We got up at 6:30 once we saw the weather forecast – 94 degrees. Maria got right outside to prepare her vegetable garden.

I watered the garden bed and removed the mushrooms popping up.

She cleared off the cardboard covering, transplanted my onion plants,  and then threw a giant plastic tarp over some poisonous weeds growing in our pasture near the hay feeders.

We headed to Bennington, Vt. to Staples to pick up 200 copies of the book the Mansion resident wrote with Julie Smith, the former activities director, and was illustrated by Maria and her art class. More details shortly today.

Tomorrow we’re bringing 25 copies to the Mansion.  Maria will sell the rest, probably on her Etsy Page. The proceeds will go to the Army Of Good and its Mansion Fund.

We stopped at a garden stand so Maria could buy some more vegetable plants and at a garden stand for more flowers for the back porch. We stopped for some ice cream (sugar-free for me) and then at Petco to get some plants for our fish tank.

After that, we went grocery shopping; we plowed through fruit, fish, and vegetables quickly. I got some scallops and salmon for dinner. We unpacked the groceries and hopefully, can sit quietly for a bit.

In this heat, I skipped the gym and have retreated into my study, which had an air conditioner humming in the window.

A productive day, a hot and tiring day. A fun day. Maria actually stopped to buy some Clogs to wear around the studio and farm, perhaps the most significant clothing acquisition for her in our married life. I was shocked. She needs them.

Maria is heading out into the garden again to plant some of the things she bought today. Tomorrow, more heat and the prediction of severe thunderstorms with hail, high winds, and lightning and thunder.

Seems like a weekly occurrence. I’m planning another list of 12 photos I plan to put up tonight.