Garden Gifts

My sister-in-law stopped by with some items from her garden. Green beans and tomatoes and some sunflowers.

It is a pleasant day with a nice breeze. We have the doors and windows open instead of running the air conditioner.

When I was shelving books in the retirement library after lunch, one of the Winona Literary Club members said she would be right back with a book. Her friend in Milford haunts yard sales, etc. looking for books and using the list of our series gaps has graciously donated a handful of books. Today the donation was Wanda Brunstetter's The Gift, a 2015 book that retails for $15.99. This copy looks like new. Thank you Nancy and friend for your efforts to improve the Grace Village Library.

Too Little Water

This is the year of water mishaps. I had too much water when the sensor on my washing machine failed and water flooded part of my house. Yesterday a part was broken in the condo community water system about 4 p.m. I came home from working in the library, turned on the water to fill my plant watering can, and all I got was a trickle. Too little water.

It took them until after 9 p.m. to finish the repair. The adhesive they used had to set up so we didn't get water back until 7 a.m. today. Now we have been told that any water used for consumption or cooking must be boiled. The health officials must take two days of samples before they OK human consumption. Unfortunately, they don't work on the weekend so we are to boil our water until at least Monday.

Fortunately, we do have water for flushing toilets, showering, watering plants now. I keep several sealed plastic jugs of water on hand because with a well system a storm that knocks out the power means no well water. It is a nuisance for most of us; for our neighbor with cancer it is very risky. It makes you appreciate the convenience of potable water.

Bedroom Blooms; Edibles

After a busy weekend of family reunion activities here in Winona Lake (46 total attendees), I am getting caught up on some library duties.

However, last Friday I bought a country decorating book at the library book sale. I cut out some pictures for my folders last night. That inspired me to do some shopping at Heart of the Lakes Antiques in North Webster, then across the street at Tangibles consignment store this morning. I didn't find what I am on the hunt for, but I did pick up this pretty pillow.

It is nice to have a little color in my bedroom chair from this cross-stitch pillow. It is another step in the feminizing of my room now that it is mine alone.

Sometimes it just takes shifting things around to bring happiness. The little pitcher/vase from my grandmother sat on my bedroom chest of drawers which had a mirror flanked by little display shelves. That is the dresser I replaced recently, losing the display space. However, I decided to put the pens on my round table into the vase and use the vase there. I really like the change.

On my way home from the antique store I stopped at a farm stand just south of North Webster. Bought two nice tomatoes. I am grilling turkey burgers tonight; tomato slices will enhance the burgers. My back-door neighbor bought some sweet corn yesterday and gave us 2 ears. We will eat those tonight, too. Summer goodness. I missed the farmers market last Saturday because of the reunion, but God has provided summer produce for us anyway.

This new product was on sale at Meijer. I had a coupon for $1 off and decided this would be a good time to try them. They come as 9 single-wrapped bars. The taste reminds me of Andes mints, but there is a layer of crushed chocolate cookie crumbs incorporated. I will keep my eye out for another sale.

Solar Eclipse Prep

Last week I picked up a pair of free solar eclipse viewing glasses from my public library. Many libraries in the U.S. are giving them out or holding eclipse parties where they will be used.

It's hard to believe I will be able to see anything through what looks like foil. Maybe I will give it a test run in a few days. Today it is cloudy. That is the big if on August 21st, the weather.

In Winona Lake, Indiana where I live the coverage of the sun should be around 88%. That is enough that it should seem like twilight, and the temperature could drop as much as 10 degrees. It would be interesting to be in a place of totality, but the full coverage only lasts about 2 minutes, not worth a trip of hundreds of miles for me. Since I am retired, I will be able to pop outside from time to time until the peak here occurs at 2:23 p.m.

Time has an interesting interactive feature on its web. You can input your zip code and see the peak time where you live and watch an animation of what the coverage will be.

So fun that the United States is the path this time around. Don't forget safety. You must have special glasses (available for purchase online or free from some libraries and museums and astronomy clubs). Do not look at the sun with the naked eye or regular sunglasses; you will risk permanent vision loss.