Our Return Home

 Thursday, July 16, 2026

We were gone for about a week and a half. Here's what the yard looks like.

I admit it's a little overgrown in spots but it's not as bad as I anticipated.

The annuals did really well despite the heat we had. Dale said we got a pretty good amount of rain while we were gone. That helped. 

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. 

The Yard Today

 Friday, May 22, 2026

Andrea's Bridal Wreath Spirea is starting to come in. 

So is the tiger grass. Had to cut it back a little. 

The rhubarb is looking good. 

The peony bush is filling out but the flowers haven't bloomed yet. 

The yard's starting to come together. 

Cigar in the garage. 

The Yard Today

 Sunday, May 17, 2026

Rhubarb

Our backyard pine. Dale says this is a red pine tree (also known as a Norway pine in Minnesota). 

Fern garden. 

Leo

Oak tree of the neighbors across the alley. 

I've really enjoyed sitting in the back yard this spring and have been doing it much more so than in other years due to not having to work. 

Flowering Trees & Rhubarb

 Monday, May 11, 2026

The flowering trees in the neighborhood are looking really beautiful. I think these are crab trees. 

They don't last long so you're forced to appreciate them while they're flowering. 

It's a good reminder to be in the moment and not take things for granted. 

The rhubarb in the back yard is starting to send up its seed stalks.

The Back Yard Today

 Thursday, October 23, 2025

This is a photo of the tree across the alley from us taken this past Friday.

And here it is today. Can you believe it lost all of its leaves in just under a week? 

The temperature is supposed to hit freezing tonight. We'll see how the celosia does. 

The kale and the mums are a bit heartier so I'm sure they'll do better with the chill. 

Dale and I were commenting on how golden the October light looks especially in the afternoon. 

I've cut back most of the rhubarb except for this one plant. It was doing the best of the rest as it had the fewest dried out stalks. 

The backyard is covered in shade earlier and earlier because Andrea's house, which is on an incline from ours, is blocking the sun. This photo was taken at 4:18 p.m.

The farthest reaches of the yard still get some rays at this time of day. 

Our silver maple in the front can take its time dropping its leaves but it's making some slow yet steady progress. 

As October progresses the shadows keep getting longer.

Today was my first day back at school in 5 months. I was there for a few hours to help with the strike vote. I really enjoyed seeing former colleagues. I celebrated my triumphant return with a cigar after I got home. 

After my cigar Dale and I headed over to The Howe for dinner. Thursday is mac & cheese night.