Delinquent Poster

 Even though I think about writing down what is happening several times a day, I just don't do it.  I'm using my phone now more than my laptop, and I just don't love typing on that tiny keyboard.  

I guess I should just jump in and try to get down what I remember, which sometimes is just today!  Today was Saturday and just a day to do what I wanted to.  I communicated with Emily and Elise by text, broke up a couple of cat disagreements, and just did what sounded good to me.  I did today's Wordle - 77-game streak - played Scrabble, and listened to my audio book while I did some housework.  I'm listening to Turnout by Meg Abbott.  It's good, I guess, all about two sisters who run a ballet school.  It's nice to learn a little about the backstage goings-on behind the Nutcracker production, but there was a little too much dwelling on the physical toll ballet takes on the body - feet like claws, nails turning black and falling off, emotional breakdowns, jealousy and sabotage of the stars.  It's written nicely though and fun to listen to.  

I just finished listening to Robert Grisham's The Judge's List.  It was enjoyable reading, especially since it was set around the areas where I grew up.  It even mentions Andalusia and Gantt Lake as well as places in the Florida Panhandle that we were familiar with.  Good story too.

I don't watch many movies, but I did enjoy Inventing Anna, Anatomy of a Scandal, and one other I can't remember, but there are a few I might try to watch soon.  One is Staircase and only because of having Colin Firth in it.  I'll try anything he's in!  Grace and Frankie is another series that a lot of people my age have watched and enjoyed, and since this is being dropped by Netflix, I'll give it another try.  I watched a little bit and didn't like it much, but maybe I'll try again.

Yesterday was the second annual pilgrimage to Carnation, WA, to the Sno-Valley Senior Center Plant Sale.  

Emily and I enjoyed it so much last year, we made a special effort to go there again yesterday.  It was, again, a rainy day but pleasant, and with all the tents set up, we didn't get too wet.  We got our Starbucks and headed out with visions of all the plants in our heads.  It takes about 30 minutes and is a beautiful ride.  Ryan took the girls to school and followed us with the truck.  I think he was a little sorry he decided to come.  I'm not sure what he expected, but he was a big help, maneuvering the cart around and loading it all in the truck.  

I forgot to take many pictures.  Emily got a few, but she only sent one.  I was happier than I seemed, if a little bedraggled.

I hurried and took a few photos just as we were leaving.  Emily has a plant ID app on her phone, and that was invaluable in learning about what was available.  We always find such interesting plants we know nothing about.  I have the limitation of a small place to put things, but she doesn't, so she was wanting everything!

That's Ryan standing in the background doing a "Mike."  He thinks if he doesn't encourage us, maybe we will lose interest and soon be done!

Ryan and Emily have decided to give me a front porch for Mother's Day this year and may be overdoing it - as usual.  I moved to this apartment in July last year, and no one (maintenance people) would clean it for me.  Ryan is going to pressure wash the concrete and anything else that needs it Monday.  We're probably not supposed to, but I asked for six years in the other apartment to have the balcony pressure washed, or at least cleaned, and I ended up having to do what I could.

They all four went shopping today to try to find me pots of Boston ferns to hang.  You'd think Home Depot and nurseries would be full of them since they grow so well in the wild here, but they found none the right size.  Emily showed me this one.  Not quite what we had in mind!  Tiny house fern!

The girls don't look that excited about shopping for pots.  I don't blame them!

This is the spot I'm trying to fill, and we decided that pot may be a little big.  

I'll probably try to use the ones I already have.  I like all three of these.

This porch definitely needs upgrading.  The chairs were painted last year, so they should be okay.  I have a new blue flowered door mat and might make some back pillows.  Noreen and I have already tried out the chairs this year - one day is all we could manage to be warm long enough to sit awhile.  Both of us have so much going on, it's hard to find time right now.  Sometimes I'll prop the front door open, and the cats will sit on the porch and watch for birds and squirrels and passing dogs.  They're getting more comfortable out there, and I feel sure they're not going to go far.

The fire is making me sleepy.  I'll write about my Mother's Day tomorrow and about Graysen's 5K she and Emily ran Wednesday for Girls on the Run - and Katherine too.  I'm so proud of this big girl.

I saw this today and sent a picture of a rock dragonfly to the girls who are pretty sure they want to try to make one for their back yard.  Cute!