My Fungi Fun

For my work out of the day...yesterday, I was supposed to go out and power walk or jog and see how far I could go in 30 minutes.

Simple right?

So I grabbed my lighter sweatshirt and Charlie and we headed off with my phone on a map my hike app running. I had my little camera with me and decided ... you know... just in case....

So an hour and a half later, I'd actually covered over a mile. But I had spent so much of it peering into moss covered logs and crawling around mule dung, rotten wood, and searching under leaves.

Cool huh? Velvety Black Earth Tongue Fungi. Eww. I saw these last year and wondered what they were. This year I went to Mushroom and Fungi book to look them up. 

Red Banded Conch. On the same log but on the underside. By the way those little fungi from my last outing? They are on this log too! I counted 4 types of fungi on one log!

While not really a fungi, these Indian Pipes are often mistaken for them. They are of the blueberry plant family and are white as they have no chlorophyll. 

I have no idea what these little ones are, I will have to go back and see how they change!

These? Inky Caps. At least I think so. I'll go back and see if their tops turn black and icky. That will identify them for me. I'll go back and check them out if it ever stops raining.

I don't know the ID of these either, but I am working on it.

The top photo was taken on Sunday. The bottom was taken 5 days later. 
And there still is a slug at the end of them!

Oh and for the workout? Guess I'll have to have a Do Over!

In search of ...Fungi and Fun

Finally we have had some rain! It was hard to go out and find one of my favorite things to photograph because it was SO dry! So I went to the creek before the scheduled rains and looked around for...

Fungi....
Mushrooms.....
Tiny stuff found on the forest floor.....

I did find some extremely tiny fungi growing orange and red on moss...on a log in the creek. I actually could not see the individual forms without using the Microscope Mode on the Olympus Tough camera.

These were smaller than the point of a lead pencil!

This is what I found:

Ahhh, here is the totally cool Fungi I found! I love how they lined up on the log and there is a slug that seems to be visiting!

Fungi Family:

The supervisor was checking things out from the log above me:

Of course this was before the weather turned absolutely awful. The temperatures are in the 40's and there has been a bone chilling rain for 24 hrs. .

I pulled apart our cabin heater and cleaned it thoroughly, then got it started to warm up the house. 
Brrr! I cut up a small batch of tomatoes and some apples to dehydrate.
My loyal little soldiers are protecting my lids and jars so when I start making jelly from my summer haul of berries, I will have lids.

The tomatoes are slowly ripening and not many at a time right now.

So there it is. A very dull day. But I got a lot of indoor work done. Including attacking the cob webs downstairs. 

Meanwhile, if the weather stinks...

I'll look for things to do inside....while I wait for it to warm up later this week!

Back to ... the new normal

I'm not even quite sure what a new normal is. Maybe it is just silence, no schedule, and farm life. The difference is I have no schedule like I had before. 5 days a week I planned things around going to the gym and the store and Rich's VA appointments which included PT. 

Now I plan less trips into the public and it feels like I have no place to be...and that I belong no...where.

We do have an appointment at the VA next week which will be a long drive. Labs, ENT, and Oncology. 

I am also going to pop up to Mental Health and ask why Rich hasn't had a new doctor assigned to him since Dr. Schiffman had retired. I hate getting a 'new' doctor but I think 6 months is an awful long time without having a mental health checkup for Rich. Maybe I am poking the bear, but we are getting into that time of the year when things get tough for Rich.

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That said, I am still doing CrossFit at home. It is the one regular challenge per day that I can look forward to on my own. Yesterday's work out was actually pretty fun for me. It was Box Jumps and modified Handstand Pushups. Since I cannot do a Handstand Push up, I do a much lower one. 

When I started CrossFit I could barely do a push-up at all because my shoulders and arms were so weak. Box Jumps were a bit beyond me. I went with a small box and did mostly step ups. 
It will be two years in October. All this movement has helped my arthritis significantly as well as blood pressure and mental well being. 
Staying mobile is a big deal for me. I'll be 65 next year and I want to continue to stay mobile as long as nothing strikes me down. 
Anyway, that is my goal.

Every once in a while my coach asks for a photo of what I am doing or using for a specific movement. So I usually set a camera on a timer and put together a small collage.

Box Jumps and Elevated Push ups

Burpees with Charlie

Sumo Lift

and Wall Balls

Modified Pull ups with a rope

Front Squat 

Back Squat

with car axle

My daily routine this month has circled all around canning tomatoes, freezing sauces and finishing up the garden goodies.

September has rushed right on in along with very cold weather! It is 42 degrees out there this morning. We may have to turn the heat on today. I'm hoping arrange things so I can take a few longer hikes this month as the colors begin to change in the leaves.

The hay is ordered and will be delivered, the garden is just about done, and I am figuring out how to winter the pony and goat together as they are now best friends, except when Little Richard has enough of Sven's shenanigans.

Fall prep for the long winter.

It seems we are always preparing for something doesn't it?

In that sense, the new Normal is the Old Normal.

