Monday, May 22, 2023

PLANTING FLOWERS, SCOOTER'S AWNING IS FIXED, AND OUR WEEK RAMPS UP

 WE HAD QUITE A TIME PLANTING A FEW FLOWERS THIS MORNING
Sunny almost warm day but a cool breeze earlier in the morning.  A shorter country road walk for Pheebs and I and we were home again, I drove Scooter ahead about a dozen feet, shut it off, put the awning down, and un-hooked the rear awning arm from the coach in preparation for fixing the bracket that attaches the awning to the coach.  No, not something I could do myself with my very limited mechanical abilities.  Our good friend and Park neighbor Bruce rolled in shortly after noon.  He had previously assessed the bracket problem and figured out a solution that required metal plating, bolts, glue, and caulking.  Bruce has done many odd jobs for us over the years and his workmanship is always top-notch.  

 THIS IS THE AWNING BRACKET PROBLEM THAT HAS TO BE FIXED
 BRUCE ARRIVES ON THE JOB
 BRUCE IS VERY METICULOUS IN HIS WORK
 THE BRACKET IS OFF
 THIS SCREW TEMPORARILY HOLDS THE BRACKET AND METAL (ALUMINUM) PLATE IN PLACE WHILE BRUCE CAREFULLY MAKES MORE MEASUREMENTS
 THIS METAL BACKING PLATE INSIDE THE BIN IS IN PLACE

WITH THE ADDITION OF THE OUTSIDE METAL PLATE THE BRACKET PROBLEM IS FIXED:))
Kelly had picked up some flowers for our front flower bed Monday and this morning it was quite a sight with the two of us doddering and creaking around down on the ground planting the flowers.  With my legs being the way they are it is an effort for me to get down to ground level and then a big major effort for me to get myself back up on my feet again.  And that is always done with painful 'ouchies' all the way.  Based on the hip X-rays a few weeks ago I suspect my legs have become very arthritic. I remarked to Kelly that if we are both this bad this year then what will we be like next year at this time.  I think we will have to go to container flowers only or sell our place and move to a smaller abode with little or no outside maintenance.  Maybe a place that has a simple window flower box.  Compared to other years I found this Spring very physically challenging.  There is a lot of outside maintenance here to keep things looking good and I think my time for keeping up with all that is slowly ebbing.  Age does have a subtle way of changing things despite one's bravado in denying the inevitable.  More talk today of selling Scooter as well.  Yes, 'the times they are a changin':(( 

 WE WERE QUITE A PAIR AS WE TEETERED, CREAKED, AND GROANED TRYING TO PLANT A FEW SIMPLE FLOWERS

A busy few days for the Bunch coming up beginning Wednesday.  Pheebs has a 10:30 a.m. follow-up ear problem appointment with the Zurich Vet.  Following that, Kelly has a 12:30 appointment at London's Victoria Hospital.  And, another busy day Thursday this time involving a morning physiotherapist appointment (hip) for me in Exeter plus a Doctor's appointment in the afternoon for Kelly at London's University Hospital. (and this one has a bit of a twist)  Oh, and then there's University Hospital again early Friday morning where Kelly is scheduled for another endoscopy.  And maybe back to Victoria Hospital Saturday depending on Kelly's Wednesday Plasmapheresis treatment.  Pheebs and I are loving all the 'road trips' (I love driving anyway) but all this running around to various treatments, procedures, and appointments, is very hard on Kelly..........    

 FROGS AROUND THE FROG POND

Al's Music Box:(( Time by The Alan Parsons Project from the album 'The Turn Of A Friendly Card.  1980

GROANER'S CORNER:(( One day a housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to his wife, “What setting do I use on the washing machine?” “It depends,” she replied. “What does it say on your shirt?”  Proudly he yelled back, “Chicago Bears!”

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I visited my doctor today, he told me that I’m going deaf.  That was difficult to hear.

How much room does fungi need to grow?  As mushroom as it takes.

I programmed a pirate game, but users said, the main character didn't look enough like a pirate.  There will be a patch soon.

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8 comments:

  1. My husband had terrible groin pain. Upper legs were very sore. Had hips done and it's all gone. No pain whatsoever now. And the hip replacement was a piece of cake. Go for it!

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    1. Based on my hip replacement, I agree.

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  2. Yep My last two years have had a LOT of simplifying happening. This summer coming up is looking like another major simplifying again. But I am still breathing and can feel pain so I am alive to do it. I will be 77 in late summer.

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  3. Ha. I'm older than Barney. (I like to say that.) And yes, a lot of paring down has happened. And is happening. Not so much I can do on my own anymore in the way of physical work. Some things I really, really miss....like long hikes. Well, I was lucky to be able to hike at all. There are consolations to be found..mine are probably different from those of other people but maybe not, anyway I remain an optimist. You have a beautiful place and have made it even more lovely.....one day at a time.

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  4. Dear OFM: I have question for U, is the next ' simplification' moving into @ ' Smart Car ' ?? 🤪😂 😂 😂

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  5. Al, LOVE U'r newly arranged garden; wish I could have beautiful Hostas like yours, I just can't...too much sun in my backyard 😰

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  6. Your efforts turned out lovely - what a pretty garden. You're fortunate to have a Bruce for getting stuff fixed! Having to make changes as we age is an ongoing process I suppose. Looking back and then looking forward, we are always changing what we want and need. Alas the many medical appointments do get tiresome though! That first pic is stunning, I love that urn.

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  7. We now hire someone to do both our lawn and snow removal, and we have a garden helper too.

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