FALL IN THE AIR

Looking south

Honestly, just looking outside on Monday (July 21), I could have believed it was early October. It was overcast with occasional rain and a temp that hovered at 60. Remember how it was excessively hot just three days ago?

We need the rain, though. While watching the water and heat devastation hitting the Midwest and East Coast, they never mention the Pacific Northwest. “That’s a good thing,” says a friend, and I agree. At the same time, we have our own weather-related problems here – drought! -- and I wonder how we fit into the overall picture of weather change.

When I got dressed, I exchanged my nighttime pajamas for my daytime pajamas – warm-ups, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and a hoodie. Yes, that’s my wintertime uniform.

A can of pumpkin puree was calling my name, but searching the cupboard, I found that it was calling from the town house. The day seemed right for pumpkin bread, and a little heat in the house wouldn’t hurt, but it won’t be pumpkin bread. What else could I use to make quick bread? Zucchini? The squash on my vines is still quite young, but I picked two anyway. Grated they made one cup, so I made a half recipe.

Tuesday (July 22) was a little warmer, but I was still comfortable in my winter uniform. Even though we received .14 inch of rain during this cool spell, I watered my plants well and refilled the plant nannies. It’s back to town tomorrow, and it will be hot while we’re gone.

Looking north

I have picked three cherry tomatoes, two strawberries, six young zucchini, and one young crookneck. We have perhaps a dozen lovely tomatoes slowly ripening on their vines. Last year, the tomatoes didn’t set on until August. We had to pick a lot of them while still green, but they continued to ripen. Son Murray laughed that he couldn’t eat BLTs until October. This year, they set on early but are ripening slowly, and later blooms have yet to develop into fruit. I wonder if they will.

Mike and I saw a baby rattlesnake at the pond the other evening. When I see a young’un, I wonder where the nest is. KW 

SNAKE TALES

Taken July 14

Bess’ doghouse is inside the woodshed. At bedtime, she goes into her house, and Mike closes (but doesn’t lock) the woodshed door. She can easily come out, but she doesn’t. In the morning, Mike opens the woodshed and Bess comes out of her house and greets the day. 

Friday morning, as Mike went to get Bess up, discovered a rattlesnake just inside the woodshed door. Bess, who had evidently been sleeping, was now wide awake and barking. I knew what that bark meant and rushed out with the camera. Mike held the snake in tongs while I found a suitable bucket. After breakfast, Mike released the snake into the canyon. I know that our neighbors would much prefer that we kill the snakes, but Mike refuses. The snake didn’t seem very long, but Mike thought it had at least 12 rattles. This was our fifth rattler sighting of the season.

At bedtime, Mike said Bess gave the doorway of the shed a cautious but thorough sniffing before entering her house. Apparently those snake have quite an aroma about them. And yes, Bess has had her annual rattlesnake anti-venom inoculation.  

Mike just called me down to the maple tree to observe a four-foot bull snake poking its head into rodent holes.

July 19

After several excessively hot days, it has cooled down. It’s only 77 this afternoon and might not get to 70 tomorrow. Rain would be most welcome. In fact, Mike said that those big elderberry blossom heads are drying up without developing berries. Like I said, you can’t count on fruit even if it looks good. Things happen.

July 19

The other day, I picked another quart of cherries, and they were dark, sweet, and juicy. I must make a note in my 5-year planner to pick mid-July. A few cherries had been nibbled by the birds, but there were still plenty for all of us.

Mike and I left the farm on Monday (July 14) and returned Thursday (July 17). The change in the spring wheat was amazing in just those three days. It’s ripening rapidly now. KW 

PASSINGS

Can you believe it’s mid-July already? Wasn’t it just the Fourth? Now it’s time to get ready for Halloween. (I’m not kidding!)

It just does no good to grieve the passing of what we once valued, whether it’s a loved one, a loved retailer, a season, or just a change in life’s routine. I guess every passing constitutes a change in life’s routine. In the end, life isn’t about what we want. Sometimes we must just accept and move on, and that's the way we grow our characters. 

