Knitting and Walking

It has been a quiet week. The temperatures were a little cooler, so we did some yard work early in the week. I spent a lot of time organizing my yarn and projects to prepare for our winter in Florida. On Thursday, the Down Cellar Studio Pig Skin Party started, so I cast on for a sweater. I’ve also been making some emotional support chickies, but now I want to make a full-size chicken. I also finished my September gnome.

On Friday, we joined some of our hiking friends for a walk downtown. We met at the zoo and walked in Cleveland Park to the waterfalls and back, which was 3 miles total. There were five of us and the oldest was 93 years old. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time.

Today I hope to get out and do some weeding before it gets hot.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Writing Letters Can Be Special

These 1980 15c Letter Writing stamps (#1805-10) were made to celebrate National Letter Writing Week, which took place from February 24 to March 1, 1980. It was the first time the United States released a sheet of stamps with three sets of stamps stacked on top of each other in pairs. Each stamp helps people remember how important letter writing is.

On February 25, 1980, the U.S. Postal Service released special stamps to celebrate National Letter Writing Week. National Letter Writing Week was held from February 24 to March 1, and it was the first time the U.S. celebrated this week in 15 years. The USPS worked hard to make the week exciting and meaningful.

To help spread the message, the USPS teamed up with the National Council of Teachers of English, business leaders, and other well-known Americans. Museums, libraries, and other important places had displays about letter writing. Bookstores and libraries shared books that talked about letters and showed letters written by famous people. On February 25, the USPS held a big ceremony at the Library of Congress to honor the new stamps. Each stamp pair included a small stamp that said “P.S. Write Soon” and another that shared what letters can do, like “Letters Preserve Memories,” “Letters Lift Spirits,” and “Letters Shape Opinions.”

The USPS also helped create a 64-page booklet called All About Letters. It was given to students in grades 6 through 12. The booklet showed how to write different types of letters and included messages from Stevie Wonder, Darryl Stingley, and “Dear Abby.” It even gave addresses for pen pal groups and celebrities, explained ZIP codes, and gave tips on how to send mail safely. Today, the tradition of letter writing is still honored with World Letter Writing Day on September 1, National Letter Writing Day on December 7, and National Letter Writing Month in April. Some people also celebrate National Letter Writing Week in January.

World Letter Writing Day is celebrated every year on September 1. This day encourages people all over the world to write letters by hand. It was started in 2014 by Richard Simpkin, an Australian author and photographer. He wanted to remind people how meaningful it is to send a letter instead of just a quick message online. Schools and libraries sometimes hold letter-writing events to help kids enjoy the fun of writing and receiving letters.

Both the 1980 stamps and World Letter Writing Day show how important writing letters can be. A letter can make someone feel remembered and appreciated. It takes more time than typing a message, but it can also feel more personal. Even though we live in a digital world, writing a letter can still bring smiles and create lasting memories. The U.S. stamp and this special day both encourage people to take a few minutes to connect with others in a thoughtful way.

References:
Cover from the author’s collection
World Letter Writing Day. https://www.worldletterwritingday.com
National Postal Museum. https://postalmuseum.si.edu
https://www.mysticstamp.com/1805-10-1980-15c-letter-writing/
https://nationaltoday.com/world-letter-writing-day/

Knitting Projects, the Lawnmower, and the NC Apple Festival

I finished 5 knitting projects this week:

• 2 emotional support chickens - one small (fingering weight yarn) and one medium (DK weight yarn)
• My Bonfire Tee sweater. I modified it by making a large split hem, and I really like how it fits. 
• 2 hats for the staff at the lodge where we hold our September knitting retreat. 

We also had a little trouble with the riding lawnmower. The back tire was completely flat. We tried to take the tire off ourselves, but Don couldn’t get the lug nuts off. We went around the block to the tire place on Main St., and the guy said that if it was a tubeless tire, he could fix it. So, we pumped up the tire and Don drove it there while I followed behind with the emergency flashers on the Prius. The tire was fixed for $10, and Don drove it back home. I love how the lawn looks after he mows it.

On Thursday, we hiked at Lake Conestee Nature Park. It was an easy hike, but we used different muscles than we use when walking laps in the gym. Some of the trails were still closed because of the damage from Hurricane Helene last year. The weather is beautiful! I was also able to take some nice pictures with my new phone.

