What's happening in your neck of the woods/Summer 2011

Well thank you for the invite..maybe one year I will come!!! Not sure why I thought the stampede was in the fall vs. summer months??? hmmmm if it keeps raining they'll have one heck of a time won't they?

Dates this year July 8-17. 8th is Stampede Parade.

Only in a few weeks..do you attend or is it like every other community, they come in from all over the world and locals other than those who work to support the activities do not attend??? always looks so much fun on t.v....wasn't it last year that they had to put down a few horses? they were going to change the races?

Betty - The Stampede works closely with the Calgary Humane Society and the Alberta SPCA to ensure animals are treated well.
That being said, there were 4 horses that needed to be "put down" in the 2010 Stampede - one because of a misstep and it injured it's shoulder un-repairably, another had a heart attack, a third broke its back when it bucked again after throwing the rider, and another had an apparent heart attack and fell on the rider (who went to hospital with a broken shoulder blade and a serious head injury).
This was a very unusual year for this - these are certainly NOT common occurrences.
It was an very tragic year for everyone.

Know that it was accidental, I would think they've so many safe guards in place to prevent such tragedies but some are unforseen..one of these years I'll get my cowboy boots and rodeo shirts out and head your way..yikes, won't be driving.. - about 36 hrs. from home..

lol yes, we're "a fur piece" from you, Betty!

I have not gone for years- my mother used to like to come that week and go down and go thru all the exhibits but I dont bother. was there one morning last year working a shift at the Hort Society setup but not this year.

Oh lots of local folks go I'm sure. And lots use it as an excuse to go to parties all day and night and drink! Tends to be a noisy time.

It has rained all day. I took Sassy to be groomed and while waiting went out to Cobblestone Garden Centre. Bought myself one pretty little geranium and two
Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile). One is a dwarf type , the other full size. This is a South African plant ( bulb) and certainly not hardy here, needs to be in pots, and I have tried to grow it many times but never could get it to flower. Have never seen it in a garden centre before so I indulged myself and bought both sizes! A gentleman I got talking with at the cash said he has them and feeds them every two weeks to get to flower but also keeps them as basically indoor plants and puts them out on warm days so I guess it will be and in and out plant, not to be put in heavy pots!

try putting it on a platter with wheels, Carol - much less heavy, and if you add a small backing to the platter (wooden), and attach a rope to one end, you can even wheel it over the transitions between in and out without it falling off when you take it through the doorway.
that way you can put it in a heavier pot.

But then there are the steps!

I will just keep some pots for them in and out and pop them in wherever they need to be

ah yes, the steps! Forgot about those. You don't have a very large area at the top of your steps, do you? wide enough to sit on, but that's all........ so they couldn't stay there!.

The Geraniums are a wonderful colour Carol .. hope you can keep them blooming~

Attended the Stampede once .. it was actually quite warm in Calgary at the time, and, DUSTY ... had a good time though, you should fer sure 'bucket list' it Betty.

Supper at the Keg was yummy .. as always .. too much food !!! Came home with enough chicken to put into a tossed salad to make a meal tomorrow .. wonderful young lady for a server, have written head office to say how accomodating the staff were with Lorna and her crutches, and her Dad with a cane ..
Tomorrow we go to the Casino .. I don't gamble, but like to watch .. will have lunch on the waterfront ..
Haveta say, I am growing weary .. but am quite pleased the wee doggies and cat have been doing so well while left alone ..

The FAWNS are out, bounding around out back under the Does watchful eyes .. MUST be summer :-)

TTFN

~M~

Went out for dinner with a friend, picked up more supplies for the pond and then went and picked uo tombstone wreath for Roger's grave..costly celebrating with the dead!!

"m" on the news tonight a young 24 year old woman in Huntsville forgot her puppy in the car, windows up and hot as h@&ll for 3hrs. Guess I don't need to say what happened.

You'll be tired of eating out"M" and looking for a home cooked meal.

What a beautiful picture you paint re deers, nothing like looking T wildlife

What a gorgeous blue Carol...you sure have a green thumb!

Not my thumb Betty!

Carol - you most assuredly DO. Part of a green thumb is to work consistently to a goal, and keep trying until you find the plants that work in Your micro-climate.
You have a beautiful, and very interesting, yard, Carol. It's fascinating how much like a park it is. So many "rooms"!

I just meant the blue flowers in that pic!

Thanks Susan!

As I said when I was at your place before, you have a very calming garden - I could picture myself sitting having coffee there in the morning, and again at night under the stars...... so peaceful and private.