I speak at this time about JoAnn Fabrics, the passing of which is the end of an era. My store was located next to Albertsons, so I could just pop in before I shopped for groceries. Honestly, I miss it. 

Also passing at this time are the "Big Four" paper pattern companies -- Simplicity, McCall, Butterick, and Vogue, and they say this is related to the demise of JoAnn. My mother made most of my clothes as I grew up, and I loved watching for new styles and new patterns. It's hard to realize it was so long ago and that things could change so much. As an adult, I lost interest in sewing for myself, but I do love craft patterns -- dolls, doll clothes, stuffed animals, etc.

As if on cue with the passing of JoAnn, Hobby Lobby opened a store here in the former Penney’s location. It seems huge – a well-lit, inviting store with lots of junky bric-a-brac as well as housewares, hobby supplies, and home dec. On my first and only visit so far, all of the employees were outgoing and friendly. A saxophone rendition of the old hymn, “Trust and Obey,” played in the background.

I found just one aisle of yarn, all of it Hobby Lobby’s own brand, “Yarn Bee,” made in Turkey of American fibers. How does that work? I bought one skein to make a doll sweater. I’m on a fabric diet, so I didn’t enter the fabric department, but it doesn’t come near to replacing the volume of JoAnn’s stock, even at our small store. My shopping companion was happy to have found some acrylic paint in a color she wanted.

I predict that I won’t visit Hobby Lobby much. It just isn’t located on my regular route and – well, its offerings are way more diverse than JoAnn’s. The fabric / yarn inspiration isn’t there, and I don’t need the junk. But the community needs this shopping option, and I wish Hobby Lobby well. KW

MORE EXCESSIVE HEAT

 

Spring wheat ripens in the heat

Activities out of our town base beckon, but Mike and I hastened to the farm on Saturday (July 12) with our main goal to water the raised beds. Mike attached another long hose to the cistern, which makes it easier and quicker to water the orchard with its trees and meadow plants.

Strawberry plants with their nannies

The raised bed plants were indeed glad to see me. “Arrgh! Water us,” they screamed. The tomatoes fared better than the summer squash. And even though we plant drought-tolerant perennials in our orchard meadow, I have found that most all plants do better with some water. I get no help from nature. It doesn’t rain.

Bess went through something that had us worried. We think she got stung in her mouth. She drooled, resisted eating and drinking, and was somewhat lethargic, though she did want her regular walks and to play fetch. She’s better now, but with our next farm stay, we will set up the wasp traps.

The hummingbirds were pleased to have the feeders refilled. One sat on the feeder cap this morning, waiting for me to rehang the feeder.

Good morning, Kathy

Saturday, I picked two or three cups of cherries from the Lapins tree. These were sweeter than those picked last week and a deep maroon in color. We probably did pick a little too soon, but sometimes we just have to strike a balance between ripeness and the interest of the birds. A quail flew out of the tree as I approached, and I noticed a number of pecked cherries and dropped pits.

Mike reported that he saw a herd of about 20 elk on his bike ride this morning. That’s a rare sight. And he saw some wild turkeys and deer. We see a lot of deer this year. And I saw a snake on the cistern. It was right there – and then it was gone. From my description, Mike said it was likely a bull snake.

The high was 94 at the farm yesterday afternoon. It was still 80 at 10:00 p.m. and 72 at 6:00 this morning. And now we’re back in town where it’s 100 and will likely gain a few more degrees before the afternoon is over. KW

A summer morning

ANOTHER COLD JULY 4TH

The north side of the house and grounds

Son Yancey and his three (mostly) adult children arrived the evening of the Fourth, chauffeured to the farm from the Spokane airport by son Murray. Son Clinton joined us Saturday. It was a houseful for us, and we loved every minute.

After some unseasonably hot days – two of them “excessively” so – we were plunged into unseasonably low temps on the 4^th and 5^th. Oh well. It was at least conducive to baking, and bake I did – cookies, pecan bars, lemon bars, and lasagna. Rain was also in the forecast, but it didn’t happen here. And then it was excessively hot again for a few days.

