Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Roses and quilt airing on the line


I love roses and really never had alot of luck keeping
them for long, until I got this shrub rose from mom.
It just seems to grow bigger and better every year.

Well, its time to call it a night. I'm going to go soak in the

tub with epsom salts and hop in my freshly washed and

hung in the sun, sheets and bedding. Will I have some

sweet dreams tonight!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Back home and lots of work to do...


John weeding the garden.


My little lettuce patch. We've had some very yummy

salads lately. I wash them in my salad spinner, dry well

and put them in a zip-lock bag to crisp. We ate lots at

camp. I just wish there was a way to freeze them for

winter. We have enough to last a long time. Anyone want

some greens? Gotta start giving them away.


I weeded my herb garden today, and counted 12 different

herbs. Oregano, sage, parsley, rosemary, basil, thyme,

dill, lemon balm, fever few, chamomile, chives, marjoram.

Then I went for a bike ride with dirt on my knees, face,

and hands!!


I've got camping fever again!

Mom and Archie by their motor home.
A hike in the woods.



The shores of Lake Superior are always changing. The

water levels are back up this year with all the rain we've

had. Last year they were so low. And the shore changes

as you walk along the beach. Some places are very rocky,

big rocks, then small pebbles and soon all sand along the

way. The shores change from season to season, storm,

winds and rain bring in new things such as driftwood,

rocks, and shipwreck pieces. One year my kids sent out

notes in bottles. About 3 years later we got a call from a

lady in Canada who found the bottle and told us where she

lives. We were so surprised at how far it traveled and how

long it took to be found.


McClain State Park

Campfires are my favorite part of camping!


Mom and Archie, and me snacking.
Somebody left us some pretty painted rocks. Thats something

we always love to do while camping with the kids when they

were young. Mom--the artist, has painted some mighty pretty

rocks over the years.

Camping





I took soooo many pictures!

Sunset on Lake Superior




These shots were taken at McClains Park this past week
We camped there in our tent for a few nights. We had good
weather, except for the first night it was very cold. It must
have gotten down to the low 50's. We are so fortunate to live
so close to this state park. It only takes 10 minutes to drive
there from home.
John fishing at the Eagle Harbor Marina.


Overlooking Eagle Harbor from the marina.


This is an old house I've always admired on the road to

the marina. I believe it was once a book store and gift shop.

Fishing and picnicking in Eagle Harbor



This is Mom and Archie on the 4th of July. We spent the day driving up to Eagle Harbor, Eagle River and Copper Harbor to fish, hike, picnic, and see all the beautiful sites along the way. Sure was fun!

Lovely Woodland Greens




So fresh and alive, fragrant and a deep rich green. Thanks to God for all the nature we can see, smell, touch, and hear. We have so many blessings in our lives.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Quote

Everyone should love America more than any country in the world.
Where else do you have the right to criticize it?

The wood peckered tree


This tree was pecked at by a pesty hard working Wood Pecker. He worked at it all winter, just outside my mom's patio window. Mom and Archie enjoyed watching him working away! I wish I could have caught him in the act, to show off the pretty bird.

Tree Admiring!


I love trees! Big ones, fat ones, skinny ones, and especially birch trees are my favorite. This tree is at the end of my block. When I take Charley out for his walks I've been watching it grow leaves all season. I wonder how old it is? Its so big, I'd love to climb this thing!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Todays Quote

I believe we would be happier to have a personal revolution in our individual lives and go back to simpler living and more direct thinking. It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature. There are not hothouse blossoms thatcan compare in beauty and fragrance with my bouquet of wildflowers.- Laura Ingalls Wilder

Monday, July 7, 2008

My Lupines and Lilly's




I'll tell a little secret... these are from last year. I can't show my this years as the nasty weeds are taking over.

Poppies in Full Bloom




I took these at mom's house. Her flowers are gorgeous, as always. Mine are really nothing to brag about this year. My poor herb garden looks so sad and overcrowded. It needs a major cleaning. My poppies, peonies and lemon lillies are just starting to bloom, they are about a week behind my mom's garden.

Dreamy Soft Clouds



The "Rose" who touched many lives...

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze.

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.

She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'

'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, '! We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.'

She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it! These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE. REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Isn't this just wonderfull to see!



I cannot take credit for any of these shots. I took them from one of my favorite sites--
www.pasty.com. Just check it out. Each day a picture is posted from my area--the Copper
Country. The photographers sure do a beautiful job. If you check out this site and the photo
of the day, you can see comments under the picture and discussions on any number of subjects
It is very interesting and sure draws people to our wonderful area. We are so fortunate to live
here! I did check on the sight to see if you should not use the photos without permission and
did not see that posted any where. Hopefully this is OK to do.


Beautiful local photography