A Leo Sandwich

Leo calls Susan 'Nanny' on the left and his mom Amanda is on the right and he sure enjoys it when they make a Leo sandwich.

tropical rain forest?

We seem to be living in a tropical rain forest where vegetation and mosquitos thrive. They  informed us on the news that the conditions have been ideal for poison ivy and it has morphed into a super-toxic strain. Leaves of three- let it be.

The outside work is making progress but is the primary reason for a lack of posts. I still have more to do out there but the rain mentioned above sure puts a Damp-er on things. Ha! My friend Mickey gifted me with some lilies I need to get planted and yesterday I purchased a clematis for a special spot. Years ago a friend who knows about these things told me it was wrong to mud plants in when planting and I have remembered it ever since. So they will have to remain potted until the time and conditions are right...and before they become pot bound. Life is such a delicate balance!

The "pot" these flowers are resting in is actually a piece of water piping we purchased at an auction for a dollar. I wanted it to cover the sewer clean-out pipe that is a smart idea to have above ground, but not particularly pretty. It works well. I like the color.

Cousin Donnie

 We went to Missouri for a fast trip. My cousin Donnie Zimmerle passed away suddenly. Two weeks ago he was diagnosed with cancer and opted out of treatment. His passing was a big surprise. Donnie's Dad, Jack, and my Mom, Fern were brother and sister and the two youngest of the original 7 Zimmerle siblings. Donnie and I were born in the same year. I suppose others called him Don but he will always be Donnie to me. Donnie was a great guy, always a smile on his face. We were born in the era when Sundays meant being at Grandma Zimmerle's for dinner. The cousin's were always there too. Let's see there were 5 in Jack's branch, 4 in Harold's, 5 in Phil's, 2 in Vivian's and 4 in Fern's at the time so that is a bunch (20) of cousin's. Two of the original 7, Ray and Mae, did not have children.  We played a variety of games while the adults sat around the kitchen table talking.  We have been out of touch, other than Facebook, for many years so I did not know many people in attendance. There was one little girl I would guess her to be 8 or 9 and she cried nearly the whole time we were there. She was inconsolable although many were trying. She seemed sincerely grief-stricken. I am guessing she might have been a granddaughter or great-granddaughter. She left an impression on me.

Progress

Spent most of yesterday on yard work. Finally getting a break in the persistent rain. We have been putting the finishing touches on things. We are closer to being picture ready.
Here are some teasers. Butch has been feeding the squirrels. Not at all sure this is a good idea and even more so when I saw 5 of them playing race and chase in the yard. In case you are curious yes, that is a satellite dish now used as a bird feeder/waterer. Cannot think of a better use for one

Beautiful sunset last night but there is a price to pay for living in town.

Yesterday Butch and I went to the A & W for a root beer and we were grubby so we used the drive in service. Butch turned on the radio and the BeeGees were singing. I said, "They are singing something woman but I cannot make it out. Do you know what it is?" Butch said, "Four legged woman." I laughed so hard the tears ran down my face! I know- it was just one of those moments. Butch said, "Gotta picture, huh?" I said, "uh, huh". And started all over again! The actual song is "More than a Woman" and I looked it up to be sure.

Computer Class starts

FREE

BEGINNING COMPUTER CLASS 

at the

JEFFERSON PUBLIC LIBRARY 

Using Google Chrome

Mondays from 6-8 pm for 6 weeks beginning June 15

Instructor: Barbara Brooker

Class size is limited to 10 participants

Call the library to pre-register 386-2835

Topics Covered:

Let’s tour Google Chrome.

What is Google Chrome and why should I like it?

How does the Google Chrome operating system differ from other computers?

How does an app differ from a program?

Chrome settings and what they do and where do I find them?

What is this thing called Cloud?

First meeting will be a “get acquainted” session. For us to get off to a good start and be on the same page it can be helpful if you have:

1. Google Chrome installed

2. Google account (gmail) established

3. Know your password

I will be happy to help you with these things if needed, but we may have to schedule this outside of class time.

 Goal of the Class: 

To learn at least one new function in each session -- (Hopefully many new things!)

I cannot even believe it!

Yesterday Mickey and I lined up a Costco day. While in DesMoines my phone rang and I had missed my hair appointment. Just plain forgot it! Marcia my hairdresser is heavily booked and missing this appointment distressed me.
Mickey had a "moment" too when she thought she lost her purse and had left it in the cart at Walmart. That is another one that will make your heart twitter when it happens to you.
Son Gary and Susan were in Iowa yesterday checking out a truck and selling a car and so it was considered getting together with them. And my friend Sherri from Atlantic called and said she would be in town and would it be okay to stop by and, of course, that answer was yes. At one point, Butch's phone rang at the same time mine did so I was holding phones in each hand when I looked in the driveway and my friend Colleen was here! If I remember right it was son Jason  on one phone and son Gary on the other. Oh yes, I was also in contact with my niece Karla off and on throughout the day.
What a day it has been!
Great practice for living in the moment!

