*Another productive day in the backyard. Paul went to ACE Hardware and bought some bags of potting soil, so I could finish my bathtub projects. In one bathtub I planted gladiolus bulbs, dahlia bulbs, and dahlia plants. In the other bathtub, I planted a shade garden, which contains two kinds of grasses, coleus and impatiens.
Shade garden
Glads and dahlias
*Then I started filling different containers with annuals. I had a geranium still to plant, lots of petunias, marigolds, zinnias, lobelia, alyssum and a bit of salvia. I also had two mini roses that needed put in bigger pots. All in all, I think I have filled about 30 containers around the yard. What wonderful therapy, having hands in the dirt and making things beautiful!
*Paul grilled some lamb chops and romaine lettuce for dinner. Then it was time to head up to Wallace for my film shoot. For the next five hours we filmed scenes centered around zombies from “the Clockworld” coming through the rock wall on Bank Street in Wallace to attack.
*Today I was able to start planting in containers. After a trip to ACE Hardware to get a few more items, Paul and I spent time in the yard.
*My first accomplishment was planting the tomato plants...all eight of them. I have a unique variety this year, and hope that keeping them near the house in the containers will help with their growth and production. I ordered a drip irrigation system for Paul to use for their watering. I had a system when I planted each plant. I used some of these items last year when I planted tomatoes, and I believe it helped. So this year, I added a few more items. This is what I did. I dug a deep hole in the container. I mixed up some fish fertilizer and poured it in the hole. Then I sprinkled some Epsom salt in the hole, and covered it up with a little soil, so the plant would not touch the Epsom salt. Then I added three aspirin, some crushed egg shells, a handful of bone meal and a handful of used coffee grounds. I added the tomato plant. Then I sprinkled baking soda around the base of the plant once it was planted, and worked that into the soil. Then I mixed up some Seaweed fertilizer with water, and put it in my watering can and sprinkled it all over the leaves and plant. And there you go!! Hopefully this will help me produce some very delicious tomatoes.
*Most of the tomato plants I purchased from The Tomato Lady. I wanted another earlier producing plant, so I bought an Early Girl at ACE today. Here are the kind of tomatoes I planted this year: Taxi (a yellow tomato), 4th of July (an early tomato, ready in 49 days), Aurora(an heirloom tomato), Italian Plum (Milano)(early Italian plum heirloom), Paul Robeson (I am really looking forward to this heirloom. It is a black 4” beefsteak; luscious, earthy exotic flavors) , Early Girl (early, 4 oz. fruits), Elf Grape (crunchy grape tomatoes) and Black Cherry (pear shaped, sweet, brown cherry-sized fruit).
*I was curious as to the difference between regular and heirloom tomatoes. Here is what I found out: Hybrid (normal) tomatoes are selected for their yield, resistance to diseases and shelf life. Heirlooms are prized for their diversity of color, shape and flavor and come from plant seeds that are at least 50 years old. We will see how each variety does this year.
*I also got a lot of containers planted with flowers today as well. While filming was being done inside our house for the film Across Bank Street--Portal to the Clockworld, I made good use of my time by planting a variety of containers with flowers and herbs. I also filled our two newly acquired bathtubs with some soil, but need to get some potting soil tomorrow to add to them, and then I can plant dahlias, glads and mini roses to one bed, and a variety of shade plants to the other. I hope to get that completed tomorrow.
*After the film crew and actors, including Gordan and Carolyn Turner, Grant Ray Turner, Avery Walker, Steve, Gabe and Riley Mahaffey, and Joni Bartel left, we had a nice visit with our illustrious visionary, writer and director Nancy Hanks before she headed home. Paul was in the scenes filmed today. Tomorrow evening, I go to Wallace to be a part of those scenes, which center around going to war with Zombies. Stay tuned for photographs!!
*Lori Hendrix, we finished The Help and Paul really liked it and thought it was a great movie!! Thanks for sending it home for us to watch.
*Ahhhh, Friday. My day off. The day that starts out a little slower, and I can usually ease into the day.
*I spent a little time making deviled eggs for book group today. On my last visit to Boise, Zoe and I visited my cousin Judy, and she gave me a box of candlewick dishes she had at her house. One of the pieces was a beautiful egg dish to serve deviled eggs on. I thought this would be the perfect dish to take to book group today to display the eggs. And I thought I would get a little fancy and add some pickled asparagus to the plate as well!! Thanks again, Judy, for passing on the beautiful dishes. Our Grandma West was the original owner of most of the Candlewick dishes I now have at my house.
