Elderberry blossoms

I needed to go to Churchville so texted Friend Nancy to see if she was available for breakfast.  Nancy felt our current heat wave was oppressive.  I thought it wasn't as bad as hyped.  I'd run the A/C yesterday but didn't need to today.  In fact, I was sitting on the deck tonight thinking what a nice night it was ... and ... that even the air smelled sweet.  I thought about what was currently in bloom.  Could be the elderberry bushes.  The closest one to me though was on the other side of the house and nearer Mjolnir.  I checked - yes - it was the scent of elderberry blossoms in the air.  Reminded me that yesterday when I was in the village,  I'd wondered if people living there registered the underlying smell of of asphalt, plastic, and rubber? I decided then that maybe the heat was making it smell worse than usual.   Out in the rural areas besides elderberry, there are days filled w/ the scent of wild plum, cherry (pin, choke, black), or crabapple in the spring.  Later will be bergamot, goldenrod, and corn pollen.   Good smells - they don't cost, they have no calories, they don't make you expend energy, they take up no time - they are just a quick hit of pleasure.

Tick count 2.

Yarrow

Picked up Librarian Trevor at 8 a.m. this morning.  His car's alternator went out on Sunday and the library volunteers have been giving him a lift to & from work for a couple of days.   It's possible that the cost of the fix might be more than the car is worth.  Then he plans on using the county bus until he figures out other transportation.  The library doesn't usually open until 10 a.m. but Trevor is opening the library early this week to give people an air-conditioned space to hang out.   After I dropped him off I did the few errands I had for the morning and came home.  A utility van was parked in the driveway and I talked w/ the service person.  He was sent out to replace a meter but the meter was working perfectly.  He was just sending a message back to his headquarters that the problem wasn't w/ the meter but probably w/ the billing system.  Same thing the utility help desk has told me for the last three months.  

Turned on the A/C when I got home because the house, though not too warm, was a bit humid.  It's working well.  Went out to Mjolnir to check out that A/C but it's still cool and comfy in there and I'm loath to leave a window open just so I can later check the  A/C.  Forecast is for temps reaching the 80's for the rest of the week so will check it again later in the week.

Tonight was a meeting of the Town Planning Commission.  Finally got all of the paperwork yesterday so went out in the afternoon to check out the three sites we will be voting on.  Can't see any problems w/ what they want to do.  Following that meeting was a Town Hearing on the Data Center Moratorium.  Had a few people come out for it though the Town Board had emphasized this was just a hearing on a one-year hold on any data centers until we knew better what they are.  The hearing went quick and I was home by 8:30.  Whip and I went out on the deck for our usual activities and stayed until the solar lights came on.  

Daisy Fleabane

 No laying in bed after the alarm went off today.  Whip wasn't completely awake when I put on her harness before we went on our constitutional.  I wanted to get our walk done before the day turned hot.  I could tell the humidity was pretty high but when the temp is 70 it doesn't feel oppressive.  Whip didn't agree and slowly walked behind me.  When I finally got out to the box elder tree and turned around  she had stopped a short distance from the buildings.  Maybe I wasn't feeling that warm because I'm not wearing a fur coat.  I walked back to her and did a few outside tasks before going inside for breakfast.  Among those chores was to water all of the plants.  I also filled the bird baths (which the birds won't use but Whip thinks of as her personal water dishes) and the little umbrella ant guards from which the hummingbird feeders are hung (and the birds use as their water dishes).  

As you can tell, I figured I'd be testing out the A/C today.  This spring was cool enough that I hadn't had to use it.    There is a Heat Advisory for the Northwoods today.   Never can remember what the weather service means exactly by their Advisory/Alert/Warning indications but I figured it would be hot.  I closed the windows the night before and the day was overcast.  The house never did heat up and the cool tile floor felt great on my feet. At 8 p.m. Whip and I went out on the deck to listen to my audio book and play find-the-treat.  It felt really pleasant.  This heat advisory is suppose to last for awhile so I'm sure before the end of the week I'll be turning on the A/C and probably grumbling about how hot it is.

