And August Sneaks to a Close

August came to a gorgeous close.  This is my drive-by shooting – camera shooting – going over the Nepco Lake bridge on Highway 13 tonight. Just clicked. Didn't look. This is the best of 7. Ha.

Today felt fall-like. Mid-70s at best and low humidity – in my opinion. But the mosquitoes are out in full force – at least on my photo shoot tonight. Uff da. I wish they sucked fat instead of blood. Then I wouldn't mind so much!

The end of August also marks 544 days out of the office. Yes, that includes weekends and holidays but still, that's a lot of days!

For my future self to read, we had planned to go back to office after Labor Day weekend. Then COVID-19 introduced a sketchy Delta variant. So even though a good number of people are vaccinated (including our fam), many companies like mine are remaining cautious before throwing dozens or hundreds or thousands of co-workers together again.

So, sort of like we can never predict the exact colors of a sunset, we can't predict where this pandemic life will go next. 

Stay safe out there! Have a good September!

Sub Par-Tee Girls

And that's a wrap on my summer golf league adventure. As a sub, that is. It was so fun to get to sub a handful of times with the Par-Tee Girls team at The Ridges! It just happened that tonight I was needed for subbing AND it was the last night. 

So we had a scramble followed by a banquet and prizes and stuff. Didn't win anything, but I took home a lovely cupcake. And some new friendships.

I almost took home my friend Wendy's head cover but because I love the Caddyshack character. But I stayed on the law-abiding side of things. And kept our friendship intact.

One interesting fact, and then I'll let you get on your way, was that they never had a rainout all summer. Plenty of sultry evenings but never a rainy Monday. That's so unusual, given the fact water is pooling everywhere around here now! 

But that's it. Was a good time and good to see a few old friends who played on other teams, too. My season in general is not done. Even though I feel like I squeezed two months of activities into one month in August, I still have golfing to do and rounds on my punch card to walk.

Let's hold onto to our above par summer a big longer! 

Water Under-Over the Bridge

I feel bad for all the areas of the United States dealing with drought-like conditions while we had another inch and a half of rain overnight. And now we are in a flood warning. And it shows.

Morning walk around Lake Wazeecha and the dam on the west end could hardly keep up.

Much of our walking path on the north side of the lake is under water. you can see the lake in the distance. About halfway between here (the road) and there is where the walking path (both paved and gravel) usually goes. How crazy!

And if you can see the item floating and actually stuck on the sand bar on the east end by the bridge, that's someone's dock.

And back at Blue Jay Drive... The usually low – and sometimes almost dry – Bloody Run Creek is inching into our back yard.

Hubby usually mows up to the row of trees. So that's a lot! Not enough to go fishing or skinny dipping. But more than usual. Probably means the mosquito population will triple in the coming days. Uff da.

August will have to do a March lion and lamb thing. August came in like a lamb and goes out like a Sea Lion.

Be careful out there!

Walks Down Memory Lane

 We took some walks down Memory Lane today. This week was the ODC Run, Walk and Roll virtual event. Sort of virtual. We could gather in small groups to walk in memory of someone – plus they had a few organized gatherings. I was able to go today to walk with Team Doug Hug – in memory of our friends' father who gave the best hugs!

I also walked in memory of my dad, too. Because he's really never far from my thoughts. Any day of the year.

While I was doing that, Jim was busy getting things set up for his 40th class reunion. Not a typo. The Assumption class of '81 was walkin' and rockin' down Memory Lane today. For a lot of the day. 

Since he was on the planning committee, he was at the park early with setup and grilling and all that fun. The reunion officially started at 3 p.m. I was there until 5:30 p.m. and went to shoot the football game (no rain or lightning until it was done this time). We won 22-18. Yay.

Then back to the reunion to pack up what I could to bring home. There was still a large group there when I left. I know they had to be cleaned up and out by 10 p.m. so I'm guessing they're cutting it close. It's been raining since I left them so I timed that right.

And a nod to Mother Nature, too, for cooperating two days in a row. With MY schedule anyway!

Rain Delay in Your Favor

I feel like I'm playing Mother Nature Monopoly and I just drew the Community Chest card for: Rain delay in your favor. Collect 3 hours.

