And a little more rain

Clarinda, IA  50º with light mist. 

    Got home from early church and was on the lawn mower by 9:45 am, thinking I could get the lawn clipped before it gets too tall, but got rained out after doing only about half the lawn.  Photo was taken just after I got the lawn mower in the garage--right side is mowed and left side of driveway will have to wait until tomorrow.

 Ended up raining most of the day.  Before it started I did get picture of this flowering bush on west side of our house.

I had taken this photo of blooming iris on the east side of our property Saturday and the lower photo was taken a few moments ago with the rain on it. 




If you tap on it and enlarge it you can see the drops.

 Here are some photos taken earlier of other plants around the house.

Not much to report on tonight.  We are planning on going east to Marengo, IA this Friday through sometime Monday to visit with our son and his family.  Heard from our friends Bill & Twila who are still at Kenwood that they will stop at our place next week on their way north.  Looking forward to seeing them.  May even play a game of Pegs & Jokers while they are here!



Till later, from southwest Iowa, Lynn

Wet again in Clarinda

Clarinda, IA 48 degrees and raining
   I haven't been active with the blog.  We have not been out of town; went to Square Dance Wednesday night where we were hosts and helped set up and served lunch at 10:00 pm of some sandwiches and Angel Food cake with strawberries or peaches and ice cream.  Larry Liebig from Missouri called the dance, and did a good job.  Larry calls for an RV park in the Rio Grande Valley in the wintertime, but we did not get over to his dances any this winter.
  Have been working on sorting the many cd's and dvd's that have piled up on me over the years.  Many movies I have made over the last 10 years, and audio recordings and a lot of data cd's of photos, etc.  Am trying to get set up to convert a bunch of old vhs tapes to dvd.

Got some new lights for our recumbent trikes in today that I had ordered through Amazon last week.  Will be much brighter -- two AA batteries and 3 led lights.  Will be a lot more noticeable by other people when we are out after dark.

Have been clipping the lawn about every 4 or 5 days.  Tried something different this year on the mowing; have been running the riding lawnmower at about 1/3 throttle and mowing more often.  Found that have a lot less "hay" because of the shorter clippings and also uses only about a fourth amount of the gas.  Of course, it is a lot quieter while I am running it.  I move about at the same ground speed so doesn't take any longer to mow.  Took quite a few pictures over the last week of the different flowering plants and bushes, but not taking time to upload them now.  Will in a few days.

Have made arrangements to take a long bus tour up into Canada and as far east as Prince Edward Island towards the end of August this year and early part of September.  We have not been to that area and hope to see a lot of new sights for us.
Will try to write more tomorrow.
Lynn

A little more rain

Clarinda, IA 64º    We got to go "across the street" to the new hospital this morning for the first time.  Thought we would walk because, even though it is across the street it is actually a couple blocks to the front door, it is close, but was raining at the time we needed to go to the Medical Clinic that is inside the hospital for our blood draws.  (Found .3" rain in gauge at noon when it had quit) We had physicals last October before we went south and are now getting our checkups again.  As a type 2 diabetic I am supposed to get an A1C every 3 months, but the doctor had no problem with waiting longer time because had been doing okay last summer.  Am a little anxious to get the reading now.  I have been on an antibiotic for a sinus infection that has one side affect of increasing blood sugars since April 11th, so this may show up on the long-term test.

 Couple shots of the main entrance to the hospital interior as we were waiting for the "blood sucker" nurse.

Yesterday afternoon, while the sun was shining, I painted several boards that I had moved to town with us from my shop in the country that will be put up in the ceiling of the shop.  They dried nicely in the bright sunshine, 72º degree temperature and a light breeze.


We rode our Recumbent Trikes about 5:15 pm a little around town and then to the Methodist Church to choir practice.  After about 45 minutes at practice we rode some more, getting in 5.5 miles. 

I took this photo of the sun peaking out of the clouds to the west about 7:00 pm.

Phyllis is with a friend helping her move her mother from an assisted living place here in Clarinda to Griswold, IA today.

