Lawn Care and Self Care

 We are very fortunate that my baby brother has taken over mowing and trimming the lawn. 

It looks really good! We have gotten lots of rain so it is really growing! 

Yesterday I tried the shower upstairs...it worked great, but the shower chair is very upright so I ordered a different one.  I have to remember to take my picker-upper with me as I dropped the shampoo and then the bath soap. I wash my hair in the shower...good thing Jen gave me a hair cut and thinned it all out! 

I washed a load of laundry and got it in the dryer...again the picker-upper came in handy.  Not being able to bend over to pick stuff up is a pain in the butt.  I put some "stuff" away properly and had a good long nap.  

Far Guy is still feeling rotten from the Cancer meds. 

My baby brother and his bride, Baxter and Smudge came by to visit outdoors in the afternoon! 

Far Side

Busy Days

 Friday was a busy day.  I cleaned the bathroom, did a few loads of towels etc, straightened up a bit and then went to my baby brother and his brides home for a quilting /crafting day.  There I had good visits with a couple of my cousins...got to give them hugs and support when we learned of our cousin Kathy's death.  So sad...she never really recovered from the stroke that she had years ago and slipped further and further away every day.  Kathy gave the best hugs...we will all miss her.   It doesn't seem real that she is no longer with us. 

I spoiled Baxter and Smudge...I tell ya Smudge is pretty cute!

I worked on some crochet scrubbies...I sell them at a shop in Grand Forks ND.  Everyone else there was sewing...they are all working on quilts...maybe I will take some photos as I will head over there today with my camera and some wild rice soup that I have ready to go together right away in the morning and some sauerkraut and sausages that we will have for lunch.  

Yesterday we had chili and a wonderful cabbage salad, sourdough bread and cookies!

Far Side

I have 45 ( I make it 46) cousins on my Dad's side of the family.  Kathy is the 9th to die. Kathy was 75 years old she was just 16 days shy of her 76th birthday. 

Baxter and Smudge

 Baxter turned four the end of August.   He still likes me...possibly because I have treats (Cheerios). 

Here is Baxter enjoying the pontoon ride one night this week.  My baby brother and his bride have a pontoon. 

Smudge can run faster than Baxter now.  Far Guy and I were at the end of the dock waiting...and they came running! 

It was a nice night to be out on the lake. 

It was getting close to sunset before we came off the lake.  When we docked Smudge took off ninety miles an hour...happy to be off the pontoon. 

Far Side

Sunset, a wash and a visit

 Sunset was fairly orange on Monday night, lots of particulate in the air.  

I took this photo on the way over to my baby brothers to visit  Baxter and Smudge...I had not seen them in about a week.  They love me...cause I have Cheerios for treats! Smudge grew a bit and she knows sit and down now...I think she is a smart little dog.  

On Tuesday morning Far Guy took all the extra hoses out and we washed the house.  In accordance with our 10 year warranty on the exterior finish on the house...it must be washed once a year in late Summer.  This blog serves as a record of the washings. 

Check it off the list.

It was a very warm day...but between both of us we got it done...plus we cleaned up the air conditioner part that sits outside.   Check something else off our list.  I was tired...Far Guy lured me into taking a ride into town for a visit and lupper at A & W.

We had a very enjoyable visit with Far Guy's cousins Bonnie, Wayne and Scott! 

Fra Side

Dog Days

 August is here bringing in the dog days of summer. 

The dogs next door were skunked...visiting Border Collies that tried to best a skunk.  We sent over two "skunk kits" that I keep on hand for skunk emergencies...peroxide, baking soda, softsoap and rubber gloves.   

This is Gus...his brother Monte got the worst of the skunking and was mostly asleep when we visited. 

Luckily Smudge and Baxter escaped...we heard Baxter went into the woods and barked but Smudge stayed right on the road and barked! 

Smudge is growing a bit taller...here she is biting Baxters front foot to get his attention. 

If you live in or near the woods sooner or later there will be a skunking.  Just a matter of time. 

Far Side

Skunk Kit:

1 quart Hydrogen Peroxide

1/4 cup baking soda

1 teaspoon soft soap or dish soap like dawn

Rubber gloves 

Mix in a bucket and apply to the dog...it may bleach the hair of your dog.  You can repeat treatments then rinse well and then bathe the dog with shampoo.  

Little blue flower

 I think these wildflowers over at my baby brothers are very pretty.

You can see Baxter provides a good back drop for flowers. 

I am not sure what the flowers are...they look like Forget me nots, but those are biennial and this is the first year wildflower planting. 

Far Side

New in the neighborhood

 We have a new friend in the neighborhood.  

Her name is Smudge and Baxter is her big brother. 

My baby brother and his bride rescued Smudge from Northwest Aussie Rescue. 

She is 1/2 toy Aussie, 1/4 Pug and 1/4 Beagle.  She won't get real big.  She has Beagle ears and tail.

She is pretty cute!