Ohhh sounds like a garden I'd love to sit in..

Gloomy here today, hoping the sunshine decides to come out, they are calling for a perfect weekend but doesn't take long for them to chance the forecast.

Everything for the pond has now been purchased and sitting on back deck, now I need the energy to get at it..not sure why I thought I needed a secondary pond, losing it in my old age.

Time to get ready for work..short day, get off at 3:00. But hoping for a surprise call from Paul saying go home early..dreaming of course!

Gab after

dream away, m'lady!

Looks as though I am dreaming susan, look at the time..lol

Still overcast and feels like a storm is brewing..maybe the rain will fill the pond hole and I'll not have to worry about finishing my project this weekend..at a loss of what to do anyway!

LAST DAY of the visit is TODAY .. 2 weeks has gone by, and, at times NOT quickly .. but all in all a good time was had by all ..
Now decisions re a follow up trip in September have to be made .. I'd love to do the Lake Superior 'Circle Route' .. head out from TBay go south through Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and back into Canada at Windsor. But .. the parents are heavily suggesting they would rather fly back here ... decisions, decisions !!

Gorgeous day out there .. despite the mosquitoes !!

~M~

Not much rain yesterday, puttered in the garden for an hour or two then went for physio. Acupuncture again with heat/electrical stimulation after. My hip was very sore all day ( compared to last time) but this morning it feels pretty good. No more acupuncture as the physio is going away but just some regular stuff next week with addition of some easy exercises.
So just relaxed the rest of the day as physio said no gardening after acupuncture.

No rain so far so should be able to get the dogs out then working a shift at Lougheed House - probably raining again by then!

We have a new dog coming in to foster so I have been busy with organizing that - name is Chyna! 9 years old, owner died suddenly.

oooh how sad for the sheltie that the owner died - it will likely go through a grieving process, of course - especially if they were close as I imagine them to be.
Hope your hip continues to heal. No gardening after acupuncture is good, but now that you won't have anymore, you'll be able to go at your own pace. Take it easy though!

Would like it to stop raining long enough to dig up a veggie garden - went to GreenGate yesterday (down the street from Passport Canada, and applied for them) and got some veggies to plant. Have to get them in this weekend!

I have a question for all the knitters here - I got a bunch of "stuff" from my cousin yesterday, and part of it was 9 balls of "yarn" and I'm not sure what to make with it (a piece of clothing perhaps?) but here's the pic of the "yarn". "unknown fabric" it says, but feels like silk. I've never seen anything like it... I really love the texture, and the colour, but the "thread" portion of it at the top of this pic looks like heavy thread and would be the only thing holding it together. btw - I Do Not crochet - it would have to be knitted.
Any suggestions?

Rain Rain and more rain we have had 32 ml in 24 hrs.
Susan that would make dandy Scarves! you know the small ones to just keep your neck warm.
Carol, new one! Will you post a photo please? I love seeing the sweethearts you get.
Alberta Ann

Susan, I knit, and I believe your yarn is called something like "eyelash yarn" among other things. The only item I have made with it is a skinny scarf. It is lovely when knitted up. I think if you do a search on-line you will get a few patterns.
Heather

Pretty sure Heather is correct Susan re the 'Eyelash yarn' .. seems about 3 years ago there was a knitting frenzy on my unit at the hospital. The 'knitting nurses' were whipping up every colour of them you could imagine .. and were those scarves WARM or what .. I have a green one, blue one and multi coloured, but none as pretty as the colours you have been gifted with ^_^

Bed will be early tonight, have to be up at 4am to get to the airport for 5am .. ugggggggggggg.....

Toodles

~M~

Waving a welcome Heather, great suggestion..I though scarves but the'll have mega patterns for free under eyelash wool, and Susan if you are not sure it's eyelash they most likely have a visual of all their wools...

Carol, Chynal is a different name for a dog, ahhh she will be'issing her owner..couldnt have found a better home!

Susan, how wonderful, passports, now pack your camping gear and off you and Bob go!

"M" I did almost the exact trip about 15 years go, loved it..in. Wisconsin in the middle of nowhere I forgot my wallet..when I realized it and called there it was in the drawer looking pretty with all my traveling $$$. I was so relieved..was in the middle of absolutely nowhere ..told them to take a reward, ups me in st.cloud which they did..so trustworthy. I'd sure make the trip again.

Heather how has the gardening been in your neck of the woods..norml weather?

