Updates and Accomplishments

The big news on Wednesday was that Jake is cleared for take off!

 Jake had his second physical therapy session and passed the strength test, and so for the first time in nine weeks, he gets to drive his car! Freedom! He will still wear the boot on his ankle for a while yet, but no more crutches. 

The broken ankle pretty much wiped out his summer, and his job, but he is now beginning to get his life back.

Today, Thursday Sept. 3, is the first day of school for the Highline School District. 

 Irene is off to 5th grade, Isaac is starting middle school (7th grade) and Jill is back in the class room with 27 second graders.  We are wishing them all well, and are thinking about all of our teacher friends who are still on the job.  A new year, new challenges, and new opportunities.

On the home front. we have had two days of dry, cool weather, just right for working in the yard. Yesterday I got the patio cleared of all the storm debris, 

 And Tom and I worked together to clean up the driveway and the front entrance. 

Then I got started on raking the lawn of debris, while Tom picked crops.

Today I finished raking the lawn. 

Then Tom mowed the lawn. He wanted to use his reel mower, which cuts the grass shorter.  He has been using the rotary mower most of the summer to leave the grass longer in the heat. 

 He got started with the reel mover, which was turning my green lawn brown.  I didn't like it but I let it be and started edging the lawn. 

 Well, there was trouble.  It seems the reel mower wasn't happy either, and it quit. 

 Tom finished the job with the rotary mower. You can see the difference in the two mowed stripes below. 

So the lawn got mowed and I got the edging done and now everything is looking spiffy.

And now, since I had my camera out, you get some pretty pictures. 

 The garden is still producing vegetables and cut flowers.  the storm didn't do much damage, but the cool temps will cause it to start shutting down soon. 

 My few delphiniums re-bloomed this year.  I deadheaded them and they came back with vigor.  I guess they liked the heat. 

 The Nepeta has also re-bloomed well. 

The tomatoes are still producing well. 

 I also got the deck swept and things are looking good down there. 

It's a good feeling to have accomplished all of this.  The garden is back in shape and hopefully there will be more summer days in which to enjoy it. The calendar says summer lasts until September 23rd, and being retired means we don't have to go back to school.