Going Fishing

Headed out on the lake, one never knows what you will see. I seem to find a lot of treasures, or perhaps they just find me. I never let weather dissuade activity, once there it may clear up. Some of my best fishing has been when the storms are moving in. One day while everyone watched from the van, I was catching trout one after another. The rain made it hard to see each other, it was coming down so hard. I always have a few rain suits with me, should the weatherman not tell me everything. There is a nice feel to being in a storm, I got caught in a short one yesterday, but had a building to lean against until it was finished. Contrary to popular belief, I have never melted in a storm.

I always think of Monet when in a patch of lilies.

Horse Chesnuts 

 And there is always more to do at home

In a day or two

These will ripen

On a window sill

In my kitchen.

A Beautiful Day

The trill of a Indigo Bunting blends with songs of crickets and locusts, creating a symphony out on the prairie. I sat in a folding chair just watching and listening to everything around me. I wanted to grab my camera and run, but today had chosen to watch and enjoy everyone around me. The heat had broke away for a few days, and I had started the day with long pants and a long sleeve shirt. The sun warmed me up with a strong breeze blowing into my face. The sweet scent of a large patch of Goldenrod arrived and caught my interest. I got up and walked over toward it just in time to see a Goldfinch picking over some Bull Thistle blossoms. Of all the time not to have my camera, we shared the moment from less than six feet apart. I laughed as little dogs joined me to watch whatever I was watching, and it flew away. I thought about moving my chair over to watch more, but decided to save it for another day. My happiness spread across the land, carried on a prairie breeze.

On the town square in Fairfield, IA.

Monarch Caterpillar

Goldenrod

A touch of fall

Prairie Poem

Elvis

A tattered Giant Swallowtail

Eastern Phoebe

Red-headed Woodpecker

Chipping Sparrow

Wild Lettuce

Cedar Waxwing

A warm week

Makes one meek

To take a walk

Out on the prairie.

All Over The Prairie

Prairie Clover

Queen Anne's Lace

So the day before I ended up in the ER, I was enjoying life with people who travel on two wheels. Three semi's full of gear go from town to town on each day of the annual ride across Iowa.

A city of repair shops and food booths.

The first of over 7,500

Every overnight town has a theme.

Of course some unusual foods. Riding 60-75 miles a day gets a voracious appetite going. There is always one day with extra miles added to make a  hundred mile loop  for the adventurous. I ate eight pieces of pie during a day one year traveling that extra loop.

Duckie became one. He will remain the youngest grandson until after the first of this next month when Harrison arrives.

Halloween Pennant

Silver-spotted Skipper