Jamesport

life is complex, especially at my age. Time flies! I can't keep up. I work 5 days and am off two days and there are not enough "off" days to keep up with all I want to do. This weekend, I want to:



Have dinner for all my children and grandchildren

Borrow grandchildren
Have "sleepovers" with grandchildren

Go to Too
Go to Three

Go to the Austin cousin reunion at St. Charles
Plant flowers and work in the gardens
Clean house
Write blogs

Search my family tree

Build a windmill (small or large, doesn't matter)
Make scrapbooks

Order photos

Make cream puffs
Bake bread

Sleep 'til noon


No wonder some people, after they retire from working, say "I don't know how I had time to work!"



Friend Vi and her son tried to Mushroom hunt at III last weekend. They were hampered. They were hamstrung. They were tormented by Himself's defense and Mother nature.



The lane was muddy and slick. Himself has a "head chopper" strung across the lane. The neighbor's have an annoying barking dog. Vi and son did not find a single, solitary mushroom. I think the neighbor, south, gets them. Vi has vibes that the neighbor, north, gets them. It is probably whoever finds them first! Some year, one year, it will be me that finds them. It will be me that finds them first. Read 2007's mushroom search by clicking Here

Techies

When we go to Mo (which isn't often yet, this spring) we go. We go straight to Mo.

We do not pass GO.

We do not look back.

We get there and we get there ASAP.

When we come home, we wander.

We take the back roads. We take the side roads.

We take the dirt roads and the ridge roads.

The river bottom roads and the by ways.

We do.

But we are never alone. Not when we have the trusty old highway map. Not when the GPS is mounted firmly to the dash.

We are secure in our technicolor. Oh no. Not that. Technology!

We are techies . . . is that a real word?

Low profile bridge

This bridge is between Too and the Ioway line. Somewhere. May never find it again and I knew that, so I took a picture. This is Missouri's way of maintaining low usage roads. Lay a few 2" planks down over the original trusses. Bet you can't guess that when you cross these bridges, you do want to stay on the planks!

One year I was out trying to find a garage sale so with that goal in mind, you know I was by myself. Himself wasn't there for moral support. I came to one of these bridges with only one wide plank for each tire and as it was drizzling I imagined those planks as being slick. Very slick! I was going to back up that little winding road and find a turn around and hightail it out of there. When I checked my rear view mirror, there was a car behind me! I couldn't believe it!

I couldn't go back. I had to go forward and I did. With my heart pounding out of my chest and the adrenaline flooding my head and closing off my vision. But I did it, by golly, I gotherdone!

Unfortunately as I couldn't find the garage sale or another way out, I had to turn around and cross over that bridge again! But at least I didn't have another car on my bumper!

Apartment Complex

Well it could be a house for many birds but I think what it really is is a practice field for young woodpeckers. The tree is hollow. It was probably full of bugs or worms. A goldmine for woodpeckers of all ages.

III, Three, Trinity

Land of Goshen. Halfway betwen Too and III. This little country church is Goshen Church and there used to be a little community here.
Three church windows.
Three historical signs.
Threes.
It put me in mind of The Trinity.


The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.


Amen

The mice will play

okay, not Mice . . . but the deer will play while we are away. And man. Man will play and wreck havoc and do damage.

Last visit to III, Himself and I took a salt block down to encourage the deer to pose in front of the game cam. And it worked. This time we had 60+ pictures and a good 12 or so, had evidence of deer -- a better percentage than normal. However, our salt block has disappeared. We both know from our youth that a salt block will not be all used up in a month or two. Even with several cows and my cousin Bill getting down to lick the block, a salt block would stay in the pasture next to our house all summer. Our salt block is gone. We might have given it up and assumed animals dumped it in the pond or dragged it off except for the fact that the 2X4s that Himself sat the salt block on had been picked up and set on top of a pile of cement blocks about 3’ off the ground and 20 yards away. We know no critters did that. Someone was on our property and someone took our salt block. And I don't like that.