*Since the beginning of the year, Paul and I have made a commitment to have a “date night” each month. We thought tonight would work the best with our May schedule. When Paul arrived at home, we drove to Coeur d’Alene, and started off with a trip to Fred Meyer. It was a very providential trip, because they were having their annual Founder’s Day Sale, which includes their great deal on a flat of annuals for only $10.99. So we bought flats of petunias, lobelia, marigolds and impatiens. Now I hope to get my containers planted this coming weekend!!
*Then it was a trip to Costco to pick up a few items. I thought it would be crazy there, because it was Friday, but it wasn’t. There was lots of parking, and the lines were not long at all.
*Paul suggested we go and eat at Moontime. We had not eaten here for quite a while, so we enjoyed out meal. Paul had a lamb burger (without the bun, of course), and I enjoyed a half a Caesar Salad. We also ordered some curry cashews as an appetizer, and they were very delicious.
*When we arrived home, Paul went outside and mowed the lawn for about 20 minutes, then we started watching the movie The Help. I had seen it a few years ago, but Paul had not seen it. One of our friends, Lori Hendrix, brought the DVD to school and suggested Paul watch it. We got about half way through before it was time for bed!! We were excited when we heard from all the girls last night, and it was so good to hear their voices!!
*What a great week we have had for walking in the morning. On Sunday, I received the new Fitbit Versa for Mother’s Day. I have been playing around with it this week. I now can receive notifications on this device when I get emails, texts and phone calls. It tells me when I need to move a little more to get the 250 steps each hour that they recommend. I always know what my heart rate is, how many total steps I have taken throughout the day, how many flights of stairs I have climbed, and the time and date. There are features that can be used by pairing Bluetooth headphones. These arrived today. I spent some time trying to sync a music program so I can listen to music from my fitbit. It didn’t quite work. I shall work on it more at a later time. But I am loving this new device. I have accomplished my goal so far this month of of getting to at least 10,000 steps each day.
*My weight loss journey continues to be successful. Thursday is weigh in day, and, since March 1, I have lost 27 pounds and 30 inches. And it sure helps when people encourage you and tell you how good you look. But what I like that I am hearing isn’t just about the loss of weight and inches, but people say I look healthier. That, to me, is much more important. Because that is what I want to be. More healthy.
*I got a Composition Notebook to write out information about my outside gardens to keep me more organized this summer. I wrote down what seeds I have planted and when. I wrote down what kind of tomato plants I have purchased, and the ingredients I need to plant them. I need to pick up a few more items when we go to CDA tomorrow.
*Our blender quit working, so Macys had a great deal on a new blender, so I ordered a new one, along with some new walking shoes. I tried out the new blender by making some “bulletproof coffee”. My recipe calls for a scoop of MCT Oil Powder, 2 Tbls. Heavy Whipping Cream, 1 Tbls. Kerrygold butter, 1 tsp. dark cocoa powder, and 16 ounces hot coffee. It is all blended together until it is nice and frothy. It is very delicious.
*Today I spent my last time in class with the KHS seniors. It was fun talking to each of them, making sure I knew what their future plans were, and making sure they have done everything needed to make their transition to college, and/or the work force a reality, and not have too many bumps between now and when they begin. We have 78 students on track to graduate from Kellogg High School this year. Of those 78, 61 have applied for and are planning on attending college. Of that 61, they will be attending North Idaho College, University of Idaho, Boise State University, Lewis Clark State College, Northwest Nazarene University, Spokane Falls Community College, Clark Community College, University of Montana: Western, Dakota College at Bottineau, Eastern Washington University, Trinity International University, the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy. We have a few planning on going into the Military. One student is joining the Job Corps. One student will be starting his third year of his Electrician’s program. One is starting a management program through a local business. One student is joining his family business. Other’s are going take a year off before they attend college. Some are going right into the workforce. I am so proud of each and every one of these students!! Congratulations Class of 2018!!!
*I was really tired when I got home from work today, so I took a nap. Then I sobbed my way through a few episodes of Call the Midwife. It is such a good show!!
*After picking up Betty, Christy and Dawn, we drove up the river to Sally Nordstrom’s house for our P.E.O. meeting. She has a beautiful home, and it is always so wonderful to attend a meeting there at this time of year.
*My morning was spent in Lynette’s chair at Uptown Hair Studio getting my hair done. Just a touch up on the base color and a different hair cut. I told her I needed it a little more “spiky” for spring. As always, she did a great job.