Already in my jammiies..body said enough is enough.
Got home at 4 yesterday and worked on pond..then at 7:30 drove to wash ago to give my stepfather his fathers day gift..e-reader which he loved sooo home just before the strike of midnight. Up early this morning , layer the liner and omg needed to dig almost as much..ran into a boulder , more like a mountain. Lol, had company come over to managed to get it moved..by the time the canvas was layer so there woulnt be any damage, then the liner it was time to meet my sister for the graveyard run and lunch..wish all would have decided to be hurried in same graveyard.

On my way home I stopped off for slate rock to at least get an idea where I was headed in making a small waterfall..did a trial re sounds of water flow but just too tired to do more.

In the morning I've Roger's grave to clean and put the tombstone floral on it, quick couple of trips to quarry for more slate..wow talk about expensive..level the liner and by then end of weekend ..I'm always thrilled with going to work Mondays as it's a day of rest.

Carol, it must drive you bunkers to be told No gardening...
Think I'll gave corn on the cob and fresh strawberries and relax

Hope all enjoyed their day..perfect weather here!!

"M" think were lucky we posted now because well all be sleeping by 8pm. Lol

Oh there is not so much to do in the garden now- mostly just puttering and weeding - but I would like to get all my little hostas planted!

Chyna may not be coming our way - seems the lady looking after her has a friend who has a friend who is interested , already has a sheltie. Hope it works out for her. I think Chyna is just an odd spelling of China.

I did two tours at the house today and headed home couldn stay on my feet anymore, did not start raining until about 430PM.Sat on my heating pad and read and napped and hip feels fine now. Tomorrow nothing scheduled except a friend dropping by to pick up some plants in the afternoon. It would be nice if it was warm enough to put up my rope chair and have a swing!

Chyna is beautiful! If it's a friend of the lady who passed, then Chyna may be comfortable with someone she knows.

Eyelash yarn it is! It surely looks like eyelashes, and that's what I thought it was as soon as I saw it. I'd just never heard of it before.....
I found a lot of free patterns for it, and I think I have the top I want. The "eyelashes" feel like silk, they're so soft.....

Morning, just back from putting the tombstone floral or Roger's grave, needless to say it wasn't bust. Lol. Who gets up at that time of the morning??

Having breakfast then out to work on the pond again..have a few more chores and I'll have completed all my to do's, always nice way to end a weekend!

Sorry that you are getting rain out west, makes it hard to get caught up with gardening tasks..

Carol, that would be wonderful if if Chyna was able to find a home with another
sheltie in her own area..

Well I'd best get a move on, afraid that if I sit here much longer I'll be comfy as can be and lazy for the rest of the day..

Hope those with fathers or hubbies enjoy the day!

This message was edited Jun 19, 2011 10:23 AM

Well the sun is shining and the rain appeared to stop overnight but it is predicted o have showers all day . I am just feeling frustrated at not being able to comfortably be outside whether I have garden tasks to do or not!

Chyna is coming to us on Wed.. The lady who has her decided if the friend of a friend wanted her she can apply to us same as anybody else( It was not anybody the previous owner./dog knew) . I had sent her, for her information, our application to adopt and home evaluation form so she could assess appropriately and I guess she decided to leave it up to us!

Hoping I can spend some time outside today but probably not a good idea to put the cushions on the chairs and hang the rope swing! Maybe I will get out the drill and start drilling holes in the now 'useless' garbage cans ( we got our big black bins last week) to turn them into compost bins, goodness knows I could probably fill them all!

YAWN!!!!!!! Getting up up at 4am has definitely put a crimp in the day, but, since we have showers happening it's OK ..
Got the folks to the airport for 5am .. HATE GOODBYES ... then off to McDonalds for brekkie .. haven't done that in a LOooooong while and it has likely added to us feeling sluggish ..

Get this .. the furnace just came on !!! What a crazy season we are having !! The Summer Solstice is June 21st at 1:16pm .. d'ya think Ma Nature will waken then and whip summer out for us ?

Have a date with my Hospice client, best get myself ready ..

Happy Father's Day to those celebrating it with family and/or friends

~M~

Busy at it again "m".. Hate to see what would happen if you put us together f.or a few days..you'll not know what to do with yourself, ahhh yes you will, back into a regular routine..

Shucks I've had a/c on all week..sure is hot out there..worked right through to 1:00 and stopped and gabbed with neighbor who is repairing the fencing, although I needed only about six slabs of rock I was near done..had enough, neighbor said 'not like you to leave a project almost done, a challenge, cant have the young ones doing more than I, looked at my watch, still time to go get last slabs I need so off I went..all are laid, even a makeshift waterfall until Greg can come and put the heavy slabs into a little falls..now washed, exhausted..thinking of grabbing a pepsi, set myself on a chaise lounge and relax for a few hours..will have to take painkillers tonight for sure..we think we can do more than our bodies can do!!