See, see that salt block? Now you see it, now we don't!

PS: seems like we just have female deer at III.
(Doe, a deer, a female deer, ra, a pocket full of sun!)
No bucks.

Blast from the Past

A new feature, perhaps.

A Blast from the Past!

Look! Traci and Kyna and Ty

Kristy, Morghan Grace and Erica

Sweet memories.

PS: a barefoot Erica!

Morghan, I still have that jacket!

Answer to the riddle: "The ceiling at Too"

The question, of course, is where can you see praire grass, a big mouth bass and an airplane all in one small space?

Himself so bravely climbed the ladder and strung fishing line and tied it with one hand and so suspended the little whirlygig airplane in the air space at the top of the cabin. (I would have tried it, if Himself did not, but I am quite sure I could not have "gotherdone". That is way too high!)

The big mouth bass is the one and the same that Gramps caught one summer from the pontoon boat. Little girl, Sheila, watching the commotion and seeing the creature that Gramps reeled in said of the Big Mouth Bass -- "that is not a fish!". She thought it was a crocodile or some other monster because of the size of the mouth.

The grass is prairie grass. There are still small patches here and there.

And the "Twin Lake"

"Private Road"

sign is one that Gramps made. We have 3 or 4 of his signs that used to Grace the park. And they are hanging on the walls at Too.

Next riddle please . . .

Remains

This archeologist went on a dig, last weekend down. Brother Gary had given me a probe to use in my new career.

I knew the general vicinity. I had the energy and the motivation and the time and now I had the means. So I hiked down and I probed. I dug. I found. Yes! I found . . . well, I found rocks! Rocks! I found rocks! Are you all amazed?

I probed all around the area but until I checked between these two scrawny, trees, I didn't find one rock. After I found the first rock, I found a pile of rocks.

I was looking for the remains of a log cabin. I have the limestone well. Now I just need to know where the cabin was. If someone took the time to build this fine turn of the century well, someone built a little cabin. And I want to know more about that.

















Now, are the rocks just left over from building this fine well? Or are they the foundation or chimney from our little ol' log cabin? Hopefully I'll be able to answer that question some day.

Missouri Weekend

Driving one of these is a new experience. We are used to round steering wheels where you turn the wheel in the direction you want to go. On this and mowers like this, you push a joy stick forward or pull it towards you to tell it where to go. It does take some practice; some getting used to. And here, Himself, is getting experienced.

headin' out

We'll be heading to Mo, soon. Come Friday after work. It has been so long, maybe we should get off work early and head out.

Last visit down, I turned rocks. Turning rocks is a spring cleaning chore, one I have to do every spring -- and the earlier the better. Things just aren't right in my Missouri world until I turn rocks . . .

Can you tell the difference? After they are turned, the rocks present a much neater, crisper appearance! You can see that, can't you? Can't you?

The Trees are Alive with the Sounds of Discord

Every evening all week long about dusk, the blackbirds start looking for a a roosting place. They settle in the tall trees of the neighborhood to debate it. They dart here and there and back again as the discussion continues.

It is loud and strident -- and they vote raucously on where this night's lodging will be . . .

Himself and I just hope they are in migration mode -- that they end up far, far away.
This isn't even in the timber; not in Missouri. This is small town Iowa! And this town ain't big enough for the likes of them!

Future Drivers of America!

This old Harley Davidson has taught children to drive in the past . . . and it will be teaching children to drive in the future. At its top speed of about 7 MPH, it is just right for little ones wanting to steer . . . and, okay, to drive too. After using this cart for about a year, I have determined that you have to be approximately 7 years old before you can sit behind the wheel all on your own. Before that you have to sit on a Nana's lap and just steer. By the time you are 7 years old, your legs might be long enough to reach the pedals.