*Today was our last National Honor Society meeting. We started a tradition the first year Paul and I were advisers to serve pizza at the last NHS meeting of the year, as we say goodbye to the seniors and welcomed the new members. We had officer elections, and we also honored the seniors who are graduating by giving them a “Survival Kit for Life”. I also thanked my officers, Logan, Ryan, Rylee, Ashley and Jesus for all their hard work this year.
*I went and voted this afternoon, and was pleased that Paulette Jordan won the Democratic Primary for governor. She has my support!! There were others results that I was pleasantly pleased about as well. I look forward to this upcoming Governor’s race, and see how it turns out.
*It was back to work today, and time to get ready for another week. I met with some of my NHS officers to prepare for the final lunch meeting on Tuesday where we would have officer elections and some pizza.
*Christy said she would accompany me to Pine Creek to check out The Tomato Lady Pine Creek Nursery. It is a beautiful set up just as you leave Pinehurst. I bought about five varieties of tomatoes, some herbs and some flowers. There is a large variety of plants at the nursery. If you want to find out more about this nursery, you can go here. Just a heads up. She doesn’t take credit cards, so if you go, bring cash or your checkbook!!
*On the way home, we stopped at Walmart to pick up some items for a gift I made for the NHS seniors that they will get tomorrow at the meeting. I also found some large containers I am going to use to plant my tomatoes in, and some other plants.
*It was a lovely evening, so I spent time out in the yard. I love seeing my seeds popping up, and planning the rest of my garden. Paul has become very excited about doing more in the yard, and I love it.
*Paul and I started this glorious day with a walk around the north end off Moscow where Vince and Jill live. We had beautiful views as we walked through some neighborhoods on the edge of town.
*When we returned back to the house, Jill’s son Steven Frank had woken up, and was told he would be preparing Mother’s Day brunch for all of us, and it was to be ready by 10 a.m. Steven is a KHS graduate, and also did a Melodrama show with us one summer. He attended Culinary School at NIC, and for the past 10 years or so has held chef jobs in upstate New York, New York City and Miami, Florida. About six weeks ago he decided to take a break and come back to Moscow to live. He made a delicious frittata for our brunch.
*After a good night’s sleep, Jason was able to join us for a while outside while we ate. He was looking a little better. Molly, Travis, Cosette and Taylor all joined us for brunch as well.
*During the summer, we always have some fun rounds of bocce ball in our backyard. Jill and Vince have an actual bocce court in their backyard. So we teamed up and played a couple of rounds. Molly and I were the Champions!!! We beat Zoe and Jill first, then beat Paul and Cosette next to be the overall winners!! When I grew up on the Sunnyside of Kellogg, there was a bocce ball court in between some houses on the West 500 blocks of Mullan and Mission. Old Italian men would play back there into the evening on summer evenings. I would be at Linda Pouttu’s house, and I think her grandpa might have been one of the men playing.
We are the Champions!!!
*Soon Zoe and Jason were back on the road, headed for Meridian and Caldwell. Molly and Travis and Cosette and Taylor soon went to their homes, and Paul and I packed up and headed home as well. It was a wonderful Mother’s Day, with all the girls, we enjoyed the awesome hospitality of the Jill and Vince, and a beautiful day on the Idaho Palouse.
*But the fun didn’t end on arriving home. Later that evening, we headed over to Bill and Debbie’s house for family dinner. Debbie made a delicious dinner of pork chops, broccoli fritters with remoulade sauce, and roasted radishes. Very, very tasty. I was able to check out the continued remodel on their house, and also next door at Christy and Everett’s. It was a great way to end a wonderful weekend of celebration, love, joy, and family time.
*This was the first Mother’s Day without Mom. Being surrounded by family and friends throughout the day helped ease the loss. That is what I have found with many of the days when she is missed most, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, her birthday and Mother’s Day. For each of these occasions I was surrounded by family, so Mom’s spirit was definitely present throughout each occasion we celebrated without her. For me, that helped deal with the loss immensely.
*Graduation day!! My family gave me a hard time, but I had a very well-constructed agenda of the day’s events I had sent to them so they knew who needed to be where and at what time. Paul and I left early to park Christy’s car near the Kibbie Dome so it would be easily accessible when we left graduation. That was number one on the day’s agenda.
*It was Travis and Jason’s job to get to the Kibbie Dome early and secure us some good seats. Since Jason was still not feeling well (more on that later), Travis ventured out in the morning, walking to campus and securing us excellent seats. He even made Snapchat videos to send us to make sure he was choosing the correct area. What a guy!!
