A Sign of the Times

Yesterday was August 4th.  It doesn't matter on Easy Street.  I went ahead and dragged the pumpkins and scarecrows out of storage.  We are now decorated for Fall.  I knew if I didn't do it before school started, it wouldn't get done.

To my credit, I didn't bring out the jack-o-lanterns-- yet.  Last year, I never did get them out.  Once school starts, things get crazy.  We'll see if I can get them up before Halloween this year.

I'm actually ready for a new school year.  Well, at least mentally.  I still have a lot of things to do before the first sophomores walk in my room.

Call me crazy, but I swear there is a smell of autumn in the air.  (And yes, I know 110 degree temperatures don't normally make someone think of Fall.)  Maybe our pumpkins and scarecrows will confuse the weather into sending some cool relief.  At least we can hope!

HOT!!

It was so hot at the RV pool yesterday that I had to start a new book.  I needed something that would keep me out of the sun and keep my mind off the heat.  *sigh*

And I found it:  Tell No One by Harlan Coben.  I am so sucked into this one.  I'm not sure I can read it after dark, so reading in the bright light (and heat) of day is the only option. 

I'm only working two days this week.  I just happen to be the lucky one working the two days that are to be over 105.  (Today is to be 110.  Argh!!)  And my water raft finally died a sad death.  So much for cooling off prone in the water.  Bummer!

I can do anything for five hours.  I can do anything for five hours.

(The power of suggestion is alive and well on Easy Street!)

Too Hot

How hot is it? 

My flip flops get sticky on the cement at the pool.

The water in the pool is like bathwater.  (Not exactly refreshing if you want a cool dip.)

I had a grand total of five people swimming on my shift yesterday.  And they didn't make it longer than an hour. 

There was a sign that said, "Satan called and would like his weather back."

Yep.  It is darn hot!

Some randoms:

*I sweat so bad while cleaning the pool that the sweaty sunscreen runs into my eyes.  It is hard on contacts.

*I wear either 50 or 80 SPF sunscreen and a big brimmed hat.   

*If anyone can find a swim raft made of the same material that swim noodles are-- hook me up.  Mine is about 15 years old and falling apart.  I can't find one like it anywhere.  Now they cover the stuff with vinyl and charge 70+ dollars for them. I paid about $20 for mine.  Not a bad purchase.  (I think that amounts to about a $1.30 a year.)  It is being retired at the end of this season.  Poor pathetic thing.

*My beach towel has a nice hole in it.  I caught it on a fence.  K is insisting I replace it.  She doesn't know that this is the 2nd summer of the hole.  I've grown attached to it.  Not planning to retire it any time soon.

*I have a nice pair of lavender rubber gloves for cleaning.  They keep my hands out of the germs, all the while pooling my sweat in the fingertips.  They are difficult to remove.  My sweaty hands are pretty much stuck.  Yes, they are just as gross as you think they might be.

And that is news from the RV Pool.  I'll be boiling there again today.

Sum Sum Summertime

I am giving myself until July 15th to ignore anything school related.  After July 15th, I will need to get busy on the planning for directing the musical, preparing for my teaching class, and adding core curriculum activities to my English II classes.

In the meantime, there are just so many things to enjoy this summer.

*Farmer's Markets.  It is always nice to give the locals some business.  We've been to three different ones so far.  Best find for the Mr:  new potatoes.  Best find for me:  ripe tomatoes.  Most interesting find:  pickled green beans.

*Grilling outside.  The Mr. has a new grill, thanks to L, K, and CT.  He has been grilling almost every night.  Baxter and I sit and watch him.  Sometimes we eat outside at the picnic table.  Other times, we move into the cool.

*Sunset services have been moved to an earlier time.  We used to like sitting outside at sunset, having a drink, and discussing the day.  This year the gnats and mosquitoes are horrendous!  Soooo... we have after work services.  Baxter and I head outside and wait for the Mr. to come home from work.  You've never seen a dog so excited to see that vehicle come up the hill.

*Summer drinks.  Lemonade, summer beers, and Arnold Palmers (lemonade and iced tea).  Last summer, we visited a winery that made currant wine.  If you mix the currant wine with equal parts of margarita mix and crushed ice, it makes a delicious summer drink.

