tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9428928906158060862024-03-13T06:59:45.054-05:00Quarry Garden Stained GlassA journal
of our gardens
and stained glass workKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.comBlogger656125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-6359480737421215722023-12-20T01:02:00.001-06:002023-12-20T01:02:06.232-06:00Merry Christmas 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-IU6J_DYTEHOg38zI8G0e4JHjDnKz4GD1XP40XK6tZcGCjXL2FRUto5xQpjSEYx89ya95Jq5o_Bo1VfXYar7K8OdYqfGBvLMjpAv5Noxy3Lpsbcxf3_qxXl3qctRB2Tn54N_B2z25M093ouFRj1LO5Ut7T64GbCxCSqacnF0EywbUgr9ihZ7xKBXc7U2/s4032/20231204_164757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-IU6J_DYTEHOg38zI8G0e4JHjDnKz4GD1XP40XK6tZcGCjXL2FRUto5xQpjSEYx89ya95Jq5o_Bo1VfXYar7K8OdYqfGBvLMjpAv5Noxy3Lpsbcxf3_qxXl3qctRB2Tn54N_B2z25M093ouFRj1LO5Ut7T64GbCxCSqacnF0EywbUgr9ihZ7xKBXc7U2/w640-h480/20231204_164757.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">The weather has been very mild this year, at least so far. We've had some snow, but as of last week, most of it has melted. A white Christmas was always an ideal of mine when I was a child, but now I'm just fine with the way things are.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The baking is done along with the candy-making, neither of which was necessary, but yet somehow comforting to accomplish. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIxWaWgQy3iQsfKRcEcbRDwVW5OVJS3qszcxmpbPKjbp-q9yc8bDg_zcVzPrmSqwIQH2lAdtZRGx6WX6GJwqZde8HAjGTN205fLU7wl9swjHT3u4NBoWjNy0LwntbpHeALY9mfJoA4E7_y9-lhabSZu1fSu8WnrbFlS14wTQUqmAA35d_bK-G14UyUDwE/s4032/20231122_171710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIxWaWgQy3iQsfKRcEcbRDwVW5OVJS3qszcxmpbPKjbp-q9yc8bDg_zcVzPrmSqwIQH2lAdtZRGx6WX6GJwqZde8HAjGTN205fLU7wl9swjHT3u4NBoWjNy0LwntbpHeALY9mfJoA4E7_y9-lhabSZu1fSu8WnrbFlS14wTQUqmAA35d_bK-G14UyUDwE/w640-h480/20231122_171710.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">We took advantage of the warm weather and decorated outside in mid-November. I admit, it's far easier to decorate urns with dried hydrangeas and greenery when the soil isn't frozen solid. Tips to remember for next year. Copying some trends on urn decorating, I cut down some saplings and spray painted them white to mimic birch branches. The nice thing about them is they can be reused for years.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRftQG3L4gIwuLws89J-eFKDImuAQ7bAqtdJ_X6DEvOqbQKdxZHqiAtoZ8j4qgApzCE86glPon9Zk1qedqAsPaqcFxuNxf7GO-slES1QS74KlgPeZE4U9F7hc2C5sC-WyyLUrfTfhoA-O5FLynEoBDIc7s-JILWhiqEp9ZSbKro8PB0XgdumWsQbtPtOno/s4032/20231204_164852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRftQG3L4gIwuLws89J-eFKDImuAQ7bAqtdJ_X6DEvOqbQKdxZHqiAtoZ8j4qgApzCE86glPon9Zk1qedqAsPaqcFxuNxf7GO-slES1QS74KlgPeZE4U9F7hc2C5sC-WyyLUrfTfhoA-O5FLynEoBDIc7s-JILWhiqEp9ZSbKro8PB0XgdumWsQbtPtOno/w480-h640/20231204_164852.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I've sat out on the front porch almost every night this month listening to the owls in the woods and enjoying the sound of the wind in the pines. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7momFgdEGOECNedsCDfJkvhyiyoOh4MMoC_YDJXRLTaZAMLVHeK48Pbuh11lPz3OcC_txX-kpzuzLuKuWusueh4q6nsjCWLXMfE1P3TQhtFRg8BKjdMcF4YL_U28jO6lgdfZNtS-KIJxj1e3KMpgr3jFph80pL1WPAXGQRaxZtitLcfEs1CYlQoCBea7/s4032/20231122_171315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7momFgdEGOECNedsCDfJkvhyiyoOh4MMoC_YDJXRLTaZAMLVHeK48Pbuh11lPz3OcC_txX-kpzuzLuKuWusueh4q6nsjCWLXMfE1P3TQhtFRg8BKjdMcF4YL_U28jO6lgdfZNtS-KIJxj1e3KMpgr3jFph80pL1WPAXGQRaxZtitLcfEs1CYlQoCBea7/w480-h640/20231122_171315.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_7xoNwWPmA9GTIwBGOn74pWvBRGTWMk2lnap8QHxb4I-pKm6l2IhlS775BvwuJmuBvpGizaihkIEjharWzPPG7lda8VmcBG85w1PJHcDvhrR9auxEmD33N5eijFXjl2txQ25Qr02eZ-82CgFU4BMedeyg1JOgc9FZi7rutlSCqPIwho9-VNtKo4rLF-O/s4032/20231122_171253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_7xoNwWPmA9GTIwBGOn74pWvBRGTWMk2lnap8QHxb4I-pKm6l2IhlS775BvwuJmuBvpGizaihkIEjharWzPPG7lda8VmcBG85w1PJHcDvhrR9auxEmD33N5eijFXjl2txQ25Qr02eZ-82CgFU4BMedeyg1JOgc9FZi7rutlSCqPIwho9-VNtKo4rLF-O/w640-h480/20231122_171253.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>All that is left this year is to give the house a good cleaning, wrap presents and welcome family and friends to our home for Christmas. Another year almost over; it was a year filled with many different joys and sorrows, but overall, we were blessed.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh8XgdW9BJrbOvBxMiw8tyjICvpFndxUo5S1kzqlXi9ihPVb0dq7SWV0K9Cqqh7PunX36xIYe3w6Z6FU19ddRs7vXaDGnWqfYppC4f7DXQVdayJLoQxtNn5dCNzAcqn6YWeRO80Z2b8JRy1JEAP1Y1_DjRv67CIL1qCuiSILzjfE_YlyKp7nqqQ01FmCN/s4032/20231122_171557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh8XgdW9BJrbOvBxMiw8tyjICvpFndxUo5S1kzqlXi9ihPVb0dq7SWV0K9Cqqh7PunX36xIYe3w6Z6FU19ddRs7vXaDGnWqfYppC4f7DXQVdayJLoQxtNn5dCNzAcqn6YWeRO80Z2b8JRy1JEAP1Y1_DjRv67CIL1qCuiSILzjfE_YlyKp7nqqQ01FmCN/w480-h640/20231122_171557.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas! </span><br /><br /></p><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-84192785902943324022023-08-21T02:34:00.005-05:002023-08-21T10:49:12.293-05:00August 20, 2023 Demolition of A Century of Memories<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Though I hated the idea of it, I made up my mind that May would be the month dedicated to tearing down my late parent's home. The old house had sheltered three generations, but the construction was utilitarian at best, built by my grandfather's family to be practical shelter for a poor farm family. There were no fancy details. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My mother would often ask me what would become of her house after she died, and to put her at ease, I would tell her maybe one of our sons would move in, but let's not hasten your passing, ok? <br /><br />She'd look at me like I'd grown two heads, "This house won't be good enough for either of them. They'll want something nicer."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her house was always a bone of contention with her. On the one hand, she knew it was no palace, but on the other hand she did her best to make it a home to be proud of.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">In
the picture below, taken in 1938, my mom and dad were engaged and had both been
attendants at his sister's wedding. Mom was 18 and my father was 26.
They were standing in front of what would be their house when they
married in two years, 1940.<br /></span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVsz3Iz-upSw7LF9GCoWqxQOnsyBnngYtdvf37T4uUxAyKAUTu-TqB2tIMV7gJ0NDJoKhdSb__OUK6T59__QxmOwo3nx69rvYblTWgrTaM8oSKrhnjZLEU7DG3l95S8PAE9pZG_B8F-jrzT2YVe4LDsF6lU4MrDs8nhFcxxKu3QxUk0QWVgM5h9MuCIkU/s4032/20230215_181828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVsz3Iz-upSw7LF9GCoWqxQOnsyBnngYtdvf37T4uUxAyKAUTu-TqB2tIMV7gJ0NDJoKhdSb__OUK6T59__QxmOwo3nx69rvYblTWgrTaM8oSKrhnjZLEU7DG3l95S8PAE9pZG_B8F-jrzT2YVe4LDsF6lU4MrDs8nhFcxxKu3QxUk0QWVgM5h9MuCIkU/w480-h640/20230215_181828.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">After
their marriage, the young couple lived upstairs in the farmhouse and my
paternal grandparents lived downstairs. There was no indoor plumbing,
just a one-seater outhouse. Mom had to carry all the water she needed
for cooking and washing dishes up two flights of stairs and back down
again for ten long years.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg809xom5wzb6MQKp-zENAf-8SFavL6k0KqZIatrL1Sn9EJ1SLMnODbYc0XmjZ7NO-1cpS-TtLDFxDPAUiIHr5swDDRV-i-_EE1Dd_hdt7wKYPrq2mUDKOMztI1N9YEwUQWLAteT9pxsD0jC7GUK0IjdJ7axp8F5pTyO9PGxskcdFx8_iF-Aqg9IuWCSeL5/s4608/20230508_192141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg809xom5wzb6MQKp-zENAf-8SFavL6k0KqZIatrL1Sn9EJ1SLMnODbYc0XmjZ7NO-1cpS-TtLDFxDPAUiIHr5swDDRV-i-_EE1Dd_hdt7wKYPrq2mUDKOMztI1N9YEwUQWLAteT9pxsD0jC7GUK0IjdJ7axp8F5pTyO9PGxskcdFx8_iF-Aqg9IuWCSeL5/w640-h480/20230508_192141.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A
view up the stairs to the second story of my parent's farm home right
before demolition. The steps made a turn at the landing and went up six
more. Ten years of hauling water up and down.<br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My mother was raised in the city but had not had an easy life before marriage.
Her own mother had died of tuberculosis at the age of 41, leaving four
children behind, my mom, the youngest, being only 8 at the time. The
children had to fend for themselves for the most part and times were
tough during the Depression.<br /><br />Below, my mom with her father. I never knew Grandpa George very well, in fact I didn't quite grasp the fact I even had a grandfather until I was much older. I don't know why really, Mom always said it was because he had enough on his hands taking care of her brother's large family and we were too busy on the farm to visit. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He lived a mere three miles away in town and we only visited him once, though he made a good impression on me. I was too young to even understand whose house we were in, but I do remember the kindly old man who went and got me a sugar cookie. <br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsRSkIxelYklnZsSxzyd3w3zoEqCVtlUh81sIAhObUFrLp-vbZjcMTqJMMRCYB93cOWgm3Mlu-hqaZ-vkcejzR9e6nVJJaERwOdeZ4N_quXeq-wpSRd3-mf5saPTMl1rH8NldfcZl9UBWDjTmCAQHG3AISK_GNdMtkesBWLxFs0H0n33lC8Wcmr_pjxw2/s4032/20230215_170600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsRSkIxelYklnZsSxzyd3w3zoEqCVtlUh81sIAhObUFrLp-vbZjcMTqJMMRCYB93cOWgm3Mlu-hqaZ-vkcejzR9e6nVJJaERwOdeZ4N_quXeq-wpSRd3-mf5saPTMl1rH8NldfcZl9UBWDjTmCAQHG3AISK_GNdMtkesBWLxFs0H0n33lC8Wcmr_pjxw2/w480-h640/20230215_170600.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Coming to live on the small dairy
farm would be another difficult life to bear, but Mom was always
cheerful and stoic and the hardest working woman I have ever known. She
lost her first-born son at birth, and then, three years later, in 1945,
my late brother, Robert, was born.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8MYV1SSAAzyB3lGmAKV8gMxjGCcNi6LwH9mEGlq3xMEnJO41H-wlC9Tpmo9wjJ1r638TP960HlHlit1yAQtJlk2eR69wsEz6ABtVdBuIFaf8cx1SlUpCPDZDUuaEXZNQoga-ZWmDnQcYZ_nmaOK4GDjsVu_DUA_jSeUAYLyJfJd_ERVekMghAuWpmajP/s4032/20230215_172620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8MYV1SSAAzyB3lGmAKV8gMxjGCcNi6LwH9mEGlq3xMEnJO41H-wlC9Tpmo9wjJ1r638TP960HlHlit1yAQtJlk2eR69wsEz6ABtVdBuIFaf8cx1SlUpCPDZDUuaEXZNQoga-ZWmDnQcYZ_nmaOK4GDjsVu_DUA_jSeUAYLyJfJd_ERVekMghAuWpmajP/w480-h640/20230215_172620.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> Mom,
25, with my brother, Bob, possibly age 2 or 3 posing on the farm
barnhill with the barn in the background, probably just on her way to church on Sunday. She always looked elegant when she dressed up, even though less than an hour before she had been milking cows.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Thirteen years after my brother was born, I came along as an afterthought. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me, age 6, and my late brother, Bob, 19, on his way to back to Germany during the Viet Nam war. <br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJp5qAEiho3yhFcUbfCEE4pzYrd6pgDgqIt5pOg-DVtR8EMJNqyTJdFGu1O_pWmpR_ctP7ZbRwW0T-ou9ojZ0IE-MgqBMjK026Hwwinrp_lgzlApuzzWBZvM8BV61e_JI2Vw4HivHpbbiUR0YZGYotuUZn2OPE9VK770gSkLkuDSaoPVD3Tu-ce9cyjBq/s4032/20230215_182850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJp5qAEiho3yhFcUbfCEE4pzYrd6pgDgqIt5pOg-DVtR8EMJNqyTJdFGu1O_pWmpR_ctP7ZbRwW0T-ou9ojZ0IE-MgqBMjK026Hwwinrp_lgzlApuzzWBZvM8BV61e_JI2Vw4HivHpbbiUR0YZGYotuUZn2OPE9VK770gSkLkuDSaoPVD3Tu-ce9cyjBq/w480-h640/20230215_182850.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pictured below is the house as it looked in 1962 when I was four years old and my father was fifty. I was enamored with Roy Rogers and his trusty steed, Trigger and pranced around the farm on a stick horse complete with a binder twine tail attached to my jeans. A not so bright invention of mine was to tie old horseshoes to my feet so I could leave hoof prints in the loose dirt, but when Trigger commenced to galloping, the horse shoes would tend to fly off, damaging my shins. As a result, good ol' Trigger would pull up lame quite a bit. Ah, youth. A few months ago, my granddaughter Audrey found a horseshoe in their yard. Probably one of mine. <br /><br /> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MFMzcHN8eTRrFJ_JozYk9ET-E0AuqGNovGbqN6J8iUWfpNoDq5iT22x07__QTTwDRZx0e-IZHCkZ9KG8BNbSZrSwOhV1hE-T08Qqjfes89npQdgkj57xDjfD8J_2PAoF0qgVrso1ZQKTNE3QCO4IUGLHK955PBa-zxOzNczg_1NGXH-0_gDD4FaEnmfy/s4032/20230215_172025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MFMzcHN8eTRrFJ_JozYk9ET-E0AuqGNovGbqN6J8iUWfpNoDq5iT22x07__QTTwDRZx0e-IZHCkZ9KG8BNbSZrSwOhV1hE-T08Qqjfes89npQdgkj57xDjfD8J_2PAoF0qgVrso1ZQKTNE3QCO4IUGLHK955PBa-zxOzNczg_1NGXH-0_gDD4FaEnmfy/w480-h640/20230215_172025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mom's
home had alternately been a source of pride and also frustration.
Saturday was always cleaning day and that meant besides rising at dawn
to milk cows morning and night and all the other chores of cooking and
laundry with a wringer washer, baking bread every week; feats that most
people cannot even imagine, let alone accomplish, there was absolutely
no excuse for not vacuuming and scrubbing floors on her hands and knees,
right up until three months of her death. <br /><br />She wanted her house to shine and was proud of her efforts, but not everyone was polite. One of my cousins would come from the big city for visits occasionally with a passel of unruly urchins. Since I was raised pretty much as an only child of very modest means, being around these rude brats came as a huge shock. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I was scrambling to save my toys from the clutches of demons destroying everything in sight, my cousin said, out loud, mind you, "We never worry when we come out to visit. It's not like there's anything valuable they can break."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I remember the incident like it was yesterday. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I was quite young, maybe ten years old, but it made me mad. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I
looked at Mom and wondered what she would say. She was never one to
start a fight and always polite, but I knew it stung. Though she did
not have a retort at the time, it was the one thing she used to repeat
to me for the rest of her life, 'Do you remember that day? It's not like there's anything valuable around here to break.' Oh, yes. I remembered the jerks.</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mom
was given twenty dollars a week for groceries as an allowance of sorts
from my father for her work on the farm. Any money leftover from the
twenty was hers to keep. She was a savvy shopper. At one time our
small town had three competing grocery stores, and on Fridays she would
travel to each one for various items on sale. If she had two dollars or
even just change left, the money went into her savings account at the
bank.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Her
main goal was to modernize the house. Indoor plumbing replaced the
outhouse the year I turned five. An oil furnace replaced the old coal
burning octopus in the basement when I was twelve. When I was fourteen,
Dad decided to cut the full two-story house down to a story and a half,
a decision I never did fully understand. His reasoning was it would be
easier to heat if he reduced the height of the house and took it from a
five bedroom to three. I suppose it could have helped, but the thing
is, the upstairs was never heated anyway, before or after. Winters were
extremely cold (I was spoiled and had an electric blanket) and the
summers were miserable because as we all know, heat rises. And doesn't
leave at night when you're trying to sleep.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The
years went by and I married and moved to my own new home. I'm sure the
fact we had a brand new house was a sore spot, but I know she was happy
for us and I never forgot, 'There's no excuse to not keep a new home
clean.'</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Finally,
at the age of sixty-one, Mom had saved up enough money to have her
kitchen cabinets refaced and a new vinyl floor installed. But though
she loved the improvements, there was one thing she had always yearned
for, the Holy Grail of her dreams.....Wall to Wall Carpeting in the
living room. Up until 1981, the living room had had a black and white wool area rug in the middle with the hardwood showing on the sides. But every modern home had wall to wall carpeting, and finally, the day arrived. She adored her 'soft rugs' and we never walked in her living room with our shoes on. She bought a new couch and loveseat and felt she had finally achieved her dreams. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My father passed away in 2001, and for the next sixteen years, she lived alone, though we visited her every day, twice a day. She was my constant help in the gardens, too, and would come and weed for a few hours before climbing back into her Buick and driving the quarter mile home. She drove until she was 93 and needed to renew her license. I was worried her reflexes weren't what they used to be and she was having short-term memory lapses, so against her wishes, we started to drive her where she needed to go. It was the only time she was ever angry with me, and I wish it could have been different. Worried that she may fall when we weren't with her, we installed cameras in her home with her permission so we could keep an eye on her.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When her health began to significantly decline three years later to the point she could no longer live on her own, I tried living with her, leaving Carl back at our house, but it didn't work out well. She'd had a hospitalization and a referral was made to move her to the local nursing home, but when I brought her to the doors of the facility, I couldn't leave her there. She came to our house to live instead.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a sunny, rather warm day in February when she left her house for the last time, and a very emotional one for all of us. Though she was very appreciative of the fact she wasn't going to a nursing home, she was homesick. She could see her house from our living room window, so near, but so far. That is, she could, until a sudden eye bleed in mid-March due to macular degeneration took away her ability to focus clearly. <br /><br />Despite the devastating loss of her eyesight, she spent her last days with us painting with watercolors and playing hymns by ear on the tabletop organ/keyboard during the afternoon. One late March day she turned off the organ and sighed. <br /><br />"Do you think when the weather gets warmer in the spring I could go back home for awhile?" she asked so wistfully, my eyes welled with tears.<br /><br />I knew she was missing her aged Wurlitzer organ which had a much richer sound than my silly tabletop thing, but what she missed most of all was her home, her privacy, her old life. And who could blame her? There is no place like her home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Sure, we can go back when the weather warms up," I promised. <br /><br />She seemed very relieved and decided to take a short nap in the Lazy Boy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> By this time she was quite unsteady on her feet which embarrassed her a great deal, though she did reluctantly try to remember to use the transport chair to get around. She detested the walker, those things were for 'old' people, never mind she was 96. Hospice had been coming in two days a week which she didn't like very much as she was always a very private person, but graciously put up with. The hospice workers were very kind which was a blessing.<br /><br />I had to go up to Mom's house to gather things we needed the next day and was immediately struck by how different the house felt. The warmth had gone out of the building, it seemed infinitely familiar and yet incredibly foreign, almost forlorn. <br /><br />As fate would have it, Mom never did go back to her house. She died here on April 8, 2017. I'm still not over it, and I know I never will be. <br /><br />Standing as a stark reminder was her house, the one thing she never stopped working on. I kept the heat on until the fuel oil ran out and then the house went cold the following winter. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joel was married in 2015 and decided to bring his young family back out to the farm from the city and build a new house right behind Mom's in 2018. The old farmhouse was in need of serious electrical updating, the foundation was cracking with a wet basement at times, the only insulation in the first story was sawdust which wasn't very warm. The roof and siding was in need of replacement and the layout was not practical, especially since the 1970's remodel turning it from a two-story to a story and a half. I removed all of her belongings as time allowed, and donated what I could. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />We tried to give the house to anyone who may want to move it off the property, and we had three interested parties, but eventually they all backed out. I couldn't blame them, it's not an easy job to move a house even if it was free. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Right after Mom passed away, Carl's parents' health declined in November of 2017 and they entered the nursing home. We were trying to handle their finances and visit them regularly and also handle their house and yard. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">By 2019, out of the blue, a contractor took us up on remodeling our own hut here, and we were wrapped up in moving out to Carl's parent's home and helping with the remodel in any way we could. Carl's father died in 2019, his mom in 2020, and we finally moved back into our sort of done house in March of 2020 during the pandemic. <br /><br />Then in 2021, a breast cancer diagnosis for me and a double mastectomy followed by a second surgery in 2022, and physical therapy and well, before we knew it, 2023 arrived.<br /><br />Joel and I did pluck away at Mom's house as time allowed; once we knew no one was going to want the house, we took out all the hardwood floors and sold them to a flooring company. The day we took an exacto knife to Mom's soft rug, the Wall to Wall Carpeting, and ripped it out.....I lost it. I waited until after Joel went to his house for the night before I laid down on her living room floor and wailed my heart out. <br /><br />I know it sounds so melodramatic, but all I could repeat through my tears was, "I'm sorry, Momma, I'm so so sorry." <br /><br />Tearing apart my childhood home was far harder than it was to see the contractors here sledgehammering my own house to bits before the remodel; so many memories, good and bad. <br /><br />There was no huge profit from the hardwood sale, but I was glad to see the maple flooring go to good use somewhere. He listed countless items on Marketplace and often delivered things to people who were interested for free just to have it gone. <br /><br />I wasn't feeling very good for most of 2022, but with physical therapy, by early December, I decided it was time to take the next step and begin demolition of the outside. We tore the garage down just before Christmas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Fu9mKWgGBWdA9uUd9G72oa7JXpwWRMGTf6puMcGH5jEBSNgIPo6EbpuJmD1hV_pmWolauxLqEyw6jeaHs8oEwHWM6jNrke5yhmOQMxNpBm60UasTPZT9t-kDUXWrwp1vdUZv4TxhxVjKpMIba66021nP8KSEXE8BNz218kBTQ76O6kjkxsjmXR5EFRfH/s4032/20221209_152243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Fu9mKWgGBWdA9uUd9G72oa7JXpwWRMGTf6puMcGH5jEBSNgIPo6EbpuJmD1hV_pmWolauxLqEyw6jeaHs8oEwHWM6jNrke5yhmOQMxNpBm60UasTPZT9t-kDUXWrwp1vdUZv4TxhxVjKpMIba66021nP8KSEXE8BNz218kBTQ76O6kjkxsjmXR5EFRfH/w640-h480/20221209_152243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Joel and I had stripped off the shingles and hauled them to a recycling facility in the summer and a friend wanted the vinyl siding which Carl and I helped remove, so all we had to do was clean out the remaining stuff from inside the building.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7ZrhO3LBd-D1FU9XyIAGxQ1j3CxMEBzKgxK-WSnyYXDinKM7bcEWRnTZJ1r42EI7fjoybXW9WkfVR8RgdPKC1VingOaJbmHXUUQw-lYXCs5NE5TwRU4MN_b1GzsRwxasrqAZEMZKSsGEKkDe3c_QvwfFtq3YWvPBAoOAvOD6OmXiW9MWwRMvwWb8HuSh/s4032/20221209_155222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7ZrhO3LBd-D1FU9XyIAGxQ1j3CxMEBzKgxK-WSnyYXDinKM7bcEWRnTZJ1r42EI7fjoybXW9WkfVR8RgdPKC1VingOaJbmHXUUQw-lYXCs5NE5TwRU4MN_b1GzsRwxasrqAZEMZKSsGEKkDe3c_QvwfFtq3YWvPBAoOAvOD6OmXiW9MWwRMvwWb8HuSh/w640-h480/20221209_155222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Joel and the excavator made quick work of the garage, and we would have kept going on demolition, but we both caught the flu and by the time we recovered, it was Christmas. <br /><br />2023 arrived and we kept picking away at the house when the weather permitted, but with no heat or electricity, it wasn't pleasant work. Which leads us back to May of 2023 and my plan to devote the entire month to demolition before it was time to plant the gardens and get ready for the busy gardening tour season and our youngest son, David's wedding. <br /><br />None of this work would have been possible without Joel. The man works tirelessly, and always with great patience with his parental units. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHCXEV6ePlX3CTta1Sey5mXvFiqNf8s74AoScLkHGk2Ifp5XWfqqAS4DSL7519znqcyYgHMgxpo9hZ0ZJILn49Q9f8n-5x44TTi_dkS58xcy142Eq0meOjA2A-XHZ-fAC2b1MCo54a2QcN1VdFbpVJWcT3GwjfV6Snoyvb4sggZQ50mdiQ9XGQIQxLnGo/s4032/20230505_165309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHCXEV6ePlX3CTta1Sey5mXvFiqNf8s74AoScLkHGk2Ifp5XWfqqAS4DSL7519znqcyYgHMgxpo9hZ0ZJILn49Q9f8n-5x44TTi_dkS58xcy142Eq0meOjA2A-XHZ-fAC2b1MCo54a2QcN1VdFbpVJWcT3GwjfV6Snoyvb4sggZQ50mdiQ9XGQIQxLnGo/w480-h640/20230505_165309.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />First week in May, and we borrowed scaffolding from our good friends, Terry and Jerry. Joel climbed up to remove the windows from the house that were still fairly new and in good shape. We gave them to a neighbor who is hoping to use them in his own remodel.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vgWq9kyDpxxV-WYwYHuW4g9t91GwQ0NPuuRsL0T8Htkz139fIp9my5OvfqbfUilg6R6HP5NDMVLjoInW9qXwlDsOAbazINrOOW-JG2AQLWLKL3pTqIhhl8RIA2F56SyXIfSi-YNFxXJU81ttY8FtPAD4HsdnAlvwZVePeb9kzHVxnxnsCW7jgeqkzdmr/s4032/20230505_165324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vgWq9kyDpxxV-WYwYHuW4g9t91GwQ0NPuuRsL0T8Htkz139fIp9my5OvfqbfUilg6R6HP5NDMVLjoInW9qXwlDsOAbazINrOOW-JG2AQLWLKL3pTqIhhl8RIA2F56SyXIfSi-YNFxXJU81ttY8FtPAD4HsdnAlvwZVePeb9kzHVxnxnsCW7jgeqkzdmr/w480-h640/20230505_165324.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzC5rbBhUhJHGyA20_Z9UnjSG4ylqIM-JLGLLcR5ZBuw_yPBDXfNCddPsDG9BPzbI6kL44VlMYeN3ljayISEHPvakbo2mNA4GpPEaDiwZZuFpgnfJp_O_acm4Cv6ym-_3I_I80CCM2jAj3XNpPqV51if-W46by3UXMZkPk_Dgn2hD1eZCVm9SLCUYEmoe/s4032/20230506_171825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzC5rbBhUhJHGyA20_Z9UnjSG4ylqIM-JLGLLcR5ZBuw_yPBDXfNCddPsDG9BPzbI6kL44VlMYeN3ljayISEHPvakbo2mNA4GpPEaDiwZZuFpgnfJp_O_acm4Cv6ym-_3I_I80CCM2jAj3XNpPqV51if-W46by3UXMZkPk_Dgn2hD1eZCVm9SLCUYEmoe/w480-h640/20230506_171825.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Safe on the ground, I ripped off the plastic shutters. I also felt just as sad as the little light post looks by the back door. The front porch was the next thing we thought we'd remove, but it was paneled in Douglas fir beadboard, so I thought we could use it for paneling our unfinished garage.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81ZnqqiLH-tU9EhLQFrX6Kt5OQa7UFfkTzs0eVrFeopKM0W87WMWXBj89mVsnTwftKU4kE4j9sA7c99HVkhbnfCmD5-3ea6-r0fJkSvBiPvlZJn-La8CU6eY9xNZAk7dq6_eF0l7lHFMWu3zMV5j5UZ1sv_Y8RsKJcTfUnpKEDoSbE45RrNiRmavMxz1W/s4032/20230506_180518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81ZnqqiLH-tU9EhLQFrX6Kt5OQa7UFfkTzs0eVrFeopKM0W87WMWXBj89mVsnTwftKU4kE4j9sA7c99HVkhbnfCmD5-3ea6-r0fJkSvBiPvlZJn-La8CU6eY9xNZAk7dq6_eF0l7lHFMWu3zMV5j5UZ1sv_Y8RsKJcTfUnpKEDoSbE45RrNiRmavMxz1W/w480-h640/20230506_180518.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpAZAJd7w7h0tXELlUgE8rckLuBB4DCZyTUL2qFx3a5lhyhJDgwT3ey2CHf7gnZ0qeFEvro2wbt6yt7mc13HasxTY88N-Cz3MeVS3qF6bkjdRL-2aSLZjlxvoM5ggTxu9JKNeFgO7M93ngO_Mi5n3dNPBq6F3RgW_qCG3jqn7JQlDhB9OVJ2MksjqtqVK/s4032/20230506_180529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpAZAJd7w7h0tXELlUgE8rckLuBB4DCZyTUL2qFx3a5lhyhJDgwT3ey2CHf7gnZ0qeFEvro2wbt6yt7mc13HasxTY88N-Cz3MeVS3qF6bkjdRL-2aSLZjlxvoM5ggTxu9JKNeFgO7M93ngO_Mi5n3dNPBq6F3RgW_qCG3jqn7JQlDhB9OVJ2MksjqtqVK/w480-h640/20230506_180529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The joke was on me; after Carl and I painstakingly removed the beadboard from the walls on the outdoor porch and the back door entrance and hauled them all down to our garage, we were in for an unpleasant surprise. Years of ladybugs hiding in the beadboard had fallen out when we took it all down and the stench in our garage of decades of bugs and mildew was too much. Out it went.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfbzX0T3ijpwIdnQo8Cz7KBLuqNnyi4I8PqExP_CPUDQGWub0ovzgf7hBbhmf1Fwq92wJowpgKrlZgf2RKJv-raCcAcwgrp-eJQs9BtRuIKiMLDYKwn7NdiPbQmvEGLy1qlKguse5MS_qVXWeJtaaDHWFtF0Yw8oDV8CEy3KPMjN6rS2SuVDsRwT3eBlk/s4608/20230508_192040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfbzX0T3ijpwIdnQo8Cz7KBLuqNnyi4I8PqExP_CPUDQGWub0ovzgf7hBbhmf1Fwq92wJowpgKrlZgf2RKJv-raCcAcwgrp-eJQs9BtRuIKiMLDYKwn7NdiPbQmvEGLy1qlKguse5MS_qVXWeJtaaDHWFtF0Yw8oDV8CEy3KPMjN6rS2SuVDsRwT3eBlk/w640-h480/20230508_192040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Once the windows were all out, the house was a former shell of itself. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvZeQaYwVhm6IjJDxRJxSnz2sZV2JbfqpV3QSi_vkE2maPi2iTdKSilpCHnmXIs5UlBY1DCCBs8ybj0LhpfTwsGg660hiPjCZ1slDmnB6sJBF739AEaBJXX-qT_1ZVvN2iCUiutbGf5MNRIKYpMIR8Ugcxiq0YnbKUs5NKdc07A1fo3x7yC6CUChM4XH_/s4608/20230508_192048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvZeQaYwVhm6IjJDxRJxSnz2sZV2JbfqpV3QSi_vkE2maPi2iTdKSilpCHnmXIs5UlBY1DCCBs8ybj0LhpfTwsGg660hiPjCZ1slDmnB6sJBF739AEaBJXX-qT_1ZVvN2iCUiutbGf5MNRIKYpMIR8Ugcxiq0YnbKUs5NKdc07A1fo3x7yC6CUChM4XH_/w640-h480/20230508_192048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Joel carrying out my mom's big porcelain sink. It did go to a new home.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG92_3i_d8jeU57ti1Pd7hRavnTiSo8ymVM2B-9sBLA0l06P6ejL4ClLKqU1HzaTEcYc2V7t5VxxpcbnMCGxk03TaTruf1f3LkuMeUzziaDjFTRcQjEJewTnvviwFQXeo7MlQjWW3zoT5xBrbekiQD7LNztBiTgb-grQtMDCufa60NRlVo4ioopV4qIt7/s4608/20230508_192053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG92_3i_d8jeU57ti1Pd7hRavnTiSo8ymVM2B-9sBLA0l06P6ejL4ClLKqU1HzaTEcYc2V7t5VxxpcbnMCGxk03TaTruf1f3LkuMeUzziaDjFTRcQjEJewTnvviwFQXeo7MlQjWW3zoT5xBrbekiQD7LNztBiTgb-grQtMDCufa60NRlVo4ioopV4qIt7/w640-h480/20230508_192053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">This was my mom's dining room, though at one time it was the master bedroom.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcoE9tGP60zrpRgNaxovlKIQLeLgkad1g-n8aCsBwEqWry0Vx7jMlY5yNDVS5X2-ksrTsl1hrVNWNdN9unh0-D3HE1Nfl1zeXgjpSw6aglk3RLKMznkuUFQ2yEAp6PgR9CIO1qQoAoTTyk2_PHBg63AieJofGFor6GOj7Ju3783hGDd43g9YtZBsy6oXC/s4608/20230508_192129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcoE9tGP60zrpRgNaxovlKIQLeLgkad1g-n8aCsBwEqWry0Vx7jMlY5yNDVS5X2-ksrTsl1hrVNWNdN9unh0-D3HE1Nfl1zeXgjpSw6aglk3RLKMznkuUFQ2yEAp6PgR9CIO1qQoAoTTyk2_PHBg63AieJofGFor6GOj7Ju3783hGDd43g9YtZBsy6oXC/w640-h480/20230508_192129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I was very happy someone could use the old windows.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh9xYx6pX18H6I8fJrV33j0HwhcgoAn0d1Nw8X2xdLDhbLw5zpRmKhlt1F008PvRp_69zW67Bt4Mc77vgAbqw6u87-2uonqOhoO05JLs0zaedA2Dvv-OkPw8ot6yJiBMQZT0yfmfItL3gOP-XWtrIL4b5HGp6KGR6Njh4OeTIFUluPF8SYcc_7t1AkTUs/s4608/20230508_192137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh9xYx6pX18H6I8fJrV33j0HwhcgoAn0d1Nw8X2xdLDhbLw5zpRmKhlt1F008PvRp_69zW67Bt4Mc77vgAbqw6u87-2uonqOhoO05JLs0zaedA2Dvv-OkPw8ot6yJiBMQZT0yfmfItL3gOP-XWtrIL4b5HGp6KGR6Njh4OeTIFUluPF8SYcc_7t1AkTUs/w640-h480/20230508_192137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Mom's kitchen, bereft of it's vinyl flooring and maple hardwood. The ceiling fan was also feeling quite sad.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdYS4Ibs7boattsMku5l75ZXnFQUhbNbMqoaKpKM22w4a0__YCQA9Kv6kTwtet9h3Ju0hqJ-Np8RsYixO08lDNPUoIcJjppm1UmNuzCOKjJ1QF1DNxKk1S-f2cN4xOOauVSvPnDK8WLDqZhYV76Dfimx7-1OtkInyAvg1SDHKank-H9n1sXMhqVh0U-_y/s4032/20230508_192651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdYS4Ibs7boattsMku5l75ZXnFQUhbNbMqoaKpKM22w4a0__YCQA9Kv6kTwtet9h3Ju0hqJ-Np8RsYixO08lDNPUoIcJjppm1UmNuzCOKjJ1QF1DNxKk1S-f2cN4xOOauVSvPnDK8WLDqZhYV76Dfimx7-1OtkInyAvg1SDHKank-H9n1sXMhqVh0U-_y/w480-h640/20230508_192651.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The front porch where my grandmother used to wash clothes with her wringer washer and hang the laundry out on lines with a pulley to the trees. When I was still at home, I used to sleep on the screen porch in the hot weather. Mom always sat there in the evenings to take in the sunsets.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4t7de1NwFY1Ws0cI8_Qm2TSFYeDSoCg_A5bC-tkJRJlNXk_GlTsBW7AUg6xXmNHxHa904sPa3yAhxfF84JiR-CCymh1caKuIZDICzK7pf0nJg34caVR5IuDbAnjSBDxy7h2yetXT1gAhSQIhw0osHygNr0VU7U6VWltWwqQkSOS_PEJ_qMzPiWCV7dKw/s4032/20230508_192856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4t7de1NwFY1Ws0cI8_Qm2TSFYeDSoCg_A5bC-tkJRJlNXk_GlTsBW7AUg6xXmNHxHa904sPa3yAhxfF84JiR-CCymh1caKuIZDICzK7pf0nJg34caVR5IuDbAnjSBDxy7h2yetXT1gAhSQIhw0osHygNr0VU7U6VWltWwqQkSOS_PEJ_qMzPiWCV7dKw/w480-h640/20230508_192856.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">My father's old Lazy Boy, looking out the west living room window.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghNQ07N-Gtj31dh4AedZs_nkMcNVHqQ1MPQIYgj-eNRFGvsaVIJ2J_fGt-Y2IQaSCdEjnk_rB_CIAkeA7kp-4lC34u-Jyle8mvPuUaD-KMlTE0UaPpdzuaWYHlx6FLatz21TxgdaVWFpyNdvJRNRt9puN7XHsvSUclRNvQggOOIjjoL6asH_IwKxCEH2g/s4032/20230508_193746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghNQ07N-Gtj31dh4AedZs_nkMcNVHqQ1MPQIYgj-eNRFGvsaVIJ2J_fGt-Y2IQaSCdEjnk_rB_CIAkeA7kp-4lC34u-Jyle8mvPuUaD-KMlTE0UaPpdzuaWYHlx6FLatz21TxgdaVWFpyNdvJRNRt9puN7XHsvSUclRNvQggOOIjjoL6asH_IwKxCEH2g/w480-h640/20230508_193746.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The windows all out and an assortment of sinks from Mom's house and ours, awaiting pickup from people on Marketplace. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHlzog1mqX2UkTPAvEo4aWn9gldkAjqyPISY7yNG_5Dfjw9UOfJfXeDmHHQwDYLzpUIfWyCJagSSTgceOSYX9EoAGDcbfr92kHzPzRI3j6XeYl2E8Nmj2Gba0lc9XjCJpkO2MC7LHRy_RPL9erozbVCX3ZYdDg-OAgcGxUJ0Xcc8fnyWw6hI3nfVsk_Mj/s4032/20230511_200930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHlzog1mqX2UkTPAvEo4aWn9gldkAjqyPISY7yNG_5Dfjw9UOfJfXeDmHHQwDYLzpUIfWyCJagSSTgceOSYX9EoAGDcbfr92kHzPzRI3j6XeYl2E8Nmj2Gba0lc9XjCJpkO2MC7LHRy_RPL9erozbVCX3ZYdDg-OAgcGxUJ0Xcc8fnyWw6hI3nfVsk_Mj/s320/20230511_200930.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Joel tried to scrape off the insulation that had been applied upstairs during the 70's remodel with the excavator, but it all crumbled, so we took the rest off by hand.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6D9AcCaVL1BH5jMD8t0AO-ibV4pgHsPcodf6_HnNwA0eDzIwP370Q_Azx333sTZB0VuMAfPh72kIKvEn9wwrRIhJHg1th8u5wnAuIqiusEYxAxjO1plOQYwsmWvGEb5007KwevARXEJuD4S9ho5QwovlHo8DFFr6ERvWeJk1gGc9Rk9U9Id9S8XqcjSt0/s4032/20230512_200755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6D9AcCaVL1BH5jMD8t0AO-ibV4pgHsPcodf6_HnNwA0eDzIwP370Q_Azx333sTZB0VuMAfPh72kIKvEn9wwrRIhJHg1th8u5wnAuIqiusEYxAxjO1plOQYwsmWvGEb5007KwevARXEJuD4S9ho5QwovlHo8DFFr6ERvWeJk1gGc9Rk9U9Id9S8XqcjSt0/w480-h640/20230512_200755.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Neighbors stopped in to visit as we progressed on the siding removal. Many of them wanted tours of the house before it was gone. I was asked, "Aren't you glad your mother isn't alive to see what you're doing to her house? She always kept it so nice."<br /><br />I know they meant well, it wasn't mean-spirited, but yes, I did feel guilty. Very.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZBnxM7W6El517cBzCKc72QPX1C4pYC5Nreu4gwnolTQ9E9OHDsUj5J8pncU8gEUAEQJLuUYu4Wuj8-YX-bzzeOtSmoWZPPBCLv2Dq6URx2q4UhdPweF1XccfeljWgQOM8VFMCA5-QV4zutctSGFa3ch_j7KWfDPoxdULIhAEwQb9GhYLSL09N06pr2va/s4032/20230512_202113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZBnxM7W6El517cBzCKc72QPX1C4pYC5Nreu4gwnolTQ9E9OHDsUj5J8pncU8gEUAEQJLuUYu4Wuj8-YX-bzzeOtSmoWZPPBCLv2Dq6URx2q4UhdPweF1XccfeljWgQOM8VFMCA5-QV4zutctSGFa3ch_j7KWfDPoxdULIhAEwQb9GhYLSL09N06pr2va/w640-h480/20230512_202113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I used the tractor bucket to raise and lower Carl and Joel as they took the siding and insulation off and put it in the dumpster. If there was any lumber worth saving, we loaded it onto our old trailer and brought it home.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx13Beo3KYVAIi8f7-HQyYz1gCYNq1DBzlfVrfxpu5Y8IwtmwIwP1goeC9c3GoJz-OiFeJJnIPer751NSv1yC7UUDUzc8GN9mR8weXvGgYVyTq1e2AW4C4pu9NzHPYKoQ4vHoDnKK9mErienGNCs7-bGt3nDa2jHXmjYMIyduqd3ZadF_KeCfhonfU1qf/s4032/20230513_152333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx13Beo3KYVAIi8f7-HQyYz1gCYNq1DBzlfVrfxpu5Y8IwtmwIwP1goeC9c3GoJz-OiFeJJnIPer751NSv1yC7UUDUzc8GN9mR8weXvGgYVyTq1e2AW4C4pu9NzHPYKoQ4vHoDnKK9mErienGNCs7-bGt3nDa2jHXmjYMIyduqd3ZadF_KeCfhonfU1qf/w480-h640/20230513_152333.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, on Mother's Day, it was time to actually tear the house down. I really did not want to be present for this, but knew I owed it to Joel and Carl to keep a stiff upper lip. The picture below was the worst part; once the north end of the house was ripped open, it resembled a dollhouse, and in my mind's eye I could see my parents sitting in the kitchen and the bedrooms upstairs. There was a tiny curtain that I'd missed blowing in the breeze from a window in the bathroom, and when I saw it waving forlornly, I had Joel stop the excavator and went in and rescued it. <br /><br />Carl said, "Oh, I didn't know you wanted it, I used the other half to wipe the dipstick on the tractor this morning." <br /><br />Oh, it was fine, I didn't mind. I did keep the little curtain, though. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRn4-Oa-3k5apCMXOUxaPBCDUGjg7ptyLu7apRKMBFuTViDKsyPupkcXMXtBwlDssENy-Ogqzlrfm4fonpJmAcQ5bvUm7D2cSFUVU2zWENVhopPOve3uExoIzx823gYX1SiAhEb3P2xpiHacWiCkpU68vu8Z20bb2bfOQ9JooybNLLs116KR8xs36iiXf/s4032/20230513_153412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRn4-Oa-3k5apCMXOUxaPBCDUGjg7ptyLu7apRKMBFuTViDKsyPupkcXMXtBwlDssENy-Ogqzlrfm4fonpJmAcQ5bvUm7D2cSFUVU2zWENVhopPOve3uExoIzx823gYX1SiAhEb3P2xpiHacWiCkpU68vu8Z20bb2bfOQ9JooybNLLs116KR8xs36iiXf/w640-h480/20230513_153412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It took us days to sift through all the lumber and get it into the dumpster. Hard, emotional work, but I did quit crying after the first wall was out.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8REE3Ogw1VW9p1Mlj4j1XZFCkWe-bK3Lb8r3jfbFyQVNbZqVhunjazUToSupV8_JSB-hulCfA6lF9lTzlToTeIfAJlUmaVqhW-IXA4QNWx1zxepNFDscirYeOiu9zyCTFqpDnT_9QNkmX5osPuih4gTQmqTzwGyiQ1msn9BOOYnWLv2QvJvWom3mzQp36/s4032/20230513_195101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8REE3Ogw1VW9p1Mlj4j1XZFCkWe-bK3Lb8r3jfbFyQVNbZqVhunjazUToSupV8_JSB-hulCfA6lF9lTzlToTeIfAJlUmaVqhW-IXA4QNWx1zxepNFDscirYeOiu9zyCTFqpDnT_9QNkmX5osPuih4gTQmqTzwGyiQ1msn9BOOYnWLv2QvJvWom3mzQp36/w480-h640/20230513_195101.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTdY8TUpuWpSSaVvHMpjzw1wbOZQ0rKDhda_3n51vADIAZCePoHV_bo-LJ11O3CVU0mJ-WDYN8igDDcdIwILpAcO1fXEwqDHAAQ_hN97yp_PEU11Y2iomLpuhZu5sx0TFSTV_I99aURc-EXvns_OKD3YXpS50fsH6J3vIPlGbBDVB7WEDYWixThE9uvRl/s4032/20230513_195107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTdY8TUpuWpSSaVvHMpjzw1wbOZQ0rKDhda_3n51vADIAZCePoHV_bo-LJ11O3CVU0mJ-WDYN8igDDcdIwILpAcO1fXEwqDHAAQ_hN97yp_PEU11Y2iomLpuhZu5sx0TFSTV_I99aURc-EXvns_OKD3YXpS50fsH6J3vIPlGbBDVB7WEDYWixThE9uvRl/w640-h480/20230513_195107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLQ-P9kRhpQC3YL6IElFXO5_o8jaswatC1RPQtv00znIu66l4a21avkxC5PVgNKV7o4b0o7rhCG7blo5uT8g42aCvyROCnWRXML1Ih1b4hfA6bcIWB1mfh1nvBOzMIB3AuZah1cT04yZps4UNRHs_QLTy55KVTN-mN86WCNsEvPfqa9RQzMqrJBYZurX2/s4032/20230514_160349.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLQ-P9kRhpQC3YL6IElFXO5_o8jaswatC1RPQtv00znIu66l4a21avkxC5PVgNKV7o4b0o7rhCG7blo5uT8g42aCvyROCnWRXML1Ih1b4hfA6bcIWB1mfh1nvBOzMIB3AuZah1cT04yZps4UNRHs_QLTy55KVTN-mN86WCNsEvPfqa9RQzMqrJBYZurX2/w480-h640/20230514_160349.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The excavator made the job much easier. For that, I was grateful. Below are the basement steps. Mom had painted each one with flowers years ago and they were so pretty. I kept two of them.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Rg1JBClt71DP58D0OtzG1SqkfDYpPxm_9Ey2W1LlPvBjekFo8dBjN6tE80yW1NFf6SPhqhQly0pXe3WndXXdpilsJOd7OIZD5MzJENPLfpljsukGd50jb0HT4TPAITam08VBy-PmAg3LucUUmSyUtxpLvpVMP6_pzFdsASH0_EYPU9NUesnn-X30KsJp/s4032/20230517_144353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Rg1JBClt71DP58D0OtzG1SqkfDYpPxm_9Ey2W1LlPvBjekFo8dBjN6tE80yW1NFf6SPhqhQly0pXe3WndXXdpilsJOd7OIZD5MzJENPLfpljsukGd50jb0HT4TPAITam08VBy-PmAg3LucUUmSyUtxpLvpVMP6_pzFdsASH0_EYPU9NUesnn-X30KsJp/w640-h480/20230517_144353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I have a video of the last bit of the house finally giving up and falling in. I sat on the tractor and watched and shed more tears, but it was a relief to see it done. Amazing how strong the construction was; they don't build them like that any more.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9yiSG0qLu9eHGRskCXx1sFQ6NoVs-LCDYjWJQsVh22y-BeG4HapOjF_Kt4sYOCrJZZVfGVlM1xnLs55Cnp4SX8MHcK5nD9-XJYjkgwbjGhtjH61P1i0NoJ5eAjKKr89NF1pleeOlmk2n18m4maoO4JxZU6GzcJfuFzpYYdPXcMxY3x17rp65cnlzWIbP/s4032/20230517_155530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9yiSG0qLu9eHGRskCXx1sFQ6NoVs-LCDYjWJQsVh22y-BeG4HapOjF_Kt4sYOCrJZZVfGVlM1xnLs55Cnp4SX8MHcK5nD9-XJYjkgwbjGhtjH61P1i0NoJ5eAjKKr89NF1pleeOlmk2n18m4maoO4JxZU6GzcJfuFzpYYdPXcMxY3x17rp65cnlzWIbP/w640-h480/20230517_155530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Down to the foundation now, but a lot of picking up to do.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp0yj4vjwNzJTXaZes8kom8LoOzIpTAeSczY_m7IBWF2PLaE-HpVWPfZiQqAxeb6IPnQdTMoBoKAROavfTmiLNnZHosbM3L-kmaAFEmZP5nFyHZ7Ijcly4_vjI6A0IIZ1I6ZNnRL6oRPPLUMIFsVIyC0NJ6_ILZTmdgE1bvMPgFd-kCli3h_AElrMUmyO/s4032/20230517_155533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnp0yj4vjwNzJTXaZes8kom8LoOzIpTAeSczY_m7IBWF2PLaE-HpVWPfZiQqAxeb6IPnQdTMoBoKAROavfTmiLNnZHosbM3L-kmaAFEmZP5nFyHZ7Ijcly4_vjI6A0IIZ1I6ZNnRL6oRPPLUMIFsVIyC0NJ6_ILZTmdgE1bvMPgFd-kCli3h_AElrMUmyO/w640-h480/20230517_155533.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OLXAje5ZyLmRsHGAkyftiT05aPcgMCs0Pu5bdhiWfSC7XBv19hFhP-sALbgxD6EHiTHuL5RaXu_uGDyqIGN3l5IxqbqfErNAQDzpfQ2mfJQ_l9f2ulQMAiPwoqwG5UtOyKyHO70EOp9sTEWedxWKCG4wFYUoyT0zGUc8NCjm9RX_Y8sKzl59_pu3K6bp/s4032/20230517_164258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OLXAje5ZyLmRsHGAkyftiT05aPcgMCs0Pu5bdhiWfSC7XBv19hFhP-sALbgxD6EHiTHuL5RaXu_uGDyqIGN3l5IxqbqfErNAQDzpfQ2mfJQ_l9f2ulQMAiPwoqwG5UtOyKyHO70EOp9sTEWedxWKCG4wFYUoyT0zGUc8NCjm9RX_Y8sKzl59_pu3K6bp/w640-h480/20230517_164258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWbVBf2Wxzm8rws0Mu3mYdY7nuoQTydVGKbQsPUdiWsSRO2fyQk6II3kyGZw85KmQ5GkyHfSehPajjbyB2ro64XarVVGnAqlgpSn90KIWJ2qIDXOTm7KEcA-vnqZ5SX--N5yoa0JRgKpD2EnRQuXJdo0XtIWF2BAwOigdDvKt-jPkT_igmA1A-lEXrFl-/s4032/20230517_164305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWbVBf2Wxzm8rws0Mu3mYdY7nuoQTydVGKbQsPUdiWsSRO2fyQk6II3kyGZw85KmQ5GkyHfSehPajjbyB2ro64XarVVGnAqlgpSn90KIWJ2qIDXOTm7KEcA-vnqZ5SX--N5yoa0JRgKpD2EnRQuXJdo0XtIWF2BAwOigdDvKt-jPkT_igmA1A-lEXrFl-/w640-h480/20230517_164305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGHpIAmq-1LDEOnB9ccpX2LsXLxKrROuC-AwZJWbc1kvnDjbQBzqY4SCh_WRhxSbUgsrGzdJ7nYBPSABLjg12EAtn6Xxto0bTSJFXv3wqk7PO0pJCV7hO6U9x8NW18lq66fqGbXG9dlgKJI2FzyJvG-IDV5EkxgEJaFc2OtXU5GPGIfwbxMLO331pNekd/s4608/20230517_202933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGHpIAmq-1LDEOnB9ccpX2LsXLxKrROuC-AwZJWbc1kvnDjbQBzqY4SCh_WRhxSbUgsrGzdJ7nYBPSABLjg12EAtn6Xxto0bTSJFXv3wqk7PO0pJCV7hO6U9x8NW18lq66fqGbXG9dlgKJI2FzyJvG-IDV5EkxgEJaFc2OtXU5GPGIfwbxMLO331pNekd/w480-h640/20230517_202933.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">And, just like that, the 103 year old house was a mere memory. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Though I know Mom was fiercely devoted to her home, I think she would have approved. She was never one to be overly sentimental about things and was always practical. She loved her little great-granddaughter, Audrey, with all her heart, and I'm sure she'd be happy to know she's living back on the farm, too.<br /><br />It's only been a few months now, and we're still caught off guard at times when we look out the window and the house is not there. It was a landmark for over a century, after all. <br /><br />All things come to an end, but for me, the memories remain.</span><br /> <p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-75166537528894617102023-08-18T23:17:00.001-05:002023-08-18T23:17:15.726-05:00August 19, 2023 April Antics<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Right on schedule in late March, warmer temperatures arrived and the spring thaw was here. Joel was able to kayak down from his house to ours right before dark one night.