Rain, August gnome, and lawnmower repairs

We had a lot of rain this week, so I didn’t do much outside. Most afternoons, I was able to knit and spin. I finished the pair of socks I’ve been making. I also finished the gnome for July that we are going to gift to Don’s physical therapist.

On Tuesday, I went to my knitting group and had a good time. My friend Dagmar’s husband made a red dragon for me on his 3D printer. I sent it to my great-niece Kaeli on Wednesday. I hope she likes it.

On Wednesday, I was able to get out and do some weeding. I spent a couple of hours, but you really can’t tell I made a dent in the weeds. Of course, it set off my allergies, and my sinuses were messed up for 2 days.

Thursday was a quiet day. We ended up going to our local hardware store, which was able to recommend someone who could fix our lawnmower. He sounded very nice on the phone. When I gave him our address, he said his grandmother lives nearby.

On Friday, after Don’s board meeting, we went grocery shopping. Of course, Don was happy with going shopping. I was just glad to get the things I needed.

On Saturday, the guy came and picked up our lawnmower in the morning. We really liked him, so we also asked him to take our small generator with him to get fixed also.

This week, I also worked on washing my salt and pepper shaker collection, and Don helped me put them up on the shelves. I don’t have any more room for any more, so I need to stop finding cute ones at the antique store!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Summer Harvest: Watermelons

The #5004 2015 First‑Class Forever Stamp – Summer Harvest: Watermelons celebrates one of America’s sweetest summer fruits. It is one of a block of 4 Forever stamps (2015 Summer Harvest - Block of 4 Forever Stamps - Scott #5004-7). Issued on July 11, 2015, at the California State Fair in Sacramento, it’s part of a four‑stamp booklet featuring corn, cantaloupes, tomatoes, and watermelons. Each stamp, including the watermelon one, is a Forever stamp, which means it always pays the 1‑ounce first‑class postage, regardless of price changes.

This watermelon stamp draws its design from vintage crate labels used in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Back then, farmers packed produce in wooden crates and used bright, eye‑catching labels to stand out on the railroad and market shelves. The design mirrors old seed packets and catalog art. The bold lettering and ripe watermelon illustration were drawn by artist Michael Doret, following early art director sketches by Richard Sheaff and design by Antonio Alcalá. These details make it a great item for stamp collectors and a fun way for kids to learn about history, art, and how mail works—all in one little square!

National Watermelon Day is celebrated every year on August 3, and it’s a special time to enjoy one of summer’s most refreshing fruits. This juicy day honors watermelon’s long history, dating back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt, when watermelon seeds were even found in King Tut’s tomb. Watermelon is made of about 92% water, so it helps keep us cool and hydrated, especially on hot summer days. On this day, families and friends enjoy watermelon in many fun ways: cutting slices, making fruit salads, having seed-spitting contests, and even carving giant slices into creative shapes. It’s a tasty, healthy, and playful celebration that makes summer even sweeter!

References:

https://stamps.org/collect/new-issues/year/2015-01-01/end/2016-01-01
https://foreverstampsshop.com/products/us_summer-harvest_2015
https://www.mysticstamp.com/5004-2015-first-class-forever-stamp-summer-harvest-watermelons
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-watermelon-day-august-3
https://www.hortonfarmersmarket.ca/hortonblog/national-watermelon-day
https://nationaltoday.com/national-watermelon-day/

Walking, Mowing the Lawn, and Visiting a Friend

It was a nice week this week even though it was very hot.

We walked at the senior center every day except Tuesday because the gym wasn’t open. Don seems to be walking easier every day.

On Tuesday, I finally fixed my spinning wheel. After 2 years of not being able to spin my yarn, I can finally use my wheel again. I'm so excited. I spun so much that my legs felt like rubber when I stopped for dinner! 

On Thursday, we went out to breakfast with our friends from the center. I had been bragging about the French toast at IHOP, so we went there. I ended up being the only one who got the French toast. When we got home, I played around with making cards and hand-embroidering designs on them. 

On Thursday afternoon, Don had physical therapy, and he seems to be improving. On the therapist’s recommendation, we bought a therapy log that Don is supposed to lie on to help his upper back.

