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.) 

Traveling

Been traveling around sightseeing and visiting friends.  Caught this "bumper" sticker on the back of a large boat ready to go into Lake Superior.  It is posted next to the steps on the back of the boat.  I do so enjoy people's sense of humor. 

While setting up for the Lions Club rummage Sale, I came across a mug with a drawing of a pirate - The beatings will continue until morale improves. 

Sometimes it's the little things that keep you going.

Turtle Rescue

It is time for the female turtles to leave the shoreline to go inland to lay eggs.  We see cars stopping to assist a turtle cross the road safely.  We have done it ourselves.  At breakfast we saw a color in the grass that grabbed our attention.  A HUGE turtle had rolled down a hill and was now on her back.  Case went out in his pj's and righted her.  His thanks was an angry hiss.  Happened all too fast to get a photo. 

Peace and Grace Be to this Place

...in my garden.

Stop...and view the flowers

Finally, some nice weather for the plants to catch up with the calendar. 

I found this white violet in the woods two years ago and planted it in my garden area.  It is looking mighty fine.  I also like white lilacs but don't have any of those.

Two years ago we also dug this up illegally - Trillium.  Usually they are masses of white there are so many on the floor of the forest, but we have only this one going.  Time for a trip with a shovel.

Logging

We've been logging to prepare for next winter.  To heat with wood you really need to have two years worth of wood to let the wood season.  We definitely haven't made it to that level of North Woodsmanship yet.  Lest you think this birch tree was a small one, here is one of my steel-toe Red Wings for comparison.