BLM SURVEYORS

We came to the farm at Gilbert yesterday (Thursday, May 8), knowing full well that by today we would see rain, wind, and unsettled weather, so we hurried to take advantage of Thursday’s sun. I hung out two large loads of laundry, weeded the raised beds, and planted spinach while Mike mowed and trimmed the yard and then took himself on a bike ride. He says he’s in training for the annual “I made the grade” race on the Lewiston Hill next month.

We had an interesting interruption in the noon time frame, however. We had been contacted by a surveyor with the Bureau of Land Management out of Lapwai who stated his project was to locate original survey markers. (There’s more to it, having to do with land owned by the Nez Perce Tribe.) He was interested in any information we might be able to provide with regard to our property boundaries. Mike said he would call the surveyor when we were at the farm, which he did yesterday morning. As it happened, the survey team (three guys) was working on our neighbor’s property and arrived here about noon.

The team carries with them the original surveyor’s field notes. He made notations as to what he saw as he surveyed, and these can now be accessed online. One particular point of interest was a notation that the line passed within 30 feet of a cabin, which was the first family home that Grandpa Julian built. The lead surveyor was interested in the location of the cabin, but all we could say was that it was on the flat where the lane comes into the yard. We looked for pictures but unfortunately we couldn’t find any that were adequate for the purpose. In the end, it doesn’t really matter. We know that the established farm yard sat – and still sits – close to the boundary between June’s place and ours.

Mike went with the trio of surveyors to explore the northern boundary and spent an hour with them. Having the original notes, they know what to look for in order to find and confirm the original marker. They were having a good time being marker detectives.

 

Bess just loves playing in the yard, especially at the barn and the pond. And Nellie, too, has stayed out to play, perhaps because Bess does. At suppertime last night they were both hungry. Bess finished her rations and dove into Nellie's, so Mike gave her more. Then they curled up to nap near the fireplace.

And now we’re at today. To warm the house this morning, I baked cookies, using up several dabs of raisin bran. I don’t like to eat cereal that has become just crumbs in the bottom of the bag, but they made a tasty batch of cookies. I froze two dozen. I’ll thank myself some hot summer day when I don’t want to turn on the oven. KW

LEXY

She came from Amazon in a plain brown box, so no one outside the house was the wiser that this sixty-something grandmother bought another doll, not even the UPS guy.

This one is from the Madame Alexander “Favorite Friends” series. Her title is “Hanging with Friends,” but that doesn’t matter. I chose her for her face and not her outfit. In my opinion, Madame Alexander (MA) dolls have the most beautiful faces. I’ll call her Lexy.

 

My awareness of this particular line of dolls was refreshed through the book, “Crochet for Dolls” by Nicky Epstein. The poise of the MA dolls is so right for modeling Epstein’s classy designs. The desire to have one in my sewing studio blossomed when I bought the book.

This doll is designed somewhat differently from the American Girl (AG). Both are 18-inch “little girl” dolls. The AG has a cloth body which shows when she wears sleeveless shirts and scoop-necked tops. It’s also responsible for her plump figure. The MA doll is designed so that her upper chest is vinyl while her lower body is cloth. She’s slimmer than the AG, and her design makes her more pose-able. And – she’s a third to half the price of the AG, which is also appealing. She comes without a defined storyline, and I like that, too. Little girls (and their adult crafting partners, such as grandmothers and great-aunts) can use their own imaginations to develop a doll’s story.

Well, I could have purchased her through Madame Alexander, and I’m sure that would have been more supportive of the company, but as a crafting grandmother satisfying a whim, I bought a discounted model through Amazon. I do notice, however, that “discounted dolls” may have quality issues. Reading the reviews, some dolls are perfectly perfect while others have problems, such as uneven haircuts, which indeed Lexy exhibits. I was taking a chance and I knew it, but it’s not an insurmountable problem. I've already trimmed her up a bit. But -- what's the scenario that puts a doll in the box with such a poor haircut? It almost seems deliberate.

I figure when I permanently change my address and my family comes to clean out my clutter, they’ll have an easier time disposing of dolls, fabric, and patterns than other things I might collect. There’s always a girl who needs a doll and a grandmother who could use fabric and patterns. (And no, I don’t promise not to buy another one.)

 

And here – for their fans – a couple of other special faces. KW

 

TAKE ME FOR A WALK

Ken’s dog, Pepper, is boarded for a few days, so Mike agreed to exercise her from time to time.

