Brownie points

Another fantastic week of riding, gardening and crafting - due to the right amounts of sun, breeze and rain.

Even though there is no such thing as too much riding in my book, I am grateful for the times when a threatening sky convinces me to first share some energy with an indoor or backyard project before hitting the road. Besides, the mosquitoes are usually less brutal earlier in the day.

While the berries and weeds get picked or a layout idea is designed, the productive side of my personality is satisfied - I have earned a check mark, and my "free bird" guilt is alleviated - I have accumulated some "brownie" points.

So yeah, it's true, during the few scattered days, during the limited few weeks per year, when our beloved Wisconsin weather is deemed "perfect", I am not. If it takes a rain cloud, and often several of his buddies, to keep me grounded to my commitments before I go and play, then let it rain - just not today, because I have highway to explore, brownie points to spend!

Independence Days

Nothing like a three-day weekend, especially when the days are perfect Midwest weather summer ones and no obligations are staining up your to do list.

Feasted on deep-fried turkey and too many "fixings" with a couple of dozen friends; tagged along on a 3 bike, 4 person, lazy, 200-mile jaunt; visited the construction site of a 2,000-acre "mega farm"; cruised alongside a significant number of newly erected wind turbines; played in the garden & the pool, and for the first time in my life skipped fireworks - although caught sight of many during the two county ride home from the turkey/mosquito feast!

Hopefully everyone took some time to reflect on the FREEdoms we are so accustomed, the ones we take for granted, the ones for which the women & men before us sacrificed, the ones that are represented by the flag of our country, the ones I wish for every human being on the planet.

In the name of Independence, live free ~

904 miles is nothing for this face!

You put the gas in here, right? Now how much did you say that will cost me in 16 years???

Spent a few days with my future riding partner, the perfect excuse to put on a couple of miles. Returned home a day shy of adding the 452 mile leg to HD's Million Mile Monday campaign, but I figured I would rack up some more today to contribute. That, unfortunately didn't happen. Too much to catch up on in the house & garden, not to mention the two flats of annuals Roger thoughtfully bought while I was off riding or the organizing of all the pix I took of that face! I'll plan for next year's MMM - maybe even set a record!

Some berries

I hope everyone is running low on jams & jellies, cuz it's that time of year again and the black raspberries aren't far behind!

Rain, rain, go AWAY

Now believe me when I say, I realize this is NOTHING in the scheme of things - a MINOR inconvenience, a blip, a little rain water where it doesn't belong. And trust me, I didn't freak out, or cuss, or jump on the bike and flee - I simply cranked the dehumidifier, grabbed a broom and did what I could.

We did anticipate this, with all the rain in the forecast and because it's happened before - back in April actually and even worse a couple of years ago - so most things are in plastic totes or up on shelves, (except for the one cardboard box almost full with Goodwill stuff that I smartly stowed on top of a tote along with a rug that should have been thrown away 50 times) and I finally convinced him to cut the rug he keeps in his reloading room around the 700 pound shelf, which I'm certain will reduce back injury and cussing to a bare minimum.

I wondered if we couldn't seal the old cracked floor with some type of miracle sealer. He says, no, but maybe different gutters will help when the roof is re-shingled later this year. We'll see.

Does anybody want to buy a house with a pool (not the pond) in a nice, quiet, safe, eco-friendly neighborhood??!

Fresh asparagus anyone?!

Foot longs & no wood; superb for grilling - YUM!

First swim of the season

Just returned from a brief ride in the passenger position - yeah, I'm getting older and besides, gas is too damn expensive to use up going to the same place together.

First leg to the local Harley dealer for a replacement piece for his exhaust system. A part you can't find online, or in their catalog, or in their store for that matter. It's conveniently considered a "special order", which means you pay now and wait until next week to see if it comes in! Such is life.

Second leg, swung by his place of employ to pick up the donated Walleye he left in the shop freezer last night. Who says you can't have a Friday fish fry on Saturday?"

Back at the home front I decided the dining room window, the only window left in the house that can't be cleaned from the inside, was due for a spit shine. Ended up doing all of the lower house. Now I was in the cleaning/organizing mood, but I had my "chores" done before 9AM, so I hunted him down to see if he wanted to tackle the garage (overdue by 4 years).

I found him staring into the pool, watching the droid clean the bottom and he's muttering..."sure looks like a guy could dive in." So I helped him fulfill a daydream - sandals, jeans and all.

Miraculously, he didn't have his wallet on him, but I keeping it on me the rest of the day for insurance! Today's temp - a breezy 78, water temp - a cool 54!