View from the Tete-a-tete

Picture by Kathy Novey.

Neighbor Anita arrived to drive me to the clinic this morning.  She was able to leave after check-in and do some shopping around town.  I went downstairs to the hospital section of the building and was given a room.  Nurses came in and out doing different tasks but the only one that got excited was Nurse Laura when she saw the size of the vein in my arm.  "I won't even need a tourniquet to use that monster." she exclaimed.  I was on a cot w/ just a hospital gown on, IV in place, and various other monitors attached when the doc came in and told me there is always the possibility of him puncturing the intestine wall.  He handed me a tablet to sign stating he had warned me and walked out.  Next came the anesthetist.  He called me Barbara.   I corrected the name and he said, "Oh I must have things out of order."  I asked if Barbara was also getting a colonoscopy.  "Yes she is ... but later."  He warned me that there could always be complications when giving anesthesia and handed me a tablet to sign saying he had warned me.  Nurse Laura gave something to me in my IV to make me 'more comfortable'.  Was curious if it would affect my thinking so I started going through the alphabet naming a country that started w/ each letter.  I hadn't done that exercise in awhile so it kept me busy as I was wheeled through doors and into the procedure room.  I'd gotten to 'O' and could not come up w/ a country.  Asked the nurses there but they said they didn't know one either and then ... that's all I remember.  I woke up in my room and recalled I was trying to think of a country whose name began w/ 'O'.  The doc poked his head in and said "No polyps, see you in five years" before taking off.  The discharge nurse removed all of my monitors and said they did find diverticula and I should up the fiber in my diet.  Then I changed back into my clothes and was walked out to a waiting Anita.  On the way home it came to me, "Oman"!

Cotton grass blooming in the Tamarack Swamp

 

Friend Kathy is here and brought dog treats for Whip.  She said they were people grade food and they tasted pretty good.  I asked her to hand me one, which she started to before quickly snatching it back.   We'd both forgotten for a moment that I was on a day-long fast before my colonoscopy on Monday.  No solid food allowed.   Probably would have elicited a laugh from the doc if I'd admitted to cheating with a dog biscuit though.   Anyway, I'd had three cups of black coffee all day until at 6  I started on the dreaded 'prep solution'.  Kathy had a running count down before I needed to begin: 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes.  Just before zero, she grabbed something for supper and retreated for the rest of the night to Mjolnir, leaving me to my purge.  10 glasses of the 'solution' and I was done.  Kathy did return sometime later to the front door, picked up Whip, and took her for a constitutional, before putting her back in the house.  She texted me that Whip was now de-peed for the night.  If I'd felt better at that time I would have returned a text stating that I was de-fecated.

White Pine 'candles'

Today was the library's book-bake-and stuff sale.  I go for the stuff (i.e. new-to-you, pre-owned, white elephant, etc.)   I got there within five minus of them opening but already people were checking out.   I found a wonderfully soft gorgeous white w/ yellow markings crocheted throw.  Exactly what I wanted for the back of the sofa this time of year.  The stuff is located at the back of the library so you need to go past the bakery goods to get to the checkout.  Hard thing to do w/o stopping to buy something.  Found  Gluten Free Vegan Shortbread cookies.  I am a sucker for shortbread.  Unfortunately the cookies didn't melt in your mouth like shortbread does.  Plus besides being free of eggs, butter, and grain they were also free of taste.  Well ... you win some, you lose some.

Yellow Legged Millipede

 

Usually I can bundle my errands together and get them done together.  Couldn't today.  First one was very early and down south.  Had to drive through Jump Rope City so stopped and picked up a raspberry cream pie at the Main Street Cafe.  It's a fav of a friend who is coming to visit.  For the second errand I needed to wait until the library opened at 10.  One of the volunteers helping with the Summer Reading Program said next week's activity was planting flowers.  The older children would repot the planters in front of the library. The youngest children would plant flowers in individual pots they could take home.  She wished she had something better than the black plastic pots for them.   I have small clay pots that, while very cute, aren't really useful.  The volunteer was very happy to accept my offer of the little pots.  She was, however, leaving town today and wouldn't be back until next Thursday.  I said I'd leave the pots at the library for her before she left.  Also last night the librarian had noted that he'd used the last of the band aids on a young child's foot and would have to buy more.   I asked if I could just bring in the extra boxes of band aids I seem to have accumulated at home.  Dropped off both the pots and band aids at the library, checked my mailbox, and cashed a check I'd received yesterday.   A final errand was to the much anticipated Clean Sweep.  While it started at noon in the County Seat, I knew from experience that when it opened there would be a long line of cars wanting to get in.  I went at 1:30 and drove straight in w/ no waiting.  I'd contacted the county's recycling guru to see if they would take my electric blanket,   She said the cords definitely would be but not sure about the blanket itself.  I put the cords in the box of broken devices I keep for Clean Sweep events but left the blanket out on top of the box.  They took the box of electronics and the separate bag I had full of remotes.  The blanket itself - nope.  

