Some stuff.

Well, I got out my turtlenecks.  It's time. 

The neighbors harvested the corn field. 

Now I feel rather exposed on the south side and it sends a shiver.

But it is still warmer than usual and I am not complaining.

 Cut down some dead trees for wood for the sauna

and Landon had a big bonfire with some friends.

My favorite shrubs are the barberry bushes with their

 variegated colors and bright red berries in the fall. So cool!

But why is it that some of  the most beautiful

things in life also have the biggest thorns?

Note to self: next time do not plant barberry bushes under the windows.

Some sweet roses for no apparent reason :)

Note to self: never need a reason, just say thank you.

Probably the last bike ride to town. 

I tagged along with Brian and friend Sarah and we biked

to the Dairy Queen and back.  Or most of the way back. 

We had Brian ride ahead to get the van because

 it was getting dark on us.

Note to self: leave earlier than 5 pm when biking to town and back.

 Cheering on Leanne at her last XC meet of the season!

 It's been a long but good week. 

Except for the skunks. 

And the keys being locked in the van.  R.J. locked us out!

Note to self: next time take the keys out when you leave the dog in the van.



Happy Trails.

Can hardly believe the awesome warm weather we are experiencing!

Handsome and I went for a bike/run on the trail near us.

He runs and I bike. Works for me.

Someone got a special message on the trail!

I love the variety of landscape; open fields, woods, ponds.

Why can't it just stay like this forever?

Moving Miss Amy

Last weekend a large number of Oakeses, including in-laws and out-laws and most of the grands and greats gathered at the farm for some heavy lifting and some reminiscing. We moved Bill's Grandmother, Amy, from her farmhouse where she has lived for 69 years (!) into a cozy little apartment down the road a ways.

Above is a photo of the Oakes farm taken in 1984
when the farming was still going strong.  Percy and Amy's house
is in the middle and the house in the upper left is where Bill grew up,

just a hop, skip and a jump away from Grandma's amazing
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,

which Bill claims no one will ever be able to duplicate.

There's a dike between the two houses now,

so it's over the dike and through the woods
to Grandmother's house we go.

Here's Amy sitting in her kitchen amidst the chaos of moving stuff out.

She was a good sport and cheerful as always.

Cousins!

Some of the group taking a break for lunch.

We are standing next to the Oak Tree

planted in memory of Percy after he passed away in 1989.

Getting ready to unload at the new apartment.

The guys hauled the stuff, the ladies put it away.

Trying out the new arrangement.

Here's Amy coming to see her new place all ready for her-

she seemed very pleased! Did I mention she is 92 years old?

Even though the weekend was about Amy,

there was another someone who got lots of attention.

Meet the youngest twig of the Oakes tree, Braedon Richard.

He's only 3 1/2 weeks old. He's about the sweetest thing ever.

So there are lots of changes happening within the Oakes clan!

Sometimes those changes are hard but we adjust and grow and hopefully learn to find balance in appreciating the memories of yesterday, making the most of today, and looking forward with hope and anticipation to tomorrow. 

We were able to bring a few things home with us from the farm including a couple more pieces of furniture
to an antique bedroom set that belonged to Bill's great Aunt,
a cute hat that Amy used to wear,
two tea cups and saucers,
and we also brought home with us..........

Bill's Great Grandparents.......... 

and more Great Grandparents........

and the Great-Great Grandparents too! 

I have no idea where they will all stay!