Auction fun!

A while back son Jason asked me to find tractor seats because he had a craft project that he needed two tractor seats to complete. So yesterday we went to an auction in Jefferson and there were two tractor seats! So I called Jason and he switched gears for the day and came to Jefferson. Laura and Ethan came with him and we had a fun impromptu day! 

And by the way, Jason bought his two tractor seats. Ethan spotted this car, took temporary ownership and entertained himself for most of the auction. Jason tried to get it for him, but it went for more than Jason planned to spend.

 Jason also bought something that this cane came with so Ethan took a break from the car long enough to pretend he was an old man. That was pretty funny too because he was good at it.

After we came back to Jason's after the auction Ethan set up his microphone and played auction for a bit and then decided to put on a show, lining up chairs in his pretend theater for us to sit on. We adults were a little bit cooperative, but it became clear that there really wasn't going to be a show. As it ended he said everyone attending would get a free toy and handed them out. He then said, "You get what you get and be thankful for it." That cracked us up!

Jason wanted me to get a photo of this ivy covered building not too far from his place because he does not think it will be standing too much longer.

Iowa Child

Iowa Child

by Sarah Hall Maney

I am an Iowa child

Part and product of the land on which I grew

Flat and open and straight, like

the farm roads that bordered the corn

Friendly and receptive, like the rich,

black soil that grows the corn

Simple, and plain, but productive,

Like the fields of soy beans and hay

Yes, I am an Iowa child

There have been times when

I have kept it hidden

Pretending somewhere, something, someone else

But today I stand with it

Drawing upon the strength of it -

Acknowledging the unique gifts

I share with it

Of course, an Iowa child has not many

deep, intriguing forests within -

Not many clear, refreshing lakes to draw upon

No lofty, grand mountain peaks to soar from

No yawning canyons to descend -

And I know my Iowa child must live

And come to terms with the part of me

That is controlled, precise, yearning

to be perfect -

Like the squared-off, ruler-straight rows

of hybrid seed corn

Perhaps I will never be

as exciting, as spontaneous,

as a tumbling Colorado mountain stream

As magnificent as a

crashing California ocean wave

As serene and stately as a Minnesota pine tree

But no matter

I am who I am

An Iowa child

And that is enough

Dance Recital -Elise

Elise's adoring grandpa Gary does not do Facebook and he tells me he doesn't see pics of the grands unless I put them on the blog. Sometimes I am good about it and sometimes not. I am a hard person to take on guilt...I just say "No" to guilt but in this case it works...at least this time!

She is so stinking cute. She gives off vibes of capability. I can see her running a business, a state or a country some day and doing an excellent job of it.

Frustrated, Forgetful, Old and Cranky

That post title probably best describes me. Some random facts; Colleen is back from Florida, selling her Jefferson house and we have sporadically been able to walk. My niece Karla has moved and we have been helping her with details. We have either been waiting for it to quit raining or waiting for it to dry out. The patio is finished but not yet decked out in finery due to the weather statement.

My to-do list involves getting flowers planted and other landscaping details. I have all kinds of ideas I want to implement and for the most part, have been stymied by one thing or another.

I know many of you are acquainted with Colleen and may be surprised that she is selling her Jefferson home. After visiting her in Florida, I am not. If I were in her position and choosing to downsize to one home it would be the Florida one I would keep. I would always choose warm over cold and it is a beautiful place. I will miss her tremendously, but I rest assured that though visits may be further apart they will still take place. I always prefer to think the parting of friends for any reason is temporary. And in this technological age we are never far apart.

I took this photo a few minutes ago while sitting in the new room looking at unfinished projects...

One of my pending projects. My plan includes painting the pavers as well as the pallets and I doubt that I will choose white and gray.

Taken while touring Spring Lake on a drying out day.

Been a Bit Out of Touch...

On a personal level that is. After all, there have been posts of various things.

