What won't they think of next!!

3D Printer.... pretty amazing

This printer can reproduce an actual tool!

unbelievable!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZboxMsSz5Aw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Something I noticed

I went for a walk this morning. Tried to beat the heat but failed. I decided to walk the route I always took home from school just for old times sake. There is a little old lady (not me) who walks all over town. I have seen her everywhere. She walks to Fareway to get her groceries even. I have seen her many times with a filled grocery bag in each hand. She wears slacks, a long sleeved shirt tucked in and a bucket hat. Sensible shoes of course. Today I saw her pushing a grocery cart and she was a long way from Fareway. It gave me pause for thought...Did she actually abscond with it?...Did she ask permission? ...Does she plan to take it back tomorrow? I went on with my walk deciding to go to Pamida which is about a block or so from Fareway. After I shopped I headed back toward town and who did I see but Maggie- gotta give her a name- and she was coming away from Fareway without the cart! That little ol' gal- Maggie had walked all the way out to Fareway, purchased her groceries, walked all the way home pushing the cart, unloaded her groceries and then returned the cart. She made the trip twice! I do not know where she lives but it is farther than we live from Fareway. From our house it is at least a mile I am guessing. I was impressed. And for those who might wonder she is very slim and trim. I am impressed!

The Brothers and Others

Butch's brother Bill came up from Arkansas to install our furnace and AC. Plumbing and Heating has been Bills area of expertise his entire working life. And we, his family are very lucky to have him.  Cannot think of one who would disagree with that. Butch was his assistant and did other  things when he wasn't needed to assist.

Bill is very damp around the edges.

Butch is trying to get to the pipes needed for the furnace.

And then Leo came to help me with my walk way. His passion is landscape and I for one am very grateful for his help. Landscaping is hard work and something I would find very difficult to do.  It puts the finishing touch on any place. Think about it. Not many people overall see the inside of your home but think of the thousands who drive by and see the outside.
Butch's ideal yard is one unbroken span of grass without any obstruction to get in the way of a mower. It has been a bone of contention between us for 52 years. I go out with him when he runs a weedeater to protect the plants I choose to keep.
 Keri helped with food prep and I served the food and kept the guys hydrated with plenty of water and lemonade.
So yesterday was a very busy place around here and today looks to be more of the same. More steps in the right direction.
In these summertime days of Iowa heat and humidity my mind wanders back to the past 4 summers of workamping in Colorado and Michigan. We made some really great friends in both places and I must say I do miss them. The wanderlust that posseses the two of us raises its lazy head now and then. It is apparent when we made the trips to Webster City. As short as they were it stirred the desire to wander a bit. So although we are enjoying our project I am sure we will not give up our roaming of the roads until we absolutely have to.

Marlene's salad

I have asked Marlene for her salad recipe on more than one occasion and as it was one of the things she made and served yesterday it was the perfect time to ask again. She has discovered that she did not have it written down anywhere. Sounds like I am really lucky to get it!! At any rate here it is as she wrote it to me in an email and I plan to take the time to put it in more of a recipe format. She tells us this recipe is over 60 years old. After high school Marlene worked at the bank and this recipe was brought to a gathering and Marlene acquired it from a co-worker. She has made it many times since and it is always popular. It makes a perfect salad for the holidays.
 Dissolve 1- 3 oz pkg. lemon jello in 11/2 cup boiling water then into this mixture dissolve 12 large marshmallows cut into 4ths and 3 oz. softened cream cheese  (if these don’t completely dissolve, I sometimes microwave it so the marshmallows do dissolve) then I usually beat it just a bit with the mixer or egg beater to completely dissolve the cream cheese. Refrigerate and let mixture partially set, and if need be beat again to dissolve the ingredients.  Then fold in a small can of crushed pineapple, if there is too much juice in it, drain it a bit, mix ½ cup mayonnaise with ½ carton whipped topping and fold into jello mixture.  Let set for several hours, then dissolve 1 - 3oz pkg. raspberry jello in 1 cup boiling water and add 1 cup cool water, let get cool then pour over top of salad and let set. 
Marlene

Yesterday we bopped up to the Kelley's (rural Terril Iowa) for lunch and a visit. Lunch? It was more like a feast! When I heard Marlene was making lunch I said count me in. Leo, Butch and I went up for another mini-family reunion. That is what it felt like with Marlene, Bernard, Dan, Sara, Anna and we three sitting around reminiscing and telling tales on each other. It was a fun day.
Taken in a lighthearted moment. Thanks Leo!