On the Right-Of-Way

First night of the summer reading program at the library.   The theme this year is "Color Our World" and tonight's activity was to tie-dye t-shirts.  Wouldn't you know it, as I drove into the library for my volunteer stint it started sprinkling.  Coordinator Sarah had considered that possibility and had a small tent set up outside the back door for the actual tie-dying.  However, making the sno-cone treats was moved inside the library and, of course, there were some accidents.  Other years, all of the kids w/ their parents arrived by 5:00 for the start of the activities.  For some reason, this year the program announcement said they could come anytime between 5 and 7 to tie-dye shirts.  (I didn't attend any of the planning meetings - will remember to do that next year.)  The problem with allowing people to come up until 7 is that the  library closes at 7.  As the volunteer for tonight I am responsible for closing the library so couldn't do that until the people working the sno-cone machine and the tie-dying activities had finished, cleaned up, and departed.  Not a big deal since I was busy letting the children coming in late "spin the wheel" for prizes and checking their paperwork.   Plus kids were checking out books, I was shelving books,  and answering questions like "Where are the bandaids?", etc.  Wouldn't mind staying late but I wanted to attend the Town Board Meeting tonight which began at 7 p.m.  I walked into the Town Hall at 7:50 - meeting was over but the board and clerk were still there and they were the ones I wanted to talk with.  Anyway, the first night of summer reading program is over - only 7 more to go.

Graduate Callie

 

Grandniece Callie graduated last weekend.  Photo taken by Mike Naibauer.

Sister Connie said she is getting ready for a garage sale but forgot how much work they are.  Reminded me hat the library is having it's semi-annual sale this weekend.  It's a Book-Bakery-Stuff sale.  The stuff can't be clothes but they allow knickknacks, cards, decorations, utensils - that sort of thing in the sale.  It helps bring in people who might not come in just for books.   Getting things together for the sale was pretty easy this time.  The room divider has two niches where I put hampers.  When I see something in the house that I'm not using - just moving around occasionally - I put it in the hamper for the sale.  I dug through the hampers today.  The Christmas things I put back in one of the hampers - will bring those out for the November sale.  Did decide to try and sell the Halloween things this time.   Put the foam bats, the bat wristband, and the decorated bags for treats all in a clear plastic bag  - will sell them as a group.  Slapped a tag for a nominal amount on all of the other items.  Hope both Connie's and the library's sales are well attended.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

I would really like a couple of days where the nasty old man isn't trying to be the center of attention.  He is still lying about the results of the 2020 election so it's difficult to tell when he's saying anything factual anyway.  

Peony buds after a rain

 I was taking the suet feeder in at night along with the hummingbird feeders.  It seemed it would go empty (it holds two suet cakes at a time) pretty fast.   While I ate lunch I watched as a pileated woodpecker came in and hung from the feeder upside down.  The pileated is too big for at least some of it's body to hang over the edge.  Got to thinking as I watched it peck off a piece and hold it momentarily in it's massive beak before letting it fall into t's gullet that a couple of them could have finished off a cake in a short period of time.  The pileated had no sooner flown off than a hairy wood pecker swooped in and hung on the side to get some of the suet.  I noticed a frustrated blue jay in the lilac bushes jumping around waiting for his chance.   The hairy took off but was almost immediately replaced by a starling and then a second starling came in on the other side of the feeder.  The blue jay waited a little longer but eventually left.  The starlings suddenly took off together and were quickly replaced by the brown thrasher.  I hadn't ever seen it at a feeder before.  Her technique was a little different.  She would peck a piece of suet free, let it drop to the ground, and then she would fly down to eat it.  Once that was accomplished she'd fly back up and repeat the process.  As I watched I noticed red-winged blackbirds and house sparrows would come in for both seeds and suet.  I stopped bringing the suet feeder inside.  It's amazing the cakes last as long as they do.

