Sunday, My Day, began with a spa, and then Her Highness and I went for a long, wonderful, very leisurely walk through the 707 Park. We were out very early, so we saw no one on the trails until the very end when we came upon two bicyclists.
When we got home, I got busy and toted the final five barrow loads of kindling and what I call ‘turds.’ Turds are very short, thick, irregular pieces of wood that cannot be stacked. I put them on end in the shed to dry out, and they will be the first wood I burn, along with some of the kindling pieces.
I had a bit of a euphoric feeling as I unloaded the last barrow. The tarps are still down on the driveway. They must be swept clean and then folded before going back into the shed until next year when I order more wood. I had no time for them yesterday, as I had to go to Pete and Ali’s when the toting and stacking was done. I had to water several of their garden beds for them while they are away.
When that was done, I cleaned and folded one of the tarpaulins and then I had a wee chill in the recliner in the sunshine (15 minutes) and then another indoors. At 14:15, we headed off to Eoin and François’ place to see their new ducks. I always enjoy visiting their place and seeing all the work that they have done on their place. The big change was their new duck pond. It’s amazing. It has a huge filtering system, aerators, and François is the skimmer (he uses a net to collect leaves off the pond surface).
After a brief visit chez eux, we went for a walk with our dogs (Eoin and François have two adorable Whippets). We walked the Elder Cedar trail and had a nice chat as we walked and then Her Highness and I came home to assume our positions for evening rituals.
It was a great day, and the evening was stunning. It was so bright and sunny, and it lasted so late in the day, it’s a magical time of the year. I love the comfortable temperatures provided by the cool wind. I earned my place on the chaise now that all the wood is stacked and drying.
The yard is a mess. All over the island there are billions and billions of growth caps. They’re little brown things that are the size of bees. There are piles of them in Nester’s lot. And there are lots of cones. We had a serious windstorm late yesterday afternoon, so there’s been a big dump of mother natures on the yard. So, I’m thinking, yard clean-up is next now that the wood is stacked.
I’m in constant motion. I realize what’s happening. I get addicted to activity. It happens every year, but it’s still shocking to feel it settle in each warm season. I remember vividly one September as the weather was turning, I worried about how I would possibly survive the indoor season. I get hooked on being active. Pinecone Park is my playpen.
Today, the tarps get put away and I start on the yard. I will be raking all the growth caps and cones up all over the yard and then toting the detritus to the dumping ground. We’ll walk with our friends, and I’ll enjoy a brief rest in the sunshine. There’s cloudy weather coming on Wednesday, according to the forecast, and maybe rain (ha!) on Saturday.
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| François (left) and Eoin and their new duck pond. The edges and landscaping have yet to be completed. These boys can do anything. I admire them! |
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| They have Indian Runners and Pekins. They are full of personality. |
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| The new babies. |
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| Pete is a gardener with relentless energy. Their entire yard is a massive garden. I'm in awe! |
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| Behind that big Gunera in the background is a Paulownia. |
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| The front of their home. |
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| Their little lawn. Everywhere you look is beautiful. |
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| Their driveway into their property. |