Busy busy

Monday was a day of surprises.....

It started out with a text from my youngest son.

"Call me when you wake up. I'm bored driving home." He and his wife and their daughter were on their way home from Colorado.

I called since I was up at my usual time: Hannah Time ----->> which translates to predawn.

We talked for a little bit and then he said he had to pull off the road for gas...and "WAIT wait! Oh my goodness the sunrise is amazing!" 

As he said that, I was about to pour a cup of decafe when I took a peek towards the NE direction. The fog was heavy but there was a slight color threatening to brighten the sky. 

I texted back: Later! I'm headed towards the ridge to see our sunrise! 

My phone pinged once more: See you mom in about 5 hours!

I passed our mailbox on the ridge and saw a typical driftless region sunrise where the valley was thick with fog. The cool waters in the rivers and streams often produce amazing fog.

I pulled out my regular camera with my long lens. 

The shape of the land I live has wonderful shapes. When we have valley fog, the ridges and the trees appear above the fog creating an unusual sight. Meaning, I'm still not used to it after living here for 30 years.

The fields are not flat and even, our world is uneven and wonderfully rough. Contour farming is the only way to farm.

I thought I'd drive down into the valley and take a peek around. Sometimes the valley fog hangs 40 or 50 feet off the ground.

Not this day! However, the swallows were so busy at the bridge over Black Bottom Creek that I just stood in the road and watched them for a while.

[Yep, I could stand in the road on the bridge and not even see any traffic at that time of day!]

They were literally swarming the area. You can see that the sun is ready to dip into the valley from the light on the top left of the photo.

Depending on the season, it can take up to two hours before the valley sees the sun.

Back up on the ridge the sun was shining brightly. I was able to see across the valley fog to the dot on the map that is called Folsom.

This is one of the Folsom Lutheran Churches on the next ridge over.

I stopped back at Linda's Tractor on the way home. I taken a sunrise shot through the tractor and wanted one afterwards. It is rare that she leaves any equipment in the field. In fact this is the first time in 30 years that I can recall she has left one parked on a field she rents.

Linda still farms and is in her later 80's. She hires help of course, but still does quite a bit of field work on her own.

The heat and humidity set in by the time my son and his wife showed up but I had to walk them back to our 'campground'.

They were amazed at how cool it felt in the grove of trees and the definite lack of bugs.

Here is Mari who is 5 she was having a blast playing with Charlie and Hannah.

<--------------->

Today [Tuesday] I got to go to a birthday party for the grand daughter of a friend. I went to help and take some photos for fun because I was asked to.

Everyone was smitten with my friend's mini horses!

We came up with the idea of a birthday party with the idea of the kids decorating the minis. 

Safe to say, it was a huge hit.

All I can say is that it was a blast! I think the little girls are going to remember this as the coolest birthday party ever. Homemade cake, homemade ice cream, decorating mini horses, and so much laughter.

Grandma Pat is obviously the coolest Grandma Ever!

 

Foggy morning

Sometimes I wake up to heavy fog in our area. Our steep valleys often give us some incredible fog. I never liked driving to work in it at 4am or at 7am, but it is beautiful when one doesn't have to drive in it.

I took two cameras out Monday just as the sun broke the horizon. [Thank you Hannah for being the perfect alarm clock...on cue she wakes me up just as the world is getting light--> yawn!]

I headed out with the car so I could check out a few of my favorite places.

I started on the ridge and saw that the valley was full of fog.

This is one of my favorite places to stop and watch fog. All the elements are there. I've probably photographed this spot over many years in different weather. 

I decided to try and take some shots with both cameras for comparison:

Fog is one of my favorite things to go for walks in. Above is the road to the valley and below is a stream the locals call Black Bottom Creek but the maps call it Readscreek. 

It was about 6am and I stood on the bridge over the creek and took these shots. It is in the opposite direction from the shot with the tree in it.

I waited for about a half hour or so here hoping for the sun to come over the hill to the east. Impatience is my forte so I headed over to another bridge over the same creek.

I explored more shots but these are my examples. 

I find fog magical.

I love a good foggy morning in the Driftless.  I'm only moments from either the ridge or the valley.

The shot below is back on the ridge just after the sun broke through the fog.

Orange, Chairs, and Bears.

Waking up very early has its benefits.

I can use candles to light up my gourds and pumpkin display inside. The warm orange light is comforting as is the flickering from the candles.

