Got home from work at 8:10 pm.  Kicked off my high heels and traded for my comfortable Okabashi flipflops.  Ran down to the lake dock and snapped some post-storm photos.  Storms, literally ALL day!  As I was teaching my eBook class tonight at the library, the windows started shaking.  I stopped talking and said, "holy cow, look at the wind and rain outdoors."  We ended the class a little earlier tonight so people could get home during the mega storm.  Crazy weather, that's all I can say....hoping tomorrow will be somewhat normal.  

Stepping Outdoors

A long day of work and no play, followed by a conference call tonight.  I did enjoy the sunshine and cool temperatures today between travel appointments for work.  Any time I can step outdoors during the day is good for the soul.....my soul.

Bike man?  He spent plenty of time outdoors today.  Lucky duck!

Now That Was Breezy

So what happens when a cold front moves in after 90 degree weather?  Extreme winds.  It didn't stop us from our Monday night ride.  The winds were actually tolerable until about 7 pm and then they increased right as Kim and I were finishing our ride on the Red Cedar trail.  Another great ride with a good friend! (22 miles)

I was happy to learn today that even Bike man headed out for a road ride this afternoon.  The winds made for a more intense workout, but he was happy to finally get out on the bike. (21 miles)

I'm Overdue

Sorry for my absence blogger friends.  I actually had a nice reprieve from the computer world.  Have you ever done that?  Just said no to social media?  Well, it was very nice and I actually got time to spend with the Son.  It was so nice to have him visit this weekend.  Went out in the boat twice.....once for a late night ride and last night to go fishing.  I didn't actually fish, but just sat in the boat and watched a muskrat swim along the lake bank and listened to the birds singing.  The Son and I even heard a beaver take down a tree in the woods.....so cool! 

Of course I had time to play with the "kids," A.K.A., the kitty cats!  I'm not sure what was outside the door, but probably a squirrel or chipmunk.  They certainly were concentrating on something.

Oh, and I can't forget the farmer's market with all the tempting goodies.  These glazed donuts are to die for!!!  The Mennonite woman brings all her freshly baked goods to the farmer's market every Saturday.  I think the Son has been buying a glazed donut from this woman for 4 years now......she's actually well-known for her homemade donuts.   Besides the sweet stuff, we also bought some fresh garlic, rhubarb and strawberries.

In a nutshell, things have been very busy here at the tainterturtles household.  Bike man is busy on the weekends with his lake and stream monitoring. plus working with his granddaughter on her college field experience for her science degree through UW-Stout.  Something tells me the whole summer will fly by very quickly.  Bike time has been minimal, but we're squeezing it in when we can.

Feeling Lucky

A day off from work to spend with my parents was so enjoyable and I didn't want the day to end. You see, it's been about three years since my folks came to visit Bike man and me in the northland. I was able to spend some afternoon alone time with mom, while we shopped at the food co-op, and then some time alone with dad while he gave me some photography lessons tonight.  There's nothing like tinkering with a $1,500 camera.....not mine, but my dad's! The Olympus E-M5 is an awesome camera and I think I could get very spoiled using it everyday.

It was a great day and a half being together with family. Even the felines enjoyed their grandma and grandpa time.  For some reason the cats are rooming around the house tonight  looking for my folks.  Just when they make new friends, their playtime was cut short.  The folks headed back to their motel and will head for home tomorrow.  Yes, I do feel lucky!

Guess Who Came to Visit?

What a long and stressful (political) day.  The best part of my day?  My folks decided to drive up to our house here in northwest Wisconsin and I was so thrilled.  We enjoyed a nice home cooked meal with lots of fresh grilled vegetables.  So the worst part of my day?  Well, with the outcome of the much watched recall election here in Wisconsin, Bike man and I realized any environmental issue are now doomed.  We now realized that money talks and money makes all the difference in a political race.  The poor will get poorer and the rich will get richer!  Bike man and I call it idiocracy!

Thank God for a beautiful sunset tonight, it's helps take the mind off of life's frustrations.  I'm glad my parents came to visit.  I'll be taking time off from work tomorrow to just spend the day with the folks and hopefully do some fun things during the day.

We're Trying

We haven't been consistent , but we're trying really hard to get back into our Monday night bicycle rides.  Kim and I enjoyed a nice 20 mile ride along the Red Cedar trail.  A few sprinkles towards the end of our ride, but it was all good.  Bike man couldn't ride with us....darn.  Instead, he spent his day doing chores and lake monitoring.

As the threatening clouds headed out tonight, it made for a beautiful sunset.  I love sunsets!!!!