Puzzling Behavior

It was supposed to be a week of fishing for Bing's two childhood friends. One is a fellow from Sun City, Arizona and one is from Billings, Montana. They drive together each year from Billings, visit some relatives for a few days and cap off their trip each summer with a week stay with us. This year the weather did not cooperate at all and the fish were even less cooperative. So the main event was cancelled more often than not. But we still had great fun and the usual lots of laughs that prevail in their company. To the rescue - who knew - both of them seemed to be of the same obsessive compulsive jigsaw puzzlers as I am. Neither had done any puzzling for years but once they sat down at the table where I was finishing a 1000 piece jigsaw that Bernie and the kids had given me for Christmas - there was no turning back - we finished that one and then proceeded to start and finish another 1000 piece one. - It turned out that each of us probably had that same trait because we're all Aquarians born under the same astrological sign.

Our birthdays are February 1st, 3rd and 5th - wow, maybe there is something to that astrological stuff!

Oh Happy Days

The summer was just starting when last I wrote. Instead of the old classic, "It has been the worst of times. It has been the best of times." It has just been the second half - the best of times. The gardens are flourishing and we're keeping up with the weeds. The wood has been gathered for winter fires. We're reaping and canning and pickling and freezing the beans, cukes, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, rutabaga, swiss chard, kale, romaine, leaf lettuce, bok choy, beets, cabbage, kohlrabi, carrots, squash and pumpkins. When there are too many veggies for our consumption, Bing takes a load to the local food pantry. The lake has been welcoming and the weather fantastic. But, best of all, our familly gathered. All thirteen of us were here together for the first time since 2005. My love runneth over just seeing everyone laughing and talking and fitting together like pieces to a puzzle. The three sons, the wives, the six grandchildren, all so kind and loving and beautiful - it is indeed a blessing beyond measure to age and grow and see the people that your children have become. They have so much more love and tolerance and knowledge than you have gathered in your years and they in turn, are loving their children with all their hearts and trying to equip them with the values and life skills so necessary in this complicated world of ours. It was extra special to be able to get to know our youngest grandchild, Ben, of Washington State. Cori, his mom, sends us many many pictures of him as he has grown and now we know him well after about nine days in his company. He's personality plus and up for just about anything. I've added a few pix - Our three sons, Bernie, Danny and Tony, Dan, Cori and Ben and then the six grandchildren. Thanks, God, for everyone of them.

The Magic of Summer

Summer's magic is happening here in the northwoods. The lake temperature is 76 degrees now and the water feels great on a hot muggy day like today. The garden is thriving and fruits are ripening. The rhubarb led the way and the cherries are pitted and frozen waiting to be made into pies for guests. Blueberries are next and raspberries will be shortly after that. Sometimes my mind just boggles at the idea that out of grungy grimy earth comes such a variety of food for our bodies. It really makes a lot of sense that our society is growing more and more cognizant of the need to nourish and protect the earth. I think one of the best projects that our nation should work on is the expansion of speedy internet service to rural communities. That way people could spread out from the crowded cities and work from their homes in more open unpopulated areas. They could raise their families with a real connection to the earth and its magical qualities..............The pictures show the last of the cherries, baby Honey Crisp apples and ripening blueberries.

The Iris

The Iris stands tall and straight and rivals the orchid in beauty and variety of color. Thank you, God, for Irises.

Flowers of the Day

Today's flowers are the Lily of the Valley and Bridal Wreath. I'm naming these two together because they both remind me of our days growing up in Chicago. These two spring bloomers were always available for picking and sniffing and decorating. My mother instilled a devotion to Mary, the blessed mother of Jesus, and I often placed a big bouquet before her picture. Things that remind me of our childhood days always bring smiles. There were 32 kids in that neighborhood and we ran and played and laughed. We moved when I was 10, but that decade meant a lot and gave we three siblings a strong healthy start in life.

Spanfarkel, I Think

We went to a pig roast Saturday. I think the german name for it is spanfarkel but even if it isn't, spanfarkel is a neat name. Ray Zettler threw the party for himself for his ninetieth birthday. He rented the pavilion at Hodag Park and invited everyone to join him. He's a jovial fellow and probably knows most of the people in town. Bing used to bowl with Ray so we were among the eighty or so friends that were there. It was "special day" for the three local grandchildren so we brought them along. We forgot the camera so I don't have pics of the festivities but I googled the accompanying picture for effect. The three vegetarian grandchildren got a little grossed out at the sight of the pig but quickly headed for the playground equipment and the beach so it wasn't too traumatic.

Flower of the Day

I've been building and walking a "meandering path" around our lot for several years now and that walking time in my day is essential to peace and tranquility and a growth in spirituality. The highlights of the path are the various flowers that poke through the earth's surface and smile their helloes through the rocks and ferns that grow there naturally. I plant and weed and water in droughts but there is no perfection to the flower arrangements. But I think I'll try to do a flower feature every now and then. Today's flower feature is the Lupine. I'm starting with it because it's Bing's favorite flower. As far as I know, it's the only flower he has ever noticed or commented about so that struck me as it being a very special flower. The reason he loves it is because whenever he and his fishing friends would go to Canada in the spring, the lupines would cover the Canadian hillsides and fields. He even brought home seeds for us to get some started and they are quite prolific. Their drawback is that they only flower for a short time in the spring but when they do, they shine!.