I cannot believe I haven't
"posted" in
six months!
(And....I cannot that I've
been on the "other side" now for
ten years! That is to say
that school starts Monday, and,
for the tenth straight
year, I won't be there........)
We've
only camped once this summer, and that was in late May, when the temperature
that Sunday morning rose to thirty-eight degrees and stayed there the whole
morning. My solution to that problem was to invite Donna's sister, Nancy, and
her husband, Rudy, to join Donna and myself at the Wellsboro diner (We were
camping at Ives Run Federal campground on the Tioga-Hammond lakes, north of
Wellsboro and Mansfield) which they did. Upon our return, we packed up and
headed south to the warmth 100 miles of southerly travel brought. Due to many
things, we haven't been out again. However, that should change as we plan to go
to the Potter County farm soon.
I guess the biggest
"news" that I've got is the fact that I had "total" shoulder replacement surgery
on the 26th of July. Apparently, 37 years of conducting bands, choruses, etc.
(rather vigorously, I might add) had worn 80% of the cartilage off the ball and
socket, causing almost continuous pain, and all manner of noises every time I
moved my arm. I had difficulty choosing when I wanted to have it done, there
really wasn't a good time. In the end we decided to have the procedure
done asap, as summers are less hectic than the rest of the seasons, in terms of
music, snow removal, and other considerations. I am happy to report that the
operation was a success and I'm now happily involved in physical therapy, right
here at the local hospital, and looking forward to becoming more active, once
again, in the fall season.
In terms of summer
projects, Donna tackled the curve of our huge front porch (which surrounds two
sides of the house) as it appeared to be sinking. The rainwater dripped out of
the rain gutters right on the corner and could not be adjusted, meaning there
had been sinking. Scott (son-in-law) and Donna tore things off the corner, and
discovered a huge colony of black ants had made inroads into the timbers
supporting the porch floor (and everything else). Donna can be wicked with a
spray can, and soon the ants were history. She and Scott replaced the timbers
and the porch support on the curve, with treated lumber that is impervious to
ants, and then replaced the tongue and groove porch flooring. It has been quite
a project but Donna now says she can see "the light at the end of the tunnel".
Since the house is over a hundred years old, the first "corner" lasted quite
awhile, and the second should last even longer. When/If it goes, though, it will
most likely not be "our" problem.
Yes, I know I'm out of
season, but the central pillar area was where the work is being done.....
I feel quite optimistic
about the weather lately. True, there have been some very warm and very humid
days, but the telling fact, at least in these parts, is the fact that we've
almost consistently dipped into the low 60's and even the mid to high 50's every
night, recently, and, looking at the forecast, that trend seems to be going to
continue. Now, if one lives in a big, old, brick house (like we do) the lower
temperatures allow the bricks to "give off" the heat they've absorbed during the
daylight hours, and we start at a "ready to absorb" neutral, every morning. If
we close the house up early, the interior tends to remain in the low to mid 70's
all day long, a condition that's quite tolerable. I'm thinkin' FALL is on it's
way.
Well, that should "do it"
for awhile. But, as usual, before I close............a few "funnies"!