<br /></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JoeuX9K4btzIToIUVH-FE9X4f0O4UPLxAJO7QGoUB9rpsOmqcGsV-H_yJgKX57q0zaTIF-rlFHmSonzzr33zG31hHNVKbT3ETlNSzmJ2i0u3mLHgQZd4cdTcRHdLdM6NcjZrbRW9s6Hw9lu91eePfF7hGMKUjdF3_XjxY2WurJqRd3tg9itLcJ-vrlG8/s4032/20230403_175358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JoeuX9K4btzIToIUVH-FE9X4f0O4UPLxAJO7QGoUB9rpsOmqcGsV-H_yJgKX57q0zaTIF-rlFHmSonzzr33zG31hHNVKbT3ETlNSzmJ2i0u3mLHgQZd4cdTcRHdLdM6NcjZrbRW9s6Hw9lu91eePfF7hGMKUjdF3_XjxY2WurJqRd3tg9itLcJ-vrlG8/w480-h640/20230403_175358.jpg" width="480" /> </a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We reassembled the greenhouse before all the snow melted in preparation for seed planting. Joel and Audrey make a great team.</span> <br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowMI6chNFthqIDho8ic-wUAgT7uvLzMr3zHycemLyLPOwxPJkO-MfeeuwX7q7pbxnIsKiKUlObAwRxEVEbAGpUC9D0lEbcEKIORRlT_lbdQNKnfi7JClPLBGk4DcbCrbgom6uPoNiwMRz6mLK85pSZFyb5ySErHWuxgfVJX_NO-tQNXfZl-_0Y-f50708/s4032/20230327_181123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowMI6chNFthqIDho8ic-wUAgT7uvLzMr3zHycemLyLPOwxPJkO-MfeeuwX7q7pbxnIsKiKUlObAwRxEVEbAGpUC9D0lEbcEKIORRlT_lbdQNKnfi7JClPLBGk4DcbCrbgom6uPoNiwMRz6mLK85pSZFyb5ySErHWuxgfVJX_NO-tQNXfZl-_0Y-f50708/w480-h640/20230327_181123.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIxhWvBtKnkXbFbA6GU6FMfhJMdbuR-pjThD_G0FHz3k1eQQ8RxvNSqHe6IjQH20-S2lyfKkjJAsOR8_JK7Rxi9TICvNoYWL91iXNrXLQQWD7rj7Pmstr1PDZtIg1Kd4qBCKCNGKn_eaPUY57gRbwN3JUH_HsD_ElCufueSrrtavF47bKRhz8MbVPjbzu/s4032/20230403_193557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIxhWvBtKnkXbFbA6GU6FMfhJMdbuR-pjThD_G0FHz3k1eQQ8RxvNSqHe6IjQH20-S2lyfKkjJAsOR8_JK7Rxi9TICvNoYWL91iXNrXLQQWD7rj7Pmstr1PDZtIg1Kd4qBCKCNGKn_eaPUY57gRbwN3JUH_HsD_ElCufueSrrtavF47bKRhz8MbVPjbzu/w480-h640/20230403_193557.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Reinstalling all the plumbing for the heat tables takes Carl a good day to accomplish, but it is much more efficient to provide the plants with bottom heat than to heat the entire greenhouse. This year's plant count was just over 3000 annual and vegetable seeds which is about average.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The greenhouse is only up from late March until June; it would make more sense to keep it up all year round, but the location isn't ideal, so for now, it is the ritual every year. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Once I had the seeds in the ground, it was time to do another annual chore, bending, welding and painting cemetery planters. Carl's late father has made these planters for decades and after he entered assisted living, the torch was passed onto Carl. He spends weeks cutting, bending and welding the iron before I get involved with the painting. With our good friends, Jerry and Terry's help, we were able to get them all painted in one day. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofTp5lhrAIqsDYb64X7umlvcszyK7P-L4UBCzodeFOFhA6b8GoXBkjFmx7FJymyKfJwXzupVUQMOMbVL4Yzuhfh_ljzxmvMmuZtmbfUleDBnukxb9ztRkEeq6aAQ4RT0kiFi8A2XYqz78GNmjcisqLTTg8OGssl9l8ZexXmIqDFSsO6If46bOChIYKEh5/s640/IMG952950(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofTp5lhrAIqsDYb64X7umlvcszyK7P-L4UBCzodeFOFhA6b8GoXBkjFmx7FJymyKfJwXzupVUQMOMbVL4Yzuhfh_ljzxmvMmuZtmbfUleDBnukxb9ztRkEeq6aAQ4RT0kiFi8A2XYqz78GNmjcisqLTTg8OGssl9l8ZexXmIqDFSsO6If46bOChIYKEh5/w480-h640/IMG952950(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Yes, I've got a cool hat.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckZt6Ae_mfCufLTIWjCvlOqpXzwp06GjFdAJSANjikFIv4fmKBKKd66kcKhw4wMzD6rEa_la-0OJ7eJV9SfcgPURVda8e0_r9cNFCixnoq4dfAAK7gnH3CgCWX3xdUISCriUJJaKPTaaWuOIc8jP_UzLapXLUCBpciwBrL0fezuc6LgoRexw8C4_KPISz/s480/IMG952951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckZt6Ae_mfCufLTIWjCvlOqpXzwp06GjFdAJSANjikFIv4fmKBKKd66kcKhw4wMzD6rEa_la-0OJ7eJV9SfcgPURVda8e0_r9cNFCixnoq4dfAAK7gnH3CgCWX3xdUISCriUJJaKPTaaWuOIc8jP_UzLapXLUCBpciwBrL0fezuc6LgoRexw8C4_KPISz/w480-h640/IMG952951.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Jerry and Carl hard at work with the paint.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_88NunDB_xemOqKWYb3BVgYDSEjP8Jt2loixSlAcbnuRLg42Hr-BTq9o0JeDVnGUhnNlv5TAMW0VaX77ks1IR2Kg2dfOKUfbB9N6aJa3pPJDZUt3H-fmoNmJHgF-hr-VqGA02gQKx_UtD9rfrI8tNdwB_oFvaq3OVoUzm3dJIKJU210_-kzr630vJ0zQB/s480/IMG952946(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_88NunDB_xemOqKWYb3BVgYDSEjP8Jt2loixSlAcbnuRLg42Hr-BTq9o0JeDVnGUhnNlv5TAMW0VaX77ks1IR2Kg2dfOKUfbB9N6aJa3pPJDZUt3H-fmoNmJHgF-hr-VqGA02gQKx_UtD9rfrI8tNdwB_oFvaq3OVoUzm3dJIKJU210_-kzr630vJ0zQB/w640-h480/IMG952946(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For early April, it was a very hot day and we were glad to get the chore done. Several local greenhouses purchase from us every year for their customers. Carl can spot them from the car whenever we drive through a graveyard. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">With the planters done and the seeds planted, we had a little time to decide what was next on the agenda. <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglAUpMme-cukK_MT--xgLOSDm-Bb-bOcl0ZaWJ3Wgf-A-dW938PEH-ei15n4MsFmBV195i6buuj-22J8QljJJa_XVwn6sEHIaJFfDpnO-EZgtykm7ilPlacEW0F5jkSwVJVwaTJb7pOnn4-EenNg2qqwkA1O5uPPCvWUP0fY-unSQWMvVR-4LPmv-fSZi/s4032/20230516_124440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglAUpMme-cukK_MT--xgLOSDm-Bb-bOcl0ZaWJ3Wgf-A-dW938PEH-ei15n4MsFmBV195i6buuj-22J8QljJJa_XVwn6sEHIaJFfDpnO-EZgtykm7ilPlacEW0F5jkSwVJVwaTJb7pOnn4-EenNg2qqwkA1O5uPPCvWUP0fY-unSQWMvVR-4LPmv-fSZi/w480-h640/20230516_124440.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebQ_lELGwR4LZhGJVPWUP6qC-ZZQfRBCNJBSRrEggqxLHV8XLOeYTeeAIWUvVVaFXm1pZxwjNCL8SeqsM0WY7nJ1PF8i63gHJinmF6lCPFrrCN7fnH6nbwz38SRERomUMB7T-7n4dd6rQh6h2pP2Odbvws4DnmIBxzPf4D56dSfqGs-62UVTpxqrjTILr/s4032/20230427_174400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebQ_lELGwR4LZhGJVPWUP6qC-ZZQfRBCNJBSRrEggqxLHV8XLOeYTeeAIWUvVVaFXm1pZxwjNCL8SeqsM0WY7nJ1PF8i63gHJinmF6lCPFrrCN7fnH6nbwz38SRERomUMB7T-7n4dd6rQh6h2pP2Odbvws4DnmIBxzPf4D56dSfqGs-62UVTpxqrjTILr/w640-h480/20230427_174400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The spring flowers were putting on their show though we barely had time to look at them. Our hens were enjoying their time roaming around the garden, looking for bugs and scratching all of the mulch out onto the lawn. Oh, chickens, you gotta love 'em. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyRs2dix8UyAicTR9_aeOZJDWu3ecvlcziNIEiV50FwmrcNCUWmnSua3WJUTuW1ekEQk6e5kK_ynO8cfZoFpRBpMc4lZiOaB9b5JkeCZNj2z_vx5Nom07jU9QMIx5QJbgVijQhZ93sQWjs8yv7JLcYgOyfQT3E7oGF1pFF04qxkGBp0nB9bp-IfZZRfAI/s4032/20230427_170604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyRs2dix8UyAicTR9_aeOZJDWu3ecvlcziNIEiV50FwmrcNCUWmnSua3WJUTuW1ekEQk6e5kK_ynO8cfZoFpRBpMc4lZiOaB9b5JkeCZNj2z_vx5Nom07jU9QMIx5QJbgVijQhZ93sQWjs8yv7JLcYgOyfQT3E7oGF1pFF04qxkGBp0nB9bp-IfZZRfAI/w480-h640/20230427_170604.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0ywR4BoonBeryDCzjty3rM39MVKBASTagBRPChEyTcnZmC3pVM6e3RdsTsqeuM60l95fxS8F0lbsOtfnQcy84kngmdsz9ZSh7Kp-NmKT6Kz4nnC_KFS-jy1td3GNIy23e8gkkQLHv-M48HZk2WNiaCUU8PFHeKnc_VJYQXRSgETN3riPbJKVPViO6D8Y/s4032/20230427_170527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0ywR4BoonBeryDCzjty3rM39MVKBASTagBRPChEyTcnZmC3pVM6e3RdsTsqeuM60l95fxS8F0lbsOtfnQcy84kngmdsz9ZSh7Kp-NmKT6Kz4nnC_KFS-jy1td3GNIy23e8gkkQLHv-M48HZk2WNiaCUU8PFHeKnc_VJYQXRSgETN3riPbJKVPViO6D8Y/w480-h640/20230427_170527.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What I really don't love about them is their strolls across the front porch. I haven't porch-trained them yet, and they leave evidence about every two feet on the concrete. Such a mess! Time for screens on the porch next year.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipgWUDmN8irFMTPpo176x6jHqZunOeBUDuW3Gw_Ng9An0vCNdHim2fVVVqZFBlbQmcCkjuPS_88azyv0mJHt5i63I7rkcWHPtKhM-XEoTz-Fg0rs7ec_8oRrJPHzYPOb2SYUowFl_JhUmD0UtpofmU-ArLlVw6ydZDmfg7VKRZB8CiN0yw6Xnvi9AMFWq/s4032/20230706_113256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipgWUDmN8irFMTPpo176x6jHqZunOeBUDuW3Gw_Ng9An0vCNdHim2fVVVqZFBlbQmcCkjuPS_88azyv0mJHt5i63I7rkcWHPtKhM-XEoTz-Fg0rs7ec_8oRrJPHzYPOb2SYUowFl_JhUmD0UtpofmU-ArLlVw6ydZDmfg7VKRZB8CiN0yw6Xnvi9AMFWq/s320/20230706_113256.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Carl was able to reinstall his ball fountain creation by the front porch this spring. We'd disassembled it back in 2019 for the remodel and it sat forlornly in a pile for the last four years. He had to make quite a few repairs and adjustments which took a few weeks to perfect. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X5n4OWigVvuZnO5yEphr0lm-BP94-AwwpYhYNot7f-kfxO0vRcJ2NnG_SbZOCjro5z0WoVtIBHshvchsaKfNSAYXl3uqHmhXNJo_5ntNkb1y-Ux5EgNP6jctS3AeiWvAwLGu8LoI0oIQ_alO_-TPpEwQRpc-RJaXnN2lTiokLF-ld7KoulkdlogtkjlL/s4032/20230516_124448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-X5n4OWigVvuZnO5yEphr0lm-BP94-AwwpYhYNot7f-kfxO0vRcJ2NnG_SbZOCjro5z0WoVtIBHshvchsaKfNSAYXl3uqHmhXNJo_5ntNkb1y-Ux5EgNP6jctS3AeiWvAwLGu8LoI0oIQ_alO_-TPpEwQRpc-RJaXnN2lTiokLF-ld7KoulkdlogtkjlL/w480-h640/20230516_124448.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We had overwintered a slew of geraniums and coleus last fall and I was able to make about 100 cuttings. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUbWKdCWxcHOSFODlQB5XfbxU0WazIKo_t2DfWaUGhOyvYudy-qYqjJHB5F6jmlanh-C06eRdpr-deIPQSoGI940Xi6VV0Zv339meV2UoPSoxJC0rxr7y3BKwNPfXtHWS_27jElNGAHd7NzrWoBIHw_C6oeFiaKclT0U_sz9rhUNRuLDAQ78uSfW17ag7/s4032/20230511_194111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUbWKdCWxcHOSFODlQB5XfbxU0WazIKo_t2DfWaUGhOyvYudy-qYqjJHB5F6jmlanh-C06eRdpr-deIPQSoGI940Xi6VV0Zv339meV2UoPSoxJC0rxr7y3BKwNPfXtHWS_27jElNGAHd7NzrWoBIHw_C6oeFiaKclT0U_sz9rhUNRuLDAQ78uSfW17ag7/w480-h640/20230511_194111.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Before long, the greenhouse was chocked full, especially when we made a few visits to greenhouses. So, at this point in late April, things were on schedule, not much to do at the moment other than keep things watered and fertilized until planting in early June. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What to do with the month of May? Well, it was time to bid my late parent's home goodbye. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Up next.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><br /></p><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-53757240952416066762023-08-18T01:47:00.003-05:002023-08-18T01:48:39.225-05:00August 18, 2023 The Parties are Over<p> <span style="font-size: large;">The last time I wrote anything, there was still snow on the ground and here we are at the end of summer once again. I cannot believe how time slips through my fingers, even though I vow to appreciate each and every day (and I do.) Once the snow melts, everything happens so fast, especially when Spring arrives. Wisconsin growing seasons are short, so much is packed into June through September or October, if we're lucky, before the killing frost ends it all for one more year.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here are the same views, less than five months apart. <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZW19YIZA4vzYZ-yNnRV790kssjb9q7oB7x1F0fsTmtjFWFeU3hifZcoXkUBtPKJLmslxsvUK8j1qfaSXOXEq5f3Zmu67XsOklv_4dZzsBfx-ggfEINGAZfOAjU3rJ1ivpvSYBRjhzCDRlpa1ARCl9gcW9G1nm7PAYZ0pmGNWNr0CzzU8v-oin4A6izda/s4032/20230227_114624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZW19YIZA4vzYZ-yNnRV790kssjb9q7oB7x1F0fsTmtjFWFeU3hifZcoXkUBtPKJLmslxsvUK8j1qfaSXOXEq5f3Zmu67XsOklv_4dZzsBfx-ggfEINGAZfOAjU3rJ1ivpvSYBRjhzCDRlpa1ARCl9gcW9G1nm7PAYZ0pmGNWNr0CzzU8v-oin4A6izda/w480-h640/20230227_114624.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7N2rZ5K1qbv2D-KejcSGa5RH8wQgX6cXhFevxicxdw5DeUgJxeetbLJrbiMhsE5eWSHK9rSXXSqDoacjxuDEccYFCPguzVA8ugwRdR4WJTsILTSF9wP0OcxtgeYdPaXxHok__V8zpkSLGn4XOhhA2piQVyuPpGlSQMY7G2BzIonFsTQXiMTctguIBxc-2/s4032/20230809_122744.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7N2rZ5K1qbv2D-KejcSGa5RH8wQgX6cXhFevxicxdw5DeUgJxeetbLJrbiMhsE5eWSHK9rSXXSqDoacjxuDEccYFCPguzVA8ugwRdR4WJTsILTSF9wP0OcxtgeYdPaXxHok__V8zpkSLGn4XOhhA2piQVyuPpGlSQMY7G2BzIonFsTQXiMTctguIBxc-2/w640-h480/20230809_122744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It's been a very busy year to say the least. But the parties are over and all that is left is to recap the events, coming up next. <br /><br />It feels good to sit down.<br /><br /></span><br /><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-22767780764065339342023-03-13T02:46:00.001-05:002023-03-13T02:46:11.709-05:00Another Sunday, Another Snowstorm<p> <span style="font-size: large;">As I started writing this on Sunday afternoon, the snow was gently wafting down past the upstairs windows. Every now and then a startlingly brilliant flash of red would appear as two male cardinals fought over who is the boss of the bird feeders. Even though the feeders are at ground level, the spat rose to the height of the second story as the birds settled their argument, albeit, grudgingly, and went back to scrounging in the snow for sunflower seeds. Another Sunday afternoon, another blizzard.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5UXcy4FYhvDXIfWCXA2cyfR_mzJoAAk4IDwAuuWiAwMLJwYj-qmLhGZXwtUVWS5GZ-BLDcY-s2sbNSxyz7N9RMgAYFkk1FgGFpxF93uhikz9nF1i-cXBpQCxF2yO4aHMqqvKHd2jFYjmbmAWwXyq5cY-q5-ccD1C_Tuaj8b4b-a_va0_br2JxQ3LrA/s4032/20230312_180110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5UXcy4FYhvDXIfWCXA2cyfR_mzJoAAk4IDwAuuWiAwMLJwYj-qmLhGZXwtUVWS5GZ-BLDcY-s2sbNSxyz7N9RMgAYFkk1FgGFpxF93uhikz9nF1i-cXBpQCxF2yO4aHMqqvKHd2jFYjmbmAWwXyq5cY-q5-ccD1C_Tuaj8b4b-a_va0_br2JxQ3LrA/w480-h640/20230312_180110.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd5wIjsprfW2cdNCpZoOT3UQoYKWD8yimlF13doQh0Wik1jcAo-aTkUAmGVSCjwU0fVKePlWtTeBcFp120X0tljAUA6QTaM4ar_-MxQXnttgwMLFjVRnuXykpEoNowlIJFxtb4cqbIFd_CAI7AFasunLGiGWsxo3e49KEjk3izniYYkOCTT70JKWpoQ/s4032/20230312_180235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd5wIjsprfW2cdNCpZoOT3UQoYKWD8yimlF13doQh0Wik1jcAo-aTkUAmGVSCjwU0fVKePlWtTeBcFp120X0tljAUA6QTaM4ar_-MxQXnttgwMLFjVRnuXykpEoNowlIJFxtb4cqbIFd_CAI7AFasunLGiGWsxo3e49KEjk3izniYYkOCTT70JKWpoQ/w480-h640/20230312_180235.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> This blizzard, for me at least, lacks the intensity of a December/February assault as much of the snow is melting simultaneously. However, I've not been out on the roads driving, so what that is like at the moment, I can only hazard a guess. Slippery, I'm sure.</span><p></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span><!--more--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgcIlx8p6UUQy4vb8HQmOlVKXfOH4EN5ovXQqU1kN9s17jTWNJKHiyU7iUKxOKWZhfXwMJxUunjgEuGbwUiWPmmLli42-Gp_MPj4G8Eq062WoDxQ2GmIcHz2WvoVkdWylngvsD5FtR2Bokxc9l3yhz1dRWgY8ZTOQ36Id2FqoisH9c-LAzfKPL8cZCg/s4032/20230228_174228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgcIlx8p6UUQy4vb8HQmOlVKXfOH4EN5ovXQqU1kN9s17jTWNJKHiyU7iUKxOKWZhfXwMJxUunjgEuGbwUiWPmmLli42-Gp_MPj4G8Eq062WoDxQ2GmIcHz2WvoVkdWylngvsD5FtR2Bokxc9l3yhz1dRWgY8ZTOQ36Id2FqoisH9c-LAzfKPL8cZCg/w480-h640/20230228_174228.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">With all of the snow on the ground, the stuff that falls off the roof of the garage behind the house is making it increasingly difficult to get to the chicken coop. I have been skiing around the house to get to them at night, while Carl braves the snow piles to reach them in the morning. Spring is truly very close, especially now that the days are getting longer, but it will be awhile until all of this fluff is melted. These pictures were taken a few days ago, but it has been snowing over twenty-four hours now, so it will be quite interesting to see what daylight brings.<br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlRqZlhiH2Piwu41yx3aJGcj_GYgeNVmT_Kvx8lm6mIQJxxA1in--Ey12jqDiHYQsHypwTPIw7I5y2FavolxRjy70eBFFrKjPHIq5jjGpWyZjY9VxUY8-Y3bEeOCh5BgUfuSNAXAC9Ip2HreXeA5qfeD4yk9Q-pcrXh34dbAnecXthhbbFnbdnIi7NQ/s4032/20230228_174700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlRqZlhiH2Piwu41yx3aJGcj_GYgeNVmT_Kvx8lm6mIQJxxA1in--Ey12jqDiHYQsHypwTPIw7I5y2FavolxRjy70eBFFrKjPHIq5jjGpWyZjY9VxUY8-Y3bEeOCh5BgUfuSNAXAC9Ip2HreXeA5qfeD4yk9Q-pcrXh34dbAnecXthhbbFnbdnIi7NQ/w480-h640/20230228_174700.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">With the extra hour of light tonight, I was able to set off on my evening walk an hour later. In no time at all, my black coat was plastered white. Going west with the wind was relatively easy, but going back east was not pleasant as the wind-driven flakes were sharp when they smacked me in the face. Thank goodness for walking backwards again, as it made both my knees and my face much happier. I was amazed at how fast my tracks were disappearing as by the time I reached the end of my route and turned back for home, there was no sign I'd ever been there at all.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFofy9fvyvuaQja5YwwkqxbUofeBONtC6mqimCzPAjJF_YoStNO8ldy-Airyb_nhUVPwAkVKCCHpH70WKg2BYzwzb26dPDqYAxNBv7LluM468OwjUMVtswxTCnS1OhGeO3Fl3N5GpQlM7e-3RAf4F_kTo0TZvBrVXz4dk0baVk4gWqRNF8oWB3dzlWuQ/s4032/20230312_182108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFofy9fvyvuaQja5YwwkqxbUofeBONtC6mqimCzPAjJF_YoStNO8ldy-Airyb_nhUVPwAkVKCCHpH70WKg2BYzwzb26dPDqYAxNBv7LluM468OwjUMVtswxTCnS1OhGeO3Fl3N5GpQlM7e-3RAf4F_kTo0TZvBrVXz4dk0baVk4gWqRNF8oWB3dzlWuQ/w480-h640/20230312_182108.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I guess with me, it's always the little things that fascinate, but watching the snowflakes fly by my head and then hit the blacktop and disappear into the road surface was mesmerizing. <br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskFUalex6YDuIbEC2bsWziadZ8qJ26rDl4u6bLlTJCQJeN-QfmT8k5ujmwk7AVJ2_5zJLkqZG6ym9Jj69kl4qWRz5dCzrufk7gyT-XfwRB6JVBFWJy6ZLYbQ-atyMzzxPFZ_WwjxrG8M2f0lXx706gnljGV9OLjXOdzFQSUo1eY4GQ6lZV1vZAmqfKw/s4032/20230312_182111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskFUalex6YDuIbEC2bsWziadZ8qJ26rDl4u6bLlTJCQJeN-QfmT8k5ujmwk7AVJ2_5zJLkqZG6ym9Jj69kl4qWRz5dCzrufk7gyT-XfwRB6JVBFWJy6ZLYbQ-atyMzzxPFZ_WwjxrG8M2f0lXx706gnljGV9OLjXOdzFQSUo1eY4GQ6lZV1vZAmqfKw/w480-h640/20230312_182111.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">I kept plodding on until I hit my 10,000 step mark and finally came in for the night. By the time darkness fell, the road was white and the driveway was just a little less than knee-deep. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETBB0RjbODyRr8XxjYqZcqyEb-O6OE-qceYPxQ_-erYzwb_9cITQA8hVF_5nSg9THVil1VX1o6_ki-56trIrCfiTYZtGqNnD7P4KMptyIEyveufUhcGn8PeXBGUUD_Fx7n-FYPgGhbcY2cd_6O3AI6Jp5V0D51494ODDfcH5us76P5FFYpprq_G4fpg/s4032/20230312_145136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETBB0RjbODyRr8XxjYqZcqyEb-O6OE-qceYPxQ_-erYzwb_9cITQA8hVF_5nSg9THVil1VX1o6_ki-56trIrCfiTYZtGqNnD7P4KMptyIEyveufUhcGn8PeXBGUUD_Fx7n-FYPgGhbcY2cd_6O3AI6Jp5V0D51494ODDfcH5us76P5FFYpprq_G4fpg/w480-h640/20230312_145136.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Having this much snow in March isn't unheard of, but there have been years when we'd have crocus blooming in the past by now. This is a truly old-fashioned winter, though it seems we had a nice reprieve earlier in the year.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOktuc1ZdyPvHDfadj1UnQokSVSS5XqHq2T5dN1VO9zX_hY11asCMST54fa3c3Ct_5qrnWqSfZeFFznKIhQ9VlZ8d8G2IRwIcO_9R9TRD22ge9coOLyOlnf25Wt6KSrQ9O4gN9_n2gT_WO8DxUuppivq2Qib0ARvykelabYr6zhcEQIGwGpBuQwxP4Q/s4032/20230303_174845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOktuc1ZdyPvHDfadj1UnQokSVSS5XqHq2T5dN1VO9zX_hY11asCMST54fa3c3Ct_5qrnWqSfZeFFznKIhQ9VlZ8d8G2IRwIcO_9R9TRD22ge9coOLyOlnf25Wt6KSrQ9O4gN9_n2gT_WO8DxUuppivq2Qib0ARvykelabYr6zhcEQIGwGpBuQwxP4Q/w480-h640/20230303_174845.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Just last weekend, we had a lot less snow. And some sunshine. I guess the forecast is for snow to continue until at least noon Monday and then we can all get our shovels out and set to removing it.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I spent the last two weekends touring twenty-two newly built and freshly remodeled homes with Joel and Audrey and our friends who are thinking of building a new home. Carl didn't care to join in on the tours as we are done with remodeling projects for now, so he stayed home and worked on his projects. I enjoy the house tours, but have to admit for the most part, they are all very similar to each other right down to the floor plans and color schemes. Really, the only change since 2018 when we last went on the tours was the trend to go from gray flooring and walls and white painted trim to 2023's white painted trim and beige walls and flooring. In other words, white painted trim and cabinets was pretty much standard, unless the woodwork was painted (or stained?) very, very dark, almost black. But the vast majority of the floors were a pale color of white oak hardwood or luxury vinyl tile and bedroom carpeting reminiscent of unbleached tan dinner napkins at fast food restaurants. I guess it's what sells. The open concept house plan is also still very much in style, too. Kitchen, dining and living rooms are one vast area often with lofty ceiling heights reminiscent of an arena or a barn, but they are dramatic, I'll admit. Lots of natural light, which is nice, but at night, I'd feel as if I were in a fish bowl. I guess that's what curtains were made for. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There wasn't one house in my price range and some were in the true nose-bleed territory of a seven figures, gigantic 6000+ square foot homes with basketball courts and home theaters, indoor pools and mother-in-law suites. That's where the fun comes in, to see what these mansions are really like on the inside. I truly do not envy the people who call them home, to each their own. Just don't ask me to clean them!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukbIUsmWEblL1mA5099VjicK4vs7xAgUQr3Yfzilg2YIdl97ndESAmR4SJe3QwbCacG1v0WPjORYfsqd-Sutgr4f1yk3So-XlLsU3QzMudkYobSgxuyH6HAP0rd-k13afoEVEzmS2gjkDAeelGXFuv1mpLEX9hiKBA4llTvTeADfa-PB3XA0r5HQ1Yw/s4032/20230223_020732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukbIUsmWEblL1mA5099VjicK4vs7xAgUQr3Yfzilg2YIdl97ndESAmR4SJe3QwbCacG1v0WPjORYfsqd-Sutgr4f1yk3So-XlLsU3QzMudkYobSgxuyH6HAP0rd-k13afoEVEzmS2gjkDAeelGXFuv1mpLEX9hiKBA4llTvTeADfa-PB3XA0r5HQ1Yw/w480-h640/20230223_020732.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Other than curiously touring new homes, late winter has been broken up by a few odd occurrences. One night around 9:30pm Carl and I were watching TV when the unmistakable sound of rapid gunfire not coming from the show we were watching got our attention. We scurried into the living room and shut off the house lights when more shots were fired. There was a car just past our house parked on the road facing us and by their headlights I could make out a few people milling around. <br /><br />Joel called simultaneously to ask what was going on down here and proceeded to drive out of his driveway and follow for a short distance. Before he got close to it, the car left. There was no way to identify it as it was covered in snow. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I walked down the road after they left, worried something or, heaven forbid, someone, had been shot. Thankfully, all I found was over thirty shell casings in the road, some 9mm, some 45's. Target shooting out here in the country isn't unheard of, but that many rounds, that late at night isn't normal, so we did call the authorities. When they arrived, there wasn't much they could do but collect the spent ammunition, ask questions and take photos. I could see the tracks in the snowy field that showed the shots had been fired into the field and not in our general direction. There was no footprints of anything in the ditch or field, animal or human, so I guess they were just having fun with guns in the middle of the night. It's what I choose to believe, anyway. It's been quiet for a few weeks now, thank goodness, but you never know.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a completely different twist, my friend Terry asked me to attend a Donkey Basketball game at our local high school two weeks ago. I haven't ever been a fan of basketball, but the thought of people having to ride donkeys in the gymnasium while trying to score points was worth the pain of sitting on uncomfortable bleacher seats. I believe the official tally for the entire game was two points, by the way. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Just watching the players try to mount their steeds and get them to move was funny enough, but add in one donkey who defiantly bucked non-stop launching any wannabe rider, and another donkey who would stop suddenly and lower his head so the riders slid off his back was hilarious. It was the most fun I've had at a basketball game ever.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtFYhhAeSgb-eEs1mCYnD_7QDoVWdaFbaDMGFVPWsjHwZQjR5XMLzew3spgqOWmisG0qlgwboHxHiamJ53Fv_0cXUZlivw6V4Pk0qbysA1ITKBXrAPcKeuWSSkUrYw8nY3HQ5ZMU-02lpL413kmx0xkYOFk59V9KS0HzFMJo2a7NvQRJwCAbPWTwx6w/s4032/20230228_191720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtFYhhAeSgb-eEs1mCYnD_7QDoVWdaFbaDMGFVPWsjHwZQjR5XMLzew3spgqOWmisG0qlgwboHxHiamJ53Fv_0cXUZlivw6V4Pk0qbysA1ITKBXrAPcKeuWSSkUrYw8nY3HQ5ZMU-02lpL413kmx0xkYOFk59V9KS0HzFMJo2a7NvQRJwCAbPWTwx6w/w640-h480/20230228_191720.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Turns out, donkeys really don't like basketball, either.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Winters are long around Wisconsin, but they certainly aren't boring around here.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-69721136995658060752023-02-13T01:19:00.003-06:002023-02-13T01:19:55.793-06:00Walking Backwards Through Life<p> <span style="font-size: large;">You've heard it said before, 'Hindsight is 20/20'. I suspect for almost everyone, this adage holds true. If I'd only known what would have happened when confronted with many decisions throughout my life I could have avoided a great deal of pain and subsequent regret. But, it is also said that life can only be lived moving forward. We cannot go back.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I'm an avid walker, five miles a day, on average. I'm not an athlete by any means, not apt to break any land speed records. I walk for my health, both physical and mental. It is obvious the older I get that walking won't be the magic exercise to shed all the pesky pounds that have somehow hitched a ride on my midsection. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I read somewhere stress is a big culprit. I have had my share of stress, starting from when I was a young child. Things at home were always tense as my father had a hair-trigger temper which led to my mother and me walking on eggshells for decades. Waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop all my life led to anxiety, worry, sleeplessness and a massive craving of sugar to cope. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I was still farming up until I was twenty, and was able to counter any weight gain with the higher metabolism of youth. Though it wasn't something I was consciously trying to do, muscle-building activities, such as tossing bales of hay around and carrying forty pound milk pails to and fro on a daily basis probably allowed me to eat far more and not see any weight gain. Farming is all about weight-lifting, and being exhausted at the end of the day, hitting the pillow and being instantly asleep.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, then I married at twenty, going from hard physical labor to working an office job for a decade, and slowly, the weight came on. I was never a thin girl, but my height was an advantage and could hide a lot of flaws on my frame. Motherhood at twenty-eight and again at thirty-two coupled with even more sedentary activities added a few more ounces and then the big one, menopause dealt the biggest blow of all. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, not quite the biggest, I guess, the diagnosis and subsequent surgeries since 2021 haven't helped one bit. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Since my mastectomies, I look like a little old man with a large pot belly. Not very attractive to say the least. As blows go, cancer is a tough one. Though so far I have no further evidence of disease, I was not able to tolerate the prescribed hormone blockers; the additional pain of rapidly increased joint issues, liver and kidney function decreases, insomnia and depression, led me to make the decision to forego the treatment and see what happens. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The oncologist isn't happy with me, but did admit I am far from the only person who cannot live with the side effects. I was blessed to not need chemotherapy and could bypass radiation, the latter because I opted for complete removal of the breasts instead of a lumpectomy. My presence on many survivor groups has shown there is no perfect answer. The hormone blockers might work to prevent a return of cancer, but they will also wreak havoc on all body systems as they leave no trace of estrogen behind. Heart disease and osteoporosis, joint replacement, on and on. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There's no absolute guarantee the drug will prevent a return as I've met women who bravely battled all the side effects of the blockers for years and, sadly, the cancer returned. What's a woman to do? If I remain blessed in the future is something only time will tell. There's that 20/20 hindsight thing again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As I am not young anymore, I know my best years are behind me. Stressing over the right decisions to make and the fears of what if I do take the meds and then this happens? Or what if I don't take the meds and that happens? Or what if I do take the meds and all of the above happens? What if pigs could fly? I wasted months beating myself up over those decisions. In the end, sadly, no one makes it out alive.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Gee, this is a cheery little post. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, back to the walking thing. I walk every day just hoping to get a little less flab in front of me and keep my mind from splintering off in all directions. Lately I've noticed my left knee is acting up a little bit now and then. My back, on the other hand, is throwing a fit almost all day and night, along with my pectoral muscles from the surgeries. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's been a free-for-all in this wreck of a skeleton of mine, which then led me back to Miranda Esmonde-White of 'Classical Stretch' and 'Essentrics' fame. Now in her seventies, she is graceful and lithe and promises me every day to 'age backward' as long as I show up to stretch religiously with her. I used to do her workouts now and then probably ten years ago, but what really spoke to me recently was the fact she is also a breast cancer survivor. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I don't know her entire story, but she was a former ballerina who was teaching stretching classes in Canada when PBS made her the offer of her own show. I'm not sure how old she was, possibly her early 50's or so, but tragically, just as she was to start filming for PBS, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has a video online where she discusses what happened to her physically as well as emotionally; she felt she would never be able to stretch or move her arms again after her surgery and descended into a dark pit of depression. But she persevered with the help of her daughter and a physical therapist and is still 'aging backwards' with her very contagious enthusiasm for what exercise can do for everyone. She gives me so much hope. And believe me, though 'Classical Stretch' looks easy when watching it from a recliner, the rubber meets the road when you actually do it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years I've run the gamut of punishing, seemingly endless aerobics, and other silly things, but her program is one I feel builds a person up and doesn't tear them down. 'Pain is weakness leaving the body' was another saying from back in the day, along with 'no pain, no gain' attitudes, that may work when a person was younger, but also does a lot of damage. Miranda's program is about regaining what I've lost, flexibility and strength, all in a half hour a day. <br /><br />My physical therapist warned me I'll have to stretch my pectoral muscles every day for the rest of my life or they will tighten up and cause more trouble down the road. It's a habit now, something I don't really dread doing, but it would be nice if the pain would subside eventually. It's not quite a year since my last revision surgery and over thirty inches of incisions, so maybe with a little more time. I remain hopeful. And I try not to stress. After all, anything can happen and often does, good and bad, in life. Often it is what you least expect. My mother always said she never worried. There's something to be said for that philosophy, as she lived to be ninety-six.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On my walk on Sunday night, I was delighted to have another beautiful sunset. <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73WJJJ6W3eAe7i2Eo-L-2HmLZlKSbsWxQF0Pknpgo6_jXvwLjAH8tmYNvqmNhvR2Q5GiIgPFSF6BppdwZZlesqXQC1gXGpH8Ld74RxaD-bIZxAf1j7wTuRaQNsD_ElvR8vHlt5PX65UBD6oYK0pxvYX0xRzUSVKnPrTURufFzNQ2QOCFiGQNzfghILQ/s4032/20230212_171458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73WJJJ6W3eAe7i2Eo-L-2HmLZlKSbsWxQF0Pknpgo6_jXvwLjAH8tmYNvqmNhvR2Q5GiIgPFSF6BppdwZZlesqXQC1gXGpH8Ld74RxaD-bIZxAf1j7wTuRaQNsD_ElvR8vHlt5PX65UBD6oYK0pxvYX0xRzUSVKnPrTURufFzNQ2QOCFiGQNzfghILQ/w624-h640/20230212_171458.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The weather was a balmy forty degrees during the day which is warm for February. I can only go so far from home as dusk falls, because I do not want to be walking back entirely in the dark. Subsequently, I have devised an odd plan to keep walking and not have to turn my back on the sunsets. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'd read knees can be strengthened by simply walking backward for some distance. With nothing to lose, I've been trying it, and it actually does seem to help. Walking backward isn't something that comes naturally, and I guess there's some evidence it actually burns more calories than walking forward, but for that to work perfectly, I have to make sure I don't strap on the feedbag afterward. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I head out an hour before sunset and walk west to my designated stopping point a mile from home and then walk backward for a quarter mile or more, and then go forward again and repeat until time's up or the sun has set. (It really helps to live on a semi-deserted side road with no curious onlookers, or I could be hauled away, I suppose.)<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ma7JW3vC3xT2dXnDTu6gmDf77Pd-IV7T4CN_Bf-GZarnNSXqwHRdpQVI3rQJHQsPjnl53HfieB_NKwZuuMmaDLRXwth0cxRjmHlkGWocmhfzl4YSZwsS373r7vjkrl9_4__KPZCQ0zpu4qMfG8zVL6vXWOh_TCBRdWyZpvqsqHzFlbVbSKOHDT1OZQ/s4032/20230212_173025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ma7JW3vC3xT2dXnDTu6gmDf77Pd-IV7T4CN_Bf-GZarnNSXqwHRdpQVI3rQJHQsPjnl53HfieB_NKwZuuMmaDLRXwth0cxRjmHlkGWocmhfzl4YSZwsS373r7vjkrl9_4__KPZCQ0zpu4qMfG8zVL6vXWOh_TCBRdWyZpvqsqHzFlbVbSKOHDT1OZQ/w480-h640/20230212_173025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Walking backward and forward, I can enjoy the lingering sunsets and get my steps in as well. It's a win-win.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Cw6xCiQFXpnRdRntCyui6MMgiF_qszZ_0HqhxJGmlUwICFRuavJOafyrFcJ3CuzJnvydhHW62zrJXQhCRWPDKotMj08msHcV0kX0zQUhm3sYOwkBAVXjaKOMdpBMjVc9EBA2VehPTR8tdjwupqTgKub7M0TTPouD9ou-nrBy6GXc-97X4nAm8WYGTg/s4032/20230212_173245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Cw6xCiQFXpnRdRntCyui6MMgiF_qszZ_0HqhxJGmlUwICFRuavJOafyrFcJ3CuzJnvydhHW62zrJXQhCRWPDKotMj08msHcV0kX0zQUhm3sYOwkBAVXjaKOMdpBMjVc9EBA2VehPTR8tdjwupqTgKub7M0TTPouD9ou-nrBy6GXc-97X4nAm8WYGTg/w480-h640/20230212_173245.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I guess it doesn't take much to entertain me, does it? But before I know it, the hour is up and I'm back in the driveway.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v7tk6MLnTl_cYkL4LN4y7Ao-ooTNh3zekLQL8ngZidzE_xUWx795Cc3RSwEHGrq2DD8N5qd3bs65CWmVAhZqZjfnd7nl8_GytUe7jF1fZc-sL1ot3jbtoDMpSm5isf7VuS6fzI8freIEyU0ryBdcVMgIodP9Vgs_L1YgVyU7Mu3RVH82gSB6kqBQdQ/s4032/20230212_174723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v7tk6MLnTl_cYkL4LN4y7Ao-ooTNh3zekLQL8ngZidzE_xUWx795Cc3RSwEHGrq2DD8N5qd3bs65CWmVAhZqZjfnd7nl8_GytUe7jF1fZc-sL1ot3jbtoDMpSm5isf7VuS6fzI8freIEyU0ryBdcVMgIodP9Vgs_L1YgVyU7Mu3RVH82gSB6kqBQdQ/w640-h480/20230212_174723.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">How's that old joke go? </span><p></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">'Grandma started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the heck she is.'</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaulG2-U2-HGUuMt46x-AkqbWgd94hxpLt6GdSUo3xer3XZuo1TTloqKg2SxQVqhXF2T5U3AF5na42lBjijeBCmH8AC9aj_wRAyrHjpWyhKRQ88Yiaxyu5bSYFRIA1BXEoc1lv3pJdFMY7q3E5uTWl9xdHv43WtzkYdl1KWovzI0EyijZNy_8QncvEuQ/s4032/20210215_173545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaulG2-U2-HGUuMt46x-AkqbWgd94hxpLt6GdSUo3xer3XZuo1TTloqKg2SxQVqhXF2T5U3AF5na42lBjijeBCmH8AC9aj_wRAyrHjpWyhKRQ88Yiaxyu5bSYFRIA1BXEoc1lv3pJdFMY7q3E5uTWl9xdHv43WtzkYdl1KWovzI0EyijZNy_8QncvEuQ/w640-h480/20210215_173545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Someone should have told that grandma to walk backwards now and then. She'd be a lot closer to home.</span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-54596600834825486552023-02-02T00:54:00.004-06:002023-02-02T01:01:48.106-06:00February 1, 2023<p></p><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">January, traditionally Wisconsin's coldest month is now behind us once again. There wasn't a whole lot to complain about this year as far as temperatures went, I was able to walk the road and even the farm almost every day as most of the snow melted mid-month. It wasn't until a week ago we had enough snow to cross-country ski since December. Bitterly cold temperatures were back for a few days last week, but moderated to 17 above zero today.<br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi6ceYgnvwd17NAFUaHJeM_A9tkYapOOyY5gpIqbsiruRz3rEgRAJWoMhOCGoMUe6kdF1CL9K49uVfsB3DNYHVcuYXNNdH45Ol49EGFFXjaeE64Bi0sHYesTOyuEWrMS18KxNQxp-txEVtjJeg83TB8W4NYrU1fqSkUtYfBD61MnvGhIGbcTWG9ljcA/s4032/20230130_172038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi6ceYgnvwd17NAFUaHJeM_A9tkYapOOyY5gpIqbsiruRz3rEgRAJWoMhOCGoMUe6kdF1CL9K49uVfsB3DNYHVcuYXNNdH45Ol49EGFFXjaeE64Bi0sHYesTOyuEWrMS18KxNQxp-txEVtjJeg83TB8W4NYrU1fqSkUtYfBD61MnvGhIGbcTWG9ljcA/w480-h640/20230130_172038.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Trekking around the Back Eight on my skis, I found myself huffing and puffing more than I'd like. Apparently too many chocolate covered peanut balls at Christmas wasn't too bright an idea after all. <br /><br />A few days of being cooped up with cold weather and high winds takes a toll on this old gal. Watching the birds gather at the feeders is always entertaining, though. The amount of bird seed we go through in a season is amazing.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxt3JOII5nPa2YIyLxOymMB7FOCpu2XGSJ-8l3F0l06te_22NWATn-X2Y_WNCMaooYHHA2faeHzpRWf6Sq9n7_ivPvb41j4cZ5kkA2wAqSRDv81XrQ1wBfssUs0D9HYzKR112E1f-Bwi53vd4M5le6yVxSuRO3q9ZioLRTAkHNmln3ZdlnWKvPlzYSsQ/s4032/20230127_111429.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1821" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxt3JOII5nPa2YIyLxOymMB7FOCpu2XGSJ-8l3F0l06te_22NWATn-X2Y_WNCMaooYHHA2faeHzpRWf6Sq9n7_ivPvb41j4cZ5kkA2wAqSRDv81XrQ1wBfssUs0D9HYzKR112E1f-Bwi53vd4M5le6yVxSuRO3q9ZioLRTAkHNmln3ZdlnWKvPlzYSsQ/s320/20230127_111429.jpg" width="145" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I perch in the upstairs window to watch the flurry of activity, especially when a snowstorm is in progress.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnny7Z8O7ANVhdR9mownuwm8Zqz7b9hGZg8orsm5PDksWv8MlhuKwgcskSS-Qd2ZGzcRyRBp-RHvhgKWd1oxfTGG2Wt0GD0lFCuIfGxfsA1m_5-ZbYQV94H4UQiqWRhg_x2Gi7THtSarYYIDwaJbtWTlOVGXurnZZgvIMw8oqrNvBbD2rk2DDwJjJSEw/s4032/20230127_111244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnny7Z8O7ANVhdR9mownuwm8Zqz7b9hGZg8orsm5PDksWv8MlhuKwgcskSS-Qd2ZGzcRyRBp-RHvhgKWd1oxfTGG2Wt0GD0lFCuIfGxfsA1m_5-ZbYQV94H4UQiqWRhg_x2Gi7THtSarYYIDwaJbtWTlOVGXurnZZgvIMw8oqrNvBbD2rk2DDwJjJSEw/w300-h400/20230127_111244.jpg" width="300" /><span style="font-size: large;">T</span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Not much else is going on around here. We've been working on going through decades of 'stuff' that has accumulated over the years. Carl has always been the optimistic person in this marriage and his collection of assorted things needs thinning. He's working on it daily, but letting go is not his strong suit. It's a daily battle for me to keep my mouth shut out of frustration and I admit, I fail more than I win. That's why it's important I get outside to exercise every day for as long as my hands and feet can stand the cold. Curbs the ol' tongue.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRGI3Gx11W2zlRj1CymSA-H_f6vCUk0iMBBDCGIfXqXKRAFB4WdSwZcxREklBvBHRsEDGXWptKzoasQAlZdZ3jnGS8Ma15uQNZXFcjI9BK0kGr3X0hslmLMFz2vbB5ior7unWTauL_UPK2PYRMypS5OyA7L0B66Up1q-ZVj8DQOLgwA5XbADazer8Xg/s4032/20230119_133701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRGI3Gx11W2zlRj1CymSA-H_f6vCUk0iMBBDCGIfXqXKRAFB4WdSwZcxREklBvBHRsEDGXWptKzoasQAlZdZ3jnGS8Ma15uQNZXFcjI9BK0kGr3X0hslmLMFz2vbB5ior7unWTauL_UPK2PYRMypS5OyA7L0B66Up1q-ZVj8DQOLgwA5XbADazer8Xg/w480-h640/20230119_133701.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Every new snowfall has a different effect on the view. The normally all brown woods across the road transformed into look-alike birch trees for a few days last week. I like to walk a mile before noon or so and then again at sunset for a total of five miles a day. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> For a few weeks, it seemed every day was cloudy. My geraniums in the windows upstairs were suffering from the lack of light, dropping leaves. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On January 9, we had a beautiful reprieve from the gloom. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Sunny days are very welcomed after so much darkness.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrPx9okTpN0G3HgaPIkTCBnni-XuAcEb9eGc_JYWeQWlKu9pR1M0Bw0PVaH89g9SWwwPr6lWHrFLXiEAfC9uXATZ2V9pvwgOseaGXOtt---oq2orDpv1yCQJLVdyeud_ed9-fPO4nP1Xl-9rs6mCKx0P84lHAG0ZRmzpSv3pLNEuL-qqb3gBBluZmYg/s4032/20230111_161459.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrPx9okTpN0G3HgaPIkTCBnni-XuAcEb9eGc_JYWeQWlKu9pR1M0Bw0PVaH89g9SWwwPr6lWHrFLXiEAfC9uXATZ2V9pvwgOseaGXOtt---oq2orDpv1yCQJLVdyeud_ed9-fPO4nP1Xl-9rs6mCKx0P84lHAG0ZRmzpSv3pLNEuL-qqb3gBBluZmYg/w480-h640/20230111_161459.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On nights like these, I never want to quit walking west into the sunset. My cellphone cannot capture the beauty of the sight, though.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIP2G9oq-2Kiy0NqkLw362NoCoeSq4jhl6KQOl2XiBQaiKYLbXVwVBIzLZV-lS9F0SBlz8quvUzNyKNWBoMXJCJqaDKDhHGM4XVmcQ_9hiZ1UM6hR5PdeDiLaZigoJOAmnn7SGNmsyfi06KXTlqbOE8Ui1psrQZnW0ly5jSssc1tnfFNEBTn2azD2TA/s4032/20230111_162014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIP2G9oq-2Kiy0NqkLw362NoCoeSq4jhl6KQOl2XiBQaiKYLbXVwVBIzLZV-lS9F0SBlz8quvUzNyKNWBoMXJCJqaDKDhHGM4XVmcQ_9hiZ1UM6hR5PdeDiLaZigoJOAmnn7SGNmsyfi06KXTlqbOE8Ui1psrQZnW0ly5jSssc1tnfFNEBTn2azD2TA/w480-h640/20230111_162014.jpg" width="480" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The blizzard in December left us with some very high and extremely hard drifts which almost all melted in January. The tractor weighs over five thousand pounds.<br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCivwOzjRgf0Gb7OyahmDWB-DjuzIQEy-MZTWsgYXM0_fH5vhPS0WDPVC8w85NAkBTG0TNLKof1AjMzD_vd-YQD8UWx6_v9MLQP4ElqTqent6qholv6iuP7bd65DKXJ0Zw6ZH_bb53Eno22hjRZ3IUZ2eY0AL8oHyvvYeFTz-kcSVRc0p5UAAk03abBA/s2560/Resized_20221225_113340.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCivwOzjRgf0Gb7OyahmDWB-DjuzIQEy-MZTWsgYXM0_fH5vhPS0WDPVC8w85NAkBTG0TNLKof1AjMzD_vd-YQD8UWx6_v9MLQP4ElqTqent6qholv6iuP7bd65DKXJ0Zw6ZH_bb53Eno22hjRZ3IUZ2eY0AL8oHyvvYeFTz-kcSVRc0p5UAAk03abBA/w640-h480/Resized_20221225_113340.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk19xZg1LVGV1i0G-G71A_H0bt2hiMMlpuh0_0N49mQmenHS9-0YtTmmbBFyIxjoXQ-OoTf4hMVnWmeLITFR-uvnDg-y2yX9mJDuI_lsKDLahgszX5ffmXhLeJTSCLaE2RIe7ooA9vazTSqdBCC79HyWi0v96oqyHdAxDEZs3a52K3Hg6Db_8ZgQeJQ/s2560/Resized_20221225_113324.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk19xZg1LVGV1i0G-G71A_H0bt2hiMMlpuh0_0N49mQmenHS9-0YtTmmbBFyIxjoXQ-OoTf4hMVnWmeLITFR-uvnDg-y2yX9mJDuI_lsKDLahgszX5ffmXhLeJTSCLaE2RIe7ooA9vazTSqdBCC79HyWi0v96oqyHdAxDEZs3a52K3Hg6Db_8ZgQeJQ/w640-h480/Resized_20221225_113324.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, the 574 was making some strange noises, so she is now in for repairs with our mechanic friend, Adam. He picked the tractor up last week Friday. It's always melancholy watching her go down the road on a trailer, but I know she'll be back in better shape than ever. The preliminary diagnosis is a possible water pump in need of replacement, but whatever it is, let's hope the next snowstorm holds off until we have her home again. (Hey, isn't it normal to refer to ships as 'she'? Well, my tractor is my ship, we sail around the farm together.)<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Tonight after skiing around the backyard, I walked on the road, pacing back and forth in front of the house for over an hour. I am in yet another Fitbit challenge this week and since I missed going for my morning walk due to working on some tax paperwork (ugh) I had to make up for my sedentary nature in the afternoon by walking after dark.