Bridal Wreath Spirea & Ferns

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Well, Memorial Day weekend is over so summertime is here. The bridal wreath spirea and the ferns are looking full and lush. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2022 - Monday: Cigar Time

Monday, May 30, 2022

Of course I had to squeeze in another cigar while the weather was nice and before this much needed 3-day weekend ended. Post-strike work has been hell and rather than finishing early next week like we should we're going to the end of June to account for days the district seems to think we need to make up. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2022 - Monday

Monday, May 30, 2022

The peony bush Deb gave us a few years ago is really full this year. No flowers yet, but close. Andrea in Jean's old house and Josh and Breanna and their kids in Deb's old house have been out in the yard a lot this weekend. It's nice to see folks outside. 

The whirly birds are dropping from the silver maples pretty heavily. Last year was a massive drop so hopefully this year won't be as bad. 

Memorial Day Weekend - Monday

Monday, May 30, 2022

Quite a bit of rain this morning and more is expected tonight. For the time being it's sunny and warm; a little muggy, but beautiful overall. 

Our new neighbor, Andrea, who's living in Jean's old house, has had her mom and a couple brothers staying with her this weekend to help get her yard in shape. The mom asked Dale how old our silver maple in the front and Andrea's silver maple in the back are. Dale responded that they're very close to, if not a hundred years old. It's funny because I was mentioning to Dale yesterday how much I'm going to miss these trees when they're gone. 

Memorial Day Weekend - Monday

Monday, May 30, 2022

The Bridal Wreath Spirea and the ferns are looking full. 

Memorial Day Weekend - Sunday

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Dale and I ran over to Ace Hardware on Nicollet to pick up a push mower and some new lawn chairs. Some assembly was required and was fairly easy. Mowed the lawn but it took longer to mow than usual as the humidity got to me. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2022 - Saturday

Saturday, May 28, 2022

Gorgeous summer day today; perfect start to Memorial Day Weekend. 

Dale joined me for drinks. 

Great day for a cigar and backyard jazz. 

The Lilies of the Valley were beautifully pungent.

It's nice that it's finally summery outside. 

Still warmish in the later evening for my evening walk. It’s warmed up overall just enough that the warmth doesn’t go away immediately when the sun does. A sure sign of summer. 

Our neighbor, Steve, who used to live across the alley from us has moved to a new house up the block. Took this as I walked by his backyard. 

Cigar Time

Sunday, May 15, 2022

This string of glorious days is gonna spoil us although we really deserve it after an overlong grey and cold spring. 

Temperatures are in the low 70s and the humidity is very low so it's still perfect leather jacket weather. 

Backyard Jazz

Friday, May 13, 2022

Didn't get into the 90s today but low 70s with sunshine is very pleasant. My leather biker jacket was appropriate for sitting in the shade. 

School was hell today so it was nice to light up a cigar, listen to some music, and enjoy the weather. Dale joined me for a bit too. 

Glorious afternoon and evening. 

Surpassed 90

Thursday, May 12, 2022

A Glorious Day

Saturday, May 7, 2022

Ok, today was not just a nice day, it was a glorious day. It's been four months of grey skies and colder than average temperatures. 

We have dinner plans at Gary and Warren's place tonight. Dale ran to the store to pick up some wine and appetizers so I could get started on my cigar. 

Listened to some music...

When Dale returned from the store he joined me outside and we each had a glass of pre-get-together wine. 

We talked about how we wish we could both be retired NOW. 

Grey, Gloomy, and Cool

Saturday, May 1, 2022

Grey, gloomy, and cool today. Rain on and off but I was able to get out in the yard for a couple cigars.

Pretty late in the season for not seeing any buds on the trees. 

However, there are some signs of hope. 

Saturday Storm

Saturday, April 23, 2022

We came in from outside after it started to rain and sat on the porch.  It was nice to listen to the storm. Warmish and a wee bit balmy, everything about it was not wintery!

Temperature in the 70s!

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Good gravy. What a gloomy and cool month we've had. Today we finally got up into the 70s and got some sunshine thrown in as well. The kind of day perfect for a cigar I've been waiting for. The new neighbors were entertaining again so I set up in the garage. 

Looks like we'll cool off again after today. We've got a little humidity in the air which feels kinda nice.

Had a little gin to go with the cigar.  

Dale joined me. I asked him to come sit in the garage but he said it was too smoky. 

He eventually got a chair but still kept a distance.

From my vantage point.

Listened to Charlie Parker. This was recommended by jazzvinyldoctor@instagram and it was fantastic.

Started to feel a little cooler as my cigar got shorter so I threw on a jacket. 

Mostly the sun was out.

But sometimes not. Regardless, it was good to see it.

Winding Down Spring Break

Saturday, April 9, 2022

Great day for a cigar in the yard. Sat on the south side of the house. The new neighbors who bought Deb's house were entertaining and I didn't wanna smoke them out. Deb and Jean were both so cool about my cigar smoke. I miss them. 

Fifty-four degrees as I sat outside. Beautiful jacket weather with the sun out. 

Listened to Orville Peck.

And drank rum, straight.