Tick count 1.

Yellow Hawkweed

Among yesterday's errands was to stop at McD's.  It isn't a usual stop for me but I'd read that they were bringing back fried apple pies.  I remember them from before the 90's 'baked is better for you' trend hit. Told the cashier I'd come specifically for the fried apple pie and she said, "I don't care for them.  I really like the berry ones though."  Interesting to find an employee to say something negative about one of their menu items.   She was wrong ... the fried apple pies had that crispy outer shell and volcanic apple inside just as I remember.  Perfect!

I've been trying to get all of the outside tasks completed before Monday.  If the forecast is correct we are in for hot temps and high humidity.  I melt easily.  Also picked up groceries which require basically no cooking - salads, sandwiches, and stuff that can be zapped.  Late this afternoon Whip and I jumped in Jormungandr and took off along the trails.  Fun to see flowers that I know the names of and even some I don't.  Everything is on it's own schedule - the elderberry are just coming into bloom but I picked my first raspberry today.  Wild raspberry's are quite small but pack a ton of flavor.

Winterberry blossom

Blitzen is back from her walk-about.  Tuesday morning she wasn't sitting on her pillow waiting for a treat after Whip and I came back from our morning constitutional.  She never misses getting a treat.  I went searching through the house and then calling for her outside.  Monday Whip was in and out of the house multiple times.   Whip usually lets me know when she's opened the door to come back inside.  I  then shut the door giving a quick look out to check that the cats aren't exploring where all those lovely plump birds live.   Blitz must have taken the opportunity and done a runner.   I asked Neighbor Anita to let me know if they acquired an additional calico cat.  Blitzen had originally come from their place as a kitten.  This morning while watering the deck plants, Whip ran around checking out the lawn perimeters.  She stuck her nose in an opening under the deck and began to whine.   I heard a hiss/spit as Whip jumped back.  Could be Blitz.  I put Whip in the house and returned w/ the pillow and water dish Blitz likes.  Put both of them a little way from the opening and dropped some treats atop the pillow.  First a grey head came popping out.  It was Blitz alright but she was in a very bad mood.  Patience.  Eventually the familiar pillow and water dish won her over and she came all of the way out to snack on treats.  I waited until she rubbed up against my legs then picked her up and brought her inside.  She doesn't seem any worse for her four day outing - maybe a little fatter.  So glad she's spayed.

Chives

Third week of Summer Reading Program.  I ironed on a Troodon patch to add to my T-Rex and Velociraptor.  (If you don't know what a Troodon looks like watch Dinosaur Train - the train conductor is one.)    The activity tonight was 'The Magic of Isaiah'.  Nice enough weather that it was held out in the parking lot.  Maybe 25-35 kids and adults came to watch the magic show (and of course spin the wheel for a weekly prize).    I had front desk duty so couldn't watch but from the yells and screams of the audience he must have done a good job.  I could tell that he had multiple dinosaur references and his schedule was taking him all over the north part of the state so I'm assuming the library consortium recommended him as part of each library's summer reading program.  He actually teaches at a university - this is just a fun summer gig for him.  The treat for the day was popcorn and lemonade which, thankfully, the remnants were strewn across the parking lot and not inside the library.  Librarian Trevor had hoped for a bigger turnout tonight.   On Wednesday, the day before, the Summer Reading Program held a special event at the park where the County Sheriff read a story to the kids and Trevor was happy w/ the number of kids that came out for that (which was about the same number).  Walked out w/ Trevor around 7:30 again.  He wondered if, instead of sending a deputy, the Sheriff had come to read to the kids because he's up for reelection this year?   Pretty sure the Sheriff makes a point of coming to as many PR activities w/ kids as he can - even when he's not going to be on the ballot.

Tick count 2.

