Summer Flowers

Finally, it is summer and the flowers are blooming.  I have forgotten the name of this flower.  However, I do remember that it was advertised that the deer won't eat it.  That is true...otherwise there would be no flowers, no leaves, only a few roots left.

A Bear - Wish I had a Photo

Early one morning on the way to town, I saw a large black bear slowly crossing the road.  Of course, all traffic stops to watch (2 cars).  Didn't have a camera to capture the moment but I will certainly remember.  It is still a thrill to see wildlife.

Rounding the Bases

It was my Sunday to read the Bible at church.  I arrived early and settled in.  Unfortunately, I forgot to check if a deacon was there to carry in the Bible.   As the music started for the processional one of the ushers came to me and said,  "You need to carry in the Bible.  There isn't a deacon to carry it....you can run."  So I jump up from my pew - second row on a side aisle - and run toward the back of the church, round one set of pews, round the baptismal font, take a hand off of the Book without breaking stride and round to the center aisle to slide between the altar servers and the priest who had already started down the aisle.  Then I process in...reverently.  Gosh, church can be exciting!

To continue the baseball theme...I paid money at the Hayward Musky Fest this weekend to throw a baseball.  I had three tries for a dollar.  After the first throw I decided that I definitely throw like a girl.  Second one was better.  For the third one the radar clocked me at 26 mph.  I was rather proud of myself.  I won a Tootsie Roll - the big size. 

Quilt Show

A few friends and I attended the Minnesota State Quilt Show - this year held in Duluth.

It was aweing - some techniques I could never master.  It was surprising - how creative people can be for this textile medium.   It was inspiring - to get a few ideas. The one I am showing won several awards.  It was bigger than a king-sized bedspread.  The photo doesn't do justice.

Mother Turtle

Mother Turtle is late laying her eggs.  Usually we see her in May.  She showed up this afternoon.  As of this writing she has dug 4 holes in our driveway and numerous ones in our grass. 

It has been raining so her shell is quite shiny.

Part of My Walking Group

Recently, I hosted the Tuesday Walking Group - Women of the Woods and Water (WOWWs) at my house.  We walked a brisk 4 miles, returning to our bag lunches and a dessert I made:  Blondies.   Twenty-six of the group had taken a 3 day trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior.  The rest of us needed to stay in the Hayward area, but we wanted to continue the Tuesday morning tradition.  We called ourselves - WOWWs South - for the day. 

Banderdinker

Banderdinker is a made up word for a Hayward celebration of paddle sports, especially kayaking.  Last Saturday 291 of us paddled 5 miles on Nelson Lake.  I was quite tired at the end but the effort was worth it.  I am proud that I was able to complete it.  I went with some friends from my walking group.

Lined up ready to launch...my kayak is the pink one in the middle.

My shirt is made of a special material that keeps out the bad sun rays.  Water gloves help with my arthritis to grip the paddle.  A girl has to do what a girl has to do.

Participants could come in costume or funny hat.  I didn't.  However, the person to my near right in the blue kayak has a sock monkey on her hat. 

First Lady of Wisconsin

When the First Lady of Wisconsin - Tonette Walker - decided to walk a trail near my house this morning, I decided to join her.  She promotes tourism around the state by staging "Walk with Walker" events.  Today was her 25th walk.  The walk was along the Birkie ski trail near our house, famous for the February event with 12,000 cross country skiers. 

There were probably 50 people walking along.  Definitely a photo opportunity...

                                         Jo and Tonette - BFF - Yes, she does have her hand around my waist.
 

Polygala - Spring Wildflower

This wildflower is new to me and I have only seen it here in northern Wisconsin.  It is called Polygala, only a few inches tall and usually near a base of a tree.  I love the color!  This is 12 feet from our door. 

The Couple That Logs Together...

...Stays Together

Case is wearing a hard hat, face screen, noise protection for ears, steel toe boots and Kevlar chaps that will stop a running chainsaw.  I was told that I am too delicate to run a chainsaw so I am merely lifting the cut logs.  LOL   Also, note that we are both wearing black and white flannel shirts - coincidence.  The best part is that the tree is on our neighbor's land...with his permission.

Changing Blog Format

A picture is worth a thousand words.  I wonder who said that originally?  I have decided to change to pictures for the retirement blog. 

Here we are on our 37th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago.  The watercolor above the couch was painted by a good friend of ours.  We wanted to capture our "Foxy" who is still around.