New Front AC

I think our warranty people are holding their breath along with us that we are finished with breakdowns for awhile. We have a new $1000 AC for $34 thanks to the warranty we purchased nearly 4 years ago. And this after a $4000 refrigerator for $1500. That one hurt a bit more but at the 3 year mark we were sure we were not getting our money's worth. Little did we know. The Route 66 warranty cost us $1500 or thereabouts.

So we are back in Jefferson behind our bedraggled but happy little house getting back in the routine of things. Butch went to his physical therapy session this morning and I went for a walk. It certainly felt good to get out and moving. It is still hot but not as oppressive as it was last week.

 Finished number two of six bracelets and started number three while we were in Webster City.

Free Books on Kindle

I am hoping these links work. This is an example of the free books you can get for your Kindle. I do not buy books for the kindle unless it is a specific book or author I am looking for. I got this list from www.pixelofink.com You can sign up for their newsletter and they send you lists of free books you can get for your Kindle. Great little website and newsletter.

---

• [Free Kindle Book] Republic: A Novel of America’s Future
• [Free Kindle Book] Out of Time
• [Free Kindle Book] Hidden Steel
• [Bargain Kindle Book] A Prisoner of Birth
• [Free Kindle Book] Bug Island
• [Free Kindle Book] Death Ray Butterfly
• [Free Kindle Book] Innocent Monster
• [Bargain Kindle Book] Lord of Scoundrels

My Garden website

I am sure there are some of you who both garden and compute, although if you do either I do not know how you find time for both! But here is a website that may interest you. It is free.
Barb
Link of the Day:

If you like sharing your triumphs and troubles with other gardeners,
you'll like MyGarden. It's a social network specifically for gardeners
with helpful tips and ideas. You can create a digital version of your
garden, upload photos of your progress and then swap information with
other site users.  MyGarden also has an interactive plant database and
suggests garden-related events near your location.

http://www.mygarden.org/

Hill Country Salsa

Hill Country Salsa

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
4 large tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, peeled and chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large jalapeño pepper, chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cumin

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; toss gently. Cover and chill.
Makes 7 cups.

Webster City RV / Briggs Woods Campground

Early this morning we ventured north to the Webster City RV place to have our front Air Conditioner analysed. It is toast. But they are overnighting a new one so we too are overnighting here. We could have stayed at the RV business at no cost but there was not one speck of shade. We were not sure our rear AC could keep up without some shade so we came south about 2 1/2 miles to Briggs Woods. It is a county park. It has a nice golf course nearby but once again it is way too hot for the ol' guy to play.
Another wonderful bonus is the free wifi! Much superior to what I am enduring in Jefferson with Verizon. After my blasted 2 year contract is up with them I may have to break down and pay the local telephone company a boat load of money for a decent connection. It indeed gets very frustrating.
Not much else is newsworthy...Aaaah I almost forget! More Elise Videos!
Thanks Gary!

