SEPTEMBER 2006, Wonderful travel club hosts, and guests.
.
(PLEASE SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM, AND THEN UP A BIT TO FIND TO SEPTEMBER 1 THRU SEPTEMBER 3, ETC. THANK-YOU!)
.
Monday, September 25 to
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Bob and Kathy
.
Monday's highlight was an invitation from Sheila and Linda, for dinner at The Hitching Post in Portage.
.
Unlimited complimentary popcorn before dinner, and lots of fun conversation with these two dear friends.
.
Linda is doing well with her kidney transplant, has a hearty appetite, and is gaining weight.
.
Tuesday we started catching up with harvesting garden produce again.
.
Kathy picked green beans, cherry tomatoes, zuchinni, basil, and lettuce, mint, and parsley.
.
Bob loaded about 500 pounds of watermelon, mowed lawn, and put screen on top of both chimneys to deter birds from coming down the chimneys.
.
This has happened three times, over the years, with the biggest bird being a female wood duck that came down the chimney and into a clothes dryer exhaust hose. :-)
.
Her feathers were quite ruffled, but she had no trouble flying away, which she did with great vigor.
.
Our fourth planting in August, of zuchinni and yellow crook neck is now producing well, so it's going to be Chefs Roberto and Katarina playing in the kitchen with stir fries, etc.
.
Wednesday, a day of harvesting the last of the melons, about 300 pounds, placed in the trunk of the Caddy, to share with whoever comes to the door.
.
This makes a total of over 4,000 pounds of different types of melons!
.
(of which we still have about 2, 600 pounds!)
.
We took frequent reflective and meditative breaks to watch the antics of the dancing, acrobatic kittens, and the very generous four lionesses, that seem to take turns nursing, whichever lion cubs happen to be nearby.
.
Thursday was a card-slinging shootout with younger brother Ronnie, Mom, Aunt Eva, and Bob.
.
Afterwards, more harvesting and then large pottings of some of Kathy's "gloriously green children", namely: parsley, lemon basil, mint, and 4 sweet basils, all moved into the Sunrise Room.
.
Also lots of basil plants washed and hung to dry on the clothes line in the Sunrise Room, giving it a basil fragrance.
.
Friday, our travel club guests from Fargo, North Dakota arrived, and we had a wonderful time chatting with Gene and Marilyn for several hours.
.
As travel club hosts, and as travel club guests, we have always met a wonderful group of people that are always interesting, full of information, appreciative, and inspirational.
.
One of our major reasons for traveling is the adventure and enjoyment of meeting these open souls who are willing to stay with people they have never met, and to host complete strangers, who have met the simple requirement of becoming a member.
.
In addition to our recent outstanding experiences as travel club guests in LaCrosse and Tomah, as well as guest visitiors here at BumpityRoad this month from Florida, Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Dakota (and tomorrow, Montana),
these have all been wonderful people to be with.
.
Every one of them was a joy to be with!
.
They become not only a highlight, but THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHT, of our mini-vacations away, as well as when they are guests here.
.
The same warmth, openness, spontaneity, helpfulness, and inspiration, always seem to be present with this wonderful group of people, who so instantaneously become part of our extended family.
.
For further information, check out:
www.affordabletravelclub.net
and
www.EvergreenClub.com
.
Saturday's large bell pepper and yellow onion omelets were much enjoyed by Gene and Marilyn.
.
A wonderful conversational and breakfast sharing!
.
Afterwards, we had a wonderful visit today, with Patty Cakes and Roger, and their friend Eddie.
.
Eddie and Roger found a few hickory nuts and then we all went to pick pumpkins and squash and lots of watermelon, loading the trunk of their car.
.
Patty is a first-time grandmother, and had lots of stories to share about spending a lot of time babysitting with Amber Nicole.
:-)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
.
Monday, September18th to
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Bob and Kathy Thompson
.
Monday's highlight
was the Portage Public Library Book Discussion Group, facilitated by our friend, and "country neighbor", Dr. John Larsen (ret.).
