nothing I like better

than a vacation but now that I have 7 little reasons and 7 big reasons to stay home, I have mixed feelings about going. I love to travel. I like staying in a different town/cabin every night. I like discovering and exploring. I will 7 little people and 7 big people. I will be homesick!

But I will miss seeing all my little ones . . . and my big ones. Yes, even for 9 days away, I will miss them/you.

But brave, courageous soul that I am, I will march on. I will presevere. I will survive. I will vacation!

Joey Austin, 6 years old

PaPa took this picture -- and got a good one. There is "Master Joey" as he was called at his birthday party. Master Joey -- back view. Master Joey -- front view, in the mirror. There's Jack too (back view) but Gabby was down on the end and not in the mirror.

Joey has good form, is quick and agile and athletic. Reminds me of me. oh, okay. Reminds me of PaPa and Craig!

And hey, there is Traci too. Hi, Traci! Fun party!

Baby Belles, 2 months

This little sweetie can smile . . . her smiled at her Nana, already!

Turn your back and a baby will change and learn something new every day. Her Mama says she's sleeping pretty good and only gets up once in the night.

Good girl, Bella Noel! Sweet girl!

bounty

Two firsts, for Nana. I had never grown potatoes before so got it into my head to grow some in a pot. I had read it was possible. I have taken some flack but some folks have been really interested and thought the potato vines were pretty.

Secondly, I had never grown onions from seeds. We had always used "sets" or bulbs. We have not had very good luck with sets and bulbs here lately, so I planted some seeds way early and it has paid off!

Today, Himself deemed the potatoes should be dug (as we'll be gone next week and it will be one less thing for Hannah to have to water).

Look! See! my potato harvest and some of the green onions! 6 or 7 pounds of potatoes! all from one pot. I'll definitely do both of these firsts again!

And our old standbys . . . the peppers and tomatoes. It has been too cool. We started getting some nice peppers and we've had some tomatoes but right now we only have green tomatoes, a few nice peppers and only teeny, tiny cucumbers. I have only picked 3 nice cucumbers. And you know how I like my cukes. I could eat three a day!



For the tomatoes, guess I'm going to have to hang my hopes on the Topsy Turvey Tomato that Erica and Dana gave me for Mother's Day. It is looking mighty fine and look close -- the nice Roma tomatoes are starting to change color!

Plumber's Helper

They've hit a bit of a snag. They are pondering and perusing.

I'm sure Plumber and Plumber's helper are going to figure it out!

Wish List

I get to wanting the oddest things. Really. I don't try to be odd or different. A thought just comes up and whallops me on the side of the head.





I sure would like one of these Army trucks.

Nanny, Investigative Reporter

Loads of fun!






Yesterday, I cut through a different alley than usual and was stopped in my tracks.

That sign.

That sign is new.

Look!














The door is open so I stick my head in, "yoooohooo? anybody home?


oh wow! someone snuck a laundry in here.

Yesterday it was an empty downtown building with newspapers taped over the windows.

Today it is a full fledged laundromat!













I love that retro floor -- shades of my childhood.

I laugh out loud at the sign on the wall . . . Laundry Room ~ Loads of fun

Looks as tho someone on a tight schedule could come in here and whip out about 8 loads of laundry in no time at all!

Water Babies

yep. it has been a very good year. Summer, I mean.

Nanny, Investigative Reporter

Each workday morning now, I most always ride with Himself to OMC where he parks and I get out and walk back to the courthouse. It is part of my "get fit" plan but on my walks, I am always finding something interesting . . . castoffs in alleys, morning apartment dwellers out for a smoke, cats fed at the local bank . . . there is usually something new to see.

This morning, my sharp sighted eyes picked this out of the morning mist.

"I'll find out what's going on", I said over my shoulder to Himself, as I jogged off to work!



























So I cut through alleys and walked cement curbs and as I passed the boom truck, the driver walked by. "What they doin?" I asked, with a nod at the boom.

"Putting a liner in the chimney for the boiler, I think", the driver said.

"Oh. Okay"

And there.

I scooped the Creston News.

I beat KSIB radio to the punch.

And the Afton Star? didn't stand a chance!

1 Patina; 2 Patina

pat·i·na 2 (pāt'n-ə, pə-tē'nə)
n.
1) A thin greenish layer, usually basic copper sulfate, that forms on copper or copper alloys, such as bronze, as a result of corrosion.
2) The sheen on any surface, produced by age and use.
3) A change in appearance produced by long-standing behavior, practice, or use: a face etched with a patina of fine lines and tiny wrinkles.

One Patina celebrates 59 years soon.
The second Patina celebrates 89-1/2 years.

In the antique world, a patina is a very good thing . . .

signed . . . "wishin"

Boy Scout Motto

Himself and I dug out his bike then found me a used one. We have been riding just a couple of miles two or three times a week. We went out to ride last night and found this . . . a flat. Himself thought and pondered a bit, then went to the garage and produced the right size tube for his bike tire! Purchased 20 years ago for $2.56, it is johnny on the spot. Now . . . if it just holds air!




And the Boy Scout motto? Be Prepared!