These were taken by Amanda. Car ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKHeiJKjNxI Playing with Mom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8DathZERf0

A Rant

Hang in there K-Mart, Pamida, Alco and many others. WalMart is shooting themselves in the foot and if they do not quickly come to their senses  they may shoot themselves in the heart. They wiped out most of their craft departments. No longer can we buy monk's cloth at WalMart and their yarn selection is minimal at best. That was the first sign. Next Butch wanted Rolaids and went to WalMart to buy. They no longer carry Rolaids. Tums but no Rolaids. I wanted Folex which is an excellent stain remover. I bought my first bottle at WalMart. Nope-not any more. No Folex. I have now found it at H.E.B. in sunny South Texas. And there are many more examples of this "downsizing" of WalMart shelves. WalMart thinks you will adjust to not having your favorite brands. Not Butch. Not the guy who ate the very same lunch every day for 20 years. And not me if I can help it. Just as I am trying my best to buy from the stores of the town I live in I am trying very hard to not choose WalMart. They do not deserve our business.

Walking

Went for a walk before 7:00 AM the last two mornings. It was 80 degrees both days. But if I am going to get a walk in, it has to be then or nothing. I do not deal well with this kind of heat. I took a picture of the depot which serves as the trailhead for the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Light makes all the difference in taking pictures and the morning light served well for this photo.

We have stopped work on the house because of the heat. The good news is I can get some bracelets done and I am way behind on them.  I am not overly proud of this bracelet. It is my first attempt at odd-count peyote. The design possibilities are greater but if you make a mistake too far back it is either live with it or give up on it. We say that when you make a mistake in peyote it is the Indian spirit in the bracelet. This one has the most Indian Spirit of any bracelet I have ever made. I have started adding "Indian Spirit" to every bracelet I make sort of as a trademark. That part is fun.

Butch is off to physical therapy. He says he thinks it may be helping his back. That and the layoff from work due to the heat is most likely helping too. The boy gets bored very easily so it is hard to get him to slow down. Tomorrow he gets to drive the moho to Webster City RV. That will cheer him up! We have been doing okay with one air conditioner. Just between you and me I haven't minded one bit. With two it often gets too cold for me.

My photo taking abilities were compromised yesterday. Little people are very quick and dart around like little bugs. And then Iowa was like a sauna  and my lens kept fogging over. But below is an album of what I did take. Excuse the blurs and the fog.
We had a great time with our Missouri kids coming up and joining with the Iowa kids. Leo and Keri were there too. Our menu for supper was Grilled Iowa Chops, Sweet Corn on the cob, Broccoli/rice casserole, Pasta Salad and then Keri brought her famous Pecan pie and a Key Lime pie. Tremendous meal!! We all enjoyed eating, visiting and watching the wee ones play.

Day Off

The weather man calls this kind of day 'Oppressive" and I would say that is accurate. So after our walk this morning we decided this might be a day to 'cool' it. And then we discovered that one of our two air conditioners in the moho is not working. It is the front one that isn't working. Hmmm- when it rains it pours! But that extended warranty we have does not expire until October so once again it is a blessing in disguise. We are scheduled to return to Webster City RV on Wednesday for analysis. May have a stayover or a second trip after that depending on what they find and how long it takes for parts or a new one. Been quite a summer for unexpected expenses.
On another note we are getting quotes for insulation installation. We have done our homework and decided on spray foam.  Yes it is expensive but the benefits are many so that is the way we are going. First quote is in and it may make a few people suck air.

From Grandpa Gary

I know that humans change a ton from birth to 2 but this week has seemed ridiculous. I swear Elise has grown 2 inches, doubled her vocabulary, and doubled her walking speed all in 1 weeks time. Lucky Iowa people will soon get to see this energy storm!

 

Like usual I can think of 5 things I should have on video like 1) Susan chasing Elise in the kitchen while she tries to walk fast and watch behind her at the same time and 2) Elise riding in a bike trailer for the first time but I always seem to get her eating out at a restaurant instead.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPDaP7XaIk

From Barb: It is always easier to get pictures when the subject is restrained, such as in a high chair. Hehehe

Latest Work Photos

These are the newest photos taken. However more has been done since these were taken. The big pipe thingy in the middle of the house is scheduled to leave whenever the roofer decides to get here and do it. Butch would have done it by now if it weren't for the roof repair. I holler too much whenever he even thinks of getting on the roof.