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWxUDdVvv31SrcuLk_6A0QWxxc1389U4XOmcKYEZiqkvzs8v0M7DrD4b7hQZPtB2MmmQdxwudidknxHoPcnioH3HWIVg2jIt9NrSQdXeEiqOXttEZnCFnrCZTZ9aEpjfWbuLsZqdaafhb_GKySSYdkWfATbQtvXqyd57aEmik1Q1NvMeu2ueV5pt4SQ/s3024/20230201_171306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2523" data-original-width="3024" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWxUDdVvv31SrcuLk_6A0QWxxc1389U4XOmcKYEZiqkvzs8v0M7DrD4b7hQZPtB2MmmQdxwudidknxHoPcnioH3HWIVg2jIt9NrSQdXeEiqOXttEZnCFnrCZTZ9aEpjfWbuLsZqdaafhb_GKySSYdkWfATbQtvXqyd57aEmik1Q1NvMeu2ueV5pt4SQ/w640-h534/20230201_171306.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Tonight's sunset was very different with a large column of sunlight reflecting straight up for a few minutes. <br /><br />Once I hit the 10,000 step mark, I headed in to make supper. Standing on the front porch, I took a picture of the stained glass silliness in the house with all the paperwork strewn on the table. Hmmmm, perhaps we have gone a bit overboard.</span><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RSclcOah-A6S7EAtYF3MngrEM0UAyNfFQK9tCza2vuY3XQuQU1NJDvwC_KBuypJsyAJwTDL6q9h3aIXi9hwh5e0GeZik7RSTmSmZ3c-LtMPMldVeEcYMcaPiwhWx8utBp763ZroAyZ9Ptmnw8hSzcmvcfObhbGEce-CUgz67jiZOX3I6h2IOs_0CEA/s4032/20230201_185828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RSclcOah-A6S7EAtYF3MngrEM0UAyNfFQK9tCza2vuY3XQuQU1NJDvwC_KBuypJsyAJwTDL6q9h3aIXi9hwh5e0GeZik7RSTmSmZ3c-LtMPMldVeEcYMcaPiwhWx8utBp763ZroAyZ9Ptmnw8hSzcmvcfObhbGEce-CUgz67jiZOX3I6h2IOs_0CEA/w480-h640/20230201_185828.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">February always goes by quickly. I hope we have some time for a little creativity before spring. All work and no playing with stained glass is no fun.</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxrTuqT9eqsPncJWknB5O1tmEXuzI119LN7C6fWlvrzhLe88dP5qKkYj3j_se_NGtbjYb2yKh-nXMRh8H61YkTI6QpMt9q8vENnRbxWhSPFdRIIxh_q3z3QnltgRUxwptrYfrkgKf-UZ1PntL8JuV3kCrc3cpv-Zd-48nkzB1RS458328owIZIbhKhA/s4032/20230131_021756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxrTuqT9eqsPncJWknB5O1tmEXuzI119LN7C6fWlvrzhLe88dP5qKkYj3j_se_NGtbjYb2yKh-nXMRh8H61YkTI6QpMt9q8vENnRbxWhSPFdRIIxh_q3z3QnltgRUxwptrYfrkgKf-UZ1PntL8JuV3kCrc3cpv-Zd-48nkzB1RS458328owIZIbhKhA/w640-h480/20230131_021756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">After all, eating too many peanut butter balls may be bad for the waistline, but is there ever such a thing as too much stained glass? </span><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAb_zwqNu8iSiNdr9Uw5aFORaCCXaUT6rL-xVVd4WZf7xvp80hYLEzy83wxlyFlCMR2iGZIBiJgNBHPuQ4mC7nWI4sH4-pFMz-hfNcp7dhB6mxOp9hrHfMInA8_tmG2jJ-En7zf6vS8GHsPY_2w9yOwqYkWFUU1ctd3uHQrh_4cn37_0iA3yrUSlrfiw/s2340/Screenshot_20230130-135125_Gallery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_j55KK6lkRWGRxGCrIh64lohPN-x8mJ_TTezs2FeSDgxcHVTHHebvZUHMislAUwEBpsWr5Xk8lrcVFH0YoxFNNqwV36_4xM82GS7Id_8eCI7CJVTe_1OIfQIirh6z-KFolP25vyp9COU7KdHcnoO2rESXhj2ri2dRNHwXCR6iGbV8JvrbAhXbUyn9Q/s4032/20230130_154237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_j55KK6lkRWGRxGCrIh64lohPN-x8mJ_TTezs2FeSDgxcHVTHHebvZUHMislAUwEBpsWr5Xk8lrcVFH0YoxFNNqwV36_4xM82GS7Id_8eCI7CJVTe_1OIfQIirh6z-KFolP25vyp9COU7KdHcnoO2rESXhj2ri2dRNHwXCR6iGbV8JvrbAhXbUyn9Q/w480-h640/20230130_154237.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp5pdiQkSCuwCXKiyOQ8UvtuRYt9JavBxuskmGfpfvhUN9yIIhSNbIYzc4aeqroe0XinqliPnM0ygR0ODxs0EoQwE3Uwj52Gv2REjfUKQseAiLaYsPb_ogAz7XbpQ9rtYKUfvSBRB5ix5OWl_Q5RBRVOJUExpj0PJRIQS50qf-lIVFN0w0Ekw8eKbzw/s2404/20230131_021652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2404" data-original-width="2246" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp5pdiQkSCuwCXKiyOQ8UvtuRYt9JavBxuskmGfpfvhUN9yIIhSNbIYzc4aeqroe0XinqliPnM0ygR0ODxs0EoQwE3Uwj52Gv2REjfUKQseAiLaYsPb_ogAz7XbpQ9rtYKUfvSBRB5ix5OWl_Q5RBRVOJUExpj0PJRIQS50qf-lIVFN0w0Ekw8eKbzw/w598-h640/20230131_021652.jpg" width="598" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vWj7O5SxeRBJ54klUh0tCQ90gf53i8MKYoKzIoFksSAbkgYOw8Vzlvv_D5Ih1FQj1yoZrMNClVSuDKzErDAfhJAJmXBDPaOgPupDMfY19vhtgooNgJnd_d0HZ9GtLtN1qIsqP6Vqf62cug-ogpzw8c2oVKzUrHhsw2_bVjEWRIRPm5fGUmMGeDB3fg/s2126/Screenshot_20230130-135125_Gallery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2126" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vWj7O5SxeRBJ54klUh0tCQ90gf53i8MKYoKzIoFksSAbkgYOw8Vzlvv_D5Ih1FQj1yoZrMNClVSuDKzErDAfhJAJmXBDPaOgPupDMfY19vhtgooNgJnd_d0HZ9GtLtN1qIsqP6Vqf62cug-ogpzw8c2oVKzUrHhsw2_bVjEWRIRPm5fGUmMGeDB3fg/w326-h640/Screenshot_20230130-135125_Gallery.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">They are really a lot like potato chips, it's hard to stop at just one.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-76971521465084908652023-01-05T04:14:00.002-06:002023-01-05T04:15:04.423-06:00January 5, 2023<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Well, here I go again, unable to sleep. I read some article a long time ago which stated lying in bed wide awake trying to force slumber is fruitless and raises anxiety levels. The article was right. My mind goes just about everywhere as I stare at the ceiling. Since the mastectomies, I have four pillows carefully arranged to attempt comfort, but by the time I get them just right, I'm wide awake. My back is cantankerous, too. The new adjustable bed helps a bit, but there's no setting for instant sleep. Too bad, for what the dumb bed cost, that feature should have been standard. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Listening to Carl snoring slightly, I alternately envy him and try to match my breathing to his, but it doesn't lull me into dozing off. May as well get up. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvAx1qHCK4y1-NgBY0YPrYQRtpHD1Z5SPveMMvzVytI8UHJj8zYd9hWsvktlL90JySsw-wM9bWPMTSwAuhn88wCp92cK9YZ2KsFpDFmsjVHUoAt6vN2cekFhp83Njgx2aocj1tkIa9-RMXahdcZTt5f4QLcz9qBzU6GuMNE7dCgRi37i0PuZ2IN8ZUw/s4032/20221221_163804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvAx1qHCK4y1-NgBY0YPrYQRtpHD1Z5SPveMMvzVytI8UHJj8zYd9hWsvktlL90JySsw-wM9bWPMTSwAuhn88wCp92cK9YZ2KsFpDFmsjVHUoAt6vN2cekFhp83Njgx2aocj1tkIa9-RMXahdcZTt5f4QLcz9qBzU6GuMNE7dCgRi37i0PuZ2IN8ZUw/s320/20221221_163804.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I wandered into the dark living room at 2:30 am, remembering to sidestep the fake garland I took off the railings on Tuesday. I left my glasses in the bedroom, but not wanting to wake Carl, I'll leave them where they are. From what I can tell, it snowed since 11:30pm when I first went to bed. However, I'm very myopic, so I have no idea if the snow continues.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjrvSzmGkizc7TbMD12GbNBaYIxB7Ccy2jtfkCilgDEPlOdyeSqwGlS6PXgNZphJIanaESjJdKtN7K3Z5CgULx6hqXpvI9KZXoYnq-rhSkbGTyZzjqOS4KtbmvYS41DFe42pMEEjiQg-HUzoN9FMt5yzbsFv6kyZDqBd7o0LA6tFrVHu_LfoPppJZKw/s4032/20230102_163706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjrvSzmGkizc7TbMD12GbNBaYIxB7Ccy2jtfkCilgDEPlOdyeSqwGlS6PXgNZphJIanaESjJdKtN7K3Z5CgULx6hqXpvI9KZXoYnq-rhSkbGTyZzjqOS4KtbmvYS41DFe42pMEEjiQg-HUzoN9FMt5yzbsFv6kyZDqBd7o0LA6tFrVHu_LfoPppJZKw/w640-h480/20230102_163706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The weather had </span><span style="font-size: large;">been wet and windy, sometimes sleet, sometimes pouring rain, but no snow until now. Good intentions were to take the outdoor decorations down on Monday, but well, we all know how good intentions go. I did take what lights I could wrestle out from the snowbanks down last night (Wednesday) but they are all lying in piles on the front porch because I forgot the big trash can I use to store everything in which resides in the garage. </span><div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJJ3NPJ7-xpdRpI6hEJaHi-xLOhrnqXgR43idhf8p-OW29EB1qlqb0oK91yAeRysp0z6xGG_VNFQNOZ4eYvld3JB_sz0PFey1WkvexrG0eEjzRumX9je5JRn9neoUKnGHFESQcdViCUP44eF54lHRXQTTc5kPMDCbQHzorjrrt2fbgnIoqq5g9aAjHQ/s4032/20230102_170348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJJ3NPJ7-xpdRpI6hEJaHi-xLOhrnqXgR43idhf8p-OW29EB1qlqb0oK91yAeRysp0z6xGG_VNFQNOZ4eYvld3JB_sz0PFey1WkvexrG0eEjzRumX9je5JRn9neoUKnGHFESQcdViCUP44eF54lHRXQTTc5kPMDCbQHzorjrrt2fbgnIoqq5g9aAjHQ/w480-h640/20230102_170348.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Ugh, the garage. To get there, I have to cross the driveway, which is an ice skating rink, albeit a bumpy one, and treacherous. There is nothing graceful about me on ice, weird how that tendency changed over the years. I decided to wait until Thursday, I'm nothing if not a great procrastinator. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When I was young, there was nothing more fun than sliding around on ice. Now I'm 64 and my pace and lack of gracefulness is showing. When did I become so slow and stiff, terrified of falling? Audrey and Joel caper across ice as if walking on dry ground, thinking nothing of it. I mince along, holding my breath as if each step might trigger a trapdoor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder why I can't sleep, these are all things that go through my head. Of course, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop healthwise, I doubt I'll ever feel confident in that regard again, but no one ever knows what will eventually happen anyway, so my thoughts go from the what ifs to praying for those I know and back again. Weird how every ache and pain, heart racing or slowing can be unnerving. Things always do look darkest before the dawn.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There are also rules about not looking at screens before bedtime. I agree, reading a book or journaling would be preferable to writing a blog post on a cellphone because I'm too lazy to climb upstairs to my laptop. But as I grow older, rules don't interest me as much. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I have a young friend who is in her early 20's and it is always a delight to talk with her. She has just delivered a baby boy two weeks before Christmas. I know she's having some sleepless nights right about now, too. How I remember those nights, pure torture at times. Of course you love your baby, but never getting more than an hour or so of uninterrupted sleep is like walking in deep mud with snowshoes on. Absolutely exhausting. I never understood new motherhood, why when a woman needs rest from giving birth, does she have to be sleep deprived for months? I should volunteer to take her night shift if she didn't live so far away.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I follow some forums on breast cancer, and I know I'm not alone with the persistent thoughts of gloom. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">However, I've led a quirky life, so it stands to reason my demise may be unexpected as well. Icy driveways, sneaky staircase missed steps, rogue tree branches, jaywalking, heck, driving is terrifying. Yes, I'm officially a senior citizen. I have a Medicare card. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But now that I've got all of this silliness off my chest, it's time to get those pillows arranged again. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> Thanks for listening. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p></div>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-59466862291489004132022-12-29T01:07:00.000-06:002022-12-29T01:07:09.980-06:00December 28, 2022<p> <span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit, I spend far too much time on the social media sites lately, but the one thing I read truly made me laugh out loud today was this:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"Look at this weather being all Springy and cute like it didn't just try to kill us last week."</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't have said it better myself. What a change from single digit temperatures with -35F below 40 mph windchills to a balmy near 40 degrees tonight. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wP8pS8_HB4Y5MZo0o-qVbWELfFfEdejlTIj6-Ky9BxcSyLCDMSQByXfGKsAsAHFbUam_NbiNgZ0B2c_unqOyCGzb6zbU-aIT1t1ZR3rk5IutCARXw6UWo-HzUgBCii9uVANyVuaan4qPa3Rt7IfUBctzBd9F7EyYPIYEczM2g3i1ikxU-L1MOyydTg/s4032/20221226_163126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wP8pS8_HB4Y5MZo0o-qVbWELfFfEdejlTIj6-Ky9BxcSyLCDMSQByXfGKsAsAHFbUam_NbiNgZ0B2c_unqOyCGzb6zbU-aIT1t1ZR3rk5IutCARXw6UWo-HzUgBCii9uVANyVuaan4qPa3Rt7IfUBctzBd9F7EyYPIYEczM2g3i1ikxU-L1MOyydTg/w640-h480/20221226_163126.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> I write my posts upstairs in the newly remodeled part of the house, right under the steeply slanted roof. The weather must be warming up quite a bit as I was startled by the noise of the snow sliding down the steel roof overhead. It is the strangest racket, and does raise my pulse quite a bit until I remember it's not Santa's sleigh and eight tiny reindeer prancing around up there.<br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemzAXTdHOyCKcUkH4ASeYKTajME_wMrUvwybv1rGcKHOCZDJjW6QsgIzxDBC86_SZv5CAYt8A3tCBI7Ygmvep5yYDWUQ9IHO8T-pW9AFOd0LB9QMWfmRZ-ARR2jnkfWoW0XrccNJsGXyRzPE26QzKBFZ7MqZqQHrOJN5M4hvzhVqMZdgk3PAOJ305Xg/s4032/20221013_103443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemzAXTdHOyCKcUkH4ASeYKTajME_wMrUvwybv1rGcKHOCZDJjW6QsgIzxDBC86_SZv5CAYt8A3tCBI7Ygmvep5yYDWUQ9IHO8T-pW9AFOd0LB9QMWfmRZ-ARR2jnkfWoW0XrccNJsGXyRzPE26QzKBFZ7MqZqQHrOJN5M4hvzhVqMZdgk3PAOJ305Xg/w640-h480/20221013_103443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The geraniums occupy the southern windows, basking in whatever sun they can during the dark days of winter. I occupy the north side of the upstairs.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekT7aAqG9xicIFX7WoKGVCTW2XFMXYcA6R6aTtR6aLQ8U5IobN-9wTfrfBOTgdgQ5uJM8-zzbsZ_yNdGLNDpBlv00iLilr5XYRl5NNqjQye5jgVNkv0cbKblWyjfOJePxNXpJBMSVAzDK1tyPCOggfKWgIPstk5g3BnpWFARN6AW78JbEep2VbwuOdA/s4032/20220914_120158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekT7aAqG9xicIFX7WoKGVCTW2XFMXYcA6R6aTtR6aLQ8U5IobN-9wTfrfBOTgdgQ5uJM8-zzbsZ_yNdGLNDpBlv00iLilr5XYRl5NNqjQye5jgVNkv0cbKblWyjfOJePxNXpJBMSVAzDK1tyPCOggfKWgIPstk5g3BnpWFARN6AW78JbEep2VbwuOdA/w480-h640/20220914_120158.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There's the back of my chair (in case you're interested) in the upper right-hand corner.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqbeUo-v0nuytLNHXEwmhqSjN3tvfSWnznSKqEQ9m0AE-B8cWc5aS7uxhY_88vU83UU6c1p9HCH8Lr2xjSiK3Wjh_BmbzFOjuDvRGl3h9PG0p2J05sZAjxtvOKfFEGppe76EtOdG3kYKTo9mmvPB1iCARrFwpJvl6rrDmtGVhpJOD-hqRy8ER-rvbKg/s4032/20201102_012529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqbeUo-v0nuytLNHXEwmhqSjN3tvfSWnznSKqEQ9m0AE-B8cWc5aS7uxhY_88vU83UU6c1p9HCH8Lr2xjSiK3Wjh_BmbzFOjuDvRGl3h9PG0p2J05sZAjxtvOKfFEGppe76EtOdG3kYKTo9mmvPB1iCARrFwpJvl6rrDmtGVhpJOD-hqRy8ER-rvbKg/w640-h480/20201102_012529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Carl sometimes joins me upstairs at night, but he prefers to watch Youtube videos downstairs on machining, welding, and to be perfectly honest, stuff I haven't got a great deal of interest in. I think he gets a bit bored at times, too, because he drops the TV remote at regular intervals when he dozes off. It looks downright painful to come downstairs and see him sleeping with his head dropped forward down to his chest, but luckily for him, he doesn't suffer any detrimental effects.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I went out skiing on Monday night at sunset. The wind had died down and it was around 2 degrees, though it felt much warmer without the incessant 'breeze'. Years ago I invested in some rechargeable hand warmers that I can slip into my mittens. They work very well, but don't last more than an hour in extremely cold temperatures. I have one for each hand and a third goes into my pocket to keep my cellphone warm enough to work in case I need to call home. Even new technology dislikes getting cold.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As I was out in the field taking pictures of the sunset, my dear high school friend, Dorothy, called me from Florida. We were just recently reunited through a social media site, so good things do come from the internet at times. Dorothy said Florida was facing record low temperatures, too. We had a nice chat while I slowly skied around the farm. I had to quit and come in when my feet started to ache, I don't have any foot warmers for them. After being cooped up in the house for almost five days, I inhaled the pure, cold air like a parched man thirsts for water. There is nothing like the silence of the snowy fields and the scent of the pine trees to make me feel alive again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4N5jtVuKRlEUJPdK7QqA3mjUbPPvKgEHYxcrt_XAGngEhujK7YjNvEguRNIoxeuCMY3T_WhpPhHF-NsBuEkdXHqYp6jQNLueml5LXEq7BBu_GBPRLkDWMgS8v7VkISK7-6vhY78HIh78fq6RhWx643182m7sQhBJUE91V6ln1BIUIq7eP1KaDWHYlLg/s4032/20221226_164016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4N5jtVuKRlEUJPdK7QqA3mjUbPPvKgEHYxcrt_XAGngEhujK7YjNvEguRNIoxeuCMY3T_WhpPhHF-NsBuEkdXHqYp6jQNLueml5LXEq7BBu_GBPRLkDWMgS8v7VkISK7-6vhY78HIh78fq6RhWx643182m7sQhBJUE91V6ln1BIUIq7eP1KaDWHYlLg/w640-h480/20221226_164016.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The snow is so hard in places, the deer can walk on top of the drifts, leaving their hoof prints in perfect condition.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We left tonight to pick up a prescription for me at the pharmacy in town, but the lights were out when we got there, so we decided to go for a little jaunt and see Christmas lights instead. I guess we should have gone last week, because there were a lot of trees out in the snowbanks already, but we did find a neighborhood of very aristocratic homes that were still lit up in their Christmas finery. <br /><br />I'm always awed by how many extension cords the terrifically elaborate displays must entail. Even for what we have set up on our humble home, the rat's nest of cords is almost overwhelming. One home had dozens of their tall trees wrapped in lights all throughout their woods, so beautiful. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad there are a few people like me who leave Christmas linger awhile. It seems we're all in such a rush to start Christmas right after Halloween and then on the 26th, out it all goes. I really don't get in the spirit of the holiday until a week or two afterward. <br /><br />When I was a little girl, my mother would wait until I went to bed to haul in a live Christmas tree and decorate it. This, after she had been up since 5AM herself to milk cows in the morning and had worked all day long baking when she wasn't in the barn. And knowing full well she'd have to go back to the barn at 5AM the next morning, too. Poor Mom, her Christmas Eve night was very short. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When I woke up in the morning and crawled out of my warm bed onto the ice cold floor and made my way down the second story stairs to the heated first floor, the first sight I saw upon opening the door was a glistening Christmas tree with all the presents wrapped and waiting for me. Mom and Dad would still be in the barn, but I would sit in awe and just stare at the beautiful spruce with each carefully draped tinsel strand shimmering. I had to plug the tree in, of course, because they wouldn't have left a lit tree unattended while they were doing chores, but the joy of seeing those big light bulbs spring to life and be reflected in all the glass balls was magical. This must be where I developed the love of flowers in bud and not in full bloom, for the promise of the beautiful presents and wondering what they all contained was enough for me.<br /><br />I had to wait to open presents until my parents came in for breakfast after milking. I didn't mind the wait, it gave me more time to soak in the beauty of the tree and the mystery of wonderful old Santa who made all this magic happen. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It took me a few more years to realize the mysterious magic was due to a mother who loved me enough to make my very early Christmases a memory I will always cherish. Mom had lost her own mother at age forty-one to tuberculosis when she was eight years old, and often told me she knew nothing about parenting, since her mother had been too sick to care for her as a child. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, Mom, there was never a time I didn't feel loved. You were the Magic of my Christmas.<br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-67091916198541210192022-12-25T01:05:00.001-06:002022-12-25T01:05:25.461-06:00Frosty Christmas Eve<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas 2022! We're in the midst of the first winter blizzard of the year and though I'm usually patient with whatever Mother Nature dishes out, the last three days have been long. The official snow total was around 7" for our area, but the wind is the big problem, along with the bitterly cold temperatures. So far, we've been lucky and the power has stayed on. After the past summer's tornado, power outages have been very common, six so far since June.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK9LIm4oR9id4ZA2cOAbimRI-FV1TgvJ6pHbhtvtBKC8iM7I3Kn0G7YnVIa2lKBMpkKfw4KWk6OLgukc-ju3NZExBzKiYeZoVASuL4GRz5Y3dgjU7PydmgCdHs99ij7JNZcrZ9mYQIPcqY9Ewo-PnZMFujXtKWdsJwlT1-4wJwvSDVakfR_igqWYJEA/s4032/20221127_171915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK9LIm4oR9id4ZA2cOAbimRI-FV1TgvJ6pHbhtvtBKC8iM7I3Kn0G7YnVIa2lKBMpkKfw4KWk6OLgukc-ju3NZExBzKiYeZoVASuL4GRz5Y3dgjU7PydmgCdHs99ij7JNZcrZ9mYQIPcqY9Ewo-PnZMFujXtKWdsJwlT1-4wJwvSDVakfR_igqWYJEA/w640-h480/20221127_171915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Lucky for me, I decorated the house and yard right after Thanksgiving, before we had any snow. As of now the horse decorations are half buried and the banks are right up on the porch. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi5J3j-P36AzvHH4emopXOX2nx2SjXQfDt7sAFBofaX8c4kEpt9_mxq978kOyTdHLEbiStarDllpraw5_38WNlG1meMBLchCeL9PMMFnjV8Qd8ARsTJ3uBZg_wYXPMbFHQGs7xOavY0RXcHJ2bDT2G80U6XvrlPfLjKpWAlUlJCtujx6XKQfJ0aUitA/s3842/20220629_202906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2882" data-original-width="3842" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi5J3j-P36AzvHH4emopXOX2nx2SjXQfDt7sAFBofaX8c4kEpt9_mxq978kOyTdHLEbiStarDllpraw5_38WNlG1meMBLchCeL9PMMFnjV8Qd8ARsTJ3uBZg_wYXPMbFHQGs7xOavY0RXcHJ2bDT2G80U6XvrlPfLjKpWAlUlJCtujx6XKQfJ0aUitA/w640-h480/20220629_202906.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> What a change from June, but that's why there's never a dull moment living in Wisconsin. If you don't like the weather, stick around, it will change.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ-roUNk6OFWHGZw6asRkLiZhZvkuGZmhvHYXA44xAtkHzw7OKuwxW6UI4jpJTJ7juSiz0IFHJT0Td9VWxSTvJGQvJGFX3uVz2AH5zl32mXWqyXYwa_zL4hq-xN1_eyDp0eSlxNRca5bAqxwq8Q1geM6znf9L69izEnCRRGniy1p_TDWsV1Z5o0dJDA/s4032/20221127_161745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ-roUNk6OFWHGZw6asRkLiZhZvkuGZmhvHYXA44xAtkHzw7OKuwxW6UI4jpJTJ7juSiz0IFHJT0Td9VWxSTvJGQvJGFX3uVz2AH5zl32mXWqyXYwa_zL4hq-xN1_eyDp0eSlxNRca5bAqxwq8Q1geM6znf9L69izEnCRRGniy1p_TDWsV1Z5o0dJDA/w640-h480/20221127_161745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Backing up a month, we had a beautiful November. My sunset walks were always sure to please with mild temperatures. I always get stir-crazy during the gun deer season as I have to stay in the house for the most part. I do wear blaze orange when I'm out in the garden, but it's no guarantee I won't end up having a few holes in me in case of overzealous hunters in the woods surrounding us.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSpqhnoudMedPYUSSz8paPteXl3_ZV_lb0bItM80cqPCFHvNJCpVvhMFbRLmaOUFzEnTcVRiy9glwibVtK918Wvan14flhIjGaBomzRyJ53RYbIKtASYJ4C7caWvTTEz_Ib5-Tn3rPRBZrD5PgXpoya76Y7ZwZ9y0dn233qVPwTy-6TPSVy0KUR9Hiw/s4032/20221127_162256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSpqhnoudMedPYUSSz8paPteXl3_ZV_lb0bItM80cqPCFHvNJCpVvhMFbRLmaOUFzEnTcVRiy9glwibVtK918Wvan14flhIjGaBomzRyJ53RYbIKtASYJ4C7caWvTTEz_Ib5-Tn3rPRBZrD5PgXpoya76Y7ZwZ9y0dn233qVPwTy-6TPSVy0KUR9Hiw/w480-h640/20221127_162256.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I imagine most people would be bored walking the same mile of road for sixty-four years, but I never tire of the views. My family has lived on this farm since the late 1890's and the road itself hasn't changed much over a hundred years. If my grandparents were to see the farm and surrounding area again, at least in this mile of ours, they would probably notice very little had changed.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0gkxBxAVqU5DmxjOnR2RhMOa_rsOFRei6022JYQr2IBNfMqufWqKo6zs_yyIs_QMIxR0EmNAdlaser62oWa2SvcgtcPm48w4y0vPPv3-Cn5XYweIl_7rN0VQGO4XHNT5gNWBPXbhI4pltGTZO7iGwVhsv-a4SUhKOModphcw5YmyiuGhQ8_vbNeyoQ/s4032/20221101_114111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0gkxBxAVqU5DmxjOnR2RhMOa_rsOFRei6022JYQr2IBNfMqufWqKo6zs_yyIs_QMIxR0EmNAdlaser62oWa2SvcgtcPm48w4y0vPPv3-Cn5XYweIl_7rN0VQGO4XHNT5gNWBPXbhI4pltGTZO7iGwVhsv-a4SUhKOModphcw5YmyiuGhQ8_vbNeyoQ/w480-h640/20221101_114111.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Standing in the shadow of the old Aermotor windmill.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk69JPIny_kVfTXneByuzMys-O_cg5EdAw9l0W6KZaNBQ_E-VA_2-Dk5g2iIgChZ3F3x3E2ucLOHbk0wB0KNkqoGc8nn5s2AMCQKtKvB6jrzCYd_rLK9GQ0dIvjTxJw5GM4rRspTxH3z2RCD-DajOC38UeTbPr7gaIq9zqZiXTKo1vUenf_W3m4bakeg/s4032/20221031_170806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk69JPIny_kVfTXneByuzMys-O_cg5EdAw9l0W6KZaNBQ_E-VA_2-Dk5g2iIgChZ3F3x3E2ucLOHbk0wB0KNkqoGc8nn5s2AMCQKtKvB6jrzCYd_rLK9GQ0dIvjTxJw5GM4rRspTxH3z2RCD-DajOC38UeTbPr7gaIq9zqZiXTKo1vUenf_W3m4bakeg/w480-h640/20221031_170806.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>How green was my valley? Back in early November, it was emerald green and lush. Now it is snow-covered in drifts that resemble waves on the ocean. I cherish those last days of fall when most of the outdoor work is done and I have the freedom to wander around the land on foot. Of course, I do the same in the winter on skis, but fall is the best of all.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GsGVtdi9Gs1n0rsrXBv3lwsOqvBEqmVZyD9YxYwAosRWzBAvBOTOWqv5vKH-hi2gjUPi5ZwfAXZanDLyDKujfdiWAvDIGQ_z3oZ0-x8aSJr4jyXKJ9LOIjrdynJQptcJ_Iv4NOD3lpCqVVfCgdSbGzx1xJ0jMUTRcBVXyTuoBMz0T6UFkobEP0n5dQ/s3264/20221023_141430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GsGVtdi9Gs1n0rsrXBv3lwsOqvBEqmVZyD9YxYwAosRWzBAvBOTOWqv5vKH-hi2gjUPi5ZwfAXZanDLyDKujfdiWAvDIGQ_z3oZ0-x8aSJr4jyXKJ9LOIjrdynJQptcJ_Iv4NOD3lpCqVVfCgdSbGzx1xJ0jMUTRcBVXyTuoBMz0T6UFkobEP0n5dQ/w480-h640/20221023_141430.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dFfZhyiSrpf0QxidiG70K5eg5Csu_SxKA9rCFMj4_od0Ett2kCooQQtBiMQO8blZ4W8gs74lN-MjPccvZ_bPRB7BrbGxpWz7SIteON5shjT9HuJZIEjphhEQ8pMIYMQq4ofPEL2iErUMI3VYopu7VDQT39Mflke3B7aC11jz2ZXvY9FNLjNmLBNZIw/s4032/20221023_144621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dFfZhyiSrpf0QxidiG70K5eg5Csu_SxKA9rCFMj4_od0Ett2kCooQQtBiMQO8blZ4W8gs74lN-MjPccvZ_bPRB7BrbGxpWz7SIteON5shjT9HuJZIEjphhEQ8pMIYMQq4ofPEL2iErUMI3VYopu7VDQT39Mflke3B7aC11jz2ZXvY9FNLjNmLBNZIw/w480-h640/20221023_144621.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oc6bugTh54qSLmpf3_CMRcJJ27l8DzuBUrOc2RB8nprpD7YkNGNBlffuekDjg73CDhEDaji65QBlYLIhyNuV_5lslDQChUPK40VuHvymDPkbkJmBKEvXctra9P-ybojszpohlir7D6phe4yFYKG3MtCmplOB9m2uKvWOCsfluyJSo3Z05h5JgoP0Ig/s4032/20221023_144731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oc6bugTh54qSLmpf3_CMRcJJ27l8DzuBUrOc2RB8nprpD7YkNGNBlffuekDjg73CDhEDaji65QBlYLIhyNuV_5lslDQChUPK40VuHvymDPkbkJmBKEvXctra9P-ybojszpohlir7D6phe4yFYKG3MtCmplOB9m2uKvWOCsfluyJSo3Z05h5JgoP0Ig/w480-h640/20221023_144731.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGLjRezQd0i9StUSnU2oe8J2Jc1pQnpBEC5zuQ8h4UHXW2V3U1UnSaIsrtoig1qiqIOB6XT_YmnY_T_yHd8qDJdA-cTCpUKKe1fDdWFeSG400-6vfcmOfaCc7Me_M7mz3fFInY3eGK8rVURN-iU645-QVdSs0Tg7Mpw-v8dMZV2rWIflnAePGEgJhvw/w480-h640/20221023_145002.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXG2sjCEo4M6D7uMbZ_SUyCRssYCLImRfldkOCOsSMvyvIU-rDmaenwNpy87w6poE5NQp4AQhlEcMtCiao9V7_JsXfOEnPPewf2IU1htsyJvc9rR7vwEOG5I-0ao-fkWUQLHgI9zBxIPwRfhXFNfFF8r3vVXhHw-UltKYHbLsdU5tGtMccaH2HHDTeIA/s4032/20221023_151036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXG2sjCEo4M6D7uMbZ_SUyCRssYCLImRfldkOCOsSMvyvIU-rDmaenwNpy87w6poE5NQp4AQhlEcMtCiao9V7_JsXfOEnPPewf2IU1htsyJvc9rR7vwEOG5I-0ao-fkWUQLHgI9zBxIPwRfhXFNfFF8r3vVXhHw-UltKYHbLsdU5tGtMccaH2HHDTeIA/w480-h640/20221023_151036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDEjxKQi7mAIybpkDgAOoIJapFSrAr6LSpWTvRl7fpytx__GKM2me6OIkPeqNrQfHa6qUxud4RBbwzvW2veJaums7FxquxKXgH83N5P3DVFDIIFArSugWsSfZqDkwfnFkoOz8w2FKVbnQUv-aEeDnJ9YqtakD-ilM910Owu6RKg7eXlkMa8hrzQlfcQ/s4032/20221023_151254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDEjxKQi7mAIybpkDgAOoIJapFSrAr6LSpWTvRl7fpytx__GKM2me6OIkPeqNrQfHa6qUxud4RBbwzvW2veJaums7FxquxKXgH83N5P3DVFDIIFArSugWsSfZqDkwfnFkoOz8w2FKVbnQUv-aEeDnJ9YqtakD-ilM910Owu6RKg7eXlkMa8hrzQlfcQ/w480-h640/20221023_151254.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtsm87W0-6kTvQ4VZk1sEC_FKX2Ryk0DWrLkGJVOrQLi8UfvIphnLwTWjI0Ec5Dm5UPt7zG7SFt_NZW3D2HVUmiCGZFH3e-Br7eLc4XM0tK0Es2OtKPdwdW_j2YtiEtR_J7m6irXsTlBb9ziD2XW8Vf14DsaSc7WX0feGzvFWajuR4k0VQ8GACeQ0Iw/s4032/20221101_120929.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtsm87W0-6kTvQ4VZk1sEC_FKX2Ryk0DWrLkGJVOrQLi8UfvIphnLwTWjI0Ec5Dm5UPt7zG7SFt_NZW3D2HVUmiCGZFH3e-Br7eLc4XM0tK0Es2OtKPdwdW_j2YtiEtR_J7m6irXsTlBb9ziD2XW8Vf14DsaSc7WX0feGzvFWajuR4k0VQ8GACeQ0Iw/w480-h640/20221101_120929.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The bright, blue skies of late October.<p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG78HPeqZ9wza8VE6tJYU31keoS89P-7JCi12DEevouwu_fwAwixPoPRLR9HJWnyyOwvzT6_Hka2DyK9qTM--mJCduBSSUHbfIYItSa9RJOkGHGU01_H627iafZ1nZIT2MDS3GOhnuurnJS3wAjbFFbl5pfzRo_nvEO2f_SWkSZLfpPO1k0mwULxgIg/s4032/20221022_170717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG78HPeqZ9wza8VE6tJYU31keoS89P-7JCi12DEevouwu_fwAwixPoPRLR9HJWnyyOwvzT6_Hka2DyK9qTM--mJCduBSSUHbfIYItSa9RJOkGHGU01_H627iafZ1nZIT2MDS3GOhnuurnJS3wAjbFFbl5pfzRo_nvEO2f_SWkSZLfpPO1k0mwULxgIg/w480-h640/20221022_170717.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG19mFO3lO4Dkxb_sdVSoVGXiEm1DBhUyck0x15rOEfXDOChbMOgyv_o87HwQeTZsQmdUo8ZHzGLNfQgvfMc8-4nqYng4HYbFT4NXySzZlVM5sB0UZkYgNadCtusU29hJBHv8T-rdW9FQJN0Nw-TG22sD7QiXBeyItyLZAErPOBhpCsSxQwbPFjsnvA/s3147/20221022_170612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3147" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG19mFO3lO4Dkxb_sdVSoVGXiEm1DBhUyck0x15rOEfXDOChbMOgyv_o87HwQeTZsQmdUo8ZHzGLNfQgvfMc8-4nqYng4HYbFT4NXySzZlVM5sB0UZkYgNadCtusU29hJBHv8T-rdW9FQJN0Nw-TG22sD7QiXBeyItyLZAErPOBhpCsSxQwbPFjsnvA/w614-h640/20221022_170612.jpg" width="614" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Our Audrey is six now, and growing up so fast. She is such a delight to us.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4FCVFn-_Cx7ikgBxp-An9tdBNGdnt_MhHhNLT3tk0YlQ3CZoR_fR7TSxfhOVHAsaasQws_R5XS181HKOpD1v0RSGl93EkEkhjudYPyXd0vxdXCjA1ISpMJUPl-IvVL8ZJmCFq2I4JFa6FLMubM-1sjW8lRa0JW1xE7NgMwTum0l-i8k2ffNJKVGldQ/s3042/20221022_170730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3042" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4FCVFn-_Cx7ikgBxp-An9tdBNGdnt_MhHhNLT3tk0YlQ3CZoR_fR7TSxfhOVHAsaasQws_R5XS181HKOpD1v0RSGl93EkEkhjudYPyXd0vxdXCjA1ISpMJUPl-IvVL8ZJmCFq2I4JFa6FLMubM-1sjW8lRa0JW1xE7NgMwTum0l-i8k2ffNJKVGldQ/w636-h640/20221022_170730.jpg" width="636" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yl6jf83l5Xjb2imrkCWBi8Hjc8Pt4ZVa8GF6u4J53TCSQlnba4aIGfDNv4_IEmHRHIxBuL5Lue8boAuIhwKq_cURfjlR865nPT8csw7-wmsNC4zq1gSclqmY2Jvfr18otYEnK0FjBpoGQIRxxifHL95tJVWURgWJumCZxqmPkznRHVyHT-yjSSWUMw/s4032/20221022_165908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yl6jf83l5Xjb2imrkCWBi8Hjc8Pt4ZVa8GF6u4J53TCSQlnba4aIGfDNv4_IEmHRHIxBuL5Lue8boAuIhwKq_cURfjlR865nPT8csw7-wmsNC4zq1gSclqmY2Jvfr18otYEnK0FjBpoGQIRxxifHL95tJVWURgWJumCZxqmPkznRHVyHT-yjSSWUMw/w480-h640/20221022_165908.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Carrots are her favorite vegetable, and she planted the seeds and tended them right up to harvest.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb5yNnslJ5sO67NAfnvoISChGAli8hMVkIZy_BIvL89CE4radKVmG-VYAYGByYa2o9pvhYq72Yn5Qx3aUy4BEZpmZoQ6DGCKWlXuGU8P827G0sidUtLVraDiMJ4322sBqLnSEMo968k0aWUwzUYzB49RHwAzRLUGeIY93tTqUNta286o5Rk_oLiedZQ/s4032/20221222_162252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb5yNnslJ5sO67NAfnvoISChGAli8hMVkIZy_BIvL89CE4radKVmG-VYAYGByYa2o9pvhYq72Yn5Qx3aUy4BEZpmZoQ6DGCKWlXuGU8P827G0sidUtLVraDiMJ4322sBqLnSEMo968k0aWUwzUYzB49RHwAzRLUGeIY93tTqUNta286o5Rk_oLiedZQ/w480-h640/20221222_162252.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> If it weren't for Audrey, my Christmas preparations would be far behind. She decorated the two little trees we have and encouraged me to get going on the holiday baking. She can roll out dough like a professional already and in a few short hours, we had Christmas cookies. Grandpa got in on the action, too.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I wish I had gotten going on my shopping earlier than I did; sadly, the orders weren't delivered today, though if the delivery person would have let me know they were coming, I could have gotten dressed and slogged through the snow to get to the road. I guess we'll have to wait until we all get plowed out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The last time we did any snow removal was Thursday, but with the nonstop wind, there's no point in getting a tractor out in subzero temperatures when the drifts will be right back with the 40 mph winds and -30 degree windchills.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN4wZKrVqbck-dFjdoArW7-z2XudWnsnGQEsogxaGOJ0GU8lS_fgO4SGIon4FeP3axj7vy2Zwt6k4oRItWw-cMHaYaAfGchDuufSqPdRl230m1glthamkDU34XMmU5bAGc5WbJ1-DzW1Z-3YB8V7iEUEO3yb8jKpfOf938oOtUuBbquZYxQ0cQylBrg/s4032/20221223_130543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN4wZKrVqbck-dFjdoArW7-z2XudWnsnGQEsogxaGOJ0GU8lS_fgO4SGIon4FeP3axj7vy2Zwt6k4oRItWw-cMHaYaAfGchDuufSqPdRl230m1glthamkDU34XMmU5bAGc5WbJ1-DzW1Z-3YB8V7iEUEO3yb8jKpfOf938oOtUuBbquZYxQ0cQylBrg/w480-h640/20221223_130543.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Friday afternoon, the bird feeders were a little higher off the ground.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2WzgXdpWdNK1b9eHU3-RcRaHYYILNwFss_Rxj_LhuOXqRax3tKjKieqiXsVWkiOHBNR5KW-KBx1bDis0c0TGtyJ_-xbO6NUuUAqXjr4qUhyGzkUTOA-pP-QwjznlpF675Ia97nY1Ethb7doLGGVIkQaEDrzaPigGOZt51YxH4dvz4BejHrLf4O8gww/s4032/20221223_164834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2WzgXdpWdNK1b9eHU3-RcRaHYYILNwFss_Rxj_LhuOXqRax3tKjKieqiXsVWkiOHBNR5KW-KBx1bDis0c0TGtyJ_-xbO6NUuUAqXjr4qUhyGzkUTOA-pP-QwjznlpF675Ia97nY1Ethb7doLGGVIkQaEDrzaPigGOZt51YxH4dvz4BejHrLf4O8gww/w480-h640/20221223_164834.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Also Friday night, the deer in the backyard were starting to disappear.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41zxefJCdXJanFFzVg6C6OclzknzNai1UoLO_x8-Lc05pLglcMNySXBJmwdomPbkyL_Lf8bZ3eKLxhkTuxD4hFKIOCyI3uOJLHuo9gdaY1ExvIuF_9scgaFVhPPqwcbKJ_Xog6rXDpjvsnOruyriakbrok5Ndadp27Fwb2i4DeSfq_xcR2J4_1AMMA/s4032/20221224_132007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF41zxefJCdXJanFFzVg6C6OclzknzNai1UoLO_x8-Lc05pLglcMNySXBJmwdomPbkyL_Lf8bZ3eKLxhkTuxD4hFKIOCyI3uOJLHuo9gdaY1ExvIuF_9scgaFVhPPqwcbKJ_Xog6rXDpjvsnOruyriakbrok5Ndadp27Fwb2i4DeSfq_xcR2J4_1AMMA/w480-h640/20221224_132007.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Christmas Eve, and the wild birds have a slippery slide to ride while they are eating. Carl's been keeping the feeders full and they seem to appreciate it.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzFoVEIJLAXRDlJhHw678eh0cVecxplAo-8XvMST04eAgAWTnUHiY6okAEinnSEGt1XQP0nqVZeHT6m36EKuMqu_7rwXkIozY9yr8S05ewbClGhOgMW-yZWW0Pl5onBlqVzxxKmofmrGokgivy8m4bprOeQqXsw3VeidoT_jbYIPmR2nmPPH6LxtfCw/s4032/20221224_132900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzFoVEIJLAXRDlJhHw678eh0cVecxplAo-8XvMST04eAgAWTnUHiY6okAEinnSEGt1XQP0nqVZeHT6m36EKuMqu_7rwXkIozY9yr8S05ewbClGhOgMW-yZWW0Pl5onBlqVzxxKmofmrGokgivy8m4bprOeQqXsw3VeidoT_jbYIPmR2nmPPH6LxtfCw/w480-h640/20221224_132900.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPz8fCwtnMbrBjFkkYR4SNYewsRIuHDaXSD2ojMgwH5w6c0aJHHYrNRxqCUXPgLgGTYG8rZ_qOxRS_FcPetOxyep7e_dc1f9OfXW-X5EsLcPPgct-1Ec97rDY_Z_6M3eEAmQIQaMtzoMrvZjJkdzFdxp38Vys-BDdDmDggR0rv-rN8P6Xz041vcRJY3g/s4032/20221224_132200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPz8fCwtnMbrBjFkkYR4SNYewsRIuHDaXSD2ojMgwH5w6c0aJHHYrNRxqCUXPgLgGTYG8rZ_qOxRS_FcPetOxyep7e_dc1f9OfXW-X5EsLcPPgct-1Ec97rDY_Z_6M3eEAmQIQaMtzoMrvZjJkdzFdxp38Vys-BDdDmDggR0rv-rN8P6Xz041vcRJY3g/w480-h640/20221224_132200.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww-2OkNxefvUWRJIShx1OlgoJZ_woboRBut-KIL2V213a5ndIG085kcwmp6sE2QAvlOaBNfE95AKoXFDTVpIZdWXD3u_Z4QHCpYC8fgCmvP4HbbSlkbD2cKQoJIt2lLbw3am6lCDtFc7m3_DzpzLY1qKXvVue8P9MNjGfPSThq35inP4NrDSMlaMChg/s4032/20221224_132053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww-2OkNxefvUWRJIShx1OlgoJZ_woboRBut-KIL2V213a5ndIG085kcwmp6sE2QAvlOaBNfE95AKoXFDTVpIZdWXD3u_Z4QHCpYC8fgCmvP4HbbSlkbD2cKQoJIt2lLbw3am6lCDtFc7m3_DzpzLY1qKXvVue8P9MNjGfPSThq35inP4NrDSMlaMChg/w480-h640/20221224_132053.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I can see why the delivery person decided to take a pass on trying to get into our yard. We've had whiteout conditions at times today; actually the conditions were much worse today than when the storm began on Thursday. The forecast is for the winds to die down a little by morning, but the temperature will only be around 9 degrees. If the winds drop from the 35-50 mph back down to 15 mph, it would help. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have peanut butter ball dough chilling on the front porch, so I guess I'd better bring it in before it's a frozen wad. <br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Mvk5kYvQQUXN3OBgjMrs0Dhllrn-6RIcc29twjwqMhW6eY1SHnG5CGfKqZMgpwaUE8X-NwTYQzIN40oyXeNOMu4x_nsapzVq6iaqkcjUimZXwYRMik1EQzoSJJvAP5pswNSN-s0JM3BKh_D8S1uyegWTlD1xv2TxJqF_1BsUC3kSBBspnmQB1W1PNw/s4032/20221224_155215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Mvk5kYvQQUXN3OBgjMrs0Dhllrn-6RIcc29twjwqMhW6eY1SHnG5CGfKqZMgpwaUE8X-NwTYQzIN40oyXeNOMu4x_nsapzVq6iaqkcjUimZXwYRMik1EQzoSJJvAP5pswNSN-s0JM3BKh_D8S1uyegWTlD1xv2TxJqF_1BsUC3kSBBspnmQB1W1PNw/w480-h640/20221224_155215.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The slippery slide is getting taller.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxds4Xo8M-2wZV5yLTKepu3N7-Wcya_YI-FwTQCONvgLyyIXvT_C28Q8NLmf74mgEZh88sPcHcZ4eCJBmCMcCY_c9cYa71UhfI5sAN_6Rsk8z5f74KIdwSyIxRAqBLq3S1b7f_yn8XSTOMqh42H0Vkh9xAwKdhf1qdQ51x-KB345HqNP3nygISk3M_4g/s4032/20221224_155128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxds4Xo8M-2wZV5yLTKepu3N7-Wcya_YI-FwTQCONvgLyyIXvT_C28Q8NLmf74mgEZh88sPcHcZ4eCJBmCMcCY_c9cYa71UhfI5sAN_6Rsk8z5f74KIdwSyIxRAqBLq3S1b7f_yn8XSTOMqh42H0Vkh9xAwKdhf1qdQ51x-KB345HqNP3nygISk3M_4g/w480-h524/20221224_155128.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Wishful, wistful thinking, looking out the window today at sunset, and longing to go for my evening walk, but it will have to wait for a warmer day. Funny, it doesn't look like -35 below windchill. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Mb_Oy2D0Q69eRBUlnohrSrz0P61ftVmDU5VDCgbrGa8ABNQfCq5o7ZdR7BFrUqd2WrNK7axu3rGCv_3IH5_iOItRfPl2MqgvXJtq57ZNpEFlbLYd3fALraOH2N6_z3veRCmuM4wGlE68map1VUh1FEc4Mg8xVe9SoF6Xf0GyHFm-teIWf1P_6KkEgw/s4032/20221224_160134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Mb_Oy2D0Q69eRBUlnohrSrz0P61ftVmDU5VDCgbrGa8ABNQfCq5o7ZdR7BFrUqd2WrNK7axu3rGCv_3IH5_iOItRfPl2MqgvXJtq57ZNpEFlbLYd3fALraOH2N6_z3veRCmuM4wGlE68map1VUh1FEc4Mg8xVe9SoF6Xf0GyHFm-teIWf1P_6KkEgw/w480-h640/20221224_160134.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Reflections of the railing rondels in the last of the sunset.<br /><br />Joel let me know that little Audrey has a fever of 103.6. We hope she feels better by morning, there's never a good time to be sick, but especially not on Christmas. There's been so much illness lately. <br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjXgbQnRdID1jwM60bgoLYEgjQXlixH_GXHvu_E6jJYqV7OAXlQK_wDimbS47dhfReCVb0A81vY5crRU5uZO4I1PMfJXAs_u1hEUmqH20yUbQ3jS_xQ4ixbHOTa967mRypv5PCerlvfmhZShL5ItTDsG24njC-NY42WgYUDjeLvdcgnYpfHOXS49EjA/s4032/20221224_192620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjXgbQnRdID1jwM60bgoLYEgjQXlixH_GXHvu_E6jJYqV7OAXlQK_wDimbS47dhfReCVb0A81vY5crRU5uZO4I1PMfJXAs_u1hEUmqH20yUbQ3jS_xQ4ixbHOTa967mRypv5PCerlvfmhZShL5ItTDsG24njC-NY42WgYUDjeLvdcgnYpfHOXS49EjA/w640-h480/20221224_192620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We ended Christmas Eve by making a batch of chocolate covered peanut butter balls. No, we don't need the calories, but it's a tradition. It's nearly 1AM now, and the wind doesn't seem to be shaking the house as much as it was earlier. Maybe tomorrow we can dig ourselves out of the driveway. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt3eAHKJlK36-_EMa0sJlpo8zhsJCsBnikStCm2uxE6BJRGvGqJgYj7jtf-OGuxo8-TDZQjg14ChJkdGYWnrSKJr4vb6kZFrXLU8hFq1xbaYfwcSvftzsYYx122P2tTJK7G1bEciTl1wmZ5Ve1uncZsk78AovkGRvZKOUK8Eqhmnq-Wq97mBG8uu57w/s4032/20221224_192751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt3eAHKJlK36-_EMa0sJlpo8zhsJCsBnikStCm2uxE6BJRGvGqJgYj7jtf-OGuxo8-TDZQjg14ChJkdGYWnrSKJr4vb6kZFrXLU8hFq1xbaYfwcSvftzsYYx122P2tTJK7G1bEciTl1wmZ5Ve1uncZsk78AovkGRvZKOUK8Eqhmnq-Wq97mBG8uu57w/w640-h480/20221224_192751.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Merry Christmas from our house to yours.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dH-Don49KVl7TKHbgPa78v4CNCbddL_tBfwUljNOaF0-wl3M4Uv84bJmilqoRYD0Gr7yRyOC8sEkVqmD03ctqV8hD8isOHT6ifbFa1OwM6gx8fVxmMfnV5TKXe-ZO-Hjs6uRSfeHPEkJL-RcaemAiEpdic3PFgTuZN_1jS1B-5bsXGDm-j2_P9hthg/s4032/20221224_192718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dH-Don49KVl7TKHbgPa78v4CNCbddL_tBfwUljNOaF0-wl3M4Uv84bJmilqoRYD0Gr7yRyOC8sEkVqmD03ctqV8hD8isOHT6ifbFa1OwM6gx8fVxmMfnV5TKXe-ZO-Hjs6uRSfeHPEkJL-RcaemAiEpdic3PFgTuZN_1jS1B-5bsXGDm-j2_P9hthg/w640-h480/20221224_192718.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p><p><br /></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-51550179725407931622022-07-18T00:06:00.003-05:002022-07-18T00:06:46.212-05:00First Big Project of 2022<p><span style="font-size: large;">In late May, we made the decision to remove ten ailing blue spruce trees from the southwest side of the Formal Garden. The trees were planted in 1992 and they had served their purpose. Colorado blue spruce really don't last long in our high Wisconsin humidity and fall subject to needle cast in their twenties, leaving them with bare branches and looking very sad. Time for a change.<br /><br />We had a rock wall to move that was in the midst of the trees. Joel came when he had time at night to lend us a hand.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJyLllmZ8Hihbu51c8SFrNkb0s8gbk2IRgNbrp-3CHwfuo5ueba1Up778YSsM2dF83eqJYmPgeU_BMdFQKqR36iGT1SJqaqOIymeknjlMAsvDMl_mhnDRs--WWQMUTfIAb6NRrxtetIObbClYOOpnZP15Q8aJOFakRWq6ivrKpHPeNSSOkpwiuQcGCQ/s4032/20220518_201651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJyLllmZ8Hihbu51c8SFrNkb0s8gbk2IRgNbrp-3CHwfuo5ueba1Up778YSsM2dF83eqJYmPgeU_BMdFQKqR36iGT1SJqaqOIymeknjlMAsvDMl_mhnDRs--WWQMUTfIAb6NRrxtetIObbClYOOpnZP15Q8aJOFakRWq6ivrKpHPeNSSOkpwiuQcGCQ/w480-h640/20220518_201651.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvd3SE7u_NtQtZfOrwjHxJ3lH31GkjNdtxe5f4V_EttNRhYldKiGWGQUYtz2pGtAFMMACLYPb6ogspISGSUo7bH0yXUVnBIStGMRUR-Btufu96irtw16YE38AosaTsihZH5J7_STGHjLgKkpx0lA8Hzz8JjSo1v39VkTdR-TL0A2l7lMbowy78P6v1A/s4032/20220520_172840.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvd3SE7u_NtQtZfOrwjHxJ3lH31GkjNdtxe5f4V_EttNRhYldKiGWGQUYtz2pGtAFMMACLYPb6ogspISGSUo7bH0yXUVnBIStGMRUR-Btufu96irtw16YE38AosaTsihZH5J7_STGHjLgKkpx0lA8Hzz8JjSo1v39VkTdR-TL0A2l7lMbowy78P6v1A/w480-h640/20220520_172840.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The spruce trees were really on their last legs. In 2019, the year we remodeled (and the roof was off) we had water standing on the lawn (and in five gallon pails in the house) for months which took a toll on the trees.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycfRwv_Hzhop7JsyGby4K5e8FLSqCRyd7Bq_jQkAIAf8NL7zp7xkAb934Btful9VG-SWYOodx2EtSQwhhtoe_d3NtfEMSsqkk5nx0g2wUdSFeCLDMBVDaH4IbIduCRQdFoWCtUPk8i2_wAOI9BMPOK_i7bgi2E5IMYqHvPQzx7iz31emNlJvpV_283Q/s4032/20220520_173013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycfRwv_Hzhop7JsyGby4K5e8FLSqCRyd7Bq_jQkAIAf8NL7zp7xkAb934Btful9VG-SWYOodx2EtSQwhhtoe_d3NtfEMSsqkk5nx0g2wUdSFeCLDMBVDaH4IbIduCRQdFoWCtUPk8i2_wAOI9BMPOK_i7bgi2E5IMYqHvPQzx7iz31emNlJvpV_283Q/w640-h480/20220520_173013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Carl and Joel cut the trees down and we limbed them up and made piles of the logs. Luckily our neighbor was willing to take them for firewood.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBS-TSVbof9645RVPDQa-_Nd37vcW2uAqnoGIo1gmzB1j8OuwwsfuPu3gznsWf05CNidPlpPyOv1Pl2ARokwOexdTaE2SYlJXg_wpuuhFI9OSG1znl19ole9gVx7d5ekCsqwhJWUl9IcG0F_kCN2v0HzTBwb7CLciMO7TncwhNbE5ExUit53LOXGgs7A/s4032/20220521_144657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBS-TSVbof9645RVPDQa-_Nd37vcW2uAqnoGIo1gmzB1j8OuwwsfuPu3gznsWf05CNidPlpPyOv1Pl2ARokwOexdTaE2SYlJXg_wpuuhFI9OSG1znl19ole9gVx7d5ekCsqwhJWUl9IcG0F_kCN2v0HzTBwb7CLciMO7TncwhNbE5ExUit53LOXGgs7A/w480-h640/20220521_144657.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Our granddaughter, Audrey, just turned six and is a great help around the garden. Here she is doing her best to use the cant hook to turn the log over.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhvPtyA7JDnrKpA9Fpd8ZSdiMe2XgehNZkrtwO2-VcILmSNexjlj4pXpxsnLcLnecOyjYONuC06nOGOXeBOf_upk11pJhBy_98jutxXBwBFG9qJNP4v_iA8Y2sjjEpPFrB5ee-S6X3nx6f1CTTxYWLkY5pdFEwAc0Kuvkf2ftKj1lhJEQ2Xm1ryqpew/s4032/20220521_144743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhvPtyA7JDnrKpA9Fpd8ZSdiMe2XgehNZkrtwO2-VcILmSNexjlj4pXpxsnLcLnecOyjYONuC06nOGOXeBOf_upk11pJhBy_98jutxXBwBFG9qJNP4v_iA8Y2sjjEpPFrB5ee-S6X3nx6f1CTTxYWLkY5pdFEwAc0Kuvkf2ftKj1lhJEQ2Xm1ryqpew/w480-h640/20220521_144743.