July 26, 2009

(Ghost Writer Entry)

Last year it was squirrels attacking the bird feeders...this year it's the raccoons.

During the night, five raccoons hung from the trees, feasting on feed Carlo put out for the birds. They are such savages! I also think they are the culprits that broke my bird bath/feeder, which I use to hold all the pine cones I pick up off the ground. Little bast.....

Carlo watched a bunch of turkeys wander through the back - a couple of moms and a following of babies...awww!

I asked him to take some photos for the blog and I recieved the following artistic shots - twigs I left on the deck rail and the lilac bush. (Good job!)

The wild life gets lucky today when Carlo gets back from Tractor Supply - I'm sure they'll be waiting for him!

July 25, 2009

(Ghost Writer Entry)

Up at 5:00 am because he had already slept over 8 hours, Carlo watched a frog while he sat on the porch...I guess they were both on the porch! This frog looks pretty big!

Since it wasn't raining, he changed the alternator and then needed to run a couple of errands. A quick trip to Do-It Best for bolts, spray paint and a couple of other things and he was back checking things off of his chore list. (He doesn't really have a list...I am the one with all the lists; he has a plan - and the plan is in his head. So essentially, I am checking things off the list that I have for him!)

He hung the sign in the front, welded and sprayed the chair and then started in on the grass. The grass took most of the day - first by the river, then the easement and then the front. There is still a section or two that needs to be done, but there is that fallen tree branch that needs to be taken care of.

Carlo drove down for a visit with Paul and Betty - his visit lasted three and a half hours! Then it was off to Wendy's for something to eat and back to the cabin for some much deserved R & R.

July 24, 2009

(Ghost Writer Entry)

Carlo got off to a late start for this trip to O'Wich. With that in mind, he then hit a lot of traffic and construction. He hit the oasis about a half an hour later than he should have and is having problems with the alternator in the Tahoe. Being stuck in the slow moving traffic isn't helping with this situation and I only hope he makes it safely off the highway in the vicinity of an auto parts store and that the store has what he needs - an alternator and any tools that he already has "at home"! If all those components are in order - he'll know to do...Safe travels, honey! I patiently will wait for updates (fingers thumping the table top).

Carlo arrived at the cabin and left the truck running while he got everything up and running. He headed to Auto Zone and for a few groceries...also leaving the truck running ~ just in case! Once back at the cabin, he started to check things off of his "To-Do" list, which included removing the old "no parking" sign, fixing the broken patio chair, feeding the _________ (insert birds, squirrels or raccoons; your choice). He said the weather was not so good; it was raining and there were tornado warning and not too far away there were reports of tennis ball size hail. Hopefully the weather will hold out long enough for him to change the alternator and cut the grass. Carlo also mentioned there was no traffic on our road, probably due to the weather and after working all night, taking the long delayed drive, and getting a few things done, he called it a night. Hopefully the masked bandits will not wake him up should they come for their midnight snack of bird seed!

July 22, 2009

It rained all night lloonngg. The sound of the rain hitting the roof and rustling through the trees was quite soothing - until I woke up at 6:30 and it was still raining. The front porch looked water logged - and to think that wood was sealed!

Then reality set in - AM I GONNA BE ABLE TO GET OUTTA HERE?! I was planning on staying for most of the morning but quickly rethought that plan and started to pack up - new departure plan...ASAP!

If you're wondering - yes - the nest is still tucked in the eave of the front porch and other than getting beaned on the head with a pine cone (I just keep adding them to the bird bath tray), my trip, once in the car, went quick and uneventful. That is until I neared Mannheim...but what else is new - Welcome to the jungle!

July 21, 2009

The good thing about sleeping (a lot) yesterday is the opportunity to wake up early and enjoy the break of day! The sun peeks through the trees and shines on the dew kissed grass while the squirrels romp around and the birds sing their morning tunes. It is so relaxing to just sit back and enjoy the quiet and serene setting that I am very lucky to be in!

Paul stopped by for a visit and coffee. As he was leaving it started to drizzle and within the next thirty minutes it was raining pretty steadily. Deciding that the rain wasn't going to keep me from one of my only two outside chores, I headed out to pick up sticks, twigs and branches and to trim the new grass around the shrubs and to water the one that seems to be sheltered from the rain!

