Dear Reader,

I had a wonderful time in Denver this past week, celebrating the triplets’ first birthday. Jeff and Angela had sent me the cutest invitation to Katie, Chloe and Jack’s birthday party, and I didn’t want to miss it. So…unbeknownst to them, I booked a flight out there on June 16th – arriving just hours before the party! I made arrangements to stay with Jane and Randy, two dear friends who were neighbors when we lived outside of Denver in the 1980’s. Angela’s mother and father – Brenda and Dave – were visiting for the birthday party, too, and Jeff does not have two guest rooms.

It was a great surprise and everyone was so welcoming! Angela and her parents are so creative. The house was decorated outside and inside – what fun! I chose a few pictures above to share with you! I was able to stay for 4 days, but the time went by so quickly. The triplets are getting to be so big! Katie can clap her hands, Chloe is nearing crawling (watch out world!), and Jack is just the sweetest kid loving to play in his saucer. I am so glad I was able to be part of their first birthday! (The 1st row, 3rd picture shows all the grandparents with our grand-triplets; the third row first picture shows that there will be two more babies coming soon into this world.  2nd picture, third row shows Chloe working on her crawling and Jack is just plain enjoying the party.)

Back home, we still have no rain as I am sure you are aware. As I write this, I am hoping the storms the weatherman mentioned yesterday will still arrive. I just stepped outside to look at the sky, (it’s 1:30AM) and there are stars out so the sky is clear. But the wind is up, and maybe, maybe the rain will come. We need rain so badly!

I had an interesting experience yesterday that I need to share with you, dear Reader. As a bit of background, I have put the Land on the market from time to time in the last several years, but it has never sold. Now that I have grandchildren in Denver, I decided to try it again this past spring. You know how much I love the land so this was a hard to do.

 There has been a lady (we will call her “Pat”) who has repeatedly called me since I put the Land on the market three or so years ago. At that time, I told her everything she wanted to know about the Land, and in all of this time (when the Land was on the market, and even sometimes when it wasn’t), she has never once come out to see it. After the first  year of  talking with her, I began to think this was exceedingly strange. When I am interested in a place, I make a beeline to see it, and everyone I know does the same thing. To keep asking and asking, and yet, when the Land is available still not doing anything about it, seems really weird. So I began to feel a little uneasy about her.

Pat always seems to know when I am putting the house on the market. She called me earlier this year and asked if I would be selling my property. I explained about the triplets and said I would probably be doing so. So I put the Land on the market a few months ago, (and even excluded her name from the listing once again), but still no real interest from her. One of our conversations, I told her to talk with my realtor but she said she thought I would be much more interested in selling my place to her direct. I told her at that time that it didn’t bother me at all to have him involved. That’s why I have a realtor; he can be the one to handle the would-be buyers.

To make a long story short (too late!), the last time or two I talked with her this spring, I told her that I did not want to talk to her about it again. She called several times since then, but I recognized her phone number (708 area code) and did not answer the call. I just deleted her message.

Dave Haury was here today and we were cutting back the bushes along Beemerville lane, when my next door neighbors (who wanted my land on my border which resulted in a lawsuit) drove up, stopped on the Beemerville bridge and looked over what I was doing.

Within the hour, this Pat person called me again. I saw the 708 area code and did not answer it. This time in her message she did not say who she was, and merely sounded like someone interested in buying my property. Of course I recognized her voice and her number, and it gave me pause that she was taking another tactic in the hopes I would call her back. I deleted the message.

Several hours later I had a call from an 815 area code. I didn’t recognize the number and thought it may be someone calling me with a spray drift incident through our grass roots organization, Spray Drift Education Network. I have had three calls in two days on spray incidents, so it was an understandable assumption. However, it was this Pat calling me again! SHE HAD USED A DIFFERENT NUMBER so I would answer the call.

I explained to her that I did not want to talk with her again (how many times do I have to tell her that?), that she had not ever come out in the last three years, and I really did not want to talk with her any more. I hung up on her. (Remember, there have been two to three times previously that I have told her I DO NOT want to talk to her any more and I have cut off the phone call.)

Would you believe she called me back? I answered again and told her again that I did not want to talk with her about it. I thanked her for calling me for the last three years and hung up on her again.

By now I am feeling quite harassed. Her tactic of using the 815 number really is something. I decide to put an end to these calls by reporting it to the Lee County Sheriff’s office. The officer takes down the information and says he will call her. Hopefully I will not hear from her again.

