6.14.2026

Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.  Yay for the red, white, and blue!

Cindy and Bryan and bought us wind chimes to commemorate my mom's passing, and it was finally a good day to get them hung up.  Jim drilled a hole for the hook...

Hanging them up...

A close-up view...

They look really nice here and the sound is so pretty!

This also reminded us that we had wind chimes in a box that we have never hung up.  I bought these wedding bell wind chimes for our 10th wedding anniversary and we had them hung up in Ohio...

We knew that one of the vanes was missing from the box - we think it's in another box somewhere but that would be like looking for the proverbial needle.  I did an image search of the heart symbol and found the website, where I was able to order two new vanes.  They said they need replaced every 10-15 years, so I think we're due.  An updated picture to come once we get the new vanes!

We walked up to the pavilion this afternoon and it had been a bird nursery apparently.  There was a next on both the front and back sides plus this long nest hotel in the side!  

Jim did a little more grass cutting before coming in to exercise.  They're calling for rain this evening but we've been waiting and have had none, so we'll see!

High 81.9/Low 59.8

6.13.2026

Jim did some bending on the wine rack loops - so far so good!

This afternoon, he did some rearranging of storage cabinets.  He got his old one in the pole barn emptied and loaded up on the 2-wheeler.  He moved it into the auto bay temporarily.  He's going to clean it up and maybe try and sell this one.

Then he started moving the newer one into place.  After I took this picture, he got it in place and leveled.

Time to get ready for church! 

High 82.4/Low 60.7

6.12.2026

Another day where it was supposed to rain, but we're still waiting.  Jim did a little more grass cutting this afternoon, and then worked in the metal shop.

He's starting to cut the steel round bar into pieces that he's hoping to turn into our wine holder in the kitchen (cue the excitement!).  Cutting the steel bar...

He welded some old pieces together and tacked them to the solid round piece he bought to shape the steel into the right shape.  The first piece is tacked on - it was getting late in the day to actually heat it up to see if he could bend it.  Stay tuned!

High 88.1/Low 72.1

6.11.2026

We've had threats of rain for the last couple days, so Jim has continued his cleaning and organizing in the shops.  He's also been spending some time updating all his car maintenance files on the computer.  He took out my winter tires and stored them in the pole barn until they're needed...

This afternoon, he got more grass cutting done before rain is supposed to come later on.

He took this small metal plate from the Bobcat when he was trying to clear the blockage the other day.  Jim has ordered the wheels and some different sanding compounds, but decided to give the blasting cabinet a try.  Here's half and half - all the rust is gone!

Doing the rest...

Very cool!  All the rust is gone and Jim can now paint this plate and put it back in place.

6.10 - High 82.8/Low 63.5
6.11 - High 85.7/Low 66.7

6.9.2026

We started the day going back to the urologist/surgeon for Jim's 9-month checkup after his prostate cancer surgery.  The doctor was happy with his PSA results and his recovery.  He doesn't have to go back for 6 months.  We are thrilled!   

This afternoon, Jim hooked the chipper up to the Bobcat for the first time this year...

Then we headed out to clean up our piles of branches and trees that we have accumulated...

We moved on down to the end of the driveway...

It's amazing the size of branches/trunks the chipper will take without a problem...

Everything looks so clean now!

High 82.1/Low 53.3

6.8.2026

 Jim did lots of grass cutting and trimming today.  It was also time to check the septic system.  We're still evaluating exactly what's causing some of the issues we've seen in the past.  There was evidence that the levels had risen above the concrete cap...

But the filter was clean.  We're going to check it next month and then have it pumped to see if that reveals anything.

High 76.8/Low 49

6.7.2026

Yesterday passed in a blur because of church, and we had some light rain this afternoon so it was a cleaning day for me and Jim did some reorganizing.  He is going through and consolidating his paint supplies into the new cabinet in the wood shop...

Yesterday, we again got to see a big turtle in the yard.  She was looking around for the perfect spot to lay her eggs.  This isn't the spot that she ended up with - it was farther up the driveway but we could see her.

Unfortunately, when we looked today, some creature had found the eggs.  So sad.

On a happier note, Jim captured this picture of a luna moth on the house.  According to Mr AI...When a rare luna moth visits you, it is largely viewed as a spiritual symbol of transformation, new beginnings, and good luck.  Because these delicate, pale-green creatures are nocturnal and live for only about a week as adults, having one cross your path is highly meaningful.  We'll take that!

6.6 - High 80.5/Low 61.5
6.7 - High 70.9/Low 62.7