Family Time

Leo, Marlene, and Bernard are going on a mini-vacation to Arkansas. They will stop on the way to see Don and then on down to see Bill and Jo in Heber Springs AR. Marlene and Bernard came down to 209 Main in Paton and met the rest of us for supper. Bernard went to Paton school through 8th grade so the town holds a few memories for him.We then went back to Leo and Keri's place, watched the Olympics for a  bit.
On their stop at Don's place in Fairway KS, Leo snapped this photo of Marlene and Don and I snipped it from Facebook. Thanks Leo!

Photo's from supper time.

  Keri and Bernard discussing...

                           Marlene and Butch

Leo and Keri

 

Missed photos

This photo is a favorite of mine. I may have posted it before. Not sure. It was taken south of Jefferson about 4 miles on the bike trail.

This one may have been taken the same morning. They are doing the prep work for another paved crossing on the bike trail. They will curve it for a dual purpose. By curving the path it makes bikers slow down and it also places the biker at a better angle to see both directions.

Story about a phone.

My phone has been losing power. The battery lasts about 2-3 hours. It is on the charger more than it is off. Now to back up a bit, I had a problem with a phone a couple of years ago. That was when I learned that if your phone goes completely black and does not seem to respond, hold the buttons on the back down for at least 30 seconds and it will come back like magic. But this is a different problem. When I had the previous problem the helpful person at the Perry Verizon store told me about Chuck. She said Chuck can fix anything so if the 30-second thing doesn't work, call Chuck. I remembered that.
 So smarty that I am, I figured how hard can it be to swap out a battery. I can buy a replacement battery on Amazon for $9.95 free shipping. Then I go to Youtube for directions on swapping it out. That brought me up short.  And I learned it can be quite intimidating.
Then I remembered Chuck. This morning I called Perry and was lucky enough to get the same person who told me about Chuck to begin with. She gave me the phone number and said be sure to ask for Chuck. I was very lucky. Chuck answered the phone!
I said, "I have purchased a replacement battery for my phone but now I am intimidated about putting it in the phone." He said, "Oh, you do not want to do that!" "Bring it to me and I will do it for $20."  He works in a Verizon store in DesMoines.  I think I am going to like Chuck. I did find out you do not joke with Chuck. I was and I could tell he wasn't "getting it". I think Chuck might be the best kind of nerd. All business!

Looked back

I looked back at some pictures and realized several days were missing from my journal/Blog. As an aside, I do refer back to entries when I need to remember things.
Friday, Butch, Karla, and I went on the Highway 141 garage sale. This is an 80 mile long garage sale from Grimes Iowa to Manning Iowa. We have done it before and we never last the 80 miles

We do 18 miles both directions. And that is plenty! We start at Hwy 4 south of Jefferson and this year we went west to Bayard and then back east to Jamaica for a tenderloin at ToJos' and then east to Dawson and back to Hwy 4, stopping at all the garage sales along the way and there are plenty of them

 The photo below was taken at one of the last stops we made. We made several purchases and I planned to take a picture of our booty but ran out of "want to". Suffice it say we did not spend much but took home plenty!

 
Saturday Butch headed out to Omaha to do an electrical project for Emily and Joe. Emily is Leo and Keri's youngest daughter. So I had some alone time. I made good use of it with housecleaning and a bit of shopping. Anymore it takes both of us to get any one-person job done so being apart is a challenge for both of us.
Below are this morning's trail pics. A walking day.

This is an ornamental grass I wish I knew the name.

The dew was sparkling on the pampas grass this morning.

Colleen- a stacker of rocks

My friend Colleen is on a cruise- a long cruise- she said she would be away from home for 35 days. That sounds way too long for me but she is seeing some amazing sights.
From Colleen:
'Colleens' by Colleen on a fjord near Einsfjord, Norway, a place I had to hike about 2 miles to -- up a slight incline and down a steep one. Water like glass, a beach  kinda rocky . . . the best kind, of course, for rock stackers. Many folks were  building them, including the fellow, and Asian from Portland, who took my pic and sent it to me.

Brooker's uniform

Leo stopped by the other day because the family of Butch's former softball team had brought by Butch's old uniform.  Butch tried it on and thought it fit him just fine. I thought it looked tight in places it never was before. It used to have plenty of room for complete freedom of movement. Not so much anymore.
For those who do not know, Butch pitched fast-pitch softball for many years.

Went to the doctors and the doctors said...

First appointment was with an allergist. I have a had a nasal drip ever since we returned from Texas and before. I was tested for allergies. The verdict is in and I do not have allergies! I have what is called Vasomotor or non-allergic rhinitis. Something of unknown origin can trigger it and may not go away once contracted. So now I have a prescription nasal spray and I am hoping to get rid of this tickle in my throat and naggy little cough.

