Curse that First Round

I should immediately edit that to say "man or woman" learned to swear. If you were at TriCity from 4:15 to 6 p.m., that was me. Sorry if you had children with you!

But when the weather was this nice after our round, you know it was a great day to get that first, awful round in. 

I did a little bit of yard work after church until the next door neighbor spotted what he called a "very small" snake between our yards. That was enough for me to call it quits for the day and head to the safety of Mr. Deck Chair for a bit.

I swung over to the nearby book sale at the Kiwanis Club and found some things to inspire my sister Rachel. I also bought a few 50/50 raffle tickets and am so glad I answered that call from an unknown caller when we were about to tee off. I won!

Just enough to pay for my purchases plus the tickets. So basically a free day.

As for the golf part. Uff da. Definitely the first time in 8 months. We golfed with our friends Craig and Sara. And like me, Sara hadn't golfed much either. The guys have already started their league!

I'm thankful they put up with my pathetic performance but my impeccable use of some curse words.

Yard Workers

My intention today was to do as little as possible. Just sit on my swing with my morning coffee and watch pretty birds...

And lazily watch the rest of animal kingdom hustle around and work. Eventually I had to join in.

Didn't help that I was staring straight at that "landscape area" (I use that term loosely) straight ahead. After that snake went in there 2 weeks ago, I haven't dared. But, since I had absolutely no plans for the day, I guilted myself into it.

I did work hard pulling vines and weeds from that area, plus right in front of the house, and yes, the dreaded back yard. Who else was working along side of me?

This bee was busy doing something something with his flower date.

And I wasn't the only hard-working Robyn! Look how much of a potential nest he or she is carrying.

Not sure how they could see to fly, but they flew off without dropping a "branch."

And Mr. Squirrel was working super hard at hiding his prized walnut or acorn or whatever. 

Oh there's a good hiding spot – right in the middle of the yard. Duh.

He was a digging maniac. Covering it up and like a cat rakes up litter.

Off he goes. "Nothing to see here."

Checks back to make sure no one followed him. Look at that left arm. It's like he works out or something.

Sylvester wasn't impressed. Naps are a much better way to spend a free Saturday. I agreed after seeing these two "ghosts."

This one I saw on my own free will.

This one scared a scream out of me when the rake caught it and I thought a snake was flying at me. Whew. It's just a skin. Apparently my back yard is clothing optional now.

Pretty sure that's not going to entice a crowd. Until every part of Freddie and Frankie are gone!

But there's still two more days of the weekend if you wanna come over!

The Thing That Bugs Me in June

Ping! Ping! Ping! You can just hear this guys and his buddies pinging against your screen door, can't you? Ew. I know. The worst thing about June.

After the mosquitoes, that is.

Oh wait, after the mosquitoes AND snakes! Of course.

Anyway, since I had a free night (hubby's golf league night), I was going to sit out on my swing and relax. Then I saw these guys. And remembered Freddie and Frankie and Fernando's friend had been hanging out in that exact spot last week as well. Not going to chance it just yet.

So I got a few things done around the house – including making part of Jim's birthday gift. Or anniversary. I haven't decided. One's Friday and one's Sunday so I suppose it doesn't matter. Two other things that were supposed to arrived today are "running behind." Glad I pay for Prime and its 2-day shipping when they can just change to 3, 4, not sure how many, days. 

Oh well. It'll work out. It's just one Birth & Ball and Chain Palooza around here this week! Late gifts won't take away from the fun.

But June bugs might.

Be careful out there!

Under-Booked

We had a very light schedule this weekend so we managed to squeeze in some rest and relaxation – along with fun, of course.

Saturday's rain came after hubby's round of golf at 7:30 a.m. and my Book Club at 9 a.m.  Our only booked events for the day. The rain actually held off until I was working in the back yard. I figured all my reptile friends wouldn't like getting wet so I worked in sprinkling peace. 

Took a shower and nap and after early dinner, the rain was done and the clouds lifted. So Jim went to a Legion baseball game and I headed down to Lake Arrowhead to watch (and photograph) the Shermalot Water Ski Show Team.

They have another entertaining show this year. Try to catch it if you can – most Saturday evenings. Just turn left/south by Hooziel's by the Lake and it's by the Arrowhead dam. (Also, sometimes you get nice sunsets like the one pictured on the way home.)

Of course I took way more pictures than I realized – kind of hard not to – so I was up editing and uploading until almost 2 a.m. I did not set an alarm for church. Just sleep in. But kitty was bellering down the hallway about 8:52 a.m. so I woke up. Church is at 9:30 so I had 15-20 minutes to get ready if I was going to go. I spent 5 minutes in bed deciding because was sooooo tired... but got up, got ready, and made it in time. No speeding, I swear.

