Thanks Lisa. I have to check with them to make sure the date is ok. Of course, it all depends on the weather. A couple of days of rain before hand would make it a lot easier!

I'll try to juggle some things here on that day, especially if it looks like a good day for digging!

I think the pots came from me, $18 Costco spring specials.

@RickM That is a very nice picture of Larry--- Thanks for sharing----About the Lavender: maybe they had too much sun---Lots of sun from about 9 a.m. ---and yet across the entrance of the walkway the lavender is still growing for a very long time, now it is being invaded by Bermuda grass while I was not looking, I have started to clean them out. Found 1 iris that has been attacked by Bermuda grass and nearby was a cluster of lambs ears. Poor lambs ears was dying because of all the rain. I managed to rescue the iris, took a big clump of clay mixed with garden soil held together by the roots of Bermuda grass. I managed to pull the tightly crowded mass of stiff roots away from the rhizome and I planted it in a cleared area. I had 'cleared' that area last year---I should have paid more attention last Spring---I have to find out what kind of soil lavenders like-

I found in an old catalog Grecian windflower, only 3-6 inches tall. I am going to order them short to be planted among the roses.----

As you probably noticed, the 'big dig' at the 4-H center did not happen this past Saturday. Aside from the weather being iffy, I was down for the count. I had, and still have, a lovely summer cold. I made the mistake of going to work on Monday and Tuesday. Today, I was smart about it and called out. I still have a pounding headache, but the body aches, congestion and nausea (from swallowing all the *not) are gone.

I'm going to tell the 4-H people that my plan is to be there on Saturday, and possibly Sunday as necessary.

I'm getting a small van to haul things in. While most of it will fit in the car, the rhododendron wouldn't.

Argh, Rick, hope you start feeling better soon! Good that you called out today.

When I feel I am going to have a cold I usually take Airborne, at first the effervescent ones, later the original chewable ones. Used to get it from Costco, but not a member any longer. I have been avoiding a cold and flu this way for years-I am taking them again, as I think by body is warning me, sneezing, aching, etc. Sometimes I forget I am old, not just getting old.----

I'v notified 4-H that I plan to be at the center between 9 and 10 tomorrow, with the possibility of going on Sunday as well. I'm picking up the van around 8a.

My hope is to get everything dug up Sat, but have Sunday as a backup, if necessary.

Rick, I'm so sorry, but this weekend I'm spending my energy at the Frederick Fair with Joyanna. Sure hope you're feeling better, with this big job to do!

All done! Jess and Whitney came over and gave me a hand. I'm taking a break before I unload and return the van.

We often talked about going to the Frederick fair, but never made it.

ugh, sorry to hear about the cold, Rick. Hope you are feeling better by now!
How's the Frederick fair going, Jill? Is that where your potato candy won first prize??

Yes! My totally experimental potato candy got a blue ribbon! I wasn't sure if the judges would go for innovation or if they'd discount it altogether for not being the traditional vanilla candy rolled with peanut butter. Innovation won!

Joyanna doesn't really care for the midway rides any more, so she and I spend our time in the animal barns, taking breaks in the household building or the farm & garden building (both with A/C). Hanging out with us would probably be just your cuppa, Rick! Maybe next year? The Montgomery County Fair is also good -- and they have (or had) pig races!

I'm glad you got the job done. Sad to dismantle it, I know... but better now than after you'd brought it to a state of near-perfection with a labeled garden plan and plant info added to the display. The best-laid plans and all that...

3 cheers for Jess & Whitney!!!

Back in March, ADR was having a pre-pre-season sale, so I ordered a bunch of bulbs for the 4-H garden. Well, they're here. All 450 of them!

Now, all I need is the garden!

Bulbs? Got too many bulbs? Bring 'em Saturday and I will bring checkbook. We can distract Eric with plate of Aspen's deviled eggs.

It's a bittersweet day.

I have an appointment at 1:30p to sell my 2010 Toyota Corolla. I have an offer of $6,000 from WeBuyAnyCar.com.

I'm going to miss that car. We took so many trips in it, which is probably the reason it has 101,000 miles on it as opposed to Larry's Scion xB, which only has 46,000. That car took us everywhere from North Carolina to Illinois and Vermont. No to mention plant swaps, nurseries and all kind of places.

I'd really like to keep both, but the Corolla is at the point where it will start costing money. Plus, the money I'll save on routine maintenance, registration and insurance pretty much make it a no-brainer to sell.

Still...

A moment of silence for the car. Funny how we get attached..
But it is the practical thing.

Take a final selfie with it, give it a fond pat on the hood... then go into the house. Mom couldn't watch her favorite station wagon leave, either.

Well, that was a bust.

I got over there, and they couldn't buy the car because I didn't have a 'lien release'. Apparently, this is a document that I would have received 7 or so years ago when the car was paid off.

This is the first time I've ever been asked for something like that. It use to be come in with your title and you're good to go. From what I recall, when I got this car, the dealer didn't even ask about the titie. They looked it up and I was good to go.

Of course, every business on the planet is still using the pandemic as an excuse for staff and hour cuts. You can only talk to a live person M-F from 8-5. The automated phone system will only look things up based on the SSN. And that didn't work. What ever happened to looking up a vehicle title, etc, based on the VIN? You would think that as it is actually relevant, they would use that. Even at that, they say on the website that it takes 10-15 business days to produce the paperwork. What a load of crap!

That is crazy! I don't think we've ever gotten a lien release when we've paid off cars or homes.

Frustrating & bizarre. Sorry..

Well, it's been 1,000 days since Larry passed. I miss him just as much now as I did then.

I am, for the most part, over the depression and am starting to dig in to clearing things out. I figure I'll start with the easy stuff first... 4-H. I have no idea where it's going to end up, but that isn't my problem.

The Coolidge Center in Vermont will be re-opening in another month or so. I'm going to start searching for a travel companion to make the trip with me. I figure I'll need someone along to help with the drive. Plus, it would give us time to get to know each other. (Nothing like a captive audience to find things out!)

As far as the family heirlooms are concerned, I'm going to look for a more knowledgeable auctioneer and run the stuff through that way. I'll split the resulting funds between the boys and we'll all be done with it.

Then comes the 'fun' part. I'll need to get someone in to do some painting. The living room, dining room and kitchen haven't been done in at least 25 years. I think it's time.

I'm also actually considering new windows and replacing the driveway. It's really starting to crack and it's too thick to put another layer on top like we did the last time. That's on hold though as they are going to be tearing up the street to replace water lines. No sense replacing the driveway when WSSC is only going to come along and mess it up.

Speaking of new water mains, I may try to get them to replace the line from the meter to the house while they have things torn up and before it ruptures. I'm one of the few houses on the street that hasn't had to replace the line.