Friends Dave and Liz in New Hampshire

Their corner of the world...

Photos from last couple of days.

As most of you know my camera is never very far away.
I had some volunteer milkweed plants in my front flower bed and I left them there because I know they can be beneficial to butterflies and bees. So these pics are my attempts to catch them partaking.
The blue flowers are balloon flowers. I first got the seeds from Keri.

 Milkweed plants

And these are bike trail photos from this mornings walk. Yes, I have turned over a new leaf and getting back to walking at least 3 to 4 days a week.

Jason and I have an asparagus patch locked and loaded on our minds. It is centrally located in this photo. In the Spring I raid it if I remember to wear my old shoes. It can be wet and unpleasant in that ditch.

This morning these 3 were coming toward me so I snapped a photo of them. I do not know who they are and I was mentally commending them for their healthy intentions until I smelled the cigarette smoke as they passed me.

 I love how the sunlight settles in through the trees.

 Soybean fields

Sparrow

This little house at the entrance to the fairgrounds has a place in my memories. It is the ticket house where my parents and/or grandmother would stop to buy our tickets to the fair. I am glad they have left it in place,

The Days fill up

It seems the days fill up and as I look back they fill up with just plain living. Nothing spectacular or particularly noteworthy but simple happy events none the less.

Side note: Butch left about 15 minutes ago to play golf. He asked if there was any chance of rain before he left. I had just checked the radar before he left and it looked very improbable. We are having a deluge!! I guess this will be memorable.

Have been doing some acrylic pour painting at Mickeys. Here is the latest one.

That and This as Liz would say...

Friends Randy and Sherri from Atlantic stopped by on their way home from a golf outing near Algona. We always have a lot to catch up on with them every time we touch base. Randy had a bout with a flesh-eating disease last fall and is lucky to be alive. He had 12 different doctors and months of hospitalizations and tests. He is very fortunate to still have his arm and be able to use it.

Sherri was telling me there were people on RAGBRAI with Citizens bikes. That amazed me but she said the reason was that they folded up so small and were easy to transport as well as be able to put them in their tent with them each night. Mine is only a one-speed but they do have them with 7 speeds.

The Wednesday night trivia session was small at the Elks Club. It was the night before the 4th but the only ones attending were all my friends. It better be picking up some new people or the point of doing it will be moot. I can have my people at my house for trivia.

We passed on the July 4th trivia at the casino because a party had been planned at the McQuillens but as it turned out a surprise visit to ER for Dugan changed the location to Pete and Jerilynns. Jason said so when one of you is sick you just change the location? Yes, I guess that is true. I have not received word just yet on how Dugan is doing. No news is good news I guess.

I finished weeding around the house/garage. It only took me about 45 minutes. It is funny how your head can make a big thing of things when in actuality it may not be big at all. Next stop: working on the compost pile. Wonder if Jason will help me with that...Hmmm.

Till next time!

So is full-time RVing for you?

Humorous but accurate!
https://www.rvtravel.com/telltale-signs-full-time-rving-is-not-for-you/

Butch would fail the arachnophobia one.

It isn't a wrap

I thought I was all caught up on my computer chores and then I remembered I hadn't posted. So where do I begin?
Butch and I are blessed with another Great grand. Born on the first of July in Moultrie Georgia and her name is Khloe. She is struggling with some health issues so she has a frequent flier card in our thoughts.

Butch is on his way back from Missouri and he was part of an accident on I-435 in KC. He said he saw it coming because a guy was traveling way too fast and "distracted". Butch did his best to get out of the way by pulling over two lanes but got entangled as the guy noticed at the last minute and swerved grazing our car. I haven't seen it yet. I am glad he isn't injured as cars can be fixed a lot easier than people. Butch is home now.

Rain, Rain Go away. And don't come back for quite a few days.

Citizen bikes

My citizen bike that I left in Texas has been a topic of discussion lately.  It is small. The step-through is great because you do not have to raise your leg to the heavens to get onto it. It is very adjustable to fit anyone. Mine is a one-speed. It has hand and foot brakes.  It is fairly flat in South Texas and that is one of the reasons I ordered it. I do wish we had brought it back because it would have been easily adjustable for the great-grands to use. It folds up into a compact package making it very portable. That was the original impetus for buying it. It turned out to be the perfect bike for me in the RV park.
Mine is red!
http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=57

Photo entries

I entered 3 of my photos in a contest. The local Telephone company has a contest each year for the cover photo of the directory. I have entered before but never won...yet. These are my entries this year.
All three were taken in Greene County Iowa within the past 3 years.

Dove

Doves are usually ground feeders but this one took a turn on the hanging feeder.

Such a busy woman I am!

