Where has summer gone?

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It's been a month since I last blogged.
Seems any extra time at the end of my long summer day has been spent job searching and all that it entails. It used to be really easy to apply for work. Now that all is done online, it seems much more difficult to me! Meanwhile, the garden keeps spewing forth its bounty...
These are the last of the peaches, and I had to fight the deer for them!

Tomatos are coming fast,but I've found a new way to deal with so many at once. Wash them,core them and freeze them whole with skin on by placing on a cookie sheet in the freezer ! When frozen, put them in freezer bags...when ready to use, you can run them under warm water and the skin will come off easily...of course then you must cook them, but it saves work up front !

Bob loves the yellow tomatos and eats them up before I need to can or freeze them..

To date..( I just did 4 more quarts and a pint today)...I have pickled 27 quarts and 6 pints of pickles, mostly sweet, but some polish dills, and the cucumbers are still going strong! I think it may be due to the new fertilizer I have found...Epsom Salts ! yes, thats what I said.try it!

Bob hasn't had to cut the grass very often due to the incredible heat and drought we have had for this whole month, so he has been getting to the creek and bringing back large stones for stepping. He also has had work (thank you lord!), but naturally it is porches! Figures with the sun and heat he'd be working outdoors! But, its work!

Tomorrow I continue on my journey to find a job, and that alone has taken up a considerable amount of time doing resumes and putting in applications. I had to have a TB test, be fingerprinted and a background check done, just to have my application for substitute teaching put in for Franklin County schools...

I do have an interview tomorrow at Head Start. I will let you all know the outcome.

Somehow the days are flying by me and August is at hand. I'm praying for some rain and cooler temperatures. Hard to believe the kids go back to school August 18th...

Where has summer gone?

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Summer dirt brings bounty and baths

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I am missing Caine, now that I have recovered from chasing after him. He's such a love, so happy. He would sit with me on the porch for coffee in the morning. Okay, he didn't stay long and I had to chase after him before he got in his pool , or the dirt.. or both in that order! I would at least get him dressed before he started the dirt thing...

Playing in the dirt with his toys and cars... his favorite..such a boy !

I saw this pay phone on our road/fishing trip to Floyd today. I took a picture of it, because I haven't seen one in ages! They are still out there !

Penny had a side swim in the pond...side swim because she can 'touch' bottom on the sides..

Belle prefers the full immersion.

The lily pads are multiplying, but no flowers yet! I think last count was ten pads.. in the picture , middle-ish to the left side near the fluffy green reeds...

The summer is in full swing,its so hot and humid, although it really isn't summer officially..and the veggies are really starting to come fast!

.

I know what I will be doing in a few short weeks....Canning !!!! Tomatos galore!

We really need to get a freezer soon! Can't wait for the first tomato sandwich! The cucumbers are great, so crisp and fresh....

love the garden bounty!

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fireflies

Clematis..and hummingbirds..
fireflies in the gloaming...do you see them?
They are like tiny fairies with flashlights...blinking so quickly ..

And a garden..it doesn't take much room...
everything is usable..
old chairs, and horse fencing that has snapped off..
twigs that were cut from my Harry Lauder's walking stick plant last spring..whimsical and fun..

But, fireflies in the late evening..when the bats start coming, and the hummingbirds rest...
Do you see them?
Have you gone out and checked?
Can you take the time to see the night sky?
.....
see the big dipper?
and there's the little one, too...
come on buddy, lets rest in Grandma's hammock...
listen to the tree toads,
hear the whipporwhill calling?
...
Important times for a child...
take the time, let your inner child come out...catch a firefly in a jar...
amaze your kids and grandkids with what is all around..free to enjoy...
make some lasting memories...

Adam's swing is still hanging waiting for him to return...
meanwhile, Caine can use it...a board on the end of a rope hung on the oak's branch...
such joy and laughter...so simple..
such memories....
I'm smiling, aren't you?

Dam fun

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The dams' in the creek that were built when Adam and his Mom and Dad visited are holding nicely, even through all the rain we've had. This one below Adam built himself. Nice job, Bud !
The dogs have a deep pool for cooling off thanks to his hard work...

The one that we all built collectively is also holding...

Jiggs loves to run with a toy in his mouth. This particular time it was the stuffed squirrel, and that seems to be a sore topic with Belle. She lives to chase down the elusive squirrel, and Jiggs running with one in his mouth was too much. A 'tug-of-squirrel' ensued. Penny backed off when the growling began...

My brother Clay and I have been running the dogs every day, and most days twice. We have seen a few turtles, and that makes me happy. I was sure the logging killed them all, but not so.

Notice the abandoned squirrel on the front of Clay's machine. The dogs must have been distracted by the real deal...


We have been having dinners with Clay and Jan at their house, or having them here. The trade off is fun, and a nice break for each of us as no one has all the work. Today we did breakfast, and they did dinner. Lunch was at the river, actually in the river on the 4-wheelers. We met the neighbors down there and had a nice visit. A snake showed up, a Northern Water snake ...according to Clay...and it was amazing how fast Melissa, her neice Jenn and son Logan and Samantha all piled into the Rhino ! Troy held his ground, but only because he had to seem macho with me, Clay and Bob all being interested in the snake and not afraid. Melissa said if we were not there he would have been standing on the seat!!!

Another nice day with family...

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