.
The book discussed, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, stimulated a lively discussion about darkness, the shadow, evil, and "human propensities," or capabilities, based on some of the horrifics in human history.
.
John and Bob continually interjected viewpoints of irony and humor.
:-)
.
We also had the opportunity to arrive early and chat with friends: Hans, the library administrator, and later with David, who has worked as a Lutheran Minister.
.
Tuesday's trip
to the Veterans' Hospital in Madison for Bob's lab and doctor appointments, is something we always look forward to, because Bob's doctor is such an enjoyable person, who is very thorough in his explanations, to any questions asked, and also has a good sense of humor.   :-)
.
Later, we saw the movie: The Lake House, which we enjoyed very much, being very moved by the couple who tried to reach each other across time.
.
One of them two years in the past, and the other two years in the future, but, able to communicate to each other.
.
It inspires us to reach across NOW, and to "communicate" to each other.
.
This time, we did arrive home before dark, which is something we always look forward to.
.
And sometimes, like today, it happens.
.
But, when we dally, there is always a reason, and almost always, it has to do with some loving angels in Our Very Extended Family.   :-)
.
Wednesday,
the card playing "sirens" sang their song of cardplaying, luring Bob into Mom Helen's O.K. Corral, for a "card-slinging shootout."
.
Later, Kathy gathered in the green beans, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, while Bob harvested the zuchinni, large tomatoes, and dozens of bell peppers.
.
We are continually rearranging the contents of three refrigerators, and, their three freezer spaces, to fit more fresh veggies into them.
.
It is a challenge.
.
And fun, also.
.
Which we are grateful for!   :-)
.
Thursday,
Kathy cleaned and blanched tomatoes, removing peelings and stems, and packing them in 4 or 5 quart plastic pails for the freezer.
.
Bob worked inthe northernmost gardens, picking 161 watermelons and stacking a mountain of melons on the old haywagon.
.
Each was weighed on a bathroom scale on the haywagon.
.
The 161 melons weighed a total of 1,797.5 pounds.   :-)
.
Some of the big Charleston Greys and Moon and Stars melons, were around 30 pounds.
.
The wagon is now in our streel pole barn.
.
There is another melon patch awaiting our attention next week.
.
Previously we had harvested about 1400 pounds total, all of which we either gave away, or had melon feasts with whoever was here.
.
So the melon total for this year is now about 3,200 pounds of melons.
.
But, there are, a "few more melons," in Veggie Garden No. 3.   :-)
.
Friday,
we took 90-94 to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and spent the afterrnoon at Cameron Park with our friends Abbie and Rosie, who had sponsored Car-Free Days in LaCrosse.
.
Rosie had done an excellent job of planning and publicizing the event, and Abbie proved to be an outstanding emcee, introducing the different speakers in a friendly and enthusiastic way.
.
We also did a river walk along the Mississippi River along the River Vew Park Walk, which is a beautifully landscaped park with lots of benches along The River, and under the trees.
.
Our Friday night travel club hosts were Frieda and Ron who shared many poignant, profound, interesting, and sometimes humorous stories.
.
It was a fun evening with BumpityRoad Watermelon to snack on.
.
Saturday morning,
Frieda's tasty breakfast was seasoned with more fun conversations, sprinkled with outbursts of laughter, especially from Ron and Bob. :-)
.
Then, off to River View Park to watch Julia, A Mississippi River Paddle boat, come steaming down the big river, playing lively tunes on a steam operated calliope that really belted out a variety of old time tunes.
.
We waved at passengers, and they waved back, while we were singing some of the songs, Clementine, etc.
.
Then back to Cameron Park for Spokes 'n Folks, with Abbie again emceeing, and then a police escort led all the participants in a parade.
.
We met Joe Orso, a LaCrosse Tribune reporter, had an interesting chat, and invited him to visit us at BumpityRoad.
.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This is a copy of the article Joe wrote:
.