And the second appointment was because of a bump on my thumb. It is a new bump. Doesn't hurt at all and wouldn't worry me at all but it is new. At least I think it is new. No worry here either. It is a ganglion. I am familiar with ganglions from working in the doctors office years ago. It may or may not go away on its own but doesn't hurt or bother so no problem.

Both visits were reassuring. Seems I need more of that these days!

This morning's 2.63 mile walk was hard! It was 73 degrees at 6:00 am with 74 percent humidity. I felt like I was walking through warm soup. We have a heat advisory. Butch is antsy to get the mowing done but it goes away as soon as he goes outdoors for a minute.

Our squirrels do not trust us or they do not like ice water. Maybe both! I put an ice block in the satellite dish and the squirrels will not go near it. They are curious and check it out delicately but that is all. The little wimps!!

Deer follow up

The DNR guy called me and talked to me for quite awhile. He said deer are very resilient and related stories of deer being shot and the hunter finding it with an arrow through its neck that had long since healed. He said he saw a Mama deer with three legs and her injury was completely healed and yet she gave birth to triplets and raised them up. And if the little ones are old enough to drink water and eat grass (they were) that they will be just fine. So we can all rest easier and hope for the best.

Foggy morning

I finally got a ride in this morning. I missed the last two mornings due to morning storms. This morning it was fog-lots of fog but I didn't let that stop me. I go at 6:30 so there are not a lot of people out and about at that time, cutting down on my chances of getting hit. The visibility was 1/4 mile at best and in places, it was about 30 feet!

They had the cross country kids (I assume) on the trail this morning and for some reason, they seem to think they had a priority. Very, very few seemed to think they had to make way for me. I successfully bluffed them out. It made me irritated that I needed to bluff them out! I was thinking if one of those Lance Armstrong wannbes had come by he would have wiped out a few kids. I would have offered first aid and used my phone to call 911 while I chewed on the ones who didn't get hit! The coaches should have had a short talk about trail etiquette before letting the dogs out. End of rant.

Sunday on the lake

Jack and Jan Tallman, friends of ours from our square dancing years, live on Lake Panorama. They are part of our Yale/Panora Iowa group of friends and we still get together for cribbage games. Two summers ago Jack suffered what he calls a brain bleed. He was cutting down some small trees and it required him to bend over to cut them off next to the ground. I pictured these trees to be ones that had grown up in a tight line and each of them were about 2 inches in diameter. He suddenly found himself on the ground unable to move. I asked him if he knew what had happened to him and he said yes, he knew something had happened in his brain. He laid there unable to move for  3 to 4 hours. He said he was afraid he would not be found before dark and a fox might come by and start chewing on him and he would not be able to do anything about it.
Jan had been shopping and came home about four. She had bought a shirt for Jack and decided to take it out to him to see if he liked it. That is when she found him. Jack has been through lots of therapy but is still quite limited in his mobility. He can get himself around with a walker but moves slowly and says he has no energy.
And now I continue. Jack had been working on a project building a lighthouse to put down by the lake and it was partially finished. Recently friends of his had picked up on the project and finished it for him. It was to be placed down by the water. A friend of the Tallman's named John finished the lighthouse build. Every lighthouse needs a light and that is where Butch came in. Jack and Jan's son John had built a platform for it so all in all this was very much a group endeavor.  So as not to confuse you there are two Johns. John the friend builder and John the son platform builder and all-around handyman.

These photos are ones I took for the day and I am not going to be picky about which ones I post. So look quickly or linger, it is up to you. *smile*

The beginning point.

Toward the end. Butch on far left, Judy and Marv Smith seated at the picnic table, the two Johns down by the lighthouse, Jan getting into the golf cart and Skippy who is Marv's dog. He was named Skippy because he was the color of Skippy Peanut Butter.

Jack and Jan's house lakeside view.

Jack comes down to see the finished project. His daughter Jill is assisting him.

Jan and her helpers also put together a delicious steak meal enjoyed by all. 

Heavy Heart (deer)

This morning about 6:40 am on the bike trail I noticed deer on the trail. Not at all unusual and I have seen this family of three on the trail in about the same location a few times before. But this time was different. Mama was limping and as I came closer I saw that her right rear leg was dangling uselessly. My heart sank. I hung back so my presence didn't prompt her to hurry and cause her further distress. I took this picture before knowing her leg was broken and you can't tell from the photo. She made her way to the bean field south of the house and her babies followed her. This story is not likely to have a happy ending and it made me very sad. I wish I knew how to help her and her babies.

