BACK TO WORK

The house remembers happier years.

Now that Mike is home, it’s time to work again. Unfortunately, he couldn’t fix the Cub Cadet riding mower before he left, so now repairing it is a priority.

So, off to the farm we went on Thursday (June 28). Another system is moving through the region bringing cooler temps but (unfortunately) little to no rain. We arrived at the farm about 10:00, and it was a chilly 60 degrees.

Maturing grain field

You may recall that before Mike left on his great adventure, he rode the XT250 to the farm in hopes of fixing the lawnmower, but he developed a flat tire and I had to go get him. We had the repaired tire with us, so our first task was to put it on the bike. Once that was accomplished, he attempted to repair the lawnmower, but it still didn’t start. By pushing and pulling, we managed to get it on the trailer for the trip back to town. Mike had hoped to ride the XT, but I didn’t want to pull the trailered lawnmower. Now he’s looking for a ride back to the farm to get the XT.

Back in town, we left the mower at a shop, and Mike says he feels relieved to hand that repair off to someone else. And they have a backlog of work, so we don't know when it will be ready. Time was, lawnmower repair was practically a hobby interest for Mike. That was then; this is now.

Potential exists for a good crop of zucchini

Farm yard report

·      We haven’t mowed in a month, so the grass is long.

·      Zucchini is coming along well.

·      Strawberries are okay. I picked about a cup and we had shortcake for supper.

·      The yarrow has grown. I’m hopeful it will take.

·      Because the grass has become dense in the grove, I checked only the first laurel tree, but it looks good at this point.

As we sat on the steps eating lunch, I wondered aloud if I was seeing a deer in June’s field. The grain stalks would part to reveal something brown, and then it would disappear again. Eventually my suspicions were confirmed when a doe came down the hill and crossed the lane. She had been lying down, and the grain was tall enough to obscure her.

House Report

We didn’t go into the house, but Mike looked through the window and confirmed that the sub-floor is up now. I could hear big fans running. KW

STAYCATION 2018 CLOSES -- TUESDAY

Just a quick finish to let followers know that Mike is home.

Happy dog -- a big pillow all to herself

At 1:00 p.m., Mike called from Cascade, Idaho, where he was eating his lunch. He said he would be home in four hours, but the online travel time estimate was 4 ½ hours, so I split the difference and figured he’d be here at 5:15.

At 5:15 p.m., I took the dogs outside to wait. Not realizing they were waiting for anything, Nell and Bess quickly climbed the bank and disappeared into the field. The neighbor noticed me and said, “Mike must be on one of his adventures. I see you out with the dogs.”

I explained that yes, Mike had been on one of his adventures but was due home any minute. “In fact,” I said, “I hear him now.” And there he was.

We know where dogs were born to lie

"It's all right," he said, when I told him the dogs were in the field. "Hupp, hupp," he called, and in about 15 seconds Bess showed up and expressed her elation that he was finally home. Nellie didn't hear the call, but she ambled up later and gave him a friendly wag of the tail.

I think he actually made it home with all his stuff this year. He found the missing snap jack when he unpacked. A item in a black bag is hard to find when it's inside another black bag.

So, now it’s on to the next thing – whatever that is. Today Mike cleaned his motorcycle and repaired the awning over our back door. Tomorrow we go to the farm. And Friday – we’ll see. Is he tired? Probably – but he hasn’t

noticed yet. KW

STAYCATION 2018, DAY 9 (MONDAY)

PHOTO THREE -- Red-tailed hawks

Today is technically the last day of Staycation 2018.

I was up by 5:30 and enjoyed an hour to myself. Then I dressed and let the dogs out of the kennel. Nellie showed interest in walking with us, but a block out, she decided to return to the house. I left her in the house – what was I thinking!?! – and Bess and I returned to the road for our exercise walk.

Photo 1

Photo 2

This time I did have the camera, and the hawks graciously posed on the telephone pole. I took the first picture some distance back, thinking they might fly. I continued to move closer and was able to get three successive shots. I was fairly close by the time they flew, and I was pleased with the results of my efforts. Perhaps the hawks are nesting in this old nest, but I guess they also nest in rocks, and that might be more likely.

I think it's a king bird.

Also, along our route, a king bird takes umbrage at Bess’ presence and swoops from the power line down over her back. Bess mostly pays it no heed. 

So, as I mentioned previously, Nellie opted out of the walk and I left her in the house. In my distracted state, I failed to close interior doors, which is a necessity these days. Arriving at the house from our walk, I caught Nellie in the hallway, and yes – she left a puddle in my sewing room, right in front of the ironing board. [There is no photo of this event.] I am now racking up points for future gifts / rewards.

It reached the high 70s quickly today. I prepared for a hot day by closing windows. Then the wind came up, it became overcast, and the temp topped out at 84. It was really quite windy and the air felt cool.

Mike called tonight. He made good time on the interstate and arrived in Blackfoot well before supper. He’ll be home tomorrow night.

It was just a regular day with dogs. I think we’re all three tired of the drill. KW