Wednesday night"
Can you believe it, dear Reader? 78 degrees? What gorgeous weather! And tomorrow (April 1st) it's supposed to be eighty degrees! How we deserve this wonderful weather!

Well, it was an exciting day - as always!
I went to Rochelle to do my laundry. When I walked back outside to my car, the skies were alive over my car. I've never seen anything like it. What a statement to my Nissan Murano! Maybe the "contrail makers" like my car as well as I do. They certainly pointed to it, didn't they! It's amazing - whether I am in Wheaton at Whole Foods, Rochelle doing my laundry, or Iowa on vacation - where ever I am, so are the contrails! Truly amazing! Maybe other people have contrails over their cars and over their houses, too. I surely do, and am so thrilled with the wild skies!

I had a most enjoyable time doing my laundry.( Remember, dear Reader, I have no well or septic, so I have to do my laundry elsewhere.) When I finished my laundry, there was a young man sitting outside on the bench playing his guitar and talking with a young lady.

"Shades of the '60's," I said.

They both laughed. I did, too, but truly it reminded me of the sixties when I saw so many guitar players on street corners, sitting on benches in parks, etc. What a time that was! So I took this guitar player's picture, and introduced myself. His name is Eric Schroader (spelling?). I didn't ask why he was there, and if he played often. So, Eric, if you are reading this, please email us and tell us a little bit more about you. I can tell  you, dear Reader, he plays very well and it was a delightful part of my day.

While in Rochelle, I received a call from a man (John) who works for a cement removal company and yes, he wanted to see my property for cement dumping along the creek. Great timing! I met him on Route 30 and took him to the Land. Thanks to Ron Macklin at Macklin quarry for passing along my name. We'll see how this works out. I need to get information from the Army Corps of Engineers and John needs to get some information to give to the State of Illinois. Rules and regulations, you know dear Reader. And we must follow them, if we want to do things  correctly...and we certainly want to be correct!

I miss my sweet little black and white duck. He must have been passing through on his way north. Maybe I won't see him again. David is working on a little video I took of little ducky sleeping. 

Kyle and Jeff's farm ducks must have known I was missing the little duck, for they came up Willow Creek again to visit. I took their pictures as they were leaving - going back under the Beemerville Bridge to their home.

 I simply can not believe how fast the days are flying by. I bet you are as busy as I am, dear Reader. But we mustn't complain for the weather is perfect for getting so much done. Tonight, however,  I'm relieved it's time for rest.

Pleasant dreams, dear Reader.

Monday night:
Another great day after a great weekend!

This morning I went out early to do my "Ablutions"  and was immediately struck by the brilliant, cloudless sky. I stared out over the pond for only a second before I heard a truck directly behind me. I think it was the farm tenant looking over the field to the north of me, AND looking at the huge piles of trees on the fields. I bet he was surprised by how big those piles are!

I was surprised to be caught in my lovely attire of nightgown, robe, old winter coat and rubber boots. Not the best way to make a fashion statement!

I was also surprised there were no white contrails in the sky for the second time! The bright blue sky continued that way while the farm truck remained in the field.

Angela was here visiting her sister, Kary, and husband, Dan in Park Ridge! I spent Saturday with them, and had a wonderful time! I wish Jeff could have been here, too.(see photos above) The photos show Dan with Olivia and Gavin. There are also photos of Angela with Olivia and nephews (Jake and Gavin). We took the kids to the school playground where Gavin and Jake immediately hit the swings. The last photo of us shows Kary, Angela and me (with Olivia on the slide). It is so comforting to know that some of the family has moved back here...we only hope the rest of the family (i.e., Jeff and Angela, Angela's parents, and my sister and family) move back, too! And to think I was going to sell the Land and move out to the west coast! Good thing I didn't.

The skies were cloudy on Saturday, but they cleared by the time I stopped at Wheaton's Whole Foods store in the early evening. (see photo) Then, as I headed west to Paw Paw, the clouds came back in again.

But Sunday and today both have been sunny and warm in the afternoon. The geese were here yesterday for most of the day. There was a third goose that caused some complaint, but seemed to be accepted by the new Gordon and Gordetta. He/she was very quiet and demure, so I think it may be the original Gordetta. Perhaps she's lost her mate. (see photo of Gordon and Gordetta II and perhaps a small duck, too.)

Today, not one goose or "normal" duck showed up because the little black and white duck returned early this morning, and stayed all day. He floated around so quietly. When I took a short video of him, I realized he was sleeping!! He would float around with his head tucked under his wing for minutes on end. When a bird overhead or a noise would scare him, he would rouse himself, shake his head, and look around.  When he saw there was nothing to worry about, he would tuck his head under his wing and go back to sleep! All day long! I kept wondering what he did last night that made him so sleepy! I am also wondering why no other goose or duck came to the lake today? And is he just passing through, or will he be a regular visitor?

Dave stopped by with some more wood he is donating to building JJ's chapel. We've started a pile on the top of the hill. We hope to start building some time in May!

