Fishing, Rain and PARTIES

 Good morning.  Honestly I'm thinking that since we retired I've lost my voice here.  I don't have anything to GRIPE about so no words.  My life is good, finally.  After nearly 18 years writing on this blog I've become very quiet.  Maybe I've shared all of me that I can share.  

Today I'm going to have lunch with my dear brother.  I thought about canceling because of the impending storms but those won't be here till later tonight.  So lunch it is!  We will be heading to our cabin this weekend too and can't wait.  It's been a couple of weeks and even then we will miss the next weekend because of graduation stuff.  Seems like we are busier than ever since we retired.  This weekend alone we had two parties on the same day, a Kentucky Derby party and then a Retirement party which had a live band.  It was fun.  They set up like a living room, seating arrangements in their driveway with the band in the garage playing Stones, a bit of country (blech) and good old Rock and Roll!  I opted to not drink at all at either party.  Really I'm not doing much of that which is not a bad thing.  I do like a good gin & tonic or dirty martini but just haven't been feeling it lately.  Especially since I felt like I needed to be the designated driver for the weekend.  I know HE will have a few glasses of wine regardless.  

He did get away to the cabin overnight Friday while I had Snicklefritz with us.  He met the shade guy for installation.  We had new shades put on the screened porch to cut wind, pollen and keep warmth in when we use the fireplace on cooler days.  The water is up too from all the rain with more rain to come.  

We will get up there hopefully for a nice weekend WITHOUT rain, time with friends for a build-your-own-fajita bar and a nice fire on the porch.  The temperatures are supposed to be a lot cooler, especially in the AM so I'm sure I will be sitting there enjoying.

A Fishin' We Will Go, a Fishin' We Will Go

Thursday we did something.  The Hubby's oldest brother set it up with a fishing guide to go fishing on Lake Eufaula for the day for crappie.  I love fishing, I have a lifetime fishing license.  It's really been years since I've even caught a fish.  I really wasn't too keen on going because I'm not a fan of being on a boat but I knew he wanted to do the experience with me.  So onward.

The drive early, EARLY in the AM on Thursday was a bit sketchy because there was so much fog but it was drivable.  We made it and his brother and wife were excited to show us their new house they are nearly finished in building and to go to breakfast.  Finally, we were headed to the boat launch and we were off.

The water was so very still and quiet that morning.  It was a bit cool as we were speeding on to the crappie spots but I had my shirt and The Hubby found me a great hat that I LOVE!  We slathered on SPF 100 sunscreen and were set to fish.  I caught several but after four hours I was hot and baking on the water as the temperatures started climbing.  

The clouds started coming in as I knew the weather was bringing rain later in the evening.  It made for wonderful photos to paint.  I took lots of pics and then insisted, after the four hours, that I was DONE and needed, urgently, a bathroom.  So they headed in to the brother-in-laws dock area where his wife, sister-in-law picked me up, because they guys were heading back out.

I was concerned for the BIL because he is on oxygen but he seemed to be fine as long as he was seated and he was having such a great time.  I told SIL that we would have to get after them at some point because neither brother wanted to disappoint the other by stopping.  After another three hours they FINALLY came in, only because they ran out of bait...LOL!  

All in all, between the three of us we caught about 40 fish, which the guide cleaned for us.  Friday night was fish for dinner.

After that long day we drove back home, gathered our stuff and food and headed for the cabin for a long weekend, after a stop for a quick dinner.

The drive was just beautiful.

Once there we sure hit the bed early.  I wanted to go on Thursday because I knew it was supposed to rain all day Friday and The Hubby LOVES to be there when it rains.  

We got up Friday morning and of course it was raining.  I got a nice fire going in our porch fireplace and kept it going Friday and Saturday.  So SOOOO very nice.  

Saturday morning the rain was gone and the fire was blazing as the morning was clean and bright.  I filled my bird feeders and kicked back to enjoy the day.  The evening before I went to see my friend Lesa for a drink and she wondered if I was going to watercolor.  She is a novice and I told her I would help her learn.  I got my watercolors out and piddled and she came in the afternoon and we had a great time painting. I really felt like I'm an artist, that I really know what I am doing.  

