Yard, continued

Yeah, I know, you can't tell one tub full of cuttings and weeds from another.  Trust me this one, and another, have been filled since the trash man took the last collection away.

The yard guy came Saturday morning (the one who took down the volunteer trees and weeds) and we walked and talked over the back yard, about the stump grinding / roto-tilling phase of the project.  He gave me an estimate, and we are talking about end of next week, or beginning of the following one for doing the work.  I booked it, as it did not seem outrageous, he said it will likely take a full day.  I wanted to take this cost into account as I mull over the fence estimate, so was glad he came out on the weekend, rather than having to wait into another week.

Speaking of the fence, I still have not chatted with the neighbor about the part along our shared lot line.  Must do THAT, this weekend, before I book the job.  I don't have the neighbor's phone number, so it's either catch him in the yard or knock on a door.  Sometimes with all these cell phones and no more phone books, we're moving backwards in time where we have to actually meet our neighbors in person!

This afternoon, I had a kayak reserved at the little lake over the hill.  Good day for it, sunny and a high temperature above 85℉.  I have invested in my own life jacket and phone case by now, figuring this hobby is going to "stick".  If I ever go out with the kids and in-laws to be again, it saves some re-sizing and swapping of gear.

The phone did not like the heat and turned itself off during my paddling session, but I did manage to snap a couple of photos, this one at the beginning of the kayak session, before the phone turned itself off.

The victory of the day was that when I got done and headed in, the owner was busy starting off some beginners and I got my 69 and a half year old self OUT of the sit-in kayak without assistance, and pulled it up on shore.  I think the real secret to this is that I've started this season kayaking barefoot.  Seriously, it's easier to plunge your feet into the sandy shoreline and get yourself centered and upright when you can dig those toes in!

After I got out and put my shoes on and restarted my phone, I found a video my niece in Salt Lake City had just posted.  Her family had taken in an abandoned wild duckling found in a window well in 2018.  They raised her with a domestic pair of ducklings, and named her Miss Theo.  She has come back each year, but this year, she's brought a brood of 12 ducklings to visit.  The video clip my niece shared was Miss Theo leading her band along the path.

A perfect coincidence:  while walking over that bridge on the way back to my car, I spotted a dad rowing his little daughter under the bridge. They were following a mama duck with her brood.  The little girl was fascinated.  A turtle was sunning itself on the same log the little ducklings launched from, but by the time I got my camera set, the turtle had swum off.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I have been having laptop issues.  It seems to have lost its ability to detect wireless networks.  The troubleshooter says it might be something wrong with the driver, but I've tried several "fixes" and now I'm down to stringing ethernet wire so there are two spots in the house where I can "plug in".  At least I have it to the point where I can reach the wireless printer from where I have my laptop connected.

Probably time for a new laptop... but supply chains and of course, budget!  So I'm doing what my mom taught me to do:  making do.

End of the day is approaching, so I'm giving myself that advice I often share:  what I have done today is enough.  I can let go, start my evening rituals, and have a restful night.  I have nourished my body.  I have hydrated it.  I have bathed it after some active fun.  I have got out in nature.  I have thanked my maker for the blessings in this world and asked for strength and guidance for all who are dealing with the things that don't seem to be blessing anyone!

Breathe, sleep... life is good.  Keep Sparking!