13 days- mind clutter abounds

Instead of my usual end of school euphoria, I am feeling like nothing is over yet.  My synapses are firing like crazy, and that led to not the most restful sleep and waking at 5 am thinking I had to go to work today....  **massive eyeroll**  If it was not raining  for the millionth time in the last 3 weeks, I would be on my way to BAYFIELD right now.  GRRRRR.  That particular trip helps me put a period onto the end of the school year sentence....  oh well.  I will go in and finish my rooms up today, use the rainy day in a useful way.

And this, boys and girls,  is what it looks like when it is not raining 

So we had some excitement in our town yesterday, and while rumors circulated wildly,  (some of the younger peeps around are sure that this only happens up here- LMAO- oh you guys will understand someday- things are exactly the same everywhere) there were a couple guys who were in some way involved in a drug bust- and wow that story has swung back and forth a few times- ran off into the woods behind the McDonalds.  One was caught by the police dogs (I bet that was not fun) and the other gave himself up after spending the day in the mosquito infested, rainy, wet glory that are the swamps of northern Wisconsin.  AND they were from Florida, so I bet he got a little cold too.  The effect of all of this is that our town was in a soft lock down for the morning, the kids at school were having a heart FAILURE over the thought of having to stay in the building even a minute longer than they had to, and it generally gave everyone a vague sense of unease.  As stupid as this sounds, (and we all know that I just don't care how stupid any of my ramblings sound) I was a little creeped out by the whole thing when I went to get the mail after the MA got home.  And then I find out way later the second guy was caught/gave up down the road from here - probably a half mile.....  All this mostly took place about 1.5 miles away.  BUT our law enforcement did a great job and seriously they are such good people.  So, a big thanks to them.

Any who, last night I did a little relaxing- perhaps had a yummy glass of adult liquid refreshment as we watched some goofy movie (crocodile dundee?? I really didn't watch much) and I read up on a bunch of Italy stuff (shocking, I know).  I am going to make up a little tiny presentation for the students on Wednesday when we have our final pre-italy meeting, so I have been searching for a good image to use  to introduce some of the architectural features that a guide may discuss  Architecture is not my gig, except I do enjoy a good Greek Doric column or a variation thereof, but I am giving it my best efforts.  I had to find myself a highlighter last night, as I can hardly not highlight the parts I find important in each section- oh that higher education stuff is always bubbling under the surface.  I believe we may not be seeing a whole lot of Gothic architecture, so I don't have to discuss flying buttresses or anything (I LOVE THAT STUFF THO) but there are lots of Renaissance things to review and some ancient-- so some basics will be fine. Post and lintel, arches, columns, domes, blah blah blah.  I'm going for the "whet your interests" sort of effect, instead of the "eyes rolling into the back of your head with drool forming on the corner of your mouth" effect.  hehe

So I was thinking about what I was going to link for my art feature of Italy for today- I can't help but think about all those equestrian statues.  I just loved learning about them back when I was in my dark sleepy art history class that was God Forbid at 9 in the am usually. What the hell were those professors thinking??  I had 2- 3 Tabs lined up in front of me on some days, depending on the night before- just to stay awake.  Wow, that is a blast from the past!  First- omg- Tab- ew. That was some nasty junk- ugh.  And second- well, I don't drink soda anymore, so that gives me sort of a moment too.... Anyway, as cliché as it may seem, even back there I was all about the horses!

My plan for the day is to finish my rooms and then see what happens.  I could be at school all day depending on how involved I get in this.  But it is all good.  I am actually really looking forward to reading my Michelangelo book this afternoon.  And I will start laying all my stuff out for the trip!!  Woo HOO  Talk about a joy!!!

Familiar sights

I have been out and about a bit this weekend.  I've been visiting with the Mad-Middle son and family and kayaking and biking and such.  And of course a bit of cooking and entertaining.  While on my journeys, this particular time on the bike, I rode by the "ghost house" and favorite tree.  Both of these locations are on Hwy E not too far from where I live and both of them are on the down swing of their presence here in Price county.

Ghost house last November

I noticed yesterday that the ghost house is bending backwards.  For many years this place has been standing upright- just one wall.  Well, of course the look is deceiving as the one wall is held up with partial walls and all sorts of junk on the inside.  The roof and upper floor caved in, so it supported the last remaining side.  It has/had a face on that remaining side, which is pretty cool in some lighting situations.

Tilting back...

When I first moved into the place we live in now, that house was intact tho deserted.  I had lots of little kids to keep me busy in between the time when I first became aware of this place and when I began to have enough time and the courage to walk past there.  I say courage, because I have not always been a very brave person.  I never felt comfortable exploring new places until recently, like in the last 10 years.  This is an odd thing for me to admit in the middle of this random post, but it is true.  I think we were encouraged to stay nearby ie: out of the cornfields when we were little.  Since we lived in the middle of cornfields, there wasn't too far to go.  And regardless of what everyone thinks, I am not a particularly outgoing person in many regards.  It is one of those situations where you never know the journey that other people are on.  I'd never define myself as such.

Obscured

This is what has been holding up the facade

So the point of that is, I didn't have the nerve to walk very far from home because first I didn't think I could walk that far and also I was very hesitant to go where I hadn't been.  And 3 little kids.....  I didn't walk to the stone house until maybe 5 years ago, shocking to me in retrospect.  Yeah, well anyway, I only vaguely remember the intact house, but the one wall ghost house has been a part of my westward walks for the last several years.

