Ride to Bridge -day2

Butch and I rode to the bridge again today. Colleen and I have not been able to walk because it has been raining early morning so Butch and I have waited till late morning and then biked out to the bridge-5 miles round trip. Today the water level was much higher. We had believed it would be lower so it was a surprise.

This first picture was taken on the 13th when Butch and I made a bridge run. I didn't have my phone or camera with me that day so borrowed Butch's phone to take this picture. Flowers will bloom in the strangest places.

These two were taken today from some of the same places as yesterday.

Stuck in the middle

We are stuck in the middle of the country with a continuous cloud over us. I am so tired of rain! Day before yesterday we had 5 inches in a 24 hour period. Some of us in Iowa had as much as 9 inches. Our backyard was flooded. By the end of the day, most of it had soaked away, but, of course the mud remains. Yesterday was relatively rain free-once it quit in the morning. Butch and I rode to the river for a look. Later in the day we cruised the area to look at water. There was not a shortage of it. I have many pictures to post. Unfortunately if you do not know what it looks like without water the photos will be lost on you.

On the bike trail at the Raccoon River Valley Bridge

 Butch and Bob Anderson looking upriver...

 Here comes a tree, roots and all.

 And here is a tree and a tire, complete with wheel.

 Tree down on the trail just south of the bridge.

                                         

                                             Spring Lake Park

 Trust me to say this is new water.

 Completely flooded on right side of road. In fact, water was running across the road in places. There was one camper to the right of the water that was blocked in till the water goes down. In talking to campers, it was not scary for them. The wind was not severe. I still think I would have been up and watching the water rise if not packing up and moving out. The problem with moving would have been that it was dark and you might have been moving into worse danger.

 Trees getting their feet wet.

Leo and Keri's waterfront property

 This flooding happens periodically for them. They are less than a quarter mile from Hardin Creek. They have taken extreme sump pump moves and installation to keep an invasion at bay.

Friends Donn and Peggy

This is a great photo of our friends Donn and Peggy Gordon. On the pier in San Diego, I assume? This is one of Peggy's favorite places in the world. And it appears the sun is shining on a warm and sunny summer day. I am envious!

Firecracker Casserole

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 25 min.

MAKES: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 to 3 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 flour tortillas (6 inches)
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the beans, chili powder, cumin and salt.
2. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Arrange tortillas over the top. Combine soup and tomatoes; pour over tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutritional Facts

1 serving (1 each) equals 363 calories, 18 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 72 mg cholesterol, 941 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 28 g protein.

Recent Pics

A Guard Cat on my path to home...

A while back I mentioned that Jason wanted a couple of tractor seats for a craft project. Well, here they are in the form of a beautiful butterfly. He brought it over for me to see and of course I love it.

Little Leo Story

Little Leo is two. Papa Gary and Nana Susan were with daughter Amanda and the grandkids Elise and Leo. They were at a restaurant and Amanda asked Leo if he wanted chicken or hamburger? He said, "pizza!" She said,This restaurant does not have pizza, do you want hamburger or chicken? He said, "pizza!" Nana and Papa are amused at this point. Amanda reminded her parents they were not helping. Amanda says to Leo, "This is not funny!  Leo says, "Yes, It is funny!"

Gotta admit the kid knows funny when he hears it. He is a hoot and very funny and very two.