Detroit Walk for JDRF

Yesterday Hubby and I went to downtown Detroit for the annual fund raising walk for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes). The walk was at the Milliken State Park and on the Detroit River Walk. It was a beautiful cool morning. We saw several freighters come by on the river. We walked with a group of Lions but it was fun to see all the teams there for different kids with diabetes

Quilting

Hubby set up my quilting frame in the living room . It is the only room to hold it comfortably.  The quilt I am working on is a log cabin.  Technically it is Carole's quilt.  She told me I always make quilts for others so the next one I make should be hers and she will give it to me. I have Gretel's quilt top almost done when I noticed I put it together like a winding road instead of a Snails Trail.  Oh well.

Shingles or Contact Dermatitis

I could show a picture but it would be unsettling. Sunday morning I woke to find my right side of my face red and swollen around my eye. It was painful.  When I woke on Monday it was worse.  The internist said it was not typical shingles but its location and the fact that only one side of my face was affected led him to consider shingles. I then went to the eye doctor who felt the same way and gave me an antibiotic to put on my eyelids to prevent a secondary infection. I was given the medication Valtrex which fights the shingle virus but wont hurt me if they are wrong.  This morning the rash has spread to the other side of my face, although not as bad as the right, and down both sides of my neck.   I also have a small rash on my forearms.  Last week I did use an Avon night cream that I have used several times before, but not in a long time. I threw the rest of it out.  Hubby is sure I brushed against something at the farm where I was wearing a short sleeve shirt and jeans.

Tollgate Fall Fair

Today was the Tollgate Farm Fair.  The weather did not cooperate at all. It poured and was very windy.  At least there was no thunder and lightning. Unfortunately there were more volunteers than patrons.  Hubby and I and a lovely woman named Pat were manning the fruit stamping table. It did give us time to take turns wandering about to see the other events.  There was a Galapagos tortoise named Thor, some huge cockroaches and tarantulas. They were pressing apples for cider and selling honey and beeswax candles from the bee hives. They had the fire engine, ambulance and a police dog too. There was a band, hot dogs and popcorn and even fishing in the pond for the kids.

Clean House Day

On Fridays I clean house.  With Hubby and I it really is a light housekeeping job. I Clorox wipe the kitchen counters and sweep the dog hair up throughout the house. I water the plants and dust.  Not much to do. Mindy knows to get out of my way.  This afternoon I will have lunch with my friend, Carole, at a Mexican restaurant.  Should be a nice day.

Apple Picking at Tollgate Farm

The Michigan State Extension Farm, Tollgate, in Novi Michigan has its fall fair this Saturday. It is a great event for the whole family with crafts for kids, cider making, a band, animals and all sorts of stuff. Hubby and I will be working at the fruit painting booth and Hubby will also be helping wrangle a Galapagos Tortoise. Today we spent some time there picking apples for them to make into cider on Saturday.

Master Gardener Award

Last night Hubby and I went to the Master Gardener Society meeting. Until this year Dick has written their newsletter "Roots and Shoots" for nine years.  He also started a flicker account for the pictures and a Face book  address. I did their calendar. We were given a stepping stone for the garden,. It really is pretty. Surprisingly we both won raffle prizes at the meeting! In order to maintain our membership Hubby and I have to put in some serious hours this year.

A New Book

I am looking for a new book to read. I like almost anything except politics and gruesome murder mysteries. I like biographies and historical event books.  I finished "The Boys and the Boat." It was really good. I usually read at night in bed so I don't finish books quickly so there is no such thing as a one day read for me. I do like fiction too, but Janet Evanovich is a little cloying.

Lunch with Sofie

Yesterday Hubby and I spent the day in Ohio with Mary and Sofie.  Mary is doing much better and seemed to be feeling good and looking good. She is starting her third week of radiation. Sofie was delightful.  We went out to lunch at the Lonestar and she really enjoyed the book of puzzles they give to child customers.

Sofie also drew a picture of Mindy for me.

The Last Blooms of Summer

We have several Clematis plants. Our latest acquisition is a fall blooming variety.  The flowers are quite small but pretty.  All summer I keep my Boston Fern on the front. porch.  A Boston Fern is a messy plant to have indoors, so I move it outside as soon as the frost is past.  This year the hot humid weather really appeals to it. I will leave it outside until there is danger again.

Geraniums

Every year, before the frost, I bring all my geranium plants inside. I keep them in the basement under a grow light and water them occasionally. A geranium is called a tender perennial because it is killed by frost but otherwise will live for years. I have heard that you can hang them in the fall and plant them in the spring but I haven't been successful with that. I haven't bought a new geranium in several years now.

Back to blogging

It is time to get back to blogging.  The family is fine.  Mom is doing OK as she approaches 99 years.  She has some nasty aches and pains but mostly she is doing great.  Mary is in radiation and is on a good path to defeating cancer. Other than breaking a toe, I am doing fine too. We went to the Romeo Peach Festival on Monday with Mindy.  It was a great parade and we came back with a peach pie.