Stretching

These are my views while stretching tight muscles on the deck.

More Than Rain Pours

After years of driving rain pouring into the basement...

... we had new cement poured. No leaking cracks yet!

But first plants had to be removed to make room for big boots. Bouquets were a by-product of saving the plants.

Anniversary + Tea

While Dad and Mom celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a short state park stay, Hannah and I (with Dorothy's sleepy assistance) held down the fort. We also drank tea.

When the happy couple returned, we enjoyed dessert with Maren and Jason. We are thankful for faithful parents and a faithful God.

Vase of Sage

Prairie Safari

My long awaited dream finally came to pass - an evening photo safari on the prairie just a few miles west of our home. No mucking through crazy mud or sketchy minimum maintenance roads with Dorothy's low-clearance wheel-chair-ramp-fitted van, but plenty of flowers to photograph, cows to admire and mosquitoes to swat.

Memories Past. Memories New.

In my younger years June was the month of Father's Day, Dad's birthday and an extended family stay at Itasca State Park. While the first two events have thankfully continued into adulthood, the latter is a thing of the past.

This year we got a slight taste of that last tradition as we headed north to my cousin's wedding. While we didn't stop to dip our toes in the head of the Mississippi River, we did stop at our traditional Itasca trip wayside rest - a beautiful needle carpeted rise of soaring pine trees. It is as serene as ever.

June 29

While Mom decorated the cake...

...hard working Dad and Jason rested (I heard a few snores)...

...and we three girls set the table as of yore. In a sailboat theme for our sailor, of course.

 A happy evening with this happy-birthday-Dad.

(Photos courtesy of Maren who thankfully had her head on and finger on the shutter.)