Thursday 30 September 2021

Goodbye September

 I felt that this month flew by. It was good, weather wise, in the first half of the month, and then we got enough rain to last us the entire fall later in the month. I did two stints of supply teaching - one of them was actually in my old classroom with the kids I taught last year. It was so nice to see them!

Husband has been very busy with the pool house (a big raised pergola-type structure) doing cement work and creating kind of Chippendale sections below the rails. The pool is now officially closed for the season (but we really hadn't been in it for weeks - too cold). Husband does all that with a little help from me.

I got the latest Louise Penny novel from the library on a 14 day hold (because it's brand new and in high demand). No worries though because I finished it in a day. It is called The Madness of Crowds and she did put some "Covid" into it, in that the novel is set post-pandemic and looks back a bit, but that is not the main focus of the book, which is good in my opinion. It was very thought provoking and a bit uncomfortable at times, but I always see that as a mark of a good writer.

I have emptied all of my outdoor pots and planters. I am going to try to save my canna lily tubers (bulbs?) for next year. Any suggestions on the best way to do that would be appreciated, otherwise I'm going to let them dry out and shake off excess soil and wrap them in newspaper and put them in the crisper of our second fridge (beer fridge as most Canadians refer to them). 

I have been writing down books that people have mentioned in their blogs for their "fall reading" and I'm about to go on the library's website to see if I can order any of them. Thanks to all for your suggestions.

Murphy recently had his surgery to be neutered (or to calm the hell down, as Scooter may think of it) and he came out of it with flying colours. The vet tech said he should be kept inside and calm for two weeks. I thought, "not likely!" and we managed to keep him in for two days until he and us could take it no longer. He's fine. I'm still waiting for him to calm down and stop being a pain in the neck for Scooter. 

Really, nothing terribly exciting is going on, but I thought I should prove I'm still alive. Here's looking forward to a good October.

31 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. He’s a real sweetie actually. He didn’t even act like anything had happened 🙂

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  2. Ditto with the pool here although I did have a couple of swims that last weekend. Glad you enjoyed the supply teaching with kids you know. It's a different story when they are unknown characters, isn't it.

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    1. I read that you had been in your pool a while ago and I thought that’s the difference between a pool heater and solar heaters! I’ve only supplied those two days and both were at my old school so there was definitely a level of comfort.

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  3. I always laugh when the vet tells me that the newly spayed or neutered cat should be kept quiet - no running or jumping. I've been known to suggest the vet comes home with me to make that happen. Thankfully I've never had a cat have an issue though I know it occasionally does happen.

    My containers are still going strong. My sign to clean them out will be when my impatiens is hit by frost. I can't help you with the canna lily as I've never grown them. This year, I'm planning to try to save my dahlia. I'll keep in the coolest part of the basement, wrapped in peat moss, since I don't own a beer fridge.

    Take care, stay well!

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    1. Maybe I should get some peat moss. Our basement doesn’t really have a cold area and our shed goes below freezing. My parents house had a cold room in the cellar. I wish I had that.

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  4. I am still putting my baskets and planters to bed for the winter. The deck does look pretty bare however and probably very bare in the near future.

    God bless.

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  5. Fall is a busy season as we prep for Winter. So you de-militarized Murphy! Sounds like he is still feeling his oats. Poor Scooter.

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    1. I still have some sad green tomatoes in cages to yank out and TONS of perennials to cut back. Scooter is a long suffering soul.

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  6. Well relax about the kid it’ll take a couple of more weeks for him to calm down takes around 6 to 8 weeks before all the testosterone goes south no pun intended.

    I have my lead for the fall and it’s a big thick one it’s well over 400 pages it’s called POLYFACR MICRO
    SUCESS WITH LIVESTOCK ON A HOMESTEAD SCALE. Joel Salatin.

    Most certainly a certain type of person directed but I think that’s the best thing I can say and it is lovely so if anybody’s interested in more of Joel’s books this is definitely his newest and I am enjoying it immensely.

    My sister retired this year too and she taught third grade I believe you did also? And I sure your blog with her. Hang in there you’re doing good girl. I know how you teachers are so attached to your kids as well should be.

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    1. Thank you. That is very helpful to know!! I’ll explain it to Scooter. I taught grade three and grade four mostly (it’s different in Canada- we don’t teach the same grade throughout our careers- people change grades to give themselves a change or a break as long as they’re qualified).

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  7. Poor Murphy. He'll settle soon, when the last of the testosterone is run off.

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    1. Thanks Joanne, it seems the commenter above you agrees.

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  8. I pull my tender things, brush as much soil off as possible, then toss them into a bucket in my cold old cellar. I DON't remove the foliage.

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    1. Hmmm I’ve already cut off the leaves. Oh well, however I do it, plants are often tougher than I give them credit for.

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  9. Which reminds me the tender plants must come in here soon. Never mind the frost they are getting waterlogged!

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  10. Autumn is a busy season for you. Must be nice to get away from it all and back into the classroom now and again .
    Enjoy all those books

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    1. Thank you, yes it is nice to pick and choose and know it's my choice to supply teach and not feel obligated.

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  11. Happy October, September sure was fast lets hope January goes as fast. I am in the middle of Louise Penny's books I have not heard very good things about this latest book but I have awhile to get there. I work in a used book store so I get recommendations all the time. I prefer historical fiction but I do read everything.
    Sorry no help with the plant I have some geraniums I want to winter over we will see if I do.
    Cathy

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    1. I think I tried geraniums once. I can't be bothered anymore. Penny's latest book is different... in that it felt like she tried too hard to hit on current news rather than her usual style and story line.

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  12. My son didn't manage to keep their canna lilies last winter - he was disappointed but I think he is going to try again this year.

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    1. I'll give it a shot. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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  13. The pool house project sounds like it will be pretty for next summer.
    Poor Murphy; but things like that have to be nipped in the bud. :)

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  14. How wonderful to have a handy hubby. Can't wait to see the finshed product! I think I am the only reader who has not read a Louise Penny book. I have a few downloaded on my audible. So glad Murphy is doing well. Millie has her spading in a month. There is no way that I will be able to keep her calm. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  15. I've never had much luck with canna lilies, but I sure love them. Folks around here leave them in the ground and they grow huge and multiply. Hope Murphy does well and settles down. That tomato pie in your last post looks delicious!! I didn't think I would like a tomato pie but the more I looked and read the better it looked. So, next summer I sure want to try one.

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  16. I'm glad Murphy is doing well. I'm no help with anything gardening, unfortunately! But I'm glad you enjoyed "Madness." My copy should be waiting for me when I get home from the lake next week. Part of me wants to tear into it right away and part wants to hold on and savor. Of course, I've been holding on for about a year since I finished her last, so maybe it's time!

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  17. I'm glad to hear that Murphy is doing well. Do try to keep him for a while. He may not like it, but it's for the best. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.

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  18. Hi Jenn! I'm glad to hear that Murphy did okay. Vet surgeries always scare me. I have to take the garden in for the winter very soon. I think that'll be the task this week. I know I still have some potatoes out there and believe it or not I still have a few heads of lettuce. Lots to do, I'm so happy October is here though!

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  19. May your October be marvelous.

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