Lazy River & Firelight

I woke at 6:30 to the high-pitched whine of a mosquito. Taking a swat at Sheldon’s back, I thought I’d nailed it—turns out it was only a mole. LOL. Back to sleep I went, until 8:30—a rare sleep-in these days. Coffee served in bed was my peace offering once I finally got up, delivered just as Roxy texted to reschedule our evening plans.

Last night we’d promised bales for delivery this morning, so after his porridge, Sheldon hooked up the dump trailer, loaded five, and we headed off with Harley in tow. B met us near the rodeo grounds to show where to drop them, and we even got to meet the sweet little filly, Peaches. 

Groceries were grabbed on the way home as well as trash tossed out, and soon it was lunchtime. I gathered more tomatoes—finally scoring the first big beefsteak of the season—while Sheldon disappeared for his much-loved nap in Big Brown, and I tucked into today’s blog post.

shoe shopping 

By mid-afternoon, B was back to soak the feed, and soon the five of us (dogs included) were river-bound again. At 26°C with clouds and occasional breaks of sun, it was busier than yesterday—fishermen, floaters, and no fewer than 15 rigs drifting by in the time we were there. Naturally, Sheldon did his signature floats before we packed up and headed home at 4:30.

floater sets off

S really wants Har to float with him but I suggested we get her used to a life vest a bit at a time and maybe there will be a day she goes

Back at the ranch, dogs were fed, B rushed off to look after her friends’ horses, and Sheldon hopped in the hot tub while I cooked up a creamy chicken-and-veggie feast. B returned just in time to join us before heading back out for evening chores.

This is the email invite (L) you will get and once you click the accept there are a couple more steps to accept. You need to sign in with a google (gmail) account and all is good. In future days you may have to resign in just to keep security for the private settings but having the password saved makes it easy to log in. 

The western skies looked threatening most of the day, and sure enough, a quick rain shower swept through around 7. Just enough to settle the dust for us, while hail pelted the city (thankfully missed here). Once it cleared, Sheldon got a fire going at B’s request, and the evening melted into one of those easy, glowing firelight nights. B and Sheldon ended it with apple pie and ice cream by the flames, while I slipped inside with my book. B and Cooper set off for home before 11, already plotting an ATV ride for tomorrow.

fun at a wedding celebration

Last Weekend of Summer: Weeds, Water & a Zucchini Bowl

The day started like most around here — coffee in bed with the sun already bright, pets fed, blogging for me and Sheldon on his second cup out on the deck. Clothing optional, apparently, as he managed to scratch his head and pet two animals at once.

With tall gum boots on, we set out to tackle weeds. Once Craig’s weed eater was strung properly, Sheldon powered through the trees while I played “branch lifter” with the hay fork. Roo got her feed and shoe check, and then we tidied around the gate posts and trimmed the maple so the mower could get through. Amazing what a difference one pass with the weed eater makes.

fashionista

Afterwards, we cooled off with a cold drink on the deck — Sheldon lining up next week’s golf games with the boys while I snapped photos for spots for our photo locations for Monday. Lunch followed, and then I headed into town to pick up Cooper, with the heat already pushing 29 degrees. I also dropped off coffee pods at the post office and grabbed milk — I dislike single-task trips. By the time I returned, Sheldon had finished more weed control, Cooper was fed, and I gave the painted trays another coat.

With the work wrapped up, we packed the dogs and headed to the river for a float after I finally got the last 3 photos on the Wednesday blog. Bliss — the boat launch was full of vehicles but empty of people, the water relaxing, and the dogs happy. Sheldon floated three times, while Harley met him at the launch to walk him back each round. 

Was a bit hot when we got in the truck LOL

Our timing on the way out was less ideal: we returned to the truck just as the port-potty service truck was sucking things out. Pewhew! Trying to hurry, I bent back my thumb nail on both sides and my pointer — ripped right down into the bed. Painful! The nail shop was closed until Tuesday, but the girl suggested crazy glue, which I eventually dug out of a box at home. Ugly and really not effective on a digit that gets that much pressure and use.

Back at the ranch, Sheldon took on more fly-swatting (claiming another few hundred) then a gopher tour on the ranger, while I cooked up a zucchini burger bowl — all garden produce with bison meat. Delicious. Britt swung by after 7 to feed horses as I was snapping evening location shots, and we decided to move Switch and Jimmy into the house paddock before she left with Cooper.

what areas should we do photos at?

ranger has a new look

The evening wrapped with a hot tub soak (mosquitoes included) and the final episode of Waterfront. We even started The Thursday Murder Club, though Sheldon didn’t last long before drifting off.