![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
So, the fountain is burbling happily away, the swing, canopy and new patio umbrella are up and in place, all the bare grey stalks of dead plants have been tossed, the ones that have come back (three thymes, two rosemarys, two of four lavenders, and the oregano has migrated to almost every pot!) have had their dead bits trimmed, some have been potted up. The empty pots have been cleaned and stored, or repurposed for the potting-up. Getting the fountain going required much running up and down two flights of stairs to find that it wasn't the circuit breaker that had tripped, nor the drop cord that had shorted, but the ground fault interrupt at the socket box had tripped. But the trusty pump I inherited after several years' use in P's garden is once more pumping reliably away. I've bought no new basils nor sages--I might hit the garden centers that are open on Sunday and see if there're any herbs left. I've reconciled to no mandevilla across the front railing this year, but if I spy one, I may get it.
I swept the potting table and the floor of spilled dirt and loose plantstuff, and pulled a few weeds from between the deck boards. H had swept most of the detritus yesterday morning in the terrible heat, but by the time I'd finished late yesterday afternoon and early evening, the whole deck needed sweeping again. So it's done, and it's tidy and open and welcoming.
And this morning H has gone to work his half-day, and I must shortly frighten the cat by dragging out the suckmonster to get rid of some of these drifts of cat hair. It won't be a good day for him. First the evil vacuum cleaner, and then the attack of the short, cat-eating boys, as StE, DIL and the two boys are coming around noon. We'll head off to the supermarket to pick up dogs, buns, more chopped meat, drinks, chips, whatever condiments they desire, and a tub of ice cream. I'll grill burgers and cook dogs inside and we'll eat on the deck. H should be home from work shortly after 2:00, and StY gets off at 3:00 and will be here shortly thereafter.
But the nicest part, after seeing everybody and spending time together? Is that everybody will have Sunday off to relax. No four hours' driving with two cranky kids, and then work the next day. My MIL should be thanked for THAT lesson well learned. And H and I may try to make the early matinee of Riddick on Sunday. Whee!
I swept the potting table and the floor of spilled dirt and loose plantstuff, and pulled a few weeds from between the deck boards. H had swept most of the detritus yesterday morning in the terrible heat, but by the time I'd finished late yesterday afternoon and early evening, the whole deck needed sweeping again. So it's done, and it's tidy and open and welcoming.
And this morning H has gone to work his half-day, and I must shortly frighten the cat by dragging out the suckmonster to get rid of some of these drifts of cat hair. It won't be a good day for him. First the evil vacuum cleaner, and then the attack of the short, cat-eating boys, as StE, DIL and the two boys are coming around noon. We'll head off to the supermarket to pick up dogs, buns, more chopped meat, drinks, chips, whatever condiments they desire, and a tub of ice cream. I'll grill burgers and cook dogs inside and we'll eat on the deck. H should be home from work shortly after 2:00, and StY gets off at 3:00 and will be here shortly thereafter.
But the nicest part, after seeing everybody and spending time together? Is that everybody will have Sunday off to relax. No four hours' driving with two cranky kids, and then work the next day. My MIL should be thanked for THAT lesson well learned. And H and I may try to make the early matinee of Riddick on Sunday. Whee!