Thursday specials...

What a sunrise!

Or should I say...Wow, what a non sunrise!

In fact, there was absolutely no sun orb in the sky at the time of sunrise. My weather app said haze, poor air quality, and some fog.

This is what I saw:

[Taken with my Olympus camera]

However, all was not lost:

An hour later the sun shone through briefly in an odd color:

I went back to the ridge to check the mail and saw this after sunrise. It looks like some scene out of a Science Fiction Movie doesn't it?

This field was corn last year and it should be rotated to soybeans, but I'm not sure. It was sprayed and planted, but it doesn't look too great. The fog/haze finally got some orangish color to it.

The air quality lifted somewhat so I went out and worked at the forest 'pasture'. The forest is deceiving in that there actually is a lot for the mules to graze on. This section is not used in the fall and winter. It is too far out for me to check on everyone easily.

All summer I take a daily walk to check the fencing. The deer don't seem to knock things off the insulators much during the summer.

Mule/Deer trail:

Oyster Mushrooms near the creek in a dry run which has moist air flowing through it. The red arrows point to the delicious fungi.

The girls moving about in the summer meadow after they'd explored the steep woods.

Unless we get some good rain, our black berries in the woods won't be very plentiful.

I am happy to report that A. Corn finally met Fern. 

A. Corn was a bit shy, so he ... well... did this --->

Fern pulled a wild strawberry out of her shoulder bag and ... well... it was a nice date.

I think they will be a pretty happy couple. Neither one of them look lonely any more.

All in a Day

All in a day's work.

I'm actually a bit too small of a person to handle a scythe properly with a good wide swing. However, I make it work.

I do this work at dawn, it is cooler out and I learned that weeds cut with a scythe much easier when they are damp with dewfall.

I see these tools hanging on the side of sheds with citified folk who don't know how to use them ... I imagine they are 'decorates'. To me, it is better than a power tool. I have to get it sharpened again. I asked hubby but he forgot.

[Perhaps I'll take it up to my neighbor and have him do it as he has one too. When I was getting the mail he and his son were out yesterday afternoon and we discussed the attributes of Scythes. I think he was surprised that I used on. ]

Next up was a trip to town to turn in my ancient STIPUD Phone and see if I could get a newer upgraded one. I went to the local US Cellular place in town and was waited on by the absolutely nicest bunch of customer service folks. The gal that waited on me was named Sara and she was newer at her job so she apologized a lot for doing things slowly.

I told her that this was my thing to do today, so I was not in a rush. I was learning about this phone and it was the first decent one I've ever had. My previous cell came at a discount of less than $50 and I admit, it was pretty crappy. However, it worked for what I needed it for.

Hands down. The greatest Customer Service I've ever had from anyone in recent memory!

When I got home I tried to familiarize myself with the Google Pixel phone [yeah Eddie, it is a nice phone and I got it for 50% off!]. 
Olive texted and asked if I wanted to walk in their woods with her and Aiden.

Off we went.
We were hunting for Oyster Mushrooms and we hit the jackpot.
The first shot is dried up Oysters...

[photos below are with the cell phone Google Pixel 6a]

This one is of a flush of them....

No Forest Adventure is complete without a Lego Person.
This guy needs a name before he is introduced to Fern! Got any good ideas?

By nearly nightfall, I was tired and worn out. Today I'll have to take a nap so I can go out in the fields on the ridge and hopefully shoot the milky way & fireflies!

As a last bit of something, I'll say this. I know I go on and on about CrossFit and it may seem obsessive to others. It can seem that way. Below is a link to a video that pretty much shows what our gym is like. It isn't a hard core place -- though if you wish to be hard core, it can be done. Our gym is very unique. In the summer they offer children's gym class and teen gym class too.

CrossFit Viroqua 'We are Family'

This video is Exactly Why I
Go... [the video directs you to watch it on FB so I am sorry for that, but if you have access, it is really quite fun and very short.]

PS: 
This morning I finished up the Thistle Patch ... onto my next Farm Job whatever that will be!

