Where's Brownie?

So maybe the first picture isn't so much a where's brownie, but she is in a field of flowers. I didn't know where else to put that picture and did want to share it, too. This second picture is definitely a where's brownie! She sometimes goes into places I definitely wouldn't and I have to keep my eyes peeled for movement (other than hers) to make sure it is a safe place to go poking your head into!

More flowers on the farm

I keep showing you the beautiful wildflowers from the farm because I ended up going home three times last month (Memorial Day weekend, middle of June, and this past week for my great uncle's funeral). These are the last of the pictures from my trip home in the middle of June. I've been trying to get all my pictures posted (and I like to do it somewhat chronologically). That's why you keep getting treated to some of the same flowers in different poses!

Someone ate the middle out of the cinammon roll

I know the middle is the best part, but to nibble the inside and leave the outside for someone else..... This is the pan of cinnamon rolls when I came into the kitchen to get one. I thought it was kind of funny. Of course, I found out later who did it, but anyone of 'em could have been the one to do that. When you are at home with family and it concerns food, it is kind of every man for himself.

Brownie loves rock hunting, too! 6-10-10

This little girl is all in for rock hunting. She loves going where we go and if someone will throw a rock for her, she'll fetch it and play with it. I liked the first picture because to me it looked like "little dog, big world" and the second picture with her tongue hanging clear out of her mouth is like "rock hunting is hard work"! Just a disclaimer that no dogs were harmed in rock hunting: I carry a bucket of water for her (and sometimes my sister or my nephew carried the bucket for me for her) and she was able to drink plenty to help her stay as cool as we could be during the hot summer late afternoon rock hunt.

Family Rock Hunt 6-10-10

My family enjoys a good rock hunt. Grandma would take Dad out rock hunting when he was little and he loved it and now he takes us out rock hunting. We'll all load up and Dad will drive us to different places and we will get out and hunt rocks. We are near several creeks and we know the Native Americans once lived on our land. Dad has found several intact arrowheads, but so far I've mainly found flint and some rocks that were in the process of being made into arrowheads. To find an actual arrowhead is my Holy Grail. Of course, those aren't the only rocks we are looking for. Dad likes interesting and unusual rocks as well. So does Mom. I don't know what kind of rocks the kids are looking for, but we all end up with rocks in our bags that mean something to each of us. We don't get to go rock hunting together very often, but when we do, I add it to the list of memories that I treasure.

The fort at Nana and Papa's

Brownie and I went home (to my parent's) again in the middle of June and my sister and her two kids were there as well (you can see all three of them sitting up in the fort). This is the fort that is in the process of being finished. It will have a big green slide coming off the one side (the other side has three swings) and rails for the stairs. All the kids are really looking forward to getting the slide in place! The kids (and Brownie) really love coming to Nana and Papa's as it is just a fun place to be.

My Grandad's Boots

Grandma has been slowly cleaning out Grandad's clothes and giving them to whoever can fit them and the things that were left came to me for my garage sale. These were Grandad's work boots and when I saw them, it made me a little sad because I won't be seeing him in his boots anymore. I don't mind selling the clothes and other knick knacks because I love seeing an actual person buying something that was my Grandad's and it going on to have a second life. What I can't stand is the thought of it going to goodwill and having whoever gets it be nameless and faceless (or even worse, having it just be thrown away).

At my great-uncle's funeral, I got through it all okay (mainly because I couldn't see my relatives faces and didn't see them crying), but what made me want to lose it was seeing Calvin's empty dress boots sitting there on a stand on the tier above his casket right beside this wonderful picture of him with a twinkle in his eye. I wanted to cry because both sets of boots are empty now. His departure all happened so fast, almost too fast for me to process that he was here and now he is not, so I'm sure over the next weeks and months I may find myself leaking tears.

I'm also kind of wondering where those empty boots will end up. Even though these are a little too big for him, Pooker took them in so he can have a pair of work boots. I don't think Pooker knows I also have one of Grandad's old cowboy hats, so maybe I'll see if Pooker could use that, too.

And still more beautiful flowers

Yes, still more flower pictures! I can't help but keep taking pictures of the beautiful flowers we see on our walks by the river.

My little riding companion

No one loves car rides more than this little girl! When she hears "Let's go", she runs to the door. She knows we are going somewhere and she is always up for it. Sometimes we say "Let's go" and don't mean that she gets to go and that leaves a very disappointed looking doggie sitting at the door with a tilt to her head and an expression as if to say "Why don't I get to go, too?".

Brownie admiring the view

You can see why Brownie and I love to walk (as opposed to jog, bike, etc.). We like to stop and admire the view (as well as look at various other things of interest).