I'm keeping him...

So, that shingle Lew found in the street after Monday morning's o'dark thirty storm did come from our roof. I'm surprised (but thankful) that it was only one. Luckily, we have extra shingles in the shed (that didn't blow away) from when we replaced the roof several years ago, so it was a relatively quick repair job.

Howsomever, the man is pushing 70, and I'm not too crazy about him climbing up and about on the roof! Must be something in his genes though; his dad was still climbing up on his roof, cleaning out gutters, when he was 75! *sigh*

At any rate, I so appreciate his expertise and handiness at times like this. He take such good care of our home... and me. :)

Fun & games

Been busy here with TWO grandsons instead of one. A pleasant turn of events had us bringing #2 grandson back with us after all.

Staying up late and sleeping in, doing something or just having a lazy, don't-have-to-do-anything kind of day has been the order of business so far. They both completed a summer reading assignment during their first week here, and our regular indoor activities of board games, jigsaw puzzles, at-home movie nights, etc., have been keeping us otherwise entertained.


Monday of this week we were off to see the new Harry Potter flick, which are always at the top of their "wanna see" list. Other than the noise levels, it was an enjoyable outing. These movies are always well done, but I have to say, my poor aging ears don't take well to the overly loud acoustics of modern day action films! Poor Lew almost has to take his hearing aids out!!


It's always a bit challenging to try to come up with new places to go and different things to do, but this year a day of picnicking and swimming at nearby Greenbrier Lake did the trick. They're both eager to go back, which was the result I was hoping for. When their dad was a youngster, it was one of our favorite summertime spots. I think they like doing the same things their dad did. :)

Greenbrier Lake
Washington County, MD

Poppaw and Chris checking out the water

Chris catching some rays

And one more thing...

... besides all the stuff about him in the post below, I need to repeat... he cooks too!!

Recently, to use up apples we already had on hand, he made some fried cinammon apples a couple of times and they've been scrumptious. Not only a nice and different side dish, but great for a dessert topping too.

So, the other day, he took a run up to the orchard we go to to pick up a couple gallons of apple cider (which, by the way, is out of this world delicious! It's like drinking a crisp, cold apple... soooo good.) Anyway, while he was there, he also picked up another peck of apples for the freezer. We weren't sure what we were going to make, but we were going to make something apple-y to enjoy later on.

Well, today he decided to go ahead and start making something, and as I type, is upstairs peeling, coring, and cooking up batches of cinammon appples.

Gotta love a man who cooks -- his mama raised him good and proper! :)

My guy...

I snagged this from Beverly 'cause it looked like fun -




1. He's sitting in front of the tv, what is on the screen?
football, basketball, or baseball

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
blue cheese

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
liver

4. You go out to the bar. what does he order?
beer

5. Where did he go to high school?
North Carolina

6. What size shoe does he wear?
9-1/2 - 10

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
antique carpenter planes or miniature tools

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
tomato

9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
peanut butter on Ritz crackers

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Cheerios

11. What would he never wear?
speedos

12. What is his favorite sports team?
Washington Redskins

13. Who will he vote for?
probably Obama

14. Who is his best friend?
I'm thinking me

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
it used to be interrupting but I stopped, so now I don't know

16. How many states has he lived in?
4

17. What is his heritage?
English and Heinz

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
rum cake

19. Did he play sports in high school?
yes, basketball & football

20. What could he spend hours doing?
things related to photography

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Today is Lew's birthday and a juicy steak was on the agenda for his birthday dinner. So off we go to one of his favorite steakhouses and whoa, the damn place has closed - tighter than a drum with "for lease" signs all over the windows and the sign gone!! Shoof! We really do need to get out more!

So, anyway, we found another restaurant and he had his steak, salad, and baked potato there - not as good, he said, but not bad either. Happy Birthday, hon! :)

Doctor Daughter...

On what would have been an otherwise dismal, rainy day, we had a most delightful afternoon! Ginny, who we haven't seen for far too long, was in the area attending a medical conference. Since she had a few hours before having to fly back to Texas, we met at Dulles Airport for lunch and a quick visit.


















Dad doesn't look too proud of his #1 daughter, does he? ;) She looks great and it was soooo good to be able to spend some time with her.

Tilling the soil...

Today was the day for making a new bed...
in ground that's never been cultivated before...

The Man dug up all the grass... a major task in itself...

Then tilled the rock hard ground...

After a day of hard labor, the
bed is ready to receive its plants...

Planted in soil now rich in top soil,
soil conditioner, and compost...

... then mulched and watered, we have happy little
euonymous bushes in their new home.

The Man has earned a well-deserved rest!!