Gardens, weeds, trees, and stuff

The shade garden got more sunlight Sunday even if it was cloudy and cool.

We had a late and very wet snowfall this spring which took the top of a tree and bent it right over the shade garden.

Since I am not one that could operate a chainsaw to take down the tree and clean up the mess, I put some feelers out and finally Olive volunteered her husband. 

It was a harder job than any of us expected. Getting a tree down that kept hanging up was a bit dicey, but her hubby calmly took it down bit by bit. When he started sawing it up into pieces, I told him to let me know what he would like stacked for them to use in their wood stove. 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

We made swift work of dragging the limbs and unwanted parts into the wood pasture [I took the hot wires down]. The big chunks that were cut were stacked next to the hosta garden to await another time for transport. 

Rich said he'd be happy to transport it with the skid steer when the time came. This is how we do it on in our 'neighborhood'.

Now I am eyeing that section of the yard for another Wildflower Garden mixed with more split up hostas and ferns. I don't get into strict planning, it just happens.

I thought I'd try out the little trimmer against the huge pile of invasive thistles. Last year I gave up cutting them down in this area and that was a huge mistake.

Sundance decided to supervise. At one time my neighbor had cattle on the other side of the fence. We used it as a large pasture after he died and his brothers took over the land and Rich kept it mowed twice a year. The 'deal' was simply that we mowed it in the late summer so the deer hunting party could walk through it.

The absentee owners then decided that we should pay rent and we took our hotwire down and stopped mowing. Of course all their weeds became our weeds.

So I realized a few things. This is a really big job. Bedstraw and other grasses are growing thick in between the thistles.

I chop with a machete and use the blade a bit at a time. I have to pick up as much of the thistles as I can and pile them. If they are left in place, it would be too prickly for the mules to eat the underlying grasses.

I made some headway. Tomorrow I'll take out the scythe and a rake along with the trimmer and the machete. I'm pretty determined not to let it seed out this year.

The yellow line is my progress against the thistles.

The inspectors came out to nose around and eat some of the previously hidden grasses. There are my piles of thistles! Yikes!

Of course I had a support team and we agreed to head back to the house when we felt some rain drops and the wind changed.

Sadly it was just a few droplets. Perhaps we'll get some tonight. Rain will soften the thistle stems and make them easier to hack, chop, and pick up.

I know this sort of thing works as I worked on another patch of the same kind of thistles and now, three years later, the thistles are easy to manage. So I have some hope!

Tools I can use...

Hubby is such a nice guy. He thought that I should learn to use a saw as in chain saw. I told him that I'd cut my leg off easily and that I couldn't stand the noise.

Besides, big trees should be left to people with skill and knowledge. We agreed at least on that. So I saw this thing and asked him what he thought about it.

It is a mini saw that is battery operated.

It was a version of this:

After my hand sawing debacle he thought if I had a better tool, I wouldn't be tugging on branches to break them. I could saw through them.

So I got this---->

After a lot of instruction on how to safely use this tool..... 

I got my first assignment from the Boss. Clear out lower branches where he mows so he didn't have to duck or get slapped in the face with leaves.

Years ago when he downed trees, he'd have me hook up the logging chain so he could use the tractor to pull the logs and heavy stuff to another area for cutting up. I decided to use a rope and attach it to the the 4 wheeler. Then I dragged the whole works to a brush pile I can burn this winter [if we ever get moisture again!].

In the summer pasture the snow had damaged several box elders so that their branches hung so low that the mules couldn't get under them to eat the grass. I decided to see how the little saw really worked on a hard job.

The yellow area is where all the branches were hanging to the ground covering up the grass.

I was really amazed at how fast and easy this job was. Much better than a hand saw. I won't be doing big jobs, but for cleaning big branches off the fence, it will be incredible.

I have a lot to pick up and drag.

The next job is to make sure the forest fence is up to snuff. I was going to avoid it this year but without rain, our pastures are looking sickly and perhaps the gals will enjoy foraging on the steep hillside. 

I've tried feeding them hay and they leave it be, so they are getting enough out there in the woods.

