Greg 'n Keetha Stuff

I Moved

2008-07-29T17:06:00.003-04:00

Due to space issues this blog has moved here.

Please come find me.

Pretty please!?!

HEY YOU GUYS!!!!!

2008-07-29T09:46:00.005-04:00

I need help!! (Imagine that!)

Seems I have filled up my blog space, well 96% of it anyway. Go figure, a quiet shy thing like me filling up my blog space!!

So my dilemma is, what to do about it?????

What I'd really LIKE to do is purchase more blog space and keep this very same little ole blog going. BUT - - - I cannot find any place on blogger that offers me that option, or any other suggestions for that matter.

My second idea is to begin a new blog and link the old one as one big archive. My worry about that is Blogger could decide it is "idle" too long and delete the whole thing.

So - - - - all you blogging brilliants out there - - - - WHAT DO I DO?????

Back Home - - -

2008-07-28T13:34:00.009-04:00

All of our kids, except Korie, were here to greet us last evening when we returned!!!

Kelly and his lovely girlfriend, Cathy. Greg presented her with this "small" diamond and said if his son was slow about asking her, we all wanted her to know that we love her and WE want to marry her!!! Hehehehehehehe Grins all around

Mackinley and Papoo reunited on the porch!!!

Piper's first trip to Papoo's house!!!

Mackinley antics - - - notice the cookie in his hand.

He made himself right at home.

Fur

2008-07-28T13:22:00.009-04:00

This and the next two posts finish off my Northwoods Vacation saga. They really go together: Fur, Feathers, and Fins. Enjoy!!

The main furry creature that we saw in the Northwoods was Cheney - - - our vacation dog. He kinda "comes with" the cabin, belonging to the owner, Terry. He stops by several times each day for a visit and a snack.

We also saw deer, rabbits, squirrels, and a fox - - - but didn't manage to capture them with digi cam.

While fishing at Grindstone Lake one day, Greg, Mark, and Bob saw two bears on shore. If you look closely near the white boat rack on the left side of this video, you will see a black spot running left toward the woods. That is a bear cub. Mama bear was nearby and they also took a video of her - - - but for the LIFE OF ME I cannot find her in said video!!

Feathers - - -

2008-07-28T12:27:00.013-04:00

We spotted quite a few of our feathered friends in the Northwoods. Too bad those feathered friends wouldn't hold still to pose before my camera - - -

Several times we saw a small flock of wild turkeys on the same road bank. I managed to catch a fleeting shot of one.

We take hummingbird feeders and always enjoy their frenzied antics. This is a female Ruby-Throated at our feeder. Notice the water line in the feeder - - - these birds have voracious appetites!!! Greg refilled the feeders about every other day.

Papa Ruby-Throat.

Red-Headed Woodpecker. This little scoundrel appeared often in our trees, but was very adept at hide-and-seek with my camera.

Cedar Waxwing. My only life-time sighting of this particular little beauty.

Loons. We are simply LOONY about loons. Here is an adult with a juvenile. Look closely for the red eye on mama.

Entire loon family. One parent has a fish in it's beak ready to feed the young.

On water these birds are all grace - - - different story when they go on land to nest.

Sand Hill Cranes.

Greg radioed in from the boat one evening that there were pelicans on the lake. I responded that we don't have pelicans in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, it must be something else. He, being a Floridian said, "Keetha, I know my pelicans!!!!" To which I asked what he'd been drinking!!!! Well - - - he snapped this picture - - - and what do you think? PELICANS.

Later in town he told the "experts" at the fly fishing store that he'd sighted pelicans. Their first question, "Was alcohol involved?" He promptly showed them this picture to which they said, "Those are pelicans all right!!!

Pelicans!!! In the Northwoods!!! Go figure.

They were only on the lake one evening and the following morning. We guess they were migrating from Lake Superior (which does from time to time have some pelicans) south.

And Fins - - - -

2008-07-28T12:03:00.008-04:00

For Greg vacation is all about the fins!!

Northern Pike

Large Mouth by sunset

Maybe this was the 5 pounder bass - - - not sure since I neither fish nor was in the boat when he did.

"Kiss my bass."

Does little count?

Madtown Madness

2008-07-26T21:41:00.011-04:00

Last year we started a new vacation tradition of stopping in Madison on our way home so I can make an annual pilgrimage to Camp Randall Stadium and just soak up the vibes.

This year I reserved a room in a downtown hotel so we could enjoy the whole university ambiance.

As soon as we arrived, hubby collapsed on the comfy bed and began to snore - - - LOUDLY.

I let him rest before we set out to walk to the stadium. I had checked the store hours for Bucky's Locker Room, and it seemed we had plenty of time.

Oh if ONLY those online hours had been correct - - - -

On the way, we passed the Kohl Center where the Badgers play basketball. Nice place - - - - but NOT the football stadium.

Camp Randall is just oozing with history, having been the camp that housed Wisconsin's Union Soldiers and held Confederate Prisoners of War during our Civil war.

This will give you all I know about that history.

And that's it - - - - that's ALL I'VE GOT for this trip to Camp Randall because though the web page PROMISED me the store was open on Saturday until 7 PM, the sign on the tightly locked, DARK store itself said it closed at 5 - - - - and of course we got there at 5:30. BUMMER

But - - - - we didn't let that totally spoil our evening. We found an eclectic little burger joint called "Dotty's." Yummy burgers.

Interesting decor.

Truer words were never written - - -

And what's this hand doing coming right through the wall?????

After we ate, we found a "lesser" sports wear store - - - -

And this is the loot we came away with. Guess which hoodie is mine.

Oh, of COURSE the coffee mug is mine and I'll share ONE insignia with hubby for his truck - - - the others are MINE. I have plans for SOME of them to adorn the windows in my classroom this fall.

And that is all the Madness we could stand for ONE day!!!

Last Northwoods Day - - -

2008-07-26T21:19:00.007-04:00

On our way into town on Friday, we ran into this traffic jam on County "F." Honestly, how do the folks up here cope with such busy roads????

And we were forced to drive past this eyesore. Just look at those white birch trunks against that green pine background - - - hideous!!!

Hope you know facetious when you see it. :-)

Meet Rosie. One of my blogging friends, Heather, left me a comment saying her M-I-L works across the street from West's Dairy.

Sunday when Greg and I accidentally were at cross purposes (surprise, surprise) I stopped in at Rosie's shop and introduced myself. She was absolutely lovely in every way and took pity on me, a poor "street walker" at that time. ;-)

Friday on our last trip into town I went by to chat with her one more time, snap this picture, and say good-bye.

BTW - - - isn't that picture of the red Wisconsin barn in the background AWESOME??? I really wanted to buy it, but managed to resist the temptation.

A Farewell to the Library

2008-07-25T16:19:00.008-04:00

This is it. That sad day that always comes - - - the last day of vacation. Bright and early we will be leaving the northwoods and our little cabin.

This is my last blogging session from the library. I have enjoyed this library - - - it has been an awesome place from which to blog.

This was my favorite library blogging niche. Unfortunately, it must also be the favorite of a lot of people because I couldn't use it every day.

But today as I make this final northwoods post, I AM sitting just like this at my favorite round table.

When I finish posting I always let hubby check his e-mail - - -

And his Facebook.

Tomorrow evening I will blog from our hotel in Mad Town on the way home. Once home, I have one last northwoods post to do, I'm still collecting pictures for that one.

Anyway - - - you have really helped make this vacation fun. I've had more hits and comments on my blog each day than ever before in any other two week period of my entire blogging history. Thanks!!!

I HOPE I can come up with more fun from home to keep you coming back.

TTFN

Or as the CBers say, "over and out."

A Touch of History - - -

2008-07-24T16:32:00.012-04:00

When I was a little girl and up until two or three summers ago, this historic building was the Hayward Library. Even though the new library is lovely, I was really missing the old one. New buildings just don't have the, well the HISTORY of the old ones!!!

So imagine my DELIGHT to find that someone has purchased, restored, and lovingly renewed the library building!!! It is now a shop, Madonna Rae's, just brimming with ambiance!!!

As you enter the front door you are greeted by this quaint little horse bench.

Advertising art adorns the entryway walls.

Just look at all this wood!!! The entryway is split three ways - - - straight ahead is the stairway to the basement and on either side of it stairs to the main level. This is the right hand set of stairs to the upper level.

The shop is arranged and decorated so as to show off the architectural features of the building. They even saved the library service desk which is now the cashier's counter.

Dressing rooms

Their inventory ranges from furniture to toys and everything in between.

In the basement you'll find Persian rugs, antique armoires, book shelves and - - -

One really old antique!

Vacation "Clips"

2008-07-24T16:07:00.009-04:00

AWESOME cloud bank

More "meeses" - - - - Gary Moose (My friend Geezer)

And Keetha Moose.

