Keeping the Dreaded Streak Alive

If you're wondering where I've been the last few days, it's been a pretty simple but sad series of events...

Yesterday, I grabbed my baseball popcorn and had a Playoffs & Popcorn lunch. And though I couldn't watch much of the game due to work, I saw enough to groan at my Twins losing their 17th straight postseason game. Dumb, dumb error in the 9th. That's all it took. 

Today, the game started at noon so I had an extra "work" monitor set up in my office. Yes, you must know that it is a lot of work to be a Twins fan in the postseason. See paragraph above for reference. Today's game was filled with unfulfilled opportunities. And, yes, dumb mistakes again. In my opinion. So the Astros won again, eliminating the Twins from the playoffs. And they didn't even have to cheat to do it!

So if anyone's available to play Taps, I'll need you for the flag lowering and removal ceremony. I was going to do it today, but it has to dry from my tears, er, the rain!

Jim's Reds also lost today, but it was only their Game 1. "Don't lump me in with your losing team!" 

While my Twins set a record of now the 18th postseason loss in a row, the Reds-Braves game set records for longest playoff game without a score – was zero-zero until the Braves won in the 13th inning. And the game featured more total strikeouts than the World Series back in 1990 (when the Reds won it).

So we're just setting records all over the place!

To celebrate (aka drown my sorrows), I stopped at DQ for a Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. Guess what sign was hanging above the order window? Oh just some notice about a national pumpkin shortage due to COVID-19. Say what?!? So no pumpkin anything for this girl. Not in this one-patch town anyway.

Just kick me when I'm down, coronavirus. Let's keep the 2020 streak alive, too.

Well That Stinks

Why must we move from one pest to another in Wisconsin? Mosquitoes (and snakes) this summer. Now the stink bugs!

That stinks.

The good news, according to my entomologist friends, is that like squash bugs and boxelder bugs, they are not known to breed indoors, cause interior damage, or harm humans. But... even though the one above was crawling on the outside of the living room window, stink bugs can be a real nuisance and cause alarm when they appear inside the house on draperies, blinds, lights, or even buzzing around one's head.

Remember how I broke my toe with my "knee jerk" reaction to a surprise Princess pile? Well I am surprised I haven't broken a finger or wrist shaking off a stinkin' surprise visitor landing on my arm or buzzing by my head. 

I'm not smooth enough to handle some of these seasonal guests!

But I guess I already survived murder hornets and locust plagues in 2020, I guess I can survive a few stink bugs stinkin' up the house. That's what all those pumpkin spike-scented candles are for, right? I know they drive hubbies away at times. Not that they're classified as pests.

Yet. We still have 3 more months to survive.

Southern Swing

What a fun weekend swinging down to the southern part of Wisconsin and back. Got to meet our new grand (fur) baby in Platteville.

Just like Sylvester, Bennie is a girl cat – and I guess, dresses like one – with a boy's name. (Actually named for Bennie and the Jets.) Carter's girlfriend likes to put this dog dress on her, but I think Bennie would rather run naked, as cats often do. 

What we learned in our visit is that the girls of the house – Hannah and Mamie – adore this new "house" cat. And the boys do, too. I was just happy to see this guy...

Since Carter worked until 4 p.m. yesterday, we got down there about 5 p.m., checked into our hotel and then took him out to eat at Potosi Brewery. That's where Carter worked last summer and where he and Mamie met. She was working so we got to see her again. Since we didn't have to rush back to Rapids, we were hanging out at the house when she got done, too. Late night for us old folks.

Had a nice visit with the "kids." Also had some fun playing darts with them, which I haven't done in at least a full decade, if not two. And it showed. Still, we had a good time.

And they all enjoyed the baked goods, too! 

Jim and I had hoped to golf somewhere on the way home today but there wasn't tee times available anywhere and, as luck would have it, it rained pretty much our whole drive back anyway. 

So we got home in time to watch the Vikings lose again. But more importantly, could tune into the Twins-Reds game. Hubby's team won today but...

Whoo-hoo! Twins take the division anyway! Since the Reds made it into the post-season as well, it should be an interesting week around Blue Jay Drive. 

#wintwins

Autumn-atically Baking

Even the sunset today looks like a yummy fall treat! Obviously, I had baking (and eating, I guess) on my mind!

As predicted for my day off, I slept in and enjoyed pumpkin spice bread and coffee for breakfast. Then I got into Betty Crocker mode (I used to say Martha Stewart, but that was pre-prison days).

