The pot of gold (en corn)

Sometimes there is a pot of gold at the base of a rainbow.  In our case it was a pot of golden corn.

See that rainbow..we followed it here..

To my cousin Todd’s patch of sweet corn.  That corn must be about eight feet tall!

We got two bags of corn, six dozen ears.  We shucked, cooked and bagged corn all Sunday afternoon.  What a sticky mess..but it will be worth it next winter.

We had fun watching Samantha’s goats..they are a 4-H project. Children and goats were running all over the yard..it was great fun to watch.

Chance watched from the car.  His door was open.  He did not get out of the car.  We hoped that he would interact with the goats or the young Border Collie named Jack..but he just stayed in the car and barked. Silly boy.

I am happy to have one batch of corn in the freezer.  We may do another partial batch..I have to count and see how many packages we still have in the freezer from last year.  Last year we did twelve dozen ears, the Grands all love it..so we share with them.

We cook the ears, then they are thrown in an ice bath, Far Guy cuts the corn off the cob.  Then I cook up a stick of butter, 4 cups of water, 3 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 cup of sugar..I bring that to a good rolling boil and then add 16 cups of corn.  Then I put that mixture into quart freezer bags.  I freeze them on cookie sheets..nice and flat.  When they are frozen I will package four to a gallon freezer bag.  That way I can grab four at a time and put them in the refrigerator freezer. Six dozen ears made 28 quart bags filled with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of corn.   Yummy golden goodness next winter :) 

News from a Friend

I communicate with a number of people by snail mail.  I have always been a good letter writer.  Some of my friends do not have computers and live simple unassuming lives. Sometimes I will mail them a copy of a blog.  More often than not they get one of my cards with a hand written note.  I have known some of the recipients of my cards since 1968.  That is a long letter writing history. 

I have known Joan since about 1980.  Two years ago the love of her life died and two weeks later his faithful dog gave up..it was a double whammy for her.  We talked on the phone ..lots..and she knows I hate the phone.  She called the other evening.

That day started out just like any other..I headed to work.  Sometimes something I see along the way will set the tone for the whole day…like some “you know what” in front of me poking along at 40 MPH.  A fox in the field.  Pretty clouds..you get the idea.  It is 14 miles to town..so it takes me about 15 minutes..sometimes 20 minutes.  As I entered town I notice the ambulance at the funeral home..someone died or some one called them for someone that was not yet dead. I have never seen an ambulance at the funeral home before..the hearse yes..but not an ambulance.  I had an unsettled feeling all day long.

Far Guy woke me up from my Olympic watching after supper slumber..the phone was for me.   I did not recognize the voice at first..it was somehow familiar and somehow strange.  It was Joan.  She said I have news for you “I have been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, it has affected my speech.”

Could have knocked me over with a feather.  She had just returned from a cruise in the Mediterranean.   Here I was thinking that she was having a really good time and she did but as soon as she got home she started having muscle problems.  ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease attacks your voluntary muscles.  Your heart keeps beating etc..and your brain keeps working but you will have difficulty moving your arms and legs and swallowing and breathing..because even if those swallowing and breathing muscles are autonomic most of the time..they can be voluntary or somatic. ( You can breathe on purpose.)

The Doctors give her one to three years, much of which will depend on how fast the disease progresses.  Everyone is different.  The Neurologist says she needs a custom wheelchair and she has discussed her end of life wishes with all four of her Doctors. No ventilators and no feeding tubes.  She recently sold her home and moved into an apartment..so that she could travel more. Now that traveling will be in a wheelchair.  She was thinking of getting a dog, because she misses having a dog..but said “Now that is impossible, I cannot do that to a pet, who would take it when I die?” 

What do you say to someone who is dying?  I said “At least you know who is waiting for you.”  “None of us know exactly when our time will come..you have some time to prepare”  and “I will miss you.”

She has no children, but she has two sisters and a brother and a niece.  She may move in with her niece..her niece has asked her to consider it.  I encouraged her to give it some thought. 

I guess when you get older your friends start kicking the bucket one after another.  I am/was deeply saddened by the news from my friend:(

Now for the pretty picture.

Stranded Not Once But Twice

How do you get to see your other baby brother or get invited in for coffee at the neighbors?

Last evening Chance and I wanted to go to the lake..so we did..Far Guy drove.  He proceeded to lock his keys in the car.  Luckily he had his cell phone in his pocket.  My other baby brother ran by our house and grabbed the extra set of keys. Chance was off leash.. I didn’t grab his leash out of the car because the public landing was empty.  He was entertained by splashing water and luckily no leash was needed.  My other baby brother delivered the keys.  We headed home happy to have been rescued. I guess I need to have another key made and put it in my camera case.

