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Sunday, August 20, 2023

Last day of visit and clearing more trees

Cullman, AL

On August 11 the granddaughters annual visit came to an end.  Every year they have the same list of must go to places.   A top must-go-to is McWane Science Center in Birmingham.   We went down to Birmingham on their last Monday here.   Only to find McWane is CLOSED Monday and Tuesday.  

Ok, disappointed but since Leonard had a medical appointment down there on Friday the 11th and it was in the morning, we decided that would be a good time.   Their train to return to Baltimore was not until 5:30 and the train station is only 1/10 of a mile from McWane.

At McWane.   


We arrived there about 11 am.   By a bit after noon we were all hungry.  I noticed a food court directly across the street from Mcwanes' main entrance.   So, we all decided to give it a try.   Charlotte says she could live there.   Her choice was at Pho Pho where she joyfully had their Pho soup.   Abby decided on a pizza that she and I shared.  Leonard had a huge bacon, ham, roast beef, tomato, lettuce, cheese sandwich.


After lunch the girls went back to the Center.  Len and I found comfortable chairs in the food court and settled in for a bit.

At about 4:30 we made it over to the train station.   We were thrilled that this time the train was on schedule.


Abby and Charlotte boarded about 5:20 after our hugs.


There are 20 stops between Birmingham and Baltimore.  They finally arrived back to be greeted by their parents after 2 pm the next day.

Len and I were exhausted.  Whew.... it had been a busy month.   The entire time it was rain a day, sunny a day, rain a day.   On and On.   And the heat was oppressive.

The last few days the weather has cooperated.   I have finally managed to have the complete yard mowed.   Although I notice today it is time to start over.

One of Lens favorite activities is knocking over trees with his Mahindra tractor.   When we bought this property there were trees between the creek that runs along the left side of this picture almost to the buildings and from the trees in the back up the hill.


Last week he took down a dead tree.


Yesterday he removed a cedar tree that is in the process of dying.




Then he started removing Giant Ragweed that grows along the creek.


This fast-growing weed is an annual.   It will die off in the winter then grow to 7 foot in the summer.  We are trying to eliminate as much as possible.

Always work here to do.   This week is expected to be in the high 90s all week.  Some outside chores will have to wait.

Our RV hosting has slowed down a lot.   We do have a guest arriving this afternoon and some scheduled in September and October.   Today's guest will be our 256th.   We know our busy time will be in the Fall and again in the Spring.

Until next time......


Sunday, August 6, 2023

The girls are here!

 Cullman, AL


Yes the girls are here!  The girls being our granddaughters.   Since they are now 14 and 17, their Mom and Dad, Scott and Amy had them come down via train.    They were due to arrive a little after 1 but as usual AmTrak runs late.  They got in close to 6:30.     Twenty Six hours on the train.   Amy was so nervous and could hardly wait until she knew they arrived safely.   

So first I took a picture of the train arriving.


And then one to prove they were here.


There was always certain places they really like to go.  Cooks Nature Museum up in Decatur (check, we went there),  Rattlesnake Saloon  (here they are on the ride down the steep hill in the back of the pickup they provide a ride down)





Jim N Nicks BarBQ  (they were disappointed as the menu had changed, won't be a usual request), Dairy Queen for Blizzards (did it),   Golden Corral ( did it today)  and McWane science Center down in Birmingham  (tomorrow).   Oops, also Sonic (probably tomorrow after McWane.

We took them to 55East one night where we go to dance.   They were less than thrilled.


As you can see by the faces they made.

Our friends Joanne and Dennis have a lovely pool.   We have been there twice with the girls.  Charlotte even got to drive their 4-Wheeler.    And all lived to talk about it.


They have helped around the yard.  Not as much as we would have liked as the weather has been terribly hot or it is raining.


And one night Biscuit slipped in bed with Abby.


They are fascinated by some of the small critters that make their home close to the house.


Summer is winding down.   They leave on Friday.   Hopefully the train runs on schedule.  Na, that ain't ever gonna happen.

Until next time.....