Rainbow

Forecast for the day was 'iffy'.  Right after breakfast, Whip and I went outside for our daily reading-and-throwing-treats session while it was still sunny.  I finished the book I've been listening to and spent some time thinking about how the author could have come up w/ a better ending.  Could hear thunder so decided it would be a good day for cleaning.  I alternated between cleaning tasks in Sleipnir and Haven.  Finally had cleaned up enough of Sleipnir that I could disassemble the plant stands and store them against the wall.  Room enough now for Jormungandr and Svaldilfari to share that space.  Remember all of the bits of geranium that I'd either cut off or break off while I repotted them this spring?  I'd planted each piece in compostable cups my latte's are served in.  The cups are all outside on the apron in front of Sleipnir.  I'd hoped to sell the plants for the library before Mother's Day or Memorial Day but they hadn't grown enough yet.  Of the 20 or so cups, 17 of them are now putting on more leaves or even flower buds.  Planting them in the cups worked really well if it wasn't that the compostable cups are beginning to turn into, well, compost.  After a day of threatening to rain, around 4:30 p.m. it finally did and rain came down hard.  After the rain, a long low rainbow materialized as the sun began to set.

Dan and Connie

 

My brother-in-law Dan passed away yesterday.  He was the epitome of a southern gentleman - without the drawl.  He enjoyed working on genealogies.  Not only could he answer my questions of where relatives were born, who they married, but be able to add a story about them that he found while researching.  He'd even thank me for the weird Christmas gifts I'd give him each year.  He left his mark on the world - in the best way.

Impatiens

A few nights ago when Whip and I usually take our last constitutional of the day it was raining and thundering.  Whip dislikes both rain and thunder so we were both content to sit on the couch and watch a PBS mystery.  When the show ended I saw that the storm had ended too.  It was 9 p.m. and the sun had just set here.  Nice walking in the growing twilight.  The clouds had scampered off to follow the storm.  W/o the sun's heat to stir them up the winds quieted.  Best of all the it's firefly mating season.  The hay fields and meadow began to sparkle w/ random little lights that shone for a moment and then were gone.  Watching fireflies in the meadow is magical so Whip and I went back out on the deck to watch them for awhile.  

Finished the book I've been reading.  Honestly, when the cover blurb said it was about Pilgrims and witches in the 16th century I thought it would be historical fiction.  Instead it turned out to be a supernatural thriller.  The first half of the book was pretty interesting focusing on how outsiders were treated.  The protagonist says "Religion should not be used as a cudgel."   I rather liked that turn of phrase and turned it over in my mind while I was mowing the back trails this afternoon.  Would love to use it in a conversation but 'cudgel' doesn't  flow off the tongue as easily in the 21st century.

For the last few years I've planted Brother Phil's army boots w/ flowers.  I gave up on them more than they gave up on me.  This year I've planted my old hiking boots.  Think they look rather cute under my bench.

Tick count 13.

Last of the Peonies

Excerpts from Sheriff's Report:

5:44 a.m. - Caller reporting someone intentionally placed shards of glass under his tires.  A blue bottle was broken in the middle of the street and you can tell someone moved the shards in front of the tires.  Caller hasn't gotten into any altercations, mostly keeps to self.  Pictures taken, cleaned up glass.  Recorded for information.

8:24 a.m. - Gas drive-off.  Camera footage shows same vehicle did this a couple of weeks ago.  Both times it was around 8 p.m.  Total loss is about $75 from both incidents.  Vehicle appears to be a black 2010 Ford Fusion with window tint.  No license plates.

9:44 a.m. - Report of a black garbage bag on the side of the road with maggots all over it.  Reporting party scared it's human remains.  Officer found bag of household garbage by recycling site.