A majority of people not happy that the rain – accompanied by lightning (that's the clincher) – played havoc on Friday night sports. I honestly wanted to go to Assumption's home opening football game tonight. But then I got this gift of a free evening (thanks, lightning) and I got some things done.

Finished my crochet project of the week. Got my senior portrait session from last night sorted. Designed a t-shirt for an upcoming 5K. And popped some popcorn.

Well, of course! My Twins are hosting the Brewers so it's actually on TV here! 

So yep. Full disclosure: Some of the evening was productive. Some was just enjoyable. So far. Better get back to it.

Hope you made the most of your Friday night plans!

The Deet-tails on Them Skeeters

At some point you knew the mosquitoes had to come out. We honestly got by over half the summer without them. Now, they're out in full force.

I wouldn't have noticed them except for spending a few hours outdoors on a photo shoot. Thanks to the mom for carrying bug spray in her van. I always have mine in my golf bag in my vehicle. But since hubby needed my vehicle tonight, I was driving his big truck. No repellent in there but I felt like I ruled the world, barreling down the highway like a bad-ass, sitting on two pillows to see over the dash.

Even with the blood-suckers out, we had a great shoot in the Rudolph area. Sort of.

It was awesome to have the mom and daughter have props all figured out. 

Including suitcases on the railroad tracks...

And laying in the middle of the road with her music and cello. That's correct. There's no traffic in Rudolph!

I'll have to trust the rest turned out. I am ready for ice cream and bed. And probably a de-DEET-ing shower. 

Dang skeeters!

Take Five

It was the first day of school today for Assumption so I got to see "first day" photos on social media all day long.

Hard to believe it was Carter's first day of his senior year 6 years ago. Even harder to believe it's the first Back to School time that we don't have someone going back to school – in oh, 18 years!

So this young man – holding his first day of kindergarten photo on his last day of high school– could have a 5-year reunion this summer. Five years! Wait, what?

Thankfully for me (ha) they aren't having one. So I won't have to acknowledge that I'm old enough to have a baby who's been out of high school for half a decade. Uff da.

So yes, parents of any aged school kids, time does fly!

Despite their protests, get those first (and last) day of school pictures. And everything in between. One day that's all you'll have. Maybe artfully arranged in a dozen scrapbooks! No shame there. The best thing about scrapbooks (or photo books of any kind) is that you can page through them and re-live any moment, any age, you want. 

And yes, you can still hold them in your lap.

Good luck, parents!

A Soaker

This was the Monday-est Tuesday ever. The first issue was waking at 2:10 a.m. – and still looking at the clock at 3:56 a.m., trying to fall back asleep. No reason. Probably just an old lady thing. The issue was that is was so dark this morning. 

Oh I'm not talking 6 a.m. More like 9 a.m. when dark clouds parked overhead and the thunder rolled. And the rain fell.

Boy did it fall! We had two rounds of rain in about a two hour span and it dropped just about 2 1/2 inches!

Crazy. So yeah, I wanted to crawl into bed and nap. At many times today. But powered through.

No promises for tonight, though. I have had a productive few hours since getting done with work. Almost halfway done with a baby blanket for a new great-niece to love. (Congrats to my nephew David and family!) while knocking off two Hallmark movies from my DVR queue.

Oh I can multi-task with the best of them! 

Must be all this free time since I didn't have to water my flowers today.

 

Humidity is Outranked

On those sticky, hot summer days, we almost always blame the humidity. Some days, though, it's just the heat. Especially when it reach over 800 degrees.

Well, 881 to be exact. I used to have nightmares in my newspaper and magazine days about having typos in print – because they can last forever.

Usually, TV exposure is short-lived, too, unless a person pauses the show and takes a picture. Really, everyone is under the heat these days. I mean under scrutiny. I shouldn't poke fun. I mess up all the time. Thanks for being forgiving.

As a side note, it was pretty toasty today. But I'm guessing that was just the humidity.

Sunday Fun-Day

There's a host of us who could have used a day of rest today – or some recovery time to chill out anyway. But we didn't.

Hubby's schedule was full from church to a church picnic to golfing to fantasy football draft, so I haven't seen him since 9 a.m. My neighbor texted me during my first cup of coffee to see if I wanted to go walk around the lake. So as soon as my online church was done, I got those first 4 miles out of the way! 

