Then and now.....

An interesting process on Facebook (FB) is when it recalls a random photo sharred in the past on the day and invites you to update it with a photo of today.  It displays both with a "Then and Now"caption.  Earlier this month it posted  this photo I'd shared of Jerry, two coaches ago in 2014 as he was giving the once over likely in preparation for our departure to who knows where.  This was the Excursion which he said would be the last new one for awhile because he'd finally gotten a diesel.  Well, later in 2016 he'd easily  forget about that when he found the new tag axle 42.5 foot Allegiance.. He was a man of vehicles and over our 54 years together I'd learned that once he saw one he wanted it was going to happen.  He wa persistant.  No matter he'd expand the sjop on our property to make room for them and with the Allegiance he even raised the roof!  He'd do whatever it takes.  The Allegiance would be our last coach and while a castle on wheels, he wouldn't live to really enjoy it as long as planned.  

None of that explanation is needed on FB because I am in touch there with people from my life who stay in touch and who comment.  This was no different.  It's good to have the sharing of memories and validation by others.   Just to keep blogger going for me, I'm sharing here.  

June 2014 Jerry checking over the Excursion in our driveway

In response I posted the first photo from my tablet on that day but now in June 2025. Things are very different. No more coaches. Just me.

 2025  Bench off deck in back yard

I posted this on my page: FB flash from 2014. Two coaches ago, likely preparing to depart, Jerry engaged in his preferred pastime, inspecting and fine-tuning various items. Today, an empty bench in the backyard invites me to sit in solitude with memories. .

FB displays these 2 photos alongside with flourishes, I can't replicate that here on blogger. And just in remebrance, here's the Allegiance, I'd call her Ally. Yes I miss those days and that man, but life goes on and so do I. Not the same, different but on.

June 2017 Ally in her house here, Jerry at the door

First harvest and reward after gardening

 

Yesterday, after a steamy afternoon of work in the garden, a perfect cooldown, vodka and tonic. Haven't had this since last summer. Our air quality is messy from the Canadian wildfires. Using a vintage stirrer, remember when these were common with a drink? I have a saved collection and some really vintage from my late Uncle. I am stuck with a DNA that keeps things! Who knew they would disappear in favor of throw away stirrers that resemble big plastic toothpicks. I resisted the temptation of picking up more plants today at Home Depot. That was tough but I told myself, "quit browsing, go get the rabbit repellant spray you came for and get gone." Sometimes I talk sense to me. Maybe it was reinforced because I just finished planting the ones I picked up Friday from Bauer's.

Speaking of firsts, harvested the fisst of my rhubarb crop. It is doing well this year, a vintage from the Cass' original owners builders of this home, who planted it way back when? It was years before the 20 years ago when we bought this place. So good to have things that last and require little work except for pulling to use and dusting with a sack of manure in fall.. I made this into rhubarb sauce that I eat by the random spoonful. While some over sweeten their rhubarb, to my taste, I keep mine on the sour tangy side. I even like to chew on a raw stalk with some salt. When Jerry was alive I used to make strawberry rhubarb pie for him. He would not eat rhubarb as I do but liked that pie combination.