“I’ll take Bess with me,” he said, “but why don’t you walk Nellie this morning. I’m sure she’d prefer it.” (Pepper and Bess together are just too much for Nellie.)

      

Nellie watched with interest as Mike and Bess left. Some minutes later she rose from her pillow and went to stare out the door. “We could have a nice, peaceful walk this morning. Why don’t you get dressed and put on your shoes,” she seemed to say.

I said I would, and she stretched out on the carpet to wait. Then we were on our way, taking our favorite route which leads to grassy hillsides. We walked together in companionable silence, as they say. She stayed a comfortable distance ahead of me and when I said we should go back, she was right with me.

The bedtime routine has become a mind game between Mike and the dogs. He brushes their teeth and then lets them visit the field behind the house before he pens them. The thing is, they take their time coming back, and he gets impatient with them.

“You didn’t come back fast enough to get a treat,” I heard him say the other night as he locked the kennel.

Most evenings, once we finish the dishes, the dogs go out for a few minutes before coming in to snooze on their pillow while we watch t.v. If they aren’t back in 15 minutes or so, I call them. Last night I called them and they didn’t come, so I blew the whistle. Suddenly two heads popped up in the kennel. Bess came running but Nellie stood there looking at me, her lifted ears denoting a questioning demeanor.

“We’re in bed here,” she said. “What do you want? I don't want to come. Do I have to?”

I apologized for disturbing her. Then Mike brushed Bess’ teeth and put her to bed.

Sometimes Nellie goes to bed early and misses the teeth brushing. I suppose at this point it doesn’t matter so much if the old dog misses a brushing now and then. KW

[The photos were taken with my phone. As you can see, the weather is unsettled.]

RHUBARB, GRASS, AND A TRACK MEET

Mike headed out to an appointment Tuesday (April 29). Following that, he made a 30-mile trek into the wilderness on his dirt bike to pick up three new geocaches and then we went to the farm. I had everything packed and ready to load upon his return and we were on our way out of town by 3:00, arriving at the farm by 4:20.

Once the pick-up was unloaded, Mike was off to mow the lawn while I unpacked. I checked the yard and found a little rhubarb mature enough to pull. Once I cut it into one-inch pieces, it was only two cups, but I decided I’d make it work for a half recipe of rhubarb marshmallow cake. A cup of raspberries frozen during the season last year filled out the fruit layer nicely. In fact, it was delicious.

It was a lovely day and warm in the sun, but let me tell you, the house was cold. When I browned some chicken for our supper, I couldn’t figure out why the pan was smoking. I finally realized it was steam.

Round and round Mike went on the riding mower until he had the job finished about 7:00. Nellie doesn’t like the mower and stayed inside, but Bess isn’t paranoid like that. She ran round and round the yard while Mike mowed.

Wednesday morning, Mike discovered the “Meet of Champions” was scheduled for Thursday (May 1). He’s been looking forward to attending this event, a competition amongst the top track and field competitors from regional high schools, but he didn’t realize it would happen this soon in the month. We had intended to return to town on Friday anyway. “It doesn’t really matter,” I said; “let’s go back for the track meet.”

True to form, Mike made sure he finished his list of chores, including:

·        Installing the new water pump in the refrigerator (it works!)

·        Trimming the yard with the weed-eater

·        Installing a new flapper in one of the commodes (it works!)

·        Cleaning the eaves trough at the kitchen door

·        Adjusting the washing machine and setting up the clothesline

·        Cleaning the shower head for better water volume

·        Pulling some organic stuff from the pond

And then, since he’d worked so hard, I allowed him to take a break and ride his bike to Nezperce and back. (He carries his bike to the point where the road is paved.) He reported record time, averaging16.7 mph – the fastest he’s ever done. He attributes this excellent time to a fast bike, a fairly calm day, Accelerade (energy drink), and of course, he’s not in too bad shape. (He just keeps getting better and better.)

 

There’s construction on the Gilbert Grade. The flagger said they were putting on a lift and resurfacing. Apparently they’re adding seven layers of dirt and fresh gravel. (No, they aren’t paving it.) She added that they renew the grade in this way every seven years.

 

How long would the project take, Mike asked. Well, they said 21 days in the beginning and it's been three weeks, the flagger responded. She went on to say they were just finishing the lower part of the grade, implying there's quite a lot more to go.

 

So, here we are, back in town. It was 88 yesterday afternoon and a great day for a track meet. Supposedly today will be a cooler warm day (82), but then a cold front comes through tonight bringing wind and dropping our high temps into the 60s all next week. Well, we have things to do – wherever we are. KW