Tilly

 I am not sure the how I got the nickname Tilly but it had something to do with a last name that no one could pronounce and fewer people could spell.  

Yliniemi  pronounced ...wait for it.... ILL a KNEE me

( A childhood friend Janet began calling me Tilly...and it stuck for a long time.) 

When other kids in grade school had to write their whole name I got by with a Y.  In the alphabet line up I was always last...then a few kids that names began with Z were added to the bunch in High School.

Anyways that was eons ago...over fifty years ago.  No one calls me Tilly anymore...however my High School Yearbooks are witness to my nickname as are a bunch of old 45 records. 

Far Side

Her name is...

 Can you guess what Far Guy named his car?  Hint:  It was my nickname in High School.

If you have a digital camera you can just hold it up while you are driving and click away and you may get one great photo:)

Most everyone in High School called me Tilly.

Far Side

Detail and a Date Night

 Far Guy had an appointment to get his new/old car detailed. 

It took the better part of a day! 

After we picked it up we went out for early supper. 

It has been a number of years since we have been to the A & W... used to be a carhop and a tray hanging on your window...now it is a push the button and order what you want and they bring it out in a bag.  Oh well the fries were excellent and the cheese curds awesome!  No drink holder in the old car...that was something we noticed right away...I set my drink on the floor and Far Guy juggled his in one hand. 

Next stop the gas station...only a few places in town have the "right" gas.  It seems the old girl got 13.6 mpg but that may be an error. 

It was a nice outing and we were back home by six pm. 

Far Side

Dinner Guests

We have friends who we used to "do supper" with once a month ...before covid.  It has been a long time since we got together. 

I cooked, Far Guy was the sous chef.  We made New York Strip Enchiladas, Far Guy's dip with chips, grapes and melons and Kuchen without a crust...so it was a custard with raspberries and blueberries.  We had a good time. 

Buddy has been on a diet so he appreciated the handouts in the kitchen. 

He was real interested in the bear smells in the yard. 

After supper we went out for a ride. 

This old Gas Station sign is just down the road a few miles...makes for a perfect photo op!  Buddy liked the ride too! 

Far Side

Rain and Visitors

 We got rain finally.  1 and 4/10 inches.   It was wonderful, it is our first real rain this spring/summer.

It refreshed the earth, flowers, us and apparently a bear.  Our temperatures took a nose dive it was 39 F Monday morning.  The high Monday was 60 F....cool...and I liked it!

Our feeders were down early Monday morning.  Apparently it was quite a large bear.  

Last night I took down the humming bird feeder and suet feeder and brought them inside.  We did not get the bear on the trail cam.  It apparently came in from the North and left going North. 

However I did catch these two coming in late one night this weekend. I wonder where the bear was then??

Far Side

Before and After

 Before...we had some lights under the cabinet...one was a undercabinet light that Far Guy and I strung up through the wall before we did the tile... at the time we said we will figure out something better later. We added the two round battery operated lights later...it was never great lighting. 

A blog reader/old friend saw the lighting situation and sent us a package from Amazon. 

Saturday Handy Andy figured out a way to get it all hooked up for us without taking down the tile wall.  Wires were cut and spliced and soldered together.

Now we can see the light.  We have never had so much light in that part of the kitchen!  It is also remote controlled...we can make the lights dimmer or brighter or make them flash!  Real high Tech for us old farts!

Far Side

Happy Father's Day!

 Happy Father's Day to all the Father's out there. 

My Dad will be 95 this Fall.  Here he is with my Mother at the wedding a few weeks ago. 

Far Guy's Dad and Mother.  His Dad died in 1994 at the age of 80.  His Mom died in 2006 she was 91 years old.

And here is Far Guy!  He is one of the best Fathers ever!

Far Side

Honey Bees

 Not sure where their hive is but they sure like the Gaillardia (Blanket Flower).

At least they are sharing! 

My other baby brother found some Lime Outshine Bars and dropped them off for me.   Friends from Louisiana dropped off packages of Boudin...a dear blogging friend offered to send Fritos...we have wonderful friends and relatives! 

Far Side

Grocery Day

 Grocery Day was partially a success.  No one had fresh pineapple, pretzel buns are scarce as are Lime Outshine Bars and Fritos.   Good thing I hoarded Far Guys Fritos the past few weeks.   Fruit or Fritos are his go to snack.  He is losing weight...it takes lots of calories to breathe. 

