Along The Side Roads

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

"Hey, This Isn't Easy You Know"

"You want me to do what?"
 

"I don't think I can... I don't think I am ready... Hey, this isn't easy you know!"


"Oh Good God, I'M STUCK!"


"I am flapping harder!"


"YIKES, that was terrible. Now what am I suppose to do out here?"


"Well thanks, it really was pretty amazing."


"All the way down there? No, I don't think so."


"Well..."


"No, I really don't think so!"


"Hey, where are you going?  This isn't easy you know.  I need some help here!"


 "I really don't think I can do this."


"Hey, I really need some help here!"


"Well, maybe I can try..."


"Nope, I am not doing this while SHE is watching!"


"Hey, This Isn't Easy You Know!"


Thursday, June 19, 2014

A Week of "Firsts"

It was the first time I used my "new" chalkboard when I wished Mike a happy birthday.  To celebrate his birthday, we went golfing with Tud and Diane and it was the first time we both truly enjoyed a 9-hole course.  After golf, we went for dinner at The Otter, first time we have ever been there but I am sure it will not be the last - good food!
 

A couple of days later, Corky came to visit and we went fishing.  This was just the first of many times Mike would take us into the weeds to retrieve a lure.


I have seen many loons on our lake and they always delight me,


but this is the first time my camera caught two of them in this position...


Sheba seemed to enjoy her time in the boat - first time she has come fishing with us.


 
I caught my first fish on Little McDonald - a bass.


First time I remember seeing this unique tree sculpture sticking out of the water.


Corky caught her first fish of the year.


First time I caught the loon "walking on water".


I love this first.  Look carefully, the woodpecker is feeding its young.  It is so much fun to see these little miracles and be able to photograph them.


This is definitely not the first time I have taken a picture of our place from the water and I am sure it will not be the last.


 
First time I have ever seen underwater signs telling the fish which way to swim... okay, we decided it was probably on a fallen tree that was part of an old snowmobile route... but I like my story better.


This isn't the first turtle we have seen building a nest this year but it is the first I've seen that decided to build right on the roadway.


This is the first year I remember seeing this bird - think it is a thrasher.


Several weeks ago, I was walking up the stairs to the deck and the stairway dropped 6 inches.  It was at that time we decided the deck probably needed to be replaced.  So, one day this week, Mike and I cut down our first Miss Kim Lilac Bush and


tore apart our first deck!


We could not have done it without the help of Corky who ripped and carried her share of rotten wood back to the burn pile.



First portrait of Sheba I've taken; she is beautiful even though she is getting old and gray and has a hearing problem... gosh, sounds  like some humans I know...


One night I was sitting in the Library enjoying the calm and seven families of geese decided to swim over to our dock and make themselves at home on our shoreline.  I was tempted to wake Mike - he really does not like the geese painting the dock and this was a new first - seven families!


We made a new friend this week.  This is Randy and he is Corky's son-in-law.  Since he is an ironworker and is currently working in Perham on some new construction, he drove up with her and spent a couple of nights with us. 


We had our first fish fry this week.  Suz and Duane joined Corky, Randy and Mike and I for dinner and we all ate too much and truly enjoyed one another's company.  I am sure it was only the first of many fish dinners.  Mike is fishing on the dock as I type this - good idea to have some in the freezer I think.


As with many of you, we experienced lots and lots of rain this week.  The electricity was out for several hours during the night and I have to admit it was the first time I hoped it would come back on so the sewing machine would run... Corky made curtains and valances for all the windows in the house this week.  Thanks, Lady!  Your work looks great!


Today, after Corky and Randy left, I took a nap.  It isn't my first nap but it is the first one I have taken in our new home.  Now the house is quiet for a few days before other friends and family visit.  I gotta say, I love this life! 

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Our House Is A Home

Pictures are hung and we have entertained guests... and it just "feels" like home.  We have officially declared our house "done"... well, we still have several things that need doing, but all of those things can wait while we entertain and enjoy. 

And yes, I am still enjoying sunrise - particularly on cloudy days like this one.


Same day, I discovered a Minnesota Gopher Iris - Ok so that is just a name I gave it... it is maroon and gold.


On a dreary rainy day, you might as well take a drive... especially if Bonnie and Barry are visiting.  What better place to go than Vining, Minnesota to check out the sculptures.


Yep, that is B and B standing in the giant clothespin.


Next day was bright and beautiful, so the guys went fishing - Barry was the hero bringing home the majority of the fish, including these two very nice northern pike.



Later, we celebrated Mike's birthday with new fishing tackle of course.


These two "old coots" sure do enjoy one another's company...
 


On Sunday, Doug and Lael came up for a couple of days so Mike was pressed into service as the "cooker" - always lots of help!


Suz stopped by and Doug must have been entertaining - too bad I missed it.


Two tables of good friends - life doesn't get any better than that!


Tud and Diane joined us for the picnic - he is either gesturing or trying to hide his face from the law...ladies look good!  Diane was off somewhere...


I would like to report that this is the loon we saw nesting, but I cannot.  We went to check the nest a few days after original spotting and the water was so high that the nest was no longer there - we don't know if it was moved or eggs washed away.  This is a mama that lives by the landing on Little McDonald.  Her baby seems to be doing well.


Fluffy white clouds reflecting in the clear water and yellow water lilies about to burst into bloom - WOW I love it here!


The Miss Kim Lilac bushes are bursting into bloom and their fragrance catches us every time we open the front door.


The bushes nearly hide the view from the deck, but it is worthwhile.


Starling babies are peaking out and looking for food.


A dahlia is blooming on the table, a reminder for me of our friend Delia in Mexico. 


Yes, our house is a home and we are enjoying it all!