An Enjoyable Day

Last night we went to view the Bloomington fireworks display--it was excellent and dazzling, about 20 minutes long.

Jane had to work today so Andy and I drove 90 miles north to prepare and primer paint first floor windows at our 90 year old farm house. We got two side almost done.

I noticed than many farmers did not get their crops in due to the late, wet spring. That is too bad, for that is a loss of income to these very hardworking Americans, whether they own or rent the land that they did not put in.

Driving up I noticed vacated strip malls, empty gas stations, closed restaurants,  and abandoned hobby farms. Minnesota, being a socialist state, is suffering a recession, and it shows. That 3% decline in GDP is evident in the hinterland, here.

Next door in North Dakota, the sky is the limit. Economically, what we sow, we reap.

I walked the property after the painting duties were done for the day. The previous, Scandinavian farmer's had planted yellow primroses along the oak woods. They were in full yellow blossom, at least three high and regaling us with their beauty. We have two smaller but attractive species of yellow primroses at our yard in town, so, in a month, after these finish blooming, I will dig up a couple and put them in our yard in town. The European elderberry is bright red and prominent.

The steps up to the deck rotted out and broke off. We stopped at Fleet Farm on the way back and bought what risers, wood, fasteners, etc., that I will need to build new steps to attach as we go back up

I went to check our fuel level in the propane tank, but a swarm of wasps from under the cowl sent me out of there  in a hurry. I sprayed them, so next visit I should be able to check our fuel level for winter.

We ate at Dairy Queen in town on the way back. Traffic was light.

I feel very blessed to live in this wonderful country. So many have sacrificed, fought--some wounded and many killed--to preserve our democracy and our way of life. Enjoy your Fourth. God bless the heroes that made this republic possible, and may be have God's guidance in the months and years ahead to right the ship of state and send her once again in the right direction.