After walking on Friday, Don mowed the lawn. We had to add air to the back right tire again. After mowing the whole front lawn and most of the back, the belt broke on the lawnmower. Now we have to figure out how to get it fixed. We went to the John Deere dealer, and it looks like it might cost $500 to get it fixed. We are looking to see if we can find anyone else who works on it.

On Saturday, I went to visit my friend Sandy, who lives with her son one week and her daughter the next. It was really great to see her again. I can tell how much her family loves her and is taking good care of her.

original photos by Pat Hensley

Charpex 2025

We left home at 6:30 and drove north on I-85, which was a mistake. At that time of day, the rising sun was blinding! There were several times, I could hardly see the road, and I spent a lot of time praying that we didn’t get in an accident. If I did this again next year, I would leave at 7 am and go to I-26 to get on I-85 in Spartanburg.

We got to the place at 8:30, and I’m glad we did because I wasn’t sure where we needed to park. We found the free parking garage and got a great parking space. Even though we were early, we went into the Worrell Building at the Central Piedmont Community College, and people were busy setting up. Susan (the wife of the President of the Charlotte Stamp Club) was working at the welcome desk, and she was very nice. We found the “free” table and got some good stuff that I took to the car before the show started. Our friend, Robert M., from the Palm Beach Stamp Club, arrived, so we visited with him until the exhibit hall opened.

Don also joined the club for $5 as a way to support the club. They meet once a month on the first Sunday of the month. I don’t know if he will go next Sunday or not.

There were a lot of vendors in this gym, but my favorite things to see were the exhibits. All attendees were given a voting slip, and we could vote for our favorite exhibit. My favorite was the World Rarities and Uniquities, which had a lot of usual stuff, including great write-ups about why it was rare or unique. I also talked to Mick Zais, Past President of the American Philatelic Society. (I met him in 2017 at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in Atlanta. He was also the South Carolina Superintendent of Education from 2011 - 15. He was also the US Deputy Secretary of Education and then Secretary of Education in 2021)

After I found a dealer with $1 postcards, I showed Don where they were, and he spent most of his time there. I sat outside in the lobby and knit while I listened to an audiobook. At lunchtime, we walked to Burger King (about 2 blocks away). Don was in a lot of pain, so we stopped at the car and he put his back brace on, but he forgot to bring a t-shirt. When we got back to the show, Don went back to look for more postcards. About 3 pm, we left for home.

We thought we would go a different way home and take I-77 and then go through Union, SC, but when we started to get on I-77, it was a parking lot!. We got right off the next exit and found a place to pull over to figure out how to get back to I-85. Traffic was heavy going home, but it was easier going home without the sun in our eyes. We stopped at Carolina Fine Foods to pick up dinner on the way home.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Hot days, Tiny Knitting, and Weeding

It’s been a very hot week. The temperatures have been higher than normal, and the humidity has been awful.

We finished week 3 of my graduate class. Everyone seems to be doing well. It’s really gone by fast, and hard to believe that next week is the last week.

We also had our knitting guild picnic this week, and I brought my watergate salad. There was also a yarn sale where members sell their own yarn, so I picked up 3 skeins of Miss Babs yarn from my friend Cathi for $5.

We also met the Old Hikers group for lunch at Sweet Catherine's. Jean brought a couple of old photos to share, and I showed everyone how I took a picture of them and could enlarge it on my phone to see the people's faces better. We had a huge crowd. I think it was the largest we've ever had. I saw some people I haven't seen in years. It was good to see Doris B. and Scott W. again! 

There was a cancellation at the physical therapist’s office, so Don got to go for physical therapy. I think he is finally starting to feel better. He felt well enough to mow the lawn on Friday.

On Saturday and Sunday morning, before it got hot, I was able to get out in the yard and do some weeding. Once my class ends, I will be able to get out every morning after walking at the center and hopefully get ahead of the weeds.

I’ve been making some tiny knit toys. I made a tiny cherry pie and a tiny chicken. This helped me try to decide what I wanted to make next for my big project. I’ve decided to make the Bonfire Tee with the yarn I just bought. 

Original photos by Pat Hensley