We got some badly needed rain early Monday evening.  After 100 degree weather during the day, we had a storm come in, loosing power for just over a 1/2 hour; hard rain and wind.  The sunset sky after the storm was very pretty.  Then I checked my garden, and had to set up the chairs that the wind blew off the deck.  Spose tomorrow will also be hot and muggy.  Is that the kind of weather you have been experiencing also?

Checking out the garden earlier today.  Still have birds in the houses.  I'm not sure what kind of bird this is.

The daiseys were standing up pretty good before the storm.

Almost flat.  The ones standing have something in from of them! Oh well, that's what weather does.  No worse than the dogs stomping in through the garden.

I noticed the pretty sunset when I put the dogs in the kennel for the night.  Then walked out west past everything, to the open field to get some more pictures.

Don't think I've seen such a pretty sunset in awhile. 

Good night Sun!

Today was Renee's Birthday. She is 3 years old!   We did celebrate when they were here too, but they celebrated this evening with other grandparents in Louisiana tonight.  Mommy and Daddy got her a little Mustang Barbie car - a two seater so a friend can ride along!  She's going to love this little car.  Sure am missing her.

Off to bed I go - another late night.  Had charlie horses last night  that woke me up.  They hurt so darn bad.  Made sure I drank a lot of water today, and took two  potassium pills instead of one today.  So lets see how tonight goes.  I think if I ever have an attack of some sort and scream out in the night, Steve would sleep through that too.  I'm sure I moaned last night because it hurts so bad, and I can't get them rubbed out.  Had them in my thigh on one leg, and the calf on the other at the same time!  I try pushing my heel, etc. but that just didn't work.  Almost makes me not want to think of going to bed.   Plus I have about 10 canker sores on my tongue that hurt like H...   Had to go to the dentist today to get regular check up and teeth cleaned, etc.  The doc noticed, as well as the hygeniest and said they had something to give me.  But as I was leaving, everybody, including myself, forgot about getting it.  I'm on the down hill of the canker sores, so will just keep doing what I have been.  Salt water rinses, glyoxide rinses and another tube of goop for canker sores that I've been using that make them hurt like H... for awhile after I put it on.  Oh, then the dentist found a cavity (been having trouble w/hot and cold on the left upper back side.  But couldn't pin point to what tooth was the problem.  The xray today did tho, and the dentist wants me to go to an Orthodontist to have it pulled, as there is no tooth on the bottom , and she says it's useless.  So will have to check into that too.  yuk.  Hate going to the dentist!
Well Good night everyone - have a good Tuesday!

Jess, Floyd and Renee made it home safe and sound about 6 pm today (Sunday).  She said it is very hot there too!  I'm sure getting home and being able to sleep in their own bed will feel great tonight.  I'm about ready to go to bed here too.  Have a lot of picture to share with you, so here a few more.

 My header picture is of one of the kites we flew one windy afternoon here on the farm.  Jess and Renee were flying this one, and the one I tried to keep in the air was sure a dud!  It'd stay up a little while and then take a dive!  Can't believe how bad I was at flying it - don't usually have that kind of trouble!  Consequently I don't have a picture of that kite!

Fish and Turtle Kite!

I watched Renee one afternoon while everyone else was gone, and she helped me in the garden. We picked some flowers and these were the last of the peonies. 4 nice big fluffy pink ones. I didn't have as many peonies this year. Must have been due to the dry fall and no snow this past winter.  I'm glad they lasted a long time in the vase. Rene also picked some daiseys that were just starting to flower. Here are pictures of their demise.

After picking some daisies, she tried to pick/snap off a marigold.  That just ended up with her pulling up the "whole" plant.  So after replanting the marigold she was content to quit with just the daisies.

She put them in her own little container.  Didn't want to leave them alone, so I let her continue!

Some of her flowers didn't have very long stems, and she just pulled the flowers off the stem!

So then she starts suffing her hand into the little vase, pushing the flowers into the water.  She was having fun.

TaDa!  All nicely stuffed into the glass!!!   Then she wanted to start in on the peonies, but I wouldn't let her.  I wanted to enjoy them a little longer!  So we kept her flowers on the table the rest of the day so she could show everyone what she picked!