 Then there is that advantage of getting out the door before the sun gets up.

It seemed that this day's theme was Orange. Orange and red sunrise, orange reflections on Bridge M, outside of Readstown, and orange reflections through the fog coming off from Blackbottom Creek at the bridge on Riley Road.

So on our morning walk we continued the theme.  In this shot there looks like a tiny dragon fly stuck in some sort of gossamer thread. You may have to click and enlarge the photo to see it.

Back inside I just had to take a shot of my Grumpy Planter. He never became a planter, I like his facial expression too much to stick a plant in him.

Perhaps in the future I will.

The only downside to waking up very early is on these shorter days, I feel like going to bed much earlier.

Evening hours are spent on my chair project. I like taking my time with it and enjoying the process.

Here is the chair and what it looked like after some sanding and cleaning.

So I started it. The colors were okay-ish but not quite what I wanted. I was using Chalk Paint as it is supposed to go on easier.

I checked into my acrylic paints and tried something different. I kind of liked the purple, but then I didn't.

I found my Brilliant Blue and tried it out on one of the rungs. I liked that.

The Linen White was much nicer and it looked cleaner.

I had some really fun colors in my acrylic collection so I added Lime Green to the lower legs. I liked it.  Fun and bright colors always make me happy.

I mixed two paints to come up with another color for the back legs. That utterly failed for the effect I wanted.

I wanted a warmish color for the back legs.  Hmmm. I wanted a more gold-ish tone, but this might have to do unless I can locate a soft gold color to layer over the yellow. 

Or...I'll keep the wild yellow just because it is unusual. 

It can be a reminder that days can be bright and full of light.

Here is Rich's ancient Teddy bear. I'd love to know exactly how old it was.

However his parents are gone and his sister in not in the picture.

The bear currently resides on the old Christmas Chair which may be my next paint victim. I might color it in a brilliant Christmas Theme.

I did use Google Lens on  photo of this Bear and it is a 1950's era Bear. 

I saw prices from $50 to $200 for this Bear. Not that I thought it was a beautiful bear, but it does let me know that my husband loved his childhood Teddy Bear enough to stick in his trunk of keepsakes for years.

 

He made mention that he thought he got it when he was about 6 yrs old.

That makes this bear around 70 years old?

Something about pre dawn

Before the sun comes up.
I awaken.

This morning I poured a cup of coffee and warmed it up. I grabbed my camera bag and walked past the sleeping dog and went looking for morning colors.

I decided to visit the bridge on a hunch that the colors might just be fantastic.
The spot did not disappoint me at all.

I headed back and stopped on Riley road to 'shoot' the first burst of daylight.

I used my zoom lens to pull the sun towards me.
All I could think of is ...wow, this day will be hot!
Look at that sun!

I drove half a mile and realized that the sun would rise again in this spot. Bonus!
Two sunrises in 10 minutes!

I scooted home and caught up Mica. She is elderly, calm, and an excellent all around mule.
She has some breathing issues but I hoped to avoid them by riding her on easy terrain.

Hills? I walk and lead her. Flat? We can ride.

We went out to watch the fog lift from the low areas and inspect the rolled hay bales on the neighbor's cropland.

She is the tallest mule we have.
This morning she seemed to have a real issue with leaving home and her pals.

The woods were actually quite cool and comfortable compared to the open sunlight on the ridge.

On second thought, this is where we should have ridden instead of the new morning's blazing hot sun.

Live and learn.



Middays are just too hot right now to do much other than read a book or sit on the porch in the rocking chair with a fan on.

I can't wait for tomorrow's dawn.

The Sunrise Club

Everyone started drifting downstairs slowly. Charlie and I had already been up and at 'em for a while.

Daryl took their dog out, and as soon as Scout came in, Charlie commenced to wrestling with him.
We mumbled good mornings and soon had our cups filled with fresh coffee.

I nodded towards the brightening eastern sky. Amanda soon appeared, more coffee shuffled around. Scout ate his breakfast, Charlie was sent to his crate...and Daryl went to wake up his youngest daughter who wanted to go see the sunrise with us.
She walked into the kitchen rubbing her eyes as we gathered our things and a set of car keys.

In no time at all we were headed up the driveway. I got to the mailbox and decided to go out on PeeWee's Ridge instead of our usual spot.

The view to the east was proving to be fantastic and colorful.

