I thought it was dead

Last year I picked up a Hibiscus plant at the end of the season.

It bloomed, I loved it.

But this year, it did not show any signs of life when everything else in the yard was at least breaking the surface of the soil.

So, I decided to dig it up, and replace it with something more hardy that will also bloom.

But, once I started shoveling, I could see sprouts coming off the root ball, 

so quickly I covered it all back up.

I'm so glad, it looks like this plant is coming back strong.

I'm hopeful for big, beautiful flowers near the end of summer.

***

This is year 5, I think, for my hop vine near the front porch.

It came from humble beginnings.

But this year, the vines are strong and full and beautiful.

Ornamental, no I'm not making beer, 31 years of that was enough for me.

But I do love the vines, so I added a new one to the yard today.

This is a very old ladder that I bought for $1 from my friend Ruby Stoklasa when she had her moving/garage sale last summer.

It will make a fine hops trellis once this plant gets a year or two under its belt.

I think it will do fine in this spot, it gets all the morning sun.

I'll give it some TLC this summer and then hope for the best.

More graduation

Kyle and Heather did such a nice job getting ready for Jack's party.

Of course, the yard was landscaped, plants were added, and even the garage got a coat of paint.

Then the 'shrines' were added to the garage.

Photos, awards, old school papers and projects.

Photo boards, and more awards.

A few of Jack's many jerseys and a banner (by Aunt Wanda)

 After the party, we did some quick photos with Jack and his fan club.

Grandma Lois and Jack

Mom Heather and Dad Kyle with Jack

Great Aunt Wanda with Jack

Littlest sister Ruby and her dog Sunny, with Jack

Little brother Jens with Jack

First cousin Anders with Jack

Aunt Lora and First cousin Anders with Jack

Aunt & Godmother Jessica with Jack

First cousin and UND Offensive Lineman, Noah with Jack

Brother Gage and Jack

Friend and soon-to-be college roommate, Evan with Jack

Grandpa Ken with Jack

Littlest brother Jude, and Jack

Stella had already left for the night but I got one of her after graduation.

I'll post more later.

2018 05 20 Jack Graduation

Jack has graduated from high school.

It seems like it happened so fast.

I'm excited for Jack to get out on his own, 

make his own decisions and attend the University of Wisconsin @ Eau Claire.

But I will sure miss seeing him on the court when basketball hits.

Jack is so used to me having a camera, after he posed for the school photographer,

he turned and gave me a big smile.

I'll post more family photos later, but really this was all about Jack's achievements.

Well done Jack!

Crazy busy

Ballgames, sewing, graduation party, graduation ceremony, 8th grade promotion and a trip to the Winter Greenhouse... These are the posts I'm behind on. 

Today, I planted all the perennials I bought at Winter and while I was in the yard, these beauties opened. 

Now that I got the grass mowed and plants in the ground, I can start working on photo editing. 

Fingers Crossed

I've had the rentals in the front yard for a couple of years.

Last year, a wren moved in and while I never saw the babies, I know a family was raised.

This year, the Eastern Bluebird has been around a little, and today, a couple of the houses were shown, and he came back to one of them for a second look.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Finished

I've been sewing graduation gifts for the kids who invite me to their parties. 

.Several of Jack's classmates included me this year. 

I've finished the ones for the local kids. 

Each zippered bag has a smaller bag inside that contains a sewing kit & a multi use tool.

The sewing kit could save a button or help with the need for a safety pin.

The tool will open a can or bottle and tighten a screw, at the least.

I was just going add the sewing kits, 

but one of my quilting friends reminded me that girls need to be able to fix things 

and so added the tool.

That also made these be good for boys or girls too.

I have enjoyed whipping these up.

I figure the zippered bag can be used for golf tees, change, deck of cards, toiletries, etc.

In fact, maybe I'll add a deck of cards to each, always nice to have a good deck of cards.

Now I just need to write some notes in the Graduation cards and I'm all set.

It's a nice feeling to have these done.

Busy

This is a crazy busy week. Baseball, bridge, concert, funeral, tutoring, and an art show.  I'm on the run. 

Tonight In Luck I met the new puppy at Kyle and Heather's house. Meet Sunny, held by Jens. Both are adorable in my book. 

Peaceful nights

After dark, things seem peaceful in this neighborhood.  There is the occasional dog barking for attention, but mostly, the noises are normal nighttime sounds.  The trail cam captures a few visitors to the yard, but they come and go quietly.

No surprise here, the raccoons are frequent visitors.

I've been feeding the rabbits all winter, so am kind of glad to see them around.

What's this?

A black and white cat who I have seen before, but not often.

I think this fox is up to no good.
I'm worried about my rabbits now.
I hope they have a safe room.

There is activity in the yard every-night I guess.

I'm glad that for the most part, they keep the peace.

Baseball

I've loved baseball for my whole life.

I had Rockies season tickets for 10 years and loved every game.

I was never one of those fans who wanted the pitchers to hurry up, or for the games to go faster.

I loved being at the ballpark, most of the time enjoying sunshine.

I'm not sure why I didn't tune into the fact that Jack and Gage played high school baseball last year, but I didn't get to a single game.

This year, after a late start, it will be a compressed season by the late arrival Spring, but I'm into it.

I have been to 2 games so far and am hoping to see most of the rest.

There is a nice option for me now, a We Are Luck page on Facebook does live streaming of Luck events, so I've watched 2 of the games from my living room, and that is really sweet for the games that are very far away.

Monday I was in Luck for the game.  Gage was the starting pitcher.  It was a 2 to 0 win for the Luck kids and a fun game to watch.

Here are a few photos, the rest are on my Facebook page called WJOPHOTOGRAPHY.

Gage ran into a squeeze between 3rd and home.
He was tagged out.

Jack fields a hit to center field.

Gage makes a play to first.

The pitch

Gage moved to pitcher after hitting his pitch count limit.
Here he has the ball in the catcher's mitt.

It's big fun for me to watch these kids play.

Life is good.

Kettle or Committee?

From Wikipedia: Unlike many raptors, vultures are relatively social and often feed, fly or roost in large flocks. A group of vultures is called a committee, venue or volt. In flight, a flock of vultures is a kettle, and when the birds are feeding together at a carcass, the group is called a wake.
On Saturday, on my way out of Luck, I noticed a large group of birds soaring over a marshy area.

 When I got home, I looked up what to call this group.

So, a Kettle of Vulchers.

I think when we were kids we called these birds Buzzards,maybe that was a result of a Looney Toon cartoon.I was lucky to pass by at the right time to see this Kettle.Life is good.

Service

Yesterday was pretty busy.  

I headed to Luck in the morning and arrived in time to watch 3 volleyball matches.  

Stella's 6th grade team lost the match I watched, but it was very close.

Stella serves

Milena's 7th grade team won the two matches I watched.  

I find volleyball to be a very challenging sport to photograph.

If there is no ball in the photo, to me, it lacks what it needs, 

yet the ball is often well above the kid's heads, unless they are serving.

It was fun to watch the kids play.  It was their last tournament of the year.

On to the next thing for these girls.

It is good

My friend Carol gave me a pair of socks today.
She's a volunteer at the hospital gift shop and is also a shopper extraordinaire. 

She always says these little random gifts are from her Jack Russell Terrier, the diva Foxy.

Well, if that's true, Foxy really gets me. 

m