I guess you won't be surprised when I tell you I pruned and burned yet again today. (see photos taken from the "high road." ) I worked non-stop until 5PM, then I took a short break, and proceeded to plant tomato seeds in the greenhouse until dark. 20 different kinds of tomatoes.  It never ends!

Today was the most heavenly day. There was very little wind, and SO quiet. It had a magical feel, and dear Reader, I wish you had been here to "hear" the silence. I think of you often, and hope you will visit one day.

Until then, I will continue sharing the Land with you as best I can!

Nighty-night, dear Reader!

Friday night

What a unusual day it's been!

This morning Gordon and Gordetta were swimming around the lake when I emerged from the cottage. Only they weren't THE Gordon and Gordetta, who have come back every spring for 10 years. No, these two are a new couple. I don't know what happened to the old Gordon and Gordetta, but they have definitely been replaced. The reason I am sure these are new geese is their response to me. They honk everytime I show my face. The real Gordon and Gordetta never so much as raised one honk when they saw me, because they were so used to me...year after year.  But these two new geese - who are now Gordon and Gordetta II - squawk all the time. They will have to get to know me. I've started talking with them so they will get used to my voice. And I did happen to mention that it is me who is feeding them cracked corn!

What a morning it was! Such brilliant blue sky with not a trace of a contrail. A "severe clear" as far as I could see. I haven't seen a sky like that in years. (See photo of Steward Road looking south toward my Land - my Land is over the next hill and out of sight.) What happened to all the contrails that are around my cottage each day? Is it spring vacation for the Training Crew? I only heard one small plane go over this morning...a "regular" plane as opposed to the usual sounds of the jets constantly overhead. I haven't heard a regular plane fly over like that in a long time. What's with no contrails?

Of course we don't know what the Training Crew in the Training Field are Training FOR. Personally, I think it's "Contrails 101." What do you think, dear Reader? If you want to see for yourself, please feel free to drop in for a visit and judge the contrails for yourself. (Although they can be conspicuously absent when I have guests.)

I think I saw a meager contrail in Aurora around noon, and another meager one in Naperville where Michael and I had lunch. That was all. Strange, indeed. When I returned to the Land, there might have been some contrails later this afternoon, but I couldn't be sure because they were so anemic.  Although I loved seeing the brilliant blue sky, I have to tell you I felt a little lost without the usual white streaks all over the sky.

Oh, I almost forgot another strange little occurance. When Michael called me later this afternoon, his cell number didn't come up. Instead it said, "Private Number."  That's never happened before. I think the cell towers are on vacation, too!

I must tell you about lunch, dear Reader. We went to the Rosebud restaurant in downtown Naperville, right on the river. Another delicious lunch. But that wasn't the most exciting part. This evening at 5PM, Evan Lysacek was expected at Rosebud. A huge sign outside the restaurant said, "Rosebud congratulates Evan Lysacek on his Olympic Gold."  When we left the restaurant around 2PM , the WLS, Channel 7 truck with a huge crane was already parked outside. How fun! And how nice of Evan to come home and add some excitement to Naperville. We're all proud of you, Evan!

Gordon and Gordetta (II) were still here when I came home. After I worked outside for a little while, they stopped honking. Perhaps they already figuring out who is feeding them!

So quiet out here tonight. Even the pink flamingos continue to quietly stare at my Beemerville  lane. Perhaps they wait for nightfall and then magically come alive, jump the fence and dance up and down my lane overlooking Willow Creek. I DO have such an imagination!

The grass is greening up, and we're suppose to have a nice warm-up next week. 70 degrees and more!

In the meantime, here's to a lovely weekend, dear Reader!

Yesterday I was meandering up Steward Road (more like weaving), trying to drive, keep my address book on the steering wheel and dial a number into my cell phone just as a song came on the radio called - appropriately - "Balance."

I got the message. I pulled off the road and completed all my tasks while NOT driving. Balance, indeed. Something I always have to work on!

After I returned from Rochelle, for the third straight day I re-started the fire across the creek and continued (in the light rain) to burn old downed branches. While I was working over there, Dave called and said he went dumpster diving again.

Again? I wasn't aware he was dumpster diving at all. Whether this is something he does often, or as a result of having been out of work for over a year, I'm not sure. But to hear him talk about it just cracked me up.

He sounded a little chagrined. "I went a little overboard this time," he said.

It seems he has been dumpster diving to find additional old bread, etc for his pigs and chickens. They get grain, of course, and the chickens are always free-ranging for bugs, but Dave doesn't stop there. (I can attest to the delicious and HUGE eggs they produce.) Yep, he goes out to dumpster dive for his birds and pigs. As he told me the story, I couldn't help laughing. He said it's a little embarrassing when the people from the nearby apartment complex see him, and he tries to explain, "This  is for my chickens and pigs...no, really, it is..."

You can just picture it, can't you, dear Reader?