The view to the west, however was even more beautiful.

I lamented to my friends that corn had been planted on both sides of the drive and this would be one of the last times I could take a sunrise without the corn obscuring the ridges beyond the fields.

However, perhaps there is a solution after all...

That or I could bring a stepladder. I know now that it would fit in the 'Ru if I laid the back seats down.
Something to consider anyway...hmmm.

And then the sun burst over the field of corn...

...and a new day started.

Conversations with Charlie

The sun was coming up. Charlie was snoozing in my lap as I had my second cup of coffee.
I remembered that I was supposed to run to the local gas station and grab some milk for breakfast.

I grabbed a camera and tucked Charlie under one arm and his little bed under the other. I was going to test how well Charlie liked to ride in the car. I hadn't had him in a car since I'd brought him home.

I was rather surprised that he actually sat in his little bed and watched me drive. I only had to push him back once.
I pulled into the station and locked Charlie in the car telling him to 'stay'. Oh, I know he had no idea what I told him. But I was rather surprised that he in fact was still sitting in his bed when I returned.

On our way back across the bridge, I stopped. This was one of my favorite places to watch the sun come up. The trees reflected beautifully on Blackbottom Creek.
I parked and took Charlie on leash over to the bridge. Some Canada Geese flew in and landed. Charlie looked up at me. The scene was breathtaking.
I took some photos and then picked up Charlie. He looked up at me.
"Charlie, wasn't that the most amazing thing you've ever seen?"

Well, Charlie didn't really answer.

I talked to him as I drove home. I discussed the situation with Mom in Law and the Nursing Home, I told him about rehab and then I stopped on the ridge and told him about the Eagles soaring in the morning light. He was more impressed with the Eagles, I think.

I'd planned on going to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve in the afternoon. I couldn't leave Charlie at home. Rich was feeling tired and didn't want to deal with a puppy.

"Hey Charlie. Want to try another car ride? Want to go to the KVR ponds and watch waterfowl?"
I picked up his pet crate and Charlie suddenly took a keen interest in what I was doing.
"Is that a yes?"
Charlie trotted next to the crate.
He followed me along all the way to the Subaru. I gently picked him up and set him in the crate.

Rich had suggested that for a 20 minute drive, Charlie should be in the crate. What would happen if he suddenly jumped down by my feet while I was negotiating a nasty curve on 131. I hate to admit it, Rich was right.

Charlie was not happy with the arrangements. But he settled in after a few miles and was quiet until we reached KVR. I opened up the crate. Charlie wasn't sure of what to do.

I attached the cord and shouldered my back pack. I could hear more Canada Geese in the distance.

"Charlie. The guess are at the ponds. Let's go. Have you seen these guys? They are huge! I can't wait! How about you. I have treats and I brought water too for you.
Oops, there is a huge black mucky hole.
Let me grab you.
Hey, yup.
Okay."

I prattled on and on as we walked up the partially paved old 131 Trail. Charlie trotted ahead. Ahead I saw a lady walking towards us. We stopped so Charlie could greet her. Puppies are always worth conversation with strangers.

Charlie greeted the woman with wiggles and wags. She knelt down and pet him. He wiggled harder.

On we traveled. I told Charlie about the sky and the colors and how the world would change in just a month or so. There would be the sound of green leaves blowing in the warm breezes. The grass would be green, wild flowers would blossom. I told him to listen to the geese, they were going crazy.

We got to the pond. The geese were making a lot of noise. I sat on the bench and Charlie asked to sit in my lap. The sun was warm.

I sat at the edge of the blind in the sunlight.

I whispered to Charlie. And we sat quietly watching the geese.

We eventually left and headed back towards where I'd parked. I knew Rich would be waiting for our return.

Charlie and I talked about things. Nothing in particular, just things.
I think he listened.
No matter.
He won't tell on me. He won't disclose my secrets. Charlie is a good guy.

On our way back to the car Charlie greeted another photographer and we gave him directions to the 'blind'. Just before we got to the parking lot a class of 4th graders swarmed us. They were out with their teacher to see the spring birds.

Charlie was a champ. He didn't get too excited over all of the kids mooning over him.

I knelt down next to him when we got to the car.
He wagged his tail.

He went back in his crate for the ride home.

He slept. I drove.

Conversations with Charlie are one sided, but at least I feel like he is listening to me.
And that makes me smile inside and out.