Walkers , and bike riders join in the 5th annual Spokesnfest parade as they head east on King St.
.
By Joe Orso of the LaCrosse Tribune.
.
RoZ Brooks and her husband, Obbie King, got rid of their car 21/2 years ago.
They were only driving it about four times a year, when they couldn't take Amtrak for longer road trips.
Now, they ride bicycles, take Amtrak, or rent a car when they need to take the occasional gasoline-powered outing.
.
On Saturday, after a six-year hiatus, an event organized by the couple brought them and like-minded folks together for the SpokesnFolks Parade.
"People wonder how they could live without their cars, yet 100 years ago our grandparents lived without cars," King said. He said the parade is a way for people to celebrate human-powered transportation and "stimulate everybody else's imagination."
.
About 20 folks showed up at Cameron Park for the parade, which started in 1997.
Rita and Randy Magno rode pink and blue bicycles, respectively. They said they always ride their bicycles, one of which they bought for $10, the other for free, at rummage sales.
.
"As gas prices go up, we need to start thinking about this more," Randy said. "You don't have to spend a lot of money to bike ride."
This year's parade was part of a two-day event that coincided with World Car Free Day, which is held in 1,500 cities in 40 countries on Sept. 22
.
As the parade wheeled through downtown, Joe Kensok and Bree Breckel, both students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, set food on a table. They are members of UW-L Progressives, which also helped organize the event. They live in a house where nine people share one car.
Breckel said yesterday was also the kickoff for the Car Free Challenge, a two-week effort by the Madison Environmental Group to reduce car use.
She said getting out of cars is not only about using less gas.
"It's so good for you," she said. "It's so good for communities when you're outside and seeing your neighbors instead of seeing a bunch of cars."
Kensok said he'd like to see more bicycle lanes and more bicycle parking in La Crosse. He said a larger vision would be to close off some downtown streets to motorized traffic altogether, like State Street is in Madison.
He said riding a bicycle might take a little longer, but leaves you feeling a lot better.
"I think you just have to get out there and experience it," he said.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
After the parade everybody came to the potluck table in the park to eat.
.
BumpityRoad watermelon was the dessert of choice, with most people going back for more.
.
We delivered a carload of equipment to our friends' home, and then drove to Tomah to meet Eldon and Janice, our travel club hosts, at their Christmas Tree Farm.
.
Jan escorted us around the tree farm and we then had a lot of fun sharing stories, with this interesting and inspirational couple.
.
Sunday morning
Jan prepared a wonderful breakfast, which included an outstanding fruit salad.
.
Breakfast conversation, again, was stimulating, entertaining, and humourous.
.
We drove to north to Warren for the Cranberry Festival, and parked our car on the highway outside of town at 8:15 a.m.
.
Then we walked a half mile to Warren.
.
Nearly 2,000 exhibitors and vendors had filled every street and alley in this small town with booths or vehicles for vending crafts, foods, etc.
.
Some state and non-profit organizations were also represented.
.
We spent over 3 hours, just walking and observing, and talking to people.
.
On the way home on 94, 21, 39, etc., we stopped at the Pioneer Restaurant and received so much food that we both brought home another meal in our "doggie bags."
.
Buzz and Mary, travel club guests from Tennessee arrived before dark, and we ate cheese, crackers and fruit, and laughed with them until late in the evening.
.
An outstanding week of friends, new and old, with lots of warm sharings, and, lots of laughter.
.
And lots of watermelon! :-)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Monday September 11 to
Sunday September 17, 2006.
Bob and Kathy Thompson
,
Monday.
.
A hazy, lazy day, with a fire going in the Sunrise Room, where Bob was stringing clothes lines, for drying not only clothers, but eventually, also lots of those 27 very leafy Basil Plants from Kathy's Basil Forests.
.
Bob was out in the melons, zuchinni, and large tomatoes, while Kathy was blanching and freezing more tomatoes.
.
At one point last weekend, there were almost 40 melons, of different varieties, on the patio or in the fridge.