Butch and I went to Boone on Thursday to fix Jason and Laura's electrical issue. Turned into a very long day but all is up to snuff now. Enough to say it was a problem with a 3-way switch, knob and tube and an older home. I am married to an electrician, but the knowledge does not transfer. While in Boone we had lunch at McDonalds and I had my first 'old person experience'. I was very plainly speaking to the McDonalds employee so they would not screw up my order. The ponytailed young man then raised his voice and repeated it back to me as if I were deaf. Jason said, "You better dye your hair Mom cuz that kid thinks you are old and cannot hear." That, my dear friends, is the first time that has ever happened to me! I did not like it!

And then the next day was rain free and I decided it was time to get some of our outside stuff done. I was hoping to get it done on my own, but it proved tougher than I thought since I am now old so Butch bailed me out. Seems to be a theme for the poor guy. We cleaned out the gutters, an absolute necessity and then I washed down the front of the house. I still need to get the back side done.
Butch went to play golf with Colleen's grandson after the gutter cleaning. Taylor wanted to play the three courses his grandpa played here in Jefferson so Butch is glad to be his guide. Butch says Taylor has the demeanor of his grandpa, quiet and laid-back and can hit the ball a country mile. Taylor and Butch are playing Lakeside today, the second of the three courses.
I planted some flowers I have had lying around here for a while. I do not know if they will "take" but at least they have a fighting chance. I had harvested some seed from Keri's balloon flowers, somebody had given me some larkspur and I purchased a columbine plant at the Master Gardeners Plant Sale. So now the rest is up to them and Mother Nature.
And now I am going to go through my pictures and see how many I need to post and then I will be caught up somewhat.
The Head! This is a fibre optic light my mother bought in the 70's. I am sure she paid less than $50 for it. They now sell for in excess of $300 on Ebay. We enjoy it very much and the new plug-in Butch installed works well for it.

 This morning I rode to the Raccoon River Bridge and back and this caught my eye.

 I have learned a thing or two about deer and I have a system for taking their picture. I spotted this deer when she was still some distance from me and she was headed in my direction. So the first thing I do is stop and get my camera/(phone) and then I simply stay as quiet as possible without moving until I see the shot I want. Right after I got this shot she turned left and off the trail into the trees. I watched a film about deer last winter. They are almost blind and that is why they get frightened easily and run blindly into trouble. They detect motion so if you stay motionless they do not detect you until they get close enough to smell you or you give yourself away with motion or sound.

Creamy Burrito Casserole

I wasn't going to post this recipe because Mr. Pickypants only gave it a so-so review. I should have known better. Last night we were at Jason and Lauras and we ate the remainder of this casserole and Laura wanted the recipe.

Creamy Burrito Casserole

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1 package taco seasoning

6 large flour tortillas

1 can refried beans

2 -3 cups shredded taco cheese or cheddar cheese

1 can cream of mushroom soup

4 ounces sour cream

Directions

Brown beef and onion; drain.

Add taco seasoning and stir in refried beans.

Mix soup and sour cream in a separate bowl.

Spread 1/2 sour cream mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish.

Tear up 3 tortillas and spread over sour cream mixture.

Put 1/2 the meat bean mixture over that.

Add a layer of cheese.

Repeat the layers.

Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 20-30 minutes.

Google Chrome Tips

Old dogs can learn new tricks and this old dog thinks (#2) drag-a-tab is really cool and useful.

Barb

Three handy tips for Google Chrome

1. Show recently viewed pages with a click
Did you know you can show a list of recently visited pages from the current tab? You can. All you have to do is right-click on the “Back” button and you’ll see a list of recently visited pages. And as illogical as it sounds, this also works with the “Forward” button too.

2. Drag-a-tab
Did you know that Chrome lets you detach a tab and open it in a new window? It does! All you have to do is drag the tab outside the active window. And you can also add it back to the original windows too. Just drag it back and drop it.

3. Drag your downloads
When you download a program using Chrome, you will see it on Chrome’s status bar (the bar along the bottom of the browser window). Did you know you can drag that download tab out of Chrome to your desktop or any folder on your computer? Also, you’ll note at the far right edge of the download tab (which shows the file name) you’ll see a little down-arrow. If you click that arrow you’ll get options such as “Show in folder”. “Run”, “Always open files of this type” and “Cancel”..

Back in School?

This is a terrific test.

  

And it shows results in a number of ways. 

It surely indicates that a large number of Americans don't know what's going on.

  

It's astonishing that so many people got less than half right. The results say that 80% of the (voting) public doesn't have a clue, and that's pretty scary.

  

There are no tricks here -- just a simple test to see if you are current on your information.

This is quite a good quiz and the results are somewhat shocking.