Best not tell my boys that though, can just hear them now. Lol

Furnace has been off and on most of the day here .. i believe we hardly reached 11C and D A M P !! My bones are fer sure UNHAPPY.

Played cards with my Hospice client .. he tires easily so one game was good .. then we chatted for a bit , his wife came home and I helped her put him to bed, and home I came.

Gonna be an early night .. hope you sleep well after your busy weekend Betty ..

WELCOME to SUMMER this coming week !!

~M~

"M" my sister Sharon volunteers at a hospice center a few days a week, I'd never have guessed someone prone to depression could do it..but she does... You should be congratulated for being a blessing to your clients..it's something many cannot do yet would like to.

Can't believe your furnace has come on..no humidity today but talk about hot!

After all the work I did this weekend and having aches and pains, Cathy came over to see how I did, she was just leaving and I was on the deck landing, went to turn, screamed, omg talk about pain in the knee...the minute I put weight on it I yelp. If no better in the morning it will be emerge for me. I'm on my 2nd Tylenol 3...leave it to me!

Decent enough here to work in the yard but not to go out and sit with a book and a snack! A few showers but they did not last long. So I have had rather a lazy day!

My furnace has also been running intermittantly. I dont bother to turn it off in the summer any more - it is on a program and I figure at my age and not minding a bit extra on the heating bill I would rather it ran than had to pile on sweaters in July! Seem to chill more easily since I had chemo 10 years ago.

Carol, I'd do without food before I'd endure being cold..regardless how much hydro I use the bill usually is around the same.. Chemo would thin your blood??

Sometimes the body needs to rest..

Carol - I was out today, digging up a garden with my pitchfork. I got a fair bit done before it started to sprinkle so I went into my friends' house and chatted while the Sun Shower did its thing - then went out and dug some more. Another "sun shower" I thought, but it wouldn't quit! I was sitting in my car waiting, but as it just got worse, I left to go home!
So, now that it's evening, the sun is out!! siiiiiiiiiiigh
Well, tomorrow's supposed to be sunny, so will rent a rototiller and get the garden done that way, and plant things I bought at the garden centre (3 tomato plants, swiss chard, celery, peas, lettuce, etc) - all very healthy stuff! Oh, and a friend gave me some potatoes to plant, so I should be set!
Believe it or not, I could not find any bell peppers! Well, I did, but I'm not paying $12 for one plant!!!

Betty .. sure hope you're icing and elevating your knee .. sounds as though you might have pulled a ligament :-(
Never rains but it pours huh ??

Furnace is still coming on about every half an hour .. i slept in bed for 3 hours, but looks as though I'll spend the next while sleeping sitting up .. getting used to it .

Out to buy a vacuum cleaner tomorrow .. mine gave up a couple of days ago, and, the carpet sweeper thingy I have is just not good enough ..

Your veggie garden sounds wonderful Susan .. Gord's is well on it's way .. especially the cabbage .. all the tomato plants are doing well too ..

Best nod off for a bit ..

TTFN

~M~

Morning all, not sure if it's a sunshine day or will be one of rain..doesn't much matter as I'm off to work for a rest...had a half decent sleep, knee is still painfull but only if I make a sharp turn...have a dr.'s appointment tomorrow afternoon so will have it looked at.

After being in the quarry 3 times for rock my car looks grey from all the dust so I'll leave early and wash it..

Big object pick up this week, omg, streets were full of unwanted items, by late evening when I looked up hardly a thing left..some people's garbage is treasures to others....lots of trucks with trailers picking up metal..

Coffee sure does taste good this morning, even have a left over donut from timmies...

"M" good luck shopping for the vacuum, something you cannot do without..a SEARS purchase??? lol

Susan, looks like you've a project underway as well that will take high energy and muscles..lucky you to have Bob to help out..a rotatiller, wow, does that mean every flower in the bed has/had to be removed???

while working on the pond yesterday I thought often of Roger, he'd be shaking his head asking why I needed a 2nd pond and shaking his head..he'd help but not without a few choice words...got a laugh out of those thoughts..

Pond, made a make shift waterfall..the rock I have to create the proper waaterfall is much too heavy for me to work with so that will have to wait until one of my boys drop in!!