Red Sky At Morning…

…better go swimming.

Too warm for anything resembling work. We did go to Gore Bay to retrieve a block-and-tackle from Heliotrope, which will be needed to operate the new Windrider mast stepping device given to us by Habes’ friend Terry. Along the way we stopped at Burt farm (adding several items to the cooler), and then quick trips through Steel Hardware and Valumart.

The Gore Bay Friday farmer’s market is no more. (Killed by Kagawong?) But, Purvis Fishery is still vending from their truck, now parked back in the mid-town parking lot—so whitefish on the menu tonight (likely caught in Mudge Bay).

In other news, Split Rail Brewery seems to be doing a land-office business, right off Heliotrope’s pulpit. And the new chocolate factory, next door (where Mark’s partner works) seems to be thriving. (We bought another Bean to Bar.) Although the marina seems to be quite busy, Ken says that CYC is hanging on by a thread without American customers.

And, to get to the block-and-tackle out of Heliotrope, we had to joust our way through another wasp nest!
Give wasps a year and they’ll take…over.

Dump Day

First chance to tote garbage in many moons, and delightful as ever. On the plus side, Dennis is still the proprietor.

Sue did more beach cleanup and visited Murray and Elaine, while I wrastled with equipment, and took a nap. At this point, almost all mechanical and electronic devices are more or less working.

Kagawong Discovered

Wednesday is market day, and oh my. More people than on a busy day in Minocqua. Kagawong has been gentrified, and is very much on the map. Falls at capacity, too.

Photo does not do justice to the size of the crowd. We had to snap it on the go as there was no place to park.

But all is quiet on Serendipity.

Today’s big project was the Windrider. After work (mostly Sue) we went for a water walk, which is what old people are supposed to do. From our truncated pier we head out to chest depth and then walk along the boulders over to Tyson’s, and then back home along the newly renovated trail. Beats power washing.

Sunny, hot, humid, and calm. As we were water walking we saw Lollipop out for a sail.

Shoreline Cleanup

Work ‘till you drip, swim ‘till you’re cool. Then repeat as necessary.

Calm and quiet morning. Actually, very quiet—no sound whatsoever, which takes some getting used to.

Our remodeled water’s edge. High water and moving ice have given us a new look. I rather like it.

Nothing like an early morning paddle and row, as long as it is followed by a swim.

Two tanks of chainsaw gas to chop away from the pump house to Tyson’s, mostly the new lot. Skeletal cedars leaning away from land, and numerous ninebark killed by the high water, making for an unsightly and very tangled mess. While I did the sawing, Sue did the dragging, which is ever so much harder.

Road and Trail

Sue raked the just-graded lane, and improved it some, but she started from a seriously bumpy opening position. Then we re-established the lakefront path to Tyson’s. Time, high water, ice, along with growing and dying vegetation, made the old ways impassable.

Purvis fish tug in Our bay. The whitefish at the market will be rather local.

Our sandy beach. The grains are just a little larger.

One of Sue’s tortes, this one peach/plum.

Wind From The South

Sun and wind today, with warming, after a night that made a light blanket feel friendly. Lots of poplar lopping, weed killing, and other bits of delayed maintenance. With the ladder attached at an unfamiliar place, we even took a long walk off our short pier. (Some photos by Sue. )

Outhouse Cleaned…

…water reconnected, 4 sections of pier put out, dozens of trips up to the garage and back, and then dinner at Ellen’s, among other things. In other words, a fine bit of exercise, making bed look quite attractive.

Serendipity

Made it. And everything looking good. No Vianet yet, but will try more of a write up later.

Hello St. Ignace

Easy drive. We are getting close to the border. Lots of memories, not all of them great. I keep wondering where Pax is.

Pretty Much Ready To Roll

The hard part is trying to remember what you will probably forget.

So much wind today it knocked over 4 tomato cages, shaking loose a few green fruit as well a a bunch of riper ones. (No damage to the plants, and the cages have been secured in their upright position. )

Stay Inside…

…and pack. Unpleasantly hot and humid outside.

Molecular COVID test this morning, so we have less than 72 hours to get across the border.

Lovely thunderstorm right about dinner time. The front porch alcove is a fine place from which to participate.

Clear The Downspouts!

