My husband had wanted to throw a party in May 2021 to thank everyone who helped us through last autumn. This was before he knew he wouldn’t be here in May. So I’ve decided to try to do it on Labor Day weekend. I made this invitation. (That’s a codfish on the bottom.)
I think there are 50 – 60 people on the list. I suspect about half won’t be able to come, either due to covid or previous engagements. They cover family, friends, volunteers, fishing buddies, helpers, and contractors.
We’re hoping to be outside and I may spring for a big tent. I’m not sure I can get the barn cleaned in time. My current helper was injured on Friday and will be out for a while.
My friend wanted to take me on a road trip into NH while she was scouting out kayaking places. This was the second stop and there was a possible landing place where I was standing for this photo.
It was Cresson Bridge built in 1859. We decided to drive over it. Once on the other side we found a sweet neighborhood. Can you imagine crossing a covered bridge each time you came home?
But once we got to the end of the neighborhood, we decided to retrace our steps and go back over it. We had a sort of a destination and it was too convoluted to try to get back on track.
So we headed out and we came to this collectibles store that was intriguing so we stopped. I found these brand new cans outside and got a good deal on them. They will go in the garden shed to hold amendments.
Then I went inside and oh, my! I could have spent hours browsing in there. And I saw so many wonderful things! My friend found a beautiful oil lamp, painted tin, first thing. There were lots of wonderful oil lamps, but I need to stop collecting them. I’ve run out of safe places to put them.
I found pretty doorstops but they were $80. Nope. I asked about sad irons, as that’s what I had collected from tag sales to keep doors open. He said they were in the next room.
In the next room, I found a lampshade exactly like what I’d been looking for. Online they run $35 - $90. I got it for $5. Then I found these 3 sad irons. I’d looked online for them and they ran from $39 -$85 apiece. Then you have to pay shipping and they are heavy! I got these 3 for $50, and no shipping! I had to stop at that point, I was spending too fast! I guess the lack of tag sales made me a little crazy.
But there was so much cool stuff in there; I’d love to go back another time. By the time we got out of there, it was too late to head to our destination, so we headed home.
My son had been there and gotten the rest of the driveway weedwacked. This time the poison ivy wasn’t his fault. I’d started with it on my thumb, left hand, 4 days ago. I’d not been out of the house the whole time except to feed the barn cats. I probably got it from the barn cats. It’s on both arms, my neck and my torso. But mostly little dots I cover with Bandaid strips. The flexible fabric ones let it breathe to dry up but keep them from getting more and more irritated. Not very attractive, but it works. The hope is to not trigger the contact dermatitis so I have to go on prednisone.
Sunday I have many projects I should do, but no idea what one I will pick. I don’t think, in this heat and humidity, going outside to work would be smart with the poison ivy. I don’t want to start prednisone!