Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime

The last day of June is about gone! The days are already getting shorter, and 2009 is half over.

Sheesh.

The date may say it's almost July, but you'd never know it by the weather. After being close to looking around for ark instructions not long ago, the switch was flipped to PERFECT. It's in the low 70s, forecast to ooch into the mid 70s over the weekend, and breezy. Sunny skies with a few clouds. Perfect.

Perfect for working outside, which Randy's been doing a lot during his summer 'break,' his 'break' bein' just summer football practice and tackling (ha) the endless list of projects around here. His true break will come when he returns to the daily grind at school. Granted, he has had some pretty good helpers, so he's gotten a lot done.

Perfect for the wildflowers, which are bursting forth all over.

Perfect for visitors.

And for sleeping? Absolutely perfect.

The Christmas in July folks should be thrilled with Mother Nature's predicted cooperation this Saturday (9am - 8pm), as should Zaloo's Canoes. In fact, we should all be thrilled. And we are!

If you've been pondering a quick trip over the 4th weekend, give us a call! Sami's been polishing up her socializin' skills just for the occasion....

Supervisors, Supervisees, and Whatever Else Keeps the Mountainbilly Mama from Working

Randy, supervised carefully by Emma, replaced the (broken) rock work in front of the cabin steps with brick pavers.

Emma made sure he did a good job. And it does look spiffy!

Meanwhile, Kali was exhausted after a day of playing in the pond and walking up and down the cabin road, supervising Emma supervising Randy.

In another meanwhile, Supervisor Sami was slightly irritated that the big rocks in the cabin parking area were a tad hard for breaktime... which is just about all the time.

Lots of hummingbirds at the cabin and at the big house. Since our big feeder is right outside the kitchen window, it's a wonder the kitchen ever gets cleaned. Oh, wait, maybe that's why it doesn't get cleaned....

Lots of summer bloomin' around here, too!

And the blackberries, which are ALL OVER, are coming right along!

Off to see what Randy's up to now, seein' as how he's outside while all three supervisors are sacked out (on a rather grungy carpet and a rocker).

Sunny Skies and Exercise

This is what we've been graced with the past few days. BLUE SKY!!! The weather has been terrific, once we got past a bit of mugginess on our first 'dry' day last week. The water in the ground is finally going somewhere, and Randy and I are tackling outside projects one iota at a time. Of course, we'll need a lot of iotas in order to accomplish even half the list, but we're happily forging ahead.

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox mentioned this video of Wynonna doing her aerobics routine, and you must check it out! You may get some pointers for your own workout.

Or not.

Joanna was the former mama goose to Honky Tonk and Tootsie. We took them - Honky Tonk and Tootsie, not Joanna - and enjoyed them for two summers and two winters, until Tootsie earned her wings prematurely and Honky Tonk retired as a BGOF (Big Gander on Farm).

Joanna also offered us a pig. We didn't take her for a couple of reasons.

Make that a couple of tons of reasons.

We already had Big Emma.

It's Raining, It's Pouring, the Forecast is Boring...

I would say I can't believe it's the 18th, but I say that every time I finally make my way back here. Well, not that I can never believe it's the 18th, of course, but that so many days have rushed by since the last update. Where are they going? Is there a fire?

One of the reasons it's hard to keep up is that every day for the past six weeks or so has looked identical to the one before.

Exhibit A, B, C, D....

Flash Flood Watch/Warning. Severe Weather Watch/Warning. Severe Thunderstorm Watch/Warning. Tornado Watch/Warning. Repeat after me.

Yawn.

A few days have been downright entertaining for us mountainbillies surrounded by water and ground that squishes when you look at it.

This is usually a trickle at best

Our little creek is usually, um, little.

And it's usually not brown.

We were thinking of Noah, wondering just how he built that ark, when we had our first potential boarder.

Don't worry - we have a pair!

We did have blue sky for a little while this morning, but it's acting like we need drought relief again (we don't). Much more rain, and the fish will be on land and won't know the difference. Much more rain, and we'll be in the pond and won't know the difference.

I'm sure everyone wants to get in line to make reservations now! That number to call, the one on your screen, is 1-800-499-3555!

And join those for whom there is never a moment of joy quite like the present. No matter what.

Off to find some ark directions, whether Kali needs them or not....