Last night Jason and Leo came to start the house leveling. They made a big difference. Neither of them felt that they did much but in our eyes they certainly did. Butch can do many, many things but some of them should not be done by 'men of age'.

SIMPLE LIVING QUOTE 
"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water
exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...
to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a
wildflower in spring -- these are some of the rewards of the simple life."

- John Burroughs 

The behinder I get

Last Friday the JIGS (Jefferson Iowa Girls) met at my friend Mickeys place in Clive Iowa for lunch. She prepared  a wonderfully tasty meal of enchiladas. I hope that is what they were. Mickey will tell me if I am wrong. It was a pleasant day with women who have known each other for a long time.
JIGS started after a class reunion about five years ago. A few of us decided we were close enough geographically to get together for lunch in various locations about once a month and have been doing so ever since. Obviously I haven't made many meetings but I try to when I am close enough. Our common ground started as classmates but we have discovered many other interests and firmed up many friendships of those long ago years. I very much enjoyed the day.

This past weekend was spent on the house. And it is coming along. It sort of reminds me of working a jigsaw puzzle. We now nearly have all the pieces laid out and we will soon start putting them together. But another thing about jigsaw puzzles is that they are addictive. We both keep turning back to it. You know, we just cannot leave it alone. Keep picking at it. Not because we are anxious to get it done but because we are enjoying the process. The truth be known we will most likely be a bit sad when it is all completed. A little sad, not a big sad.

The bathroom is no more. Butch hated to see it go. It was quite handy having a second bathroom but in order to proceed we had to eradicate it. It will be in an entirely different location.  Leo comes to help  on occasion and he did the honors of lifting the stool into the dumpster.

 It is about time for more pictures. Will do

More of the same

We have most of the walls that we planned to take out-out. The next big thing is getting the floors leveled which we hope takes place next weekend. The house sags a bit in its middle. Don't we all! It is only about a 6 to 8 foot area right in the middle. We worked on the house this past weekend despite the very humid weather. After being away from Iowa for awhile you forget how really humid it can get! Texas pales by comparison. But the beat goes on...more later

Link of the Day:

Link of the Day:

Open Culture
http://www.openculture.com/

"Open Culture brings together high-quality cultural & educational media
for the worldwide lifelong learning community. Web 2.0 has given us
great amounts of intelligent audio and video. It's all free. Its all
enriching. But it's also scattered across the web, and not easy to find.
Our whole mission is to centralize this content, curate it, and give you
access to this high quality content whenever and wherever you want it.
Free audio books, free online courses, free movies, free language
lessons, free ebooks and other enriching content - it's all here."

Down to the bones...and a squirrel

We are through with tearing out insulation and drywall. Yeah!!

Butch has all the trusses reinforced and one more rafter to beef up and then we will be done with that little chore.

Butch says his back is better today. This changes frequently.

This little guy did not like to get his feet wet.

Trip to Cumberland

Yesterday we made a trip to Cumberland IA, a town Butch and I lived and worked in for the last twenty years of our work careers. Friends Jack and Denise went with us. Our main purpose was to meet up with my old friend Floyd Pearce. Floyd is a very interesting man who has led a multifaceted life. We had a great day visiting with Floyd.

Floyd is telling us about one of his printing presses.

Two more trusses

Butch has two more trusses to cut and "paste". Couldn't help myself. Just had to add that little computer reference. I hauled a bunch of fiberglass insulation to the dumpster. Ow,ow,itchy itch.
 Had my two week checkup from surgery and all is well.
Today we are going to Cumberland...pictures later. I am told I do not want to see our old place. It has been let go and looks really bad. But I assume we will at least do a drive by.
Butch's back is bothering him bad and he feels he is only days away from another (the 3rd) back surgery. When that happens all will come to a screeching halt. I will do what I can do but that will not compare to what we have been able to do together. What will be ,will be. And if it must wait, it will. And if we have to find another solution, we will. More on that subject as I find it out.
Till next time...

