A couple of photos

Ken took this shot with my camera today.

We didn't get much rain today most of it went south.I got one chance and one shot of this Clearwing moth,

this is the first one I've seen this year.

Your world is as big as you make it. Georgia Douglas Johnson

A day without rain

We have had about 4 inches of rain in a 48 hour period but today was dry, unfortunately more

rain is predicted for the next couple of days. The Giant Swallowtail caterpillar has grown.
The leaves on our maple are beginning to turn,
where has the summer gone?

We went to town and picked up a couple of things,

I decided to treat myself to a magazine the 40% off coupon helped.

I've been needing a little art therapy!

Although, I have been enjoying working on a couple of sewing projects.

I just may have a new outfit finished for my neice's wedding in Sept.

BBQ contest and fly in weekend

This weekend our little town is hosting a fly in at the airport and a BBQ contest down on our main street. Last night the ReMax balloon was back giving rides and

an Apache helicopter was on display as well as

entertainment on the street and refreshment vendors.Here is a pic of our Mayor taking ride in the balloon, it's tendered so you don't

go up to far. We did it when the balloon was giving rides

during Waterfest.

Ken went to the airport to check out the fly in, not many there as

rain was predicted for today.

(So far only a sprinkle.)

Maybe tomorrow will have a better showing.

This Goldfinch was helping itself to our coneflower seed heads.

Nice to be able to look out our back door and watch the birds and

every now and then get a photo.

Yesterday, we saw the movie Julie and Julia, it was very good.

I cried and laughed at the same time!

Today, I sewed up a knit outfit, pants and vest.

The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.

Richard Cecil

Caught up

Ken found a Monarch caterpillar in the garden this morning,

it looks like it's near it's time to change to a chrysalis.We have been seeing more Monarch butterflies

so we can tell it's the start of their migration.

Did anyone see the Perseids Meteor shower?

We couldn't get ourselves up at that hour to go look, maybe

tonight. Ha!

I've been watching our hummingbird feeder,

it's time for juveniles to visit the feeders, not that I could tell if they

were juvenile or not.

August is the start of their migration too, so I'm watching

the feeder in case a Rofus stops in for a drink.

Hey, it could happen.

Happy Birthday, Bruce!

back to watching nature

This Summer Tanager posed for me this morning as I walked the campground. In our garden, we found some Black Swallowtail cats on our dill,
and this Giant Swallowtail cat on our roe
we haven't spotted any Monarch caterpillars yet.

I got the RV unloaded and did 4 loads of laundry today,

I just have to do some cleaning in the RV now.

We had a nice thunderstorm last night which helped the yard and garden and

cool us down some for a while.

Katie has joined us now for some lap time.

Back home

We enjoyed the closing fireworks last night, they did put up one balloon to glow and give an opportunity for people to go out and take pics of it .We visited Buxton Park this morning while waiting to the sweetcorn people to set up, Ken wanted to get more of the Grimes corn.
The flowers are gorgeous, so many through out town too, they have some of the prettiest yards.
A storm is approaching Central IA so we decide to head home.
We know our street will be hard to get through much less try to park the RV on during the weekend, so we are spending tonight at Watkins State Park, needed to dump our tanks here anyway.
We checked on the cats, freshened up their food and water, Boo was the happiest to see us home as he meowed welcome and desired some lap time.
We won't see Katie for a day or so she has to play who are you guys to leave me here alone with these nasty cats.
I believe I will enjoy a glass of IA wine.

Classic Cars

The last day of the Balloon Festival is too windy for the balloons to fly.

There still is the Wine Festival, music and fireworks tonight.

We read about this car show in Ankeny, The Albaugh Classic, and decided to see it.

Well, it is a big car show at Albaugh headquarters and on his golf course.
Here is a sample of the cars brought there.

Dennis Albaugh has a collection of 130 cars.

Here's his Vette's.

Ken enjoying himself!!!

Dennis' collection of old Chevy's.

He also has a collection of manuals and other car related memorabilia.

100% of the proceeds today went to Ankeny High School, I believe they did very well.