"My kind of weather" he says. It's 82 degrees, sunny with a dew point of 72. "My kind of weather" he says as he sits in his air conditioned house. 😁 It's the kind of weather that formants storms. Here's hoping for rain without storms. For once, at least, I'm not cold.
The life of leisure I lead means I don't have to do anything physical if I don't want. As was posited yesterday, 'I am spoiled.'
Takk for alt,
Al
Both of you will likely concur that I'm spoiled. For proof I offer today's experience. After a routine visit with my primary care physician, who says I'm likely to live awhile yet, Kaia and I motored to The Little House. Have I mentioned that we have a house guest? Miriam, my cousin from Mesa, AZ., is staying with us until the family reunion in later August. Miriam is central to this tale.
Driving toward S. D. a text message appeared on my phone. With the magic of Bluetooth it also shows on the screen on the dash of the car. The text was from Miriam to wit, "Dinner will be ready when you arrive and we also have company coming." How about them apples?😁
Miriam and I are virtually the same age, grew up together and have much fun. No, I am not going to expect this every evening!
Takk for alt,
Al
"Opposites attract, marry each other and then the negotiation begins. That was certainly true of Joanne and I. While I am significantly introverted Joanne was a total extrovert. Introversion has nothing to do with shyness, I'm not shy. Introverts are persons who get energy from being alone while extroverts energize from being with others. Because of this difference between us Joanne feared that in her absence I'd isolate.
She'd be proud of me. Since coming to the OFH Friday I've had 9 social engagements plus time with family and attending church, including coffee hour. Nope, not an isolate, just an introvert who likes time alone.
Takk for alt,
Al
CICUS JEVENTAS:"Mission: Circus Juventas is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit performing arts circus school for youth dedicated to inspiring artistry and self-confidence through a multicultural circus arts experience. Vision: To be the world’s premier youth circus performing arts organization, recognized for providing innovative programming, world-class training, and professional-level performances in a state-of-the-art circus center. Values: Building self-confidence is an important part of our mission and is achieved through creating an environment that encourages leadership and life skills, teamwork, athleticism, artistry, pursuit of excellence, and community service. Combining athleticism with the arts, the values of Circus Juventas include the following:
Circus Juventas is committed to striving for new levels of excellence in artistry, athleticism, mental acuity, and creativity." WEBSITE
Evy and I attended the current production, Jangala, which was three hours of high energy entertainment. Almost endless trapeze artists, gymnastic excellence. multiple unicyclists choregraphed, tight rope walking even featured a unicycle, flaming jump rope, trampolines even two elephants, etc., and all done by young people.
The venue is a permanent big top, 40 feet high, air conditioned and seats with back rests. It's a couple of blocks from the OFH and I've long wanted to attend. This trip to the OFH coincided with a show allowing me to attend. Yes, I hope to go again! Of course going with Evy added a big plus.
Takk for alt,
Al
Asked by a friend today if I miss the city I replied "When I do I come to the OFH." It's a blessing to have both city and country in my life. She has unpleasant memories of growing up in a small South Dakota town. I remarked that it's a very different experience to be an old person in a little town. Also small towns are not as ingrown and provincial as they once were.
It reminds me of how fortunate I am to have the options of both city and town. One of the privileges of adulthood is being able to vote with our bodies. If it's not life giving I just absent myself/ Then, too, I am blessed with family and friends.
Takk for alt,
Al
Well, Kaia and I have been at the OFH only since noon and I've already had two social engagements! We'll be here a few days, see some people and have a routine medical appointment. It's nice to have this urban apartment to which I can repair from time to time.
Stay upright!
Takk for alt,
Al
In a recent foray to Joanne's cemetery I activated the Merlin app on my phone to record the serenade by the birds. They were in full chorus. Eight different birds added their voices to the song. Not surprisingly there was a robin. In addition a song sparrow, house finch, chipping sparrow eurasian collard dove, solitary sandpiper and house wren lifted their songs.