Regarding Covid-19, the numbers in our county are jumping quickly more people are hospitalized. Schools are open with in person classes, but as more positives come from the schools, I imagine it won't stay that way?

Carry on. 

Be well.

Awkward normals

Saturday morning... good friends of ours made a surprise visit ...they came from Missouri. For them it was a 7 hour drive.
I woke up to see their truck and a camper trailer parked in our yard. They had surprised us last year also. This year they came prepared to be self contained because of Covid-19.

They also come prepared in case we didn't want them here. They love visiting this area of Wisconsin and had reserved a spot at Esofea County Park for their camper.

They all had their masks on as they came to the porch. Charlie was so ecstatic that he could barely contain himself.

It was a surreal scene to have good friends so close and yet stay away from that HUG that is the norm each time we visit. It felt awkward and uncomfortable to have masks on while conversing and catching up on the porch. However this is the new normal right?

I see why people protest and want to fight mask mandates and rules of social distancing. 

We have been doing it all along and since we are pretty remote on the farm, it didn't feel that bad.

But it felt a bit awful and very much awkward Saturday.

When we met up with them later on at the campground, we had settled in with our new normal of working out distancing and eating a supper together while still being near enough to have conversation.

I took the kids to the playground and reminded them to wash their hands with sanitizer when we got back to the camper. 

We ate supper together/apart and conversed. Kristi said she had called her younger sister to wish her a happy birthday and discovered that her sister had Covid-19 that had just been diagnosed. Her sister said it was absolutely the worst ever cold she'd had.

We all sat quietly after that. 
I finally said, "You know, for all those out there who don't believe its real? It isn't until someone close to you gets it, right?"

My visitors had not been exposed to the sister for the past few weeks. It makes you stop and think. 

Well. 
Let's just say, so far the weekend has worked out pretty well.

The creek of course was a huge hit. 

We made plenty of space on the porch to keep everyone safe.

For our second night, Rich sat at the other end of the porch in the rocking chair. We ate suppers on our laps and then visited again.

As it got dark, I gave the boys some glow sticks and they went into the yard to light things up.

Things didn't feel quite as awkward last night. I think Rich was more comfortable on his own porch than in a campground.

It was a nice visit. A bit strange feeling, yet it was so nice to see others.

The hardest part was today. Because all the excitement was over and we felt alone. It was as if we realized what we were missing.

We'll get over it, we will be fine.

Hoot Owl Trail & Charlie

As usual, Charlie was our trail leader. He actually keeps up a pretty good pace.

. 

The Hoot Owl Loop we did on Friday had a water crossing. I asked Bill if he was willing to get wet and he said that was fine. So off we set to explore a 'new' trail. I had ridden this trail nearly 30 years ago. It has been re-routed over the years to avoid erosion.

Did I recall it? No, not really. I do remember going through an area that the locals called The Rookery. But little else.

Rock formations at the 

start of the Hoot Owl Trail

I wore the Kurgo backpack in case Charlie got tired. I wanted to place him in it at some point and give him another taste of what it is like to be carried.

Otherwise I just carried snacks and had my little red camera attached to a strap on the front of the pack. On my belt I had my little infrared camera.

We weren't really interested in a photo taking session, but merely wanted to take enough shots to be able to recall what the trail was like. 

I wanted to see if this trail would be good in the winter also. However we discovered it wouldn't be as a whole loop. The map below shows where we parked and followed the trail.

The purple diamonds are wet crossings. The first one wasn't much and only needed a rock hop. The second one was about 10 feet across.

Bill's phone is very old but he took this shot for me.

The funny part was, I started out across and had hold of Charlie's little line. Charlie dug his feet in and when I turned around I realized there was no way he could swim this creek or cross it on his own...and he was letting me know! Talk about a brain fart!

We made the crossing safely and decided to continue on for the next mile of the trail. I'm glad we did. We found some not so common plants on a bluff hillside that was overshadowed with pines.

Rattlesnake Plantain

A White Turtlehead

That was fun!

Finding a plant and then hunting it down to Identify it is always quite interesting. I guess that is part of the reason I had signed up for the Master Naturalist Class.

We stopped along the trail and had snacks. Charlie never tired and was on the GO GO GO! While we had our apples and talked about the trail Charlie entertained himself by digging.

We reached marker 8 which ends the Hoot Owl Trail and begins the Cut Off Trail and headed back to our vehicles where we sat and chatted. 

I couldn't have asked for nicer weather. It was warm in the sun yet comfortable in the shade. 

After Bill headed out I sat with Charlie in the back of the Subaru with the tailgate open. Charlie was content to just lay there and nod off.

We didn't have to use the backpack, but twice I'd put him in it and gave him treats. 

He was okay with that.

I'd like to do Big Valley next, but looking at the map I'd have to start out and go halfway and return. Or prepare to hike the mileage and then walk back on the roads.

I may take Bill on the Cut Off Trail next, I've done that one a few times before. The last time I did that was December of last year with the neighbor and her children.

