Weekend Fun

Jim and I went to the cabin for the weekend. I was quite surprised at all the color in the trees. When we go back up for hunting recon on October 8th it will most likely be past peak. Jim got the new sight lane cleared out and the new floor and ladder for the blind done. We also cleared out one of the shooting lanes enough to drive the 4-wheeler right up to the new blind. There is still plenty of work to be done but hopefully he will have better help next month.

I enjoyed walking with Gus and helping Jim as much as I was able. This hip problem needs to get worked out before I am very good on unstable ground. There were quite a few bear hunters up there since it was the last weekend of bear season. Gary and David saw one about a mile from the cabin but didn't get a shot off. Apparently they thought it would come closer but it decided to wander in a different direction. The high winds have knocked down a lot of the dead trees and some of the live ones but none in our immediate vicinity.

It looks like the supplies at the cabin are good through this years hunting season. For the weekend of the 8th I need to know when you are planning to come up so I can deal with the meals. My thought is we will each handle our own breakfast, lunch, and snacks then collaborate on dinner. Jim and I will be going up early in the morning on the 8th and staying until the early afternoon on the 10th.

After dinner entertainment

Seeing these twin fawns, whose spots have disappeared, is a daily ocurance. Their Mother is in the bushes to their left. Also two nice bucks, a 4 point and a 6 point, are often in the yard eating acorns. I'll keep the camera handy and hope to get their photo. Love, Mother/Grandma

Lesson with Katie

He is a happier tomato harvester than this photo shows.

Barbara's 50th birthday party.

Katie is helping me learn about photos from camera to computer to blog and email. This is a practice. Love, Mother/Grandma

An Evening Concert

Late afternoon on Monday a coworker asked if we could join them at a personal friend's concert that night. He had just gotten some guest tickets from the performer's event manager. Turns out that, when my coworker was a kid, this teenager rented a room from them and started writing songs there. We didn't get to meet him, but we sure enjoyed his singing (reciting?) many of his songs, including "On the Road Again." It made for a fun evening at the posh Wente Winery.
cell phone photo

Grandparents Day at the Zoo

The girls set themselves up in all the cutouts.

Mckenna thought it was hilarious when the goats ate out of her hand.

Papa and Mckenna being a kangaroo & joey.

Mckenna is not too sure about this fierce-some lion who is roaring.

Mckenna getting some tips on being a good big sister - don't let the little one fall!

Wishing the penguins would get in the water but enjoying being under their shade!

We had a great time with the girls.

My fun weekend started with watching the band and Laura play at half time of the DeWitt Football game. Came home and said " I have kind of a sore stomach. Saturday morning Barbara took me to the to the ER and I had my apendix taken out. I am home now resting gingerly.

My vow of silence

I took a vow of silence this week (I broke my jaw). My story is here (I decided to write details for anyone interested). The basics are: at Ultimate Frisbee on Tuesday, I got a high speed head-butt that broke my lower jaw in two locations, but I didn't lose any teeth. Now, I am wired shut so it can heal correctly. Yum, I'm sure everyone is jealous of the shakes I am drinking.

Labor Day

We ended up heading up north alone since everyone else had other plans for the weekend. Don decided to join us on Saturday which was great because I never could have done all the things he did to help Jim with his new blind. It is starting to look like fall and the much cooler temps were a welcome change. It was great to be wearing a sweatshirt.

The sumac is just starting to flower.

Gus gets very excited when the chain saw is running. He barks and snaps at it getting dangerously close. He almost became a pug because he was so close to the running blade.

Work darn it work! Trying to get the pump to bring water to the surface to no avail. Figured out we are not quite down to the watertable - about 3-4 feet to go.

Headed out to work on Jim's new blind. Hope dad doesn't see his ladder being dragged in such a fashion. By the way it made it out and back being no worse for wear.

Technology has invaded the cabin. You will notice the cribbage board has been tossed aside in favor of watching a movie.

The Park

Climbing up the rock wall for the first time
My future b-ball player :)
Cheese
Climbing again
Peek-a-boo

A good book

This summer I've probably read more books than any previous summer. Often it was too hot to do anything but be inside enjoying air conditioning and a good book. This week I read Zietoun by Dave Eggers. It is the story of one New Orleans family before and after Katrina. It is sad to realize what this family (and I'm sure many others) had to endure and they are still feeling effects of that dreadful storm. I chose to read it because it is the MSU-East Lansing one book-one community read for this year. Many special events are being held on campus all month related to it. I may attend one or two. I know you have plenty to read of your own choosing but I really recommend this.
Love, Mother/Grandma