Far Side

Treat Lady and Baxter

 Last Summer Baxter gained a bit of weight...of course it was all my fault...I am the Treat Lady.  ( No one else could possibly give him any treats) Baxter loves stopping at our house for a treat.  He hated it when we were gone last Winter.  No treats and a strict diet.  What to do...what to do.  Sadie will do anything for a Cheerio...well turns out Baxter likes them too...dispensed one at a time.  I put some on the upstairs steps.

Guess who?  I picked him up for a bit yesterday...he has a bit of separation anxiety.  I folded some laundry at home while he waited.  Then we sat outside for a bit learning a new trick...circle. 

Then his eyes got sadder and sadder...it was time to return him to his home....before he decides to go home all by himself...he knows the way. 

He makes a fine co pilot and even better if he can stick his head out the window.  "Get a move on Treat Lady"

I took a few photos outside and followed Mr Wiggle Butt! That would have been a good name for him. 

"Whatcha waitin for?  Slow poke Treat Lady!"

We had a fine time together.

Far Side

Baxter and Lolli

 Baxter and Lolli are good friends. 

As you can see there is quite a difference in size.  Baxter is a Mini Australian Shepherd...with little emphasis on the mini part.

Yes you get a closer look at her ears! I am not sure if she is considered a Brown and White Boston Terrier or a Lilac or a Fawn Lilac. I call her a blondie but that is not an official color.  She has had to grow into her ears.  She liked lounging on that blanket on the couch between Far Guy and Beth.  Lolli is staying a bit longer with my baby brother Carey and his bride Beth.  They love her and are taking good care of her with Baxters help! 

Both dogs were happy to see us.  Lolli's bum ( rectal bruise) is looking better too.

Far Guy had a reasonably good day, he did a few more activities and we went for a short Ranger Blue ride before dark.  We saw four deer. 

I crossed a few things off my list of things that I must do soon!

Far Side

It snowed

 It snowed a bit but it mostly melted when it hit the ground. 

I went over and visited Baxter.

He is a little lonely. 

My sister in law, Beth has been in the hospital the past few days.  She has been really sick.  UTI and Ischemic Sepsis. No fun.  She is a little improved but is still having pain.  She got great care in the ICU as our niece Stacey was on duty. Hopefully each day will see some improvement and next week she will be able to come home.

Far Side

Baxter is three!

 It was Baxter's birthday this week.  He was three years old on Monday August 28.  Beth sent me a photo of him.  Baxter is a Miniature Australian Shepherd that is on the tall side.  Baxter belongs to my baby brother and Beth.  

Yesterday he and I spent some time together.  

Such a pretty boy.  AND smart too, he listens to me quite well. 

Sticking out his tongue a bit...I was out of treats. 

Tired of me and my camera.  I took him out back for bit but he thought the photo session should be over and I should find more treats. 

Ok treat lady, it is hot out here and it is cool inside where the treats are! 

Happy Birthday Baxter! 

Far Side

Baxter and a Snapper

 This time of year all the turtles come out of the water to lay their eggs in the sand/dirt.

Yesterday I spent some time with Baxter.  There was a Snapping Turtle in his yard. 

Baxter is curious.  

When the turtle reared up and hissed...

We spent some time down on the dock.

Baxter is good company...we both hoped that the Snapper wouldn't make it onto the dock while we were on it. 

When we went up the hill the snapper was all eyes watching us. 

I read for a short time and all Baxter wanted to do after our adventure was sleep so I went home to ride the lawnmower for a while.

Far Side

Parties and Baxter

 We had two parties this weekend.  Saturday was Mason (Great Nephew who lives next door) High School Graduation Party.  We got to visit with a number of neighbors that we don't see often. Pulled Pork, buns, baked beans, potato salad, chips and cake were served buffet style. 

Sunday we celebrated my cousin Geraldine's 75th Birthday.  More food was served; ham on buns, potato salad,  pasta salad, fruit, pickles and many different kinds of desserts. Her children gifted her plane tickets to Finland in September...boy was she surprised!   It is a girls trip with her daughters going along and a daughter in law. 

Needless to say we didn't cook for ourselves this weekend! 

Sunday Baxter's family deserted him so he spent some time with me.  He listens to me much better when my baby brother and his bride are not around!  (Just like a little kid.)

Baxter and Lilac blooms! 

Far Side

Church, Cemetery and Baxter

 My Maternal Grandparents attended Zion Lutheran Church my parents were married there and I was baptized there on January 6, 1952.  I was trying to recall the last time I was inside?   I recall being in the cemetery as a child...I have several Uncles buried there and now my Grandparents are buried there and one of my Aunts is sprinkled there.  Years ago most cemeteries were not mowed...the grass got really tall by the end of the summer.  The church is only open for special occasions now. 

We visited the cemetery in the rain.  

Baxter waited patiently.

Baxter has allergies and shakes his head...poor boy.  The pollen has been knocked down a bit by the rain...it could rain again for a couple of days.  

Far Side

Refinishing

 The log siding on our home needed to be totally refinished.  It is a messy job.  We hired someone to do it that guarantees his work for ten years....we will see. 

Before

During

In Progress

It is a bit darker that I would have liked, but it isn't as dark as Far Guy thought it would be so it is okay. 

