etienettebluet | Entries tagged with yellow jackets

Sunday Leofwyna planned to get up early to take advantage of the fine weather. She worked on bundling up the pile of sticks accumulated since last Fall and I raked around the veggie beds and built a new compost pile. I put out the plastic wasp trap by the garden; I can't find the two glass ones though. Hardly surprising considering the amount of stuff piled in there. I also finally got the bike out of the van and back into the garage. I found some orange, yellow, black trim on ebay today that's enough to finish the Viking hats and won the low bid. Soon those can be finished and out the door. Now I'm back to hemming chalice veils and hankies for my busy-work.

Friday I boxed up the rest of the books in the spare room downstairs and did my laundry. Saturday Leofwyna got put on-call so we did a second go at putting in the gutter shields before I heated up portions of the chicken biscuit cassarole for supper. Sunday I got more foam spray for the yellow jacket nests and Leofwyna put up more gutter shields. Looks like we'll need to get more of the shield stuff to have go all the way 'round. While she was doing that I pulled up the support posts and dug over the tomato bed . I pulled the carrots and promised Leofwyna carrot cake next week. Then while she sanded and and put a second coat of paint on her cedar chest I made pork chops and creamed peas with the new potatoes for supper.

Thursday when Leofwyna got up we went out and cleaned gutters and inserted the foam guards she purchased to keep flotsom out of them. We got that about half done before we lost the light but at least the most problematic part of the gutters is done under the maple tree. I also foam-sprayed the yellow jacket nests. Back inside I dealt with the last of the corned beef by making hash for supper.

Tuesday I got the glass replaced in the etching Leofwyna purchased from ebay. The glass got broken in shipping and the seller refunded her money. I was telling the frame man the story and he wouldn't let me pay for the repair. I don't know why, was he flirting? I stopped at Goodwill to see if the blue microdot shirt was still there. It was so I was able to use the senior discount for it. On to Menards to get bits needed to finish the water barrel downspout. I think I've got a clever idea that will work for that. When I was at Ace Hardware I found a repair kit for the tractor water sprinkler... hadn't even thought about that possibility. With the repair I'll have two functioning tractors. Just need to figure how to use the 'tight' faucet on the west side of the house so I can run two at a time next year. I also found a spray foam insecticide to use on the yellow jacket nests. I'll go out in the middle of the night the next time it stays above freezing to do that. Maybe I can prevent next spring's queens this way.

Wednesday instead of going to A&S I concentrated on trying to get the flyer sent out. But even at the library my email is messed up so it's not my computer, it's my connection somehow. I've got to get this fixed somehow. Thursday I mowed almost the entire lawn, it was cool enough. I got stung by a yellow jacket again so I must remember to put out the traps early in the spring to get the new queens before they build new nests. We had two nests this year and I don't like it.

THURSDAY

Worked on the job search and found another one to send an application on. A couple others that require you to go through their [uncooperative] websites. I don't know what it is with those but I have more trouble with 'em and have to look for an alternative which some have but other's don't. Very annoying!

Just one yellow jacket dispatched early today and one more late afternoon. Maybe the nights are cool enough that they're beginning to die off... hope, hope, hope. I did an internet search to read up [again] on their cycle and learned the breeding females had their honeymoon flight this fall and will hole up in new locations. This year's old nest of the old queen, males and workers will die out and will not be re-used next year. We found two nests of them this summer and will glad to see them gone. Next May-June I'll put out a wasp trap in hopes of preventing subsequent hives developing on our property.

After supper while I was doing dishes Leofwyna revamped the plastic bowl storage cupboard which is one of the banes of my existance being a high cupboard I resist accessing. This makes her unhappy as I leave 'em piled on the side cabinet after they've been washed. We'll see if this helps.

WEDNESDAY

This morning I found six yellow jackets at the living room window and swatted them all to death. So now we're finding them both upstairs and down. Fortunately they don't seem agressive in the house and I can, carefully, move up on them when they settle and rap them soundly with a rolled up magazine. I wonder if I can find a fly swatter somewhere.

This evening I went to moot which was at Isabeau and Carlos' clubhouse this week. There was considerable discussion about upcoming baronial events, site fees and the new directory.

TUESDAY

Haven't crossed anything off the to do list, no cookie! Did take Leofwyna's lunch to her at work; she'd left it sitting in the living room when she took off. Evicted a couple yellow jackets from the kitchen window; cannot figure where they're getting in! This must be the first year ever I'm looking forward to winter so they'll be gone.

