27 days- A few pictures and such

Now, it is seeming like I am setting myself up for a daily count down to the trip, doesn't it?  The thing about me is that I really DO want to do that.....  how evah! We all know that could quickly go awry depending on a multitude of things including my particular sleep quality on any given day and my ability to get distracted by the least little..... oh shoot I have to do some shopping online- like TODAY!!!  You get the picture.

Isn't he an impressive guy? or girl?

I get to kayaking today with my newest kayak buddy, Lisa.  I have to figure out a Mad name for her, as I have a Mad English teacher already, but this will come to me.  Maybe I need to check with her before calling her the Mad-Lisa, ya know?  But on the other hand I have checked with no one else concerning their names, sooooo......  Focus, Debi, focus.

Gorgeous calm night

Mad-Lisa and I are going to go for a paddle today on Smith Lake, which I am looking forward to.  I very much enjoy the river, and I think we should go up to the Pixley dam.  I will let the wind and the river decide- and also my companion.  ONE OF THESE DAYS, people, I am going to get the MA out there, and it could be tomorrow morning.  We shall see.

YAY for summer (ish) weather

These pictures that I am posting are from my last journey in a kayak.  After a minor kerfuffle on a certain silly Facebook page, I have discovered that changing lenses frequently in the great outdoors can make ones camera sensor dirty.  Which (shhhhhh, I just didn't know) apparently happens to everyone.... why is it I didn't know this?  Because the camera I had didn't have as many pixels, because the lenses don't rock my socks like these do???  Because I didn't do a ton of outdoor wildlife photography before and didn't change lenses 55 times in 2 hours because I have a sick need to take cloud and landscape photos, even though I am supposedly out to photograph birds???  You choose.  Idk, but I have a specialized can of air being ordered as we speak and last night I did some interesting maneuvers that involved no lens and rapid-fire shooting at the floor to try to dislodge the dust.  It actually worked well but after taking pictures of a plain wall and scrupulously searching every centimeter of that image on my camera, there is a little left.  Did you know that there is such a thing as a pixel peeper??  HAHAHA  people who will enlarge other peoples photos and look at them like up  super CLOSE???  Who has the time to do things like that?  I have my own pixels to peep at and that my dears, is a never ending chore.  And then to rudely comment on some innocent art teacher's photo that she was so proud of for the perfect- if I do say so myself- exposure after fighting with it for several months now??  The things you find out at 11:30 at night.

FIERCE eyes

Anywho, my sleep quality last night was REALLY bad, so I need to wear myself out today.  Kayaking and a reasonable, say an hour, walk should do the trick.  Besides perhaps some weeding and the normal stuff that happens on a day.  So that is the plan!

Back to Italy, which you may as well get used to the fact that this will be a focus of this for a while,  I am starting a pile- a stack if you will- of things that I will be taking.**  And a list of the things I need to get online.  And I am definitely thinking about my footwear, as if you want to try out a few things you have to have lead time up here.

My kind of evening

And because this is VERY important to me- I figure that I have 31 days until I get to see Michelangelo's  David.  And THAT will give me a whole lot of joy!

But first its a lovely sunny day here, going to be in the 70's, no rain, not a lot of wind....  perfect for the kayaker types.  Weather we have been waiting for for about 6 months. Ready, set, get going on your day!!

**You would not believe the amount of time I spent on this sentence and trying to decide what exact punctuation to use.  This is a combination of the fact I like to be fairly accurate and also the thought of certain English teacher types that may or may not be reading this.  HAHAHA  Not that I am really all that worried about it, but I like to be in the ball park.  Don't judge me ;)

What a gorgeous Tuesday!

So I got finished with all of my galavanting around on Monday, and had contacted the Mad-English teacher about a possible kayak excursion for Tuesday.  It had, after all, been 2 weeks since I had last gone- GASP!!

I have secured a dandy roof rack and kayak holder of late, and I knew that I could transport 2 on this set up. And so I did!

We opted to head on over to Butternut Lake for a change of scenery (or Buttermilk Lake as some of my map functions call it- hehehe) and a different experience.  It was a just GORGEOUS day yesterday.  Perfect for kayaking.  The temp when we got to the Chippewa boat-landing was probably 60 or so, and it was clear and beautiful.

