altivo

Gary was away again today, this time to play an art festival somewhere on the west side of Chicago. So I was alone all day. It was cloudy at first, then got pleasant and sunny with a nice breeze, so I went a mile down the road to the nearest orchard to pick apples. They were supposed to have Empire, Jonathan, and a couple of other varieties ready this week.

Got there and the place was crowded, but no one was picking Empire. No surprise, they never heard of them, but I know how good they are. The crop is very heavy this year. You can't get your hand in to pick just one apple at a time. There are usually six to eight all clumped together, and when you loosen one, two or three will fall off. I watch where those go and pick them up off the grass too. They gave me a half bushel bag and a peck bag, explaining that if I was going to buy a half bushel of the featured varieties, they'd give me a peck of Jonamac or Gala for free if I'd just do the picking. Well, I never refuse free apples, so...

Apple pie ensued, after I got home.

One of the frost free hydrants in the barns has been leaking. We can tell because the pump runs in the middle of the night. So I tried to adjust it, which is never easy. At first it wouldn't shut off at all, then it wouldn't turn on. Finally got it right, and tightened the locking bolt. Whee, the head twisted right off. Now when it misbehaves again we'll have to shut off the pump and pull the whole core in order to fix it. Grr.

Spent lots of time reading today. Felt guilty about it, but I don't get to do that often. Finished up Breaking the Ice: Stories from New Tibet and there's now a review on The Clydesdale Librarian. Started Kyell Gold's novel, Volle, which is off to a great beginning already. I'm going to enjoy that one, I can tell.

So off to bed. Tomorrow is Monday (ugh).