A storm came up just before dark.  Lots of thunder and lightening.  The phone rang.  A neighbor down the way reported that one of Steve’s calves was in the road. She wanted to know if she could help..Far Guy said “Bring a rope”  ..of course she just laughed.  Far Guy, Chance and I went to see what was up.  Steve and Jo were not home but we located them by phone.

We found the calf..Far Guy opened the gate for the little devil..and he just ran the other direction…of course.  We talked to Steve on the phone some more..as we left for home (because the calf will most likely stay close to the other cattle) ..maybe..not this wiley creature..here he was in the middle of the road again.

We wrangled him with the car..he was not a bit afraid of the vehicle..if I would have had a rope we could have rustled ourselves a steer.  We set up watch on the side of the road.  Far Guy ran out in the rain several times to wave the flash light and holler “Get back in the fence” (Like that did any good.) We kept the calf off of the road and out of harms way. His Mama was bellering for him..the lightening and thunder was most likely scaring him..and the fence is electric..and there are weird lights and a guy hollering at the poor little thing..talk about over stimulation.

Steve and Jo came home..and when they checked the little monster who should be named “Steaks and Roasts” had jumped back in the fence with his Mama.

NOW whilst we had been sitting there along the road..Far Guy kept turning the car ignition off and on.  We needed the lights to watch out for the escapee.  Our battery went dead.  Stranded twice in one day.

Steve found his jumper cables and we got the car started and went in for coffee and a visit.

Moral of the story: it is good to have neighbors and relatives that will help you out…us country folk have to stick together:)

Dog Days of Summer

It is dry.  Guyles Lake has dried up.

There is usually water beyond those Tamarack Trees.

Here is another photo I took of the same lake in June of 2009.

Ha!  I even took it at about the same spot.  One fluffy Tamarack towards the center of the photo and two  possibly struggling/dead trees to the right of the one that is thriving.

I have passed by this lake for sixty years now.  I have seen it dry.. but I have never seen the water totally disappear from the lake.

Even though it has rained some in the past few weeks I guess it wasn’t enough to raise the level in the lakes and the potholes.

This has been one of the warmest summers that I can remember in Minnesota. Day after day of heat and humidity.  I hate to say it..but I am looking forward to fall and cooler temperatures.

I am getting tired of the “dog days “ of summer..typically July 3 to August 10.  That old Dog Star Sirius must be to blame.

"These are strange and breathless days, the dog days, when people are led to do things they are sure to be sorry for after."  From Tuck Everlasting.

I wonder if it is the “dog days” that make me cranky and more tired than usual.  Far Guy says “No, we are just getting older.”:)

Fields

The harvest began on Monday this week.  A late July harvest.  The grain ripened fast this year.  They harvested the field across from us yesterday and there was wheat chaff sparkling in the air.

The corporate big farmer crew.

The small farmer.

Steve’s cornfield is looking good.

We went for a ride after supper last night to see all the harvest progress.

One of the neighbors lost two horses to a lightening strike the other night when it spit rain and rumbled half the night.  Poor things probably never knew what hit them:(

Wistful Wednesday: 1952

Pin curls..do up you hair for a Saturday night.

That is my Mom with her hair in pin curls with a scarf wrapped around her head. The other lady is my Aunt Marion.  Pants with rolled up cuffs must have been in fashion that year.

This photo was taken at my Grandparents D’s home..that is their garage in the background..and the cloths line where the wash was was hung..and most likely many diapers..there were three new babies in the house that winter..me and my twin Aunt and Uncle who were born two months after me:)

Lookalike

Someone had his 37th birthday..his wife made him a fabulous carrot cake.

He has great hair..it is getting all salt and peppery grey.  I think he may use some special product in his hair.

Someone famous is 11 months younger than him..can you guess who?   Yes someone famous looks just like him..not the other way around:)

Civil War Sunday Report

I am tired..it was a day.  Approximately 75 people attended.  I had hoped for more..but it is what it is.  Daughter Jen said “ Mom it is a success if one person shows up.”  She also left me a licorice pipe on the table at home..my favorite treat!
There were a number of children who attended.

Adam

Noah and Daniel

New recruits..they passed the all your fingers and toes test (no farm accidents), their teeth were inspected …you need four good teeth to rip the paper off the powder to load your weapon..and they knew their right from their left.

It was a fun afternoon.

The re enactors were awesome.  They traveled from Grand Forks North Dakota.  They volunteer their time to educate the public about the Civil War.  They are an interesting and highly educated group of people.  It was a pleasure to welcome them to the Museum.
I know the women are dying to see more of this dress.

I asked her what she carried in her bag..she replied “Today only my gloves.”  I asked her if she could sit down comfortably..and she showed me that yes she could.  One of my volunteers said perhaps I should dress up like that everyday in the museum.  That is probably not happening:)

Ditch Lily

The common everyday old fashioned  ditch lily that everyone has.

