I found something NEAT today!

We were just getting ready to hit the books when
the phone rang. It was a neighbor whose husband
had called her to inform her of an amazing amount
of flowers and plants for sale at his "Hay Auction."
He just knew she would be interested. Now she wanted
to know if I, or either of the Moms, might be interested
in going with her as these would have to be purchased
in larger than usual quantities.

Oh, my goodness, YES!

First, I love auctions!

The rush of the bidding.

The sound of the auctioneer as he/she works the crowd.

The competition...

You name it...I love it!

Neither Mom was available so Arlene
and I headed out on our adventure. We had
not been here before but that just added to
the anticipation.

We arrived to find a large warehouse full of
neatly aligned carts brimming with flowers, vegetables,
hanging baskets, even strawberries.

We quickly got our number and scoped out our choice
flowers. I was elected to be the bidder while Arlene
served as scout. We make a pretty good team!

Ahhh...success.

We came home with:

15 Hot Pink Geraniums
3 flats of begonias
15 potted zinnias

These have been divided five ways and are
already adding color to our neighborhood
flower beds.

The plants are healthy and beautiful.
We will be going back for other varieties.
They should have flowers for the next few weeks.

I love the sense of community in a place
like this. The older farmers casually taking
in the excitement while waiting for their
turn to sell their hay...or in some cases to
purchase hay.

The flowers are an aside for these men, but I think,
a fairly welcome one. It gives them opportunity to
chat with their neighbors and friends. I delight in
stepping into a Norman Rockwell environment.
This day reminded me so much of being in
one of his paintings.

What a gift that came my way today!

Loved IT!!!

By the way...the kids did not miss out on
school. They continued working on their end of
the year reports, Chelsea did some math
and then we had bowling this afternoon with our co-op.
We are not going to fall behind at this late date!
We are ready to be done!

Another Trial/Challenge for Georgia

Saturday, Shelley and I returned from
"the hunt".
We had been to many, many
yard sales.
There were quite a few bargains
to be found. Probably the best was a
set of Pfaltzgraff Stoneware...16 dinner plates,
serving bowls, mixing bowls, casserole dish,
salt and pepper, napkin holder, cereal bowls...and more!
All for $20.00.
Shelley was looking for just such a set. This was
better than she could have imagined!
While it wasn't the exact pattern she wanted
how could she pass this up. So, we loaded the
5 boxes of dishes into the car and considered it
the equivalent to a hunter's 6 point buck!
Success!!!

We came home all excited and wanted to ask
Georgia about another item that she would have
information about...we drove directly to her
driveway and went in chattering and happy.

Georgia let us do this and as we finally
paused in our conversation she directed us
to the back yard where there appeared to be
a problem.

Water was bubbling up from the ground.

Not good!

I quickly got Warren on the phone.
As he is still away on business,
there was no way to have him take care
of this one in person.
He talked me through turning the well pump off
and turning off the water.

We tried to figure out what was wrong.

It is definitely related to the well because
when the proper switches were turned the water
ceased it's spontaneous attempt at creating
a water feature in Georgia's back yard.

Our neighbors Ellen and Jim got involved
at one point.

This picture shows some of the process of beginning
to dig. We all took turns.

Ellen would not give up!
She really went to town digging and then
she and I broke the well cap getting it off.

There were many, many
roots to cut through. We have a theory that this
pipe was broken when a tree in the vicinity was cut
down and the stump was ground up in
15 - 20 degree weather.
Most likely the plastic
pipe could not withstand the
vibrations it had to endure.
We believe that this pipe
has been leaking for a while now.
What a shame.
My Mother-in-law did not need this!
She is not a happy camper!

We were not successful in digging to
the pipe and will need
to get a backhoe in here Monday or Tuesday.
However, after
much effort, I went to stand up
and slid into the hole that we had
managed to dig.
My dear friends Shelley and Ellen found it
very funny to see me lying on the ground.
I was laughing hysterically and could not get up.
They took these pictures and made me promise
to post them.

If you look closely you will see that I am on the
phone. I am sooo good! I did not drop the phone when
I fell nor did I even get hurt...which is pretty amazing
given the tools that were all around and the shovel that I
landed on.





So, Ellen and Shelley.
I truly hope you are happy.
This is humiliating!

I had mulch everywhere!
Too funny!

Sorry Georgia!
We will get it fixed!

Small Town Living - Part Two

The Gossips Courtesy of All Posters


As I got home, Wednesday,
from a whole day
at the hospital with Georgia
I was tired to the bone.

Climbing out of the car my neighbor,
and friend, Ellen
called out to me.
She had news.
Sad news, about a former neighbor.

We chatted a bit.
I told her about Georgia
and eventually I came inside to
get dinner prepared.

The next morning on this blog,
there was a sweet supportive comment
from another neighbor/friend, Judy.

She had heard about Georgia from Ellen.

Does this make me a part of the "network?"

Do you remember this painting by Norman Rockwell
that shows regular folks on the telephone,
one after another, sharing some piece of
information?

Sometimes it can seem like gossip...
Sometimes it probably is gossip...

but not this time.

This was about caring and sharing.
This was about community.

Thanks Ellen...Thanks Judy!
I like being a part of
your Small Town.