July 25

Happy Birthday to John Joseph. I'm certainly wishing, hoping, and praying that this next year is a better year!!!!!!

In Honor of the Flowers

This morning I went out to take more photos of the Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth roses which yesterday were so incredibly beautiful, with 8 and 11 buds respectively. I was so saddened to see ALL the beautiful blooms eaten by deer. They also ate all the petals off one group of Stargazer Lilies.
This slide show is in honor of the flowers (with the first photos by John J). I hope the deer enjoyed the beautiful fragrance!!

I LOVE my gardens, birds, and pets

When I get up on these cool summer mornings (it's to be in the mid fifties one morning later this week) I can have a cup of Starbucks from my Mr. Coffee, courtesy of George and Beth. Then I can get the rabbits situated outside, check on what flowers are in bloom, and fill the bird feeders. Then I can start scolding the squirrels. Four of them were playing red light/green light with me yesterday, sneaking up every time they thought I was away from the screen door. I must have scared them pretty well the last time as the birdfeeder was still hanging when Mom and I returned from town.
Mom had a very successful dentist visit yesterday and was very happy with the dentist she saw. He fixed both teeth quickly. She also went to the hospital business office and got her bill taken care of. It was NOT $7,000 but only $142.00 so that was a relief! Her coverage was re-evaluated last month by Medicare and her supplemental, as was the coverage of many other people and some were required to pay more than before.

Birthdays

Fay in front of Big Muddy's with the Mississippi River behind.


Vera Mae, Fay, Judy, and Carolyn after a wonderful lunch at Big Muddy's celebrating Vera Mae's 85th birthday. Stephen and John C were there, too (and me). Thanks for lunch, Judy!

I didn't get to post Elizabeth a Happy Birthday on here ON her birthday but here's a photo of her with roses that Dawn got her on the 4th. Charles got her a fudge cake on her birthday! Thanks guys!!

JT and the Circus

Yes, that's an elephant that Jt is riding!!

Here's a cute photo of John J and JT reflected in a circus wagon mirror. They were visiting a circus promo set-up in Milwaukee last night.

John J took this fantastic photo of JT last night, also. It's just a beautiful photo!

The Apple Tree

I forgot one of the things that Gabe and JT did--plant a transparent apple tree. Years ago their Great-Great-Grandma Pilling made pies from the transparent apples that grew in her yard. These apples are green skinned and don't have to be peeled before cooking. She would make open faced pies that contained cream, I believe, and she would freeze them individually and place them in stacks in her freezer. You would eat them before they thawed completely to have them be best. She'd send back pies with any of the grandchildren home from college for a visit. John Charles' pie would come back with Charles or Jim Pilling. They'd eat their pies on the way back to school!


I bought a new Grandma toy yesterday but it might be a few years before we can all play croquet. Great-Grandma Weyer has a vintage set this one can be added to.

4th of July weekend

I think Gabe and JT had a great time this weekend!! Some of the things they did:
Went canoeing!!
Swam in the lake!!
Rode on the bulldozer!!
Helped in the garden and ate new potatoes!!
Had two picnics!!
Watched fireworks!!
Played with trucks in the mud puddles and the garden!!
Petted the bunny!!
I think Elijah had a good time, too. :-)
The photos on the slide show are probably bigger than they should have been and I hope you have high speed or are patient!!