Watching Figs Ripen

Warm summer has arrived. I await ripe figs and the making of fig preserves.

They're spilling onto our deck ramp.

Today I acquired a new white silkie rooster.

I have difficulty keeping roosters; either they get aggressive and I rehome them, or they jump the fence and Ned ... well, Ned.

Adam acquired a used, dead jacuzzi tub that he is determined to repair.

He wants this in winter for his arthritis. I wouldn't mind it in summer if the water is cool. It will sit in the corner next to the ramp.

We'll step into it by opening the deck, removing that seat.

I've sewn four new cloth masks for us.

I think mask-wearing will increase and will be around for a while. We also bought a box of surgical masks, which we'll use sparingly.

50 of them cost $60, not chump-change! But I'm thankful for them, and at a little over $1 each, that's not bad.

After all the kids left, I got back to painting. I decided to make a few bookmarks.

And this sweet little red-breasted bird:

I also finally got more printed cards made and have these poppies and geraniums for sale in packs of 5 (with envelopes) for $10/pack.

I was amazed when the last print packs sold so quickly, and these appear to be selling fast too.

Yet another rooster -- he is quite popular!

I'll end with two sweet pics of Kara with baby Isaac. The house is so quiet without them all.

Oh, I meant to mention Adam's illness. The steroids he took helped tremendously, but they wear off and then his symptoms reemerge. It's disheartening. He'll go back for more steroids tomorrow. In July he'll begin his rheumatologist appointments. Maybe that doctor will get to the bottom of things. It seems less and less likely to me that the mono and adenoviruses are the primary cause of his mucositis. I think his immune system responded to them aggressively, causing these symptoms. Many thanks for your continued love and prayers! It's been a long road.