MAY 14; MAY IS BEAUTIFUL

It has been a beautiful, busy, and enjoyable day at the lake. Chris got his boat in the water, after having the campground cut down a tree next to the boat ramp to allow his boat to be slid into the water. ( The ramp was so narrow that he only had 3 inches on each side of the boat trailer to be able to navigate the trailer into the water)
v On a cruise around the lake I discovered that we had two swans....only saw one of them here. Later in another swamp/lake I saw both of them together.

Then on the far side of the lake, where there are no houses, we saw loads of turtles sunning themselves on some downed logs. At one spot, as we eased closer, we counted 25 turtles plop into the water. We must have seen at least 50 turtles. Yummy.....turtle soup!

Then there was a real pretty little bird that we kept seeing, but not long enough to get a good look at. Finally this morning at the lake we were able to get a good picture and then be able to look it up in Chris' bird book. It's a baltimore oriole. It is beautiful....and fast!

A few weeks ago Yvonne & family were traveling home from a family reunion in Ohio....and since we are literally 5 minutes off of the Indiana Turnpike....they were able to take a "pause that refreshes" from their long trip home. It was nice to give another hug to the boys.

The face hiding behind the teddy bear is Charolette....#19. Here she falls asleep quickly after a busy (and tiring....for grandma) day. This week, while mom & dad were camping with the fifth grade class....she stayed with us.

She got a new bike for her 4th birthday a few weeks ago, and since all roads in the campground are paved, it's the perfect place for a little one to practice riding her little bike. She practically had Chris running here on the little hills. So, Chris thought up a solution....tying a rope to the bike so that we could hold her back as she started down the little hills. You see, she doesn't quite have the brakes figured out.

It got down-right hot this week.....up into the 90's. And the lake was the place to go....with or without a swim suit.

Then it was time to go fishing.....

Eager to get on the cute little PFD....but being rather somber contemplating getting into the boat. Chris really had to use all his skills to get her in....

But....in she got. Here she's checking on the fish....or trying to.

Smiles came quickly after the reluctant boarding of the boat.

Still looking for fish....but here Charolette is looking over Poppi's shoulder at the "fish finder".

Going home after a long afternoon fishing....or so it seemed. We have had a couple of meals of channel cat fish and bass.

My garden....consisting of 1 tomato plant and two cucumber plants. It sits on top of a plastic bin with the charger for Tommy's invisible, wireless fence. We have it at home; works great. However here, she is so spazed with the boundaries that she seldom moves more than a few feet. Just lays there in the bug hut, or on the grass. Oh well.....at least she's outside.

And my bike. Love it. Haven't totalled out on it yet, but I'm kind of expecting it. I try to ride every day. Enjoy it. And until we took a trip to Mackinaw Island with Andrea & David, I had not been on a bike in 50 years.....and rode 8 miles around the island in 2 hours! And didn't fall! And could walk afterwards! So Chris had the idea of getting a bike for here. He has some pretty good ideas.

So, good night from Amish Country in northern Indiana...until we "connect" again.