Later that evening, granddaughter Amanda and TJ came by.  We had been waiting for them, as other family members were already here, and we were sitting out by the garage wondering why they were so late.  But they came and had special news for us all.  TJ had just proposed to Amanda and she sure wasn't expecting it.  He'd told her he had wanted to stop at the lake and jump in for a short while to cool off.  They were at the dock and Amanda was sitting on the dock w/feet in the water, and he kept asking her to stand up, and she wouldn't.  So finally he just asked her, and as she was telling us the story, she said she jumped up and told him to re-ask her so he could get down on his knee!  It was a cute story, and they are so happy.  Her ring is beautiful.  That evening she just couldn't stop smiling, and even had a tummy ache.  Think her nerves were catching up!

Proud and happy Mom and Dad.  TJ had talked to them previously, but they hadn't known when he was going to ask Amanda.  Now the fun begins of planning a wedding.    

We ended that evening by playing a few games of bean bag pitching.  I think Amanda and Jessica came out the winners.

   

Hope all my Canadian friends enjoyed "their" day today, and we will have a busy week and also celebrate on Wednesday the 4th!

Have a great week everyone!  

I'm still Here!

About Time I Do Something!   I know it's been so o o o  long since I've posted.  Seems like yard work had called me, and the whole month of June was very busy, but that is no excuse, as I didn't write much in May either!   So Sorry. 

The kids have come and gone, and are now on their way home.  They left our house on Wed, and stayed the night at grandson's Blake and Dena's, and then Thursday went further south to our middle daughter Stephani and Cullens.  They will leaving tomorrow (Sat.) to head back to Louisiana.  I know they'll stop another night, but I'm not sure where that will be.  Traveling with  Renee, they will stop and have a little fun, I'm sure.
We did have a good time here.  (Renee would have said in her little voice "I surely did have fun!")  She has incorporated the word, sure and surely into her sentences quite appropriately.  She talks so grown up - but of course why not!  No baby talk there. 

Busy time we had.  Had all the local relatives out one night for a potluck and early birthday party for Renee.  It rained that evening, so we were all in the garage.  That was the only really cold evening we had.  The temps were nice every day and coolish every evening for good sleeping.  Sure beats the HOT Louisiana summer temps.
Went to Duluth MN and up the North Shore visint Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, Cascade River Falls, and on up to Grand Marais MN.   We were not far from the Canadian border, but all of us were too weary to drive ANY further!  Got some great pictures.   Saw some road damage from the extensive rains and flooding that the Duluth area had and where the rushing water on the rivers carried trees and mud out to Lake Superior.  There were even bridges washed out and a few detours.  But we got to our cabin on Lake Superior.  Stayed at Dodges Log Lodges with the best view.   We even built a little fire at night right below our cabin on the big rocks of the shoreline.  Beautiful views and so relaxing.
Here's some pictures of our trip.

Renee on the deck at the cabin.  Getting so big.  She will be 3 on July 2nd.

Jess, Floyd and Renee on the rocks - we had a fire and roasted marshmallows.

Renee with us oldies!  Can't believe how stiff and sore I was from all the walking and climbing we did sightseeing.  After sitting there on the rocks, it was hard for us both to get UP!  hee hee! 

Didn't get this posted earlier as I pushed enter, and everything disappeared.  We were gone for awhile this evening getting things cleaned up at the fair for the pork booth, where the club sells Pork Burgers,  Taco's in a Bag, and Hot Dogs.  So now I've sat at the computer again and searched and found that what I'd started had not disappeared entirely!

A couple of weeks ago I had major computer problems and it locked up.  After debating what to do about the computer, I waited until we were inbetween company, and called the toll free number  of my virus protector for the computer.  They were a lot of help, and said that that particular week and weekend, they'd gotten calls from all over the world.  Some crazy stuff was happening, and the guy (and he could speak english very well) walked me through changing some settings, and now our computer is a-o-key!.  I will definately call them again when things start slowing down.

Grandpa and I with Renee below the Splitrock Light House on the shore of Lake Superior.  This was built in 1909/1910 and no roads to get there, so supplies and building materials, etc. were pulled up the cliff from boats to the area where they built the lighthouse and keepers homes.  It is a very interesting history.  Later years, there was a dock in the area where we are sitting and then they built a trolley up the side.  I'll show you pics of the area.

The steps that take visitors now down to the lake.  The remains of the pillars that supported the trolley up the hill is where Renee is sitting.

Our little fire and roasting marshmallows our last evening there.

