News From Home

I'm exactly where I need to be....but I do miss Paul...and I'm a little homesick....so it's good to get some news from home. I've gotten notes and updates from friends, a photo of fresh picked late garden flowers that made me feel like I got flowers myself, and even a recipe to try from a friend. Thank you!

This first photo is of last night's western sky.....perfect for Halloween I thought!

Paul sent this photo from the condo a few days ago...the tree on the left was still partially green last I saw it. By the time I see it again all the leaves will be down.

I'm so happy he's doing his homework and being my eyes as the season changes.  I love this layered view a little ways into our backyard woods.

Lexington got some heavy wet snow....and I got a text today from Joan this morning saying: "It's ginkgo day!" I love this shadow of Joan in the leaves.  Thank you Joan!

A ginkgo tree in her neighborhood dropped all its leaves today...and most of them were green.  Paul was due back at the house today so I wondered what was happening in our yard.

Sure enough....it was ginkgo day at our house too.  This is what Paul came home to this afternoon.  

Paul took this photo this past Monday.

This one was taken today. There are still some leaves on the tree....I think they're a little confused this year. 2020 has been that kind of year.

I'm on day 11....and am going to be here a little bit longer.  10 days is usually my limit on being away from home and I got to thinking that one of the only other times I've been away longer than 10 days was helping Angie 3 years ago when she had her initial injury that started her downward turn. She's totally worth it....but I'm grateful for the news and images from home.

Happy Ginkgo Day!

Ziggy

My sister Angie is amazing. I don't know anyone with a wider variety of skills than she has....from  precision woodworking to house painting, to art, to crafts, to fixing just about anything.  And she is known for her teeny tiny work. 

We came across a tiny little  plastic container of Ziggy images all stacked up....each about the size of a postage stamp.  The box was taped up and it sat for days on her bedside table.  This morning she finally gave me permission to take the tape off and explore.

Ziggy was always one of her favorite characters.  Long ago she found some wrapping paper with several different poses. She meticulously cut them out and made tiny little cards...complete with tiny little handwritten sentiments.  They're absolutely adorable.  I read them all to her....and my heart just melted. I think hers did too. She's still thinking about what to do with them but I told her it would be fun to spread around....hint hint! She teased me when I started taking photos saying that meant I didn't need any. I told her she was wrong.  Time will tell whether one is coming home with me....she likes to keep us guessing.

Remember.....

...though you travel the world over to find the beautiful, you must carry it with you...or you find it not.

This is me....

....a wonderful thought of you just passed through my mind and I couldn't contain myself!!!

Peace...

and love and joy....may they all be yours today.!

Words and Phrases

Angie has been cutting out words and phrases from magazines more of her adult life.  Several small boxes came with her and we sat at the kitchen table yesterday sorting through them for a project.

These were a few that struck me.

This one would be true for Angie....she always carried the tools of her trade everywhere she went.

Yup!

Today we again sat at the kitchen table and finished the project. As Angie chose words...I trimmed them up getting them ready to cover this "S" for her friend Susan.  She and her husband Allen live on a farm nearly next door to Angie's home....and have been a source of constant support for a very long time.

We covered every surface.....

...including the back.

And this phrase sums it up. We made a good team.

The Western Sky

One of the most delightful things about the country is open space....you can see the horizon line for miles.  And because I've become a city girl I can't help but step out onto the porch every evening and look at the western sky. Every day is a little different....every stage of the sunset spectacular.

This was the progression last night.

This was tonight.

This was a few nights ago.....I can't stop looking at the western sky.

I pulled up most of LaVonn and Tim's wabi-sabi vegetable garden today while Angie was resting.  It was a beautiful fall day and it felt good to be outside....and it feels good to be helpful in any way I can.

All About the Corn

This was the first day since I've been in Wisconsin that it was dry enough for Tim to get into the fields to pick corn.  LaVonn was virtually teaching from the dining room so Angie and I were pretty much on our own.  We had a very good day doing all sorts of things....but it really was all about the corn.  Angie indulged me as I was in and out...keeping track of what was going on outside.

I just caught the combine leaving this morning.

Then the big truck left empty....

....and came back full....all day long.

Tim emptied the corn into the elevator that took it up into the tall holding bin....and he actually filled  it up today.

The corn went from the holding bin into this dryer.....

...then into another grain bin where it will sit till it's sold.

It's quite an operation....and it was fun watching it unfold.

It wasn't just about the corn....it was also just a little bit about cookies.  

And where do cookies go on the farm?

...in the Cookie Barn of course.