As it happened, the cherries on the Lapins tree were ripe enough to pick, so I enlisted the help of our visitors. Mike suggested I instruct them to pick only the ripest cherries, but I chose to simply cull out the undesirables. I have eight quart bags of pitted cherries in the freezer now. The Lapins sweet cherries aren’t as flavorful as Bings, nor do they take the place of pie cherries, but we enjoy them. I suspect the birds are now pecking the tree clean.

On Sunday, Clint organized a 4-hour tubing float trip for Yancey and family on the Clearwater River between Greer and Orofino. It was granddaughter Emmy’s 17^th birthday, so I baked a cake and Mike made ice cream.

Monday morning, Yancey and family left as soon as they were up and around, again chauffeured by Murray to the Spokane airport by way of Waffles & More in Lewiston, a favorite of Emmy’s. They invited Mike and me, but we can’t just leave. We had chores – pitting cherries, watering plants, packing for town – and a bike ride for Mike.

The hummer population increased to at least eight. Visitors always enjoy watching them squabble over the feeders.

My raised beds seem to be thriving. I’m guardedly cautious in my hope for good tomatoes and summer squash. Gardening is a gamble as far as I’m concerned, and I wonder if the fluctuation in temperature is really conducive to a good harvest. I water twice on a hot day. If the cistern runs dry, I’ll just have to use well water. After all, we paid for it long ago.

Black raspberry bushes 

Some weeks back, Nick called our attention to black raspberry bushes on the perimeter of the north field, but we probably  won't pick them. Country berry bushes can be deceptive. They seem to be “right there,” while in fact, they are inaccessible. Once you’re over the bank and in the weeds, you can’t see what’s under foot, and often it’s nothing much. Falling in order to grab a few berries is unacceptable, however much we’d like to have the berries.

The house is so quiet after visitors leave. It was wonderful to have them with us, but we all have things to do. KW

From the western edge of the north field

A MORNING HIKE

 

“Grab the camera,” said Mike. “We’re going on a hike.” Yes, he’s a little insistent about it because he knows I hike better in the morning than in the heat of the afternoon sun.

For the most part, these photos were taken last week (June 25), and I’m sorry I didn’t post them sooner. These things happen.

So, we headed off around the pond and down the gulley that the old family called “Stove Creek.”

“Look at the big deer,” I said. “That’s an elk,” Mike corrected, as the cow looked back at us from the other side of Stove Creek. She seemed to be alone and was as curious about us as we were about her. We don’t see many elk. Maybe we just aren’t watching at the right time.

On around the perimeter of the field we went. I love these views of the old farm yard before it disappears behind the hills again. 

My grandfather, Jack Dobson, taken by his son Earle

I can just imagine the changing views as the farmer works the fields, especially in the old days when the machinery didn’t move so fast. Was he happy? Did he enjoy the work, or did he wish he could go faster and finish sooner? Did they look forward to the noon break and the big dinner prepared by the wife? And I can also imagine watching from the house as the field work was slowly accomplished. KW 

Mike walking along the canyon rim

 

BOUNDLESS ENERGY

I do not now, nor have I ever, had boundless energy. This describes the Warnocks through Mike’s mother’s line. Daughter Hallie has it and so does grandson Silas.

Kathy & Mike with Silas

Hallie and family arrived on Friday (June 20), including her husband Nick, 3-year-old Silas, and Primo their dog. We stayed at the town house Friday and Saturday so that she could attend her 25^th class reunion in Lewiston. She explained that her class didn’t meet in 2020 due to the pandemic, so they pushed the celebration to 2025. Grandma and Grandpa were willing babysitters while she and Nick attended reunion events.

On Sunday, we all went to the farm. First on Mike’s list was repair of the fridge. The part had been delivered, but the fix wasn’t instantaneous. Eventually I discovered an ice clog where the water line enters the icemaker. Mike also installed a new valve at the cistern where I get my irrigation water, and then I watered.

Hallie and Nick brought Silas’ little pedal bike, and he rode all over the parking lot behind the town house. On Saturday, he rode on the bike path with Grandpa and Uncle Clint. But I was surprised that he is also adept at off-roading and enjoyed “down-hilling” at the farm. As you can see in the attached video, he pushed his bike uphill to the tree line in the grove, and then coasted to where the drive meets the lane. Somehow he wasn't wearing his helmet when this video was shot, but I assure you, he has and customarily wears a helmet.

