8/08/10 OF PORCHES AND STORMS

THIS MORNING
THE GATHERING STORM

Sunday, 6:30 AM. 65 degrees, wind W, calm. The sky is partly cloudy, and the barometer again predicts rain, which we received .5” of last night.
I sat on the porch yesterday evening before going to bed and listened to the developing storm and watched the lightning, a nightcap in hand. First gentle rain drops, then more insistent, finally loud beats on roof and skylight. The thunder rolled around the hills and out over the lake and islands, distant at first and then louder and nearer. The lightening lit the sky and silhouetted the dark, brooding pine trees, while yellow-white streaks flashed from cloud to water, and struck Madeline Island and beyond. All the while I was snug in my rocking chair under the roof, observing nature’s power and glory. I would rather have a porch than air conditioning, and sooner watch a thunderstorm than television.

8/07/10 AN INTERESTING MUSHROOM AND NEW CURTAINS

HARD TO SAY
EARTHBALL MUSHROOM
NEW PORCH CURTAINS

Saturday, 8:30 AM. 64 degrees, wind W, calm. The sky is partly cloudy, mixed gray and white clouds, and the barometer predicts rain. Hard to say.
The little white mushroom is a Scleroderma, in the earthball family. It has a tough, leathery, warty epidermis and is poisonous. I find it interesting because of its sheer determination, often growing right through the asphalt of the road edge.
Joan made curtains for the entrance to the side deck from the porch, to provide some shelter from the NW winds. I find them very decorative, and they frame the view to the north as well.

8/06/10 THE REAL DEAL

BLACKBERRY PIE AND ICE CREAM
THE GANG AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
A WELCOME FIRE ON A CHILLY EVENING

Friday, 8:00 AM. 64 degrees, wind W, calm. The sky is cloudless but hazy, and the barometer predicts partly cloudy skies. It is a fine day.
We had campfire dinner at the Larsen’s yesterday evening, the first time in a while. Libby, Scot and the two boys were there from Milwaukee, and after dinner Myron and his sister-in-law who is visiting from China and a Chinese colleague dropped in for desert. Judy’s blackberry pie and ice cream. Most “blackberries” are actually black raspberries, not blackberries at all. These were the real deal, freshly picked from bushes laden with fruit. We are invited to pick, if the bears don’t get them all first.

8/05/10 BEEP NATION

THE CULPRIT
NO...
NO...
NO...

Thursday, 7:30 AM. Wind WNW, brisk with stronger gusts. The sky is hazy and the barometer predicts rain, but the day is a pleasant relief from the unusual heat of the past few days.
The other night I was awoken by a faint, periodic beep. I lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to analyze the source. Microwave? No. Toaster? No Stove? No. Coffee maker? No. Key’s left in a vehicle? No. Truck backing up somewhere? Unlikely. The refrigerator does not beep that I know of. What WAS that annoying sound? Thankfully, upon close inspection it was not the dreaded smoke alarm, which when the batteries are low emits a constant, shrill beeping until the battery is replaced, even if the battery is removed, the alarm dismantled and put outside on the back porch and the door closed. What WAS it? After considerable triangulation and with Joan’s (now also wide awake) help it was found to be a small room thermometer which has sat unobtrusively and quietly on the dresser for some years, but was now emitting some kind of faint terminal distress signal, like a foundering ship at sea. I removed the batteries to ease its pain, and it fell silent, mercifully, at one o’clock in the morning.
What is it with all these beeping devices, all emitting the same tone, same pitch, same periodicity, until it all becomes a meaningless annoyance? Shut up and let me sleep!

8/03/10 RELAX, WE'RE AT THE BEACH!

A BEACH LANDSCAPE
SUMMER BLOOMING WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
SHORT GRASSES, BLUEBERRIES AND ROSES
A CONTROLLED NATIVE LANDSCAPE
AN INVITING SIGN

Tuesday, 7:45 AM. 71 degrees, wind W, calm. The sky is cloudless but quite hazy in the east, and it is very humid. The barometer predicts clear skies.
I have mentioned the Reiten Boatyard Condominium landscape project before, but it looks so good at present that it is worth commenting on and presenting some photos again. The planting was done primarily in the spring of 2009. It consists mostly of native grasses, blueberries and wildflowers with some compatible horticultural roses. The objective was to make the lakefront condos “look like the beach,” but yet be controlled. The plantings in front of the three buildings and a wild area to the east are separated by mown grass. The plantings are mulched, edged and kept weed free. The big bluestem grasses have reached 5’ in bloom, and the wildflowers are a strong contrast. There has been a good crop of blueberries, and the roses bloom nicely and have large red “hips” late summer into fall. It is a landscape that says, “Welcome to the beach, relax!”
There will be no posts for a few days as I am having carpel tunnel surgery in Dulth tomorrow and won’t be able to type.

8/02/10 RAIN AND RIPE TOMATOES

THE MORNING AFTER
THE NIGHT BEFORE
RIPE TOMATOES
A CONVERSATION PIECE
Monday, 8:30 AM. 68 degrees, wind W, calm. The sky has a few puffy white clouds and the atmosphere is clear after last night’s torrential rains that left 3” in the gage. Neighbors Erick and Nancy and his sister Daniel visiting from France were over for dinner and got home just before the deluge hit, as did Garden View guests who were kayaking.
The hanging basket tomato plant on the porch has three ripe tomatoes and a dozen little green fruits. The concept certainly works but is more of a conversation piece than a really practical way of growing tomatoes. But, it is fun.

8/01/10 ANOTHER ART SHOW, AND ANOTHER HERB

THE SKY IS CLEARING
BAYFIELD'S ANNUAL ART SHOW
EVENING PRIMROSE FLOWER
EVENING PRIMROSE PLANT

Sunday, 8:30 AM. 68 degrees, wind WSW, very light. The sky is overcast but clearing, and the barometer is up.
Bayfield is hosting its annual art show this weekend, and the lake front park is wall-to-wall tents, with 95 exhibitors. The town is filled with visitors.
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a common roadside native plant which is rather similar in appearance to the common mullein. It has clear yellow flowers in a terminal cluster. Evening primrose oil is used in herbal medicine for skin ailments and as an insulin regulator. Many Native American tribes used the plant in generally similar ways .