Catch of the Day!

Wyatt and Zach were here for most of the day. Zach rode his motorcycle, and Wyatt and I rode the four wheeler. Then they played in the lime pile while I fixed up a picnic lunch. After that we went fishing at our pond. We caught several crappies and bluegill. This big mouth bass was the catch of the day! We threw them all back, so we might catch them again another day. Zach took the picture because neither of the boys would hold the fish! Just before Tyler came to pick them up, we went to play in the big creek. It was a pretty fun day.

Mark Twain Cave, Baseball and Other Stuff

Today, I transported a bus load of second graders, along with their teachers, to Hannibal to tour the Cave. Since Zach is in that class, Kathy and Wyatt also went. I think everyone had a good time. Wyatt was pretty nervous inside the cave, and even more so after the "lights out" demonstration. It's so dark in there you can't see your hand in front of your face. In fact, according to our guide, if you were to remain in that total darkness for six months, your eyes would actually go blind! I've been through the cave several times, but it's always an interesting place. As usual though, you always hear about "billions of years ago...." to explain how the cave came to be there in the first place. I don't know why they can't just leave that part out. Who was here "billions" of years ago, and how do they know there was a great inland sea in the Midwest? Bunch of baloney if you ask me. When we saw the "Alligator", one of the kids asked, "Who made that?" I quickly replied, "God." The kid was satisfied with that answer, and I believe it to be the correct answer. Anyway...overall it was a very nice day. Now I must get ready to go watch Zach's very first baseball game.
I took quite a few pictures while we were at the cave, and so many times when the boys see a camera, they get those goofy grins instead of just looking like their naturally good looking selves. Today, I got an exceptionally good picture of Wyatt. This is what he really looks like MOST of the time, but when you take his picture, he "poses". In this instance, I caught him by surprise! That's quite hard to do, but I did it!
It's time to load up my camera and head to the game.
Dennis and Travis are planting corn this evening. I talked to Dennis earlier and he said they'd quit at dark. This morning when I left, they still had about 140 acres of corn to plant. I hope they got a lot done today!

The ball game was fun. Zach played first base and did a fine job! Naturally, I have pictures!
As usual, I missed the really good shots! I tried to get him running home, but missed, and I didn't get any good pictures of the action at first base. There will be many more opportunities, I'm sure.
Dennis and Travis got another 70 acres of corn planted. I think maybe there are just about that many acres yet to plant for corn, and then they'll start planting soybeans. When the planting is done, Travis and family will be moving into their new house.

Mother's Day Moto-Cross Mania

What a fun day! Fun for some of us anyway. Dennis and Travis worked hard all day. They were finally able to get into the fields, and at last report (by phone) had planted about 70 acres of corn. While they were working, I had lunch with Mom and Dad, along with Gariann, Kyle and Victor at Taco Bell. Later, Tyler, Kathy and the boys and Kyle came to ride. Tyler invited some friends. Neal and Stephanie with their two boys brought their bikes and wheelers. Bailey and Cody are both about 8 years old...as is Zach. Wyatt rode with me most of the day on our four wheeler. It was a beautiful day. Everyone seemed to have fun, and although there were a few very small wrecks, we had no injuries. Kyle was riding around with his feet over the handle bars and the young impressionables started imitating! Thanks Kyle! The trick which most impresses me is the front wheel thingy...but of course, I'm never ready with the camera when he does that! Tyler and Kyle went down into Sugar Creek and immediately found quick sand. They went down pretty fast, and got out of there as fast as they could. Naturally, by the time I arrived on the scene with a camera, they were back up on the high ground. Again, I missed what was possibly the best photo of the day! I took at least 50 pictures. I always figure that one of the great things about digital photography is that you can just take way more pictures than you think you would ever need, because it doesn't cost anything. Then, with so many pictures, you're sure to have at least of few good ones! These are my best ones of today:Tyler is the green shirt and white helmet. Above, Kathy is being chased by the three young riders.
And at left, you see those three young riders. Leading the way, is Zach. He is followed by Cody, and then Bailey. Kyle is wearing a white shirt. His bike and Tyler's bike look very much alike to me, but Kyle has a number (44) on his. Even Wyatt had trouble telling them apart. I know one thing...they both ride like they're unbreakable!

Twelve Hours, Two Kids, and a New Toy!

