On To Mindemoya…

…to drop off a water sample, and pick up a few groceries. Afternoon Windride and swim. Settling in.

As I dropped off our sample at 11:30 a.m. I was informed that samples are now accepted only between 1 and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The lady was kind enough to accept my sample anyway, an hour and a half too early.

Another wildlife mystery…who made these? Could it be Tamia?

Over The Bounding Main

The Windrider is in and rigged and looking good.

Photo by Sue

Photo by Sue

Of course, neither outboard would start, though each was winterized by Berry boats, though of course that was two (or three) years ago. (I suppose that if you sit neglected for such a long time the get up and go, goes.) As a result, today’s sail was powered by paddle and wind, which is more fun.

The mast-raising a-frame gin-pole made by Bob Habes’ friend worked perfectly. Easy up and (presumably) easy down. So easy, in fact, that even one person could do it, though it was good to have Wolf helping as we learned. The device is now loaned to Wolf and Patrick as an inducement to the their WR17 in the water.

Moonrise

Waiting for a full moon to rise over the bay, about 8:30 local time.

The moon was late, and then less than resplendent. Too much haze on the horizon.

So, a photo from last night will have to do.

In other news, here are a few shots of the griddle finally back in action.

Thyme, oregano, sage, and basil—all home grown…the basil from Whitewater and everything else from the overgrown Kagawong driveway bed.

Red Sky At Morning…

…better go swimming.

Too warm for anything resembling work. We did go to Gore Bay to retrieve a block-and-tackle from Heliotrope, which will be needed to operate the new Windrider mast stepping device given to us by Habes’ friend Terry. Along the way we stopped at Burt farm (adding several items to the cooler), and then quick trips through Steel Hardware and Valumart.

The Gore Bay Friday farmer’s market is no more. (Killed by Kagawong?) But, Purvis Fishery is still vending from their truck, now parked back in the mid-town parking lot—so whitefish on the menu tonight (likely caught in Mudge Bay).

In other news, Split Rail Brewery seems to be doing a land-office business, right off Heliotrope’s pulpit. And the new chocolate factory, next door (where Mark’s partner works) seems to be thriving. (We bought another Bean to Bar.) Although the marina seems to be quite busy, Ken says that CYC is hanging on by a thread without American customers.

And, to get to the block-and-tackle out of Heliotrope, we had to joust our way through another wasp nest!
Give wasps a year and they’ll take…over.

Dump Day

First chance to tote garbage in many moons, and delightful as ever. On the plus side, Dennis is still the proprietor.

Sue did more beach cleanup and visited Murray and Elaine, while I wrastled with equipment, and took a nap. At this point, almost all mechanical and electronic devices are more or less working.

Kagawong Discovered

Wednesday is market day, and oh my. More people than on a busy day in Minocqua. Kagawong has been gentrified, and is very much on the map. Falls at capacity, too.

Photo does not do justice to the size of the crowd. We had to snap it on the go as there was no place to park.

Photo does not do justice to the size of the crowd. We had to snap it on the go as there was no place to park.

But all is quiet on Serendipity.

Today’s big project was the Windrider. After work (mostly Sue) we went for a water walk, which is what old people are supposed to do. From our truncated pier we head out to chest depth and then walk along the boulders over to Tyson’s, and then back home along the newly renovated trail. Beats power washing.

Sunny, hot, humid, and calm. As we were water walking we saw Lollipop out for a sail.

Shoreline Cleanup

Work ‘till you drip, swim ‘till you’re cool. Then repeat as necessary.

Calm and quiet morning. Actually, very quiet—no sound whatsoever, which takes some getting used to.

Our remodeled water’s edge. High water and moving ice have given us a new look. I rather like it.

Nothing like an early morning paddle and row, as long as it is followed by a swim.

Two tanks of chainsaw gas to chop away from the pump house to Tyson’s, mostly the new lot. Skeletal cedars leaning away from land, and numerous ninebark killed by the high water, making for an unsightly and very tangled mess. While I did the sawing, Sue did the dragging, which is ever so much harder.

Road and Trail

Sue raked the just-graded lane, and improved it some, but she started from a seriously bumpy opening position. Then we re-established the lakefront path to Tyson’s. Time, high water, ice, along with growing and dying vegetation, made the old ways impassable.

Purvis fish tug in Our bay. The whitefish at the market will be rather local.

Purvis fish tug in Our bay. The whitefish at the market will be rather local.

Our sandy beach. The grains are just a little larger.

Our sandy beach. The grains are just a little larger.

One of Sue’s tortes, this one peach/plum.

One of Sue’s tortes, this one peach/plum.

Clear The Downspouts!

…to avoid gutter overflow. Who would have thought that would be necessary? I did find numerous pulpy wads impeding drainage, and they have been cleared.

C D B?

C D B?

The sweetgrass started from seed 2.5 years ago is doing well and ready for harvest. Yesterday Kate and Will did some braiding, and I tried some myself. A smooth, even braid takes practice, but I think I’ve learned the secret. And, oh, the lovely aroma. (Above are practice braids.)

This Blogger Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks…

…at least in regard to rain. Last night some places in Wisconsin got between 5 and 7 inches, including Cedarburg, where Abby now has a flooded basement.

Here in Whitewater we have had about an inch and a half, which is good, but there are no puddles (and no flooded basements). Clearly, Mother Nature is mad, today spanking us with temps in the 90s and humidity off the charts, perfect conditions for more flooding somewhere.

Above, resurrection lilies, in their resurrected form. RLs are just about the first plants to poke above the frozen soil in the spring, sometimes forcing their strap-like leaves above the snow. I’m always glad to see them. By June, it’s time to clear away the wilted debris. But then in August we get these leafless flower stalks.

The Curse Is Ended?

Yesterday evening…

…we had thunder. A real thunder storm, featuring fabulous thunder, but very little rain. And when the thunder rolled away, I figured that was it.

But the thunder came back, along with lightning, and then rain. And for an hour we had a classic, old-fashioned duck drownder. You could almost hear the shrubbery sighing with relief. For once this summer, the epicenter of stormbogenesis was almost overhead.

So that was good. But what came after, particularly today, was not so good. Namely, humidity, and lots of it.

Normally, I would complain about humidity, and today’s humidity certainly needs complaining about, but I am restraining myself because of the interrelatedness of humidity and rain. I will tolerate humidity if it means rain.

This afternoon, the humidity again brought thunder, but no rain. That is bad humidity. However, tonight’s humidity is responsible, I believe, for a severe weather waning. The curse seems to be ended, but if the forecast fizzles as it usually does, then tonight’s humidity is bad humidity, too.

Out To Lunch…

…in Waukesha, of all places. Takeout from the Rochester Deli, a true, old fashioned, New York style delicatessen.

Hard to beat for tastiness. Tempted to try one of the DeliCakes advertised in the window, but went with a tuna melt instead.

A few hours to kill and a few errands to run while Sue’s new bike was in the shop, in Brookfield, getting a few adjustments.

Another pretend rain last night, dampening the sidewalks. Unpleasantly hot and humid and sunny today, in spite of the forecast. WiFi back, though the technician was unvaccinated and unmasked. We had a discussion as he was leaving, and I might have convinced him to reconsider his obstinance. The hard part is staying calm and being friendly. Look at me—a missionary, preaching to the heathen.