Rain

We got some wonderful rain!  My rain gauge shows 3 1/2 inches of rain in one gauge and 3 inches in the other one.   The grass is green again thanks to the rain.  It is delightfully cool after the rain...the high yesterday was 73 F or 23 C eh!

 The flowers in the small garden look pretty good. 

Pay no attention to the weeds...I will weed one of these days.  Every time I get down on the ground to weed I think of that ole bear...and wonder how fast I can get up off the ground or should I just fall over and play dead.

Love a rainy day...I caught up on things around the house and started some new projects...and had a nap. 

Far Side

Lakes, Deer and Bear

 When the power went out the other night we both needed to charge up our phones just in case it was an extended power outage. So we went for a ride. It ended up being about two hours.  

Shell Lake

 Bass Lake

There is a bean field catty corner from us.  Makes for fine gazing for deer.  Our deer that usually comes for a drink out of the bird bath is missing...we noticed a dead deer on the corner one day last week....most likely her.  We are not giving up on her yet...we are keeping her bird bath full.

 

Now for the bear report;  My other baby brother and she who sees Robins first saw a bear run out of our driveway about 11 PM on July 4.   The next morning a piece of decorative driftwood had been carried out into the old parking lot...there was an ant hill under it that was pawed around.  Apparently ants are tasty snacks for bear.

We did not get the bear on our trail camera....so he must have been traveling in the woods.  We bring the bird feeders in every night so there is nothing to eat.  I asked a few "Lake people" if they have seen him or if they had damage to bird feeders and no they have no problems. 

Yesterday I mowed the lawn and we are supposed to get rain! 

Far Side

Progress

 We are making progress selling "stuff."  Many of my cousins have visited so that has been fun also.   The weather has been a tad warm sticky hot.  We will take a break from sales this week and see what the weather does next weekend.  We run the sale about six hours a day so we can get in our nap time.  We take the signs down and close the gate...it works for us.

We went for a ride the other night...we heard that the neighbors have a new driveway....of course we had to check it out.

Seems kinda strange to have gravel roads from all directions and then a tar road on an old farm....it takes all kind to make the world go round.  

Last night we were cooking supper and then lost power for a couple of hours.  Cheese, crackers and fruit was supper.  Not sure what happened but it was a widespread outage. 

Far Side

Happy 4th of July!

 

Flags and fireworks!  Fireworks have been going off down at the lake the past few nights...hope they keep them over the water...the poor fish.   We always hear of so many lost dogs after the 4th. 

Far Guy and I are still keeping busy with the garage sale.  We have nothing special planned for the day...maybe a nap after we close up the garage sale.  We might watch fireworks on TV!

Far Side

 

Down to the River

 We went for a ride one night down to the river that feeds into Straight Lake. 

It was a warm day and was much cooler in the woods. 

We thought we might get a glimpse of that bear that has been in the area...no luck.

It was a nice quiet cool ride....we didn't see anyone else until our ride was almost over...and those we saw were relatives:) 

Far Side

The Point

 Grocery pickup was uneventful on Thursday.  Far Guy had an x ray at the clinic...we had a few extra minutes to wait in town so we drove out to "The Point"

We found a sculpture  ...the ant one.   Why not some art at the point. 

In the afternoon I had bookclub.  We discussed Life in a Jar The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer.  I found the whole book just sad, I was sad for the children, sad for the parents, sad that no one knew what horrible things the Nazis were doing to the Jews.   Even when people spoke of the horrors no one believed them...not even Churchill or Roosevelt.  Irena Sendler was a small beacon of light...she rescued 2,500 children....either orphans or children given up by their parents.  I give the book a 9 out of 10. 

Next month is a recipe book...that will not be as sad. 

Far Side

Summer Morning and Evening

 Yesterday we spent the morning in town.  Our car went to be washed and waxed.  We drove the new/old car around town.  Far Guy cruised Main and got on the webcam.  I had him stop by the Fire Hall in town they have red, white and blue flowers there. 

The light was not great on the flowers.  We went through a drive through for breakfast and then went to a park to watch people and dogs while we ate.  Then we decided to visit Far Guy's cousins...and take them for a ride. 

