Biking Getaway

We spent three days in the Lanesboro, MN area biking and relaxing last week. It rained part of the time but we were able to get in as much biking as my bike seat and my body comfort allowed. Friends told us about a B & B in the area that has wonderful gardens. On the way home we made a stop to see the gardens and talk with the Innkeeper. We have always wanted to stay close to the trails but after seeing the gardens we may change our minds...... The house was lovely and the five course breakfasts could be tolerated.

Berwood Hill Inn

Pigs

Warren

More Pigs (and a pretty out house)

Really they had a lot of chickens in the gardens but I liked the pigs better.

School Year 2009-2010

The summer is over for these two pretty girls.

They ate breakfast at our place today before heading to school for 7th grade

and a sophmore year.

Biking

Warren and I plan to take off tomorrow for a three day trip to the Lanesboro area of Minnesota. We are hoping for some good weather as we are taking our bikes. That means we will use the gas guzzling pickup. It is a lovely vehicle but the gas mileage is less than stellar. When I recall the pickup my family had growing up ours is like comparing a old black rotary phone to a red blackberry. Our pickup was an old black dodge. We did not use it much but as Dad had a mechanic shop a few miles from our farm we would sometimes take it to visit him. Other than that I do not recall our using it much. With three kids I am sure we could not all pile in it together.

No, I do not have that red Blackberry. I have a friend that has one so I know they exist. As I sent my first text when Hannah got her cell phone last week my very basic plain black cell will do just fine.

Another Walk

Weather permitting a lot of mornings I will walk down our lane to the gravel road that takes you to town in one direction or north to more country roads. We live about a quarter of a mile from the road so the gravel dust is not a big issue unless I am walking. We have have had almost six inches of rain since Friday so today I knew dust would not be a concern while I walked. Yesterday we had a rain and wind storm. Our corn crop shows a bit of wind damage. Most likely the damage will not be too large, as far as our crop yields are concerned, but never less it is not a pretty sight. Along the lane is some of the most extensive damage. Yesterday this corn was standing tall and straight.

This view is from the road. The beans are a bit flat in spots but should come back once the sun hits them.

A neighbor is spraying their corn crop. This time of year planes and helicopters can be seen spraying for insects and disease.

I walk to this small building that was once part of a farmstead. Some times I will walk a bit more but if time, heat, or laziness are an issue this is the usual goal.

I must be able to view the back of the shed before turning around and heading home. My guess is that my walk is a bit over a mile to this half way point. Someday I will get a pedometer.

Once home I took a look at a few trees that were damaged in the wind.




Thanks for going on another walk.

Come Take a Walk With Me

Maddie, our Golden Retriever, is known as my dog when she is bad. Since starting on thyroid medication she has calmed down a bit and does not get into as much trouble. Most mornings she and Sophie come along on my walk. Sophie must have been taking a nap after our walk as she was not around for my picture taking.

I have a collection of Isabel Bloom figurines. Hubby is in charge of taking them in for the winter. They are rather heavy.

The corn has grown tall since I took the banner photo.

A dear friend gave me this angel that once lived in her lovely garden when they moved away. I think of Barb when I water the plants in this garden.

Daisies



My gazing ball. I used to not like them but done right they can be lovely.

Joe Pye Weed

Sunflower

Pole Beans

My vegetable garden and a unlovely view of our farm buildings.

My hammock. This is as close as I will ever get to owning a vacation home.

Red Stella Lilly

Time for Maddie's nap.

Thanks for taking the time to walk around my home!

One last photo. I call this tenacity. I hope to replant this tree in our yard come fall.

County Fair and Friends

Last week was County Fair week. I took the Kelsey and Hannah over last on Monday with their exhibits. I forgot my camera so all I have are some not very good cell phone photos. Since they got home from vacation the previous Saturday there were things they had to do Monday morning for their exhibits. I stuffed folders and such to help them get ready for the fair.