  

Test your knowledge with the challenge of 12 questions, then be ready to shudder when you see how others did: 

  

Click here: Test Your News IQ - Pew Research Center  

  

Computer info

Wendee is nervous about password managers

Hello,  I have considered password managers several times because I figure they are probably safer BUT I don't know how they work.  I read that we have to have ONE password to remember and the manager does the rest but where do we use that one and when does the manager take over?  It makes me nervous that I am not in control. Maybe more of us would use managers if you could explain it a bit for us. Thanks for all the help over the years!   

Our answer

Every password manager we know of stores passwords in encrypted form, and the only way to decrypt the passwords is with your one, all-important, master password. If you forget your master password you lose your key to all your other passwords. However the plus side of this is that you only have to remember one password, no matter how many passwords you use.

Most password managers automatically fill in your user name and password when you go to a site that requires you  to log in. Most password managers give you the option to type in your master password once (not recommended) so you don't have to  type in your master password every time you need to log into a site. Some, like LastPass, allow you to sign in with your master password for a limited number of hours (recommended) so that you only have to type your master password every few hours.

As far as you being in control, you're in complete control. RoboForm, LastPass and most of the others, will not be able to retrieve your passwords if you forget your master password. Your master password is the key that opens up all your passwords, without it, they're useless to you and everyone else. You are much more in control with a password manager than you are if you allow your browser to save your passwords or if you write them down on a piece of paper.

The password manager never "takes over" anything, All of good passwords managers give you a choice of auto-logging in to a site or not. You are always in control. And you can always access your own passwords with your master password.

And if you get a new computer or have to re-install Windows, and you're using a password manager like LastPass, just reinstall LastPass, log in to your LastPass account, and type in your master password and you'll have instant access to all of your passwords. If you allow your browser to store your passwords, if you get a new computer or a have to reinstall Windows, good luck.

Password Managers are a necessity now. None of us can afford to use one password for all sites anymore. And we can't afford using simple passwords like betty58 or 12345 anymore.'Passwords Managers do not control you, you control them. Consider Password Managers your ally in the fight against cyber crime and identity theft.

www.lastpass.com

Great Grands at play

Miss Elise

and little Leo

This Mornings Chuckle

Cold Spell

Going through a cold spell. It seems to be something we live through at least once a month and it does not matter if we are in Texas or Iowa. Grrr.
At any rate, today Butch and I managed to get quite a list of things done. Butch installed a  new outlet on our new patio and at the same time adding one inside where we had developed a need for it. It involved at least two...hmm I think 3 trips into the crawl space. Not a place he goes willingly.
In the meantime, I did several loads of laundry and made a casserole for supper. So it has been a full day.
Our car is in the hospital getting mostly cosmetic surgery from the deer encounter in Florida. We should have it back tomorrow. Fortunately, we live in a town where we can get everything we need within blocks. Leo and Keri offered a car, but we are getting along fine. I looked at  a recipe this morning that sounded simple and appealing and as luck would have it all the ingredients were in the house. Didn't even have to send Butch to the HyVee that is only 3 blocks away!
Maybe by Thursday we will have warm enough weather to walk/bike the trail. And after that we can get to some of our outdoor to do list.

At Jason and Laura's house

Yesterday we went to Jason and Laura's in Boone as we have promised them to do some things around their place for quite some time. Been a little preoccupied with our projects the past few summers.
Jason has placed his metal sculptures  and I snapped a few shots.

Jason's neighbor had a wind decoration that was broken. Jason rescued it from the garbage pick-up and added it to this piece. I think it adds an extra pizzaz.

 Colleen has turned my boy into a stacker of rocks!

 Miniature Iris

A trail walk...

Colleen's friend, Jackie came to Iowa with her and we had to show her what fascinates us about the trail and here is your view of what we saw... Jackie likes the trail.

Layers of color

Colleen

Want a Tree?

I went to the Master Gardeners plant sale yesterday and there was a lady sitting outside the door giving away sycamore trees for free. They had ordered 5 from a nursery in northern Iowa and they sent her 100 so she called them and they told her to keep them. That was why she is giving them away free.
They like damp soil. These are native to Iowa and were started here.
I have at least 5. Anyone interested?
I took a picture of a tree in Ames awhile back and come to find out it is a sycamore! So this is how these trees will look when mature. This picture was taken early in April. I understand they get their leaves late.