*Reading.  I really do enjoy almost unlimited reading time in the summer.  I don't feel bound to read something deep or heavy.  I like the light summer reading.  In fact, I'm due for Janet Evanovich's Smoking Seventeen.  There are actually quite a few books I have to tackle before the summer is over.

*Taking a dip in a cold pool on a hot summer day.  That's still the best part of the summer job.

*Season tickets to summer music theater.  Sometimes the shows are good, and sometimes they are great.  It is a nice Sunday afternoon getaway every couple of weeks.

*Shopping time.  Not that I buy much, but I like browsing at a bookstore or digging through the bargain racks of 70% off items.  The fun is in the hunt. Although, yesterday I was in a crowded consignment store with three unattended children, and it was was nothing short of agonizing.  (And that is probably why I spend less time on shopping than my other summer pursuits.)

I'm planning to cram in quite a bit more summer fun, but I'm only giving myself one more week of absolutely no school work at all.  Then, I'm going to have to bite the bullet and dig in.  A girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do.  Or in this case, a teacher's gotta do, what a teacher's gotta do.  And when school starts, I'll be incredibly thankful that I spent some of my summer preparing and planning.  It will make the fall a bit less hectic.

Best of Summer

This is the best of summer so far:

*A fishing trip for the Mr., while I rode my bike and then read.  He even caught a couple of fish.

*McDonald's Frozen Strawberry Lemonade-  this is my new favorite summer treat.

*Gooseberry pie made by LBB's wife for Father's Day.  (My mom used to make one every year for my dad and granddad for Father's Day.)  Anne sent some gooseberries home with me, so now I am going to try my hand at making one.  There isn't anything much better than gooseberry pie and vanilla ice cream.  And it is a nice reminder of childhood.

*I'm running again.  (A good thing--after the pie!)

*A 70 pound lab who gives my arms a workout.  Baxter still seems relieved when he is back on his own leash!

*Hollyhocks.  I loved those flowers when I was a kid, and I've seen so many of them this summer.

*A glass of wine on the back patio.

It is a busy summer, so there isn't as much time to play as usual.  I can still manage to steal a few minutes here and there.  Today was a play day.  I'm hoping tomorrow is, too!

Terrific Thursday

Today started with a mile run at 5:00 AM.  It was a beautiful morning in Tiny Town: cool with no wind.  Add in a bright moon and the few morning stars left, and it was one of those mornings where it felt great just to be alive! 

At 6:00 Baxter and I met K and Khalie for a long walk.  K is getting to the point in her pregnancy where controlling a 70 pound black lab is a bit of a challenge.  CT bought the dogs a splitter for the leash so that I can walk the dogs, while K walks the baby.  Let me tell you, it is a workout.  Poor Bax is pretty much going wherever Khalie wants!  The sprinklers are the biggest fascination right now.  Baxter loves to lay on sprinkler heads, while Khalie mainly wants a drink.  They both end up drenched.

Last night I completed a paper I needed to write so I could get college credit for the conference I attended.  I think that might be the last college credit I will need.  I now have the hours to re-certify one more time, and I think that will take me through 2020.  I will be shocked if I teach beyond that, but I guess one never knows...!

This morning I am helping K with a project for the little lady bug's nursery.  If we get it finished, I will try to take a picture of it. 

Late this afternoon, I am headed out to dinner and a movie with my service sorority sisters.  We are a group of twenty women ages 26-65 or so.  Despite the wide age range, we always have such a good time.  These women really do feel like another family. They come to our rescue when we are going through bad times, celebrate milestones and achievements, and share a wealth of knowledge.  I've enjoyed learning about shopping bargains, decorating tips, new recipes, craft projects, and good books to read.  The younger ones have shared their babies and young children with us.  (I'm not sure what we 'elders' bring to their lives!)  We've enjoyed salad suppers and wine and cheese parties.  Tonight, no one is cooking.  We're headed to a restaurant and a chick flick. 

Finally, I hope to finish a book called The Maze Runner by James Dashner.  I had a freshman boy in my advisory who refused to read all year, and then he picked up this book in March.  He couldn't put it down and immediately checked out and finished the second one in the series.  I'm starting to understand the attraction. 

