Heat Wave

Heat wave... Burning outside... yeah, yeah... yeah, yeah... Heat wave!

     Missy was missing during morning chores Thursday before our vacation week.  She always comes out to greet me, so I went looking for her, everywhere possible.  I finally found her in a grain bin where she must have gotten locked in Wednesday evening.  Good thing she wasn't out there at high noon, during the 105 degree heat index.  I found a nest of hidden
                                                      chicken eggs while watering flowers.

There were almost a dozen of them.  I think the chickens didn't like all the noise we were making in the barn with all the work we have been doing. 
     I had a lesson on Roni early before it got too hot.   The lesson was kind of tough for Roni and I.  I still have so much to learn and improve on and I know Roni is somewhat confused.  I left him at Marj's since we would be gone for a week.

     Thursday afternoon and Friday morning I prepared to leave for vacation...laundry, pack, animal care stuff, watering, etc.  I went to the clinic at Wellgreen Farm and was amazed at how many horse trailers and
people were there.  Courtney and I picked up

some good ideas on things we can do with Amiga and Zorro on the ground for strengthening, suppleing and educating our horses.  Courtney stayed the night Friday at the farm and was off to the clinic Sat. morning

 







while Joe and I prepared for and left for Michigan.  The drive was long, with slow construction traffic and our car air conditioner fan only working half the time. Our side trip to Michigan City to look for a new summer rental was also more adventure than we cared for.

     We had a fun week in Michigan, although I really missed having our three children, as well as Mike, Jean and Brianna with us.

     We were a much smaller group and initially noticed the difference with all the leftover food we had the first night and each subsequent dinner.

     Our walking group was much smaller,  the poker tournament was not as prestigious, and our internet cafe was uncrowded.

     The week was also the hottest we had experienced in our 7 years of vacationing in Holland.  So, we tended to spend more time in the house than out by the lake.   There were some evenings when it cooled off and we
                                                     went out.  But we needed someone to
lead the swimming sessions, boating expeditions, sun bathing, sand castle building and evening games like Ghost In The Grave Yard.  Uncle Dave did get badminton going and made s'mores over a camp fire two different nights.



















     Maybe it was just too hot for our normal outside play to happen.  Scrap booking, board games, card games, jig saw and number puzzles, movies, and
                                                     Wii games kept us entertained.

       We got a thunder storm mid morning Friday that cooled things off.  Here is the sky over the dock as it rolls in.

      The rain kept us indoors most of Friday, even though the temperature had dropped.  We put together a package for Daniel.  Everyone had fun contributing something.

     Joe and I decided to head home early Friday night instead of Saturday morning, to avoid heat and traffic.  It was 80 degrees in Holland at 7pm when we left, and it got up to 94 on the way south before the sun set.

     Courtney had her college room mate Corrie for the weekend, and the girls were watching a movie when we got home.  After doing chores Saturday morning I was drenched in sweat and it was only 7am.  I watered all my flower beds which were thirsty.
Also cleaned and filled the duck pool.
They were thrilled.  Later in the morning, I noticed two of them sleeping in the pool.  Silly ducks. 
     Through out the day I was in and out of the house, working as long as I could stand it and then coming in to cool off and work on this Blog.  Even the dog preferred to be inside.  She loves the cool kitchen floor near the air conditioning vent. 

     We three girls ran over to Marj's to help hold horses for the chiropractor because Marj was at a wedding.  Courtney held Rainbow and then I held Roni while Corrie looked on.  It appears that Roni is much better than a month ago, but he still needed some adjustments to neck, back and hip. 
     We hurried home, had quick showers and then were off to dinner with Joe and Mike.

     I could tell during chores this morning that it was going to be another scorcher.   The heat advisory was in affect until 7pm.  I was hoping we could accomplish more work out in the barn.  At least mowing wasn't necessary because the grass has stopped growing.  Too dry and hot. 
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