FRIDAY

I found a couple positions listed at UNL that I applied for, one full-time and one parttime. I also took the quilt top, backing, batt and basting tools to Hancocks to use one of their big tables to baste it up. Unfortunately the backing had shrunk too much when I washed it so I had to buy another piece to bring home to wash. I really wanted to be able to begin quilting this weekend but now I probably won't have it basted until sometime Monday.

SATURDAY

Today an old friend stopped by to say hello. Hadn't seen R for over a decade when he last stopped by. He sure is aging well; better than me. He's been traveling the world with his work in computer systems. Burmuda last month and Hawaii the month before. And Angola last summer where he is determined never to go again. At first I was envious but since he doesn't get to see anything of these places but work I guess that doesn't sound so good after all. But then he does have interesting work so there's goes the envy again.

This evening I found a position listed at Wesleyan that sounds absolutely wonderful so I have to take especially good care in this application. Costume Closet Manager, doesn't that just sound too, too wonderful. This one is only the ten months of the school year but does have benefits. And wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to concentrate on my garden and camping events in the summer?

There is a yellow jacket buzzing around the light down here in our rec room. I wonder where it got in. It reminds me I found one down here one day during the rummage sale which I managed to capture under a plastic glass on a piece of cardboard and transported it back outside. This one is much more energetic however and I'm not going anywhere near it.

MONDAY-TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY

organizing and packing for Cattle Raids
Leofwyna spotted nest of yellow jackets in frontyard that we can avoid

THURSDAY

loading the van AND the car
Scrabble with Uncle G
setting up the tent in the dark
oops, I missed loading siderails for Leofwyna's bed

FRIDAY

much help setting up sunshades, tourney field, archery field
oops, forgot citronella oil for torch and lanterns
made supper for my crew

SATURDAY

Callaghan brings Leofwyna's siderails, bless his heart
Randwulf and Saraphina brings me oil and ice, bless their hearts
oops, no marked parking spaces for royalty
Joy visits Cattle Raids
Cattle Raids is a success
Sir Hans, Mistress Suzanne
Baron Owaine, Lady Maire
torse for Saraphina, silver hammer for Sabi
'sorted' parking worked out very well
cold shower!

SUNDAY

site all clear before church is out, WOW!
the Lady Cousins have a dinner at Chances R in York
we sort and load for our camping trip

MONDAY

finish loading, leave the loaded car at Uncle G's
Scrabble with Uncle G (I WON!)
rain on the way to Sparks, again in the evening
Monday night in a Valentine motel (hot shower! television!)

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY

elk ranch
camping at Sharp's campground
beautiful days, very cool nights, rain Wednesday night
campfires every night, falling stars Monday
looking for THE bridge
scoping out all the campgrounds, learned our spot is the BEST
lone porcupine, heron a couple times, golden eagle, many hawks,
yellow finch, lots of doe/fawn pairs, many flocks of turkey
Niobrara State Park and Smith Falls
Wildlife Refuge, Fort Falls and a long nature walk
picture in Valentine paper (?)
a bald eagle, blonde fuzzy caterpillar, prairie dogs

FRIDAY

breaking camp, visiting Laurel

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

nice article about Cattle Raids in Daily Nebraskan http://www.dailynebraskan.com/polopoly_fs/1.2311704!/AUGUST30.pdf

writing an article for Aurora Register
thank you email to lists
unloading vehicles, sorting out laundry
mow lawn

An Added note from MagMor --

Cattle Raids Post Mortem

Cattle Raids was attended by 221. The Calontir Steel demo included 12, and there were approximately 35 fighters on the field.

Some of the feedback from out of Barony guests included the desire for more locals to camp onsite with the out of towners. Some complaints that the archery was “too hard”, and that the thatch was making it hard to find downed arrows. Might consider dethatching if the site is used again. Requests for more signage when the location is remote. Some out of Barony thought that the site was too far, and about half that Seraphina spoke to informally said that they would not come back, but His Excellency had more state that they would return to the site.

Youth Activities went well, and were flexible in their planning. The throwing sets went over well, thanks to Daniel for that.

Troll would appreciate in the future if it is possible to position them in a less remote location as to allow some visual or interaction with the event.

