Chokecherry blossoms

As the next step in getting my heart out of A-Fib, the hospital cardiology department called me about three weeks ago to schedule zapping me.  She said their earliest opportunity was on Friday, June 5 in the afternoon.  OK by me.   She said a nurse would call me ahead of the appointment to tell me what medicine I should not take that day, remind me no eating, which door at the hospital to go to, etc.  She also said she would set up a follow up appointment w/ my cardiologist about a week afterward.  Within a half hour of getting off the phone I'd gotten a text from my regular cardiologist's office confirming a follow up appointment date and time.  Earlier this week I got another follow up text from my cardiologist's office reminding me I had an appointment w/ her in a week.   This morning when I took my pills I wondered if I should have taken them all.  I hadn't received any communication w/ the hospital about tomorrow's appointment.  I didn't even have anything in writing or on-line verifying there was an appointment.  I waited until after 10 a.m. and called.  Eventually was connected w/ the hospital's cardiology department.  A nurse very slowly described precisely what I was to do tomorrow.  She talked so carefully I felt like she thought I was senile.  After the call I wondered if I was acting elderly - you know - demanding, wanting everything done immediately.   Nothing else for me to do but call Sister Connie.  "They talked to me like I was old!" I whined to her.  "You're over 70, you know."  she laughed.  She went on and agreed w/ me that the hospital could have contacted me earlier than they did.  Even if she was just placating me, I felt better.  Thinking about it, I'm probably not getting more difficult w/ age.  I've always been this way.

Tick count 5.

A Wild Rose

 

Mowed the back trails again.  Found one of the bird houses had been tipped over and the tree swallow eggs within taken.  My guess is a coon.  The house was still attached to the pole so the only access to the insides would have been through the opening the birds use - too small for a bear but probably not for a coon's hand.  I hate putting up bird houses that become feeding stations for the carnivores of the area.  

First meeting of the Town Planning Commission since February.  At that time, Chairman Roger had asked us to look into ordinances for Data Centers.  I have been searching but couldn't find any in my state.  I checked w/ the state towns' association which gives guidance in these matters but they had nothing to add.  Found suggested things to put into an ordinance but no ordinance template itself.   Our town is rural so we don't have any area marked as an Industrial Park.  A Data Center would need to be in an Industrial Park where there are facilities for water, power, and safeguards for the surrounding community.  The team decided to create an ordinance to put a moratorium on the county rezoning any part of the town for a year while we work out what we want to do.  The only up-side we talked about w/ having a data center in the town is we might be able to get taxes off them for road improvement or to make an emergency fund. 

Tick count 8.

Hawthorn blossoms

TV Commercials:

We've all seen the ad w/ a robot on a car assembly line going amuck.  The operator says they need someone who can code in COBOL to fix it   It never fails to remind me of my IT days.  Even back then we didn't use it for programming robots.  COBOL was a business processing language: readable and platform independent.  It is true, though, that if a program is working, companies won't spend the money to have it rewritten into something more up-to-date.  Even when they no longer employ anyone who knows the language.

I can't imagine why I'd buy Liberty Insurance.  I often see their commercials featuring an emu or the Statue of Liberty in the background.  For the entire commercial there will be only one sentence  pertaining to their product - often that if you buy more policies w/ them, it will save you money.  If that's the best they can come up w/ as a reason to use them,  I'll pass.

My hearing must not be great since a health insurance commercial has a woman emphasizing that people they insure "...aren't a dollar sign.  They aren't just another customer.  They are a NUMBER."  Figured no company would make an ad stating the absolute truth so I watched the commercial again and pretty sure she is saying "They are a MEMBER."

Tick Count 1.

Buttercup

I drove back home the long way past open fields.  They had been tilled but there was just a slight sheen of green over them.  Tiny corn shoots were emerging in rows for as far as I could make out.  

I haven't seen a fawn yet but have seen some does that look like they have hidden fawns in the deep grass.  Whip was nosing around in the meadow and I saw a doe coming up on her stiff legged.  Figured she was about to charge Whip so I whistled for her to come.  Later Whip and I went out in Jormungandr.  I stopped to take pics at Gorgeous Gorge when I saw another doe running up one of the paths, ears alert, checking out where Whip was running around.  Called the dog back again and the doe disappeared.  It's a good thing that I put Whip's shock collar on her.   I haven't needed to use it this year but if she actually found a fawn, I doubt she'd come back to me w/o a little encouragement.

Tick count 5.

