Huge Score at the Farmer's Market !

I went last Saturday to go pick up veggies for the week. I was able to pick up Bok Choy, Swiss Chard, Leaf Lettuce, summer squash, zucchini, and radishes. My total cost? $15 for a week's worth of great veggies.

I filled my bag up and decided to walk around the Market and found out is was Kid Vendor Day which they do once a month. Kids bring items they have made or would like to sell and set up a table. Last year, one girl was selling rocks. I could have looked for a very similar one on my own land, but she knew all the names of the types of rocks she had. In fact she could ID them better than I could.

So I purchased two from her to put in my garden.

This time around I spotted a youngster with a table full of Legos and Lego characters. I stopped by to look at what he had and made a purchase of a few items.

His mom was there and from the looks of what was on the table, the Legos were a mix of old [vintage] Legos and new Legos.

I purchased a few of the ones I'd never seen before.

When I got home I looked up this one. The camel is from an old set. Of course without the original numbers and packing, I can't prove a thing. But when I looked it up I found Rare Retired Legos: Camel 

The average price on a few sites was $48. Of course that was for ones that had never been played with.

I was pretty tickled that I got this minifigure and the camel along with some miscellaneous pieces for $3.

The Yoda figure has always been out of a sensible price range. Some of the prices for Yoda range from $33 to $80 something depending on the model. I got Yoda, Hans Solo [20 year edition] and the droid soldiers for $3.

The whole haul for $12: 

The little sun catcher was made by one of my other neighbor's children and I purchased that along with a little succulent they were selling. I got storm troopers, Darth Vader, a couple of firefighters, and a little stand that looked like a sales booth at the Farmer's Market.

I reworked the Legos and made a MOC of my friend's stand at the Farmer's Market.

He would be the person with the cowboy hat on and the Garlic Man sign behind him. He is known locally as the garlic man.

I then did a mock up of my friend Randall and his wife working at their place in this dry, hot, dusty, drought we are having.

Deb has been really stressed because of the heat, bad air quality, and the drought. She suffers from asthma. She really puts a lot of her heart and soul into her gardens and the Market. I sent these to her and she used them [with permission] on her FB page.

She and Randall have acres and acres of produce that they raise. She also makes incredible jellies and jams for sale at the market. I never miss a chance to get some of her wild grape jelly when I am not able to make my own.

During those hot hot days last weekend I sat in the A/C and created some more market scenarios just for fun. It was fun to do.

The one below is close to my friend's set up for their booth. She has shelves with all of her delicious salsas, jellies, and other goodies on shelves. Too bad Lego didn't have jars!

Eat your vegetables!

Anyway, that is what I was doing last week with all the heat and humidity along with the terrible Air.

This Saturday, it will be in the 70's and overcast. So we have a break from the awful heat we had for the first few days of July.

Pesky Rabbits!

Have a great weekend.

What a great visit!

 

Night out on the rock.
Dennis and I went up on Black Hawk rock to watch the sun set. While we were up there, we noticed storms moving in from the west and north.

July 4th morning was hot and humid but our CrossFit gang met up at the track to do the Loredo WOD in honor of Edwardo Loredo.

6 rounds of

24 air squats
24 push ups
24 walking lunges

400meters run

for time....

This is Dennis and I before we started. Our gym folks are always so open and welcoming. One of the coaches had her youngsters with her. 

This is two of the girls doing the running part on the track. I'm running with one of the girls who is doing the workout in her new cowboy boots.

I had told Dennis before we started, that this was a tough cardio work out and it was warm and humid. There was no shame in walking the 400 meters. Many did, just to keep from getting overheated.

Hard to do when a 6 year old passes you by wearing cowboy boots!

We gathered for a group photo afterwards.

Dennis said he loved it even though he wasn't able to finish it. He went out too hard and fast and used up all he had on the first few rounds. 

Our coach who owns the gym sat with Dennis and they talked about body building and cardio benefits. Josh is an amazing fellow. Dennis felt a bit defeated by not finishing. He and Josh had a heart to heart and Dennis felt nothing but positive vibes with this experience. 

Later in the day, Dennis learned how to drive the 4 wheeler and volunteered to do chores.

He discovered that Charlie wouldn't let him go anywhere without his supervision!

He spent a lot of time with Grandpa Rich even though hubby wasn't feeling well. He even convinced him to put on his Mule Kicker hat and have a 'set' on the porch for some photos.

And of course, there was time to stretch out in the cool air inside...

...with a bit of giggling.
However, Charlie was very serious about taking a nap!

Dennis took me to Viroqua to see the 4th of July Fireworks. He knew of the best place to park and put out lawn chairs from all the years that he'd gone as a kid with his Great Grandmother and folks.

We sat down and enjoyed ice cream sundaes. 

And watched the show...

Before leaving to go back home, Dennis and Charlie had to have some quiet time together.

I'm going to miss my Chauffer and chore master!

Dennis didn't seem too anxious to leave and vowed that he'd come back for more adventures.

It was his first solo trip to Grandpa and Grandma's house and he loved it.

He is a very considerate young man with a lot of empathy for others. He said he really hoped his visit lifted his Grandpa's spirits even if he wasn't feeling the greatest.

And yes, it did!

[As it did mine!]

New Word: Selenophile

Selenophile: One who loves the moon. People who love the moon and find joy and peace of mind when looking at it.

Last night I decided to go and check out the moonrise. 

Just before I walked out the door, we got a phone call. The caller ID said it was hubby's daughter so I handed him the phone. It was our Grandson Dennis.
Dennis had mentioned in April that he'd like to drive to our place and spend a couple of days with us around July 4th. 

I hadn't thought much more about it since he hadn't confirmed his plans. But there he was on the phone asking to come. 