Musky anyone?

Getting ready for the fall College Football season!

This is what Greggie does at the library if he has to wait for me to finish blogging AFTER he's made his rounds of all the tackle shops!!!

Meet Kate

2008-07-24T15:49:00.007-04:00

Kate Karibalis. For all the years we've been coming to Hayward and eating at Karb's, she's been our waitress - - - well, most of the time anyway. Her dad started the restaurant which is now owned by her sister and B-I-L.

Anyway, Kate KNOWS what my favorite dish is, and she KNOWS that it's been off the menu for over a year, and she KNOWS I really want to have it again!!! So - - - bless her heart, she sweet talked the chef and just looky here:

Shrimp Scampi Venetienne!! In case you can't see it, those are large shrimp with chicken breast wrapped around them lying on a bed of wild rice and covered with some delectable sauce. Really yummy!!!

Thank you Kate AND Chef for doing this for me. I owe you both a big time feet kissing!!!!!

Greg ate well too with steak, shrimp, and hashbrowns.

You KNOW You're in the Northwoods When - - -

2008-07-23T15:41:00.014-04:00

In order to travel from point "A" to point "B" you drive through a lot of this - - -

And then some of this - - -

And finish off the trip with some of this!!!

You see plenty of these, paper birches.

The lakes are natural and look like this.

McDonalds and - - -

Subway, and LOTS of other places are made of logs!!

You see trucks like this rolling through town multiple times every day - - -

All those logs in all those buildings have to come from SOMEWHERE ya know!!! And also - - - all that paper you use has to come from somewhere too!! NOT TO WORRY - - - trees are renewable.

The water towers still look like this.

You run across displays like this, and see these chairs in nearly every yard.

And LAST BUT NOT LEAST - - - you KNOW you're in the Northwoods when you can find THESE for sale!!!! :-)

Some Tuesday Randomness - - -

2008-07-22T15:13:00.007-04:00

I think this is all I've got for today! So, let me close out my posting with a little randomness from last week while Mark and Jennie were still here. They headed home early Sunday morning.

We enjoyed a meal at another of our favorite places - - - the patio of Karibalis on Main Street in Hayward.

Peaceful, relaxing, AND good food!!!!

What can I say about this?

Ya'll come back now - - - I'm still collecting pictures for two very special posts (well, I think they are anyway)

Place Full of Contrasts - - -

2008-07-22T14:26:00.014-04:00

Perhaps you've heard of Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que, they have them all over the US now, but the ORIGINAL is here in Hayward. It is one of our favorite haunts. From the first time I went there, I was struck by the hodge podge that is it's decor - - - - see what I mean:

This rough-hewn bear greets you at the front door, Greggie optional.

High in the rafters you will see - - -

A Northwoods mural.

At the river-rock fireplace, complete with the quintessential log mantle, you will find fine china plates and lamps.

Hanging around the entire perimeter of the main dining area are - - - tin coffee pots and tin cups.

Now, step with me please, into the ladies' room. (It's ok guys - - - you can come for this tour too - - - )

I have never seen sinks like this anywhere else in the world - - - notice the gold fixtures!

The mirrors are framed with bows - - -

And the green tile walls are trimmed with gold. Quite "posh," I'd say!

Now, back out in the main dining room - - -

Each dining table is adorned with a paper towel holder like this!!!!! And you know, if you've been to one, that their signature "dinner" is served on an aluminum garbage can lid.

I'm telling you - - - it's like going to the prom wearing your oldest sneakers under your gown!!!!

What a fun place.

Friends are Friends Forever - - -

2008-07-21T17:39:00.005-04:00

While lazing on the couch reading a book early Sunday morning, I was SORELY tempted to stay right there and SKIP going to the Little Pastor in the Woods' church.

But I RESISTED said temptation, got up, and into town we headed.

Oh how GLAD I am that we did so. One of my childhood friends (did I ever mention I LIVED in this town from kindergarten through fifth grade?) was there!!!! Gary, AKA "Geezer" back in the day, was in town visiting his parents. I had not seen him since Teen Camp in 1972!!!!

Geezer's folks - - - Gwen and Owen were also there.

Today Geezer and his mom met us for lunch and we had such JOY reminiscing about old times and catching up. What a treat it was to see them again!!!

Weekend Adventures

2008-07-21T17:01:00.013-04:00

Nope - - - a bear did NOT come out of the woods and eat me on Saturday. I was not bothered nor molested by anyone or anything as I sat in front of the library waiting for Greg to come back and get me.

However, on Sunday when I tried to blog (remember - - - the library ISN'T open then) I ran into glitch after glitch trying to get online and stay online at various and sundry places around Hayward.

Finally in desperation I gave up and decided to walk to Greg - - - - only I couldn't find him and walked blocks and blocks in the rather warm sunshine carrying lappy. By the time I found him, I was hot and tired and out of the blogging frame of mind.

I'm trying to make up today for my crass lack of blogativity over the weekend!!!

Other than the blogging faux pas (as if anyone really cared that I missed blogging) we had a fun weekend.

Spent some time on the put-put course - - -

Nope, I didn't win - - - not even close.

We also headed back the West's Dairy

Where we each indulged in our favorite flavors - - -

Mine was chocolate peanut-butter in a waffle cone dish.

Surprise, surprise - - - the boys fished.

And hello!! What is this??? It's a fish, it's a dolphin, it's a submarine - - -

Oh, it's super Greggie snorkeler.

I Took These Myself - - -

2008-07-21T16:47:00.006-04:00

With my very own trusty little camera!!!

I know I've posted sunset pictures on here before - - - - but how many beautiful sunsets are too many? No further words necessary

So Now - - -

2008-07-19T16:08:00.002-04:00

The library is closed - - - at 3 P.M. on a Saturday afternoon - - - and since Greg, Mark, and Jennie LEFT me here to blog while they made their rounds in Hayward, I'm now SITTING on that bench as previously pictured, blogging in an empty parking lot in the middle of the bear-infested Northwoods. Who's worried about me?

Oh - - - If I get too scared I can call their cell phones and they'll come get me - - - - -

I think - - - -

Eatin' Good in the Neighborhood - - -

2008-07-18T16:57:00.005-04:00

Some nice soul cooked us a yummy northwoods breakfast this morning. I won't mention any names, but her initials are Keetha Denise Broyles.

Mark loads up some bacon and egg on toast sandwiches while Cheney begs silently in the background. Cheney is our vacation dog. We don't OWN a dog - - - but Cheney visits us at the cabin every day. We like to believe he loves us - - - but really I think he's making his food rounds!!!

Jennie doesn't love the camera, but she does love Cheney. He KNOWS she'll feed him.

Keri, why do you suppose I cropped this picture EXACTLY this way?????

Don't Moon Me

2008-07-18T16:46:00.004-04:00

Grammy requested pictures of the moon over the lake. I don't think my camera is up to doing this particular assignment - - - but I really did try!!! Here are three of what I ended up with.

The Angry Minnow

2008-07-18T16:19:00.013-04:00

Yesterday Greg and his two fishing buddies, Mark and Bob, got up before the crack of dawn and drove to another lake to fish until sunset. I'm sure you will be SHOCKED to hear that Jennie and I had zero interest in going along. So - - - we were FORCED to find our own fun.

And THIS is what we found. A new restaurant, The Angry Minnow.

Well, it's new to us anyway. I think it's been open for a couple of years now.

It used to be an antique mall, and long before that a school house.

Just look what they've done with it!!!!

We haven't even stepped inside the door yet!!!!

I'm sure you are all shocked that Jennie and I

Would rather spend our time like this - - -

Than fishing all day - - -

With three smelly guys in a boat!!!!

The Inside Scoop

2008-07-18T15:41:00.010-04:00

AKA - - - Virtual tour of "The LIttle Cabin in the Woods."

When you enter the door, this is the view straight ahead. The two small bedrooms are to the right of the bathroom door, which is the door you see.

As you stand in the entry, the dining area (AKA - jig saw puzzle table) is to your left. There are two patio doors onto the deck, this one and the one you saw in the above photo which is on the other side of the TV.

Oh - - - looky what I found on TV!!!!!

This is the main couch area, directly across from the TV and where I got all cozy to watch that classic football game last evening!!!

To the right of the entry is this "L" that is the kitchen.

This is the "big" master bedroom. The other is nearly identical to it, only (believe it or not) a little SMALLER.

Both bedrooms have built-in vanity, armoires. This is the one in the master bedroom - - - complete with computer, which isn't online and thus my daily library trips.

Do I need to explain this room???? There's a full size tub/shower behind the door and you can just barely see the stackable washer/drier beyond the door.