Such delightful sounds made more so by being able to tell who was singing which note. If you're an outdoor person and have a smartphone download the Merlin Bird App.
Takk for alt,
Al
Today, at the noon meal at the bank the question was asked "Why does that house of two front doors side by side?" Thereby hangs a tale, That "house" did not begin as a house. It's use as a house is the third iteration of the building. It began its life as Sinai's school house. Early in the last century a new school house was built which housed grades 1-12. When the school closed many years ago a family bought the building and converted it to their house.
With the construction of the new school building the old one was repurposed. It had three functions, for which the two front doors served two. Entering the door on the left brought one into the living quarters of the superintendent of the school. The right-hand door led to the school's dining room where students were fed. Thus the building came to be called "The Soup House."
The basement housed the wood shop where students were instructed in the skills of woodworking. That shop was formative for my future. It was there that I learned that woodworking was NOT to be my future. This is in contrast to one of my classmates who went on to be a cabinet maker. In a similar vein, taking bookkeeping in high school also taught me not considering a career in accounting.
Takk for alt,
Al
The square building is the 'new school' now demolished. The domed building was the gym built by WPA and now used as a warehouse.
It was bound to happen! After a rainy May, June and early July, now we could use rain. It's not serious but it would just be a good time for a shower. It is the human condition to always want, want, want. The good news is that the mosquito population has subsided.
Once upon a time I worked with a recreation event for developmentally delayed adults. Every time the group convened Keith would ask me the same question, Why did God create mosquitos?" My answer was always the same "So we'll know we're not yet in heaven." This never satisfied Keith.
Takk for alt,
Al
For many years, 30+?, Steve has rented a pasture from me. He moves his livestock into the pasture in early spring and removes them in early July. The cattle feast on the early growing invasive grasses. This encourages the later season native grasses such as big bluestem to thrive. It's very convenient relationship. This avoids a couple of months of grazing on his pasture. He gives me a rental payment that helps offset the land taxes I pay. (South Dakota has a very regressive tax system that relies heavily on property tax.)
It's also convenient because our two pastures are very near, less than 500 yards apart. When he moved the cattle last week he opened the gate in my pasture, let down the fence in his and led the cattle from one to the other. Cattle have good memories, so good that they remember the transition and where to go.
My pasture is fenced but the fence is old and some sections in poor repair. Steve puts up an electric fence to contain the stock. Last summer deer ran into the electric fence and knocked it down, where the old fence was also down. The cattle discovered this breach and left the pasture. They walked a half mile north to the road. There they turned west walking on the road a mile to an intersection. Then they turned south walking another mile to another intersection. At that corner they turned east for a half a mile, north for a quarter of a mile on a field road where they found the open gate to Steve's pasture. When Steve went looking for them he found them in his pasture! 😀
Takk for alt,
Al
Flora does not refer to the lady who lives down the street. Now that the primary nesting season for ground nesting birds is over, Kaia and I ventured into a grassland field. We'd last visited it in late April before the nesting season began.
The abundant rain this season has been a boon to flora. Much of the grass was as tall as I, and was thick and lush. Not only was the moisture good for the grass it also enhanced forbs. There were several flowering plants such as purple prairie clover and wild bergamot (see below). The end of nesting season now offers the opportunity more ventures in the grasslands. Of course, as annoying as thistles are, pollinating insects love them.
Takk for alt,
Al
Not only was the concept brilliant the execution was superb. How did Percival Everett arrive at a great idea, he has the literary and intellectual gifts to make a masterpiece. How did he think of re-writing the story of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Huck's companion, the runaway slave, Jim? Well, that's what he's done with James.
Always trust MJV! She said to re-read Huckleberry Finn before reading James. So, I did and it was the correct approach. Surprising how little of Huckleberry I remembered from reading it decades ago. Without the re-read James would not make as much sense. James lays bare the white supremacist understanding of Twain's novel.
