The Conklins left Friday and I now have my place to myself again. It’s going to take a while to feel like there aren’t others in the house.

The Conklins are “easy house guests.” Linda did a lot of the cooking. They turned in early and got up about the same time as me. They’re quiet, helpful, and good friends. I enjoyed their company!

That being said, I don’t mind being alone at all. I’m very comfortable here by myself.

There isn’t much ahead on my calendar. Yes, Kelly is coming for a two week visit next month arriving October 30th. In a couple weeks I’ll start volunteering at the Sun City Center Emergency Squad every eight days for half a day (mornings). I have a monthly orchid grower club meetings on the third Tuesday of the month and the Michigan Club Tuesday ticket sales will start on Tuesday mornings (beginning Sept. 25th). If they need help I’ve said I’d be glad to be there.

I have some things I’d like to do to make the place more comfortable: deep clean every room, move some items from garage to new storage cabinets, scrub the lanai floors and furniture so I can move the cushions to the lanai chairs.

Looking at the driveway, I realize I need to do something to make it look better. It either needs to be power washed, or better yet, have pavers put down. I need to at least get an estimate for the bricks (pavers) on the drive and the sidewalk. It won’t be cheap and I’ve vowed to watch my expenditures but it would be a waste to just have it power-washed because that only lasts a few months before the black mold is all back and you have to do it again. And when you have it power washed repeatedly, the surface layer erodes. It’s already pretty bad.