Gull Lake Glory - - -

2008-07-17T16:19:00.009-04:00

Not my fishermen - - - but you wouldn't know that if I didn't tell, would ya?

Last light of the day - - -

Shimmering over boat wake.

All's peaceful once again.

Time for the sun - - -

To rest his weary head - - -

And for all the world, to go to bed!!

In Hayward - - -

2008-07-17T16:10:00.005-04:00

It's all about the balconies - - -

And the rustic store fronts - - -

Or so it seems to me. Such a fun little place.

It's Gotta Be - - -

2008-07-17T16:02:00.006-04:00

Frustrating to get old (er)

Of course I wouldn't know anything about that!!! :-)

More Fun in the Northwoods

2008-07-17T15:39:00.008-04:00

Just look what I found in a spa bathroom in Hayward:

Yes, it was JUST like this when I found it and NO I did NOT turn it around just for the picture. I wonder what they would say if they found out their TP was a "star" on my blog!?! Hehehehehehe

Our friends Mark and Jennie have joined us for the rest of this week. Mark is even more crazy about fishing than Greg is!!

And just so you know, we're here too!!!

This is the view from one of our "favorite" places to eat - - - a sidewalk cafe at the Angler.

2008-07-16T15:02:00.006-04:00

I wasn't going to do a blog post today - - - I was just going to check in, read comments, and respond to them. BUT - - - after reading your comments I just couldn't resist posting.

It is TRUE that YOU are making our vacation more fun. Even though you aren't here with us in PERSON - - - you are blogging with me and that is adding a very special dimension to the whole trip. I'm telling ya - - - I need to go on vacation more OFTEN, my blog hits are WAY up which tells me while my vacation life may be quite exciting, my regular at-home life is not!!!

I am working on a couple of what I hope will be fun and funny posts - - - but they are going to require a series of pictures and I have yet to capture all of those. So, at this point they are only in my head and in my camera - - - stay tuned - - - there is MORE to come.

Last evening our friends Mark and Jennie arrived. Greggie is sooooo happy to have a fishing buddy and Jenny and I just read and do puzzles to our hearts' content. The three of them are moseying around the shops while I blog. We just finished playing put-put, which I am proud to say I did not lose - - - only came in THIRD instead of dead last. That's NEWS folks.

We expect the arrival of our friend, Bob Streeter, at any moment. There WILL be funny Bob stories soon, I'm SURE.

This is my vista from the library window as I sit here blogging.

This is the shore line in one direction from our cabin. I took this picture on one of the weekend days when the lake was pretty choppy.

This is the shoreline going in the other direction from our cabin. This USED to be a resort, which was sold, the buildings leveled, and these empty lots sold for $350k EACH!!!!! Somebody on this planet must still have lots of pocket change!!! So far no "mansions" have been built there yet - - - but they are COMING.

And this is a view of our Little Cabin in the Woods from the dock. You can tell from this angle that it actually is a LITTLE cabin. I took some flack from some of you about it not looking very little - - - so last night I paced it off and did the math - - - it's about 600 square feet inside. I DO call that little!! Lovely - - - fun - - - relaxing - - - BUT LITTLE!!!! Now, I will give ya this much - - - the DECK is big.

Stay tuned - - - - more vacation clips to come - - -

Too Silly For Words - - -

2008-07-15T15:20:00.006-04:00

But I'm going to write them anyway.

Your geography teacher probably told you there were NO MOUNTAINS in Wisconsin. She told you wrong. There is at least this One.

Girls, I hate to tell ya - - - but THIS is what we have to look forward to!!!!

At least her EYES are a beautiful shade of blue!!!

Makes me think of Maxine.

Little Pastor In the Woods

2008-07-15T15:08:00.005-04:00

Meet my friend - - - "Little Pastor in the Woods."

Pastor Mark O. Wilson may be small, but he packs a mighty preacher punch!!! You should DEFINITELY schedule a visit to his services if you are ever in the Wisconsin Northwoods.

And this is the Hayward Wesleyan Church - - - - it may be in the woods, but it isn't so "little" averaging around 700 people in Sunday morning worship services in a town whose population is 2500. What impresses me the most is that I see a cross section of "all the world" worshiping and praising God together here.

Go West Young Man - - -

2008-07-15T14:47:00.008-04:00

We returned to West's Dairy yesterday - - -

This time to sample the wares. NO I did not eat a cone THIS SIZE!!!!!

Remember these? I do. This is what we used to get on our door step several mornings each week. We had a little metal insulated box in which the milk man placed the bottles. In the winter when it was really cold - - - like 30 below zero - - - dad would LISTEN for the milkman at 5 a.m. or so and get right up and bring the milk in or it would freeze, even in the insulated box.

No - - - West's doesn't USE these bottles any more, they just had then sitting there for people like me to use for going down memory lane - - -

When I was a girl in this town, the dairy didn't look quite like this on the inside - - - but they have decorated it in retro and have lots of dairy antiques scattered around.

And this IS the "scoop" of ice cream that I ate. This is a "half" scoop of Death by Chocolate and a "half" scoop of Chocolate Peanut Butter. I couldn't eat TWO scoops in one sitting if this is only ONE!!!

Greg Stuff

2008-07-15T14:31:00.005-04:00

What is there to say about this? Two "meeses." Or is that "mooses." I know, I know - - - Moose is ALREADY plural, but where's the fun in that???

This is Greg's FAVORITE store. You have to go up a narrow stairway to a tiny one room showroom. In my opinion, there is NOTHING up there. But Greg loves it - - - so to each his own.

At least they have these cool Musky benches outside.

Where We Are and What We Do

2008-07-14T15:38:00.011-04:00

Here it is - - -

Our "Little Cabin in the Woods."

The view of the lake from our deck - - -

And from another angle.

The boat tied up at our dock.

This picture pretty much sums up what I do on vacation. I spend a lot of time at this table looking out over the water and doing jig saw puzzles. That was my first and I'm now on my second. Do you see lappy at the end of the table? Well, so far I can't get online from there, but I can edit my pictures and BLOGGING is the other thing I do. Everywhere we go, I'm composing a post in my head!!!

Hubby fishes. How many tackle boxes does one fisherman need?? I see at least THREE in the boat.

Better question yet - - - how many fishing POLES does one fisherman need? I gotta tell you, he left a PILE of poles on the picnic table on the deck when he took these out in the boat. Craziness!!!

Heading out to find the big one.

The Now Famous Hayward Library

2008-07-14T15:17:00.007-04:00

Yesterday and today I've been blogging thanks to the free wireless service of the Hayward Community Library. Today I'm sitting in air-conditioned comfort at a lovely table. Yesterday was quite another story.

Yesterday the library was closed. Here you see Harley, our truck, parked in the empty parking lot. Hubby was going to let me sit on the bench outside the library and blog while he trundled away to a tackle shop.

The bench was quite inviting, and normally I would have thought that was a great plan. But are you remembering where we are?????? The NORTH WOODS of Wisconsin? A metropolis this ain't - - - -

As you can see from the OTHER view of the parking lot, it would have just been me and the wildlife!!!

Hubby looked at me sitting there in the middle of the wilderness on that bench with naught but deer and bear to keep me company and thought better of it. THAT'S how I ended up posting from inside the truck while hubby accompanied me with a drum solo on the steering wheel.

Happy Cows

2008-07-14T14:55:00.002-04:00

There are commercials on TV which proclaim that happy cows come from California. Now I do not have any direct evidence of the mental state of California cows, but I DO know about Wisconsin cows - - - and they are not only HAPPY but contented as well.

And what bovine wouldn't be content grazing on the grass of these rolling hills - - -

Living in a barn like this - - -

Or better yet, and more traditionally, like this!?!? And you know, from all those happy contented cows comes the BEST dairy products on the planet!!!

This particular image of a contented milk-producer graces one of the best old fashioned dairies left in the country - - -

Found right here in downtown Hayward.

Oh the memories - - - this dairy used to deliver milk TO OUR DOOR in glass bottles with cardboard caps on them. When dad stopped by to pay our monthly bill, we LOVED to go with him in the hopes that we could wrangle an ice cream cone or a quart of chocolate milk.

Yep - - - those happy cows made for some delighted kids!!!

This Will Be Short and I Hope Sweet!!!

2008-07-13T13:31:00.005-04:00

Here I sit in the parking lot of the Hayward Library in cab of the pick-up while hubby is drumming impatiently on the steering wheel waiting for me to check e-mails and ye olde blog. It's SUNDAY y'all - - - most libraries aren't open then, least of all this one tucked away neatly among the pines and birches of the North Woods. But the wireless is working even here in the parking lot!!!

I have more pictures and more ideas of blog posts - - - - but they will have to wait until I am sitting at a table instead of being propped sideways in a truck cab.