On the other hand, I had four hummer feeders out when they came back and would have to clean and refill half of them every day.  The middle of last week they suddenly stopped coming to the feeders.  I see the occasional hummer take a drink but the feeders remain basically full.  Either they are nesting and the females are staying close to the nest.  The eggs have hatched and the female is looking for insects rather than sugar water for her brood.  There is a food source(s) which are now blooming that they prefer.  Probably a little of all three going on.  

Toadflax (a/k/a Butter & Eggs)

 

Excerpts from Sheriff's Report:

1:50 a.m. - Positive alert at a traffic stop.  Driver driving status suspended and was in violation of bond conditions.  Arrested for bail jumping.  Driver used fists to damage patrol car.

8:43 a.m. - Officer received photos from the camera of two juveniles at the fishing pier at park.  One of the juveniles was painting on the bridge wall.  A citation will be issued.

4:23 p.m. - Officer assisted with juvenile who was biting herself.  Female juvenile identifies as part snake and has a venom tooth.

12:24 a.m. - Kindergarten class had three juveniles physically fighting.  Two others got hit due to the altercation.  Juveniles were separated and brought to the office.

12:34 a.m. - Caller states over $3000 was taken about four years ago.  He gave money to an individual to buy a four-wheeler.  Does not have any written records from that time.

3:23 p.m. - Noise complaint.  Neighbor in apartment building has pitbull dogs that had puppies.  The dogs are very loud and destructive.  Officer spoke with dog owner who stated dogs bark all the time.  Dog owner states she tries her best to control the dogs but she works.  Reporting party has contacted the land lord.  Officer stated he could smell dog feces coming from the apartment in question.  Forwarded to animal control.

4:49 p.m. - Caller reports a disagreement.  One individual detained.  Caller slammed door in officer's face and refused to say what happened, saying "go talk to him" (referring to male who was detained).  Male stated he was helping people move and homeowner was upset people were parked in front of her house.  No crime - male was released.

7:09 p.m. - Report of two bear cubs in a tree 30 feet from house since 5 a.m.  Caller became agitated when told to leave them alone as long as they are not causing damage to property or harming anyone.  Law enforcement not able to dispatch wild animals unless there is imminent danger to human life.  Dispatch contacted the DNR.

9:51 p.m. - Report of a group of juveniles ding-dong-ditching.  Resident followed juveniles and talked with a father of one of them who was rude. 

Sun setting behind the Ski Hill

Mowed most of the trails and the lawn today.  As I mowed around the edge of the back hay field where it borders the swamp, a turkey hen suddenly poked her head up from the tall grass and flew off toward the swamp.  She was quickly followed by three pubescent chicks that didn't have all of their adult feathers yet but seemed to be able to fly at least that short distance.  I noticed the tall grass moving and I stopped the mower.  Didn't want to accidently run over a chick who might not be able to fly.  However, out of the tall grass burst one more chick that flew after the rest.  I advanced slowly until I was well beyond the area.  A deer raised her head and watched me pass by.  Thought about how pretty everything was becoming.  Daisies were just coming into bloom along w/ yellow and orange hawkweed. Could even still see some blue-eyed grass.  As I've said, I mow the paths twice to make them wide enough for Jormungandr so I turned around at the end of the furthest path and returned via the same way.  I wasn't gone more than a half hour, if that, but the turkey hen was back in her original spot and again surprised me by sticking her head up before exploding away in a flurry of wings.  She was followed by her chicks as before except this time there were five.  Hope they all survive.  From my reading, ticks are on their diet.

Sucking the Septic

Jormungandr and Svalidifari are again sharing quarters in Sleipnir.  The items stored in Sleipnir overwinter have been put out (mostly).  One of those things is my outside water hose.  The sewer sucker (oops, as my niece pointed out I have a septic system, not a sewer system)... the septic sucker is due this morning sometime.  I attached the hose to the outside spigot and tightened enough so, while it leaks, it's only in drips.   I tightened the screw on the head of the hose.  It still sprays some to the side.  Will have to remember to let the sucker guy know about it so he doesn't get himself doused.   Moved the metal statues of rabbits off each of the concrete slabs that top the septic system and unlocked the chains across the top of each slab.  He arrived a little after noon - later than expected but the truck had issues he said.  (Nice looking truck but, because of it's cargo,  not one you'd want to experience 'issues' with.)     Today it wasn't the usual boisterous burly guy that has come before.  Instead it was polite soft-spoken kid.  Afterward he let me know that I have two filters (not one).  I knew about the one in the lift section of the septic system.  It's the last opening in a series of three and when it fills it pumps liquid out to the mound.  That's the one I clean twice a year.  The second filter is in the middle opening and he said that was getting a bit clogged but he had cleaned that one for me too.  I've never seen that one but can imagine where it must be located so can probably find it when I clean the first filter around Labor Day.   Hmmm... maybe I'll clean both in August if one or both of my brothers are around.  I don't mind cleaning the filters but it's easier moving those heavy concrete covering slabs when you have help.

