Memories of back ... then.

I went to the garden to pick some Zinnias for my in house bouquets the other night. I stopped to look over my 4 o'clocks which were opening because it was evening.

I glanced down at the bright happy flowers of the 4 o'clocks and then noticed that they were beginning to produce seeds.

I knelt down next to them and began to search for the little black seeds that I told my sons were flower 'hand-grenades'.  Well, that is what they look like.

As I started to pick and search in between the flowers I was reminded of doing this with my boys while waiting for their school bus to arrive to pick them up in the morning.
And how I sat near the flowers and waited for them to depart from the bus on the corner down the street.
The memories of them being so young washed over me.

It really hadn't felt as if it were so long ago. Yet it was.
I held in my hands the seeds of memories.

I don't think I can ever gather 4 o'clock seeds without thinking of my sons, the first days of school, and school buses.

Indeed it was a very pleasant memory.

Weed Eater Adventure

I have always shied away from the Weed Eater Machine. It is noisy, it flings grass bits everywhere, and it just is plain intimidating! Plus it uses gas, is smelly, and works with this string thingy that hits weeds and flings them everywhere.

That is...

Until I watched my son Ed use one last year. I was amazed at how quickly he cleared areas under the electric fence. 

Grass and weeds flew. And he made it look easy. 
[Oh yes, he did sweat profusely and get green bits of 'stuff' all over himself.]
Here is a shot of him working last year when he helped me replace and re-fence an area.

However I decided then and there that I would conquer the fear of the WEED Eater!

Well, I would figure out how to get my hands on one and use it anyway. Certainly it was easier at cutting weeds than using the corn knife as I'd done for so many years. 

I could get weeds blasted into oblivion in minutes versus hours, right?

Modern technology is good right?

Normally we don't have many weeds or grass impeding the fence, except when that pasture is out of rotation for a while. This summer we've had an abundant weed/grass issue. June, July, and August have been rainy months.

Normally we have a very dry July or August, but not this year. We can mow the yard and it seems we have to do it again only a few days later or suffer the shaggy yard syndrome.

[Well, we have suffered that, seems this year it has been especially hard to keep up with the yard work while all of the remodeling has been going on.]

I asked my husband this spring for a Weed Eater for my birthday. He was surprised and picked out a Weed Eating thing that he liked. He said he could use it if I didn't. 
I also got a face shield and ear protection. I cannot stand the thought of weed and grass bits hitting my face.

I've used the Machine a few times, but tonight I got after a rather large area that is impossible to mow. And dang it all, it just looked shabby near our nice new looking house.
I'm really not that great at using the weed whacker, but practice makes perfect. 

Hubby stopped me and took the machine away then proceeded to demonstrate the proper method of weed whacking. 

The perfect angle, the perfect pitch, how to angle the head and slowly sweep back and forth while watching the grass and stuff...get chopped up.

I tapped my boot and put my hands on my hips.

I flipped my mesh face shield down and made a 'Gimme' sign with my gloved hands. 

I explained that I needed to practice. I needed to use it to get comfortable with it. 

He demonstrated a bit more and when I started jumping up and down and flapping my arms...he finally got the idea.

...and let me loose with the grass/weed munching machine.
I didn't do a perfect job but I annihilated the weeds near the big shed and around Lil' Richard's Winter paddock. I was happy for the face shield as I even found smeared slimy slug parts on it.

I finished up after about 45 minutes. My arms are not used to holding a weed monster.
And then I looked down at myself.

I was covered head to toe with grass/weed parts. I even had green stuff in my hair. My neck and shirt were plastered with it.

Note to self. Keep the same old crummy pants and shirt for weed eating. Also swap the newer glasses for the older glasses.

I am less concerned about the flying bug smeary parts that get through the mesh with my old glasses.

I looked over the job I had done after putting the Wonderful Birthday Gift away in the shed. 

Hubby looked at the job. He didn't say anything negative so I take that as evidence that I did 'okay'.

He mentioned that he'd have to get out his commercial weed eater to get the really tough stuff. He could put a blade on it and it would cut through small woody weeds.

He did mention at the time we were getting this machine for me that he would not get me a blade. I was simply too dangerous. The string trimming would have to suit me.

Tomorrow? That pasture fence line that has been annoying me with a growth spurt of weeds. 

The Wander-er has returned.

I had to take Lily back home to Wausau, she had to go to Middle School Orientation.

Whoa, does that ever make me feel old!

When we got to her town early we decided to go check out a place that I'd been wanting to visit since last year when Lily and I took our October adventure on Rib Mountain.
I am drawn to water, and love rocks and water. Give me a stream and rocks and some rapids and I can be happy for hours.

Lily and I only stayed a short time, but what we saw made us determined to return.

And we did so on Saturday afternoon.

Welcome to the Dells of Eau Claire. 

The scenery was fantastic. The kids were fascinated by things they found along the river.