On Sunday afternoon, Tyler was the winning bidder on an EBay auction. He bought a Honda 500CR. Since the bike was located in Indiana, the two boys came to spend the night with us. Kathy and Tyler left early Monday morning and drove to Indiana and back to get this new motorcycle. It was twelve hours of driving. They made it back home by around 6 o'clock and we got to see the bike when we took the little guys home.
I told Kathy to be sure to take her camera. Sometimes the best scrap book pages are those events in a trip that you don't really want to happen. I'm thinking things like, when you break down, or when you get pulled over for speeding. I know when we went to Michigan last summer, I made a great page with pictures of our van going onto a roll back truck to be hauled to the shop. Oh well, that was a different story. Tyler DID get pulled over for speeding, but they only gave him a warning! Can you believe it? And Tyler wouldn't let her take pictures of the event....I guess if they'd have been taking pictures, the officer might have thought they were having too much fun and needed some official souvenirs from the Indiana State Trooper Association! Now they have three motorcycles; one for Kathy, Zach and Tyler. Wyatt is saving every penny he gets to buy a dirt bike. He was saving for a four wheeler, but now he's decided that he should get a dirt bike.
Well...that's the newest from here. We're happy for Tyler, because he was so excited. However, I just hope and pray that none of them get hurt too bad!

Buenos Dias, este "Cinco de Mayo"

Habla espanol? No comprende? Que pasa?
Well, I've pretty well exhausted my Spanish vocabulary there. And I'm not sure it's even correct! This 5th day of May has been pretty non-eventful for me. That's a GOOD thing! I really don't know why the Mexicans even celebrate "Cinco de Mayo". Actually, I didn't even know it was a festive day until I read Heids World. Would someone care to enlighten me? I got home so late last night (or this morning) that I felt poorly, so instead of just going around being miserable, I went back to bed. I don't remember when I've ever done that, but I think it cured me. I'm feeling much better now, and might even be pleasant company for the evening.
Yesterday, I transported the Middle School Band to Pella for the Tulip Time Festivities. It turned out much better that we'd feared. We left in steady rain, and drove in rain all the way to Oskaloosa. The rain stopped, and although it was cloudy and cool with a stiff breeze, we stayed dry the whole time. There was much to see and lots of unique shopping opportunities. In fact, I'm thinking it would be fun to go back later, when they're not over crowded with the Tulip Time tourists. The little girl in the picture was dressed in traditional Dutch including the little wooden shoes. She was in the Windmill Antique Mall to visit with her Grandma. They had two parades, lots of food vendors, and many other activities going on throughout the day.
A few photos from the afternoon parade:

These were the Queen candidates. And the Pella Christian School Marching Band. Can you imagine marching in those wooden Dutch clogs?
That would certainly deter ME from being in the marching band!










The floats were elaborate and beautiful. Looking down the street you see the huge windmill.

Civil War History and Other Old Relics!

Since it was raining, the re-enactors took their "act" inside at the Wright Fieldhouse. While I was there with the 5th grade classes from our school, I decided to tour my old school, and I ran into this OLD RELIC! Actually, the truth is, I was looking to find her, knowing that she'd be in her office. I just thought it would be nice to stop in to say hello to an OLD friend! I figured that since I've had no readers and no comments for a long time, PERHAPS this would draw some interest. The sad fact is, this OLD friend is considerably younger than I am, but she will celebrate another birthday this summer. Could she be nearing that big important half century milestone? I don't know, but this could be the one!
My real purpose in being at Keokuk High School was to transport our students to the Civil War Re-Enactment. I did the same trip last year with different students, and enjoyed it. There were several that I remembered seeing from last year, but also some new folks. My two favorites were the Civil War era photographer, and the Doctor. Both were very interesting as well as entertaining. The "doctor" was a very dramatic and colorful story teller. When he explained the medical equipment and how it was used, it was almost like seeing it. In fact, he described things so clearly that several people fainted during his presentation. One of our students had to sit down, and another had to run for the bathroom to vomit! The whole thing was really interesting and well done. I counted at least nine stations that were demonstrating some type of activity for that era. Normally, it's all out at Rand Park, but was moved inside today due to rain. They expect to be back out in the park tomorrow, and then the Battle of Pea Ridge will be re-enacted on Saturday and Sunday. I wonder who will win this year...?
This picture of the Doctor isn't the one I meant to put in here. I had one from the other angle that showed some of the facial expressions of the kids that were listening to him. Some of those girls looked positively green!
At any rate, I had a pretty good time today, and now, if it's not too bothersome, perhaps I'll receive some comments from you!

Twenty Nine To Go!!!

I'm adding pictures of our Saturday. Zach and Wyatt went with me today and were very helpful.





They also enjoyed playing in the dirt while we waited to get started.


I can't seem to get the pictures in the right place....oh, well. I give up, and will try to do better next time!