---- Anyway ----

Back to the moon ---

I decided to drive out to the area where I wanted to see the moonrise. 

It isn't very far, I could have walked, but I wanted to get there and then just get back home.

While still in the car I saw this --->

I saw a herd of about 15 does with fawns in another section of the soybean field that ran once I got out of the car. 

I walked out through the stunted crops to where I knew the moon would rise. I was a bit disappointed to see a cloud bank to the east and no moon. 

I decided to just stand there and wait. After all, it was pleasant out and peaceful. I was the only human in the area for at least a mile radius. I can be very patient sometimes.

I nearly gave up, and then I saw just a hint of color in the sky.

Patience! Wait...wait!

Gasp! It changed color to a brilliant pink! As the skies darkened ...

the moon kept changing its colors...

I walked back to the car and turned around.

Just before I left the ridge, I glanced over my shoulder and...

was stunned once more.

Tonight the moon should be a super moon called the Buck Moon.

If Dennis is up to it, I'll be taking him to a bluff to watch the moon come up directly in front of us. Crossed fingers!

What about the mules?

When I whistle or holler out their names, they appear out of the woods. These shots were taken on some of the more smokey days.

Mica is the grey mule and she knows if I holler her name, it is time to come for her Senior Feed.

Quickly, though, the red headed sisters decide that they will race to me. Do I bring hay, treats, or is it that they just want someone to rub their ears and tell them how beautiful they are?

These girls will take a  touch and a kind word just as eagerly as they would a treat.

The one in the rear is our gaited mule. She is a Peruvian Paso mule. She rarely breaks into a gallop and prefers to gait out. She is also usually the last one to come when I call. She loves attention and is a fantastic ride.

She hates leaving home. Once past the mailbox, she realizes that she needs to pay attention.

They all walk along their well beaten trail through the woods to come out on the old winter pasture. 

I rotate them from one large area to another every few days.

I am hoping for the weather and smoke to break up a bit so I can ride again in the evenings.

Poor Mica suffers the most with this heat, smoke, and dust. She has Equine COPD or Heaves. The rest of my girls are still looking rather fat and sassy.

Happy July everyone. 

PS~ Send rain.

For the Birds

I've had raiders visiting the hummingbird feeder. Goldfinches, Redheaded Woodpeckers, Orioles, and of course the Hummers.

I have two hummingbird feeders out. The Orioles are bringing their fledglings to the feeders but they are pretty shy. I'll have to try and get a photo of them before they take off for migration very soon. They seem to disappear right around the 4th of July.

The Eastern Kingbird and the Robins have been visiting the feed pan/bird bath quite a bit. I've even left a feed pan with water out by the pump for the wrens who have nest by the busted garage and the old red shed.

I put rocks and sticks in the pans so they have something to land on.

Looks like I'll have another service call for the skid steer. It won't start as something is going on with the ignition -- sigh. I need it running so I can call for some pricey hay to be delivered and we can unload the huge bales. We are now in a severe drought situation in our part of Vernon County.

Hot and dry. Most of our farmers are pretty concerned. My friend who has raised produce for the Farmer's Market for years is feeling quite despondent over the lack of rain.
We've dodged the bullet of severe drought for quite a few years. But I guess it is our time?

I took out our old baby pool and put some water in it. I noticed that there was a crack in it from age but it held enough water for me to put all my potted plants in it overnight.

Of course, I couldn't pass up doing a 'photo' on Climate Change.

Since I hate being indoors all of the time. I did venture out yesterday afternoon to watch the wrens and look for insects in the flower garden.

After a few years of trying, I finally got a shot of the wren coming out of the pipe from the old breeding chute.

She or her descendants have been making nests in this pipe for many years now.

She and her mate scolded me for being in the area. They were busy feeding their noisy kids.

One of my favorite birds has to be the wren. They are so vocal and busy all of the time. When they leave, I get sad as I miss them scolding me every day no matter where I am at.

We still have smoke in the air today, but I can actually see the sky so I am calling that a win.

Have a great Friday.

Bad Bad Air

I'm getting tired of orange/brown skies. 

Sunrises like this one from yesterday are not beautiful or enchanting any more.

The meadow to the east shows a grey nasty sky of smoke and haze.

The girls were totally unenthused about returning to our meadow.

They can head to the woods and find grasses and browsing, but would rather that I bring them some hay. Which I did.

The grey mule has breathing issues and I cannot imagine that this smokey haze is any better for her lungs than it would be for my hubby.

By noon, it was just this... this shot taken from our porch. I could smell wood smoke from the Canadian Wildfires. My thoughts were this: If it is so dry here in the Midwest, how long before our states experience wildfires too? 

I can't even imagine.

With all the chores done early, I just popped out later to add water to the feed pan that the birds were using as a birdbath and source of water.

My Lego friends and Squatch were on the porch. Apparently they were better prepared than I was for the smoke.

I decided to stay in and run the air purifier and the dehumidifier on the Mini Split. 

That led to doing things indoors that I'd put off. It felt odd to be stuck indoors. Even Charlie decided that being on the porch wasn't something he wanted to do. He did his business and never went to his spot and laid down like he normally does. 

Maybe the dog is smarter than I am. [Hey, no comments!]

This was supposed to be the sunrise today 15 seconds:

At noon today I drove out to get the mail and drop off some egg cartons at Olive's house. This was the ridge views.

I stuck close to the house again and for a little while messed around taking photos in my wildflower gardens.

I think I may have caught two insects mating? 

Well. Even if the smoke is heavy? Love is in the air?

--I skipped the workout at the gym for the past two days. The air is nasty and I'm not thrilled about breathing it in when I can smell wood and chemicals.

We are still at 'unhealthy' status of the 150 - 200 index. Hopefully by noon tomorrow it will fall back into just a 'yuck' status.