Pittsboro, NC

This is the 40 year old ficus tree that has followed us around since my IBM days.  

I'm not entirely sure of the date, but I believe it dates back to 1986 or 1987.  I know I was pregnant with Robert by 1988 and I'm positive it was before that (since I'd lost interest in IBM by then, haha). 

The ficus was a gift that my sweet sissie had it delivered to my office as congratulations when I was promoted to Staff Engineer at IBM in Research Triangle Park.  Getting promoted was one of those "goals" back in the day as a youngster.  This particular promotion was important because you were moved into your own private 10x12' office space with woodgrain furniture!  This was about the same timeframe that Tim Cook was 2 offices away from mine although he was 2 levels above me in management.  

The ficus was a small little "tabletop" green shrub at the time and was happy in a corner of my office for some time.  I'm sure I brought it home when I left on leave of absence after Robert was born.

Of course, it has grown and grown in the ensuing years.  It's been used as our "Christmas tree" many times over the years.  I've put it outside on the deck during some summers.  I've almost killed it several times with a late spring frost.   Yet it hangs on.  At this point, it's just too big and bulky.  I can't move it around easily and I'm sure it's rootbound and needs a new bigger pot.

So I've decided to scale it back - about a month ago I took some clippings and set them in some water to see if they would sprout roots.

And they did!  Very nicely.

I treated some fresh dirt with Miracle Grow and planted the sprouts.  We'll see if we end up with a viable "tree" in the end.  If so, I may donate the "mother tree" to someone else!  Any takers?  

 

Pittsboro, NC

 Forgot to include a photo of some of the euros we got at the credit union....it's been a long time since I've seen euros.  The last time was probably in the mid-2000's when we went to St. Martin.  Funny that the bills are all different sizes.  The bank didn't have coins but I understand the Viking ship will make change for us.  (Fun fact - apparently we will have to pay for toilets ashore with 1 euro coins....) 

 

Pittsboro, NC

 We're  just enjoying our days lately.  Duane has been doing some chores outside.  I've been spending probably too much time getting organized and packed for our upcoming trip.  We're just doing carry-on luggage, so it gets pretty interesting packing our one bag each.  We'll start in Budapest with warm sunny days, so shorts weather.  By the time we get to Amsterdam, it will be cool and rainy requiring long sleeves and jackets.  So packing is tricky!

  

Luckily, it appears that the European region has been getting some spotty rainfall making the rivers rise at least somewhat.  We are hoping by the time we get there the river levels will be more normal and that we will be able to have a good trip actually on the boat instead of being bussed around like some unfortunate folks lately.

I got our "official" luggage tags in the mail today.  

 

 

Since I hate having to find an ATM in a foreign country, we went to the credit union and got some dollars swapped for Euros.....they can be used most of the trip, except when we are in Hungary.  For currency they use the Forint.  We will likely be able to use our credit cards for most everything.....Forints will be hard to figure out anyway - 1 US dollar is 316 Forints.... 

Pittsboro, NC

We are still alive and kicking!  Getting ready for our Viking river cruise in Sept....not a lot going on other.  We did go out for pizza with friends/neighbors....

Yummy pizza and an adult beverage. 

 

Mills River, NC

 We're up in the mountains visiting our respective mothers!  On these visits we often split up - Duane staying with his mom and I stay with mine.  

We drove to Duane's mom's first - and my mom came and picked me up so we all got to visit together for a little while.  They're both looking and doing well!

 

Back at my mom's house, everything is lush and green since it's been raining a good bit lately after a very long dry spell.

 One of the things mom wanted done was some window washing....we took off some of the storm windows and did a fairly thorough wash.

 

 Mom peeking out the window....I think she looks like me, haha!

I also had a nice visit with my brother and sis-in-law....and we did do quite a bit of swimming pool cleaning too.  A nice summer visit!

 

Pittsboro, NC

 We were in Walgreens this morning and saw the "Get your flu shot" signs and decided, why not?

I'm happy to protect myself, unlike the nutso's that think vaccines are bad (millions saved from disease or death) or cause autism (completely debunked fraudulent study back in 1998).   Carry on....

 

 

 

Pittsboro, NC

 I know, I've been remiss about keeping the blog updated.....mostly just been covering at the airport still for my sick employee.  I have used the time to do a lot of research for our European river cruise coming up in Sept.  We have several days before/after the cruise to explore Budapest and Amsterdam from a couple of Airbnb's that we have already arranged.  Just hope there's enough water on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers to actually be able to cruise!  Since the region is in an all-time historic drought, the  river levels are often too low for the river boats to transit.  The river cruise may turn in to a bus tour that has us sleep on a different river boat many nights.  We will make the best of it as we didn't purchase their expensive cancellation insurance when we planned this last winter.....and I'm also doing research on where to spend a couple of months this winter - looking at somewhere warm!  

Anyhoo.....just a few photos of the airplanes today since I don't have any projects active right now.....

 

Pittsboro, NC

 Just checking in so you know I'm still alive out here.....

Our neighbor is gone for a couple of weeks and invited us to pick veggies from their garden....I know, ugh, more veggies!!!

I wouldn't normally get a butternut squash this early in the year, but the vine had been chewed and this one would surely just rot in the field.  I'll keep it on the counter for a few weeks and see if it's edible.  The okra looks too big, but it's actually nice and tender.

 

 It's dreary here today, but we're still in a drought.  There are not many things blooming.....Rose of Sharon from my mom's.

 

Canna lillies from my sister.

 

And pompas grass....is that a bloom?  

Otherwise, all is well....