We arrived safely and all is well. There wasn't another family already in the cabin as I feared there might be - - - what with all the mix-ups of dates and all. Terry, the cabin owner, seems confident in his belief that this mix-up is all of my own making and that if he hadn't CALLED ME on Monday, we wouldn't have known in time. LOL - - - the delusionalness of it all!!! I distinctly remember that I CALLED HIM!!!

Its cool and windy here. The water is all chop - - - but hubby caught 4 bass yesterday anyway. The wind did NOT deter me from doing most of a jig-saw puzzle. I have a bit of sky to finish before I start the next one.

Thanks for visiting and checking up on us.

Stay tuned to this channel for more stories from the North Woods!!!

Night Lights

2008-07-11T16:29:00.005-04:00

Last night hubby and I set out for our vacation trip to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. We left at midnight-thirtyish because we love to reach Chicago in the wee hours of the morning when the traffic is at it's lowest ebb.

This time I decided to try to capture some night lights with my camera. Hubby wouldn't stop in the middle of the road to let me take pictures - - - he's rather unreasonable that way!!!

The results have a certain charm all their own even if they do lack clarity.

This, Merrillville, Indiana, is the only one taken from terra firma while hubby was putting our nest egg and family fortune into the gas tank of the truck - - - it took all that for just one fill-up!

Chicago - - -

Downtown loop on I-90, 94

Sky Watch

2008-07-11T16:05:00.011-04:00

Leigh over at "Big Daddy's Girl" periodically does a sky watch. We WATCHED, and experienced, this sky as we drove early this morning.

I couldn't believe this wall of clouds - - - rather like a mountain ridge - - - sitting right down over the road.

It almost felt like we were driving into a mammoth tunnel. The light was eerie, and I really didn't want to go under it, but in we went - - -

It rained and the sky began to evolve - - -

and change.

I don't think I've ever experienced a sky

Quite like it.

When the rain let up, and I thought the sky was going to clear. I agreed to drive.

As I pulled onto the interstate, I couldn't believe my eyes!!! Another wall of clouds up ahead, nearly identical to the first one. This time it rained, poured, and blew the truck and boat around on the road.

I took the first exit and parked at a bank in the Dells until this terror passed.

God's Country - - -

2008-07-11T15:47:00.007-04:00

As seen through the window of a moving vehicle.

This is the land that I love - - -

Because it's the land of my birth and my youth - - -

It is here in this soil

That my roots run deep - - -

And my spirit is free. On Wisconsin!!

Osseo

2008-07-11T14:55:00.011-04:00

Osseo, just minutes south of Eau Claire, is a quaint little Wisconsin town with deep Norwegian roots.

This very Scandinavian looking little park is a new addition to main street this year. The idea was to have pygmy goats on that grassy roof, but the "powers that be" have yet to approve the plan.

The main attraction in Osseo (at least for us and MANY others like us) is the ORIGINAL Norske Nook in its new home. Hehehehehe - - - original in a new home - - - kind of an oxymoron, isn't? Well, Osseo is the original site of the Norske Nook which was across the street from this one, and which is still there but now specializes in coffee and gifts. The key word to describe Norske Nook food is: homemade, by which I mean made from scratch. Really.

One more point in their favor - - - they have FREE wireless. I did not know that until this visit, so I left lappy in the car. I shall NOT make that mistake next year!!

Norwegian scene wall mural.

This might look like hubby is hinting it's time to go - - - - but that is NOT the case.

There's an hour time difference here, so when he told me the time I asked if that was Indiana or Wisconsin time. He replied that people with HIS IQ could make the adjustment just by looking at their watch!

This is a reference, one of many, to the time he scored a 160 on an IQ test (with the help of all his nurses at work, I might add) and I only scored 140 on the same test (by myself, I might also add!!)

I sure hope you want to see what I had for lunch, brunch actually, because I'm going to show it to you anyway!!! This is my FAVE, a Denver Lefse Wrap. Do you see all that goodness just PACKED inside that lefse? And the hollandaise sauce is to die for!!!

But I was NOT satisfied with just that - - - oh no I was not!!! Just take a look at what else I had!!!

Lemon Meringue Pie - - - and the meringue is up to the sky!!!

Arriving at our Eau Claire "Home"

2008-07-11T14:39:00.007-04:00

Every year we spend one night here on the way to our cabin. We're never disappointed with the facility or the staff, we have a Grand Stay!!!!

Come on in and look around - - -

I'm sure you'll love what you see,

Even the view from the balcony!!!

All Packed - - -

2008-07-10T20:30:00.008-04:00

All my piles went into this. Two large bags LESS than last year!!! Whooo Hooo!

However, do you see all the storage space we have for TOYS in the boat AND the back of the truck???

Hubby and his friend Mark do a pretty good job of filling it with their toys. What I packed will go in this little space. (Mind you - - - PART of what I packed was also hubby's stuff - - - he has LOTS of stuff)

All ready to head out just as soon as we sleep a bit.

My next post will be "On the Road Again!"

Makin' Packin' Piles - - -

2008-07-10T16:38:00.006-04:00

These are NOT to be confused with the piles Molly showed us over at Dark Oak Woman.

All day I've been making piles of things we need to take with us to the Northwoods.

Pillows, towels, books, and my all-important jig saw puzzles.

They've sprouted up all over the house - - - these piles!!!

And now it's just about time to pack them away - - - - more pictures coming.

Who Says - - -

2008-07-09T23:23:00.003-04:00

I can't have a fancy hotel point rolling my way?????

Just So You Know - - -

2008-07-09T12:59:00.003-04:00

I used the comments my "This is How We Roll" post received to do a very in depth statistical analysis of the over/under question. Here are the results:

77% are Over the Top Types
23% are Right

Next I googled the question and found that a far more professional poll than mine using many more people came up with nearly the exact same results.

What does this prove? Simply that those of us who roll the RIGHT way have our work cut out for us in converting the rest of you.

Oh and maybe that there are a lot more people than just those of us who came to this blog who have ALSO wasted their time grappling with this IMPORTANT life question.

This is How We Roll - - -

2008-07-08T11:58:00.002-04:00

Keetha over at Write Kudzu is discussing one of the burning questions of life: "How do we roll?" She's even taking a poll of sorts.

I could give you all the scientific explanations (direction of force, using gravity, and overcoming entropy) as to WHY there is only one RIGHT way to roll - - - - but I won't.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so - - -

This is how we roll, baby!!! The RIGHT way.

How do you roll?

Experimental Error

2008-07-07T23:07:00.007-04:00

I decided to try to capture some of the fireworks on the 4th.

I found it quite difficult to snap the camera at the right moment

And even more difficult to hold still while the shutter was open.

These three pictures are the best of my results - - - and even they are full of experimental error as you can see.

This is for my friend Michelle. She mentioned on her blog that there were never rainbows in Indiana. Well, this morning I looked out my front door and saw THIS in the western sky.

Again, my pitiful attempts at photography do not do it justice.

SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!!!!!

2008-07-07T12:48:00.005-04:00

We ALWAYS go on vacation to the northwoods of Wisconsin for the last two weeks of July. ALWAYS.

Go ahead, look at your calendar. What do YOU call the last two weeks of July '08??? Hmmmm? I'm talking Saturday to Saturday as a week (that's how our vacation cabin is booked.) I say the last two weeks are July 19 - August 2. What do YOU say??????

Well, if you agree with me, then you my dear are every bit as WRONG as I am.

For some reason this morning I got feeling very uneasy about which weeks the OWNER of the cabin calls the "last two weeks of July" so I called him. You may, or may not be surprised to hear that the last two weeks of July THIS YEAR are July 12 - 26.

Do you realize what this means??????

It means I will be doing this - - -

And this - - - by THURSDAY night of THIS WEEK!!!!!!

And hubby will be FRANTICALLY rearranging his oh-so-carefully already arranged vacation days from work.

And I will be FRANTICALLY getting out of my responsibilities at church for the next few weeks.

And hubby will only have one non-work day this week to organize all his "toys" for the trip.

And I will be frantically re-arranging all our hotel accommodations for the trip up and back.

And the BLOGGING PICNIC will have to be postponed.

And I will just have to BLOG ABOUT ALL OF IT!!!! Whooo Hoooo!!!

HOLD THE FORT!!!!!

2008-07-07T12:36:00.000-04:00

Due to circumstances beyond my control (see above post)

DATE has CHANGED - - - -

YOU Are Invited To:

BLOGGING PICNIC

WHO: If you are reading this blog, you are invited to come and bring your fam

WHEN: Saturday, August 9 at 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: My house, deck, yard

WHAT: Bring meat to grill and a side to share. Lawn chairs/toys/fishing poles optional.