.
Now we are down to 5 hose and patio melons, sooooooooooo, time to get out and pick a fewwwwwwww more melons.
.
Lots of time spent watching the four adult lionesses, and, six of the lion cubs.
.
Puff of Joy and Midnight are both about 1/4 grown and eating regularly with the four lionesses.
.
Loving Kindness's four little lions are cozied up against the house under an electrical junction box, over which Bob placed a wheelbarrow, to keep them dry and give them a larger den.
.
The four little ones now come out and play and explore under the basil and eggplants. One is a calico and the other three are all tigers.
.
Occasionally, they meander onto the entrance patio, but they are quite shy, and disappear into their own private jungle of herbs.
.
Reading in the Sunrise Room, late at night, sometimes in adjoining chairs, has become a very relaxing pleasure.
.
Tuesday morning's feedings of the lionesses, have the two large cubs assimilated into the pride.
.
Mother Superior called Bob for Card-Slinging at Mom Helen's, with Bob's sister Rose as a fourth "card shuffler."
.
Kathy picked up 500 pounds of fertilizer with trace minerals from Canal Seeds and Feeds, to go with the seeds we purchased a few days ago, all in preparation for next spring.
.
Bob was busy lifting cards.
.
(Dan at the feed mill did the loading, as Kathy and Bob have agreed that neither will do any heavy lifting whatsoever.)
.
Cutie Pie brought her kittens back to Kathy's herb garden alongside the front door patio, and nurses them under an eggplant and a tomato plant.
.
Talk about life in The Garden Of Eden!
.
Joseph has her litter there also.
.
What's Paradise for one mom, is Paradise for the other. It is difficult to get a good count because, if the kittens do not move, their shape and size sometimes resembles the purple eggplant fruit.
.
Wednesday.
.
Kittens, kittens, everywhere!
.
On the patio.
.
Under the cherry tomatoes.
.
Disguised as eggplants.
.
The two lionesses, Joseph and Cutie Pie, have their nursing dens, just a few feet from each other.
.
Each is frequently smothered in kittens today.
.
The little ones are sampling a variety of foods in the "cat smorgasboard."
.
Bread and milk, salmon flavored catfood, and even "old chicken thighs and drumsticks."   :-)
.
Kathy is out harvesting, while Bob is making a humungous pot of gallons of venison chili ( including about 5 pounds of yellow onions, 12 bell peppers, 4 packages of venison, and lots and lots of beans that have been soaking since last night)!
.
Bob had to split his chili into two batches as the bell peppers did not fit into the pot.     :-)
.
Thursday we had a surprise visit from Joel and a very enjoyable time on the patio sharing with him and watching the playful baby kittens, that periodically came out from under the basil and eggplants.
.
Then Le Roi stopped by, after bicycling the backroads from Wisconsin Dells to BumpityRoad.
.
After sharing watermelon, Le Roi shared more of his exercise and bicycling expertise with us, which is an aid to us in our daily exercises and ideas for any modifications.
.
It is soooooooooooooo nice, to have these very competent mentors, just pop in and share with us.
.
As Le Roi was leaving, Chuck, another mentor, arrived, and we spent an interesting and inspirational afternoon and evening together.
.
While chatting on the patio at dusk, eight little kittens were playing in the herb garden and on the patio.
.
(One of them actually ran across my shoe!)
.
The kittens, also, are mentors. :-)
.
Friday, Bob answered Sheriff Mom Helen's call for another cardplaying shoot-out at her O.K. Card Playing Corral.
.
Other notable desperados present were, Aunt Eva and sister Rose.
.
Kathy remained in the "inn" to prepare it for our Florida Affordable Travel Club Visitors, Steve and Lana.
.
In addition to Chef Bob's venison chili, we had lots of veggies: eggplant parmesan, green beans, carrots, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, red potatoes, rye and wheat breads, and CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM! (Thank-you, Steve and Lana).   :-)
.
