Trying to change the photo on this blog is impossible

 

Well I am frustreated with this blog and once again reminded why I switched to Facebookpostings.  It is faster, easier and nearly everyne I know is there and replies or comments

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Back lawn toward house  Summer atolsice June 20, 2025

I wanted to switch the header image to this one but after several attemps, I quit.  I don't have all day to sit here to try to get this to work.  

Catalpas best kept in memories not in the lawn

Catalpa blooms and leaves

 
Some things are better memories than living with and I have decided that the catalpa trees here are like that. I foolishly let them multiply.  Jerry warned me not to but oh no, I figured they would be dandy shade trees out back. Now 5 years later once again he was right and is shaking his head at me from the Beyond.  I wonder how often he thinks, :I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen."  

If trees can hear the catalpas must have heard me talking with Woody on Wednesday that they need to be cut down. He is the local guy who cuts down trees. The catalpas threw a tantrum over night with the storm and scattered their white flowers along with some of their tobacco leaves across the back lawn. I'd let some trees grow from seeds that came from the sole catalpa on the back hill it was nostalgia, I grew up on Catalpa St in New Ken, PA.

A couple years ago the landscaper mentioned that catalpa trees are rarely seen around here. I know why now, they

Catalpa on hill behind tthe pines.  

make a mess. Last winter I got disgusted from constantly picking up their tobies, that's what we called their long skinny seed pods. There were thousands and they were ugly over the snow. So I decided enough of that! They must like the back hill because they have multiplied and thrived. If the wind blew downhill maybe they could remain, but it doesn't. It always blows up hill toward the back lawn and house.

Woody had not seen catalpas and was interested in their flowers and leaves. He remarked on the size of the leaves and asked what the trees were good for. I had to admit, "nothing" far as I know. I did some online research and confirmed that.

So they are going to be taken down. No more mess from them, I have plenty to do with leaves falling. And still picking up the whirlybirds from the millions from the vintage maple . .

Tantrum results covering the
ground like snow

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.