RSVP: In the comments :-)

Looky! Looky! Looky!

2008-07-06T21:55:00.002-04:00

What I won!!!

I won this over at Big Daddy's Girl's blog!!!!

I STOLE the picture from her blog. I THINK she took it with her own little camera, but am not entirely sure - - - she could have stolen it from some other place for all I know.

What I DO KNOW is I won a popcorn bowl and lots of loverly Orville Redenbopper popcorn which will be arriving shortly in the mail.

THANK YOU Leigh!!! This is my very first bloggy give-away win and I'm EXCITED!!!

A Touch of Class

2008-07-05T11:37:00.006-04:00

Which is making tears roll down my cheeks.

Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/Landov

Venus and Serena Williams played each other today for the Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Tennis Championship. And oh how they played.

These ladies are all class.

Considering I can barely hold a racket, my admiration for them knows no bounds.

photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

It was Venus who was victor today, winning her 5th Wimbledon final. But I think what endeared her to me the most was the way she put her relationship to her sister over her accomplishment. Truly touching.

Photo by Xie Xiudong/Xinhua

Serena is also a star in my book.

I think because of their prowess as well as their attitudes these are the top two female athletes in the world.

Happy Birthday Land That I Love - - -

2008-07-04T23:16:00.013-04:00

Some images just say "Good Old USA"

Old Glory

A couple of classics parked at the marina today:

Hubby had a candy apple red one of these when he was in high school.

Little GTO, you're really lookin' fine
Three deuces and a four-speed and a 389
Listen to her tachin' up now, listen to her why-ee-eye-ine
C'mon and turn it on, wind it up, blow it out GTO!*

Oh - - - but this is better sung than read, give it a try!!!

Don't know what this little beauty is - - - perhaps one of you can enlighten me.

BREAKING NEWS: This just in from Headless Grandpa: It is a '51 Ford Custom Deluxe Convertible. Thanks HG-pa!!!

She says "FORD" on her hood, but that's all I know.

*Sadly these words are not original to me but were written during a HS Physics Class by John Wilkin and sung by Ronnie and the Daytonas

Cook Out

2008-07-04T22:32:00.012-04:00

We had a family cook-out at Lake Tippecanoe. For all you nonHoosiers, yes, there really IS a Lake Tippecanoe, and it is pronounced like capsizing your narrow pointy skiff!!

This is cousin Kevin, aka Chief Grill Master.

And this is cousin Bruce, aka first assist to the Chief Grill Master.

And this dark charred object on my plate is the cheeseburger that the two spatula wielders dug out of the coals from whence it fell and presented to me. They're a laugh a minute, those two!!!

Preacher cousin Kent.

Christy who married cousin Bruce and does her dead level best to keep him in line. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

On the right is my cousin Karen with her cousin Barb.

Yesterday I went to the Beauty School to get a pedicure. Barb is a student there and she was giving another lady a pedicure at the same time that I was getting mine. We all chatted merrily like a bunch of magpies. IMAGINE our surprise today to end up at the same family picnic!!!! Seems we share the SAME cousin, only on opposite sides of her family. What are the chances of that?????

After getting our fill of burgers and dogs, we spent time boating.

Oh, we did a good bit of this too.

It was quite simply a perfect day. Hope yours was too.

Odds 'N Ends

2008-07-03T13:16:00.005-04:00

I realize I am old fashioned, not cool, unhip, and WAY behind the times - - -

But I do not text. (Do have some pretty cool bling on my phone though, don't I?) I just don't see the sense when my voice is so much faster than my texting.

So WHY did I have to receive a wrong number text???? And a VILE, FILTHY, one at that. Somehow those words seemed so much more shocking in print - - - -

And now on to other news. This just in:

Something has invaded my home and taken over my living room. I hope it is alive.

And last but not least: In case you thought YOU were the MOST unphotogenic person on the planet, let me give you this PROOF that you are not.

The lump on the couch arose (I guess it was alive afterall) and took this quite lovely snap of moi.

The Dark Road Lengthens

2008-07-02T09:20:00.000-04:00

Chrissy has been in the hospital for 105 days now.

And now on top of everything else, Jill's father passed away last night.

And the road today is darker still.

More sepsis, this time antibiotic resistant.

No one knows how much more her little body can take. Her situation is urgent.

I wish I could report that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but the only light is the knowledge that the Lord is right there with Chrissy and her family and carrying them through.

Thank you for continuing to remember them all in your prayers.

To see Chrissy's blog click HERE

Pretty in Pink

2008-06-30T11:34:00.008-04:00

Little Miss Piper Renae

All decked out in pink.

Hey - - - babies don't have a corner on cute, I've got my OWN going on!

Great Grandma Heavilin meets Piper.

Great Grandpa gets his turn too!!

Great Aunt Pam met Piper in the hospital, but I didn't get a picture then, this is a re-meet!!!

A Letter to Eily

2008-06-29T20:13:00.006-04:00

Little Eily says: "Did you hear? I was actually hatched from a huge egg!?"

Dear Eily,

you weren't exactly HATCHED from a HUGE egg. BUT, there definitely WAS an egg involved in your creation. It wasn't huge, nor did it have a shell, but it was an egg nonetheless and part of God's mysterious gift of life to you.

When you are a little older, ask your mommy about this, and if she WANTS to, she can bring you to "the old science teacher" who will give you ALL the details. wink wink.

Love, Auntie Keetha

Find out more about Eily HERE

This Time You're Gonna Hafta - - -

2008-06-28T10:43:00.002-04:00

Read lots of words because there are no pictures in my next post.

If you are like me, you will be tempted not to read.

I don't blame you - - - but maybe you will find it worth the read if you try.

Enjoy.

My Friend is Selling her Roots

2008-06-28T10:04:00.004-04:00

Recently my Long Lost Twin began posting on her blog about selling her house. Just reading that they are selling filled me with profound sadness.

Before I even knew I HAD a twin, much less lost her, she and her hubby purchased a small one story two bedroom (if memory serves me right) "starter" home. This was well over twenty years ago.

Her hubby, being an architect of wisdom and renown, made plans for that little house. They did something I've never heard of before or since - - - and which they say even THEY would never do again because of the mess and difficulty - - - they put on a second story. But what a house it made.

They proceeded to raise their family of five - - - four boys and one princess - - - who is all lady and yet can "whip" the toughest boy at basketball - - - in that home. Between child four and child five is where I met my twin. We were between child three and four ourselves at the time, and our children were closely stair-stepped in age, cementing the bond between us.

This is also where I "met" my friend's house. And what a house. There are pieces of themselves and their children around every nook and cranny. Every wall, every stair, every nail a memory. They took a boring little two bedroom ranch and made it into a family heirloom.

Now it, this lovely heirloom, is for sale. And my heart is breaking.

I understand all their reasons (well, the ones they've stated anyway) and my brain can agree with them and even wish them God Speed and blessings. They are wise people, my twin and her hubby. They would not make a hasty decision.

And yet my heart is breaking, and I ask myself, "why?"

And I know what it is. It is the ROOTS. By selling their home they are selling the ROOTS. And even though they are THEIR roots to sell - - - those roots feel like they are in part also my roots. Vicarious roots.

This, lovely though it be, is the 15th house in which I've lived in my life. That does NOT include my college dormitory nor the house I shared with a friend for a summer NOR the camp I lived and worked in for the next summer.

While there are certain "perks" to having lived in many places - - - like the possibility of collecting many dearly cherished friends and experiencing many places - - - there are no roots. No longevity. No continuing history of setting.

I was born and raised in a parsonage in Wisconsin. No - - - not A parsonage, rather FIVE of them in three different communities. So I cling to Wisconsin as being a root - - - and the tendrils I cling to most are our vacation cabin (which we RENT BTW) and my beloved Badgers.

After high school graduation I spent the summer of '72 (1972, not 1872) traveling around Africa and Europe before settling in my college "home" in South Carolina where hubby entered my life. Since then hubby and I have lived in four different communities and ten different homes.

I find myself with no roots - - - except those I vicariously cling to.

So dear Long Lost Twin, I am grieving the relinquishing of YOUR roots. They are beautiful roots and though since I've returned to the full time work force I have not come to your roots to enjoy them WITH you (and thus the Long Lost part) I have known they were there, and I have LOVED them. And I love you. And I do not wish you to turn back - - - I only grieve your turning.

And now tears are welling in my eyes - - - -

Barely Alive at Fifty-Five

2008-06-27T19:55:00.008-04:00

I'm not 55 yet, but hubby is and it rhymed - - - works for me.

You KNOW you're barely alive when your Friday nights go like this AND you find it is as much excitement as you want or need for the entire week:

First supper at La Charreada. I've talked about this place before - - - great food and the waiters remember us and greet us at the door with smiles and "Hola, Senor y Senora!!"

