rain — Page 17

All Systems Are Almost Go

January 15, 2014 at 8:51 am by Claudia

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Yesterday, I drove about 30 minutes south of here to look for a blanket for the bed. It was another in a series of rainy, foggy days around here. I hate to say it, but I’d much prefer snow over the mud and dampness that has been the norm lately. Anyway, I found a blanket at HomeGoods, as well as a throw pillow. Then I checked out everything at TJ Maxx and ended up with a big fat zero. Ah…but what did I see on the horizon? Bed, Bath & Beyond, the place where I found the pillows we love to sleep on. I needed a couple of King-sized versions of the same pillows. And some pillowcases. The pillows were not cheap, so I could only buy one for Don and one for me and that means the other pillows we use will still be standard size. Screwy, I know, but they’ll be hidden behind the King pillows. Hey, we’re on a budget.

Everything has been delivered. Last night, the last two items – sheets and a dust ruffle – were plopped on our doorstep around 8:30 pm. Almost everything was bought at a discount, sometimes a deep discount. Even so, when you change bed sizes, you have to buy at least one of everything. This has been an expensive proposition for us. Now we await the call that tells us when the bed will be delivered, which will tell us how much we need to do tonight and what we can do at the last minute tomorrow. Cross your fingers for a late morning delivery, okay? That will give us some wiggle room. I’m putting 11:00 am – 2:00 pm out into the universe.

Anyway, there was a Dollar Store right next to TJ Maxx, so I went in to look for inexpensive document frames (check) and found something for the dollhouse. I’ve been looking for a circular mirror to hang above the bathroom sink and I found a thingy that’s meant to be carried in a makeup bag or purse – you flip it open and there are two small round mirrors. $1.00. I came home and managed to pry out the mirror without breaking it and there you go.

I like it.

The other night we were watching Channel 13, our local PBS station that comes out of NYC, and an ad appeared for their programming with a montage of still shots from Downton Abbey and Sherlock, etc. And right in the middle of it all was a shot of Don from The Poisoner’s Handbook! We gasped and cheered. Yay Don!

Since you gave me your blessing, I might be trying some different ad configurations on the blog as my earnings this month have been abysmal. It will be a test. Thanks for your support. Question: Do you have a preference?A narrow, horizontal rectangular ad right above the top of the content (where I post) or one above the header?

Have to go. I have a lot to do today. Everything will be topsy-turvy.

I just looked outside. It’s foggy again. Enough already.

Happy Wednesday.

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A Business That Practices the Golden Rule

September 3, 2013 at 8:54 am by Claudia

pinkzinnia

I always plant seeds in an area that borders the dog corral. Well, I shouldn’t really use the word ‘always.’ I did it last year and I did it again this year. I started off using some seeds sent to me by my friend Nola, but after a few weeks, I realized the seeds were no longer viable. So I had to go out and buy some more.

The end result is that this little strip of garden didn’t bloom until late in the summer. But the zinnias are now tall and strong and are blooming. Some are springing up in my planters. I didn’t plant any seeds there, so I think I have our bird friends to thank for that little surprise. And the morning glory that I planted looks like it has buds. Finally. I so hope they open while I’m home.

orangezinnia

We had big thunderstorms yesterday. In between them, Don went up on the lower part of the roof and tried to determine how to climb up to the upper roof to wrap the lower portion of the chimney with a tarp. Our ladder isn’t that tall, so getting up to that portion of the roof is tricky. We went next door and borrowed our neighbor’s long extension ladder. But we soon realized it was too rickety and neither of us felt right about using it. The whole thing felt very risky and we didn’t think Don should attempt it. Meanwhile, more rain was due.

We called the local guys who have worked on our chimney in the past and who came by a few weeks ago to check out the flashing. They are really busy this time of year and were going to send us an estimate of what the repair might cost. In the meantime, they put some caulk around the flashing – which, in Sunday’s heavy rains, didn’t work. Anyway, to make what is becoming a long story short, knowing it was Labor Day, Don expected to leave a message but one of the guys answered the phone. Don explained that we didn’t have the right kind of ladder, that the caulking wasn’t working, that we needed to wrap a tarp around the chimney and could they come help us out? An hour or so later, in the pouring rain, on a holiday, one of the guys came over, donned rain pants and a slicker and climbed up there. He wrapped the chimney in about 5 minutes.

All he asked for was a cup of coffee.

When Don said “Let us pay you,” he said he lives by the Golden Rule. That you help out someone in need. And, in turn, someday you will be helped out.

This business is family owned and it’s local. And they’ve been generous with us before, allowing us to pay off a repair in monthly payments. Why? Because we’re part of the same community and they believe in helping others.

I have to say that we feel blessed. We still have to repair the leak, whether it’s from the flashing or the masonry on the chimney, but we know we are in good hands. How often do we come across businesses like theirs in this day and age?

They are truly good people.

So it was a crazy day yesterday. But good, as well.

Also blooming: some seeds I planted in the planter by the kitchen door. These were also from Nola, but they were still viable. I wasn’t sure what they were until I did some research. Four O’Clocks.

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My girl is in the ‘tunnel.’ It’s nice to be home.

Have you encountered a similar situation with a local business? One that practices the Golden Rule?

Happy Tuesday.

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Maggie, Frick & Frack and Endless Rain

July 2, 2013 at 8:14 am by Claudia

wistfulmaggie

Maggie seemed wistful yesterday.

She stayed by the window for the longest time.

She didn’t want to talk, she just wanted to look out the window.

I finally realized she was looking at something. I peered out.

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Ah. That explains it.

She wants to go outside and play. Who can blame her?

Maggie has a new friend.

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Casey, this is for you. I used my old camera (which has a telephoto lens) to capture these two. Mr. and Mrs. Groundhog.

Usually, I only see one. But as I was focusing, another one popped out from behind the climbing hydrangea. They run there when they hear a noise or are alarmed.

I’m going to call them Frick and Frack.

It has rained so much here and it’s so humid that the windows are permanently steamed up. I feel like I’m living in some sort of tropical greenhouse. The other day it rained over 5 inches in two hours. There are flood warnings. The ground is saturated.

I’m sick of it, frankly. And it’s going to continue through Friday. My hydrangeas have drooped down to the ground. Will they ever stand upright again? My poor babies, they just bloomed. Please, Mother Nature, give us a break.

All of this is especially sad when I see what is going on out West and how desperately water is needed there. I wish I could wave a magic wand and send this rain where it is most lacking. Such extremes everywhere! I can’t even begin to take in the tragic deaths of 19 heroic firefighters. Once again, we are faced with a loss that is incomprehensible.

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