President's Day Cigar

 Monday, February 16, 2026

Smoked a couple cigars today.

A big one...

And a little one. 

It got up to 54 degrees today.

So I sat out in the yard for a little bit.

Until the sun went behind Andrea's house. It was cool in the shade so I moved into the garage. 

The Backyard On Halloween 2025

 Friday, October 31, 2025

This mum I planted a couple years ago is finally showing some flowers. Pretty late in the season but better late than never. Hoping to get the potted mums in the ground soon to try and get another season out of them. 

Glad I worked on uncovering these garden stones this year. They look great. 

Will be cutting the hostas back soon. 

Norway pine. 

Should probably bring the red chairs in soon and then get in the habit of bringing them out only when needed so they don't get left out all winter. 

And, should probably cut this back a bit more so that it's not such an unmanageable job in the spring. 
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Cigar Time

 Sunday, September 29, 2025

Smoked a Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur this afternoon. It was fantastic. 

Gorgeous afternoon. 

Although I heard tons of blue jays squawking this season I didn't see one until today. It landed on Josh and Breanna's porch. 

By the way, Josh and Breanna had us over for dinner last night. We ate outside on their porch. Everyone had brats except Bran. Josh grilled him us some venison which he loves. 

Ada was sweet. She picked some flowers for me and put them in a jar. She also made menus for the dinner which was very cute. 

Stayed till after dark. The sun's setting just before 7 pm these days. The kids made s'mores and the grownups talked around the fire. We got home around 8:30. It was a very nice evening. 

Dale came out to join me this afternoon. We both had some wine while I finished up my cigar. 

Lots of loud, obnoxious crows flying back and forth and squawking at each other. They went on for quite a while. It reminded me of all those mornings on Madeline Island and sitting on Dale's porch while 3 particularly bitchy crows did the exact same thing every day. 

 

We also heard a very chatty rodent. At first I thought it was a squirrel but Dale saw it in Andrea's tree next door and said it was a chipmunk. I looked and he was indeed correct. My gosh that thing was squeaky and active. It darted back and forth and carried on for quite a while. 

Today was the first day I noticed our pine tree is starting to drop its needles. The are a pain to rake up because they get stuck in the tines. 

Listened to Chet Baker as we sat outside. Went inside around 6 pm for snacks and then dinner of leftover lasagne. I really was a lovely afternoon. 

Remembering June 2012

 

Remembering May 2012

 

Photo taken back in May of 2012. Our next door neighbor at the time trimmed back his bridal wreath spiria and I was pissed. I think it looked more beautiful in our yard than it did in his. The branches draped over into our yard and the white flowers that appear in the spring looked beautiful. It was like a waterfall of white. Anyway, they grew back eventually and looked great again. Now, in 2025, the bushes are not as full as they used to be. Maybe they're just old. 

Lily of the Valley in 2012.

Snow on the Mountain, 2012.

Another photo from 2012. The hosts around the back yard pine tree don't come in as nicely as this either. 

Bleeding Hearts, 2012

Thanksgiving Weekend

 Friday, November 29, 2024

Smoked a few smaller cigars today.

In the mid-20s but breezy and really raw. 

That's why I'm going with the smaller cigars so I'm not stuck outside for too long at any given time. 

Temps in the 20s aren't too bad if it's calm and sunny out but it's definitely not that today. 

Barky McBarkface next door was out of town today so at least it's been quiet. 

Looks like temps are gonna be this way for the foreseeable future.  

Can't believe November's just about over.