This is hubby, el Queso Grande, and our waiter, Poncho.

For over a year Poncho vowed and declared that his real name WAS Poncho. Our wise-in-Latin-American-Ways friend, Gerson, was not convinced so easily. Come to find out - - - Gerson KNOWS. This is REALLY Ramiro, ever to be known to us as Poncho!!!

The food was GREAT and we waddled out the door full to the gills and beyond.

Once home, el Queso Grande decided to soak a fly or two in the neighborhood pond. This is the most excitement he can STAND on a Friday night. Don't know that he'll get to stay long - - - those are storm clouds building in the south western sky beyond him. I told him at the first sign of lightning to come back so his fly rod wouldn't become a lightning rod.

Heavy risk takers we.

(As if to HIGHLIGHT this threat, the weather bug on my computer just gave me a warning clap of thunder.)

Slightly later addendum: He was back in about 15 minutes - - - but caught three bad little bass before the storm settled in.

And my after-dinner Friday night excitement so far includes blogging and chocolate. They didn't have my NORMAL milk chocolate Doves, so I'm trying something recommended in a blog comment by one of you - - - Hershey's Bliss.

They'll do in a pinch!!!

I'm almost finished with this blog post, and unless your comments start pouring in I'm afraid I'll have to look for excitement on TV - - - which for me will probably mean rewatching my DVRed Badger football game from last November. Can't get enough of that, ya know!

Still later addendum: I'm too slow. El Queso Grande has the remote and he won't be looking for DVRed football games I can just tell ya. Honestly, the man CLAIMS to be a football fan but never wants to WATCH it. I think that means he IS NO FOOTBALL FAN!!!

So - - - - what excitements are going on over yonder in YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS tonight?

I Just Watched - - -

2008-06-26T21:08:00.002-04:00

A rerun of the 2008 Scripps National Spelling bee, which a young man named Sameer Mishra from West Lafayette, Indiana won. Hooray for our side!!!

But the WORDS. Most of these I've never heard of, let alone SPELLED. Here are some of the last words of the competition:

parfleche - hairless preserved rawhide
huapango - Mexican folk dance
rhyton - drinking horn
sheitel - Jewish female wig
nacarat - vivid red
ecrase - crushed texture
posaune - trombone
thymele - Greek altar
oxylophytic - acidic soil loving (plant)
sinicize - modify by Chinese influence
aptyalism - absence of saliva
opificer - skilled artistic worker
hyphaeresis - omission of a sound or letter from the body of a word
kulturkampf - conflict between civil and religious authorities
taleggio - creamy cheese from whole cow's milk
introuvable - impossible to find
esclandre - incident which causes a scandal
prosopopeia - absent person speaking as if present
guerdon - reward

Whew - - - no WONDER I never entered a spelling bee!!!

Look Who Came Over - - -

2008-06-25T08:50:00.005-04:00

Mark and Annette, our pastor and his wife.

On a Harley, no less!!

Just check out these "goggles" on Pastor Mark!!!

Snazzy safety glasses!!!

I'm Drowning in a Sea of - - -

2008-06-24T16:59:00.006-04:00

Techno-illiteracy. I just want to know how to do some simple things like change my picture file size so I'm not filling up my blogger space so rapidly.

When my techno-geek-bum-college-student son came by for a few days visit, I begged him for help.

He promptly began uploading, downloading, and overloading my computer with things that would help me in my quest for more knowledge.

I TRIED to follow his lingo - - - but it was all GEEK to me. I mean, I'm barely swimming around in a Kindergarten Pool of "Dick and Jane" and he threw me a Tolstoy "War and Peace" lifeline!!!!

When I cried out with tears of frustration - - - -

All he could do was hang his head at my total ignorance.

And I still am - - - - ignorant. :-(

But hey, Kyle, THANKS for trying!!!

Not To Be Outdone - - -

2008-06-22T16:32:00.010-04:00

By her older sister, our younger daughter, Korie, brought us her BABY, Buckley, to keep overnight.

Buckley scampered all over our house - - -

From room to room and - - -

Up stairs and down.

In an astonishing turn of events, Buckley loved his Kamma and rejected his Papoo!! Who'd a thunk it? An animal that didn't gravitate to Greg??? Unheard of!!!

So - - - Kamma got to have him cuddled up on HER lap, and Kamma got to take him out for his little walks and KAMMA got to take

For her swollen eyes when Buckley went home. Who KNEW anyone could be allergic to a little wiener dog????

Everyone's Back Where They Should Be

2008-06-21T16:08:00.006-04:00

Little Miss Piper came home from the hospital today.

She brought her mommy and daddy with her. Mackinley ran to meet them in the yard.

Kamma and Papoo made sure everyone was settled in, and then they returned home too.

Grandpa Heavilin brought Grandma home from the hospital EARLY this morning.

Now everyone's back where they should be. :-)

Mom

2008-06-21T08:54:00.001-04:00

For those of you who know and have been following my mom's progress, she did get to go home from the hospital last evening. Dad said they had a comfortable night and she was up at her normal hour and eating breakfast.

Please keep remembering them as we believe this is the beginning of her "home going."

More Macky-Antics

2008-06-20T21:38:00.008-04:00

This kid has plenty of "ham" in his genes,

And when he saw my camera,

He posed himself

For these pictures

As pretty as you please!

Shoppin' with Papoo

Bummies = Summer!

2008-06-20T21:20:00.008-04:00

Nothing says summer like a good old fashioned drive-in root beer stand complete with car hops.

And there is not a better drive-in than Bummies.

Mackinley agrees.

He especially enjoyed the part where Papoo let him "drive" while waiting for the food to arrive.

"Hey, look at me Kamma!"

Macky sat on the floor between the two front seats to eat his hot dog and shake. I told him to smile and this is the face he gave me. Oh, don't worry - - - he wasn't angry OR pouting - - - he KNEW he was doing the opposite of what was requested, and even this little two year old knows that God wrote a permanent sign on MY forehead that says "Pick on Me."

A Boy and his Granpaw

2008-06-19T20:05:00.014-04:00

Once upon a time a very cute and very silly little boy decided he would have an adventure with his Granpaw.

This is that boy.

First he helped his mommy open presents for his new baby sister, he even put part of the present on his head. Now that wasn't REALLY part of his adventure with Granpaw, but it was just way too cute and silly to be saved for later, so it became part of his adventure anyway.

Granpaw took the boy fishing.

Granpaw did MOST of the fishing, but the boy didn't care because there were lots of things to see and something to climb on.

The sun was setting and there was a cool breeze which ruffled the boy's hair. How could it get any better than this?

Then suddenly it did! Granpaw caught a fish, a little bass.

Granpaw showed the boy what all great fishermen do when they catch a prize fish. The boy didn't really like the wet slimy lips - - - but Granpaw said this was a cool thing to do, so he did it anyway. Granpaw's have great influence over little boys and should always be very, very careful of what they teach them.

Next, while Granpaw was throwing Mr. Bass back in the pond and washing the slime off his hands, the boy stopped to smell the posies.

Granpaw took the boy to a tire swing in the park. He pushed him high in the air.

The boy felt just like a bird.

Granpaw surprised the boy by swinging too - - - just like another kid.

But even the best of days must eventually come to an end. This one was no exception.

The boy snuggled down in his car seat and slept all the way home.

The end.

Or, is it just the beginning?

Tales of the Pied Piper

2008-06-19T19:47:00.007-04:00

Today we met my sister, Pam, and her daughter, Misti, at the hospital before we went up to see Piper.

We found our little Piper - - -

Even more content and- - -

More beautiful than yesterday. Though mommy tells us she wasn't a very happy sleeper until about 4 this morning.

Cousin Misti settled her right down.

Papoo held her when she was all snuggled in and cozy. He's calling her his little Piper Cub.

She's Here!!!!

2008-06-19T10:53:00.000-04:00

And all is well!!

Mackinley getting the news that he is now a big brother!! And he would like to announce to all of you that:

Little Miss Piper Renae Baker

Was Born at: 7:49 AM

Wednesday, 6/18/2008

She is 20 Inches long

And Weighed in at: 8 lbs 10 oz

Daddy AND Mommy are doing well.

Mackinley doesn't QUITE "get it" yet.

Kamma and Papoo are happy as clams at high tide.

(Addendum: I made this post yesterday morning as SOON as we got the word, but so many of you have asked what she weighed that I am moving this BACK to the top.)

Thank You!!!

2008-06-18T21:14:00.003-04:00

You have been such a wonderful bloggy support to us!!! My little ole blog has had more than 250 visits TODAY!!! A great big thank you to all of you!!!

