Another Bird Story

Milsie loves to take a bath as most birds do.  However, my bird bathes in the bathroom sink.  He looks like a drowned rat when he is done and, of course, then flaps his wings fast to dry off, and I get wet in the process.  And stink....oh-weee - boy, do wet feathers stink!  After drying and preening, Milsie takes a nap because it wears him out. 

Case's Vacation

Case is quite involved with the car organization that surrounds the Dodge Neon.  Yes, I know it hasn't been manufactured in a few years...but the Neon lives on his mind, in the minds of several folks around the country, and three live in our garage.  Every June they get together for a Car Meet.  They have been to Minnesota, Colorado, Ohio.  However, this year for the 20th anniversary of the first Neon being built, they met at the "Mecca" of this group - BELVIDERE, ILLINOIS.  Chrysler has an assembly plant there where they made all the first generation Neons.  All three of ours were made there.  (Now they make Jeeps and Darts.)

Case won First Place in the category 1st Generation "Stock" Neon.  He is also one of the national moderators on group's website:  neons.org.

I stayed home and went to Musky Fest. 

A Pet in Wisconsin

Here is Milsie (my male lovebird) who will be 14 years old this November 1.  When I give him a treat, I give him a grain called millet - shown here.  Birds eat it like candy.  Usually, I have the stem cut into several pieces and add one piece to his food dish.  For this now Wisconsin bird, I announce that it's "Millet Time" - just like the commercials for the beer - "It's Miller Time."  I laugh every time.

Two for the books...

1.  Case drove to the post office in Hayward (20 miles) to mail an important small package.  As he drove up, he sees Al, our mailman and another letter carrier landscaping in front of the office.  "Are you being paid extra for this?  Case asks.  "No, we're off the clock.  It just needs to be done."  [Wow!]  Case then realizes that the post office closed 10 minutes ago and says so out loud.  "No problem,"  Al says.  "I can take your money."  Case not only wants a tracking number but also doesn't have exact change.  Again "No problem.  I will leave your tracking number and change in your mailbox tomorrow." 

Don't you just love small town America!

2.  In the nearly four years that we have lived here, I have never tipped the kayak until yesterday.  I was gliding into my spot next to the dock after an evening paddle.  My usual getting out procedure is standing up and rolling on the dock in one move so I don't get my feet wet.  Then I pull the kayak up to its parking place on land.  Well, as I am writing this...perhaps that technique shouldn't be used by a nearly 60 year old woman.  I had gotten away with it so far until yesterday.  The kayak bolted under the dock and I landed in 18 inches of water.  No possibility of drowning with a life jacket on and land within reach but I did get quite a soaking.  I am going to rethink my landing method. 

A Happy 4th!

Grandpa Case is playing a game with Kata (7 1/2 months)  in her July 4th finery.  She is enjoying it as much as our children did when he played it with them years ago.  (It has something to do with the Mexican Hat Dance tune.)