Cactus update 2017

My sons gave me this cactus as a Mother's day gift in 2008 I am guessing. It first bloomed in 2010 and I remember because we were in New Orleans when it happened. I do not know why that helped me remember but for some odd reason it did. When I received the gift it was in a tiny 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 container. You have seen those very small cacti in Wal-Mart, right? Well, that is what it was. As it grew I repotted it several times and that is no easy feat I can tell ya. This last time I chose a large but shallow terra cotta planter and that has been its home for at least 3 years now. When we still carried it in the motorhome (shower) it would get shaken pretty good and it became off center but since they are less than pleasant to mess with I left it that way. The last two winters at least it has stayed home in the house and Jason has watered it a couple times through the season.

The cactus developed a couple of offshoots making it look even more off kilter and one day I decided to see if I could take the larger offshoot and replant it with the idea if it worked okay but if not that was okay too. Leather gloves are needed for this and I have some. I cleared some rocks and dug a shallow hole in the soil beneath snapped off the biggest shoot and anchored the best I could in the hole putting the rocks back around it for support. It had a nice ring of buds on it when I did this about 3 weeks ago now.
Two days ago I noticed it was blooming splendiferously!! I do believe this baby is going to make it!

The arrow is pointing to where I removed the offshoot

Close-up

Fathers Day

The waxing has waned. Butch finished it up yesterday.
Today we, Leo, Keri, Butch and I met Bill, Jo and their daughter Barb at Hotel Pattee for lunch today. Three brothers who are fathers and grandfathers.

Perry has a big bike!

I understand that the Perry Mac is a popular choice at the Hotel Pattee.

Butch is waxing-Barb is biking

Keri, Karla and I biked to Cooper today. A total of 15.5 miles. It was the first time I tackled that distance this year or last. I think it was the first for a long time for Keri too. And it was the first time ever for Karla and that distance and on her birthday too! It had been on her bucket list for a while. I always enjoy a first-time rider of a distance finding out it is very doable and not at all daunting. 15 miles sounds like a lot to someone who has never done it. We had a good day for it. Overcast and cooler than it has been for over a week. When we first started out I spotted a fawn in the schoolyard and stopped to take its picture.  We know that seeing a fawn by itself is not unusual as mom will leave her babe somewhere and it will stay there till she returns.
The first one is a close-up and the second is to give perspective on where it was.

 Butch stayed home and kept working on the wax job. He hopes to finish today but took time out to golf with Jason this afternoon.
To back up a bit, yesterday was Butch's last doctor appointment for his hand and all is well. Then we made it a Costco day and Karla and Devon went with us. I had not been there for quite a while so it was a high dollar catch-up day. Karla and Devon were getting a kick out of Butch because he would wander off and then come back with stuff for the cart, like popcorn, then a pair of shoes, then a pair of jeans. Butch likes Costco too.
I do have to share a fun story. Devon and his friend Ezra have been making youtube video's and he lets me see them. In his last one, his friend Ezra says,"He's out faster than a fat kid at a dodgeball game!" For some reason that tickled my funnybone.
I saw this video and this little girl really impresses me! Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4QEGvsGNFY

Still waxing...

And yes, I do help him now and then. Mainly holding a ladder.

 A few minutes ago- Brilliant!

Waxy

Butch has the motorhome about half-waxed. He has said, once again, that this is his last time to wax it. I have told him for quite a while now he should hire someone preferably in South Texas to do it. He is certain they will not do it to his satisfaction. I think they will if you hover over them while they do it. Dirty trick I know, but if they want to be paid, it is best to do it right and the first time, don't you think? So anyway, that is in the future. I am guessing he will have it completed by Friday...maybe Saturday.
We had a nice rain the past two days so things are looking refreshed and healthy.

Butch was having a bit of trouble with one of his hearing aids so we went to Carroll this morning. They sent it in for repair and gave him a loaner. It is under warranty so that worked out fine. Rained most of the way over and part of the way back.

Plenty of squirrels still around despite being foiled from the hanging feeder.

Butch waxing...

Jigs is being resuscitated. It has been decided to meet at the same time, same place for the months of April, June, August, and October. No reminders or calls. If you can make it that is good and if not perhaps the next time it will work. We had a good time getting caught up on many things.

 A dove has decided to join the Brooker Bird Buffet.

Butch is still waxing... and waxing.

Conversation wwith ya'all

Yesterday Keri and I walked across town instead of on the bike trail because there was a biking event in connection with Bell Tower and we thought the trail might be crowded with bikers headed back to DesMoines. It has been very hot the last several days so we were out and walking at 6:30 am and it was 74 degrees. It was pleasant with a nice breeze so it was all good.

This morning when I hit the floor the outside temp was 76 degrees. For 5:30 am that is downright scary! I decided to ride instead of walk and was out the door at 6:10 am. I took my phone for emergency's and my camera for fun. I saw a cardinal, indigo bunting, very tiny baby rabbit and a turkey buzzard all in the first mile and a half. It was such fun to ride I decided to stop for picture taking on the return trip. I rode past the big bridge for a bit before turning around and when I did I was greeted quite warmly by the mosquito breakfast committee and I was the main course. I had not thought to wear protection and picture taking quickly left my mind. So I am adding some photos on today's post but none were taken on the trail. Maybe next time.

 Cardinal and house finch sharing breakfast. He says, "I have my eye on you!"

 The squirrels seem to have given up on the feeder in the tree. You can never count them out completely. Butch has relented and fills the ground feeder despite the fact they are piggy about it.

When I returned from the bike ride  I decided to make some Banana Pancakes. I have had the recipe for awhile, having gleaned it from Facebook.

Banana Pancakes
2 bananas-mashed
2 eggs
1/2 c. oatmeal
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
dash of salt

Mix together all ingredients and cook as you would regular pancakes. After having made them, I think next time I will blend the ingredients and let it sit a few minutes before cooking.

They were tasty and I would make them again. A good way to use excess bananas

Bell Tower Festival

Saturday is the big day for the festival. So we asked Jason and Laura to come over and we would treat them to breakfast at the Firehall. They surprised us by bringing Laura's son Mike with them! We haven't seen Mike for quite some time.
Then we joined Mickey and her family for the parade. Took many pictures.

 Mickeys kids rode the few blocks to Russell Park from Mickey's house in the back of a pick-up. Then we settled in for the parade. Butch, Jason, Laura and Mike.

 Part of Mickey's family

 More of them

 Butch's classmate, Rick Morain and his wife Kathy

 My classmate, Keith Conroy

 My classmate, Donna Lawson, Greene County Iowa Treasurer

Mickey's daughter Dena talking to her granddaughter Britany. Britany is holding Peanut.

 Glidden scaled down an old school bus. Cool, huh?

 My classmate, John Hamilton

Mickey and her children... Brent, Dena, Mickey and Niki