What started out as a car wash turned into a tree trimming when neighbor Dave came over with his electric pole saw. A few dead or unwieldy limbs were pruned, and that, along with the lilac trimming of a few days ago, made the front of the house visible from the street.
Notes: 1) birch wood is extremely heavy, and 2) the cars did eventually get cleaned.
…also known as neighbor picnic. Big Green Egg slow roasted roast and lots of tasty sides. Sequence and conversation, post prandial. First in-house get together in over a year.
Yarrow
…State Trail.
And, some drone practice, for upcoming photography job.
Day bright and beautiful.
…weather. Pleasant visit with the Caves.
Cold, gray, and damp. Frost warning tonight. But, perfectly fine conditions for sandhill cranes.
What with dinner, Sequence, and lots of chat, the blog got away from me. I’m calling this post May 27.
A mast year for maples.
Sunny, windy, warm, and dry.
Good day for bike riding, especially all around the now deserted campus.
I’m planning to participate in America Talks.
…with rain continuing to recede in the forecast.
Dames rocket (Hesperis matronalis) the beautiful invasive.
Old Maid’s Nightcap (Geranium maculatum), the beautiful native woodland perennial.
But, hark, what sound through yonder window breaks? Thunder, you say?
Yes, and just now a full minute of rain!
This is not what used to be called a thunderstorm.
…at a little party in Cedarburg.
Lots of fun, and an incredibly delicious rhubarb cake made by Mimi. Thanks everyone.
Non native, widely planted tree
The slightly poisonous seeds are called conkers, and while looking like American chestnut seeds, are not nearly so edible.
…with neighbor Patrick, retired attorney from California. Moved to Whitewater a few years ago. Got elected as City Attorney. Serves on the Urban Forestry Commission (which I have recently been appointed to), provides pro bono legal advice to the startup Co-op. Etcetera.
It’s his opinion that the midwest is really the best place to live, and Wisconsin is probably the best place in the midwest. And even poor Whitewater has its charms, especially for someone who likes being involved.
Fun to have a highly educated, sophisticated, articulate friend, especially one who likes bike riding and is skilled in the art of conversation.
Helping a bit with unboxing, and doing a little small game hunting with the boys—worms, millipedes, and even a grump.
Forgot to take photos.
All the silver maples in town let their seeds fly in today’s big wind. Countless numbers.
I don’t know of any wildlife that really appreciates this offering. I find them crunchy, mealy, and green tasting, a bit like raw soybeans. Perhaps a stew of maple samaras and 17 year cicadas would be just the thing.
…and time for other growing things too after last night’s semi-decent rain.
Garage project completed, as well—all except the new floor, which is the main reason for the project in the first place. Scheduled for May 27.
…on the assumption that frost is in the past, and rain will come. Happy to say that a little rain is falling even now, and we can hope that there’s more on the way, more than just enough to settle the dust.
Beets are the main crop. Then some winter squash, a few tomatoes, basil, and cilantro. And because we are here and not elsewhere, cucumbers and pole beans in small quantities. Oddly, I was unable to find cherry tomato plants, which goes to show the hazard of not starting your own from seed.
Meanwhile, the garage renovation continues. Long hours by Mimi behind the paintbrush.
Odd jobs, appointments, minor chores.
Spiraea prunifolia
The drought continues, one of my least favorite things. So, as a diversion, haiku from Basho:
An old silent pond.
Into the pond a frog jumps.
Splash. Silence again.
Action packed weekend on both fronts. Nies family fully moved to new house while the girls joined the Janowiecs at Flambeau for quite a bit of everything.
Rowing across the big lake
To find an eagle overlooking things
But then moving to a different perch
Lots of big bass
And lots of tie-dye
Nearly noon by the time we got around to breakfast, and then we got even farther behind. So much to do….
Water sports, animal catching, hiking, geo-caching, movie night, to mention a few.
The hidden treasure was found efficiently and quickly.
…after a lively afternoon.
…in a pond.
Inspired by cousin Art and his radio-controlled T37 model sailboat, I visited the local club at a pond in Elkhorn. Nice group of guys (older, of course), and I was loaned a boat for four races. While never quite winning, I never came last.
In the neighborhood.
Warming up, but still very dry. Planted two little bare root Shrubby St. John’s Wort (Hypericum prolificum) twigs—native shrub, bee magnet, and good to look at. Deer resistant. With luck we will have, in a few years, beautiful big bushes occupying the few sparse places at the edge of the yard.