7 Sept., 2013 -- Corn Maze

Now, if you think that's a weird corn maze, it's because it's a maze. No hints, no cheating. That's Duncan Smith's corn maze north of Mtn. Grove, and I'm not going to give it away! If you get lost in it, I might give you a hint. I'm not even sure Duncan wanted me to take a picture of it so he could find his way home; he might still be out there!

12 Aug., 2013 -- Flying things

Have been chasing about 3 dozen geese off the runway. Maybe it's too wet for them out there in the grass. It has dumped about 18 inches since Aug. 3, that's about a third of our yearly quota.

All together now, come on... up... up... UP... somebody's out of step...

Do these feathers make my hiney look fat?

26 July, 2013 -- They made it!

Grant and Roger, The Lost Buoys came paddling in under the I70 bridge in St. Charles. They finished 115th out of 180 who finished overall (274 starters), and 26th of 41 finishers in the Men's Tandem (66 starters). Pretty good for a couple of old coots on their first Missouri River 340 mile canoe race.

Coming in under the I70 Bridge at St. Charles, north of St. Louis, after 76 hrs. and 3 minutes on the MO River.

The look in Grant's eyes... FINISH LINE!

Sea legs. 76 hours and 3 minutes.

Grant and Roger, The Lost Buoys. 26th in Men's Tandem out of 41 finishers, 115th of 180 finishers overall.

25 July, 2013 -- The Lost Buoys

Roger and Grant started out on July 23, 2013 on the Missouri River 340 mile race from Kaw Point in Kansas City to St. Charles in St. Louis, two guys in a canoe. They will finish the race tomorrow, mid-day.

It's a grueling test of will power and stamina, to finish in the 88 hours allowed. The Missouri Conservationist Magazine July edition features a story of last year's race. At Raceowl.com, their progress is posted. They are in the Men's Tandem category, boat 0440. The Lost Buoys.

Day two 24 July, just after passing by the Columbia checkpoint.

Day 3, at Jeff City checkpoint, on way to Hermann. Credit Monica for pics.

This was race morning, 23 July, credit the Kansas City Star.

June 5, 2013 -- Out of range - not

June 18. Oops... not a prairie falcon, but the American Kestrel, commonly known as the sparrow hawk, ranging everywhere. Now that I have it on my radar, I see them everywhere. The babies have flown the coop now. Comical, I watched one try to fly to the high power line, didn't make it all the way and tried to grab on to the wooden pole. Failing to hang on to that, it did a 180 and tried for a nearby garage rooftop. Failing to reach that, it bounced off the garage wall and drifted into the grass below, unharmed.

June 5. Prairie Falcon, as near as I can identify, nested in the rafters of our big garage. Yesterday, either the baby fell out because of crowding, or it was just time to fly. However, the baby wouldn't fly away, just ran around on the carport. It wasn't around today, and two are still in the cave. Normal range is mid-Texas and on west.

25 May, 2013 -- Sneezin' Season

 Just makes ya wanna sneeze, doesn't it?

2013 May 3 -- And we thought it was spring...

Yesterday, 80 degrees. Tonight, 35 degrees and snow.
I know, I know, Iowa has some, Jeff City has some, we have some.
Only Ozarkers know how much is "some".

Holly at right has been blooming, very sweet scent, attracting all the buzzing critters.
The other bushes are trumpet vines that I just trimmed back. They will feed the hummingbirds
this summer. Rather late in the spring season for snow!

5 April, 2013 -- Spring springing?

It's about time, a fine day. Cap'n Ron.

2013 March 21 -- It begins...

March 24... Get AWAY from me, winter!

March 22... wet and heavy... still more storm to come.

March 1, 2013 -- Meanwhile, 335 miles away...

At least once each winter, snowplow takes out Fonda's mailbox.
Yeah, there is duct tape in Iowa!