Black Beauty

 
We haven't seen a black squirrel at our feeder since the middle of last summer.  I though perhaps someone shot her.  Today she appeared.   Her coat is so shiny, but the picture doesn't do her justice.  Her tail is red, I don't know if it will turn black or not.  The one at our feeder last summer had a black tail.

And that's the way it is..............................

Finally It Rained

It has been a very dry spring in Northern Wisconsin.  Today, while the Mister and I were pricing all our 'treasures' for our Memorial Day Rummage Sale, the weather got hotter and more humid.  We could just sense storms a brewing.  About 4pm, it started to get dark, and windy.  The power went out, and is still out; four hours now.  We have a big ol' generator to keep us operational.

Then the rains and hail came.

We had a very short time of marble size hail, it did not come down with enough force to do any damage.

After the storm had passed, the Mister and I took our ATV's down to the lake to check on the pontoon.

We encountered these big branches snapped off the trees.  Ah, ha, the culprit of our lack of power!!

We got down to the dock and our boat was fine.

 On the way back to the cottage, we had to wait for Wisconsin Public Service to cut the branch off the lines.

As I write this I heard another WPS truck go by, I'm guessing to get us our power back, and  I'm glad, the noise of the generator can wear on you after a while.



And that's the way it is................................................................................

Living Room - check

Since we have been retired, our living room has been transforming

We started out with forest green carpeting, last fall we replaced it with laminate flooring, and that was a big improvement.

We still had our cabin furniture, carrying an 'up north' theme.  We then had the opportunity to rent out our house in town to our niece, beginning mid January.  We moved the cottage furniture out in the garage, and brought our 'town' furniture to the cottage.  

Then we left for Arizona.  Since we have been back we painted the living room and kitchen.  The wall with the peak is terracotta, side wall is light tan. We changed out all the woodwork to white.  

I love the 'sunshine' yellow that we painted the kitchen.  That's it for updates, this year.  Next year after Arizona, we are going to tackle the hallway and bathrooms.

It has been a busy spring.  Now to get out to the garage, and get ready for our rummage sale next weekend.

And that's the way it is.................................

The Bird Houses

A while back I posted that I was going to take the birdhouses from the top of my cupboards and find them a new home, as I wanted that space to display my Depression Glass Collection.   Many of you made suggestions how to display the bird houses, and many of you wanted to see my Depression Glass.

So here goes..............

I coated the birdhouses with outdoor varnish, hoping to preserve them.  My dad made the little houses, and I painted them to resemble a little village.  They are now residing on our deck, to greet everyone that comes to visit.

Aren't they cute?

I like the way the Depression Glass looks above my cupboards.  The pieces should be safe from any harm way up there.

And that's the way it is..............................

Mom

She was my "anchor" to this life - 

The "rock", that I clung to - 

The place, where I could turn 

When, nowhere else would do.

Now, the ravages of time 

Have worn my "rock" away - 

And all I have to cling to 

Are memories of yesterday.

I miss and love you mom, forever~~

Happy Mother's Day to all blogger friends!

And that's the way it is......................................

My Special Grandma

When I was born my parents were older, and their parents had all passed away.  My first five or six years of life were void of grandparents.  My mother had a very close friend, who came to visit one Sunday, bringing another couple along.   When the other couple came in the back door, I immediately bonded with them.  She was a short round little lady, with white hair.  Her name was Elsie.  Elsie's husband, also short, bald, wore dark rimmed glasses and smoked a cigar.  His name was Adam.  When I saw this couple, I jumped for joy, and claimed them to be my grandparents, who had finally come to see me.   They went along with my dream, even though they had many, many grandchildren of their own.  Grandma and Grandpa came to my First Communion, Confirmation and High School Graduation; and all the important times in my life.  They loved me like one of their own.

When I was to be married, Grandma made us a yellow tied quilt, as a shower gift.   So typical of a grandmother.    For our wedding, she gave me this beautiful pitcher and glasses:

She attached a note, it read:   I hope you don't mind that I didn't buy a present for your wedding, instead I did the same thing I did for all my other grandchildren.  I took something out of my china cabinet that I thought you would like.    I have treasured this glass ware all my married life.  

God Bless you Grandma Elsie on this Mother's Day and every day.

And that's the way it is...........................

Mamma Duck

Yesterday, I had to go back to town for a few appointments.  I stopped to visit my friend Barb.  She has a brick ledge flower bed in the front of her house.  In the flower bed is a nest with 10 eggs.  This brave little Mallard mamma did not blink an eye as I moved closer to get a couple of photos.

 The leaf was in her face and I couldn't get a good shot, so I moved the leaf and she still didn't flinch.

She wasn't leaving the nest for anything!


And that's the way it is...................................