We had a good errand run this morning. Picked up and dropped off a restaurant gift cert for P&B’s 20th, talked with James about mowing, gassed up the truck, dropped a check off at the DPW for the new sign, saw Emma B. At her suggestion, we brought the load of branches and leaves to her sheep instead of the transfer station, which delighted Ron. Played with a sweet dog that was in her back yard. The sheep loved our offering.

On the way home, we stopped to read the monument at Emma Oakley Mills Way, which was named for Emma’s grandmother. Both her grandparents were very active in civic and political life.

Unfortunately, Ron was nicked by a neighbor dog that was a bit too enthused about our treats.

We got our acts together for all the big bills this week: property taxes, my corporation stuff, the check to DPW, my co-pay for tomorrow’s surgery. Got things squared away with the dissolution of CapeCoder.com. I needed to file a final annual report. Looking back, I’ve been thinking about this for over three years.

I did a little raking in the back yard to clean up the piles of pine needles. Watered the little rhodie. Made meatloaf for supper.

Big news this week; the Quincy police have a suspect in the Puppy Doe case in custody. Looks like a slam-dunk.

We have the ball game on.

I was up at six and thought about going back to bed around 7:30, but the stench in the bedroom was so bad that I gave up.

Ron hasn’t paid his fair share of household expenses for the past two months, leaving us about $1,000 in the hole, and now his farts are so bad that I can’t even sleep in my own bed!

Met with the “poverty lawyer” at the Senior Center to see if there are any financial assistance programs for old people that would apply to us.  He wasn’t encouraging, which pretty much matches my research, unfortunately.

We double-dipped at the bread tables today.  Ron went early for us, then we loaded up for Peter after our meeting.

Did the transfer station run and dropped books off at the library.

After lunch, met with the superintendent of schools to talk about Mashpee as Dogpatch.  He struck me as sincere and thoughtful.  Seems he’s one of these “you either love him or you hate him” people.

Grilled chicken, steamed asparagus and Ron made mashed sweets for supper.  Pizza for lunch.  We aren’t exactly starving.

Put out the Halloween decorations.  Used the right side of the yard this year, in the soon to be Narcissus garden.  Actually works pretty well.

Confirmed that I am covered for extractions through Ron’s dental plan, at 80%.

We both went to the Steering meeting. The extroverts were there babbling about their signature gathering. I suggested that the next time that comes up as an action, the group set up two lines of people, one to solicit and one to sign voters up. There was not a ton of enthusiasm; I think everyone wants “credit” for their skill at attracting sign-ups.

The back yard is covered with pine needles.

We had our first frost Friday night (today is Sunday).  It ruined the basel (forgot to harvest it) and the impatiens.

I repotted the begonias today and put them in the shed for the night along with the jasmine.

I’ve accomplished almost nothing else today besides stand for two hours in Falmouth Center so I could see my friend David complete his first marathon (awesome, great weather), drop by the very end of the Sea Mist annual meeting to pick up handouts, and stop in to the “Farmers Market” across the street.

Visited the Boy Scout camp in Yarmouthport yesterday for a STEM fair.  What a gorgeous spot!  Then stopped off at the Mashpee Town landing on Timberlane Road to visit Santuit Pond.

Santuit Pond at the Town landing

Santuit Pond at the Town landing

Overlooking Greenough Pond.

TeePee

Tractor drove us around from the parking lot to the dining hall.

Was there to cheer on my friend David Johndrow, who finished in 5:07.

I made a pretty decent fish chowder this week using last weekend’s clam broth as a base. I added mixed vegetables, bay leaf, onions, celery, turkey pastrami, bacon and potatoes.

Sent Ron into throes of joy this morning with sauteed onions, collards and tomatoes seasoned with smoked paprika and topped with poached eggs and cheese.

I’ve been trying to arrange a showing of Robert Reich’s film, but it’s just too costly. Talk about Inequality for All!

Nice group, four people, enjoyed hearing about their applications.

I baked cinnamon rolls for breakfast, took Ron out for lunch at the re-opened Thai restaurant in Deer Crossing and picked up meatloaf, Moroccan carrots and a stuffed potato for supper from Windfall.

Spent most of the day prepping for the interview this morning. I’ll rejoice when it’s done.

I printed letters for the Dixon neighbors about the DPW’s requests to make our street plowable. Ron and I walked them to each house and got to chat with a couple of neighbors, which was nice.

Lori Robbins and I managed to clear the building material debris that she’d pulled out of her basement a few weeks ago.

We made two trips to the Bourne refuse facility. 700 pounds, $33, under budget. They could not have been nicer to us at Bourne.

Lori told me about some paths that she likes around Santuit Pond.

I was able to get to my appointment with “Doc” Schortman on time, but he passed on extracting my tooth. They made an appointment with an oral surgeon.

Talked with the town Treasurer about how long it takes for Mashpee to seize property for non-payment of taxes: 3 years. One piece of property designated for conservation land at this week’s Town Meeting has been owned by the Town for ten years.

Met with a tree guy this morning. He wants a lot of money for work we can pretty much do ourselves.

Booked an appointment to talk with the school superintendent about his “Mashpee is Dogpatch” comments last night. Not true: our average income is higher than both Falmouth and Bourne. Our percentage of college grads is higher than the state average.

Ron and I took a walk up and down Dixon to figure out which trees need to be pruned to meet the DPW standards.