Naturally it's not easy to see life through the perspective of an enslaved person. His view of the world challenges typical perceptions. The book moves hilarity to pain. Seeing the brutality of slavery and it's all compassing effect is depressing. It's not easy to think about such terrible suffering, but we should. Ann Patchett asks "Who should read this book? Every single person in the country." She's correct!
Takk for alt,
Al
Traversing the land yesterday to view the wetland restorations revealed some more thistle patches. With a brisk south wind to keep the mosquitos at bay I ventured out to mow them. Arriving at the weed patch the wind subsided and clouds of mosquitos enveloped me. Then a cloud passed over and a nuisance rain annoyed me.
Well, the thistles will not go to seed. In the best of circumstances the mowing will be fatal to them, if not at the least, they too, are annoyed.
Takk for alt,
Al
A year ago, in cooperation with the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks, four wetlands were restored on one of my properties. Last winter was relatively snowless, consequently there was not enough snow melt runoff to fill these wetlands. Dial into this May and June with exceptional rainfall and now they all hold water,
Luke, the young South Dakota State biologist that oversaw the projects, and I, visited the sites today. Not only are they retaining water, native aquatic vegetation is now present. These small bodies of water will attract nesting ducks. A flock of water birds was present on one. With the growth of cattails and reeds, already colonizing, winter habitat for pheasants and other wild critters will be present. One dam is retaining water a foot or two deep for several hundred yards creating a marsh that will fill with a variety of flora. The deepest of these impoundments holds water only a few inches below the spillway.
Ah, yes, the gift of rain.
Takk for alt,
Al
Perhaps the corn isn't as high as that quote from Oklahoma, but it's tall and tasseling. The weather is ideal, too. With abundant moisture and modest temperatures the pollination will be good. Each kernel of corn has a silk that protrudes from corn husk at the end of the cob. A fleck of pollen falling from a tassel to a silk pollinates that kernel so it develops. Extreme heat can disrupt the pollinating process.
So there is your botany lesson for the day. You're welcome!
Takk for alt,
Al
The "vintage" title to this blog doesn't refer to me, though it well might. The 'vintage' reference is to the 74 year old tractor on which I spent my morning. It runs as well as the day it came off the assembly line in Rock Island, IL. However, there is evidence that it was overhauled by a previous owner.
We, the tractor mower and I, were mowing thistles in a grassland. Sometimes it actually kills the thistles, other times it only annoys them. At least it keeps them from going to seed. Barn swallows found me and feasted on the mosquitos the mowing disturbed.
When I was a home owner doing snow removal I'd talk about nuisance snows, those light snowfalls of about an inch that required removal. Now there are nuisance rains. Yesterday morning there were some light showers that kept me off the tractor. Today a cloud came over and of course it rained as I was mowing. It rained the entire 30 minutes while I drove back to town. As soon as I arrived in town the sun came out. Now it's raining again as this is written.
Takk for alt,
Al
Perhaps if I wasn't so hearing impaired, these are the days I might hear the corn grow, After all the good moisture these warm days and nights facilitate corn growth. "Shading the rows" is the idea that the corn canopy shades the ground between the rows. This serves to inhibit the germination of weeds. Modern farmers plant corn with less space between rows than pseudo farmers like I. My old planter spaces row 36" apart, wide enough for a horse to walk. Consequently my corn does not shade the rows very quickly. Another week and perhaps my corn will shade the rows.
The foregoing paragraph is indicative of the minimal thought that occupies this blogger! 😁
Takk for alt,
Al
MJV, the maven of all things literary, said I should re-read The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain before reading James. Lars gave me James for Father's Day. So, now I've finished Huck Finn.
It's been decades since I read Huck. While I remembered the broad outlines and certain incidents much had been forgotten. It's still readable though the blatant racism is difficult to encounter. Reviews of James have been very positive so I'm keen to begin.
Takk for alt,
Al
Pleasantly hot these days!😃
When I found a piece of mail in my box this morning with the return address "Plough Quarterly." I assumed it was an ad for a farm publication. Antique Power. about old tractors and machines is, one of my subscriptions so I assumed this was another.
