Monday, September 17, 2007

This fall, I have plenty to do and (of course) no time to get it all done. My fervent hope is to tackle them all.... er....or at least most of them.

After watching Greenfingers, I have been bitten by the fall planting bug. Several blubs and plants have been ordered and soon shall be lovingly planted. I think, I have to order some Critter ridder (or blaster), something - anything, to keep those furry little nuisances (squirrels) from digging up the bulbs. I would love to have a gizmo, that goes 'pop' and scares the living daylights off the rodent, when they dig in the yard and are just about the get their paws on the blub. Now, that would be funny! Couple of years ago, I planted 40-45 Crocus bulbs and those nasty little devils dug most of them out. So, this year, I am going to be prepared. I hate to add toxins in ground, but in this case I am going to make an exception. Oh! I do believe their furry tail is way overrated.

Both the little kitties need to get their annual shots! Poor things, they are petrified with visits to the vet. I have to make it doubly sure, that I can be with them for at least couple of hours after. They cling on to me, like there is no tomorrow. If I move around holding them, they dig their claws deeper and a loud "meow" makes it amply clear for me to stay put. I wish I could take both together, and get it done in one afternoon. According to the vet - NO. One has to get it in Sept and the other in October. The reasoning being, they were given shots in different months to begin with, so I have to stick to that schedule. Hmm! Weird! I don't get it. What if I skipped the September month and delayed the shot for one of them into first week October, would it be the end of the world? Does that mean, on Sept 30th, the effect of the previous shot ceases and Oct 1, the kitty is vulnerable? Of course, I don't know the exact date and time when the previous shot was given. It could have been earlier in the month and not later. Arrggghhh! Stupid!

In some previous post, I mentioned that my neighbor (and her family) has moved to Japan for six months. Since that post, they have arrived safe and sound in the little city of Tokyo and getting over jet-lag and settling in. Meanwhile, on this coast, I am now the landlord and caretaker of their house. This is going to be so interesting to do. Everything I do for my house, has to be doubled (I think)! Or I have to simply keep a watchful eye out. Their gardener has been instructed to do the lawn and fall clean up. Thankfully the house is going to be rented for a few wintery months, so, I don't have to worry about keeping the pipes from freezing and keeping a closed house in working condition. So, really, I do not have too much to do, except collect mail, keep a watchful eye out for issues, solve them if they occur, and email my friend and reassure her.

Fall Schedule:

  • Sept 22, Saturday: Either the Davis' Mega Maze (if organizers decide it will be Sept 29th and not Oct 6th) or fall planting prep begins or hang out at home playing with board games.
    • {Edit: 10/1}! Did some yard cleanup, but nothing new planted.
  • Sept 23: Official Autumn Starts!
    • {Edit: 10/1}! Right-o!
  • Sept 29, Saturday: Apple picking! Umm! Yes! of course! It wouldn't be fall without going out to the farm lands one more time before winter sets in. This year, I missed strawberry and peach picking, but did great on blueberry and red/yellow raspberry. A bunch of us heading to Smolak Farms for apple picking and then baking.
    • {Edit: 10/1}! Picked 11lbs. of apples at Smolak farms, hung out with new folks. played Cranium. Did not do any baking.
  • Sept (sometime):
    • get one kitty to vet.
    • get car inspection done.
    • complete two stain glass restorations...... ok! At least one then!
    • {Edit: 10/2}! Arghhh.... no appt till sometime in Oct.
  • Oct 2, Tuesday: Figaro at Loeb Theater. This is for my mum. I miss her so much and wish she were here! I wanted to see Don Juan too, but the schedule is too crazy.
    • {Edit: 10/3}! Done... excellent evening with French food and Figaro!
  • Oct 6, Saturday: Davis' Mega Maze. This will depend on scheduling with organizers. If does not work, then go on Sept 22nd, Saturday. So, either the Maze or the fall planting continues.
  • Oct (sometime): get the other one to the vet. Dumb! I am going to take both of them together. They are not outdoors cats, so, there is very limited 'catching' they can do.
  • Nov 10, Saturday: Wine and Apple Festival, Russell Orchards. I missed the peach festival, held in August.
  • Nov 11, Sunday: Innovations..... All afternoon (argh! one of those things where appearances are essential).
  • Nov 17, Saturday: Keep absolutely open! Celebrating (dunno how!) four year completing at my current job.
  • Nov 19, Tuesday - Nov 26, Monday: Thanksgiving week! Taking all week off. Yes! I need that. 

I am pretty sure, lots of other field trips and activities will crop up and I will not be able to say no. Well, there is no reason to say no. Love this weather, with nippy cold mornings and warm days.

{Edit}: Oops, forgot..... get to work during the weekdays!