Hubby then came up with another fine idea. He thought I'd like a nice battery trimmer that has blades that will whack up those pesky weeds in the other sections of forest and meadows. The ones I've always had to take the scythe or machete to in past years.

Swinging a scythe or running a 3.5 lb electric trimmer? I think I'll go for the trimmer and see what happens.

If nothing else, it will give me great satisfaction to cut down noxious weeds easily.

Look out you nettles and thistles! Watch out curly dock! I'm coming for you!

The Big Adventure

I generally take some things with me wherever I go. This trip was no different.

I put the small Mickey Mouse Lego Car in my stuff along with a few of my favorite Lego Females.

I imagined a road trip. I imagined some different scenes in my head and let the ideas percolate. 

While I was setting up a shot on my son's boardwalk, Twila came bounding through and jumped over me. I was crouched on the walk with camera in hand. I hit the shutter as she ran by and leaped.

I thought, "Well crap, that shot is ruined now isn't it?" I figured I'd get another chance later on to do another or different shot.

However when going through the photos once more on my laptop, I decided that this shot was a keeper for sure. I imagine a story line something like this...

Driving can be dangerous!
Hobby and the gang decide to take Mickey's car and drive to a Big Lake where they heard there was cooler weather. Cooler weather and lots of water? This they had to see!

They encountered some wildlife. Due to Hobby's excellent driving and evasive maneuvers, all was well...

Mirth asked for a rest stop so she could stretch her legs and inspect the area they were travelling through.

Hobby decided that the huge exotic flowers were a must to add to her album of wild plants. While taking photos, an elfin gal came out of the brush.

Hobby was stunned. The elfin gal introduced herself as Fern. Fern had a sad story of being the only wood elf in these Kenosha woodlands. She was so lonely.

Did Hobby know of any other wood elves?

Hobby said she knew of one other wood elf just like her and maybe she'd like to meet him? However the wood elf was back home hours away.

Fern said she like to meet this wood elf could she meet up with them later the forest that humans called Peoria Park? After a short hike, she could take them to the Big Lake called Michigan.

They meet up at the Big Mushroom in the Park.

Fern takes them for a short hike.

She explains that they are in her forest, people and dogs also like to visit to enjoy nature. The people aren't dangerous and sometimes the dogs just knock her over. But Fern felt quite lonely being the only little person in the whole forest.

Fern takes the gals to see Lake Michigan.

And they are all in awe.

None of the humans even notice all the little people, it seems they were interested in other things like bird watching and a kit flying festival.

Hobby and the gang were fascinated, they'd never seen so many people and the the lake was incredible. So much larger than their creek back at home.

Fern then said that sometimes the human people actually built homes for little people like them.

No Way!

Fern decided to show them one of the homes that had been abandoned by other little people when they left the forest. Human children must have built it and then left it out in the woodlands Fern tells the others.

Hobby asked Fern if she'd like to come and visit their forest and meet Acorn the other wood elf that lived not far from them.

Fern agreed and...

well,

we'll just have to see what happens next.

Ahhhh.

One just cannot have too many Lego People.

:)

The Big Meet up of Pets

There was quite the build up to Charlie and Twila meeting for the first time. We were not exactly sure what to expect.

When I pulled up to Eddie and Megan's house, Eddie and Twila were at the gate waiting for us.
Charlie sniffed through the gate and so did Twila. 

We opened the gate and let Charlie in. Charlie glanced at Twila and then ignored her.

The Big Meet was as exciting as watching paint dry.

Twila pictured below, was more interested in my toy tossing abilities. Charlie was more interested in exploring the yard. [He is the little black blob in the back].

We went to the Triple 4 so Eddie could show me around his land he'd purchased years ago. He and Megan plan to build their home on this land not too far from where they live now.

Here you can see Charlie's size compared to Miss Twila. 

The dogs became best buddies very quickly.

Charlie got to meet Aldo. He is one of Megan's cats. Around home, all the cats we see are feral cats.
Aldo doesn't seem to understand he is a cat at all. 