The inside of the wall

I feel bad as it is going to be one more house that is will completely disappear and return the land to its original form.  There are no less than 5 houses that are abandoned in a 1/2 square mile in that area.  One  across the street from form said ghost house only has a tiny remnant left, the ghost house is crumbling.  There is the Stone house and the wooden house across from it just around the corner and there is an abandoned house in front of a more recently constructed house right in between all of the rest of these.  It is sort of odd.

Remnants of the people who lived here- Peony bushes - the house is on the other side of those trees.

Why there are so many houses that someone didn't care to sell or rent or just keep up with is a mystery to me.  Is it unique to the area?  I doubt it, houses fall into disrepair all over the place.  It makes me wonder and think about the possibilities, the past histories, the reasons behind it.  And it makes me a little sad.

Favorite tree

Chunks of its former glory 

Favorite tree is also in the proverbial autumn of it's life.  I was glad to see it leaf out this year, as there is quite a wound on the west side of it.  There are chunks of the trunk on the ground, and I have mentioned the fact that it looks like it is leaning more.  And crumbling down one side... 

Problems are apparent here...

This lovely tree has such character in its advanced age and overall decaying condition.  It is beautifully asymmetrical and leans precariously to the east.  This will probably cause it's ultimate demise when the next big wind storm occurs.  Or one that is coming in the nearish future.  

Yellow birch

I love the tenacious nature of these old beauties. They represent the toughness that age can bring.  The way that you can see the essence of the real self, but the exterior changes.  You are still you, but life has given you the tools to become brave, to weather storms and possibly do things that you never in this life would you think you would do.  

Still trying to produce new life as its own nears it's end

This has been a weekend of ups and downs- the closer I get to summer the more unsettled I feel.  It is hard to transition into summer, tho I CRAVE it this year like you can't believe.  But the end of the school year will signal a big change in my life and I am not looking forward to that.  On the other hand, so many amazing adventures are on my calendar or in the works and that makes me excited, anxious and nervous as well.  So it has been a weekend of being worried and feeling like I perhaps am not good enough for all these plans. People inadvertently make me feel this way, though I know it isn't their intention. But there is something that is always making me question my self worth, my ability to be the person that other people need me to be.  But I need to be true to myself first.  A constant struggle in my mind.  I think it is just the imminent changes that are coming.  

I love the grace with which these old landmarks are growing old.  I hope that they are around for a very long time yet, I enjoy their continued presence on my weekly journeys to the west.  But when they go, I will have my photos and my memory of them.  And that will give me some joy as things change as life goes on.

Bad news for favorite tree....

I took these photos a week or so ago.  I had noticed that my favorite tree was looking slightly wonky. There was that protrusion that makes the tree look like it has a face in profile. So I took a little walk up to the tree to see what was going on.

It is so sad- the tree is rotting on the North/Northwest side of the tree.  It has a giant hole in the side of it.  I am sorry to say that I expect it to go down in a big windstorm, soon.  But maybe not, you never know I guess!!  There is always hope.

The upper branches look alive yet

Hope this guy will be here for a long time yet....

Things die, things change, but the familiar, the strong, the flexible and reliable give a person something to  depend on.  Maybe you only noticed them recently, or maybe they have been in your life a number of years- but you know what and who they are.  They are the way you stay grounded, a point on which to notice changes.  And consistency.  I mourn for my favorite tree well in advance.  Kind of like my favorite horse.

The simplest things become so vividly important.  Find them and hold onto them and always enjoy them while they are with you.

Pictures: the next chapter- Nature at it's best/worst

There has been a lot of whining, crying and complaining about winter this year, but so far it looks like perhaps it won't last into freaking MAY like last year.  I am ever so optimistic. 

So I have been keeping a daily, photographic diary of Lola, mostly on Instagram, and I have seen some of the deepest snow levels up here, ever!!  It was pretty incredible to have Lola to measure it against.  I can't wait for the plant growth to begin so we can see how high the daffodils and lilies and poppies get.  Better than snow for sure.

The best shot that I got of this super quick trip to Holy Hill

However, there are no photos of that yet, so we will have to make do with a couple of Lola and of course other parts of the Northwoods- and even a pic or two from southern WI.

Lola at her deepest

Ambience?

Early morning after the snow

Waiting for spring

Glow

Favorite tree

Trio

Winter stone house

Melting is started

Shadows

Sparkle

The ongoing beauty of the sunflower

Spring is here

While in Janesville, we swung past the old GM plant that is in decay.  It was a major part of the Janesville economy and it is so SAD that it is in disuse.  Next time I will get a better pic of this cool 50's style, deserted, gas station.  We were in a hurry.  This was a stunning thing to see in many ways.

After the baby shower was finished Greg led us to Holy Hill.  He knew I would want to photograph that building.  It was after hours for the grounds, but church was just letting out, so all was good.  I got a few good pix against an amazing sky that lovely day.

My buddy the stone house- in the melting stage

3 seasons in one pic

Hang on Lola, spring is coming

I loved the sparkly sun hiding behind the clouds of this last one.  So much hope for a new season.  And with hope there is bound to be some joy!