I was outside around 10:30 and walked every inch of the property, bending and carrying all the fallen debris. I heard that on July 11, Madison was hit with a huge hail storm and during that storm, the area surrounding the cabin experienced a huge wind storm. The amount of branches and twigs I picked up were proof of that! I carried brush to the left; I carried brush to the right; I carried brush to the fire pit - and just when I was ready to complain - I'm glad the fallen debris was the worst of the storm damage...things could have been so much worse. There's a tree past the easement that split, possibly hit by lightening or a big gush of wind. While I walked back and forth the rain ended - and if as opening a door, the mosquitoes swarmed! I even dealt with some ants and of course tripping on the roots and vole tunnels was a force to be reckoned with as well! I made it back to the cabin and was surprised...well maybe shocked - to see that it was 3:10. Not only was I outside almost 5 hours, but I missed lunch and GH! No wonder I am so thirsty and so exhausted! Hopefully all my laborious work will pay off this weekend when Carlo comes up to cut the grass.

I was able to snap some photos of some wild flowers - or flowering weeds - since they'll be gone after the grass is cut.

I was excited to be able to enjoy the flowers as they bloomed this season since my visits here are more frequent than the years past. I even discovered a lilac bush on the side of the wood crib. This is one of my favorite flowering shrubs and I was surprised to see it - not remembering ever seeing it before. Most likely we were always cutting it down!

The only thing that would have made my photo shoot more perfect would have been if the yellow flowering plant in the front would have had its flowers opened.

Just after finishing up with the pictures, I got the grill started and once again, it started pouring! I rested my tired, sore, rain drenched body while the grill cooked up some grub. I woke up to some plump hot dogs, some burnt hot dogs and some pretty tasty ribs! I decided to cook a bunch so I could take some grilled foods home.

After dinner and after cleaning the kitchen up, I disinfected the tiles and sealed them. I cannot believe what an incredible difference the sealer makes - the color of the tiles are enriched and have a great wet-look sheen to them.

It seems like all the chores I intended to do were accomplished! Yay - Except for trimming the grass around the shrubs. Next time!

July 20, 2009

I got on the road after work just as planned. I was excited to bring along a special birthday gift I received from my friends, Laurie and Wayne. They bought me a throw that I had seen at Paul Bunyon when we had breakfast there during their visit. The colors are a great match for the cabin decor and it is sooo soft! A big-big thank you again Laurie and Wayne!

I was also excited to bring along some special decor items that Carlo designed and had made. He designed some "no hunting" signs to post on the property but the most special of signs is the "OWich Parking Only" sign he's going to put on the post in front of the cabin. A big giant thank you to Carlo! All visitors best comply...or else!

I stopped at the oasis because I found out the coffee they serve is the Breakfast Blend that is one of my favorites - and I was feeling a bit tired. Then back on the road and the ride went fairly well and I got to the cabin by 10:15; at least that's the time I noticed after the car was unloaded and water pump was up and running. After a quick inventory I headed down for a short visit with Paul and Betty and then a run to WalMart.

I had a little unexpected plumbing crisis upon my return with a few bags of groceries...the water pump was running, making a grinding noise and when I opened the valve it spewed water ~ everywhere ~ . Luckily Carlo was on the phone and he talked me through the re-priming of the pump and after about 15 minutes everything seemed to be back to normal! Phew; it was stressful. And once I calmed down, I was able to watch GH. *Fingers crossed* that the day will end on a positive note. After napping away a good chunk of afternoon, I woke up around 6:00. Since I was awake I decided to get one of my two goal chores done so I disinfected the bathroom tiles to pre-treat them to be sealed. A friend from work, Gavin (aka Puma), gave me some spray cleaner and a travertine sealer to use. The hopes are to remove the haze and make the tiles have a "forever" sheen to them. Thanks Puma! It has the finish I was hoping for!

*** I've been asked to post a before sealer photo and an after sealer photo - so here there are! An obvious difference - don't you think?

before

after

I went to bed early after more naps in the evening - tomorrow is gonna be a busy day!