This past trip, the children begged and begged to drive. Finally, while the younger four were occupied, I took Morghan out and put her behind the wheel. She did very, very well! Pretty soon it was time to take two little boys out. Jack did very well too and his legs were long enough to run the pedals too. Joey had to sit on my lap. He steered, and took his full turn from one end of the lake road to the other, but I think he would rather practice on his own without anyone else around to watch and I definitely know that is Gabrielle's point of view. She just tried steering a little bit then said, You do it, Nana. but I bet if it was just her and me she would have had a longer turn. Maddie Mae enjoyed steering too and took almost her full turn.
It was cool and windy and we had to pull a blanket around us to stay even half warm -- but the children didn't mind and bit and look forward to another visit and another drive. Me too!

Spring Break, part Too

The children found something dead in the lake. One guessed rat? one guessed otter?

These boys are working hard!

Muskrat, Nana told them but only because I know there are muskrats in the lake. Otherwise, Nana couldn't tell a muskrat from an Otter. Gabby said, let's touch it. Nana, said "absolutely not!"

These girls are playing hard!

Boy, we had a good time!

Spring break

Windy and chilly but the industrious ones were busy digging, moving, carrying and planning!

Don't get in the way! The children have assignments and purposes. Let them do their jobs!

HOT running water

Look! Hot water!

Hot Water Maker

And this little wizzard can make hot water for both the bathroom and kitchen sinks at the same time -- as much as we want, as long as we want! Well, until the propane tank was empty anyway. And someday, it will heat the water for a shower. Watch for a future episode . . . "Hot Water at Too!"

HOT WATER HAS ARRIVED-03/20/2009

Finally, after years of constant pressure, abuse, kidding, and torture, we now have running hot water at II. I finally succumbed, gave in, relented, and bowed to the powers that be. I purchased a "tankless" hot water heater that uses propane gas. I spent Friday afternoon hooking up the faucets to the pex line and into the main water supply, added batteries for ignition, checked for leaks, both gas and water, turned the hot faucet knob on, and presto, hot water. The heater senses the cold water flowing through it, and ignites the heater. So simple. Now the pressure will be to install a shower, as always, one advancement leads to another, and i'm sure to another. Anyway this portion of the project is done and will eagerlly await the pressure to start another.
BOI

Contest III

Looks as tho we will be "at home" again this weekend as the preliminary forecast called for lows in the 20s. Might not be that drastic, now. But we'll stay here. I'll do more spring cleaning and Himself will start packing . . . hopefully, for next weekend.

Meanwhile, here's a contest. This was used well before my time.

Any ideas? Let's see. The winner gets any framed photo in my house that they want . . . (oh wait. any but that big one with the curved glass of Grampa and Aunt Eva -- and, oh hey, there might be 1 or 2 others . . . but still plenty to choose from!)

Wherefore art thou, Spring?

Well. Really. I shouldn't complain. We had a record setting day on Thursday -- 70+ degrees and today was very nice too but not quite as warm. Tomorrow and Sunday, the weather gurus are predicting rain. Rain. More Rain! So Himself and I have kept to home. That red Missouri clay is slick and slimey when it is wet. It will be wet this weekend what with the frost coming out of the ground and rain falling from the sky, if those weather forecasters are even half right.

Two years ago, it was muddy. In fact, March 10, ought seven, the ol' Jeep was splattered to high heaven with that Missouri Mud. When it dries, it is tarnantion to get off the car. Himself has some on the garage floor from last trip down and it just sort of slips and slides around like mercury on a table top; it hasn't set up yet. (You young ones haven't played with mercury from a broken thermometer. Mercury is a hazardous substance now but we didn't know that when I was a kid and if ever you got some Mercury, kids played with it and passed it around. It was pure entertainment!)

Anyway, one more weekend at home won't hurt me. I have house to clean and papers to sort. Blogs to write. Babies to kiss. I have more things to do than time to do them -- or common sense. More things than I can shake a stick at.

Still. Spring calls. The open road calls . . .

Contest Two -- Whatsitcalled?

What is this type of cookware called?

Any of you have a name for it?

Johanna gave me the white, with red trim pans.

That little cream colored one -- I've had it for a number of years.

