Euros, Utility Pole, Yard work, and a sick cat

Sunday was a nice, quiet day. Lots of relaxation and movie watching while knitting.

On Monday, we went to the bank and ordered Euros for our trip. I was afraid the power company was going to show up to replace the rotten utility pole, but they never did appear.

Tuesday morning at 8am, the power company arrived in 3 huge trucks. They had a remote-controlled machine with tank treads on it. This machine picked up the utility pole and took it to the backyard. While it was in the yard, they attached the hardware to it before they raised it. The machine picked up the pole and moved it over the fence to put it in the hole on the other side. This machine also held the bucket so the guy could get up the pole and attach the wires. It took about 7 hours, but we were only without power for about 2 hours. All day, we sat in the yard and watched them work on the pole, which was very interesting.

On Wednesday, we went grocery shopping, which we had put off for the past 2 days. I’m so glad we only went to Aldi's, Walmart, and Gala Fresh (the meat market). In the afternoon, we worked in the yard. We cleared out the back of the back yard patio and moved the bushes in front of the screen room to the back. Then we spread out the “Moses in the bulrushes” and the amaryllis bulbs in the front flower bed.

I went shopping with Donna on Thursday, and she stopped at the bank so I could pick up the euros that we ordered. While Don took an afternoon nap, Donna gave me more “Moses in the bulrushes” to spread in the front flower bed. Little Bear was not her usual self, and we were worried about this little cat.

On Friday morning, Don noticed the front flower bed and thought all the plants had doubled in size on their own. At first, I let him believe it, but I was laughing so hard that he knew something was up. He was relieved to know that we added more plants. Then we trimmed palm trees, and Donna helped us drag yard waste to the street. Little Bear, the cat, is not doing well. She isn’t eating or drinking water, and Donna thinks she may have eaten a lizard. I hope she doesn’t die.

On Saturday, I attended a knitting class on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. However, we then had to attend the Postcard Club, so I took the class on my phone while we drove to the meeting. I was able to finish my class out in the parking lot before joining the rest of the postcard enthusiasts.

As soon as it got light out, I went looking for Little Bear, and I found her curled up behind my potted plants. I wasn’t sure she was alive, and I shone my flashlight on her. Thankfully, she moved her head. A little while later, she came to the screen door and wanted inside. I was able to get her to eat a little dry food. Then Donna came by with some canned cat food for her, and she ate a lot of the food. When we got back in the afternoon, she was asleep under our swing, and I brought her some water, but she wouldn’t drink anything. Before long, she came to the screen door and wanted inside. I was able to get her to eat a little dry food, but then Donna brought her more of the canned food, and she ate a lot. She even started to clean herself, which she hadn’t had the energy to do in days. I’m glad to see she is feeling better.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Friends, Stamps, and Relaxation

It is amazing how quickly this week has flown by!

On Monday, we had dinner with Bob and Donna at Flanigans, our favorite local restaurant.

Tuesday was our stamp club meeting at Kingdom Buffet. This is the first time I’ve been there since we moved to this location. We had a huge crowd, and I was happy about the turnout. Don got some new treasures. In the morning, I called the dentist and asked for an antibiotic. Ever since I got my new crown, my mouth has hurt on that side, and I haven’t been able to eat on that side.

It was nice to relax on the front porch on Wednesday, and Don has been doing his exercise walk in the neighborhood. The lawn men came and mowed the lawn. I’m always happy after they come because the yard looks so good.

It was cool enough on Thursday morning for me to do some weeding. Then we did our grocery shopping, where Don had to read every label and compare every unit price.

Around 7:30 on Friday morning, they delivered the new utility pole. The guy said they might install it that afternoon or definitely on Monday. Then Don had his hospital board meeting. Halloween was quiet. We didn't have any trick or treaters. 

Our Stamp Club had its fall show at the Embassy Suites on Saturday. We had a great turnout! The Post Office sent a representative with a special cancellation made for the show. Don found lots of treasures at great prices, so he was very happy! I had fun talking with everyone, so I didn’t have much time to knit.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

National Bison Day

National Bison Day is celebrated every year on the first Saturday of November. It honors the American bison, also known as the buffalo, which is an important symbol of the United States. Bison once roamed across most of North America, but their numbers dropped sharply in the 1800s because of overhunting and loss of land. Thanks to conservation efforts, their population has grown again. The bison was named the national mammal of the United States in 2016, showing how important it is to America’s history and culture.

On National Bison Day, people celebrate by visiting national parks, learning about bison history, and supporting conservation programs. Many Native American tribes hold ceremonies or events to honor the bison’s role in their culture and traditions. The day reminds everyone to protect wildlife and the environment so future generations can enjoy them too. The bison stands for strength, resilience, and the spirit of the American frontier.

The 1981 18-cent Wildlife of America: Bison (#1883) stamp was part of a special series that celebrated North America’s wild animals. Issued on June 13, 1981, this stamp shows a strong and powerful bison standing on the open plains. The bison was chosen because it is one of the most famous symbols of the American West and represents the country’s natural beauty and history. The artwork captures the animal’s thick fur and massive size, reminding people of how these creatures once roamed the Great Plains in huge herds.

This stamp was part of the “Wildlife of America” set, which featured different animals from across the continent. Collectors and nature lovers enjoyed the series because it helped teach people about the importance of protecting wildlife. The bison on the stamp also reminds Americans of conservation efforts that helped bring the species back from near extinction. Even today, the bison continues to stand for strength, freedom, and the beauty of the natural world.

