber. I was melting in the sun and humidity. It wasn't quite as warm and sticky as it was yesterday, but certainly hot enough. I wore my straw hat and drank plenty of fluid...it's just that I forgot to eat again until late when my tummy started speaking in a grumbling kind of voice. Feed me, feed me!

Anyway, I got the back yard mowed down nicely and did some much needed weeding in the"corn patch. I have a lot of weeds to catch up on. All it takes is a little rain. Now that the yard is neat I can concentrate on the weeds tomorrow. I am going to have to re-till parts of the garden and re-plant some stuff. That is OK. There is still time to plant: It isn't quite June yet.

There isn't much to post as I have been outside all day. I haven't even watched the news. You would think I would be getting lots and lots accomplished. I work a bit and sit a bit...so I'm slow at it, but I make progress.

It's nearing 10PM. Is that too late to fry some eggs and steak? I just can't sleep on an empty stomach. I'm hungry...again.

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House Mechanic and a little rain

Are you a good house mechanic? A good auto mechanic takes good care of his tools. They are too expensive to ignore and need to be usable when and as needed. Many mechanics take their tools home with them at the end of the day. If you are a good house mechanic you won't need to drag yours home every night. You will need to keep them clean and in good repair in order that your tools will serve you well and long.

I just cleaned my upright Bessel vacuum cleaner from top to bottom, inside and outside and where ever I could reach. It isn't hard; you may find it slightly tedious, but well worth the effort.

Start by emptying the canister and do not ever let it get too full when you use it. Mine will come apart and several parts are easily washable with dish detergent and running water. After emptying the canister scrub it out with detergent and your sink sprayer. Above the canister is a blue plastic filter that is also easy to detach and clean with soap and water. Below the canister is a smaller container with a foam ring that fits over a paper filter. Remove the foam filter and wash as well. The paper filter is a unit that also fits in the lower container. Remove what you can with your fingers and then use detergent and your sink sprayer from the inside out. If you spray from the outer portion of the paper filter you are likely drive some of the dirt/dust deeper into the filter. Next, I place all the clean components in front of a fan and let the parts completely dry overnight. Never put your vacuum back together with damp or wet parts or filters...unless you like caking up your filters with dirt. Before I put the Bessel back together I go over the machine with a damp cloth or paper towel and remove any dust on the out side of the vacuum cleaner. I also try to clean out as much of the tubing that is reachable withing reason and check the brushes for any clinging debris.

You can find replacement filters and parts online by entering the name of your cleaner in the search box.

Does it take a little time? Yes, but if you do it often your vacuum will be your best friend in the household tool box. And on another note...keep your instructions that come with your appliances. They come in handy and will walk you through everything I have just posted.

I bought a solar bird bath from QVC and was looking forward to setting it up in the backyard. The box looked like it had been set upon by an eight hundred pound gorilla. When I opened the box the bird bath was damaged. It went back in the box and is better sealed than when I got it.

QVC is already sending me a replacement. The item was shipped from Turkey and badly packed and sealed. I have no idea if Turkey shipped it that way or if UPS has been sloppy. It should have been marked as "fragile." Anyway, it is going back as soon as UPS comes and picks it up.

We are finally getting rain-thunderstorms-lightning and some wind. It looks like the same

weather is moving east and perhaps is more severe The temperature has fell from the nineties to 71 degrees. Aha. Relief from the swelter. I should go to a Tea Party meeting tonight, but I don't want to get wet.

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90's

This is the third day of the 90's in temperatures. The humidity is pretty high, too. The temperatures are above normal for this time of the year. There is a promise of showers, but that's all it has been...promises. The peppers are wilting and so am I.

When it becomes this miserable I stay in. The garden will have to wait for a cooler day. When it is this bad outside it is also bad inside. The A/C in the kitchen window has tried its best, but needs to be replaced. I just cleaned the filter hoping that will help...maybe a little. I know that tomorrow, Thursday, will be almost as hot with the high of around 88, probably a little higher.

When the temperatures and humidity rises it brings on health problems. If you work out in the sun you should wear a straw hat to help keep the direct sun off your head. I also will wear a wet towel around my neck to help cool my carotid arteries. I also stop often, rest and drink a lot of fluid. Don't drink coffee. Avoid working or being out in the heat of the day. Work in the morning or evening as the sun lowers into the western sky. You know the drill.

I did get up early to go out and work in the yard, but by 9 AM it was already 88 degrees. I waited for the evening, but even at 6:30 PM it was still 90 out. There are times you can't win so don't worry about it. Another day will roll around. It is better to be aware and guard your health than to have a heat stroke. The elderly or people with heart problems or high B/P really need to take precautions.

You can buy little personal fans the run on batteries or find gel filled "coolers" at most drug store that will help keep the body a little more comfortable. Or you can do like the boys next door and float in the pool all day. Just keep cool.

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Fun at the Home

Here are some random shots of the Pizza Party from last night. They are not in any particular order. You may get better details by clicking on the pictures. The person wearing the yellow curtain on the rods is the nurse doing an impersonation of Barbara Streisand form an old TV show. The lady in the lavender blouse is celebrating her birthday. She was an old Navy gal from WWII.

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Pizza party

It's late and I just got home from the little party at the Nursing Home. I have food to put away and I am very hot and sticky. Right in the middle of our little party The State Inspectors came in. Sister was in a near panic because it was supper time for the general group of residents. The Inspectors wanted to know where all the residents were. Well, they were upstairs with us having a pizza party. The Inspectors came up to check and were pleased see the residnts having a good time and lots of fun, besides having everything under the sun to eat. Now days, Inspectors actually count heads to make sure there is no cheating/adding non-existent residents.

I will add pictures tomorrow, but I am tired and want to go to bed.D

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