At some point before she popped over I took a golf cart ride to the meadow and was treated with these beauties.  The club has planted several patches of wildflowers and they are STUNNING!  And they are full of bees just filling the air with buzzing.

It was a most perfect weekend.  I love retirement.

Fishing Girl

OH MY GOODNESS...this weekend was absolutely the most fun for this little one.  

She and I took off on Thursday to hang at the cabin because her mother was at a quilt retreat and her daddy was taking care of some stuff at his dad's house.  So I got the pleasure of hanging with her.  

We spent Thursday with me reading and her working on a paint by number and listening to the birds with some chat going on.  My friend Lesa came to dinner and I fixed her my tilapia dish and Snicklefritz had fish sticks, mac and cheese, green beans and ice cream.  She was a happy girl.  We then took a golf cart ride with her as my driver.  She is quite a good driver.  We ended up just sitting in the meadow enjoying the wonderful evening, listening to more birds and enjoying the beautiful view of green and green and green and blue skies.  We chatted about life and death and more about birds, insects and flowers.  She's quite a smart and deep little girl.  

The next day was a lot of the same during the day of paint by number and reading and then The Hubby showed up and we all went to friends for dinner.  The next morning her granddad and friend John went to get bait and planned on swinging back by to get her and take her fishing.  She was so excited and was up and ready early.  This girl stayed down at the dam and creek all day long with these two and caught some giant fish.  She had a smile from ear to ear all day long.  At one point The Hubby had stepped up the embankment to grab his phone/camera forgetting his line had bait and was in the water.  They tried to catch it but the thing had a huge catfish hooked and the whole rod and reel went under.  He thought oh well and just busied with helping Snicklefritz and John with bait when all of a sudden she was reeling in another fish but what she had was his line with the rod and reel AND a fish on his line.  She successfully found his rod and reel and they continued on fishing.  

When they were pretty exhausted they came in to clean their catch and she was right in the middle of it all, patting the fish and handing each one to them to clean.  At one point he told her if she kept patting them they would become a pet.  She did not have a problem with them cleaning them at all and watched it all.  

This girl had the absolute best time of her life this weekend and frankly we did too.  Love her to pieces.

 

Roses, Kiddos and Fish

Thought I would touch base here.  Since my life, and everyone else's, is pretty much at a standstill, I can't report much in my world.  Just painting and grandkiddos.

Remember last weekend I picked a some peonies and roses at our cabin.  It was a beautiful weekend!  Last weekend I started this painting and yesterday finished it.  I am so very please with how it turned out. 

"Reflections" oil 16x20

Back to the weekend.  We finally, FINALLY got to spend time with Snicklefritz and we had such a fun weekend, even thought it turned chilly.  There was a bit of warmth and sunshine that The Hubby got to take her fishing.  She also got to drive the golf cart.  We played a lot of Uno, read books and played hair salon.

My goodness I have missed this little munchkin.  It was good to get one of her hugs and kisses. 

More news...

This little family, our youngest, hubby and little Smiley, are moving home to be close to family!!!  Since they live in LA the music scene is pretty much non-existent for them and it made more sense to move here, closer to us.  We are over the moon to have both my girls here, close and their families!!!!!  I can't tell you how happy we are. 

Weekend in Review

This weekend was just AWESOME at the cabin.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  It was filled with lots of friends, laughter, food, sunshine and rest.  My mind was relaxed and not on the impending surgery tomorrow.  I was also able to get a bit of plein aire painting accomplished and find more subjects to possibly paint.  I think I have several here to keep me occupied while I recuperate at home.  Time to heal in front of my easel.  

These sweet puppies I hope will be on my easel soon.

Lucy

Bella 

I did paint this one.  It was awesome to just sit quietly and create. 

The barn swallows were plenty in the rock crevices here.  Above me the turkey buzzards circled and it occurred to me to move occasionally to let them know I was not "DEAD!"

Finished painting and as I was driving back to the cabin I spotted my friend Jeanne's son-in-law, husband and grand kids fishing on the low water bridge.  Just as I pulled up sweet Dax reeled in this monster sand bass.  He was screaming and jumping up and down, thrilled for his first fish all on his own. 

After I caught this sweet photo of him and plan on painting it.

