Making entries into this journal is typically done each day, or at least notations are made daily to help refresh my memory. However, almost two weeks have gone by since last writing. To say that I’m easily distracted would be an understatement!
Kay and I continue to play catchup after being gone for three months this winter. And, the yard work is overwhelming, particularly since a new “butterfly/hummingbird” garden is being built in one of the few places at the back of the property receiving sun most of the day. This work in progress involved relocating about a half yard of washed gravel (one shovel at a time), cutting plastic ground cloth, adding a half yard of top soil, and planting flowers.
During the course of creating the new bed, a few photos were made on Tuesday, April 22. The dragon fly is a Common Green Darter.
The butterflies are a Red Admiral and Gray Hairstreak, respectively.
More yard work was done on Wednesday and a couple of butterflies, damselflies, and dragonflies posed for photographs.
On Thursday, a new dishwasher was delivered (as mentioned before, this is the third Frigidaire appliance to be replaced since moving in 9 years ago). Also, a couple more photos were made.
Neither of our backs held up to the yard work, especially when combined with sports. We were sore for days, and spent a good portion of time inside recovering.
Kay began feeling ill on Friday, and over the course of the next day and a half came down with a full-fledged head cold. It is so rare for her to be sick!
On Saturday, we picked up a new 2024 Hyundai Palisade to replace the 2018 Honda Pilot. The Pilot was perhaps the “best” car I’ve ever owned, but lacked a couple of options I wanted/needed. It will take days, if not weeks, to learn how to “program” all the bells and whistles. Grandson Ridge played basketball Saturday evening in Little Rock and while he played well, the team won one and lost one. In the loss, the other team was more disciplined and deliberate, and had a couple of big “men” that took almost all the rebounds.
Basketball was the main attraction on Sunday, but was short lived as the team was overwhelmed by a slightly better group of players. Ridge played really well again, but his contributions were not enough to make the difference. Both Kay and I attended, and enjoyed a quiet Sunday late afternoon and evening.
Wet conditions prevented my sports participation on Monday, while Kay had a few minor appointments. I played golf with the church scramble on Tuesday, and Kay stayed home for installation of the new dishwasher. The first people who were to install the dishwasher priced installation at $600+. After making a few calls to Metro Appliances in Maumelle (from whom we bought the dishwasher and who recommended the expensive installation), a more reasonable installer was identified and did a good job. We see more and more “contractors” taking advantage of the elderly here in Hot Springs Village; shame on them!