Notes from my patio

[Grampa Don]

Well, my old Ford is gone, and it feels weird without it.



It's the first time I've been without a car since I was 17. As long as it was in the driveway, I could potentially go anywhere anytime I wanted. On the spur of the moment I could drive to the beach, mountains, or even Las Vegas. Not that I would do that, but I could. Now it feels a little like being trapped.

Sure, my son will drive me anyplace I need to go, but I feel like I'm imposing on him. Now, to go someplace I need a reason before I'll ask. Oh well, with age comes limitations and I have to accept that.

I got to thinking: the Ford is 13 years old. My first car was 13 when I sold it, and it was not in nearly as good shape. It was this 1948 Plymouth. I paid $200 for it; $100 I had saved from a part time job and $100 a high school graduation gift from my folks. The white walls were fake.



It got me through college and we saw a lot of drive-in movies in it. In a moment of insanity, I traded it in on a Renault Dauphine that I sold a few years later for $50.

 

[Jules]

Don, whatever you got for the red car and the money saved on insurance, put it a special account that you designate for Uber rides. It doesn’t really have to be a separate account, just do a running total with paper and pencil. You’ll feel more free to go out and about whenever you want.

 

[Grampa Don]

Don, whatever you got for the red car and the money saved on insurance, put it a special account that you designate for Uber rides. It doesn’t really have to be a separate account, just do a running total with paper and pencil. You’ll feel more free to go out and about whenever you want.

Thanks, that's a good thought. I don't know much about Uber. I think you need a smart phone to use it. If I did use it and my son found out I think he might be hurt.

One thing that spurred me to sell the car right now was that I just got my latest insurance bill of $600 for the next 6 months. Sadly, I just recently renewed the registration.

 

[Aunt Bea]

Don,

Do a bit of snooping online and see if Uber by phone is available in your area. Dialing 1-833-USE-UBER (1-833-873-8237).

Also, check and see if you can arrange and pay for rides on your home computer. I believe that you have 24 hours to actually pay for the rides on your home computer, not sure.

Your son Is definitely your best option but it’s comforting to have a backup plan.

Keep us posted on this new phase, it’s something that we will all have to deal with at some point.

 

[hawkdon]

In case you want other options here is link to
go-go grandparents which I used when I first sold
my car several years back.....but, didn't care for
the local uber drivers, so no longer use it.
GoGoGrandparent | On-Demand Services for Seniors

 

[Grampa Don]

Don,

Do a bit of snooping online and see if Uber by phone is available in your area. Dialing 1-833-USE-UBER (1-833-873-8237).

Also, check and see if you can arrange and pay for rides on your home computer. I believe that you have 24 hours to actually pay for the rides on your home computer, not sure.

Your son Is definitely your best option but it’s comforting to have a backup plan.

Keep us posted on this new phase, it’s something that we will all have to deal with at some point.

Thanks, Aunt Bea.

 

[Grampa Don]

They say it may rain tomorrow. It sure doesn't look like it today, blue sky and fluffy clouds.

A starling has been visiting my birdbath, just a single bird. That's kind of unusual. Usually starlings come in flocks. They like to roost on the telephone pole out front and make a mess on the sidewalk below. Two bluebirds were checking out the hole in my mulberry. One was going in and out. I guess it didn't suit them because they flew off. That hole is pretty deep. The tree is practically hollow. If I had any brains I'd have it removed.



The tomatoes are looking great. The one in the pot has really surprised me with how much fruit it is setting. I've started another seed in a pot for late season tomatoes.



My star jasmine is in bloom. They smell really nice.



And, my smallest hibiscus has a few flowers too. Spring has sprung.



I chopped up my gasoline credit card and set aside some tools and things that went with the car. I'm going to see if my gardener can use them. One nice thing about not having a car is now when I go out I have company. It makes shopping more enjoyable.

Weenies and beans and biscuits for dinner tonight. My wife would like that. Lots of ketchup on the beans.

 

[Grampa Don]

Nice Spring day here today. This morning there were two Starlings in the birdbath. They really go at it. Water was going all over the place. I top it off twice a day.

My gardener took all my car stuff.

My staghorn fern is putting on new growth. It was small when my son brought it home from work. His boss's wife didn't want it. I put it where it gets shade most of the year and it's happy there. I think it's trying to invade the patio. Staghorns like heat, but don't like direct sun.



My ivy geraniums are getting lanky. That's OK. I'll let them grow.



And the ones under them are doing OK too. The ashes of three of our dogs are buried beneath them.



I replaced the patio chairs. The old ones were looking kind of ratty. Home Depot had what I wanted. The web page said "Free delivery today." I put three of them in my shopping cart and when I checked it it said $35 delivery fee. I thought that was kind of weird. So, I changed the quantity to one and it said free delivery again. So, I changed it to two and it still said free delivery. But, with three, it was $35. So, I ordered two and the next day ordered one more, all free delivery.

