Here's looking at you, Kid..

[lydamorehouse]

A bee looking directly at the camera

I like this shot a lot, but it's unfortunately a little too blurry for the New York Times. So, here it is for you, my bee loving friends.

Yesterday was our first full day up at our friends' cabin in Siren, Wisconsin. Mason and I went driving on the highway up here. Not 35 E -- no offense to Mason, but that highway is scary even to me, a seasoned driver. Instead, we went on these littler one and two lane highways. He did really well, all things considered. He's still a very timid driver, but obviously practice is the key to gaining confidence.

Ger and Barb took me to Siren's Farmer's market which reminded me very much of the one naomikritzer  and I used to go to regularly, right down to the random musician in the middle of it all. I ended up picking up a couple of fun jams--an onion and garlic jam, which I tried out on sandwiches and really enjoyed. The other one was a mango, peach, and jalapeno one that I THOUGHT Shawn might try, but she won't even taste it. Ah well. Mason and I will use up that one.

I also bought some fun scented soaps. This is one thing that I'm a sucker for--I ADORE handmade soaps of almost any variety, but especially if they have fun essential oils in them.

From there we checked out the Trunk and Trash, which was basically an old-fashioned flea market. I'd been hoping for a swap meet, but those usually require a corresponding car show, since a lot of what is "swapped" are various car components. The flea market was largely as advertised--trash, but it was still fun to see what people had out, sort of like just getting to go to a bunch of rummage sales all at once. I did actually pick something up. One person had a bunch of beading related things for sale, including a watch kit. I have no intention of making the watch they have beads for, but Shawn and I briefly got into beading and so have a bunch of fun (and goddess themed) beads around. I thought I might try using the kit to design my own beaded watch. Even if I don't, the whole thing cost me a dollar. So, it's not a huge waste.

The exciting nature thing that happened was that yesterday morning we saw a FOX. It just came dashing through Gerriann's natural shoreline. We were sitting outside and, ONCE AGAIN, my brain said, "Cat!" No, dog, then finally, "OMG, the fox!" We knew one was around because one of the angler who came by in a boat on Friday night said that he'd seen one along the shoreline. Sure enough! This was by FAR the closest I've been to a fox. I've seen them now and again, but usually from a car and at some distance.

Shawn, who has never seen a fox in her life, missed seeing this one by about five seconds. She'd just gone to the garbage (which Ger and Barb have to keep locked up in the garage because there have also been bears--a mama and three cubs!--sighted recently, and they've had their garbage cans mauled). We have, thankfully, not seen the bears while we were outside.

Otherwise, I've been taking a LOT of bee pictures for the New York Times (which they will never use, but I don't care.) And, for Gerriann, who is always interested to see what her naturalized shoreline attracts, pictures of butterflies. It's been SO LOVELY.

Comments

[pameladean]

I'm sure the NYT would disdain this rationale, but I always see bees as fuzzy; this is no doubt a combination of bad vision and the fact that they are almost constantly in motion. In any case, I really like the photo.

I never make it to farmer's markets because they end before I get up, but I've just found out there's a new one in Uptown that STARTS at four p.m.

P.

[lydamorehouse]

Ooo, a new farmer's market in Uptown! That might be fun.

And, yeah, bees are fuzzy! But thanks, I really liked that shot too!

[kore]

FOX!!

I love your bee pix.

[lydamorehouse]

Thanks!

And yes, FOX!! I was so excited!