Lilacs

 Couldn't face making breakfast this morning so bopped down to the village coffee shop and ordered a latte.  The shop had some delectable looking offerings on their shelf next to the cash register.   I asked the barista what she would recommend.  "My personal favorite is the cheesecake but the fruit Danish is very popular."  That's how my breakfast became a slice of cheesecake and a strawberry Danish.  Not the best but not bad.   Tomorrow I should be in the mood for cooking again.

I also picked up audio books that came in for me at the library.  I tried to explain the one I was most excited about to Librarian Trevor.  "It's Shakespeare's sonnets read by ..."   Suddenly couldn't remember the actor's name except that he was a Star Trek captain.  "...Captain Kirk."  The sonnets are actually read by Patrick Stewart who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek franchise.  He's an actor w/ a mellow, liquid, and controlled voice perfect for Shakespeare.  When I considered what poetry would sound like if read by William Shatner (a/k/a Captain Janes Kirk) I started to laugh.   His staccato enunciation, frequent pauses and then rushed  way of talking would make the sonnets sound more like a political speech.

Tick count 14.

Vibrant Sunset

Neighbor Anita and I drove over to Sue's Greenhouse across from Windfall Lake.  It was another 80 degree day and I for one have grown tired of them already.  Anita had planted all of the herbs and vegetables she'd picked up earlier in the month.  Now she wanted to pick up a few flowers for a splash of color.  She went out into the greenhouse buildings while I found a chair in the shed by the cashier.  (Sitting there also kept me from buying anything more.)  The place was surprisingly busy for being so late in the planting season.  A couple stopped by to introduce themselves to Owner Sue as fellow nursery owners.  Their greenhouse was closer to the Big City but they had recently bought land nearby and were planning on building a home here.  I listened in on 'shop talk": which suppliers they liked, did they start pansy's from seed, how costly it was to keep the greenhouses warm during the cold spell we'd had, how each handled the left-over plants at the end of the year.  They swapped stories of weird/crazy/nasty stuff  customers had pulled.  The other growers left just before Anita was ready to check out.  Once we got back, Anita invited me in for coffee and one of her cinnamon rolls.  Have to practice making those this summer.

Dandelion

 

A beautiful day in the Northwoods.  The trees have leafed out.  The fields are green.  The sun is shining.  The birds singing.  Humidity is in the 40's and temp in the 80's.  OK, 80 is a bit high for the Northwoods but enjoyable as long as it doesn't last too long.

After morning chores - which now include watering the plants on the deck - were completed,  I sat at the computer, checked how the stock market was moving, and conducted some financial business.  Then drove into the library to pick up the teacups that are on display there.  Summer Reading begins next month and the coordinator is ready to pack the display case w/ the prizes that the children can win if they participate.  On the way back home I went past the coffee shop.  There are benches outside where on warm days the local men congregate.  The chairs were all in use and I thought it was getting pretty late in the morning for the guys to still be talking.  That's because it wasn't the older men of the community but highschoolers.  Maybe the senior class had a day off?  Anyway they all were licking ice cream cones.  Best advertisement the place could have.  I pulled over and got two scoops.  The chocolate was excellent.  The vanilla  just so-so.

Tick Count 3.

Not A Feather Out Of Place

 

This tom was strutting his stuff back and forth along my newly mown path.  I'm sure there was a hen nearby - maybe watching in the tall grass.  Tom seemed happy to have a 'carpeted' place where his object of affection could properly see him dance in all of his magnificence. Turkeys eat ticks.   Ticks aren't a major food source for them but if a turkey finds one it will be ingested.  I'm building quite the collection of frozen ticks.  Wonder if there is a turkey feeder I could fill w/ ticks?

I asked Google the geographical area where Black Racer snakes live (I don't think they got all of the worms in RFK Jr's brain).  Google AI came back stating they can't be found in my town.   Interesting but not what I asked.   Later I googled an old friend's name.   Google AI suggested I had misspelled the name since there were no celebrities w/ that exact name.  It then gave me a list of famous people w/ similar names.  Curious I looked up my own name which I share w/ a once famous TV character.  Up came my blog on the first page (usually it's at least 7 pages in since my blog isn't exactly popular and the TV character was.)    I'm concerned Google AI is making assumptions about me and I wonder with whom it is sharing that info.

Tick count 6.

Flowers for the Cemetery

 A good start to the day - saw a couple of bobolinks on the constitutional.  I've been watching for their return to the Northwoods.  Took off early for Churchville to pick up groceries.  It's an hour back and forth so got into the audio book I've started.  When I first got there I picked up a latte to get me going and the last thing was stopping by Taco Johns which thankfully offers a full menu whenever they are open.  I'll heat up my #8 later for lunch.  Took the pretty backway through the hills.  Still got home in time for one of my favorite movies Tora, Tora, Tora.  