 

[MarciKS]

I'm glad you enjoy your time on the patio and share with us.

 

[Grampa Don]

I'm glad you enjoy your time on the patio and share with us.

Thank you, Marci. I'm glad some folks seem to like it.

 

[MarciKS]

Thank you, Marci. I'm glad some folks seem to like it.

It is a touch of pleasantness on the forum. It's peaceful to read. I don't go outdoors cuz I don't like it outside. It's nice to get such a sweet perspective from others. It's enough to make me wanna have morning coffee with you. LOL

 

[Grampa Don]

It is a touch of pleasantness on the forum. It's peaceful to read. I don't go outdoors cuz I don't like it outside. It's nice to get such a sweet perspective from others. It's enough to make me wanna have morning coffee with you. LOL

I wish you could. I know I'd enjoy your company.

 

[MarciKS]

You're funny.

I enjoy a good visit with people who like to have conversations. Most people just have these quick fly by night discussions that never get finished. My mom and I used to sit on her porch swing and yak for hours.

 

[Coco]

I just love your plants and can't wait to sit on my patio but i had to turn on the furnace again. It was so Springy last week but then we had bad storms and flooding. Now its sunny but in the 40s.

My patio doesn't have any shade. I grew tomatoes last year and a few flowers but this year is different as my Dh passed in February and i think I may just "plant" some silk flowers in pots and call it a garden this year.

Your chairs look comfortable, easy to move around. Good thinking with the free delivery option! Lol.

 

[Coconut]

This is my patio. It's my favorite spot.

The old rattan chair swivels and rocks and it's comfortable. I like to sit in it when it's nice out like this morning; sometimes with a cup of tea, sometimes with my pipe and ginger ale, and sometimes with nothing but my thoughts. Usually there are birds, squirrels, or lizards to watch, even interesting bugs.

The hummingbird feeder is always busy. Lately there have been 6 or 7 of them fighting over it, but it has suddenly dropped off to 3 or 4. Maybe a couple have found a better feeder.

The picket fence is there because of a little dog we used to have. There is a garden area behind the garage and we wanted to keep him out of it. Now, the gate is always open. There is a bird bath behind the fence that is hard to see in the photo. I keep it clean and filled and put a ladder on it for the squirrels. We used to have a post with bird feeders, but I took it down. I got tired of taking care of it.

I intend to use this thread for occasional ramblings. I don't expect it will be of much interest to most folks, but it's something to do.

That is beautifully well kept.
What time did you say I should be there?

 

[Grampa Don]

I just love your plants and can't wait to sit on my patio but i had to turn on the furnace again. It was so Springy last week but then we had bad storms and flooding. Now its sunny but in the 40s.

My patio doesn't have any shade. I grew tomatoes last year and a few flowers but this year is different as my Dh passed in February and i think I may just "plant" some silk flowers in pots and call it a garden this year.

Your chairs look comfortable, easy to move around. Good thinking with the free delivery option! Lol.

It's tough to lose your sweetheart. It will take a while before things seem more normal again. I know. I wish I had words of wisdom for you, but words fail me. I can only wish you the strength to deal with it. Fake flowers are better than no flowers. I hope your weather warms up soon.

 

[Grampa Don]

That is beautifully well kept.
What time did you say I should be there?

I'm careful not to take photos of the ugly parts. You should see the junk pile inside my garage. Stop by any time.

 

[Grampa Don]

The morning started out nice, but this afternoon the clouds rolled in and there's a strong breeze from the ocean. We were expecting some sprinkles, but it looks like that's not going to happen. My pen pal in Wisconsin wrote me that they've had a terrible storm with flooding. I hope Coco is alright.

Today I had 5 starlings in the yard. They only stopped by for a bath and flew on. I refilled the bird bath after they left it nearly dry.

I really enjoy having my son's company when I shop, and it's nice not having to drive myself. When we get back he stays and visits for a while. It's good.

Here are a couple more pictures of my yard. Here's what my mulberry looks like now. It's leafing out. I know the pruning is ugly, but if you don't do that the tree spreads like crazy and hangs all over the place It puts on a lot of growth in just one season.



Here's my ceramic pig amongst the mint plants. It was a gift from my son a long time ago. Mint spreads like crazy. There's even some in the lawn. This mint smells like lemon when you crush it.



The Meyer lemons are ripe. I bought the tree on sale for 3 dollars at a hardware store that doesn't exist anymore many years ago. It was partially for nostalgia. We had a Meyer lemon in our back yard when I was a kid. I hardly use any of them. My son takes a few. My neighbor lady who died last year used to like them for her tea.



And, here's my windometer. One morning, every house on the block had one of these in the front yard with an invitation from a local church. Originally, it was red and green, but it has faded from the sun. I stuck mine on the fence. If it's not moving, I know there's no breeze. If it's moving fast, there's a strong breeze. If it's entirely gone, there's been a really strong breeze. It's spinning pretty good right now.