 

On Saturday, we went to Hendersonville to the NC Apple Festival. We arrived at 9 am and were able to find a free parking space along the street. Don bought a ¼ peck of apples for $7, and I bought 6 apple cider doughnuts for $7. After taking the items back to the car, we walked back along the vendors, and I found homemade apple ice cream for $5; it was so tasty. We stopped to put some stuff back in the car and then walked several blocks to the farmers' market before returning to our car around 11 am. On the way home, we stopped at Palmetto Yarn Shoppe so I could drop off the 2 hats that I made. Everyone was still at the guild meeting, but Nancy was there. When we got home, we had lunch and spent the rest of the day watching college football.

 

It was a great week!

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Crowns, Stamps, and Antique Technology

After a physical therapy appointment on Monday, Don is almost back to normal. He still isn’t allowed to attend exercise class or walk with weights in his hands. He can put weights in a pack and wear it on his back, but not in his hands, which will throw his balance off.

Tuesday, I went back to the dentist and got my permanent crowns. I guess they were made from the 3D image, and they fit and feel better than any other crown I have gotten. They are nice and smooth, too. They fit so well that the dentist didn’t even have to grind or sand (or whatever he does) to get the bite right.

Wednesday, I helped set up for the Thursday tea, and everything turned out beautifully. On Thursday, I was going to help with clean up, but I worked in the yard and then fell asleep, so I didn’t get to go back up there.

On Friday, we headed to the North Georgia Stamp Show. We left home at 6:00 and arrived in the Atlanta area around 9:00. The stamp show didn't start until 10, so we had breakfast at Waffle House (it's been months since we've eaten at Waffle House), and it was so good! The stamp show was held at the Mimms Museum of Technology. When we got to the show, they had an area with a few round tables and comfy chairs, so I spent most of the day knitting on my sweater and reading a library book on my iPad. Since we ate such a big breakfast, we didn't even have lunch. Around 2 pm, I finished my sweater, and my iPad was almost out of battery, so I spent $15 and went through the museum, which was okay. There was a lot of reading, and the lights were too dim to really read anything. I saw lots of things I have used in my lifetime that made me a little nostalgic. I didn't realize so many of them belonged in a museum.LOL The best thing was the first 3D electric car. By 4 pm, my hubby was finished, so we decided to head home instead of spending the night. We got home around 8 pm.

It was nice and cool this morning, so I worked in the yard around 6:45 am to do some weeding. Now I feel okay about sitting and knitting all day! Today I need to wash and block my sweater.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Dentist, Reorganizing, New Phone, and Mowing the Lawn

This week started with a bang. I went to the dentist needing 1 tooth crowned, but then the doctor found the tooth beside it also needed a crown. They put the temporary crowns on them, and I go back on Tuesday for the permanent ones. My mouth has hurt all week from this. In the afternoon, Don went for physical therapy. He hoped he could start back exercising, but he still can’t. Since he can’t get on the foam roller, the doctor recommended that he start with rolled-up towels.

The worst thing that happened was that my iPhone XS died on Tuesday. I was able to text my sister, log in to MyFitnessPal, and check my steps from the day before. 30 minutes later, my phone was dead. I tried different charging cables and got nothing. When we went to the center, I tried someone else’s cable, but it still didn’t work. So, as soon as the Apple store opened at the mall, we were there. I bought an iPhone 16pro. What was shocking was that the guy plugged in my old phone and it came on. I got $80 trade-in for my old phone, and he was able to transfer everything from my old phone to my new phone. What a relief! Of course, I had to order a new case from Amazon.

I also worked on reorganizing the kitchen. I cleaned out the pantry and got rid of all of the out-of-date food, and now my shelves look empty. We went to Dollar Tree for baskets, and I’m organizing some of the food into the baskets. One basket has all the different teas, another is holding boxed stuff like pasta, and the last one is holding beans. I have 2 more baskets that I am going to fill, but haven’t decided what I want to put n them yet. I’m also clearing off the dining room table and getting rid of old food and putting away stuff that shouldn’t be in there.

Our lawnmower was returned on Thursday, and we are very happy with the guy who worked on it. He replaced the deck belt and fixed a tire. He also fixed our Honda 2000 generator. On Friday, Don was able to mow the lawn, and it needed it! I need to go rake up all the dead grass, but it rained last night, and it’s too wet to rake up. Maybe tomorrow.

This morning, when Don got up, he didn’t want to fix his breakfast, but I had already eaten. So, we went to McDonald's and he got a chicken biscuit meal. I think I’m feeling pretty lazy today. I may work in the dining room some more this morning and then get on a knitting Zoom at 3.

I hope everyone has a nice week!

Original photos by Pat Hensley

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

Back Pain, Farmer’s Markets, and Wedding Gowns

We completed Week 2 of my graduate class, which I’m teaching. All of my students are doing well. It’s hard to believe that we are halfway through already.

