Making the Most of the Weather

Ashley sent this pic of Olivia on Ft Meyers Beach

Perhaps a little short slept, I was up and downstairs by 830am. Those that know me, know that I can’t stand sleeping that late. I wake feeling like I’ve missed perhaps the best part of the day. I started a pot of coffee then played around online while waiting for it to finish brewing. It was mostly clear and cool – about 36 degrees. Supposed to be a fairly nice day – 57 and sunny.

Enjoyed coffee and internet for quite a while. Didn’t head out for a run until just after 10am. Neighbor Pat Shultz was walking by just beginning his morning walk as I made my way to the foot of the drive. We chatted ever so briefly before heading our separate ways. It felt warmer than I expected. I opted to leave my hand covers in my jacket pocket and left my ear covers up around my hat versus covering my ears. Still a little crisp but not a hint of cold. I ran the usual three mile weekend route, passing Pat again at about the 2.25 mile mark.

Once at home, I took Mindy some coffee then pulled the pug down from the our bed and took her out for a walk. By the time we were back at home Mindy was up and in the kitchen. She reminded me that she had a graduation party to attend. She planned to grocery shop immediately after. Suggested we shop for the grandkids Easter baskets later that afternoon.
After enjoying a little more coffee and making an egg sandwich, I headed to the garage. There, I fiddled with the mower again. After hitting the carburetor & linkage with lots of carb cleaner I got it running smoothly. I used a chip clip to keep the throttle closed to keep it running while I multitasked. While the mower ran, I cleaned and stowed our snow skis for the 2nd time in the last few weeks. This time for keeps. I shut the mower down then attempted restart. Started first pull – easy.

Left 6 or 7 bags of giant red cannas bulbs in the garage all winter even though I intended to carry them to the basement. A few weeks ago I noticed moisture gathering in the bags which I knew wouldn’t bode well for their long-term survival. Regardless, I failed once again to get them to the basement. But since it was sunny, I unfolded a 9X12’ tarp on the deck and dump them out to dry again, much like I did the day I pulled them out of the ground last fall. I left them there and headed back to the garage.

Mindy left for the graduation party while I was busy finishing up with the skis. Next up, I tired starting the BM’er again after jumping it a few weeks ago. It was completely dead but close enough. Click, click, click. I got out my handy dandy new 12v jumper again. Only this time I let it run in neutral for at least thirty minutes. While the BM’er ran, I tuned, cleaned the weed whacker and blower. Got all my lawn tools in working, running order. Both started with ease.

Before closing up the garage, the used the blower to sweep the garage of winter debris. Blew some wet leaves from the front flower beds and front stoop too. Tried starting my mower one more time too. Started right up. Cool! Removed the blade and placed with the two Deere blades that I plan to take in for sharpening as soon as Monday.

I took a quick water break then headed to the back yard with the electric hedge trimmers & extension cord so I could cut back the ornamental grasses. I had to get my 2nd tarp from the shed for the clippings. And while I was in there, I started the Deere after charging the battery a few weeks ago. Started fine. I let it run all the while I trimmed back the grasses.

All totaled, probably took 30-40 minutes cutting all the ornamental grasses back. Kenny was out doing some yard work too. Stopped over to chat. Asked about the basement project and offered up his truck to go get supplies. Shared more than once that he’s ready to get after it. I just need to go get the material and get moving on the project. We talked about the fake swan that drifted back by the island. Thought he might slip into his hip waders and go out and get it.

Spent another half hour raking the ornamental grass clippings onto a tarp and then dragging it to the compost pile. It always feels good to get the springs first major yard work taken care of. Shut the tractor down after finishing with the ornamental grasses. I guess I could easily have done more work, but I was tired, sweaty, and ready to get a shower and a snack. I headed inside feeling great about all I accomplished. For the time being, I left the cannas bulbs still drying in the sunshine. I planned to rebag them shortly though since rain was forecasted for Easter Sunday.

Inside, I poured a Gatorade. Boy, that hit the spot! Woofed down a couple sugar cookies too. Before taking a shower I Windexed the front and back doors and then watered all the houseplants. I took a shower and then washed my running clothes. I’m thinking that it was close to 4pm when Mindy got home from the party and the grocery store. I helped carry in the haul.

While Mindy put groceries away, I trimmed back the large geranium I’ve had growing indoors since about ’98. When the stems get too long and begin to droop, I cut them back and transplant them right back into the potting soil. I trimmed back the dead shedding’s as well, and then what I couldn’t readily pick-up by hand, I sucked up with the Dyson. And while I had it out, I dust vacuumed the Bose speakers and crevasses behind the plant and chair, too.
Mindy and I chatted about dinner plans. I was happy simply going to Barley’s. I think it was near 530pm when she and I left for Target to get Easter stuff for the kids. We opted to visit the one on Hilliard Rome Rd.

Holy smoke! I haven’t seen Target that crowded since Xmas time, and even then I don’t think it was quite as bad as Saturday evening. It must have been ‘big people’ night, too. To Target’s credit, not a whole lot of Easter inventory remained. Everything was picked over. We still managed to get enough good stuff to fill all the grandkids baskets. Mindy already had stuff for Jacobella, though she did pick-up a few more things for them, too, like a bathing suit for Bella, and a short sleeved wicking Buckeye shirt for Jacob. I picked up some more almonds and Chex Mix for me. All totaled, we dumped $135. Yikes!

Now after 7pm, we decided to trunk all the goodies and head straight to Barley’s. Arrived near 730p. Not that crowded. We took two seats at the bar that were vacated by two former work peeps of mine. They moved to a table. I drank a Centennial while Mindy vacillated over her own beer choice. She eventually settled on a Russian.

Not long after we got settled, the Buckeye NCAA game started. We were trailing Wichita St. from the outset and it never got better. We ordered food shortly thereafter, me ordering a Cuban, and Mindy ordering a Carnivore platter. Watchin the game left me agitated, which is why I rarely if ever watch. I think I watched a total of 3 games this season and in all three cases we played very poorly – hard to watch. The two prior, we still managed to pull out a win. Still, not worth the damage.

We trailed by as many as 20 points halfway through the 2nd half. Somehow or another, we managed a comeback and pulled within 3 points. The crowd in Barley’s erupted, but it was all for not. We lost. Season over. We weren’t at Barley’s too late. We both had two beers. I drove us home. We carried in the Easter stuff from Target then changed into PJs. Mindy quickly put together the grandkids Eater baskets while I poured what remained of that Bodhi growler. Probably about 2/3s of a pint.

Mindy wasn’t pleased that I tuned the TV to The Bible. Claims it’s too violent, disturbing. She headed somewhat angrily off to bed. I didn’t stay up too late and fell asleep after about 30 minutes. Headed up to join Mindy in bed near 11pm.