9:47 a.m. - Reporting party stating her male roommate threatened her last week when she attempted to gather her property while moving out.  He threw her stuff on the porch.  He did not turn over her medications or legal documents.  Officer spoke with school as individuals involved are teachers.  Male party states he did not threaten female.  He caught her vaping in his residence which he doesn't allow.  He would like an officer to stand by when she does come back to get things.  Officer viewed messages between the parties.  None were threatening in nature.  Male stated female has her things in a U-Haul she locked herself out of.

12:08 p.m. - Report of a silver Rogue all over the place, tailgating, flipping people off.  Driver was stopped in parking lot.  She was observed abruptly turning into parking lot without using turn signal and hitting the curb.  Female exited her vehicle yelling at deputy.  She complained about other drivers intentionally driving in front of her and flipping her off.  Female showed her phone recording which she made while driving and even passing another car.  She was told she will be receiving a citation for inattentive driving but refused to listen and continued to talk over deputy.  She was allowed to leave.  Citation will be mailed.

3:08 p.m. - Dept. of Corrections reports individual is in violation of electronic monitor.  Deputy contacted probation agent, who stated individual is on their way to their office and is walking.  Agent asked to not act on warrant unless he doesn't show up.  Warrant was cancelled when individual showed up.

5:24 p.m. - Caller reporting she just crashed.  Has three kids in the car.  No injuries but she is pregnant and feeling lightheaded.  Patient transported to hospital.  Deputy reports one-vehicle rollover, vehicle was towed.

6:31 p.m. - Deputy following vehicle into the hospital.  Believes the driver is having a heart attack.  Driver was told to call 911 next time so they would know why a car is driving 90 m/p/h.

7:22 p.m. - Caller reporting her husband assaulted her in their front yard and broke her thumb. Caller states male has been using cocaine all day, there are weapons at the house but were not involved in the altercation.  Minutes later female called back and said she lied about the whole thing.  She and her husband are going through a rough patch.  Deputy at residence.  Female taken into custody.  Deputy reported that female spit blood into his mouth.  Deputies gathered her medicine to take to jail.

10:56 p.m. - Caller reporting theft of a gas can from property with four gallons of gas in it.  No witnesses.  No footage.  Complainant suspects female who has an active felony warrant.  Deputy aware that female has taken things from them before and has been inside the residence without permission.  Complainants stated they are going to "pump her in the chest with a crossbow bolt" when they catch her because sheriff's officers do nothing.  Deputy advised against that course of action.

Raspberry canes and blossoms

Second week of the Summer Reading Program.  I added a velociraptor patch to the T-Rex dinosaur one already on my t-shirt and headed in early for my shift.  Good thing.  The afternoon volunteers had been so busy they hadn't pulled any books requested by other patrons and Librarian Trevor wanted to know how much he needed to pay the Friends of the Library for last weekend's raffle.  I just wanted to get my usual tasks completed before the children came in for the festivities tonight.  From past experience I knew there would be some coming in early.  Gave priority to Trevor's request and entered all of the transactions from the daily receipt slips.  Got that done and gave it to Trevor.  Printed out the list of books that needed to be pulled and went into the stacks.   The first two on the list were easy to pick up but got stuck on the third which was no where to be found as was the the next book on the list.  The front door began to ding as kids and their parent(s) began to trickle in.  They all wanted to spin the wheel and pick over the small prizes they won for that, leave off the books they read last week, pickup more books for the week ahead.  I was suddenly busy.  Just before the start of the program the volunteer reading the story that night came looking for a book she'd requested to be waiting for her on the hold shelf.  It had been on the pull list but I hadn't gotten to it yet and was pretty sure I'd seen a book w/ that title checked out by a child already tonight.  She picked out a backup book and all went quiet as I heard her in the amphitheater starting to read the story out loud.  Could also tell when she finished because of the roar as the kids went to one of four tables set up in the library.  At each table they could build a dinosaur but each had a different age/ability level.  One pasted cut out pieces to poster board.  Another constructed a dinosaur from different materials.  The treat was tumblers of fruit w/ whipped cream served just outside in the parking lot.   If only the kids had stayed outside w/ those treats.  Nope, parents brought them back into the library to spin the wheel, use the bathroom, or check out books.  One little girl protested to her parents that she hadn't spilled her blueberries on the carpeting all the while upturning the rest of them onto the floor in front of her.   Another volunteer asked for wipes to clean off  chocolate fingerprints from the front door.  The program ends and library closes at 7 but I didn't walk out w/ Trevor until 7:30.   I think children become less adorable the more there are of them.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