My Little Garden

It was really too cold to go stay at the cabin but there might have been enough snow for skiing this past weekend. There was here, anyway, as we got 3 or 4" Friday night into Saturday morning.


Just this past Thursday it was warm enough I planted lettuce and Swiss Chard in the cold frame and radish and green onions in the ground. Now look at my little garden . . .

One Year Ago, photo

A week ago, Himself and I drove to III for the day hoping to find snow like this in the picture. We wanted to try out the cross country skis again. Wanted to practice our stops and turns (without Craig there providing motivation with M80s and firecrackers!)
Unfortunately what snow there had been was melting and soon it was all gone. We didn't get to practice. Instead we cut trees and brush out of the fence line. Gosh, that's a toss up -- which would we rather do? Ski? or clear fence line?
Meanwhile, the weather forecasters were predicting a storm at home, midweek, so we brought the skis home with us thinking we might get to use them Wednesday or Thursday here in town. Nope. No way. We scared the storm away and if it snowed at all, it just flurried.
So if you ever need to ward off a snow storm, call us. We'll send in the SNOW BUSTERS . . . our cross country skis.

Two Years Ago . . .

And just to rub salt in the wound, there was this much snow in February 2007. We could have skied on this snow!

Over the river and through the woods . . .

There's still a few of these turn of the century bridges around (that's the turn of the 20th century -- 1900ish). This one is in Decatur County, Ia and there is a sign up warning that this is a one lane bridge. Well, it isn't very wide, that is for sure, but two cars can pass on this bridge if they are both careful. Maybe you wouldn't want to share the bridge with a semi, tho!

We used to see these bridges all over Iowa and the midwest but there are fewer and fewer of them.

Look at that pretty blue sky!

Cross country skiing . . .

. . . not! We had 6" of snow in Creston this past week so we hoped we had that much at III. Sunday morning we got up in good time and headed south as we wanted to practice our turns and stops on the skis. The further south we went, we knew we wouldn't be skiing this weekend but we still wanted to check on the cabin and knew we'd find something to do.

Sure enough, there was some snow here and there but not enough for good skiing and sure enough, we found something to do . . . although it wasn't nearly the fun of skiing.

Instead Himself used the chainsaw and I followed along behind with the loppers and we started clearing the north fence line. I'd been through there before, with the loppers -- but we needed the big gun, the chain saw. We worked for a good hour and more and gained maybe a hundred yards . . . but there's several hundred more yards to go. We'll get at it again, one of these years . . .

Tastes Great

After working outside in the 35-40 degree range and working up an appetite, this canned soup and a sandwich hit the spot. It warmed us up and revived us.

The inside cabin temperature was about 31 degrees at 9:30. By the time we sat down to lunch, our little cast iron stove and a few pieces of firewood, had the cabin at a toasty 68 degrees. Once we get the stove up to temperature, we have to be really careful because from 68 to 85 or 90 is just one log too many!

Contest! My first Contest!

To the first person who can tell me what this object is, I am going to give a Hersey Bar! (Plain or with almonds, your choice! woohooo!) LOL I'm a far cry from the Pioneer Woman! Traci and Kristy, do you ever read the Pioneer Woman? http://thepioneerwoman.com/

SKI BUMS

We went to Shag III after it snowed to try out our new cross country skis for the first time. Herself has always wanted to do this so she forced me to also want to do it. Although the temp is about 40 degrees, there is still about 3 inches of snow with ice under the snow. We put our skis on, latched onto our ski poles, and carefully got up and slowly made our way up to where we thought it would be reasonably safe to slowly start our way back down. WELL, we got turned around and SLOWLY started back down towards the cabin. All went well until we tried to stop, and both of us went to the ground." WOW, that was fun" we said as we tried to pick ourselves up!! And back up we went, and back down we went. Then we tried one of our trails. This kind of had me worried, as the trails are narrow, and there would be alot of turning. WELL, there was no turning, we hadn't mastered that yet, we either had to fall, or crash into trees, both of which we did quite well.
SO, I can see that this might be fun someday, after my tailbone heals, and i'm sure once we master turning and stopping, it will be much safer. Thank goodness no one was taking movies of this. This is February 11, 2009. I've just heard we are supposed to get 6-8 inches of snow Friday, so we maybe heading down Saturday, depending on the weather, and try again. As long as we suffer no broken bones, all will be well.
Boi