Then it was chore time – a few things I neglected yesterday like laundry and dishes. I didn't overdo it or anything. Oh and whipping together a salad for MY church picnic. Hint: A Lutheran salad involves Cool Whip as the main ingredient, of course.

Went to Lake Wazeecha at 3:30 p.m. and had an interesting time trying to play the kids games while waiting for more adults to show up.

It didn't matter how many times this kid demonstrated how easy it is to hit the Velcro soccer ball and stick it to the inflatable dart board, I couldn't do it. It went left, right, and even under it. But it took about 43 tries, then...

Bam! It stuck!! Can you imagine how long it would take to play a game of "301" or "Cricket" with my skill set? Like forever, is the answer.

At least I was smart and didn't hop inside the ball for the human bowling game. If I didn't break a toe in dart soccer, I certainly would be due for major chiropractic needs if I tried that . So I settled down and enjoyed picnic food and seeing quite a few people I haven't seen in person in ages. Very nice!

Had to skip out early to go do a senior photo shoot down at Sand Valley golf course. Nice background, nice lighting, and great kid! 

Now I'm going to sit in my recliner and relax like it's Sunday!

Teeing It Up

Today was my second golf scramble of the week and I can't tell you much fun it's been. I mean I could tell you, but you probably don't care. 

Let's just say we were so grateful the weather gods cooperated after forecasts indicated earlier in the week that we'd have a rainy day for the 9th annual John Swendrowski Memorial Golf Outing today. Turned out it was a little wet and steamy – but sunny!

After last night's game to kick off the season, it was fun to do this event benefitting the Royals football team program.

Jim and I were on our own teams. Mine was the wives of his team plus a 4th for both that weren't married to each other.

Had an absolute blast with Sara, Lori, and Mary. There times I was laughing so hard I couldn't hit the ball. And other times I just couldn't hit it well for unknown reasons. We were hot and sticky and probably stinky. But it was so fun!

Afterwards, we had a great fajita buffet for dinner and then all kinds of prizes – of which I was not a winner. That's OK. It was a super way to spend a summer Saturday. Pretty sure we're all going to sleep good tonight.

After a shower. Definitely after a shower. 

Son-shine and Son-flowers

Didn't get a chance to blog last night because after I finished a nice senior photo shoot – including a sunflower field – my son-shine came home.

Just a quick visit to say hello, eat, sleep, and goodbye. Haven't seen him in over a month so I took today off to spend time with him. Made sure he visited Grandpa and Grandma, too. So wonderful just to have him here and huggable. 

He's so cooperative with photos, too. Took 23 years to train him.  Ha.

He left mid-afternoon and hubby and I headed down to De Soto, which is south of La Crosse, for Assumption's first football game. Jim does stats so I rode along to take pictures. Can't turn down a game mostly in daylight. 

Ended up losing 34-31. Had some good things going. Just couldn't execute those 2-point conversions.

Heading home now so I better close and watch for deer!!

Watch for Deer

Did you know that when we say goodbye and end it with "Watch for deer!" it's the Midwest equivalent of "I love you"? Yup.

And make sense. There are certain times of year – like right now! – when they are what stands between you and a safe ride home. 

The picture above was my view at a stop sign tonight. I saw one standing there and put my window down to take a picture and as he or she was jumping back, I suddenly spotted 3 more. Wow. Stay there, deer family!

I'm extra paranoid after totaling my car a year ago when I met a deer unexpectedly on the interstate. Not fun. Not worth repeating. So my drive home at dusk tonight was a slow one (which is not easy for Leadfoot Robyn) but I made it home safely.

Somebody must love me!

Be careful out there. Watch for deer! XOXO

Appreciation Day

So like every day it's some sort of national holiday. So happy Black Cat Appreciation Day! Since Sylvester is black – if you round up her black percentage to 100 – we will sort of observe the day.

Since it's obvious she really doesn't want to be appreciated by this human, I'll give her 20% of love and let her favorite human give her the other 80%!

And I just found out that there actually is a Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day. So tune in Nov. 29 and you'll hear me waxing poetic about the princess! 