July 7, 2009

The temperature had gone down to the mid 50's during the night so the morning air was quite cool. It was quiet except for the few birds that were having their own harmonious conversation.

I watered the shrubs and left water jugs out for during the week - Paul and Betty offered to water them for me until I can get back.

My attempts to start the lawn mower didn't work, so my goal of cutting the grass was not accomplished. I decided that going home was going to be the best choice since there wasn't much I was able to do. I loaded up the car and after having coffee with Paul, I closed up the cabin and was on the road by 10:30.

And yes, the nest is still in tack...I decided to leave it alone - only because it's occupied.

July 6, 2009

Alex and Jackie got up first and were excited to see a bunch of turkeys in the front yard. I got up and we watched them until they walked into the trees across the road.

After breakfast - pancakes for me, yogurt for Jackie and a buffet for Alex, we drove into Baraboo to go to the Ochsner Zoo. This is a very small zoo that had a family of deer, two bears, two llamas, a mountain wolf and a couple of monkeys. There were less animals than the last time we visited.

From the zoo, we walked across a field to a park where Alex played on the jungle gym and swings for a while.

After our morning in the sun and fresh air, we went to Walmart and then LaTolteca for lunch.

When we got back to the cabin, we sat on the deck. Alex played with his cars and we took a few photos.

Then it was nap time. There was lots a deal making going on about napping...first Alex needed to hold his cars, then he needed cheese, then he had to go potty. Then he needed to be sure Jackie and I were napping and even tried each of the beds...first alone, then with me and then with Jackie before our little Goldilocks settled on the recliner in the living room! He slept until 4:30 - now that's a great nap!!!

We weren't really hungry when we woke up but needed to eat so Jackie and Alex could get on the road. Jackie and I had tomatoes and avocado - we also had corn on the cob and Alex enjoyed yet another buffet of food - earlier leftovers, fruit and spaghetti-O's were just a couple things that he had. We did gather up all the uneaten food and Alex put it out by the tree for the animals. He helped me water the shrubs and they were driving away at 7:00.

It was a great and enjoyable visit!

Once they were on their way, I kicked back and tried to ignore all the noise on the river and by my neighbors who seem to think it's still the 4th of July. Happy 6th of July!

Jackie and Alex arrived home safely around 10:00 and by 11:00 I was tucked in for the night, but not before hearing the screeching of the two raccoons that were nibbling on the treats that Alex had served!

What a busy day!!!

July 5, 2009

I got out of work just a few minutes early today which allowed me to feed my FT addiction before getting out of the house right on time - at 6:30. With my trunk packed with necessities, I only needed to stop for gas. I pulled up to the cabin at 10:05.

After getting the water running, I took a walk around the cabin and reported my findings to Carlo via telephone...

The flowers bloomed, the shrubs were looking weak, the birds built one hell of a nest in the last two weeks, the grass needs to be mowed, the new grass is looking good, the bird feeders are empty, a lot of branches have fallen, there's a lone mushroom growing, something ate my flowers from the flower box, wasps are flying into an opening under the addition and there are several butterflies fluttering about. After the run down, I unloaded the car, put everything away and swept the porches...yes, I left the bird nest alone.

Just as I sat down to enjoy the fresh air and quiet - someone started shooting off firecrackers - then a gun - then there was the revving of a motorbike. Ugh. I hear lots of people attempting to have their voices heard above all of these noises. Happy 5th of July!

Betty called and said her and Paul were going to stop by on their way home from the store - so I cleaned off the table and chairs and had a quick lunch. They visited for a couple of hours and brought me a balloon, a card and a mum plant for my birthday. It was a great day to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. After they left, I took a nap until Jackie and Alex arrived.

Jackie and Alex arrived around 6:00 ~

We had dinner and played with the musical card Alex picked out for me for my birthday. He picked out one for himself as well. Alex played with his cars and hid them in the shell of a clay turtle candle holder. I told Alex about all the critters that come around and showed him pictures of what to look for. He was very concerned about any bugs that might be up in the loft!

We sat on the swing and then Alex helped me put some food out for the animal by the tree - we never had a chance to see any of the food get nibbled at since we all went to bed around 9:00.