Our Home Away from Home!

Our Home Away from Home!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Spring has Sprung at Hardin Ridge....Take a Look!

The weather has warmed up and the storms, bugs, mud, and 'wet sticky little buds' from the trees that fall and stick on the bottom of your shoes and you track them in every where is here. Phew that was a mouthful!!!  My Mini Cooper looks like someone went muddin' on the outside and then didn't remove their shoes when they got in the inside.  And....there is more rain and storms coming. It just got too hot too fast. But then the 30's are coming to rescue us again this weekend. That creates a very unstable atmosphere too.  Gee, I am sounding like a meteorologist :)  The ticks are horrible. Every night this week Art has found one crawling on him and Effie had one in her bed the other night. YUK! Hate those little blood sucking creatures, give me the willies.

Ok now on to happier, prettier thoughts. The trees are greening up in here everyday. The leaves are being born into little toddler leaves.  See took a picture today.

Just beginning to see the green shades returning in the forest.

                                Then you take a picture up close and you see this....

Little babies in the center then they just unfold and begin their new life.

        Now here are the pretty ones and my favorites only they don't last too long.....

The Redbud

The Dogwood
I wanted to say I'm sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. We have still been working outside on the campground trying to get it all prettied up for the campers.  Some of you know I have a bad back. I don't have a disc between 2 vertebra and then I have several degenerative disc.  I have a lot of pain and have had epidural injections which help alot but they don't last long. About 2 months and you can only have 4 in a years time. Well yesterday I over did it. Dumb me I know better, but I raked way too much and then I stepped in a hole which just kills me. The uneven ground makes those bones grate together, causing pain and then the muscles tighten and become like rocks.  I sat on the heating pad last night and then today did laundry and took it easier.  I did want to blog today to show you something I did. I made my own picture frame out of sticks....

These are our daughters Hannah and Lindsay. I wanted to hang up the photo but didn't want to put any nails in the wall or use a traditional frame. One day I thought hmmmm,  I have all the wood I need at my finger tips how about a rustic looking one.  So this is what I came up with.  I attached them to the wall with the tacky puddy.  Worked great!
Then we didn't have any kind of end table by the side of the bed. