Love'n it

WOW -- the lawn is all mowed and looking great.....I weed whacked so that made for improvement.  And flowers are in bloom.   I"m not much of a flower person.... can't even grow petunias.   But some just don't need much care and those are the ones I have luck with.
I am partial to Hollyhocks........  and they are literally everywhere!!.....both sides of our trailer -- up by Grandpa's house and by the garage.....and I keep throwing seeds all over -- by the greenhouse and the dog house and an old pile of wood that I want to hide............love em!!

 ....and they are just starting to bloom.....mostly pink and white....but some splashes of red in there too.  I wish it was more red!

And the Day Lillies that just came up on their own and are now spreading.....lovely!!

But, OH!!!   the wild Prairie Rose --- those are the so special.  They grow in the ditches, on the road side, and in the pastures.  Deb Van Malsen and I planted these along the side of the trailer way back in 2009....and they are going strong.   Thanks Deb!!!

And then there's my little ?? Barrel Cactus......found several years ago in one of Dwight's pastures.  Mr. Nollette said he never had any luck transplanting these.....  I really should go and visit him with this pot full......  It started with just the largest one that you see and has grown and grown.  I pondered on taking it along on our camping trip - but decided against it.   I was afraid I would miss out on the beautiful little pink flowers....but not so.....these two came out before we left.  I did miss several.........because it looks to me like there have been possibly 8 flowers this year.  

So --- there you have it --- a tour of my flower garden.

Barb

Back home safe and sound.....

We made it home Tuesday around 4:30.  Our trip was not without it's troubles.   We were about 100 miles into Iowa and it was once again hot and we had no AC in the truck.   We knew this fact before we left and thought we would be OK with it.....however, it had been cool up until the time we left and then it turned HOT.   Anyway ---- I had just told Gary that we could stop for Ice Cream.......so he immediately pulled off the interstate and headed for a McDonald's.  We parked and went in to order our flurries......sat down and then he said to me...."we have major trouble".  The brake pedal just went to the floor.  Now what?!?!  We discussed asking the ladies at the counter --- but Gary saw this elderly gentleman sitting with his walker talking to some ladies.  He said "I'm going to ask that old timer where there is a mechanic."    So when this man got up to leave --- he headed over to ask.  Right away the man said "BJ's" Auto Repair.   They will treat you right".   They were only 1 1/2 miles down the road.  "Just give me an hour and I will get right to you".  So - all in all - we were there for about 4 hours....but they worked hard at it.....had some part issues......and some trouble getting the brake line apart..... but they did get us fixed and down the road.

Gary had driven the whole way with our camper and the Interstate was the pits.....kind of that white knuckle type of driving.  It was exhausting....and the heat didn't help on little bit!!!   Finally, we got off the Interstate and onto some country roads --- so he let me drive --- plus I was finally willing to drive.  

We definitely felt God's hand in our trip.  He one again provided for us in amazing ways.

When I got to thinking about "vacation"....... I began to wonder......  We spend all kinds of time "getting ready" to go....we mow the lawn and water the garden and pull all the weeds....water the greenhouse and get it weed free...... then you pack the trailer with food and clothes and shoes and coats and chairs and grill and charcoal......wax the camper so the bugs will wash off easier...and on and on...    We are going on vacation...............................................................you have a grand time on vacation!!!!! -whatever that vacation may entail.   .......................................then -- then..... then you get home and unpack all the stuff in the camper and take it in the house and put it away......wash all those dirty clothes........and then you take a look at the lawn.....and 4 hours later you might be done mowing.    You take one look at the garden and greenhouse and realize that the weeds LOVED all that rain you received and took off in high gear ----and grew and grew and grew.      But through it all you KNOW for a fact that you will do it again in a minute.

Yes, we had a grand time and have plans for next year same time.......... same place.  Tri Ponds was fantastic!

We came home and have these handsome fellows in the south circle.  Love hearing them beller at each other.  Haven't taken a count but there's a lot of them out there!    Logterman Cattle Bulls....Hereford and Black Angus.

  Here is the latest family photo ........

Rick, Marti and Tim, Mike and Julie and Dennis and Holly.....and US.