Friday at 6:15 AM

I stood in the driveway trying to make up my mind-walk or ride. That last walk felt so long and my lower back was a reminder of how much I needed to walk and also how much more fun it is to ride. I finally told myself that the only way for that walk to feel easy, short and pain-free was to do it more often so walking won. And it was easier and less painful than the last time. New plan-walk one day and ride the next. I get to ride tomorrow!
One thing about walking -it makes picture taking easier.
This plant looks very interesting but I have no idea what it is. I think on my next walking day I will pick a sample and see if I can find out. It is about 4 ft. tall and these spiky tops are unique.

 This is bergamot or bee balm. The picture is deceptive because the color is lavender.

 I have a fondness for coneflowers.

 A runner passed me...

 And a biker passed me...

 By the time I saw this sign I was ready!

This is a soybean field, but to me, it almost looks like a cityscape. It is a cemetery in the background

Compass plant

                               
                                                   Rose hips

Better look at the soybeans

When riding, this cutoff stump always catches my eye. Note the scallop around the edges. Anyone see the big cat profile?

This is a bit of a different angle on our back/side yard.

Dentist / roadtrip / friends

Thursday I had a dental appt. in Atlantic IA. It was scheduled a year ago. I have been doing great but wanted reassurance. In March I had a laser treatment on my implants and things have been better than good, in fact, great ever since. So I kept my appointment because I wanted to be sure I was not deluding myself. Hey, it happens as you get older. I see it all the time. I got my reassurance free of charge because he said they looked clean and nothing needed to be done! Happy dance!!  So our trip to Atlantic was basically a road trip. We are okay with that because it lets us listen to an audio book. Current book is "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving. Great listen.
Here are a couple of pictures taken through the windshield.

                                                   Iowa Countryside

We stopped at WalMart to get some money put on a card for gas and ran into old friends of ours from square dancing. Merlin and Bev Meyers. We stood in an aisle and visited for 45 minutes! It was great getting caught up on all their adventures.

We stopped to see our friends Bill and Bev Gunderson and we were lucky to catch them at home. We visited a bit then the four of us went to The China Hut downtown for lunch. It has always been a favorite place of ours and it did not disappoint. We went back to the Gunderson's beautiful home and played a few games of Bridge before making our way back to Jefferson.

It was a most delightful day!!

Walked today

I walked the route that Colleen and I always walked instead of biking today. It is about 2.25 miles. I will have to use MapMyWalk app to find out for sure. I have needed to do this long before now and this morning's walk reinforced that thought. My lower back hurt but I have found that if I keep going often times those aches and pains will go away. It took a long time to get better but it didn't get any worse. It took me as long to walk that distance as it does to ride 8 and half miles! That is why I have been putting it off for so long. Riding a bike is EASY!

Today's trail pic

This morning with pleasant temperatures of 65 I rode the trail. Usually, I see a few walkers while still within the city limits but that is about it. Not many of us are up at 6:30 am. Today's tally was 4 walkers, 2 bikers, couple of deer and numerous rabbits and ground squirrels.
One of the walkers was quite ambitious. She was young and when I passed her going out of town she was about 2 miles from the depot. I assumed she would be turning around shortly. When I stopped at my turn around spot and started out a Lance Armstrong wannabe zipped around me at road speed. I have reached an age where I am not intimidated when that happens, just slightly annoyed. They are missing the best part of the trail for want of speed. And then lo and behold the young walker was still walking and at this point, she was nearing 4 miles from home meaning that she would be walking another 4 to get back home! I was impressed! Now if I see her again tomorrow I will be doubly impressed.

I did get one memorable photo in approximately the same area as yesterdays collection.

Monday, Monday

July 25, 1959 we were married and they said it wouldn't last! So yesterday was our 57th anniversary. At least we both remembered it! There have been years where one or both of us didn't remember. Maybe we do now because it amazes even us!!
It was a day like many others- I rode the trail before Butch was up, then Mickey texted asking if I wanted to go shopping in Carroll and I said yes. Butch went golfing. Fun day.
And then at 4:00 we went to friends Dee and Jack to visit with classmates including one of which we have not seen for 55 years. Eddie Tasler! I imagine it is Ed Tasler now but for us, it will most likely stay Eddie. Eddie is here for a family funeral and took time out to touch base with all of us. He now lives in Denver and has for many, many years. It was sure good to see him and he looks good!

L to R Jack Harmer, Ed Tasler, Janet Smith

Ed visiting with Denny Lautner

Ed T. with Ed and Donna Lawson

Two Ed's

And now we have yesterday's trail pics.

I stopped without being aware of the two deer on each side of the trail to greet me. They were posing so nicely that I had to get a photo.

 This spot on the trail is on a ridge and you are looking down into a valley. The river is on the other side of the tree line in photo background.