He wanted to go into the dumpster, but  felt he shouldn't as it would look really funny to see just his head showing at the top of the dumpster. I think it probably was really funny to see his backside up in the air as he leaned in the dumpster. 

However, he found something really unusual this time. NINE Aluminum dollys (dollies?) still new and in their boxes. These dollies are more lightweight, and can only move up to 190 pounds. But still....

9 new dollies! He couldn't believe it.

"You know me. I was just going to take one, and then I said, well, I'll take another. Then another one, and pretty soon I was taking all of them!"

So, dear Reader, if you are in need of a light weight dolly, just let me know. Dave will be glad to share. He says they are really pretty neat because they fold down and don't take up much room.

I never know what my friends will do next!

I have some pictures to share with you. A lovely black and white duck splashed down ever so quietly yesterday as I was walking along the lake back into the cottage. Mallards are almost comical the way they land, but this duck was quite graceful. He stayed in the lake while I took pictures of him, and lingered as I worked across the lake from him. When I returned to the cottage, he  lifted up from the water and very gently flew away.  I'm trying to find out if he's a Goldeneye or a Bufflehead. I don't think he's a Scoter or an Eider. If you can tell from the photo what he is, please let me know, dear Reader.

The crocuses are blooming by my Beemerville Gate.  I forgot they were even there. A nice surprise!

Also "blooming" along my Beemerville lane and gate are many pink flamingos on my neighbor's property. I think the pink flamingos are wistfull and a little envious of my Land. Such a pink plastic display can only be indicative of my neighbor's highbrow taste, don't you think? I used to call my neighbor's "The Poopers," (and there is quite a story there, dear Reader), but now I call them "The Pink Flamingos." Photo #5 is taken as the flamingos look longingly at my Beemerville lane, and Photo #6 is taken looking toward my neighbor's property.

The Land is always so calm and sweet, steadfast and patient. But I would be remiss if I didn't let you know there have been some interesting  - and rather unsavory- things that have happened out here. It doesn't affect the Land, and now it doesn't affect me, either. But it did.

Should I share the story of  the "Pink Flamingo" neighbors - and how they obtained their original name of "The Poopers?" It's a long story, but this first letter to Mr. Henkel, our zoning officer, will help explain it. You can elect to skip it if you feel it is too sorbid. Just remember, whatever happens around the Land and to the Land does not - in the end - affect The Land's purity. And please keep in mind that before May, 2006, I had never - no, never - in my life ever said the word "poop." 


May 2006
Lee County Zoning Office
Dixon, IL

Dear Mr. Henkel:

Greetings from Peyton Place! I believe it was you who gave this name to our little pleasant valley here in the very, very southeastern section of Lee County. I was always a bit perplexed by your label, but I think I understand now.

I'm afraid I'm involved in The Poop Wars here in Peyton Place in the very, very southeastern section of Lee County, and may need some information from your office. But then I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me give you a little history of what led up to The Poop Wars.

It starts with my new neighbors, Ulysses and Miriam (names have been changed to protect the ... ah... the people involved), who bought the property to the west of me 3 years ago. Ulysses and Miriam live in Wheaton and come out to raise bonsai trees usually on the weekends. They were given a warm welcome by me. I organized a picnic to introduce them to some of the neighbors. In fact, I have been down right neighborly, if I do say so myself. Ulysses is quite short and a bit thick, with a very detailed type of personality which leads me to call him Little Lord Fauntleroy.

All went well for the first year until I received a call late one night from my neighbor, Kyle, on the farm across the road from Ulysses and Miriam's little acreage. Seems Ulysses was caught standing at the edge of Kyle's property, staring into her windows. Kyle was so upset she called me late that night to alert me to the situation. She was frightened and angry. The story goes like this: Big Al, their dog, had been barking and barking so much that Kyle and Jeff tiptoed out of the back of their house in the pitch black, rounded the front corner of their home and Bam! Turned on their floodlight right on ol' Ulysses staring in their window. After this incident, I began to call Ulysses, "Monsieur Voyeur."  We can't call him Mr. Pervert because that name is already taken by Tyson, my neighbor on the other side of my property. You remember Tyson from all the complaints you've received about his airport. Edith, up the road, is the one who named  Tyson, "The Sky Voyeur" because he constantly flies over her house when she's out in her shorts. When I told another neighbor on German Road this story, she cut me off short with, "We call him Pervert." Seems he and his other experimental airplane friends had absolutely terrorized her teenage daughters as they were swimming in their pool. (Just as a reminder, these unmarried/divorced sky voyeur/perverts are in their mid-40's.)

I think you can see why I can't call Little Lord Fauntleroy "pervert." It could get quite confusing around here.

I hope Ulysses/Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur has cleaned up his act after being caught with his pants down, so to speak (although this will take on a different meaning as we go on with the story). I do worry a bit about the trampled weeds up at  our mutual fence line which overlooks my pond where I skinny dip. But one must give one the benefit of a doubt, yes?