The count-down! Only 29 remaining school days. That means 58 trips from school to Montrose and back! I have a pretty good route, and the kids (MOST of the time) are pretty good, but even so, I'm ready for summer vacation. I enjoy not "living by the clock".
Believe it or not, I've been spending much of these gorgeous days upstairs making scrapbook pages! We (Dennis and I) so enjoy reading and looking at the pages I have finished. I have all the supplies I need, and the pictures, but until recently have not had the motivation to just get started again. Then, a few days ago, I was just moved to make a page, which turned into another, and another, and then pretty soon I'd finished 18 pages. Of course, I have probably 118 to go, and I keep taking more pictures. So, it's a never ending process, but they are so nice. Zach and Wyatt enjoy helping make pages, and they also love to read the scrapbooks we have done.
These beautiful sunny days have dried the ground up, and if it doesn't rain I expect Dennis and Travis to be in the fields by the weekend. (Yep...and I got a picture of Travis applying anhydrous on Saturday) They'll be working long hours until the planting is done, and I usually get to do quite a bit of "go-fer" work.
Burger King will be taking his final trip next week. He's going to take a ride to Kahoka and when he comes back home, he will be in neat little frozen packages. I'm looking forward to a big celebration Bar-B-Q! I'm hoping that I'll like him on the plate a lot better than I ever liked him on the hoof! The only one who will miss him is Lucky....the horse. Burger King is (was) her sole companion. She'll have all the grass, grain and hay to herself now though, so I'm sure it won't take her long to forget her little buddy, Burger King.
Kathy has gone to Chicago today, and Tyler just called a few moments ago. He and Wyatt are planning to come over and work on Dennis' race car. That will make Dennis happy. He's been trying to get it ready for the "limited" racing season. He has told me that he won't be racing every week end. He plans only to race when Tyler runs, and they expect that to be just the special events in the area.
Since Wyatt is coming soon, I better sign out of here, get this posted and be ready to play! He doesn't like me to be on the computer when he gets here! So, now I've at least put more recent "news" up.

Busy Boys and Bluebirds

Well, I was finally able to get a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird. It's not the best picture. You may have to get the magnifying glass out to see them, but Mrs. Bluebird is sitting on the roof, and Mr. Bluebird is just about to land. They're so pretty. We have several bluebird boxes around our place, and I've noticed bluebirds moving into two others.
Zach and Wyatt were here for a while today. We went up the road to wish Travis a happy birthday, and then played Monopoly, downloaded some music onto Zach's MP3 player and then they rode bikes for a while. After lunch, we went outside again. They played in the lime pile, and around the horse stalls. While I was moving Lucky and Burger King into the lower lot, the boys hid, but I caught them peeking out of their hiding place! They were having a great time. Wyatt wanted to walk down and jump over the little creek, so we walked around the back field. They both enjoyed throwing sticks into the big creek and watching them float downstream.
It was much warmer today than it had been all weekend. The cold nights froze just about all the leaves on the shrubs and trees, but I also noticed that some of the weeds froze too! It's back to school tomorrow morning.

REDBIRD RESCUE!!!

Wyatt and I were setting up our Monopoly game, when suddenly we heard a bird hit the window. It must have hit pretty hard, because it sounded like it cracked the glass. We rushed out to rescue the poor bird, and it was a beautiful male cardinal. (Notice the little bit of purple in the upper left of the picture? That's our little red bud tree.)
He was a little dazed, but lively. We were able to catch him and hold him until he regained his senses. He seemed to understand that we meant him no harm, and after petting him and looking him over very closely, we let him go. He flew to the cedar tree near our deck, where he sat in the sun while we photographed him. He watched us and stayed around for a few more minutes and then he flew away. Wyatt was a little hesitant to hold our redbird at first, but I told him it would feel like he was holding one of the baby chicks at Farm and Home store. He held the bird very gently and carefully. We both were so thankful that the bird was not fatally injured from his crash into the window.
Now we'll go back to our Monopoly game. We just wanted to share our very interesting and unusual experience this morning!

Spectacular Spectacled Susan

Since you asked! Here I am wearing my new "specs". All I can say is that when I'm wearing them ... well, I can see clearly now!

And YES, I do know that the same road going to Cedar Rapids will also take me to your house, Connie....but WHEN are you ever there?

I'm so thankful for you two who read my blog. And keep the comments coming! It makes me feel not quite so one sided. It's still hard for me to believe that I've come from "I'll never be connected to the Internet" to "how did I ever live without the Internet", but I find myself doing more and more online. Proof positive that old dogs can and do learn new tricks!

Today feels like winter! It was 26 degrees this morning with a wind chill (feels like) temperature of -4 degrees! Blustery. The poor little daffodils are being wind whipped. It is sunny and beautiful out the window, but I'm thankful to be inside! Friday and Monday are school holidays. We call it Easter, but of course, the school calendar says "spring" break.

TTFN.... that's ta ta for now, for those who are not familiar with Winnie-the-Pooh vocabulary.