August 18, 2009

We decided to schedule another appointment with the plumber so we could clarify some concerns before signing a contract. The plumber couldn't get us on his calendar until Wednesday which worked out good for us since we couldn't leave until 9:00 am (Tuesday). We took our time, stopping at the oasis for gas and at Culver's for lunch. Anyone have a taste for "Caramel Pecan Tacos"? I thought not!

Once again, the colors of the scenic farmlands along the way were bright and vivid. It's hard to believe how quickly the seasons change and before long everything will be white with snow. But for this trip, the sky was a beautiful shade of blue and full of white fluffy clouds!

We got to the cabin in time for GH and while I watched it and unpacked, Carlo ran to the store for a shut off valve since the one on the pump is leaking. He got back, "ized" the parts he bought, scraped his knuckles, put it all back together and got the water running. He loaded up all the feeders for the possibility of a show later on in the night!

We sat on the front porch and enjoyed the swarm of birds that seemed to appear from nowhere. I'm sure they were pleased Carlo made the trip and brought all the goodies for them to indulge in! While we were checking on an opening at the roof edge and trying to figure out an effective way to close it up, Carlo noticed a frog in the space. We're not really sure how he got up there - but he's gonna have to go!

Although we were both exhausted and close to hitting being up for 24 hours, we decided to run down to visit Paul and Betty for a bit. Steve was home too and showed us some photos of a trip he had been on. Betty bagged up some fresh pickles, beans and cherry tomatoes for us from their garden. When we got back I fell asleep on the recliner and stayed there well into the early morning hours.

August 6, 2009

Concerned with another issue with the pump - now it's a leaky prime access funnel and valve, I didn't sleep well. I was bailing out the funnel every 2 hours and had to do so three times! Around 2:00 am, during one of my plumbing service bailings, I noticed that the moon lit up the back as though a light was on. I got up around 5:00 am and it was darker than it was three hours earlier...Amazing!

The cranes started whooping it up around 5:30 and within five minutes it was like a symphony. Birds chirping in the front, in the back, at a distance and near. Truly a wondrous sound.

We spent the day watching movies and having lunch before we packed up to leave.

We took a few minutes for some photos opportunities and then hit the fruit stand. We drove through the Dells to pick up some chocolates and cheese and then headed home. Once again, a great time and some much appreciated R&R!

Soon I'll be back and enjoying it - all over again!

August 5, 2009

I checked on the pump during the night - I think. Was it a dream??? It was working.

6:45 am the birds were chirping like a bunch of roosters. Nothing better than a wilderness alarm clock! Wondering if my checking the pump was a dream or not, I flipped the switch. It did work and after a few (although a long few) minutes, it cycled off. Now my thoughts are to talk to Carlo before I call for service.

With the birds still making a lot of noise, I thought for sure there would be birds everywhere. I grabbed my camera and headed out to the front porch. The front was loaded with....squirrels! They were reaching to the feeders from the trees, they were on the ground and there was even one completely on a feeder! There were a couple of birds and they seemed happy when I came out since I scared the squirrels away!

The shelf over the stove is great! It looks great and is fully functional.

Basically, it was a cool, relaxing, nice, quiet day other than for the plumbing drama that was mixed in. Things got better when Gary, the plumbing guy showed up and said the pump was in fine working order. He said whatever caused the problem most likely corrected itself - but now we're waiting for him to give us an estimate to getting the plumbing fixed - once and for all!

Laurie and I left after Gary left. We went to Tractor Supply to look at wood burning stoves, we went to Fashion Bug to shop, Walmart to shop some more and finally to the farm stand for more of the tasty corn like Paul had given us. We grilled burgers and had veggies for supper and it was scrumptious! Afterward we watched Valkyrie - actually slept through Valkyrie - it was the credit that woke us up and prompted us to call it a night!

August 4, 2009

Laurie joined me for a little O'Wich R&R for our days off. We were on the road by 8:00 am buy the time we loaded the car, stopped for coffee and for houska. The drive is always the same number of hours and minutes, but the time flew due to our involved conversations - we can always find something to talk about!

We drove straight to Walmart to pick up our "supplies". I was happy to pick up some Cricut accessories that were cheaper than at home...not to mention the taxes are lower. With our "supplies" in hand - or in the trunk, we were at the cabin around noon. It was super easy to open since Carlo just left yesterday and all I needed to do was flip a switch! After everything was put away, I went down to visit Paul and Betty and to deliver the bread I picked up for them.

When I got back we had lunch. Paul had given us corn from the farm stand and we made our pizzas. All in all, a very yummy lunch.