Quiet 4th

Butch and I spent the 4th doing what we have been. But that is okay because it is what we want to do. We did take time out to go to Yale and meet up with friends to enjoy a great band. We were with Judi and Marv Smith, Jack and Jan Tallman and Don and Marilyn Scott. When Judi complained to the host of the party that the band was too loud he told her that if the band is too loud, you are too old. Could it be we are getting old?

On the house, Butch is putting reinforcing trusses on the joists. I took out the batt insulation in the side walls of the closets. And the beat goes on... Photographer-Leo Brooker

Butch and his niece Emily. He is showing her what plans we have for the future.  Emily, her friend Joe, Leo and Keri went for a bike ride on the RRVTrail to Winkelman's Switch and back. Nice ride!

Grandpa Gary and his girls

Small parts from the 4th of July weekend. I missed today due to illness.

Say Cheese: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7uK9rP3rxw

Ornery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBDQh2sjQ1k

Sleeping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT-5R87PP7o

 

Sistine Chapel

Link of the Day

Here's an amazing bit of technology that you'll  probably never see in
person, and you would never be alone in the room.

It is always very crowded and of course you can't see Michelangelo's
artwork close up as you can here.  This is especially spectacular if you
have a large high-definition screen!

The Sistine Chapel:  Virtually view every part of Michaelangelo's
masterpiece. Just click and drag your arrow in the direction of the part
you wish to see. In the lower left, click on the plus (+) to move
closer, on the minus (-) to move away. Or Scroll to move in closer.

AMAZING!   MOVE THE ARROW AND YOU WILL SEE EVERY PART OF THE CHAPEL.
This virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel is incredible. Apparently done
by Villanova at the request of the Vatican. Thought you would enjoy the
quality and a bit of Rome on your computer. Amazing what can be done
with technology.

http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

Goslings

Photographer- Leo Brooker
These goslings were being escorted by their parents this spring. They are on a creek that runs through Leo and Keri's place north of Jefferson IA.

I delivered a bracelet to classmate and friend Denise yesterday morning.
This bracelet was a stunner. Loved it.

I walked to Denise's place and chose early morning to do so. The heat has been oppresive the last few days. I haven't minded one bit staying in the AC and beading bracelets. I have another one about 3/4 finished. When you are hot- you are hot!

Butch has been working on the support boards-getting them ready to install. He needs a helping hand on this part so may have to wait for someone to come to his rescue. We have said from the beginning we were not going to get into a toot about any part of this process. If we have to wait for people or circumstances to become more favorable, that is okay. I could be in there working on the last room of insulation (closet) but the heat has held me back. Things are coming along quite nicely despite any complications.

Yesterday on the walk home I spotted these mushrooms.

 They were in a yard that needed mowed. I suspect the house may be a repo. The mushrooms were enough of a distraction for me to come home, get my camera and return for photos.

Today it is cooler so we may return to the construction/destruction zone and put in a days work.

Webster City RV and Tri County Lumber

This morning Butch and I were up bright and early heading to Webster City RV to have a new fridge installed. We arrived at 8:05 AM. They took the old fridge out and the new one in through the passenger side window. We had wondered how they were going to do the transfer. They finished up at 10:40. That seemed like pretty quick work! They did a good job and we have only good things to say about Webster City RV and the people who work there. It was a nice little trip with the RV and we are so glad to have our fridge back.

Another little commercial: Butch has been shopping for 2 x 6-20 foot boards to reinforce the rafters in our ceiling. We had seen some in a Menard's ad for about $13 or $14 each. This afternoon Butch went to our local lumber yard-Tri County Lumber. Those same boards were $8.80!!! And they delivered them within an hour of purchase at NO Charge. It sometimes pays big to shop local. We had decided when we moved here to shop locally as much as possible. It was sure a good call this time.