I like mine..it is a double and the deer don’t eat them.  They nibble at the Designer Fancy Smancy Day Lilies but they leave these old ones alone.  They must have bred the bad taste right out of the designer ones.

Sometimes new is not better..sometimes old is just perfect:)

Interruptions

I have had a few.  When I have a goal in mind and set my sights on it..and then to face one interruption after another makes for a day when I don’t get much done..let’s just say I will ignore the phone at home and let the machine get it..but at work it must be answered.

What kind of cooking and heating stoves did the CCC use?  Who built the big house on the north side of the road on the west side of town that had a grand staircase?  When was Long Lake three potholes?  All great questions but I have no answers..but I may after doing some research.

A broken bench (juveniles horsing around).. and a ceiling tile on the floor greeted me at work (normal wear and tear in an old building)..and lost people looking for each other..and a missing board member…and heat.  Far Guy and Chance fixed the bench and repaired the ceiling…luckily they were in town scouting out garage sales and got put to work.

Top it all off with people not reading the informative emails I have sent them..have a question..read the email…want me to read it to you?  I am sick and tired ..hot and sweaty..I used to have patience but it is waning fast. 

Nine weeks left..45 days…not that I am counting or anything.

Yesterday I had some squealing girls and boys about 15 years old in the building who knew the Gus the Ghost Story. They wanted to know if the place was really haunted..the girls squealed and the boys just smiled.  I had to remind them not to run in the building. They left a donation of 82 cents.  Oh well 82 cents is 82 cents.

9PM Friday Night: How about those Olympics..?  I am trying to watch the Opening Ceremony..but the commercials ( talk about interruptions) seem to outnumber the live footage..so far I am not impressed…I may turn the channel soon.  :(

Surprise

I found a little surprise out in the “wild” gardens.

I have not seen these in years.   Years ago..most likely about 12 years ago my Uncle Otto shared his Tiger Lilies with me.  He had too many.  Did you know Tiger Lilies are a favorite food of deer?  Well they are and they mowed them down year after year.  This one popped up at the edge of the woods..a lone survivor. 

Far Guy and I planted Echinacea (Coneflowers) both Purple and White along the driveway years ago.  They are doing surprising well..but they are prairie plants with deep roots.  We babied them the first couple of years.  Far Guy rigged up a watering system of two huge barrels that he put in the wagon and he used a bilge pump that was connected to the riding lawn mower battery.. the pump was connected to a watering hose.  So you could ride along the drive and squirt water at the flowers.  It was an ingenious way to water new seedlings. ( He has watched many episodes of the Red Green Show.)

Obviously deer don’t like Echinacea…either that or they are not real high on the snack list.

Every year just like clock work Far Guy drags me down the driveway to look at the pretty red flower that he has discovered.   Bee Balm..I say..and he says “oh yeah..how did they get there?”  We used to collect seed in the wild gardens and then in the early spring I would toss the seeds along the driveway and some of them grew! :)

Chasing a Rainbow

Last night we went for a drive to look at the thunderheads and to look at which way the rain might come from.  The rain went around us. Which was okay as we got 1 1/4 inches of rain on Tuesday night. Let some other moisture needy area get some rain.

Chance doesn’t like thunder..he wasn’t real keen on going for a ride..but since we both went he had to put up with the thunder…he hid in the hatchback..I am not sure why that is safer than his usual spot in the back seat..silly dog.

The air was heavy almost oppressive with moisture and heat.  This has been a very warm summer.  We drove around looking at the fields and the sky..finally we found a rainbow.

The small grain fields look ready to harvest soon.  The pot of gold must be in Chilton’s (Donnie’s) lake.. there was a traffic jam on this country road..one other photographer was out taking rainbow photos.

It has been a busy week at the museum..we are trying to get everything done before the “doings” on Sunday.   A few volunteers will be selling Root Beer Floats on Main Street during Crazy Days on Thursday and Friday as a fund raiser..something they try to do every summer.  I made labels for their plastic cups advertising Civil War Sunday and ads for them to put on their table…short of making them wear hats with signs they are armed with advertising for Sunday.  When is enough advertising enough?  I have printed and put up flyers and contacted every newspaper and television and radio station in the area…yet I have this fear that no one will show up.  Cost of “real” advertising is cost prohibitive, so we rely on free ads under Community Events. 

I finished transcribing the eight part series of Catherine’s recollections of the Sioux Massacre in the Minnesota River Valley.  Friday that series will be complete. I found it very interesting.  The pioneers lived through some harrowing experiences. This is the 150th anniversary of “The Dakota Conflict.”  Part Six can be found here. :)

Wistful Wednesday: Aunt Marion

This is a photo that is sixty years old. It was taken in May of 1952.