Then one day, Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur talked to me about taking a slip of a wild grape that grew on the fence line and I said I guess he could. (Keep this part of the story at the back of your mind as it does play a part later on.)

Life went on merrily here at Peyton Place in the very, very southeastern section of Lee County until last fall.

As you know, I heat my little cottage with wood and having a good supply of wood can literally mean the difference between life and death. Well, perhaps I'm overstating this, but wood heat is important to my well being.

My helper, Dave, and I had taken down some dead mulberry trees at the front of my land, cut them to woodstove length and stacked them on my side of the fence line for later use.

Last year the mulberry was just right for burning in my stove. Dave came over, we carreeeened down the front hill and backed up to the overgrown wood pile ... oops! My wood pile was mostly gone! A little path from Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur's shed made it abundantly clear what had happened. Not to mention a few pieces of MY wood were still laying on THEIR side of the fence where I surmised they had dropped them.

A slow burn consumed me (no pun intended). I discovered this pilferage after Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur and dear partner had returned to their home in Wheaton, so I sweetly left a voice mail on their home phone asking them to let me know who could have possibly taken my firewood. I didn't hear a word from them - ever. A cold war (no pun intended) developed last winter. I ignored them and they ignored me.

That is until this spring when Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr Thief (note additional name) asked again about digging up the ENTIRE large wild grape vine.

I have to confess - and I'm not proud of this - I was still a bit miffed about the loss of my winter heat to their cute little summer campfires. I looked at Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr. Thief and said sweetly,
 
"No."

I kindly offered, "You are welcome to take a slip but leave the main root in the ground."

Aha! Apparently no one says "no" to Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr. Thief and gets away with it. But I'm getting ahead of myself. There is yet another tangent going on here.

It's their state of housecleaning. What that means in plain terms is ... their property is a mess. It's an eyesore with junk all over the place. And I'm not even taking into account the time I had to call them and ask them to please bury their waste because I had company. Where they had thrown their waste was unbelievably stinky - and embarrassing for my guests to smell. (Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr. Thief did apologize for that and said, "I guess I forgot to cover it." I guess he did, indeed.)

Back to their mess. There are old plastic pots, newspaper, plastic sheets - all of which blow over on MY property and even in my creek. I sometimes end up with armfuls of junk. I had to do something to disguise the blight, so I decided it was time to put up a privacy fence in front of our old barbed wire fence.

Over comes Dave and we measure off the distance to determine how many sections of fence we would need. Meanwhile Mr. and Mrs. Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr. (and Mrs.) Thief are watching our every move.

Not two weeks later, Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr Thief with his wife dutifully at his side (partners in crime if you ask me) stood at the edge of my Beemerville driveway as I was mowing it. I stopped the Farmall Cub and talked cordially to them.

Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr.Thief pulls out this official looking paper and tells me he actually owns 6-8 feet of my property. (He REALLY wants that grapevine.) Seems the 1444 foot western edge LOOKS like it runs along the fence (which has been there long before 1973 when Jack and I bought our land) but according to my two lovely neighbors the fence actually bows out and is on THEIR property.

"But the fence has always been there," I explained, "and the survey pins are right on the fence line at either end (give or take a few inches)."

Well, that was not acceptable to them. They did agree the survey pins were close to the fence line on either end, but if you draw a perfectly straight line for 1440 feet from pin to pin, the ol' fence wasn't as straight ...therefore they own 6-8 feet of my property.

"Here's the survey," Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr Thief said holding  up the paper.

I waved it off as I could not see with my contacts in. (I know, most people can't see without their contacts, but I can't see WITH my contacts in, so it was futile for me to peer at their survey.) I explained I would talk to a survey company and have it resurveyed but it would take me a while. Mrs. Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr. (and Mrs.) Thief very sickeningly sweetly said, "All those evergreens you planted will have to be moved if you want them on YOUR property - or you could leave them where they are." (Sickeningly sweet smile, again.) "We don't intend to move anything."

My dear Mr. Henkel, you would have been quite pleased with how nice I was to them. I thanked them profusely for telling me. "Heavens!" I said. "I wouldn't want to put my privacy fence next to the old fence and then have it turn out to be on yours. And I do so hope that old apple tree closest to the fence that Jack and I planted so many years ago is not on YOUR property."

I added, as kindly as I could, "Just for sentimental reasons of course." 

Inside I was in despair. I wondered why they hadn't brought this up three years ago. How could the fence line turn out - after all these years - not to be "the fence line?" Why hadn't someone else along the way brought this to my attention? I would call an attorney and Survey Tech in Rochelle the next day.

Shortly after my neighbor's enlightening conversation - in fact, on that very Sunday only two weeks ago, I refueled my tractor and returned to the front of the Land on the hill next to "the fence line." As I put-putted down the hill next to the Fauntleroy/Voyeur/Thief property, what to my unbelieving eyes did I see?

A toilet.