Afterwards, we watched Jeremy Taylor's video of Dream Work, and then shared a dream discussion and interpretation session.
.
Four Pathways Of Light Ministers had responded today to a friend's letter requesting prayers, that we had forwarded to our Ministers' Forum.
.
We also forwarded those ministers' letters of response, to our friend, who had originally requested prayers.
.
All writings, from all parties involved, were helpful, insightful, and inspirational.
.
An outstanding example of: Giving is Receiving.
.
Saturday, began with Bell Pepper Omelets, sauteed red potatoes, coffee, juice, etc., with Lana and Steve, after which they headed for a boat trip in Wisconsin Dells.
.
We also went to Wisconsin Dells.
.
First, to visit Le Roi, and then on to the wedding of Paul and Autumn Lee at her parents' home on Christmas Mountain in Wisconsin Dells.
.
The back yard setting of purple and white included everything from chairs to flowers, clothing, etc.
.
Family members present were fun to interact with, among them, sisters, parents, grandparents, etc.
.
The introductory words to all the witnesses at the ceremony, highlighted the words Christmas, and Mountain, as symbolic of the marriage.
.
A dinner at the Christmas Mountain Lodge was scrumptious.
.
Outstanding steak, coconut shrimp, etc.
.
During dinner, we had the delightful experience of sitting with Deb (Bob's former Spanish Student and neighbor, almost 40 years ago) and her husband Steve, and their son Matthew, who did extensive gardening at Bumpity Road, while living with Bob about 5 years ago.
.
Sunday morning we breakfasted lightly with Steve and Lana, who left early to visit the Miracles Healing Center, near Wisconsin Dells.
.
We then drove to Madison to enjoy a pontoon boat ride of several hours on Lakes Monona and Waubesa, which toured much of the shore lines, including the Capital, Convention Center, etc., and, much of the wetlands, south of Madison.
.
The trip was spiced with the enjoyment of Our Best Man, Duncan, and the presence of Steve and Lana, before they headed for Milwaukee on the next leg of their journey to see the northeast foilage, before coming to roost in Florida for the winter.
.
Lots of goodies to eat during the trip including Kathy's veggie tray, and Bob slicing watermelon.
.
We also enjoyed, and had lots of chat time with three new friends, Captain Susan, and fellow passengers, Ruth and Robert.
.
Then on to the cartoon movie, Monster House, with Duncan, after which we joined him with friends in Monona listening to Marshall Rosenberg communication skills videos, which were excellent.
.
Discussions, proved to be very spontaneous, and quite moving.
.
In addition to Duncan, we met several former friends there, such as Joanne, who was here recently, Jack, Omar, and Carl, whose sharings were extremely moving.
.
Hostess Moriah, her daughter, and two other ladies were also very open and moving with all their sharings, and intend to visit us here at BumpityRoad.
.
We arrived home after midnight, when our intent is to try to get home by dark.
.
Such was the interest and inspiration of this remarkable group.
.
An outstanding week of so many people living their Loving Kindness and sharing it with us!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Monday, September 4 to
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Bob and Kathy
.
Lots of sharings with Barb V. during the morning and afternoon.
.
We especially appreciated her comments about our Extended Family and our efforts at Community.
.
Barbara had lived in a religious community for 20 years with the Teaching Sisters of Notre Dame in Milwaukee, and had just returned from a 50 year reunion with them.
.
Marshall, Matthew and Angela had been up late last night watching Antonio Banderas teach inner city high schoolers Ballroom Dancing.
.
It is a great movie!
.
The trio of teenagers breakfasted and chatted with Barb, Kathy and Bob, then loaded their van with watermelons and pumpkins, and headed for Portage to pick up the boys' mom, Rita, who had spent the night at Helen's.
.
Barb was very moving in sharing her sense of awe about all the interactions and events for the past 4 days.
.
Tuesday was washing day, with lots of sheets and towels that had been used by our 10 overnight guests.
.
Lots of them are drying on the lines we strung between the patio tomato posts.
.