Don’s back was still giving him a lot of pain, but he had physical therapy again on Wednesday. The therapist really worked hard on his back, which was quite painful. But as they say, no pain, no gain, because the next day he felt better than he had in months. Each day, he seems to be getting a little stronger, but when he gets tired, his back starts to ache. But the ache is not like the excruciating pain he had been having. Now that the hot tub is up and running, he has gotten in it a couple of times, which I think helps him. I’m just glad he is starting to feel better.

Today, we went to IHOP for breakfast and then went to two Farmer’s Markets. At the one in Simpsonville, my friends set up a booth to sell dishcloths and baked goods to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Many of us knit or crocheted dishcloths for them to sell. When it was over, they raised about $600, so I’m happy for them.

We also visited the Fountain Inn Museum, which has a special exhibit called “Cherished.” It features vintage wedding gowns, and my wedding gown was included in the exhibit. It was very nicely done. The exhibit runs through September.

 

Original photos by Pat Hensley

First Week of July

It was a busy week and very hot too.

On Monday (June 30), my grad class, EDEX 962/963, began. We met on Zoom, and we prepared for our first day with students on July 1.

Summer Learning Place 2025 started on July 1. We have the children Monday through Thursday for the next four weeks. This week, the children started on Tuesday. The teachers (my students) assessed them in reading, math, writing, and behavior.

Meanwhile, hubby is still having severe back pain. We walked for an hour on Monday and Tuesday, but by Wednesday, he was in excruciating pain. On Wednesday afternoon, he had physical therapy, but I’m not sure if it helped because on Thursday and Friday, he was really hurting. On Thursday, he spent most of the day in bed

Every day, I worked a little in the kitchen. I’m slowly emptying bags and boxes. Everything has to be washed before it can be put away.

Thursday evening was our town’s fireworks festival. My friend Sheila came over at 8:30 pm and then at 9:30 pm, we sat in the front yard and watched the fireworks. Don stayed in bed. They lasted about 15 minutes. The location was moved this year, and instead of shooting them from Woodside Park, they moved it to PD Terry Park. So, we sat in the front yard and faced towards the park and we had a clear view of all the fireworks.

On the 4th of July, we got up early and did our grocery shopping. We went at 8 am and there were no crowds or traffic. When we got home, I finished knitting my shawl and washed and blocked it. For lunch, we walked to Bucky’s BBQ and binge-watched Mission: Impossible Movies.

World UFO Day

The #SPC1470 Roswell UFO Encounter 50th Anniversary cover was released in 1997 to remember the strange event that happened in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947. The cover features a special postmark from the event and two space-related stamps: #966 and a stamp from the Space Fantasy set.

In 1947, something crashed on a farm, and people thought it might be a UFO, or a spaceship from another planet. The U.S. military first said it was a “flying disc,” but later said it was just a weather balloon. This made many people believe there was a cover-up.

World UFO Day is celebrated every year on July 2nd. This day is meant for people to look up at the sky and think about the possibility of life beyond Earth. UFO stands for "Unidentified Flying Object," which means anything in the sky that cannot be easily explained. Some people believe that UFOs are spaceships from other planets. Others think they might just be airplanes, weather balloons, or even tricks of light.

July 2nd was chosen because it is the date of a famous event called the Roswell Incident. In 1947, something strange crashed on a farm near Roswell, New Mexico. At first, the U.S. military said it was a “flying disc,” but later claimed it was just a weather balloon. This made many people wonder if the government was hiding something about aliens. Over time, Roswell became one of the most well-known UFO stories in the world.

People celebrate World UFO Day in different ways. Some host sky-watching parties or UFO-themed events. Others use the day to talk about space, aliens, or the possibility of life on other planets. The main idea is to think about the mysteries of the universe and to keep an open mind. Whether or not UFOs are real, World UFO Day reminds us to be curious and to explore the unknown.

References:
Mystic Stamp Company. (n.d.). 1997 32c Roswell Alien. Retrieved from https://www.mysticstamp.com
History.com Editors. (2018). Roswell. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/paranormal/roswell 
World UFO Day Organization. (n.d.). What is World UFO Day? Retrieved from https://www.worldufoday.com
https://www.wincalendar.com/World-UFO-Day

Long Week

We worked on our kitchen this week. We decided to paint the cabinets ourselves. My husband is a much better painter than I am, so I was the main helper. Unfortunately, he was in a lot of back pain and he finally went to the doctor. He fractured his back while we were having to shift the appliances in order to paint. After finding this out from X-rays and an MRI, he was told not to do anything strenuous and not to lift anything until he heals. So, I was able to put the hardware back on and started to put things back in the kitchen. The kitchen looks much better now.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

2019 First-Class Forever Stamp, Oscar the Grouch

June 1 is Oscar the Grouch Day. If you were around in the 70s, like I was, you would have heard about Oscar the Grouch.