It is messy here.   I have plumbers coming  today to install two high rise toilets and a new hot water heater.  

I believe that the house will get a coat of sealer next...and that stuff is pretty smelly.  

Given our air quality and all the dust/fumes here at the house Far Guy and I will be staying elsewhere for a couple of days. 

Yesterday I baby sat Baxter,  he was in a funk all day missing his people.  He was so happy to see them when they returned!   He likes me just fine but I am not a replacement....he didn't eat his morning meal until late in the afternoon...what a turd!

Far Side

 

Floating Garden

 I spent the day at my baby brothers yesterday.  He and his bride were constructing a floating garden.  

It was trial and error...mostly wet error until after lunch and a nap.  Baxter had a nap too. 

We constructed the platform using some drainage pipe filled with empty water bottles to help with floatation.  Two layers of plastic snow fence covered the structure and many zip ties were used!  Final construction was the addition of some pool noodles. 

It floats...will the plants grow?   We shall see...there are strawberries, beans, squash and tomatoes. 

We squirted it around on the dock and got it on the front of the kayak and Beth paddled it around and shoved it off into the water.. 

It has a bit of chain on both ends to serve as an anchor and it is tied to the dock.  The beige structure is a kayak launcher. 

My baby brother and his bride and Baxter.  ( I think all dogs like wet legs!)

Refinishing our log siding is still in progress....slow progress.  Due to the air quality Far Guy is safely away from home for a few days while I hold down the fort here. 

Far Side  

Baxter

Baxter spent some time with us one day this week.  He is happy to see me and has much less separation anxiety...however I cannot go into the bathroom with out him or put away laundry...he wants to be near me. 

He settles down quite nicely if I stay in one spot!.

 We went for a couple of Ranger Blue rides, he loves riding along.  We recycled and got the mail. 

 We met the Post Master delivering mail, he told me that some days no mail would be delivered because they had no mail carriers for all the routes and he needed two clerks full and part time and several rural mail carriers.  He is in charge of three post offices and he rotates through to deliver mail himself.  He said to mention the job openings to anyone who might be interested.

"Got some more treats lady?"

Baxter was good until he wasn't.  He rolled in some smelly stuff while I was in a different part of the yard...so I got out a bucket and cleaned him up as best as I could without giving him a bath.  He sat quietly while I cleaned him up....then his people picked him up. 

Far Side

The past week

 I enjoyed the last pontoon ride of the year with my baby brother, his bride and Baxter one afternoon last week.  The Fall color on the lake is very pretty. 

It is always fun to see our old resort from the lake.  All the cabins have been removed only the boat house remains next to the lake.  The fellow who lives there has a home further away from the lake.

Yesterday I had lunch with my best friend Susie.   We met at a local in the boonies eating establishment that is about half way in between our homes.  We had a great visit!  She sent home Walleye for us...she and her husband are fishermen.  We had some for supper and it was really really good. 

Our weather has turned cold...we had a hard frost early Friday morning.  29 F or -1 C  eh!  If we had pumpkins there would be frost on them.

Baxter says Hi!  He loves a pontoon ride.

Here he is outstanding on his dock. 

Oh and how about Apple Pie?   It was great one afternoon...neighbors Steve and Jo shared their apple pie with us...apples from our old resort! 

I had a really bad tooth ache...an abscess.  Luckily our Dentist believes me and ordered antibiotics right away on Monday morning.  Then in a procedure on Thursday he opened up the tooth and put some medication down inside and sealed it up...if this doesn't work I have to go see the Oral Surgeon.  ( At least they have laughing gas!)

Far Side

Chilly evenings

 The evenings have turned chilly.  We disconnected the water hoses just incase there is a hard frost.  I carry water in my old watering can for the bird bath and the dog water dish. (Baxter is back!) 

Yesterday was an odds and ends day with a nap in the middle.  I finished painting the garage door!  The high yesterday was 69 F or 21 C  eh!  Cross something off my list!    I finally made a list.  If I cross something off the list every day I will be done at the end of the month.

The chilly nights bring out the worst in the hornets/wasps.  They are especially bad in town.  They seem to like the fronts of cars...not sure what attracts them...the warmth or saying goodbye to friends who were suicidal and hanging off the front grille.   I can report that my crochet wasp nests work great at keeping them from building their nests near the house. 

I sat outside after supper last night watching for the solar lights and my baby brother, his bride and Baxter stopped by to watch with me.  Baxter may have gotten a treat or three. 

The leaves are changing color more every day I think we are near peak color. 

Far Side

Baxter is Two

 My buddy Baxter is two years old now.  He loves me because I am the "treat lady." 

What a handsome dog he is.  He came by with his owners for a photo shoot!  

His Mom took a photo of him too after he was at the groomer. 

Baxter is a happy dog...very food driven.   Baxter will eat just about anything including rocks.   

We are happy to have Baxter visit with us from time to time but he likes his own people the best. 

Happy Birthday Baxter!!  ( Hope he has less emergency vets visits this year.)

Far Side