We are still socially distancing other than a weekly trip to get groceries or an occasional doctor’s appointment. We have had family over that also social distance and we keep that six foot distance. We have had a total of three people in our house since February and that was very briefly and again, socially distanced. 

Campgrounds were packed this year. Because of Covid, more people opted to camp for family vacations because it’s safer to have your own bedroom and bathroom and kitchen. Also, you are automatically socially distanced at a campground, so overall it’s a safer option. Consequently, campers sold like hot cakes and campsites were hard to come by.

Having our own “campground” makes it easy to feel like I’ve had my yearly quotient of camping experiences. And these cool nights have just been delightful. Friday night, it got down to the mid to low fifties and I had to put an extra blanket on the bed. Mr. FixIt has camped with me about half the time. He knows I need to have small spaces of time when I can decompress alone and I don’t feel nervous about it because he is literally less than forty steps from me. I just keep my phone turned on in case he needs me.

I finished mowing yesterday and glory be…some of the kids came out again. And, they brought me two dozen quart canning jars! I emptied the dehydrator and got a quart of banana chips out of it. Today the sliced mushrooms go in. I will also start on all the jams and jellies today. We went to the grocery store yesterday and I was shocked to find the kind of pectin I need for the new Ball Jam and Jelly Maker I bought.

We picked up a couple more 2×4’s to finish the project at the farm. Last weekend, they were a little over $3.00 each. Yesterday, they were nearly $6.00 each! So, did they jack up the price because more people would be working on projects this weekend? Or, is this the start of a trend where we see higher prices secondary to the Covid crisis? It depends on who you ask, but I imagine it’s a little of both. Just like the new bread bakers causing flour to become scarce, so too are other Mr. (and Ms.) FixIts out there with more time on their hands and less traveling. Combined with the supply side being diminished because of Covid, it’s just another thing we have to deal with.

We have a 30’x40’ building out behind the house that is jammed full of stuff. It’s sort of like having your own Home Depot. You can go in and look around and pretty much guarantee you’ll find something you need. My stepson came yesterday to borrow the extension ladder. My stepdaughter is coming out today to get an extra water heater we have out there to replace the one in her house. I love that we can have these things at our fingertips, even though I would much prefer if they were neat and tidy and organized…and much less voluminous.

It is so hard to believe summer itself is very nearly gone. It’s been a lot of hard work with a lot of things accomplished and that gives me a certain sense of satisfaction. I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day Weekend!

❤️

“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat; winter and summer, day and night.”

Genesis 8:22 CEV