Perspective

Last night we went with another couple to a local establishment that reportedly has good pizza.  Each of us heard this from different sources.  Nice Northwoods atmosphere.  Friendly staff, in fact, she was the owner.  The pizza is a frozen pizza chain product from Minnesota.  The four of us kept looking at the menu, looking at her, asking questions, looking at the menu, looking at her.  You get the idea. We had all gotten reports about a Minnesota frozen pizza.  We couldn't quite believe it.  We were there.  We were hungry.  Yes, we would give it a try.  It was actually pretty good for frozen pizza from Minnesota. 

Tents

Tents are springing up everywhere.  It is the weekend before the 4th of July in Wisconsin.  Every tent is selling fireworks, of course.  I assume that you need a license to sell fireworks but they must be easy to get with the number of tents.  The radio advertises the "Celebration Station" on a major intersection 70 and 27.  They specialize in the BIG and LOUD, the announcer says.  I want to know where the small and quiet fireworks tent is.  I probably won't buy any from tent named Three-Fingers Mike. 

Even though I grew up in Illinois where fireworks are illegal, I always had an ample supply.  I have fond memories (age 7-8) of sitting on a tree stump with my best friend lighting individual firecrackers and throwing them.  Over the years Case and I have spent some hard-earned money on fireworks and enjoyed them.  Now that we can do it legally, we have stopped buying them.  One of our neighbors does up a very large display.  Boats come from every part of our chain to sit in our bay to watch them.  They honk their boat horns until he begins the show.

Loon Watch

Both Loon chicks are doing well.  After supper I was watching the family of four from our dock.  The only time that Loons are on land is when they make a nest (quite near the water) and tend the eggs.  At no other time are they on land.  Because their wings are centered on their bodies from beak to tail, they can't actually walk on land.  But, can they swim!   And, boy, can they fly from lake to lake and to the Gulf in late fall.  Amazing birds.

Cool Breeze

Hiking today with my group was near perfect conditions with no bugs being the icing on the cake.  Oh, the hostess did serve chocolate cake.  That was nice, too.  Now I'm home puttering.  I can feel a light breeze coming through the window.  That is one of those small things in life I really enjoy - a light, cool breeze.  Life is good.

Skin Cancer

The docs call it basal cell carcinoma.  Sounds so much better.        I had a place on my back that didn't seem right to me.  It was skin cancer so a "divot" was removed which included good skin to insure all the bad skin is gone.  The procedure went well.  I have now begun the itching/healing stage. 

When I mention this to friends, they all start pointing to their body parts and holding up numerous fingers to show how many times that THEY have had this procedure done.  Quite common, I guess.  The doc and I will keep checking for any more in the future. 

This I do know...my string bikini days are over.

Sprucing Up

The weeds around the Spider Lake Town Hall were really getting to me so I called a few people and we went over and took care of it.  New landscape cloth, sifted old rocks, added new ones.  It looks wonderful.  Afterwards I called the man of the town board in charge of the grounds and told him what we did.  He had seen it and was delighted.  "Go ahead and do other things.  We'll reimburse for supplies."  That's how things get done around here - usually without permission.  This group that I am organizing will be looking at the outside and the inside of the town hall.  I need a name for this group. The Sprucing Up Group comes to mind.  If you think of a clever or non-clever name, pass it along to me.  This is grass roots at its best.

Good to be Home

Case and I visited family and friends for a few days in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.  We had a great time.  Always good to catch up.  But there is something about driving in your own driveway, being in your own house, sleeping in your own bed.  We definitely consider this home. 

Water Sprinkler

No need for the water sprinkler today.  It has been pouring most of the day.  Our road goes up and down a few hills so we get deep ruts.  When it stops raining, the neighbors and we will head outside with our rakes to put it back in shape.  It is a community road and the seasonal people on the road don't want to pave it because it will ruin that Northwoods look.

No comment.

Orchids in a Bog

The walking group literally sloshed through a bog with a guide this morning to find the elusive bog orchids.  We found many plants in bloom.  What a thrill!  This is a Grass Pinks Orchid which opened within the hour.  The guide walked the area before we came and it had not yet bloomed.  The second one is a blooming Pitcher Plant.  The carnivorous Pitchers with water to draw in insects to eat them is on the ground.  The Pitcher flowers are almost 18 inches tall.  We all managed well because there are no leeches or snakes in bogs - water is too acidic.  Fun in the Northwoods!

Recall Election

Last Tuesday was the recall election of current Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.  He was not recalled and remains in office until the end of his term. 

Most of the local political pundits say that this recall was less about Gov. Walker and more about using the recall process improperly.  The recall was definitely legal.  However, most people feel it should be used against someone in office who has committed a crime or something big - not just because you disagree with his policies.  There were 900,000 signatures on petitions that caused the recall which cost 125 million dollars of taxpayer money.  That is approximately $139 per signer.  I think each signer owes the Wisconsin $139. 

Animal Explosion

• There are still 2 baby Loons.  No eagles or muskies have gotten to them yet.  We watch them every day.
• Painted turtles are everywhere laying their eggs in the sand.  They have bright orange bellies. Unfortunately, not all make it when they cross the road.
• We hear baby birds squawking for food.  
• I have not seen so many dragonflies.  They have curious natures and like to see what you are doing so they often fly back to where we are.
• Then the big (basketball-size) snapping turtles are out and about.  I stay clear of them.  They do look prehistoric.  And their name is for a reason.
• Along our road there are several does and fawns darting in front of our vehicles.
• Several different frogs are croaking every evening.

 I know there are more but these are the ones that immediately come to mind.