In the meantime, hug your black cat if you have one – and aren't afraid that Friday the 13th was a mere 4 days ago!

The Repeat Button

My Alaskan vacation is on repeat. I've put a in a hours lately trying to get my digital scrapbook done and it's wonderfully like re-living our adventures!

In my mind, I had Labor Day weekend as a self-imposed deadline since I am pretty sure they'll have one of their "unlimited extra pages for free" deals. But then Shutterfly surprised me and has the sale right now! I got 10 more pages done this evening but I'm still only on Day 5 of 10. Uff da. 

So these are pages 42 and 43. I better double-check how big my book can be. Something tells me 100. So I guess that's about 6 or 8 pages per day. Hmmm. I'm gonna make this work somehow. 

Even though they extended the current sale to Wednesday night at midnight, I don't plan to even think about trying to make that deadline. Way too many pages left and I don't want to rush creativity. Ha.

All I can say is I'm glad I already sorted through the pictures first AND that I blogged every day. It's fun hitting the repeat button and enjoying our wonder and amazement all over again!

Up to Par - And Beyond

That moment yesterday when I took a selfie after getting my first of two holes-in-one became a distance memory when I set foot on the grown-up sized course today.

My short game certainly didn't carry over! I guess my long game, either.

But it was a nice date with hubby and gorgeous weather in the low 80s again. 

My plan was to get all of my bad shots out of the way today so I'd be good on Wednesday when I'm doing a United Way scramble for work – and Saturday when I do an Assumption football fundraiser scramble. Based on my score – which took a calculator – I think I got plenty of bad shots out of my system. Hope that worked!

Either way, it's all in good fun. For those of us who don't take it seriously or claim to be good, but still try.

Let's not talk about how I still hold a grudge against that darn windmill from yesterday!

Getting Cheesy AND Corny

Had a full and fun family day today. Had to show these Minnesota kids what a good time in small town Wisconsin is all about.

But first we had a few more gymnastics in the front yard – with my good camera...

Doesn't this shadow look like the Air Jordan logo? I think so. And this is what a back flip looks like...

That air time is crazy!!

Then I taught a little photography class with my camera securely fastened on top of a tripod. They each got a turn taking a picture or two of others... Say "cheese"!

After that, it was time to go rural fun and check out the Kellner Corn Fest. Yup, they were convinced we'd just be in the middle of a corn field but the little wide spot in the road known as Kellner had a some games (including BINGO, which we did not win), a dunk tank, some bouncy houses, and... corn!

Caryn was the only one to dunk someone!

Why yes, that is a tractor-shaped bouncy house!

I need some sunglasses! But so nice to have a sunny day with temps in low 80s.

Some of the fundraiser was for the South Wood County Humane Society.

CORN!!

After a grueling round of mini-golf at White Sands Beach, I took them to my favorites spot!

We've got new King Cone fans! Who wouldn't be?

The crew headed back to the Twin Cities tonight. Such a nice visit! Love all the branches of my family!

And this old lady is also exhausted. But a good kind of tired.

Just Hangin' Out

After having withdrawal symptoms from the Olympics being over, we were treated to a gymnastics show in our front yard tonight. Well sort of.

My niece Caryn and her three youngest arrived this evening for a weekend visit. Love getting hugs all the way from Minnesota... IN PERSON.

Makayla is the one who trains at the same gymnastics facility in the Twin Cities that Olympic medalist Grace McCallum does. They got to see her this week so that was pretty exciting for our little rising star. She showed me some of her skills right in the front yard – and at the neighbors' – without any mat or cushion beneath her. That's OK. She didn't need one as she did back flips and aerials and walked on her hands without error. Crazy good. 

After grilling out for supper, we had our first fire in the backyard in ages, it seems. Definitely my first s'more of 2021. Yum!

Of course, all boys like playing with fire. They're making torches!

And us grownups played with it, too, adding some old Christmas lights to add colorful flames via the copper wiring. There was some blue and purple in there, too. Pretty!

There was kind of a fall vibe with the cool temps tonight. Should be nice tomorrow so we can do a few things outside. I'll try to use my good camera and catch some action! 

Right now, though, I gotta hit the sack. I am undertrained to keep up with a 5th, 3rd, and 1st-grader! But I love it.