Mowed the lawn yesterday.  Today I did the back trails.  I was able to cross on Bifrost this year so also mowed the back 80.  The back area has soil over sand/gravel.  A remnant from when the creek was bigger or wider or had a different channel.  The grass doesn't grow as lush back there.  Just higher up the ridge though the grass is thick and plentiful.  Interesting how topography changes things.

Picked up the flowers from the cemetery tonight just before sunset (when the cemetery closes).  I checked to see what the statue of an angus bull (it marks a gravesite) was wearing this year.  Last year it was Mardi Gras beads - this year a colorful lei.  I have to pass a gravestone engraved w/ "It's daylight in the swamps".  An old logger's call to say it's time to wake up - always gives me a smile when I go by.  My parents and grandparents would use the term to get us to wake up too.

Took a sunset ride on Jormungandr w/ Whip.  Afterward  I came inside and started working on the computer while Whip stayed outside listening to the noises.  Soon she came around the corner of the livingroom o let me know she was back inside.  I got up to shut the door but it was already shut.  Pretty cool if she did that on purpose.

Tick count 8.

Flowers for the Cemetery

Despite Memorial Day being called 'the unofficial start of summer' and weathermen stating "the first of June is the meteorological start of summer" I figure I still have almost a month to get all of my spring-time tasks finished until summer actually arrives.   Mowed the lawn for the first time this year.  Hated to cut all of those violets so I left a strip of them untouched in the back. When they stop blooming there will be flowers elsewhere in the lawn.   Also swung Svaldilfari out of the way of a turtle using a pathway to get to the next pond.  The herbs are out on the deck near the back door.  I took time off to check on the flowers in the cemetery.  Gave them a little drink of water to bide them over into tomorrow.  

I'm back to thinking I'm a heavy sleeper since Whip threw up on the bed's comforter sometime in the night.  I didn't discover it until this morning.  On the good side, I planned on washing that comforter anyway before I packed it away until cold weather returns.

Tick count 6.

Flowers for the cemetery

Memorial Day:  I keep my grandparents tradition of putting flowers on the cemetery graves.  About 7 a.m. I loaded up the car w/ flower pots.  Checked the forecast before leaving the house - drizzle expected by 8 a.m. but short lived.    Brought along something I could use to water the plants.  My grandfather had shown me where the spigots for water are located at the cemetery.  They are in the older portion  - useful when people put out real flowers. Usually there are a few people setting out decorations but this morning it was just a song sparrow and me.   The forecasted drizzle had begun early so maybe people were waiting for it to end.   While I worked the drizzle turned into a sprinkle and by the time the last flowers were placed to my satisfaction it had become a light rain. No need to add more water to the plants.  I drove to the cafe in town to treat myself to breakfast.  It was busy but I found a back booth where I could observe everyone but not be easily seen myself.  I didn't look like a drowned rat but I was pretty damp.  Plus I have a round black & blue mark on my chin.  I've been practicing stories in my head to explain colorful ways I might have received the bruise but so far no one has asked.

Baneberry blossoms

 

Excerpts from the Sheriff's Report:

1:11 a.m. - Officer reports a house structure fully engulfed in fire.  There's a propane tank near house.  Fire department responded, fire is under control, nobody is at home.  Deputy found occupant of residence at the bar.  He is on his way.

6:57 a.m. - Officer saw a juvenile walking to Walmart and made contact with the parent.  There is a recent history of juvenile sneaking out.  Parent stated juvenile should not be at Walmart but waiting for the bus.  Juvenile stated they were going to Walmart for a notebook.  Parent stated they have those at home and juvenile has no money to buy one.  Officer escorted juvenile back home.

8:36 a.m. - Caller reporting he lost a pair of metal-cutting shears.

8:42 a.m. - Call from bank reporting a customer that recently passed away had approximately $2,000 in her account.  The bank located multiple withdrawals that happened in the next county that have depleted her account.  Information passed on to neighboring county.

8:53 a.m. - Postmaster says that someone has been coming into the post office lobby that's open 24 hours and leaving trash and food mess.  There were also droplets of blood and strange written notes. Note found appears to be a shopping list: hammer, tool belt, head lamp, ammo box, first aid kit, hunting knife, hatchet, etc.   There are no cameras in the lobby or on the outside of the building.  Believes someone is staying in the post office overnight.  Extra patrol planned.  Next Day 12:23 a.m. - Deputy at post office found someone sleeping in the lobby.  Gave a male a ride to Northwoods Motel.  Male was warned he can't stay or live at the post office.

