Picking Plums

Corey and I went on a bike ride this morning, up to the ruins. Seems like I haven't been up there for a long time, but it has only been a little over two weeks (July 22). I listened to Follow Him podcast with Nicole Pikus Pace. The thoughts she shared went along with "Learn to Join the Dance" - 

I spent some time texting neighborhood moms to figure out carpool. School starts next Wednesday for Skyline and Churchill. We've only got 4 of us driving, so I volunteered for us to do three mornings. Corey will drive Monday and Wednesday mornings and Abi will take Friday morning, cause that is a late start day for Skyline. 

My mom called and asked if I know about dyson vacuums. Yes, we used to have one, I figured I'd be able to figure out what was going on - they were having trouble emptying the canister, so I went to help  with that and got it fixed in less than two minutes.  Then I was able to stay and visit for a few bit while K played with their russian stacking dolls. I'm glad my mom called and asked for help. As I drove home and headed into the neighborhood, I saw the neighbors plum trees that they've told people they can come pick. Went home and got 4 big bowls, then back and Katharine helped me filled them all! We reached the ones that we could from where we stood on the ground. The branches were hanging low, heavy with fruit.

Then I got a ladder so we could get some of the higher ones. I'd put plums in the plastic bowl, then K would dump them in the silver bowls. We got a lot!

Then K wanted a turn on the ladder. She did a good job. 

My little helper. We were there for an hour but she didn't complain. 

We just kept picking and saying "We have a lot of plums!"

While I topped off the bowl, Katharine took one and said "I'm going to try one..." and then as she bit into it, she did a surprised and pleased little "Mmm!" sound, then "Mmm!!!" again, so cute. She ate 5 of them. 

Katharine enjoying the fruit of her labor! We'll be eating plums for breakfast for the next few weeks! When I came home, Peter and Natalie were upstairs, and it was hot. It appears the upstairs AC isn't working. I might sleep on the main floor or in the basement tonight. It's 85 degrees in our bedroom, ugh. 

I also found 4 baby caterpillars. The popular spot for the mamas to put their eggs in the yard right now is the west pine tree in the back yard. I agree, that milkweed is really nice. It's very pretty green and looks lush, not like the hard and kinda dried out and colored light green milkweed that is in most of our yard.

I did some blogging, and I'm pleased to report that I have finished December 2024, yay. Then I finished March, woot. Working on April now, and trying to stay current. I really just need to do it at the end of each day, then I can stay on top of it from Aug 7 on into the future from here. And still catch up on April, May... June... sheesh and July, doh!