Hi Mom and family,

Yesterday I did a lot of yard work. I basically weeded all the parts of the back yard that had to be hand-weeded, and raked the entire back yard so that when Dale Sr. goes over it with the power mower he won't encounter any unpleasant surprises. 

Brian came by, he was out this way to borrow some tools from his dad. We talked a lot about the political situation, sitting on the patio drinking coffee. They are still having a rough time; Diana, Marie's mom, had to go in the hospital again for a biopsy.

Marie can't come to the party because she has a catering job Tuesday night. making the dessert for a $100/plate "pop-up" dinner. This was the first I'd heard of "pop-up" dinners, which Brian says are like a one-night restaurant dinner, with a fixed menu, but it's held in a house. Brian thinks that the real reason is to get people interested in buying the high-end home.

She got the job because one of her customers at the restaurant she just got let go from had become a fan of her baking. Brian said that one of the things that made it hardest about Marie losing her job is that the owners of the restaurant were some of their oldest friends, and that friendship has been damaged.

He said that he might be able to come to the party, but sounded a little hesitant. I surmise that he wants to be on-hand to help with the catering job. 

It was nice to sit in the rocking chair and look over the result of my efforts! Also, it makes me feel less panicked about the upcoming party. 

So I'm pretty sore today, again! 

I made this window-box after going on that Rick Steves G-A-S tour ( Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) with Nancy in 2008. I really liked the window boxes I saw there, and also the decorative wooden details on the balconies. The front two legs of it are cemented into the ground.

Before I did my day of yard work, there were weeds growing under the whole window box, some of them tall enough to grow through the floor of it and up between the potted plants.


Love,
Lennie