Day Four – June 21, 2018 – Pittsburgh


Day Four – June 21, 2018 – Pittsburgh

It’s so great to be able to sleep as long as you like!  I’m half way through my morning yoga when Betsy says, “Good morning.”  Everyone is lazing their way into the morning.  Barbara started oatmeal last night in the slow cooker and that makes a simple and easy breakfast.  I add craisins to mine.

Eventually Barbara, Betsy and I walk to the Giant Eagle, the closest grocery store.  Betsy has one of Barbara’s backpacks to carry home our purchases.  It may be the closest store, but that doesn’t take into account Pittsburgh’s hills!  It’s a bit of a challenge.  I think, though, that my hip is benefiting from the extra exercise.




Barbara's lovely home

Apparently there is a Pittsburgh put-down, "jag-off" for a person who is stupid or inept.  Bad name for a store!

Every neighborhood needs a little, free library!

Barbara's neighborhood.  These are right across the street.

Barbara and Jim are leaving tomorrow afternoon to go to Jim’s sister’s wedding in Tulsa, so the perishables in the fridge are all up for grabs for lunch.  That’s my favorite kind of eating!!  In the meantime, Barbara is making African peanut soup for tomorrow!  I now have the recipe!!

Did I mention the flash-flood warning when we were driving up?  Barbara shows us some news footage.  Sixty-six people had to be rescued and one died!  We watch as a car is swept away.  We were only about five miles away!

After lunch I go out into the back yard and Barbara comes out to give me a tour of her garden.  She has mint that won’t quit and raspberries and the most glorious day lilies!  We chat and catch up on the goings-on in our lives.



wild foxglove

When we come back in, Barbara suggests that we walk to Mark and Bronwin’s house because she is an amazing gardener.  Betsy stays behind to chat with Skye, but joins us in a bit.  









Bronwin made these concrete planters.










 
Shortly after we get home, Skye comes downstairs with a piece of plumbing in her hands.  The controller for the second-floor shower has broken off and the shower is still running.  After several consultations, “we” get the water to that bathroom turned off and the plumber is summoned.  He’ll be here in the morning to install a cut-off valve and will return next week to do the actual repairs.

Dinner is served on the back patio where the birds are singing and a breeze is blowing.  There is delicious pulled pork, yellow rice, kale and fried plantain salad, and bread with honey butter and home-made pesto.  Quite a feast!  We are celebrating Barbara’s birthday a day late.  For dessert there is High Road Bourbon and Burnt Sugar ice cream!  With extra bourbon to pour on top!  So good!!

Ember the Magnificent!



Everyone takes turns showering before the water is turned off again and it is pretty darn quiet.  Everyone has a phone or computer in their hands or on the table.  I don’t even see Ember, Barbara’s beautiful fifteen-year old fur baby.  Of course, she is probably outside with Barbara and Jim!

After they get home from the wedding late Sunday night, they have to begin packing for Bait Com, a gathering which had its origins in home-made ice cream!  They’ll be leaving for that next week!!

It’s going to be an early night, partly because we’re all still pretty beat, and partly because Vince, the plumber, will be here at 8:45 in the morning!  Since I’m sleeping in the living room, it’s probably a good idea for me to be up and dressed before then!


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