We will go to the "Thursday Night Group" supper at J's Pizza this morning for the first time since last October to see old friends.
    I finished reading Nora Robert's "Northern Lights" book and now am reading "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan.  It is a very deep discussion on the dust bowl of the 1930's, starting with the 30-45 years use of the land leading up to the dust bowl, especially in the area of "No Man's Land" - the far western part of the Oklahoma Panhandle and the surrounding area in Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and Texas.
Till later, Lynn

Tuesday

Clarinda, IA 48º - Predicted high today 72º

Seems like not too much unusual going on. We are finding that the topography in Clarinda, IA verses La Feria, TX involves a lot more gears and HARD PEDALING on the trikes. Had not really thought about the fact that area around La Feria is flat as a table top. It isn't here. Only did 5 miles the couple times we been out. With the 3.5" rain and really high winds last few days we have not been out. Nice sunshine here yesterday and after a start of 42º in the morning it was 62º in the afternoon and we were out for almost an hour. Got to stop and visit a friend and her two kids (Tawnya Sliger) for a bit.
  As a way to catch up.....  here are some pictures from the heavy rains, and wind Saturday:

These two photos were taken about 6:45 pm on Saturday, shortly before the two tornadoes.  One hit Creston, some 60 miles east of us, and one hit Thurman, some 35 miles west of us.

We got about 3 inches of rain during this evening session of rain.  The next morning dumped another 1/2 inch from the gauge.

Ah, see the terrible destruction at our place.  Almost hate to mention it in view of the terrible destruction at Thurman and Creston, but,,,,,,,,,,my 6 foot tall windmill did blow over and the wheel and vane came clear off.  Phyllis set the frame back up and I am going to add a bolt or two to the vane and re-install the wheel.  Also spent time picking up pretty small branches and twigs from the lawn.

 On Sunday morning after coming back from church I took this picture out our bedroom window to the deck showing the bright sunshine. 

We sang in the choir at church, first time since last October (after spending the winter in Texas) and got to visit with some people at coffee afterwards.



Yesterday spent some time in my shop, starting to arrange the table saw and in-flow and out-flow benches.  Built the shop some 4 years ago and we have lived here 2 years but have not gotten it set up.  Will have to organize and remove some of the temporary shelves and finish the insulation and lining of the walls and ceiling.  As most procrastinators say:  Gives me something to look forward to tomorrow.

 

 

Three of the display counters we bought many years ago from a local store going out of business.  When fastened together and set as in-flow and out-flow benches, with doors installed, they make good work areas as well as goo storage areas.  The height is the same as the table saw.

Till later, Lynn

Guess we will go to the local Golden Rod nursing home with the local Circle 8 Square Dance Club this evening and probably eat with the group afterwards.

 

 

Rain in SW Iowa

Clarinda, IA 69º

     Got about an inch of rain overnight.

This was view out our bedroom window as we got up this morning.








This is composite of 4 photos taken at our front door, showing the new hospital across the street.




 We had driven to Villisca, IA and ate supper with MJ & Ollie Herzberg at TJ's Cafe where they have their fish/chicken fry on Thursday evenings.  Afterwards we went to their house there in Villisca and played some games of Pegs & Jokers and Hand & Foot.  Good games and some good candy.

 Phyllis got the lighted girl she bought somewhere in the Rio Grande Valley this winter put up on the brick flower box in front of the house.




I parked the trailer between the garage and the work shop.  Had only built it last fall just before we went to Texas, so haven't had to worry about where to set it until now.  With today's rain and wind, the top of the trailer is already covered with a lot of leaves, twigs, etc. and etc. from the tree.

Wednesday evening we had gone to choir practice and then to square dance with the Clarinda Circle 8 Square Dance Club at the gym at the school.  Lanny Weaklend from Omaha, NE was the caller.  www.wesquaredance.com/LannyWeaklend/   Only had two squares, but Lanny called a good dance.

Working on computer and several little projects around the house today.  Will go out in a bit for some riding on the recumbent trike.