*Paul dropped Christy and I off at the Kibbie Dome at about 8:30 a.m. We found Travis and got situated. Paul joined us soon after he parked our car. And eventually Zoe, Molly and Taylor joined us as well. We were right up at the top of one of the sections, and had a great view of Cosette as she marched in with the other graduates. Perfect seats!!
*The Commencement Speaker was St. Maries native Tom Mueller, a U of I grad (Class of 1985, same as me!!) who is an engineer and works with the Space X program (you can read more about that here). He shared with the students some of his thoughts, such as believing Mars will be inhabited in their lifetime. He also believes that computers will develop human intelligence. And he told the students to not settle and take risks in their life. Their biggest problem could be their own self doubt.
*And then the big moment came, as we saw Cosette walk across the stage to earn her diploma. She received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Broadcast and Digital Media. It was thrilling to have her attend my alma mater, and now join Paul, myself, her Grandma Mary, her Aunt Christy, her Aunt Laurie, and her Uncle David as U of I alum!!
College graduate!!
*After the ceremony we went over to Memorial Gym to enjoy a nice reception for the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. Our dear friend Kenton Bird, who is an associate professor at U of I, visited with us for a while. When Cosette first started at U of I, she worked in Kenton’s office for her first year as part of her work study job.
*I haven’t mentioned yet what a absolutely beautiful and glorious day it was in Moscow. The sun was shining, it was in the 70’s. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
*After the reception we all gathered back at Jill and Vince’s house so Cosette could open presents, and I got to open my Mother’s Day present as well.
*Then it was off to Pullman to enjoy a celebratory dinner at the South Fork Public House. It was a perfect choice for dinner. We all enjoyed our food, and it was a really nice place to eat.
*Before we went to Pullman for dinner, Jason went to the hospital and ended up in the Emergency Room. He has been having back pain and throwing up for most of the day. They did a CAT scan and it looked like he had some issues with his colon. But they stabilized him and he ended up coming back to Rinaldi’s house with us and spending the night there. Poor guy!! It is no fun to be traveling and being sick at the same time.
Celebratory dinner!!
*Part of the day that was also fun for me was the other people I knew who were graduating. Some included former Gear Up students from KHS like Raine Yergler and Matt Langer. Other’s included friends from my sorority who had children graduating, including Janet Hawkins, Jana Payne Long, Kris Wiese Tatko, Dedra Swanstrom, and Barbie Tesnohlidek, to name a few. And some of the friends Cosette has made during her U of I years, including Elna Albano. It was a wonderful, wonderful day of celebration!!!
*The day was spent cleaning the house and working in the yard in preparation for our weekend in Moscow for Cosette’s graduation.
*I took a trip to Ace Hardware and Yokes and picked up some flowers to plant. I got another hanging basket, a scented geranium, and some petunias to plant in the flower boxes around the patio posts Paul recently constructed.
*After Paul arrived home from school we did some last minute cleaning up, and packed the car and headed to Moscow. We arrived at our friend Jill and Vince Rinaldi’s house around 7 p.m. Christy arrived soon after we did. And then Molly, Travis, Zoe, Cosette and Taylor arrived. Unfortunately Zoe’s boyfriend Jason was not feeling well and stayed back and Molly and Travis’ apartment. We had a wonderful evening catching up with the kids, and Jill and Vince, and had a delicious dinner prepared by Jill.
*Today was Geranium Day!! Each year my P.E.O. group sells pink and red geraniums, either as hanging baskets or in 4 inch pots to raise money for our various projects that help promote the educating of women. The plants all looked healthy and beautiful this year, and the pink baskets are especially wonderful.
*I went up to Lois Dahlberg’s garage to pick up my first load of geraniums to deliver. I got them loaded up in my car, and delivered to myself, a couple of neighbors, and Kellogg Pet Medical Center.
*After that first load, it was time for my dentist appointment. I had to get my permanent crown put on my tooth. Not the funnest two hours spent in a dental chair, but I survived!! One of the highlights was having one of my former Gear Up students, Theresa Waller, as my dental assistant. We had a nice visit about what she is doing, and I enjoyed catching up with her.
*It was time to help Christy deliver some of her flowers to the Uptown Hair Salon, and then deliver some to Kellogg Middle School, the District Office and Kellogg High School. It was nice having a crew of people to help bring them in at KHS when I arrived. I always say, you know it is officially springtime when the P.E.O. geraniums have arrived.