…to avoid gutter overflow. Who would have thought that would be necessary? I did find numerous pulpy wads impeding drainage, and they have been cleared.

C D B?

The sweetgrass started from seed 2.5 years ago is doing well and ready for harvest. Yesterday Kate and Will did some braiding, and I tried some myself. A smooth, even braid takes practice, but I think I’ve learned the secret. And, oh, the lovely aroma. (Above are practice braids.)

This Blogger Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks…

…at least in regard to rain. Last night some places in Wisconsin got between 5 and 7 inches, including Cedarburg, where Abby now has a flooded basement.

Here in Whitewater we have had about an inch and a half, which is good, but there are no puddles (and no flooded basements). Clearly, Mother Nature is mad, today spanking us with temps in the 90s and humidity off the charts, perfect conditions for more flooding somewhere.

Above, resurrection lilies, in their resurrected form. RLs are just about the first plants to poke above the frozen soil in the spring, sometimes forcing their strap-like leaves above the snow. I’m always glad to see them. By June, it’s time to clear away the wilted debris. But then in August we get these leafless flower stalks.

The Curse Is Ended?

Yesterday evening…

…we had thunder. A real thunder storm, featuring fabulous thunder, but very little rain. And when the thunder rolled away, I figured that was it.

But the thunder came back, along with lightning, and then rain. And for an hour we had a classic, old-fashioned duck drownder. You could almost hear the shrubbery sighing with relief. For once this summer, the epicenter of stormbogenesis was almost overhead.

So that was good. But what came after, particularly today, was not so good. Namely, humidity, and lots of it.

Normally, I would complain about humidity, and today’s humidity certainly needs complaining about, but I am restraining myself because of the interrelatedness of humidity and rain. I will tolerate humidity if it means rain.

This afternoon, the humidity again brought thunder, but no rain. That is bad humidity. However, tonight’s humidity is responsible, I believe, for a severe weather waning. The curse seems to be ended, but if the forecast fizzles as it usually does, then tonight’s humidity is bad humidity, too.

Out To Lunch…

…in Waukesha, of all places. Takeout from the Rochester Deli, a true, old fashioned, New York style delicatessen.

Hard to beat for tastiness. Tempted to try one of the DeliCakes advertised in the window, but went with a tuna melt instead.

A few hours to kill and a few errands to run while Sue’s new bike was in the shop, in Brookfield, getting a few adjustments.

Another pretend rain last night, dampening the sidewalks. Unpleasantly hot and humid and sunny today, in spite of the forecast. WiFi back, though the technician was unvaccinated and unmasked. We had a discussion as he was leaving, and I might have convinced him to reconsider his obstinance. The hard part is staying calm and being friendly. Look at me—a missionary, preaching to the heathen.

Back To Complaining…

…about the drought (and anything else I can think of). While I’ve been distracted the drought has persisted.

Incredible lack of moisture over an incredible length of time. Above, cottonwoods already losing their leaves.
The climate crisis isn’t coming; it’s here.
Still no WiFi. Gotta give ATT a high five.
There, that should do it. (At least for now. )

Enjoyable Bike Rides…

…like this one along a horse pasture. Mimi’s got the hang of her new bike.

ATT WiFi internet service down again, a direct result of doofuses messing with the pole box on Monday while trying to fix our neighbor’s problem. How fun is it to spend a hour on the phone with your internet (supposed) provider?

I’d Walk a Mile…

…for the Arboretum.

Actually, 4,775 feet, or .9 mile, according to a rolling wheel distance counter, while trying to determine the length of a proposed Interpretive Trail in the place. The plan is to keep plugging away on the Arboretum dream in the hope that something actually happens. Signs are that it might, but we will see if momentum continues when I ease up on the pushing.

Prepping For Canada Trip

Lots of phone time, but ultimately, molecular Covid tests scheduled at both Mercy Health and CVS. While Mercy is our first choice, CVS was the easiest. Lots of other loose ends to tie up too.

Photos above of a Purple Martin house which the Urban Forestry Commission has erected, and which is now housing the last three soon-to-be fledglings.

BTW, it’s good to know that Purple Martins are synanthropic.

Perfect summer supper. Some of it home grown, almost all of it local.

Wrapping Up…

…the second annual Canada family get together at Lac du Flambeau. Very nice.

Polaroid by Becca