And the Grandkids with Gpa and Gma.
Love YA All!
Gary and Barb

The pictures that should have been in the last blog......... enjoy

our camp site...along the swimming pond...

playing in the pool......

Rick and Oliver and Clayton......playing around and on top and under the dock.....

Clayton fishing with Grandpa and Keller....

Colton and Sidney trying to get the fire started...

Halle and her best friend big sister Sidney.......

Mike showing Halle how deep the water is.....

 The Peters family (Mike and Julies kids)

Sidney, Trenton, Brennan, Austin, Colton, and Grandpa.. only one missing is Halle

Tim got the "Farm Dust" (all good spices) when we played the Saran wrap game.....we so hoped he would get it (we wondered how we could make it happen)...and then it just happened --- YAY!!!  His question was "is this manure"?????

Grandpa and Clayton kayaking.....

Rick and Sawyer kayaking.....

Mikes kids horsing around......  :)

Rick in his "cute" shorts from Thailand ......"they're hand woven"

Those Peters kids horsing around again......  :)

And that's our family.....Rick, Marti and Tim, Mike and Julie, Dennis and Holly and us.....

Thanks for your interest in what goes on with the Peters.......

Gary and Barb

Peters' Family Camp out - 2016

Our camping fun is done and we had to leave Tri Ponds Campground this afternoon......but what a fun time was had by ALL of us.   We had perfect weather -- the perfect camping spot - right by the swimming pond and playground --- perfect people --- well we think so.   Anyway,  the weather ---- we had a couple of rain showers but the timing was great and it didn't stop any of the fun.   We had those hot days that were perfect for swimming and then cool nights that were perfect for sleeping.   Who could ask for more.   The Campground is beautiful and so well taken care of.  It is a very popular place and it was full for most of the time we were there....but there is so much to do that no one thing was full to overflowing that you couldn't participate in what you wanted to do.

A picture says a lot more than all of my babbling --- so I will just stop for now and post pictures

On second thought --- things aren't working real good here at Mike and Julies....maybe their internet isn't fast enough right now.  

My brother Bill came out for a short visit at the campground and so did some friends from church.  The kids had lots of school classmates there so they didn't have a hard time having fun at all!!!  There was a big huge bouncy bubble.....miniature golf......pool.....game room......playground...... fishing .....camp store with candy and ice cream and lots lots more.....kayaks....swimming pond with docks.............

Just know that we are well and having a great time......tomorrow we go to the wedding of Ryan and Emily (soon to be) Boersen.  It is a three hour drive across the state --- then overnight at a hotel --- then back to Hamilton and then on Sunday we will be leaving for South Dakota.

I will try later on and see if I can post some photos.

They had some wind here and Gary is over to Dennis to help with a big limb that is down right over the driveway.    We have our camper parked by Mike and Julie for the next night or two.
Barb

The hopeless case........

......was not so hopeless after all.

Gary loves a challenge and he got one.  Matthew W. called up and asked "Gary, do you need a project?" (I could hear Kara laughing in the background).   Well,  what kind of a project.    " I borrowed my dads Bobcat and it quit working so I parked it in the trees.  Well, my boys thought it was their own little toy.....so far they've lost the key and the gas cap. And now dad would like to see it running again."    Sure - bring it over.

So "Gary got right to work on it.  Made a new gas cap -- cutest little item----and added a cable so it can't get lost again.  Cleaned out the gas tank.....it was full of gunk!!!!  The pully system was a total mess....wrong parts from whomever worked on it before.  So that was a 'magiver' (know I spelled that wrong but you get the idea).....Gary finally got it figured out and repaired.  The key.... thing a ma bob..... had to be purchased because it was frozen up with rust.    Hopefully, I will get Gary to inform me on proper terms here.      Anyway,  it still wouldn't start ---- would turn over real good.......but not start.    I was called out to see if there was a spark on the plug while he turned it over.  Nothing.  So a trip to the neighbor for some "discussion".  Finally they figured out that it needed--- a new condenser .....  Don had one from his old Farmall tractor hanging in the shop.    WALLA---- started up so fast  --- "ran like a banshee".  

Here he is scraping our driveway.......

 ......shucks he put 5 gallons of gas in it so he had to use some of that up.......and then you know how men like to play with big toys  :)

He hasn't told Matthew or Vern yet that it's working.  They will once again be happy customers ....especially Matthew.