Cousin Wayne getting his first look at the new/old car.   They enjoyed the ride. 

Soon it was time to pick up the other vehicle, buy some gas...prices are $2.99 a gallon here now and head for home.  By 11 AM we were back home.  

We had an uneventful afternoon....after supper we went for a ride...and visited with neighbors and petted their dogs. 

Putz and Titus

Sadly Snoopy is no longer part of that pack...he went over the Rainbow Bridge all by himself one morning....Snoopy belonged to neighbor Dave and when he could no longer care for Snoopy he went to live with Steve and Jo. ( Snoopy used to come here to visit Chance)  Putz is mostly blind but Titus keeps him out of trouble herding him around.  Funny how dogs just know what other dogs need.   

Far Side

A Tuesday

 Usually Tuesday is a "no mail" day but hey we got a new phone book! 

We had no place we had to be so we could do whatever we wanted all day long.  Far Guy woodcarved, watched birds and held down the fort for a delivery.   I had an adventure spraying Thistle and Poison Ivy and tried a new ant bait....by 3 PM I was tired and hungry...had lunch followed by a nap.   Far Guy cooked supper...I woke up from my nap before he could wake me up and say "Supper is ready sweetheart."   I told him he could say it anyway. 

After supper we sat outside watching a mama bird feed her noisy babies.   In the afternoon Far Guy witnessed a Hummingbird chase a Robin and the Robin had something in its mouth.  Not sure what it was...but it was a strange interaction.  

We went for a ride.  We met a very friendly Labradoodle named Louie....he wanted to go for a ride with us!

The potato field is in bloom.   The air smells so fresh and clean after the last rain we got...not many skeeters yet.

We had a really nice Tuesday.

Far Side

Tomato Plants

 So far the Deer and the Bear have no cravings for green tomatoes. 

The sheep tank is working well! All the plants have multiple flowers...I won't count our tomatoes before they ripen but we should have enough to share.

Three plants have filled the tank.   The warmth of the steel on the south side of my garage must be a great growing place!  So far the old dog kennel is working well to protect the plants...but who knows. 

I had a kerfuffle with the new hose I bought...it leaked and was spraying water all over me....I returned it to the store and got a refund...thank goodness I did not order it online.  That was our big outing yesterday...town is getting busy...the 4th of July tourists must be here. 

The Pipeline is going under the highway now...no protesters in sight.  Everytime we go to town we wonder if they will be laying down on the highway stopping traffic.  

Far Side

Bear news and other stuff

 The bear is still around.  I forgot to bring the feeders in one night and went out in the dark very late to get them.  He is visiting my brother's dumpster every night.  I can see where he is also digging up ant hills and he tipped over a bench that we have along the back road.   He may have to be relocated....My other baby brother has one of those dumpsters that has to be unloaded by a truck...I wonder where the bear sleeps:)

In other news, I finally got the garage cleaned out and got everything put out for a garage sale the next few weekends.  We had a trial run yesterday and sold some stuff to relatives and friends.  We will see how it goes.   We got in some good visits yesterday!

We had a really nice rain yesterday...we heard thunder...a first for this year!  It sounded good!  The grass is greening up again...and I will probably have to mow soon.  We got about 4/10 of an inch of rain,

 

We have a nesting pair of Bluebirds...but I have yet to get a photo.   When I was cleaning out the garage I found my Ant tucked away...so I put her by the bird bath again this year....she makes me smile! 

Far Side

What's on my desk

 My desk is a mess.  I have way too many projects in the works. 

I have new stamps to try out, a plate from my Aunt Anna's Estate sale to hang up,  two different crochet projects and several more in that bag that I carry almost everywhere.   My Uncle Hugo's Bible in Finnish..waiting on my desk for a response from the grandchild he raised. Various containers (beautiful boxes) filled with "stuff"...

From my desk I can enjoy the wild daisies that grow on the edge of the river rock.

Perhaps I spend too much time gazing out the window....or outside cleaning up the garage. 

Far Guy is doing some practice carving on this years Christmas ornament.   I have not joined him yet.  The design is being refined:)

Far Side

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