Our Vacation Bible School kicks off tonight so the church was all decorated for some desert theme. Do recall what's in the desert? 

That's right. Snakes!

Big ones! My friends setting up for VBS were really hoping I'd show up for church. Uhm, you're welcome. I think? Ha.

After church, Jim and I went to a graduation party out by the river. Sunny day but so windy. We were glad we were not out kayaking. And also OK with not golfing. It would just make me swing harder! So after the party, we went to visit his parents, then came home to watch the end of regular golf and senior golf.

Definitely just winding down. Wondering how soon is too soon for this under-booked but over-tired old lady! 

94 and Sunny and S-s-s-slithery

CONTENT WARNING: YOU WILL NOT WANT TO LOOK AT THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT LIKED MY PREVIOUS F WORDS, ER FRIENDS WITH F NAMES!

The massive heat wave hovering over much of the country hit us today with full force. I believe it got up to 94 here. Not a record, but I think I have now set a record for seeing a certain reptile this summer. 

Because you know who else doesn't like the heat? That's right. Snakes!

I WARNED YOU!

Just a bit ago, Jim says, "Look at that, there's a snake going across our driveway right now!" And sure enough, I could see a blackish string inching across the concrete toward my front rock garden. Which I have neglected so far this summer and will continue to do so now, for sure! 

Anyway, I said, "Let's take a look." I'm brave and willing to look at them if it's on MY terms. I was just coming down the deck steps and walking in front of my swing and holy mother of God. There was a big snake right next to the driveway. I say big. I'll let you be the judge. I screamed and ran forward and realized I was between two snakes. And I think my heart stopped. Or worked triple time!

The next-door neighbor heard me and knew I saw a snake. So he and his dogs come over and the dogs are super curious about the snake closest to the house – since the other one disappeared into my rock garden. They start barking at it and I got brave and said I need to get my good camera with a zoom lens. So I ran into the house.

LAST WARNING! TURN BACK NOW!

This is before the zoom lens. Just with my phone. They just kept barking.

My first shot with the zoom. Shaky hands much?

Winston and Murphy trying to be brave. And stupid.

Tongue slithering and I am lightly screaming as I keep snapping photos.

He's annoyed with the dogs and starting to get fatter and hood up (or whatever you call it). I call it freaking scary!

Oh Murphy, he doesn't like you!

Doesn't that look like a cobra ready to strike! Holy crap! Seriously!

And he just smiles at me. Honestly, now you see when cartoon snakes have the smile on the side. Good grief.

Anyway, s-s-s-sweet dreams tonight!

Here's a pretty kitty to help you forget what you saw. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Be careful out there!

If I Go Missing...

I'm not saying I suspect a forthcoming coup from the residents in the back yard. But if I go missing, please look there first! Their numbers are growing.

Yup, my neighbor – one of the human ones – showed me a few friend back there today. He said, "Your friend's back!" but this guy is new...

He – or maybe she – is smaller and darker in color than Freddie and Frankie. Which reminds me, I'm running out of F words, er names, to call these guys. I like my friend's suggestion of Fernando. Singing an ABBA song while walking around would be very calming.

Until Fernando makes a move.

Which happened. And I squealed as predicted. And when I got into the house, Jim wasn't surprised when I said I saw a snake. "I thought I heard you." 

Like I said, if I go missing, there may not be someone to hear me. These guys are pretty s-s-s-s-sneaky! 

Be careful out there!

Rock and Roll

It's been a busy weekend. And there's still 2 more days to go. Whoo-hoo! We've got quite a full schedule since it's graduation weekend, but I did want to be sure I got some more of my rock-garden-snake pit project done.

Did I say snake pit? 

After work yesterday, I headed to the Out Back and wanted to get some underlayment down back there before I had to head to Assumption to shoot graduation.

And my friend Freddie was back! If I scream in an empty neighborhood, did I make a sound? I don't know. Literally no one was around. So I played nice and let Freddie keep sunning – I mean I like to do that, too – and kept up a stream of useless conversation so he knew I was there. You never want to startle a snake!

I just kept an eye on him... until that one time I looked and he wasn't there. And I wanted to pull from that rock pile I was pretty sure he slithered into. Uff da. I just kept talking and hoping he wouldn't jump out from somewhere. And needless to say, I got that underlayment down in record time. 

Follow me for more landscaping hacks!

