Day 99; Footnotes of Yes… I Can

Today was busy for me.

I got Bella ready and off we went to hike the mountain at Crowder’s Mountain State Park. Our usual place for torture… I mean escape and getting into nature. The moment I parked the Jeep she was ready to get out and go. As we crossed the parking area, she of course had to check out every scent. Since we had just been there yesterday, it didn’t seem as interesting, so we made quicker time to the foot of the trail.

 My leg muscles were a little worse for wear after all I did yesterday but I was determined. I managed to keep a somewhat steady pace even with Bella checking every scent and leaving her own marks. I was able to get two thirds of the way to where there is a bench before I had to stop and catch my breath. Just for a moment and then we were off again.

 We passed a number of people going down and most offered a greeting in passing. I think we only passed one dog on our way up. We got by them without issues and headed for those three hundred and thirty-six steps.

We had to wait before starting our climb as people were coming down. Once we got started I think we had to move over three maybe four times before we reached the top. I gave Bella some water and I drank deeply as well. We spent a maybe a half hour topside before we started down.

We came up on more people with dogs who were going up as we headed down. Bella was very well behaved though and there were no issues. I was glad though that we were leaving and wouldn’t be up there with so many other dogs.

When I got home, I found out that mom was still talking about getting out in her yard and digging up all the day lilies that were in the above ground planter / pool so that dad could plant tomatoes. Mom has no business trying to do that so I started down there to take care of it myself. The planter isn’t all that big, but it was packed tight with lilies that had spread.

I didn’t time myself at how long it took to dig up all that I could. I’m sure there are some left, but I did my part.I filled up a wheelbarrow. Twice. Once because it fell over sideways dumping everything I had put in it out. I’m debating on exactly where I am going to plant all these, well I have a good idea, I just need the ground tilled up just enough to break it up for planting. I got them up here anyway, so I would say I’m done with half the project, I got them dug up. Now I need to start on the other half and get them planted.

I came inside and sat down. I was tired, I was hot, I was thirsty. I had filled a glass with water from the tap and was sipping on that. I was waiting and making up my mind in the waiting.
When I finally felt rested enough, I went out again. I grabbed my gloves, my safety glasses and the push mower that can. I was going to mow the back yard and beyond. It took a while because apparently the trees shed limbs like the did leaves. I was constantly having to stop to toss limbs off down into the woods.

I mowed down the flowering weeds because they had grown too tall for me to see easily what may be lurking among them. Plus some of them were turning the yellow shades of death. I managed to get ninety percent done before I ran out of enough daylight to work safely. Copperhead snakes blend in way too well to be doing something in such low light. Taking no chances I called it done for now and pushed the mower back to the garage.

And just for a laugh, or at least a giggle..

I had taken my rigid contacts out a few moments ago. I had placed them in a solution that is 3% Hydrogen Peroxide. For those who don’t know, here is a photo of the container. The contacts in secured separately, one on each side, then placed down in the solution. They need to be left in for at least six hours. You know its working as it bubbles.I was sitting here, the only sound was Molly’s barking every so often outside. Otherwise the house was silent. I heard an odd noise, but didn’t think much of it. It was just loud enough to hear, but not draw attention.Then it did. I heard the oddest hissing, bubbly, angry liquid sound.I’m jumping back and looking all around trying to find what had to be a snake on my desk. Then I looked up and saw the solution bubbling up and out of the container.
I must have overfilled the container.

So I can hike a mountain.

I can do gardening.

I can do landscaping.

I can laugh at myself.

Yes……….I can.