 I have many more pictures of our trip, and the 10 days they were here.  So  I'll be posting more often!!!!

I need to get back into the swing of things, and read friends blogs too.  We'll have an empty house again now for awhile, so I can get caught up on some crafting and blogging.  Have a lot of things to get caught up on.   Hope you're all having a great weekend.  Happy Summer to you!

A dogs life!

 Took the dogs to Steph's this past weekend.  A long ride, but they do well.  Stopped twice to let them out and for a little walk.  Hate having two on a leash, especially when Puttzer (the pup); even though he is good on the leash, goes every way buy straight ahead!  Have to be careful not to trip on him.   Soon will be working more with him on the leash.  He does really well with sit and stay.  When I walk out to get the mail, I have them sit and stay on the deck and they do wonderful!  They both do well, if I'm around and remind them to sit and stay on the deck or next to it when someone drives into the driveway.  Wonder if it'll ever get to be a habit for them. 

Odda sleeping using a rock for a pillow!!!!    She was pooped ~ playing with Steph's 5 dogs and Puttzer!  I tried to get all the dogs cornered for a group picture, but didn't have help at the time, and it didn't happen!

Neighbors Gene and Connie came to visit after we got home, and Odda was so happy to play with Gene!  She's so happy!!!
Yes, I need to take more pictures of the pup~

We have our yearly Project Pig Sale tomorrow at a town about 70 miles away, so a busy time!  It will be a long day tomorrow.  I do the clerking for the auction and daughter and others help.  Then after the sale, figure the expenses, and get everything deposited and figure out how much each seller gets, etc. etc.  So I'll be glad when I'm all done.
A chilly day here today, with just a little warmer tomorrow.   I started on yard work the other day, but now it's just too chilly.  Trees are trying to open up their leaves, but things just are at a standstill I think.  Need some nice warm rain and sunshine again.
Have a great weekend!   Jo

Steph's 40th Birthday!

Our daughter Stephani had her 40th birthday on Sunday!  Leah and I were busy Saturday with a small craft show, so Steve and I left for Steph's after I got hone late Sat. afternoon.  It is a 5 hour drive to Steph and Cullen's in southern Minnesota.  They live about 6 miles south of Pipestone on an 11 acre little farm.  Their is house is very old and needs a lot of work, but is very comfortable.  They have quarter horses, and she and Cullen are busy ALL of the time with their horses, and attending gaming and  team penning events.  She also trains horses, breeds quarter horses and give riding lessons.  This is on top of holding down a full time job in Sioux Falls SD.  Both ride together to work, she at Excel Energy and Cullen is a diesel mechanic just down the road from where Steph works. 

They have done so much to this little farmstead since they've been married (4 years come May).  They have installed new fencing, tore down rotten out buildings, fixed horse stalls and made a nice riding area.  Now this spring they've had the chicken coop removed, and cleared out trees from the grove to start building an indoor riding arena. 

                                                At the  Pipestone National Monument 

Pipestone - a soft quarried stone that peace pipes are carved and sanded from.  The art work made of pipestone is beautiful and when polished is a deep dark red.  We watched an artisan work on one, and he is so proficient it only takes him 3 hours to make a plain pipe.  He was working on one with a buffalo head.  I didn't dare ask if I could take his picture - should have.   There was beautiful turtles carved and all kinds of pipes from little to big. 

Sunday afternoon we visited the Pipestone National Monument.  (this week all National Parks are open for early visitors for a free week)  Steph and Cullen had not yet visited this park either, so we had a good afternoon learning about how this area was used by Native Americans from all over the US coming to this area to quarry for pipestone to make their peace and ceremonial pipes.  The area is still quarried, but only by Indians, and all by hand.  Just like their ancestors used to quarry pipestone.  Pipestone is a soft stone many layers deep in the earth, and the documentry movie we watched first was so informative.  Then we walked the Circle Trail.  There are numbered markers along the trail and if you're smart enough to have picked up the little trail booklet describine features at each of the markers you'll learn more about the area!  Of course we didn't see the booklets, and met up with others that had one.  That family said they'd been there 4 different times, and this was the first time they'd used the booklet.  It was great information!  I picked up the booklet AFTER the walk and we intend to go back another time to check things out closer!  Early spring here and the trees just starting to bud. 

