Todays photos

How many times have I ridden right past this addition to the trail and not seen it? At least 7! Today as I was approaching the intersection where it is located, a truck pulling a trailer whizzed past creating a big dust cloud. So I breathed through my sweater until it abated and it gave me a chance to really look at my surroundings.

 A classmate of Butch's, Darwin Kuehl, is responsible for this fine addition to the trail.

 When I returned home, Butch and I went after more rock so I can finish my planned improvements. Last season Mickey gifted me the Tiger lilies to add some color to my front flower bed. They sure are making a good impression these days!

And this past winter, my friend Janet Rader gifted me with one of her artistic rock art endeavors. We discussed its resting place and both of us knew right where it should go. So finally it is residing in its home place.

Remind you of anyone?

As promised

 I have my cart for the nuwave oven and nuwave plate so this corner of the room has had its first renovation,

 For the curious: My ironing board desk works fine. It could be a workable desk for many people in many different situations.

 Butch was outside grilling. He has no idea I took this photo.

Today we are off to the doctor in Ames. For me this time, and to find the results of my stress test, echocardiogram, EKG, blood tests etc. For those of us who live with a heart murmur and AFib this is not unusual. Later...

Mickey's Surprise Birthday Party

Have you ever planned a party and then got all antsy about getting everything done up nice and proper. Yup, Me too. Exactly why I decided to pull off a surprise party for Mickey. She didn't have to prepare for it. My goal was to make it as trouble free as possible for her. I have hopes I succeeded. 

Mickey with her cake.

Pat Limburg Rusnak

Mickey and Butch.

Pete and Jerilyn

Sue Durlam Lucht, Pat and Mickey

I did not get pictures of all 10 of us. We had a great time with lots of laughter.

Mickey's 1950 Kitchen

These are before pictures of Mickey's kitchen. It is hard to imagine this kitchen unless you see it. We know it will look very different when Mickey's vision is completed. Right now it is taking a step into the past.

 I could not resist getting  a shot of Mickey's "senior storage" in the basement.

Courthouse square sculptures-Ring Out For Art

There are several sculptures featured on the courthouse square. 

The Teeter Family

Brad, little Leo, Amanda and Elise

The last piece

The last piece of old flooring came up yesterday. Butch took the day off today and played golf. I rode down to the river and back.

Two remarkable, in the true sense of the word, pictures came my way today. I did not take either one of them but I have learned to recognize the good stuff.

My niece Tara raises chickens, rabbits and cares very much for dogs. Any animal really. She posted this picture on Facebook and I snipped it. She said,"The girls really enjoy their freedom."

And this is a picture of Twila, Butch's cousin. It was taken in England in the mid-1960's. I liked it very much as it reminded me of a Vermeer painting, the last supper picture on the wall, the vase of flowers on the table, the soft glow of the light through the window and Twila in a very natural pose indicating her work is done.
Twila's daughter posted the picture on Caring Bridge. Twila is in hospice now and very tired much of the time. Her daughter was saying that her mother has always been beautiful even when she is tired. And I certainly must agree.

Backed Up

This is a series of pictures I had no time to deal with till this morning.

Floor progress:

drivers seat

Taking up the glued down wood has been tedious and often frustrating

Passenger seat. Butch would like to get it done back past the seats and get the seats remounted to have them out of the way more than anything.

This is the front flower bed. Not much has been done to it yet. In its current condition, it tells me I have reached a goal- that being not to need much for it to be presentable.

On the bike trail...

 My work gloves. I want it to be known that I do sometimes work. I will admit these gloves are at least 3 years old

This will be the spot for the lizard but I am needing more rock to do it right. And first, we have to get rid of a million seed pods.

Butch helped Mickey put this shed together. It looks far better now. This was taken shortly after completion.

Painting fun with Karla

Yesterday I helped Karla paint her wicker chairs. She finished them. She is color shy so I pushed her a bit. She can always repaint them another time. She owned the chairs. We found the cushions on a garage sale- brand-new indoor/outdoor cushions for a whopping $5! Snapped them up pronto.

 Karla always has a hanging basket of flowers and I see she picked one up yesterday as well. Her deck now looks very inviting.

No post since Wednesday! Geez!!!

Thursday We went to Ames so I could have a stress test. Yippie-skippie. The old Afib has been giving me a bit of a fit lately so we have to have everything checked out. This isn't new news so don't get excited. I'm not.
I did well on the stress test. I usually do. So far all tests have been good results. Not all tests are in yet but I am being hopeful.
Friday I had another appt in Ankeny with a lady-part doctor. Nuff said.
Then we went to Menards and purchased some flooring for the motorhome. It is getting closer to a reality.
Today Karla and I went garage saleing and she scored a few items. Butch and Jason played golf. I am thinking that catches you up for the time being.
We have been busy doing "stuff". And soon it could be fun stuff so stay tuned!

Strawberries

When Gary and Susan bought their place in Peculiar MO, the previous owners had established a strawberry bed in the raised flower beds around the house. A real blessing because this time of year they enjoy the fresh picked berries very much. I am told that little Leo is particularly fond of them.
Gary sent me these pictures. Yum!

I think planting them in raised flower beds is a very good idea.

Time slips through my fingers

Yesterday I went for a trail ride with the GoPro but it did not compare to the day before. Cloudy and uneventful for the most part. Jason did come over and met up with me on the trail and we had a few adventures like seeing a Redstart bird of which we did not even know existed. Looked it up when we came home. Butch and Jason then went to play golf and I took a nap, tried to do something with the GoPro videos and the next thing I know the day is done!
American Redstart

Project beginnings

Here is a youtube video of the beginning of our MoHo project. I need to get better at editing but we take things one step at a time.
https://youtu.be/1Vh3y-qYjjc

Progress report

Butch and Jason have been tearing out carpet in the moho and I have been helping when I can. We are about halfway with the demo portion of the project. This morning Butch and Jason are golfing and I rode out on the trail to the first bench past the bridge. I regretted not having the GoPro with me, however I have firm plans to have it next time. I put it in my helmet so I cannot forget. This morning the phlox are blooming along with many other flowers and the trail was very active. Didn't see any deer but I did see a large variety of birds, several cats, a beaver on the bridge ( it scurried off for me), runners, some with dogs and other bikers. I wore a sweatshirt and it was a bit cool at 56 degrees but pleasant all the same with the sunshine and slight breeze.