August 28 - First Day of the School Year

Asa and Jake at their bus stop on their first day of school. Jake boards the bus alone in the morning.

Asa is in Mrs. McCoy's afternoon Kindergarden class. Our neighbor, Greta, is also in the same class. Jake rides the bus in the early morning; Asa and Greta catch the bus around lunchtime, and then all three ride the same bus home at the end of the day. Jake is in Miss Hoover's 3rd grade class. Miss Hoover is new to Friendship Elementary school this year. She taught at another local elementary school last year. Friendship is closer to her home, so she changed schools. She is getting married at the end of September, so she will then be Mrs. Felix. Jake really likes her so far. He finds her to be very much like his first grade teacher from Catonsville, Miss McGowan.

Neighbor Greta and Asa waiting for the bus together on the first day.

The now-experienced Asa getting off of the bus at the end of his first day of school. He can't wait to return tomorrow!

Ugly Stick

Asa got an early birthday present from the Blums while they visited us early August. A new "Ugly Stick" fishing pole. Asa has become quite the outdoorsman, and especially since our summer vacation to Minnesota, has really taken to fishing. His Aunt Janice and Uncle Steve were big inspirations for him and eagerly awaited their return after each fishing trip on Woman Lake to see what they came home with. Then the best part... watching the fish being cleaned!

With his new pole, Asa asked his dad for bait, then immediately took off for the creek to catch those bluegill he kept seeing. All we had for bait at the time was frozen corn kernels, which apparently, bluegills like to eat. Asa "baited" his own hook and learned on his own that the best way to get a fish off the hook is to set the fish (while on the hook) down in the grass, and it gets itself off of the hook for you. That's how he did it! Then he walked back home and asked for a string to put his fish on. It was really amazing how he just really did it all by himself. He had no desire for help or assistance from either of his folks. He genuinely enjoyed doing it all for himself. Both of his parents are so proud of him.

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!