Laurie read her book and soon after she decided to take a nap. My rest on the couch turned into a deep sleep until I was awakened by the ongoing noise of the water pump...AGAIN???? Again!!!!! I opened the door and was instantly met with a gazillion degrees of heat (add-on, but it was hot). I shut the pump off and called the repair guy ~ Carlo said the running pump could only be one of three things. One: Pressure switch / Two: water leak / Three: Check valve - He had already changed the pressure switch and I check for the water leak. Great! Time to bring in a local professional - I'll be calling the plumber in the morning.

For some reason, the pump totally shut down during the evening. No water...no electric - this cannot be good. I shut it all down and we watched Gran Torino. When the tear jerked was over, we watched a couple of raccoons hitting the seed pile. They were lame compared to the wilderness sounds we heard earlier that were either owls or some other angry animal. They were loud but we never were able to see them.

And that's it for this day!

August 3, 2009

Let the Interrogation Commence: by Detective Casper
*
*

*
*
Where were you during the hours of 10pm and 6am?
Trying to sleep through the storm

What time did the storm start?
Maybe around midnight

Were you watching TV?
No, I told you I was sleeping

No you did not say you WERE sleeping, never mind that...did any visitors attack the feeders?
Yes, 3 raccoons

How's the weather now?
Cool, cloudy and misting

What are your plans for the day?
Paul is stopping for coffee and coming home later

What else is going on?
Nothing

*****See how difficult this ghost writing is?????


I was told about all the turkeys on the grass this morning. These are wild turkeys - known as a rafter or gang of - that were most certainly appreciative of all the seed that was on the ground thanks to the tipping of the feeders by the midnight bandits! Oh, and yes, wild turkeys can fly!


Now I would like to speculate what Carlo is doing today, since he asked me where the new fluorescent light was. This is the light going under the new shelf that is going over the stove - could it be that this will be done on Tuesday and that I will get to use the new microwave??? (I am jumping up and down - I hope so!!!)


As luck would have it (yay), Carlo not only hung the shelf, but the light and put up the new microwave! I can't wait to see it. Thank you, honey!


~ Well this gumshoe is shot. Finishing up my review of the notes of the interrogation, I kick back in my seat, feet up on my desk, my hat falling tipping to the bridge of my nose (I know, I'm getting a bit carried away on this!), I think, I'm gonna have to check all of this out for myself. I'm gonna head to the scene of the crime in the morning. But for now this case is on hold, pending further investigation ~

August 2, 2009

Boo! Another ghost writing entry~

~Things must really be broken - I keep clicking my heels together yet I am still at home. I suppose if I click hard enough I'll be in O'Wich by mid-morning on Tuesday - until then, Casper will need to translate the events~

Carlo said there hasn't been any memorable photo opportunities - he's wasn't even sure what he wanted to do when this day started...hmmm, where is that silly list I thought I had?? I could help from a distance!

So, back to reality: Carlo took a couple of pictures of the river and his signs. He worked on cutting the grass between the easement and the river. Let me tell you; that's a lot of grass! Paul drove by and they chatted for a bit. Rick also stopped by. Carlo was quite the socialite. I guess these people don't know him too well! After his people-fest ended, he cut up the tree limb and finished up the grass.

In the late afternoon, he went down to visit with Paul and Betty. When he got back he noticed the pump was running...and running...and running. It was hot to the touch. (This was sounding very familiar to me.) He changed out the pump switch. Hopefully this will resolve the last two incidents. I think we need to move that plumbing renovation way up to the top of the list!

Other than that, Carlo advised the day was "uneventful". So I will shut off the interrogation light for the day ~ there's always tomorrow!

August 1, 2009

Again with the ghost writing ~

~As though there's a bright light over his head, he sits on a chair in the middle of a dark empty room, with beads of sweat dripping from his brow - I nearly need to beat the information from him...
Where were you on the night of August first? Well, something like that...or nothing like that!~

Carlo made it to the cabin mid-day after having worked on Friday night. He said there was a little rain and quite a bit of traffic along the way. So, he tells me (in absolutely no specific order) that he opened the cabin, changed the water filter, fixed the running toilet, fed the birds, visited with Tom, Judy and their grandson and that he picked up supplies from Walmart. Further interrogation led to the translation that for the mention of supplies from Walmart that he meant food shopping - not sure when food made it to the category of 'supplies' ~ but it is what it is!

Carlo has a new phone and attempted to snap a photo of some cranes he encountered - did I mention that Carlo got a new phone???? (imagine an image of a crane here!) Actually, the lack of photos is no fault of his own...it's the way they need to be sent. We're gonna need to figure that out!

I'm not really certain if Carlo is at O'Wich or on a ship - he mentioned 'poop deck'. Unless he was referring to the animal feces on the back deck - okay - he was - poop ON THE deck; crazy animals! They probably got the poops from eating the shrubs, flowers and the bird seed. Sounds like an imported special to me! Now what are those damn raccoons doing on the deck?!?!