Stephani on the walkway below the falls.  This is Winnewissa Falls.  An 1870 view of the falls in the booklet shows two levels of falls, but in the early 1900's the falls were lowered about 8 feet by blasting the rim, creating 18 additional acres of tillable land for an Indian School at that time.

Steph and Cullen on the top trail.

A flooded quarry that won't dry out until late summer.  Visitors are not allowed to go into the areas that are being quarried now.  Spring snow run off fills the quarries, so most of them aren't being quarried until late summer and into the fall.  It takes many years digging off the top soil, the layers of quartzite.  The vein of pipestone that we saw in one quarry was only about 12 inches, with overlying Sioux quartzite.  Chopping and cutting through that is very hard.

There were some pictorial markers along the way.  This was Cullens first time here too, and he is part Indian.  His uncle is one of the carvers that here, and he didn't even know that!  I think he was very moved by this big of history that he wasn't all that familiar with.  The prairie land around the quarry is considered sacred ground, and years ago when different Indian tribes came to quarry the pipestone, they camped on higher ground to the west and north and only entered the quarry area for the obtaining pipestone.  The general belief held by many Americn Indians is that the stone was formed from the flesh and blood of their ancestors.  Pipestone National Monument is the only location where Indians have quarried the red pipestone and still quarry today.  There are several ceremonies held here yearly when Indians come from all over. 

So we all enjoyed our afternoon walk at this park.  Driving by, you wouldn't even know it is there.  Prairie land around and I can't wait to go back some time this summer to see the different colors of the grasses and with the trees all with leaves, it should look a little different.

Sunday evening then we went out to supper and Mad Mary's in Flandreau SD.  Yum, the food is so good there.  Then Steph wanted to go to the casino there to the Birthday Booth.  She won $42.00 to use there and with her money left from last year, she had over $70.00 to play with.  Of course, none of us won anything!  But we had a good time.   (It's not very often that we go to a casino-too hard to lose hard worked for money!)

So we had a great time with Steph for her birthday!  I'll post more pictures another day.  It's not letting me do any more here now.

Have to go to the doc today to hear my blood test results - will share that with you too.
Hope you're all having a great day!

Jo

Odda & Putzer pic!

Think they are now both content with each other!  Whoopee!

We have a red tennis ball that was Hooch's, and puppy is going to be another dog that will fetch!  Already is going after the red ball and bringing it back.  This morning when I was out with both dogs, Odda now decided that she will also chase the red ball!   Did it several times.  I think she didn't really want to share it with Putzer, so decided she better get in the game!    Took this picture after playing awhile.

When I walked out to the mail box, Odda sat and stayed on one command, and it took about 4-5 to get puppy to sit and STAY, but he did!   Twas so proud of both of them!

Won't be long and puppy will be sleeping in the outside kennel with Odda.   His hair is growing so long, and he is growing.  Will weigh him on Monday again.  Need to take to the vet for shots too.  So will be taking a trip to the vet next week.

With this early spring, Steve has is peas in the ground already!   So hard to believe!  Makes one wonder what our summer is going to be like.  Afraid it's going to be a dry one, but praying for nice rains to come yet this spring, and summer.

Have a great Easter weekend everyone!

The Great Babysitter!

 Odda is now filling in as the "Great Babysitter".  She has now taken a liking to little Putzer, and is his guardian.  I am now happy!    The first 2 weeks was rough for Odda.  She was running away every day for a week, and we'd have to go find her.  Well, now puppy is big enough to pester her and they play a little and both lay around relaxing.  Sometimes tho, Putzer takes a walk on his own, and ends up out of sight.  Yesterday he was on the other side of the driveway and behind the old pump house, just snooping and have a great time.  By the time I'd walked over there, I was getting a little frightened!  There are big hawks and eagles in our area, and this little pup would be a choice meal.   That thought just makes me nervous!  Odda was still laying on the deck, not too worried.

Here are some new pictures.

Of course, I'm having to take pictures through the door window!  If either one sees me, the picture taking doesn't happen.  They're up and coming to me!  So my pictures won't be the best quality, as my windows haven't been washed yet this spring.

Putzer's little paw isn't as big as one of Odda's toe pads!

A nice spring day here in Minnesota!  Soon I'm going need to be out raking and in the flower garden.  Lots of work to do.  We get a lot of little rocks in the yard, after Steve moves snow in the winter.  That is the biggest pain of all, getting rid of those rocks before we have to start mowing.

Happy Spring!!!!!!