Rain, Rain Go away!

We are so close to the end but we still need a few days of dry weather to finish.
The inside carsiding is finished. All that is left is window trim.

Carsiding is done...

Breaktime

Outside siding is done except for the peak on the west side.

Hot August Nights

There was a car show in Jefferson last night with over 300 cars. So while I was conducting computer class Butch, Gary and Lou went up to the square for the car show. Butch took my camera with the instruction to take pictures of whatever caught his attention. I expected different pictures than what you see here. He must be getting old but I didn't think he was THAT old!

Jerry Booth-Jo Brooker's nephew.

It has been busy round here.

Things have been a popping since Lou and Gary arrived. Exciting progress happening on a regular basis. Now when Russ cannot be here it does not slow down production and then when Russ is here too the whole thing comes together in a truly beautiful way.
Here are pictures that either I have not had time to post or ones I finally took with intention of showing you our busy back yard.

This big beautiful tree trunk is on the bike trail and it seems they are in the process of removing it. We really believe they should have called in a carver instead.

Removing a splinter from Leo's paw. It looks like he is a big baby about it but the face was only for show. He was impressed with how easy it was to remove. I have a special splinter removing tool.

At the Farmers Market Tuesday night John from All Ability Bicycles brought this beauty over from his shop to show Jim and Elizabeth Hanson. Jim was a classmate of mine and a fairly new member of the Deja Vu's. They are both disabled with Parkinsons and Elizabeth has other health issues as well. John is showing them a bike that Jim could ride and still take Elizabeth along with him

So you might see them on the trail someday.

 Our very busy backyard on this beautiful Thursday in August. Butch and I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. I told Gary last night that he could stay here as long as he liked. He has been an unexpected  and wonderful blessing.

 Lou is in the background hanging up her sheets.

These three guys make an awesome team  and they all are not only enjoying the project but they enjoy each others company just as much. These three are all born within twelve months of each other and they seem to have much in common. They are a pleasure to watch.

Progress

Russ, Butch and Gary accomplished a great deal yesterday. Russ plans to put a railing on the steps off the new room and then the steps will be completed...except for paint and that happens to be my job.

While Russ and Gary worked on the steps Butch worked on the interior and it is now to a point where the expert hand of Russ is needed there as well. The added help of Gary has speeded up the process tremendously. Gary and Lou can stay as long as they like!

Last night we went to the farmers market where we shopped, ate supper and went up in the tower. It was a great time to be in the tower because the visibility was crystal clear, much better than when we were there with Sherri. There is an article about the tower in the latest edition of Iowa Living.

http://www.iowalivingmagazines.com/2014/08/13/jeffersons-tower/

We rode around the area and looked at various features and oddities of Jefferson. We made our way back to the house and finished off the strawberry-rhubarb pie Keri had made for us. I must say it was the tastiest strawberry-rhubarb pie I have ever enjoyed. Keri had gone on her nightly bike ride and shared some great news with us upon her return. The fellow who has blocked the alley with his 5th wheel for the past 3 years has moved it. We do not know how long it will be out of the alley but we always have hopes it will be permanent on the rare occasions that it is moved. So hope along with us please!

I plan to get some pictures of the 3 workman, Russ, Butch and Gary and their progress on the projects later today.

Company here!

Gary and Lou Nelson from Canyon Lake Texas are staying with us in their 5th wheel on the spot we designed for this purpose in our back yard. In the winter Gary and Lou stay in Canyon Lake and the rest of the year they travel so they have been full time RVers for 13 years now.
We met Gary and Lou at Snow Mountain Ranch when we were both volunteering there. One of the very best things about full timing is all the friends you make from all different parts of the country.
We are becoming more and more proud of the small town we were both raised in as we show our friends from all over what we have here. Last night we took a quick tour of the town before heading to Paton to 209 Main. We thought this excellent restaurant in a town of 230 people would not be busy on a Monday night. We were wrong! The place was crowded. Monday night is $2 hamburger night. We had a bit of a wait for our food but the wait was worth it. Now Paton does have a unique and very good restaurant but as we were visiting about restaurants we counted how many eating places Jefferson has and came up with 12 or more. And there is not a bad one in the bunch!

This morning Lou joined Colleen and I on our morning walk and we once again spotted a deer. It was mama this time without the younguns. The temp was a bit on the chilly side at 54 degrees and we pretty well had the trail to ourselves.

Russ has been here and is now building the steps out the door of our new room. Butch and Gary are helping him. I think they are all three enjoying the project. And I am singing the song..."working, working, working. keep those doggies working, RAWHIDE!!! Singing it mostly to myself...
Russ says we are supposed to get rain later in the week so we have switched to outdoor work hoping to finish it before the rain gets here. I am pretty darned happy all the time but this would make me more happy.

This afternoon we are going uptown for the Farmers Market and perhaps a bit of shopping...and maybe a ride in the bell tower.

Tipton's Prairie

And on Sunday afternoon Colleen and I went to Tipton's Prairie for a guided tour. This is untouched land and what the prairie looked like before man settled in. There are spots of it here and there throughout the state but anymore you need a guide to find them or to know what you are looking at once you do.

                                     Prairie Sage

                                    Lead weed

                               The experts doing their inspecting.

                                Below:That's Ty Smedes taking photos of the pieces of the fabulously rich web of life in a tiny four acre remnant that has survived for at least five thousand years along the Raccoon River. Thanks Greene County for caring.

                                 Compass weed

                                  Compass weed in bloom

                                Butterfly weed

                           Curved horned beetle- The insect lady was glad to see him/her.

When crafting they tell us to look to nature for color combinations. This weed is a very striking soft pink and sage green.

The leaves on this plant curl up in a big way after death.

 This is Prairie Drop Seed- When Mickey and I made our trip to Minnesota we stopped at the Story City Iowa rest area at mile marker 119 on I 35 and they had a very large patch of Prairie Drop Seed at the entrance to the building. At the time I did not know what it was but I recognized it among the prairie grasses and one of the experts told me its identity. It has a very distinctive aroma I found to be pleasant but in large doses at the rest area it was also a bit overwhelming.

The whitish plant is prairie sage in the photo above and the plant in the foreground of the photo below is Blazing Star.

 Colleen is not going to be happy about the abundance of photos containing her image but she just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

                 This is small Blazing Star

 This bloom is long gone but still left a beautiful image.

This was outside the prairie area. It was a 2.5 mile walk in and out of the area where the prairie is located. Cross country walking is a whole different way to go-slower but you see more.

Here are some websites of interest if you have an interest in Iowa's prairies.
http://www.northraccoon.org/North_Raccoon/RRWA.html

Eileen was the insect lady so be sure to check out her blog. It is located on the left of the page. I am sure the other links on the left are equally interesting.

Mike Delaney led our prairie walk and you can find his blog here:
http://www.northraccoon.org/North_Raccoon/Delaneys_Blog.html