It is a drop dead beautiful day in Shawano, Wisconsin (pronounced Shawno). I left Menominie yesterday. Had a wonderful time with Bob, Casey and Natalie Atwell. I will be here until the 5th of July, and Matilda and I will drive to Manitowoc and take the ferry across Lake Michigan to Ludington, Michigan.

First, Menominie. I love these guys. They are so much fun to be with, and Natalie aka Badge, is an absolute hoot! She talks in long sentences and uses big words, and knows what they mean. It helps that her parents are both teachers!!! We went out to dinner at a "supper club," on the river. Supper clubs, it appears, are all over Wisconsin. I hadn't seen that term used for a long time.

Bob

Casey and Natalie

One day when everyone was outside working in the garden, I went over to Casey's huge rhubarb patch and pulled some rhubarb. I made a crisp for us that night. As I was carrying the rhubarb to the steps to break off the leaves, Casey started singing, "Here she comes, Ms. America".

The rhubarb crisp was wonderful, if I do say so myself! Even Moon Bear wanted some -

I went down to mail some things at the post office and went across the street to a couple of cute stores, one a yarn and quilt shop, the other a nice book store. I bought a couple of things in both places. In coming back to the house, I passed a Culver's Restaurant (a Midwest chain, I think), and started laughing when I saw their sign. I had to turn around and get out of my car to take a picture--

"Gee, I wonder what THAT tastes like!"

It really got very warm for two days - in the high 90's and humid. Casey and Bob's house stays really cool because the outer walls are 14-18 inches thick. We kept the blinds down and needed no a/c. Casey worked for a landscaping group the first day! We pretty much stayed inside, and Badge and I played I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE, we watched SOUND OF MUSIC, read some books, had lunch, talked and laughed and giggled. When she was playing by herself, I worked on my Ancestry tree. The second day of heat, Casey got a call that no one was working - Thank goodness!

Yesterday, Natalie turned exactly 4 1/2 years old! Bob reminded us all of that fact. After lunch, I packed up Matilda, said my goodbyes with a promise that I would definitely return, and drove off to the east on my way to the Mongers of Shawano.

I told the Atwell's that I had been thinking about IF I settled down, where would I do it, and I think that it would either be in Iowa or Wisconsin. A low-income senior housing place, where I would stay for spring, summer, and fall, but leave for winter, probably to Molokai. But, folks, that is only a thought...at least for now!

I arrived at the Monger's, after getting lost and having to have Ken meet me. I followed him back to the house, which was just a few miles from where I was! Joy and I went out and got subs for dinner. Ken was helping a guy load up gym equipment that he had bought from Ken. They were loading it into Ken's truck, and into the wagon attached to his Jeep. Joy went with them, and I stayed home. What an adventure they had. The guy's name is Wade Fernandez (www.wadefernandez.com). He is a musician and had just gotten back from several European gigs. He is a native Menominee Indian, is married and has five children. Ken and Joy were invited into his home, and when they left were given a native American flute, and some dried cedar to bless their new home with. There are no coincidences, and I think Ken and Joy just made some great new friends here.

This morning when I woke up, the house was quiet. Nobody was in it. Where was everyone? Landon the cat was sleeping on the bed...and not too happy when I woke him up...

I heard a noise outside and there was Ken...

I got a cup of coffee and went out on the steps. And what to my wondering eyes should appear across the street??

Where's the donkey????

Joy and the dogs appeared a bit later...Jade completely worn out by running eight miles, yes folks, eight miles, with Joy ...

with Katie,

not needing quite that long a run, waiting for them to return. We all then went next door to their neighbor's rummage sale, and all three of us bought a few things!!!! Yes, even me!! For gifts, you understand...

Then we went out to see the new house that Ken and Joy just bought and are closing on the 6th and moving in on the 7th. They sold the house I am in right now, in less than a month! The new house is wonderful. Here is the view from the front deck...

That is their dock, smack dab on the Wolf River, one of the five cleanest rivers in the United States. What a beautiful scene to wake up to every morning. The house is cute as a button, very rustic inside, with three bedrooms, two full baths, a side deck, as well as the front deck, a nice basement, tons of closet and shelf space, one entire wall with fireplace made with rough hewn stones, a two car huge garage, with a work room. It is probably half the size of what they have now, but it is simply wonderful, and the view as you can see, is to die for! The dogs love the water and have already been in swimming!

Here is the new house - the photo makes it look small, but it isn't...

From the new house we went down to Main Street, and had brunch at Angie's, a locally owned and operated diner, very much loved by the townies, and has great food. Then when we had eaten, here comes Angie carrying a piece of strawberry dessert with a candle on it and a pair of birthday glasses...

What fun...walking out of the diner before going into another to browse, I saw this on the wall ... AIDA??? Isn't that an opera, an old opera???? Is Elton John going to sing opera?? Curious minds need to know!

After browsing, we hopped back into the Jeep and drove to Wittenberg, WI, about 25 miles west of Shawano. We were headed for Nueske's, www.Nueskes.com, a landmark store selling Wisconsin cheeses, sausages, meats, and other foods. They have root-beer and buttermilk which you can taste, several times if you want. I remember my father drinking buttermilk. I chose the root-beer, which was quite good. Then we went outside to look at the little house on a trailer..

This windmill is actually working, bringing water up from the ground to the pump and into the water container. There is a church on the premises which is now an antique shop. There were a lot of people coming to visit Nueske's.

We took our purchases and drove back to Gannon Court. Right now Joy and I are working side by side on our Apple Laptops, she sorting through school pictures for a presentation show, and me writing my blog. Ken is sleeping as are Landon, Katie and Jade.

Question of the day...can you guess what this is?

Later alligator...after while crocodile...remember that?

I love you all,

A hui hou,

Sally