Sweaty Sunday

I woke up at 5:30 AM (big surprise) and put on a pot of coffee. Once I had a cup in hand, I posted the Blog entry.

Then I refilled my pill box (a Sunday morning must) and had my morning pills. I ate my oatmeal/trail mix breakfast and watched the weather. It was going to be sunny and in the mid-80's but already was 52 degrees F. with NO wind! So, it was the perfect time to apply my herbicide to the pickers and grass growing in the back of the yard garden.

Putting off my shower and shave, I slipped on my shorts and tee shirt. I filled my sprayer with a gallon of herbicide. This was NOT the Ortho Groundclear my neighbor swears by and I have used in the past, but some straight (not concentrate) Spectracide weed and grass killer I got on sale (but have never used before).

I have learned a few painful lessons using herbicide in the past, so I didn’t pump up the sprayer in the house. It sometimes leaks a little out the spray end and you can end up having a thin trail of dead lawn going out to where you want to use it. So, I pumped it up in the garden and started spraying. I must admit I did hit a few hostas and iris leaves by mistake, but never the whole plants, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed that they don’t die altogether. I also walked backwards to try and avoid getting the herbicide on my shoes. Of course that meant I occasionally backed into trees and bushes (ouch).

When I used up all the herbicide (I did get the whole garden done), I released the pressure from the sprayer, took off my crocs and sox (that was fun to say) and walked barefoot back to the house. I have also had footprints of dead grass in my lawn using this stuff in the past and not thinking about what might still be on the soles of my shoes, you see.

One thing I did notice is that I have some trimming and/or pruning back of the good bushes and trees out there, but that will have to wait until after the next rainfall.

Inside, I washed my crocs with Pine-Sol and threw my socks in the laundry basket. Then, I shaved and showered. It was after 11:00 AM before I left the house!

Home Depot came first, of course. I bought some Gripper non-slip cups for bed frame casters (this was a Melissa suggestion because the bed still slid a little, even after she locked the casters). I also bought some herbs. But all they had were basil, flat leaf parsley and thyme left. I was afraid of that. If the damn raised bed planter doesn’t come soon, I won’t be able to plant anything in it!

Next I went to Kroger’s to get some things I need for my Sunday supper. I got some on-the-vine tomatoes, celery, green onions, some onion sandwich rolls, a can of sliced black olives, some creamy Italian dressing and some shredded Parmesan cheese. My problem started when I tried to find this cherry concentrate Jake told me about. Several texts were then exchanged regarding where I could find it, but I couldn’t. So, I asked a Kroger employee, who said they never heard of it. Jake sent me a text that it is made in Michigan and, according to their website, sold at that exact Kroger store!

So, I gave up. I stopped at Westborn to see if they had any herbs and they had rosemary, but still no dill! On a whim I asked if they carried the juice concentrate and they did! Just then Jake text me and said to try Westborn as the manufacture’s web site said they also carried it, lol. It was a smaller bottle and more expensive than what Jake buys at his Kroger’s, but at least I can taste it!

I got back home about 1:30 PM, unloaded the car and treated the cats. Then I filled out the belated birthday card I bought for Sadie (her birthday was on Thursday but I missed it this year). I jumped back in the car and took it to the Post Office so it will get out first thing in the morning.

Then I went back home and got back to working on the window box. I carefully spray painted the blue screws brown and caulked the edges of the support board. I took some pictures so you would understand what I was talking about yesterday.

Then I planted two vincas and seven begonias. I put it back up (groan) and filled the auto waterer. I took some final pictures after I hosed down the patio. Note: when I looked at the photos, I was embarrassed I hadn’t washed the windowsill first.

I was sweaty (it was over 80 degrees) so I stopped to cool off for a bit. I went inside and got a drink of apple juice and, after adjusting sizes, posted the pictures to the Blog.

Then I made my pasta salad, so it could get cold before dinner. While the tri-colored pasta cooked I sliced up two green onions, and then diced a green pepper, some celery and, after I de-seeded them, two tomatoes. It was just then that I realized I forgot a cucumber!

I drained the pasta and ran it under cold water to chill it. I added in the small can of sliced black olives (drained, of course), about 3/4 cup of the shredded Parmesan cheese and a little of the creamy Italian dressing. I taste-tested it and added more dressing, some salt and fresh-ground black pepper. Another taste test and, other than the missing cucumbers, it was perfect. I covered the bowl with cling wrap and stuck it in the fridge.

Then I went back into the heat. I was going to temporarily plant the herbs in the raised bed vegetable garden and then transplant them to their own raised bed planter when it comes.

I probably should be planting the vegetable garden about now, come to think of it. My neighbor was rototilling his up yesterday. And, I still need to find some dill. Does this never end???

I put my herb in and noticed that my neighbor had all his plants in. He noticed me and came over to ask if I was doing my vegetable garden as well. I explained I was just temporarily planting some herbs. He said they had some leftover plants if I wanted them. I said, “Sure!”

So, I ended up also planting three Early Girl tomatoes, two Roma tomatoes and two chili red peppers (the kind I was giving to Jake last year). He said he also planted some jalapenos and hot yellow banana peppers. I said, “You sure do like your heat, don’t you.” He explained that his first wife, who he had married when he was in the service, was from Thailand and he learned to love the spicy Thai food.

After I had everything planted, I dragged out the hose and watered the hell out of the garden. I hadn’t worked it up with the garden weasel or added compost from my pile like I normally do because I wasn’t planning on doing that much today.

After I wound the hose back into its box, I cleaned up all the tools and debris and went inside for the night. Since it was 86 degrees F. outside (but with low humidity, thank God), it was 79 degrees inside! So, for the first time this year, I turned on the air conditioner.

I took off my sweaty brace and sweaty clothes and jumped in the shower to get all the garden grime off me. I sprayed the brace with Fabreeze (the only way I have figured out to date to deal with it since I can’t wash it). B___ called to check in and we exchanged stories.

Dressed in just my robe, I started to brown a pound of ground chuck. When it was done, I drained the grease and added in a can of Manwich. So, I had a sloppy joe on an onion roll and pasta salad for my Sunday supper. I must admit I went back for seconds!

I watched the Sunday Night News with Lester Holt and realized I'd missed the Sunday morning Today Show. I normally watch it on the weekends both because I am a news junkie anyway and I have a thing for Jenna Wolf!

I cleaned up the kitchen, then watched a taped DIY show and finally the movie "The Perfect Storm" again. I know, I know. I've watched it a million times before, but I like it and I don't feel bad if I fall asleep during it, which I did.