We are still ordering groceries online and disinfecting.   I looked at the stats for our County in Minnesota and only 42 % of people are vaccinated. 

Far Guy was sitting outside after supper and had company.  We are both a little tired today.

The deer in our area are not afraid of us...they must be used to our voices. 

My baby brother took our Dad to Bingo...hope they won!  

We still need rain! 

Far Side

One Day At A Time

 Yesterday was a looong day.  Up early and a long drive to the University of Minnesota for a cat scan, lung tests and a six minute walk for Far Guy.

The Doctor says, "keep doing what you are doing ... the left lobe of the lung is not all the way collapsed as we hoped for, part is sunken... will reevaluate in six to eight weeks as more procedures/replacing valves may be called for."

And so it goes one day at a time. We arrived home safe and sound last evening. 

Highlight of the day.  Remember the old Police Cars with the bubble on top...think Barney in Mayberry RFD.  We passed one...what fun to see....here it is in the rear view mirror.

Far Side

Fun Stuff

 We played Splendor with my baby brother and his bride...I did not win.  Far Guy played the newly refurbished Pin Ball Machines at their lake home.  We got to pet Baxter.  That was pretty much the excitement for the day. 

The Yellow Lady Slippers are blooming along our driveway.  Three blooms is what I counted, two flower stalks were eaten off.   The photo only shows two blooms...note the dreaded Poison Ivy in the lower right corner. 

I have at least three projects going at once, needless to say progress is slow on all of them. 

Far Side

A ride

 A new spring was ordered...just incase.  Far Guy put everything back together minus the spring to see what would happen with the new /old car.  It started and ran just fine.  Maybe he really doesn't need that spring that was lost. 

Far Guy wanted to take it for a ride so he called my baby brother and his bride to come along. 

 Baxter thought it was a cool ride. 

Plenty of room for him in the back seat on the seat or on the floor.  He was a good boy. 

Far Side

Trail Cams and a baby

 We unloaded photos from the two trail cams we have set up in the yard. 

We have night visitors during the month of May... also many Crows and Squirrels. 

No wonder the bird bath is continually turned over or empty.  Far Guy put some tent stakes in the ground to anchor the bird bath.  One day the solar fountain was on the ground. 

Yesterday I mowed the front yard and did some trimming.  Far Guy worked on his new old car, he lost a small spring the other day from the carburetor...so he has spent days looking for it. 

My baby brother and his bride welcomed a new Grand Baby yesterday...a handsome baby boy born in Seattle....we got to see photos!  It is Grand #10 for them!  He maybe visiting Minnesota in August!

Far Side

Holding the Great Grands

 Saturday we travelled up North to see everyone, our Grand Maddie was visiting from Michigan.   Our two Great Grandchildren we there along with our five Grands.  We got hugs!  AND got to hold our newest great grand who was born during the pandemic...Cee Cee is 15 months old now. 

Cee Cee in the little pig tails!

Hey Mikey who has just turned  4 years old a few weeks ago.

I think there was a tickle bug loose. 

They were both interested in my glasses on the sparkly chain.

So fun to see everyone and to catch up with all of our loved ones!   We all went out to lunch and the old folks were home well before dark! 

Far Side

A little rain

 We got a little rain on Friday morning when the cold front went through.    Not much rain...enough to make the lawn chairs wet.  It was a nice day with a high around 80 F.  My baby brother brought over a visiting cousin from Missouri... Karl and his wife Peggy.  Karl was one of the twin ring bearers in our wedding.   It has been many years since we have seen him....now he has kids in College and his hair is grey!! 

I took my Dad to Bingo on Thursday night...we did not Bingo but we had fun anyway.  Dad is getting a bit unsteady on his feet.  We made it there and back without incident.  Dad had fallen in the bathroom just before I picked him up for Bingo....he said he fell on the soft rug so it wasn't too bad.   My Mother managed to help him up. 

Far Guy and I put the tomatoes cages up around the growing tomato plants.  The plants have a few flowers! 

We had BLT's for supper, I like my T on the side.  

Splendor report:  I won one!  Far Guy 4 me 2.

Far Side

Centaurea Montana and an unknown Butterfly

Thatching Ants

 The ants we have in the yard making the trails are Thatching Ants, they create mounds and their tunnels can be 2 to 4 feet deep.   They have a queen and lotza workers...even different classes of workers....and then the nest sends out more queens to make more nests. 

