Falling Waters

Dwight had a long, hard six day work week so a little two wheel therapy was not in the plans because he was tired. Know what's  just as good as a Sunday bike ride? A Sunday drive with the pooches and a couple of family members thrown in. The dogs were incredibly excited to jump in the jeep-so excited that they didn't mind leashes or having to be quiet. We started off with a little drive through Gene Rush Forest. The jeep had a minor problem so we had to stop in the middle of bear country. Lots of bear sign and fresh scat but luckily no hungry bears were to be seen. A little further down the road, we found some Oyster mushrooms just ready to be picked.

The forest was really pretty despite the hot dry summer. We drove through Richland Campground(must visit again soon) and onward to Falling Waters. The road was closed due to a washout, but we figured we weren't far from the falls because we could hear them. Sure enough, just down the hill and around the bend:

The water just barely had enough for one waterfall, but the entire place is beautiful. Dwight wouldn't let me jump into the pool with my cast, but now that I know where the Falls are, I intend to visit again.

Just look at Dixie, you know she wanted to jump right?

If you're looking for this place, don't expect to find any signs. Just take Hwy 16 and take Falling Waters Road-it's on your right deep in the forest down a long gravel road.

Missing somebody

There's not a day go by that I don't miss my mom. Some days more than others, but there always seems to be something that reminds me of her. This week is the Newton County Fair. As usual, I've entered some things-just like she would have.
The last time I talked with her I told her that her turkhens had been ordered. Tall tales say that turkhens are a cross between turkeys and chickens. That's not really true. Turkhens are a breed of chicken. They're supposed to be good for meat and they lay eggs too. Mom wanted to enter hers in the beautiful bird category. You know beauty is in the eyes of the beholder?

Ok this one might be cute on some level but it's young.

Now this is what she would have been entering:

I bet she could not have entered the paperwork with a straight face, but knowing Mom she would have walked away with a Grand Champion ribbon.

Enough already

August hasn't been my favorite month. The very first day I found out that I didn't have the gout or a stone bruise on my foot. Oh no, it had been sore for six weeks because I broke a small bone near the heel. No idea how I broke it, but the walking casts have really, really helped.
Then while hobbling around doing laundry, my favorite setting on the dryer wouldn't start. Fluffy cycle worked so I fluffed everything for a couple of days and then silence. Nothing. Nada.  None of the cycles worked at all. So I thought I'd take my time and shop around for a dryer. Go old school and hang clothes out on a clothes line. Hard to do with rain forecast for every single day. Every single day in August-no joke. Apparently hubster didn't like me hanging things from the shower because I have a nice "used" dryer.
Then for some strange reason, the dogs and another animal had a fight under my car. It took me a while to capture the wild wieners, but I did it and started to work. A light came on in my car that read "Check hybrid system immediately". Wth? What hybrid system? Where? So I took the car to the Toyota dealership and if they just replace the known damaged parts the cost will be around five hundred bucks. If the compressor and the other thingamajingy are shot the costs go up to around $5400. The adjuster is on the way to the repair shop to do what he does. It only took me two hours to acquire a rental car. Two friggin hours. I could have walked from the dealership to the rental place in that amount of time but there was a heat advisory out and the whole foot thing came into play. So I was in a really good mood and stopped at the feed store to get some egg pellets on my way to work. I thought I'd go ahead and get a coke, Maybe the sugar would improve my mood. Down the road and a couple of sips later? Coke Zero. As in zero sugar and zero appeal. Crap.
Usually the week end will improve my mood, but the forecast calls for clouds and rain. Clouds to block the biggest meteor shower of the decade. Rain to mess up my Bargains Galore on 64 (the ultimate 160 mile yard sale).
Maybe by the end of the month my luck will improve. Hopefully it will because if the foot doesn't heal properly surgery will be in my future. Something has got to go right some time.

August and goal setting

Every year I try to make twelve different kinds of jelly/and or jam. I don't think I've ever made twelve different kinds all in one year, but I keep trying. So far this year we have:
1. Strawberry Jam
2. Blueberry Jam
3. Jalapeno Jam
4. Peach Jam
5. Sassafras Jelly
6. Rose Petal Jelly
7. Carrot Cake Jam
8. Razzberry Jam

Eight months and eight done so far. Blackberries, apples, and mint are still possibilities. Still looking for the twelfth one.
9.Blackberry jam