A toilet next to my fence line. Yes. A toilet.  I nearly fell off my Farmall Cub! Didn't they care that I mow my property right next to The Toilet? Had they some how forgotten that I take walks morning and night?

Apparently Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr. Thief has anger issues and this is his way of handling them. Or else...or else he's an exhibitionist. So now, you see, I've an additional name. Mr. Pooper. Yep, he's Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr. Thief/Mr. Pooper. I always suspected Mr. Pooper of having an anal personality, but now I have definite proof.

Let me explain. This is not a porta potty with an enclosure. Mr. or Mrs. Pooper works for a company that supplies equipment for older people and this toilet is one that would be used by an older person. It's a white handicapped toilet with handles on either side to be used to push oneself up from the toilet. And underneath it is a recently dug hole. It's quite a sight. What's more, until the grass grows a little higher, you can see it as you drive around the corner from Beemerville to Steward Road. I do believe Mr. Pooper IS an exhibitionist! And adding insult to injury - or should I say more poop to the pot, this toilet is perfectly positioned in front of the old wild grape vine that he so covets!

The next time Dave came over we took photos of The Toilet. I've never seen Dave so dumbfounded and absolutely speechless. We've had many a good laugh at Mr. Pooper's expense. Can a person who does this have any sense of decency at all?

I think not, as you shall see.

Yesterday Dave and I took a break from our work around the cottage. We decided to go on an asparagus walk. We hadn't picked asparagus for a while and it was time to do so again. It's all wild and we love picking handfuls of asparagus throughout the property. In fact, it's part of Dave's pay.

As we walked up to the top of the hill on the southside of the pond - honestly I am NOT making this up - lo and behold! Mr. Pooper was...well...you know...poised on the toilet by the fence, living up to his name. He heard us coming (too late!) and jumped up clutching his pants, but not before I saw - to put it nicely - a bunch of flesh. I quickly suppressed my laughter (okay, I did let out a hoot before I suppressed it) and I turned away. Not Dave, though. You know what a sense of humor Dave has. He thought this whole thing was pretty darn funny. He started walking closer to the fence (we were quite a ways away) and I whispered, "No! Dave! Come back!" He walked down the hill a bit farther with this bemused expression on  his face watching Mr. Pooper disappear somewhere to gather his britches (and his mind, I hope). Dave finally turned back - full of laughter.

So you see, the first poop is out - so to speak - and now I know I'm in deep doo-doo.

"He'll never face you again!" Dave laughed. "I bet he sends his wife to talk with you about what you've found out on the survey."

What I found out about the survey is this: Once they heard the story, Survey Tech - dear fellows that they are - took it upon themselves to scope it out with no compensation from me. "We think it follows the fence line but we'll check the pins again."  And so they did. "Yes, the pin at the south end is right on the fence line. The pin on the north end is in about a foot. We say it follows the fence line. Always has."

 But Little Lord Fauntleroy/Monsieur Voyeur/Mr. Thief/Mr. Pooper has a survey that disagrees. Or so he says. Before the manure hits the fan, I wonder if you would be able to suggest a lawyer in Dixon (or Lee County) who would be willing to participate in the Poop Wars, as there may be a good chance I am going to court over this (not the poop, but the fence line). Well...come to think about it ... maybe both.

And while I'm at it ... or more to the point while HE's at it (sitting on the toilet, I mean), could you give me the name of someone I could contact about this poopy health hazard next to my fence?

I do so appreciate this, Mr. Henkel.

Yours in manure,

Just Jane


Well, that's how it all started, dear Reader.  Two lawsuits, three years and $15,000 later, I have my Land as it always was. You might think it wasn't worth it, but it was.  And  in addition, I have written 300 pages on the Poopers (a.k.a. The Pink Flamingos) and other antics of my neighbors.

And all these goings on don't even compare with what happened later. While working across the lake, I discovered my other neighbor's girlfriend standing guard at my opened garage door talking to her boyfriend INSIDE my garage doing who knows what to my electric garage door opener and my entire electric system - but that's another story for another day. (And no, I didn't report them to the sheriff and I definitely should have. I am ready to take a lie detector test, though. I would pass with flying colors.)

So you see, dear Reader, strange things have been going on around here for at least 4 years. But the Land remains The Land. Strong and true and good. And all the rest will - as they say - come out in the wash. And wash day is getting closer...

Pleasant dreams, dear Reader, pleasant dreams!

Tuesday night

Saturday's snow is long melted and the days are warming up again. Today was almost perfect for a March day. Very little wind, sunny and fairly warm. I re-started the fires again this morning which Dave and I began yesterday across the creek.  (See photos #1- Dave crossing the creek -  and #2 above.) Just so you won't forget how beautiful Willow Creek is, I took a photo from down in the creek. (Photo #3) It is amazing to me how many downed trees there were on the east side of my creek. Dave and I cleared lots of branches hanging over my eastern fence. We have many more to go!

