Fresh from the farm

Thank goodness someone is still having success with gardens. Each week we go to the Farmer's Market in town and stock up on fruits and veggies. Yesterday we shelled purple hull peas and then had some fresh corn on the cob, cornbread, sliced tomatoes, and cantaloupe. It is a good time of the year to be vegetarian. The rest of the week includes fried okra, green beans and new potatoes, butternut couscous, etc. And we have zuchini, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, eggplant, and red peppers for the grill. It just doesn't get much better than this where food is concerned. The peaches this week were delicious. We should have gotten more and will go back tomorrow in the hopes someone will have them.

Gustav's Gusto

Hurricane Gustav blew through Arkansas with plenty of gusto left after coming ashore west of New Orleans. We were lucky that we were not among the many thousands that lost power. It didn't help that the Entergy crews had left the day before to go restore power in Louisiana. The ground was so saturated that the stately Oaks just lay down! The gusting winds didn't help.

The national park on Whittington Avenue was not so fortunate as many trees fell in that area, which was typical of streets all about town. I wonder if anyone was sitting on the bench in the park when this giant toppled.

Our yard is full of twigs and leaves but at least the trees stayed upright at the dead end. With so many trees blocking the roads and streets and 28,000 homes and businesses without power the area schools were forced to close. I have seen a lot of snow days but I can't recall our schools ever closing for a hurricane!

Preventive measures with sandbags kept the water out of most of the buildings in town. It rained and rained and rained!

Do you SKYPE?

I have just been introduced to Skype and am having a great time visiting online! I recommend it to my friends, especially the grandmothers. Noah's uncle was kind enough to put a camera on my computer and download skype for me. We were delighted to have a visit with Noah the morning of his first day back to school. Thank goodness we were looking decent at 7am Tucson time! We were headed to Little Rock where Leon got the staples out of his knee and a good report from his doctor.

This morning started with a skype call from Robert, if that is the proper terminology. He didn't have a camera but that did not matter. You don't have to have one! I learned to put my photo up and he even sent along this picture of the yard long cucumbers that he has in his North Carolina garden!

As for my garden I left everything up to Mother Nature and she failed me! But we are on our third day of a slow gentle almost all day long type summer rain which is probably going to save my grass, shrubs, and trees. And the highs are in the 70s as opposed to 100 plus like last week!

OK, Brian, do you skype and what's in your garden?

Tucson visitors

On August 4 Noah's aunt and uncle came to town and Noah was delighted to give them a whirlwind tour of Hot Springs. We drove past Magic Springs, one of Noah's favorite haunts, and through town along bathhouse row in historic Hot Springs. On Whittington Avenue Noah showed them the house where he was born and we even slowed to listen to a concert in the national park. We stopped for a view of town from the top of the nearby mountain which in August seemed like a lush forest to the visitors from the Arizona desert, even with the 103 degree temperature.

A cancelled flight due to the small hurricane in Houston gave Noah an opportunity to share more with them. He enjoyed leading them along the trails in the yard.

First Carlos and Noah tried the woods. Oh my gosh! We did not spray there for chiggers.

Carlos and Belinda come through the wash where the coyotes were born last year. It is our only hill with a thrill.
We then joined Kay, our captain, for a ride on Mable and a tour of Lake Hamilton at dusk. It was the perfect ending to a busy day. How kind of her to muster the energy on her first day back to school/work!

John joined us after a small celebration for his birthday. He and Carlos bonded and they will have to tell that story.

Noah is always delighted to have a visit with Nick! Nick brought his favorite bear along for the ride.

Then it was time for Noah to introduce Uncle Carlos to Mable! Hang on, Uncle Carlos! Full speed ahead!

Mable got a little full of water and Uncle Carlos had to just lie back and take it. It got dark and their next video was just a blur as Kay finally managed to sling them both off Mable. It was quite a thrilling experience for Carlos. Noah had gotten so good no amount of turning and waves could trick him into a spill.

Noah left early the next morning for the flight home with his Aunt Belinda and Uncle Carlos. We are delighted that he could make the trip and wish him the best. We feel so fortunate to have him in our lives. I know he will have a wonderful home and a great school year. He could hardly wait to see his cousins, Joe and Christina.

What to do?

For 20 days we had company. Now everyone has flown the coop! I think I heard a pin drop ... it is so quiet here. Leon had a visit from the home nurse and the physical therapist yesterday. He is progressing nicely but takes lots of naps.