Per request from Mr. College, I baked my Hornets' Nest Cake. That always fills up the house with a yummy butterscotchy smell! 

Then I remembered this recent purchase...

Yup, these caramel-filled little truffles are a game changer when it comes to fall baking! That and a little caramel frosting on top and...

We've got ourselves some yummy caramel chocolate chip cookies. Also for Mr. College and friends. Thank goodness we're delivering tomorrow because, they are pretty hard to resist!

The rest of my day off was spend processing (as in organizing and editing) team and player photos for all our Royal fall sports. Then heading over to watch and shoot tennis this afternoon, followed by a little time at the football scrimmage.

Tonight, thanks to the YouTube game of the week, I could watch my Twins in action, hosting hubby's Cincinnati Reds. Guess who's going to bed happy? Not me. 

On a positive note, I guess, both of our teams are now in the post-season for baseball. My team still has a chance to clinch their division, too. That is, if they focus more on playing good baseball this weekend than eating my autumn-atically tasty fall treats!

Play ball!

The Way to My Autumn Heart

When you've had a few technically challenging work days with error message like this, it certainly is a welcome surprise to get a message like this on your front porch...

While we were working in our respective offices in the house, somebody sneaked by and dropped this off with a note that says, "A good day for a little pumpkin spice," with a basket of pumpkin spice bread and coffee K-cups. Oh Lord, did I need that!

Isn't it something it took me only two wrong guesses before I discovered that it was my "sole" (former running partner) sister Chris who left it for me. I had an inkling since we've enjoyed our share of good coffee together. And, of course, she knows the way to my autumn heart is through pumpkin spice. Once a spice girl, always a spice girl.

And that wasn't the end of it. 

Tonight on his way home from visiting his parents, hubby picked up a Pumpkin Pie Blizzard for me! Yummo.

I kind of feel like it's a holiday or something. So I'm taking tomorrow off to make it a three-day holiday weekend. Then I can sleep in and savor that Pumpkin Spice coffee with Pumpkin Spice toast! Feel free to join me. We can safely "spice distance." Our kitchen table is 6 feet long!

#spicegirl

Golf United

We are approaching the conclusion of our two-week United Way campaign at work. Although it's pretty different this year since we're not AT work. All events are virtual, which means I'm missing out on daily bake sales and even non-fattening fun, too! 

Our company has stepped up its efforts knowing that no matter how different it is for us as employees, there are still people who need the services United Way provides. Every. Single. Day. So we have to remain diligent in our dedication to give – even virtually.

One of the virtual events was a golf scramble, where we can pair up with a co-worker and golf anywhere during these two weeks. Just pay/donate and submit your score card. My friend Tom and I who normally are golf partners for league, managed to get out tonight after work. Finally.

Yes, starting at 4 p.m., we were racing against time and the setting sun.

And yes, we walked 18 holes and sunk our last putt for par as the sun was about set! We did it! Just a little over 3 hours for 18 holes. That's not normal, folks. And it's not because we had all birdies or anything. Tri-City is just an easily walkable course.

We did have super weather on our side. And it was just plain nice to see a co-worker in person – all while supporting a great cause. 

I hope you have the opportunity at your work or in your community to give to the United Way. Despite everything going on in the world, it's pretty easy to do.

#liveunited

 

Day 200

Today is Day 200 :: Post-Washington State Trip. Remember that back in early March? Me neither. I don't know why I keep track on my office calendar still. Maybe because somedays I feel like a prisoner marking time.

Our main kitchen calendar reminds us of what today SHOULD HAVE been! We just couldn't bring ourselves to cross it off. And yes, we're assured our tickets will be valid a year from now. But dang, can they promise this perfect weather? Upper 70s and sunny. Just a gorgeous day!

What else is happening in the world? Well, the pandemic is still going on obviously. And our Wisconsin governor declared a public health emergency today due to a rise in cases on college campuses – and  extended the statewide mask mandate, which was set to expire next week, through Nov. 21.

Close to home, this is what the numbers look like here. Just went over 700 cases in Wood County. It seems like we only had 50 or something at the end of June. Wow.

On the sports front, many local high schools are doing what they can for fall sports, limited crowd sizes as necessary. I've been able to shoot pictures of tennis and cross country for Assumption. So far volleyball and football are on the docket. 

Many colleges are skipping fall sports all together. And in the big leagues, the abbreviated baseball season is almost wrapped up and no fans have been allowed in baseball or football stadiums – or at pro hoops and hockey playoff games, which were delayed from spring to now.

