A Winter Countryside~

 The days have been gray & foggy.  Unusual, at least for us, during the years we've been here.  Butch drove again all day yesterday.  It shortens our weekends!  Today, we went out for our usual early afternoon breakfast.  On our way back home, I asked Butch to take a road I didn't remember.

Winter Countryside~

The views are of windswept snow over harvested fields, asleep for the winter months. It's been somewhat dreary, but there's always beauty to be found.

Round Barn~

When we ended up on the road that passes this barn, I asked Butch to stop for a photo. It's one of our favorites! I'd love to know the history & year it was built.

For storing corn~

The next really beautiful old building we passed was the one above. It retains it's historic look, even if it's no longer used. Butch then mentioned another of his favorites, below.

Another beauty~

I don't think this barn is in use either, but it's well maintained & may house machinery.  

Me on the trail!

We ended up driving through Silver City.  It looked so quiet without the usual summertime hustle & bustle.  Of course who wants to leave a warm house on a day like this?  I wanted to at least visit the trail.

Walking is a wonderful thing, even if it's still work to not gimp...  115° range of motion, is considered good for functional activities.  I can peddle a stationary bike now, but can't quite make a full rotation on Speedy.  I hope, with more time on the stationary bike & the Elliptical, it will come!  I have to admit, it's been a long sixteen weeks, but forward progress is a good thing!  

2020 - In Review~

Our fourth year in Iowa, January started out mild & beautiful.

Butch's first project of the new year, was to remove the sheetrock off the largest wall in our living room.  He added framing & insulation before installing new paneling, travertine tile & an electric fireplace.  The room looks so much nicer with a feature wall.  

New Years Sunrise~

The snow & cold came mid-month. By the end of January, I made the first of two-trips to Washington.  February in the Pacific NW, usually boasts a week or two of good weather. This year though, was very wet with rain almost every day. The Snoqualmie Valley was completely flooded & Duvall's water treatment plant was maxed out.

2-3-20 Riding at Bracken~

The weather did cooperate enough, I managed to get in some fine rides on Farah.  When I'm with her, it seems like just yesterday, rather than month's, since we've been together.  Our first ride, was at the Bracken Tree farm. The woods, ferns & moss seem so lush to me now!

2-9-2020 West Coast of Whidbey Is.  Ft. Ebey~

One weekend, David was golfing, so Courtney, Mason, Cassidy & I took the Mukilteo Ferry to Whidbey Island.  We shopped, enjoyed fresh seafood for lunch & combed the beach at Ft. Ebey. The rain held off until late in the afternoon, giving us enough time to hunt for agates & wish rocks. We left with full buckets!

2-10-2020 At the Monument~

On my 69th birthday, I was riding Farah! We trailered to the Victoria track of the tree farm, to meet-up with our old riding buddies Charlotte & Fancy. Afterward, Linda met us too. Our little group celebrated my birthday, with dinner in Arlington.  The visit was too short, as usual.  I missed getting to see our youngest daughter's family in Oregon.

3-1-2020 Butch feeding the chipper~

Arriving home to Iowa sunshine, was wonderful.  Late winter was mild & dry.  The end of the month, Butch rented a chipper.  We spent the weekend chipping all the dried stacks of invasive Honeysuckle & Autumn Olive.  The work resulted in enough mulch to cover the ground along the edge of the woods & part of one trail.

4-1-2020 Sunny on the Wabash Trace~

April first, I decided it was time to get back on my bike!  We are so lucky to have the Wabash Trace close.  My first ride was from Agriland to Silver City, eight miles.  A misunderstanding & no cell service turned my ride into a round-trip of eighteen miles!  A stiff wind didn't make it any easier!  With only three gears on Sunny (An Electra 3i) & balloon tires, the ride was longer than I'd planned!

4-15-2020 My new bike!  Speedy~

Butch suggested we go bike shopping!  Speedy is my new Electra 7d, an updated version of Sunny.  (It's a shame these bikes are no longer made in the USA.  The company was sold to Trek.)  Seven gears, smaller profile tires & lighter weight.  We added fenders & I bought a few needed accessories.  Speedy & I were on the trail two or three times a week.  My longest ride, was a round-trip of 24-miles, from Malvern to Imogene.

5-9-2020 City Sign

In May,  with funding provided by the Glenwood Garden Club, Butch took on the task of removing all the weeds & old overgrown plantings from around the city sign.  We planted new rug junipers - for a  low growing ground cover & applied fresh mulch.  Red day lilies will add summer color.

6-23-2020 Trail Signs~

June, I finished painting the trail signs for the woods.  Butch planted the posts & the trails now have names.  Thanks to several friends, especially Clara, I planted many, many starts of ferns, hosta's & sedums.  With such a dry year, watering was non-stop.  I lost almost half of the P.J.M Rhododendron's I'd planted in the spring.  The moles continually dug under them, leaving the roots bare of soil.