My morning Walk

Colleen is back and right off she suggested we walk in the morning at 7:00. I have not walked our usual route since I have been here. I know that isn't like me, but it seemed to be first one thing then another as I am sure most of you can relate. So I said yes and then it rained so it was a no go. Not only did it rain, it rained all day! Frankly I am a bit tired of the rain. And so this morning I headed out for our walk and when I arrived at the trail there was no sign of Colleen so I texted her and asked, "Walking this morning?" She texted back, "Sleeping". So I went anyway and what a walk it was! I took several photos and as usual, thought of many people I would love to share the experience with even though I am always content to walk alone. It is that I know there are many among you who would enjoy the view as much as I do.

My iris in the front flower bed.

 Weeping willow one block south of us on Cedar.

 The trail is a colorful, scented walkway and certainly a sight to behold. This view is looking south on the trail.

 Mullein, I think...

 Raindrops on everything afforded some great photo ops.

 Our one mile from the depot marker looking north.

 Raindrops and Clover...

 Looking North on the trail

 Mickey texted me to tell me there were four deer on Cedar street headed south and not long after here they came straight at me!

 We had a brief visual communication and then they continued on their way.

The way things happen

Butch went to the lumberyard a few weeks ago and was scoping out pavers for our little patio and they had a couple of pallets full. When we were there again for something else Butch noticed they were way down and suggested if we were going to buy them we better do it, so we did. We bought 63 and that was all they had. They warned us that the company making this particular paver went out of business and there would never be more of them. We were not concerned because I am not of the fussy sort and had decided if we needed more we would take whatever they had and work out some kind of design. And then we hired the job done and Russ and Tyson suggested a different way of doing things and we needed 25 more pavers. No problem. We would buy more. Butch went to the lumberyard and there were no pavers at all!
But wait!!!
The people who had bought the first batch needed some and had come to buy more and there were none there because we had bought them all. So being fussier than we are they were returning what they had purchased! That allowed us to get all we needed and more. As luck would have it!!
So lesson learned? If you go with the flow, keep calm and carry on, don't sweat the small stuff etc., things work out!

Mickey and Peanuts

Mickey and her grand dog Peanuts stopped by on their bike ride. They were both enjoying it.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY

69 DIY cleaning products to make for pennies. If you're tired of reaching for cleaning products with ingredients you can't even pronounce, then head to your local grocery store for a few basic components and make your own. These eco-friendly concoctions are easy to make and will leave your RV (or house) sparkling.

Butch saw an allergist this past week and found out he is allergic to Mold and Cats mainly. It was a kind of a surprise to us because we thought it was south Texas trees he was allergic to as he always became so much worse in February.
We did notice an improvement when we no longer had Angel so that one did not surprise us.
One of the 69 homemade cleaners above is for mold and mildew so I think I will be making it. I already have all the ingredients.

The Amazing Tea Tree Oil Mold and Mildew Killer

If you're sick and tired of treating mold and mildew in your space, DIY this antifungal spray that keeps it from taking over damp spots. Although this helpful cleaner won't get rid of existing stains, it will keep the nastiness from coming back. Tea tree oil is naturally antifungal, making it an eco-friendly option for keeping your space clean.

What You'll Need:

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup white distilled vinegar

20 drops tea tree oil

Small spray bottle

Directions:

1. Mix together the vinegar and water in a small spray bottle. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, which gives a bit of a cleaning boost to this spray. Now add the tea tree oil, and give the bottle a little shake.

To use, simply spray over tiles, tubs, showers, and sinks with lurking mold or mildew, and walk away. If the areas have existing mold or mildew stains, it's a good idea to treat them with hydrogen peroxide to naturally bleach away marks.

Stash in your bathroom, and use daily for best results.

Weekend

We went to the auction on Saturday and all we purchased was a step ladder for $2. It will stay in the storage shed so we do not have to carry one back and forth. I saw a few items I might have liked but they did a bundling trick and I didn't want them bad enough to deal with all the extra stuff attached.
We have all the furniture and other items we need so now I have to get possessive of our space or it will disappear like magic. We have attained the place where it is time to enjoy what we have worked so diligently to get. It is still fun to be at an auction and watch.

Last night was a stormy one and Lake City, located about 45 miles northwest of us was hit by a tornado. Right in line with it was Rockwell City where my sister Myrla lives with her husband Scott. I called her after it was over and the tornado was about 3 blocks from her house. It was what they call a multi-vortec tornado and I do not know what that means, but I am guessing it was multiple tornadoes in one. We experienced some periods of heavy rain and that is as bad as it got in Jefferson.

Last winter I bought a pressure cooker and I liked it. Yesterday I used it to cook a frozen pork loin with potatoes carrots etc and it was good. Today I made apple pie oatmeal and that too was good. I plan to use it more frequently so it isn't a learning process every time I touch it. If you have a favorite pressure cooked meal tell me about it!