Work wise, I'm still working from my home office and, much to hubby's chagrin, I'll be here for the remainder of 2020. Feel blessed to be employed. And think of all that money I'm saving on gas and new fall clothes or cute boots. My pumpkin spice shirt and sweats will do fine, thank you.

That's about all I have to report for future reference on this crazy year. Let's not even talk politics. Please. Maybe Day 300. Maybe.

Take care and be safe!

As Summer Fades

 

Signs it's the last day of summer. Despite a shortened season, the baseball flags are almost faded beyond recognition. (That deserves a negative review on Amazon.) 

And hanging flower baskets are on their very, very last leg. But look: Still some flowers on there! This woman with two black thumbs actually kept flowers alive from pre-Mother's Day to post-Labor Day! Unreal. Only in a pandemic would this happen. Seriously, if I wasn't working at home and watering them at lunchtime when needed, they wouldn't have made it to July 4th. (As per usual.)

So I'll celebrate that. And basically cry that the official summer went way to fast and was way short on summer fun like parties and bonfires and other social non-distance events that have shaped my previous 50 summers.

But we're here. And healthy. Knock on wood.

And even though the flag is faded, my Twins are in the playoffs! YES!!!! Also yes, I know both my NFL and fantasy football teams are 0-2 to start. But let me have this baseball moment. I'll pay attention to those other losers sometime in October. Let's keep this part of summer going, boys!

And maybe I'll wait one more week to throw out those flowers. If they can survive coronavirus and last weekend's frost, they deserve another day in the sun. 

Mr. Deck Chair supports this message.

Smokey Sunset

Everybody's been talking about these beautiful sunrises and sunsets lately due to teh wildfires in California and Oregon. I haven't been up early enough to catch the sunrise and have been indoors for the sunsets. Until tonight.

After two full days of running around like a shutter bug, I glanced west at the right time I pulled over and managed to take a picture of the red sun and passing cloud on its lower section. So beautiful and so unfortunate it's occurring because of tragic situations.

The skies have been clear, otherwise. And it was perfectly sunny and mild for the wedding I shot yesterday and for softball and senior photos today. 

Of course, I'm a bit wiped out, but mostly pleased with how everything went. Would love to give my eyes and body a rest a bit, but that darn Monday is rolling around again. Thankfully, a pretty quiet week. Well, compared to last week. 

In other words, doing what the pandemic allows. Like taking pictures on the side of the road of a pretty sunset. 

Enjoying freedom in moderation.

Chilling Out, In, Everywhere

Some things are worth the wait. Even if they arrive in the wrong season. I had ordered these yummy Root Beer Float Bars from Schwan's back in the heat of August. They're so popular, they've been on back order. Until now. Just in time for...

Yup. Frost watch season. B-r-r-r. Definitely did not have the windows open last night and did need to run the heat a bit today, too!

Sylvester had the right idea. She was all snuggled on my Vikings blanket on MY recliner this morning and it looked good to me. So I took the afternoon off. Only, she didn't move.

Jokes on me.

That's OK. I had hundreds of photos to sort through from last evening's cross country meet. I was having some technical issues and it was getting late. Apparently when the temps are close to freezing, my Mac likes to freeze up, too. So I cursed at my computer and went to bed without blogging last night. You obviously didn't miss anything.

I just need Mother Nature to chill a bit – and I mean relax, not decrease the temperature. I've got an outdoor wedding shoot this weekend – sandwiched between sports and seniors. Be nice Mother Nature.

Just chill.

Large Family (Sort of) Portraits

Was privileged to take the team and individual photos this evening for the Assumption fall sports programs. What struck me again – just like when Carter was a student there – is the family feel among students and within their own teams. Hurray for small schools!

The picture above cracked me up because our high school cross country team is now 95% girls with just two boys. And one couldn't make it tonight. So they girls were going to look adoringly at Blake and they just started cracking up. The genuine joy on all their faces tells me they just really like hanging out together. Like more of a family, albeit a large one. Not just a team.

The same could be said for the fun girls of tennis and volleyball and macho football guys who had a great time heckling each other for the individual photos. 

Wish I could share more but it's pretty late for a school night. More to come.

Go Royals! 

I'm Not Pulling the Wool Over Your Eyes

Good news today! I'll give you a hint: It's not that I got 10,000 steps today. (Though that's certainly commendable.) It's that when I looked down on my lunchtime walk, I saw this guy. Do you know what makes him so handsome? His wide orange band. Which in Farmer's Almanac-type terms, means a MILD WINTER is on the way!