Kayaking a lake is a different experience from the river, where of course there are currents to work with.  The lake has weird things that go on- I have no idea how one can drift into the wind, sideways, at times, but whatever.   It was a lot of fun at any rate.

We were out on the lake for over 3 hours- and paddled 7.4 miles!  One would think that I would have slept well last night, but that is a story for another post I guess.  We were so SO hungry when we got finished- not only did we spend at least on hour more  out there than at least I imagined, it is also some work hoisting those kayaks on top of my car.  That first trip with the new set up was a little nerve-wracking, but we got it!  The MA had helped me in the morning (I am too damn short to get that thing up on my Acadia myself- boo) and then I ended up following him into town.  The boat did slip a little on the way into town, but we decided that it wasn't going anywhere, but did set it back into place and battened it down a little better.  When Adam and I dealt with it later, it all went super smoothly.  WHEW!  Since we plan to go longer distances later this summer, this was a great practice!

We cruised  almost the entirety of the lake, which obviously is over 3.5 miles long.  We saw the eagle and the corresponding eagles' nest, lots of ducks and loons, tadpoles, and a lot of nice docks and pontoon boats!  Such a lovely place.

Today is looking cloudy and gloomy, so I am glad that I got the kayak bug out of my system for a few days.  Looking like it is supposed to be sunny later in the week, so I am seeing a solo trip or two in my future as well.

I need to accomplish a few things at home today, as I have a new fun adventure coming up next week.  A real adventure!  And I will tell you about that soon.

Until that time, have yourself a joyful day!!

A good evening of pictures

Last night gave me a beautiful opportunity for photos, again.  I know this is not much of a surprise for many of you, but let me have a moment here! ...............

AHHHH. Yes.  thanks.

 It was a good night.  I walked over to "The Farm" on the south side of Park Falls, where the MA was assisting the unloading of hay.  I walked over on a back road and through the hay fields behind the barn, which is why I got some great shots!  I also scooted under the electric fence, in by the cows and down by the river.  The rains lately have REALLY filled the rivers and streams, it is quite amazing for this time of the year.  So, I took a bunch of pix, edited them and consequently have not YET gotten outside with a cup of coffee, something I plan to remedy in one moment.

Trees and clouds

Clematis on wagon wheel trellis

Cows and the Flambeau

Field path to the farm

High water under the Hwy 13 bridge

symmetry

Old ford

Old Ford

High water on Butternut Lake

These last 2 pictures were taken during a VERY long walk I took on Sunday night.  I'll include the rest of those pictures in a later blogpost....

Oh and yes, I am sure you are thrilled to know I got outside with my coffee this morning.  And found a little early morning joy!

Beautious night

I had a busy day on Tuesday! 

Beautiful yellow "flag" iris by Smith Lake

School was a mad house!  (Love finding these mad references- heh!)  However, the day went fast and I was relieved to be able to get on with other things.  I took a lot of pictures at several different locations, which was a pleasant surprise for a Tuesday.  In fact I have so many pictures that need to be dealt with, I am hoping that people aren't sick to death of my postings!  If you are please just smile indulgently and pat me on the head.  My art brain is in high gear in anticipation of not having it cluttered up with school events.  And my exercise brain is also in high gear to clear some of the goop that accumulated in me over the Memorial Day weekend......  Oy

I was SO excited to get my "Girls With Guns...... Courtesy of Triple B" tank top yesterday!!  This has been in the works for a few months and it is flattering that I was included in the initial group of recipients! We had such a good time getting these pics, the whole gym was watching us ham it up for the camera.  GUESS who always ALWAYS has her camera in her purse for just such incidences????  LOL.

I seriously think I should get in the sun more!  Lol

After a quick weight lifting session (can't wait until next week when I can spend all sorts of time lifting) I sprinted home to go to a little school gathering at Northern Pines for my friend Diane.  I got there a little later than I liked, but got to see people who I rarely get to talk to these days.  This crew of people here worked together for many years before most of them went and retired on me!!!  I miss them so much.  So I took a few lake pix as well as getting the bartender to take a group shot!