Thankfully, I don't feel like I am running through a maze today.  On this Thursday, life is just lazy enough to be comfortable; busy enough to be productive; and fun enough to feel a bit like a holiday.  And that's a pretty terrific Thursday in my books!

Summer Began

I think the first day of summer had the nicest weather we've had since school has been out:  sunny, cool, and a light breeze.

And I spent the entire day inside at a conference on the Common Core Standards our state has adopted.  Just shoot me! 

On the up side, when I got home the Mr. grilled hamburgers and we spent supper hour on the back patio enjoying the weather.

I haven't run for several weeks, and finally my ankle feels stronger.  Last night I ran at the track.  Well, it might be more accurate to say that I tried to run.  I managed to run a lap, walked a lap and did stairs, ran a lap, and finished with walking and stairs.  It wasn't much, but it was a start. 

All this lovely weather, and today I am back at Day #2 of Common Core Standards.  I know that these new standards are going to force a major overhaul of our curriculum.  I'm pretty sure that we are going to have to  purchase new textbooks.  New assessments are sure to follow.  And the state has cut money to the schools.  The timing couldn't be worse. If I think about it too much, I will ruin my summer!

Yesterday was the first day of summer, and I am already thinking about classes next fall.  What is wrong with this picture?

Whew!!

The last few days have been a bit hectic on Easy Street.  Fun, but hectic.

K and CT invited us to Father's Day grilling on Saturday night.  CT's folks were here for the weekend, so the Mr., L, and I joined them for CT's cooking on the grill.  It was delicious: steak and corn on the cob.

The Mr. had to work on Sunday which was kind of a bummer.  LBB (Little Big Brother) and his wife hosted a Father's Day dinner.  L and I joined them, their three kids, and Dad and B for a wonderful meal.  Niece LC's homemade hummus was delicious!  Now, I feel the need to give it a try.

Before we went to dinner, L and I ran by the farm and were shocked to see all the damage Dad had from straight line winds.  The trees really took a hit. There is a lot of clean up to do.  Thankfully, the twenty-something nephews are visiting and are doing a lot of the work.  They are good buddies who don't get to see each other often these days, so they are bonding over chainsaws, hauling limbs, and repairing fences.  Bless their hearts!

For the next two days I am attending a State Conference on the Common Core Standards.  Over the weekend, I had to fill out a survey of what I teach.  It took two hours on computer.  I am almost dreading the conference now.  All I can see is how much curriculum overhaul we are going to have to do in the next few years.  It makes me tired thinking about it. *sigh*

On top of that, I am trying to figure out a fall production for Tiny Town High.  It seems like every spare minute is spent researching, reading, and trying to determine what direction to head.  The scary thing?  I still don't have a clue.  I imagine the boy principal and I need to sit down for a good long visit soon.

L is at conferences at her new school this week which should give her a chance to get a lot of questions answered.  K is working on her little lady bug's nursery.  (Red, pink, and brown for K--little birds, owls, and other animals for CT.)  I'm helping L with packing for her move and K with nursery/baby things. They have to do a lot on their own, but I pitch in here and there.

There is so much going on that I don't know what to write about first, so I don't.  Forgive my absence.  I'm a bit overwhelmed--and I've found that it helps if I think before I blog.  (I know.  Sometimes it is hard to believe that any thinking is going on here!)  

Tomorrow is the first day of summer.  And I was just thinking how fast the summer seems to be going.  Perhaps I ought to slow down and enjoy.  If I'm not careful, the summer is going to escape as quickly as the spring did. 

Savor the summer.  Savor the summer.  Savor the summer. And that's an order!

Summer Peeves

It isn't even the first day of summer yet, and still I am unloading.  These are some things driving me nuts.

*Mosquitoes. They are the worst they have been in several years.
*Ticks.  Yeah, this is a deadly combination.  Ticks and mosquitoes can ruin a perfectly good evening.
*Flies.  They are huge this year.  Flies, ticks, and mosquitoes = UGH!
*Temperatures that went from highs in the 50's to a high of 94.  Seriously.  Couldn't Mother Nature ease us into this warmth?
*Sweat.  I've been sweating my sunscreen off. 
*Cottonwood fluff or whatever it is that seems to be giving me sneezing and itching eyes.  At the pool today, it looked like it was snowing!
*Sunscreen.  We have to have it, and yet they charge $8.00+ for a fairly small bottle or tube.  Makes me wish I could go back to Baby Oil at $2 or so for a big bottle.
*As soon as I got my flowers planted out front, the front hydrant breaks and needs repairs.  Guess who gets to carry water to keep the flowers alive in this heat?  Lovely.
*I have an ankle giving me some pain, so I have traded the jogging for walking for at least a couple of weeks to see if the pain will go away.  Not exactly how I wanted my summer to begin.

