Pretty Chill

Did you know Mother Nature is a Spice Girl? Yup, she sent cool, fall-like weather this week so we both could enjoy our Pumpkin Spice coffee without shame.

It's going to be a pretty chill week (as the kids say).

Based on today, it's doing to be a jeans and hoodies – and Pumpkin Spice, of course – kind of week! Sylvester even took a long nap in MY office today. Because that was the only warm room! Windows were not open and, yes, I may or may not have had my space heater going for a bit.

Seriously. We're both sun-seeking girls so this is a rude awakening.

At last we'll have fresh air at night for the "it never gets old" good sleeping weather!

I just want my hanging flowers to live and for the sun to show up on Friday evening for a golf outing. that's just two little requests. I'll handle the chill and spice and the other stuff on my own.

Time to go turn on my mattress pad! #nojudging

Wash Day

This is the day we wash our clothes, wash our clothes, wash our clothes...

One hundred percent chance of no sun on Sunday. It was definitely bath day for Mr. Deck Chair. And I should have been bonding with Mr. Recliner and the remote since I couldn't go anywhere. Instead I neglected them both and got some chores done – including yes, some laundry.

Hubby was  carefully visiting some aunts and uncles in the Marshfield-Stratford area, so I could have done nothing all day. But then... nothing would get done!

Had to run to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. I guess that's how 3,000 other people were spending their rainy afternoon, too. Thank God masks are now required! Made quick work of that task.

When it appeared the rain was going to be done, my neighbor Marigene and I decided to walk around the lake. Well it didn't stop entirely. Pretty much misted on us, but we got our steps in!

Plus, I got to see another blue heron! My phone doesn't take good pictures, but I was geeking out.

Then I really geeked out when we were walking through the campground to finish our walk...

Look! It's a baby Mr. Deck Chair. My first thought was, "Looks like Mr. Deck Chair shrunk in the wash!!!"

Dang. Wish that would happen to me! Just too cute to not take a picture. Of course. Especially on wash day.

If you haven't figured out by now, I can definitely amuse myself. Especially when left unsupervised! Still got half an hour before hubby gets home. Hmm... what else can I do?

River Reflections

After a busy morning and early afternoon, hitting the river was the perfect solution for relaxation. The water was so calm south of the Biron boat landing, it offered amazing reflections. Above is the paper mill in town that went quiet yesterday, putting about 900 people out of jobs. Eerily quiet to paddle by.

Here's the almost "lake view" I call it, since we don't see much current in the river.

What we did see was some pretty fabulous feathered friends. Yes, my friend Cindy got a picture of me zooming in on this guy...

I kind of feel like he's looking at me, drumming his fingers (er, claws) and saying, "Silly little photographer, I could eat you for lunch!"

But he didn't. Instead he posed pretty nicely for me.

And did you know eagles can swivel their heads backward like owls do? I know now!

Here's another feathered photo op. Do not make fun of his thunder thighs. Those claws attached to the end will silence any of us.

Or he can just take off and that'll silence my shutter for a bit!

Weather was a nice 80 degrees, if that. A nice day for turtles to sun. Look at his hind leg. He's part Godzilla, isn't he?

Cindy enjoying the view.

Jim coasting a bit after the halfway point around the island.

Mike provided the curbside pickup (or end of paddle pickup) for treats.

Blue heron wading in the water a bit.

Hanging out with some sandhill cranes, too!

And she's off! So pretty!

The other two tried to sneak away from me. And pretty much succeeded.

They hide pretty well – like when you play hide-and-seek with a toddler! Still, I decided to leave them alone so we could paddle on. It was pretty much a 3-hour tour today. That's fine. Relaxed pace. Great views and conversations.

How Saturdays should be!

Ladies Day

Usually it's when the cat's away, the mice play. Today it was when Daddy's away, the girls play.