Bob went through all the gardens picking musk melon, cantaloupe, honey dew melon, and even a few more watermelons.
.
Of the 28 watermelons picked by the 8 member, haywagon-tractor crew, (totaling 557 pounds!), we still have 9 watermelons.
.
Most of the other19 have departed for Illinois, Madison, and our tummies.
.
Bob also harvested zucchinni, red and yellow tomatoes, 14 bell peppers, cucumbers, 490 green pole beans, and 316 bush green beans!
.
Between trips to the washing machine
and tomato, towel, and bedsheet line, Kathy also picked lots of basil and cherry tomatoes. Her 27 basil plants are still producing very, very, heavily.
.
The two patio eggplants have also done very, very, well.
.
All three refrigerators, and their freezers, are packed, packed, packed, with food.
.
Supper was steamed Norland Red Potatoes, and Yellow Alaskan Gold Potatoes, with lots of steamed green beans.
.
And large quartered chunks of freshly picked large red tomatoes!
.
And HoneyDew Melon.   :-)
.
Wednesday was a mixture of washing, drying, mowing, plowing, and a jillion other little things in between.
.
Travel Club Guests, Don and Jeanette arrived from Lake Nabagamon (NorthWestern Wisconsin), on their way to catch a Chicago plane for Alaska.
.
Two years ago, they volunteered to help a small community in the tundra, not far from the Arctic Circle, build a church.
.
Don working as a laborer and construction supervisor, and Jeanette doing a lot of cooking.
.
The Bishop sent two round-trip air fares, for the two volunteers to return for the church's dedication.
.
Both are retired educators, she with a strong interest in her four horses, with their wagons and sleds, and he, with his construction expertise, which he will be using for the winter months in Texas where he will be building a church-related facility from scratch. Again, they will both be working as volunteers.
.
They are fascinating conversationalists, who, because of their warm, giving and loving personalities, lead a very adventuresome life.
.
They are currently building a new home themselves, which they will continue to work on after the Alaskan Trip, and before the Texas Volunteering.
.
They chose the Sunset Room because the many windows place you right in the middle of nature with sun, moon, stars, trees, and animals.
.
We had a nightcap of Heirloom Moon and Stars Watermelon (yellow orange flesh), and all toddled off to their nests for an early wake-up, tomorrow morning.
.
Thursday morning, Chef Roberto made Six Egg Mozarella Omelets (12 eggs = 2 omelets!), home fries, toast, melon, juice, etc.
.
Breakfast was fun with this warm and inspirational couple, who volunteer to leave home for months at a time to help religious groups build churches, etc.
.
Kathy escorted them to the Amish Cheese Factory where Don and Jeanette bought many cheeses to take to Alaska as gifts.
.
Afterwards, we visited the little log cabin built by an Amish Builder, just a half mile down the road.
.
It is a very delightful little building, constructed of enormous logs, which Don and Jeanette enjoyed walking through.
.
After they left for Madison on Thursday morning an urgent call came from Helen T. She had spent a miserable, sleepless night, and wanted to go to the doctor to see about the pain in her shoulders.
.
She made an early afternoon appointment and Kathy spent nearly two hours with her there, while Bob ran errands in the Portage area, including the purchase of 100 pounds of yellow onions ($14.00), and scrounged another 200 pounds, plus, from the Onion Reject Pile. The extra gratis onions, filled 9 large, five gallon pails.
.
After taking mom home, we did some shopping, including buying lots of garden seeds for next year.
.
After browsing in the local farmers market, we headed home for a supper of green beans, yeller and red taters, corn on the cob, and melon.
.
After supper, we sat on the entrance way patio, and watched kittens around Kathy's very healthy, basil and eggplants.
.
We are changing Joseph's name to Loving Kindness.
.
Because she grooms every kitten and adult cat that comes near her, with extended Loving Kindness.
.
Le Roi, arrived on Friday from his trek to Noo Yalk, OhHiYer, and PencilVeinYuh.
.