I just finished my last "baby" post, and I added things INSIDE of previous posts, so you may want to scroll all the way down to the Tiger/Rocco post to be sure you didn't miss anything.

Keep those comments coming!!!

-The Management

We Think She's Picture Perfect!!

2008-06-18T18:13:00.000-04:00

Isn't she lovely!

Isn't she beyond belief!

Isn't she wonderful!

Isn't she beautiful!

Little Miss Piper Renae Baker

Mackinley Meets Piper

2008-06-18T16:24:00.004-04:00

"Mom, are you SURE about this?"

"But what do I DO with her?"

"She IS kinda cute, I think we'll keep her!!!"

Family Time

2008-06-18T15:33:00.001-04:00

Happy little mamma

Squeezing in GENTLY next to mommy.

Little bit of parent time

All together now!!

Let the Kisses Begin

2008-06-18T15:26:00.003-04:00

The Doctor is IN

2008-06-18T15:06:00.005-04:00

"Hello folks, I'm Dr. Mackinley,"

"I've just stopped by to check your chart and let you know that - - -

What we have here is definitely a case of neonatalosis!!!

But don't be alarmed, she will outgrow it in about three months."

Meet the Grandparents

2008-06-18T14:54:00.007-04:00

Well these two anyway. Sorry, the others weren't in camera shot today or I'd include them here too.

Kamma

and Papoo

Mackinley's Morning

2008-06-18T10:15:00.008-04:00

This is how our morning began. "Morning Kamma, CHEESE!"

First meal of the day - - - strawberry Jello. Hey, Kamma's watchin' me and she lets me eat WHATEVER I want!

Little sittin' on the couch time.

I have a baby of my OWN to get ready this morning!

Whew! Takin' care of babies is HARD WORK!!!

Now let's see what we can do with this bed head!!

Handsome little man!!!

It's Tomorrow - - -

2008-06-18T04:51:00.004-04:00

And HERE WE GO!!!

Keri and Jason on their way to the hospital. There's a whole lotta good to be said about a SCHEDULED delivery!!! No waiting around for those nasty labor pains - - - - MOMMY (Kamma) can be here to wave them out the door!!!

Oh, Wait! Wait! Jason needs his shoes, Keri needs her purse, and they need the suitcase!!!

Out the door at 4:44!!! Next stop - - - - hospital. And the next time we see them, little "Missy" will be in Keri's arms instead of in her tummy!!!

I believe there's been a NAME CHANGE in the works overnight - - - so - - - stay tuned to THIS station for ALL the updates!!!!

We're Having a Baby!!!!!

2008-06-17T21:42:00.007-04:00

Tomorrow morning. :-)

Here's what we did while we WAITED tonight:

Kamma came over to Keri and Jason's to keep Mackinley while they go to the hospital in the morning. I brought lappy with me and posted this. Papoo will join me tomorrow and we'll take Macky up to the hospital to meet his new little sister.

Here's "daddy" Jason still researching his fantasy football players.

Mommy Keri is still nesting - - - folding that laundry. BUT her lappy is waiting patiently for her to finish her work so she too can play.

How SILLY are we - - - all three sitting in the same room working/playing on our lappies!!! (I'm even sending IMs to Keri. Hehehehehehehehe)

OK - - - this day is done. Check back tomorrow for the baby news.

Today It's - - -

2008-06-16T12:50:00.012-04:00

Tiger vs Rocco

(US presswire/Getty images)

Sounds more like boxing than golf, doesn't it!?!

And oh what a "bout" it was!!!! Tiger came away the victor, but only by the skin of his teeth and in sudden death.

Much Later Addendum: Can you believe Tiger is Won and Done?! I HOPE this is not the end of his career. I can't believe he finished that match with his knee the way it is.

Father's Day Festivities

2008-06-15T19:07:00.011-04:00

We celebrated Father's Day with our family. We missed our two sons who couldn't make it, but the rest of us had a cook-out in our oldest daughter, Keri's yard.

The Big Cheese himself.

Our Son-In-Law Jason getting ready to enjoy his Father's Day fare.

The apples of our eyes, Kaeleigh and Mackinley.

"Hey, look at me, Papoo!!!"

Kaeleigh sportin' her new hip-purse from grammy.

Ornery Korie making a "stab" at getting some pie!!!

Mackinley making a face for Kamma. Mommy Keri watching.

Two pretty ladies and our grandpuppy, Buckley.

Can You See It?

2008-06-13T10:35:00.004-04:00

The ten foot wide strip where Lawn Brawn ran out of fertilizer the last time he applied it?!?!

Well - - - HE can see it and he's about to have a STROKE!!! Someone call the Lawn Care Waaambulance!!!!

Pool Play

2008-06-12T22:35:00.011-04:00

What's more fun on a hot summer day,

Than a little bit of family pool play?

Cousin Donny and his family joined us Sunday Afternoon at the pool at Grandpa's Farm Campground.

Little Danielle thinks cousin Keetha is a bit strange - - - she's RIGHT!!!

Jason has his hands full keeping Mackinley and Kaeleigh afloat - - - at first.

Kaeleigh strikes a "sassy" little pose for Auntie Korie

What you can't see here is Papoo Shark going after Macky's toes!!!!

Kaeleigh's got this floating thing down pat.

Auntie Korie and Kaeleigh - - - two bathing beauties!!!

Mackinley "steppin' out"

All these photos were taken with Auntie Korie's camera, most of them by Chris.

Do You Think Jonah - - -

2008-06-12T05:27:00.000-04:00

Saw the "big fish" as God's answer to his prayers?

(photo from bestpicever.com)

I mean, when the waves were crashing over his head and all looked lost, do you really think he saw a huge fish about to swallow him and thought, "Thank you Lord for sending deliverance!?!"

I think not. I think he thought all was lost. This was it - the big one.

And yet, God in his sovereign wisdom, sent a huge fish to swallow Jonah in order to save him.

How many times does God send a "big fish" our way and we fail to recognize it?

Hang on, friend, God will send a "big fish."

These ideas are not original to me, I thank my friend Steve who shared them with us last night at our church board meeting.

Have I Ever?

2008-06-10T11:58:00.003-04:00

Leigh posted this meme on her blog. (See "Big Daddy's Girl" in my linkydoo list.) There are 58 questions in the ACTUAL meme.

Now folks - - - there is NO WAY anyone in cyberspace wants to read the answers to 58 questions about me, so I've selected the questions I want to answer. :-)

If you actually READ these - - - let me know. I think too much writing makes most bloggers stop reading. Prove me wrong!

1) Gone on a blind date? Yes, once!! When I was in college a friend of mine came to me and talked me into a double date, with my date being the blind part. We had a great time, he was a perfect gentleman and good looking to boot - - - but I couldn't WAIT to get off the date, and NEVER wanted to date him again. The reason? His PANTS WERE TOO SHORT!!!! There was a STYLE for guys in that place at the time, he was wearing it - - - khaki pants cut off and fringed an inch above the ankle worn with no socks and loafers. I thought it was HIDEOUS and I let that little fashion faux pas completely TURN ME OFF. Oh the DEPTH of my 18 year old soul!!!!

A week or so later he called me and invited me to come to the University of South Carolina (his school) to see a Gamecock's football game. If you've read my blog, you know I ADORE football - - - - but I said "no." More the fool I.

2) Skipped school? Nope. I'm WAY too conventional for that.

3) Watched someone die? No. I have a TOTAL phobia of being in the same room when the process of death happens. I can feel death in the air and it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

My 48 year old cousin dropped dead right when we finished singing the doxology as grace for our evening meal at our family reunion one year. I had just turned away from the group to head out to the grill when he fell - - - I did NOT see it, but I KNEW that someone had just died. I literally RAN out to the grill to my medical husband and shouted: "They need you in there!" He took ONE LOOK at my face and ran in. There was nothing that could help. Oh, hubby and several nurse cousins tried valiantly to revive him - - - but he was already in the arms of Jesus. I stayed OUTSIDE and helped take care of the children - - - struggling to help them cope.

A few years ago, a young 16 year old girl dropped dead at our teen camp where I was on staff. She was entering the teen temple, I was up on the ball field on a golf cart. I heard a voice come over the walkie talkie radio saying "call 911." I KNEW in that instant someone was dead. Again - - - I stayed away from the actual scene of death and helped the other campers.

It is not that I'm afraid I will miss heaven - - - it is the thought that this is it, death is here. I just can't handle that. I hope and pray the Lord sees fit to let me slip quietly away to heaven in my sleep and when I wake His is the first face I see.

8) Been lost? Never I've gotten turned around a time or two - - - but having been blessed with a pretty accurate sense of time and space, I've always been quickly able to reorient myself and find my destination. Hubby does NOT have this gift, fact which has given us some "moments" on trips together.

