Ron sawed through the semi-felled tree today. It took 15 minutes, start to finish. The prep on the other hand, took several hours and many months of mulling.

We’ve been talking about cutting down that tree since the winter. We finally bought a chain saw a couple of weeks ago.

After punting because of anticipated rain, we finally got it together this morning. Well, sort of.

Ron couldn’t start the chain saw. I couldn’t start it either. I asked if it was out of gas: “No”. Long story bearable, he brought me home so I could do some work, then brought the chain saw to Botello. In the parking lot, he realized that the chain saw didn’t start because it was out of gas.

Unfortunately, by this time, he’d misplaced a tool needed to adjust the chain. He went to the other end of town to get money, only to discover that Botello gives the tool away free. Back at Edgewater, he cut down the tree in 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, I took a break from work and brought a rake and hoe to weed the grass garden. So, we both did our share of yard work today.

We are supposed to get a days worth of rain starting this afternoon, so I put down 5-10-5 on the lawn.

Ron detailed the interior of his van.

We mowed the lawn and did the transfer station, barely in time.

Burned about a bushelful of weeds and sticks. Trimmed the trees on the left side of the house.

Offloaded photos from Ron’s phone. Made some photo books of Robert’s graduation pix.

Washed several rugs that Fluffles had dirtied. Spread the small amount of remaining mulch around the roses. Trimmed the climbing rose at Edgewater while Ron loaded up the truck. Grilled sausages and cooked the rest of the corn for lunch.

Made a big salad for supper: lettuce, corn, tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, radishes. Ate it with some really good seafood (pollock) salad from Roche.

Strawberries are ripening. Saw a squirrel with one in its mouth this morning.

It stopped raining, at least for now. As far as Robert’s graduation is concerned, doesn’t matter since it’ll be indoors.

I’m glad that Ron spread compost earlier this week; it certainly got a good watering in.

Fluffles has had several accidents over the past couple of days. Right now, we have five rugs sitting on the deck that need to be cleaned.

The skin around my eyes was really bothering me yesterday, as if I were being bitten. I’m wondering if I need to fumigate for no-see-ums, some of which are tiny enough to crawl through standard window screens.

I went through years of digital photos today to create a collage to honor Robert on his graduation and found this fairly decent one of me.

It’ll be much easier when it’s time to do a collage for James!

Ron’s Father’s Day gift arrived yesterday, a miter stand for when we can afford to buy his compound miter saw.

I’d planned to hide it, but it was pretty heavy, so opted to let Ron carry it downstairs.

In other news, I quit AVID and NaviNet yesterday. Just one too many “you’ve got to be kidding” moments. It’s a shame: nice people, nice office, generous employer. Just too many ugly things hiding under rocks, everywhere.

Back in town for grandchildren’s high school graduations, Ed stopped by yesterday. I was pleased that I stayed put so both Ron and I could visit with him.

After the Mass. state auditor found that the DTA paid $2.4 million in welfare benefits to dead people plus “millions” more to recipients living in Florida, Las Vegas and the Virgin Islands (!), their spokesperson sarcastically “thanks” Rep. Shaunna O’Connell for paying $800 for a report of EBT balances over $1,500 “so taxpayers don’t have to pick up the tab.”

Unbelievable, incredible arrogance.

And by the way, Mr. spokesperson, I’m one of those taxpayers who gave Rep. O’Connell a contribution so she could pay the $800 “ransom”.

Looks like we got a pretty good rain last night. I staked some of the iris before leaving for the bus.

Transplanted two grasses today. Weeded almost everywhere. Pulled out some hosta and planted them in the back. Pulled out a mostly dead lavender. Spread more mulch; the giant bag is down to a couple of gallons. Transfer station run. The yards at Edgewater look great. Visited with Laura for a bit. Changed the sheets, washed the spread. Wish I could remember which plants are the “rescues” from last year.

Miss Kim’s are really beautiful and fragrant this year.