He was keeping an appointment here with a group of large watermelons, who have been calling for him, from far and wide .
.
Chef Roberto had made an innovative stir fry dish, beginning with a large and diced, sauteed rutabaga. With substantial additions of yellow onions and green zuchinni. And miscellaneous spices, in a variety of doses.
.
Le Roi (French, for "The King"), proved invaluable, in talking about our over-all exercise program, with special emphasis on walkng, bicycling, and the stationary exercise bike.
.
Patty Cakes and Roger stopped by and we went to the northern gardens to load Roger's truck with watermelons, and get a wheelbarrow full for Le Roi. Roger was in hickory heaven, as he picked nuts from the tree, on the island.
.
Le Roi and Kathy went to the Amish General Store and Bob went to pick up Helen, while Victor brought Flossie, and Mother Superior (Aunt Eva).
.
The card-playing shoot-out lasted most of the afternoon and early evening, with intermittent cardslinging by the three eighty-something year olds, and young whippersnapper Bob (only 70).   :-)
.
Le Roi picked an ice cream pail full of very large cherry tomatoes, from ONE of the patio tomato plants!
.
Several large and gorgeously purple eggplants were transfomed by Chef Katarina to EggPlant Parmesan and the 7 of us sat down to dine with additional snacks of stir fries, rice, lots of green beans, Mother Superior's pickles, garlic bread, etc.
.
As people began leaving for home, Lara and David arrived from South Beloit. Lara (who lived here about ten years ago) is a fire-fighter, and David a semi-driver, and together, they make a really nice looking couple.
.
Kathy and Bob spent some reading time in the Sunrise Room, enjoying all the wood heat from Miss Atlanta, a cast-iron heart-warmer, who bathes us with Loving Kindness Heat.
.
Later, the M 'n M Brothers, nephews Marshall and Matthew arrived with several DVDs to settle in for the evening and early morning hours, watching movies in the Sunrise Room.
.
Bob watched V For Vendetta with them, and then toddled off to his nest (about 1:30 a.m.), while the owlets loaded up the DVD player, with another movie.
.
Our final nightcap was a lavender-castor oil, deep muscle massage, for Katarina. Thank you, Angel.
..
The massage even relaxed the massager, Monsieur Rober.'
.
Sunday morning's quiet service was Kathy and Bob, with eventual sharings by Kathy, while Bob was kaleidescoping around in his mind.
.
As this is being written, Bob writing, and Kathy scrambling eggs, the four owlets, are doing what all sensible owlets do, at noon.
.
They avoid daylight and stay in their nests.
.
Oops!
.
I hear shower water running.
.
One of the owlets must have....fallen out of its nest!
.
Lara just came through, and we offered her an omelet, which she said no to. Then, we showed her a juicy melon, plums, etc. She said that those look very tempting, so she may JOY'n us for a juicy deLIGHT.
.
David joined us for a nice chat about family, then with watermelon, etc., they left for South Beloit.
.
The M 'n M Boys also left to be with their mother and grandmother.
.
Leaving us with a quiet and lazy afternoon.
.
Except that Kathy blanched and froze about 15 quarts of green beans!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Friday, September 1, to
Sunday, September 3, 2006
Bob and Kathy
Friday, bedrooms ready, and much, much produce (14 kinds), spread out on the floor of the Sunrise Room for guests to use in preparing meals, or to take home.
.
Bouncy Barb V arrived from Madison Friday afternoon for a surprise visit, followed shortly by Articulate Aurora,
another Madisonian from "Mad City."
.
We four watched Aurora's DVD movie "K-Pax" and had an interesting discussion about this "alien" who was judged psychotic and placed in a mental institution, where the "alien" became a catalyst, transforming other "patients" and even, Mark, his psychiatrist.
.
Saturday, Gentle Joanne arrived, and joined The Glittering (Aurora) Borealis, and Kind Kathy, as all three went off to The Amish Cheese Factory and Mishler's Amish General Store, and other Amish purchases (bakery, eggs), while Beaming Barb and BroBob went to Portage to pick up Helen.