In Great Britain what we call plows are called ploughs, pronounced the same but spelled differently. The return address was New York, but I assumed English influence. The English part may be correct but it's a religious publication. It takes its name from Joel 3:10 "...beat your swords into ploughshares." Having just attended the National Plowing Contest plows were on my mind.
The other reader enquires about "moldboard plows." Here's a picture of a modern one for illustration.
Takk for alt,
Al
Competitive plowing at the National Plowing contest is really not a spectator sport. Ed was correct in telling me that in advance. It was interesting to see about ten old men on ten old tractors plowing with ten old plows. Each unit had an assigned section in which to plow. The metrics of the competition were, and remain, a mystery. Plowers would dismount their tractors and take measurements with a tape measures. The old tractors were familiar.
Over the years I've done much plowing but never competitively. In this part of the country moldboard plowing is in the distant past replaced by conservation tillage. Nice used plows sell for the price of scrap iron. My four bottom, semi-mounted plow was purchased new in the '60s by my brother. It is useful for plowing my food plots. As a high school boy I spent many hours hired to plow for a neighboring farmers.
Raise your hand if you have experience plowing.
Takk for alt,
Al
 |
| A Caterpillar 15 plowing in the contest. |
Driving down a field road with tall grass I could see something running ahead of me. Narrowing the distance it became clear that it was a turkey hen. Then several, 10?, small poults took to the air. It's the first time I've seen a brood of turkeys on my land. With groves of trees and acres of grass nearby it is good habitat for them. Roosting in trees keeps them safe from coyotes at night. How old does a poult need to be before it can fly up to a tree branch? Would your Funk & Wagnalls tell you?
A long sleeved shirt, gloves, a bit of wind and some Deet, compliments of my brother, made tractor work doable. Mosquitoes, another argument for a tractor cab.
Takk for alt,
Al
, "They Call the Wind Marīa" (/məˈraɪ.ə/) is an American popular song with lyrics written by Alan J. Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe for their 1951 Broadway musical Paint Your Wagon, which is set in the California Gold Rush. Rufus Smith originally sang the song on Broadway, and Joseph Leader was the original singer in London's West End.[1] It quickly became a runaway hit,[2] and during the Korean War, the song was among the "popular music listened to by the troops".[3] Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra recorded the song in 1951, and it was among the "popular hit singles at the record stores" that year.[4] It has since become a standard, performed by many notable singers across several genres of popular music. A striking feature of the song in the original orchestration (also used in many cover versions), is a driving, staccato rhythm, played on the string instruments, that evokes a sense of restless motion.' Wikipediae
A pseudo farmer went out to mow thistles in the grassland. He'd waited until afternoon to allow the vegetation to dry after the night's .7" of rain, on what was predicted to be an all dry week. His mistake was immediately evident as he was enveloped in a cloud of mosquitoes. A collarless, short sleeved shirt was totally inappropriate attire! What wind there was was blocked by a multi-row tree planting. Persevering long enough to mow one thistle patch he vowed on the next outing he'd wear a long sleeved jacket with a hood. Plus he'd also wear gloves. All spring he moaned about incessant 30mph winds. Now he whines about lack of wind...no pleasing that guy.
The local stores are all sold out of bug repellent. Go figure.
Takk for alt,
Al
Dog walking duty kept me in The Cities until today. Usually I drive out on Sunday so doing so on a Tuesday is different. Drove out to check one of cornfields after I arrived. It looks good but is about half the height of the neighbors. This week of warm weather will make a huge difference. Mosquitos are abundant!
Takk for alt,
Al
Given that the average age of the inmates of the OFH it's not surprising that there is turnover. There have been two changes on my hall during my tenure. Frequently I'm mistaken for a new resident, which isn't surprising given my frequent absence. It's been about two and half years since I moved here.