On a side note, there have been these big birds flying over Tiny Town in huge flocks.  They circle and soar in circles.  Even Baxter stops to watch them.  I feel like I am in a Harry Potter moment, and that the owls are arriving at Hogwarts; when actually, I should probably be more concerned that I am in Hitchcock's The Birds. 

Pet peeves aside, I am really enjoying the break.  I'm slathering on the sunscreen, waving away the bugs, and watching the birds swooping in--all while the sweat rolls.  Just an ordinary day on Easy Street.

Friday At Last

Today will be the first day where I have absolutely nothing to do.  We got out of school last Thursday, and I have been busy every day since:  family reunions, funerals, and the part-time job. 

I'd play today, but I fear I must clean this pit of a house.  I'm calling today "dig out" day. 

Highlights or lowlights of this week?

*Scout put in an appearance at the RV pool this week.  She is almost three this summer and as cute as a button!  I keep trying to convince K and CT to name baby girl T--Scout.  (Yeah, I'm thinking Atticus for their first boy doesn't stand a chance either!)

*The pool got a new hose with enough suction to pick up any spare 10 year old's in the bottom of the pool.  The suction "locks" the vacuum to the bottom of the pool, and I almost rip my arms from the sockets trying to free it.  Trust me, I won't need to work out with weights this summer.  Two hours of cleaning the pool leaves my muscles shaking.  Whew! 

*I started reading the Percy Jackson series.  L is going to be teaching 5th grade, and these books are high on the list for that age group.  I thought I'd see what the younger crowd is reading.  I confess.  I am hooked, and I love all the mythology kids are exposed to in these books.

*Baxter is slowly becoming a lap dog!  I love it!  Well, I love everything except when he puts his paws on my laptop to close it or uses his paw to push my book away.  He's a bit demanding in the attention department.  Other than that, he is adorable! 

Well, I've delayed long enough.  I'm going to grab a shovel and get started on the cleaning.  (I know there is furniture somewhere under all that dust!)

Last Day

Blogger is driving me crazy.  I am having trouble accessing my dashboard; hence, it is almost impossible to post. 

When I can finally get on my dashboard, everything looks a bit strange: bold font and semi broken looking bullets.

I don't really need this right now.  I'm finishing up at school.  Today is the last day. 

The family Woodstock Weekend begins on Friday.  I'm trying to organize the house before I leave, so I can enjoy the weekend--guilt free. 

My kid sister and all of her family will be joining us this year.  Little sis + brother-in-law + 4 daughters + 2 husbands +1 granddaughter = the California crew.  I can't wait to see them! 

In fact, I think all of my siblings will be here.  That doesn't happen very often these days.  Add in all the CraZy relatives who will be camping at my grandparent's farm this weekend and let the fun begin!

I am more than ready for today to be over, more than ready for a long weekend, and more than ready for summer. 

Seeing all of the tornado damage in other places, a friend retiring, and the husband going back to work full time before he was supposed to have all added to the end of the year "fun."  I am more than ready for the down time.

Bring on the weekend:

*Camping in the Barbie Dream House   *Bug spray   *Tending fire   *Watching for full moons   *The creek    *Country roads   *Grandma's peonies and irises   *Hot dog roasts   *S'mores   *Outdoor breakfast chefs   *Adorable little kids   *Tents and campers   *Muddy kids and dogs   *Wading   *Enjoying the family

Bring on Summer:

*Summer beers   *T-ball and coach pitch games   *Lawn Chairs    *Swimming   *Good books   *Sleeping in   *Walks at the track   *Shorts   *Lazy afternoons   *Day trips   *Flip flops   *Sprinklers   *Garden fresh tomatoes  *Fireflies   *Pots of geraniums  *Eating outside   *Bike rides   *Star gazing  

Sounds good to me!  One.  More.  Day.