Holding pond

I think this is called a "holding pond". It sits above the pond at III. During the summer, the trees hide the little puddle of water so many folks wouldn't even know it was there. Some years it has been full of noisy frogs! It's purpose is to "hold" some of the spring runoff and prevent some erosion.

This last trip down, Himself and I hiked a bit and walked right through here. We weren't sure the ice would hold. It did . . . but the water isn't deep so had we gone through, only our prides would have been hurt.

And our feet very wet.

It is a rather pretty sight in the winter.

Quick Trip

We ran off to Missouri; a quick trip. Himself has had to burn vacation so he's worked a mere three days in the last two weeks, what with the Holidays and all. With all that vacation (while I worked) he's ready to get out of the house. He' ready to GO and we ran to Mo Saturday.

It was foggy, then cloudy and dreary but the temps got up in the 40s on Saturday so if you dressed for the outdoors, and we did, then it was comfortable being outside. We rode the 4-wheeler then we took off on foot with a compass and the little GPS and we hiked for a good hour. We went looking for a way across the Southern Ravine. We gave up though. After traipsing one way then the other, we have concluded that the climb up the other side of the ravine is just too steep for a 4-wheeler.

We had thought that maybe a bridge or even the future swinging bridge might be the ticket. But it is still too steep. We will have to find a way in from the west and then just swing the trail around and back out the same way. Or we could create a walking trail and forget about making it big enough for the 4-wheeler. Well, we'll figure it out come Spring.

Meanwhile, I was in a bit of shock when I discovered our leader, our Kahuna, you know, Himself, went armed on the hike. I never did find out what thing or deed might cause him to draw that pistol --
because he didn't. He didn't draw his fire arm. Whew . . .








It was a dreary, dreary day but at supper time, while I was in working on my end of supper and Himself was out, grilling that big honking steak I was keeping a fire stoked both in the cabin stove and one in the fire ring.

This was a cozy view, out my kitchen window.







Then, overnight the temperature plummented!

Oh my gosh! Ten degrees at 5 o'clock .
Himself felt the cold creeping into the cabin and he rolled out 'bout 5 am and cranked up the heat.
Made the coffee.
And let me sleep.
He is a good man, let me tell you.

















Saturday, I wanted to walk on the pond but with the warmer temperatures, I was a little leery.
Sunday, I didn't hesitate . . . and found this little oak leaf, locked in the pond.

For Christmas this year, we gave ourselves cross country skis. We have talked about cross country skiing for a number of years. Last winter we had more snowfall, more like our childhood winters and we are supposed to again this year. We decided this was a good year for skis.

The skis are lightweight and sleek and we had neither one of us been on a pair of skis ever. Until today. Oh wait! I put mine on yesterday . . .

















We headed out to Missouri about nine this morning. In Iowa the temperatures were already climbing. Des Moines was predicting a high of 50 degrees or more. We supposed then, that Missouri would get as warm or warmer. In Iowa the snow on the ground was starting to disappear so we worried on the drive whether we'd still have snow once we got to Mo. Not to worry! We did have snow and as it turned out the temps weren't as warm today in Mo as they were in Iowa so it turned out to be a great day to practice skiing.

We were cautious and careful. The snow was melting in places and slick and then crusted over in places and more slick! We praticed our gliding and sliding and horizontal steps and talked about stopping and turning although we have not nearly perfected stopping and turning. We did get pretty good at falling. If we get better at falling we won't have to perfect the stopping and turning!