In 2019, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street, the United States Postal Service released a special set of Forever stamps featuring 16 beloved characters from the show. One of these stamps showcased Oscar the Grouch, the grumpy green Muppet who lives in a trash can. The stamp was designed by art director Derry Noyes using a photograph of Oscar. It was officially released on June 22, 2019, during a ceremony in Detroit, Michigan, as part of the "Sesame Street Road Trip"—a celebration event held in 10 cities across the U.S.

The Oscar the Grouch stamp was part of a pane of 16 stamps, each featuring a different character from Sesame Street, such as Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster. These stamps were issued as Forever stamps. A total of 62 million of these stamps were printed by Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. The back of the stamp pane displayed special artwork celebrating the show's 50th anniversary.

Oscar the Grouch is a fuzzy green character from the children's TV show Sesame Street. He lives in a trash can and loves everything dirty, messy, and smelly! Unlike most of the friendly characters on the show, Oscar is grumpy and enjoys complaining. But even though he seems mean, Oscar teaches kids that it’s okay to have different feelings and that everyone is unique in their own way. He even has a pet worm named Slimey and lots of strange things in his trash can home.

Oscar was first seen on Sesame Street when the show started in 1969. He was originally orange, but he later became green. He was created by Jim Henson and played by puppeteer Caroll Spinney for many years. Even though Oscar doesn’t like being happy, he’s an important part of Sesame Street because he helps show that people can be different and still be part of a community. He’s grouchy, but deep down, he has a big heart!

References:

• United States Postal Service. (2019). Sesame Street Celebrates 50 Years. https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2019/0522-sesame-street-celebrates-50-years.htm
  
• Mystic Stamp Company. (n.d.). 5394g - 2019 First-Class Forever Stamp - Sesame Street: Oscar the Grouch. https://www.mysticstamp.com/5394g-2019-first-class-forever-stamp-sesame-street-oscar-the-grouch/
• United States Postal Service. (2019). Stamp Services. https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2019/pb22521/html/info_004.htmUSPS+2USPS+2USPS+2mysticstamp.comUSPS
• Sesame Workshop. (n.d.). Oscar the Grouch. https://www.sesamestreet.org
• Gikow, Louise. Sesame Street: A Celebration - 40 Years of Life on the Street. Black Dog & Leventhal, 2009.

New Roof and Memorial Day Weekend

Sunday was quiet and we relaxed all day.

On Monday, we went to the senior center to walk for an hour and then attend Heather’s exercise class. It felt good to work out! When we got home, we worked in the yard, trimming bushes.. The azaleas needed a good trim after blooming, or they would grow out of control.

On Tuesday morning, the roofing materials were delivered, and the delivery guy was really nice. We stood and chatted for a long time! He has 5 children and they live on a farm. They homeschool all their children. In the evening, I went to my local knitting group, and I always enjoy the time I spend with the.

Wednesday and Thursday involved watching the roofers and the progress of replacing the roof. It was pretty interesting how much the materials and technology have changed over the years. Wednesday brought 5 roofers, and they worked hard for 14 hours! They even brought their microwave! At lunchtime, they were relaxing under a tree and even taking a nap (which was well deserved). On Thursday, only 3 guys worked on the roof.

We left on Thursday around 4 pm to meet our senior center group at Travinia’s for dinner. Luckily, we were able to walk to the restaurant. There were about 17 of us. The food was very good, but the service was meh. We bought cannolis to bring home and have for dessert, but they weren’t as good as the ones we got years ago in Boston. We still had a great time with the group and hope to go out more with them.

On Friday, an elderly man (Mr. James) came to do a magnetized cleaning for nails. I called the project manager to make sure that he was with the company, and he was. We found some small concerns we wanted to discuss during the final inspection, which was around 4:30 pm. We walked around the house with Jonah and showed him the concerns. He fixed most of them, but they will have to come out and repair a screen and clean the siding. He got on the ladder and found about 5 more things they need to seal up when they come out. Overall, I like our new roof! Our Sounds of the Summer concert series started downtown, and I was able to hear the music in my sunroom with the windows closed. 🙂

While the roof was being replaced, I was able to get a lot of knitting done. The noise didn’t bother me. I’m trying to relax more and de-stress so I can get over these shingles faster.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, and we won’t do anything special. We tend to stay home and off the roads during holidays because of the crazy drivers.

Original photos by Pat Hensley