2015 - Spring and Summer

It has been a wet year.  We have had lots and lots of rain.  I mentioned in an earlier post, Himself and I built a deck to set the picnic table on to help keep us up out of the mud.  That deck was a very good thing. 

A couple of weeks ago, The Lake had 6" of rain in one night.  The ditches ran high and the gullies washed.  Then last weekend, The Lake had another 6" over a few days time and twice, high winds tore through ripping down branches both times.

We took Jack, Maddie and Audri down on July 19 and Traci was coming the next day with her children.  When we arrived Sunday evening we found two big branches blown out of the tree house tree.  Good thing we had some young strong children to help.  Maddie and Audri picked up sticks and  Jack helped PaPa with the limbs and hauling.  Traci had her children pick up sticks and limbs earlier in the week after the first wind storm.

 

 Himself tried to get a photo of the downpour but mainly got wet.

With water running this high, the ditch is now called a 'run'. 

Water backing up at the culvert in my ditch!

This was after the second wind storm.

 

We couldn't quite talk Jack into climbing this ladder. 

Oh, did I mention PaPa suggested he climb it with the chain saw?

 

This tree is down by the driveway.  There was no way Himself could reach it from a ladder to cut it so he tied a rope to it and pulled it down with the 4-wheeler.  Then he and Jack dragged branches down the hill below the dam to the big burn pile.

 

There were branches enough in our burn pile which gave the children an opportunity to play with matches.  I handed out matches and gave them paper and cardboard.  We squirted on lighter fluid all to no avail.  All the rain we have gotten has the branches too wet to burn.  One evening, we got enough of a fire going to roast marshmallows but that burn pile is still setting there, waiting to dry out.

 

Our little pyromaniacs trying to strike matches and light fires!
 

Gabby and Maddie stretching their wings. 

  

A pretty view of the beach.

There was plenty of 4-wheeling and buggy rides. 

Because the ground was so wet, we started a Sorry Tournament.
These children are ruthless, competitive and just plain mean! 
I think I only played one game with them, then found other things to do
so as not to get swept back in!  : )

Yes, even Audri and Bella get to practice with matches. 

 

 It was a good time at the cabin.  By Monday afternoon we were using the beach and all the kids jumped in and paddled and swam.  The boys played rough and tough, throwing and wrestling each other and we let them as long as they were not being mean or careless.

 It is harder and harder to get the children to The Lake at the same time but we have got to keep trying -- even if only for short stays.  This is what memories are made of. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Summer

Summer through the screen

 

It is a Monday morning. I am sitting in my pajamas on the front porch listening to 6" of old rain run down the hill and under my bridge. The wrens are singing, the cardinals chirping. Already the feel of a mid-summer day is hanging humid and heavy.  Sitting here, I realize that in the past week I have sensed a change in myself. I think I have accepted retirement. I think i am settling into a more leisurely way. Not leisurely in that I don't want physical activity or to get things done but, hmm, how do I explain it?  Perhaps I am just relaxing and putting all those habits from years of work behind me. Anyway, it is mighty fine sitting on the front porch with my coffee contemplating the high summer day ahead of me.