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy22__uWrzkxgLGDbOjv41y0u2wc0GcqoDUUBhGhWpJtRHOx0cnNp2cFJIbxO2CJStXTmtX5QuuItIhxJFajVhQadnK_hLs6bCldvzd2-K3QKn4p94Iv7KmogMQ_TV8fvU0_eP-JfDKVWi0Qi5A86-nFBodaWTVlu_cWISq6jilhoNk-SwfEBrajzKA/s4032/20220521_144626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy22__uWrzkxgLGDbOjv41y0u2wc0GcqoDUUBhGhWpJtRHOx0cnNp2cFJIbxO2CJStXTmtX5QuuItIhxJFajVhQadnK_hLs6bCldvzd2-K3QKn4p94Iv7KmogMQ_TV8fvU0_eP-JfDKVWi0Qi5A86-nFBodaWTVlu_cWISq6jilhoNk-SwfEBrajzKA/w480-h640/20220521_144626.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The log is winning!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeXRGvzXEKW0rYQ60Lwek3WIsHZER-8KOSQh1dfK1zl-Zx7r9UMj4ZSyp7GNG44t2zkcdE0i8McNr76vjc19rNih1Z7mpVLU4d3DJnlXW8EzVtoU3hEguiZaHvVsW2du2fnsORyzum0MxJxFG6GQ3pJHYCU-WN9WRz8VUrtqEQxb4tNg-9QF2rvHbww/s4032/20220502_183420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeXRGvzXEKW0rYQ60Lwek3WIsHZER-8KOSQh1dfK1zl-Zx7r9UMj4ZSyp7GNG44t2zkcdE0i8McNr76vjc19rNih1Z7mpVLU4d3DJnlXW8EzVtoU3hEguiZaHvVsW2du2fnsORyzum0MxJxFG6GQ3pJHYCU-WN9WRz8VUrtqEQxb4tNg-9QF2rvHbww/w480-h640/20220502_183420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>After the trees were cut down over the course of two weeks, the next step was removing the stumps. Joel has been encouraging me to learn to drive the excavator, and with his tutelage, I was able to pick up some branches and rocks. Digging stumps, however, I left up to him.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After the stumps were removed we decided to transplant some young cedars into the place the old spruce trees stood. We'd bought just over a dozen two foot tall 'North Pole' arborvitae several years ago when they were on clearance at a big box store and planted them out back in a holding area in case we needed them someday.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Below, the start of the twelve trees being planted.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIiTSRq6aTgPPuUnldfdiWlzc72sDLIPwZHWQSq9bws6_HcZag7LSEZ1AQGSC_PGZmvIp_tIi-xIBT9Sod9jBqGM8FUMPWwd8EJQ_ergKDFEGSRz1OtIP4kuzO9oLUE7dWbGIiu-PFFCO1dFGozblBPQuhEY-0IJvVxBcXn6iCH-B6_3Xc9XauSduTA/s4032/20220607_201051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIiTSRq6aTgPPuUnldfdiWlzc72sDLIPwZHWQSq9bws6_HcZag7LSEZ1AQGSC_PGZmvIp_tIi-xIBT9Sod9jBqGM8FUMPWwd8EJQ_ergKDFEGSRz1OtIP4kuzO9oLUE7dWbGIiu-PFFCO1dFGozblBPQuhEY-0IJvVxBcXn6iCH-B6_3Xc9XauSduTA/w640-h480/20220607_201051.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The 'North Pole' trees had grown to around five feet over the last few years and though they are definitely a lot smaller than the spruce they replaced, we're getting used to the view. At first, there's always the panic of wondering if we've done the right thing after tree removal. As fate would have it, the very next week the severe storm went through, so we probably would have lost the mature trees anyway. As it was, all the young cedars were tipped out of the ground by the high winds, but after standing them back up, they are fine.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxBcBLQ5nqCF_3PbuH7RskmZXNTNUTnGoyiDUZEFS9Rs7DZ_x9vJbFiQjmYEH8rFD_3cXG2jy0KTGEm-DwBr7bHb0ccSM-1SHRnEQ_12jD8idO7s9kZ6YpskxhiaB7kok8Aqx-hvNiS6Jtfl54kCj1-WfIWADh1Q98JzNFr3ea8SsCbv31_S9rLDBmA/s4032/20220717_200255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="4032" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxBcBLQ5nqCF_3PbuH7RskmZXNTNUTnGoyiDUZEFS9Rs7DZ_x9vJbFiQjmYEH8rFD_3cXG2jy0KTGEm-DwBr7bHb0ccSM-1SHRnEQ_12jD8idO7s9kZ6YpskxhiaB7kok8Aqx-hvNiS6Jtfl54kCj1-WfIWADh1Q98JzNFr3ea8SsCbv31_S9rLDBmA/w640-h234/20220717_200255.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The tiny cedars in the foreground look pretty silly in comparison to the still-standing spruce in the background, but in time we hope it looks less goofy. In the rest of the now sunny spot we've now got, we planted a small vegetable garden. I bought some onion seeds this spring and was pleased when all 120 of them germinated, along with 50 green peppers, a dozen tomatoes and over 100 ground cherry plants. I'm not sure what we'll do with all of the ground cherries, but the plants are already producing. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Further down in the lower part of the lawn, near to the creek bottom, we planted four River Birch as they can tolerate wetter soil conditions. The trees are very small, but we got them for under $30 a piece and with a little luck, may see them grow a bit yet.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4BQajtYS7fqQkZn5H5vx9-V7p_t3_QmtG2LhpBDpGZMMUKqleuBp3rEYVGOqf0mdtrJL9zQvs2RE4HLhNAI_069zjkOCs41DXFQc9Zke3pAuADEdRD1tqzG1L1Nj-h_0Zf-XUAOB4LrW54DxXOBYowZdXva_jRFNsiOUXl6kGQscmLO-YteQFZuiFA/s4032/20220715_195434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4BQajtYS7fqQkZn5H5vx9-V7p_t3_QmtG2LhpBDpGZMMUKqleuBp3rEYVGOqf0mdtrJL9zQvs2RE4HLhNAI_069zjkOCs41DXFQc9Zke3pAuADEdRD1tqzG1L1Nj-h_0Zf-XUAOB4LrW54DxXOBYowZdXva_jRFNsiOUXl6kGQscmLO-YteQFZuiFA/w480-h640/20220715_195434.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The old spruce trees had cast a lot of shade on the Formal Garden, but now that they're gone, the hostas don't seem to be suffering very much. In fact, they seem to be enjoying the additional light. The garden is less gloomy.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGQWHrOZBLirI7_p2mBq6Dbv3l8_eIBeMmIKaNQwNdMXsNADFVFTZDmJKNeyP7VuchLlBrgAf_WxE2S9e901X0znDD8Vl1S69H1VocXqakFrH7quWvTpbFFT7F_jqcfgrLdimSUmSg4rlPa90wBE6UDyZ54fBeHrffUVc0dKHBnsDoZQsl-72qOXBdA/s4032/20220715_195349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGQWHrOZBLirI7_p2mBq6Dbv3l8_eIBeMmIKaNQwNdMXsNADFVFTZDmJKNeyP7VuchLlBrgAf_WxE2S9e901X0znDD8Vl1S69H1VocXqakFrH7quWvTpbFFT7F_jqcfgrLdimSUmSg4rlPa90wBE6UDyZ54fBeHrffUVc0dKHBnsDoZQsl-72qOXBdA/w480-h640/20220715_195349.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4GrAcZu84fqQdd_RLo6J9xGXgzz3fcj2rPO1MTKBEXImFGXwRgn168Y8bdpqLJ8WbLGu_XPa8Yqs-kOIhjMT7N5Rhj7jpn48oX0fLxNS2t84ejF9VNZKTAbLqk0Ys159guiQmeYSrjHs6e0-NNn0Jr0AwPA1Wm29gkZtrF_39ZY5RZ5nMDXo8_77lg/s4032/20220715_195314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4GrAcZu84fqQdd_RLo6J9xGXgzz3fcj2rPO1MTKBEXImFGXwRgn168Y8bdpqLJ8WbLGu_XPa8Yqs-kOIhjMT7N5Rhj7jpn48oX0fLxNS2t84ejF9VNZKTAbLqk0Ys159guiQmeYSrjHs6e0-NNn0Jr0AwPA1Wm29gkZtrF_39ZY5RZ5nMDXo8_77lg/w480-h640/20220715_195314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HampDnaz6bFiSogIEefaULHCxCn0JOd-kC98XOICjybOj2P_M_lTjaFtbYCRHWRMvShzysmTnr9imTSQfIGE0_B1HalK53wiuKg_aR-wtZ99PkYK-C5Iy1aaIsX9L4dxDInbA26f3tIyGhu20u2JxrE9HbokpCz7WSKkr4lRGkbv6yMdYG_-Il-zBA/s4032/20220715_195158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HampDnaz6bFiSogIEefaULHCxCn0JOd-kC98XOICjybOj2P_M_lTjaFtbYCRHWRMvShzysmTnr9imTSQfIGE0_B1HalK53wiuKg_aR-wtZ99PkYK-C5Iy1aaIsX9L4dxDInbA26f3tIyGhu20u2JxrE9HbokpCz7WSKkr4lRGkbv6yMdYG_-Il-zBA/w480-h640/20220715_195158.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>After the cedars were planted, we also removed two smaller raised beds that I'd given up on, 'Thing One and Thing Two'. We are trying to downsize every year for the sake of maintenance. My cancer diagnosis last year was the push we needed to make more sweeping changes faster, as the garden is too big for one person alone to handle. We have to accept the fact we're not getting any younger and put more back into lawn and less into planting spaces.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPtqn80eDcKv8h-IM9PlE6tA0YQ_I_N49mpO-tDcLOEg8GExNKFioBr4oCDMTkbvUuMC7t4IG3du1DqB5tefI20UK3EVo8S_rVo6NjVxVki31re6dkfFl34EIHPV6b8Gkob4FdVnS1cCyOFiS3rs-gvpYDM2VX3Ntx6NiKDLTEVhfVZvH8BFj6Nf0pw/s4032/20220701_152226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPtqn80eDcKv8h-IM9PlE6tA0YQ_I_N49mpO-tDcLOEg8GExNKFioBr4oCDMTkbvUuMC7t4IG3du1DqB5tefI20UK3EVo8S_rVo6NjVxVki31re6dkfFl34EIHPV6b8Gkob4FdVnS1cCyOFiS3rs-gvpYDM2VX3Ntx6NiKDLTEVhfVZvH8BFj6Nf0pw/w480-h640/20220701_152226.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We took the big rocks from the two abandoned beds and made another small wall in the shady area by the old footbridge. Rocks don't need weeding and it looks pretty good for now. Thank goodness for the old wrecker.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Carl had another rock he wanted to bring over from his dad's place so he took our tractor and the wrecker to fetch it a few weeks ago. I followed with the car as he had to go down the busy highway and two sideroads with the rock swinging to and fro. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_CqdFmpDU2kkw7mQaPIBzBVeEC5ywPEvJJNBhN0UVLH21KM0DRwRZTztCQwkkejjYeZi30zZObFaOMZ5z2mOcR5Hh_iPXVcDtSKWPTBcZI2zEXG5criGjs8bm9ywvblDT4P8RX8F3LK_Pq8WFNFJzzUYl4d1fKGxcK2IXt3oV3Qa479oNoV6GEuQ7g/s4032/20220620_104656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_CqdFmpDU2kkw7mQaPIBzBVeEC5ywPEvJJNBhN0UVLH21KM0DRwRZTztCQwkkejjYeZi30zZObFaOMZ5z2mOcR5Hh_iPXVcDtSKWPTBcZI2zEXG5criGjs8bm9ywvblDT4P8RX8F3LK_Pq8WFNFJzzUYl4d1fKGxcK2IXt3oV3Qa479oNoV6GEuQ7g/w480-h640/20220620_104656.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I kept my distance, but no worries, the rock stayed in the chains until we got home.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nbMg1BMh-Qr4n1LYlLgOT9-x0huXdqgf6vcoIUJhoPjyXQqqPleU28DjjcrD2S7VJY97jU3t0IYV1OUvFAX9-HRL9J7kKvrRwGf81ofTYz0KnxjjZh-_9aXTlHiMCwbzLKhPM2OblsZ5niSkaOIvBjsHyUjKe4NbfabHaSrXdOn9bLVBjEPPWwj13A/s4032/20220626_201307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nbMg1BMh-Qr4n1LYlLgOT9-x0huXdqgf6vcoIUJhoPjyXQqqPleU28DjjcrD2S7VJY97jU3t0IYV1OUvFAX9-HRL9J7kKvrRwGf81ofTYz0KnxjjZh-_9aXTlHiMCwbzLKhPM2OblsZ5niSkaOIvBjsHyUjKe4NbfabHaSrXdOn9bLVBjEPPWwj13A/w640-h480/20220626_201307.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We placed it in the hosta bed in the backyard. More rocks, less weeding. (More headaches for whoever takes this place over after we're gone.) </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I think this will be the only big garden project this year. Weeding was the next thing to accomplish and we barely finished going through all the beds last week Saturday, just in time for the garden walk on Sunday, July 10. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In February a garden club called and asked if we would join five other gardens for a garden walk scheduled for July 23. We agreed, but a </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">few weeks ago, I received another call and the organizers decided the walk was canceled. </span> I did plant a lot more flowers this year in anticipation, but, well, stuff happens. The July 10 group seemed to think the yard was ok. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The worst part of getting ready for garden walks, <i>is getting ready for garden walks,</i> if you know what I mean. Weeding, primping, pruning, tidying up, putting hoses, wheelbarrows, stuff away, sweep the porch, wash the windows, rake the driveway, deadhead everything, it all takes a vast amount of time and energy. It's almost like taking a final exam in school and being timed on the test. When the bus pulls in, it's time to put down your shovels. Time's up. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, the July 10 tour group was very kind and made all the work worth it. It would have been nice to have two in a row since, as Carl says, 'The garden's all dressed up and has nowhere to go.' If all goes well, we'll still have our annual booyah party in August, so at least a few more people will hopefully enjoy the views. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDK8Vj8LR4wKpbJqbyeqaduYVOSJHnjd6kdSwjnJS_XPG82_Z7K-X_whbtlOfWeX6QYUi1Kf8mv8z91k-l__1UtfR4RQEaNuIQvv94bYlcNjVQFATIjKW66W26OhpF5H2LQgbFcL_4VmuhmtV-Pa_NDrITbfRfsq1XGYNHsEeT9qqaJBkuQ3lVBL-Qw/s4032/20220704_204320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDK8Vj8LR4wKpbJqbyeqaduYVOSJHnjd6kdSwjnJS_XPG82_Z7K-X_whbtlOfWeX6QYUi1Kf8mv8z91k-l__1UtfR4RQEaNuIQvv94bYlcNjVQFATIjKW66W26OhpF5H2LQgbFcL_4VmuhmtV-Pa_NDrITbfRfsq1XGYNHsEeT9qqaJBkuQ3lVBL-Qw/w640-h480/20220704_204320.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7iQ7Vk79UnXwSGW6Horv8llbstXtPIK3FwIbMchchFyL3VA9JDAW24oLJjUrbGGX6Yv0Sk0XxfT0f0W-Y_hSG57xQ1k9JUgo2H2JhbU548h1QFQPapE7zSWCMU4XT6n9vyOL5lk7OuP7lHTwAoC5QNpSvE-O8EVWhXsv9ItWsoQ1C51eiNvilW_QIw/s4032/20220703_210523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7iQ7Vk79UnXwSGW6Horv8llbstXtPIK3FwIbMchchFyL3VA9JDAW24oLJjUrbGGX6Yv0Sk0XxfT0f0W-Y_hSG57xQ1k9JUgo2H2JhbU548h1QFQPapE7zSWCMU4XT6n9vyOL5lk7OuP7lHTwAoC5QNpSvE-O8EVWhXsv9ItWsoQ1C51eiNvilW_QIw/w480-h640/20220703_210523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> Our next step is to start at the beginning of the gardens and go through them one more time, weeding and deadheading, which shouldn't be as bad as the first time through, since we were able to mulch fairly heavily. My back has been giving me a lot of trouble lately, even before gardening season (gardening actually makes it feel better, it's getting out of a chair and sleeping that's been a problem) so I was sent off to a pain management doctor for an MRI and found I have degenerative disc disease. I went through two experimental injection sessions to the medial branch nerves which worked for a few hours, so the next step is to try a medial branch ablation procedure which may (or may not) provide relief for six months to a year or more. The first procedure is the end of the month. I'm not looking forward to it, but we'll see how it goes.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mUrPQkIxnxGuZhld7yp3Np8iSLNflUMzi5v0QgNLqy0wzJAoCnlwFijRh0qtmOULqRp0BMaCE4lGrg1geCqVwhD0b6rUnROHbVsTeAwvDRuez3ns7L_ASV1mSOuqOvZi7HZhJRE3yVd7kEfdGNXA-XJThR354hRpfqryl_sM6hMbMmFwpWMG9ZMlgw/s3329/20220717_204754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3329" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mUrPQkIxnxGuZhld7yp3Np8iSLNflUMzi5v0QgNLqy0wzJAoCnlwFijRh0qtmOULqRp0BMaCE4lGrg1geCqVwhD0b6rUnROHbVsTeAwvDRuez3ns7L_ASV1mSOuqOvZi7HZhJRE3yVd7kEfdGNXA-XJThR354hRpfqryl_sM6hMbMmFwpWMG9ZMlgw/w582-h640/20220717_204754.jpg" width="582" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Maybe we'll have to switch to gardening in raised beds. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-27438371409773723422022-07-15T12:17:00.003-05:002022-07-15T12:27:45.716-05:00Stormy June <p> <span style="font-size: large;">One month ago, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, a severe storm ripped through our neighborhood. Weather warnings had been ongoing all day long and when I saw that a prominent storm chasing YouTuber named Reed Timmer was tornado hunting in Wisconsin, it wasn't a good sign. We had been weeding all day in the high heat and humidity and when the sky turned dark at around 5:30 pm we decided to retreat to the house. <br /><br />I had just poured a glass of water when Carl said, "Do you hear it?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I did. The sound of a freight train approaching and coming in fast.<br /><br />I took my beverage and headed downstairs to the basement. Seated on a chair in the midst of the clutter we have still to deal with since the remodel, I sighed with a rather defeatist attitude. Of course it is the safest course of action to go to the basement during a storm, but even beyond safety reasons, I had no desire to watch our house be destroyed in less than a minute. <br /><br />Carl opted to stay seated in our bay window overlooking the garden, which of course, is not a safe option, but almost identical to the way things went in the early 1980's when the last tornado tore up our neighborhood and my father's barn with it. <br /><br />At that time, Carl had remained upstairs taking photos of the most alarming lightning we'd ever seen in our 23 years of life while I was cowering in the basement with our German Shepherd dog, Sparky. As the storm grew increasingly worse and the power went out, I remember yelling for Carl until he finally relented and came downstairs to join us. As the storm started to abate, I climbed up on a chair to look out the west basement window and at the next lightning flash, I said, "Dad's barn is gone." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">We gingerly climbed up the basement stairs to see if we
still had a roof, and miraculously, our house and my parents were
entirely intact, but the path of destruction through the neighborhood
and beyond was terrible. Luckily, we lost no cattle and no one was
hurt, but it was a mess back then.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Below is a before and after of our barn in 1980. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img border="0" height="444" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fMp_CUIbSFQ/TMdLYUefwpI/AAAAAAAAG9o/2YINh1cxpPA/s640/1980+barn.jpg" width="640" /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img border="0" height="448" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fMp_CUIbSFQ/TMdO0PKEcII/AAAAAAAAG94/Nw99j-tJ1BM/s640/barn003.jpg" width="640" /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I'm also including a link to my post of that storm: <a href="http://krensgarden-karen.blogspot.com/2010/10/explosive-cyclogenesis-or-wow-is-it.html">Our Barn</a></i> <br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward 40 years and the storm path was nearly identically repeated, only this time just a quarter-mile to our west. I went out on the front porch to see how the house had fared and a car turned into our driveway. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A man rolled down his window and yelled, "Are you okay?!" <br /><br />I gave him the thumb's up and he waved and headed back west. He'd had to turn around because a huge oak tree had come down in the woods and landed entirely across the road. <br /><br />Joel called me and said that the big cottonwood tree was down on the northwest corner of the farm. The tree was a landmark for us as it was huge for as long as I could remember. <br /><br />The pictures below are from a few years ago:<br /></span></p><p><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zKq-85Xvr8k/UUQEG7UjpHI/AAAAAAAAN78/mo3rTkDoz2U/s640/DSC_1456+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="428" /></p><p></p><p><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ8miigRK1U/UUQEiQ2e_SI/AAAAAAAAN9Q/774ylLQcYG8/s640/DSC_1512+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /> <br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: large;">After the 1981 storm, the cottonwood had taken a beating, too, and it bore the scars of having been struck by lightning many times. <br /><br />Now, it is no more.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpq2-FF5HFoBMNJNf2mU2f-mXKTlJY-RvsIdwnoYuf05o3dCCvAnQ1MRlo9IpS98g8nNHGYXK1FNRt-Sr9teBC7FnlF2IkQSoA2B1ENa-BdVG5SIUsxivX88HVXvvVPlIYCRENFtCUOJ7769oadr3NiC8ohKx3zL0c1VoS_iYEY-OTgb4yRpa4ECRQw/s4032/20220712_123318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpq2-FF5HFoBMNJNf2mU2f-mXKTlJY-RvsIdwnoYuf05o3dCCvAnQ1MRlo9IpS98g8nNHGYXK1FNRt-Sr9teBC7FnlF2IkQSoA2B1ENa-BdVG5SIUsxivX88HVXvvVPlIYCRENFtCUOJ7769oadr3NiC8ohKx3zL0c1VoS_iYEY-OTgb4yRpa4ECRQw/w640-h480/20220712_123318.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRJx2N_SRgGr1zO7oaK3wAVoijghjxHgFp-ZBC-4NdzycaZAgPd0hAf7j9wJVe6wg2OhOXJG8LBWn8FBW-hxsnN83-6IVVGsAsx7WCOCiNw-SoURe3P6SbhU3aHemWk_xEgRyaENEuh_xeqdELEZ0scFPljIDjNS5kQXhCM-Y6r-JMDN6q3nkXGZjyA/s4032/20220712_123339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRJx2N_SRgGr1zO7oaK3wAVoijghjxHgFp-ZBC-4NdzycaZAgPd0hAf7j9wJVe6wg2OhOXJG8LBWn8FBW-hxsnN83-6IVVGsAsx7WCOCiNw-SoURe3P6SbhU3aHemWk_xEgRyaENEuh_xeqdELEZ0scFPljIDjNS5kQXhCM-Y6r-JMDN6q3nkXGZjyA/w480-h640/20220712_123339.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">While I was still on the phone with Joel that night, he said, "Oh, no! Dale's barn is down, too!"</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4yp7cWDP3VaTaR0tLoz83iTY0QedJYy5NVPE-MLJ9a54wh4lW2bc1v8nztjr18-YapO6WJWmxDyiksSbT6gHHokV3sFUoMG0jz9iH8eL-cLuXcZfTTlL8Qp_cERwuK2X3MaK9zyT-m8QGCAw28O9uGWbmD1bmk-R2rN8tZdwd0rXWjQc2IGhGQI45A/s4032/20220615_203939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4yp7cWDP3VaTaR0tLoz83iTY0QedJYy5NVPE-MLJ9a54wh4lW2bc1v8nztjr18-YapO6WJWmxDyiksSbT6gHHokV3sFUoMG0jz9iH8eL-cLuXcZfTTlL8Qp_cERwuK2X3MaK9zyT-m8QGCAw28O9uGWbmD1bmk-R2rN8tZdwd0rXWjQc2IGhGQI45A/w640-h480/20220615_203939.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Dale is the young farmer who has been renting our land for over a decade. What a mess he has to deal with, and how eerily similar to the storm 41 years ago and our barn's destruction.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The neighbors have been helping each other with what they can, luckily no one was hurt. Our area was hit very hard by this storm, trees were down, roof damage, barns and sheds destroyed and at least one home was damaged beyond repair.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We drove our excavator over to the barn site at 1AM to avoid highway traffic. Joel assisted with removing the biggest parts of the wreckage.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGnoPtpEJ7ymg3TN5rK1bMFodpPe3GlsGxR8caGDCeywAM48cbaiAIbxyvalVYHba61zhem7vO4XEqTV6evA7MoiaPa1aYqduNCeUX-dlGh8xkSlzOkVbsaXREoPMkakxM5cQMuMf4DVN4GwGxtO4Zt21jGIyFhy-klHDqAAb4lgyCpCQjR4Y199gQA/s4032/20220619_112809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGnoPtpEJ7ymg3TN5rK1bMFodpPe3GlsGxR8caGDCeywAM48cbaiAIbxyvalVYHba61zhem7vO4XEqTV6evA7MoiaPa1aYqduNCeUX-dlGh8xkSlzOkVbsaXREoPMkakxM5cQMuMf4DVN4GwGxtO4Zt21jGIyFhy-klHDqAAb4lgyCpCQjR4Y199gQA/w480-h640/20220619_112809.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpC5ufbVNbp2GxdanzBZYOcwleVa9E-NluisqWevYjDaUaWYyJ0Zx9XNxf0dHpmEyytmSlLiQemv3MOyWh7hI3PXcdRkMp_EdLpte_AmSc2U2OEiE-ksZTHokcG2mlBiy4f00GYy_NgcJddTDFPVUGfDiGzWbE_k8fpvN5evBZjHSyDK7aIalC77s20Q/s4032/20220619_113443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpC5ufbVNbp2GxdanzBZYOcwleVa9E-NluisqWevYjDaUaWYyJ0Zx9XNxf0dHpmEyytmSlLiQemv3MOyWh7hI3PXcdRkMp_EdLpte_AmSc2U2OEiE-ksZTHokcG2mlBiy4f00GYy_NgcJddTDFPVUGfDiGzWbE_k8fpvN5evBZjHSyDK7aIalC77s20Q/w480-h640/20220619_113443.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2CAalqj8VjbHen_OrdwEDVCBOqbx3uj4RyovaFAiV_Q67w8tr-1-1bz4FyAUVICWuEMIbEqX9GnTZCA2_0_XxYfL-w56t63xNkQNQXq-4zT_VMlctu-vVOQ-MvXts7ARA19re5U_I5uAx4dT9lZlTAMijNGAfpNMKTwOoUT6Ab9AbRHQXjA6YWfJWg/s4032/20220619_113446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2CAalqj8VjbHen_OrdwEDVCBOqbx3uj4RyovaFAiV_Q67w8tr-1-1bz4FyAUVICWuEMIbEqX9GnTZCA2_0_XxYfL-w56t63xNkQNQXq-4zT_VMlctu-vVOQ-MvXts7ARA19re5U_I5uAx4dT9lZlTAMijNGAfpNMKTwOoUT6Ab9AbRHQXjA6YWfJWg/w480-h640/20220619_113446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SwHlnQE9xP-NoqmRhHtz0oEyYu5_YIK4xl8dwa4pc_ySxKyZZlUa7X1KOdKVhYSWysQRZIeVCvwz33eSf1d9vAmQYICWyVMlN1b4zxT4KC9YxC2hHRYsKxbWYqrb7UyVXBv2keU4-0xminnwCcwIC5tviwura5pgMn651hHMIkCfOspUOLwMGk03Eg/s4032/20220619_113449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SwHlnQE9xP-NoqmRhHtz0oEyYu5_YIK4xl8dwa4pc_ySxKyZZlUa7X1KOdKVhYSWysQRZIeVCvwz33eSf1d9vAmQYICWyVMlN1b4zxT4KC9YxC2hHRYsKxbWYqrb7UyVXBv2keU4-0xminnwCcwIC5tviwura5pgMn651hHMIkCfOspUOLwMGk03Eg/w480-h640/20220619_113449.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nSqKMgciQo/YtGY44Y9JiI/AAAAAAABLAY/g9qYfwyAJhgLKyH0UExHgqgN1mMauQz9gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20220620_183952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nSqKMgciQo/YtGY44Y9JiI/AAAAAAABLAY/g9qYfwyAJhgLKyH0UExHgqgN1mMauQz9gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20220620_183952.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Clean up is still ongoing a month later. <br /><br />We were without power from Wednesday, June 15 until Sunday, June 19, at 7PM. This is the longest stretch of power outage I can remember in sixty-four years. The damage was so extensive; we had crews from Iowa and a few other states here working on the downed power lines all over the county.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Once again, we were lucky that our house was spared. A big spruce and part of a cedar went down near the garden, but didn't wreck anything else. We lost about fifteen trees in the Back Eight that we're taking our time dealing with and at Carl's parent's property, there's another dozen that are out by the roots, but no damage to buildings. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The power outage was a bit of a dilemma, though we were lucky to own a generator and that we'd just had it tuned up by a friend of Joel's a month earlier. We could keep the freezers and sump pump going by running the generator for a few hours. Also, luckily for all of us, the temperatures remained cool for the five days after the storm, not the 90's we'd had before. Living in the country, when the power goes out, there's no water either, so bathing is out of the question. Our nearby towns were without power, too, so if we needed groceries and gasoline for the generators we had to drive to Green Bay. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our friend Ann came on Saturday with hot water in insulated jugs so we could wash our hands and do some dishes. What a blessing that was! In between times, Carl and I kept weeding the garden during the day here and there and life seemed almost normal again, until night, that is.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I had boiled a bunch of eggs the day before the storm, so for those five days we ate eggs, cold cuts, cereal and cabbage. I have sleep apnea and for the first time in over a decade, I had no CPAP which made sleeping a struggle, but hey, I survived. We didn't get much sleep anyway because the battery powered sump pump alarm would go off every hour and with a generator running wide open next to the bedroom window, well, sleep was elusive.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We were blessed to have come through another storm with no injuries. <br /><br />I will say candlelight suppers are okay, but the romance wears off pretty quickly. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing beats a hot shower.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-60951503956354149702022-07-06T02:20:00.000-05:002022-07-06T02:20:04.262-05:00Life as a Fat Flattie<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Well, I've been gone a long time once again. There's a lot to catch up on, so here goes.<br />I'm still recovering from my double mastectomy back in September of 2021. I'd probably be further along with the healing process had I not needed a second, revision surgery to correct the mess the breast surgeon left behind. I'm not a vain woman, but I cannot believe the surgeon was serious when she said she 'did the best she could'. What I was left with was a travesty. I have shown pictures of my scars to friends and their gasps of shock and disbelief say it all. <br /><br />All I can say after going through the experience is this: Make sure the surgeon shows you pictures of their work. If I had seen what this doctor's results looked like, I'd have literally run from her. There is a thing called 'Flat Denial' when it comes to doctors, and it's not right. <br /><br />I was able to find a plastic surgeon who took on the challenge of correcting what she could on March 3, 2022. Another surgery, twenty inches of incisions, drains, and compression garments. Though the end result is not perfect, it is at least easier to look at myself in a mirror. Sort of. <br /><br />I've had so many doctor appointments; up to three times a week, and it's hard to get much done when we're constantly heading to one clinic or another. Physical therapy has been a godsend for me, though. I've had around fifteen sessions since last September and with work and luck, I've been able to regain a good part of my range of motion. I still need to keep at the stretching for life now.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Since the tumor was removed entirely with surgery and I had no lymph node involvement, the next step was endocrine therapy with aromatase inhibitors for five to ten years. I did try them for six and a half weeks, but the side effects made me miserable. The oncologist wasn't thrilled with my decision to not take the drugs any longer, but he understood. I have a ten percent chance of recurrence if I do not take them, which would be lowered to six percent if I did. For as awful as I felt, four percent didn't seem to be enough of a benefit, and sad to say, there are no guarantees for any of us. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What many women don't realize (well, ok, perhaps this isn't a problem for thin women) but after a mastectomy, hiding in plain sight from me under what used to be bosoms, is a belly. Many women in support groups refer to it as the 'Buddah Belly' which is pretty self-explanatory. Once my ample chest was gone I look like </span><span style="font-size: large;">Winnie the Pooh's long-lost cousin, Karen Pooh. Ugh, it's not pretty.<br /><br />I did not opt for reconstruction since, knowing me, I'd probably puncture an implant with a tree branch or tractor steering wheel. Plus, the additional surgeries needed and more pain just doesn't seem worth it to me. I decided to stay flat, which, with the exception of the botched surgery, I still do not regret. Except, when I see my profile from the side. As Piglet from the aforementioned Winnie the Pooh would say, "Oh, d.d.d.d.d.ear........!" Oh dear, indeed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I can be fitted for custom made prostheses, but I haven't taken that step yet. From what I've heard, they are heavy, hot and annoying and I'd have to wear a bra again. One perk of all of this is no more of those torture devices. Still, I did invest in some relatively affordable, lightweight foam breast forms that I do like. In addition, a kind organization made me some Knitted Knockers, which are also very nice. I especially like having something to protect my scars and tender chest wall, and also a diversion from the stares I sometimes receive. <br /><br />The biggest problem with the prosthetics during the summer is sweat. In no time at all, the foam forms soak up the moisture and it's like wearing a wet sponge on your chest wall. No fun! So, pride out the window, I go flat and often forget about how I look. That is, until a neighbor stopped in the other day.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't seen this neighbor in over a year and in his defense, he didn't know about my surgery. After a long look at me, he asked how I'd been. I told him about the mastectomies and he said, "Yeah, I noticed." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now, why this would bother me a bit, I don't know. Of course it's obvious, it's just that I forget from time to time. Then I get paranoid and think I should always make sure to have a prosthesis on so people aren't uncomfortable around me. Then the sane part of me thinks why? No matter what I do, people who know what happened look at me either way, if I'm flat or if I'm stuffing my shirt. <br /><br />It's a strange turn of events to be self conscious at sixty-four years old about my chest, or lack thereof. Before the breast cancer, when I was still well-endowed, I was always self conscious about whether my shirts were gapping or how I looked in certain garments, and had done my share of slouching in order to not 'put myself out there'. I tried to hide the best I could. Turn about is fair play, they say, so here I am, flat, and trying to do the opposite? How silly. Life is far too short.<br /><br />When I do go out in public, I wear my fake boobs, or foobs, as many of us in this 'club no one wants to be in' refer to prosthetics. Women's clothes are cut for breasts, so it just looks better and balances out the ol' belly, too. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Carl and I are getting ready for a garden bus tour this coming Sunday and have been weeding like mad. It was a very hot, humid day today and of course, I wasn't wearing the foobs at all, but wouldn't you know, I walked into the handle of the lawn seeder this afternoon, right in the scar line. Ouch. I'll survive, but it would have been better had I been sporting the foam rubber for protection.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> So, anyway, enough about this topic. Nothing like getting everything off my chest. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> No pun intended. :-) <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLBAO-lIkPY07MXvoJNsUPsK71AFj_BKHq5rCttKFS-8IliP_72J4WHRw_z6B7Y1OkvcVexichu3ERmFvaE2cA8QX0dAg_ar10EnnSFlK9g63GBitihZiG8RVnBbZA5X500Sd_QtXGupxHK3aayCI5sSpcO9NNwCs-aa9rwALIlYfqAApTR3U_axnvw/s4032/20220629_201222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLBAO-lIkPY07MXvoJNsUPsK71AFj_BKHq5rCttKFS-8IliP_72J4WHRw_z6B7Y1OkvcVexichu3ERmFvaE2cA8QX0dAg_ar10EnnSFlK9g63GBitihZiG8RVnBbZA5X500Sd_QtXGupxHK3aayCI5sSpcO9NNwCs-aa9rwALIlYfqAApTR3U_axnvw/s320/20220629_201222.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-46260353349436390872022-02-01T01:17:00.001-06:002022-02-01T11:51:34.321-06:00The Saga Continues<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigbZe6j783WCO0Kejyld8J2J25BR3oa_0CYGGvWtclcatnd3Hk9ttREc6hQTmGRIycb7uQ9y82_TB_MUM8T3ylSaFL7VMO33ZCiWNK1fHKjSdZKcNXSVlplhpl_Zk67RmoH4jp2gqlx1DFuthO1fVe7SPsPTLAxgi74JKu2STiAeocUc_b0ER0pssptg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigbZe6j783WCO0Kejyld8J2J25BR3oa_0CYGGvWtclcatnd3Hk9ttREc6hQTmGRIycb7uQ9y82_TB_MUM8T3ylSaFL7VMO33ZCiWNK1fHKjSdZKcNXSVlplhpl_Zk67RmoH4jp2gqlx1DFuthO1fVe7SPsPTLAxgi74JKu2STiAeocUc_b0ER0pssptg=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The demon mammogram machine, may I never see another one again.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p> <span style="font-size: large;">So when we last left the saga, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had made my decision to go flat. (Which is a big change for this big girl; flat is not something I have ever been since I was a teenager.)<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Carl and I left the 'team' meeting and headed back home once again. I was told scheduling would be calling me with a surgery date, and the call came a few days later. <br /><br />September 13, 2021.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ok, I had almost a month before the big, flat, surgery.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But first we had another big day coming up in a few weeks, the wedding of Alan and Leslie and a lot of work to get done. Since we've never been responsible for an entire outdoor wedding before, the one thing no one can control is the weather. The weekend before the wedding, it rained incessantly, 4" worth and we had standing puddles.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0BU98MjlSZCYa9ltJc2QHOfs2hKj83kkWJcw_7kozq2RwnOaXXS5kEEEXKgdbeHLIcHB5PArFa8mh9Q4pxq2td8Won4hJtUUEpREnuall5C5Ff90ivOUhEILOXXwuz3YkJUVEMWS5VWJABjMh4ytZaB_yyqUuJ8e79QzRGxCbUz1H0fxIv5-R7wDj-Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0BU98MjlSZCYa9ltJc2QHOfs2hKj83kkWJcw_7kozq2RwnOaXXS5kEEEXKgdbeHLIcHB5PArFa8mh9Q4pxq2td8Won4hJtUUEpREnuall5C5Ff90ivOUhEILOXXwuz3YkJUVEMWS5VWJABjMh4ytZaB_yyqUuJ8e79QzRGxCbUz1H0fxIv5-R7wDj-Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXG8HTiPVTnAzeoC_MTnrsLxqJOgEF2IkX5MC5d4irw_Yo4I1xNC3PAjV1iO2xIxXAd738rCfM7pd4yra1bNXCzSg1m449_bCa1aqANHlIvsCVuSRTDKPCdRPdhbD8odT8BENmfupVGieThYpOaTay8ubsMdhy_2fz82KQwOzzc1FIMK1152qdAkl6GQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXG8HTiPVTnAzeoC_MTnrsLxqJOgEF2IkX5MC5d4irw_Yo4I1xNC3PAjV1iO2xIxXAd738rCfM7pd4yra1bNXCzSg1m449_bCa1aqANHlIvsCVuSRTDKPCdRPdhbD8odT8BENmfupVGieThYpOaTay8ubsMdhy_2fz82KQwOzzc1FIMK1152qdAkl6GQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFSv-GpGqBYSr9R4uR8iiTVfNQaoy9o0m5psup7HSuymtLCAvmZZ2Ki7KDJj0wZAeJKYy9kwChcqn3dvHmmRyMPQ_MGIkJzhCpszGVkcLB2YpPsfjJpdd8fz-QuVEaArcNz2v4Cq55Zq-ARfk8iLN0Ppn3eq06N8BrQVNhw9b0Ad17RK0iyRw1z_CjhQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFSv-GpGqBYSr9R4uR8iiTVfNQaoy9o0m5psup7HSuymtLCAvmZZ2Ki7KDJj0wZAeJKYy9kwChcqn3dvHmmRyMPQ_MGIkJzhCpszGVkcLB2YpPsfjJpdd8fz-QuVEaArcNz2v4Cq55Zq-ARfk8iLN0Ppn3eq06N8BrQVNhw9b0Ad17RK0iyRw1z_CjhQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What would we do if the wedding weekend was a washout as well? The couple had hired a caterer for the meal, and the tents and chairs were to be delivered, along with a dance floor, but we hoped for dry weather. A soggy bridal couple and wedding guests would be no fun.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> We had cut down seven large declining spruce trees to make room for the wedding tent three weeks before the wedding. Since I've been absent from writing, I need to mention we acquired a used excavator for use on the farm this past spring. It has come in so useful already and we will be using it to remodel some of the gardens around here, too, as well as take down my mother's house. (If we had owned one of these machines back in 2001, it would have been a lot easier to toss the big rocks around in the quarry garden, that's for sure.)<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOQP9Rj0IV_7rlFsBprc9b7T5YWcpEbSxftq_shjdICT4G_j3ktNSEAtU3pLvVezXRMRNo3PyJ5MdgrP8Wj88MMeJDdwAbqqj-dr9ql-8DN3hfE6ZfpYEQhZy2CSlgGkwahst2xLvArnurxMI8QegdKwRohktNZd4V70g0v8ybnxY2LRG1bHOfN-mIOA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOQP9Rj0IV_7rlFsBprc9b7T5YWcpEbSxftq_shjdICT4G_j3ktNSEAtU3pLvVezXRMRNo3PyJ5MdgrP8Wj88MMeJDdwAbqqj-dr9ql-8DN3hfE6ZfpYEQhZy2CSlgGkwahst2xLvArnurxMI8QegdKwRohktNZd4V70g0v8ybnxY2LRG1bHOfN-mIOA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWhmQzNQo_hsq2aE1fKxKGTP220Ybjk8KD9scdRlZCsbAqJo-PIb-unflP_NAkWOxbxsMx-i284R448FfhRqlT6Ytra6N2H13nkymOqwFI1hKMMketTPpmgXfV1w-rjebA_IHZ4upvY3sxkDCMOKDL_oL53sRk_C2eT2Nxbd6k7oyCZTDVEma4sNUqCg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWhmQzNQo_hsq2aE1fKxKGTP220Ybjk8KD9scdRlZCsbAqJo-PIb-unflP_NAkWOxbxsMx-i284R448FfhRqlT6Ytra6N2H13nkymOqwFI1hKMMketTPpmgXfV1w-rjebA_IHZ4upvY3sxkDCMOKDL_oL53sRk_C2eT2Nxbd6k7oyCZTDVEma4sNUqCg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>As usual, Joel hard at work helping his parental units with the garden.<p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I really wasn't on my game with the surgery pending in less than a month, so I didn't take as many photos as I normally would have. We had Joel dig up the stumps from the old spruce trees and then replanted a new lawn which came up quite well, until the monsoon rains arrived and made the entire 'dance floor' area into a shallow 3" deep pond.<br /><br />Carl and Joel rigged up sump pumps and pumped the water day in and day out. Luckily, just a day or two before the wedding, the sun finally came out and the standing water was gone. It was still soggy, though.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The groom, Alan, came out the day before the wedding and with Joel, supervised setting up the chairs for the ceremony, the tables and the signs. He and Leslie did a wonderful job. <br /><br />I wish I'd taken more pictures, but my mind was all in a tizzy. <br /><br />Thankfully, Alan and Leslie's wedding day was picture perfect, no rain, pleasant temperatures and, thanks to Alan for having our yard sprayed for mosquitoes, no bugs during the ceremony. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxryV_HAgAH31ykhAzDKSgp49pwYJaDihY94ajxkj6ubjDgsIzgrJFuVAPO80S16TEp6J2jijyCVX684AVre2mGuSenmrYqy3zgdw4yI7Nyzw4j_2EuvmzLnIvxsVQ_0-ydVCGtgWQlAnW2gccdnB-Mha-xtY7pEhfMo4yl6pixqdZWBs55U5gipOeDw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxryV_HAgAH31ykhAzDKSgp49pwYJaDihY94ajxkj6ubjDgsIzgrJFuVAPO80S16TEp6J2jijyCVX684AVre2mGuSenmrYqy3zgdw4yI7Nyzw4j_2EuvmzLnIvxsVQ_0-ydVCGtgWQlAnW2gccdnB-Mha-xtY7pEhfMo4yl6pixqdZWBs55U5gipOeDw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyttx9URe3Fw_9ZDf2sNr1AUveFZi5K8oxgoRYBIc5QIifaS0syW0-8ZjAy-hj1eQIbWR-ZD3eo7_5_YllcEV_47DPsMnnUrz6q69TUFGBtIOWyHNIr0PYqQXFHZa9sgyRqHfz7o_zHkKBZ8U0zgOlV-UUCrun_uywlu7rJTK0y50b_wFx0zy19cxohg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyttx9URe3Fw_9ZDf2sNr1AUveFZi5K8oxgoRYBIc5QIifaS0syW0-8ZjAy-hj1eQIbWR-ZD3eo7_5_YllcEV_47DPsMnnUrz6q69TUFGBtIOWyHNIr0PYqQXFHZa9sgyRqHfz7o_zHkKBZ8U0zgOlV-UUCrun_uywlu7rJTK0y50b_wFx0zy19cxohg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcSDUVJJtS-h9V8_Nj-3dO_4LDZiwoZhqXJr_dzhl7HjgjZd5c473ifJrO01FzOyq9XwpZhCP3HExvg2X5P0-_k-YgRvdVinsx7Wze3dTmnqVkUbGW5VOVUzGLv1zIorhUIFB1h-b8_410ox48Hl78zAjJ0ynJ6KSNTXqhfbYBqr36b90Dr-OOODepgw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcSDUVJJtS-h9V8_Nj-3dO_4LDZiwoZhqXJr_dzhl7HjgjZd5c473ifJrO01FzOyq9XwpZhCP3HExvg2X5P0-_k-YgRvdVinsx7Wze3dTmnqVkUbGW5VOVUzGLv1zIorhUIFB1h-b8_410ox48Hl78zAjJ0ynJ6KSNTXqhfbYBqr36b90Dr-OOODepgw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2F1oCPgL8UjjNs1WwGdoTUfiQobXh44l80B_hTZ34RXlx_QizJd9MVfJ0JmZtGUT7Drcu-PZNPeUHqyyc052lSwwuzTnfhF0osx8RiscjItF7uXB18a0iPtWOqK1xG7E5FVX0UPtzOQ0bLJkdHKnFy1nWbFgcQ7GRrIDjnEGjW_oqLN0pz-iK6Iagrw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2F1oCPgL8UjjNs1WwGdoTUfiQobXh44l80B_hTZ34RXlx_QizJd9MVfJ0JmZtGUT7Drcu-PZNPeUHqyyc052lSwwuzTnfhF0osx8RiscjItF7uXB18a0iPtWOqK1xG7E5FVX0UPtzOQ0bLJkdHKnFy1nWbFgcQ7GRrIDjnEGjW_oqLN0pz-iK6Iagrw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0x0fhDCvhkfMtCyguk_uzPdRSlgf836uVYhAIbA-9j_qi0ObmvTZJytIz25TJMpX7LXjiGBvCZYzMYP9UuKToVJFMeKPaH5lv4lNM8uz7HlZeFSJNxOXgERCZAa6v659akCjOh-Audl6DE51BGNIXAZsB3jDuJh2YJ7jginH3aCC6ONZf-J911-h0-A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0x0fhDCvhkfMtCyguk_uzPdRSlgf836uVYhAIbA-9j_qi0ObmvTZJytIz25TJMpX7LXjiGBvCZYzMYP9UuKToVJFMeKPaH5lv4lNM8uz7HlZeFSJNxOXgERCZAa6v659akCjOh-Audl6DE51BGNIXAZsB3jDuJh2YJ7jginH3aCC6ONZf-J911-h0-A=w497-h640" width="497" /></a></div>We were so happy for them! They hired a Mariachi band to play for their wedding which was wonderful. (I will have to see if I can do a post on their wedding using photos from the photographer.)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The wedding supper went beautifully, and the dance went on until around 10PM when the mosquitoes set in again. The lights from the tent must have attracted them, but even though the evening was cut a little short, it was a beautiful wedding.<br /><br />The next day was our annual booyah party and Joel was here bright and early with his friend Paul to start cooking for the crowd. I didn't spend a great deal of time outside with the company as most of them were in the house surveying the remodel. Once again, my hat is off to Joel for handling the outdoor activities. Carl and I spent the day giving house tours. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Once the weekend was over, it was time to start cooking in preparation for my upcoming surgery. I made large batches of lasagna, chili, soups, stews, and cookies and froze them. I knew I wouldn't be cooking for quite some time. Carl can cook, but this was going to be a hard time for both of us and besides, the cooking took my mind off of the surgery to come.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I also went around and took pictures of the garden as I knew I wouldn't be able to do much with the flowers after the surgery for some time.<br /> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjHWWbf6HkHCluHANTg50IMN5ZCRitGHG6nA8sA2qVubxYVowRUhYh-JaPfsa_mwZ41_PD1ysax-Ep0GwH9Uco2QRhUDWfy8U56LDv9T9TMq8sUef0v8d9HU89N4Dog1h0zvnH95ZXDy3z5KE3aBKMSAo-t22UT7uHw4IhIFlEFgQvOxaKaSQFoJT0aA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjHWWbf6HkHCluHANTg50IMN5ZCRitGHG6nA8sA2qVubxYVowRUhYh-JaPfsa_mwZ41_PD1ysax-Ep0GwH9Uco2QRhUDWfy8U56LDv9T9TMq8sUef0v8d9HU89N4Dog1h0zvnH95ZXDy3z5KE3aBKMSAo-t22UT7uHw4IhIFlEFgQvOxaKaSQFoJT0aA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz-chWD7ZE_4U9h6uzWZKfPwBSNGZkvFU1n88teh0HdPFJr4F39ImSSokoLdZIPvHey8fikpikvpNCItts9XMSgVuvZeNH5Ftrmhftix1XAxehyd1Rgu8qrjyqBzUTTbYHR4OMQWAgrgzDrm6kTvHDljAF1LVB15DTM41NwSUDGaN7CAdXArniOZFL4Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz-chWD7ZE_4U9h6uzWZKfPwBSNGZkvFU1n88teh0HdPFJr4F39ImSSokoLdZIPvHey8fikpikvpNCItts9XMSgVuvZeNH5Ftrmhftix1XAxehyd1Rgu8qrjyqBzUTTbYHR4OMQWAgrgzDrm6kTvHDljAF1LVB15DTM41NwSUDGaN7CAdXArniOZFL4Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgr6h0JAUzcxCtUn8CUEy0Vb10Sjqt2Z0no1rOyhW50NOOGXrq6Xl_ZlneLvhuEzazD30fSD7lQSQVfGiJaUFTcO_KDUY-0QsgVRWZDEOvgiwLiy5H39vnv-6CR3G3fyrOn1HD19X4Bpltcbghnqcc9vIcfBvS4T44IFhZZ0yDg3wcmWO6V4jYmHQQPVA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgr6h0JAUzcxCtUn8CUEy0Vb10Sjqt2Z0no1rOyhW50NOOGXrq6Xl_ZlneLvhuEzazD30fSD7lQSQVfGiJaUFTcO_KDUY-0QsgVRWZDEOvgiwLiy5H39vnv-6CR3G3fyrOn1HD19X4Bpltcbghnqcc9vIcfBvS4T44IFhZZ0yDg3wcmWO6V4jYmHQQPVA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">There were a lot of doctor appointments leading up to the surgery date. Blood tests, covid test, heart monitoring, just to name a few.<br /><br />Sunday night before my September 13 surgery, I was a bundle of nerves. I was supposed to take a shower the night before with some special soap and again the morning of. As I entered the shower Sunday night, I had a panic attack. I'd never had one before, so I guess I can't say if it's exactly what happened, but I was a wreck. I cried so hard standing under the water, letting it run over my head and down my body, knowing this would be the last time I'd be whole again. I was scared. Terrified.<br /><br />After the crying jag passed, I felt a bit more calm. I couldn't breathe, but I wasn't hysterical any longer. We crawled into bed and I fought to sleep. I had to be up again by 4AM to take another shower and report for surgery by 5AM. <br /><br />We were in the car for the bleak drive into the hospital by 4:15 AM. Neither of us said much; we both had heavy hearts. <br><br>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-72119956263614327482022-01-30T21:19:00.003-06:002022-01-30T21:19:37.198-06:002021 Was Supposed to Be Better than 2020<p><span style="font-size: large;">I am writing the depressing account of last summer's medical drama because in a way it is healing to get it out of my system. So here goes...<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, as it turns out, my ultrasound technician found 'something' and the radiologist herself was called into the room. After a prolonged session of rechecking the area and looking at the scan, there it was. A shadow which the radiologist felt needed more exploration. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"I'm afraid we'll have to schedule for a breast biopsy," the technician said. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Oh. Well. Ok. There's not much I could say, and I was glad I didn't have to speak anyway, because the panic was now in high gear and the tears were sliding silently into my face mask. If there's one thing the masks are good for, it's hiding a plethora of emotions from public view.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The radiologist continued, "I'm wondering why your former hospital didn't see this on your 2019 scan, it's clearly visible. I would have questioned it two years ago."<br /><br />Wait? I've had this thing for two years? And no one noticed?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> "I'm going on vacation for three weeks. I could have another radiologist take over for me, but I want to be the one to do your biopsy. The area I'm concerned about is very small, but I don't want it to be missed. Waiting 21 days won't make a bit of difference in your outcome. We'll send you out to get dressed and I'll have scheduling set you up for an appointment in August."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My biopsy appointment was set for August 2.<br /><br />I left the room and headed back to the mammogram locker room to change back into my street clothes. I was in a daze. This is not good.<br /><br />I met Carl in the waiting room and the moment our eyes met, he knew the same thing. This is indeed not good. On the way home from the hospital, I went all the way from tears to denial and back to tears again. Maybe just like all the other times I had repeat mammograms, this would turn out to be nothing serious. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Though we still had a lot of work to do in the house and the gardens, my mind was not my own any longer. Having to wait the three weeks for the biopsy was torturous. I would have much preferred to have the procedure done right away just to have it over with, but sadly, there are a lot of people needing biopsies. Wait your turn, please. <br /><br />In the meantime, life goes on. We were to host a wedding here at the garden in mid-August. Wedding ceremony, reception, dinner and dance were all going to be in our yard. The groom is my son's good friend and coworker and his beautiful bride is such a sweet person. We were honored they wanted to share their special day with us. We wanted to get everything right, especially since this was the first time we had more than just a ceremony and reception here. We had to clear an area of ailing spruce trees big enough to put up a tent to accommodate the dinner and dance area, so at least I had something to do.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, August 2 arrived. I didn't sleep very well the night before. I arrived at the hospital and was ushered into the biopsy room. The procedure was explained to me and I was given a little time to read over paperwork and sign, though I don't remember what I actually read. <br /><br />I'd never had a biopsy before, so the nurse explained the procedure. The exam table was very high off the floor because the doctor and nurses have to be able to sit under it. A rolling step ladder was in the room, and I was told to climb up to the exam table and then either sit on my behind and pivot around, or go down on my knees and crawl to the head of the table. The object was to lie on my stomach and position my breasts through two holes in the table. This way, they would dangle (great description, right?) through the holes so the radiologist could perform the biopsy. <br /><br />The problem was, I was very nervous and shaky and therefore not thinking very clearly. The room was rather dark and all eyes were on me as I ascended the staircase and knelt on the tall table. What I didn't realize was the holes in the table were covered with a paper drape, so when I went to crawl forward, my left arm went through one of the holes and I fell in up to my collarbone with a resounding thud. <br /><br />"Oh no! Don't put your ARM through the hole!" one of the people in the room exclaimed. <br /><br />I won't lie, it hurt. By this time the tears were rolling again, I hadn't been sleeping well anyway and I was so, so nervous. They were able to position me correctly and the procedure began. Another nurse came in and was rubbing my back, trying to distract me from what was going on beneath me. The area was numbed with lidocaine but I felt the punches of the biopsy nonetheless. A titanium clip was placed in my breast where the lump was so they could locate it if need be later on. It didn't take very long anyway, and I managed to make it back off the table without further incident. Still shaky, though.<br /><br /> I was led back to the mammogram machine again and two more images were taken of the breast to make sure the titanium clip was placed correctly. Before I left, I was given a cold pack and post-biopsy instructions on what to do for the next few days. <br /><br />We'll call you when we know results, it could take up to two weeks.<br /><br />Carl decided to take me for a ride that afternoon since I wasn't supposed to do much of anything physically. I grabbed a spare cold pack from home and we drove aimlessly in a northerly direction. Going for short road trips has always been a thing we loved to do since we were teenagers. <br /><br />We ended up over two hours from home and both of my cold packs had warmed up, so Carl stopped at a small gas station to see if he could buy something cold enough to put on the biopsy site. We ended up with a pint of chocolate ice cream which worked very well and when we got home, it was the consistency of a milk shake. It worked out well; we drank it for dessert after supper that night.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Another week went by, and finally on the tenth day, I received a phone call from the hospital. The lump turned out to be cancerous. Very small, less than 3/8", but it was invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 1. <br /><br />"The good news is this is very treatable," the nurse said. "We've caught it early (Not too early, I thought, since the radiologist said it was clearly on my 2019 mammograms) and I don't want you to panic."<br /><br />Too late, lady. Panicking already. Actually even before the biopsy. Right after the call back for the repeat mammogram in June, panic was already present.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"The next step will be for you to meet with your cancer team."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I have to admit, I've never been much of a team player. I really dislike sports. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A week later I had one appointment with three doctors. I simply sat in a room with Carl and all three doctors came in to talk with us, one at a time. The first one was the oncologist. He told me that his role would come into play after the surgeon and radiologist was done with me. He asked if I had any questions. I asked a few, but didn't have much to say. He wished me luck and departed.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next up was the breast surgeon. She was in her early 60's and very tiny and perky. She outlined that my best course of action would be a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy. <br /><br />I had done some homework before this appointment and decided that I wanted a double mastectomy. With dense breast tissue and constant repeat mammograms at every yearly visit, I felt it would only be a matter of time before the other breast was involved, too. <br /><br />The surgeon was not in favor of my decision. "Having a double mastectomy is not warranted. It will not increase your chance of survival at all. This is an early stage breast cancer and a lumpectomy would suffice to rid you of the tumor. I really do not recommend this course of action. Other countries around the world laugh at America because so many needless mastectomies are done here. As I said, it is not necessary in your case."<br /><br />With that said, she left the room and the radiologist was next up to present his case.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />He was a pleasant man with bright green and yellow argyle socks (weird what I notice when under stress) who told me that with the size of my tumor he felt fifteen rounds of radiation to the lumpectomy site should suffice unless after surgery they were to notice a need for more. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I asked what side effects the radiation would have and was told that there's a special breathing technique wherein I would hold my breath which would expand my lung and protect my heart from 'most' of the radiation. Ok, but what about my lung? Well, just the top of the lung would be affected, not all of the lung. <br /><br />I asked if I had a mastectomy, would I need radiation? He said, no, not unless the surgery turned up something more dire. After the radiation was complete, I would be coming in for mammograms every six months for at least a few years to make sure nothing else pops up. Mammograms every six months? For years? No.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I asked if it would be possible to see the breast surgeon again, and he said he would send her in again. I thanked him for his time and he left.<br /><br />When the surgeon came back in, I told her I had now decided that a double mastectomy or DMX, for short, was what I wanted, and I wanted an aesthetic flat closure. I did not want any reconstruction, I wanted to be flat and one and done.<br /><br />She did her best to dissuade me, more or less saying I was burning down a house to kill a spider, but I had my mind made up. Fine, she would schedule me for a DMX if that is what I really wanted.<br /><br />Of course it was not what I 'really' wanted; I wanted to not be there and have cancer at all, but hey, let's get it over with.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-80716933651945833842021-03-29T02:27:00.024-05:002021-03-29T02:37:21.483-05:00Remodeling Our Hut Part 38: Concrete and Colonnades<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Continuing this seemingly never-ending saga of the remodel, I'm going back to September of 2020. Due to the pandemic, our final cabinetry was delayed, so Carl and I turned our attention to the mundane tasks of burying drain tile, installing a retaining wall and getting ready to pour a floor in the new garage lean-to addition.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eD7rw89whDo/YGFZ-XLkslI/AAAAAAABIE8/D1PblBxHJSQPgjNuPwDiswRcQCx1JoALgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200903_185640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eD7rw89whDo/YGFZ-XLkslI/AAAAAAABIE8/D1PblBxHJSQPgjNuPwDiswRcQCx1JoALgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200903_185640.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our friend Cody, who helped us with everything from framing up and roofing the garage extension to installing our crown molding and so much more, came over on a Friday afternoon to help with the concrete floor along with Ann and Joel, too. Pouring concrete is a big job and the more hands the better.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The cement truck was ordered for 3PM and we were all running in circles getting ready. The biggest problem was figuring out how we were going to get the cement to the backyard. Carl was thinking we would use three wheelbarrows and wheel the cement between the shop and the garage, but I had my doubts about that plan. Wheeling heavy cement is extremely difficult.<br /><br />I came up with the idea of using the tractor bucket which Carl wasn't crazy about since he didn't think it would work. Joel was game to give it a try, and luckily, my idea panned out. We had the cement truck park on our farm lane and Joel went to and fro with the tractor fetching cement for Carl and Cody.<br /></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynKwneDntW4/YGFZ-bkSp2I/AAAAAAABIE8/iys7BeY_FPA_NirWBL4fG9z0YvPifNSFQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200904_150713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynKwneDntW4/YGFZ-bkSp2I/AAAAAAABIE8/iys7BeY_FPA_NirWBL4fG9z0YvPifNSFQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200904_150713.jpg" width="480" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR749IkH8KU/YGFZ-c-8DwI/AAAAAAABIE8/3AUJIgybu3Ikhne9i_DhrqP2tLAVGAT6gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200904_150723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR749IkH8KU/YGFZ-c-8DwI/AAAAAAABIE8/3AUJIgybu3Ikhne9i_DhrqP2tLAVGAT6gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200904_150723.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Joel managed to skillfully fit the tractor bucket as far into the lean-to as he could and Carl and Cody filled the wheelbarrows and wheeled the cement to where they needed it. I didn't do much more than shovel the cement around and help with the screed board to level it off.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j_JxBGVMsWU/YGFZ-Twkq9I/AAAAAAABIE8/6AWoxy6dPzcBZFTbU7Tm-lzWa6xsQlo3wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200904_150710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j_JxBGVMsWU/YGFZ-Twkq9I/AAAAAAABIE8/6AWoxy6dPzcBZFTbU7Tm-lzWa6xsQlo3wCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200904_150710.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSnGSojGq64/YGFZ-ZKS9hI/AAAAAAABIE8/uLXUXolbK6Q0e8-jXF3fMfF3ncs1WNvXwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200904_150727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSnGSojGq64/YGFZ-ZKS9hI/AAAAAAABIE8/uLXUXolbK6Q0e8-jXF3fMfF3ncs1WNvXwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200904_150727.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Though this was a small area, the work was intense. Cody spent a few more hours troweling the entire floor smooth and was done just before dark. We ended the night with a cookout and some good conversation.<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBWr58CSLgw/YGFo_cp9oqI/AAAAAAABIFQ/qx-KV64yuyIMOvcfog6djOSnjzCqUnSKgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20210204_171526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBWr58CSLgw/YGFo_cp9oqI/AAAAAAABIFQ/qx-KV64yuyIMOvcfog6djOSnjzCqUnSKgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20210204_171526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The picture above was taken in January 2021. Since we are also in the midst of demolishing my mother's home, we removed the doors from her garage and put them on the lean-to. Carl also painted three doors for the garage and the mudroom and rehung them just before winter. A lot of snow slides off the roof, making it a challenge to get to the chicken coop but at least the doors keep it out of the garage.</span><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdADSFzSjgU/YGFZ-YKELYI/AAAAAAABIE8/GvRhFXVovVYqhgsj5MqM44eR2GBX9TIAACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200913_185221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdADSFzSjgU/YGFZ-YKELYI/AAAAAAABIE8/GvRhFXVovVYqhgsj5MqM44eR2GBX9TIAACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200913_185221.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once the garage floor was done, we moved on to the driveway. Audrey pitched in to help with gravel leveling in mid-September 2020. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDU7hKnDxMI/YGFZ-ZEEP0I/AAAAAAABIE8/h-9O4fEuqIsEwyQoWLHnjuVmclve3uAtQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200913_185306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDU7hKnDxMI/YGFZ-ZEEP0I/AAAAAAABIE8/h-9O4fEuqIsEwyQoWLHnjuVmclve3uAtQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200913_185306.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notice Audrey's 'gloves'? She was playing in the mud and dipped her arms in up to the elbow. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the weeks went on in the early fall of 2020, I kept pestering our cabinet maker to see if we were still on his list for the colonnades and some extra cabinets I wanted in the mudroom. I hate to be a bother, but the squeaky wheel gets the grease, they say, and I really wanted to get this house done. I talked to him in late August, and he assured me we were up next. He couldn't give me an exact date, but I understood. These things take time, especially in a pandemic. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, I was working with Joel on Mom's house demolition. We removed the one hundred year old maple hardwood from her house and made piles of it as we went along. <br /><br />I have to admit, this has been a sad experience for all of us. As I've mentioned before, Mom was very proud of her home, and every inch of the house holds so many memories. After four parties looked at the house in hopes of moving it to another location, they all eventually backed out, so we have no choice but to take the house down. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has gotten a little easier as we went along with the demo, because the house looks less and less as it did when Mom was alive. That said, I also confess to having more than a few solitary crying jags while working on my own when Joel wasn't there. Tearing up her carpets and pulling the hardwood made the tears begin. Grief sneaks up on me at the oddest moments, and at times I feel such guilt at destroying her home. <br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrnqkDB6bV0/YGFZ-XJmUyI/AAAAAAABIE8/W9b5CyPG4MI-Pxw8M30dAngyd9JZtZZ5QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200919_175737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrnqkDB6bV0/YGFZ-XJmUyI/AAAAAAABIE8/W9b5CyPG4MI-Pxw8M30dAngyd9JZtZZ5QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200919_175737.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Joel and I worked for weeks on the hardwood removal up until winter set in. The house has no furnace any more, and neither of us felt like working in the cold. <br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlzgsUdt4gU/YGFZ-SZe9fI/AAAAAAABIE8/5GGA3iq76AQ--_ZaAHD8o-TRyuydXQeRQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200919_175747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlzgsUdt4gU/YGFZ-SZe9fI/AAAAAAABIE8/5GGA3iq76AQ--_ZaAHD8o-TRyuydXQeRQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200919_175747.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mom's once-tidy, spic and span kitchen, now littered with the removal of the flooring and the cupboards. I took the ceramic tile backsplash down and have hopes of installing it here in our house as a memento of Mom. Joel has been able to sell some of Mom's furniture that we have no room for and some lumber, too. None of it brings much money, and sometimes Joel delivers it to the people who contact him. We've also given many things away for free. If other people can use any of the items, all the better.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">While Joel and I were working on Mom's house, Carl's assignment was to finish the staircase railings here in our house. Divide and conquer with the work; it is the only way to get stuff done.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-foKdq3Dv3uY/YGFZ-d3ce8I/AAAAAAABIE8/08Ziad1wfeYyUCBz3L6CU7_1_6xa8iOxACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200919_084902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-foKdq3Dv3uY/YGFZ-d3ce8I/AAAAAAABIE8/08Ziad1wfeYyUCBz3L6CU7_1_6xa8iOxACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200919_084902.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl had a lot of math calculations to make to get the railing to come out right. He welded the designs up at the shop, brought them home to see if they fit, and then back to the drawing board until they were right. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_m6rTqlb60/YGFZ-XWILgI/AAAAAAABIE8/xjKWhzfRr9oDCaUBHJSTuw_nXEVStBRcwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200924_231703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_m6rTqlb60/YGFZ-XWILgI/AAAAAAABIE8/xjKWhzfRr9oDCaUBHJSTuw_nXEVStBRcwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200924_231703.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My idea to build the railings with a 'Craftsman' design which I thought would be relatively easy, proved to be anything but. Carl had to remake the railing several times before he had the desired look. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And, to make this job even more difficult, I decided we should have wood newel posts instead of the wrought iron curved ends we'd had previously. Carl had made the original railings back in 1979, and was very proud of the the curved laterals he'd built back then. He wasn't keen on changing to the wood newels, but ended up humoring me in the end. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Off we went to the big box store and came home with two newel posts in need of staining. (And installing, which meant Carl had to do more math.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mChEk-lslL8/YGFZ-eJcyOI/AAAAAAABIE8/HKJ3oYo30acJULyi_XrXXHzjECYBV5ROwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200926_092014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mChEk-lslL8/YGFZ-eJcyOI/AAAAAAABIE8/HKJ3oYo30acJULyi_XrXXHzjECYBV5ROwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200926_092014.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hod1aqFBsQo/YGFZ-fuigeI/AAAAAAABIE8/Bc9phgkJyugMxtTOQQT2IfV_J7Hd1S6nwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200927_112713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hod1aqFBsQo/YGFZ-fuigeI/AAAAAAABIE8/Bc9phgkJyugMxtTOQQT2IfV_J7Hd1S6nwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200927_112713.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Carl spent a few hours hand sanding the oak posts, seated on my exercise ball. (He said it was handy and moved easily, but as a chair, it lacked lumbar support.) Once he had them sanded to his satisfaction, we propped them up to see how they looked. The posts came very tall, and the idea is you need to saw them off to fit your staircase. <br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00mZXsBvOM8/YGFZ-Z2BIoI/AAAAAAABIE8/e2qStgD7Ivkgm1jTnIB4KyKhAO9UO7JBQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200927_234132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00mZXsBvOM8/YGFZ-Z2BIoI/AAAAAAABIE8/e2qStgD7Ivkgm1jTnIB4KyKhAO9UO7JBQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200927_234132.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, the last week in September, the cabinet maker called to say he was nearing completion with the colonnades and cabinets. I asked him if he would stain and lacquer the newel posts too, and he agreed. We dropped them off at his shop the next day.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A few days later, he called to tell me he was going to bring out the cabinetry to make room in his shop, but wouldn't be installing until the next week. <br /><br />Below, the pillars and colonnade cabinets are awaiting installation.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GbjZ9GuqHQ/YGF5yAYZh-I/AAAAAAABIFg/soVt0CsRkxwdBXABQ4ySPhAQsXog4Q84gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201001_114522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GbjZ9GuqHQ/YGF5yAYZh-I/AAAAAAABIFg/soVt0CsRkxwdBXABQ4ySPhAQsXog4Q84gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201001_114522.jpg" width="480" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-size: large;">October 1, 2020, our cabinet makers extraordinaire, Don and Jamie, arrived to begin putting them up.</span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehNyhRMTqkM/YGF7gbXdtsI/AAAAAAABIFw/y4byyh8M-k8E2jfGzIs56p7meyo03e0WACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201001_111606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehNyhRMTqkM/YGF7gbXdtsI/AAAAAAABIFw/y4byyh8M-k8E2jfGzIs56p7meyo03e0WACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201001_111606.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb_x4YqDl2M/YGF6NGJumkI/AAAAAAABIFo/5GIEgLdQEw4O8qM0_8vvwVhzzKmF9d3wwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201001_114524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb_x4YqDl2M/YGF6NGJumkI/AAAAAAABIFo/5GIEgLdQEw4O8qM0_8vvwVhzzKmF9d3wwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201001_114524.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nlax1NFWEQg/YGF6NNX7FbI/AAAAAAABIFo/6g2Y2FfeuUApsvhZUaMZcOvfBBiMhOMtQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201001_114458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nlax1NFWEQg/YGF6NNX7FbI/AAAAAAABIFo/6g2Y2FfeuUApsvhZUaMZcOvfBBiMhOMtQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201001_114458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBeWmFNBANY/YGFZ-WVQ9mI/AAAAAAABIE8/93QQWw6npKMLXjDckks4TNYWu4LMCcAJgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201002_171922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBeWmFNBANY/YGFZ-WVQ9mI/AAAAAAABIE8/93QQWw6npKMLXjDckks4TNYWu4LMCcAJgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201002_171922.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnfDDX_JS8s/YGF4RnlkvaI/AAAAAAABIFY/7RoejEnAiC8dVVbossEpZk-lsaOhY9mPACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200930_151140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnfDDX_JS8s/YGF4RnlkvaI/AAAAAAABIFY/7RoejEnAiC8dVVbossEpZk-lsaOhY9mPACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200930_151140.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TQUKCtjtzg/YGFZ-WbcDmI/AAAAAAABIE8/HXPWZBswnj41XvC1v1M1g2GjIiBSMGT5ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200930_151306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TQUKCtjtzg/YGFZ-WbcDmI/AAAAAAABIE8/HXPWZBswnj41XvC1v1M1g2GjIiBSMGT5ACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200930_151306.jpg" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I was working outside in the garden in the morning to get the garden ready for winter. When I came back in the house to make dinner at noon, I was surprised to see the progress.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGorvwXZ93c/YGFZ-bLmA1I/AAAAAAABIE8/aYMB6QHEW709eT7oM1x8KrtLHVHCae9jACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200930_151140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGorvwXZ93c/YGFZ-bLmA1I/AAAAAAABIE8/aYMB6QHEW709eT7oM1x8KrtLHVHCae9jACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200930_151140.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAxbYziicfI/YGFZ-fSsWqI/AAAAAAABIE8/TgvRrujb7EQ-kCPkarvWmpVy7_Yu2O_PwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200930_151559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAxbYziicfI/YGFZ-fSsWqI/AAAAAAABIE8/TgvRrujb7EQ-kCPkarvWmpVy7_Yu2O_PwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200930_151559.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqqr4FAE9xk/YGFZ-U5FvkI/AAAAAAABIE8/uliRGUZjJmQ4uizQsWR8MFHXY8qcVLGLwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200930_151111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqqr4FAE9xk/YGFZ-U5FvkI/AAAAAAABIE8/uliRGUZjJmQ4uizQsWR8MFHXY8qcVLGLwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200930_151111.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The two man crew worked steadily for two days. They had the pillars attached to the cabinetry and the next step would be the beams to go across the ceiling to attach to the pillars. Those would be delivered the next week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b0YhwiPunqM/YGFZ-XNpLMI/AAAAAAABIE8/UPJ3Qd_xc2U6ls505MoJr9KxNMZAmtnLQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201002_171906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b0YhwiPunqM/YGFZ-XNpLMI/AAAAAAABIE8/UPJ3Qd_xc2U6ls505MoJr9KxNMZAmtnLQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201002_171906.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">After another day and a half of work the following week, the colonnades were complete. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKisrvUIfxM/YGFZ-cbxi9I/AAAAAAABIE8/uFdO0Rt_oy0m653TyxQhu9kGDlTfcoZPQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201002_171825.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PKisrvUIfxM/YGFZ-cbxi9I/AAAAAAABIE8/uFdO0Rt_oy0m653TyxQhu9kGDlTfcoZPQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201002_171825.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We have one colonnade and box beam between the kitchen and the formal dining room.</span> <br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2LY_Oy4Fyw/YGFZ-bKp5pI/AAAAAAABIE8/G-VXxOtTKRcWuXWW3d7zyChm2nJERs4vgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201005_181257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2LY_Oy4Fyw/YGFZ-bKp5pI/AAAAAAABIE8/G-VXxOtTKRcWuXWW3d7zyChm2nJERs4vgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201005_181257.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And a matched pair and beam between the foyer and the dining room.</span> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTSfSlYPfrQ/YGFZ-WHSn3I/AAAAAAABIE8/ckSGLSF_dWsz412TtZpoyumfjmuXcJ9IQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201006_172724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTSfSlYPfrQ/YGFZ-WHSn3I/AAAAAAABIE8/ckSGLSF_dWsz412TtZpoyumfjmuXcJ9IQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201006_172724.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our house is not large, but the room dividers give it the Craftsman feel we were looking for. </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tgaZO1jj30/YGFZ-fan84I/AAAAAAABIE8/9iOakLBk6R8vs_-khUkrjPHEeio0oX78gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201005_175750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tgaZO1jj30/YGFZ-fan84I/AAAAAAABIE8/9iOakLBk6R8vs_-khUkrjPHEeio0oX78gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201005_175750.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vi8kgFQxOQQ/YGFZ-Th5UCI/AAAAAAABIE8/ruKlsGE7d44SWCZwskdiGFgAdPwUc7zPgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201005_175636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vi8kgFQxOQQ/YGFZ-Th5UCI/AAAAAAABIE8/ruKlsGE7d44SWCZwskdiGFgAdPwUc7zPgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201005_175636.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPuQYI4iO6I/YGFZ-fnqBlI/AAAAAAABIE8/omAvQBGy1g8nkXY236aDIG6fzY2kYA6KwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201005_175611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPuQYI4iO6I/YGFZ-fnqBlI/AAAAAAABIE8/omAvQBGy1g8nkXY236aDIG6fzY2kYA6KwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201005_175611.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9W0Q8hTmQeM/YGFZ-TiMkzI/AAAAAAABIE8/IXX7I0XFcYwLF2UswPpuAOPiBnlsSPJcgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201005_175504.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9W0Q8hTmQeM/YGFZ-TiMkzI/AAAAAAABIE8/IXX7I0XFcYwLF2UswPpuAOPiBnlsSPJcgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201005_175504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3hXYKB6LTQ/YGFZ-VspVFI/AAAAAAABIE8/IE1K2e9HQpg5Yto_eb6522nw5FHaM6RCQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201005_170741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3hXYKB6LTQ/YGFZ-VspVFI/AAAAAAABIE8/IE1K2e9HQpg5Yto_eb6522nw5FHaM6RCQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201005_170741.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98TbT4SJm08/YGFZ-S2k08I/AAAAAAABIE8/5FPXFbmfOsM3smLoZ53DgveUL4w9GCMNQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201005_123338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98TbT4SJm08/YGFZ-S2k08I/AAAAAAABIE8/5FPXFbmfOsM3smLoZ53DgveUL4w9GCMNQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201005_123338.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The cabinets for my laundry/mud room were also installed.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REsLUVzSgiM/YGFZ-V59vnI/AAAAAAABIE8/bljYvHwPCzEMkeSfqIaRoiBwzC_W38CBQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201002_171849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REsLUVzSgiM/YGFZ-V59vnI/AAAAAAABIE8/bljYvHwPCzEMkeSfqIaRoiBwzC_W38CBQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201002_171849.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, now we're caught up to October 2, 2020. We'd come a long way from June 2019, when this whole remodeling adventure began, but there's still a lot more to do. <br /><br />Thank goodness we have Audrey to come and give us a much-needed popcorn and painting break now and again.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XjLJaFw9gw/YGFZ-YeU_HI/AAAAAAABIE8/-uDM1sLdvnIk-RwGnfZTU74_eO_gDfJYgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200917_201032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XjLJaFw9gw/YGFZ-YeU_HI/AAAAAAABIE8/-uDM1sLdvnIk-RwGnfZTU74_eO_gDfJYgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200917_201032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IitRf0oR9zE/YGGA6Fa5CiI/AAAAAAABIF4/gTbe4_jg97M-yCoQksWscN88Tx7D076UgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201004_212745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IitRf0oR9zE/YGGA6Fa5CiI/AAAAAAABIF4/gTbe4_jg97M-yCoQksWscN88Tx7D076UgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201004_212745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjeK6f2P4Wo/YGGA6OueN-I/AAAAAAABIF4/xythGy_7ZGEXN4OxGy2dWe4WJ-958MamwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201004_213403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjeK6f2P4Wo/YGGA6OueN-I/AAAAAAABIF4/xythGy_7ZGEXN4OxGy2dWe4WJ-958MamwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201004_213403.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1gZJuYznHg/YGGA6DNFTWI/AAAAAAABIF4/Nkebgash8k04qzP19o93-O6cePhiZ33RgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201004_213238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1gZJuYznHg/YGGA6DNFTWI/AAAAAAABIF4/Nkebgash8k04qzP19o93-O6cePhiZ33RgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201004_213238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">She reminds us old folks to have some fun. We all need a little time to rest and be creative. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-31004652909627837982021-01-21T02:17:00.001-06:002021-01-21T02:17:41.071-06:00Remodeling Our Hut Part 37: Restoring the Front Garden <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nt4G_Z8TaY/X3QSGk-B8gI/AAAAAAABGkc/eR_7UEeAgRgXl3bKBQ_0I8nYM1sr6I-HgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200524_173617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nt4G_Z8TaY/X3QSGk-B8gI/AAAAAAABGkc/eR_7UEeAgRgXl3bKBQ_0I8nYM1sr6I-HgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200524_173617.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p> <span style="font-size: large;">This post is a throwback to May 2020. We were still working on the remodel, but Spring had sprung and I was getting tired of looking at the disaster the front yard had been made into during the construction process. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Carl and I decided to drop the inside remodel work in late May and turn our attention to the garden and renovating the landscaping. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> When the new front porch cement was poured in 2019, there was enough cement left in the truck for us to hastily throw together some 2 x 4's and make forms for slabs. We'd stored the concrete slabs on a pile back by the windmill until we had a use for them and here was the perfect opportunity.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_VHvjKQQx8/X3QSGpWeaFI/AAAAAAABGkc/YqXBRHTSvaIxFlda4g8MLVCCJsvqUXCEQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200524_173625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_VHvjKQQx8/X3QSGpWeaFI/AAAAAAABGkc/YqXBRHTSvaIxFlda4g8MLVCCJsvqUXCEQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200524_173625.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> The ground was very hard due to gravel and clay being dug up during the excavation, so we replaced the less desirable soil with our compost in the areas I wanted to eventually garden in again. The hard-packed clay was acceptable as a base for the steps, but the rest was all shoveled out by hand.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qrKb6c3mWw/X3QSGiX5hUI/AAAAAAABGkc/Nlh9sbrFO60q1EXVF4U58RDIRFNFa16ogCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_165348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qrKb6c3mWw/X3QSGiX5hUI/AAAAAAABGkc/Nlh9sbrFO60q1EXVF4U58RDIRFNFa16ogCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_165348.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> May 24, 2020 and Carl has all of the sidewalk slabs in place. We weren't sure where we were going with this garden remodel, but one thing for certain was our ongoing need to downsize the garden as much as possible. <br /><br />We decided to bring back some of our big limestone which we had removed last July to make room for the mudroom addition. In the picture below, the old wrecker was being useful again. We really do not know what we'd do without the antique, it's definitely paid for itself time and time again. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We needed to take a break to celebrate Audrey's fourth birthday, though!</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMW5Adcly0w/X3QSGjgapMI/AAAAAAABGkc/VpDAqRkVonI47_sLd1fAnU856dTaxWEKwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200527_204119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMW5Adcly0w/X3QSGjgapMI/AAAAAAABGkc/VpDAqRkVonI47_sLd1fAnU856dTaxWEKwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200527_204119.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiP7JZpGvRk/X3QSGqA9vRI/AAAAAAABGkc/VVvuvL4YKxQnFzR8VgFf3NRMxHzai7kZACPcBGAsYHg/s2113/20200528_222500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="2113" height="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiP7JZpGvRk/X3QSGqA9vRI/AAAAAAABGkc/VVvuvL4YKxQnFzR8VgFf3NRMxHzai7kZACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h394/20200528_222500.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Four years old already, where did that time go? Audrey took time for a birthday cupcake and then decided to come and help Grandpa and Grandma with the landscaping.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmaPn3DZtyY/X3QSGitdRHI/AAAAAAABGkc/XoEhoDb1lQow0zyj2ItHpdTN6Aa9NkOTwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_195938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmaPn3DZtyY/X3QSGitdRHI/AAAAAAABGkc/XoEhoDb1lQow0zyj2ItHpdTN6Aa9NkOTwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_195938.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> The apparatus on Audrey's head is a duplicate of the one I wear on my head, it's a bug net, and it works phenomenally to keep the tiny biting black flies, or noseeum's from attacking. Audrey and I may look silly when we're wearing our headgear, but we're safe from the nasties burrowing into our hair and leaving painful welts that itch for days on end.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EdYcYlAUGek/X3QSGoDF12I/AAAAAAABGkc/r2pIHjJEjOIhDhmLuHaXJJaZw5xfTz9uwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200526_142731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EdYcYlAUGek/X3QSGoDF12I/AAAAAAABGkc/r2pIHjJEjOIhDhmLuHaXJJaZw5xfTz9uwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200526_142731.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Day after day Carl hauled up more rocks.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ixCJp7f-J8/X3QSGgTRQzI/AAAAAAABGkc/k_0cEl4jAOknkHaD4SoWVDRC_v_oEEIsACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200526_155531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ixCJp7f-J8/X3QSGgTRQzI/AAAAAAABGkc/k_0cEl4jAOknkHaD4SoWVDRC_v_oEEIsACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200526_155531.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Joel and Audrey came over in the evenings to help us whenever they had the time.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJpYH6ss87E/X3QSGp6yV6I/AAAAAAABGkc/v2Tad6tOIqsVM3oVVDb4vxVkw_YIJ9xUgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_195741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJpYH6ss87E/X3QSGp6yV6I/AAAAAAABGkc/v2Tad6tOIqsVM3oVVDb4vxVkw_YIJ9xUgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_195741.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzL1F4yW004/X3QSGofRN2I/AAAAAAABGkc/Wsjod3oJ3QUyoStG8hRV2axSdn2Vj4gqACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_195657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzL1F4yW004/X3QSGofRN2I/AAAAAAABGkc/Wsjod3oJ3QUyoStG8hRV2axSdn2Vj4gqACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_195657.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lr_HV4IHPp8/X3QSGjPpCiI/AAAAAAABGkc/h3OR9sm6mYoqpAocBGnmCtgrLRCegek-QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_195634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lr_HV4IHPp8/X3QSGjPpCiI/AAAAAAABGkc/h3OR9sm6mYoqpAocBGnmCtgrLRCegek-QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_195634.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">This entire process of moving the large slabs with crowbars is deja vu for all of us here; the Quarry Garden was built the same way. Simply haul up the rocks with the tractor and wrecker and then place them by hand with the crowbars.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtH0qXjIVW8/X3QSGrkv1gI/AAAAAAABGkc/3yDz5vAEnHwWoHlzponzsmngMtWHF2m3gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_195604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtH0qXjIVW8/X3QSGrkv1gI/AAAAAAABGkc/3yDz5vAEnHwWoHlzponzsmngMtWHF2m3gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_195604.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We're all getting older though. Joel was a teenager when we built the Quarry in 2001 and we were in our 40's. Now we're in our 60's and Joel is in his 30's. But Audrey is still in the single digits, so we have her help for decades to come.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JcR0M-EQ3s/X3QSGtK3uBI/AAAAAAABGkc/iQfy0E7ano4YvwAkar1SyTNKd-vnLtkwgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_195557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JcR0M-EQ3s/X3QSGtK3uBI/AAAAAAABGkc/iQfy0E7ano4YvwAkar1SyTNKd-vnLtkwgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_195557.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyA7bvBKc-o/X3QSGtHpvHI/AAAAAAABGkc/2t9Qp9jzre8GXoKy8wi7pd7Yv1htCMi4gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_195413.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyA7bvBKc-o/X3QSGtHpvHI/AAAAAAABGkc/2t9Qp9jzre8GXoKy8wi7pd7Yv1htCMi4gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_195413.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Audrey is testing her dad's strength here, "Can you lift me, Dad?"</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj-uSxwEig8/X3QSGk36zpI/AAAAAAABGkc/qEiKXGf-wMwx0-mNJRH51JIXxh9dVu8HACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_195401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aj-uSxwEig8/X3QSGk36zpI/AAAAAAABGkc/qEiKXGf-wMwx0-mNJRH51JIXxh9dVu8HACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_195401.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFyxCPH6cAQ/X3QSGoirgLI/AAAAAAABGkc/qO3GVkpoUigz1qrYEKaEvH38eMWSgEM2wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200525_194353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFyxCPH6cAQ/X3QSGoirgLI/AAAAAAABGkc/qO3GVkpoUigz1qrYEKaEvH38eMWSgEM2wCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200525_194353.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We reused the limestone that used to be between the house and the garage which had to be dismantled when we moved the garage. When the tires on the wrecker go flat, we know we are almost at capacity for the lift.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">May melted into June and the garden was starting to come into flower.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oX1ub5CU03w/X6r1hA-KIPI/AAAAAAABHIg/fHHth_iJxhkq6DKryQyLQLYx7ziyuAhSACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200526_110255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oX1ub5CU03w/X6r1hA-KIPI/AAAAAAABHIg/fHHth_iJxhkq6DKryQyLQLYx7ziyuAhSACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200526_110255.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIfpWmhRNmg/X6r1hOVPXyI/AAAAAAABHIg/VXVAu9pBGvU5Xq8m33V5HnpQ0hsuT7yXgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200608_184028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EIfpWmhRNmg/X6r1hOVPXyI/AAAAAAABHIg/VXVAu9pBGvU5Xq8m33V5HnpQ0hsuT7yXgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200608_184028.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peony 'America'</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1XXUbzJVVY/X6r1hHhpNrI/AAAAAAABHIg/ctsbmQA3i2MbsQSnOMWEqWpJwtBlJjjJQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200530_101914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1XXUbzJVVY/X6r1hHhpNrI/AAAAAAABHIg/ctsbmQA3i2MbsQSnOMWEqWpJwtBlJjjJQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200530_101914.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> We had some rain that caused a slowdown in the work, but as soon as it was dry enough, we continued.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> In the meantime, I was getting ready to plant my urns, and Audrey stepped up to lend me a hand. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1-uKdvWGho/X6r1hJR62MI/AAAAAAABHIg/8F2K-1osmTwARL3LVggJzsJjvf4IyShkQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200530_110033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1-uKdvWGho/X6r1hJR62MI/AAAAAAABHIg/8F2K-1osmTwARL3LVggJzsJjvf4IyShkQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200530_110033.