Tax Refund

   Today I had a nice surprise when I checked my bank account - a deposit from Revenue Canada of $1,945! Of course it is my own money so not a windfall. For the last two years, since I started having to withdraw money from my RRIF, I have had to pay tax by installments and, last year, through a combination of circumstances, I was asked to pay too much. This year, hopefully, the amount will more accurately reflect what I actually owe the government. It galls me to hear of the wealthy who manage to pay little or no tax at all. However, I do believe in doing my part to contribute to the economy. I certainly am not in dire straits financially like some other Seniors.

   An extremely hot day today (31C and humid) and, even though I arrived early for tennis, I was sweating after one set. I did manage to play two more (with long and frequent breaks in the air conditioned lounge in between). My pool is up and running and I tried for a swim this afternoon to cool off but only got in up to my waist - it is still too cold. A few more days like today and it will be fine for swimming.

   I am going to wait until the sun is down to finish my hanging baskets but I did work in the shade, weeding, for about an hour this afternoon. No way was I going to expose myself to any more heat!

  I used up the last of the rhubarb from the RW plant sale today by making a jar of rhubarb chutney. Soon I will be picking my own for jam and pies. I have plans for an interesting dinner tonight. I picked up a container of 5 Cheese Dip at the drugstore for 99 cents (usually $3.99) and will use it to top a broccoli casserole. With it I plan to throw together a cucumber salad with blue cheese dressing. Both should be tasty and filling - and no carbs! Breakfast today was half a banana with peanut butter and some reduced sugar yogurt and lunch was vegetable soup, crackers and cheese, so I have done well on the careful eating front. Good for me!


Some shrubs in my garden:

Wigelia

Lilac

Chives

At the Meeting

   Much more comfortable today - got up to 27C but a rain shower around noon cooled things off. It's sunny again but pleasant enough to sit outside.

   Off to the RTO AGM this morning. The meeting went well with no unforeseen problems. The new Executive was voted in with no objections, and the committee chairs confirmed for another year. The lunch (free if you attended the meeting) was salad, chicken and veggies, including delicious crunchy asparagus, and fruit and ice cream. A talented musical group entertained us. Coffee was on tap all day and I had more than I should. I missed a call from Kathy asking why I wasn't at tennis - no one else showed up and she was not happy.

   The TV service is down (again!) and I am waiting for it to come back as there are shows I want to watch this evening. Meanwhile I have potted up some of my hanging baskets with the plants I bought yesterday, and done a bit of weeding.

   Dinner tonight will be something simple as I am still full - probably soup or something eggy. I will wait and see how I feel later. And definitely no dessert!!

   TV's back so let's see what's on The Big Bang Theory.

A nocturnal visitor that greeted me one morning. He seemed a bit under the weather.

Still on the Hot Side

     Still hot (30+C) but not humid so quite bearable. The house has stayed relatively cool since I open the windows overnight and close all the drapes during the day. I also use the retractable awning to shade the west side of the house. The south and east sides have wide eaves so not much sun comes in as it is high in the sky during most of the day.

   I picked some more plants at the garden centre this morning  - dragon wing begonias for my hanging baskets. I also picked up a fuschia plant and a small eggplant.

   The pool cover is off and the pool is filling up - unfortunately with cold water which will take a few days to warm up. The pool guys will be back in a day or two to start up the pump and then we will know if all the plumbing has survived the winter. The water is very green but they will sort that out too in a day or two.

   Book club this afternoon. We were discussing "The Light Between Oceans" by M.L. Steadman. Nearly everyone really liked it and it got many positive comments and recommendations. The coordinator, Lee, won't be leading the group next year and has asked for someone else to step up - no immediate volunteers as yet. We have one more book before we stop for the summer, "The Girl On the Train", which should make for an interesting discussion as it is slightly controversial.

    A salmon steak for dinner tonight which I will broil and have with broccoli. Then a piece of rhubarb tart as my treat!

Hot!!

   30C this afternoon. Wish the pool was ready for swimming NOW!!