 A cool and rainy day.  Excellent time to go on errands.  Stopped off first to pick up my mail at the post office.  Had a sweet card from a niece thanking me for her high school graduation gift.   A nice start for the day.  Was going to stop off at Toad House and eat breakfast but all of their parking spots were in use.  While they don't have a lot of parking area, they aren't usually filled up.  Maybe some group meets there on Wednesday mornings.  Instead I went on to Ace Hardware.  All this precipitation has filled up my rain barrel and I thought yesterday I might use the rain gutter diverter to fill up some other containers.  As I extended the hose it cracked off.  In fact every time I tried to extend the hose another piece would crack off. I bought it last year and during the winter months it's been inside a heated building.  Didn't think it would deteriorate this quickly but such is life.  I stopped in the store's aisle to try and figure out where to find hoses - plumbing? outdoor equipment?  gardening hoses?  I like this ACE store because their staff  actively try to help customers.  Within a moment of my stopping, a lady w/ an ACE vest asked what I was looking for.  I brought out of my purse an example of a piece of the broken hose and she said to follow her.  She took me into a back room  (wouldn't have ever thought of going there).  A wall of coiled hoses of every style and type were mounted on a wall inside along w/ a man in fishing gear practicing casting w/ a pole.  I ignored the man (who, in turn, ignored us). Instantly found a hose that looked like what I needed and she cut off the length I required.  Next was grocery shopping.  Picked up some warm things to eat since the rest of the week will remain cool and rainy.   That's actually a good thing.  I can spend time reading books for the Summer Reading Program.

Arrowwood blossom and friend

Received a note from Librarian Trevor.  June is Pride Month and the main office of the consortium our local library belongs to features some LGBT+ books on the website.   They received a message stating such "scandalous" information should not be promoted by public libraries.  The message ended with "How will you answer to God?"  Trevor asked all of the volunteers that if anyone came in and wanted to discuss anything concerning Pride Month to refer them to him or, if he wasn't available, to take their name and contact information and he would handle their inquiries as soon as he could.   There was another year when some people got together in an attempt to ban LGBT+ books in the consortium.  I agree w/ our library motto: Freedom to Read.  Free to Learn.  Free to use.  I'm not about to limit what someone else chooses to read.  (Though, in honesty, I do make fun of Harlequins a/k/a Bodice Rippers.)

 Tick count 7.

Still shedding some winter fur

Check in w/ the cardiologist after being zapped earlier in the month.  First they took an EKG and the cardiologist was happy that my heart was still in normal rhythm.  Now comes the process of weaning me off the drugs they threw at the problem.  She gave me a schedule to get rid of one of the drugs.   After I'm off that I'll go in to check that nothing has changed before we tackle the next one.

I haven't been receiving utility bills from a company since January.  I called  the help desk for the third time.  Each time they look into the issue, say it's with their billing department,  be patient.  They assure me my account is not overdue and in fact I have a credit on the account.  I have done what I can:  I've alerted them that they aren't billing me, they admit it is their billing department's problem and not me, my account is not in arrears.  Guess I should shut up and allow them to give it to me for free.

Washed clothes and hung them on the line to dry.  Hadn't noticed around 4 p.m. that storm clouds were coming in until I saw the rain drops on the window.  The rain wasn't hard and was very short lived.  Decided to leave the clothes on the line since I still had another four hours of sunlight.  After our constitutional, I took the clothes off the line - all dry.  I love this time of year!