flood

We are in flood! Nothing to be alarmed about, it happens every year, at least once. Our property has a creek that flows through it which joins the river at the east boundary of our land. In the spring, or after a really heavy few days of rain (it has to be a lot of rain!), the lowlands flood as the watershed empties into the river. In the spring it's quite dramatic and more than a bit scary as the water rushes down like a rushing river. We are sure to keep the dogs far away as it would be instant death if they slipped in… or us for that matter!

In 1992 when we were looking for land to build on, I saw the advertisement for this land, but the ad mentioned that it floods in the spring. I had to put a lot of pressure on Carm to come and see it… the second we pulled into the field we knew it had to be ours, even though the lower part was fully flooded. It was clear that the hayfield and upper areas where we'd build the house  would be safe from flooding, and also that the land drained well with its dips and slopes down to the creek. We'd driven past it a few years earlier before it was for sale and had even pulled off the road to look at it - it was beautiful in the summer! 

We made a full price offer that day! And here we are 34 later!

The clouds came and went all day but we were blessed with sunshine for the visit with Jo Ellen and Don. It's been absolutely ages since they'd been here so it was great to catch up. I got a few things out of the freezer - leftover beef stew, green bean casserole, and even yorkshire puddings were heated up for an easy Sunday lunch  😀 

I wondered how the yorkshire puddings would be after being in the freezer for a few months, but they were great! Maybe not as awesome as fresh from the oven, but certainly acceptable, even for company. I think I'll make them ahead of time going forward as they are a bit fussy right at the end of meal prep and having them already cooked will take some of the pressure off.

After months of barely seeing anyone it's been a busy few days!

OH OH OH! I forgot to mention yesterday that we heard the first red-wing blackbird of the season!

Chapter 39 Cato and Bailey Meet Jo Ellen and Don

Cato and Bailey knew from experience that company was coming and wondered who it would be today. Pat the pet sitter had been here the night before, which they enjoyed as Pat talks very nicely to them and even sings a bit, so they knew it wasn't her. 

They were surprised and pleased that they got to meet new people. Laura told them that she used to work for Jo Ellen many many years ago, in fact, they were amazed to learn that Cato had known Jo Ellen since she was a tiny chick going to work with Laura. Cato could vaguely remember being in a little carrier with her siblings in a cubby under Laura's desk. Laura would take them to a room a few times a day to feed them and clean them up. Laura and Jo Ellen laughed about how many people, even men, would come into the Ladies bathroom to see Cato. Cato thought she must be very important to get so much attention. Bailey wondered why he never got to go to work with Laura but Cato reminded him that he was hatched at Ruth's house so she took care of him when he was a chick.

Laura and Jo Ellen also talked about the times Spike would go to work with Laura and sometimes get to have a nap in the sun spot in Jo Ellen's office. Cato and Bailey remembered Spike from a long time ago when they'd go camping with Laura. Grace told them that Spike had loved Jo Ellen as much as he loved anybody and would get very excited when she'd come to visit him here. 

https://youtu.be/-sVB91NTa4A?si=5UTToAeIaVaGAIcy (Dancing Queen Abba)

The parrots were happy to have visitors as the conversations were interesting and different from when it was just Laura and Carm. Plus the music was playing which they both enjoyed. Bailey thought he might like to sit on Don's lap - Don is Jo Ellen's husband - but Laura wouldn't let him out of his cage because they had their dog Romy with them and she didn't think that it would be safe. 

Awesome!

"visitors for lunch"

"leftovers from the freezer!"

"yorkshire pudding - even heated up from frozen!"