While we were working on the fires, the great blue heron was standing so still (and so folded into itself) next to the lake, that at first I couldn't tell what that dark blue object was. Only by zooming in with my camera could I tell it was the blue heron. (see photo #4 ) What a magnificient bird!

Speaking of birds, while Dave and I were busy with the fire yesterday, several large ducks from Kyle and Jeff's farm came  floating up the creek to see what was going on. They must like fires, for they didn't seem bothered by the flames at all. They didn't want to miss any excitement!

This past weekend I attended a birthday party for Dr. Jones,  a friend of Michael's at the Country Club in Geneva. That might sound hoity-toity, but it was just a wonderful group of friends. I enjoyed it greatly! That's Michael and Dr. Jones in photo #5. They are best friends and also happen to have been outstanding surgeons. The whole group of us is seen in photo #6. We laughed a lot. Our laughter and the fire in the fireplace warmed us on that cold, snowy Saturday night.

David is home from Cleveland after his heart surgery. He looks great! Amazing how well it all went. His friend, CJ, is helping take care of him, along with Ken. David even walked to and from the post office in Paw Paw today! Unbelievable!

 My friend, Linda Turner, in Santa Barbara emailed me that she loved the blog. It makes me feel so good to know she (and you, dear Reader) are reading my blog and feeling like you're part of what goes on out here on The Land. It keeps me writing, even though I'm so tired I could drop!

All is well here. I put in two more rows of peas just as dusk was settling in tonight. The wood in the woodstove is crackling keeping off the chill. Tonight is a clear sky which makes for a colder night.

I hope all is going well with you, too, dear Reader. Nighty-night!

Saturday Morning:

Happy First Day of Spring! Or should I say, Happy Snow Day?

Snow on the ground again, after such lovely 60 and 70 degree weather.  Yesterday was so nice, my mother called the weather number to be sure they weren't mistaken about the snow on the way. Obviously they weren't mistaken! We went from lovely sunny skies yesterday (see 1st photo above from Menard's parking lot in DeKalb, to this morning's photos of the lake). The ducks seem not to mind the snow at all...just as long as they have open water - and they do!

I slept in SOOO late this morning. 9:30! I never do that! The change in weather must have drugged me!

Had a delicious  lunch yesterday with friend, Michael, at Chinn's in Lisle. The calamari is out of this world. And the garlic roll are unbelievable! That's what they are known for. Michael and I don't have to worry about vampires - even today! I had coconut scallops. Yummy!

I just talked with David Vanderbilt and he sounds fantastic. He has a new (mooooo!) cow heart valve. His surgery was a great success. He may be coming home from Cleveland tomorrow! Unbelievable!

Today is the wedding for Ryan and Mary. Ryan is my cousin, Cindi's son. It will be very elegant and takes place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I know you send them your best wishes, dear Reader!

What a start to spring! But the snow doesn't look like it will last, so.....

Happy Spring, dear Reader!

Goodness me! I've done so much pruning and burning lately I am getting stuptified!

Ah, but a taste of "my" elderberry wine was delicious! It tastes strong and sweet. I really am impressed with it, especially because I am partially responsible for making the wine! Last year was an exceptionally fine elderberry year!

This morning, I was greeted at daybreak with beautiful streaks across the sky as usual. My friends call me from Aurora and near Rockford, and they just have plain, boring clear blue skies. I never do! I have wild and wonderful skies. They are with me every where I go - from this morning as I stepped out my door, later in Rochelle while doing errands, and back here at the ponderosa as I worked on the land. Please see the photos above and marvel at such lovely skies!

                          "Viewing . 'Someone' will trace the pattern."


I have a dear friend I may have told you about. He and I went to Ireland together when I was fresh out of college. Here is part of his email yesterday on St. Patrick's Day which includes  the famous Irish Blessing (and his "take" on it):

Top o’ the mornin’ to yer, lassie!  I have so many fond memories of our trip to Ireland! 

May the road rise to meet you,                                  it usually did when my motorcycle stopped and fell over!

May the wind be always at your back.                      I remember rain in my face most of the trip

May the sun shine warm upon your face,                there must have been one day of sunshine while we were there

The rains fall soft upon your fields.                           Would those be the soggy fields where we pitched our leaky tent?

And until we meet again,                                             sooner rather than later! ;)

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.             Always!!


How sweet! May I explain that the "motorcycle"  was really a used moped. I had one, too, that was in just a wee bit better shape, so I constantly passed up my dear friend, as I went roaring (at 2 miles per hour, if that!)  past his struggling bike.

I have such wonderful friends! Just like you, dear Reader. And I cherish all of you!

Today, even while burning and pruning, I managed to plant two  rows of peas (the folk lore is that peas are to be planted on St. Patrick's Day), and some radishes and lettuce salad mix. The day was perfect for planting! I also spied some green coming up in the straw covering two of the garden beds. On closer look, it was garlic I planted last fall! (see photo) Spring IS here!