The difference of hiking in mid summer and in mid winter is startling.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

The Moon and the Ponds

Tuesday morning I woke up with a start and suddenly I was wide awake. I warmed up some coffee and looked outside. The moon was so bright it lit up the yard and front pasture.

Most of the mules were laying down sleeping. I sipped the coffee and then checked the clock and sunrise time.

It was a split second decision. I scribbled a note on a sticky note, set up the coffee maker and headed outdoors with my Kurgo dog pack/camera bag. Time to take it for a test run. 

I've wanted to go to the Reserve and hike to the ponds by the river for more than a year now. This morning, it was time.

I felt a bit like I was indulging in a guilty pleasure by going. And I was. I was doing something I really wanted to experience and it would be a test run.

I shouldered the backpack into place and hit the lock button. The headlamp I chose lit up the way but I turned it off rather quickly.

This photo above was taken hand 
held at 2 seconds. Part of 
why I love this Olympus
brand so much.
Image Stabilization!

By the time I got to the Old 131 trail, it was light enough by the moon and predawn to walk without a light.

I stopped here and there to take some shots. Wow. I sure love my Olympus camera, the image stabilization along with an incredibly fast 25mm 1.8 lens allowed me to take most shots quite easily along the trail. Thank goodness too, it saved me from having to set up a tripod and take the shot.

I hurried down Old 131 trail and listened as the birds sleeping in the brush along the trail fluttered as I walked by. Most of the world was still asleep. I felt calm, energized, and fully alive.

The first shot is more true to the colors of the morning. Absolutely not much to go 'Wow!' over, but it was amazing anyway.
The water had a mist flowing and ebbing over its surface. I could barely make out a gaggle of Canada Geese slowly gliding through the fog on the far side of the pond.

Next I heard a loud splash and then another. I wasn't sure what it could be. Fish? Surely no huge fish like that were in these ponds!

Finally I could make out what was either a beaver or muskrat swimming. I tried getting a photo of it, but alas, it came out as a blob. So there was a blob swimming around!

I took the above shot and used a program called SilverEfexPro to create a black and white version. I really like this version better. 

I wanted to wait around for the sun to actually peep over the horizon and for the fog to turn that magical orange color. But my time was limited. I had done this on the spur of the moment and worried that Rich would wake up and not find me home.

I decided right then and there, that I'd set things up so I could spend an hour or so just watching the pond and sky change colors and take my time. I just had to plan it.

It is just amazing how the light and clouds change.

I turned away but kept my camera out for a bit.

As I left I grabbed a few more shots.

Looking back and down the trail towards the pond....

Heading back up towards Star Valley Trail and looking down the valley.

Walking up Star Valley Trail and glancing across the corn field towards Black Hawk Rock.

It hit me then that two trips would be in order. One back to the ponds and more time. And another ... 

Watch the sun come up from atop Black Hawk Rock.

To be above the fog by predawn and watch as the valley shifts and changes would be something to see.

To stand up there ... I'd be about 400 feet above the Valley floor.

How did the backpack preform? Excellent! It held my cameras in their special insert easily. I carried water and some other supplies. It fit comfortably.

So without a dog, I can carry equipment and supplies. With a dog? I can carry my pocket camera and supplies. 

Today...Friday, I'm taking Charlie and the backpack on a long hike with my friend Bill. I'll see how Charlie's 12 to 15 lbs are to carry!

Caregivers workshop

 Caregivers workshop....

some bulletin points to ponder and share with you.

• We never expected to be Caregivers.
• We did not apply for the job.
• We never trained for this job.
• We are sometimes angry.
• We may feel guilty about being angry.
• We chose to be Caregivers.
• We can walk away but we don't.
• We are often stressed.
• We all know that caregiving can bring a lot of joy to our lives.

Problem solving is part of our class for this week. I won't share conversations about it, but there seem to be many people out there that are giving care but are having such a hard time coping due to poor health themselves along with the person they are caring for.

I am so very lucky in the sense I seem to be in very good health. The hardest thing to deal with right now of course is Isolation and Communication. Also there is dealing with the frustrations of trying to get the person I care for to follow instructions to keep his health halfway decent. Every three or four days we seem to run into that same problem over and over. I'd had to see a medication change because of it but it may be what would be in store for him.

The morning's discussions are lost by noon or 1pm gone into mental greyspace. But in general, he is a happy person. That is why I don't want to change the meds.

Yesterday I was getting ready to order our winter hay and he decided that he would shop around. I told him that he had until Monday to find someone who would bring us 30 large squares and deliver them. I know he won't call around but I have to at least give him the chance to hold on to his dignity.

He forgot of course.

On a good note, I'm getting him used to the idea that there are a few things I need to have fixed around the place and my neighbor's son has been working as a 'handy' man. New belts on the lawn mower? Maybe I can hire it done. Fix the kitchen sink? Perhaps I can get a new 'cartridge' installed by hiring it done. IF it can be done on a nice day with the windows open and masks of course.

Problem Solving. 

Yup, I'm on it...