ivyskeep

The fall yard clean-up is winding down. I think there should be only one mow and trimming left for the year that I'll do in a week or so. This weekend, we'll take our annual trip to Tractor Supply for the pine flakes I put down in the backyard over the winter to help with ice and mud from playing with the dog back there every day.

What is pretty much my corner in the living room (it's funny how we each have our corners;), is full of crafting stuff in totes set on a longish coffee table with a small space for a cup, a box of tissue, and more craft stuff that I use most often, i.e. crochet needle case and crafting scissors. It has become an eyesore and just a jumbled collection of stuff. I ordered a Sauder pantry and an end table with a charging station since I use my laptop there. That means not only sorting through my corner but also rearranging the area of our bedroom, which will be the recipient of said coffee table. I've put together furniture pieces like the Sauder pantry and the end table before, so I think that should go fine. I've been decluttering a bag or two here and there, and it feels literally like lifting cobwebs from my brain. I'm so looking forward to getting my little corner organized. I know there's stuff that just needs to go, and I'm so in the mood to get it done.

I'm still working on the Sherlock Holmes "ugly blanket" for hubs. My goal is to have it done by December or January.

ysabetwordsmith linked to a list of prompts for October posts. Today's is for horror movies to watch. Hub told me about what he says is an '80s werewolf film called Bad Moon, but the only reference I can find is for one by that name from 1996. A German Shepherd named Thor saves the day, so you know I want to watch it.

I also heard of a movie called Mortal, which is fantasy, not horror. This one draws from Norse mythology. A young man is plagued by fires happening when he's angry. It turns out he has an interesting connection to Thor.

We're getting both of these films from the inter-library lending system. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

The new CPAP machine is marvelously compact. They also got me in and out quickly at the appointment. I stopped on the way home for a walk-in flu shot at Kroger.

We're still working on the screens. We got three done last weekend and plan on doing the same amount tomorrow. Unfortunately, the frame of the one on the sliding door leading out to the back yard isn't worth salvaging. Hub removed the screen and we'll have to replace the frame next year.

I touched up the stain on half of the deck but left the other half so we could have a grilled dinner. I'll finish the other half tomorrow.

I had the continuing mushroom saga in the yard with a different form of stinkhorn coming up. I think it's called dog stinkhorn. Next year should be fun /sarc. I'm looking forward to fall yard cleanup being done.

We've had an attack of penis-looking mushrooms. They're called stinkhorn and they're invading a mulched section in the backyard. Apparently, mulch is a known culprit in attracting them. From what I've read, they're not poisonous to people or pets. I dug some up but more are breaking through the soil. They may be good for the soil, but I don't want them to be much worse next year. I've read about two DIY remedies, one being boiling water mixed with bleach and the other being lime. I've got lime, so I'll try that first. I hope they stay in that little patch. I live on a corner and openly wear Paganish T-shirts and my Mjolnir. I occasionally get something like Chick tracts (Gods, remember those things?) thrown in my yard. It would be too funny if I become known as the Pagan penis-growing lady. I would be more concerned about the HOA getting on our case if it comes back with a vengeance next year.

In other mushroom news, we have a fairy ring in our front yard. I don't know what kind of mushrooms are growing there, and it's not in a mulched area. It's been a rainy summer.

I took on a digital art project for someone, and I'm rolling in the imposter syndrome over it. It's barely a hobby, and I have so much to learn. She wanted it completed in a little over a week though, and she seems to like the result, so I just need to cut myself some slack. I learned new things and found even more things I want to learn and practice, so I'm happy about that.

This video was helpful in regard to "analysis paralysis" especially the part about her making a decision about perfection. I may actually try the five-second rule she mentions throughout my day.

I know it's still technically summer, and we're slated for 90-degree temps next week, but fall is coming and I love it. Happy September.

I did a short chair yoga session to prepare for doing yard work in hopes that it might help with knee soreness that usually happens after I'm done with said work. I'll see how I feel tonight.

J bought a Clue game that two players can play as well as Goonies Monopoly. We were like a couple of kids talking about upcoming game nights.

I'm making a journal for myself with some old bookbinding supplies both J and I had stored away. He's done much more than me and has been reminding me of the process.

That segues into the perfect opportunity to make a Fannish Fifty entry for #20 this year for The Goonies. It's probably mostly nostalgia for a lot of us of a certain age, but I still think it's a fun flick. Here's a clip where The Goonies meet the Fratellis.

 Our internet has been out since yesterday morning due to a storm. I'm so grateful we still have power. Thankfully, I'm able to use my phone for some work tasks.

We played an easy dice game called Farkle last night. J is buying a card table today for the weekly game nights we have planned. 

Yesterday, when I was mowing the lawn, a baby going for a walk with his family was pushing a toy mower. When he got to my yard, he started to "help" me mow the lawn. I yelled out, "Thank you." I should've asked him to bring  his weed trimmer next time. 😃

I did about three hours of yard work including mowing, weed whacking, and edging around the sidewalk without too much knee pain while I was doing it, but I'm definitely looking forward to lying flat right now due to soreness. I'm glad that's done though. It'll be a busy weekend of work and I didn't want to leave it to do then.

The toddlers next door and their dog were being very friendly and talkative today. The toddlers explained how the dog jumped in their dad's truck and then did something called splish or sploosh. I'm not sure which. I think that means he fell;) Doggo looked okay though when he peeked at me through the fence.

My current inspirations are a video recipe for air-fryer crab rangoons and a journal bookbinding project I started working on recently.

I'm getting used to juggling my three work contracts. I'm so much less stressed than I was with the bad place, and I'm learning some new things to add to my skill set, so all is good.

Pink snapdragons are growing up in cracks between some wood pieces in the back yard. It's a pleasant surprise.

I did a short blot for King Radbod today. Some info at Wyrd Dottir's blog. 

I made another batch of pesto to freeze. At this point, I might have to invite the neighbors over for pesto for a year. The basil plants are huge! I'll see if some neighbors would like some fresh leaves. I also dried some in the dehydrator for the winter.

My knee is to the point where stairs aren't as painful. However, when I turn and don't lift my leg up properly, I feel it's about to twist. I've been doing home exercises and still use a cane when I go for walks or am out and about to force myself to remember to be mindful of my movements.

Prompt 7 for the July 2023 Sunshine Challenge is for Zinnia which represents:

"While Zinnia has many different meanings, it is usually associated with friendship, endurance, daily remembrance, goodness, and lasting affection. The Victorian meaning of Zinnia are thoughts of an absent friend or a friend you haven't seen in a while."

I haven't had luck growing zinnias in great quantity, but I got this lovely dark pink bloom last year. I'll veer a little off the description and dedicate this one to people I'd like to get to know better.

“If you have two friends in your lifetime, you're lucky. If you have one good friend, you're more than lucky.” ~ S.E. Hinton

Twitter is now X and I have a green checkmark next to my name and don't know why. I've tried Google and help articles on Twitter but then realized I was falling for what Musk was trying to do, so screw it.

The basil has gotten quite large, so I made some pesto to freeze last night. I also have to come up with something creative for beet greens. I've fermented some this year. Last year I made pesto with some and will do that again. I'll eat some fresh and/or fried with eggs, but will blanche and freeze some as well.

I've been working on my version of the Sherlock Holmes "ugly blanket" inspired by the Granada TV series starring Jeremy Brett in the '80s and '90s. Below is a pic of the early stage it's in. It's basically one big granny square. This is for my husband to wrap himself in like Brett does when he's in a mood.