7-19-2020 Badlands~

Mid-July, after our visit with family in Sheridan, WY, we drove through Badlands National Park.  An opportunity to fly in a Helicopter is one we never pass up.  Since the pilot's wife was hiking & no one was waiting - we enjoyed an extended flight to find her! 

8-3-2020 Todd & Butch, planting the island~

August, was summertime hot.  Butch volunteered to help dig up a island, in the middle of the parking area, at Glenwood Lake Park.  With monetary donations from Sugar Makery & plants from Hillsdale Lily Gardens, the island will be a show stopper next year.

9-20-2020  Late afternoon~

September, I flew to Washington for the second time.  I needed to move Farah yet again.  This time, to what I hope will be her forever home.  The first week, we stayed with friends & enjoyed some quality, if smoky riding.  Thankfully, I had Farah settled in with her new owner, before the ride that resulted in my injury.

9-22-2020 "Bridge" & leg~

I had a total dislike of this bridge for many years & always refused to ride across it.  This day, I didn't recognize where we were.  When I did, wasn't smart enough to turn back.  Instead, I decided to dismount & lead Farah across.  The result of  that decision - sent me to Skagit Valley Hospital with a shattered tibial plateau.  

10-01-2020 At daughter Courtney's~

What was to be a two-week visit - was extended by six additional weeks. I'm so Very Thankful for our daughter Courtney, son-in-law David & grandkids Mason & Cassidy!  They took excellent care of me during my convalescence.   I was so happy when daughter Jentry brought Skyla & Josie up to see me!  How they could grow so fast - in such a short amount of time - is a mystery!  The Doctor's cleared me to fly home, after my six-week checkup.  By then, I'd missed our 37th Anniversary :-(

11-18-2020 New Owls~

The first week of November, I flew home!  After weeks of rainy WA weather, the sunshine & warmer than normal temperatures were welcome.  I sat out on the back deck with Nika most afternoons.  Thanksgiving was a quiet one, just the two of us, at home.

The remainder of my year has revolved around physical therapy, exercising at home & the YMCA.  At eleven-weeks, I no longer had to use the walker.   My goal remains to be riding my bike by spring!

12-25-2020 Christmas gift from daughter Jentry~

2020 is a year most of us would like to forget.  So much sadness, so many who have lost loved ones.  Seniors suffering in isolation from their families & many kids unable to attend school.  The list goes on...

The virus has made us appreciate all the more - the many things we've always taken for granted.

Together - we pray for the success of the vaccine.  Just in my lifetime, other vaccines eradicated measles, small pox & polio to name a few.  Praying - this one will be as successful!

Past year - 2019~

Happy New Year! 2021~

Sparkling ~

 Sparkling - a day full of sunshine & the sparkle of fresh snow!  A good day to end what's been a difficult year. I had some disappointment yesterday.  My leg lost the three cm's I'd worked so hard for.  Back to 109 & more swollen.  It would have also been my mother's 89th birthday.  I was sad.  Mary Jo told me she'd gone snow-shoeing, something else I've always wanted to do...  Maybe next winter?

The Woods~

The one thing I can do - is walk!  It's a halting, painful, gimpy walk, but it gets me out!  I put on the new warm socks Butch got me for Christmas & my tall uninsulated snow boots.  It was a chore to get my foot & ankle pushed into them, but I did it!

One of our birds :-)

Waiting until after lunch, it had warmed from the early morning 6°, up to 28. Fresh air would help me out of my funk. The blanket of snow has quieted our world down.  I could almost hear the snow crystals tingling.

East along Tinkle Branch~

Only a rabbit had gone this way, as I looped down the trail from the Cabin.  Funny how he followed the trail.

Trail marker~

It was so pretty along the creek, the snow giving it such a pristine look.

Flowing clear & cold~

I had to take my insulated gloves off to take photos, then put them back on again to warm up my fingers!  Somebody was waiting for me when I came back in the lower gate!

Nika~

Honestly, I may be prejudiced, but the most beautiful Buhund in the state of Iowa!  I tell her that all the time!

Running for me!

It's a good thing she's not any bigger than she is!  I would have been knocked off my feet!  She positively loves fresh snow!  Of course, she sheds non-stop, but just in the past few weeks grew in her thick winter undercoat!

A perfect pose~

Of course I was led back up the hill to the house.  I hadn't taken my walking sticks, it was a little difficult.  I told Nika she might have to pull me up!  The sunshine on the deck felt warm, but of course Nika wanted in.  Either in - or - out - she gets a cookie!  :-)

World of White ~

 It is BEAUTIFUL!  Starting about 4:30 a.m. - the big, light, fluffy flakes came in waves.  Butch had an appointment at the VA Hospital in Omaha at 9:30 a.m.  He asked if I wanted to go along.  Well, sure!  He had the Bronco warming up!  I trust the Bronco over any vehicle - to get us anywhere & home in bad weather.

On Hwy 75 North toward Omaha~

We stopped at Cracker Barrel in Council Bluffs for a late breakfast/early lunch on the way home.  A few people were out braving the roads & weather.

Once home, I used the blower on the porch & deck, while Butch shoveled walks!

Butch & his shovel!