The girls also did working exhibits with friends on Thursday. I help Hannah’s group more than Kelsey’s. Hannah's friends, Cydney and Jenny, were her companions teaching how to fold an heart into an envelope. It was a fun idea and the judge liked it well enough to send it to State Fair. Kelsey and Britney made ice cream in two cans and in plastic bags. They gave out samples and most likely had the most participants. It is a State Fair alternate. Secretly I was hoping they did not go to State Fair as transporting all the ice and ice cream to Des Moines would have been a hassle. I did not take my camera so I have no pictures.


On Friday Hannah showed a llama. There is a rent a llama program. The program consists on learning to show a llama. Classes are held monthly and then weekly for this purpose. Hannah had a good time and did well. I finally remembered my camera.

Saturday we had friends in for an event we dubbed Sowside Resort in 1982. It is a way to keep in touch with friends we made while living in Dubuque. We roast a whole hog and everyone brings food. It is some of the best eating we do all year. This year was no exception.

As usual my picture taking was slim. Paul is the official photographer. Sometimes we grumble a bit when he announces it is time for the official group photo but we are always thankful when he shares his photos.

Our granddaughters must have captured my camera because I found some surprise photos today. Hannah must have asked someone to take a few pictures of her with Taylor. Taylor is a friend of my parents from Florida. She is a sweet 13 year old who was at one time their neighbor. I think she enjoyed Iowa last week.

Millie at Laurel Hedge, did a wonderful post on 'My Heart' for her blog. The picture and her writing give us a glimpse of a little girl who changed her attitude about herself and became filled with self-assurance. Sometimes the faith others place in you can have a mighty big effect. It is worthy of a blog visit.

Millie has tagged me. All I have to do is post a photo that best represents my heart. Gosh this is going to be a hard task. My heart belongs to the my wonderful hubby, our children, their spouses, our four sweet grand kids, my parents and siblings, the color Wedgwood blue, mountains to be skied, a hour in my hammock reading or resting, chocolate, gardening, friends, genealogy, shopping, fresh bread…….

Being the person that I am, when the Library asked patrons to list their most influential book, I made a list of at least six. To pick just one photo is way too hard so I have selected more than one to share.

MY HEART

Because Millie wrote about herself and what a change being chosen to play Alice, as in Wonderland, in a play meant to her, I have been thinking all yesterday about what events changed or shaped my life.

One childhood memory stands out as a change of perspective. My best guess is that I must have been between 10 and 12. I was home alone, with two younger sisters and a very younger brother this was a rare happening. Until that day I was mightily scared of storms. I was never one to relax when the rain came down is sheets and the wind howled. Window watching and fear were the order of the day every time it stormed. Home alone when a storm blew up I cried and cried while the storm raged outside. Feelings of being alone and abandon where the order of the day. When the storm was almost over, my Mother phoned. She asked if I was all right, as they thought I might be scared. My reply was a bold face lie. “No, I was not afraid.” Instantly I was no longer afraid. Some sort of calm settled over me. Today I have a healthy respect for what a storm can do but fear is no longer my companion.




I love the look of exuberance on my face in this picture. As the serious child in my family this look was not often captured.


Last night when I tried to post this blog it turned out missing. How something saved can vanish into cyberspace is beyound my knowledge. It turned up missing when I attempted to ask five others to share a heart photo. Now I have no idea if any of the ones I selected have been asked this before but if you have just add something that is new to your heart.


Stacey, because we love all things about our son and his family: http://4monkeys-stacey.blogspot.com/


Patricia, because she does such fun art work and is such a sharing person: http://pvedesign.blogspot.com/


Victoria, because she has a daughter the same age as Hannah: http://victoriainteriors.blogspot.com/


Suzanne, because she lives a county life: http://athomewiththefarmerswife.blogspot.com/


Maria, because I have learned so much more about color from her blog. It is the only blog (except Stacey's) that I have read from beginning to end and like a good book I will read again: http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/


You, because if you are reading this you just might enjoy sharing your heart.

I need to figure out how to do the neat link thing. l tryed to figure it out but it did not happen late last night and today there is much work to be done.