First Place Champion

Anna spent the day in Wabasha at a softball tournament. Her team won all three games and placed first in the Wabasha 12 & under Softball Tournament. Anna played first base, a little shortstop and made some fabulous catches. She was so excited to receive a medal. They were also given a coupon for a free ice cream cone at Dairy Queen.


Here's the winning team. Anna is in the top row, third from the left.

And the medal, well earned.

Congratulations, Anna and team!

Saturday

It was a georgous day today. Just look at that bright blue sky dotted with pure white clouds. I always give thanks to God on days like this for giving us nature's vivid colors to enjoy. It's just so beautiful!

Sweetie, our kitty, was exploring the vast world of our yard.

Fritzi was resting in my herb garden.

Even the cows were content and chewing their cud.

The crops are looking healthy, green and luscious. Darrell likes me to take pictures of the crops. It affirms all the hard work he does to make things grow. He is a smart, wise and brilliant farmer. I should know because I married him even when I swore I would NEVER marry a farmer. But, he was an exception since he was so handsome and smart and wise and brilliant. It made it all right.

Here are the soybeans

and the corn. There is a saying on the farm that corn should be 'knee high by the fourth of July'. Well, this corn is way over my head!

I'm ready to end this Saturday, though. Mowing, weeding, raking, haying and baling makes you dirty and tired. We all need a shower and a bed.

The Storm

You know those really tall pines in our backyard? Those 100+ foot ones?

Two fell down in the wind storm we had. Thankfully they fell AWAY from the house! This one snapped off, leaving a 24 foot high stump.
As it fell over, it stripped this one of all it's branches, leaving it naked and exposed, but still standing. It then hit the tree behind it, cracking the trunk. That tree is still standing, but leaning at a dangerous angle and ready to fall when the next wind blows through.
We also lost two smaller pines along the side of the yard and a huge limb off a giant pine in the front yard. Must gather the clean-up crew, light the bonfire and get to work!

Darrell's new toy

What is it with men and their new toys? Darrell bought himself a powerful, manly pressure washer 'with a honda engine', he proudly informed me. Just look at the happiness on his face. He looks like a little boy with a brand new toy. He's already used it to wash the cars, the patio, and the siding on the garage. You are so cute, Darrelly!

Gross Biology

lauren and ryan are disecting things for biology. here, they are examining an earthworm. it was disgusting. since then, they have also sliced apart a crayfish and yesterday a perch. eww. anna and i watch from afar.

a spring day

there is something about a warm, sunshiney spring day that compels you outdoors. it bekons and you obey.

especially when you've been cooped up indoors for an entire minnesota winter.

romp in the fresh, sun-kissed air, for you have conquered winter.