This was just below the dam and foot bridge. The kids stopped to look at crayfish and frogs, along with snails and other creepie crawly things.

We eventually made our way down the North trail and I kept getting side tracked by the amazing fungi I kept finding.

I found a lot of Coral Fungi growing next to the path. The hardest part about photographing it was finding intact fungi. The folks who were hiking the trail must not have looked at what they were stepping on. 

A few times Sterling would be curious as to what I was doing crouched so low to the ground and he would come running. He is not yet two years old, so I didn't expect him to understand that I didn't want him to step on the fungi either.

It was a challenge to get a shot of the fungi before he stepped on it trying to look into the camera lens.

Elena had just turned 3 and she had an idea that this 'stuff' was pretty special. She'd ask, "What is that Mamma?"
I'd tell her "Fungi!" and she'd wrinkle her nose. Of course she wanted to touch everything.

Elena helped me set up The Doe and Fox near some Coral Fungi. She enjoyed playing with grandma's toys.

Her favorite toy ended up being the green iguana. She carried that on the rest of the hike. I was afraid she'd lose it, but never fear, when Elena has something she wants, ...she doesn't let go of it.
I was surprised that she actually gave it back to me when I asked.

Both of the little ones loved the trail we walked on. It actually was not a difficult trail at all. Sterling kept taking off like a rocket. His new found freedom of running without a parent yelling at him to stop was probably in the back of his mind.

We found spots along the river to explore and even a spot to just stop and enjoy the rushing water.

It was relaxing. My son Jer loved the place. I hope he decides to come back often as it is only about 20 or so minutes from his apartment.

Before we realized it, ... it was 5pm and we had only gone perhaps a half mile along the trail. We headed back towards the parking lot amidst the little ones' protests.

I decided that a potty break would be a good thing before the trip back.
Elena turned 3 just a couple of weeks ago and is potty trained. So I asked if she wanted to go.
We went in to a stall.

Elena took one look at the pit toilet and let out a yowl! "NO NO NO, I don't have to go! I want out, I want out!"

If you've ever been to a pit toilet in the summer, well, you know they stink and the drop from the seat looks terrifying.

Note to self. Elena would rather squat in the woods than use a pit toilet. And I don't blame her one bit.

I found out that these little ones will be like Lily. Good little adventure-ers. [I'm not sure that is a real word, but I'm going to use it anyway.]

Sunday morning came along and I had to head home. I had to work on Monday morning. My time with the kids and my wandering had come to an end.

However, I'm going to keep the Dells of Eau Claire on my list. I'd like to see it again in the winter.
Perhaps I will go if I wander north again to visit the little ones this fall or near Christmas time.

Starry Night

On our drive back from canoeing Miss Lily fell asleep in the car. I suggested she take a nap before we try riding our mules.

She slept until nearly 8pm. Wow, she was tired! We ate supper and made out her school list of supplies so we could go shopping to get them this afternoon. 

We sat at the table after eating and played word games and spelling games. Gramps went to bed and Lily wanted to look at the stars. We took the smartie-phone out and used the Google Skymap to find Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and a couple of constellations.

I had set a rug down on the concrete floor of the porch. Lily, Morris, and I had pillows and a blanket. We snuggled down on top of the rug and talked about stars and...stuff. Nothing important stuff, just stuff.

Lily wanted to see the Milky Way appear so we got quiet and waited for the moon to set.

Lily gasped in delight as we saw a shooting star. And cooed in delight as the Milky Way indeed began to appear after the moon had set.

An owl called. Another answered. The mules snorted in the pasture. A coyote barked in the distance.

Soon we were sound asleep. The dog, the kid, and the old lady.

I woke her up as this old body can't sleep on concrete too long before it gets a bit uncomfortable.

And that was our Starry Night Adventure.

To There and Back

Since Lily was here and the good neighbors thought that it would be fun to hike and have a picnic yesterday, we thought we'd go to Wyalusing State Park and have some fun.

I've read nothing but rave reviews about the park and what nice trails they had. This was especially true because our neighbors have three children. Ages 7, 5, and not quite 3 years old.

We packed a lunch and headed to the park.
When we got out of the van we were inundated with mosquitoes.

I got out the natural 'skeeter' bug juice and liberally applied it to everyone. We then started off along the Bluff trail to look at the incredible scenic outlooks.

Lily took some of the best shots hands down. I lent her my FinePixFujiFilm camera and she worked wonders with it.
This is a zoom of the train crossing the confluence of the Wisconsin River and the Mississippi River.

The scenery was incredible. We went to another outlook and of course took more photos.

We explored the Treasure Cave and survived the incredibly steep stairs and decided to continue to explore.

We ended up taking what we thought would be a trail that circled back and did a nice little loop.

Being an adventurous bunch, we went on despite the annoying mosquitoes.

As we went down off from the bluffs we crossed back and forth over wash outs from the heavy rains that this area about 60 miles south of our homes. We'd had perhaps an inch and a half.
I think I recall this area getting about 4 inches.