Debi, Nettie - the tattoo show-off , Diane (not a retiree!), Amy, Ginny, and Carol

Butternut Lake- at Northern Pines Resort

I REALLY want to still call this place Bob's Northern Pines!  :)

After a half of a mediocre Margarita, (I apparently have become a bit of a tequila snob!), I decided I needed to DO something.  I took a really fast walk back towards the cabin, discovered the MA cutting up some wood for his mother, and continued on to the creek farther along the trail.  It is so gorgeous and it was a great walk, in spite of the mosquitos that were pervasive.  No wood ticks, though!  After a short wood unloading session, we set off to the campground down the road, there were several photographic treasures waiting to be uncovered.  I hope you enjoy them, too.

Silhouettes

The trees are dead from the year plus that they were flooded by a beaver dam flood.

Changing seasons from spring into summer

wild flowers

Woods road- you can hear the mosquitos and the tree toads if you stand still and listen

Smith Lake beach

Evening at the flowage

A picture that frames itself

Like I said, I have a few posts left in me, so don't be surprised when more pop up!  :)

After all, they give me a lot of joy- and I sincerely hope you find a little in them too.

One of those days....

Oh it was one of those days that you should have just stayed in bed.  The day started off great, I was somewhat distracted by various electronic devices, was slightly later to school than I like, but that wasn't a big deal.  It was when I got to school that things began to fall to pieces for me.  Nothing earth-shaking, nothing awful, but a pile of stuff that was covered with yuck. Then I felt really bad for being so mad at kids being kids on the 11th to the last day of school. And then my melt-down began.  But I picked myself up, dusted myself off and was promptly overwhelmed with the noise that occurred at the other end of that school. Oh my goodness.

THANK HEAVEN for the gym, I can not explain how lifting weights makes me forget about the troubles of the day.  It has helped keep me sane this year- something I have needed a lot of help with.  I felt pretty good when I was done, in spite of the fact I forgot my HRM, my protein bar, my usual shoes and my outfit really didn't match.  Told you I was distracted this morning!

It was threatening to rain all afternoon and I was a little bummed that I might not be able to take a walk.  I decided that I would walk one way or another, even if it was sprinkling or raining.  I certainly am not going to melt! The woods seemed like a good idea. I managed to remember my camera and went on my way.  The leaves are coming along nicely, even if they are not full sized yet.  They are filling in enough to start interfering with cell service.  One of the not so joyful parts of living in the woods.  Not that I needed to have cell service back there, but it is part of the whole tree discussion, so stay with me here.  The green of those trees was just the salve my soul needed!

It was pretty out, in spite of the clouds and the wind.  The clouds were a good foil to my lingering dark mood, the wind in my hair is awesome.  I love windy nights, for nothing else other than they blow away the mosquitos that are searching out their next meal. I do like the sensation of walking with the wind in my face, especially in the woods where it is accompanied by the sounds of the trees, birds Somewhere along the way, I remembered that I had not checked my kiln.  So after helping the Mad-Accountant with some wood - I hate stacking wood, btw- we took a ride to school to check on the kiln, which was fine.  Then we drove out to the Butternut Lake Resort to make a second attempt to deliver some random paperwork and I found myself with a camera, on a gorgeous windy lake.  Now THAT is fortuitous!  Beautiful wild night, very fitting for the day.

A load of wood that eventually goes to the S-I-L.  

Hello pretty little lily growing in the creek!  Where did you come from?

Butternut Lake near Dick and Joan's Butternut Resort

Docks at the resort

Trying to catch some whitecaps

Lying in wait

This was a nice way to end a trying day. My art brain needs to be soothed when it is over-stressed and this photography session did the trick.  When I got home, I had a lot of things to catch up on, but that made the evening go fast and now a new day can begin.  Fridays are ALWAYS better than Thursdays, so I have great hopes for today.


Wind Child

The Wind has a voice,
A sad, sweet voice
I've heard it sing
Long and beautiful
Like Wind should be,
Carrying forever

The singing Wind is rarely heard
It's quiet and soft and
Unnoticeable

I am a Wind Child
I hear the Wind as
She sings her sad, sweet song
I am a Wind Child
And I sing with the Wind
Wind Children are rare as
True Hope
Special as Love
Wind Child
Is me 

Sahar Alive

Sometimes your joy just has to wait until the end of the day to blow on in- hold on, it'll show up!