9:51 a.m. - Walk-in to Law Enforcement Center reporting a vehicle parked on the north side of the river.  There was a man fishing there on Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday there were fishing poles and a white bucket.  Caller hasn't seen male since, provided a license plate number.  Officer in contact with someone at his residence.  They haven't seen him in a couple days.  Person of interest called police department.  He is fine.

10:19 a.m. - Elderly couple had a flat tire.  Deputy changed the tire.

11:20 a.m. - Caller reports they are having issues with their father again.  The father has a life lease to live at the location but the land is in reporting party's name.  Father is out plowing and discing a field that caller rented to another person.  Deputy in contact with complainant who has no paperwork to determine what the father has access to.

1:05 p.m. - Caller reporting people are outside their residence trying to take them to prison.  Deputy walked around his residence, didn't see any signs anyone had been there.

4:52 p.m. - Caller reports they do not want to be where they are.  They don't like it there.  Deputy made contact with staff at facility letting them know of the resident's comment.

5:09 p.m. - Female was trying to go to a residence for babysitting.  Went to wrong house.  She was turning around and homeowners pulled in and blocked her in.  Home owners thought she was hiding behind the garage.  Cameras show she was there less than a minute.  No violations.

6:15 p.m. - Gas drive-off at station.  Occupants described as elderly females.  Clerk thinks it was a mistake.  Deputy called and left a voice mail and followed up at their address.  Officer will deliver cash to gas station so elderly female doesn't have to drive there.

8:31 p.m. - Canadian National called and stated there are black cows out on the tracks.  Another train is coming through in an hour.  Cow owner notified.

Water Scavenger Beetles

My clothesline has four strands.  One broke late in autumn and I hadn't replaced it because in winter iI can't use the line anyway:  clothes won't get sufficiently dry in a day when the temp falls below 17 degrees, I can't make it over the drifts to get to the clothesline, and long things like sheets or towels drag onto the snow underneath the line.  This spring another line broke.  Time to restring the entire line.  Took the new wire out to the line.  On one end did a double half hitch then at the other end a taut line hitch so it could be tightened - or at least that was my idea.  Before taking down the two remaining strands, I hung a load of laundry on the strands I had just put up.  Best to give them a test.  If I had made a mistake I could figure out something different.  A moderately breezy day so should give them a good workout.   When I got home after volunteering at the library, I was gratified to see my lines were still holding up and the knots didn't appear to be unraveling.  I checked why the original strands had failed.  They consist of a plastic sheath over wire.  Appears that the back and forth flapping of clothes were enough to wear through the plastic and eventually the wires.  Not much I can do to keep that from happening again.  Only question now is do I take down the remaining two original strands or wait until they fail?  Oh yeah, turns out the elements have broken enough of my clothes pins that I'm beginning to run low.  Need to pick up some of those too.

Tick count 1.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird (female)

Public Broadcasting System in my state airs a show a couple of times a week called 'University Place'.  It is lectures presented by professors/specialists on varied subjects.  I was making breakfast when a professor of history started a talk about the Burnham Telescope which is on display at the university.  He started by talking about the era of refracting telescopes.  The Burnham is a six inch example made in the 1870's and bought by an amateur astronomer named Sherburne Burnham.  He set out in his spare time to document double stars (stars that look like a single one but are really a pair of stars orbiting a central gravitational point).   He built a name for himself in astronomical circles by finding 400 previously unknown doubles.   Burnham and his telescope eventually made it to the university.  Burnham left but the telescope stayed  until it went on an expedition  to look for Vulcan. Things were getting interesting.  I remembered the story of the planet Vulcan (it predates Star Trek by many decades).  Astronomers knew that the planet Mercury's orbit precessed a tiny portion and assumed this was the effect of an unknown planet orbiting even closer to the sun.  (Actually, Mercury's orbit precession was later explained by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.)  A French astronomer even claimed to have observed the planet.  The Burnham telescope was portable and taken by one of the university's professors to view a full eclipse occurring in the South Pacific to see the planet Vulcan. No one observed a planet and the professor wrote a paper disproving it's existence.   After that the telescope was used by university students and had other 'adventures' before ending up on display.   So glad modern technology means I can now watch a lecture while eating an omelet instead of in a lecture hall in a hard seat w/ a tablet arm.  

Tick count is 4.