Son Murray joined us at the farm on Sunday, and he reported seeing five Mallard ducklings on the pond, but the rest of us weren’t so lucky. In fact, we didn’t see them during the rest of our visit.

Parting on Tuesday was such sweet sorrow, especially since I know that Silas will likely be a grown-up 4-year-old the next time I see him. But – I have art work on both fridges now to remind me that he was here. KW

[Video courtesy of Uncle Murray Warnock.]

WORKING AWAY

Mike and I went to the farm on Sunday (Father’s Day) and began a vigorous regimen of belated spring housecleaning and grounds maintenance in preparation for summer visitors. Mike mowed and trimmed the yard and washed windows, and then rewarded himself with a bike ride. I puttered along with my chores. Neither one of us whistles while we work.

Our first visitors arrived Monday afternoon. Son Murray brought a friend who was visiting from Philadelphia. They had been driving and hiking – seeing the sights of scenic central Idaho. They stayed for supper – Warnock turkey burgers and pecan bars – and then they left in hopes of seeing more sights before dark.

Tuesday, we suffered setbacks. I discovered that the ice maker wasn’t filling with water. Hence, it had not made ice for a while. Mike diagnosed it as pump failure. I researched the part and Mike ordered it. It will be here by the weekend. Meanwhile, we have ice trays on hand, and we made ice the old-fashioned way. Mike has issues with our medical insurance and spent over an hour talking with reps while he washed windows. Then the electricity was off for two hours. In a sense, it didn’t affect my cleaning work too much. I just couldn’t run the vacuum. Of course, we had no internet. I like having the internet.

Also on Tuesday, the farmer sprayed the fields. How I wished Silas could have seen that spraying monster traveling up and down over the fields. Silas loves monster trucks.

The beds are ready now for Hallie, Nick, and Silas. Hallie plans to attend her 25^th class reunion in town, and then we’ll spend a few days at the farm.

The tomato plants I bought at Walmart have made wonderful progress. I can practically watch them grow. The zucchini and yellow crookneck have finally germinated, and the strawberry plants are flourishing and sending out runners.

The deer ate the leaves off several bottom branches of the cherry tree, so I swathed them as best I could – perhaps too little, too late. The tree is so loaded with cherries this year that its odd topknot is bent under the weight. 

I didn’t take time to look for the Mallard family. Thanks to Bess, we found a rattler in the grass at the bottom of the lane. And mid-morning on Wednesday, I heard coyotes near the pond. We seldom hear them during daylight.

I hung the hummingbird feeders on Sunday, and gradually they began to visit. Their numbers are few, but even so, they will fight with one another. I put out fresh nectar as we left on Wednesday, hoping to keep up the momentum.

Later. KW

MILO WARNOCK WRONGFUL DEATH – ANOTHER ARTICLE

The Idaho Statesman published another in-depth article today (Saturday, June 14) regarding our son Milo’s murder at the Idaho State Correctional Center (prison). The link is here, but I’m not sure you’ll be able to open it. The Statesman wants readers to be subscribers. [Or, you might have better luck with this link copied from Google.]

This article picks up at the sentencing of James Johnson on April 4 and includes details of his criminal history. It also provides details of the murder event not previously published and updates the ongoing case.

While the description of the murder event is graphic, it’s not nearly as graphic as the reality of the situation. I get through it by knowing that Milo was unconscious. They say he lived an hour after he was found, but I doubt that. I’m grateful that he isn’t living in a vegetative state.

In the months prior to his passing, Milo and I had undertaken a study of reality and spirituality. I am helped immensely by the ideas we discussed, and since I accept the continuity of life, I trust that he is also helped. KW

EARLY HEAT SPELL

We made a quick trip to the farm on Tuesday (June 3) and returned to town Wednesday in order to attend a customer appreciation barbecue on Thursday (the 5^th). I’m not sure the barbecue was worth the interruption in our farm schedule, but as senior citizens, we were lured by the promise of free food – or maybe just the promise of a meal that we didn’t make for ourselves. After scheduled activities on Saturday (the 7^th), we returned to the farm for a day or two between town activities. It feels like too much back and forthing, but we have garden to tend at the farm now, which seemed especially important because of the excessive heat. Town highs were 100 (or nearly so). Farm highs were at 90.

