Removing Waterlogged Carpet

One of the early tasks we needed done after the July 1 flood was having the waterlogged carpet removed before mould appeared and it began to smell...

It was hard to find someone to do it...

Restoration workers were in high demand.

So we were thrilled to find one recommended by a neighbour...

And we breathed easier once the carpet - and the smell - were gone!

What is This?!!

I often buy gifts ahead of time - then forget about them, and move on... only to find them months - or even years - later!

This happened recently as we were clearing shelves untouched by water in our flooded basement. They were in a Bombay Company bag...

What is this...? Who did I buy it for?

I simply can't remember...

A teapot and warming stand?! Cute!

I guess if nobody in the family wants it, I could use it - or maybe donate it to charity.

It reminds me of Tibet or Nepal - two places I've never been.

So True!!

Came across this on Instagram...

Good to be reminded! 

Found this on Instagram's "easy fitness over fifty" (from Newfoundland, I think). She has a lot of easy exercises as well!

Wish I Had Asked My Grandmother!

When I see pictures of my mother in her youth - and the clothes she wore - I wonder who made her dresses - and how they were made...

Sewing machines were invented in the 1700's - ones with a crank handle on the right side. But they were meant to sew leather and canvas.

Later machines were invented in the 1800's, the century my grandparents were born. 

I don't recall my mother's mother ever sewing clothing - though she did knit socks. She also had to learn how to spin and weave, to make sheets and towels for her family. I remember her telling me that.

But did they buy clothing ready-made? Or did a seamstress or tailor take their measurements and sew them by hand!

I wish I had asked.

My June Graphic Calendar

Life has been busy! So it has taken me a week to bring out my graphic calendar of weather, daylight hours - and human activity for the month of June 2026.

The most enjoyable part of this creative activity for me is drawing the daily sky at some point of the day.

The big news was the summer solstice - the several weeks when there is very little change in our (longer) hours of daylight.

To me it sometimes felt as if I were holding my breath, waiting for change to return. For most of the year we gain or lose 2 to 3 minutes of daylight from day to day. But in the month of June very little changes. We started the month with 15 hours and 25 minutes of daylight and ended it with 15 hours and 37 minutes.

Although we had 11 days with about 15 hours and 40 minutes of daylight, the actual longest day here in Ottawa was June 23 (not 21!) with one minute more - 15 hours and 41 minutes. 

The whole month was warm - and busy!

Knitting ... in the Sun!

Seeing this ad for summer knitting reminded me of the first (and last!) time I mixed sunbathing and knitting...

I was knitting a lacy white sleeveless acrylic top. I didn't realize that the sun was turning the yarn on my needles yellow! I only noticed that when I resumed knitting indoors! 

I never knit in the sun again! My mother, who was a high school teacher at the time, wore the two-tone top with delight. If anyone noticed, there was a story - and a lesson - to share!

Watching It Go

We have been busy clearing water from the basement... 

And carrying out waterlogged and damaged possessions...

Sad as it is to say "goodbye,"...

It will be good to see it go.