References:
First Day Cover from the author’s collection
https://nationaltoday.com/national-bison-day/
U.S. Department of the Interior. “National Bison Day.” doi.gov
National Park Service. “Celebrate National Bison Day.” nps.gov
National Bison Association. “National Bison Day.” bisoncentral.com
Smithsonian National Postal Museum. “Wildlife of America Issue.” postalmuseum.si.edu
Mystic Stamp Company. “1981 18¢ Bison, Wildlife of America.” mysticstamp.com
United States Postal Service. “Wildlife of America Stamps.” usps.com

Return to FL

We left South Carolina at 4:45 am Friday, 10/17/25, and arrived in FL by 3 pm. We stopped about 3 times for the rest area and ate lunch at McDonald's. We took down the hurricane shutters, and Bob and Donna helped us raise the living room and bedroom awning. When we arrived, the AC was not working, and I texted Lucas (neighbor who works on our HVAC system) to see if he could put us on his list for Monday. He said he was able to come right over, so he found a broken wire on the condenser (maybe from the lawn company?) and had to add refrigerant to the unit. Now it works beautifully!

On Saturday, we went grocery shopping, and in the evening, we went to the car show. Donna and Bob had entered their trucks in the show, and Donna won a trophy for the best decorated.

On Sunday, I dusted and vacuumed. Don cut the candlestick bush that had overgrown. We put out the patio furniture and put away the hurricane shutters. Then Don moved the hose reel next to the laundry room door, and it is much easier to use the hose now.

Monday, we trimmed the bushes under the bedroom window and the Golden Dewdrop bush in the front yard. I’m glad we finished before it got too hot. We went to Home Depot and I bought 2 plants: a milkweed and an impatiens.

Tuesday morning, I went shopping with Donna.. We went to Rorabecks (I bought a beautiful tomato plant and a lantana flower). For lunch, Don and I went to Flanigans because we had a 20% off coupon for our meal. It was good to see our server, Jeff, again.

Wednesday morning, I did a load of laundry before Don woke up. After breakfast, we went to the beach. It was a beautiful morning, and there was hardly anyone there at 9:30. We got in the water for about an hour, and we were the only ones in the water the whole time.

On Thursday, one of Donna’s new kittens came to visit us. It was a little orange and white kitten that I call Nosey because it seemed very curious. We sat on the swing, and he explored the back patio. And when we moved to the front screened room, he followed us there. He spent the morning in our screened room, and I asked Donna where I should take him when I went in for lunch, so she came and got him. A few minutes later, he wandered back to our door, and I let him in. He spent the rest of the afternoon taking a nap in the screened room. A guy knocked on our window, who said he was a contractor with the electric company. He needed access to our backyard because they are going to replace a utility pole in the back corner behind our shed. They can reach it from the other street, even though it is on the other side of our fence. We stressed that they better not tear up our yard or our irrigation system, and he said they wouldn’t. It should happen within the next 3 weeks.

Today is Friday, and I’m sitting on the front porch enjoying this beautiful breeze. They say it will get cold next week, but I’m not sure what they consider cold.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Hummingbird Yarn

I want to make a hummingbird illusion pattern that I found on Ravelry, but I want my yarn to look like a hummingbird. Since I haven’t found any yarn I liked in that color, I’m going to try to dye the yarn myself. Here is the inspiration for the colors. 

Here are the steps I took.

Supplies:

• Mask
• Paper towels
• Soaking pan
• Citric Acid
• Dye Pot
• Measuring cup (1 qt)
• JacquaredDyes: Emerald, Turquoise, Sapphire Blue, Purple
• Paintbrushes
• Large wooden Spoon
• Tongs
• Reusable Zip Ties
• Rubber gloves.

1. Put a reusable zip tie on each skein of yarn to use as a handle while dyeing.

2. Soaked 4 skeins of yarn in 8 quarts of water with citric acid for 30 min.

3. Squeezed excess water out of the yarn and put the yarn on the side.

4. In a dye pot, I heated 5 quarts of water till a rolling boil and lowered the heat.

5. I added ⅛ tsp. Of Emerald dye to the water and stirred,

6. I slowly added the yarn until all the yarn was covered with the water.. After a minute, I rotated the yarn until all the dye was used up.

7. I pulled the yarn out by the zip ties and rearranged the yarn.

8. Spread the yarn out in the water so that all 4 skeins have a side showing.

9. I filled a cup with 1 cup of water, added ⅛ Turquoise and mixed thoroughly.

10. I poured approximately. ⅓ of a cup randomly over the yarn.

11. I waited about 1 min. until absorbed (I used my wooden spoon to make sure it was absorbed).

12. I pulled out each skein of yarn and turned in the zip tie. (I hung each zip tie on a wooden spoon laid across the top of the pot to hold the skein after turning so I could do the others.)

13. Spread the yarn back in the water and randomly spread ⅓ cup of dye around the yarn.

14. Wait 1 min. Until absorbed.

15. Turn the yarn again and spread the remaining dye.

Repeat steps 9-15 with Sapphire Blue.

Repeat steps 9-15 with Sapphire Blue.

I decided the colors weren’t rich enough, so I repeated steps 9-15 with turquoise, then sapphire blue, and finally purple one more time.

Lastly, I repeated steps 9-15 with the emerald as the final color.

I was happy with the results.

I heated the water to just below a rolling boil. Then I turned off the heat and let it sit until the water cooled.

After it cooled (a few hours), I rinsed the yarn and hung it to dry.