I was feeling just fine about it until the wee hours of this morning when I awoke. She does, dear Reader, give me the willies. But after talking with the officer, I think she will get the idea once and for all, that I do not want to talk with her about my property any more. If she is truly interested she can work through my realtor. I believe she is married to an attorney, so I would think she would know when someone hangs up on her repeatedly, and tells her they do not want to talk with her ever again, she better not pursue it. The gall she had to change her number to disguise the fact that she was calling really did it.

Other than that incident, life here on the ponderosa is going along just fine. I have so little to do now that the grass is not growing. Also, unfortunately a great many of my bee’s “field force” did not return to the hive after my neighbors sprayed their wheat field with insecticide when the bees were out foraging. There are so few of them left they are not producing much honey, so I haven’t much to do with adding supers, etc. I have been doing more pruning, and reading some light mystery books in the screen house, or in my delightfully air conditioned cottage. I have enjoyed this summer more than any summer in a long time.

You won’t recognize the goslings. They are getting SO big. Gordon still keeps a close eye on them, and I saw Gordeeta peck at one of them for getting into her share of the cracked corn! What a life these animals have out here. Birds, chipmunks, woodchucks, raccoons, geese, squirrels, and of course, the Great Blue Heron. Such a lovely assortment of four-legged friends!

Thank you, dear Reader, for being there as a good friend to listen to any qualms I have, and also to celebrate this beautiful land. I feel much better now!

Update: June 20, 2012
My nephew added the video Angela sent me last week of Chloe with the giggles. Hope you enjoy it! I will add more photos of the triplets and their birthday party in my next blog entry. Hope you enjoy this video!  

Dear Reader,

I just had the most amazing experience! I was riding around the land on my new (old) bike just now (5PM). Along the High Road I rode, up to the top of the south hill, stopped to gaze where I will build a larger cape cod someday…and then – whoosh! So fast down the hill toward the Road-Between-The-Ponds.

Flying along, I go,  so carefree with the wind blowing against my face.

But then, all at once it changes. Suddenly to my right, Gordon flies up out of the swamp and lands directly in front of me, rearing up like a wild stallion!

I come to a complete, sudden stop.

“It’s okay, Gordon,” I say.

But it’s not okay. Because there is more movement to my right. I look down into the swamp to see 3 goslings paddling away from me with Gordetta bringing up the rear. They have such a narrow band of water to swim in, and they obviously want to get over the road to the pond.

Gordon and I face each other. He’s not moving. I bob along, walking my bike backwards to give him (and his family) more room.

Sure enough. That does the trick.

Holding themselves tall and dignified, very proudly, all 4 of the geese climb in a straight line, up the bank to the road, as Gordon (I kid you not!) stands there like a school guard watching his flock cross the road in safety. I almost think I see him hold out a wing like a school guard would hold out her hand in a STOP position. If only I had my camera! It was too cute for words!

Gordetta had somehow gotten herself into the front position, and down the pond bank she went, followed by the three goslings. With a final stern look to me, Gordon turned and waddled down the bank right after them.

What an experience! I really think these geese are becoming just a bit too humanized!

The goslings are getting so big. Sometimes they flap their little wings - practicing for the big day when they can really fly. The photos above show the Great Blue Heron watching over the entire Gordon/Gordetta family to make sure they are safe while they eat grass on the south bank. (more on that below) The rest of the photos show the family eating corn by the pond, then taking a rest. The other pictures show the geese coming up to the cottage - right outside my door! And the last photo shows them taking a stroll down the lane.

On another note, this is the triplet's birthday week - one year old on the 13th!  My heart will be with them!

Mom and I celebrated her  94th birthday on the 6th. Our photo is a little fuzzy, but you can see us at one of Mom's favorite eating places: Village Inn.

Karl was out here today with his friend, Dale. They put the trolling electric motor on Randy's boat and spent the morning fishing. A hot day to fish, but they seemed to have had fun.

Derrick was out here with his earthmover, opening up some more areas for future pasture. (More detail below)  Aaron helped, too, by smoothing out the new areas and doing some other work I needed done. I like the new views I have on the south side of the land. I can see all the way to Beemerville overpass - which, I might like to remind you - is made up of the sand and gravel from our very own Heim pond.

Last but not least, there is a picture of my "excellent, but dated" Trek bike. (More about this below)It's a good bike.

I am going to share with you some of my writings on June 5th and June 9th to end this blog entry tonight. It has been a super summer already and I am enjoying everything as you can tell from my writings.

June 5, 2012
I'm sitting here on the north bank of the pond between the cottage and the carriage house - a slight breeze - 75 degrees. The sun is playing peek-a-boo with friendly, white clouds. What a day!

The Great Blue Heron is guarding Gordon's family as if they were his own. He's standing so tall in the Road Between The Ponds. He does this as often as he can. Gordon, Gordetta, and their three little darlings are merrily munching on grass or squatting down for little naps. The goslings have such a cute way of settling down into the grass.