Distant tree is on line between June & Jack's farms

The tomato plants I started from seed didn’t take off, so I bought three plants – Bush Early Girl, Better Boy, and a Sweet 100 cherry tomato. I supplemented the strawberry plants Hallie gave me with two more from Walmart and also planted lettuce in a corner of the strawberry bed – a variety called “heatwave.” The rhubarb plant that a friend gave me is doing well. The mint plants are happy, but that’s probably not a surprise. The orchard / meadow is a good place to plant invasive perennials. The zucchini and yellow crookneck squash seeds have yet to sprout. It's always “win some, lose some” with our garden.

Mike has worked hard pruning dead branches out of the pine trees. We’ve about decided that this broken pine should probably be completely removed. I suggested he saw it into a living sculpture.

I assisted Mike in widening the wire cages around the apple trees. It seems like we should be able to remove the cages, but the deer could devastate those young trees in several ways. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as we seem to learn over and over.

Mike saw nine little Mallard ducklings following their mom on the pond, but by the time I got there, mom was alone. Nine little ones seems like quite a hatch.

I finally finished the gray striped scrap afghan and just in the nick of time, too, since summer heat is upon us. I swear I have enough yarn to make yet another afghan. I used the wattle stitch, and it was easy to do. It makes a nice warm blanket.

Now it’s town time again – a luncheon for me; a fishing excursion with Ken, a minor hospital procedure, and a motorcycle trip with friends for Mike. It’s also time to get ready for summer visitors – clearing, cleaning, and shopping.

It’s cloudy and cooler today – just low 80s this afternoon. We had a smattering of rain – not enough to measure. KW

BEFORE & AFTER -- REPLAY

Hallie asked for a better "after" photo of the modular home paint job, so here's the comparison again. 

BEFORE

AFTER

You can also see photos on the Pryme Tyme Painting Facebook page. KW

MODULAR HOME MAINTENANCE (BEFORE & AFTER)

Original paint -- cream and light green

Every summer for the last five years, painters have knocked on my door to tell me the house needs to be painted and offer a deal. One painter even tried to play Mike and me against each other. “Your husband says it’s up to you,” he said, and then complained to Mike that I must be hard to get along with. Well, in a way he was right.

After 20 years, I did think the house was overdue for new paint. It had faded for sure, and sitting between two recently painted houses in darker colors, it appeared dated and shabby. I just had to convince Mike, but once he was on board, he stepped up to it and found a painter – Pryme Tyme Painting – that we both liked. That painter was businesslike from the beginning, providing a written estimate and making suggestions, including painting the trim a contrasting color and making a statement with the front door.

So – It’s finished now, and we’re pleased. And I figure it will be a while before the painters knock on the door again. KW

  

IF YOU HANG IT, THEY WILL COME

A view toward the canyon from June's place

I thought I heard a hummingbird buzz by my ear, so I made nectar and we hung the feeders. In the afternoon, one showed up for an easy snack, but it’s a far cry from the swarm of hummers that used to entertain us. Visits to the feeder were few and far between.

Son Murray, visiting the farm on Memorial Day, took himself for a walk around the pond and reported that he saw several little ducklings swimming with their dad. Mom wasn’t there. Perhaps she needed some time to herself.

As we left the yard for our evening constitutional on Friday (May 23), a rattlesnake lay in the grass at the top of the lane. Mike calls that place “rattlesnake crossing” because we often see a rattler there. This was our second sighting of the season.

I saw a nice round bumblebee bumbling along in the iris, and I let him have it. I have a healthy respect for the bees, and I'm pleased that they visit my garden. However, I give them wide berth. 