We went on bravely.

Pretty soon it became evident that we had taken the low trail. The trail that ran along backwater and a fairly swampy area.
At this point we just quit taking photos. 

It became a matter of survival and not being consumed by 'skeeters' who attacked us in hordes.

Everyone was a trooper.
Lauren got ahead of us with the older crew and Justin and I walked with Logan. The plan was to keep everyone moving as fast as possible.
I must say that Logan was a real little hero. He trucked along at a pace I never thought a little one could go. When he started wearing out Dad picked him up and carried him.

We were on the Immigrant Trail which ran along a flooded area that was thick with backwater. Eventually we became separated as Lauren and the older kids walked faster.

The toughest part was the Old Wagon Trail. The trail had a steep incline to get back to the parking area.

But we made it. We all survived. When we got back together we immediately voted to get out of the park, come back after the first frost, or when it wasn't so wet, and enjoy some of the other trails.

We hiked approximately 5.2 miles.

Would we do it again? Oh yes!

We drove north past Prairie Du Chien and pulled off at a boat landing and stopped for a picnic.

NO Bugs!
And the river was beautiful as well as the clouds.

We stopped at Gordon's Bay Rd. across from Falling Rock Bar on Highway 35.

And then we had a wonderful picnic.

And all was good.

Lily rode Fred last night and after we get back from doing the Kickapoo today, we'll ride again.Lily

Guess who is coming to town!

Miss Lily!!!

With a bit of hard work and some juggling of schedules, I will be able to pick Lily up tomorrow in the Dells. 

I'm sort of really kind of...well yes...

excited.

I love all my Grands and wish I could visit with each of them for a week. At the end of Lily's visit, I get to spend some time in Wausau with Elena and Sterling. I can't wait for that either.

Later this month, Dennis will be coming to spend some time at the farm.

Now all I have to do is figure out how to retire and just spend my summers with the kids. Hmm, kids, farm, and seeing state parks. I have that on my list!

Well, in reality, that isn't going to happen, so ....I will muddle through the best way I know how.

I had a bountiful harvest yesterday from the garden! I've never grown sweet corn before as I always figured the wild critters would get it before I could.

But as luck would have it, we have a huge harvest of corn!

And it is delicious! So I grabbed my pails and went to work yesterday in the forenoon to harvest goodies from the garden.

I had some beans, grape tomatoes, some Roma tomatoes, and some Beefeater type tomatoes. I filled a 5 gallon bucket twice with sweet corn.

Of course it was hot and humid. I froze 5 bags of corn on the cob for having this winter. I still had a 5 gallon bag of sweet corn.

So I sent an email to my neighbor telling her that I was having a crisis of too much sweet corn, and the bucket was looking for a home in some tummies.

Her crop hasn't come in yet but I like to share.

She answered that she had a family of expert corn eaters and would be grateful for a bucket of corn.

Here is my harvest which includes onions, zinnias, and peaches from the market in town. I couldn't resist trying to create a 'still life' out of the produce I picked and cleaned.

It looks like another warm humid day in SW Wisconsin. Lots of work to get done!

We had another two inches of rainfall last night. I don't think we are facing any sort of drought this year.

Whoops, Reality Check...

Well.
My fanciful ideas of wandering are on hold. But that doesn't mean that I am giving up on them.

I am going to make plans. I noticed that some of the state parks I'd like to see are open all year 'round with...with snowshoeing available and hiking!

Now that would be an awesome time to go exploring I think. I will work on that and come up with a plan.

My zinnias in the garden are going crazy! They love this hot, humid weather and seem to be thriving in it. The four o'clocks have attracted humming birds. The green beans are almost done, the lettuce has bolted ... and the sweet corn is coming on strong!

We ate some the other night. It was sweet, it was delicious. And so far no raccoons have invaded and decimated the corn. Perhaps this is because I have mules pastured on two sides of the garden.

I'll be picking Miss Lily up on Saturday. She will visit for a few days and we'll be getting her school supplies. It will be a short visit, so I will try cramming a few fun things in at the same time.

We may go to Wyalusing State Park, they have some nice trails and gorgeous places to look down on the Mississippi River. I'm thinking about canoeing the Kickapoo River with Morris and her also.
If we can get the shopping done, we'll have time for some real fun.

I thought more about my traveling 'itch'. The parks I'd like to visit are open year 'round and most have snowshoeing/hiking/skiing trails. And not a big crowd! Maybe a late fall/early winter trip would work well. Or a frozen trip?

Heck I like cold. And there are no bugs.

My new wish. To try out kayaking. After my last trip down the Kickapoo River in a canoe, I thought it would be fun to try a kayak.

Perhaps a trip when the fall colors start to be-dazzle us is when I'll try the Kayak trip on the lazy Kickapoo. 

Well, off to the real world where chores await and painting, refinishing, and other mundane things await my attention!