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:

Whew!!

I hope I can remember it all. It has been a week of many happenings. Don't get excited because most people will be underwhelmed. I cannot wait to say it so this is out of order. I went for the trail walk with Keri this morning and we went the entire 2 1/4 miles and it felt wonderful!! I feel like I am back! Back from the brink of unhealth.
So to comment on other things: Trivia update. Wednesday evening was my first session back at the Elks. There were two teams and my thoughts that it would grow were dashed at the trivia session on Thursday night at the casino. Butch overheard a conversation where they were talking of the Elks trivia and the man told Chris, the host, the trivia at the Elks was not worth it. We don't know him so this means he is basing it on the past. It wasn't me running it but the stigma remains.

We have won second place in our two sessions of trivia at the casino. One of the reasons we have managed to hold our own is that we have recruited two younger people, Karla and Devon Hiller. They are essential to us having a chance of winning. Team McDugan will have one more time at the casino and then we are done because nothing has been done to make it continue at a different location. The Elks do not want it because it would have to be opened to the public and apparently that is impossible. I know this because I asked and received a three-paragraph reply as to why that could not happen. You see, I am free. Chris is employed by Woodys Trivia and even though he would bring 50 to 75 people into the Elks they still feel they cannot pay him and justify the cost.
Private clubs used to be popular but times have changed and some people cling to the past. These types of clubs are dying everywhere.

I called my sister Myrla to wish her a happy birthday. She always makes me smile. I told her that Karla and I would like to come to see her hopefully soon. She said that sounds great but let me know soon enough to get my dirty dishes shoved into the stove. She always cracks me up.
She lost one of her pets a few days ago. Peaches the Pomeranian was 14 and died in her sleep. She still has Hewy, part wolf, and he is 14 too. She said she would not get another pet when Hewy goes. She will miss them very much.

Butch developed a toothache, a bad toothache. His ice-eating past finally caught up with him and made it necessary to pay the piper otherwise known as the dentist. He hoped for a root canal but the verdict was that the tooth was too far gone for that. It was an ordeal getting all the bits out. I drove once he couldn't stand it anymore and I am sure that laid another layer of stress on his day. I hadn't driven out of town any further than Leo and Keri's house for at least a couple of years. You lose your skills after a time although it did come back rather quickly as far as I was concerned.

I probably have missed something important but it will have to wait for my memory to catch up.

Don't ask why

because I do not know but this cartoon gave me a serious chuckle!

Rain Threats

Rain threats can ruin a day without one drop of moisture. Monday was one of those days. Radar looked like it was going to drop a bucket for most of the day. And besides, little Leo was not feeling all that well running a low-grade fever and an upset stomach. We planned to go to Hickory Park in Ames joining up with Jason and Laura and we did. We had a good time playing with the great-grands.

Jason, Leo and Gary waiting for the food to show up.

These two are a couple of cutups and a whole bunch of fun

Kid-fun at Leo and Keri's

Just for the serendipitous beauty of it. (Chive)

Jason has been bemoaning the fact for years that he was born too late for a Big Wheel. Today he found out that Big Leo has a Big, Big Wheel and he had a blast. L to R Elise, Jason, Little Leo

 Keri as Catcher, Beckett age 3 is the batter, and Jason is pitching

 Beckett at bat and Keri pitches

 Gary and Susan help the youngsters on the monkey bars.

 Beckett rings the bell

 Elise 9, on the climbing wall

 Elise 9, Beckett 3, and Leo 6.