The females in this house are heat seekers and sun worshippers. So when Jim got picked up at 7:30 a.m. to go golfing, the A/C was turned off and the front door was open by 7:32 a.m. My Sylvester approval rating was off the charts. Bring in the warmth and fresh air. Mommy's in charge!

I'm a real rebel.

It actually only got to about 75 degrees I think. So we really didn't NEED the air on. I did turn it back on tonight, though, since Jim golfed 36 holes today and might be hot when he gets home.

I sneaked out for 9 holes, too, with my Friday night golf partner Marigene. We're making a habit of it. And we don't mind!

Tonight we did a two-person scramble so I could teach her how scrambles work. Note our par dance above. We're competing (that's a strong and inaccurate word) in a scramble with two other ladies next Friday night at Tri-City. I can tell you what I know for sure. We won't be good but we will be having a good time!

That's all that matters on Ladies Day. Right, Sylvester?

Almost My Happy Place

When I got a text from a Brewers fan that the Twins were on some random cable station this evening, I didn't even care that if it wasn't in high-definition (first world problems, I know), I just wanted to see my team!

Found the station and I was in my happy place.  Well almost. Obviously,  I'd rather be at Target Field cheering them on in person. But actually getting to see them was a treat.

Loved the big heads in the stands. I've posed by the Mauer and Molitor ones before – in person. I found the "virtual fans" in the stands a bit disturbing. So strange.  Do they feed in crowd sounds to the stadium or just to the television viewers, I wonder? 2020 just keeps getting weirder!

I also wasn't a fan of the Cleveland strikeout machine. Dang. But Shane Bieber was setting a record for most strikeouts in first two starts. So I guess it wasn't that we were just swinging because stunk. See how quickly I say "we"? It's like I've been watching my boys all season!

Too bad we lost 2-0. But we've still won twice as many games as we lost. Hope I can say that after another 60 games.

It's gonna be strange. But I'll take it while it lasts. Play ball!

#wintwins #twinsterritory

Find Joy in the Little Things

It's Quarantine Day 141 so now we've passed on that "40" number and can continue on with life. Today,  I concentrated on finding joy in the little things. Yes, I had to work, but it's still a reasonable feat.

My work-related joy was that I got to see some co-workers I haven't seen since March 4 as we toured a building we have to write and produce marketing video for. See those ladder stairs up the third floor? Guess who's deathly afraid of heights but still climbed them without passing out?

This girl! And doesn't mine King Cone mask go great with a hard hat? It's like I take my hard ice cream very seriously!!

After the tour, I stopped at a co-worker's house on the way back to Rapids. She's been growing cut flowers this summer and I ordered a "curbside pickup" of a small bouquet (see top photo) to give to my friend Cindy for her birthday today. Aren't they pretty?

Then my final joy, besides getting 10,000 steps today, was this find at Wal-Mart...

Oh yes I did buy it! Too soon for the season? Yes. Too soon for my favorite flavor? No.

Plus, it will help me find joy in the mornings to come!

Sun Streaks

Every time I see sun streaks breaking through the clouds, I always think God's sending us a message. Today it might have something to do with the number 40.

Did you know 40 is mentioned 146 times in Scripture? According to my sources, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation.

For example, during Moses' life he lived 40 years in Egypt and 40  years in the desert before God selected him to lead his people out of slavery. Elijah went 40 days without food or water at Mount Horeb. Jesus was tempted by the devil not just three times, but many times during the 40 days and nights he fasted just before his ministry began. (By the way, that's why Lent is 40 days.)

I think it's fitting that today is Post-Washington Quarantine Day 140. Yup, that's right. The period of testing, trial or probation continues!

What I know right now: We have 172 positive tests for COVID-19 in Wood County. We had 42 cases on my birthday a month ago. Hubby and I only go indoors to the store (masked) and we only see people in outside venues.

I have to work from home for another month at least. Heck, let's say at least 40 days, right?

But we still have our health! Maybe today's message from the clouds is just that. Be grateful for what you have today. You never know what storm clouds are rolling in.