Now on to the next project.   Our PLYC van is in need of a new gas hose.  Where you put the gas in to where it actually goes into the tank -- it leaks.  NOT GOOD!!  So before we forget and leave for vacation before fixing it.....he is on it!
What a beautiful day!!  This morning I took a walk around the south circle.....and saw these lovely purple wild phlox......and along side them were these other flowers that looked like they would be red - but weren't open all the way yet.   A little sunshine and they should open.......

 So I went back this afternoon ---- still not open......but wow!!!  the bumble bees were thick!!!!  There must have been 30 (no exaggeration)....of them flying from flower to flower.  Now I'm not sure if there plants just have that kind of a "closed" type of flower or what.....I will check again tomorrow.  You can't really see the bumble bees but I know there is one in the center of the picture.   I did NOT linger too long ---- didn't want to aggravate the bees!!!!

We have JDC tonight......We will go with a car full.   Pastor Mark is back from vacation and Sister Stephens still wants to go along......as long as Allen is there.  Allen went to her church when he was younger and he is one of those that you can't help but like.   She has been going with us that last two Wednesdays and then when we are all done her and Allen visit for about 20 minutes.  Laura Patton has the lesson this evening.......

Also -- for those who like to be in the know.........  they have started mowing the alfalfa in the north circle by us.   We figured it would be soon.  With all the rain we have had --- it should be a good cutting.

Blessings!!!
Gary and Barb

LOVE the birds......HOWEVER......

Last night we were in White River for the Alcohol Recovery Group.  Had a good meeting..... young Rajon - (spoken like Rashawn) he's 5 years old...was there once more with his ?? Uncle Shawn.  We read out of the Story Bible and sang Jesus Loves me ( he's starting to get the words) and This little light of mine...... we made a finger puppet and then colored a page.

 We knew that there were severe weather warnings....and by the time the meeting was half over the clouds were navy blue!!!!!  Looked nasty.  As we headed for home at about 9:00 there was a light show behind us to the north and another light show to the west.  White River is about 45 miles north of us -- but the lightning was still to the south of us when we got home.....huge system of bad weather!!!.  We went to bed at about 10:45 and then the hail started....mostly small stuff and the whole storm didn't last very long.  However,  I was wide awake for quite some time.    About 1:30 I heard the strangest sound ever!!!!  It was WHOMP ....... WHOMP....whomp.   Really loud.  What ever in the world was THAT?!?!?!?  Of course, Gary was sound asleep......I poked him ...... "huh?".....told him what I had heard....and "oh" and back to  sleep!!!!   SO now....I was REALLY wide awake!!!  ALSO --- the electricity just went off..... what in the world?????  The storm had passed a while ago........

At 7:00 in the morning I called in to Cherry Todd (Electric) that we were without power...."Yes, Lee Logterman had just called in ---- apparently there was an owl that landed on the transformer......"

OH YEAH!!  Dead as a door nail!!!  It took until about 10:30 ----- Cherry Todd went to the wrong Logterman place.....but then it was a matter of minutes and we had power once again.

Yes - owls  have there place but they can also be problems in more ways than one!!

-------------
On the happy side......I did figure out how to get the photos off my new camera and onto the computer...... I have to put the memory card into my old camera and then I can download them.   SO --- here are some of the photos I had been wanting to share with you......
These three are from that pasture that we moved the pairs into for Dan Tinant.  On that ridge that you see on the 1st photo....on the far left....is a cemetery.  The former owners are buried up there along with a grandson.  The next is a sweet little creek that was flowing strong.   Such a peaceful little spot - way off the road ---- no one in sight and no trees either.

The next is just the reminder of God's love that we always look for after a storm.  He never fails us.

........then for a few of the birds that we LOVE.

Then one of Gary's  different projects.    A beer can collection.  Turned out great!!!  and it was another happy customer......

....Vern and Marlys.