After that, graduation was a nice calming experience. I stayed up until midnight getting the photos posted for the school. So didn't bother blogging. And today, I got back in the Out Back for awhile and didn't see Freddie or any other F-word Friend. Whew.

Later this afternoon we went to a graduation party and then picked up our neighbors Todd and Terri to go to Waupaca for a concert. Our friend Kat was singing with Vic Ferrari at the Indian Crossing Casino (which turns out isn't a casino at all). It was nice to trade in my rocks and snakes for rock and roll!

Here we have three members of the Assumption class of '81.

And here is Kat – proving once again she's a rock star!

She did amazing as always. And the band as a whole was awesome, too. Fun time – and so worth getting home at almost 1 a.m.! Don't forget this is Vic Ferrari's last year together so see them somewhere if you can. Worth it! 

And I even got 10,000 steps from all that dancing. Way better than steps earned from running away from my back yard! 

Oh S-s-s-snap!

Warning: The following blog may contain graphic images that will either make your heart beat faster or possibly make you scream a little.

So after a lovely morning of church and editing racing photos, I headed to the Out Back again to tackle the remaining stumps and shrub root crap. If you recall, I was hoping to get this all done before bee and snake season started. Guess I missed that deadline.

Wasn't too far into my work today and was throwing a branch on my little pile when I came very close to this slithering friend in the grass. I screamed. Did an about face and ran up the little hill in the yard with a string of expletives behind me!

Since no one was around to rescue me, I tried talking myself believing he is harmless. Then grabbed my phone and snapped a few photos. Because he absolutely was not moving. Final warning!

Large and in charge and totally scream-worthy, right? I decided to call him Freddy – along with other F words – and figured I'd get right back to work. When I saw him slide inside one of the railroad tie steps, you can bet your ass I was on the lookout for a "S-s-surprise!" at some point in the next 4 hours. But nope, he let me get my digging done. Several roots looked like snakes, so they yielded little squeaky screams, but not too bad.

I had sent the picture to Carter and you would not believe what he sent back to me with the text caption: Like mother, like son – almost stepped on this rattlesnake today! (Final warning again!)

If you want to zoom in – which I wouldn't recommend – you can see the rattle tail! OMG! 

Another reason we never quit worrying about our kids. And here I thought he's only have to worry about elk out in Colorado. Carter just called, gave us a video tour of their duplex, and said they live in a very safe neighborhood. That just doesn't apply when they leave it and go hike in a canyon somewhere! (Note to self: This was in Eldorado Canyon State Park so don't let him suggest going there if we ever get out to visit.)

Oh and I wouldn't blame you for turning down invites to our backyard either. Ha.

But I'll leave you with two pretty images from the park so you won't think it was all rattle and ho-hum...

Be careful out there!

Storm Chaser

Three things caused me a bit of stress today: 1) work, 2) seeing a snake in the front yard (thank you, neighbor dogs for racing over to rescue me after my scream), and 3) walking out of my deep-tissue massage session to a deep and darkening sky.

You've heard of storm chasers. Well I actually had the storm chasing me. It was coming in from the west and both the storm and I were heading east.

I was a storm "racer" – but hitting every red light trying to race it home.

This light turned green pretty quickly, but not as quickly as the clouds above were moving. Look how sunny and undisturbed life is up ahead to the east. Poor people!

It got windy and rainy here with a bit of lightning, but none of the hail they predicted. Yet. The baseball and softball teams were up in Wausau and Jim said they had lightning in the 6th inning. They were losing 7-0 anyway. Darn.

So I just stayed home and worked on some stuff for my Alaska Trip. Today's countdown...

It finally dawned on me tonight that whoa, that's only 3 weeks from today! Wow. My sister and I both have a lot to do in normal life between now and then. Hopefully nothing too stressful to deal with in the meantime... like, you know, snakes and storms.

Be careful out there! 

Friday Food, Friends, and Floral Fun

 

Lots of great F words there in that title! Thankfully, the day off wrapped up with these lovely flowers from my lovely friend Sharon's garden!

That made up for early F words in the day associated with sonic booms in the air and – you guessed it – seeing this snake on my morning walk.

Even though he was dead, as far as I could tell, I was still mildly screaming while snapping the photo because I though he was going to stand up and hiss at me!

I stayed inside after that, but mostly because I had treats to make. Some for a social-distancing campfire with some co-worker friends in Stevens Point this evening. And some for Carter and Co. when we meet them for lunch tomorrow. 

Didn't get much else done on my day off, but I see it's 20 minutes to midnight and if I'm going to achieve 10,000 steps, I better take some quick laps around the driveway and pray to God there no live snakes left in the neighborhood!