I am very busy enjoying every minute of having my life back and being extremely grateful for every second of it. I have all these projects lined up and I am ticking them off one by one. Some have been on a 'want to do ' list for literally years.
Butch is in Missouri doing work for granddaughter Amanda and her husband Brad. That was on the agenda last Spring on our way north but it didn't work out for many reasons. When he is finished we will be able to overnight there with the moho on our trip north and south. I opted to stay in Iowa. My projects, remember? Also, I will be doing trivia at the Elks on Wednesday night and we didn't want Butch under any pressure to hurry his job.

Butch dropped me off at the hairdressers for a haircut before he left to go south and after getting my haircut I walked to Mickey's. I knew she was having a garage sale and it had been a long time since we had touched base. I said I haven't seen you for a week and she said actually it has been two!! We always have a bunch of stuff to catch up on. Jerilynn gave me a ride home and I was grateful. We are having a heat wave.

Jason and Laura were here yesterday and after they played 9 holes of golf. Yes, Laura played too! They took me to 209 Main in Paton for supper. On the way back we stopped and visited with Leo and Keri. Always a fun time with the kids even though they are not really kids anymore.

Projects:

This project has been waiting for a year. These windows are on the south. Usually, I am anti-curtain but when the temps are in the upper 90's it is time to keep some of that sunshine at bay. So I bought some really cheap sheets at Walmart and altered them to fit and placed them on tension rods on the south-facing windows. Yes, they are a boring white but I figured I might give them some "Colleen" treatment at a future date. 

Mickey has been hosting some acrylic pour painting sessions in her basement and it is a fun time letting the creative juices flow. This is the latest one I have done.

 A closer look

Future projects:

This one will be a Mandala. Definition: A mandala is a symbolic picture of the universe. It can be a painting on a wall or scroll or visualization in the mind of an artist. Here is a pic of one of someone who knows what they are doing. Mine will not look like this. 

Here is my blank waiting for me to be inspired.

Another project awaiting me is updating this table that has been here a few years after being found on an auction for $3.

July is right around the corner!

I was watching the weather report a couple of days ago when one of the news anchors asked the weather guy how many days since the first of the year would we have had a complete day of sunshine. He said that is an interesting question and I will have to check. He did not think it could be more than 5!! I know every morning I have hopped or drug myself out of bed with the purpose of getting my butt out the door for a walk and been met with rain or the threat of rain. You all know how much I enjoy taking photos and cloudy weather is not optimal for the best photos. Hope is in my heart!
Yesterday I continued my efforts to get the yard tidied up with removing weeds, picking up flotsam and jetsam and making it look up to my standards. FYI- my standards are kind of low. Weather and wet have been the main obstacle but energy was close behind. All things were 'go' yesterday including me!  A 10-pound weight loss can make a huge difference. I haven't lost any more but I have stayed steady so I know what I have lost is real. And more importantly, I feel so much more energetic.

Just got a text message about a $1.00 charge on our main credit card. The charge was made today! Nope! Not us! So I called and got that straightened out. We have new cards on the way. But the thought just trickled through my head that I need to check what auto pays if any are associated with that card number. And of course, none are readily coming to mind. Well, that put a new wrinkle in my day!

These are the photos of the past few days:
This was taken on 6/25 and it was the view where I am sitting while on the computer. It was a good thing I was quick because it lasted less than a minute

 And this is the prolifically blooming Christmas cactus and the 'never give up' geranium. I didn't realize they were so close to the same color

Sick of Rain

I am just guessing but it seems like we have not gone more than 2 days without rain since we came home from Texas on April 25th.  I am ready to move to the desert! It is hard to find a dry period of time in which to mow.
I am still feeling very well. Butch is too and his hair is growing and becoming much easier to get corraled in a ponytail.
We have not been doing much of any consequence or out of the ordinary so posts might be a bit on the dull side until I kick up some trouble and/or fun.
Till next time...
Christmas cactus is about to strut its stuff again. This baby knows how to bloom over and over again. Our back yard is its favorite spot.

 Creek is full and overflowing. This is west across hwy 4 while sitting in the car in Leo and Keri's driveway.

Hello, My Friends

Trivia night at the casino! We had a tiebreaker question and lost so came in 3rd. I so enjoy the conversation and camaraderie. I was even able to answer a question!
" Which national advertising campaign featured celebrities with some of the beverage left on their face? " Answer will be at the bottom of this entry if you haven't yelled it out by now.

We are getting MORE rain this morning. Everything is green and lush and WET. It seems we are constantly waiting for it to dry up.

This morning NPR asked for people to submit a haiku that reflects summer without using the word summer.

 Here is my submission:

Quiet deep shadows
River trail beckons my soul
A sanctuary




Answer: Got Milk?

Good Morning!

Busy with the details of life and grateful for the energy to do it. Last night was trivia at the Elks and despite only having two teams a good time was had by all. Butch and I went early and played some pool. We have a system worked out for me because his skill level far exceeds mine. I get as many shots as I can make on my turn but he only gets one. It evens the playing field so we can both enjoy the game.