And best of all, the blue heron was quietly sitting on the shore near the lower garden when I planted the peas.
After planting, I went to the beach area to wash the dirt off my hands. The great blue heron gently and quickly flew up and away. Unbeknownst to me, he had been there the entire time. I wish I had a picture of him. He is so large and graceful!

Tonight the peepers are at it again. ("Peepers are the toads or frogs you hear in the watery ditches and creeks, etc.) I love their happy little chirps. I flashed my floodlight all around the lake when I went outside a few minutes ago, but couldn't see any little peepers. I can hear them in the creek, though. Another sign of spring!

So, even though snow is forecasted for Sunday, I wish you a Happy Spring, dear Reader! Happy Spring!

Happy Patrick's Day, dear Reader!

And what a fine day it is! In fact, the last two days have been magnificient! I hope you're enjoying these beautiful days as much as I am.

Once again - mainly due to sheer exhaustion - I am recounting the  last two days through pictures. I was greeted by a beautiful sunny day yesterday morning. I don't know where you live, dear Reader, but I am so fortunate to have such splendid skies all day long. The first row of photos shows the sky as soon as I walked outside yesterday. The photos are taken from all around my house.  How many people get such a showy sky  whenever the sun shines?

The second row, first photo is taken from Steward Road looking back to my cottage. ( photo #4) Later, after a meeting in Rochelle, I see the fabulous skies have followed me! I love it!  Photo #5 and #6)

This morning...for a change of pace, it was foggy. Very foggy! I thought you would like to see the pond in the foggy dawn. (see photo #7)  As soon as the sun came out, the skies around my house lit up again.(photo 8) How's that for excitement!

Speaking of excitement...today was an exciting day. First I started three - three! -  fires and cut more honeysuckle saplings. I missed my fire bugs (Smitty and Chris), but I can assure them there will be many more fires!  (photo #9 and #10)

Tonight, though, was the real excitment. Three of my neighbors turkeys decided to come visit me. I heard some gobbling near the house as I was working inside. I wasn't paying much attention, and thought to myself...it must be Kyle and Jeff's ducks in the creek. Then I walked outside to check the fires, and there were three huge tom turkeys in my backyard! What a surprise! I was so stunned to see turkeys behind the cottage I could hardly take their pictures! (see photos #11 and #12)

I called Kyle and Jeff immediately, but by the time they arrived with one of their friends, the turkeys were across the north run-off creek and into Jacox's field. They were on the move! Jeff and his friend jumped across the creek and finally caught up with them almost a quarter of a mile away. They herded them backthem to Steward Road. I wish I could have seen them walking three turkeys down Steward Road!  

What a day! I hope you are eating corn beef and cabbage and having  a toast to St. Patrick!  Keep my friend, David Vanderbilt, in your prayers as he just underwent heart surgery today in Cleveland. He did well and is recovering now.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

Monday evening:

Here it is almost 7PM and it's still nearly 50 degrees outside! Spring is really here!  Saturday the ice on the lake melted so quickly I almost  watched it go. (photos #1 & #2 above) And what says spring better than Gordon and Gordetta returning to the lake? Yes, they are back! It's good to see them again. We are old friends. (photos #3 & #4)

I so miss the blue fishing hut out on the lake. It seems too quiet around here without those crazy fishermen! So...just for old times sake, I've added some photos (#5 and #6)from the ice fishing days. Photo #6 is appropriately called "Fishermen going home."

On Sunday the skies cleared for only a little while, but oh! The sky lit up almost instantly!  It was great to view such beautiful skies.

Today I visited with Floyd and Fran Sellers. We were again talking about the small cemetery just north of their home. Floyd feels it is owned by a church - possibly the Church of the Nazarene in Mendota. I wonder if they know all the tombstones have been taken away? And that it's all overgrown? Floyd says there were little baby graves there from the 1800's. Nothing marks where they were laid to rest. Sad. (see photos #1 and #2 below.)

Floyd also told me another story: The church that belonged to this cemetery was originally around the corner. When the pastor died his wife had him buried in that little cemetery. When she moved, she dug him up and took him with her!

There were 23 graves still left there, and now no one can tell it was a cemetery at all. I wonder what the name of it was? I wonder where the tombstones are today? Such mysteries in Lee County? It's a fascinating place to live.

Yesterday, I ordered some of the wood and cement for putting in the piers of the chapel. It will be a simple building, but hopefully an elegant little chapel. (photo #3 below of  idealized  chapel) For some reason I envision people - whom I don't know - treking here to visit the chapel. After sitting in the chapel for a while and looking out at the lake, I see their heavy hearts brightening. Strange vision, but that's what I see. I wonder how the people  with sorrows will even know it's here?

I think I forgot to tell you that I contacted Ed Begley, Jr. and thanked him for recommending Chad Lampkin of Michigan Energy Works. According to Chad, Ed answers all his own emails. Sure enough. Ed wrote back a short note telling me I was in good hands with Chad. I truly think I am!