Seems like from what I have read they are hard to kill.  The love the Oaks....we must have aphids in the Oaks because many of the leaves are sticky...which provides great food for the ants and you see them crawling up trees.   I also read where the bites can blister...hence my stomping of my feet and cussing right out loud when bitten. 

I have seen huge mounds in a ditch north of here...we have a huge mound by a power pole along the road...we called the Electric company and told them...I guess they don't care. 

Seems there is a shortage of Diatomaceous Earth too... I may have to order it online.  One of my readers suggested a mixture of borax and powdered sugar...sounds like a great alternative. 

The war will continue.  I read there are thousands per nest....

Far Side

Bee Happy!

 I finally got around to decorating the wreath for June. 

Home is where your honey bee! 

Yesterday was another warm day ( 91 F) I worked outside in the morning before it got real hot...took care of some Poison Ivy and some ant trails.  I ran out of Diatomaceous Earth...my preferred way to attack ants ...by desiccating their little bodies.  Yes I am real happy killing the Poison Ivy along the roads and at the edge of the woods...and those horrid black ants that bite are just a bugger....sometimes if I stand near a nest they will crawl in through the holes in my crocs and bite me...and frankly that really pisses me off! 

See that black line ...that is an ant super highway that goes right by my Lilac that didn't bloom this year and to the base of an Oak Tree. 

Splendor Report: Far Guy beat me again...I gave it a good try,  I declared that I won and he got an extra turn and overtook my score.  Far Guy 4 me 1.

Far Side

Still a tad warm

 Only 92 yesterday.  The AC is working just fine thank goodness! 

This pretty White Admiral Butterfly was soaking up some water on the patio.  We had sheet lightning and rain early Tuesday morning.  We got 4/10 of an inch of rain in one rain gauge and 3/4 inch in another.  Let me tell you any rain is better than no rain. 

Our bank upgraded its digital banking platform so I spent some time figuring that out.  I just followed the directions...and it seems to work. 

Far Guy woodcarved in the afternoon while I watched Heartland and worked on a crochet project.  My baby brother, his bride, Baxter and Annie visited in the late afternoon.  Good for us to see different faces and the dogs! 

Supper was Pulled Pork Quesadillas and fresh fruit.

After supper my other baby brother and she who sees robins first stopped by to visit.  They are still recouping after the wedding.

We have been playing one game of Splendor in the evenings...I am losing...Far Guy 3 me 1.  

Far Side

Flowers and Cards

 Ha!  It was cooler yesterday.  Only 90 F or 32 C

My flower garden is showing some color. It is one week post transplant.  With the warm weather they should have made great roots. 

We got some wonderful cards in the mail.

Thank you friends for thinking of us! 

Far Guy is still just a bit better.  No huge improvements.  He fussed with his new/old car a bit and did some woodcarving.  We heard that the Woodcarvers group will start meeting again soon.  We will join them when Far Guy is feeling better. 

Far Side

Still hot

 Our weather is unusual for early June..our average high for this time of year is 75 F.  It was 94 F yesterday but cloudy which makes it seem cooler.  We still need rain.  We fill the bird bath twice a day...and the dog dish that we have outside for Baxter is visited by squirrels and a chippy. 

Far Guy is feeling a tad bit better than he was on Saturday.  I hope he continues to improve...we will see.  The Doctors in Minneapolis are aware that he is not well. 

We had a quiet Sunday.  I started a new project and it is working out according to the pattern...it will be a success!  We went by my Aunt Anna's Estate Sale and picked up flowers in one cemetery.  In the evening we sat outside and Far Guy helped water the vegetables and the flowers. The lettuce has sprouted. 

Far Side

Wedding at the lake

 My Niece got married yesterday...she picked the hottest day of the year.   It was about 98 F. 

We sat in the shade out by the lake at my baby brothers lake place.  He has been babying grass on the hillside all Spring....it looked really pretty.

They said their vows out in the sunshine on the patio.   The Pastor was a bit long winded and he was sweating buckets....black shirt and all.  

It was a casual wedding.  The beautiful bride is my other baby brother's daughter. 

Far Guy was not feeling up to going.   My baby brother picked me up and I stayed for the wedding...Jordan brought me back home right after the ceremony.  We were babysitting Baxter (my baby brother's dog) and Annie (my sister's dog) because they would have been in the way during the wedding and the doings afterwards.   They missed me while I was gone, Far Guy said that Baxter serenaded him...and Annie just snored.

