Sunday Afternoon Cigar

Sunday, June 28, 2026

This is supposed to be the last nice day before we're blasted with heat and humidity starting tomorrow and lasting for most of the rest of the week. 

Great day for a cigar. 

Here's me posing in front of the rhubarb. In all the years we have been in this house I haven't done a good job of utilizing the rhubarb we've got growing by the garage. 

It's been years since my former collegue, Carol M., gave me the recipe for her rhubarb crisp. I've probably made it 3 or 4 times over the years. I haven't made it much due to my never getting serious about making it until it's a little to late in the season. I've heard it starts getting kind of reedy after the 4th of July but I'm never sure if that's really accurate. Another reason that's kept me from making it is all those summers Dale was up on Madeleine Island. The recipe makes a lot and it's too much for me and even some guest to handle without having to waste some of it. 

Anyway, I'm hoping to actually make it this year. Maybe for the 4th of July.

Dale set out this bowl this morning to measure the rain. It absolutely poured around 10 am today. It's hard to tell but the bowl is actually pretty full. You can see it more on the left side near the rim.

                       

Was surprised to see the sun out this afternoon. Wasn't expecting that. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2023 - Cigar Time

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Got some weeding done this morning. Didn't spend a ton of time on it but it feels good to do a little every day. Dale's able to help out a lot more in the yard this year due to him not having to get ready to go up to the island which is nice since I don't feel like I have to do as much to keep up with it all. Lit up a Romeo y Julieta this afternoon and it was fantastic. 

Very quiet in the neighborhood today. Not surprising due to it being Memorial Day weekend. However, because of the gorgeous weather of late I’ve gotten used to there being a lot more activity outside.

August 1

August has arrived. It is my favorite month. My birthday is in August but I love it for more than that. By August I've been on vacation for about 7 weeks and am feeling quite a bit more relaxed than was the case in June and most of July. Dale is back for good from  Madeline Island and it is always better when he is around. The Minnesota State Fair is in August and I'm ready to be excited about it!

Lupine

The lupines were past their peak during my last visit to Madeline Island but many were still looking pretty good.

Photo taken July 2013.

More of Dale's Island Backyard

Dale's Backyard on the Island

Dale's up on the Island and this is what his backyard looks like. Photo taken from the deck of his apartment.

Lupines

On my recent visit to Madeline Island I found that the lupines were in full bloom. Sadly the weather was cloudy and cold. These pictures are actually from last year.

La Pointe, Wisconsin

The family that owns the ferry line that runs between Bayfield and Madeline Island own a beautiful house with a beautiful garden on the town of La Pointe's main drag. I don't know the name of this particular type of flower that was growing in their garden but they sure were beautiful.

Dale's Yard on Madeline Island

Just got back yesterday from visiting Dale on Madeline Island. The apartment he rents there is beautiful. Here is one of the many irises growing in the yard there.