Okay then...

It has been a busy week. Every year I remind myself I am going to remember that August in Iowa is a busy month for everyone. State fair, school startup, friendly get-together's  -everyone seems to settle into having a good time.
And as the first days, when a bit of cool sets in, we also start thinking of the things needed to be done before fall. It is totally a "Getting Ready for the Next Season Month".
Butch has talked of getting his carpal tunnel fixed for a couple of years now and yesterday was the first of two. When the second one will be done is still being speculated. His left was worse than the right so went there first. He also had a couple of trigger finger releases done at the same time. We were asked to be in Ames by eleven and we were. We left town at 2:45 PM headed for home. Things have become so much easier these days.
He cannot drive so I have that duty until he gets the okay from the doctor. We go back Tuesday to get the stitches out. He is having a bit of trouble with my driving but I told him early on to back off and I would get him home. He was slightly sedated at the time so we will excuse him this time.


To be fair, I have not driven much in the last 10 or so years. I doubt it would take much to polish my skills and I am aware they need a bit of polishing.
 On the other hand, I do not care if I drive or not. So it is all good for the minute. We will not be taking any extended trips until he has the word from the doctor that it is okay.

To back-peddle a bit, Mickey hosted a gathering of the Deja Vu group last Wednesday evening for Green Chile Burritos. It was a great time. We enjoy each others company as much or more now than when we were kids.

This morning was a walk day and Keri went with me. The company makes the walk seem so much faster. We spotted 4 deer, all at the same time and location. It was very close to town in a tree-covered area. They went single file across the trail in front of us-2 young deer followed by two really young deer still sporting their spots. That was the highlight of the walk on this cloudy morning.

Yesterday and the day before-

Monday was a riding day. The big event of the trip was a coyote encounter. That was indeed a first. I think he/she may have been chased as it crossed the trail in front of me about 30 feet. When it saw me it picked up speed and dove down the hill lickety-split. And then today- another ride day, I saw a young antlered buck in nearly the same spot. I am thinking it might be a wildlife corridor.
After I spotted the buck I let my mind wander to how little protection deer have; their eyesight is very bad, their hearing is adequate at best and when they are spotted they stand in one spot trying to figure out what you are and how much of a threat you might be, making it easy pickings for hunters. Their coloring is a plus as they blend in very well with the colors of surrounding foliage.

I am always trying to capture the sunlight peeking through the trees. I am rarely happy with the shot

This picture was taken this morning.

Back in town...

This is the elevator at the trail head. I liked the angles and shapes in this picture.

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This picture was taken looking south at the trail head. Depot is on the right. Lincolnway is the east/ west street  in foreground. The Freedom rock for Greene County  has been placed and will be painted October 19 -26th. 

The very first Freedom Rock in Iowa is just off  Interstate 80 at the Greenfield exit. There is a plan to have a freedom rock in all 99 counties of Iowa.

More party pics

This was our dessert and it was wonderful!

 Line up of guys...

From beginning to end

From beginning to end was a fun day with friends. Randy and Sherri, friends from Atlantic came to visit with us. Butch and Randy played golf while Sherri and I caught up and reminisced about old times.

When the guys returned we had a quick lunch and then went to the casino. I do not think any of us came home with more than we went in with but then that is the way of casinos, isn't it?

Returning home we readied ourselves for Bill and Pauline's party. Bill and Pauline are newer members of the Deja Vu group having lived away from Jefferson and then returned to settle in the old home town. They put on a fine party. There was a bunch of good food and one of the more unusual offerings was a radish dip. It was a most requested recipe.

Radish Dip

8 oz Cream Cheese

¼ c butter

¼ c dried onion

1 tsp. Worcetershire sauce

1 c shredded radishes

Cream softened cream cheese, butter and Worcestershire sauce-fold in onion and radishes-chill

 

And here are some pictures of people having fun.