*I called Christy when I was done with my deliveries once I had arrived back home. She got her pickup truck, and we went back to Dahlberg’s garage to get our final load to be delivered to Wallace and Mullan. It was fun being out and about, seeing people and visiting. And the rain was never too bad to deal with throughout the day.
*Upon arriving back home, I would occasionally watch the progress next door on our neighbors having one of the trees in their backyard taken down. It was quite a process, but they got it done. Paul had them come and look at some of our trees, and it looks like our birch tree in the backyard may be coming down soon.
*Zoe and Jason arrived in Moscow safe and sound last night, and it was fun hearing from them and Molly and Travis before we went to bed. We also heard from Cosette, too!! I am looking forward to a fun weekend in Moscow with everyone.
*We were fortunate this afternoon when the rain let up for about 45 minutes or so, and Paul and I, with about 30 or so KHS Students who were NHS members, and part of the Leadership Class, were driven out to the Smelterville exit, and we split into two groups and walked along the highway picking up garbage. Kellogg High School adopted the section of highway between Smelterville and Pinehurst to clean up, and we always try and take a group of students to clean up in May, when the weather is a little better. We lucked out today. Apparently the whole time we were between Smelterville and Pinehurst, it was raining pretty hard in Kellogg. The students did a great job cleaning up!!
*This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. The KHS staff have been treated all kinds of ways, including a nice succulent plant in a personalized pot, a bag of treats from the district office, and a cool purple wildcat mug and lanyard from our principal Curt Bayer.
*I spent some time making plans for the upcoming special weekend. Cosette will be graduating from the University of Idaho on Saturday, and our whole family will be together, along with my sister Christy. I am looking forward to a great weekend!!
*Tonight Paul and I hearkened back to the days of old as we dressed up as the King and Queen and proceeded over the Kellogg High School Choir’s Department’s Renaissance Dinner in the KHS Cafeteria. It was a wonderful evening filled with beautiful singing from the choir members, putting people in the stocks, making toasts, watching funny skits, and having all the single girls perform the Maypole Dance at the end. It was a delicious dinner prepared by current and former KHS Cooks, and a good time was had by all. Thanks to Gordan Turner, Carolyn Turner, Nate Turner, Cherri Bartle, Ken Bartle, Keith Mckay, Paul Roberts, Drake Duce and Jeremy Rosecrans for being such a fun group of people to sit and eat with at the head table!!
*After returning home from the dinner, I spent some time walking around the backyard. It was a lovely evening last night. I enjoy walking around the yard and seeing what is blooming and what seeds are sprouting, and everything seems to be loving the combination of sun and rain we are receiving this week.
*Our cat Clark continues to be a sense of amusement in our lives. He is always out and about in the backyard when we are out there working or walking around. Here he found a place to chill so he could survey what we are doing. He kind of looks like he doesn’t want to be messed with up there!!
*As the end of my Gear Up year approaches, I needed to spend some time at the District Office with Angela, the business manager, making sure I am not going to go over budget for the year. After working together for over two hours, we finally got it all figured out, and it looks like the Gear Up budget is in good shape. Whew!!
*It was POURING down rain when I woke up this morning, so I texted Nikki and said I would rather not walk in the downpour. That means I am making up for lost time at the end of the day around the house, around the backyard, etc. Often I will take the book I am reading and walk around while reading. But at the end of the seventh day of May, I have remained consistent and gotten to 10,000 steps.
*A couple weeks ago I planted my “Salad Garden” in the old tires along the fence. I am seeing evidence of the planting as little green shoots are bursting forth from the soil!! I can’t wait to have a variety of lettuce and other greens to make salads with each day.
*This evening Paul and I gathered together with a group of students and adults in the KHS Cafeteria to rehearse for the Renaissance Dinner that will be Tuesday night. I believe this will be the final dinner sponsored by the KHS Choir Department, under the direction of Joy Persoon. If my calculations are correct, we started with the first dinner back in 2010, and Paul and I have performed as King and Queen for each of the dinners in 2012, 2014, 2016 and now 2018. Five in all. It is a wonderful event, and I look forward to helping entertain tomorrow night with some of my favorite people, including Ken Bartle and his wife Cherri, Carolyn Turner and her husband Gordon, Nate Turner, Keith Mckay, and all the wonderful and talented choir students including Anika Sundstrom, Angelique Teranova, Drake Duce, and Beth Langer.
