Month: May 2025

A major project began this week: Replacement of broken sidewalks. I have many photos of the action plus a Gallery of photos.

Lilacs make another appearance as they are at peak this week. I hope you enjoy the pics.

We knew we needed to replace the sidewalk that had been taken out when the water line was replaced. Mervin, the cement guy, came out to give us a quote for the work. To meet the minimum amount of cement that needed to be ordered, we expanded the scope of the work to replace a section of the Main Street walkway and another section around the south end of the house. (This section runs between the east porch and the south walk that goes out to the garage.)

Work began this week. While not yet fully completed, the cement has been poured and all that remains is to remove the rest of the forms and cut the expansion slots. Here are a few photos of the action.

We are now looking at a fair amount of work to clean up around the new walkways, but are pleased to have the new walks in place.

If interested, I have created a new Gallery with these and other photos of the project.

I have a few more photos of lilacs and other plants from around the yard. A recent rain and few days of strong winds have done a number on the lilacs but their fragrance is still strong.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Penny

Those damn outside cats walked across the wet cement at least four times. One of them actually waded into a freshly-poured section with ALL four legs. (I had to grab that cat, scruff him, and wipe down his legs with a soapy wet towel. Idiot.) The work crew was patient about repairing the damage every time.

Mervin, the cement contractor, is one of my favorite Iowa people. He is such a pleasure to work with; his crew of young people is a well-oiled machine of worker bees. His team does have the unfortunate habit of showing up around 7:00 a.m. however. After retirement, we rarely “do” 7:00 a.m. anymore.

Rock on.

Humor corner:

This will be a very short post, consisting mostly of a 1:30 video of Grayce trying to play with Elmo. (Elmo was not buying into it.) Also included: A couple shots of lilacs blooming around the yard.

Grayce continues to try and play with Elmo with very mixed results. Sometimes Elmo will join in and chase Grayce around the laundry room. Other times Elmo will just ignore Grayce, as is the case in this video.

Grayce also tries to play with the outside cats when they come around the dog run. So far, these cats won’t join in but that does not stop Grayce from trying to find a play partner. One cat, Cookie, does get close to Grayce but keeps the fence safely between himself and the dog. I will try to get videos of these interactions if I can.

The lilacs are in full bloom — I sit on the porch and enjoy the delightful aroma of the blooms. Here are a couple photos of the blossoms.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Penny

I guess if the resident dogs don’t want to play, Grayce will settle for cats. Grayce’s “ah-roo” bark seems to be developing.

Rock on, Grayce,

Today’s Humor:

There has been some action in the neighborhood; the modular home across Main Street from Heart House was installed. I have many photos and a video of this event! In addition, spring has fully arrived and the flowers and shrubs are in full growth mode. Lawn care has begun. A few photos from around the yard will help illustrate the season.

The “Big Event” this week was the arrival of a large crane that was used to maneuver the two halves of the new modular home onto its foundation. Here are photos and a YouTube video of the action. Run time on the video is long at 23:25.

The owners, who were on-site for this process, said they hope to move in during the early part of June. There is a lot of work to be done before that can happen, perhaps they can keep to their schedule.

Here is the link to a YouTube video of the event.

With the summer-like temps we have been having, approaching 80+ degrees, the yard has been doing well but it has been dry. The tulips did well this year, the daffodils not so much.

Lilacs are beginning to “pop” with both white and lavender blue blossoms just beginning to appear.

We made a trip to a local greenhouse and came home with multiple flowers and some yard art. Pam has planted the flowers around the house and in the garden, in pretty much the same location(s) as the last five years.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Penny

Nothing says NE Iowa like a John Deere tractor pulling two halves of a boxy modular house down Main Street. Or parking the construction porta-potty right on Main Street by the mailboxes, rather than on the side street or in the alley.

One of the 100+ year old oaks in the back yard is definitely dead. Bummer. I am trying to devise a scheme where the main trunk and a few auxiliary branches [that connect to other trees] can be left in place, while the rest of the tree is carefully demolished. That dead oak hosts the hollow for the squirrel nest, and provides food for three species of woodpecker (plus nuthatches) year-round. There is a place in the urban ecosystem for a beautiful ancient dead tree.

First, though, the cement work to repair the damage from the water line placement has to be arranged and paid for. Then comes the tree trimming company search.

“Amazing G” is getting very long and lean. Wish she would start to get along with the other dogs. She and Elmo seem to be trying to establish a play date relationship though.

Rock on.

P.S. Deb, I have some Grandpa Ott morning glory seeds left. Wanna give it another try?

Today’s Humor:

(Any resemblance to the occupant Crazy Cat Lady is purely coincidental.)