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CR3mLEIOmGE/X6r1hO4rkPI/AAAAAAABHIg/AQotoIIYnSIlp5J6blttRflO3tm3ca7LgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200530_110024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CR3mLEIOmGE/X6r1hO4rkPI/AAAAAAABHIg/AQotoIIYnSIlp5J6blttRflO3tm3ca7LgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200530_110024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> You've got to get the soil preparation right before you plant anything.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcjbvwxBPEk/X6r1hCfiiSI/AAAAAAABHIg/KpHh3pzJ0nwPShG0aR5Q4ZyaSFEK061rgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200601_110401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcjbvwxBPEk/X6r1hCfiiSI/AAAAAAABHIg/KpHh3pzJ0nwPShG0aR5Q4ZyaSFEK061rgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200601_110401.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> More days go by, more rocks. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUL99LqgsRY/X6r1hDKz0pI/AAAAAAABHIg/HK6Imgsm4oUcsuutnv3SIlmSVL9L9vCgQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200601_110712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QUL99LqgsRY/X6r1hDKz0pI/AAAAAAABHIg/HK6Imgsm4oUcsuutnv3SIlmSVL9L9vCgQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200601_110712.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQNZxgh2sog/X6r1hJnNUtI/AAAAAAABHIg/CTD-JBMYeD86uRPlFruZx82hPpST518xACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200604_172529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQNZxgh2sog/X6r1hJnNUtI/AAAAAAABHIg/CTD-JBMYeD86uRPlFruZx82hPpST518xACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200604_172529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKQECnuioDc/X6r1hEp-_pI/AAAAAAABHIg/MAby___ZnhELdNmNWOMTjcdEgMw_phJKQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200613_104017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKQECnuioDc/X6r1hEp-_pI/AAAAAAABHIg/MAby___ZnhELdNmNWOMTjcdEgMw_phJKQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200613_104017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiMCrX2C1CU/X6r1hKlhDTI/AAAAAAABHIg/In9SV_ttB5kLNCD2tRchJYGGVqP97jRJgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200614_192144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiMCrX2C1CU/X6r1hKlhDTI/AAAAAAABHIg/In9SV_ttB5kLNCD2tRchJYGGVqP97jRJgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200614_192144.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I had purchased some lanterns awhile back that were intended to have candles for illumination. I also had some red glass orbs lying around and they were a perfect fit in the lanterns. When the sun shines through them, especially at sunset, they are pretty.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLxe1CPEqH8/X6r1hMYDeMI/AAAAAAABHIg/ooIkw9nGYgkVR1p6fXbSdwIM2OfLIcFJQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200617_105458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLxe1CPEqH8/X6r1hMYDeMI/AAAAAAABHIg/ooIkw9nGYgkVR1p6fXbSdwIM2OfLIcFJQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200617_105458.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">As the days went by, we were getting closer to completion. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHBFBp6B2dk/X6r1hGtvGTI/AAAAAAABHIg/cbymjxSbDc4HvDFbfplTIB6R1Nj2CBOMACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200617_105446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHBFBp6B2dk/X6r1hGtvGTI/AAAAAAABHIg/cbymjxSbDc4HvDFbfplTIB6R1Nj2CBOMACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200617_105446.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbGgjjvoD-Y/X6r1hLZPOVI/AAAAAAABHIg/dzoz-YWZ5LIoRenIfUYkLL2PsFEXTwmzQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200616_211105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbGgjjvoD-Y/X6r1hLZPOVI/AAAAAAABHIg/dzoz-YWZ5LIoRenIfUYkLL2PsFEXTwmzQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200616_211105.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I planted some new hydrangea shrubs and some pale cream zinnias along with red geraniums in the new bed off the front porch to bring out the colors in the house itself.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ir-rKndqzy4/X6r1hD-0CRI/AAAAAAABHIg/EQ_IFSHpD4cVXEVpFsgvrvMcUY5Tt0mhQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200616_210751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ir-rKndqzy4/X6r1hD-0CRI/AAAAAAABHIg/EQ_IFSHpD4cVXEVpFsgvrvMcUY5Tt0mhQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200616_210751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>'Patriot' hostas were brought back from the Formal Garden to line the new wall. I'm sure these hostas would appreciate me making up my mind as to where they are planted; they've been moved three times in the last year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oua2XFnuQRQ/X6r1hFCiqeI/AAAAAAABHIg/tZmmm34LDv8IllgJqzAJ8474HbgNJ4_2QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200616_210733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oua2XFnuQRQ/X6r1hFCiqeI/AAAAAAABHIg/tZmmm34LDv8IllgJqzAJ8474HbgNJ4_2QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200616_210733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It was my idea to add the curving walkway off the front porch. It is fun to renovate a garden, much more fun than it is to renovate a house.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RW4rYXjNUBA/X6r1hArnEfI/AAAAAAABHIg/Yk_0OZ6FFFMY3sFZzmYa1iW_BJojBzygwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200616_210724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RW4rYXjNUBA/X6r1hArnEfI/AAAAAAABHIg/Yk_0OZ6FFFMY3sFZzmYa1iW_BJojBzygwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200616_210724.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Once Carl had all the limestone walls in place, we brought back one of our favorite granite boulders that had originally been in front of the house. This grayish black granite with the white stripes was given to us by a farm neighbor thirty years ago. Carl and his dad had been allowed to go through the neighbor's rock pile looking for big boulders and when they were getting ready to leave with the load of stone on the trailer, the farmer said, "I have one more for you." </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> He took this beautiful specimen off of his barn hill and loaded it for them which was incredibly kind of him. Sadly, he passed away a short time later due to a tragic farm accident. Whenever I look at the stone, I'm reminded of him.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ira8yyfhiLo/X6r1hKXQDJI/AAAAAAABHIg/TBYwnvZYfcwwKKFOGtqzV_9v3d9RntiYgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200616_145200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ira8yyfhiLo/X6r1hKXQDJI/AAAAAAABHIg/TBYwnvZYfcwwKKFOGtqzV_9v3d9RntiYgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200616_145200.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QT80Ak4qLo/X6r1hDZ05JI/AAAAAAABHIg/sWVbZU4HdXEDW3gzN8_7HFeW6xQiWBZaACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200616_144950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QT80Ak4qLo/X6r1hDZ05JI/AAAAAAABHIg/sWVbZU4HdXEDW3gzN8_7HFeW6xQiWBZaACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200616_144950.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54wLzyx1Kic/X6r1hHx4bvI/AAAAAAABHIg/y8SPObmjLbs7jRbxvhILPN5QNqzzF7GSwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200616_144917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54wLzyx1Kic/X6r1hHx4bvI/AAAAAAABHIg/y8SPObmjLbs7jRbxvhILPN5QNqzzF7GSwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200616_144917.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63k7-Od20Uw/X6r1hEzG_DI/AAAAAAABHIg/0gjt7P9LcWEo613EMw_ImvCyxE4mS1yZgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200615_182156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63k7-Od20Uw/X6r1hEzG_DI/AAAAAAABHIg/0gjt7P9LcWEo613EMw_ImvCyxE4mS1yZgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200615_182156.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PIkuU2U_CY/X6r1hMpWZGI/AAAAAAABHIg/KGK-1btfPeQ2d_X94GOFIe1Zm_nsrYhPQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200615_182142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0PIkuU2U_CY/X6r1hMpWZGI/AAAAAAABHIg/KGK-1btfPeQ2d_X94GOFIe1Zm_nsrYhPQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200615_182142.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhQjAiIVCGQ/X6r1hPNXiuI/AAAAAAABHIg/MKbAVG77vBoChOTDEH2PVUuJ31sFtcg2QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200615_182133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhQjAiIVCGQ/X6r1hPNXiuI/AAAAAAABHIg/MKbAVG77vBoChOTDEH2PVUuJ31sFtcg2QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200615_182133.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The long days of June seem so long ago now in January.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43_INe6F1Sw/X6r1hCDYoPI/AAAAAAABHIg/yuUbk53savIEA_KY5Llnz8uJtAoP1XDugCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200614_192445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43_INe6F1Sw/X6r1hCDYoPI/AAAAAAABHIg/yuUbk53savIEA_KY5Llnz8uJtAoP1XDugCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200614_192445.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svj-NVVUcAY/X6r1hLGkKBI/AAAAAAABHIg/mLoDiN5-tA4jg62Lwk9RdkTFhWvlyb0gQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200614_191617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svj-NVVUcAY/X6r1hLGkKBI/AAAAAAABHIg/mLoDiN5-tA4jg62Lwk9RdkTFhWvlyb0gQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200614_191617.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Finally, we were done with the front garden and I was back to weeding the rest of the gardens. The year of neglect to working on the garden was showing badly; the weeds were doing their thing, cropping up and taking over like usual.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We bought some concrete pavers and put them down to extend the walkway out to the driveway. The circle pattern in the pavers matches the circles in the driveway grates and the round windows in the gables of the house.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkDZN9eBJRk/YAkxTLdtebI/AAAAAAABHqU/CmAmgn6RSigRgGOmoQ9HBRSe98R8jkmRgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200710_193819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkDZN9eBJRk/YAkxTLdtebI/AAAAAAABHqU/CmAmgn6RSigRgGOmoQ9HBRSe98R8jkmRgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200710_193819.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYIuM6osJAQ/YAkxTG5SOpI/AAAAAAABHqU/a5XzbO1xP8YupSG4v4kAATU0scCkvdYlgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200714_112358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYIuM6osJAQ/YAkxTG5SOpI/AAAAAAABHqU/a5XzbO1xP8YupSG4v4kAATU0scCkvdYlgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200714_112358.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mcylzf794qE/YAkxTCtHmBI/AAAAAAABHqU/AkAWbUvldC0lw4IIYVtSvy0vuGe3hfO0QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200711_183447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mcylzf794qE/YAkxTCtHmBI/AAAAAAABHqU/AkAWbUvldC0lw4IIYVtSvy0vuGe3hfO0QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200711_183447.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />By the end of August, the front garden was looking much better.<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkDnBB9pyrA/YAkxTCrNeFI/AAAAAAABHqU/mC2l_pds6C8dZOtfKLX8qKf8jGWhxknSQCPcBGAsYHg/s3760/20200829_152641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2820" data-original-width="3760" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkDnBB9pyrA/YAkxTCrNeFI/AAAAAAABHqU/mC2l_pds6C8dZOtfKLX8qKf8jGWhxknSQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200829_152641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAqkPGW-8bE/YAkxTKy498I/AAAAAAABHqU/UPXcIs3UQ5gzYu9R0hmLzCESDKFdRZ1EQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200807_192734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FAqkPGW-8bE/YAkxTKy498I/AAAAAAABHqU/UPXcIs3UQ5gzYu9R0hmLzCESDKFdRZ1EQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200807_192734.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">It is a big change from the way it was a few years ago, that's for sure. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9O6-cRdtAY/YAkzQJ4iplI/AAAAAAABHqk/VgFybC9R4WAUGwn05qRvqqMh19U55jLKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1345/DSC_8485%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1345" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9O6-cRdtAY/YAkzQJ4iplI/AAAAAAABHqk/VgFybC9R4WAUGwn05qRvqqMh19U55jLKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/DSC_8485%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKta_E502nM/YAk0h5LuyQI/AAAAAAABHqw/LAL7S_mz5tooPdA2h5H-I7uXAidm9nlKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1345/DSC_1238%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1345" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKta_E502nM/YAk0h5LuyQI/AAAAAAABHqw/LAL7S_mz5tooPdA2h5H-I7uXAidm9nlKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/DSC_1238%2B%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But if you look close, you can still see the old house is still in there. </span><br /><br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmcpXZXcwSQ/YAk2kunfYFI/AAAAAAABHrA/6kI1qpB-OBger9O3rI9UYx9zFRrKve1xwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201006_113158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmcpXZXcwSQ/YAk2kunfYFI/AAAAAAABHrA/6kI1qpB-OBger9O3rI9UYx9zFRrKve1xwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201006_113158.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AE5--lMF3o/YAkxTL3FFjI/AAAAAAABHqU/Y1cJvN3sOOQLz3m2acJxN_NbU3feuZAVQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200717_194046.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AE5--lMF3o/YAkxTL3FFjI/AAAAAAABHqU/Y1cJvN3sOOQLz3m2acJxN_NbU3feuZAVQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200717_194046.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We're still here, too.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-49800546014912181192021-01-04T00:55:00.000-06:002021-01-04T00:55:16.041-06:00Christmas Past 2020<p><span style="font-size: large;">Here we are a few days into the New Year again. Every year I feel the same way, where did the previous year go? Yes, even 2020 flew by even with all of the challenges it presented.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In December of 2019, we were still far from finished with the remodel of the hut, so we did not celebrate Christmas at all. This year, we're still working on the last of the details for the house, and I decided to decorate quite a bit to make up for the year before, even though we had no family or friends gathering due to the pandemic.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ErnH5Tbxr-Y/X_KuFruK4nI/AAAAAAABHjU/59zm9dTcZZsC9PpANRcFhLnsUm5X70OkwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_101947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ErnH5Tbxr-Y/X_KuFruK4nI/AAAAAAABHjU/59zm9dTcZZsC9PpANRcFhLnsUm5X70OkwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201229_101947.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I put up three Christmas trees this year, one in each bay window and one upstairs. Of course, two of the trees were only three feet tall and the other one was a six-footer, so all told, it was the equivalent of one twelve-foot tree. This was our first year with artificial trees, too. I kind of like them; they don't have the lovely smell of a real tree, but I did bring in some pine branches from the Back Eight for fragrance.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKFEr0LS69A/X_Ku_Z0EtOI/AAAAAAABHjc/iGM9aaqOEnAeoqtNJvfVUKQWqUEH9Gz8gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201228_162921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKFEr0LS69A/X_Ku_Z0EtOI/AAAAAAABHjc/iGM9aaqOEnAeoqtNJvfVUKQWqUEH9Gz8gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201228_162921.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Above, is the dining room bay window. Below is the living room.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDeJB49hZZc/X_Ku_dSKylI/AAAAAAABHjc/xgIoL77Y0aU8orxcX88ffruQ-bH_fU30ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_101012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDeJB49hZZc/X_Ku_dSKylI/AAAAAAABHjc/xgIoL77Y0aU8orxcX88ffruQ-bH_fU30ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201229_101012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Another view of the dining room, below. We were able to bring the stained glass lamps home from storage at Joel's house the first week in December. I found an antique oak table on Marketplace and it fits very well in the room. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVjKP-WUQMo/X_Ku_TszaWI/AAAAAAABHjc/4Pus45Jo6folWB3KRvURgwJy-NSPKjquACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_100656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVjKP-WUQMo/X_Ku_TszaWI/AAAAAAABHjc/4Pus45Jo6folWB3KRvURgwJy-NSPKjquACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201229_100656.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We didn't have any substantial snow until after Christmas this year. I guess, like everything else in 2020, it was unpredictable weather.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ev_zGI8II40/X_KxOjmSNeI/AAAAAAABHjk/RY9GNae8hHoNVt0WKDUwGzbEz7lPf2FRgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_162904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ev_zGI8II40/X_KxOjmSNeI/AAAAAAABHjk/RY9GNae8hHoNVt0WKDUwGzbEz7lPf2FRgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201229_162904.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">The remodel is winding down, thank goodness. I have to chuckle now remembering back in December 2019 that we'd had hope to be back in the house by Christmas. What dreamers we were. The last of the woodwork was completed just before Halloween. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWRpPc56-KY/X_KxOjGQ8RI/AAAAAAABHjk/pIQnq0m3tlk7CsK892RhdeHPbbGmcfbtgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_155651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWRpPc56-KY/X_KxOjGQ8RI/AAAAAAABHjk/pIQnq0m3tlk7CsK892RhdeHPbbGmcfbtgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201229_155651.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNwNaWfqXyA/X_KxOowmW4I/AAAAAAABHjk/BL1ajyn6f8sdWbRD7UtC9nFXF_3NOk_3gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_100518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNwNaWfqXyA/X_KxOowmW4I/AAAAAAABHjk/BL1ajyn6f8sdWbRD7UtC9nFXF_3NOk_3gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201229_100518.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In keeping with the Craftsman style of home that we were trying to mimic, we had the cabinet maker build a set of three room dividers, or colonnades, as they are known, between the front foyer and the dining room and the dining room and the kitchen. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We needed to supply the stained glass for the cabinet doors. We decided to do a design to tie in with the railings that Carl finished in October. He drew up plans and went to work. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQb5gwR_wCU/X_Ky-KoIyDI/AAAAAAABHj0/ZVPJ34KurIUbwGGiHVvhZWEvlEWORhgEQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201114_161132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQb5gwR_wCU/X_Ky-KoIyDI/AAAAAAABHj0/ZVPJ34KurIUbwGGiHVvhZWEvlEWORhgEQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20201114_161132.jpg" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FusmRToKFzw/X_Ky-MKPckI/AAAAAAABHj0/eP5Z1eDBc10FozmcSJmPRuC8od2xPaRXACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201119_135514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FusmRToKFzw/X_Ky-MKPckI/AAAAAAABHj0/eP5Z1eDBc10FozmcSJmPRuC8od2xPaRXACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201119_135514.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">There he is posing with the window and his face mask after soldering was complete on Window #1. Five more to go.</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuBTpvuOu48/X_K1RSp1VlI/AAAAAAABHj8/cMKsiStpHH873X2-yZjvorAe4uD2w72cwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201120_143444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuBTpvuOu48/X_K1RSp1VlI/AAAAAAABHj8/cMKsiStpHH873X2-yZjvorAe4uD2w72cwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201120_143444.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CDWFqTon18/X_KylezGFmI/AAAAAAABHjs/qjm_SDoErbA8LtH21ssy8S54htBH2TniACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201120_143727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CDWFqTon18/X_KylezGFmI/AAAAAAABHjs/qjm_SDoErbA8LtH21ssy8S54htBH2TniACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201120_143727.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We still need to putty the stained glass and clean the window, but we couldn't resist sticking it in the cabinet for now.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdmVFgY0nbo/X_Kyldxn4fI/AAAAAAABHjs/QpflIojSJUw24CdWLIr0N0Er0Q4FwjHvACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201120_144420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdmVFgY0nbo/X_Kyldxn4fI/AAAAAAABHjs/QpflIojSJUw24CdWLIr0N0Er0Q4FwjHvACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201120_144420.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of the railings, they were completed at the beginning of November. (Carl's been retired since March 2019, but he has had no time to sit around, poor guy.) The railings were a monumental challenge for Carl; though the design was simple, so I thought, it was actually difficult to make everything even and there was a lot of cutting, welding, grinding and do-overs before he had them the way he wanted.</span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There will be more about the actual railing construction to come, but it took months to get them completed, especially when I threw in the idea of adding stained glass rondels to each design.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oKOsJuldpY/X_K4veocmlI/AAAAAAABHkU/HVFeoGgwzmgJOK9ZjeebeO9L0W4bNFjBACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201018_150014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oKOsJuldpY/X_K4veocmlI/AAAAAAABHkU/HVFeoGgwzmgJOK9ZjeebeO9L0W4bNFjBACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201018_150014.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZniqAD21o4/X_K4vUMDAUI/AAAAAAABHkU/kNEXx07KX545DKcbM9m0BdWC_0hCbbObgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201006_172409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZniqAD21o4/X_K4vUMDAUI/AAAAAAABHkU/kNEXx07KX545DKcbM9m0BdWC_0hCbbObgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201006_172409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">One of many trial runs to see how we liked them.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abLGVHahVys/X_K4vZzpa9I/AAAAAAABHkU/NgNaTtioGmA1XG5UeGyYrG-fRU3ChRWjQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200926_092014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abLGVHahVys/X_K4vZzpa9I/AAAAAAABHkU/NgNaTtioGmA1XG5UeGyYrG-fRU3ChRWjQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200926_092014.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Newel posts fresh from the supplier, with Carl's hat hanging from a clamp so no one ran into the pole sticking out.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLgJTw-Vns8/X_K4vUHAqlI/AAAAAAABHkU/G7Oem9E8BCQr59QgGleLU8vRWddRiWBWwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200925_142643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLgJTw-Vns8/X_K4vUHAqlI/AAAAAAABHkU/G7Oem9E8BCQr59QgGleLU8vRWddRiWBWwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200925_142643.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">More trial and error, back to the drawing board, above, and finally, below, the finished product.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAetXqc789k/X_K3qjbHXOI/AAAAAAABHkM/xuE963XbrM8tIPe1R94CrCQRYIK2uAOdgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201103_135337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAetXqc789k/X_K3qjbHXOI/AAAAAAABHkM/xuE963XbrM8tIPe1R94CrCQRYIK2uAOdgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201103_135337.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The sunlight coming in the windows shines through the rondels and throws interesting patterns on the walls during the morning and afternoon. As the angle of the sun changes with the seasons, so do the patterns.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KH_kAD5itEs/X_K2cC2iztI/AAAAAAABHkE/iT48QW1jfYU9yAl6lV0bzZq58YnhoqufQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201103_105000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KH_kAD5itEs/X_K2cC2iztI/AAAAAAABHkE/iT48QW1jfYU9yAl6lV0bzZq58YnhoqufQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201103_105000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvevmWgmeSU/X_K2cMhuuaI/AAAAAAABHkE/XVtxR9YBBtcBsMgjUNVicKriLPyJAO8igCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201103_104835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvevmWgmeSU/X_K2cMhuuaI/AAAAAAABHkE/XVtxR9YBBtcBsMgjUNVicKriLPyJAO8igCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201103_104835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xeej8AVX-nU/X_K2cC9XwtI/AAAAAAABHkE/utXHREPjInguQ3l7yICG-cIt7iB97F9hQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201108_093412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xeej8AVX-nU/X_K2cC9XwtI/AAAAAAABHkE/utXHREPjInguQ3l7yICG-cIt7iB97F9hQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201108_093412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We were very happy to have this job behind us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--S_ReVrcfuM/X_K6-IrC1QI/AAAAAAABHkc/1RRWNjulzIoWFVKtsFTASiiWXKJSwAN4ACPcBGAsYHg/s3342/20201229_101530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3342" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--S_ReVrcfuM/X_K6-IrC1QI/AAAAAAABHkc/1RRWNjulzIoWFVKtsFTASiiWXKJSwAN4ACPcBGAsYHg/w580-h640/20201229_101530.jpg" width="580" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">So, Christmas 2020 is in the history books, and we are looking forward to a much better year to come. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gsll4zjiARA/X_K7UV4U5kI/AAAAAAABHkk/MDDspno0mE8ECNgXVt45Q60qgz5db8GawCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_100918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gsll4zjiARA/X_K7UV4U5kI/AAAAAAABHkk/MDDspno0mE8ECNgXVt45Q60qgz5db8GawCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201229_100918.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcghmyTl-rU/X_K7UR1JjZI/AAAAAAABHkk/lmBF3wt-dGQWpO0Nyaci2e6SQMWD3XOmACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_100845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcghmyTl-rU/X_K7UR1JjZI/AAAAAAABHkk/lmBF3wt-dGQWpO0Nyaci2e6SQMWD3XOmACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201229_100845.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DnNRn3NjGc/X_K7UQXSLQI/AAAAAAABHkk/LgMD-GqB67MrEtkW2t7RiXUA8yAEcdVLgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_164608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DnNRn3NjGc/X_K7UQXSLQI/AAAAAAABHkk/LgMD-GqB67MrEtkW2t7RiXUA8yAEcdVLgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201229_164608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u0_ZxZ2Z6_E/X_K7UVdPEzI/AAAAAAABHkk/vUfKfGxuPTs-AXMjNspQimIlm-rTaXPpgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_164512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u0_ZxZ2Z6_E/X_K7UVdPEzI/AAAAAAABHkk/vUfKfGxuPTs-AXMjNspQimIlm-rTaXPpgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20201229_164512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08wqf1stZUU/X_K7UUKP0rI/AAAAAAABHkk/7OTJyShL4mMwDmDJsK2302wtoiBXCoj0QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20201229_164539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08wqf1stZUU/X_K7UUKP0rI/AAAAAAABHkk/7OTJyShL4mMwDmDJsK2302wtoiBXCoj0QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20201229_164539.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There's a whole new year ahead.</span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-79674082002612509752020-09-29T00:23:00.000-05:002020-09-29T00:23:57.107-05:00Remodeling Our Hut: Part 36 Stair Carpeting and Tractor Shenanigans<p> <span style="font-size: large;">The end of September is nearly here and it is high time I update the progress and lack of progress on the remodel. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSm2zKgY3dI/X3K36sSoc-I/AAAAAAABGjU/5PdUEZv7750r1c61BJGgW5OapVbL4SsJgCPcBGAsYHg/s3314/20200818_185934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3314" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSm2zKgY3dI/X3K36sSoc-I/AAAAAAABGjU/5PdUEZv7750r1c61BJGgW5OapVbL4SsJgCPcBGAsYHg/w365-h400/20200818_185934.jpg" width="365" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Since it has been over a year since we started this adventure, we're sort of shame-faced we're not further along, but with us, every project takes more time than we originally thought it would. Add Covid to the mix, and well, everything gets delayed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, picking up where I left off in April 2020, we needed to have carpeting installed on the upstairs staircase. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv5Z9ad8hqA/X3K3iiS_NPI/AAAAAAABGjM/87gbbntA2rsPwMZynHROMvj1WYI8yCg-ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200425_184357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv5Z9ad8hqA/X3K3iiS_NPI/AAAAAAABGjM/87gbbntA2rsPwMZynHROMvj1WYI8yCg-ACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200425_184357.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Carl had fought with rearranging the entire staircase in October 2019. This is the only area of the house to be carpeted as every professional advised us wood steps would be beautiful, but also slippery and therefore dangerous. Since I've already demonstrated my ability to descend staircases on my derriere more times than I care to count, yes, please, bring on the carpeting.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFJy2tzPh5g/X3K3irrz4NI/AAAAAAABGjM/9njgCwuMqYgRqKlJ3FU0dBb1KNQHzZHhwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200425_184331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFJy2tzPh5g/X3K3irrz4NI/AAAAAAABGjM/9njgCwuMqYgRqKlJ3FU0dBb1KNQHzZHhwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200425_184331.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">I was able to order the carpeting right from home using
our sample number and the carpet installer went to pick it up so we
didn't have to leave the house at all. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pi0IpandT34/X3K3igtWU8I/AAAAAAABGjM/fNYR_lSc9qMmVXQ4v9c2NjOhHrz-GhQrQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200422_133753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pi0IpandT34/X3K3igtWU8I/AAAAAAABGjM/fNYR_lSc9qMmVXQ4v9c2NjOhHrz-GhQrQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200422_133753.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Before the carpet could be installed, Carl had to figure out how to cover the formerly plastered wall with hardwood and add the step caps to the outside of each step. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6oUPa5jMR5k/X3K3iniiubI/AAAAAAABGjM/BAexNQgN7PA52Kcsm0YFfcrFLjKmSeB9ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200416_185846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6oUPa5jMR5k/X3K3iniiubI/AAAAAAABGjM/BAexNQgN7PA52Kcsm0YFfcrFLjKmSeB9ACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200416_185846.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Lots of tedious work.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7U6FZeXRyU/X3K3igLWfgI/AAAAAAABGjM/7dpS40cqlp87RzzeG-QreBS4w01ZPml5QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200416_185745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7U6FZeXRyU/X3K3igLWfgI/AAAAAAABGjM/7dpS40cqlp87RzzeG-QreBS4w01ZPml5QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200416_185745.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXyl21yw5Yg/X3K3iiB98ZI/AAAAAAABGjM/Q4pTNh_MX5AGbSt9-6tY7OG2VDjFq08HwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200412_173126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXyl21yw5Yg/X3K3iiB98ZI/AAAAAAABGjM/Q4pTNh_MX5AGbSt9-6tY7OG2VDjFq08HwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200412_173126.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVsRuhR4huw/X3K3ihvwi_I/AAAAAAABGjM/1KPrjlJB0h4tv0hP_y6jIMk5y8Sm-DMNACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200412_173114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XVsRuhR4huw/X3K3ihvwi_I/AAAAAAABGjM/1KPrjlJB0h4tv0hP_y6jIMk5y8Sm-DMNACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200412_173114.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The carpet installer came in late April and we vacated the house while he worked here alone for the sake of social distancing. When we came back home, though, we noticed a problem with the installation due to height differences between the riser and the additional wood trim, so the installer had to come back at a later date to do parts of the job over.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feCRCz7_3Ec/X3K67zygYII/AAAAAAABGjc/uxJEG5WUgOYbzUVbrsXjfTxEpL294OAaACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200427_213607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feCRCz7_3Ec/X3K67zygYII/AAAAAAABGjc/uxJEG5WUgOYbzUVbrsXjfTxEpL294OAaACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200427_213607.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, by May 4, the stair carpet was done.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pptk3YRgWZY/X3K6793g_MI/AAAAAAABGjc/nIhBSN-7vSI2QM3gkXb_FNLyR9I2G_bMACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200504_175548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pptk3YRgWZY/X3K6793g_MI/AAAAAAABGjc/nIhBSN-7vSI2QM3gkXb_FNLyR9I2G_bMACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200504_175548.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqirovI4kNI/X3K67yDBG7I/AAAAAAABGjc/yKe3V40IYJUuzD6TaOf69t40eZ88VtV1gCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200504_175521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqirovI4kNI/X3K67yDBG7I/AAAAAAABGjc/yKe3V40IYJUuzD6TaOf69t40eZ88VtV1gCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200504_175521.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">By May 12, Carl was working on the staircase railings. He had some complicated math to work out, so we put up a temporary handrail for the time being.</span><br /><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2JA--o6H_A/X3K8l3ygKJI/AAAAAAABGjk/D08Q5JE16YM9k8ZGJEAexG7AfY9Ordp_ACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200512_150523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2JA--o6H_A/X3K8l3ygKJI/AAAAAAABGjk/D08Q5JE16YM9k8ZGJEAexG7AfY9Ordp_ACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200512_150523.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvH6MV2irnA/X3K8l5PrJuI/AAAAAAABGjk/UgmguhVtqX0hDBHvMKWt2DfjzYTIjw1zACPcBGAsYHg/s3854/20200512_150851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3854" data-original-width="2891" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvH6MV2irnA/X3K8l5PrJuI/AAAAAAABGjk/UgmguhVtqX0hDBHvMKWt2DfjzYTIjw1zACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200512_150851.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SoziQk95B4c/X3K8l9mQdvI/AAAAAAABGjk/4NXR23cPN64S5eIfZ5JtArVypQ0exakuQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200512_144712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SoziQk95B4c/X3K8l9mQdvI/AAAAAAABGjk/4NXR23cPN64S5eIfZ5JtArVypQ0exakuQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200512_144712.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">With Spring springing up all over the yard, we decided to put a halt to the indoor work and focus on the front garden landscaping. Everything in the front yard had been torn out prior to the remodel, so it was dismal coming home to a big mess in the front yard. And besides, the gardens themselves had been neglected for almost a year, and Mother Nature takes back her domain in no time when the gardener is a slacker. Oh the weeds!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btK5crLXxfo/X3K-BCS6JOI/AAAAAAABGjs/ctr37nLm72ca6mi7G1_06VCRK48Pcqx8QCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200522_181416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btK5crLXxfo/X3K-BCS6JOI/AAAAAAABGjs/ctr37nLm72ca6mi7G1_06VCRK48Pcqx8QCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200522_181416.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The Quarry Pond was at a nice level in early May, but the landscaping was full of weeds. I really didn't know where to start, but decided it was high time to downsize a few more areas. <br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Quarry Bypass Trail with the split-rail zig-zag fence was something I really hated to part with, but I had no time to weed the area any longer, so I took out the fence and relocated the hostas to a shadier area near the Formal Garden stone wall. Now that the plants are gone, I merely have to mow the area.<br /></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpQPCtauZ5c/X3K-BNDycNI/AAAAAAABGjs/oC1sNNvfN-IiAzi_dlaIUVQi6y7SSezkwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200515_113048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RpQPCtauZ5c/X3K-BNDycNI/AAAAAAABGjs/oC1sNNvfN-IiAzi_dlaIUVQi6y7SSezkwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200515_113048.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tezHO2OVUic/X3K-BF8iBDI/AAAAAAABGjs/cee2kUV5HbM03utTOJMxTET210yRglEKwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200515_154531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tezHO2OVUic/X3K-BF8iBDI/AAAAAAABGjs/cee2kUV5HbM03utTOJMxTET210yRglEKwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200515_154531.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The hostas are much happier in the shade again. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Joel and Abby had been waiting to plant their lawn since they moved in to their new home in December of 2018. Carl and I went up to help Joel rake up stones and plant grass seed May 23. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yu-x7n8R28/X3K_fBiZPeI/AAAAAAABGj0/g6Rw_-edR2gUF76UotDUkchmK5MEeR8hACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200523_171334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yu-x7n8R28/X3K_fBiZPeI/AAAAAAABGj0/g6Rw_-edR2gUF76UotDUkchmK5MEeR8hACPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200523_171334.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWOkzERKhH8/X3K_fBRduwI/AAAAAAABGj0/2Yz8HK8tT_I8gXR6JYlRtuGX9TkwjxNLwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200523_165558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWOkzERKhH8/X3K_fBRduwI/AAAAAAABGj0/2Yz8HK8tT_I8gXR6JYlRtuGX9TkwjxNLwCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200523_165558.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The next day, Sunday, May 24, Joel and I took two of our tractors and joined a neighborhood tractor parade of approximately 30 other tractor enthusiasts, going 20 miles around the area to drive by some neighbors who have been struggling with their health. </span><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6afuTw4_p8/X3LAPKMQBEI/AAAAAAABGj8/6B2UeCItpFYBb0xgEhA-XNE4T0FvMpKIgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200524_100845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6afuTw4_p8/X3LAPKMQBEI/AAAAAAABGj8/6B2UeCItpFYBb0xgEhA-XNE4T0FvMpKIgCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200524_100845.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Joel is parked in front of me and I followed him the entire route.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbqU-Nj6pds/X3LAPIQXGjI/AAAAAAABGj8/gkEAK9Zdw1UduO1LHDAOlCC5WUpn6eLGACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200524_115131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbqU-Nj6pds/X3LAPIQXGjI/AAAAAAABGj8/gkEAK9Zdw1UduO1LHDAOlCC5WUpn6eLGACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200524_115131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone took a break at noon for a lunch at a local golf course where we ate outside. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I never thought I'd drive my dad's 1972 tractor and
Joel's 1954 so far from home, but it was fun and worth it to see the
smiles on the faces of the people waiting for us on their front lawns. There's a feeling I can't explain when you see that many old tractors all together going down the road, it never fails to choke me up. Joel and I left home with our tractors (top speed of about 18 mph) at 9AM, drove the 20-something miles and arrived back home at 3PM. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We all need a break from stress and worry during these times, and what could be better than a few hours driving across the countryside on an antique tractor waving to happy people? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know it's a day I will never forget. :-) <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0A0nJxGeT0E/X3LCfuxR_MI/AAAAAAABGkE/DCbZTmYZKFEezCfz-cYfvhEPWpqUVU2BQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200526_154835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0A0nJxGeT0E/X3LCfuxR_MI/AAAAAAABGkE/DCbZTmYZKFEezCfz-cYfvhEPWpqUVU2BQCPcBGAsYHg/w480-h640/20200526_154835.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-73900735080560744022020-09-28T08:17:00.003-05:002020-09-28T08:18:39.476-05:00We're Still Here<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jbNY7aktNE/XypBnNGdcQI/AAAAAAABGE0/RZvHX2-rkU0eKVAUC_S8odHws5KIZ_2cQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200726_203812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jbNY7aktNE/XypBnNGdcQI/AAAAAAABGE0/RZvHX2-rkU0eKVAUC_S8odHws5KIZ_2cQCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200726_203812.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Summer is over and fall is upon us once again. This year has been challenging in so many ways, but we're still here.<br /><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">The hut remodel is still dragging on, we are getting down to the smaller details now, but there is still a lot to be done before the snow flies. I've been absent from blogging due to lacking time to write as much as I'd like. We've got the ongoing construction here and sadly, the demolition of my late mom's house at the moment, so it seems all we do is work, but I guess it keeps us out of trouble. :-)<br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HO9ATegBYgM/X3Hh_NQefaI/AAAAAAABGhM/sXFzWuigkhwbN-AVb-whHPVeTG46FzOUwCPcBGAsYHg/s3760/20200829_152641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2820" data-original-width="3760" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HO9ATegBYgM/X3Hh_NQefaI/AAAAAAABGhM/sXFzWuigkhwbN-AVb-whHPVeTG46FzOUwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200829_152641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">With a little luck, I hope to one day write a Hut Remodel post with the title, 'It's DONE!' </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">It's coming soon. (I hope.)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></div>
Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-6021943400694285572020-04-14T01:46:00.002-05:002020-04-14T01:53:56.249-05:00The Garden From a Visitor's Point of View<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Easter came and went, very quietly. Carl and I had some leftovers and watched the rain slide down the windows at dinnertime. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />As soon as the meal (such as it was) was over, Carl went back to work on the staircase.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6Ft-u7XYlU/XpVFHNnEREI/AAAAAAABEhQ/ZQXQZQ8Y0EYlxpuWC0VPw5xv0KHD8kgPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200412_173114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6Ft-u7XYlU/XpVFHNnEREI/AAAAAAABEhQ/ZQXQZQ8Y0EYlxpuWC0VPw5xv0KHD8kgPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200412_173114.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9RYqVy91xs4/XpVFHtDkq1I/AAAAAAABEhU/asv0uC7j96o3OtpvnVNXDey-OoTBNS11QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200413_181747.jpg" width="480" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We'll both be very glad when this part of the remodel is complete. There is still a lot of work to be done, though. (Stay tuned for progress updates.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, the other night I wasn't able to sleep, so I did some online searches for hosta gardens to ease my mind. My search eventually led to a page about the American Hosta Society National Convention that was held here in Wisconsin in June of 2019. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As I've blathered on before, we were one of the tour gardens for the approximately five hundred attendees. If the pandemic had occurred last year, I have a feeling we wouldn't have had a convention and I highly doubt we would have remodeled the house, either. What a difference a year makes...seems like it was so very long ago.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, what was I saying? Oh, yeah, I was looking at pictures of gardens and thought, 'Gee, this looks familiar, someone else must like rocks,' until I realized it was our garden I was looking at. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jk4b6PZ6H9c/XpP-i0M8ZzI/AAAAAAABEe0/Yb8c0u3XqTw5jjAVHhZPlRbhhjP3CHKgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89968323_2654328554795851_7565716614256001024_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jk4b6PZ6H9c/XpP-i0M8ZzI/AAAAAAABEe0/Yb8c0u3XqTw5jjAVHhZPlRbhhjP3CHKgACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89968323_2654328554795851_7565716614256001024_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you look close, you can see a tourist roaming in the background.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One thing that never fails to amaze me is how different our garden looks when pictures are taken by other people. They find angles I never dreamed of, apparently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, that said, what follows is a bunch of pictures taken by tourists last June, along with my scintillating commentary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It certainly was a wet, gloomy, dreary June day, but thankfully for us, at least we had no downpours when they were here. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMH-f3Ajtgg/XpP9jdpcFgI/AAAAAAABEcs/o7udcnZp3koydtHo-yal6Xl-Lreb5ykpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89712806_2654329614795745_5564143227323285504_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMH-f3Ajtgg/XpP9jdpcFgI/AAAAAAABEcs/o7udcnZp3koydtHo-yal6Xl-Lreb5ykpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89712806_2654329614795745_5564143227323285504_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Above is the view out of our new dining nook. Well, it doesn't look like that right now, due to the remodeling excavation, but with a little luck, we'll get it back in shape soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Below is one of Carl's stainless steel sculptures, in a view I've never succeeded in capturing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2345UFK_Q/XpP9c0dDRgI/AAAAAAABEcg/3611SJ_uPWsbqhU8I5oVabuyqB3Qh_aWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89714829_2654327964795910_8721689388183977984_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2345UFK_Q/XpP9c0dDRgI/AAAAAAABEcg/3611SJ_uPWsbqhU8I5oVabuyqB3Qh_aWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89714829_2654327964795910_8721689388183977984_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJg8rdq0tRo/XpP9fMkxAyI/AAAAAAABEck/p2u5fzmKdSg7LZwrtPENJIAt2poXFo_6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89716229_2654328878129152_824660388283940864_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJg8rdq0tRo/XpP9fMkxAyI/AAAAAAABEck/p2u5fzmKdSg7LZwrtPENJIAt2poXFo_6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89716229_2654328878129152_824660388283940864_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The dome in the Formal Garden with fresh pine needle mulch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the rocks, the second most-asked question when we have tours is, 'Where do you purchase your pine needle mulch?' </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The answer is we have free mulch for the taking in the Back Eight. (And my dear friend Ann is The Best Mulcher. Ann came and worked for two days straight mulching for this convention!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The third most-asked question is, "Aren't you worried about acidity and PH levels from using pine needle mulch?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The answer, nope. Once the needles have dropped to the ground, most of the acidity has already declined. No problems here.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwLb2uhuxZU/XpP9jGA8eEI/AAAAAAABEco/ae5W5Id4UZ8HXQClwJr_VWtoN0Aj_zhtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89722045_2654327894795917_5551632009064873984_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwLb2uhuxZU/XpP9jGA8eEI/AAAAAAABEco/ae5W5Id4UZ8HXQClwJr_VWtoN0Aj_zhtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89722045_2654327894795917_5551632009064873984_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'Iris Frazier', looking very impressive last year, this conventioneer was a great photographer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmzWaBX2CBs/XpP9jxFNexI/AAAAAAABEcw/dxTgfBc2TokDGJgHuSa7AvpdQpPVhCjtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89722694_2654327594795947_2821853136208003072_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmzWaBX2CBs/XpP9jxFNexI/AAAAAAABEcw/dxTgfBc2TokDGJgHuSa7AvpdQpPVhCjtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89722694_2654327594795947_2821853136208003072_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I realize I have never written about the sculpture pictured above. We entitled this one 'Blue Skies'. Carl welded this up last May and I stuck my two cents' in and we added the stained glass. I'll have to devote a post to it soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Escarpment and Hosta 'Liberty', always a showstopper and my favorite plant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another view of the Quarry, and another unique angle.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhqQLi2Y2Y8/XpP9qrCVQkI/AAAAAAABEc0/DQ9TF8WuzzkI2KFShYQ0HbfIfX-mWtKaACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89740457_2654328331462540_2906905871059517440_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhqQLi2Y2Y8/XpP9qrCVQkI/AAAAAAABEc0/DQ9TF8WuzzkI2KFShYQ0HbfIfX-mWtKaACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89740457_2654328331462540_2906905871059517440_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'Center of Attention' which apparently was living up to its name.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqXMs2A4yPI/XpP9yZIInWI/AAAAAAABEdA/oYGL5mZYlPcveon8n3tC7yMmulkFOEFnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89750913_2654329238129116_4875643726208172032_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yqXMs2A4yPI/XpP9yZIInWI/AAAAAAABEdA/oYGL5mZYlPcveon8n3tC7yMmulkFOEFnACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89750913_2654329238129116_4875643726208172032_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The old Pan Fountain (Carl's light shades on stands) from a fresh point of view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not sure what caught the visitor's attention about these hostas.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyiZqkx7O3E/XpP96uMoeGI/AAAAAAABEdU/K1lMMXep0kECYQL3LDreWYwMcu15anZyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89784119_2654329011462472_3987241818478608384_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyiZqkx7O3E/XpP96uMoeGI/AAAAAAABEdU/K1lMMXep0kECYQL3LDreWYwMcu15anZyACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89784119_2654329011462472_3987241818478608384_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a seedling bed behind the Quarry Hill which has some interesting specimens of ours intermingled with some named varieties with 'Sutherland Gold' sambucus.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clpDL3YRi0Y/XpP92tRImII/AAAAAAABEdQ/etYm4OPwB0EVr1NNd-oAx1HmzBeHzDdqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89785136_2654329068129133_5734619829445328896_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clpDL3YRi0Y/XpP92tRImII/AAAAAAABEdQ/etYm4OPwB0EVr1NNd-oAx1HmzBeHzDdqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89785136_2654329068129133_5734619829445328896_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'Chiquita' with bright spring coloration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">East side of Quarry Hill, with a 'Miss Kim' lilac in bloom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another specimen of 'Center of Attention', just a split off of the main plant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Carl's rotating ball fountain. We had to take this all apart for the remodel, and now it's plopped in a pile in front of the shop. We'll have to find a new home for it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obX9xLj-RTs/XpP-DyAxSTI/AAAAAAABEds/2vKWv8YvVRE6b20Qn8LH7-C0dknHIulygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89846553_2654328938129146_5331290776506728448_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obX9xLj-RTs/XpP-DyAxSTI/AAAAAAABEds/2vKWv8YvVRE6b20Qn8LH7-C0dknHIulygCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89846553_2654328938129146_5331290776506728448_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Northeast side of the Quarry Hill. I've never taken a picture of this area which is why I was puzzled at first as to whether it is our garden or not. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZXK8RTwCn4/XpP-Ex9c2EI/AAAAAAABEdw/58lSx4bQm30ciddn2AS_X79_87YSOpuYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89909133_2654329188129121_7078285607671169024_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZXK8RTwCn4/XpP-Ex9c2EI/AAAAAAABEdw/58lSx4bQm30ciddn2AS_X79_87YSOpuYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89909133_2654329188129121_7078285607671169024_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Quarry waterfall (such as it is) and goldfish and koi</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'Sea Thunder', an older variety, but one that caught the photographer's attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tree grate and stained glass window. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The golden moneywort and a Picea abies 'Glauca Pendula' make an interesting combination.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HARJ_VSLwMs/XpP-JBpoSqI/AAAAAAABEeE/pm9chAB2zM8g1bE_zRcPNZY1HA4TNymaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89941663_2654329461462427_2508178622175510528_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HARJ_VSLwMs/XpP-JBpoSqI/AAAAAAABEeE/pm9chAB2zM8g1bE_zRcPNZY1HA4TNymaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89941663_2654329461462427_2508178622175510528_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad no one asked me what variety of 'daisy' these are; they spread from seed, and are quite prolific. I've had them for years, but don't recall if it was something I grew from seed or a plant I purchased. They bloom early for us, in May and with repeat in late summer. I wouldn't consider them invasive, really, but they do get around.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4GkvO6RHRws/XpP-P-MUknI/AAAAAAABEeM/751duCOD9_Ub3Gdc5_X-HPKWzYKeiwdWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89947419_2657748484453858_6372744140181995520_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4GkvO6RHRws/XpP-P-MUknI/AAAAAAABEeM/751duCOD9_Ub3Gdc5_X-HPKWzYKeiwdWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89947419_2657748484453858_6372744140181995520_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The blue 'Tardig' in the background with one of Carl's stainless tank heads propped up on a PVC pipe with the whole shebang painted rusty red and my friend Brenda's fantastic Dragon Wing begonias planting adding color to the hosta bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had the 574 and the Manley Wrecking Crane parked for demonstration purposes for the tour. There were a lot of questions about how we placed all the rocks, and there's no better visual aid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet another view from the top of the Quarry Hill with convention guests in the background (and our house, which doesn't look anything like that anymore.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The entrance garden at the front of the house doesn't look like this any more either, but we're anxious to renovate it again now that the construction is done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'Designer Genes'</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhMoN2wxEMM/XpP-ql03EzI/AAAAAAABEfE/e2Ds-1lTtfEUUcd_UUaTjpjHkBk83YJ6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/89982121_2657748174453889_258138233253134336_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhMoN2wxEMM/XpP-ql03EzI/AAAAAAABEfE/e2Ds-1lTtfEUUcd_UUaTjpjHkBk83YJ6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/89982121_2657748174453889_258138233253134336_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of Carl's stainless rings waiting for a stained glass insert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'Captain Kirk' with a painted fern.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Random hostas and rocks.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsWsxSd2-rA/XpP-7mlATTI/AAAAAAABEfc/Bojo8drKnJ0jygLL2PgP0_uIwbLC81fWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/90021460_2657749407787099_6802834691960340480_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hsWsxSd2-rA/XpP-7mlATTI/AAAAAAABEfc/Bojo8drKnJ0jygLL2PgP0_uIwbLC81fWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/90021460_2657749407787099_6802834691960340480_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Left to right: Serbian spruce 'Picea Omorika', Picea Abies 'Pendula Glauca', Picea pungens 'Fat Albert', Thuja occidentalis 'Sunkist' and some rocks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think what caught their eye here was the tufa wall in the hosta bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Pachyberm on the west side of the house with a 'Louisa' weeping crabapple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our 1930's Aeromotor windmill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'Lady Isobel Barnett' on the East Quarry Hill with a bunch of dwarf conifers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Lane Bed and a mix of hostas, ferns and rocks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Middle of the Lane Bed, with some miniature hosta cultivars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Stone House still waiting completion..........</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Random 'holey' rock folly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hostas and rocks on the Lane Bed, hosta 'Liberty' is the flashy one in the middle with the white margins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'Choo Choo Train'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hosta 'King Tut'</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Shop Bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We spent weeks sprucing up the garden for the convention, so it was nice to see a visitor's perspective after all the hard work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I doubt we will ever have as many visitors again in one day, so we look at this one as our Last Big Hurrah. It was fun while it lasted. We're not getting any younger and my joints are not what they used to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But we have the next generation coming up, and who knows? Audrey may want to follow in her silly grandparent's garden shoes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhAC7_c84Gg/XpVaN3KVWwI/AAAAAAABEhg/X92mLteOijEU6WTIU6Etupyi5UAjcWLbQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200403_173051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhAC7_c84Gg/XpVaN3KVWwI/AAAAAAABEhg/X92mLteOijEU6WTIU6Etupyi5UAjcWLbQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200403_173051.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">She has a great love of rocks already, she's always collecting special specimens wherever she goes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> There is always hope for the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before we know it, summer will be here. Brighter days are ahead. :-)</span><br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-62841723019101066842020-04-11T03:21:00.000-05:002020-04-11T03:21:22.037-05:00April Updates and Another Farewell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't written since late February, and during that time the world as we'd known it has changed entirely for everyone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Things have been very topsy-turvy here, too. I feel sheepish to admit we are still working on the remodel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I remember joking with the contractor in December, "As long as we're done by Easter, it will be fine." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He had looked at me with a bit of consternation, "Easter! We'll be done before<i> then!"</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Turns out, he was right, <b><i>he</i></b> was done before then. But the house wasn't. While we waited for the stair treads to be delivered, the contractor moved on to other jobs, which was understandable, there was nothing to do here while we waited for parts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the parts did arrive around the first of March, the contractor and I had another talk; he wasn't really thrilled about remodeling the staircase as it was going to be a lot of fussy work and he had plenty of other work already in progress with other clients. He would make the time, though, but it would be another $2000. In the end, we decided Carl and Cody would install the treads working together. After all, how hard can it be? It's just a small staircase. (Famous last words.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7zEKUTvMMQ/XpF6h0R67zI/AAAAAAABEVc/_AqA3TVXB4cbbCihCwW8S_zrU5g22SkewCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200325_121638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7zEKUTvMMQ/XpF6h0R67zI/AAAAAAABEVc/_AqA3TVXB4cbbCihCwW8S_zrU5g22SkewCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200325_121638.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, anyway, March is sort of a blur to me after all that has happened recently. The first big change was Carl's retiring after 42 years with the same company. His last day of work was March 6, 2020. Imagine, just like that, done with having to get up at 5AM every day. (Except, he's still waking up at 5AM every day because it's an ingrained habit.) Thankfully, he usually can go back to sleep for a little while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spent so much time in late February and early March on the phone trying to deal with insurance companies and the Social Security administration, ugh. I had to call the SSA several times to straighten out problems we'd encountered while trying to use their online system. Telephone hold times even before this virus upended everything were astronomical. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With every call I made, there was an unending repetition of, <i>'We are experiencing a high volume of calls, please remain on the line and your call will be answered in the order in which is was received. Current hold times are one hour, twenty minutes. We regret it is taking so long to answer your call. Your call is important to us. Please remain on the line and the next available operator will assist you,' </i>followed by very loud 'hold' music that made my telephone speaker vibrate and my head ache. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I lost track of how many calls I had to make to get things squared away, but eventually I was successful on the most important parts, anyway. (I hope.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhfql1M2Fm8/XpF6v3guxUI/AAAAAAABEVg/G9hCz8j1-c4g120wAi0zABl0OEmfsyqLgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200319_022709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vhfql1M2Fm8/XpF6v3guxUI/AAAAAAABEVg/G9hCz8j1-c4g120wAi0zABl0OEmfsyqLgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200319_022709.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were still living at the Hobbit House and driving to and fro day and night when we decided to move back to our house on March 7. No, the house isn't done and it's not ideal, but it surely is nice cooking here and being able to go to bed at night when we get tired of working instead of having to get in cold cars and drive around the block twice a day. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Q2YpO6bdRM/XpF7D5IejXI/AAAAAAABEVo/yTRRI17qC48EW6G7z16gEa-3iKaSjEZ0QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200310_233006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Q2YpO6bdRM/XpF7D5IejXI/AAAAAAABEVo/yTRRI17qC48EW6G7z16gEa-3iKaSjEZ0QCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200310_233006.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in our small bedroom at last!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">March 10, I turned 62 with not much hoopla. There were already mutterings about the virus and everyone was slightly uneasy, but at that time we did manage to go out for a nice meal with Joel, Abby and Audrey. David didn't feel well that evening, so he stopped in and waved from afar and went back home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, March 12, I had a bad toothache which landed me an emergency appointment with my dentist and ended with a partial root canal procedure with a follow-up appointment scheduled to do the rest in the future. But as we all know, the following days saw the 'social distancing' measures being enforced and my follow-up appointment was canceled as the office was closed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all of the pandemonium and social distancing, Cody could no longer come to help Carl with the staircase, so Carl has been on his own, working on it every day. Carl's ambivalent about the progress he's making and the results, but I think it is fine and I 'encourage' him to keep going. (Ok, so it's more like nagging, I'll admit.)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmAx0jkU7aQ/XpF7vglSWzI/AAAAAAABEVw/oo_Rf9CxASUjd-PFOGAx6Lcx0EOJcDfRQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200325_121646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmAx0jkU7aQ/XpF7vglSWzI/AAAAAAABEVw/oo_Rf9CxASUjd-PFOGAx6Lcx0EOJcDfRQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200325_121646.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Staircase in progress. April 9, 2020</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, with the virus rules in effect, we were not allowed to visit Carl's mother, Rosemary, in the nursing home. We did have a few phone calls from the facility letting us know she was doing ok in late March, but was refusing to eat and she was losing weight. The next call was to tell us hospice was called in and we were to await a visit from a hospice nurse to sign her up for their service.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We met on a sunny but cold day, March 27, on our new front porch so we would be respecting the rules to the best of our ability by distancing ourselves outdoors. The nurse explained the hospice process which we have now been through for the third time in less than three years with my mother, Carl's dad and now, Carl's mother. Carl signed the paperwork and the petite nurse was on her way to her next appointment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As fate would have it, my sore tooth was getting worse, but I figured there wasn't anything to be done about it due to the pandemic rules; I'd just have to tough it out. But then my dentist called me and said he'd like to have me come in so he could finish the procedure as he viewed it as an emergency, and if infection set in, it could be even more of a problem. Thursday, April 2, I went in to his very sterile, deserted office, and he was able to install a temporary crown which has made my tooth much happier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMHHqShVvCs/XpF8MR7A2rI/AAAAAAABEV4/pcxXaNF603MyqmUnewKKn9ovNY-lOKTQQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200330_191708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMHHqShVvCs/XpF8MR7A2rI/AAAAAAABEV4/pcxXaNF603MyqmUnewKKn9ovNY-lOKTQQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200330_191708.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">News coming from the nursing home was not good, however. Even though on Tuesday, March 31, the nursing home had posted a picture of an alert, smiling, Rosemary with a message to her loved ones written on an erasable white board, her health took a downturn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No outside visitors were allowed into the facility, which is understandable for the safety of the residents. The nursing home did provide us with the ability to video chat with Rosemary on Wednesday, April 1, which was a blessing. She was eventually able to focus on the screen being held for her by a nursing home employee and recognized us when we told her we loved her. She told us she was doing her best to be happy and we should do the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Be happy. You just have to make up your mind to be happy and then do it," she said as she gazed at us in the video screen. "Be happy."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We assured her we were happy. She seemed pleased. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was the last time we spoke to her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVfek-maSM0/XpF8apPulrI/AAAAAAABEV8/gPpmILZ_whgQLemDCJtEpGkuH_1Ho7G0wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200330_192311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVfek-maSM0/XpF8apPulrI/AAAAAAABEV8/gPpmILZ_whgQLemDCJtEpGkuH_1Ho7G0wCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200330_192311.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday morning, April 5, around 11:10AM, the nursing home called to tell us she was failing. The current rules stated that one immediate family member would be allowed to be with her if they were healthy, but by 11:45 AM the second call arrived telling us of her peaceful passing. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRAVhRzgpCs/XpF8xZGBH5I/AAAAAAABEWE/JfChwtBhAmUJXaW20ud6n0xrni0zabxdwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200330_192017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRAVhRzgpCs/XpF8xZGBH5I/AAAAAAABEWE/JfChwtBhAmUJXaW20ud6n0xrni0zabxdwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200330_192017.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We felt so badly that we weren't able to be with her at the end, but the nursing staff said she wasn't alone and they prayed with her. The hospice nurse called to say she gave her a hug from us, too. We understood the rules; a person could be a carrier of the virus and not know it, and we would not want to unknowingly bring illness to the nursing home. Thank God for the nurses every day of the year, and especially now in this terribly uncertain time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCtUAWN2xJE/XpF8_rXcFZI/AAAAAAABEWI/iwS7RhIsgpoISuCwFdVJfvLyTqZvTnDUgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200317_193415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCtUAWN2xJE/XpF8_rXcFZI/AAAAAAABEWI/iwS7RhIsgpoISuCwFdVJfvLyTqZvTnDUgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200317_193415.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made Rosemary's funeral arrangements on Monday and her funeral was Wednesday, April 8. Due to the health restrictions, only her immediate family was able to attend which included Carl, me, Mary and Tom, and her five grandchildren and three of the great-grandchildren. It was surreal seeing a dozen people spread out six feet apart in the funeral home, but we did manage to communicate with each other fairly well from a distance. After a brief graveside service, the funeral was over in less than two hours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even though it was very sad the funeral had to be this way, we were still blessed that we were able to say our farewells. The sun was shining, the birds were singing as we said our final goodbyes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6_N83q9ok8/XpF91_4aSUI/AAAAAAABEWQ/NRBGNx2ThwAYVetZ3btzTOlIWardG6D1wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200308_185412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6_N83q9ok8/XpF91_4aSUI/AAAAAAABEWQ/NRBGNx2ThwAYVetZ3btzTOlIWardG6D1wCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200308_185412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I pray for everyone's health and that soon this pandemic will be behind us and we will return to a new normal. These are dark days, indeed, but it is Spring, the season of new beginnings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wish you all a Blessed, Happy Easter.</span><br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-47034259179908217182020-02-24T02:29:00.001-06:002020-02-24T02:29:08.768-06:00Remodeling Our Hut Part 35: Upstairs Bathroom WIndow, Balcony Railings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">A little less than a week left in February already and we're still slogging along with the remodel. We're getting closer day by day, but we really don't have a completion date in sight yet. (It will be a year in July, but let's hope it doesn't go that long.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For close to nine weeks we have been waiting for stair tread parts to come in for the staircase. Some of the treads had be ordered and other parts had to be custom made, but from what I understand, the order was delayed for over six weeks, and when it finally did come in, the measurements were wrong. Our contractor asked them to make our staircase project a priority, so we'll see. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ3MKpzR7Oo/XlOEKr7nwCI/AAAAAAABDpU/5hClqbgmvqQ_2Y71D4qY-RegrB5wYT1BwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200204_123154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1574" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ3MKpzR7Oo/XlOEKr7nwCI/AAAAAAABDpU/5hClqbgmvqQ_2Y71D4qY-RegrB5wYT1BwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200204_123154.jpg" width="628" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But anyway, while we've been waiting for stair parts, we've been busy with other details that needed finishing. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> In order
to be able to move back in, we have to have a railing in place according
to building codes. But as one thing leads to another, without the
stair treads in place, Carl cannot make the staircase railings until he knows what
the finished height of the treads are. </span>He has been making as much of the design parts as he can, but we'll have to wait until the treads are installed. Soon? We hope so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our friend, Cody, finished the complicated task of installing crown molding throughout the entire downstairs. He did an amazing job and the end result is beautiful. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elwbQQH9-Rg/XkrDmw6-4YI/AAAAAAABDeY/CwwqiU4wXXwI-jMQ70iE-epg84JeskxhwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200128_103527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elwbQQH9-Rg/XkrDmw6-4YI/AAAAAAABDeY/CwwqiU4wXXwI-jMQ70iE-epg84JeskxhwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200128_103527.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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View from 'Study/dining room' to front porch</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcLNh93D-n4/XkrDm23YgkI/AAAAAAABDeY/1JuFKi2ZvBYZCem6WUOFXIyERTpO7MrtACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200128_103519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcLNh93D-n4/XkrDm23YgkI/AAAAAAABDeY/1JuFKi2ZvBYZCem6WUOFXIyERTpO7MrtACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200128_103519.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Kitchen</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6PAix16r9A/XkrD0qBcCVI/AAAAAAABDec/NMCkzsCq5E0L-dhBbUZqHkcjQugG9sUdACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200207_185515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6PAix16r9A/XkrD0qBcCVI/AAAAAAABDec/NMCkzsCq5E0L-dhBbUZqHkcjQugG9sUdACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200207_185515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxOhj8QHBjQ/XkrDm_WuLmI/AAAAAAABDeY/9CypvUP0cM8VekukZ_L0htn4xYzZSnwigCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200128_103516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxOhj8QHBjQ/XkrDm_WuLmI/AAAAAAABDeY/9CypvUP0cM8VekukZ_L0htn4xYzZSnwigCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200128_103516.jpg" width="480" /></a></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The first pieces of furniture to find their way back home were my antique Yawman & Erbe file cabinets.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">One of the most controversial decisions we had to make when it came to the remodel was the placement of a half-bath upstairs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The
original bathroom was under the steeply slanted roof in the hallway
between the two bedrooms. Measuring less than six feet long by three
feet wide, the lack of size did have its perks; if you were very tired
you could rest your head on the wall opposite the toilet. However,
extreme caution was required to stand up at just the right angle lest
you bash your head on the ceiling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the picture below, the remnants of the bathroom floor are still visible during the demolition stage back in July 2019. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbyZAGfaJSs/XishXjtRDnI/AAAAAAABDBQ/puXrt8B6NYgFK4zl5-Bt0TcoEQxEAZFIQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20190717_185004.jpg" width="360" /></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the new gable was added, we decided to put the new bathroom in a different spot upstairs, basically across the hall from the original location.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkBWITvW6RE/XlNr96slGVI/AAAAAAABDnI/rNuGNsb5vP8sXjUo1yNtgeJQz4V5jqT2wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200113_172328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkBWITvW6RE/XlNr96slGVI/AAAAAAABDnI/rNuGNsb5vP8sXjUo1yNtgeJQz4V5jqT2wCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200113_172328.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Very narrow little room, but at least the ceiling isn't slanted. I was able to buy a tiny sink online that fits quite well.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LC2GFHPQw74/XlNr9-T4EsI/AAAAAAABDnI/qZpJPpxoA2cz5oBYX2cQZbmyJ_wd8YvxgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200113_172314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LC2GFHPQw74/XlNr9-T4EsI/AAAAAAABDnI/qZpJPpxoA2cz5oBYX2cQZbmyJ_wd8YvxgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200113_172314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our contractor asked us if we wanted to put one of our stained glass windows in the opening and we agreed. He took the measurements of our stained glass piece and made an opening in the wall to fit.</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9bo1VnD5vo/XlNr92ivWRI/AAAAAAABDnI/p-HcdRFy-9ER6kO7_UbagTBo2zk9K5QJgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200113_172333.jpg" width="480" /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smnwcsBiTrM/XlNr95e16NI/AAAAAAABDnI/IQnZhsM-rrczMZ8-ujkWgPwMmXdqve7FwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200113_164209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smnwcsBiTrM/XlNr95e16NI/AAAAAAABDnI/IQnZhsM-rrczMZ8-ujkWgPwMmXdqve7FwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200113_164209.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">While Carl
was working on the balcony railings, Cody installed our stained glass
'Spring' window in the new tiny upstairs bathroom. </span>Cody carefully reassembled the wooden frame around the window after I had stained it from light blonde to dark. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7F0gL8kcBw/XlNr90-eKVI/AAAAAAABDnI/kGEjdWlRwNYbuQck6I3hluIG163cG-NTwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200113_172242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7F0gL8kcBw/XlNr90-eKVI/AAAAAAABDnI/kGEjdWlRwNYbuQck6I3hluIG163cG-NTwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200113_172242.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gXsikpcea0/XlNr9_lNT3I/AAAAAAABDnI/I401aepRmWwfHt3Ki30nlSwsAbMUpk18ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200123_212133.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3gXsikpcea0/XlNr9_lNT3I/AAAAAAABDnI/I401aepRmWwfHt3Ki30nlSwsAbMUpk18ACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200123_212133.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Cody installing the bathroom window January 30, 2020. He is straddling the opening in the floor here. Yes, we needed railings!</i></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> We built the 'Spring' window over a decade ago, but for years it was only brought out for garden walks and then put back in storage because it was too big for displaying in our house. I don't know why we built a window with no real place to install it, but it has a home now.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inRr_pBtqug/XlNr92bYAEI/AAAAAAABDnI/YD9rwlFQ6nUm9MlPSQ4-Iulcbkk3E_-BgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200123_211838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inRr_pBtqug/XlNr92bYAEI/AAAAAAABDnI/YD9rwlFQ6nUm9MlPSQ4-Iulcbkk3E_-BgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200123_211838.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And below is the view when the bathroom light is on.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNur3N5ResU/XlNr97qEhhI/AAAAAAABDnI/Mzz3dKPmOvc_LRFIgWu4DuskR8Ng35fuwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200123_211816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNur3N5ResU/XlNr97qEhhI/AAAAAAABDnI/Mzz3dKPmOvc_LRFIgWu4DuskR8Ng35fuwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200123_211816.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYbH1R3Imgk/XlNr99RN75I/AAAAAAABDnI/IGGhXI-I98QA05_huTUf-uLjNdU6IKNwQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200124_112039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYbH1R3Imgk/XlNr99RN75I/AAAAAAABDnI/IGGhXI-I98QA05_huTUf-uLjNdU6IKNwQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200124_112039.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's still a mirror to hang in the little bathroom and we'll possibly make a small wall cabinet out of our old waterbed headboard for towel and toiletries. </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_AmQ2u6rQk/XlNvA5KStJI/AAAAAAABDnQ/ershSMx4rRY_iqJFcyJ0bHHjwceZybprQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200130_194154.jpg" width="480" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> February 1, 2020 and Carl was hard at work on the balcony railings. He was able to reuse some of the components from the original railings he'd built in 1978. Below is the old handrail section lying in the shop driveway ready for measuring and layout and drilling for the designs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUtYd7eBv_4/XlNzRji_9WI/AAAAAAABDno/b0tXoeg4LO8iFf3FsyKPESNn5swXsz0YACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200201_141933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUtYd7eBv_4/XlNzRji_9WI/AAAAAAABDno/b0tXoeg4LO8iFf3FsyKPESNn5swXsz0YACKgBGAsYHg/s320/20200201_141933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The handrail went up first and despite Carl being paranoid, it fit perfectly. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He agonized over the
design (my idea) and the exact measurements and placement for weeks, and
though they look simple, they were a real source of stress for him. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16dT9Wb8Ucg/XlNzRnnZEOI/AAAAAAABDno/SqNpYa1y0t0d-arpuY4S_1fLpIcckfyhACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200201_172554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16dT9Wb8Ucg/XlNzRnnZEOI/AAAAAAABDno/SqNpYa1y0t0d-arpuY4S_1fLpIcckfyhACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200201_172554.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joel stopped in to lend Carl a hand with the installation.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUaQjLGLMHo/XlNzRgVSXyI/AAAAAAABDno/aDbMiJScFRwS_-Fzp_r-fiUpY0rjo3P4gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200201_181125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUaQjLGLMHo/XlNzRgVSXyI/AAAAAAABDno/aDbMiJScFRwS_-Fzp_r-fiUpY0rjo3P4gCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200201_181125.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Audrey was assisting by bringing drills when needed. In between times, she was working on rearranging the spare hardwood for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nq7NKSaNDrc/XlNzRuqH-oI/AAAAAAABDno/kGC9vSYo8-sG66dBx-_LpPji-J4X_WhvQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200201_181141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nq7NKSaNDrc/XlNzRuqH-oI/AAAAAAABDno/kGC9vSYo8-sG66dBx-_LpPji-J4X_WhvQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200201_181141.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TuknjdfWfTI/XlNzRoTjp_I/AAAAAAABDno/x0r4qhY01z092jkj5yvR-8EjPonVUZPLQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200201_181144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TuknjdfWfTI/XlNzRoTjp_I/AAAAAAABDno/x0r4qhY01z092jkj5yvR-8EjPonVUZPLQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200201_181144.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICYooFbALp4/XlNzRrrVbTI/AAAAAAABDno/Y-B2gkDMMukY7qVdFpmii6axVKmK2JXtwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200201_181229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICYooFbALp4/XlNzRrrVbTI/AAAAAAABDno/Y-B2gkDMMukY7qVdFpmii6axVKmK2JXtwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200201_181229.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"What an interesting piece of oak, Grandma."</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvhGcJ256gk/XlNzRofjZDI/AAAAAAABDno/sDCfzsf1jaIwJFYpGUyDMxnTQwQ0TePwQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200201_181431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvhGcJ256gk/XlNzRofjZDI/AAAAAAABDno/sDCfzsf1jaIwJFYpGUyDMxnTQwQ0TePwQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200201_181431.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Joel and Carl, installing the balcony railing on north side.</span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Carl had been welding for weeks on the designs for the railings. In the picture above, the designs are laid out on sawhorses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">February 2, and the first designs were added to the balcony. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had to get a rondel and hold it up to see what the glass would look like in the railings when we're done.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I980d69YuJk/XlN1CiXAjnI/AAAAAAABDnw/9ulaHDzOtmQyfzI-IMf1flypURefshMygCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200202_155755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I980d69YuJk/XlN1CiXAjnI/AAAAAAABDnw/9ulaHDzOtmQyfzI-IMf1flypURefshMygCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200202_155755.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's Carl, looking doubtful about these railings again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SThtqwYVS6I/XlN1CmTjRGI/AAAAAAABDnw/s-kNc2FwrS8KrQO4vHa6u6AEbEDloDOugCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200202_170218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SThtqwYVS6I/XlN1CmTjRGI/AAAAAAABDnw/s-kNc2FwrS8KrQO4vHa6u6AEbEDloDOugCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200202_170218.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> They are plain, but by the time we add the glass inserts and the copper leaves, they'll be busy enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been working on the leaves at our house now, I've got 150 made so far. I'm not sure how many we'll need; it all depends on how they look when they're attached to the railings. We'll see. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O02lNKfot9c/XlN3haQKv5I/AAAAAAABDn4/j-nSkCwArBkzJeMyOoVCrCkhOea8lMhpgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200210_235307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O02lNKfot9c/XlN3haQKv5I/AAAAAAABDn4/j-nSkCwArBkzJeMyOoVCrCkhOea8lMhpgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200210_235307.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Upper right side is the copper strips cut from scrap from our garden dome project. Lower right is the leaves after folding them in half and cutting out with aviation snips. On the left are the finished leaves after hand hammering and annealing.</span></i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSJk0EKTjRY/XlN3haOEccI/AAAAAAABDn4/MeOwO9Y2BfEE-_9pYmkWvynKEuPgQuyDgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200210_235354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSJk0EKTjRY/XlN3haOEccI/AAAAAAABDn4/MeOwO9Y2BfEE-_9pYmkWvynKEuPgQuyDgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200210_235354.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been having a lot of fun making the leaves, but it will be interesting to see what they look like attached to the railing. I have plans to have some of them cascading down copper 'vines' on the curved laterals at the base of the stairs, but, drat, we're going to have to wait for the stair treads to be in place first. (I sure hope the treads arrive this week Thursday; that was the date I was promised, anyway. Can you tell I'm getting impatient?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below; February 11, and more railing designs in place. Each design is drilled in place and secured to the floor with set screws. Carl had to machine each spindle in a lathe for the screws to fit into. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gESiQQIIDfI/XlN5nzWIpqI/AAAAAAABDoA/By0DwMV8rVQ3JOPQ-VBSxjcT4ZJCdIYcgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200211_192643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gESiQQIIDfI/XlN5nzWIpqI/AAAAAAABDoA/By0DwMV8rVQ3JOPQ-VBSxjcT4ZJCdIYcgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200211_192643.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> February 12; more designs in place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeWm66w491s/XlN6ZZMfcnI/AAAAAAABDoQ/LenrogYaFXErOuY2rH9zXNioSR1iehlJQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200212_171201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeWm66w491s/XlN6ZZMfcnI/AAAAAAABDoQ/LenrogYaFXErOuY2rH9zXNioSR1iehlJQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200212_171201.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOmNSYhMFeo/XlN7Ao5xFDI/AAAAAAABDoY/jkJNiKm25vgyC7bAP7IJl0KAJyeQsAsuQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200207_200400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1600" height="518" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eOmNSYhMFeo/XlN7Ao5xFDI/AAAAAAABDoY/jkJNiKm25vgyC7bAP7IJl0KAJyeQsAsuQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200207_200400.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Carl fabricated a back plate for the railing to attach to the wall that matches the hardware on our new doorknobs, below.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOV4hVlRB9k/XlN7Ao3YugI/AAAAAAABDoY/90X-NjTejnI1Iiu4JABAdU5fVGY74XpyQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200128_102900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOV4hVlRB9k/XlN7Ao3YugI/AAAAAAABDoY/90X-NjTejnI1Iiu4JABAdU5fVGY74XpyQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200128_102900.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I have to touch up the screw with some bronze paint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml0AsAKZe-Y/XlN6ZYjaX6I/AAAAAAABDoQ/-gsXdffrrR86qIJatpKvPniflkAqiim8gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200212_171917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml0AsAKZe-Y/XlN6ZYjaX6I/AAAAAAABDoQ/-gsXdffrrR86qIJatpKvPniflkAqiim8gCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200212_171917.jpg" width="480" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J_eRcw03-8k/XlN7os9DEjI/AAAAAAABDog/bAJNct43dhsqDVbIiOupKxX-A7rSVr_fQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200217_205445.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
