July has been wet, hot and muggy in the Northwoods.
Which is perfect weather for wild mushrooms to start sprouting up everywhere in our yard.
Big ones, small ones, fat ones…. well, you get the idea.
Considering that we do not own a dog any longer, and we do not have little ankle-biters kids running around, I find it quite odd when I walk out of the house and see dozens of mushrooms tipped over, smashed or ripped apart.
Oh, well, that would explain it then.
Mystery solved.
Just thought I’d give you a dose of Thor, since he hasn’t made an appearance in a while.
This is one of his favorite spots to lounge.
And when he’s not curled up by the window, he’s holding me down at my desk chair.
When it’s 90 degrees and a billion percent humidity, it’s the last place you want a rather hefty feline.
But I wouldn’t trade our snuggle time for anything.
:::
Hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!
As I said the other day, the Rez was a little crazy this past weekend.
Actually, crazy doesn’t quite fit what happened. I’m not sure what does. Maybe you’ll have a better word for it by the time you’re done reading this.
In the wee hours of Sunday morning (read: 12:30 am), we are sound asleep when there is a pounding on the door. It was a friend of ours that had requested Rick to come down to the Trading Post (the building in which his shop is located) because there was a fire.
Paul, the owner of the building was out of town and someone needed to be there. Rick throws on his clothes and heads out the door, but not before asking me if I wanted to come with, which I sleepily kindly decline and tell him that if there was anything exciting, he can come and get me later.
Have I ever mentioned my fear of fires?
When I got up the next morning, I was able to get a full assessment of what occurred the previous night: Someone (or more than likely more than one) decided to get their jollies by playing arsonist to not one but five different targets.
Photo credit
The second fire that was started totally engulfed the Big Drum Building, which is very important to many in the area.
On that night, 2 sweat lodges, a dance circle and a camper and smaller lodge were also destroyed by fire.
To say the least, the community was in a panic. But it wasn’t over yet. At 10:00 am on Sunday, I heard the sirens blaring at the fire station down the block. This time, the target was the MC stand at the Powwow grounds. Luckily, that one was poorly set and did minimal damage.
Hours later the images of the destruction started showing up on Facebook:
Photo credit
This was what remained of the Big Drum Building. The fire was so far out of control and try as they might, the men and women could not save it. The building was a total loss.
Photo credit
The back of the Trading Post suffered minor damage, but the camper and lodge weren’t as lucky.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt in these fires and the police have a “person of interest” in custody.
As the community gets ready for the annual Honor the Earth Powwow, they must also deal with the aftermath that this senseless act of destruction has caused, and the many questions that need to be answered because of it.
I hope those answers come quickly so that the healing may begin.
Sorry I have been negligent in posting to this here blog.
Is it laziness? Perhaps
Is it writer’s block? Kinda
Is it I’m just caught up in the wonderful warm weather of summer and spending as much time away from the computer whenever I can? DEFINITELY!!
I think we all get that way this time of year. Being holed up in the house for the million months of winter in these parts can drive a person cuckoo (I had to Google the spelling of the word… I’m on vacation and so is my brain).
In our contribution to the economy (as in taking out a loan to gas up the vehicle), this past weekend was another road trip for Rick & I.
We piled (is 2 people a pile??) into the car on Saturday and headed south to Nichole’s for her semi-yearly Summer Bash. The grandkids didn’t know we were coming, so we were greeted with screams and hugs and kisses. THE best part of being a grandparent IMO.
While us women folk spent time prepping the food, the men got their testosterone on by playing with the big toys.
While flying around the property on this motorized death trap cycle was apparently fun, I declined to take it for a spin which could have resulted in a possible trip to the emergency room (I have issues).
I did however allow Corey to take me on the 4-wheeler for a personal tour of the woods surrounding the property. I didn’t scream once.
Had Rick taken me I may have done more than scream. (Love you honey!)
The pool was a necessity in the July heat and the kids had a blast! Since I *ahem* forgot my swimsuit, I stayed on the sidelines and avoided the inevitable splashing water that always seems to occur when someone thinks that I need to cool off.
Oh, and a frog crashed the party. This little fella was tucked away in the water hose storage thingamajiggy (I Googled that one too but only because WordPress said that I spelt it wrong.) (Which I didn’t. HA!).
Our original plan was to bring the camper down and spend the night, but Rick was behind at work and wanted to get to the shop bright and early Sunday morning. It was a good thing that we came home, because the Rez went a little crazy that night and, well, I’ll tell you about that next time.
As always it was a wonderful time with family and I’m glad that we made the trip. Oh, and the Cream Cheese bars Nichole made were fabulous!! I hope she doesn’t forget to send me the recipe…
Coco’s Cafe and Bakery in Washburn, WI, is a cute little coffee joint that Rick & I stopped into for a quick bite on our way to Madeline Island last week.
Their coffee was fantastic and the food was made with local (and when possible Organic) products. The portions are huge for such a low price and the atmosphere is very laid back, with pictures decorating the walls by (an apparent) regional artist.
But the one thing that really caught my attention?
Now THAT makes a statement!
I’m not sure what the statement is, but it made me smile.
