The Weekend

 

After the Rain

After Wednesday and Thursday's rain, Friday turned out to be a mostly sunny day, with big puffy white clouds scudding across the sky.

On Friday morning, I received my grocery delivery.  Afterwards, I went to put gas to the car.  I still had just over half a tank of gas, and, at first, I was going to wait until November to put gas to the car, but, I read about gas shortages in some areas due to supply issues and decided to just go ahead and fill up the tank while I could.  I went to the cheapest gas station in my neighborhood and it was $5.89/gallon.  One of the other stations in my area was charging $6.49/gallon.  

After that, I went to the library to return the one book (Running in the Family) and check out the book that was waiting for me (The English Patient).  

After I got home from the library, I baked two of the hot pockets in the air fryer for our brunch.  I called friend R to let her know that I was home for the day if she wanted to come and pick up her packages (she had indicated to me, earlier, that she would like to come by on Friday), but, she declined, saying she'll come over the weekend.

In the evening, M was here to tend to the garden and he transplanted the strawberry plants in one of the raised beds for me.

Love Watching the Clouds Drifting By

On Saturday, daughter had arranged to attend a Pilates class with one of her friends in the late morning.  It was in the adjoining city and I went with her and while she was at her class, I drove myself to the library there.  I had not been to that library in a long time and my library card to that library had expired.  But, that was not a problem; they issued me a new library card right away and I spent a pleasant 45 minutes or so browsing the library shelves.  In the end, I checked out three books to read: one about quilts, one about Dorothea Lange's photography, and one by Philippa Gregory titled, "Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History".

I had just finished checking out my books when daughter texted that she had finished her class.  I picked her up and drove home.  After brunch (fried diced potatoes and scrambled eggs), I called friend R to let her know that I was home if she wanted to come by, but, she said she'll come on Sunday, instead.

Daughter took a nap in the afternoon and I watched some videos online and relaxed.  Later in the evening, we let the chickens out and daughter and I put chicken wire around the raised bed where we planted the strawberries.  On Friday night, we were visited by two young raccoons (I watched them from the sliding glass doors) and it looked like they dug up the planter with the strawberries!  But, at least they left the chicken coop undamaged and didn't harm the chickens, so I'm thankful for that!  

Mochi on Guard Against Raccoons

Tora on Guard, Too
(He found a grub worm under the log and we fed it 
to the chickens!)

Mimi Isn't Sure About Raccoons

The Chickens Aren't Bothered

Today, Sunday, I tidied the linen closet (three old bedsheets were decluttered), dusted the living room and dining area, put out the Halloween decorations, did some paperwork (being inundated with election material), and did a load of laundry.

Daughter treated me to Chinese take out for lunch as my October treat.  When she first moved back, she said she will do her share of the cooking, but, her work load has been such that she's not had a lot of time to cook.  So, I've been doing the majority of the cooking, which I don't mind, but, she felt bad about it.  I told her that what I'd like is for her to treat me to a meal out (well, a take out meal, really, since we are still not eating out) once a month and that's what we've been doing.  I chose our nearby Chinese restaurant as we both like their food.  There are plenty of leftovers for dinner and probably lunch on Monday, too.

Friend R was supposed to visit today, but, she texted to say she'll stop by on Monday, after work, instead.  I do have plans to go for my Covid or flu vaccine (whichever one is available, as I need to get both; but, I won't get both at once), on Monday, but, I can do that in the morning or early afternoon.  

This weekend, I am grateful for:

- The availability of gas for the car
- Libraries 
- The raccoons didn't get to the chickens
- Sunny days after the recent rains
- Working appliances and electricity/gas to run them

The weekend's joyful activities have included visiting libraries, getting new books to read, being treated to lunch, and spending time in the garden with the chickens and the garden cats.

Plans for Monday include:

- Getting vaccinated
- Meal planning
- Taking the trash cans to the curb
- More laundry

How was your weekend?  What are your plans for next week?

Tora

Mochi