Day at the park
Jungle gym on steroids
Camping weekend and more….
Last weekend, Melody, the kids and I went camping with some friends and their kids. The weekend was both relaxing and exhausting at the same time. The weather couldn’t have been better for camping with highs in the low 80′s and overnight lows in the mid-50′s.
While we were near home, my dad and grandpa put together a photo shoot of the 4 living generations of Voris guys and the F-20 tractor my great-grandfather purchased new in the 30′s. My grandfather worked for IH for years, and has a hobby of restoring antique Farmalls. I remember “helping” grandpa, dad and some of my uncles pull “old Red” out of the fence row at one of the old family farms in Halfway some 25 or so years ago.
Old Red and the family
Grandpa and grandma worked in Denver for my entire childhood, moving back to Walnut Grove my senior year of high school. Grandpa stored old Red in dad’s shop, taking pieces and parts back and forth to Denver to work on while visiting the family. At some point, he took the frame back with him, painted everything and put the thing back together.
I will have to get all of the details on the tractor, my great-grandfather and grandpa up on the blog at some point soon.
Flying by the seat of his pants
Have you ever wondered where certain phases originate?
Well, I think the phase “flying by the seat of my pants” would apply to this picture. I’m pretty sure big sis gave him a little boost.
I wonder what the first person to have this phase attributed to them was doing?
BBQ and fishing
We had some friends over last night for a Barbecue and to take the kids fishing. In all, there were 5 kids under 10 years old and 3 dads whose primary goal was to make sure the kids didn’t hook each other.
Fortunately, we were successful in keeping the kids safe, and everyone caught a fish! Best of all, the kids got bored with the fishing after about an hour and went back to the house, leaving the grown-ups with 45 minutes of stress and responsibility-free fishing!
Bluebird box
A few weeks ago, I had to evict some bluebirds that had built a nest in my purple martin house. I felt great guilt in doing this.
Up to the beginning of May, I had not seen any purple martins, and thought they were not going to be returning this year. On the day of eviction, I was mowing and saw the purple martins circling the box and making a terrific racket. Perched on top of the house were 2 bluebirds, dutifuly fending off the intruders. The decision to kick the bluebirds out was tough and easy at the same time. I like bluebirds, and want them to stick around, but I didn’t want to risk the purple martins finding another home.
Last weekend, Makayla and I made amends to the bluebirds by building a couple of boxes. Plans were found on the Missouri Department of Conservation site.
Campfire…..
What is it about a campfire that is so relaxing? While I was really looking forward to fishing last weekend, I think I enjoyed the sight, smell and sound of the campfire just as much…..maybe more.
Camping and Fishing with the guys
Last year, some of my pals and I went camping and fishing down at Montauk State Park for the weekend. This is the weekend this year, and I can’t wait to get down there.
Our group will be smaller this year, but I know we will have a blast!!
Hopefully, we will catch our limit and I will be able to post some pics of our success.