I have to tell the story......... Marlys was getting sick of storing these cans in garbage  bags so she decided to do something about it and came and asked Gary if he was game for the project.  She really kind of wanted to keep it a surprise for Vern - who had been collecting these cans since their honeymoon (another story).   Anyway --- Gary put it together......Marlys came and painted it......and then when Vern was out planting one Saturday afternoon.....we went to put it up.  Marlys told us the story the next morning after church.   Vern apparently walked right past this huge display -- at least 4 times and never saw it.   She thought "he must not like it"......  He had even gotten into her car which was parked about 2 feet from it.....could have bumped into it with his head!!! ......and he never saw it.   The next morning - Vern stepped out of their kitchen into the garage and WOW when did they put that in here.....must have come during the night!.    :)  :)    We laughed and laughed.

We have company stopping in on their way west ------ Don and Lynn Becksford (cousin)......we are afraid that they will probably camp at Fishberry campground  north of Valentine--- simply because our roads are a mess from all the rain.  We will meet up with them on Friday and hopefully show them around a little bit before they head for Mt. Rushmore.

We have had a couple of beautiful days (in between the storms) and have gotten several of our own projects finished.   Things like cleaning out the chicken coop......weeding the fence around the garden..... cutting down some low hanging branches.........   And then Gary will look into his next project. I will leave that for another post.   It could be a project -- or it could be a hopeless case.

More later........
Blessings to all of you.
Gary and Barb

VERY VERY FRUSTRATED......

.....with this computer!!!!  I know some of you enjoy this blog....and I really do enjoy putting things on it.   But it IS nice to have pictures on it  - along with the story.   WELL --- I have this awesome new camera and it takes real nice pictures.   However,  for some reason my computer suddenly stopped accepting them....or whatever terms you want.   It DON'T work.    And I get anywhere from frustrated to down right MAD!!!!

So this past week we went out to help our neighbor Dan Tinant move his pairs.   He trucked them about 15 miles to the pasture he was leasing......and then he asked if Gary and I would move the pairs (cow and calf) once they got them paired back up.  He said --- "when we're done we'll take a tour of the country".   This was like WOW country!!!  2400 acres to this pasture and we drove (on our 4 wheelers) for miles and miles and didn't see any buildings --- just the wide open spaces.   There is a cemetery out there - up on a butte -- where the origin owners are buried and a grandson.  There are about 3 cedar trees in the cemetery fenced in area --- those are the only trees in the whole pasture that we were in.   As we were going over to view the cemetery -- Gary was in the lead and then me.   His wheel flipped over a BIG antler shed......6 point.   And Dan stopped --- he was behind me and pointed out the matching one just 8 feet away.  In all those acres --- we just happened to drive over this find.  It was a fun day!!!!

On Friday -- we helped another neighbor with their branding..... the VanderWeys.  We did our usual job --- nasal spray.......  Rick and Kitty have about 500 head -- so that's a lot of bending over to do each calf.   But you're right in the action and we truly enjoy it.  Our Pastor Mark and his wife Dawn and kids - Michaela and Evan came too.  Mark watched for a while and then Gary gave him  his job.  After we moved to the next pasture Mark said he was going to wrestle some calves.  He  did real good for a green horn!!!   And I gave Dawn my job -- the nasal spray.   First she was only going to do a few --- but she continued on til we were done.  They are really getting into this country life and seem to be enjoying it a lot.   I was left with nothing to do so was standing watching....... and decided I really needed to try to hold one of those calves........................   I let Sadie (VanderWey) and the guy she was helping get the calf to the ground and then I asked Sadie if I could hold the head end.   "Oh sure after I wrestle it you want to hold it down".  YUP..... I can see if you have a big calf it could really be a hard thing to do.  I did hold the calf down......so felt like ---- I was successful this time....better leave it at that and not have a big mess up.   Another busy day.....but no accidents ........so a fun day too!!!!

I've been taking photos of all our birds in the back yard.......sorry -- I can't show them.   Have a couple of awesome sunsets......can't show them.  Maybe one of these days this blankety blank blank computer will do it's job again...... until then just know that we are doing well.  Loving our quiet little spot on God's green earth and still enjoying all of our Ministry Opportunities.  Release Time will be finished next week.   We are giving out Bibles to all of the kids this year.  Decided that it's time for a more advanced version for our 4th graders.    Yamni is still reading his Beginner Story Bible that we gave him when he was in the 1st grade.   All of the groups are getting a Bible --- so it will be a nice end to the year for them.

Thank you for your interest.
Gary and Barb