That is me and my Aunt Marion, my mother’s sister.  My Mom had four sisters.  My Mother was child number 2 and Marion was child number 3. 

The photo is taken in my Grandparents yard in the background I can see their garage and directly behind me is the well used clothes line.

My Aunt was already married by the time this photo was taken.  I believe she was married in 1949. 

That is my Aunt Marion and my Uncle Marvin on their wedding day.  My Mom was the maid of honor.  I have no idea who the other people are. In the late 1940’s that double breasted men’s suit was all the rage…along with wild thick neckties. Notice only the bride has a bouquet..the other gals have corsages.  I think my Mother kept her bridesmaid dress for a long time I believe it was a dusty pink color.

My Aunt Marion made the best chocolate cookies..it was a cake like batter.  Then she would cook up a white thick sugary concoction and spread it on one cookie and then top it with another.  It made almost a ball like cookie that was really yummy.

Aunt Marion was diagnosed with breast cancer in about 1966 or 1967.  I was sent over to help out and watch the kids while she was in the hospital and my Uncle Marvin was in the field.  The poor (4) kids had to suffer through my feeble attempts at cooking. Aunt Marion had a long and rocky road to beat that cancer.  They farmed and raised their family in the Wolf Lake Minnesota area.

My Aunt died  in 2004 she was 72 years old.  About a year later my Uncle joined her. They were married well over 50 years…probably about 54 years.  I see some of their children, my cousins once in awhile..usually at funerals:)

Camera Decisions

Well I guess I am going to do it.  Jump off the deep end and buy a new camera..a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex).  Daughter Jen is going to take the plunge too.  We hope to take a Photography class together on the North Shore in October.  

We have only decided on one thing ..they will be Canon’s.  That way we can share some of the specialized lenses.

I am a point and shoot kinda gal and like the convenience of my small Canon. I can keep it in my parka in the winter.  BUT I think it is time to step out of my comfort zone.  I am not getting any younger..if I am going to do it now might be the time. I am looking at the 60D..anyone out there have that one?   Jen is looking at the The Rebel.

I practically have the on/off switch on my Canon worn out.  I take lots of photos..I am a photo hoarder for sure…I originally took many photographs of wildflowers for a book..well I still have the photos…maybe some day it will be a book about the Wildflowers in Becker County.  BUT that won’t be happening whilst I am working at the museum.

I have lots of irons in the fire..adding one more thing is a probably not a great idea..but I can take it slow..I wonder if anyone gives remedial photography classes:)

Chance: Watery Day

We all had a water filled day yesterday.  It was hot.  It was 94 degrees.  ( 34 degrees C)

We stopped to feed some ducks.

Adam and Noah threw bread into the water.

They named this one Einstein.

Miney and I played water games.

It was a good day at the lake.  There were lots of dogs at the lake.  I was well behaved and listened…and I was friendly to everyone. One time a huge intact (whatever that means) Golden Lab ran right up to me…Far Side hollered “Everyone behave..or else.”   The “or else” most likely meant getting back on the pontoon or getting the leash on…both of which limit your watery activity. 

At the end of the day I was a happy wet tired dog.  I slept all the way home:)

What the?

I was fine yesterday morning..just hunky dory..I headed for work.  Got to work safely put on my reading glasses to unlock the door and disarm the alarm.  What the?  My vision was all messed up..of course I had just come in from the outdoors..maybe my eyeballs just needed time to catch up.

I fumbled with my office keys..I could not read the tiny little print  that denotes “My Office”..what the?  Oh my goodness..what in the world is wrong with me?  I must have a tumor..that’s it I will have to take the rest of the summer off..of course I will need treatment ..won’t I?  Oh boy ..I sat down to comprehend what was happening.  I felt my head all over..what the? I could see fine without my glasses..the tumor must only affect my close vision..weird.

Close up I had camera vision..partially blurry and out of focus and partially okay..especially if I closed one eye..yeah that’s it!   What the? If I  close one eye I can see fine..maybe I can wear some kind of sexy eye patch?

Then I nearly poked my eye out.  Whilst checking it seems I was missing a lens..what the?

Yes that explains it…I have lost a lens someplace..well I found the darn thing in the car..the little tiny screw that hold the lens in place had fallen out…which in turn let my lens fall out.

I had a spare pair of driving glasses that I hate..but I wore them the entire day. I use them for night driving and they have bifocals.  I hate bifocals..but I love my reading glasses.

I fixed my reading glasses after work..they are good enough till Monday..then I can get them fixed proper..and maybe order another pair since I don’t have a tumor or anything:)

Dianthus ‘Siberian Blues’