We will need to get better at one or the other tho because we will go back for more. We both enjoyed it and had a fun day. We are looking forward to trying the skis in new, powder snow. We think that might be easier.
Let it snow . . . bet you never thought you'd hear me say that!

Day after Christmas

I took a photo of Himself and Himself took one of me. Now you know why I practice SELF portraits!

Testing. Testing. one. two. Testing.

Kristy and Tony have lovely photos of themselves

on their travels and Tony takes the "self photos".

Lanny and I were so "dashing" in these orange shirts

and vests that I determined to practice the art of

"self photos" and record this bright fashion statement

were were making.

I can see I need more practice.

I can see Himself needs more patience. :)

WHAT HAVE I DONE????

I am still in shock. What i have done, i have rarely, if ever done before. I have splurged!!! We needed a new mower at II, and after a year of thought, searching, thinking, pondering, delaying, etc, i finally gave in to myself and purchased a new mower. I spent days "online" checking out ratings on Consumer Reports, I read reviews on what other people thought about this mower. Not just any mower, a "big green machine" John Deere zero turn mower. Then I sent out bids, and although John Deere is not known for any flexability in their pricing, the dealer in Leon dropped 350.00 off the list price, with no set up fees. For the price we paid for this, we could have purchased 3, yes three, regular riding lawn mowers. But, this is supposed to cut our mowing time at least in half due to the high speed this mows at(less time spent crashing into trees). So, I gave in, in spite of all my parents taught me thru the years, to be frugle, spend only when necessary, buy only what you need, never just pay for a name, and on and on. But, i did it. Even when I had the trailer hooked up and heading to Leon to pick it up, I felt guilty. I almost turned around, but I didn't. I went and picked up that big green machine, loaded it up and headed back to II. Once the transaction was completed, i felt better, and hopefully it will free up time for other projects, one of which will be hot water at II, so we can take showers, etc. Anyway, the deed is done, no turning back. I will just have to be more dilligent about turning off lights so i can save enough money to pay for this.

4 Year Anniversary

Holy roasted marshmellows, Batman!

I just checked and this December it will have been 4 years since we bought III. Where have those years gone? This photo was taken New Years Eve Day 2004, our first picnic lunch at III. These two were mere babes!

I am fascinated

by the Amish life. I think I could live it. Oh wait!

No. Nope.

Hold your horses! Guess I couldn't as I wouldn't have my computer, my e-mail nor the internet! Forget it and pretend I never said that . . . but I am still fascinated.

I want to build one of those big ol' farm houses. I want to raise pigs and have chickens running around my yard. I want to garden and cook and can and bake and get fat, wear an apron and put my hair up in a bun. Now that sounds like fun!

Dinner, in a few months

Peaceful

Doesn't this look peaceful




















I did try to buy a black Amish hat, one year for Himself after you children claimed he was an "Amish wantabee". I couldn't find one on the internet. Maybe I can find one at Jamestown this summer.

JEEP

Last trip to Mo, we stayed at III. We were into November but the weather was mild. Some of the trees were pretty and some were bare. We definitely needed heat at night but don't know that we ran it during the day.

A lot of times, on the way home (to Creston) from Missouri, Himself and I take off on the dirt, low maintenance (as they call them nowadays) roads. Usually our sure-footed Jeep gets us through. On this southern Iowa road, this old (sure-footed) Jeep turned around and drove back. It did not even TRY to get through.

I don't think we would have gotten through either . . . but Himself was sure wantin' to give it a try!

Can you smell that?

Can you smell that bacon cooking in the cool morning air? hmmm mmmmm!

We finally got to try out the new Coleman (camping fuel cannister) griddle. Just make sure you level the table and then cook away. Himself cooked the bacon, then fried up the eggs. I did resort to making the toast in the cabin but remember, there is only a little electricity in there

(thanks to Cousin Clint) so to make toast, I heat a big ol' cast iron skillet over a burner and just throw that bread right down on the frying pan. Give it a few minutes on both sides . . . and you've got toast. Nothing better than breakfast outdoors!