Friday July 28 - Wednesday August 2 (Okemos)

Friday

It was another glorious day as we packed up and headed back to Okemos. We travelled the back roads route again and it was a pretty drive in parts. Just like Ohio, there is a lot of corn grown in Michigan. We also passed orchards, vineyards and wineries! 

We stopped at a McDonalds where there was a grassy area behind the car park as Fugley needed to relieve himself! It was time for a late lunch, I am not a fan of their food apart from breakfast, but I ordered bacon and egg in a biscuit no cheese, the latter are more like light scones to me but I certainly enjoyed it!

We arrived home early afternoon and after unpacking my bag I downloaded photos onto my laptop and wrote up my blog. I looked at books on Amazon as I had enjoyed the author I had just finished reading. I discovered I had read two books of a trilogy, in order, and ordered the third. I joined Prime so I could get free shipping and the book would arrive on Monday.

Saturday

The weather was again fine and sunny, who would believe how lucky I have been! I am enjoying spending time with the two cats, Fluffy and Lucky, the former loves being made a fuss of and jumps on the sofa beside me! Lucky thinks he likes human food and will sit about a foot from my plate, lol!

I did not do much today, although I have continued my reading, on my third book in five days, lol! Fluffy decided I would make a good bed, lol!

A week is so ago I had ordered something online, when I received the confirmation email I learned it would take between two and four weeks to arrive here! I immediately responded wanting to cancel the order. I had a running battle with the company when they told me it could not be cancelled, BS in my opinion. 

I was told that it could be refused so I asked for more detail but when one of the respondents told me I should make sure someone was at home I saw red. I told them I would be back in New Zealand etc etc, ending with the request for a phone number so I could speak to a manager. Well, funnily enough, the next email told me the order was cancelled and the money refunded, I had to laugh!!

Sunday

After a late breakfast and as it was another glorious day, I decided to go for a walk around the area. I used Google to map out a walk of between one and a half and two miles. It was very warm as I set off. 

This area is so very quiet, I saw about six cars, a few people working in their gardens, a lady finishing painting some child's furniture and a couple of dogs being walked. One of the latter was a beautiful and friendly black lab. On the way back up the home road, a young boy was sitting on the chair that had been painted, I hope it was thoroughly dry, lol!

I spent the rest of the afternoon reading!!

Monday

The weather dawned bright and sunny once more and today I had a small adventure planned. After a late breakfast, I walked about three quarters of a mile to the nearest bus stop that would take me to the local Meijer to purchase a few items I needed. 

I stood at the stop until a shuttle came out of the adjacent medical facility and stopped. The lady driver explained I was standing at the snow stop, lol, and told me where I should go. I thanked her profusely and walked towards the building where I saw the stop, the bus arrived soon after, and on time!

The trip did not take very long and after doing my shopping I checked out at the self service scanner. I looked ahead and saw they have an in store Bigby Coffee place. I had intended to walk to a nearby shop but changed my mind! After enjoying the coffee I went out to the bus stop to catch the bus back, it again was on time!

I sat outside for an hour and then worked on a couple of Android tablets Barbara needed setting up.

Tuesday

It was another lovely day today and it was time to put my last load of washing through the machine. I did not iron today as it would be a waste of time but I will iron the T-Shirt I want to wear home at the hotel on Thursday!

I sat outside again for an hour or so and carried on with my reading. Then it was time to organise my stuff and start my packing. That did not take too long and I have left my T-Shirts until tomorrow. 

Wednesday

Last day today and it was a lovely morning and I sat out for a short time until I could hear the sound of thunder and the cloud came over. 

It took a few hours before the forecast showers arrived and boy did it come down hard, then the sun came out again. 

I finished my packing and later boiled some eggs and made a sandwich for tomorrow on the train. The rest will go with me for sandwiches for tea tomorrow as well as for the plane to San Francisco on Friday.

Fluffy spent a lot of time with me today and she loves having her tummy tickled. She is such a gorgeous kitty, I have certainly enjoyed spending time with her. 

Lucky, the black panther, is so different. He is very vocal and wants to get into my bedroom as he likes to chew the plastic flowers, lol. 

Every time I open my door he is there, fortunately he is not a "darter" so I always have time to step over him and close the door!

Barbara feeds a couple of outside cats, mostly feral, and the one she calls Mama cat is really skittish, she will run if any other animal or human is around. she will wait round the corner of the deck for food to be put out for her. 

The biggest issue is that quite a few skunks know about the dry food and spend a lot of time eating it, Mama cat is scared of them so even if one of the babies toddles up she disappears. 

Because she is so skittish she is proving difficult to trap! One of her sons from a while back also turns up to be fed, he generally goes round to the front of the house.

I have enjoyed my time with Barbara and Rick and appreciate them opening their home to me yet again. It is so good to feel at home and be able to relax and chill out! The trip to South Haven was the icing on the cake and I can see them moving there full time once Rick retires.