Just Talking Banana Bread and Owls

Seems like the bananas I buy at Aldi's always ripen too fast.  When this happens, I usually make a batch of banana bars with brown butter frosting (recipe is listed in Turtle Recipes) and put them in the freezer for special occasions.  Well today, I decided to make a double batch of banana bread.  The recipe really called for sour cream, but I used our homemade Greek yogurt.....thanks Bike man!  To see the actual recipe, check out my Turtle Recipes in the top menu.

On a different note, I had an interesting night playing with a Great Horned Owl!  It was 2 am and I couldn't sleep.  After laying in bed with my eyes wide open, I suddenly heard an owl hooting in the woods near our house.  I couldn't resist and had to get out of bed to find that owl!  I absolutely LOVE owls.

I ended up going outside and standing on our deck that faces the lake.  It was only 59 degrees and I was barely dressed to stand outside, but I didn't care, who would see me?  Very softly, I started calling back to the Great Horned Owl.... hoo hoo, hoo- hoo hooooooo.  Then I increase the volume of  my call.  Within 1 minute, the owl flew in closer to me.  The owl called to me, and I called back to him.  We did this for almost 30 minutes.  The owl kept moving from left to right in the trees, coming in closer and closer.  How cool is that?  A second owl was calling down the road near my neighbors, but never really heard me. 

I had wished I would have grabbed one of our flash lights to see the owl, but I forgot as I was in a hurry to get outside.  I didn't really care however, I was just excited to call in my favorite owl.

For years I've practiced the call of a Barred Owl, but this was the first time I called in the Great Horned owl.  Isn't it amazing how the small things in life can get you so excited?   

Heavy Hearts

I hope one of these days I can do a better job of blogging, but honestly, my heart hasn't been in the mood for writing.  After ending my library career in December, you'd think I'd be hammering out the blog post with all this extra time on my hands.  Nope!

Funny thing is, my life didn't actually slow down with retirement, but has accelerated.  I've committed to helping my husband with his volunteer work of stream and lake monitoring for the DNR, plus once a month we also collect phosphorus samples from 17 creeks in Dunn and Barron County.  Then, add in working/volunteering for the Lower Chippewa Invasive Partnership group, which is an active group that helps educate the public about terrestrial invasive plants & trees.  We also have actual work days pulling buckthorn, garlic mustard and tackling a new invasive, Amur Cork trees.

I then have about 1-2 weeks each month of unscheduled work or activities around the house, followed by one week a month in Richland Center, helping my elderly parents.

I posted this particular photo of my parents, Jack & Shirley, because it was a day I won't forget.  The day this photo was taken, we had just come back from dad's mid-afternoon oncology appointment at their local hospital.  The oncologist told my dad.....you realistically have 6-9 month left before the cancer takes you.  Your bladder cancer (of six years) has now moved into dad's pelvic area and the lungs.  All I can say is that we left this appointment with heavy hearts.  My dad held strong the rest of the afternoon and we decided to go out for dinner at a beautiful place along the Wisconsin River near Spring Green.

During that short time while we enjoyed our meals, we talked, we laughed and we even met some wonderful new people.  Can you believe we all three even enjoyed a frosty mug of beer???  Way to go mom and dad, live a little!

But now, it's back to reality.  Time is ticking.  Dad was finally placed in hospice last week and it has been a flurry for my parents.  Lot's of appointments, hospice visits, phone calls, new faces and new decisions to make about the future.

I will continue to travel to Richland Center to help my folks and will anticipate more trips for me in late fall and the winter months. Every day I tell myself I am so lucky to be able to retire early in order to help my parents.  I also have to say I am very lucky to have two wonderful sisters that are willing to help as well.....we girls all work together coordinating dates and appointments, phone calls and lots of messages by cell phone or Facebook. 

Lastly and ironically, my mother-in-law has also been in and out of hospice for several years now.  The end of her life is near for her as well.  As they say.....when it rains, it pours!

Thanks for listening and reading.