Jason's Scoreboard

Mid-State Steel, where Jason works, have been putting this scoreboard together for several months. It is a Biggie.
http://www.kcci.com/r-video/28396051/detail.html

Friday the fridge quit

Friday the fridge quit working. We had a strong smell of ammonia and in an RV fridge that is not a good sign. So we have been wheeling and dealing ever since...rather Butch has. Bottom line is we drive the motorhome to Webster City RV to have a new fridge installed tomorrow. We have an extended warranty and they will pay part of it. They would have put in a new cooling unit but Butch felt we should have all new so they will pay part of it...the part the cooling unit would have cost. Be glad to have all that todo behind us.
Yesterday I finished up with the black insulation. Still have one room of fiberglass insulation to go. Insulation is ugly stuff to deal with and I am glad we are done with most of it. Butch has been doing some on the electrical. Mostly taking out old outdated stuff we will not be using yet keeping enough so we have power to work with. He has run into some very funky electrical nightmares. In two places he found where they had used an electrical outlet as a junction box. Butch was incensed! People will do crazy things and sometimes without realizing the dangerous situation they are creating.
 I would say the demo part of it is perhaps 80% done. It is starting to look like a shell, one we can work with.
So there is a heavy agenda today. Getting ready to roll early in the morning. Getting laundry caught up. And that is the two things I can think of fast. I know there is more.
More as it happens...

From Grandpa Gary

Elise spent two nights with us this weekend. Whoo hoo! Lots of great Grandma and Grandpa time. Here are two short snips (there is a LOT more raw video) from the weekend.

 

Sing Pretty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdMX4w-23LI

Outdoor Walk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeYcj7Ap3b0

The Big Blow

While Leo, Keri, her sister Lori and Butch and I were in the basement wild things were happening outside. There were two big blows and this one probably happened on the second one. Big mess! Good thing Leo likes landscaping, huh?
By the way, forgot to mention that Lori, Keri's sister was in on the cooking done this weekend of which we were the grateful recipients. Lori was visiting from eastern Iowa.

These two were at our place. We got off easy.

Lexi wonders what Leo is up to.

Two major trees were affected.

Patio furniture blown askew.

Big Storm

We had a big storm last night. The first we have been involved with for several years. We have branches to pick up in the yard. Leo called to tell us his yard is a war zone. Will go out and take pictures. The tornado siren went off and we went out to Leo and Keri's to get in the basement. High winds and heavy rain. It did not go into its twirly pattern. Thank God! But then we returned home and there were winds on the back side of this storm stronger than the first ones. I do not think it settled down until about 1:00 AM.
We used to take these type of storms in stride. After all we lived in the Midwest. But after you have had peaceful weather for about ten years it takes some getting used to all over again.
Pictures later...

Sea Salt? What is the big deal?

I wondered about it. Have you? This is from a friend.

 Salt of the Sea

FRIDAY FOOD THING

To most folks brought up in my generation and beyond, when it rains, it pours: Morton’s“iodized” table salt is the tableside norm. Years ago, someone decided many humans weren’t getting enough iodine in their diet, so that same someone convinced the government to add it to everyday table salt — kinda like that questionable someone who did the same thing with fluoride in toothpaste. An added benefit of adding iodine to salt is a more free-flowing (and marketable) salt product. Hence Morton’s advertising slogan, “when it rains it pours”. Very clever.

One day — in my ongoing search for culinary curiosities — I tried Kosher salt, which excludes iodine from its formulation. What a difference. No more Band-Aid aftertaste. On yet another day, I experimented with sea salt, and — I gotta tell you — what an amazing BIGGER difference! I will never go back.

Sea salt is as varied as the seas around the world from which it is produced, and the taste and color and texture vary wildly. If you need proof about how much better sea salt tastes than the iodized variety, buy some at your supermarket and perform your own taste test, side by side. Your taste-buds will know the difference.

It’s only fair to point out that Morton has kept up with the times and has seriously increased their product line accordingly with many sea salt offerings. However, to truly understand the available differences in taste, I highly recommend expanding your culinary curiosity to include the virtual smorgasbord of imported varieties readily available on the Internet.

And then...

