pictures from last fall

If these pictures had been lost forever in a lost camera in a leaf pile scenario, sigh. The world has gone on just fine.

But I'm so glad they were found!!

Love you all so,  Mom, aka Grandma
 

a little dreary

We went up for a Friday to Saturday trip.  He had some Lake Association errands he wanted to do.

It was fine.   It's very quiet up there at times like this.

The ice is gone.

John was there today, got his cabin going and put in the dock and so forth.

He took us out to eat afterward, and then we all drove home in the rain.

So many cars pulled over to the side, so much weirdness on the road tonight driving home.

But.

I found the camera I lost last fall on the final weekend--it was in the pocket of a fleece jacket I wore while we went on a walk, then hung the jacket up on the back of the bedroom door with the camera in the pocket.  We have searched high and low.  Today I popped out the hide a bed in case it was in there.   It even still had a charge on it.    

Pictures next.    Love, Val
 

slow spring at the lake

The irises are sprouting.

So much dead wood in there.  In winter the snow covers.  In summer, brush obscures.  Right now we can see it all.

That's one of the low spots in the field where the deer sleep.

So many branches down in the front yard.

The lake is still low, ice just disappeared a week or so ago.

There are peepers starting up in the swamp.

It's forecast to rain all day tomorrow.  We'll see how this goes.  Have a few things that have to be done--getting the boat landing ready for opening fishing, clean up the branches, if possible.

Onward.

Next week is the WEDDING!!!

Good night.

Love, Val

the oven is repaired

I know that man.

I told him it is a good thing he can still wiggle.

The oven hasn't been willing to light without help for some time now. Eventually he was the only person who could keep it lit.

This was an inconvenience, so annoying.  I love this stove so much.

Found a source for a replacement thermocouple and gas safety valve this spring!

He installed them, and glory be??? The oven lit and stayed lit.  

We are good.

1930's has come back to life again. The guy at the place said it'll last another 70 years, but we can send in our old safety valve and thermocouple for a re-build to have on hand.

The website is Grapevine Sally.  He returned my phone call. Talked nicely to me.  Sent the perfect parts, and offered phone support if needed.

We'll be having our parts refurbished. This stove needs back up and a friend.

Here my sweet appliance guy is loading the dishwasher. He also took out the trash.

(He's quite the keeper.)

He washed the floor underneath the stove (disgusting) and vacuumed out the stovetop under the burners, also a mess.

I washed the sides of the stove and the adjacent cupboard walls beside and behind, scrubbed the kick plate on the stove and he smacked that back into place.

We're all back to new.

Late this afternoon, I met this beautiful lady at her house for supper. She prepared supper and we spent the most lovely evening together.
 

Terribly sad circumstances brought us together over the winter, but being together and having loved the same people have been a balm and a gift.

Onward.  

In a short while it will be tomorrow.

So much love, Val

so, the lightbulbs

They burn out all at once.  The bathroom wasn't working and the hall lights either.  I was looking for the Easter baskets last week by flashlight.

Went to the hardware store and bought new bulbs and starters for the bathroom.  Viola.

The hall lights--first did the bulbs, then noticed the DUST, so took them apart again and polished the glass.

More light!

The kitchen was down bulbs.

Our room too, plus the curtains were awfully dusty, so those were dealt with.

 

This long, cold spring is approaching April and it was still cold, not even 40 degrees today.

But next week we'll be in Florida, so we can do it!

Love, Val