At first, I thought the Great Blue Heron might harm the goslings, but that's not how we operate out here on the Land (in Paradise!). No. We all get along and help each other. My animal friends and me - that's how we live out here. It truly IS a paradise.

Even earlier this morning, the Goose family of 5 came almost up to the window as they ate grass around the cottage. Further down the lane three baby woodchucks were frollicking, watched over by Mama Willimena Woodchuck.

Karl told me he had seen the three goslings not long before I first saw them again...only he saw them down by the Beemerville bridge in Willow Creek. He was surprised to see them again. "I don't know where Gordon and Gordetta were, but it was definitely the same three goslings."

So Gordon and Gordetta hid their babies to keep them safe! What smart parents!

I have so much free time this year - with an almost non-existent garden, a new weed whacker and finally getting the different areas cleaned up and pruned like I want them, it's really given me more free hours each day. I actually am enjoying all my free time. At 4PM, the sun feels just right on my bare feet sticking out of my jeans, and once in a while as the wind blows the trees around, the sun warms my face. The grass is cut short and green around the pond, above is blue and white in the sky - what is not to love about this wonderful place?

It's also nice to think that my favorite fishermen may show up - Chris and Smitty after work, or Karl (with or without Kendell and McKenna). I am making such wonderful friends and they mean so much to me!

I sent off Katie, Chloe and Jack's birthday presents. There were two matching Cub cheerleader outfits for the girls and another "My First Cub T" shirt for Jack, plus another set of matching dresses for Katie and Chloe and a one piece outfit for Jack. I made up a card for them because there are no triplet birthday cards to be found. It read:

            It has been a year of wonder.
            A wonder of how tiny you were
            A wonder of how you have grown...
                    a wonder of your strength
                    a wonder of your giggles
            The wonder of seeing you develop into who you will be ...
            The wonder of the wonder of you three!

Katie, Chloe and Jack,
            You are always in my thoughts.
            I am always beside you even if you can not see me.
            I am sending you all my love, always, on your first birthday.
                                Love,  Grammie Jane

Karl says with my grand-triplets and with Gordon and Gordetta's 3 goslings, I'm a grandma of  sextuplets. But if I add in the three baby woodchucks I am a grandmother ninefold! 

All is right with the world - at least my little blessed corner of it!


June 9, 2012
I think Chris and Smitty are on their way to Canada. What fun they will have.

I'm sitting here in the screenhouse as the temp goes up to 90 degrees and the sun feels REALLY hot when you get out in it. It's breezy, shaded and very comfortable in the screenhouse with a view to die for. I love the meadering run-off creek to my right, and the large view of the pond straight ahead. All around are flower beds and the flowering purple clematis clings to the black old-fashioned light pole. It's such a relaxing pastoral scene.

Matt, who owns the winery where I sell my elderberries may not need them this year, so all at once I'm contemplating moving into my "steer" stage - sooner than I thought.

I've been clearing more of my land for little pastures so I can eventually have two cows/steers. One to keep and one to sell. I want to grass-feed them for most of the time.

So...I'll know by next week if elderberries are my crop or if I'm going to switch gears. To tell the truth I am rather excited about the possibility of having cattle. I don't know why, but I am. Having steers, no doubt, will end up being a huge loss - at least at first, but then, my kind of small farming is all about loss anyway. Oh well! One has to keep at it and learn as one goes. If only my father were here (Papa passed away when I was five). He would be such a big help and so proud of me.

Even though I was raised on a dairy farm, I know nothing about raising beef. I'm a real novice but an excited one!

Two chipmonks are playing "chase" all around the screen house. They are adorable! For two little guys, they are SO noisy!

Dave is on his way over here with my re-condioned Trek bike ("an excellent bike, but dated" according to the cyclery in DeKalb). I don't know how much I will ride it, but I'm glad to have it "updated."  Dave and I have lots to do today after Derrick was here with his earthmover. Never a dull moment.

Ahhhh, the birds are singing, the "chippies" are playing, the geese are relaxing on the pond bank, the trees are gently rustling in the breeze. What a day! It doesn't get any better than this!
                                                    #####

Dear Reader, I wish you had been with me in the screenhouse enjoying a few moments of relaxation on a perfect June day! Maybe someday you will be. In the meantime, let's hope the rain that is called for actually arrives! 

