Exercise

Today I thought I would write a funny story about something that happened to me about a year and a half ago. Exercise has never been something I enjoy but with my recent weight loss today I decided to pull out the exercise rope I bought and do some strength building exercises. I was quickly reminded of the story I am about to share with you. Now I have to go back to a year and a half ago... I decided I would buy one of these things, not even sure what to call it other than a tubular rubber band with a handle on each end. I was in a local Walmart and headed off for the sporting goods department and quickly found what I was looking for. The thing was that I discovered they come in different lengths and not knowing which length I needed I decided to open up the boxes and take them out to see which size would work best for my needs. Right away I discovered the long one was not for me, I needed the short one to do any good strength building at all. So, there I was standing alone in the aisle and I had the bright idea to give it a try. I put it behind my back and was going to pull my arms forward to touch in front. What happened next would certainly have been a contender on America's Funniest Video's had it been on tape. Instead of the band stretching and my arms pulling around forward the band took a ride right up my back, catching my then long hair and rolling it right up to the scalp. OUCH! There I stood in the aisle stuck... I was trying desperately to get my hands out of the handles and unroll the contraption from my hair quickly before anyone came down the aisle and saw me. I nearly became a full fledged contortionist that day trying to wriggle it out. I somehow managed to get my hands free but then there was the task of unrolling it from my hair... Yowee! It was quite painful but I finally got it out. And would you believe I actually ended up buying it after all of that? I did, and I used it once or twice then hung it on the bathroom door hook where it has remained ever since. I am happy to report I used it without incident today! A few years ago I bought a similar product but it was just 3 wide bands with no handles. You had to wrap the bands around your hands and then do the pulling. One was easy, one medium and the other one was the most difficult. I had the medium one and was doing a leg exercise when the band slipped out of my hand and popped my right calf with gusto. Oh my lord... I thought I had amputated my leg. Talk about painful!!!! (think of being popped by a 4 inch wide rubber band pulled taught then let go) A huge hemotoma instantly popped up, about the size of my fist and it remained there for about a month before disappearing. I never used those bands again after that. Exercise... it is not for sissy's and apparently not for me either!

Ticks

The Ozark Mountains are full of ticks! They were everywhere. You couldn't go outside without getting them on you and I even found one in the bathroom in our cabin. ICK! David got bitten by one and pulled it off. Since then it has been itching and has turned bright red and is about the size of a dime. There is no bull's eye so hopefully it is not Lyme Disease. We had to spary ourselves with insect repellant when we went outdoors but even then it seemed like we would find ticks. I had never seen any as tiny as some of them, about the size of a pinhead. I felt like something was crawlilng on me the entire week we were there. I only found one on myself and it was not attached but was crawling across my leg.

Mouth Watering

I thought I would talk about rhubarb today. I have not had any in years and I grew up eating it and loving it. I was in the grocery store yesterday and saw some for sale and it brought back memories of my childhood days so I bought a couple of stalks. I guess most people use it in strawberry pies but I grew up eating it raw, dipped in a little salt. It is very tart, sort of like a lemon and I love those sprinkled with salt too. It makes your mouth water just to think about it and it is delicious. I ate the first stalk when I got home and have the other one in the refrigerator waiting for another day. I am certain the salt is not good for me but I have to have salt with it so decided to wait a couple of days before eating the second stalk. YUM!

Cabin Snafu

On what we thought was our last day in the cabin we were surprised to learn that we had to check out. Some how we had over stayed our reservation. Back last fall we tried making a reservation for the cabin and they were all reserved for the week we needed however the lady was kind enough to take down my name and number incase there were any cancellations. In early January I received a call from her that a cabin was available so we reserved it. We had also reserved a camping spot in the same park because at the time we thought we would be taking our RV. The cabin was for our kids if they came. As the reunion time approached and the gas prices climbed higher and higher we decided to fly and stay in the cabin. Jamie was our only child coming so we had the entire cabin. Our camping site reservation was thru Friday with check out on Saturday. Somehow we "thought" the reservation for the cabin was for the same dates. On Friday we were at the cabin when the cleaning crew came to clean up and get the cabin ready for the people who had reserved it for that night. Oops! We had to pack up in a hurry and move out then find another place to stay the last night. Lucky for us there was a lodge not too far away that had a room available so we moved there for our last night. Always a little excitement!

Fax Machine Game

On one of the last nights together there were only eleven of us left and we played a game called Fax Machine that Jamie taught us. It is based on the old childhood game of Telephone. In this one we all sat in a circle and each person had eleven blank index cards. We were instructed to number the cards 1-11. (The number depends upon the number of people playing). Next we each had to write down a short phrase on card #1. After 30-seconds we had to pass our entire deck of cards to the person to our left. Now each person had a card with a phrase on it and they had to take card #2 and draw a little picture of the phrase. Every 30-seconds the deck would be passed to the left and every other time we were to write a phrase based on the drawing or draw a picture of the phrase that was passed to us. It got hectic but we managed. Once the cards have traveled around the circle you end up with your own deck of cards with card #1 on top. We then each took turns revealing our original phrase then what all followed. It was hilarious! Some stayed pretty close to the original but most took drastic turns and ended up being something entirely different from the original. What fun! Thanks for teaching us that game Jamie. Below are a couple of pictures of us playing Fax Machine.

