I’m just going to post these photos from the last couple of days, and leave it at that for now.  I’ll just say I’ve been hard at work, Avdi and Jess got home from CO, and it finally cooled off.

While A&J were basking in dry heat in CO, I was sweating it out in the tropics of MO.  I was determined to get this one job accomplished: I surrounded the large shade natives garden with fairy lights I had gotten A for his birthday, using poles.  I  repurposed some square arches Y had built to string the lights over the front and back of Percy’s Path.  It’s not all done yet, but I expect it will make that garden look magical after dark.

The caterpillars all over the parsley are black swallowtail.  The milkweed is swamp milkweed.  The cucumber is from Y’s plant.  The eggplant is an Asian type.

A&J took flight, and I got the Fit!  So I drove over to A’s, checked in with K, and braved the continuing hell wave to do a few jobs outside.  I vacuumed/skimmed/re-filtered the pool, planted a tree sapling, switched out some problematic hoses, and watered the front and back.  That’s all I could handle in the sauna.  The pool was like a hot tub.

I did the usual stuff indoors, made sure K was OK with being by himself, and drove home to chill.  It’s the best of both worlds; I get to commute back and forth without dying on the way.  If I had money, I’d go shopping!

The heat wave from hell never lets up.  It’s the new normal.  I managed to water, but the hose had gotten so hot it sprang a gusher and threatened to explode in multiple places!  If I stay outside very long, I feel sick, like the hose.

We had a close-to-normal erev Shabbat, with just Avdi, K, and me.  I baked challah, made a salad from the garden, sautéed tilapia, and roasted potatoes.

Now I’m back “home”, while Avdi prepares for his next trip.  I may pop in while he’s gone if needed, weather permitting.

This may be my most boring post yet.  Sometimes boring is a relief when the world is going berserk around you.

Well I did it.  I accomplished the Project.  I earned this break between gigs!

Avdi came home to a clean house and pool (I vacuumed/treated it once again) and Y’s spaces ready to furnish.  There was a somewhat flooded yard that receded and didn’t become a problem.  The only thing I couldn’t deal with was the veg jungle, other than harvesting lots of tomatoes and cucumbers, even a gourd, because of the extreme heat.  It will still be there for me if it ever goes below boiling hell setting.

Other than all that, holding down the camp was very relaxing.  I slept enough and binge-watched my shows.  The final day (yesterday) Akasha came over again.  We talked and talked, and she ordered in some outstanding Ethiopian food, including tiramisu just for me!  We checked out the garden, and I gave her collards and cucumbers.  She has become a great friend.  She may be able to move closer, right near MOBOT, which is exciting.

This little bunny is always outside near the shed helping mow the lawn.  I greet her/him and they just keep on grazing.  Akasha noticed this young monarch caterpillar on the milkweed where the one butterfly is always hanging out.  The garden has become a real native wildlife haven and flower surround, with some help from me and my “evil plan”.  Mission in progress.

Now I’m between campouts, until Avdi and Jess leave for a conference in Denver in a few days.  K is now home, and I’ll repeat the routine, hopefully making a stab at the jungle, weather permitting.

Yesterday, despite the heat, may have been my most productive day yet.  I was determined to get this project near completion, and so I did.  I mowed the whole backyard, including E’s secret jungle.  I vacuumed and skimmed the pool, cleaned the pool filter, and then got a beer and jumped in.  I earned it.

Once my body heat was back down below boiling point, I adjourned to the house to finish off some jobs on the list.  I transferred all the old paint cans from shelves in the Crypt to shelves in the boiler room.  I caught up on laundry and cleaning as if for erev Shabbat.  I made sure all the tasks on the List were at a good stopping point, and realized I had pretty much accomplished everything and more.

As a reward, I got to spend the evening with Joyce and her girls at her new house.  The only one missing, sadly, was Petey the dog, but I made friends with their shy cat.  We ate Korean noodles and fresh veggies from “my” garden, and then J and I played a rousing game of pool downstairs.  I haven’t played for centuries, but she helped me learn some of the moves.  Never too late…

Now I’m at my apartment, and of course there’s another apocalyptic extreme heat warning for the next few days, so I’m just chilling and determining my next strategy.  If I can get back there without melting into the pavement, I may just camp out, and get stuff done whenever it’s not 1000º.

I worked hard today and wore myself out, but for a good cause.  I mowed the front yard and cleaned up and mulched the little entrance garden.  I did a few more outdoor jobs, and harvested tomatoes, cucumbers, an eggplant, and a zucchini!

Then I fine-tuned some of yesterday’s jobs, and continued some other indoor work.  I walked home just ahead of a big storm that of course never materialized, but give it time.  I accomplished a lot.

Moving right along, all on my own.  I cleaned the emptied closet downstairs, and refilled it with pillows, bedding, blankets, comforters, and another three large bins of stuffies–I’ve never seen so many stuffed animals in my life.

Then I cleaned out and reorganized the other closet down there, and straightened up the rooms (other than K’s).  It’s looking much more orderly.  Y’s room and the office are pretty much done for now, awaiting furniture.

I did miscellaneous other chores, cleaned the upstairs shower a little, then used it.  I debated jumping in the pool, but I was afraid I’d never get out.  It was so hot and humid today, too much for gardening/maintenance, so I’ll do that when it cools off a little.

Avdi made it safely to TN.

Yesterday I had a very enjoyable visit from our friend Akasha at Avdi’s, for which I gladly set aside time from my “job”.  We talked for hours.

Then Avdi and I got some time in to review things for me to take care of while he’s away visiting in TN, and just hanging out for a few, before saying goodbye for the week.  Essentially I’ll be semi-housesitting and making progress on my projects.  It feels a little weird to be all on my own, but once I get in the groove I’ll be fine.

Today I worked hard again, sorting and organizing most of Y’s stuff from the office and bedroom to appropriate bins and cabinets.  Finally, both rooms have a visible floor again, and places for things.  Later, I made us classic cucumber sandwiches with cukes from the garden.  I never even made it to the outside today, I was so intent on the job.  The rain watered for me.