Gunnar flew back to California on Monday. It was a delight to have him here. He is one fine young man!

Noah left for church camp Monday morning. He will be at Spring Lake for 5 days.

I have caught up on laundry, errands, house cleaning! What to do?! It is sure too hot to go outside at 101 degrees. Such solitude. Ahhhhhhh!!!

Saturday update

Gunnar and I picked Leon up at the hospital this morning. A 99 degree day kept us inside for most of the rest of the day. Gunnar did go to see the X Files and commented that it was silly, so don't waste your money. While we were gone Jeff took Noah for a haircut and a swim and picked up my seadoo. If only Gunnar didn't have to take a 4 hour boat driving course to drive one, we could spend his last day zipping up and down the lake. Kay and John made it home from a trip to Charleston, SC.

Shotgun day

Leon continues to improve and has had therapy on his knee twice today at the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock.

Today we invited Mary to go to the shooting range and took along her 410 ga. and 20 guage shotguns. There really are other things to do in Hot Springs, but the shooting range got the vote. Here Gunnar is trying out the 20 guage.

Noah took his turn also.

We then stopped at Burl's Smoke House for a very late lunch / early supper before driving through the Ouachita National Forest to the top of Hickory Nut Mountain where we stopped at the overlook for Lake Ouachita. Lake Ouachita was built in the mid 1950's and is the largest of the three lakes surrounding Hot Springs. What is normally a very clear view was quite hazy. Gunnar enjoyed driving the 4 miles of dirt road back down Hickory Nut Mountain.

Leon's new knee

Leon's surgery went well and he had walked about 20 feet on his new knee two hours after surgery. He has no pain to complain about..yet. I was a little nervous before his surgery when a woman walked down the hall pushing a harp. Now, I am still wondering why the harp?

Gunnar's flights were changed the morning of his trip home and he could not make all the connections. He will now try again on Monday. It's a shame Leon missed the rock star band! LOL

Gunnar's last day

Gunnar drove us to the shooting range after helping his grandpa change the truck tires.

He enjoyed trying out the 22 with a scope and was extremely accurate.

But then there is always the thrill of hearing an automatic.

We stopped at the go cart track on the way home .. a 16 year old just can't drive too much!

Jeff stopped by just in time to ride the water boats with Noah. A stray spray was refreshing!

After all, it is vacation!

We did not make many plans for today knowing it was supposed to be 99 degrees so Gunnar was pleased to sleep in. We did make a trip to the video Xchange, video store, and Wally World. I didn't join the gym but I did look for Wii Fit at Walmart.


Later in the day the guys gathered on the patio for Gun Cleaning 101.


Gunnar even showed Grandpa a few things about his gun. He must have learned them from video games!

When Noah got back from swimming he joined the action, especially once he found out we are going to the shooting range again tomorrow!

Gators 'n guns

Noah started the day with a swim at the nearby pool while Gunnar slept in. Then we headed to town to catch the noon feeding at the alligator farm. They also have a petting zoo.

There were some hungry gators. They feed 3 days a week during the summer months until they put the gators inside in October for the winter months.

After the gators got their chicken we took Gunnar for his, fried that is! We ate at a buffet and then drove up West Mountain to look out over the town before heading for the shooting range.

Noah, Leon, and Gunnar check the targets. Gunnar did quite well with Leon's 22 long Ruger. He also got to drive "Grandpa's Big Ole Truck" down the dirt road to the range located on Ouachita National Forest land.

Noah shot my old Winchester 22 but he preferred Leon's automatic after trying it.

The day ended with a trip to see the new Batman movie "Dark Knight."

Lazy days

I picked out my new glasses today .. some not so conservative .. some even less .. yes, I did say some! The guys went to see Hellboy II which was a good idea in the 96 degree temps. Gunnar and Noah rated it a 9 out of 10 but Leon went with a 5. And I ate all the rest of the popcorn they brought home!! I think I will join the gym on Monday.

Gunnar meets Mable

We spent part of the afternoon on Lake Hamilton with my sister Mary, son Jeff, daughter Kay, Leon, Noah, Gunnar and myself. Jeff showed up on his seadoo and is following Noah in this photo while Gunnar watches.

After watching for awhile Gunnar was ready for his turn.

Kay tried hard to dump him but he was too good! It was a great day if I hadn't dropped my glasses in the lake! Oh well, I think it is time for new ones anyway.

Museum day

We went to see Surf's Up, a cute penguin movie and part of the kids' flicks series showing at the theater. Not bad with a $2 ticket, $1 popcorn and drinks. Leon and Gunnar then went to the Mid America Science Museum for a little hands on science. Supper will be Mexican fare at La Hacienda where I will visit all my friends. I bet Gunnar never expected to have dinner with 8 school teachers.

Wednesday

Leon, Gunnar and Noah went to the movie to see Hancock. I took a much needed nap while they were gone and then ate all their leftover popcorn when they came back! Leon grilled chicken and Gunnar enjoyed the new game they rented for the Playstation 3.

Magic Springs

Leon and I finally made it to Magic Springs to spend time with Gunnar and Noah.

On the Plummet Summitt ride Noah did manage to trick me into standing where I would get wet even though I didn't ride.

After strolling in the sun and watching Noah ride the rides it was time to enjoy some of the free Pepsi. I find it interesting that they offer free Pepsi and sun screen but not water.

I did not wear my suit but I did get a season pass and plan to return on a hot summer day. I always wanted to float the Guadeloupe River but this will have to suffice for now.

Friends and Family

Kay and John joined us for breakfast at Gilligan's Sunday morning. After breakfast we drove over to their house to go for a ride on Lake Hamilton.

Nick waited patiently while Noah and Gunnar untied the barge. John got a little carried away when he gave Nick his summer haircut.

Noah couldn't resist a swim and Leon was so pleased to get to visit with his grandson.

We weren't ready for Don and Mary to leave on Monday. We still need a bass player and a drummer for the rock band. How fun it is to spend time with friends and family!!

Gunnar's Visit

We picked up Leon's grandson in Little Rock for a 12 day visit. He had a long flight from Bakersfield, Ca via Atlanta. He was starving when he arrived as the new headset inspired him more than food in Atlanta! What a surprise when we saw how much Gunnar has grown in the past year. He wasted no time in practicing for the Rock Star band. Mary was amazed. We have managed to provide a tv and sleeping spot in each of 4 rooms which isn't bad in a two bedroom house. Notice I did not use the word bed!!! Every kid should sleep on a pallet on the floor at least once.

Geocaching Extravaganza

Our friend Don arrived on Tuesday on his way back to Texas from Tulsa. On Wednesday our friend Mary arrived from Florida and what fun the four of us have had. They are always eager to go geocaching so we spent several days in the hot July weather out searching the countryside for little treasure.

Our first find was only 1/2 mile from the house so we walked over at dusk. Over 3 days Mary got several new caches and lots of chiggers. Don passed his 1,100 mark and Mary has logged over 900. I finally reached 80.

Noah rode along on his bike and helped Mary log the find.

Wipeout!!!

I finally took a turn on Mable but preferred the on my knees technique. It was actually fun and I did fairly well until Kay turned the boat in a sharp circle...then it happened!!! Thank goodness I didn't lose my glasses.

Meet Mable

A visit from the grandchildren prompted daughter Kay and son-in-law John to get a water toy - meet Mable. This is a lazy way to enjoy the water - sure a far cry from the days when skiing was new to Lake Hamilton and all we knew to do. We did everything standing up!

Noah and John finally shared a ride. Noah thinks John is a pretty nice guy!


Oh well, boys will be boys! John thought Noah should go for a swim.


Mable was a great way to introduce Ollie, Noah, and Emmett to playing on the lake. If only they could decide who should drive the boat.

Children, chiggers 'n chainsaws

This is a stay at home summer which is full of many activities: fishing, boating on Lake Hamilton, movies, state park outings, programs in the national park and much more. We feel very fortunate to have so many opportunities available so close to home. One major focus has been to attack the honeysuckle and conquer the chiggers.We feel we might have accomplished this. There are always a few trees to be cut and dragged away. This one makes the perfect street sweeper since the city won't come down our street. Leon finally sold his toy hauler and is looking for a 5th wheel to resume camping. We won't be stopped by high gas prices !!!

We have enjoyed taking Noah to different summer offerings around town or just stopping in a city park to check out a tank.

We have also gone to a snake exhibit at a city park, a creepy crawly program by the national park, go cart tracks, movies, miniature golf course, and the shooting range. He goes to Magic Springs twice a week but so far we have not made that trek... soon though! Leon is anxiously waiting to see what it is like to experience summer in Arkansas. So far, not bad!