It rained yesterday, but I managed to lop off and stack some of the woody stuff that's been trying to take over way out back. Today I'll go out with a bow saw and try to get the stuff that's a bit bigger. Then maybe I can start transplanting the tall bearded irises out there into the bed behind the house that didn't exist when I first put them out there. And maybe move a couple more rocks around to border that bed.

The woods will encroach and take over if you give it more than a year's chance. I think it's got about an eight year headstart while I was a) working a deadline insane publications job and then b) working retail with strange hours and the knack of having every spring/summer/fall day off rain. Oh, and then there was Tom's medical crises, too, one after the other. I'll attend to the thorn bushes (again!) later... Also shovelled some of the newly moved loam pile into the turnaround (hosta) bed next to the newly replaced rock border.

My brain has been so fried this week that I missed lunch with a friend yesterday. I was convinced it was today. I really HAVE to actually look at and READ my calendar... The Monday holiday probably didn't help, but I was convinced lunch was Thursday (as it had been last week when I had to reschedule because of Tom's cardiologist appointment). I feel bad about making her wait at Margaritas and then never showing up.

Meanwhile, I spent yesterday morning on the phone with the insurance company since everything they'd told me on Tuesday was wrong. So...I can't download the form. But they've now filled it out and mailed it to us to sign. And I emailed the person I'm accounting to and let her know the necessary schedule -- they mail to us, we sign and mail back, they take 7-10 working days to process and approve and then mail us back a confirmation letter. So my deadline will have to be adjusted to accommodate. Especially since this option was never mentioned until Tuesday morning.

Got a lovely package in the post yesterday -- two books from a friend. "Drying Food With An Attitude" and "Holy Shit: Managing Manure To Save Mankind" -- been dipping into the books and reading bits aloud to Tom. They look both fun and profitable. This same friend gave us a CSA share in a local farm (and blueberry share) and we've been exploring dehydrating food since I refuse to can and have limited freezer space.

Oh, and speaking of shit, my up-the-hill neighbor offered me about 12 years' worth of well composted goat manure and bedding. Hope she'll be around this afternoon so I can give her some of what I've been de-accessioning from my glassware cupboard and some stuffed animals.

Today's project is to continue to move stuff around, de-accession, and stow stuff properly in the guest room so I will again have enough space to set up the ironing board. Goal: ironing the new blouse I got at Savers for four bucks so I can wear it to The Press Room tomorrow. And maybe move all the stuff in "The Room" to retrieve the brass antique-but-not-in-good-enough-shape vacuum cleaner so maybe I can make a run to Harding Metals one of these days and make a few bucks.

It's good to have a goal...

Linn