Photo journal of this week's excitement, or weariness?

Till death do us part?????

All I wanted to do was get a better picture of that animal that was not a dog or a deer that was running across the eastern 80!!!

So, I got one photo and then The Man, The Until Death Do Us Part Man, said "You really need to be over here to see it better..." Huh. Booby trap? What happened to "in sickness and in health"?

When I fell over the two power cords in the way, managed to avoid crashing the monitor and baby puter into the hardwood floor, dug my pinkie into the Churgovich violets that I have not yet killed and did not them and only breaking off seven leaves, rolled onto the floor and didn't even smash or drop or destroy the camera...

So, anyway, what did my mighty protector do??? Help me up??? Call 911??? Drop to the floor so he could assess the serious nature of my injuries???

NOPE! He took the CAMERA from ME and took a picture, too blurry to be useful. Then, he looked and said, "Oh, your foot is caught? I didn't see that!" And he took another photo???!!!???

Some people wondered why I did it, but take a look at this...

Holland State Park, October 27-30, 2011 -- plenty of privacy for my camper.

End of an Era

After maybe 55 years of running a baler, Dad decided he's done. He'll hire someone else, or maybe even borrow Brian's if he needs some bales, but it's not worth the expense and inconvenience of owning our own machine for the few acres of hay we have. So, today we said a reluctant farewell to a trusty part of the past.

I guess nostalgia is kind of like today's view from my windows. When I looked north, the sky was black and violent and threatening. When I sat back in my chaise, the rusty oranges of the Kousa just seemed to be a beautiful statement that complemented my comfortable haven.

State of the Farm, Labor Dayish, 2011

We humbly bow before the Lord who provides. Period. And this year, He has provided us with a beautiful crop.

A Beautiful August Saturday

What a beautiful day! And, had you asked me at the beginning of the week, my projection of the week's activities would NOT have included barn painting -- bin painting, maybe. We did buy bin paint Wednesday night that we can now return.

Friday a.m., while we were finishing breakfast, the South Carolina guy who painted the bin last year showed up and asked if we wanted to paint the other bin. Dad 'did business' with him, and ended up hiring his crew to paint the barn, throwing the bin into the deal.

So, tonight, the barn looks better than it has in years! Someone will be here Monday morning to pick up empty cans and a couple trucks. We'll point out a few flaws that we think must be addressed. And, that's it. Now we can focus on some of the other projects. I'm relieved...

Church camp at Pine Ridge

Hey, this is the place that used to be called "Jack and Jill". Some time maybe in the 80's, this place became Pine Ridge. Kids from our church come here for their summer camping experience and really like it. Michelle and Eric, didn't you go to Jack and Jill?

We got here late because of Gpa S's appointment. Made it just in time for supper and some socialization.

This morning, after a pretty good breakfast :), after saying he was only going to watch so I went back to the camper, the Old Man did the "Flying Squirrel". I don't have any photos because, as I said, he was only going to watch...

Then, after lunch we came back to the camper (not a trivial activity as the RV camping area is quite separate from the cabins...) so we could get ready to participate in the Waterslide activity. One of us donned a swimming suit. One of us got the camera. Any ideas who did what?

Just now we're enjoying what seems like vacation for sure. We're sitting in the camper listening to it rain. Best estimate is that we've gotten as much as two inches already.

Eaton Rapids welcomed us with bumpy roads

The road really was bumping coming into Eaton Rapids. Then the new pavement started, and the road stayed bumpy.

We were concerned that our tire crisis would serve as a distraction to other drivers, but, as you can see, passing motorists barely blinked an eye.

Another scenic lunch spot

I didn't see him get down...

We sure do enjoy looking for the unexpected 'Wow' around the next curve! Stopped for lunch along the road on the way to Lake Placid. Just stepped into the camper, pulled out the sandwich ingredients, a bit of fruit, some milk, and sat back to enjoy the sound of the stream rushing next to our window.

Afterward, the monkey in our duet explored the rocks across the road. I saw him up. I saw him seemingly coming down. But, I did not watch the whole time...

Ferry across Lake Champlain

Back in 1982, we took the ferry from Burlington, Vermont across to New York. We heard that was a pricey option. While researching I found out that NY runs a cheap ferry near the bottom of the lake as the bridge there was condemned and is being rebuilt. Turns out that ferry is very cheap -- free, 24/7! We enjoyed the ride and the great view of the new bridge being built. Sure did seem a bit snug fitting the Yukon Unit on the boat.

Traditional farmsteads

Saw a lot of houses with addition added to addition added to addition...Also, saw several that had the barn hooked right to the house after a few additions, of course. All I could think of was the difficulty of keeping the smell out of the kitchen, and sneezing in my own house!

More from NH

A Mt. Washington excursion ranks high on the list for weather-maniacs, like the one I married. We had perfect conditions to enjoy a drive up with Eric and Danielle, as well as Terry and Sandy. Temps were in the upper fifties and the breeze didn't come close to the average of 34 mph, much less the world record of 231 mph in 1934! And, I will NEVER be comfortable with sharing a narrow winding road with oncoming traffic. Thought about telling my kids I loved them -- like that time years ago when I had to climb the silo -- but realized no one would survive to relay that message...

Cape Neddick ("Nubble") Light York, Maine

Pretty impressive lighthouse!

Lobster Feast at Eric and Danielle's place

Eric and Danielle treated us, with cousin Brian and his wife, to a lobster feast in their backyard. Great fun, so New England!

First stop -- Todd's boat to get the lobsters.

Danielle and Carol set the table while Eric cooked the lobster.

Menu? Lobster, roasted potatoes, caesar salad, corn on the cob, blueberry cake...followed by a visit to the Dover Dipper and some Java Crunch ice cream -- shared, I promise!!!

E. Wayne's office

Got to see where Eric Wayne puts his feet under a desk. Enjoyed getting a feel for how he spends his days.

Dover NH and Vollnogles

Got treated royally by all the Vollnogles. Friday noon, were treated to Bob's Clams -- yummy!

Visited a NH beach -- not quite as sandy as Holland...

More PA

Hey, other than a quicky with George, we were the first ones to get a BBC tour from Josh Michael! Not only was it fun to see him, but it was fun to see his library!!!

Grammy Camp was terrific

Well, at least for Grammy, Grammy Camp was a success. Here's just one pic from the week with Natalie and Katie getting a pedicure, on Tuesday afternoon. Natalie was an old pro, having been treated to a pedicure from Gma VM once :) This was a first for Katie, though. Between choosing colors (Teal and Pompeii Purple???) and finding out all the options on the massage chairs, the time just flew.

Living large

Love this relaxed pace. Here's lunch in the alley behind Lancaster's Central Farmers' Market.

Really, really enjoyed seeing the ag in the Lancaster area -- a reminder of the way of life we loved, with single family farms dotting the countryside. Just think, when we started 37 years ago Hoppen, Vanger Jagt, VerHage, Aukeman, Krueze, Meyer, and Troost -- all before you got to 32nd Avenue!

And, of course Dad geeked about driving through the New Holland 'parking lot'. It was amazing -- all that stuff and no guards, no gates, no one asking who we were and what we were doing -- and it was evening. Think that would work in Mexico, Eric?