JULY 2006 . (PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM, AND THEN UP A LITTLE, FOR JULY 1 THRU JULY 9. THANK-YOU!) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Monday, July 24, 2006 to Monday, July 31, 2006 Bob and Kathy Three kittens playing under our south kitchen window in an herbal paradise of parsley, thyme, and mint. Horses snuffling near our open bedroom window, while grazing late at night. A chorus of Crows, our early morning alarm clock, followed by the gentler bugling of the Sand Hill Cranes. Yet another planting of lettuces and radishes. Lots of hoeing by hand with an oversized mason's hoe , cultivating with tractor, and watering with five gallon pails (40 pounds per pail). Every few days is a harvest of pea pods, cucumbers, pole beans, green zuchinni and yellow crook neck summer squashes, cherry tomatoes. green onions, and turnips. Tuesday was a card-playing quartet of outlaws having shoot-out at mom's in Portage (Mom, her sister Eva, and mom's children, Rose and Bob). Heavy rains filled our 300 gallon Rubber Maid water tank to overflowing again, so Bob plunked into the tank several times. The initial chilliness caused some screaming, but afterwards, it was so soothing in the 90+ temperatures. Bob plunked in, very, very tired, and emerged each time, peaceful and serene. The Fountain of Youth is where the rainwater comes off the roof and fills the big open plastic tank. Bird watching breaks, several times a day, also keeping an eye on a pride of lions and cheetahs and their cubs (cats and kittens), and the neighbor's 8 grazing horses. When the horses run, their graceful, liquid motion is a joy to watch. Thursday we visited Rose and mom between errands, and were "stranded" with them during a heavy summer storm. We ended the day with weedwork, watering, and harvesting, and, a batch of stir fries that included peas, carrots, bell peppers, zuchinni, yellow crook neck, and yellow onions. Veryyyyyyyyy tasty! . Friday we had our first honeydew melon from the gardens! July 28th! That is a record for us. We also harvested lots of cucumbers, zuchinnis, yellow crook neck, green pole beans, etc., to give away during our weekend travels. Saturday morning we loaded the pails of veggies in the car and left for Madison for a wedding rehearsal and a potluck dinner, which was very tasty indeed! The families of Rick and Susan were very warm, thoughtful, and helpful, throughout the weekend. . We spent the night with Dean and Edith, travel club hosts in Madison. They invited us to join them, Sunday morning, at their Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ. It was a great experience, with many, many members, playing the role of greeters. Deborah, the minister, conducted a warm service, highlighted by the children doing a treasure hunt with her, during the service. Guest speaker, Pastor Kathleen R., also did a great job of commuicating her message on Belief, and, Perplexing Questions of Faith. Kathleen, was quite an enjoyable "actress." . Back with the wedding party, we took our places in the lush back yard of the "about to be joined," bride and groom. We shared the officiating, and both sides of the family did readings. Reverend Kathryn did the pronouncement and legal paper work. Bob wrote a special message (requested by the bride), symbolizing Susan and Rick's marriage, titled: Embracing The Light. Kathy also did a very moving sand ceremony, which was also very symbolic of marriage. . Picture taking, potluck dinner, and lots of laughter and sharing filled the afternoon. . We arrived home before dark and found that the rain had refilled our rainwater tank (which I had just cleaned out), with about 200 gallons of fresh water. Over 30 cherry tomato, basil, and other herb plants, all growing around the south patio, were all happily smiling, in anticipation of repeated rainwater "baptisms." . We also, felt blessed with all the wonderful friends, old and new, that refreshed our spirits, throughout the weekend. . Monday, the last day of the month, was a much slower workday than usual because of the continued high temperatures, in the 90s. Although it was back to the garden again to fill our pails with many veggies. . And.........lots of holding hands and birdwatching today! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Monday, July 17, 2006 to Sunday, July 23, 2006 Bob and Kathy Hummingbirds in the hollyhocks. Horses snuffling at the fence line. Kittens pouncing on each other. And a steady trickle of birds to the feeder, frequently including newly feathered young cardinals and purple house finches. Lots and lots of veggies from the gardens, much of which we are giving away. One of the best stir fries, ever, this week! The secret ingredients? Diced fresh turnips, coarse black pepper, and lemon pepper. Much of the gardening was in the far gardens, (G-3, 4, 5, 6, & 7), where the six foot wide walking paths are now being embraced and blanketed by vigorously growing winter squash and melon plants. Tuesday at the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Madison, my physical therapist reviewed all my exercises with me, and in her words, "cut me loose." She suggested that I continue exercising the physical therapy exercises and stretches for the rest of my life, as they give me greater flexibility with my left knee. We also saw Susan and met her fiancee Rick, discussing details of their wedding reception and wedding (in that order!), this coming weekend. Both of us will be officiating. Also had a delightful chat with Mary and Don in Middleton, and toured their gardens and landscaping. Kathy