Walk Off The Earth - Best Music Group Ever

Watching deer never gets old

 

Just for perspective, the area where the grass is higher is only about 40 feet from the back of our house.

 There’s a reason why these three deer are looking toward the house.  They have enjoyed some nice meals of corn this winter.  But, with the warm weather, their gravy train has ended.  Obviously, the yearling in front is losing her winter coat. Still, they look good coming out of the winter. 

There are plenty of coyotes around which might be why Brutus and Jojo don't seem to bother them when they are here.

On a moonlit night we might even see some hanging around the windbreak.  Then there is this!

Scarlett O'Hara Pieris

 In 2015 we completely removed the front landscaping.  Here is a link to the process of removing the original overgrown plants.  

Kim spent a lot of time planning the replacement scrubs. We didn't actually plant everything until the fall of 2016.  The timing and varieties were well-done on her part because we only lost one plant.   It was an almost a perfect fall with a late freeze and good moisture.  

There were once two Scarlett O’Hara Pieris plants tucked in a corner where the front juts out for the garage.  This is the one that prevailed.  Perhaps it was the location or the soil.  Pieris plants like acid soil.  According to my research, I should add some of our neighbor's corral compost we have in a pile for the best natural acidity. (More on that wonderous stuff another time)  

Even though it has never been a fast grower, it continues to plug along with determination.  I think it came back from the roots at least once.  Kim said we should move it.   However, it's become a favorite where it is located.  I admire people and plants with spunk and determination

Do you really want to know what I cook for dinner?

 

In the past few years, I have not felt like writing on this humble blog.  There were months when we mostly stayed home.  I do not think anyone would want to read what I cooked for dinner each day. 

The videos I make are fun.  I mostly try my hand at making shorts.  Both Instagram and YouTube have that available.  In the end, writing is most enjoyable for me. And, more importantly, it takes hours to produce a short five-minute video that is only marginally creative.   I'm definitely a faster typist.

I do occasionally post on social media, but I prefer a place where family and friends can check in if they want to rather than have my activities randomly pop up.

Even though I did not write here, I kept a journal for the past year and a half.   I have a printer (Canon and Kodak both make one) which enables me to include little pictures in my journal.  Definitely old school—I will show you sometime.  In the end, journaling is a lot like posting here.

I have had several ask me about my blog recently and my most loyal reader still checks in (thank you Paul).  So, I thought I would give it another roll.  Summer is upon us, the garden is ready to plant, Dan has his projects and we are venturing out in our little RV.  All of these activities provide fodder for pictures and words. 

I am going to try to put something on here twice a week—Tuesday and Saturday mornings.  Will see how that goes.  If I find I’m once again not fulfilling my promise, I’ll let you know. 

Long Overdue

 Wayne & Ruth with Dan at Johnny's in Topeka.  We visited for 2 1/2 hours.  I think it was overdue.  

Santa Fe Rail to Trail Colorado

Trimming Hedge Row

Sun Goes Down, Deer Show Up

Christmas 2020

I found it especially important this year to remind myself of all the wonderful things that have happened this year.   Around Thanksgiving, it became clear we weren’t anywhere near back to normal.  Lockdowns were not going away.  That meant that some things that have been tradition were not going to happen. Still there were a bunch of happy memories made this year.

Topping the list were graduation celebrations with family and friends.  Then road trips with Dan, road trips with friends, and road trips to visit family and friends.  Remodeling the PW, which I don’t think I’ve ever shown the completed project because, as usual for us it’s not quite complete.  The garden was wonderful so we were able to preserve and share with neighbors and friends.  Dan has been busy all year with his backhoe doing one project or another.  We have enjoyed others pets and our own kitty. We have enjoyed conversations on  porches,  around fires and by phone.

There has been aspect of luck for Dan and I this year.  Many times we could have been exposed to the virus.  We have worn masks when out and about since the very beginning, but who knows.  As I said, it just might boil down to luck.

Over Christmas, we were able to spend time with Kim, Marc, Adam and Evan.  Aaron was not there because he is in Air Force Basic Training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio but he was able to be in touch.  

About a month ago, I had this thought that it might be fun to have an outdoor bonfire on Christmas Eve.  Several days later, I talked to a friend who lives in Wilson Kansas and she said she was thinking a big bonfire would be fun on Christmas Eve.  I told her I had the same thought.  She said if two people are thinking the same thought, it is a good one and if three people are thinking the same thought, it’s from an Angel.   When I mentioned it to Kim, she said they were in.  So, the plan was made for what I like to call a “Pop up Christmas Eve Party” mainly because it wasn’t finalized until the day of because of the weather.  We just had a few neighbors and family down and it was really fun.  All outdoors on a 17 degree night.

I am thinking there will still be more celebrating.  I’ll let you know.  In fact, I am thinking I will make a New Year Resolution.  That would be to post on this blog once a week.  I think each Friday would be a good day.  Let’s see how long I can go with this resolution in 2021 because I’ve made them before and failed.  I’m feeling good about at least 50 posts on this blog next year.   Until then, Merry Belated Christmas and Happy New Year.  I appreciate you loyal readers who hang in there with my musings.  I truly appreciate your support. 

  

Thanksgiving 2020

There were two big reasons why we enjoyed a special day at the Hoobler family's home despite the recommendation from the Kansas Governor to forgo celebrations this year. 

 The first reason is our grandkid's Great Grandma Betty. Betty lives in Pittsburg Kansas and is thriving in her 90s. She is in town visiting her daughter Pam and Norris and it just seemed a good time for a celebration she could be a part of because... 

 Aaron, our oldest grandson, is leaving in a week for Basic Training at Lackland AFB near San Antonio. As you will hear, Aaron signed up for the Air Force in May 2020. But, because of COVID restrictions, his name is just now come up for training. Thanksgiving is the last time most of us will see him in a while, but we are all happy and excited about his future.

 

Life Rings

We purchased and built where we live now in 1977/1978. The trees around the front of our home were planted around that time. We lost one to a lightening strike. Other than that, they have thrived for 40 plus years. We ordered most of the trees as saplings from the County Extension Office. However, the tree in this video was given to us by Paul and Irene Hoffsommer. They had a little tree farm in their back yard and gifted us this pine for our windbreak. Now, one by one, these Austrian pine trees are dying from disease. However, they continue to serve as we cut and split their wood for heating in our stove. When they are all gone, I am saddened I will no longer hear the wind whistle through their big branches or watch Mockingbirds use the very tippy top for their stage.

One Minute Garden 2020

It is a fact that I'm slow with editing video, but six weeks since my last post is taking it to a  new level.  There are projects in the queue, though, specifically a roadtrip--hopefully before long.

Until then, here is our "One Minute Garden" from 2020.  It was an exceptional year for produce.  

It's Friday--Enjoy the weekend

 

Persimmon Tree

 We have three wild persimmon trees in our pasture.  These were probably "planted" by wildlife eating fruit from a persimmon tree by a nearby home.  Just like any other fruit tree, the yield varies year to year.  Fruit on these trees have disappeared almost overnight when they ripen.  I am sure the squirrel and raccoon have something to do with that.  This year, however, they will be mighty full if they strip this tree and the other two near by.  

I've tried to make persimmon jelly in the past.  It wasn't as tasty as I had hoped.  So, the critters can have at it!