Red-winged Blackbirds reside in the pine trees at the pond. I think they’ve been there as long as the pond, and they take ownership. I read that some conservation organizations are concerned for them, although they aren’t endangered. They can cause considerable crop damage, but I’ve never heard anyone here complain about them, nor have I noticed them in the field. In terms of damage, the deer are the greater threat anyway. In fact, we watched from our recliners while three or four whitetail munched the tender young grain sprouts in the field adjacent to the yard. They will be back again and again.

Ticks aren't prevalent this year, and it’s fine by me. A tick will ride along with Bess in spite of the repellent she wears, but I haven’t noticed that she’s bothered. Mike removed one from his person – just one this season. I don't want them on me! KW

NOTES ON MEMORIAL DAY

 As I grew up, Memorial Day was an important tradition in my family. In those days, Memorial Day (or Decoration Day, as some still called it) occurred on May 31. The change to the last Monday in May went into effect in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968. When I was married in 1975, it didn’t occur to me that our chosen date fell on Memorial Day weekend, and to this day, I would rather observe it on May 31.

Nina & Charlie Portfors

Our family tradition started with my Portfors grandparents. Grandma Nina’s family (Stinsons and Sanders) were interred at the Burnt Ridge Cemetery outside of Troy, Idaho, so Grandma and Grandpa would fill the trunk of his Lincoln with washtubs and buckets of flowers and large cans to serve as vases. They stopped at Aunt Hattie Stinson’s house in Troy (Grandma’s aunt by marriage), loaded her flowers, and the three of them went on to the cemetery where they blended their floral offerings into bouquets for the various graves. Afterwards, they would share a midday meal.

Nina Saunders Portfors 1886-1955

When Grandma Portfors died in 1955, my mother stepped in to help Grandpa continue the tradition of cemetery decorating, and naturally, she took me along. We always had plenty of flowers from our yard as well as Grandpa’s, and my dad would make a trip to the farm where the season was at least two weeks behind town and bring back even more flowers. We made bouquets with iris, lilacs, roses, peonies, poet daffodils, coralbells, bleeding heart, etc. It was always fun to see how those bouquets would turn out.

As the years went on, Mother added more cemeteries to her list and gathered more family members into the plan. It seemed complicated to me, but nothing was too much trouble for Mother if she wanted to do it. Besides the Burnt Ridge Cemetery, we decorated graves at the Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston and the Riverside Cemetery in Orofino. Later, she visited Grangeville and Cavendish. We did not regularly visit the Gilbert Cemetery near the farm where my dad’s family is buried, and ironically, this is now the only cemetery I visit and only if it fits our schedule. And I use (and re-use) artificial flowers because I don’t have enough flowers in my yard.

Will I take it more seriously now that Milo’s memorial is at the Gilbert Cemetery? Frankly, I doubt it, but I bought a cemetery vase with spike for his grave with the thought that it would be nice to place live flowers this year. I made two bouquets with iris, bridal veil spirea, and lilacs – one for Milo’s grave and one for my dad’s, which Mike and I delivered on Friday (May 23). And while I was there, I placed artificial flowers on other family graves as long as I could tolerate the stooping.

Even back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, fewer flowers were available on Memorial Day, so Mother planted cemetery boxes. You have to plant those early so that the plants mature, fill the box, and bloom. Mother was good at it, but it’s a labor of love that I didn’t take up.

Decorations placed on any grave signify remembrance, but I especially love to see flowers at an old grave. It means that a life lived long ago is still lovingly remembered. Mike observes that I’m the major decorator at the Gilbert Cemetery. KW

MIKE AND KATHY – 1975-2025 (AND COUNTING!)

Congratulations are in order. Mike and Kathy have reached the landmark 50 years of married life. Fifty years ago today, we committed to each other, to the marriage, to the family, and we kept those vows. Like everyone else, over the years we’ve had trials and tribulations as well as joys and triumphs – you know, ups and downs. I wish it had been all triumphs, but trials force us to grow. We just have to trust and know that "it was good -- all of it."