Good evening, Dear Reader.
It has been an amazing day! But before I get into what all happened today, I have to tell you that the triplets had their first trip to Costco last week.  Jeff said it was difficult to get around in the store because everyone kept coming up to them and marveling over the triplets! It really is a sight to see. I am adding some new pictures belatedly (today, June 3rd) of the triplets - at Costco. (See the last two rows of photos below.)  Also a photo of the girls sitting up so well. Then the last row shows two photos  Katie and Chloe  in their stroller (a previous photo and a new photo to show you how they have grown!), plus a photo of Jack looking so grown up.

The triplets celebrate their first birthday in a  couple of weeks. I can hardly believe it! I will miss their  birthday party, unfortunately. Jeff says they are all sitting up like big kids. Jack and Chloe have two teeth each (on the bottom), but Katie hasn't any as of yet. Just lately they seem to be really "growing up." When we think back to when they were born, and all hooked up to every machine known to man, all the setbacks, all the long hospital stays...it seems so unreal now. They have come a long way, and we're all proud of Katie, Chloe and Jack.

Speaking of birthdays, my mom turns 94 in a week.  We are so fortunate to have Mom here with us and in such good shape. She is still driving her Lexus!

Smitty and Chris have been here fishing on and off. Smitty caught this crappie (above) last Monday. Haven't seen any catfish to speak of, though.

Last Sunday, Karl Hawbaker and family, plus another couple they know well and their two children, were all here for a Memorial Day picnic. They fished, glided around in Randy Ikeler's gift to the land (the brown john boat), had a picnic, went swimming (yes! can you believe the water was SO warm on May 29th?!!!).It was great fun to have them here.

Yesterday just before the long rainy day began, all kinds of geese flew in before the storm. (see above). They made themselves at home, looking as if they had always been here. And best of all, they all got along!

Today was quite a day, as I mentioned above. I had a lovely lunch with Michael at Chinn's in Lisle. Lots of garlic bread dripping in garlic butter, calamari and Copper River salmon! When I returned, I decided I better do some mowing, so off I went on the road between the ponds. All of a sudden something caught my eye on the south bank of the pond.

You won't believe it, dear Reader. I could hardly believe it, myself! There were Gordon and Gordetta and THREE GOSLINGS! I did a double take! Yes, they are all there and just milling about smartly as though nothing had ever happened.  They were in front of the burn pile area, and when they heard the mower, they marched down the bank and into the pond.

When the goslings disappeared that fateful day (May 10th?) and I thought they had been eaten by the buzzards, Chris and Smitty had arrived at te land right after I had left. They reported to me later that the goslings were already missing. The buzzards hadn't come yet, and buzzards don't eat live things anyway, so they thought something else had happened to the goslings. Randy Ikeler thought maybe the fox ate the goslings.

Whatever happened to the goslings, I do not know. Did Gordon and Gordetta hide them and confront all the vultures over their heads to keep them away from their little goslings? What about the carrying on at dusk, with their "strange crying?" And why did they fly away that night - just the two of them and not come back (except for - believe it or not - on Mother's Day)? Where, in other words, has the entire family been for the past three weeks?

Well, it is a mystery. Perhaps, dear Reader, you understand what happened better than I do. Please share your ideas on this strange occurance. But the best news is...the goslings  are back! And looking so grown-up! See pictures above.

Another strange thing happened after I saw the goslings. As I continued to mow today, I found long, perfect, clean  feathers around the Land - almost as if they had been arranged in groupings. I found 7 altogether in two areas.

The feathers are clean as a whistle...they almost look like quill pens of old. In fact, I'm not  quite sure they are true feathers, although they look like they are. No bodies, no blood on them...perfectly clean and neat and tidy. Any one care for a quill pen? It seems I am starting to "grow" them on my land!

Other interesting happenings today. A tiny dragonfly landed on my shoulder as I was mowing down by Beemerville gate this afternoon. I've had dragonflies land on me before, but this one stayed such a long time. It was so petite. Then I saw the fox galloping across the meadow, apparently not interested in the goslings (or unable to get past Gordon and Gordetta). Could it be...could it be...we really are all getting along? Meanwhile the Great Blue Heron was squawking overhead as it flew in circles several times. A very active animal day!

And tonight...tonight the moon is so bright that one doesn't need a flashlight to see. The moon sparkles on the pond, and the paths around the pond are well lit. Just perfect for a midnight walk!

Oh, and by the way, I am still weed whacking. Not having a garden (to speak of) this year, allows me lots of time to week whack, and I am having a ball!

I end with some photos taken of the land a week or so ago. Hope you like them. We finally had our rain, and how good it has been for everything! It was a good soaking rain - much appreciated by all!

As the cool weather begins to warm up slowly, we are so thankful for this beautiful weather. What a glorious spring it has been! And now with the goslings back and looking so big and healthy, all is right with the world! Miracles DO happen!

Good night, dear Reader, good night!