Road Trip and More

A couple of weeks ago, Jim and I took off across Nebraska into Colorado to pick up a trailer to make it into a boring trailer, which hauls a boring machine and a mix system. Since it was a 4-hour drive, Jim likes me to come along. It makes the drive more interesting and helps him stay awake. 

Several years ago before we became empty nesters, Jim and I started to do a few more things together. It made easier the transition from having a houseful to just the two of us. 

It also helped that Lynette went college in Kearney so for those years she was in and out. Also, our other two kids live close enough to see often. 

The trailer dealership was right next to the sale barn in Brush, Colorado, so after we inspected the trailer (Jim) and paid the check (me), we asked for recommendations for a good place to eat. 

We were told the sale barn cafe was as good as any and better than most, so we went and enjoyed our meal very much. So much, in fact, a couple days ago, Jim was wishing to go back. A bit far, of course, but perhaps there's a plain ol' cafe closer, that sells good ordinary food. 

The decor was metal signs over the whole of it. These were by our table, and I would have loved to go around and read and photograph them all, but that wasn't practical. 

I read the first one to Jim in the way a woman would say it and, well, all my women friends will likely understand why I liked the other. 

On the way home, an hour away, I guess, we overtook or were overtaken by a rainstorm. It rained so hard we couldn't see and everyone on the interstate had slowed down using flashers. Then everyone started moving on to the shoulder. It was a bit surreal to see vehicles lined up on the shoulder, lights on and flashers going and no traffic. Then it started to hail, so we sat while the thumping went on overhead. The largest hailstone I saw was walnut sized. As if things weren't bad enough, I got a tornado warning on my phone. Well, what to do now? Can't get in the ditch, might drown. Too rainy to drive away. So, we sat. I felt a curious sort of calm come over me.  There wasn't anything I could do about the situation I was in and I knew it. 

After a bit, the rain let up and all the traffic started up again. We drove along watching the weather radar on our phones and realizing in less than a half hour we were going to meet up with another storm and sure enough, same song, second verse. We waited again by the side of the road. Not as long this time. and when we got to the shop to drop off the trailer it started raining. We only got .80" at our place.

It took us an hour to drive the last 20 minutes.

These next photos have nothing to do with Colorado, cafes, or storms.

Barry got a bearded dragon lizard for his birthday. It's cute now. I'm not sure how "cute" they are when they are 2 ft. long. 

This really is the same person, Barry just had a haircut in betwen.

 One thing Jim likes to do is go 4-wheeling at the farm. We spent an hour roaming about and being bounced to death over hill and dale and creek crossings. At least, I was. I was very ready to be off and back in the pickup. I don't know why it seemed worse bouncing than usual this time. 

Picnic At The Farm

 Every year we aim to have a picnic Memorial Day weekend at the farm.

Whether we get there or not depends on the weather. It seems like if we choose to do something on a day of that weekend, it rains. Jim doesn't remember that, but every time we wanted to go put flowers on his folks' graves, it would rain on the most convenient day. I suppose it didn't rain every time, but a lot of them and the last time we went, it was very cloudy.

However, this year the weather was beautiful. It was sunny with very little wind and we set up camp in a shady place. 

These pictures are in no particular order having come from all of our cameras, but it is a representation of what we did. 

We cooked, ate, climbed, shot, explored, 4-wheelered, hauled wood, made fires and burnt marshmallows.

Wood haulers

Jim pounding in the stake that holds the grill plates.

I don't know what these are. 

I have a list of everything we need to take and update any changes. 

It's the only way for a place with no electricity or water. 

June -- At Home

Jim is trying something new this year and bought 25 fryer chicks.  

They are a couple week old here, fast growers.  

Long ago, before we were married, I told Jim I wasn't interested in butchering chickens,

and I not still.  I have always said I will cook anything cleaned for cooking. 

I really enjoy watching our grandsons play baseball.  We can see them develop skills and confidence over the years.  This year Zane is pitching.

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Lorene was recognized this month for finishing her Firefighter and Hazmat cerfitications/

The pool is open!

A few times in the summer, we like to go to the farm and check things out on the 4-wheeler. 

This year, due to early rains and no cows in the pasture, the grass is tall and lush.  So tall, that you'll have to look hard to see the 4-wheeler and I could get lost out there.

View at the back of the dam.

Toward the creek.

Jim has his "B" John Deere parade ready.

 

Finishing August

There is a joke in our house, starting with my mom who was told as a girl that if she didn't eat her toast with her egg, she would get impetigo.  Her brother didn't and was plagued with the stuff. 

Jim has never eaten his toast with his egg.  He's of the kind that eats one thing and then another.  

So, here, by accident he is eating his egg, with his toast.  

It was one of those "who are you, and what have you done with my husband" moments.

Ha.

Paislee turned 4 this month.  We all helped celebrate and Christian helped with the decorations.

Jim is off ready to work on his chicken house/garden shed.  Metal on the roof is next.

This is the place to get BIG melons. 

Barry turned 9!!, believe it or not.

All the cousins celebrating together. 

I made these cakes.  Since they were celebrating Barry and Christian's birthdays together due to the covid situation, I made two small cakes and cupcakes.  Barry's cake was vanilla under the chocolate frosting.   

A favorite gift--a circuit board.

We've been planning another picnic at the farm all summer to get together with some friend with children.  It didn't start as planned since there little boy was stung 5 times by a very aggressive and chasing bumble bee, and Zane stabbed himself rather deeply with a pocket knife.  Since we had a certified EMT on site, all was well.   

We stayed behind to do a little four-wheeling around the farm, but midway on our way back to our picnic site, the four-wheeler started acting up, so Jim high-tailed it back, and it died -- a bit far to want to push, since we weren't at a convenient loading place even if Jim brought the pickup closer.  After fiddling a bit and putting on the reserve tank, we zoomed right to the pickup and loaded up.  So much for any time spent four-wheeling. I'm glad we weren't any farther away.