Sayonara, Precious, Et. Al.

Just some morning shots around the place.  With a little smoke still in the sky and days becoming shorter, lighting isn't as great for pictures during morning chore time as it has been all summer. 

I enjoyed watching two turkey herds this morning.  The bunch pictured above had taken up most of the lane toward the hay field when I walked outside to lead the horses to pasture.  

Dogs were nice enough not to chase them, and the bird herd was soon on its way through the fence into the Meserve Preserve where the cows tolerated their presence. 

Later, I saw another herd taking up most of the road near Kauble's driveway, so turkeys are definitely out and about, on a mission to get from one place to another--wherever that may be during the day.

This herd always comes home at night, resting somewhere in our woods.

In other morning observations, I can say that the flower show is changing a bit around the place.  

Seems that deer don't like ALL the flowers, especially oregano blossoms.  They could have a heydey with the amounts growing around here, but they leave them alone.  

Does that mean they won't eat my spaghetti plants if I decide to include them in the garden next year?

Pretty little wildflowers are popping out and remaining relatively safe from nocturnal chomping.  

In the garden, my baby lettuce and potatoes survived the night, thanks to protective cover from a blue tarp I put out last night.  After all, it would be nice to taste some garden lettuce a few more times this summer.

Meanwhile, Foster was sniffing knapweed which grows abundantly in one of the big flower beds south of the house.  

My weed expert Lori tells me there's no sure way to get rid of it, without killing all other plants, than to pull it out stem by stem----with good gloves and long sleeves, of course. 

So, I'm planning to wet down the bed and pull the whole crop of nasty weeds. Then, I'll ask Lori what to do with it next so it doesn't infest any other areas.  

Fortunately for Foster's nose, he sniffed, left the weeds and went on to other projects, like keeping track of the black stray cat that hangs out in the Love Canal area.  

That big sun hiding behind some clouds reminds me that Annie will depart for Japan around noon today.  She'll be in Tokyo tonight by 10:30 or so our time, but it will be mid-afternoon Wednesday in Japan. 

She called last night and shared some details of her two-week vacation trip, which will include Tokyo and Kyoto, along with an ascent of Mt. Fuji, which begins on our Friday and ends on our Saturday. 

As usual, Annie has contacted Japanese geocachers to help guide her through her Japanese journeys.  And, as usual, she has taken her own "Precious" lens along to record the highlights. 

Wishing our Precious the best and safest of travels, and, of course, "Sayonara" until we see her again in September. 

On the home front, we have one of our last class-reunion committee meetings today.  So far, we know that we'll have around 90 attendees, which isn't too bad for 50 years.  

Some folks have really stepped up to the plate to help out, especially Gale Harbison, a classmate spouse, who is putting together some neat centerpieces, made from canning jars with candles inside.  

They should look beautiful in the Western Pleasure Lodge.  

Other classmates sound downright giddy about the upcoming event, and that makes me really happy.  After all, that spirit is exactly what such events should inspire.  

Today we'll attend to the final details and hope that everything falls into place.  Even if it doesn't, we will have done our best and the best part is just plain seeing so many familiar faces (well, they might look a little different)  who played a central role in our lives during the formative years.  

The stock market seems to be coming around this morning after behaving badly for the past few days. And, I can almost see Schweitzer this morning. So, things are looking up. 

Happy Tuesday.