Ghost Plant

Grade School science comes back to me when I came across this plant with no chlorophyll - the Ghost Plant, Indian Pipe or Corpse Plant.  It is only 6 inches and usually blends in with its surroundings.  It is growing near the stump of a dead tree that is par for its course of obtaining nutrients from others because it has no green stuff of its own.  Fascinating plant in the Northwoods.

30 Years Old!

Recently we went to Iowa to help Lucyna give a birthday party for her boyfriend who turned 30.  I made all kinds of funny signs about turning thirty.  He especially like the one about not celebrating his birthday but we were celebrating the 45th anniversary of the first moon walk - July 20, 1969.

                                                  July 20, 2014        Shane and Lucyna

WOWW

WOWW=Women of the Woods and Water

This is the Tuesday group that I belong to.  We meet year round to hike, kayak, snowshoe and generally have a good time every week of the year.  Yesterday I hosted the group.  Lots of preparation in getting out enough tables and chairs.  Plus I am known in the group in serving desserts that the recipe is asked for.  I served Mississippi Mud Cake and Pound Cake, which Case made start to finish from his mother's recipe.  Both were well received.  We walked 4 miles on Morgan Road that I consider the prettiest roads around - all Chequamegon National Forest and no man made objects to view - 80% in the shade.  When we passed the wetlands, three sand hill cranes flew by on cue.  After lunch, I led the group to a near wilderness lake further in the forest.  We had the water all to ourselves.  I am exhausted today but please to have so many friends and to be healthy enough to accomplish all of this.

Case took this photo of us on our steps before our walk at 9 am.  Yes, we wear nametags because there are so many of us - more than 70 on the roster. 

Pie Auction

Pie Auctions are new to me but local Wisconsin folk say it's a tradition.  The Lions Club that we belong to has a full day festival for our main fund raiser of the year.  A Pie Auction is part of it.  I have helped in many capacities before and this year I added baking a pie - a 10 inch blueberry pie with fancy cut outs baked on top.  It sold for....$55.00!  A few went for higher but most were less than that.  My name was announced before the bidding and that I was a farmer's daughter from east central Illinois.  Don't know what caused the serious bidding but I am so tickled over being able to contribute in that way. 

Should have taken a photo of it....

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.