An early weekly wrap-up Aug 26-Sept 1

Quick question - do you title your blog post before or after you write the post?  I'm just curious because sometimes at title will pop into my head as I'm thinking about what I will write about, and other times I'm stymied even after I've written the post.  Hence the oft used weekly wrap-up or something equally as mundane.

This week I did a fair amount of driving - more than usual that's for sure.  Last Sunday evening I drove out to visit D and Eli (and to drop off some items she had ordered that she needed by Tuesday).  I spent the night - it was fun to wake up to that little guy in the morning.  He was a bit hesitant initially but was soon cuddled up with me on the couch reading a book and watching Halloween videos - he loves these!  Overnight I had Sheldon (the cat) sleeping with me.  He's just a lovely cat, and is so much bigger than when he left here.  I didn't get any photos of either Eli or the cats, Sheldon and Stanley.  

On Friday, I drove out to my brother's farm to check on their cat, Hollywood.  No pictures of her either as she is in rough shape, very frail, blind, and from what I could tell in some pain.  I've had conversations with him about her condition but he and his daughter aren't ready to let her go.  Poor thing!

I did take my camera so stopped along the way to capture a view shots.  This was taken mid-way down the hill leading into the valley.  We've had a fair amount of rain recently and this is as green as I've seen the valley this late in the year.  Usually by the end of July everything is looking brown. (The brown field is actually the tops of plants - perhaps potato, I'm not sure.)

On the way back to the city, I stopped to get this photo for Kim.  The two of them were standing head to tail, I assume to try to keep the bugs off.  Their tails were flapping like crazy.

These bulls (again I'm assuming) didn't seem to be bothered by anything.  I did take the photo from inside my car, just in case.  I'm not sure they'd get curious enough to get up and come to the fence but I wasn't going to take the chance.  They're big!!!

How bad is that, I grew up on the farm and I can't tell if these are bulls or cows?  

It was beginning to rain as I drove back to the city but was quite warm.  I drove with my windows opened and enjoyed the breeze. 

We had two more showings this week.  Despite the change to the advert the first group informed my agent the yard was too small.  I just have to laugh.  I haven't received any feedback from the second group as yet, but I assume they will have decided it isn't for them either.    

Another finish this week, the baby blanket I hadn't planned to make.  It started with the ball of "white" yarn in the centre but I went to start the second ball, I realized the color was different.  So I had bought some pink yarn (2 balls) and finished it as a baby blanket.  This was the project I took to the Wednesday group at the library.  I'll have to get something else started for next week.

I picked up a counted cross-stitch kit at the Salvation Army thrift store for $2.99 which will probably be the new project.  I know darn well the price was originally much more than that so I got a great deal on it, everything looks to be in the package and it's a fun "I love cats" so if I don't keep it, I know just the friend who would.  Her licence plate actually reads CATCRZ. :)  I had actually gone looking to see if they had any yarn ....not that I need more... and found the kit instead.  The store was crazy busy with back to school shopping in full swing.  School starts after the long weekend - so fall is definitely here.   

Friday evening, I met my friend C for dinner at Applebee's.  The menu selection is so much better than Denny's, and the food was very tasty.  I had the one piece fish and chips, with a small side of coleslaw.  Their portions always seem large; there were several fries left on my plate.  We chatted about a lot of things, including where we might travel this winter.  I was worried about the cost of the second month, and C said not to worry, she'd cover it if I feel it's too much.  What a friend!  I think we've decided on Costa Rica, and I spent some time when I got home researching possible properties to rent for a couple of months.  The prices are actually quite reasonable which is nice to see and depending on what we select, I may not need her help.  I suspect we'll book in the next couple of months.  The Farmers Almanac is calling for a very cold winter and neither of us want to be here to experience it, if at all  possible.  I'm fortunate as my son still lives me, while C will need to find someone to keep an eye on her house while she's away as the insurance company requires that someone check on it daily. That may impact the length of our stay as she may need to hire someone to come in. 

This being Labour Day weekend in Canada (Labor Day in the US), our Saskatchewan Roughriders are playing the nearest rivals, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers here in the city on Sunday.  Next weekend, they'll head to Winnipeg for the "Banjo Bowl" so named after a former Bomber player called Saskatchewan fans, banjo-picking in-breds back in 2004.  I'll be cheering on the Green and White from my couch.  Not that I'd head to the stadium anyway but the game is sold out, as it is every year. We take these two games and our rivalry very seriously!

Have a great long weekend everyone!