spring 2020 check-in...

[Ryan]

I did hear some good news over the weekend !!!   We have had more rain this year than what we had for the entire 2019. I've had over 260 mls in the last 3 weeks. My place is under water at the moment.

[dcwolcott]

Oh my!  We've had some good rain here, too, but just a few days of it, which was great for lawns and pastures, but not putting anyone under water.

How are you coping?

[Ryan]

Coping fine Just makes it a little harder getting grain down the back for my big horses. Its nice to see so much "green" around, even if its not growing much

Its going to be a terrible weekend here again cold and more rain is forecast. I am going to make "Passata" with the rest of the tomatoes I grew over summer

[dcwolcott]

That sounds like a good idea.  My garden is growing well, and I must have about 10+ tomatoes just sitting on my counter.  Good idea.

It's been pleasant here, no as hot as usual, and not raining every day which is very pleasant.  Nice to sit out at night.

~~Diane

[Ryan]

How good do homegrown tomatoes taste Much more flavour !!

I got this photo last night , we have had some amazing sunsets over the last week ....

[dcwolcott]

OMG! GORGEOUS!!!!!!

[Ryan]

We were the last state to have restrictions slightly eased yesterday. Nothing major was changed , just a slight increase to gatherings. The government will make another update at the end of May.

I am glad they are not being complacent and easing everything.

How are you guys going over there , I hope you both had a lovely mothers day

[Chanda]

Don't have kids, so Mother's Day is just another day to me.   Forgot to call my Mom on Mother's Day, but talked to her Saturday, and will be taking her to lunch on Wednesday for her birthday (which is actually Thursday, but Wednesday is the day I could get in for a haircut, and gotta make that 40 mile drive count).

[dcwolcott]

I had a good Mother's Day.  The daughters decided that since everyone quarantined in place, and no one had really seen eachother, that the kids were good to get together, so we did it on Mother's Day.  Baby Ryan had to visit his mom, but I saw him on Saturday when he was at his Uncle Jon's house visiting Juliette and Jase.  So, they got together with little Tommy and Jack.  We face-timed with the out-of-state kids, so it was a fun day!  A little bar-b-que, a little swimming, and everyone was happy.

Our Governor has done a great time here in Florida.  Even though we have a large retired population, we've had very few deaths when compared to NYC or some other states.  Things are moving ahead but slowly and carefully.

So, I'm still being careful, but thinking of driving to Texas to see Katy and her kids, as she gets her formal promotion to "FULL BIRD" COLONEL in the Army on June 1st, and without this virus I would have been flying for the ceremony.  Since the family can't get together -- the Army has restricted ALL personnel to stay on base through June 30 -- she asked if I could come, and so I will.  It's only about 20 hours and I used to drive longer than that to take Tommy to college (of course that was a couple of decades ago) but I'll give myself a couple of days which should be good.

Glad things are going okay for you Ryan.  Be safe!

[Chanda]

Drive carefully, Diane, stay safe, and keep in touch while you are out as best as you can.
It's windy and dusty out there today, so I worked on some quilting.  It's been pinned and ready for quilting for a couple months, but calving happened, so it got set aside for awhile.   I'll get to the binding soon, I hope; but tomorrow is my haircut, and Thursday we are testing bulls, and Friday, I probably have to run to town for groceries (definitely need certain feed items for the horses).

[dcwolcott]

I will, Chanda, but won't be leaving until around Thursday, the 28th, and then staying until June 13th to give me a couple of weeks there, as little Rachel has already given her instructions on my visit!  LOL

Have a good day with your haircut and your lunch visit with your Mom!  Have a good day!!

[Ryan]

Have a great time Diane, drive safely and take plenty of breaks along the way   What an achievement for Katy, you must be so proud

[dcwolcott]

I m VERY proud, Ryan.  She is quite the girl.  I'm so proud of all my children - girl Physicians and boy Contractors.  I was a strict momma with accountability, responsibility and expectations for each child since I was a single momma.  AND I'm a firm believer in punishment for lack of duty.  I remember once, all children had to do their homework when they came home, leaving anything they needed help with for when I got home to help.  Well, I came home, found out Katy had not done her homework, and then set the table with one less plate.  Katy was about 11, and she said, "Mom, you're one plate short."  I told her that no, she wasn't eating because the Bible said no work... no eat.  You should have seen the boy's faces!  Needless to say, she went and did homework, the boy's had stunned faces on during dinner, and when done, I cleaned the kitchen.  When Katy finished, she wanted dinner but the kitchen was clean.  Needless to say, she got a plain sandwich and water.

HA!!  Never had to do that again, and it registered well with the boys!  HARD momma!  LOL

[Ryan]

This is great and it certainly sounds like it worked. Ill be passing this onto my sister Diane, for when My niece starts school

[dcwolcott]

Made it safely to San Antonio Texas yesterday in 17 hours.  Speeding of course (LOL) saved me about an hour's time in driving.  LOL

All is good and I'm glad to be here.  Had a great day with the grandkids, and planning a wonderful gardening day tomorrow in planting vegetables with the grandkids, and doing a new garden with Katy in front of her house.  I think we redo the front garden almost yearly, but they finally put in a watering system, so maybe this garden will last more than a year!  LOL

More later.  Hope and pray everyone is doing fine and remaining safe.  Safety is the "breathing" word here, everything is so protected and Katy is so careful with everything and everyone -- including her patients.  She's done a few emergency surgeries helping her patients, but she's so careful with staff and patient families. 

All is well.  ~~Diane