Bluegill in the Creek

Asa caught a bluegill in the creek today with an earthworm. I think it was big enough to eat, but they threw it back. Asa wants it to grow larger for the next time he catches it.

High heat and humidy makes this a great place to be today.


Even the girls enjoy being at the creek.

Wild Kingdom of Tomatoes

The fierce predator quietly approaches his prey.


And with the swiftest move - he goes in for the kill and easily overpowers his victim.


He is unrelenting using his firm grip and sharp teeth as skillful tools.


In a short time it is over for the prey, and the beast can now survive yet another day in the wild.

A Slimy Find

Did you know that there are leeches, also known as "bloodsuckers", in Pennsylvania? I didn't either. But apparently there are! Asa came to me saying, "Mom, there's a leech or a snail on my boot." I responded by saying, "It's a snail, honey". We recently returned from our vacation in Minnesota, where in our lake, live leeches. Both boys had an encounter with them, and that's the only place I've ever in my life seen them, or heard tell of them. So, naturally, when I heard Asa saying that there was a leech on his boot, I thought he was just experiencing residual leech-fear from Woman Lake. I went out to the porch to look at his boot so I could show him how the snail is different from the leech, and was surprised when I looked at his boot, it was a leech (as you may have guessed by this point)! It kind of struck fear in my heart, that not only do I have to beware of bloodsuckers while swimming in the lake on vacations, but also here, where I live. I was always able to deal with the concept of leeches because my exposure to them was so short-lived and seemingly remote from the reality of my daily life; but this somewhat concerns me! I will always have to be looking over my shoulder - always be on the lookout for one of those nasty, slimy, blood-thirsty abominations clinging between my toes!

This is a picture of the leech where she was found on Asa's boot.


Honeysuckle on her new mossy rock.

The boys have decided to keep "her", and have named her Honeysuckle. Get it? Honey - suck - uhl? They gave her her own habitat of creek water and moss-covered rocks and some detritus thrown in.

Wehrly's Auction House

Last Tuesday, Wehrly's Auction House was closed because of the 4th of July holiday. This week I think that I made up for lost time by buying more than I ever have before. I took the boys with me, and they did great for the most part. When John got off of work, he met us there, and took the boys home so mom could get serious with bidding! Among other things, I won a cukoo clock, vintage (unused) felt-rimmed fly watters, ceramic pots, glass milk bottles, flower plants, and a flat of lunch-size Utz Sour Cream and Onion potato chips (for the boys who went wild went they saw them up for auction). When the boys left, they were replaced by my neighbor, Cathy. We stayed until it closed. I love Wehrly's!


This indoor auction is one of 3 to 4 auctions going all at the same time at Wehrly's. It's your loss when you want something at more than one site. Indoor is knick-knacks, then they have box lots outside and inside, large pieces and some equipment outside, and then produce and plants.


Lunch at Wehrly's is always tasty. Burgers, soups, salads, drinks, ice cream, and pies and cakes!













Looking over the leftovers of this lot.

At 7:30 pm the furniture auction begins. This picture was taken at the tale end of the day. Only a few straglers left to take all the great deals!! At this point things got real cheap since most folks had already left (9:15 ish).

Looking forward to next Tuesday! My husband is rolling his eyes. He thinks that I have a problem.

Coburn Visit

On Friday, Sandra, Tammy, Jordan, and Nick came for a day in the country. We went to the Farmer's Market in York, stopped by Brown's Farm Market and went by the Junkman's store. Once back at our place we took the goats over to the field and the kids played in the creek. They found at least one crawdaddy and one baby turtle - and had lots of fun too. We cooked dogs on the grill, did sparklers, and ate Carman's ice cream! It was a really great day.

Clover giving Tammy kisses

Just found a baby turtle. Asa is describing the size of the "sea turtle" that he saw just two days earlier in the same creek.

Jojo and Nick

Nick brushing Tulip

Things are Growing Here

potted tomatoes


rosemary growing from a mug


Daliahs that I planted this spring!

Found Object Art - on our farm

This nest was just sitting on the ground next to the railroad tracks. Asa put this egg that he found weeks ago into the nest in hopes that a Robin will come and make it hatch. Asa originally found the little blue egg abandoned and intact on the ground in our pasture. He wanted to bring the egg to his house so he could give it a chance to hatch. He built a surrogate nest out of an empty egg carton and some grass clippings. He is still hoping that it'll hatch. When we saw this actual nest, Asa thought if his egg were in it, that might improve the egg's chances of hatching. We'll see!


Bunnies are appearing everywhere these days. This one thought that he was clever hiding under this truck.


I put in the lambs ear last year just after we moved in. Those yellow flowers (I don't know the name of them - maybe some kind of coreopsis) and Iris were already there. This year I put in one of my favorites - Yarrow; this one is in a nice bright pink.


This tree looks like a number 4. In this photo the bushes sort of conceal the botton right angle, but squint and you can see it.

Air Conditioner Time

It's July. The time has come to put in those window-unit air conditioners. John makes time over the four-day weekend to finally get them in. We use two upstairs and one on the main floor.

The trek from the mill to the house. Dang, these things are heavy.


Easy as pie, simply open the window, slide it through, plug it in, and viola!


Cool air! Good work John! One down, two more to go.

Max's Birthday

On Saturday we went to our old neighborhood in Catonsville, MD to celebrate Max Johnson's birthday. We were able to catch up with some of our friends while the kids played and ate lots of sugar in many forms. Lolly and Glen were great hosts as usual. Tons of food, music, beer, and laughs. It was a nice time.


Pinata booty


The birthday boy: Max!


Time for water fun!


Move over! I can't reach the water!


Just because you're my child, don't think I won't squirt you...


Zach, Jake and Asa decide to leave the Moonbounce... some people just ruin the fun for everyone.


jeez.