The big news is that the foundation that built this, and the neighboring building, are approaching St. Paul for permission to build a second-story skyway to connect them. That building has no dining facilities so residents come to our place. In the winter they've been known to drive here from across the street. The foundation officials are quite optimistic that St. Paul will approve. Perhaps the decision to seek a skyway is driven, at least in part, but the low occupancy of the other building. It is hoped the skyway, on the second floor level will be open in 2025.
"Residents, Families and Staff of Lexington Landing,
We are thrilled to announce that the J.A. Wedum Foundation, the owner of Lexington
Landing, has applied to the City of St. Paul for approval to build a skyway connecting Terrace
1 and Terrace 2 of our beloved Lexington Landing Apartments. The skyway would connect at
the 2nd level elevator lobbies of each building. If approved, construction is expected to start
in the Fall of 2024 and be completed in early 2025." Courtney Jedney, administrator.
Takk for alt,
Al
When I was a boy lapel pins were given for a year's perfect attendance in Sunday School. These clever gold pins had removable numbers. So a student who had perfect attendance a second year could remove the '1' and replace it with a '2', etc. When was that practice discontinued? Long, long ago!
Today attending my home congregation for two Sundays in a row I wondered if I'd get a certificate for that? Nope, all I got was "atta boy." However, it was a treat to be there and coffee hour gave an opportunity for Luther's third sacrament "the mutual conversation and consolation of the saints."
Takk for alt,
Al
That blog title sounds like a lead-in to joke about the sign at a service station with a café, "Eat here, Get Gas." Actually this story is not a a joke. Lisa's lawnmower wouldn't start. A quick check of the spark plug revealed it clean and carbon free. Next guess 'gas is too old.' With a shot of starting fluid it immediately started adding credence to the 'bad gas diagnosis.' When we replaced the old fuel with new it ran! I've had tractors standing for a longtime in my shop that wouldn't run until the gas was replaced.
With the mower problem solved it was off to Costco. Noon on Saturday is NOT the best time to go, but go we did. While the store was busy it was a successful shopping trip.
Dinner this evening with friends, sitting outdoors, and this is what suffices for excitement in my life.
Takk for alt,
Al
Two appointments were arranges for the VA this morning. Audiology was the first. It was an annual hearing test. Actually the results were slightly better than a a year ago which is likely a testing anomaly. It's good news that there hasn't been further deterioration this year. One hit!
On to the eye clinic for an eye exam. Oops! "Your appointment was canceled two months ago" announced the nice man behind the desk. It wasn't a total surprise because the VA is reliable about
sending reminders and I received none. They just forgot to send me the cancellation notice. It's not serious because it was routine and I'm not symptomatic. One miss!
This concludes the week's appointments.
Takk for alt,
Al
Happy 4th of July to you both! Kaia and I were returning to the OHF about 6:30 a.m., when the first rain began, it stopped after a bit, then began seriously this afternoon. Bummer for all those planning outdoor activities.
The dinner venue last night was Hola Arepa an Latin American place. They advertise that they serve "their take on Latin street food." It is delicious and the three of us were seated on the patio on a perfect evening for dining outside. Great food and conversation in delightful weather.
Takk for alt,
Al
The other reader pointed out that there was no blog post yesterday. Space out!!! Life in the OFH has a different rhythm. All's well and a big dinner outing tonight so this will suffice for now. A random picture will be posted. 😏
Takk for alt,
Al
Wine tanker in Portugal.
Knowing I'd be landing back at the OFH for a week+ I lined up five medical/dental appointments, all routine. Chalked the first one of this morning, all's well, another tomorrow. Joanne in her last years often rued all the medical appointments she had. While I have some I'm grateful that they're routine and I'm fortunate to have both good medical care and good insurance. In fact I'm doubly ensured with a good medical plan and VA eligibility. Seeing other inmates of the OFH with mobility issues reminds me of my good fortune. Living in The Little House requires eyesight, mobility and memory, yes, I'm blessed and grateful.
Takk for alt,
Al
