Late August

 

We're still getting a few veggies from the garden beds.  Yellow tomatoes that are favorites. They are fairly big, nicely shaped and good tasting...no acidic taste...and skins aren't tough. 

Then we have some small red tomatoes, also from seeds the Sasquatch started. The seed packet was labeled "Beef Steak"...and these definitely aren't those...so that's a bit disappointing.

The small yellow peppers are "Hot Lemon Peppers", which are just lately getting big and mature enough to eat. They have a good flavor and aren't super hot.

The giant green veggies are Armenian cucumbers. Big and crunchy!

There has been more activity in the field next door.

.

Including this giant piece of equipment they started using to knock down a few trees.

It must have broken down while they were using it one day and it sat idle for about a week, then they were back at it again.

This is a photo from last year after they came in and cleared the front field ( photo from the man who does paragliding in our area sometimes).

You can see the woods they are starting to clear.

I'm still hoping it's not a major change. Judging by the house sizes across the street, quite a few could be built here.

August is my birthday month and the Sasquatch brought me a nice treat.

It was just right! A buttery crispy crust (he made), fresh strawberries, and sweetened whipped cream.

I wish I had put it on a pretty plate for the photo. He had brought it over in a closed container and I just didn't think about a plate.

So this birthday is a milestone...It's my Medicare eligible birthday. 

What's left to look forward to now? LOL.

A snake and a finished quilt

We stopped using the gas fireplace years ago and I had covered the opening with a square of fabric covered plywood.

Well, a few nights ago, Puss the cat became very interested in the fireplace area...watching and waiting and even scratching at the panel.

Sometimes birds accidentally come down the chimney so I moved the panel aside to take a look but nope, no bird.

The next morning Puss was more persistent in wanting to check out that fireplace so I moved the panel aside again. 

She stuck her head back in the corner and began swatting  with her paw but then drawing back, repeatedly.

I started removing the decorative fake logs to see what she was trying to catch...then I stopped. Something told me there was a snake back there.

It wasn't a big one, but still...a snake!  Hard to see because it's dusty and dirty in there.

I wanted to share the excitement so I messaged the Sasquatch. He came over with a "grabber" (the kind you can use to reach something high).

He was able to get it pretty quick and toss it into this deep box from a suitcase I'd ordered.

Whew! It was an angry snake! Striking and also shaking it's tail.

I was ready for him to get it out of the house, pronto! He took it to the back of the property and released it

Puss had to go back and double check the area.  She must be part mongoose!

I suppose the snake must have dropped from a nearby tree - right down the chimey pipe.

Waiting to see if more snakes will appear.

I tied the damper closed for now. My plan is to just get someone out here to seal both chimneys permanently. I'm tired of birds coming in too.

I quilted and finished the little tractor quilt. I was planning to donate it but I think it's pretty cute so I might hang on to it awhile in case I can use it as a gift.

Here is the back.  It measures about 41" x 53", so it's a good size for a toddler.

 

The artwork is off scale with the tractors appearing enormous compared to the cows in the foreground.

But it would be a fun quilt for a little boy who likes tractors.