Less Than 24 Hours Later

This is where we cleared the dam yesterday. Overnight they tried to rebuild but we destroyed their measly effort this morning. You can see how the beavers completely removed the bark from the small tree on the right.

After hearing rushing water downstream we went to investigate. Lo and behold, 3 more dams.
Then there are the trees that they don't actually take down but rather gnaw at just enough to kill the tree.
This puts a whole new twist to the phrase "busy beavers." We welcome any legal suggestions.

Rick v. Beavers, Part II

The beavers are still at it and so is Rick. This is becoming a never ending task. He tears down the dam and within a day or two another is erected. Damn dams!

This time I even got in on the action. They say when you're with someone for a long time you become like them. I suppose that is true in our case. I thought I would never be standing in the freezing cold creek busting up a beaver dam, but here I am. Helluda woodswoman!

Unfortunately, we did not get a shot of the demolished dam. We were just too cold. Rest assured that the job is once again complete. Within an hour the water receded by almost a foot. Tomorrow is another day.

The Party's Over

I learned a few things during the party planning process:

• I am pretty good liar after all
• I am an even better embezzler
• I really should eat more than just an omelet when I'm drinking champagne and tequila all day

All in all I think the party was a huge success. At least Rick was surprised.

And he hasn't changed much in 60 years.

Rick got lots of great gifts. Perhaps he will share some of them with his lovely wife. Like this one:

Lauren was the big winner of the day. NOT!

Between the tequila and the tow truck, I think I was the big loser of the day.

That's right. On the way home from the racetrack, the "Esplanade" (that's what my mom calls it) took a dump on the highway. After the tow truck, our good friends Mike and Sue, who were already back in the HG, turned around to pick us up. We made it home just in time for kick off and more champagne.

A very special thanks to my good friends and neighbors Karla and Sue. Karla was my assistant party planner and I could not have done it without her. Sue was my unofficial photographer taking almost all of the pictures. I am truly blessed to have them in my life. They will do anything for me and I for them. Sometimes I have to bribe Karla with wine but, hey, it works for us!

Rick v. Beavers

Anyone who has ever been to one of our bonfires knows that the best part of our house is our land. Rick has worked many hours, and I not so many, to clear the woods of brush, dead trees (only dead trees), debris, etc. We have abundant wildlife including deer, fox, rabbits, hawks, owls (though we have never actually seen the owls), snakes, frogs, ducks, geese and turtles. On occasion when we get heavy rain the woods will flood. With an exception here and there, the flood is usually gone in about 3 days. The current flood has been around since October 15th. With a bit of investigating we have found the culprit. Beavers. Lots of beavers. Or maybe just one beaver on crack. On Wednesday, Rick spent 3 hours "in" the creek destroying a massive dam. The water receded almost completely overnight. We thought we were kicking ass yesterday. NOT. This morning more water. Sure enough another tree down across the creek.It is out of control. They are moving closer and closer to the backyard. I'm certain my oak trees are next. Standing in one spot I can count 20 downed trees. Some big, some small. The greatest loss would have to be this old willow tree that had a trunk diameter of about 18". Maybe Timmy should load up the shotgun and perch in a tree one night. Or maybe he should just wander the woods in his bear costume. I'll supply the beer.

To Plano

Fuck off. Nuff said.

This Is My Life

So we're going to Vegas for Rick's bday and I've been online searching for shows and what not while we're there. I thought the Price Is Right might be fun since old Bob is retiring next June. Rick nixed that in a hurry. "If I can't stand to watch the bastard on TV why would I pay a hundred bucks to see him live?" End of story.

You Tell Me

Is this the coolest Buzz Lightyear and...

...cutest Tinkerbell ever or what?

Ozzy on the other hand was not too thrilled with the festive bandanna his Aunt Denise made especially for him. He pretty much just wrenched his neck trying to get it off the entire 5 minutes it was on. Those pound dogs are so ungrateful.

It was an eventful Halloween in HG. We had a total of two doorbell rings and three trick-or-treaters. The second two came after they heard me get so excited over the first one. We never get trick-or-treaters and these were the first in at least three years. The houses are too far apart here which makes it impossible for a good "haul." So we turned off the porch lights at 7:30 and headed over to our niece's house for chili on the driveway. Then of course to the riverboat. And, no we didn't win.