Finally. Some good news in 2020.

Not that I'll have anywhere to drive in the winter, really. But still.

And if you haven't "read the worm" before to predict winter, here's what you need to know about the woolly bear caterpillar—also called woolly worm—and their reputation of being able to forecast the coming winter weather. 

If their rusty band is wide, then it will be a mild winter. The more black there is, the more severe the winter. This dude was definitely rusty!!

And don't pay attention at all to the orange and black fuzzy wuzzies you saw this summer. According to woolly worm watchers, there are two generations of worms each year. The first appear in June and July, and the second in September. The second generation worms are the “weather prophets.”

And is this all backed by science? Well, yes, experiments were done. Maybe a century ago, true. But that's how folklore gets started. I believe for its size, the wooley bear's prediction still holds more weight than that groundhog. But that's just my wishful thinking.

And we need that in 2020, don't we?

Paging Doctor Feel Good

It's already been a year since Robyn-san succumbed to the healing powers of Mr. Miyagi. Or known locally as Dr. Feel Good. It was time for a tune-up.

Except Doc is on a well-deserved break for a while, so I got his equally knowledgeable partner, who I could call Dr. Feel Good Jr. But after seeing his huge size, I opted for Dr. Feel Good 2.0. And he was just as effective as the original version.

If you don't recall last year's adventure, picture the end of the original Karate Kid movie when Mr. Miyagi did some voodoo magic trick on the injured Daniel-san to fix his leg enough so he could return to the tournament and kick butt. It's some sort of unique Eastern bodywork modality. And these two docs know it.

And it works.

My massage therapist was telling me the last few visits that I should see him again. There are things that massage and chiropractic visits just don't do. So I called Friday and as luck would have it, they had a cancelation and subsequent opening for today after work.

So today was alternative holistic medicine Monday.

I knew from last time, it was going to be painful. The guy is basically rearranging every out-of-whack bone, muscle, and nerve in your body, after all. But you mothers know how we tend to forget the pain of childbirth? Same concept. I underplayed it in my mind because I knew how good I felt afterward. But once again, I found myself breathing Lamaze – hard – to get through it.

Between a desk job at the computer and fun stuff like golf, kayaking, and photography, my back, neck, even forearms are a wreck. After the close to crying and howling as he re-worked those areas, I have my full range of motion back in my neck and, based on the pain level, I think he reversed any potential onset of carpal tunnel in my wrist and arms. Uff da.

My lower back, legs, and hips feel looser and better, too!

Needless to say, for 45 minutes, I felt like I was hit by a truck and run over a few times. But dang, the spendy treatment was worth it. And I should be good for another year.

Keeping hydrated now and running water for an epsom salt bath. Hoping to wake up with Mötley Crüe's Dr. Feelgood in my head. And actually feel it! 

Busy as a Bee (or Me)

It was apparently a busy days for bees today. Like they all had to jump on sunflowers for their last meal!

I was busy, too. How unusual, I know. In fact wasn't home long enough to watch any TV. Yes, I know that both my fantasy football team and my nightmare football team both lost. The important thing is the Twins swept Cleveland! We need to make breathing room in the AL Central!

And while I was out, I spent a few hours with our Italian exchange student taking her senior photos. That was fun. And she's such a sweetie! I did save a picture to message to her parents (7 hours ahead) and get it to them before they went to bed (their time).

Her parents were appreciative! And Anna is such a sweetie.

I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening road-tripping to a resort, where I'll be shooting a wedding next Saturday. Glad I checked it out and got some additional photo ideas.

So yes, productive, successful day for me. Fun day for hubby as well, who was golfing by Waushara. Neither one of us wasted any time watching TV. I guess we're winners in that category anyway. 

I better sign off now. I have a busy week ahead. Not going to compete with those hungry bees. Just do what suits MY tastes.

The Apple of My Thighs

I know fruit and veggies are supposed to be healthy for me. But I can usually find a way to make them unhealthy – yet so much tastier.

With nearly 2 inches of rain in the past 24 hours, it was one of those "stay in and enjoy warm apple crisp out of the oven" kind of days. Yes, please.

Thanks to my sister Renell, who gave me a bag full of apples from her trees when I was Up North visiting Mom last Sunday. It was just the amount I needed! Since I didn't want to wait around for the butter to soften today, I tried this recipe and it did not disappoint.