  Last week I made Lemon Cookies for the wedding doings. 

Today is Andy and Jen's 23rd wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary kids!!

Far Side

Minnesota Snowball

 Ha!  The Minnesota Snowball is blooming on a day when it was 98F (36C  eh!) ...it was a tad warm.   I did a few things outside in the morning.  The bulk of the day I spent inside...laundry, cleaning a bathroom, playing 52 pick up and put away....started a new crochet project...and I had a nap. 

The Snowball blooms are small this year...probably because it is so dry. 

We sat outside in the evening...Far Guy kept me company while I watered the new flowers.

 Today we are supposed to have another scorcher.  The house is cool, the Air Conditioner is working just fine. 

Far Side

Sheep Tank

 Our latest gardening adventure began with the purchase of a watering tank for sheep.   Way last winter I noticed that there was one for sale at the local Farm Store.  I wrote down the numbers, went inside paid for it and it even fit in the vehicle. 

Far Guy built a stand for it when he was feeling better.  We located it behind my garage where it gets full sun and it is protected from the north west winds.  We gathered a few rocks to put in the bottom to help with drainage. 

We had plans to start our own tomatoes but that just didn't work out...so I did the next best thing and we shall see what we get.  

How can you resist a tomato that is already flowering? 

It is an unknown tomato it could be anything...I was just sold on the flower...so it is a surprise tomato! 

We both like Yellow Pear tomatoes.  Who knew a yellow tomato could have such great flavor!

This one is a Rutgers...it will be red...and I hope it tastes good! 

I bet y'all are curious to see the sheep tank?

Far  Guy chose wood that was available.  Red Green would be proud. 

We have a fence that will be set up soon as we get some extra help...cause the deer will be interested.

Far Side

Lettuce Wagon and A Peony

 We planted lettuce in the little red wagon.  Parked it on the patio next to the kitchen window.  

The lettuce wagon

A bright spot in the day was the Fern Leaf Peony that Larry sent me a few years ago. 

Everything is so dry...the grass out in the full sun scrunches under your feet. 

Yesterday we were busy all day.   We had a hump of soil that needed to be taken care of  moved to a hole and leaves were all stacked up against the east side of a garage...I mowed the front yard...we had to fix the freaking mower again.   I told Far Guy how I would have designed that poor excuse for a part that falls off.  He agreed that would solve my problem...so would a new lawn mower.    If it doesn't rain I won't have to worry about the lawn. 

I spread some diatomaceous earth trying to control some big biting black ants.   Then I noticed some PI and the war was on...but first I had to fix a sprayer...a couple of times...I had parts...Far Guy said to throw some of the worthless spray nozzles in the garbage.  He was working on some car parts and I kept interrupting him. 

Finally got the sprayer fixed and went off to kill something...Poison Ivy.  Gosh it felt good! 

Far Side

Flower Garden

 Far Guy and I went to town, he waited in the vehicle while I went inside the Greenhouse. 

I found what I wanted...mostly.

We came home and planted...

Most of the flowers I picked out had no blooms which is just perfect for transplanting. 

Red Star Impatiens, a Coral Impatiens, a mix of Impatiens, Salvia Victoria Blue, and some Violas...

The Violas were blooming so happily I couldn't bear to clip their blooms off.   I just smile when I see them! 

Far Side

Summer begins

 Around here we think of summer as June, July and August....or from when school lets out to when it starts again.  

I am already thinking summery foods...we had some potato salad over the weekend...it is a summer food but I have been known to rock the boat and make it in the winter. 

I dug up the small flower bed...I suppose I should plant some flowers in it.   Next year I think I will just have pots of flowers.  

Far Guy and I repaired the lawn mower, I mowed the far driveway to test out the mower...it blows a little less grass and dirt at me.   I have my very own pair of Safety Glasses now! 

I checked out the weather report...no rain....the other day it rained about as much as I can spit.  It is going to get warm...like August warm later this week. 

I baked some cookies for a "doings" next weekend.  If it is close to the 100 degree mark as forecast we may just send over the cookies.  I baked them, let them cool and put them in the freezer. 

Far Guy hung up the Butterfly house for me...it was a gift from Mark and Cindy in Oregon....Mark built it and Cindy painted it!  With the price of lumber it is a very expensive gift!

Far Side