David Gets Around

David seemed to get around this week while at the reunion. This was the first year we had both his mother's side of the family as well as his father's side of the family at the reunion together. Below are a few of the photos of David with various family members.

Shooting with his Dad

playing a game one night with nephew Ned

looking at a map with his Dad

posing with daughter Jamie

being goofy with cousin Kevin

smiling with cousin Karen

singing with brother Austin

and looking handsome with me!

Look-a-Likes

Everyone thought Carrie looked like her Aunt Kathy. (Carrie is David's sister).

Hound Dog Joe

Grandpa Joe singing "Hound Dog" on Karaoke Night at the family reunion

PRICELESS!

Hummingbirds

One day we when we stopped by a store to pick up ice I noticed the hummingbirds flying back and forth between a big tree and the bird feeder. They were not shy at all and I was able to get a couple of photos.

Squirrels

This little guy was having so much fun eating the bird seed.

Firing Squad

Grandpa Joe gave shooting lessons to David, Audrey and Jamie. Below are a few photos of target practice.

David means business...watch out!

cousins Audrey and Jamie pose with their weapons

Jamie... doesn't she look menacing and dangerous?

Lotus Blossom

Meet the newest addition to the family... Lotus Blossom. On Wednesday, Carrie presented Joe with a tiny Shih-tzu puppy. It was a total surprise to Joe. Carrie and Lou and spent the day shopping and Carrie had been wanting to buy a gift for her dad and when she saw puppies for sale she talked it over with her mom and it was agreed this would be a great gift. The puppy was the most loved on little thing at the reunion. She is soooo precious! Joe named her Lotus Blossom. She waddles when she walks and runs and she loved carrying sticks in her mouth and eathing grass. She is a snuggler too. Lou was carrying her in a purse when she and Carrie arrived back at the pavillion where we all met for dinner each night. At first no one realized she had a puppy until Carrie told Joe she had a gift for him. What a darling addition to the family!

Lotus

Joe's expression caught on camera when the puppy was revealed to him

Joe loving on his new baby

Branson

On Thursday, David, Jamie and I took a day trip to Branson, MO. We had never been before and since we were only an hour away decided to check it out. Glad we went but doubt we'll ever go back again. It is a tourist trap sort of town with lots of touristy places. I imagine if you want to go for the shows at night it would be more fun but we didn't see anything there we just had to see. We ate lunch, stopped at a few shops then headed back home. Just before arriving in Branson we came to the town of Hollister, MO. We all needed a pee break so stopped into a McDonald's only to find the bathrooms closed and an employee telling us they had no water. She also said there was no water in the entire town of Hollister so we would have to go on to Branson, a few miles further to find a bathroom. Oh dear! My bladder was about to bust already and there was no way I could hold it for another few miles. We were heading to a gas station nearby when Jamie spotted just what I needed... an outhouse in a little construction area. I jumped out of the car and used it. Talk about your needs being provided for! Whew!

That's me with a smile on my face AFTER using the port-a-john

Scenery

The Buffalo National River. These photos were taken from the deck of one of the cabins the family had this week.

Scenic Bridges

Some scenic bridges I have photographed this week.

Wild Flowers

Just some photos of pretty wildflowers I have taken this week.

Geocaching in the Ozarks

As planned David went fishing with and uncle and cousin today and I went geocaching with my father-in-law Joe. My brother-in-law and his wife also went but we went separately and met up occasionally. Joe and I didn't find any caches on our own but when Austin and Hilda were with us we did. We saw some beautiful country side and had a fun day. At one point I saw a beautiful fox run across the road right in front of me then he stopped and turned to look at me as I drove by. I wanted his picture but there was no way to pull over and get one. After I picked up Joe we were driving down the road and saw two large bucks in standing in the road. They were magnificent! Later we saw a hawk then on my way back to the cabin I saw a bunny. So today has been full of wildlife. The fox was something else though, just beautiful! It's mid day here now and I am going to take a little afternoon nap then get ready for more fun. Below is a photo I took of the bluffs along the Buffalo River.

Scenic Drive

Yesterday David and I decided to take a “scenic drive”. We had a brochure of several loops and decided to use the day for that purpose. During the day time everyone does their own thing then we meet at night for dinner together. Let’s just say our idea of a scenic drive and what the brochure described were not in sync. We did see rusted cars parked in front yards, washing machines and refrigerators on front porches and occasionally a glimpse of some pretty scenery with absolutely no pull over spots to get out and enjoy it. We were gone for 6 hours and were worn out when we arrived back at base camp. I had hoped to spend the take taking in the beauty and seeing some wildlife and photography everything. I only managed to take one picture and the only wildlife we saw as a turtle in the road, a snake crossing the road and a deer standing beside the road. After dinner last night David’s father, “Ranger Joe”, took us on a nighttime nature walk thru the woods to see night life. Before leaving Carie and I had to go back to our cabins to get tennis shoes and we saw a mother and baby deer. The baby looked newborn, it was so tiny but they ran away quickly as we approached. Today David is out fishing and I am getting ready to go geocaching with a group of family members this morning. Our daughter Jamie arrives tonight. Looking forward to her being here!