The End of the Game

This has been my favorite part of the T-ball games all year.  You can tell the coaches practiced how to end the game.  Good sportsmanship starts early.

With the elevators keeping silent watch in the background, another game ends.  Is this not the sweetest thing?

This blogger is taking a bit of a blog break for a few days.  Time for a vacation.  I'll be back...

Last Friday of June Favorites

Here are some favorite moments of this past week:

This is one of the resting stops on a favorite walking trail in J town.  We walked the path with Baxter on Father's Day--the first time all summer.  Ever since the tornado, we have walked or run on this trail several times a week.  I guess I am getting used to the look of Tiny Town.  It doesn't depress me on my morning treks like it used to. 

Harvest is in full swing around here.  The weather has been cooperating a bit more here at the end of the week.  I took this picture on Father's Day, just up the road from the farm.  I've always liked the contrasting colors this time of year.

Bing cherries are finally in the store.  I wait for them all year.  Next to fresh pineapple, cherries are my favorite fresh fruit.  The Mr. used to squirm at the cost of them, but he has finally learned to grit his teeth.  I crave cherries, which probably means they have some nutrient that I really need!  (OK.  Well, that's what I tell myself!)

This was the view from my raft at the pool this week.  I love my job:  clean, swim, lay on the raft, and then read in the shade.  Lather, rinse, and repeat.  (OK.  You can throw in an ocassional "Stay off the rope!"  But you get the picture!)  Heaven!

#1 best moment:  the bride found a dress!  (And as pretty as this one was, this isn't it!)  The dress she said "yes" to is beautiful and perfect!

The whole shopping experience was wonderful.  The store was empty.  We had a wonderful consultant and saw at least three other store personnel including the lady who does alterations.  They'd suggest dresses, K would try them on, and L would give input and take pictures.  While the sales people were looking for other possibilities, we would pose for pictures.  (Shocking that we can make any moment a photo op!)

To top it off, L found her dress for the wedding, too.  Neither dress was exactly what we were expecting to buy, but they were absolutely perfect!  I can't wait to show you pictures of the bride and her sister, but that will have to wait until early fall!

So now that the women have their wedding attire, guess who is up next?  The Mr. and CT can hardly wait!  K and CT have opted not to go the tux route, so we are going to have to drag them out shopping.  (Yeah, we're going to have to rest up before we attempt that one. )

Oh, and we still have to go shoe shopping.  Since the shoes don't have alterations, we've got time for that.  And who doesn't love shoe shopping?!  Well, I mean besides CT and the Mr.!  

This weekend will be a relaxing one for me.  The Mr. has to work all weekend, and Baxter has already mastered this week's obedience lessons.  I'm hoping for time to rearrange all the basement storage for the next onslaught, and then catch up on blog reading and possibly sneak in a book and/or a movie.  We'll see...!

Happy Friday!

Vineyards

I love vineyards and wineries. I love the way they look: the rows are neat, the roses at the end of rows, and their shops are usually adorable. Who am I kidding? I love the wine tasting! I have visited wineries in several states now. It seems to be a "vacation" thing. I probably shouldn't have started with this picture. I should save the best for last, but I can't resist bragging. My kid sister (K.S.) took this picture. Isn't it amazing?! Actually, this is a picture of her picture! Her husband had her photo developed onto canvas. It really looks like an oil painting. Besides being a great photographer, she likes wineries (and wine!) as much as I do.
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We flew out to California several years back for her oldest daughter's wedding. On the trip, we drove through Sonoma wine country and visited a winery or two. A year later, my sister and her husband bought me an airline ticket to return for a visit. (No graduation or wedding this time!) The K.S. took me to Napa on an overnight trip.

We did several wine tastings on our jaunt. I liked Napa, but I loved the Russian River wine country. My favorite winery: Korbel!! (My love of champagne blog is here.) The K.S. and I had the best time. Definitely a vacation I won't ever forget!

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Since then, the Mr. and I have been searching our wineries in the Midwest. A couple years ago we spent a week in the wine country of Missouri.

The Mr. studying the list at one wine tasting. Do you suppose he is wondering if they serve beer? (It is a real possibility!)