12) Had your booze taken away by the cops? Nope - - - never have had any booze to get taken away. Am and always have been a t-totaler. That presented interesting challenges growing up in Wisconsin - - - the beer state- - - where it was legal to drink beer at 16 and hard stuff at 18 in those Viet Nam war days.

13) Lettered in a high school sport? Nope - - - they don't give letters for being an avid spectator!!! When hubby and I were dating he TRIED to teach me to play tennis. After about five minutes, he came over to my side of the net, took the racket out of my hand, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "You cannot play tennis, never try again!" And I haven't.

A few years ago the athletic director at our school awarded me a plaque in appreciation for selling tickets at so many of our athletic events. My name AND the word athletic both appeared on that plaque - - - hubby said it was an oxymoron.

14) Cried yourself to sleep? Yes - - - painful, isn't it?

21) Cheated on an exam? Not an exam, but once in grade school I penciled the order of the middle letters of one word on my desk top before the spelling test. I didn't even look at them during the test, but I knew it was wrong and later confessed to the teacher. I don't remember what she did about it - - - but I do remember the relief when the guilt rolled away because I had made it right.

30) Been arrested? No - - - but if you read my Thelma and Louise story you'll find I inadvertently came pretty close once.

33) Had a nickname? My cousins call me Keepie, so I use that one in cyberworld. Pete gave me a HATEFUL one in college and Hick made sure the WHOLE SCHOOL knew it - - - I still hate that one and shan't tell it here or anywhere else.

34) Been to Africa? YES - - - when I was 18, and it was the highlight trip of my life!!! We were there for a seven week long missions trip and had more experiences than I could possibly relate right here - - - the most exciting and terrifying of which was being charged by an elephant in a game reserve.

35) Birth place? Shell Lake, Wisconsin

54) Do you have any tattoos? If you've read ANY of this, I BET you can answer that one for yourself!!! Hehehehehehehehe

57) What do you do to relax? Blog, watch football, eat,read, blog, watch football, eat, blog - - -

Go Take a Flying Leap!!!

2008-06-09T18:02:00.004-04:00

"Come fly with me"

Guess Who's Having a Baby?

2008-06-09T13:45:00.005-04:00

Expecting to be parents in January!!! Whooooo Hooooo!

Congratulations Betsy and Gerson.

By the way - - - they now have a blog!!! Find them in my linkydoo list as "Chez Tejeda."

Looky, Looky What I Found!!!

2008-06-09T13:06:00.009-04:00

More pictures of our weekend!!!

Waiting at Cracker Barrel. Macky really worked to get this whole rocket thing mastered.

Wish you could have seen him trying to get all the steps of this multiple step process mastered!!! He was supposed to count three pumps on that handle - - - but he would pump, then stop, and use his little fingers to count to three. It was a SCREAM!! Hey - - - he still was able to blast the rocket most of the time.

The old man in the rocker. (At least he isn't off his!!!! Hehehehehehehe)

Sister Pam and my favorite B-I-L Joe stopped by. Since it was 95 degrees outside, we all huddled in the air-conditioned camper to visit.

Korie chatting with Auntie Pam

Chris waiting and listening.

Jason doing Fantasy Football research. Gotta get his team set!!!

Reunion Within a Reunion

2008-06-08T21:56:00.010-04:00

Keri, Jason, and the kids came to the camp grounds today to see us and their Heavilin cousins.

Kaeleigh stylin' in my Cedar Point visor.

Little Mr. Thunder himself!!!

What can I get into next?

Keri

"Getting" Papoo

Jason

Camping at the Family Reunion

2008-06-07T23:50:00.000-04:00

In the rain no less.

Our camper before the rain hit.

Our bed with my towel hanging up to dry.

"Closet" end of camper.

Greg is forced by rain to resort to computing instead of fishing.

Michael, Heather and Jason "live" here.

Mary Lou, Carl and Tom set up their tent.

Quaker Hill Conference Center

2008-06-07T23:37:00.012-04:00

We had our family reunion dinner today at Evans House at Quaker Hill in Richmond, Indiana. It is a GORGEOUS old home. Let me share some of it with you - - -

Makes one think they've gone back in time to a southern plantation - - - only wait - - - this ISN'T the south, it's Indiana!!! I guess there IS more than corn in Indiana!!!

Look at this fireplace mantle, surround, and mirror. If you look IN the mirror you will see hubby in his orange Clemson shirt.

I have forgotten what this type of ceiling with these gorgeous wooden beams is called, but I LOVED it. The tiles shouldn't be there - - - they are covering up plaster which was probably decorative at one time.

Three story open stairway. Don't quite know what the quilty clothy thing hanging down the middle is.

Decorative inset panel on the front door.

I don't know WHY I didn't move the brown cardboard box BEFORE I took the picture of this gorgeous newel post! But you can still get the idea.

Let's Go Blogging Now - - -

2008-06-06T22:06:00.005-04:00

Everybody's learnin' how - - -

Come on and go a bloggin' with me!!!!

What do you do at YOUR family reunions? We got the campsite all set up, went for a bite of supper, and then my cousin, Mike, and I started blogging in the air conditioned comfort of my camper!!!!

Have You Ever Had - - -

2008-06-05T10:32:00.004-04:00

A dark cloud hanging right over your head?

Uncontrollable Urge

2008-06-04T10:37:00.005-04:00

When we went to Rockford on Sunday I decided to leave my laptop at home. I mean, I was going to visit my Aunt, not to blog and besides I didn't think they'd have wireless at their house. I figured I could last ONE DAY without blogging.

And I was FINE without blogging until we stopped in the Des Plaines Oasis on the way home. There sat a man at a table, with his laptop working away. That's when the uncontrollable blogging urge hit. I thought, "I should have brought MY LAPPY, then I could blog right here in the oasis!!!!

To Chicago and Beyond!!!

2008-06-03T21:08:00.005-04:00

Hubs and I "hit the road" Sunday evening - - -

Heading to Chicago and beyond - - - to Rockford.

The Windy City was also the rainy and foggy city as we passed through on our way home today.

Couldn't even get a clear skyline shot.

Aunt Kitty and Uncle Dave

2008-06-03T20:35:00.008-04:00

I shared a few weeks ago about my beloved Aunt Kitty being diagnosed with cancer. What started in her lung (go figure since she isn't and never was a smoker) spread to her bones and brain before they even found it.

Now, without a special touch from The Great Healer, she may only have a few months with us on this Earth. The brain tumors are the greatest cause for concern, and they are inoperable.

She is a brave fighter, and is tackling this disease with a positive attitude. She told me that like Hezekiah in the Old Testament, she's asking God for fifteen more years.

Uncle Dave is the best "home health-care nurse" on the planet!!!

We're a family who love jig saw puzzles, so we got one started yesterday. Aunt Kitty and I have done LOTS of these together over the years. It was quite a bit farther along than this by the time we headed home this morning.

Radiation and chemo have started to make her hair fall out. She is facing balding with a smile - - - and a cute little hat. Too bad I didn't get a picture of that!!! The Radiologist told her all her hair would be gone in a day or two.

Thelma and Louise Ride Again - - -

2008-06-03T19:49:00.009-04:00

A few years ago, while on vacation together, Aunt Kitty and I sorta fell afoul of the law, and jokingly began referring to ourselves as "Thelma and Louise." I'd tell the whole hilarious story here if I weren't still afraid "they'd" come arrest us - - - - so if you REALLY want to know, you'll have to e-mail me. Suffice it to say, NEITHER one of us has any innate criminal instincts.

Anyway, Thelma and Louise rode again yesterday - - - with a little "twist" called a walker!!!

Aunt Kitty has to go an hour one way EVERY DAY, five days a week for radiation therapy. Yesterday I volunteered to take her, so Thelma and Louise set out - - -

First I had to learn how to help her, walker and all, get into the truck. Mission accomplished! I must not have done a bad job - - - at least she was able to SMILE at me when I told her I was gonna take her picture so I could BLOG it!!!

Of course we had to stop for LUNCH on the way - - - can you READ that cup. Now THAT is GOOD stuff!!!! Not sure why Aunt Kitty isn't smiling in this one, unless it's because she's thinking, "Will this silly niece of mine EVER put that camera away???"

A really nice young teen age girl took a picture of both Thelma and Louise just before we headed over to the radiation clinic.

Thelma and Louise are getting pretty tame in their old age. Culver's and a Clinic are about enough excitement for us for one day.

13a and 13a1

2008-06-03T18:59:00.008-04:00

Here they are!!! 13a, my cousin Jenny, and her darling little Jianna Rose, 13a1!!!!

Jenny, who is Aunt Kitty and Uncle Dave's daughter, came over to visit with us and brought little Jianna Rose with her.

Can you tell we had a great time?