Gobble...Gobble...Gobble...

We are in the Ozark Mountians of Arkansas all this week for a family reunion. We have these reunions every 3-4 years in a different location in the country. Last night David and I spent the night at his parents house since we couldn't check in to our cabin until today. This morning not long after we were up David noticed a turkey in their back yard. I grabbed the camera and ran to see and there was not only a turkey hen but also 3 chicks with her. They hung around long enough for me to snap a couple of pictures then walked off into the woods. So cute!

Tomato Sandwich

I picked it today but probably should have waited another day or two for it to be more ripe. I made my delicious tomato sandwich for lunch and enjoyed every bite of it. mmmmmm. I took this photo just before I picked it and sliced it up.

Intense Storm

Whoo-boy! We just had one very intense storm blow thru here. It came on suddenly without warning. This has been another 100+ degree day. The storm was pretty frightening and I felt sure our awning was going to blow over. I could see it out the window just teetering back and forth. The wind was so strong that it blew over chairs and some of my potted plants and I can see debris all over the place... tree branches, trash cans, flags, etc... The rain was so heavy the ground couldn't soak it fast enough so we had flooding. The one thing I was most concerned about was my tomato plant. Silly as it sounds, I have had my eye on the first tomato and it is about ready to eat. I had planned on picking it tomorrow and making a tomato sandwich for my lunch, YUM! The wind has blown it over partially but not all the way so I think it is safe. I sure hope so. The storm is about over now and I can hear our neighbor out calling for his two little kittens. We were all outside when the storm hit suddenly and I am sure he didn't have time to get the kitties before he had to seek shelter himself. I bet those kitties are scared to death. As soon as the rain stops I will go out and assess the damage.

Juiced

I keep all my bird feeders full of seeds, nuts and fruits to attract different kinds of birds and lately I've been placing oranges on the tree as well. I had barely gotten inside when I looked out the window and saw this little guy nibbling away on the orange. Guess he beat the birds to it. Now the yard is full of chipmunks scurrying all around, up and down the tree for their turn eating the orange.

Hot!

It's been hot all week, flirting right around the 100 degree mark and let's not forget that it is humid too, making it feel even worse. This afternoon I took a picture of our thermometer. It is located inside but the actual thermometer is located outside the RV and is in the shade. This afternoon it was 100.7 when I took this picture.

Larkin's Rhythm on the River

Each Thursday throughout the entire summer season in downtown Greenville there is music. Actually there are music choices several nights a week in outdoor venues downtown. We have been attending each Thursday night with a couple of our friends and this week The Embers were performing. The show was fanstastic. It was our hottest day of the year so far, 97 degrees, and extremely humid but we went and sat out in the hot sun to enjoy the show. Some weeks it is a more local band but several times during the season they have a more well known group. The Embers most famous song was "I Love Beach Music". Most of the groups play beach music but they also play a variety of other types as well, thank goodness. I forgot to take my camera along this week so didn't get any pictures. The Reedy River runs right through downtown Greenville and there is a nice little amphitheater set up on the river bank where they have a stage. Everyone brings their own lawn chairs and we have a great time.

Flown the Coup

“Uno”, “Dos”, “Tres”, and “Cuatro”, our four little Eastern Bluebirds have made their maiden flights and David and I were sitting on the deck and watched each one leave the nest. What a magical afternoon to see nature at its finest. Uno and Dos were teasing me for a while this afternoon and I was convinced they were going to fall out of the birdhouse. I was so worried about them because I didn’t think they were old enough yet. Then suddenly Uno took off and shot out of the birdhouse and flew up into the maple tree nearby. Within seconds Dos followed. I could see Tres sticking his head out the window but it was about fifteen minutes before he took off on his first flight. We didn’t know how many birdies were in there and thought perhaps it was only the three but then out poked another little beak. It was another five minutes or so before Cuatro took flight. He must have been the runt of the group because he wasn’t sure he wanted to go just yet. Father bird came by with some big winged insect and teased Cuatro with it. He looked as though he was going to feed it to him but pulled back. Then he gave it to Cuatro then took it right back. We could tell he was trying to get the last bird to come out of the house. Finally father bird gave him the insect and flew away. Shortly after that Cuatro took flight. The birdhouse is now empty. The funny thing is each of the four birds pooped as they flew out of the birdhouse. They each shot out of there like a bullet from a gun and pooped as they flew to the nearest trees. I guess maybe flying scares the you-know-what out of them the first time they do it. Ha…Ha…Ha… We were shocked at how big they were… almost as large as the parents. How four of them fit in the birdhouse is amazing. Each day they seemed to double in size but we had no idea they were so big until they flew out of the birdhouse. So now our little birds are gone and I will certainly be missing them. We feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to see them each day, watch the parents feed them then to actually see each one leave the nest and take their first flight. Nature is magnificent!

this is the last picture I got, this is Uno just before he took flight

Cuckcoo-Cuckcoo...

My new cuckcoo clock

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