The Walkers’ new home is large and lovely. The whole downstairs is dedicated to Trevor’s gym and there is a lot of equipment. They have been busy setting that up and Trevor’s office up. Tammie has the kitchen organized and other areas of the house are getting settled but she has also been busy doing things at their old home as requested by the new buyers. Their new neighborhood has a lot of construction going on. We celebrated Tammie and Jadyn’s birthday while I was there. Trevor took us out to dinner on Jadyn’s birthday and I took them to dinner at the Italian restaurant where Trey works while he was working. We did some shopping, exploring of their new neighborhood and we attended Trey’s flag football game and church. Jadyn is doing well in Utah at her job counseling children and she is just ready to start Graduate school online from Arizona State University. Trevor and Tammie have two new little, miniature schnauzer puppies Bailee and Bentlee and they still have Pali - all females. It is a busy house. I tried to do some cleaning to help out and I bought a plant arrangement for their front door. I had a direct flight home on Monday, May 5. Tammie was not feeling well when I left and was in bed. I am sure she is exhausted.
I jumped back into my activities when I got home. It is always lovely to get to the Temple. I got my hair cut, picked up groceries and went for brunch with Cindy as a birthday gift for me. I drove Wendy to dialysis at the hospital. I also visited the plant nursery for more plants, ran errands and checked in on friends.
Then came the weekend and Ronda the Raccoon. I served in the Temple on Saturday and some time, after returning home, I went out to pot the new plants I had bought. When I lifted the lid on my yard bin to get some potting soil, I was greeted by a large raccoon hissing at me. I quickly put the lid down and went for help. Kirk came but was just leaving with Krista to go somewhere and couldn’t do much. I decided to get a ladder set up by the bin, go up the ladder so I would be a distance away, and then raise the lid with a rake. I asked Marie to come spot me. The raccoon ran, as I had hoped she would, but she went directly under my deck. Marie brought her two dogs and they successfully sniffed the raccoon out but came out from under the deck only long enough to confront the dogs before retreating to safety. I put a weight on the bin so she could not return, poured vinegar under the deck and placed a spotlight under the deck, all in an attempt to get her to leave my yard. The next day was Sunday and after I got back from church, Kirk wanted to spread cayenne pepper around my bin. He came into my yard while I was walking Kona and then ran to meet me just as I was returning and just as I was coming face to face with the raccoon, who was now sitting on the Chabot’s front porch, looking worn and weary, having relieved herself all over the step. Kirk quickly informed me that there were two babies in the bin and we realized then that this valiant mother was going nowhere no matter what deterrents we threw at her. Wildlife suggested we clear the area and allow her to retrieve her babies. We braced the bin lid open and left. I went to Cindy’s for Mother’s Day High Tea which was lovely. When I returned later the babies were thankfully gone and we are all hoping that Ronda has found a safe place for them. In talking to another neighbour, I learned that their home had recently been damaged by an animal which resulted in further interior water damage. I am sure that it was Ronda trying to find a place to nest prior to her finding my bin. I feel terrible for separating her from her babies and I am praying for her and her little ones. What an experience! We have displaced these animals from their habitat and they don’t know where to go or what to do.
Kona was groomed this week, I had my blood pressure checked by the doctor’s nurse after I took it by myself for a few days and I had the furnace and gas fellow come to check things out in that area today. Kirk and his father in law are replacing the fence between my yard and Marie’s this weekend so I am feeding everyone dinner on Saturday. I have most of the meal made and in the freezer. Jean and Marie a going together to get a plant arrangement to thank them for all they have been doing for the three of us. They are so kind. Always a busy week.
I am blessed❤️❤️. Cindy delivered the first of my monthly flowers from all four children for Mother’s Day.
