Countdown

Over the last couple of months, our house has been rapidly filling up with stuff.  Daughter #2 moved home from college and since she will be getting married in a week, we just piled her stuff in the front room.  They didn't get possession of an apartment until today, so all of the shower gifts and direct ship wedding gifts are in our living room.  The table decorations and other reception supplies are in the dining room.  The recreation room in the basement has boxes full of reception food.
So, we are looking forward to getting our house back!

The females tell me the preparations are on schedule and they will be ready.

We enjoyed beautiful weather this past week, and we hope it sticks around through next weekend.  The crops are progressing nicely, and the light shower we had last week will help.  I hope we have a nice easy week ahead.

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
Matthew 22:4

Summer Tradition

Sunday afternoon we met Daughter #1 and Little Miss at Glen Oak Park for a picnic (Bob was sick).  It was pleasant eating in the shade, but then we spent 45 minutes chasing Little Miss around the playgrounds.  It seems she has a fetish for wearing shoes that other children took off so they could play barefooted.  We then set up our lawn chairs in the amphitheater for the Peoria Municipal Band Concert.  There were dancers in Civil War era costumes demonstrating period dancing on a few pieces.  Little Miss wanted to join them.  Good music under a clear sky on a warm summer evening.

 Americana.

Jodi S. plays sax in the band, so I got to chat with her during intermission.
We stopped for DQ on the way home.

Our early corn is tasseling.  I say early even though it was planted two weeks later than normal.  It is behind, but it is starting to look good after its wet, slow start.

The July/August issue of The Atlantic has a very interesting article on processed food and obesity.  You can find it here.  It is very long, but worth the read.

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;
2 Chronicles 5:13

Wheat Harvest

I went down to visit Phil a couple weekends ago.  Each time we visit, I learn a little more about his life and a little more about life and survival in the prison system.  The guards were pleasant and even a little accommodating to us this time.  Those who are in prison and striving to be Christian really need our prayers.

I spent a day volunteering at Oakwood Estates (group home) one day last week.  We were gutting one wing that will be totally remodeled.  We ripped out carpeting, pad, tack strips, drywall, studs, ceilings, electrical, and plumbing.  Then hauled it all out to a large dumpster.  Needless to say, I was feeling my age when I got out of bed the next morning!

We tried harvesting wheat last week, but the stems were cutting tough, and the moisture was still a little high.  A quarter inch of rain over the weekend followed by extreme humidity kept us out of the field until Wednesday afternoon. With sunshine and a breeze, it worked real well, so we were able to finish by Thursday afternoon.  Cousin Lee came Thursday afternoon also, and round baled the straw for us.  This afternoon, cousin Dale brought his baler up and baled small square bales for us.  We didn't need as many small bales this year, so it was a quick job on a pleasant day.

I drove to Fairbury this week and bought a used John Deere 7000 six row corn planter from a retiring farmer.  We used to have one just like it 30 years ago and now we own one again.  We want to use it for replanting small patches, when needed, and to plant sweet corn and green beans.

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
1 Kings 22:27