Charlie had no idea what to do. He just stood next to the cat that was taller than him and let Aldo sniff him. Twila was something he could deal with. Aldo? He had no idea.

Aldo:

Elenore hid from us most of the time, but I got to meet her finally on Sunday morning.

Perhaps Aldo told her about his early morning cuddle with Charlie and I. Ever have a cat come and sit on your chest to wake you up???

Maybe he told her that we weren't dangerous. I'm convinced that Aldo has no idea he is supposed to be a cat.

For a birthday present I got a Lego Minifigure! I was so happy! Now Acorn Guy...

can meet with ...

Acorn Girl!

My weekend was wonderful. I can be happy just watching the dogs play in the yard and reading a book on my son's deck. Or taking a walk along the lakefront ...

We took a guided night hike at Hawthorn Hollow, walked the beach, watched the Kit Festival, and took the dogs for a Sunday walk at a new favorite park called Poerio Park which I never knew existed. Kenosha has so many great places to go.

The puppers were worn out by the time I decided to head back home. 

Whew! It was in the 70's when we left. When I got home, it was 92 and stinkin' hot.

Charlie and I put one more K-town visit behind us. 

We will look forward to more adventures and chillin' on the patio watching Aldo in the Catio. [A cool outdoor cat patio!]

One more shot of Twila.

What a beauty!

I'm...baaaacccckkk...

 It seems like it takes at least a day or so to recover even from a mini trip of 48 hrs.

The drive across the state was pretty nice aside from the intense heat. I had mapped a route that would take me to Paradise Springs Natural Area. I planned on a picnic out of the back of my 'Ru with Charlie.

When we pulled up and parked in the small lot under a tree there was no one else around. I shared some PB&J with Charlie and he had a big drink of water.

I grabbed my back pack and thought we'd head into the little trail to see the spring building.

Another vehicle pulled up and two older guys stepped out into the heat. They asked if they could pet Charlie. Charlie loved the attention. When we walked around the corner from the parking lot there was a huge red sign:

NO PETS!

I was crushed. I stood there. It was too hot to leave Charlie in the car. The guys looked at me and the one said: We won't say a thing. I doubt he will harm anything.

I tucked Charlie under my arm and headed down a paved trail. The last time I'd been to Paradise Springs, the trails were dirt. The area had suffered quite a bit of neglect. After the 2018 record floods groups got together and donated monies to fix this little beautiful place. New trails were laid down and paved. The pond was cleaned and benches along with a nice little deck for viewing was made.

The improvements were beautiful. The building was the same, but the area was much cleaner. 

The Spring Building from across the pond.
The water smelled bad because
of the lack of rain and fresh 

water.

Inside the building looking out through 
the windows across the pond
back towards where
I had been standing.

The two older guys looking

for turtles.
One fella told me that he

'rescued' turtles by taking them off

the road and bringing them to 

this pond.

I saw no turtles and they didn't either.

There were quite a few nice benches along the paths with donor's names on them. I took a few shots with my IR camera and scurried back to the parking lot so as not to get in trouble. Charlie stayed tucked under my arm.

No selfie with Charlie to add to our collection of doggie photos. I was disappointed, but understood that sometimes people who don't make their pets behave ruin it for those that do.

I sat in the back of the 'Ru with my dog and we had some water while I plotted our next stop. Beula's Bog. 

In truth, it sounded way too hot and muggy to go to a Bog, but we'd head that way and check it out.

I followed the directions...until...

the connection between my smarty phone and my car stopped. I couldn't stop on the narrow back road safely to try and figure it out. So I just 'winged' it. I drove on one curvy road and to another unmarked black top and eventually came out in a town. I pulled into a parking lot and disconnected everything and restarted the phone.

I really regret not having a good ol' paper map in my car. I must have cleaned out the 'Ru and tossed it. 

By the time everything was set, I decided that it was too hot and nasty to go explore a bog with Charlie. I set my sights on Petrified Springs Park and decided to go there until it would be time to drop in on the 'kids'.

I was looking forward to cooler weather near Lake Michigan.

And so it went...