.
Chuck had also arrived and stayed at Bumpity to relax and explore the outside area.
.
While these six angels were hovering in different directions, Duncan was driving Catherine's car (and Catherine), up from Madison, followed by Nancy. Rita, another Madison, also accompanied them.
.
A trunk fire in Nancy's car, resulted in both vehicle's pulling in at Helen's (Bob's Mom) in Portage, where we had a mini reunion before they drove to a local mechanic.
.
Mom stayed with us for the afternoon and evening, with everybody enjoying each other's company, and conversation.
.
Much help with the meals, and contributions of food also, such as Pasta Salads, a variety of bakery goods, lots of fresh veggies, melons, melons, melons, Bob's highly acclaimed Venison Chili (mom had a second helping), and Chef Roberto's Scalloped Potatoes, made with Alaskan Gold Potatoes!
.
Lots of "story telling," laughs, kitchen help, and much food!
.
The tractor pulled a wagon load of smiling faces around, and into, the various gardens, where we picked lots of bright orange pumpkins, and 28 watermelons, one of them weighing 38+ pounds. Part of the wagon crew, weighed and recorded the weight of each melon. Total weight of the 28, 557 pounds!
.
After taking mom home, Sister Rita arrived with nephews Marshall and Matthew, and Matthews college girlfriend, Angela.
.
When these four arrived, we ten, were sitting in a circle in the Sunrise Room, chatting and laughing about relationships, community, love, humor, and other spontaneous eruptions.
.
Dana arrived to join us while the younger trio made three pizzas to share with us, so we (all 15) adjourned to the kitchen and various shifting small groups for the next few hours.
.
The three younger owls started a small campfire in the Patio Tomato Garden, so lots of us toasted marshmallows and made chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker "smores."
.
Sister Rita shared some of her Postal Service work experiences (with employees and customers), which resulted in a great impromptu, stand-up comic routine, which had all of us laughing hilariously, including the comic, Sister Rita.
.
Rita Maria and Joanne returned to Madison, and Baby Sister Rita left (about 3 a.m.) to spend the night, or what was left of it) with eldest owl (87), Mom Helen.
.
Twelve sleepy night owls, finally settled into their sleeping nests, in seven different rooms.
.
Eight of us were up by 10 a.m. for our Quaker Type Sunday Morning Service followed by lunch, which included lots of leftovers, bacon, eggs, homemade bread, cantaloupe and watermelon.
.
During the day, various people left Bumpity, for their journeys home. It was fantastic, to share more with Aurora, Dana, and Barb about the beauty of embracing the joys of life fully.
.
Sister Rita arrived with Mom, and Mom's Sister, Eva (a.k.a. Mother Superior), so the 15 of us enjoyed a circle of prayer, wherein each expressed gratitude, followed by enthusiastic dining and warm sharings.
.
A lazy, tranquil Sunday, with many outbursts of laughter.
.
Lots of personal stories shared which stimulated, and prompted even more stories.
.
Kathy's dad Randy called, while in the middle of a celebration of gratitude, for 50 years of marriage, that his brother had had. Thank you God. Kathy and Bob talked with Bro' or Uncle Charlie. We invited them to Bumpity, and he said that we're on their list.
-
Goodbyes included the loading of veggies and melons, and lots of sharings of appreciation.
.
Sister Rita and the three owlets went to Wisconsin Dells for the evening, Rita eventually roosting with her mom, and the owlets returning to watch a DVD movie in the Sunrise Room.
.
Barb and KatKat were exploring the internet together, retrieving addresses and phone numbers, nationally and internationally, for Barb.
.
And, after all that eating, by so many people, the three refrigerators are still crammed with food.
.
As is the Sunrise Room, with veggies and melons.
.
And adjacent to our entry patio?
.
A mini-mountain, unloaded solely, by Angel Angela.
.
Hundreds and hundreds of pounds of watermelons! :-)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>