Oak at nightfall

 My knee is a little sore when I walk but nothing more than it was yesterday.  Today is forecast to be one of those "upside down days" as the weather forecasters put it.  Temp in the 60's when I got up and it fell off from that high.  Whip was happy/unhappy about the morning constitutional.  She likes that we go for a quick walk when she can do her morning toilette, not so happy that she has to get her head wet in the rain while she does it.  Next I hung out the hummer feeders off the deck.  Whip was again eager to go out w/ me.  Not sure she realizes if it's raining outside the front door, it's probably raining out the back door too.  Spent most of the day doing inside things though I did get out to mail some letters and wash a couple of big comforters before I pack them away for the season.   Late in the afternoon when if finally stopped raining, Whip and I got outside to run around a little.  Could smell the Canadian wildfires in the air.  As the fog begin to come in at night fall it was easy to think of it as smoke.

Starling

This morning I picked up a latte downtown, checked on the laundromat hours (pretty much as long as the gas station is open the attached laundromat is open), and went to pick up my mail.   A slight difference exists between the walk up to the post office and the outside portion of the post office slab which I hit w/ my shoe and fell.  Hit the concrete w/ my bad knee and the my right palm as I rolled sideways.  Didn't hurt  myself physically - only my dignity.  The worst part of the fall was the woman coming out of the post office at that moment and the two women behind me.  Everyone wanted to help me up and all seemed in agreement that "You'll feel that tomorrow".  In an effort not to 'feel that tomorrow' I've been doing stuff outside to work out the muscles - weeded flowers, put away the plant benches, swept out Sleipnir, etc.    

Temps got into the 80's today.  Unusual this early in the year.  Took the opportunity to check if the air conditioning in Mjolnir and Haven are working.  Both seem to be.  

Chokecherry blossoms

Last night I slept on the thinner microfiber sheets.   The flannel sheets, electric blanket and puffy quilt will be washed and all put away until next fall.  This morning there was more than usual to do before church.  I hung out the hummingbird and oriole feeders.  I've been bringing them in at night.  One was empty so it needed to be cleaned and refilled.  Washed a load of clothes and hung them on the clothesline.  Watered all of the plants on the deck and by the out buildings before the sun got too high.  Ate breakfast and changed clothes before taking off.  Good thing church is only about five minutes away.  After church I stopped off at a local nursery and picked up a basil plant and some alyssum.  My 'salad bowl' planter has lettuce around the outside and thyme and basil in the center.  Hadn't realized the nights were still falling into the 40's for temp which was too cold for the basil.  Will replant it.  Back home again I sat down and instantly fell asleep.  I like a winter's afternoon nap and a summer's afternoon nap but spring and fall are too busy a time for that.  When I woke there was still all of the paths to mow. They hadn't yet been mowed this year.  If I didn't do it soon either the grass would be so tall that it would clog the mower or the grass would be so tall that I wouldn't be able to see where the paths bent around to miss hidden rocks.  Mowing takes longer since I go over each path twice to make it wide enough for Jormungandr.  Was pretty enjoyable  though - passing by hawthorn and chokecherry in bloom and even dry enough to make it across the draw to mow the back 80 paths.  Getting late when I finally got home - just in time to see a carnation red sun setting through Canadian wildfire smoke.

Mourning Doves

I've hung four hummingbird feeders from shepherd's hooks at the side of the deck.  This morning when I walked out two were askew and two were off the hooks.  All were empty.  Even the jelly cups on the oriole feeder were empty.  Cleaned all of the feeders and the jelly cups and refilled them.   For at least awhile, I'll need to bring them in at night so whatever marauder is about doesn't get into a habit of emptying them.  I do have solar lights along the edge of the deck.  Had hoped they might frighten little creatures from coming up on the deck at night.  Instead it seems they light the way for them.