The cook book needs an editor, though. They never tell you to sprinkle the crumbly mix over the top of the apples. I just knew that from making apple or blueberry oatmeal crisp dozens of times! This is usually the recipe I follow...

It's from my mom. It takes fewer apples but both recipes are for a small pan unless you double the ingredients – which I may or may not always remember to do.

Either way, you win. Especially on chilly, rainy days when you have no place to go. Just time to sit and wait for it to be cool enough to eat without burning your tongue. M-m-m-m! 

I love the taste of autumn!

Never Forget

I love this quote from the wife of the Flight 93 pilot. It's like every year we say "Never forget" the tragedy, how short life is, and how strong we are when we come together as friends, neighbors, a country.

Yet we forget.

And did we learn the lesson that life is short and there is no time for hate?

Not really, either. Well, not in 2020 anyway.

On the one hand, you'd think we'd never want to see the destruction like the ash-filled landscape of what was once the foundation of the Twin Towers. Yet, fast forward 19 years...

Here's a picture my niece snapped today while traveling through Kenosha, where several weeks ago there was a black man shot several times in the back by a police officer. The scene is not terrorist destruction. More like self-imposed. Protesting one thing, but acting out in another way. 

So tragically and needlessly sad.

I cheered myself up by focusing on love today. Yes, well, it was shooting pictures of tennis again. But even standing in the sprinkling rain, there was joy. Competitive, yes. Hate, no. We can take a lead from that.

Surely we don't want a repeat of what happened 19 years ago just to learn a lesson on care and respect for our fellow man. It's just not that hard.

Hug your loved ones (if it's safe to do so) and air embrace everyone else. We can do this!

#NeverForget

Fantasy Food-Ball

While I am highly engrossed in the American Central Division battle right now – with my Twins sandwiched in 2nd place – I guess it's football season, too! 

So with the Thursday night kickoff comes the kickoff to my fantasy football season, too. Notice I did not report how the draft went for the Swedish Chef Mafia? Because, well, my team is meh. I do have the Texans' QB going to night and 2 other players I couldn't name off the top of my head, but I'd still rather be watching baseball.

If they aired it here. With MY team on, anyway.

So to embrace the 40-degree temps and frost watch, I made some fall comfort food for supper...

My version of chili and some homemade cheesy garlic bread, using fresh-baked bread from the neighbor! Yes, it was as tasty as it looks! And there are leftovers to keep the fall temperatures company.

In fact, based on my team's poor performance in the first half tonight, I better stock up on all kinds of comfort food this fall! Yikes.

Play ball!

On the Low Side

Wow. For the second day in a row, we've set high temperature records in Wisconsin Rapids. High low temperatures, that is. Or, maybe, new record low maximum temperatures?

In other words, the highest temperature was still stinkin' cold. Especially for – checks calendar – summer!

So yup, 49 degrees. The heat is still on. And I've already fallen into a dreadfully lazy routine since this cold, rainy weather has been accompanied by the loss of sunlight. Needless to say, it's the time of year to sit in my recliner under a blanket and crochet while watching a Hallmark movie.

To my credit, please, these are not Christmas movies. (Yet.) Apparently during this pandemic, I've DVR'd more than a dozen Hallmark movies with the word "summer" or "love" or both in the title. Got three watched and erased this week, so I'm making progress. And on my hooking project, too!

Unfortunately, I am not getting close to 10,000 steps. And the ice cream's disappearing like our daylight hours. Mother Nature needs to swing the weather back to summertime temps so the Quarantine 15 doesn't come back. 

And so Mr. Deck Chair doesn't leave me. He's already giving me the stone cold (and wet) silent treatment. Can you blame him?

The Heat is On

Our night of "good sleeping weather" turned into a morning endurance competition of "how long can we hold out before turning on the heat?" We lasted until just shy of noon.

The temps seriously plunged everywhere. At least we didn't have snow accompanying our drop. Just your usual back-to-school, day after Labor Day reminder from Mother Nature: "When I say Labor Day is the end of summer, I mean it!"

So the house is a warm 69 degrees and it's time for homework.

Nope, not going back to school. Just realized that if our fantasy football draft is in an hour, I should probably do a little homework. Thank you, Internet. I obviously am not that concerned since 10 minutes ago, hubby says, "You have a draft tonight and you're sitting here knitting?!"