And how will we celebrate? Quietly. We’ve invited one of our ushers, my nephew L.J., to join us for dinner at our favorite restaurant in Orofino. And we anticipate a couple of family gatherings during the summer. Having reached 50 years of togetherness, I figure we can celebrate these 50 years however we like for the rest of our lives. KW

A MOST PRODUCTIVE VISIT TO THE FARM

 

As we left the farm on Friday (May 16), Mike commented on how pleased he was with all “we” accomplished. He’s most relieved that the big burn pile is gone now, and as it burned, we added more to it. The rotten old church pew had finally collapsed and Mike tossed the boards on the fire. He pulled more limbs from under the pines, cut the larger ones into fire wood, and made many trips to the burn pile hauling branches in the 4-wheeler trailer.

And speaking of the fire, as I went to walk to the back side of the pile, I heard the unmistakable buzz of a young rattler in the tall grass under the apple tree. We surmised that it had been living under the burn pile. This was our first snake sighting of the season. We didn’t see any rattlesnakes last year.

I also watched as Mr. and Mrs. Mallard preened on the bank of the pond. They seem fairly tame and were there a long time. I thought to myself that they live in the water and clean themselves on dry land, just the opposite of us humans. I have yet to see any ducklings, and I hope that all is well with the family.

I planted the ten strawberry plants that Hallie gave me. And Mike and I planted the rhubarb plant that a friend has been saving for me since last year. We also planted three more Agastache plants, but we didn’t have time to address the needs of the raised beds. We still have time to plant them.

My sewing projects have been on hold. I had been making quilt-as-you-go hexagon chair backs last year and wanted to take it up again, but alas! I misplaced my templates, and without those templates, I was unable to proceed. My search philosophy is to look where I am led rather than frantically tearing everything apart, but I
was at my wit’s end. I figured they were in a stack someplace, and yesterday I found them in a cubby hole under my ironing board. It made my day! KW

MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND

"Farmgirl" bouquet for Mother's Day

Son Milo (now deceased) considered himself a cyclist. Several years ago, he built his own e-bike using an old bike frame. In addition, he had several other bikes, and daughter Hallie agreed to sell them in Seattle. We just had to get them to her. So, we decided to combine business with pleasure and spend Mother’s Day weekend in Seattle with Hallie, Nick, and our grandson Silas, who is 3 1/2.

So, on Friday (May 9), we were loaded and on the road by 7:00 a.m., which put us at Hallie’s during the noon hour. It was “Pajama Friday” at pre-school, so Silas was still in his pajamas.

As we ate lunch, Silas said, “Grandma, you are smacking too much.” And he hopped down from his chair, disappeared down the hall, and returned carrying a mirror, which he set in front of me so that I could see just how much I smack when I eat. Hallie explained that Nick is training Silas to eat without smacking.

Grandpa Mike & Silas

I honestly didn’t realize that I’m a smacking offender. I remember my mother saying, “Chew with your mouth closed,” and “don’t talk with your mouth full,” and I thought I had learned those lessons, but apparently I need a refresher course. As we were leaving this morning, I told Silas that I would practice eating silently, and he offered to loan me his mirror. I assured him that I have a mirror I can use.

Mike & Kathy

Silas insisted that Hallie name the bears in this photo. “They’re your bears,” she said. “You should name them,” but when he demurred, she said, “Okay, they’re Mike and Kathy. She crochets and gardens. He’s into cycling and bike repair.” And Silas was satisfied. Those bears bring a smile every time I think of them.

Of course, Bess went with us, and Silas remarked that Bess is nicer than their dog Primo.

It was a wonderful weekend. Besides the “Silas-isms,” memorable things happened. Mike worked on the bicycles, and with Hallie’s assistance, he got the e-bike up and running. Hallie cooked delicious meals, and Nick made crème brulee, a first for Mike and Kathy (the people, not the bears). Our Denver family sent a Mother’s Day bouquet, which fortunately was delivered before we left home so that we could take it with us. After a breakfast of waffles and sausage on Mother’s Day, Hallie dug out the everbearing strawberries that had jumped her raised bed and were growing in her lawn. I will plant them in my strawberry bed on the farm.

“That doesn’t cover it at all,” as Ina would say, but you get the idea. 

The time comes when we have to get back to our regular activities. We agreed that we would miss each other, but we already have plans to see each other again soon. Meanwhile, absence makes the heart grow fonder. KW