A very good day of work.

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The yard is pretty much done. I need to weed whip along parts of the fence yet, and probably out along the perimeter of the acreage. I realize more than ever how big of a job just tending this size of a place really is. All "grass" has been mowed, huge swaths of weeds in areas which were too sever and risky to mow have been weeded. The tree near the drive has had sappers removed and it has been trimmed up and evened. I saved one odd side down so as to compare. I want to see how fast those branches grow. The main lilac bush has been trimmed. Two stumps have been cleared of saplings and weeds. Many other types of tasks were completed throughout the day.

I am constantly amazed by Sam. She catches mice all day long. I think we saw her catch 4 or 5 mice today. She also catches bats, which worries me. Just because there is no (known) current threat or trend of rabies, I would rather figure out how to move the bats out. She loves them though, I know. Mice with wings, in her book. She has been enjoying having two people give her loving, once she became familiar with my mother. Which she did rather quickly. I do love Sam.

I have started to water the "grass". We can tell, through the weed whipping and mowing, that the "grass" has been allowed to go for some time. It was quite thick, brutally thick. Much of it is, or seems, quite yellow and dead. Still, I have decided to move the sprinkler around and begin occasional watering. I will try to hit every area for an hour, perhaps two, per week for a bit to see if some of it will come back. I hate living in a hayfield, even (perhaps especially) a recently mowed one. My mother suggests that the grass will come back in the spring if it does not recover this summer. She only wanted me to water the front, but I... just cannot do that. I would like to see some green grass. The back and side lawns have a better chance of recovery, with more green under what was cut. And yet, the watering will be a bit expensive. Still, that is the way I am running the show.

I think I am getting stronger. I think, even before my mom arrived, I was back to or near the strength I had when working out two years ago. I was just at the point where I could bench right at 400 pounds, theoretically (based on how much I was benching in my work outs, and conservatively figured). So, I decided to step on the scale this morning before breakfast or anything. I was surprised, a bit angry, and disappointed. I now weigh 278 pounds. I got dressed, ready to go, and realized I needed a belt. Those pants fall off. So, I tightened the belt as needed, then... thought something was weird. I had a lot of belt overage to try and tuck around. Looking more closely, I realize I am on the last notch of my belt. That was the same belt I have been using since I lost weight/size while working out. At that time, I was using the 3rd from the widest hole on the belt. There are seven holes. I am now using the 7th, the slimmest hole... and it is barely enough to keep my pants on. I have gained muscle and lost fat. A lot of both I would guess.

When my mother goes, I will try to keep on the weed whip and mowing as necessary. I will be checking out the hen house, and roofing it if possible. I will be maintaining my simple lifestyle, or going back to it a bit more. As well, I will begin my journey to the dam and swimming. I think I can walk it. And I will be setting up my weights in the garage for now, beginning to use those again. I suspect this will go well with figuring out how to get into first aid and first responder classes and volunteering, if that is available. Life is going to be very different here. I have no choice, at this point, but to keep on top of things I never knew existed before, things which never crossed my mind. I am guessing there is much more I do not even know or understand yet out there I will have to step up and tend.

Tomorrow I have an appointment. I also need to take the paperwork by the insurance company I am working with, signed of course. Then on to Logan. I will be stopping at the humane society to find a kitten as well. I think this is the time. I am hoping Sam will adopt the new little one too. While there, I will ask about veterinarians. Sam, I think, has ear mights or something. And a checkup would be good. My mom will be cooking dinner for us and my friend, so I will pick him up in there somewhere. I am thinking I may take him to the humane society as well, so the kitty will not need to be transported more than necessary. I really would love another adult cat, for the cat's sake, but I think that might be a bit much for Sam right now. So, a kitten will do. Sam, if she takes her in, will teach the new little one the joys of mousing while the summer is high and the getting is good.

Hmm, should my mother or lady friend want to move out here and stay here with me, I might have a solution we could help finance together and both or all live with, depending on building codes of course. I, actually, had dreamed of this before. I just had never seen the means, if you can believe it. How weird, dreams that is.

Pleasant dreams. Good night.