Since the trivia is continuing at the casino that is where we will be tonight.

I do get a photo now and then and these were backed up in my camera for your viewing pleasure.

 
My friend Mickey gifted me these lilies a few years ago.

Roadtrip

Butch and I were on a road trip and fact-finding mission today. I had an appointment with Dr. Morgan who was the surgeon I had a couple of years ago. She wants to see me annually to see that everything stays in tiptop condition. It was a good trip and all was well.

After that appointment, we stopped at a Verizon place to see what we can do about an Internet connection in Texas when the park gets so loaded down. It seemed like it would work but I did forget two key questions. One was about a contract. I do not want a contract. The second was could I put the extra connection (Hot spot and added fees) on hold for the summer months we do not need it. I do believe I will give her a call and ask those questions tomorrow. Still looking at Google Fi as well.

After that was a trip to Costco. I really loaded up. It had been a while since we had been there. Butch was VERY disappointed because of his standby Skippy Super Chunky Peanut Butter nowhere to be found!
We did find this however!! I love them! Great sub for bread. Loaded up with tuna salad, egg salad, peanut butter or any other sandwich substance will work great. Very tasty!

Realization!

When I had surgery on my sinus on March 28th I do believe they sucked my brain out as well. I have some memory issues that make no sense to me. I can sit and watch Jeopardy and rattle off answers one after another but the trivia at the casino I come up empty. The only ones I seem to know are the ones everyone else knows too! However, I have been responsible for adding two new members to the team that has been a blessing.  Karla and Devon are on top of things and have amazed me on more than one occasion. We have always had trouble with the timeline and lost lyrics questions. Those Texas folk will tell you just how hard those two categories can be! Karla has nailed those two questions the past two weeks!! We cannot and do not expect perfection from her but we are sure glad to have her at our table.
On every other level, I am feeling great. Energy level is way up. Sleeping well. Getting lots done in all aspects of my life. I have a bunch of projects lined up and can hardly wait to get to them. Most of them are things I have put aside for probably a year or more.

Yesterday I cleaned all the helicopters and some of the old mulch from the hosta bed. This project is half done because I plan to renew the mulch until the hostas grow enough to take care of themselves.

While taking a picture of the hosta I noticed the neighbor's dog is quiet for a change. Look at the corner of the house. The dog wanted in obviously. Perhaps last winter.

 The flowers I transport to Texas and back each year are not fond of the trip but they have once again recovered and the Christmas cactus is getting ready to bloom. The blue tile is covering a sewer cleanout. Good way to deal with a backyard eyesore.

Recent Bird Pics

These were taken this morning. House Finch baby pic

 
Woodpeckers stay barely long enough for one pic. 3 trips represented here

Dynamo!

I was an absolute dynamo this morning! It has been such a long time since I was a dynamo! I did more work in one day than I have been able to do in a week. I suppose I can attribute it to the Keto Life Plan. Refuse to call it a diet. On Netflix watch the documentary "The Magic Pill". It is quite an eye-opener. I didn't come to this easily. Laura and Jason do Keto and they have been very successful in managing their weight for the past year. So I sort of knew about it. So after feeling like Crap with a capital cee, I decided to dabble in it and after finding out how easy it is and feeling the benefits it was easy to be all in. And I am 9.4 pounds down in two weeks and feeling downright perky.

Yesterday

Butch went to the golf course for his walk and while there the field adjacent to the course was being mowed so he picked up golf balls. He was rather late getting home.  He found 60.

I worked outside trying to get most of those "helicopters" from the tree picked up. Ugly job but even uglier when they sprout. Tedious job but feeling up to it is a gift in itself.
These are some pics I have taken lately.

 This is a House Finch

And this is a Common Grackle. The Grackles in South Texas are much more elegant.

 And this cutie is a Goldfinch- I needed better light!

  Speaking of light, it is the sole reason I take a photo at times and this is a good example. I liked the way the light was coming through the trunk of the tree.

I found these charts to tell the difference between a House Finch and a Purple Finch. I think the House Finch deserves a fancier name, don't you?

Taking care

As the years pile up we find that it takes more time to do, well, EVERYTHING!  Butch's Birthday came and went. He is recovering from his dental experience slowly. He did play golf with Jason and came home and watched golf. Pretty much his favorite way to spend a Sunday. He is 78 now and that is hard for both of us to fathom.

Keri found a snake in her basement and asked Butch to take care of it. What fun! We were off for an adventure. Butch asked what he should take. I said take a bucket and your grippers. You know, those things with the grabbers on the end that old people use to grab things they can't reach. We have one they were promoting at Harbor Freight. The garter snake was in the laundry room in the basement and there was no obvious way he could get in. Butch caught him in quick order. I told Butch to twirl him around so he would be dizzy and have a hard time finding his way back from the cornfield he has for a new home. So Far, So Good.

Saw this on RVNewsletter: