Changes

 

{Heron playing hide-and-seek}

Although it's been a while since I last posted (as usual), I'm certain most of you remember me saying in my post before last that I would not be going to the lake over the holiday weekend and was not sad about it.

Well, yeah...that changed.

At the 11th hour (a biblical reference, believe it or not), the replacement flooring finally came in, and, in a stroke of luck, the flooring contractors managed to fit the project in within days.

I still had no intention of going, however, because the place was still in shambles - boxes everywhere, the toilet still in the bedroom, the vanity still under the stairs, and the contents of the closets (not to mention the pieces of what once the closet) who knew where.

But my son and daughter-in-law started making noises about going up, and because it would likely be the last time in a long time that they'd be able to go (Baby No. 2 expected any day), plans changed.

I contacted the contractors who had done the original work, and they moved mountains to get most of the things put back into place (i.e., the toilet and vanity back in the bathroom, rebuilt the closet, rehung doors, etc.) Yes, there was work to be done...and heavens knows, a LOT of cleaning, but it would, at least, be habitable.

On the day before I intended to leave, I went grocery shopping (did I mention the nearest town is SWAMPED with tourists and traffic on holidays?).  I was nearly finished when my DIL messaged me and told me they were not coming after all...or, if they came, it would only be for a day.

😖

I decided to go up by myself regardless since I knew I should check on things and that there would be more than a weekend's worth of cleaning and sorting, sorting and cleaning, to do.

(And, after all, I had a ton of groceries since I could not bring myself to put everything in my cart back on the shelves.)

It was good that I went but little cleaning was accomplished.  (Another long tale - this one of having purchased 3 floor cleaners...the first of which was defective; the second of which was stolen by one of my husband's "invitees" before I had even opened the box it came in; and the third of which (which was used one time and one time only) was, it turned out, missing a very indispensable part when I attempted to use it this time - a fact I only realized after spending several hours with the online manual and YouTube videos, and digging in every possible remaining box and caddy searching for said part.

Apparently, the "water mitigation team" (a term used ever so loosely) must have "disposed" of it while doing their demolition "mitigating."

Grrrr....

So that "plan" changed as well.

It was beautiful nonetheless...noise notwithstanding.

The forecast had been for storms and rain, but there was nothing other than a brief shower.

The swans were initially elusive They are recluses, I think, like me, but they showed themselves after the interlopers tourists left and things quieted. They had changes to reveal as well:

Two little cygnets (such a strange word, in my opinion, for a baby swan), although the second one is mostly hidden by the reeds in the photo.

I enjoyed the peace after the days of fireworks and firecrackers and, despite not having the magical part for my floor cleaner, did manage to get some things accomplished.

As I was preparing things to go back to Nod, however, there was the sound of a horrendous explosion. It was louder than any of the fireworks in the past many days...and much, much, closer. 

Have you ever seen those cats in the animated cartoons that shoot straight up in the air when there is a loud sound/bang?

That's EXACTLY what happened with my two cats...despite having been conditioned over the weekend to the noise and sounds of the fireworks they went straight up and scrabbled to hid under the nearest bed.

I ever so tentatively walked around the property in an attempt to determine the source of the noise fully expecting to find something smoking.

What I saw was the old tree that my eagles favored as a roost had snapped in half...

...and one half had landed on my (metal) dock.

So, another change.

(...and yet another thing to deal with.)

Did I mention that the weather at the lake was beautiful? So much better than predicted??

Well, that, too, changed once I returned to Nod.

I awoke a few days after returning to the smell of smoke. 

Like the idiot who ran around the lake house trying to find the source of the "explosion," I was now running around the house here in Nod trying to determine what, exactly, had caught on fire.

This was my view...but nothing was on fire.

It was the smoke from the Canadian...and Minnesotan...wildfires.

We have been on the top of the AQI air quality scale (the maroon/hazardous range) for over a week now.

The smoke has seeped in everywhere despite closed windows and doors and a/c. 

I had an appointment at the medical center and thought that that building, at least, would be smokefree.

No such luck. Even the examining rooms in the far recesses of the building were smoky.  Virtually all outdoor activities and events were cancelled.

By mid-morning, my eyes are so dry and irritated that I wish I could scratch them out. By the afternoon, not only are my eyes suffering, but my head is pounding and breathing gets difficult.

We had a day and a half of somewhat a reprieve but then the winds shifted again and brought more smoke, and we are still under a hazardous air quality alert.

It's unfortunate that this can look beautiful.

Another change: 

The day after tomorrow, this little girl's entire world will change: She will become a big sister.

You may remember that she came very, very, early and things were scary for a long while. Thankfully, she has grown and thrived.

Her mother (and the rest of us) had hoped the second child could be delivered normally (vs. caesarean) given the pain and long recovery time she endured the first time around.

Unfortunately, that's not to be and while one child came out "under-done," this one is turning out to be "over-done."

A decision has been made that, for the safety of mother and child, the child be delivered sooner rather than later via caesarean.

Prayers for a safe delivery for both mother and child would be most welcome if you're so inclined.

Oh, and for me...Gigi duty is going to test me this week as we're embarking on very new territory.  

This one has never spent a night alone without one of her parents present.

😬

A Week from Now...

A week from now, the hoopla will be over (for the most part).

I have always left my patriotic up until Labor Day anyway but, this year especially, I think the celebration should continue all year long.

(I won't keep my decor out that long because...well, you know, Halloween!)

I said I might try to post more photos of Americana decor and, since it's hotter than blazes outside, I'm wasting time inside and decided to share more.

There are a LOT of photos here so be forewarned. I'll keep the commentary minimal...with just a brief description under the photo if I think it helpful. If you have questions on anything, let me know. I'll be happy to try to respond if not in a direct email or in a reply comment, in a follow-up post.

Not all are the best as the windows and design of my home make photographing entire rooms/areas difficult.  

First off, Janice (Prims By The Water) mentioned she thought she saw a "Chessie and Me" cross stitch pattern. Yes, Janice you did.

It was done several years back and is called 1864 House Sampler.

Back to "other photos" - in no particular order.

{Vintage blue and red transferware nestled among excavated English meat pots and lids}

{"Centennial Eagles" - a design by Tina Woltman - also stitched years ago}

{Old chicken cage hung on my entry wall. I have a very large, funky, folk art Uncle Sam that I replace the Red Robin Farm barn with and sports and add a red, white and blue bunting or banner along the top, but I didn't make that far this year.}

The next two photos are close-ups from the cage:

{My vintage sparkler collection}

{Sculpted clay Uncle Sam on stretcher board with flag (by Folk For All Seasons), Vintage cross-stitched flag in the background and antique betty lamp on the side}

{Saltglaze Uncle Sam in a little niche of my kitchen counter...and, yes, I know the word "coffee" is upside down on the little canister. You know I love misfits.}

{More misfits: Excavated broken bisque dolls and figurines from Germany...well, I added the hat and flag...}

{Another of my folkart Santo-type angels...this one wearing a vintage (WWII era) "We Support Our Sailors" sash}

{Little wagon filled with vintage ammunition caps, poppers, tops, etc.}

{Vintage eagle snow catcher - used to catch snow from falling off roofs - on top of my mom's kraut cutter}

{Vintage Turtle Creek Pottery Plate}

{One of my only two patriotic hooked pieces...so as to not disappoint Saundra}

I'm leaving it at that.

I promise.

T-14 Days...

...and counting.

Or not.

Fourteen days until our country's sesquicentennial.

Like everything else these days, it seems to have snuck up quickly.

Or is it just me?

I have no plans for the 4th and I'm not necessarily sad about that.

Most years, I have tried to spend the holiday at the lake.

However, given that one whole level of the house is uninhabitable (and said level contains the laundry area as well as the main closet where all manner of necessary things (batteries, toolbox, spare paper towel, etc.) are kept and said closet no longer exists), it's not going to happen this year.

It would have been nice to sneak one last holiday in up there with the kids before the new "little" arrives, but it is what it is. Besides, I am certain that the entire area will be a complete and utter zoo.

Even on normal years, fireworks (and other ruckusing) start many days ahead of the actual holiday and continue many days after (with essentially no break).

It is also extremely over-peopley.