We've had a chance to tour their facilities and learn the wine making process. The history of prohibition had an interesting affect on the wineries of the Midwest.

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Our Missouri trip to the wineries was also part bicycle trip on their famous KATY trail.

I'm not mad in this photo, just exhausted--and probably wondering if the Mr. was ever going to find the right button to push on the camera. (There is a reason I'm not in many photographs!) I had just biked 24 miles on the KATY, hence the exhaustion and the cowboy hat hiding the helmet hair! At this winery, you could lock up your bike at the trail and hike a switchback up to the winery. Very handy for all those wine-loving bikers out there!

And that brings us to the winery visit this last week. This "Group Therapy" flag greeted us.

The winery was located on the famous Route 66, so each of their wine goblets proudly bore the emblem--as did the label on their wine. It isn't harvesting season yet, but I had to take a few pictures of the grapes before the stomping commences!

We don't have many wineries in our State...yet! One of my students this next school year has started a winery on his parent's farm. It is part of his 4-H project. I am hoping to take pictures as the grapes ripen at his vineyard this fall. I'm pretty sure he is going to have to draw me a map on how to get there. We've been out searching for it--and so far, no luck.

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Coffee shop or winery? Which do I want to run when I grow up? I'm not quite sure yet. I am pretty sure I am going to have to visit a few more coffee shops and wineries before I make that decision! (It is a tough job, but someone has to do it!)

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Next up for wine country? Tuscany, I hope! And I hear they have bicycle trips through wine country there, too! Saving my pennies, saving my pennies...

Lake House Mornings

We awoke our first morning at the lake to this light fog or steam on the lake. It gave everything a misty quality. The boat slips were enveloped in the haze. It was so still and peaceful that I felt like I was sitting inside a photograph. Eventually, we saw a father and son headed out to fish, just as the fog was beginning to lift.

The Mr. made coffee and delivered to my perch on the deck. See why I married him??!! He delivers!

The bird house beside our deck was quite busy. In fact, the trees were full of both birds and squirrels. I am a little too slow to get great shots of wildlife, but that didn't stop me from shooting a ton of pictures, most of which I deleted. (Someone had a hummingbird feeder somewhere close. I gave up on those quick little devils, but they were fun to watch!) Here are a few of the pictures that survived.

I'm crediting the birds for the lack of mosquitoes on the deck. I didn't see one. We were outside almost every waking moment and never saw a single insect. Of course, that did a 180 when we got home! I was wrestling a mosquito inside the car on the way home from work last night. After about 20 miles, he met his Waterloo--and I didn't wreck the car!

We are back to work, moving L, and getting ready for school to start. I'm holding this misty image in my mind during the next few hectic weeks. I have a feeling I'm going to need it. Well, that and the wine we picked up at a winery we visited...but that will be another post!

Panties and Ponytail Day

Yesterday was a scorcher--hot and humid. Today and tomorrow promise to be the same.

I have a colleague who tells the story of when she was a little girl of about 3 or 4. She came downstairs on one hot summer day to breakfast. Her mom asked her what she wanted to wear that day. It had to be something cool for the hot day ahead. She told her mom, "I'll just wear panties and a ponytail. OK?" Ever since then, these hot summer days have been known as panties and ponytail days at their house.

I've borrowed (stolen) her expression. With our heat, it says it all!

Yep, we're having panties and ponytail days here in the Midwest. Bet you won't hear that on any weather forecast!

ON BELTS AND BALTS AND FIREBOLTS

I've already discussed my love of BLT's. The tomatoes from the garden are coming in daily right now, so I am in heaven.

The daughters tell me that there are some awesome variations on my beloved BLT. (You probably already know these. I had never heard of them before.) One variation is called the BELT: Bacon, Eggs, Lettuce, and Tomato. I've tried it. Yum. There are several ways you can make the BELT. A fried egg is a natural choice, but next time I am thinking of hard boiling an egg and slicing it like the tomato. I'm guessing that egg salad, bacon, lettuce, and tomato would be great, too.

The BALT is bacon, avocado, lettuce, and tomato. Sounds delicious. I must make time in my BLT summer to try it.