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Every night after work, Carl would put in a few more designs. </div>
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Here's a bunch of views from various angles:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBP5K12Uklo/XlN7otQzSSI/AAAAAAABDog/yxxBh0SWhvY6yAGfgHm5l3qYNs3IjMzMACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200215_232428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBP5K12Uklo/XlN7otQzSSI/AAAAAAABDog/yxxBh0SWhvY6yAGfgHm5l3qYNs3IjMzMACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200215_232428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOaEeRVr-IQ/XlN7olYEAXI/AAAAAAABDog/0Gi6kLCeaqIFn61NNhTPeLrNnS8FjMSYgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200217_205339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOaEeRVr-IQ/XlN7olYEAXI/AAAAAAABDog/0Gi6kLCeaqIFn61NNhTPeLrNnS8FjMSYgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200217_205339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qcl0NsDo8hs/XlN7oi_AJzI/AAAAAAABDog/bsl7nBxh58An3zwDVw3ZWduhIVa12LsqwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200217_205526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qcl0NsDo8hs/XlN7oi_AJzI/AAAAAAABDog/bsl7nBxh58An3zwDVw3ZWduhIVa12LsqwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200217_205526.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I stuck a rondel in the second design from the wall with tinfoil just for dramatic effect.</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">February 18, and the balcony railing is finished. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkqRqshYY7k/XlN89EoEHFI/AAAAAAABDow/KJMQrk7KaRAkIx3S87iLv_ouh4nY8ylEACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200217_205421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkqRqshYY7k/XlN89EoEHFI/AAAAAAABDow/KJMQrk7KaRAkIx3S87iLv_ouh4nY8ylEACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200217_205421.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It is such a relief to have railings upstairs again, I was always worried someone was going to fall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Valentine's Day, Cody came over to install a piece of stained glass in the window between the study and the mudroom. When we have time, we'll build a stained glass window for this opening, but for now, the piece of glass will work. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcC7UVo55Fo/XlN9wF88maI/AAAAAAABDo4/M47v7Jr4o3QfBUc-XpkIZw_7aYdGyCOuACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200215_145438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcC7UVo55Fo/XlN9wF88maI/AAAAAAABDo4/M47v7Jr4o3QfBUc-XpkIZw_7aYdGyCOuACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200215_145438.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZB-NUVwj_U/XlN9wCjjyvI/AAAAAAABDo4/DOwUKNd9pboAJyNp_pSml3x0pGTKuFjUQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200219_143600.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though we haven't moved back in yet, I brought over a few
of our stained glass lamps. The 'Allamanda' lamp was the first to
return from the Hobbit house.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_INncbnWHY4/XlNxPdrW9WI/AAAAAAABDnY/HEqM6L2KxN4D5msBBEgXdTCneLrX9slGQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200201_163249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="1600" height="547" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_INncbnWHY4/XlNxPdrW9WI/AAAAAAABDnY/HEqM6L2KxN4D5msBBEgXdTCneLrX9slGQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200201_163249.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joel and Audrey brought over the 'Laburnum' lamp last week Thursday.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCdED92RlzA/XlNyE_LEb5I/AAAAAAABDng/RGqoLJWd6MkdotMJYPsll8MLPzmVWPJjQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200221_224609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCdED92RlzA/XlNyE_LEb5I/AAAAAAABDng/RGqoLJWd6MkdotMJYPsll8MLPzmVWPJjQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200221_224609.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> While Audrey was visiting, she took over making some copper leaves for me, too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7d1BMNczgE/XlN_P4_LVdI/AAAAAAABDpM/leirsvlrTDcz_tHdQtPEz0ZMJezvz_OUgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200112_201637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7d1BMNczgE/XlN_P4_LVdI/AAAAAAABDpM/leirsvlrTDcz_tHdQtPEz0ZMJezvz_OUgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200112_201637.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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With her help, I'll be done in no time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cody and Carl worked on installing our new water heater and water softener last Sunday. They were finally finished at midnight. It is so nice to have hot water again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbY1bm_hFLE/XlOHCzHZ_hI/AAAAAAABDpc/MwZxBAImMds7vVUeZ0hT4JityKhEzqxSQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200202_172440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbY1bm_hFLE/XlOHCzHZ_hI/AAAAAAABDpc/MwZxBAImMds7vVUeZ0hT4JityKhEzqxSQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200202_172440.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Carl worked on installing the rest of the doorknobs, a coat rack, towel bars, shower curtain rods and some more plumbing this weekend. Cody stopped in again last night and with Joel's help, put shelves in my pantry, so I can start moving things back in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'll see what this coming week brings. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking back, we're a lot closer to the end than the beginning.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7wmAP3qqPSQ/XlOIhXWTchI/AAAAAAABDpk/zI3CMR3P_r4-tya3e0L2l2Yw-y0MP7TnwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190807_172546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7wmAP3qqPSQ/XlOIhXWTchI/AAAAAAABDpk/zI3CMR3P_r4-tya3e0L2l2Yw-y0MP7TnwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20190807_172546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We'll just keep plodding on.<br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-52331469994267063462020-01-14T01:18:00.001-06:002020-01-14T01:33:52.810-06:00Remodeling Our Hut Part 34: Cabinets, Countertops, Railings, Trim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here it is, January 14 already, over six months since we moved out last July, and we're still plugging along with the hut remodel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were invited to a neighborhood get-together last week Saturday and Carl and I were the last to arrive. The moment we walked in the door one of the neighbors yelled from across the room, "Why aren't you guys back in your house yet? What is taking so long??" All conversations stopped, all eyes were on us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Indeed, what IS taking so long? I really don't have a good answer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It just is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's been a comedy of errors which would be pretty funny if we weren't too tired to laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Christmas Day the electrician came and installed exterior lights on the front porch and some interior lights, but he couldn't install the lights on the ceiling upstairs because the contractor hadn't built him blocks to hang fixtures from. He'd be back when there was something to install them to. There was a delay with the lighting supplies in the kitchen, too, and we had to wait for another order to come in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'd purchased the closest thing we could come to for vintage lighting that we could afford. Eventually some of the lights will be replaced by stained glass, but for now, these will have to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkcjXBvHFdk/XhbUcPbxuaI/AAAAAAABCx0/5MrJhNvhlqoARUNF7EU0Q8UPrLQ1V0ibQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191225_193032.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is the early 1900's wardrobe we bought just before Christmas in its new home in the mudroom. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7bG9irUUTc/XhbUcBH-nkI/AAAAAAABCx0/x9BiifBQyu8LwMlHK5I9pX3vxqw6r20nQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191225_192618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7bG9irUUTc/XhbUcBH-nkI/AAAAAAABCx0/x9BiifBQyu8LwMlHK5I9pX3vxqw6r20nQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191225_192618.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note the handy extension cord holes in the doors where doorknobs should be? There was a problem with the measurements for the doorknobs for the exterior doors and an opposite problem with the interior doors, resulting in us having no doorknobs installed on the exterior doors, and though the interior doorknobs were installed last week, all of the doors will need new strike plates installed as they are too short and the latches currently strike the trim. We're still waiting...</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42Tz9dSh-8Q/XhbUcAftYXI/AAAAAAABCx0/xDjFk9DELnoVogFTYVW4HculneINz14dQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191225_193129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42Tz9dSh-8Q/XhbUcAftYXI/AAAAAAABCx0/xDjFk9DELnoVogFTYVW4HculneINz14dQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191225_193129.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The interior trim was the next job for the contractors. They set their saws up in our dining room/study and let the sawdust fly. I know I coulda/shoulda insisted they do their sawing outside, but it would only delay the project even more and the garage is unheated. At this point, anything that would potentially speed up the project was worth it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UscamPIYdFw/XhbUcBlZRMI/AAAAAAABCx0/a6drdQyhsn0IW7lP_DTfIUIvCUweSXFfwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191225_193132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UscamPIYdFw/XhbUcBlZRMI/AAAAAAABCx0/a6drdQyhsn0IW7lP_DTfIUIvCUweSXFfwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191225_193132.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">While the trim work was going on at our house, Carl has been working on the railings for the staircase. He had made our original railings at the tender age of twenty-two, but they wouldn't fit any longer because of all of the structural changes. We debated and agonized over what design to go with before finally settling on a custom one of our own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most Craftsman style homes have wooden railings with substantial newel posts, but Carl is a talented metalworker like his late father before him, and we both agreed, the railings have to be iron. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />We had debated going with something very organic, with copper leaves and swirling iron branches, but in the end, we decided on a more traditional Craftsman-style look that would fit our modest-sized house.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUT5McPfFYo/XhbUcFevrJI/AAAAAAABCx0/aUrm8oplQI80aLk9eA6ig2y_u5m3edM7QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191225_195324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUT5McPfFYo/XhbUcFevrJI/AAAAAAABCx0/aUrm8oplQI80aLk9eA6ig2y_u5m3edM7QCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191225_195324.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Carl, working on the layout for the steps.</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I9NZ_GVrZY/Xh1JvBxGjPI/AAAAAAABC4M/27Wkh714aSMJ3aOZFKdf2MhhpfOdSOohACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191228_193927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I9NZ_GVrZY/Xh1JvBxGjPI/AAAAAAABC4M/27Wkh714aSMJ3aOZFKdf2MhhpfOdSOohACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191228_193927.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TNZWdNnkm4/Xh1HDSalv6I/AAAAAAABC4E/Ig873pP8DkctlUbk_svfBKyMja1a38FlQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200108_180412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TNZWdNnkm4/Xh1HDSalv6I/AAAAAAABC4E/Ig873pP8DkctlUbk_svfBKyMja1a38FlQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200108_180412.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Above is one section of the balcony railing, partially assembled, awaiting my contribution to the project. I couldn't give up on adding a little something nature-inspired to the railings, so I had Carl incorporate a circle in each design that will contain a stained glass rondel with added hand-hammered copper leaves as an accent. I drew up many designs since Christmas and finally settled on one that will hopefully work. </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xODkIh813qs/XhbUcJpeqII/AAAAAAABCx0/yU175GBONYArZ_dfvZVqOv4m4j5gAj3-QCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191225_230351.jpg" width="480" /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We have a lot of copper left over from the dome project of 2004, and I have enough scrap to make thousands of leaves. I'll only need a few hundred for this railing, though, thank goodness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love working with copper, it's such a beautiful metal. I've been making the leaves using a technique known as fold-forming. In a nutshell, I fold a scrap of copper in half, and trace out a leaf shape, much like making Valentine hearts, and cut the shape out with a pair of aviation snips. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the shapes are cut out, I take them to the belt sander to sand off the sharp edges. Then I anneal the copper using a handheld torch, heating the piece until it glows red-hot before immediately quenching it in water. The copper is soft and easy to work with after annealing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Moving to the steel work table, I take a small hammer and beat the edges of the design, working my way around the curves. As copper work-hardens when struck, I have to go back and anneal each leaf a few times until I'm satisfied with the look. There are a few more steps involved, so let's just say I'm learning as I go. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTnG_rz0L84/Xh1L7gXzEzI/AAAAAAABC4U/RH-2w3y2TsgPcUMzRCjKxZL8EOUiUJJ9QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191229_194459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTnG_rz0L84/Xh1L7gXzEzI/AAAAAAABC4U/RH-2w3y2TsgPcUMzRCjKxZL8EOUiUJJ9QCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191229_194459.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ4dfzdyUqc/Xh1L7mYMCLI/AAAAAAABC4U/NpUaF_LEZW4w3AZPtzALdBJ4cUVEUjMkACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191229_194453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ4dfzdyUqc/Xh1L7mYMCLI/AAAAAAABC4U/NpUaF_LEZW4w3AZPtzALdBJ4cUVEUjMkACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191229_194453.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Every leaf is a different. I'm varying the sizes quite a bit, too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ42LWiFXCg/Xh1L7oQiyjI/AAAAAAABC4U/_AdmA2OMokMzJbflJPN3yiLUC98JurxYACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191229_194518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zQ42LWiFXCg/Xh1L7oQiyjI/AAAAAAABC4U/_AdmA2OMokMzJbflJPN3yiLUC98JurxYACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191229_194518.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3D9BN3psEM0/Xh1L7ovKhoI/AAAAAAABC4U/Egr_UFfZuXImyFa2lkpYgtylyKna1vI8wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191229_200240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3D9BN3psEM0/Xh1L7ovKhoI/AAAAAAABC4U/Egr_UFfZuXImyFa2lkpYgtylyKna1vI8wCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191229_200240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I have about thirty leaves made so far. We're also debating on what color of rondel to use in each design, we have deep orange and deep yellow on hand. We'll make up our minds on color soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found a huge oak leaf lying in the driveway a week or so ago and it inspired me to try making a replica in copper. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DlEyjiBcumE/Xh1OA_wRVuI/AAAAAAABC4c/6DoUoYjhWsMPUlMGMrThFklBfqdvAkNEQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200101_184233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DlEyjiBcumE/Xh1OA_wRVuI/AAAAAAABC4c/6DoUoYjhWsMPUlMGMrThFklBfqdvAkNEQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200101_184233.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vq-QNszXjbU/Xh1OA6ib2EI/AAAAAAABC4c/WYmgwF4qzqoas95eisKBm-dIUD6HNKpAACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200101_183904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vq-QNszXjbU/Xh1OA6ib2EI/AAAAAAABC4c/WYmgwF4qzqoas95eisKBm-dIUD6HNKpAACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200101_183904.jpg" width="480" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The oak 'leaf' is way too big for the railing project, but I had fun. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">December 31, more kitchen and bathroom cabinets arrived.<i> </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBD74wNUE7c/Xh1P5vrEKII/AAAAAAABC4k/1A3fyOg0HPUfm5PPEu4pAi36f1MdNHRrQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191231_133612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBD74wNUE7c/Xh1P5vrEKII/AAAAAAABC4k/1A3fyOg0HPUfm5PPEu4pAi36f1MdNHRrQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191231_133612.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EAJnxRxwoE/Xh1P5hlwdNI/AAAAAAABC4k/jSnA51cbar457flUwWfzKCJvIreAviNrgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191231_133641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0EAJnxRxwoE/Xh1P5hlwdNI/AAAAAAABC4k/jSnA51cbar457flUwWfzKCJvIreAviNrgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191231_133641.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Carl and Bob, applying the last of the baseboard trim on New Year's Eve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZeYoSGQmkU/Xh1P5kNKWOI/AAAAAAABC4k/qCRjYnS_W0w2fY5e4i2K4_lk_Jeat06_QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191231_133644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZeYoSGQmkU/Xh1P5kNKWOI/AAAAAAABC4k/qCRjYnS_W0w2fY5e4i2K4_lk_Jeat06_QCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191231_133644.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Our new bedroom windows are much larger than before; I'll have to see what to do about some type of curtains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S37zwumV_CI/Xh1P5qogQlI/AAAAAAABC4k/4r_1T_TU6-E1LAOiSLEEPOnsTdlbONX7ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191231_133650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S37zwumV_CI/Xh1P5qogQlI/AAAAAAABC4k/4r_1T_TU6-E1LAOiSLEEPOnsTdlbONX7ACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191231_133650.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> And what to do about the piles of junk. :-/</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-Amj83pFGc/Xh1P5k8NR9I/AAAAAAABC4k/Ah1Q7s59db02pNvwyiZA7_srDeOfhrkyQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191231_133605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-Amj83pFGc/Xh1P5k8NR9I/AAAAAAABC4k/Ah1Q7s59db02pNvwyiZA7_srDeOfhrkyQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191231_133605.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The bathroom vanity seems to be missing something...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w18wO2ysZt0/Xh1P5shEDzI/AAAAAAABC4k/Nh-O9omsnpckxc6Mn9h-ahLwtiN5V6p6QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191231_133549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w18wO2ysZt0/Xh1P5shEDzI/AAAAAAABC4k/Nh-O9omsnpckxc6Mn9h-ahLwtiN5V6p6QCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191231_133549.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> We ordered all new appliances for the remodel; our current stove from 1978 was still working, but it has seen better days. I decided to buy kitchen appliances in a bronze color, which I like so far as they complement the copper sink.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQv5-dpKtJ0/Xh1S9NuG4fI/AAAAAAABC40/zoU8pekzflAjiKAeMqQp7_GR4Q_LBpF7ACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200101_163846.jpg" width="480" /></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But in the picture below, the stove is missing. And as of today, it's still missing. We ordered the appliances on November 15, but, as the salesperson at the appliance store rather impishly 'explained' to me earlier today, "I don't have a crystal ball, I have no idea when your stove will come in. I can't make it happen any faster."</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dK_6R5yrJU/Xh1P5gv5rLI/AAAAAAABC4k/SJYCqwAJrcsNPHaO7i94IUPGT2ODAjQIACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200101_164909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6dK_6R5yrJU/Xh1P5gv5rLI/AAAAAAABC4k/SJYCqwAJrcsNPHaO7i94IUPGT2ODAjQIACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200101_164909.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Oh, she was such a scamp. (Someone really does need to invent a sarcasm font.)<br />
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Truth be told, I used to have a job answering telephones and locating information and files for people, so after four years of up to a hundred calls a day, I get it, I know what it's like to be hollered at by an irate person on the other end of the line. That is why I am unfailingly polite to people who are just doing their jobs. There's no use in yelling or belittling people who are just the messengers of bad news.<br />
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But lately, I've encountered quite a few people who don't return the favor, and she was one of them. Sheesh, what happened to the 'customer is always right'? Oh well, what's the difference, if the stove doesn't come by, say, July, I won't have to cook anymore. I could stand to lose some weight.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MmLy-1icjc/Xh1WEQQXBtI/AAAAAAABC48/-RkcYchW5gsZlocWW_kia3ssBkN-j1WBwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200102_135657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MmLy-1icjc/Xh1WEQQXBtI/AAAAAAABC48/-RkcYchW5gsZlocWW_kia3ssBkN-j1WBwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200102_135657.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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When the trim was finished in the kitchen, I moved one of my Yawman & Erbe file cabinets back to its original location which felt normal.<br /><br />January 2, the front and back doors came back from the professional staining place, and there was much gnashing of teeth. The finish was far too dark on the front door and there were paintbrush bristles and random globs of dust and dirt stuck to them to boot. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVqURPloZJc/Xh1WgIX2evI/AAAAAAABC5E/il8rjruR8dccNwAaI8nOvfOauW9K1sorQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200102_131532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVqURPloZJc/Xh1WgIX2evI/AAAAAAABC5E/il8rjruR8dccNwAaI8nOvfOauW9K1sorQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200102_131532.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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Our contractor contacted the stain company's owner and they promised to take the doors out again and redo them.<br />
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"We'll be there after 4PM to pick them up."<br />
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4PM, 5PM, 7PM, no one came to get the doors, so we finally gave up and went back to the Hobbit house for supper.<br />
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Over that weekend, the doors were not picked up either, so our contractor had to call the owner one more time. The owner of the staining facility called me last week Monday, profusely apologizing and promising a quick turnaround and a quality finish. True to his word, the doors were picked up that day, and the old cull doors put in their place. But it's been over a week, and still, no doors.<br />
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Ah, no doors, no stove. Our contractors left for a few days to work on a different job. The heating and cooling guy hasn't come back, either, and we have vents that need hooking up. The plumbers came on Friday, but they weren't happy with the way Carl wanted the hard water lines hooked up, so Carl told them he'd do it himself.<br />
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And, Cody ran out of crown moulding, so we had some more made. Carl and I sanded and stained the crown moulding and Bob and Phil lacquered it, but when Cody came to put it up in the laundry room, it was discovered the profiles were different and the trim won't match the stuff that's already up, so we'll have to order more.<br />
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Whatever. It's not like we ever want to move back in or anything. (Insert sarcasm font here.)<br />
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January 5, the electrician was back on a Sunday again, this time to install more lights and the ceiling fan.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsq3tY1_mpo/Xh1ZSC172XI/AAAAAAABC5M/AG8sb2te-VEIOHkhJts18kbhLU38pH-DwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200106_101051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsq3tY1_mpo/Xh1ZSC172XI/AAAAAAABC5M/AG8sb2te-VEIOHkhJts18kbhLU38pH-DwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200106_101051.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
He also installed low-voltage track lighting under the cabinets in the kitchen.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0xkWONJkBQ/Xh1ZSJ5IM7I/AAAAAAABC5M/LTjSHiXNbGwwKxQ6IANDNiwWHLjBumB8ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200106_105116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0xkWONJkBQ/Xh1ZSJ5IM7I/AAAAAAABC5M/LTjSHiXNbGwwKxQ6IANDNiwWHLjBumB8ACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200106_105116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
</span><span style="font-size: large;"> January 7, the countertops arrived. We don't know what the delay was on them, they were plain old-fashioned Formica, and we'd ordered them in early August. The order must have gotten lost. (I'm sensing a pattern here....just call me Sherlock.)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41feQoo8TIY/Xh1ayr8GzKI/AAAAAAABC5U/pB6-cpLoFOwhP0xYJiiQquJAjwNQxAsegCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200107_120953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41feQoo8TIY/Xh1ayr8GzKI/AAAAAAABC5U/pB6-cpLoFOwhP0xYJiiQquJAjwNQxAsegCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200107_120953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Amazing how much nicer it is having countertops.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Da6S62sJEg/Xh1rJ_LhxUI/AAAAAAABC6M/y9Eixg4EUccnNzZ7tALkt5pHu3-RjlUygCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200110_223324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Da6S62sJEg/Xh1rJ_LhxUI/AAAAAAABC6M/y9Eixg4EUccnNzZ7tALkt5pHu3-RjlUygCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200110_223324.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Above, the master bathroom.<br />
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Below, the laundry sink in the mudroom.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkN3ymLKsn8/Xh1aysusznI/AAAAAAABC5U/auHwPMmAE6gegkzyuZR6iKLFCcnZeijxgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200107_121402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kkN3ymLKsn8/Xh1aysusznI/AAAAAAABC5U/auHwPMmAE6gegkzyuZR6iKLFCcnZeijxgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200107_121402.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(And yes, that is a new washer and dryer. More on that later.)</td></tr>
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And along with the countertops, the kitchen island arrived the same day.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Will it fit through the door? </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhddhhXmpOc/Xh1ayuAZpTI/AAAAAAABC5U/8L-zcRbeGfwKaH0IFXOTc5h6TTXgKEaHACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200107_135913.jpg" width="480" /></div>
If you take the cull door off the hinges, it will.<br />
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All the drawers in place, now we just need a countertop.<br />
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The granite countertop we found on Craigslist was installed by the cabinet makers and Carl. Luckily, the granite survived the move and thank goodness the men and their backs did, too.<br />
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Look, there's junk on the island already. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvL5WS-wAPc/Xh1ayvv2UrI/AAAAAAABC5U/zIyLc6cQgMUcTF0b666KrrMpDI1sIBfQwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200107_210423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uvL5WS-wAPc/Xh1ayvv2UrI/AAAAAAABC5U/zIyLc6cQgMUcTF0b666KrrMpDI1sIBfQwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200107_210423.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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January 8, and I took a panoramic picture of the upstairs. The trim is halfway done. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UT1rPRzdzk8/Xh1c9heALxI/AAAAAAABC5c/HoJb6WnTrHQDkV3Rf0n-w0H2FYq3eIxMQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200108_105539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UT1rPRzdzk8/Xh1c9heALxI/AAAAAAABC5c/HoJb6WnTrHQDkV3Rf0n-w0H2FYq3eIxMQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200108_105539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We have to figure out a way to finish the interior of the round windows upstairs, but in the meantime, I stuck one of our bevel windows in the opening. <br />
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There is a tiny bathroom upstairs, and to make it less claustrophobic, the contractor asked if we wanted a space for a stained glass window installed.<br />
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We had just the window for the opening, our 'Spring' window, which was in dire need of patina and dusting. It took me from 10PM to 2:30AM to clean this window thoroughly, but the end result will be worth it, I hope.<br />
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The original frame is a very light oak, so Carl pulled the frame apart and last night I sanded the shiny finish off with repeated rounds of various grits of sandpaper so the contractors could laquer it for me in the morning.<br />
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Another late night and clumsiness on my part ensued. I was just about done with the polishing, when the window slipped from my hands and hit the concrete floor. I just sat and stared at it, not daring to pick it up until after my heart rate slowed down. <br />
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Luckily, when I picked it up, the only cracks were in one leaf of the design. I wasn't happy about that, either, but it sure could have been worse.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QlkGe8fG8o4/Xh1gTFptNDI/AAAAAAABC58/-C_ZvMUyp1QqeL15v06y9MhqmdtifgR7QCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200111_095606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QlkGe8fG8o4/Xh1gTFptNDI/AAAAAAABC58/-C_ZvMUyp1QqeL15v06y9MhqmdtifgR7QCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200111_095606.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I'm hoping to have the window installed by Wednesday, before anything else disastrous can happen to it. Carl had too many other things to do tonight.<br />
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On Friday, January 10, I was upstairs puttying nail holes while the two contractors were cutting trim downstairs. I heard the saw running and then a shout of pain, followed by, "Put compression on it!" Oh, this can't be good...<br />
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Bob had caught the side of his index finger in the saw and cut it to the bone. The finger was still attached, but there was too much flesh missing, so the only thing the emergency room doctors could do was wrap it up and he'll have to wait for it to heal. I'm still finding spots of blood here and there on the walls and floors. He was lucky it wasn't worse, but it's sad it had to happen.<br />
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Monday, January 13, and Bob and I were working at the house alone. Working with only one good hand, Bob was able to install the last of the door and window trim and did some cleaning up in the garage before he left at 2:30PM. The contractors won't be back any time soon as they have other jobs lined up. Until we receive more of the items we're waiting for, there's nothing for them to do.<br />
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I installed all the window hardware and continued with puttying the nail holes until Carl came home from work. We worked on the window frame, reassembling it and gluing the corners. It should be perfectly dry by morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I guess I could have told the neighbors this whole saga as to why we are not done with the hut yet, but I spared them the details.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1UK6JUg4Ik/Xh1qoyyVkxI/AAAAAAABC6E/EkZWvV7NABEzS_-G83OMwn5V-gxCdj_QwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20200102_140813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1UK6JUg4Ik/Xh1qoyyVkxI/AAAAAAABC6E/EkZWvV7NABEzS_-G83OMwn5V-gxCdj_QwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20200102_140813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My comeback was, "We're hoping to move in by Easter." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If Easter is late this year.........</span><br />
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-942892890615806086.post-82354907732700028942019-12-31T23:03:00.000-06:002020-01-01T01:13:14.658-06:00Remodeling Our Hut Part 33: New Year's Eve Retrospective<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">In a few hours, 2019 will be history, and w</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">hat a year it was. From garden conventions to record-breaking rainfall, house demolition and construction and the heart-breaking loss of Carl's father, 2019 was a rough one. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was trying to get a good before and after picture of the house, but because we have so many trees, it's hard to get the right perspective, especially with the contractor's trailer in the driveway. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking through photos from 1978 and the initial construction of the hut, it's a little easier to see without all the trees in the way.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yttAG6FW8HM/XFvd7TDeCfI/AAAAAAAA2I4/oY_RQtg8mIIM5mFGrfv6g6AaPq9tWxXAQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/new%2Bfolder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="452" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yttAG6FW8HM/XFvd7TDeCfI/AAAAAAAA2I4/oY_RQtg8mIIM5mFGrfv6g6AaPq9tWxXAQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/new%2Bfolder.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">September 1978, right after we were married, brand-spanking-new Little Hut in the Alfalfa Field</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> To (at roughly the same perspective) December 2019.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1978: Little Hut in the Snowbank</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LWb1c2Kk-8/XAsSCzHG99I/AAAAAAAA1Y0/pef7vFW-t4sCiQZ-ej2rl2fOUEBrHuBiwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/new%2Bfolder003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="478" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1LWb1c2Kk-8/XAsSCzHG99I/AAAAAAAA1Y0/pef7vFW-t4sCiQZ-ej2rl2fOUEBrHuBiwCPcBGAYYCw/s640/new%2Bfolder003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">My late father standing on our front lawn in the early 1980's. To his left is a crabapple tree (long ago removed) we moved from his yard and to his right, though only a mere twig, is the birch tree, which is still standing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just before demolition began, June 2019:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9p4RXqxt98c/XFy_VTLBRgI/AAAAAAAA2MQ/tkDJO_CkuHI-uQg3I-uFqjjIfgiaPox_gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/DSC_8209%2B%2528Large%2529%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9p4RXqxt98c/XFy_VTLBRgI/AAAAAAAA2MQ/tkDJO_CkuHI-uQg3I-uFqjjIfgiaPox_gCPcBGAYYCw/s640/DSC_8209%2B%2528Large%2529%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKSeNDIPALc/XgwYPTKsHxI/AAAAAAABClM/3oHDQk7Dqj4B0-WoUmaJ9hdp-YCr4IGTACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20190615_183752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DKSeNDIPALc/XgwYPTKsHxI/AAAAAAABClM/3oHDQk7Dqj4B0-WoUmaJ9hdp-YCr4IGTACKgBGAsYHg/s640/20190615_183752.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">November 2019</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q632ia8k7kM/XgwtLYjOrlI/AAAAAAABCl8/YnOANdlUf1UGaRHhQb6A2YhtYuaEupEsgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191118_155320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q632ia8k7kM/XgwtLYjOrlI/AAAAAAABCl8/YnOANdlUf1UGaRHhQb6A2YhtYuaEupEsgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191118_155320.jpg" width="640" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> December 30, 2019</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evY11DJloRc/Xgwoe2641DI/AAAAAAABClY/Y1p8QN7G22gloe4raaEYHS3esEcvIFVGgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191230_160538.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Incidentally, the 1978 photos were pictures I showed to prospective contractors when trying to explain what we wanted to accomplish with a remodel, and why all but one contractor said, "No, thank you, you'd be further ahead to tear it down and start over."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, well, we didn't. Hard to believe, though the remodel was expensive, to start from scratch would have cost twice as much. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah, summer of 2019, where did you go? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though we completely stopped caring for the garden in June, the one constant joy I could count on while wheeling loads of shingles and demolition debris to the dumpster was that my path was brightened by the serenity of the gardens.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd drop the wheelbarrow handles every now and then and take a breath of sweetly scented air along with pictures to remember that 2019 wasn't all about plaster dust, indecision, anxiety, work and five gallon pails full of rain water in the living room.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The flowers bloomed despite the chaos going on around them, and they consistently lifted my spirits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fall arrived when we weren't looking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So we bid farewell to 2019. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're not back in our hut yet, the remodel is still ongoing, but we are much closer to the finish than the beginning. I was sitting upstairs in our house this afternoon, looking out the window at the sleeping garden under the snow, and though all around me, the house is still in a state of chaos and full of dust and we still have no doorknobs or running water, I felt a great contentment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad we didn't listen to the contractors who said we should tear down the hut and start over. We have no wish to move from here. It's not perfect, but it's home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I enjoy people who love to travel and love to hear about their adventures. I'm probably missing out on a lot in life by being a stick in the mud, but I am at peace on the farm I've never left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GltFAoM9O-I/Xgw7f0OnfxI/AAAAAAABCms/f4so1tCio0gJ1taOyGhAfbzq8SUV8KS8gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191230_160530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GltFAoM9O-I/Xgw7f0OnfxI/AAAAAAABCms/f4so1tCio0gJ1taOyGhAfbzq8SUV8KS8gCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191230_160530.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The following poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow sums up my feelings perfectly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="card-subtitle" data-v-101110cb=""><br /></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Song</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Stay, stay at home, my heart and rest;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Home-keeping hearts are happiest,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">For those who wander they know not where</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Are full of trouble and full of care;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">To stay at home is best.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Weary and homesick and distressed,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">They wander east, they wander west,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And are baffled and beaten and blown about</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">To stay at home is best.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The bird is safest in its nest;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">O'er all that flutter their wings and fly</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A hawk is hovering in the sky;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">To stay at home is best. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DomuAYSxmpY/Xgw7f2gzd9I/AAAAAAABCms/G0oJr2Poc14JYIGxa4Lu-erdisNRYONBQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/20191230_184609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DomuAYSxmpY/Xgw7f2gzd9I/AAAAAAABCms/G0oJr2Poc14JYIGxa4Lu-erdisNRYONBQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/20191230_184609.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It hopefully won't be too much longer before we're back in our nest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truly, for me, to stay at home is best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!</span></div>
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Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18368318730124533690noreply@blogger.com7