In addition to the many resorts and cabin rentals, there are several "residences" in the area that have been built soley as rentals and they are overflowing with tourists.  And those people who are actually residents there most usually have their own parties...and guests.

Consequently, the lake is full of pontoons, speed boats pulling giant tubes, jets skis, water skiers, and the shores are full of other people's music and squealing children.

At dusk, the fireworks will begin and the adult parties and music kick in.

That's on a normal year. On this auspicious Independence Day (that just happens to land on a Saturday, go figure?) I don't care to know what it will be like.

In other words, it's no place for the likes of me.

So, instead, I have decided to "over-decorate" for the occasion and, since no one else will be seeing it, I thought I would share a few snippets of it with you.

{A few of my vintage and antique parade horns on the cabinet in the front entry.}

{Fresh peonies nestled in an old crock in the drysink...guarded by a vintage eagle cookie cutter and drinking straws.}

{An out-of-print Blackbird Designs pattern "Home of the Brave" stitched last year and finally fully finished atop the mantel.}

{Stitched on 40-ct "Old Linen" by xJu Designs}

{Top of the pie safe.}

{Poor photo, but this is an old child's/youth's woolen naval jacket, with greens and flag tucked in a very large gourd container}

There's more...perhaps I'll manage another post within the next couple of weeks and share more.

Among all the dressings and hoopla, however, there is one particular treasure.

{Teresa Kogut's "250th Celebration" with modifications}

Beautifully stitched and beautifully finished onto a little wood shaker box.

An amazing gift from a dear friend.

At a time when my spirit - and heart - desperately needed a lift, it arrived with a fanfare all its own...sweet handmade paper birds, wonderfully packaged...and some of the best chocolates I've ever had.

I intended to photograph the wrappings, paper birds, chocolates, etc. but the latter disappeared too quickly and missed the photo shoot...and then, of course, I felt guilty.

My heart will hold the joy this brought for many, many, seasons to come.

Thank you

𓏲ּꪆ

Camelot It's Not....

Pretty, but....

...Camelot it's not.

And for someone who is a huge fan of Camelot, I am not entirely certain how I ended up in a place like the Cold, Cold, Land of Nod.

In the musical, King Arthur declares:

It's true! It's true! The crown has made it clear.

The climate must be perfect all the year.

And then he sings of the glories of Camelot:

A law was made a distant moon ago here:

July and August cannot be too hot.

And there's a legal limit to the snow here

In Camelot.

The winter is forbidden till December

And exits March the second on the dot.

By order, summer lingers through September

In Camelot.

Camelot! Camelot!

I know it sounds a bit bizarre,

But in Camelot, Camelot

That's how conditions are.

The rain may never fall till after sundown.

By eight the morning fog must disappear.

In short, there's simply not

A more congenial spot

For happily-ever-aftering than here 

In Camelot.

Camelot! Camelot!

I know it gives a person pause,

But in Camelot, Camelot

Those are the legal laws.

The snow may never slush upon the hillside.

By nine p.m. the moonlight must appear.

In short, there's simply not

A more congenial spot

For happily-ever-aftering than here

In Camelot.

Yeah, Nod is pretty much the polar opposite of Camelot (pun intended):  No limits to the snow here (legal or otherwise), winter tries sneaking in as soon as October (and, some years, even September is not off limits) and, as for the rain not falling till after sundown?

HA!

It falls morning, noon and night...and whenever else it feels like it.

Yesterday morning started like this:

It went downhill from there.

Yesterday afternoon/last night were worse.

It continued into the wee hours of the morning before giving us a brief reprieve.

It just started again with more heavy rain forecast through the evening and night. As you can see, we are under another flood watch.

I have once again hooked up the pumps, but water has already made its way through the chimney and into the furnace room.

I shudder to think of what is happening at the lake.

Weather aside, Nod can be beautiful.

{Not beautiful, mayhap...and destructive little rodents they are...but, have to admit, they're cute.}

{The first "volunteer" patio petunia of the year}

{Middle-of-the-night skies}

...and there are treasures here.

All in all, I'm just one squirrel short of a fairytale.

Oh wait...I have one of those too.