Wisconsin Camping

As you can see from my pictures we had the best weekend in Wisconsin. Granted, we didn't do a whole lot, but I think that's what camping is all about! I don't think I've seen skies so blue in awhile. The tree colors? Beautiful. Hurrah for camping. Eating, sleeping, walking...oh yes, and we talked. Our conversations these days revolve around retirement and aches and pains. Yikes, it is scary. Are we acting like old people? Maybe just acting our age. That's sad.

The Sycamore Tree

(sycamore) (Basswood)

Orange City has two beautiful, huge Sycamore trees that I walk past on my morning walks. They are so splendid I decided I wanted one for myself and our back yard. So we've been looking. and looking. In my research however, I discovered that the Sycamore is a space hog. It gets so huge it should be planted by itself in a space because it takes up so much room. Since we have quite a few trees in our back yard already, we thought maybe a different tree would fit better. So we went with the Basswood tree, a.k.a. the Linden Tree. (I did not know that before) The Basswood is also known as a Bee Tree. You can guess the reason for this, Bees love its blossoms and incredible fragrance. In fact, Basswood tree honey is highly sought after. (Though it won't make much difference to us since we aren't keeping bees as well) It too, is a beautifully shaped tree and grows quite large. There are several of them in our neighbor hood as well. So Saturday, we stopped at Del's Garden Center in Spencer and found our Basswood. We are taking out a spirea bush plunked in the middle of our yard and replacing it with this lovely Basswood. Now if I can just live long enough to see it as big as the one across the street!

Is This Heaven?

Lynn and I took an afternoon and headed to the Adam's Homestead Nature Preserve near McCook Lake near Sioux City last week. We've ridden our bikes on this trail before, but it is so beautiful we had to go again. We were not disappointed. The day was picture perfect. Lynn had made us a lunch and we stopped along the Missouri River and enjoyed the afternoon. I know this is one picture I have in my head that I want to keep. Thanks friend, for dragging me out of work to go do this. It was lovely!

Ahhhh Saturday

It's hard to believe that a week that had a holiday in it could end up being a long week, but it was. I fear next week, with the regular 5 days, will be an even longer one with long hours. And that when Ron finally gets home again. I ate out waaay too much while he was gone. At least he will be rested and ready to go. (after all, his favorite thing to do is projects! seriously.)
But we are here at Saturday again. That is good, though too short I'm sure.

I am thinking about doing Sunday School tomorrow. We are diving into "Choosing Gratitude" by Nancy DeMoss. So it would be pretty wrong of me to start complaining here. Instead, I'll just start this period of my life by saying, I am so grateful for my church and a group of women I can walk down this road with. Thanks to my wonderful daughters-in-law, and daughter who first did this book with me. It makes it extra special to be able to share this with others.

Lost and Found at the library

Ok, since I've been working at this library I often feel like I'm in an Oz like state. You know, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Dorthy". Maybe it's just the age we're living in, or maybe I'm just getting old. Who knows. From the little old man rushing into the men's restroom to the policemen arresting someone in our foyer I find myself a bit dazed. Anyway, to the point:
Found in library's Reading Room: 1 bottle male enhancement pills.
Claimed the next morning by owner who explained in detail what great lengths he had gone to to purchase said pills.
Sheesh.

Birthdays

Picking out a sucker at the Farmer's Market


I know you will think it silly when I tell you that I remember this boy's father's 3rd birthday. We celebrated it in Illinois and I almost willingly missed it for a trip with a friend. I decided in the end, that I simply could not miss a celebration that happened only once in a child's life. I have a picture of him sitting in a chair in front of his cake. We must have just said "Take your thumb out of your mouth, Jonathan" because the thumb is pulled out, but still close so he can pop it back in as soon as the picture is snapped.
I realize that Jon wasn't there for this day but he did make it home for the actual birthday day so technically he only missed the party.
So that said, I am so glad that I also got to celebrate my grandson's third birthday. He had such fun. He enjoyed every package, every bite of cake, and blowing out those candles! Thanks Mindy and Jon for letting us be a part of his special day. I am looking forward to every one of them!

BWCA

Apparently it was a very good trip to the Boundary Waters! Ron didn't catch a single fish. (not for lack of trying, though) But they ate plenty of fish anyway. Weather was good. They all made it home safely. Ron saying, I'm not as young as I used to be. Those portage trails weren't easy.

But next week is our vacation together! Hoo Rah! We're going camping.