Awards received by Barony members:

AoA for Maire
Silver Hammer for Sabi
A Swan was accepted by the Barony for a member of our populace. I hesitate to name the individual so that TE can make that presentation.
Seraphina received a Torse
Owain was made a Court Baron.

Signed, Seraphina Brugari, Seneschal

THURSDAY

It being a grey and dreary day, I worked on RUNESTAFF paperwork during the afternoon. I never did get the address situation cleared up but I'll get it dealt with before next month's issue comes out. When Leofwyna got up and finished running her errands and planting her rose bushes she took me out to supper. While we were eating a great, heavy rainstorm rolled through with lots of thundar and lightning... dinner theater!

FRIDAY

Was contacted, finally, by Premiere so that process has begun taking shape. It has been mainly a slow, unproductive day but I'm enjoying it.

SATURDAY

Trolled around for rummage sales and stopped in at one of the Goodwill stores this afternoon, enjoying the beautiful weather. Stopped in at Hancocks for more white thread. Didn't find anything interesting though so returned home for computer and kitty cuddles.

SUNDAY

We spent outside time dealing with bits of yardwork. I turned up the east end of the big east compost pile. Fortunately I did not find any yellow jackets (although one came visiting while I was working and made me a little leery for awhile. I'm glad to report our dead-winter visit digging it up and pouring in boiling water seems to have done the trick.) Anyway, I alternated between mixing up the compost piles and digging out the western-most veggie bed and thoroughly wore myself out. The night ended with pulling out another jigsaw puzzle with Leofwyna.

MONDAY

I made a lunch run, stopped in at Goodwill (Travelling Sale = one normal priced garment then up to four more at $1/ea) where I picked up a great shirt so added in four more 'cutter' items. Back at home I worked awhile on one of the weedy beds trying to get the crabgrass roots removed. What a tangled mess that is. Tonight we finished lastnight's puzzle and blasted through another smaller one.

SUNDAY

We finally went to see It's Complicated which has been my movie of choice for awhile and I was very pleased with it. I do like Merle Streep in a good comedy. When we got back home we set up a floodlight and dug into the compost pile looking for the yellowjacket nest while the temps are still sub-freezing. We didn't find any sign of the nest but after clearing off the loose leaves and digging many holes in the compost we poured on several buckets of cold water in hope it'll flood and freeze the nest if it is there.

MONDAY

A thoroughly lazy day...

FRIDAY

In spite of the sunshine I spent the afternoon loafing on the computer. After supper I went out dug up the compost pile in hopes of killing off the yellow jacket nest with the freezing temperatures and then finished the day cleaning up the kitchen.

SATURDAY

I got out early to make my errand run picking up the unsold consignment items and my drycleaning. We have a largish check for the stuff that did sell over the past year. It's too bad Sassy isn't taking in any more consignment this winter as I would like to drop this stuff off for awhile there too.

FRIDAY

I'll tell you what; I certainly hope our snowblower isn't trying to die on us. If I started the thing once I re-started it 30-40 times getting us dug out this afternoon. And cold, my goodness, it was cold out there. Maybe that's why it didn't want to keep going although I did allow the engine to warm up a good ten minutes or so before I started actually throwing the snow around. It was slow going but I finally got everything dealt with and got back in the house to warm up. I decided I didn't want to go anywhere afterall, just back in the house to warm soup, warm cat and warm electric heater in front of computer and TV.

It occurs to me I meant to roust out the yellow nest today but the weather people are promosing another cold day tomorrow and I must remember to deal with it then.

SATURDAY

Didn't do nearly as much as planned today. Did get paperwork and checkwriting done as planned... but it took longer than anticipated so when I surfaced it was already too late for mowing. Too bad as temperatures this evening was in the sixties. After supper I continued with breaking down cotton garments for quilting fabric.

SUNDAY

Up and at 'em this morning. Went for gas for the mower and got the front yard done while Leofwyna was still sleeping as weather predictions indicate rain this week. Hope it confines itself to evenings so the rummage sale can be successful.

When Leofwyna got up we went out and squared away the garage for rummage sales by putting away all the camping gear and put the seats back in the van along with the futon, tent and so forth (for temp storage of bulky garage things). Then I mowed the backyard while she cut some low hanging branches and weeded back by the compost piles. All productivity ended when she got stung four times on the left hand by yellow jackets; seems they've taken up residence in my big compost pile. Now I've got to figure out how I'm going to evict them... that's what must have got me on the arm last July, I just never saw 'em at the time.

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