Yesterday- Saturday- Butch and I went back to work on the house. He to a greater degree than I. I did my best to go at it in a very conservative manner. I was successful. I removed the sidewall insulation in the kitchen. Not a hard job really as there isn't much of it and it is somewhat enclosed in black paper. Has a seal on it that says balsam/wool. It bags up fairly easy.
Butch took out some inner walls. His job was much more strenuous.

Our RV refrigerator quit. And of course it was on a Friday night. Butch went to talk to the RV dealers in town but nothing will happen till Monday. We have an extended warranty and thank goodness for it because RV refrigerators are very costly. Much higher than home refrigerators. We will see what can be done about it tomorrow. In the meantime we have the little refrigerator that was in the house. It works just fine. It just means we have to run to the house every time we want something out of it. One of the petty inconveniences of life, they happen to all of us now and then.
Keri helped me out by bringing us a wonderful breakfast casserole and muffins this morning. Saved me several trips to the house.
Finally went for a walk this morning. The first 3 blocks had me wondering but soon all the kinks were walked out. We walked downtown to the post office and back. About an 18 block walk all told. Felt much better after we returned home. I needed to get out and moving.

I never stop seeing things worthy of a picture...the latest.

A Civilized Cat

I could not decide which was a better picture. The sunlight illuminating the squirrels tail intrigued me.

Feeling Good

I would say I am feeling A-1 Okay today. Of course I haven't attempted anything as yet. I am still in my P J's . But I feel as if pulling a few nails or going for a walk would be something I could do and feel good about it.

Yesterday our Georgia son Rich and his wife Donna came for a visit. We spent the day together. Took a tour of the town. Ate at the Chinese restaurant. It was a very good day.

Below are pictures of Nina Grace who is Rich and Donna's granddaughter and the light of their life. I snipped these from Facebook.

And here are house pictures. There has been progress since these were taken. I am a little behind. These pictures show all the bagged sacks of loose insulation. They are all gone now plus further progress on the walls and ceiling.

Butch had a conference with Russ Cosens a local contractor and longtime friend. Now that we have the bones of the house exposed we wanted to know form an expert, and we consider Russ an expert, what we could safely remove and what may need reinforcement etc. We were very pleased with what he told us. He pretty much told us it was safe to do most anything we wanted to do. Butch does plan to reinforce the roof in the living room/ kitchen area but the remainder of the house is firmly supported and needs no further bracing. We are good to go!

So now I need to get dressed and on with the remainder of what looks like a beautiful day.

From Papa Gary -Elise at Taco Bell

Papa playing with his new father's day toy.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYLNSyUY5oc

From Mom Barb: Ya'all did notice she says HIGH FIVE  a couple of times near the end? Tell me you noticed?!

 

Behind me

The surgery is over and they tell me successful. Yesterday was a long day even with sleeping through most of it. I was home by 10:30 AM today and have slept a fair amount today as well. The surgeon says I can do as much as a I feel like doing but really that is a trick answer. I assume I will heal quickly and be back to normal activity quite soon. But today is not the day.  Normal is a ways off yet.
Till next time...

Gertie

 I found a garter snake in my flower bed. Needless to say the weeds are still there. But my mother in law would never let anyone kill a garter snake because they eat bugs and rodents. We have found NO mouse droppings in our renovation so I think she may be right. The garter snake is staying. We named her Gertie.

From Grandpa Gary

I bought a Sharper Image "Flip camera wannabe" for father's day. The quality is not as good as the old sony 8mm but it sure is easier to use and upload. Old one I had to record into a TV card in my computer and convert it. Now I just plug in the SD memory card and go.

 

My first 2 videos are from Friday when Elise came to our house and we visited a brand new park that city built that is a mile west of us. Later that day she went swimming at the pool. Elise loves the outdoors and she loves water so I think she had a real fun day.

 

First one I think we should have a counting contest. Who can get the right number of eeh's and (da\That)'s?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTOSalY-lu8

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpd64K9MsTs