OK, one, it's crocheting, not knitting. And two, yup, I have a draft at 8 p.m. and I'm not prepared. For the record, it's the work "fun league" so I'm not going to be out any money if I do poorly. And I'm not going to have a windfall if my team does great. Still, I guess I have a little time to Google up something special so the Swedish Chef Mafia can win a game or two this year!

Vare der ferk do I start? Vish me luck!

The Lovely Long Weekend

Took advantage of the "extra day" between the weekend and the work week and went Up North Sunday to see my mom. And as a bonus, 4 sisters and a niece, too!

Got up to Grantsburg at noon and went out to lunch at T-Dawg's bar and grill. Met up with some other members of the Masked R Gang...

RoAnn and Romey...

Mona Lisa (aka Renell) and Raylene (and her daughter Ashley was there, too).

It was a nice visit. Hadn't seen Ro since last Christmas and the others –including Mom – I've only seen once since then. Even masked hugs feel so good!

After the crowd dispersed, Mom taught me a new-to-me card game called Hand and Foot. I guess it's sort of like Canasta or something, but I've never played that either. Thankfully my sister Nell stayed to play, too. She helped explain the rules since my mother is so competitive (that's where I get it) that I wasn't sure if she was making them up as we went along!

It honestly took all game for me to figure out what was going on. But I was having beginner's luck and leading somehow.

Until the last hand. When my sneaky mom came from behind to win! That's the story of our lives. And seriously – I told this to Mom, too – I was so impressed that an 88-year-old can have such a sharp mind that she can grasp all these rules and adding points, etc. We are so lucky to have her!

Since the game wrapped up around 8 p.m., I decided not to drive the 4-hour trek back to Rapids. Instead, I crashed at my sister Romey's house and came back today.

I got back too late to go see my nephew Colin race this afternoon. But, as it turned out, the races got rain delayed, then postponed to Sept. 18. So a Hallmark movie on the recliner for me, it is! 

I love those extra long weekends, don't you?

Love Birds

I know this is a cedar waxwing – not a love bird – but today was about love, so let's go with it.

Since Cinderella is about to turn into a Pumpkin Spice Girl at midnight, I'll be quick...

Got my 10,000 steps today be traipsing around the Wildwood Park and Zoo in Marshfield, chasing cross country photos and, while waiting for runners, taking advantage of some nature photography opportunities –– like the berry-pickin' bird by one of the ponds.

It was a successful cross-country meet. Our Royals middle and high school girls teams both took first and several of our guys had top 10 finishes. So it was a great first meet for our kiddos who LOVE running. I couldn't catch much of the third race – varsity girls – because I had to book it home and had about 5 minutes to quick shower and dress so we could head to Plover for a wedding for Cory, a son of one of Jim's high school buddies.

We stopped home in the time between ceremony and reception, so I got a few things done. Then it was up to Wausau for dinner and dancing. Well, one slow, love bird dance. But it got me to my 10,000 steps.

Now bed time for this old bird.

Self-Maintenance Required

When someone says something – like gaining 20 pounds or the national debt – "didn't happen overnight," they're not wrong. 

We recognize when things are going in the wrong direction but it isn't until we have some sort of spiritual awakening – like a nervous breakdown or violent episode with the bathroom scale – that we say, "Oh I should have done something about that a long time ago. I could've stopped it from getting out of control."

Case in point: our neighbor's leaning barn.

We've noticed for years and years that it seemed like only the hay inside was keeping it upright. See this picture from 2014...

In this prom photo from way back in Carter's sophomore year, you can see (upper left) there's a gap happening as the doorway is getting out of alignment. (You can also see he was a cutie and looks so young!)

Since then, the gap has widened and the barn continues to angle. 

Yesterday, when it coincidentally was a day of winds gusting to 40-50 mph, a team of helpers erected some big braces to stop the leaning.

I sure hope it works. For a long time. I guess it's sort of like putting a big Band-Aid on a problem and hoping it doesn't get any worse.

Do you ever do that? Ignore your own self-maintenance until it's too late for a fix? I've been guilty of that plenty of times! Burning the candle at both ends without refueling myself in any restorative fashion. Today, albeit with some misplaced guilt, I took a vacation day.

For no good reason.

Yes, I mowed the lawn and got my 10,000 steps, but I also watched a Hallmark movie, read with Mr. Deck Chair, and enjoyed fish fries with the in-laws, who celebrate 58 years of marriage next week. So it was a 100 percent stress-free day.

Not that I needed it. But that's the point. Once you need it, you might be too late and you'll need to be looking for barn-sized Band-Aid. Take care of yourself. 

You're worth it.