Till later, Lynn

Not Much

Clarinda, IA  43º with forecast of 25º as low in the morning.

   No, not much going on.  Had the riding lawn mower (Brand name is Walker) picked up for repairs.  Had to get new battery in it.  The Gel Battery that came with it 5 years ago bit the dust.  Understand they have not been the best and had regular battery put in--these things are tiny, but 12 volt.
      We drove to Omaha today so I could have my head examined................went to the sinus doctor.  He prodded and said, "Yes you are a mess."  Got a shot in the butt and nose spray of a concoction he makes up as well as prescription that will be in at the Hy-Vee Pharmacy here tomorrow.  With the early spring and lots of pollen out, his office is doing a "land office business" and even though he is my age, I commented he probably wouldn't retire for a while since he had a gold mine here,,,,,,,,,he agreed.

We made forays into Costco, Sam's Club, Aldi's Grocery, Walmart, and ate lunch at Smash Burger.  Stopped in Shenandoah on the way to Omaha to sign papers for our 2011 Income Tax.
When guy delivered the mower this evening I had to try it out on the lawn, even though had mowed it last Friday.  Did a good job and since it was only clipping about an inch it did not leave "hay" laying around.  I also walked around with spray bottle and shot some dandelions.  Even had some in the new sod laid just last October by the new street.

Will interject here that had to take the motor module apart on the Softub Sunday to put a hose back on its fitting before could fill it.  We both were able to use it Monday evening (it is heated only by the ambient  heat of the electric pump motor) and feels good.  I did not enjoy the public one we used at Kenwood in Texas (had to put on a swimming suit and walk 150 feet, shower, use tub, shower, and walk back to our house).  Where one can slip out, in the dark, and use the tub a couple feet from the bedroom door and back in the house with only a towel is a nicer deal.

Next photo is when we ate Sunday lunch on the deck.  Was a nice day, and no mosquitoes like we had been fighting in Texas.  They will come.

Lower picture is the deck last Friday before we had started dragging things back out from the shop building and "re-inhabiting" the deck.

Got some new cordless telephones and started programing in the telephone numbers, etc.

I read "A Painted House" by John Grisham yesterday and today.  Good book.  Am re-reading "Life on the King Ranch" by Frank Goodwin.  It is really interesting about the King Ranch in the early 1900's.

Till later, Lynn

Home in Clarinda, IA

Clarinda, IA 48º, rainy
     Been a while since I posted.  Last Monday morning while we were still at our home in La Feria, TX, we went to Nuevo Progreso in Tamaulipas, MX  and I had final dental work done, getting bridge of 4 teeth installed and then the two new implants and other new bridge of 3 teeth checked out.  Other than not chewing things like nuts with the new implants for a month or so till it "settles in" things are good.

 On the way back to La Feria, we came up Bass Road and stopped at Granny Clare's Citrus and got 3 bags of grapefruit to take back north for ourselves and friends.  When we got home Phyllis washed them in Clorox water and laid them out to dry.

We finished packing up the trailer and put a lot of stuff in the car.  We then covered all the windows of the house.  Some were with one-inch insulation with the silver on the outside placed between the storm windows and the inside windows.  Some I put aluminum foil on directly, or on cardboard that was then placed inside the windows.  When we got done it was dark as dark inside.  In fact, the next morning we overslept, partly because we were exhausted by the packing, picking up, etc., and partly because there was no sunshine!.

We headed north on 77 and the day was nice, warm and sunny with a breeze out of the south.



We listened on the radio as we were driving north and east within a couple hundred miles of Dallas, to all the tornado warnings and reports of damage around the Dallas-Forth Worth area.  We did not have any rain on us.  We arrived at Phyllis' cousin Russ & Krista Heuer's place around 5:30 pm.  Clouds were building there at Elkhart, TX some 60

or so miles south and east of Dallas.  We all piled into their car and went to an Italian restaurant Giavani's in Palestine, TX and the hard rain and wind hit while we were eating.  No tornadoes, though.  We returned to their place and visited.

