HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Where has the time flown? It's our country's birthday again. Brian and I are planning to spend the Fourth with Jessamyn and the Voss families at the Box L ranch again this year. Saturday night Brian is playing with the Haywaddies for a wedding at a dance hall in Norden NE. We will stay in Valentine NE before heading to the ranch on Sunday. At the ranch we will  fish, rest and enjoy the fireworks display. The Voss family is gracious enough to let us stay at the hunting lodge where we can observe the diverse wildlife that ranges through the yard.

It has been a crazy week with many domestic mishaps. Some kind of Voodoo curse of the house, I suppose. When we returned from our last trip at CTCA I noticed the ants were on the march on the kitchen counters. Ants traps were purchased and crumbs were eliminated. Then in the pantry I noticed evidence of measly mice, also in our cupboards and under the stove compartment. Rodent bait was placed and still busy mice were underfoot. Cats were made to stay in at night and still busy mice were underfoot. Even got to see a tail one morning. After numerous cleaning details with escalating frustration, I purchased some sticky traps (covered so I won't have to see the measly mouse). Hopefully, with all battle stations ready my measly mice problems will fade away.

Next as if fighting a battle with a mouse isn't bad enough, our water well pump stop working. Brian and I had to haul water from the horse well to home viva the golf cart. Fortunately, it was just a switch  problem in the house and not the pump going out. Water was restored by evening. The final straw came when as I was mowing our lawn and the mower's hydrostatic transmission decided to go out. What usually takes 2-3 hours to mow turned out to take 5-6 hours.  I said enough is enough! Today we are the proud owners of a new 48" deck, 21 horse, zero turn Hustler Sport mulching mower. Yeah, one for us!

Finally, Brian is feeling better from the last chemo session. Hopefully, now he will be able to bulk up some! It is the season for ice cream, smoothies, shakes and malts.

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July!