What do you think?  I think this would be an awesome painting.

Along with water scenes there were flowers aplenty.  My peonies were in full bloom with more to come.   

Then I spied these lovely iris's along my golf cart ride.  More paintings!!! 

Happy Birthday Daddy

This past weekend I thought the best birthday present to give my Daddy was to take him to the cabin for the weekend!  I emailed him and he replied back in all caps, YEAH!  Today is his 78th birthday and he had the best birthday ever.  We had people over on Saturday night for The Hubby's brisket and he was overjoyed to get to mingle.  Saturday morning The Hubby took him fishing and look what they caught.  Look at that fabulous smile on his face.  He was so happy.

Oh and The Hubby was pretty happy too.  Unfortunately someone who helped them didn't tie the stringer very well and the fish were lost.  RATS!

Monday, The Day After

I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day yesterday.  I went to see Daddy and just hung out with him yesterday.  We chatted and I fixed something on his computer.  I assessed his food in the freezer and decided that a run to the store wasn't necessary until about Wednesday.  I took his trash out and cleaned his toilet.  That was my time with Daddy yesterday.  I feel so bad that he is really stuck in that house.  He sits in his front doorway, with it open, just taking in what fresh air he can.  I have toyed with the idea of a ramp so he could go outside, but he only has a month left before the surgery and I HOPE that he will not need it after.  We take him to the doctor every two weeks and that is a trial in itself, especially since the last ordeal of me dropping him.  I really wish the doctor would get it together and push him up on the surgery list.  This waiting is agonizing for Daddy and us.  I want him mobile again so he can get out and do stuff.  I want to take him to restaurants and to the cabin and fishing.  It's just sad and depressing. 

Last week I did yoga on Monday and Friday really enjoying it.  Today I was going to get up and go but I don't have to leave this house for anything today and that is what I plan on doing.  I don't have to be at work or workout or the store or appointments or anything!  I'm staying put.  If I don't want to get dressed, then I won't.  If I don't want to brush my teeth, then I won't (not really).  I am washing the sheets from the bed because Clayton got sick last night on them.  I am going to blog, read blogs and paint.  Time to myself with no workers and no place to go.  Now that is a Monday. 

Fishing Man

October Weekend

What a glorious October weekend.  We of course spent it at the cabin with friends and the most beautiful weather.  Saturday night we had two couples over for steak and goodies.  Since it is close to Halloween, the event I don't really like, I thought I would add a little whimsy to the meal setting.  The napkins I poofed on the plates sort of like meringues or candy puffs.  It was fun.

Saturday morning, after a night with friends around the campfire, I woke up to the crisp air that was pouring through the open window over my head.  The Hubby opened his eyes and suggested we go to Pryor for breakfast and to WalMart to look for a new antenna.  I was hesitant but it sounded like something different.  A wonderful drive, breakfast and a new antenna in our car and it was back to the day. 

The Hubby was tinkering on the roof with the antenna and I took the opportunity to snap a picture of his electrician tools.  Those tools have been something I've looked at and be in great admiration of since I met him nearly 36 years ago.  This may be a painting someday.

Little Clayton had worn himself out on his big run in the meadow...

The Hubby and his big catch...

(another painting?)

but he did release...

Swamp People

I was looking at the DVR list of recorded shows The Hubby and I record and I noticed one called Swamp People.  Interesting.  I asked him about it and he said it was about swamp people living in the swamps and gator hunting, or as they call it on the show, fishing.  The show is on The History Channel.  I should have known this as it is The Hubby's favorite channel except for the Extreme Cagefighting that he watches on some channel I choose not to know.  I could not believe I sat and watched an episode with him and found it rather intriguing and disturbing all at the same time.  I'm not sure how I feel about shooting alligators in the head.  ICK!  Then I thought about all those restaurants that now serve alligator meat and there you go.  Bang, bang, fry it up.  (Shiver)  I told The Hubby watching it was going to give me nightmares and then Jaws happened to be on TV.  Saw that movie when it first came out in the movie theatre and it scared me for life in all waters except for a swimming pool.  You can go to the History Channel and watch the videos but there are warnings and I would heed them with children around but it is very interesting and to know that is life in the swamps for those who live there and has been for many, many, many years.