The temperature seems to be holding at 27° & thankfully there's not a lot of wind.

A winter scene~

I know we'll be living with this snow for days & days, but it's just so pretty! Nothing like the wet, heavy, snow we had in WA. There was only one year I can think of where we had a light & large snowfall. We took the horses out galloping & it was so much fun!

The Woods~

Butch filled the bird feeder, but the Squirrels have managed to find a way to jump over to it. If we cut down one small tree, it will stop their antics, but I really don't want to. It takes forever to grow trees!

Winter Wonderland~

Nika had gone to Omaha with us.  She enjoys road trips in the winter, rather than staying home alone.  Of course a little scrambled egg leftovers, made the trip worthwhile :-)  She's always been such a good traveler.  

Nika waits ~

Watching everything Butch does, she waits attentively & listens to every sound!  Our first real snowy day of the season, I'm going to start the rug I've been putting off for just such a day!

This Christmas Day~

 It feels like Christmas!  Even with the girls families so far away.  Courtney & I texted last night & today Jentry called too.  We unwrapped her gift to us while we were on the phone.  An original work of art - it will have a place of honor in the Cabin!  

Our Christmas Cabin!

  Some year, I hope we can all be together here for Christmas.  We were so lucky to enjoy all the holidays we did, our big, little family.  Now our three oldest grandkids are almost grown!  The two youngest, will be in the double digits the next couple years!

Eldest Grandson Ben, girlfriend Angelica, youngest grandaughters Skyla & Josie

  Sunshine, a brilliant blue sky, with much colder temperatures than last year's 60.  We nevertheless sat out with our latte's.  My little heater kept my feet warm & Nika shared my blanket :-)

Christmas morning latte's~

I could have spent the day with my feet up, but then we wouldn't have enjoyed our dinner of ham balls & all the trimmings!  Of course we had to finish up with pumpkin pie!  

Merry Christmas!

Winter's Arrival~

 The first day of winter, was grand!  Sunshine, mid-50's & the snow from our first storm was finally melting off.  I was ready to try a walking stick in my right hand, Nika's leash in my left.

Winter flower bed~

Nika started by trying to pull me off my feet.  After some coaxing & figuring out our progress would be slow, she would take a couple steps, then wait for me to catch up!

21st. Nika by the creek~

She was just so excited for us to be going into the woods on a walk - it was fun for me too.  We made it all the way out to the Lowlands.

Looking east along Tinkle Branch~

Since she was good enough to wait for me, if she found something interesting, I would wait for her.  Holes - of course - are always interesting!

Anything down there?

I was really hoping she wouldn't scare something out!  I may still get her a retractable leash for our walks at home.  Yesterday, was another great day.  Temperatures topped out at 56°.  I put on my boots & spent the morning hobbling around the place.  A little organizing in the shed & the tack room of the horse trailer, now home to shovels & rakes.

22nd, Nika surveys her domain~

I had PT in the early afternoon.  I didn't want to take a piece out of the already too short days.  Once I was there & warmed up - I received more good news.  The bottom of my knee is now at zero!  My flexibility measured 109 cm - up four more from the 17th.  I was oh, so close to making a rotation on the bike...

12:30 p.m. today~

This morning we were 51°!  The wind picked up & with it the temperature plummeted & snow started just after noon.  Now, at 3:30 p.m. we're a whopping 19° with winds gusting to over 40mph.  I have no idea what the wind chill is, but when I went out to blow the snow off the porch, my hands were frozen in seconds!  

COLD!

Now - it's COLD!  I've been out blowing snow off the deck & porch three times so far - but with the wind coming from every direction - it's a hopeless cause!  Sub-zero is our forecast for tonight into tomorrow!  

A Big Tractor!

 Another really nice December weekend!  This one, Butch had Saturday off from driving the wrestlers to meets.  It was nice to have him home!  Today, we sat out & enjoyed a beautiful morning, watching the snow melt.  It's not all gone yet, but if we hit the temperatures forecast for the next couple days, it will be.

I'd been wanting to see Agriland' s new Tractor.  It had been out in the fields the past few weeks.  I was surprised when Butch said it was back in the yard.  After a late breakfast & some last minute grocery shopping for the holiday, we made the drive to Malvern.

John Deere 9520R

With the Anhydrous bars in tow, it's even more impressive.

In the drivers seat~

I couldn't have made it just a week or two ago, but I'm doing my best to gain range-of-motion as my knee will allow.  It seems slow, but on Friday, I'd made it to 105° from 101° on Monday.  Those extra few degrees got me up the steps & into the cab!

Impressive view!

Butch says he'll take me on a ride one of these days.  He also mentioned something about me driving it?!   Hum...  I'm sure it will be a totally different experience from driving the antique Farmall :-)  My leg will need to be working better, since there are two break pedals, one for each side.  

Back on the ground :-)

I made it back down, the last step was a bit long - but with Butch's help, I landed safely.  The clouds rolled in & daylight faded fast!  Another item added to my ever lengthening want-to-do-when-I'm-healed list!