After too short a visit, we left the next morning as the kids were heading off for school and Krista and Russ were heading for work.

 We had seen several patches of Texas Blue Bonnets along the road on Tuesday, but had not had a chance to stop.  On Wednesday morning I spotted some and stopped, then backed the car and trailer about 150 yards so Phyllis could pick some right beside the car.  Don't know whether this is legal or not,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but she got some and

 then pressed them in her books so can make up some arrangements later.

 We made the run up the two tollways in Oklahoma and were in Gravette, AR that afternoon at Don & Bessie Runyan -- another cousin of Phyllis.  We went out to pizza and then visited with them that evening.  I had left a leather vest at their place, inadvertently, last October when we were driving south, so picked it up when we returned to the road the next morning.

We had seen gasoline as high as $4.049, but were able to fill up for $3.689 once and $3.749 once.  Terrible when we thought that was cheaper than could have paid.  Still better than the $4.119 we saw for diesel one place.  Glad we weren't driving the diesel on this trip.

As we were heading down the road I could visit with "Hummie" (the plastic hummingbird hanging from the clothes rack - just above the trailer that was "tailgating" me) whenever Phyllis was sawing logs.  (I'm going to catch the devil for putting this picture of her in here)

 

We stopped in Maryville, MO at the Social Security Office to talk to them, but it was 3:30 pm and they had a sign up they were closed at 3:30 pm and no sign of our government at work.  So, we stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken and ate an early supper and were in our driveway at 5:05 pm and was able to unload the car and trailer before dark.

On Friday it was work all day on the yard.  Seems like a waste of time and money, but I put about a hundred dollars worth of fertilizer/crab grass-preventer down after mowing the yard.

 Phyllis cleaned up a lot of leaves, photo on top is behind our house, looking towards the west and the neighbors where she is cleaning out flower bed.  Below is leaves that blew in and around the bushes right behind the garage.





Today we went over to Shenandoah and took some things to Patty that she couldn't get on the plane when she was with us in February, as well as a few grapefruit.  Then we stopped at Harold Book's and gave him and Jackie some grapefruit and visited a bit with them.  On way back home we stopped at Roberta and Maury Rarick's to visit with them a bit.  This afternoon Phyllis went over to Leland and Bonnie Brown's while I was working on this blog.  So, have seen a few people that we haven't for over 5 months.  Thought might help with the choir in the morning, but found they aren't going to be singing, will be the cherub choir instead.

Rain has quit outside and is 63 degrees, more dreary than the 84 degrees I just saw is now in La Feria.
Till later, Lynn

Heading north

La Feria, TX  88º bright sunshine with wind.
    Well, we are packing up the house and packing up the trailer and packing up the car and will leave early in the morning going north.  About decided to skip looking at the USS Lexington and just get up the road.

 Saturday evening we took Bill & Twila with us as well as Jim and Lavin and went to Las Vegas in Harlingen for a Mexican supper.  Afterwards we came back to our place for several games of Pegs & Jokers.
On Sunday morning Jim & Lavin picked us up and we went to the First United Methodist Church in La Feria for morning services.

Then we came back to Kenwood, switched to our car and picked up Bill & Twila and headed for South Padre Island.  We ate at Pelican Landing in Port Isabel and then drove on to the island and looked around the state park on the south end and then Jim stopped at a fishing information place and got the scoop on taking his kids and grandkids out later this week.


Then we went to place south of Port Isabel and toured the Nina and Pinta boats, replicas of the real ones from the early 1490's.  These were made with hand tools and the same woods as original in Valenca, Brazil, using only adzes, axes, and saws and chisels.

After that we stopped at DQ in Fresno, TX and headed on home.  We worked on packing things up in the house.
This morning we went to my dentist and finished my teeth work and are now doing the final packing of everything to head out in the morning.  I probably won't post until we get to Clarinda, IA later this week.

Today, on way back from dentist, we stopped at Granny Clare's Citrus and got 75 lbs. of grapefruit to take to Iowa.  Phyllis washed them with Chlorox water.


Till later, Lynn