There isn't actually a Firebolt. (That is actually the name of Harry Potter's Quidditch broom. I've got Harry Potter on the brain this week.) I'm making this up as I go along, so work with me here! BOLT: Bacon, Onion or Olive, Lettuce, and Tomato. The fire could come from jalapeno peppers or hot salsa. What do you think? Pretty impressive culinary skills, eh?!

I'm thinking the Food Network is going to be calling soon. (Though I'm not sure they want a cook with a one food repertoire. Wait! Make that two! I do peanut butter and jelly variations, too!)

That time of year

In our county you can't drive a mile on a country road without seeing combines cutting wheat. The hot temperatures have been helpful to the farmers, though the rest of us haven't been that thrilled.
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As a kid, I can remember helping Mom haul meals out to the fields. (The weather can change so quickly this time of year that once the wheat is ready to be cut, the farmers can't take the chance of stopping for lunch at the house.) I baked a lot of chocolate pound cake and pans of bar cookies for desserts. We'd make sandwiches and haul gallon jugs of iced tea or lemonade. After loading it all in the car, we'd drive into the field and try to find a shady spot so Dad could get out of the sun for a little bit. Sometimes we'd have to wait until the combine was full. (They would want to combine stopping for lunch with emptying the combine's bin into the truck.) I always took a library book so I'd have something to do while waiting.
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Hauling meals to the fields is hot and a lot of work. I'm glad I don't have to do it anymore. But, there are a lot of farm wives doing just that this week. I guess farming has always been a family effort.

The one thing I hated to do was haul wheat to the elevator. The lines were long. The farmers were in such a hurry to get the trucks back to the field for the next load. Everyone was impatient. Our trucks were scary to unload. We drove onto something that would raise the front of the truck into the air and dump the wheat. (We didn't have a dump truck in those days.) I was so afraid, that I didn't like to ride with Mom or Dad when they took a load. I know Mom hated driving the trucks, and it wasn't until I was old enough to drive myself that I understood why. If I was afraid of riding with someone else, I was petrified driving myself. Wheat trucks are heavy and harder to control. Braking becomes a challenge. The wheat can shift a bit, too. And once you got to the elevator, there was the challenge of driving up on that lift so they could dump your load. There was only one elevator where I liked to unload because they had a guy who would drive the truck onto the lift for me. (It pays to be a 16 year old female in a "male world" sometimes!)

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My favorite harvest story is when Mom drove a load of wheat to the elevator. She had three kids in the cab, and the truck had a flat tire in the elevator. She said she had never seen men change a tire so fast. Help was coming out of the woodwork. No one else could dump their load until she could drive the truck out. Either that, or they took pity on the frazzled farm wife with three whining kids!

The Great Chekhov (Check Off)

I've always been a "list" kind of girl, and since I've created a couple this spring (birthday and summer fun), I'm now creating a list of what I have already accomplished on my other lists. Yeah, crazy, I know! Only another list maker would understand.

• Had a successful garage sale and de-cluttered quite a bit
• Visited a consignment store. (Love them and I hate that we have to drive so far to get to one! Start my own?? hmmm!)
• Got a job at a bookstore/coffee shop (I start officially today!)
• Bought a laptop, which I love!
• Picked my first cherry tomato out of the garden and have cut lettuce once already
• I've read about 4 or 5 books a week so far and made it to midnight a few times because I couldn't put the book down.
• Got the piano tuned
• Went to see "The Producers"-- a summer music theater production
• Visited the State History Museum after driving by it a million times and never stopping. (The Mr. and I spent 2 and 1/2 hours and could have stayed another hour. I love our State, and the museum reminded me why!)
• I've done a short (seemed like forever) bike trip.
• Took the Mr. to a drive-in featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the cooking channel. (OK. That wasn't on my list, but it would have made the Mr.'s list--if he made lists! He's more a "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" kind of guy.)
• Camped Memorial Weekend, but am ready to go again and soon.
• I've visited the library, taken evening walks, and watched some ball down at the fields. Oh those little ones!! Too cute for words!
• Hiked a new trail at the Bluffs last night

Not bad for it only being mid June. So far, I love this summer!

PS. Chekhov is not one of my favorite authors. In fact, he and Melville make my least favorite list, but that is another list and another post.

When the countryside is a canvas...