Another vision - which I hope is not too, too far off. A meeting with all the people who will be involved with the house building and landscaping which (at this time)  includs Dave, Chad and Randy (Ekana Nurseries). So far,  Michigan Energy Works and Ekana Nurseries have both agreed to be listed as my sponsors! This project is off to a SUPER great start! 

Dear Reader, I hope you, too, will be involved with building the house-on-the-hill!

Have a great night! I will be dreaming of the possibilities!

Saturday night
After 4 hours in the dentist's chair (you don't want to know- just suffice it to say, I have a great dentist), I picked up my elderberry wine from Alice. What a thrill to actually see the wine from the elderberries I picked and destemmed!

I stayed and talked with Alice for quite a while. We watched a beautiful video she put together from her dad's 1930's home movies! It was so refreshing to see Yorkville so small and undeveloped! And Yellowstone in the 1930's! So remote and unpeopled! I had a great time. It behooves me to do more with my mother's pictures from 'way, 'way back, to pass on to Jeff and Angela.

I have so much more to tell you, dear Reader. And of course, I shall let the photos I took do the real talking.

First and foremost, the lake is melting. There seems to be no stopping it now. Is ice fishing really over for good?
Please see the photos above. The first two were taken on March 11th, and the third one is from today, March 13th. This morning I even saw two ducks swimming around. They were totally enjoying their new found water!

The next photo is of the hand pump I bought in Exline, Iowa. Exline is a tiny former coal mining town just above the Missouri border in south central Iowa . Dave H. came over today to get it out of my car, and take it to his house to work on. He asked me if I looked to see where the pump was made. Of course, I hadn't. So we looked at the lettering on it, and would you believe it was made in my home town? Davenport, Iowa!
 
Obviously by now you know I took a little trip to one of my favorite areas in Iowa - Van Buren and Appanoose Counties. This is rural America, folks, and I love it. The soil in Centerville and Exline, Iowa (Appanoose County) is not very good for growing crops, so there are lots of pastured cattle. There are hills and a great many huge oak trees (my favorite!). Lots of what I call "real" farms. Smaller farms with year around animals, haying, pastures and ponds. Exline just happens to be the hometown of Morgan Cline. Who is he? He is president and CEO of Cline, Davis and Mann in New York City - a company well-known for pharmaceutical advertising. He has gifted many projects in Centerville and Exline. The Exline general store last year won the best general store in Iowa! That's where I found my used hand water pump.

Another favorite general store is Dutchman's store in Cantril (Van Buren County). It is owned and operated by Mennonites, and has everything from yards of calico prints, to homeschooling books, to heavy-duty boots and clothing, to homemade quilts, to a complete grocery store. It's one of the most fun places to visit.  Many days you will find Amish horse and buggies pulled up next to the line of cars in front of the block-long building. I didn't see any this time, but of course, the Amish were clop, clop, clopping down the roads! (see photos)

Milton, Iowa is another one of the seven villages of Van Buren County. It just happens to have the Milton Creamery featuring the best cheese of 2009! Prairie Breeze is the best cheese I've tasted! I'm not alone. It won two top awards for cheese. In April, 2009, Milton Creamery's Prairie Breeze won the Open Hard Class at the Wisconsin Cheesemakers national USA contest in Wisconsin. It takes a great cheese to win in Wisconsin - home of the Cheese Heads! But that's not all.  Prairie Breeze also won in Austin, Texas at the American Cheese Societies Annual Conference and Competition in August, 2009 (in the Cheddar 12-24 month class). "This is an incredible achievement by a small and new Cheesemaker..."

I forgot to tell you that I stopped in Pulaski, Iowa (a two-block town) to take photos of the name of this town in honor of Michael, my dear friend who takes me to great restaurants. Michael was born in Poland and came to the United States when he was three. He called me a few weeks ago to tell me that Chicago was honoring Revolutionary War hero, Casimir Pulaski, so I thought it was only fair that I stop and take a photo of Pulaski, Iowa!
.
The house photos (and I use that term loosely) are of a house that needs some work in Van Buren County- just the kind of house I like to restore! I found an unexpected animal in the delapitated barn a fer piece from the house.  I would say the landscaping could use some clean up, wouldn't you?

Further down the quaint road of V63, is a newer beautiful log home with this lovely elk statue near the road. Thought you would like to see it, dear Reader. It is quite dramatic on top of the hill.

Last, but not least, on the way home I travel through Columbus Junction, which just happened to get flooded big time in the last Iowa flood. The Iowa and Des Moines rivers meet just above Columbus Junction and boy!  that leads to some high water. The name of this bar, "Rumors and Excuses," caught my eye. I thought you would like it, too. At least they're honest. Not to mention they "raise the bar!"

And that's it for the pictures from my trip. It was a great, but short, time. Now it's back to prune, prune, prune and yes, start my seeds! I heard it might be 60 degrees by Thursday! Let's hope so!

Enjoy the photos! I wish you had been along for the ride!