cleared the way, by cleaning and making room in the inn, for all who may come by. Kathy always appreciates this so much, because it is an opportunity for clearing her mind, and doing the cleaning is an exercise in which she does that. Mel joined us for the Dream Interpretation Group on Friday evening, as did Le Roi. Joel brought, and introduced us to, his partner Bettina, who is an artist and a native of Germany. This evenings discussion and shared intuitions and insights repeatedly took us back to ancient sacred themes. This evening's experience was very inspirational and moving! Le Roi and Kathy picked many veggies and herbs during the weekend which filled the table for meals. Mary M. joined us for our 10 a.m., "quiet service," which as always, was followed by very interesting, humorous, and inspirational sharings. Bob picked mom and Eva up for card playing in the afternoon, with Le Roi and Bob losing every game to the two octogenarians (87 & 82). More plantings of lettuce, radishes, spinach and summer squashes this week, followed by very, very heavy rains. The thunder was so intense, and so close, that we vacated the upstairs bedroom and moved downstairs. The lightning flashed almost continually for over an hour. Our 300 gallon water tank, which was just emptied and cleaned out, filled to overflowing in about15 minutes. So, we have 300 gallons of fresh rainwater to play with......in our tomato and herbal "sandboxes." :-) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Monday, July 10, 2006 to Sunday, July 16, 2006 Bob and Kathy Thompson Gardening activities slowed down this week because of the temperatures in the 90s. We still have lots of icicle radishes, and many gallon pails of lettuce picked by Kathy. Green onions are still being picked, as are turnips, pea pods, cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchinni, and yellow crook neck summer squashes. This was the hottest week of the summer with the weekend ending at 96 degrees. A trip to the V.A. Hospital in Madison revealed that Bob's prescriptions in both eyes had changed since last fall, because of small cataracts. We met Rafe and Ken at the Green Forest Restaurant for lunch and sharings, and then went to the Market Square Theater to see Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible III, with Don and Duncan. On the way home, we dined with Patty Cakes and Roger in Lodi, with Roger doing the barbecuing. We met several old friends while there, and made several new ones. Afterwards, on the way home (Tuesday), we visited Bob's mom in Portage, the first of four visits with her this week. Two of the times were card playing adventures, but we did have a four hour visit with her alone, while birdwatching, and encouraged mom to talk freely about God, fear of dying, helping others to help ourselves, beliefs learned as a child, etc. She let us know later that she really enjoyed those sharings. Friday, Kathy fixed one of the best venison stews I have ever tasted, and Victor, Flossie, mom, and Mother Superior, also enjoyed the stew very much. It was fun for Kathy to prepare this, and share it with everyONE as an offering of fun and yum JOYning, We identified seven different species of birds at the feeder for mom, so we have started a bird list to keep adding birds to. We continue to do several bouts of birdwatcing every day, plus watering and feeding four feral cats, and, enjoying the neighbors' eight horses as they come grazing down the fence line, near the house. I love to see these well fed animals run. At night I have difficulty, initially, in telling the difference between the hoofbeats and thunder. This was a week of wrens. A flurry of wrens, skipping across the woodpiles. And constant wren activity around the birdhouse gourds, with continual wren song all day long. Melon and squash plants are reaching across our 6 foot walking paths between the rows, and are now filling up many of those repeatedly plowed, walking paths. We emptied our 300 gallon rainwater tank, which was overflowing, by carrying all the water to about 30 tomato and herb plants, near the patio. Bob started emptying the 100 gallon rainwater tank today. We are emptying the tanks completely, periodically, to prevent the breeding o mosquitos in our collected rainwater. West Nile Virus has been found here in Columbia County, which has resulted in about 30 dark green and growing plants on either side of our entrance patio, that are all very, very, happy. It's impossible to drown any plant here, as they are rooted in pure sand, which the water seeps into rather quickly. Melons and winter squash are forming fruit, with deer sampling some of the younger and more tasty growth. We see their hooves where they have been nibbling. Phone calls, e-mails, websites, and visits, continue to keep us in touch with so many loving friends. These relationships, enrich and inspire us. We appreciate allllll the precious opportunities of NOW that are shared with all of you, to embrace the ONE mind of love. Because we realize that all there is, is NOW, and gratitude is what always comes to mind, when thinking of this! Thank-you, for being in our lives. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> July 1st, Saturday, thru July 9th, Sunday. These nine days have been an extended family, ongoing, extended reunion. . We began by leaving home Saturday morning, July 1st, to drive to Libertyville, Illinois, to join son Gary and Edna, and the five angel grandchildren. Baby Sister Rita, and son Marshall, drove up from Peoria, Illinois, to spend the weekend with us, so we chatted till late in the evening. Rita's joyful exuberance and sense of humor always enliven any get-together. Kathy and Rita spent a lot of time in the kitchen, assisting Edna in preparing for Sunday's larger family reunion. ............. On Sunday, Great, Great, Grandma, Helen Thompson, arrived from Portage, Wisconsin, driven down by Sister Ruth Ann and Terri. Sister Rose and Henry arrived with three of their children and grandchildren. Widowed sister-in-law Jean arrived with her two daughters and Mike. Daughter Krai Anne and Billy arrived from Stockton, Californina with their four children. Daughter Sabra and Mike arrived from San Leandro, California, with their newborn daughter, Katie. Daughter Linette and David arrived with their little archangel, Gabriela. A fun, fun, fun day! Lots of multi-generational, friendly, and loving sharings. And lots and lots of food. Incredible varieties of food. Very tasty and copious quantities. A peaceful, joyful day, punctuated with laughter and smiles, and many hugs and warm goodbyes. ............ Monday morning brunch extended for several hours with more hugs and goodbyes, as we left for Wisconsin and home. Affordable Travel Club guests, Kent and Lynne arrived from Decorah, Iowa and we suppered at The Hitching Post after sampling many baskets of their complimentary, just popped, popcorn. A wonderful couple and a real treat just being with them! Lynne, a retired school social worker, and Kent a retired university philosophy professor. A very warm and sharing couple that we enjoyed very much. ............ Next morning, Tuesday, we enjoyed a leisure breakfast of Amish Egg Zuchinni Onion Omelets, etc. Lynne and Kent were interesting, and, inspirational. We certainly look forward to seeing them again. Bob felt as if he had gained another brother in Kent. ... Later in the day, daughter Krai Anne arrived with Billy and the four grandchildren, Kyle, Jaqueline, Elizabeth, and William III. The grandchildren explored to their hearts' contents and decided to sleep in the bunkbed room, with the older children sleeping on the top bunks. Kyle also visited his paternal grandmother, and Krai and family visited our midwife friend (and student of Bob's way back in 1967!), Chris Roberts and family. Bob, Billy, and Kathy shared until the wee hours, and then, finally, those two night owls, also went to bed. .......... On Wednesday we all went to the Baraboo Circus World Museum where the children rode ponies, a train, and the merry-go-round. Eight Chinese did an incredible acrobatic show which was varied, and very interesting. Fourteen of us sat around the campfire that night roasting marshmallows, making s'mores and sharing stories, many of them quite profound and moving, and others rather hilarious. We enjoyed a beautiful fireworks display, donated by a friend, which had many colors and rockets shooting from it. Late at night, Fireman Bob turned on the water hose to put out the large bed of coals in the campfire. It took quite a while. Little William had imitated Grandpa Bob watering the cherry tomatoes around the patio, using Williams own little watering can. William continued doing this most of the evening, in the dark, watering tomato plants from a 300 gallon cow tank filled with rain water, collected from part of our roof. Lots of washing up, baths, and showers, till late in the evening. .......... Omelets for breakfast as Linette, Krai, and families began packing to leave. William and Gabriela played with the rainwater in the cow tank. And all the chairs in our cherry tomato patch by the doorway patio, were used again and again over the weekend. And 'Lizabeth picked the first little red grape tomatoes. A special highlight, was the haywagon/tractor rides around all the gardens, which we did several times during their stay. And then, two cars, laden with the greatest treasures, slowly drove down the Bumpity Road, headed for Chicago. ............ Four, Evergreen Travel club guests arrived next day. Helen, from Oro Valley, California, her daughter Linda, from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and her son, Scott, from Singapore in Asia, where Scott has been living for the past 8 years. Scott's little daughter, Sofie, accompanied them, but Scott's German wife, Angela, was in Singapore. Lots of stories and life histories summarized and shared by these very warm and caring people. It's kind of like having special tutors coming to your house to educate you in a variety of areas.   :-) .................. On Saturday morning, AmisEgg/Cheese Omelets, etc., for a lingering breakfast, with lots of chatting and story telling back and forth. We just keep on receiving the gifts of ongoing tutoring from warm, wonderful, interesting, and inspring, mentors! Wow, Wow, Wow! ................. Sunday Morning Service at 10 a.m. with Felipe y Maria, followed by discussion about different ideas about judgement, forgiveness, ego, The Peace Of God Which Passes All Understanding, and how Holy Spirit speaks to us. Very, very, interesting, stimulating, thought-provoking, and, inspirational! Kathy and Mary fixed a great lunch, Mary doing super tasty stir fries, and, we did have "lots of trimmings"! Lots of warm sharings and "catching up" on the past few weeks. ......... Bob joined Mom, Helen, and her sister, Aunt Eva (a.k.a. Mother Superior), for an hour or so, of card playing, then drove Eva home. Returning home in time to fill the last of the 55 gallon drums with water from the garden hose. We ended the day with Public Television Nature Shows, and, our favorite detetive, Miss Marple, And, Chocolate Cherry Classic Ice Cream. Yummy!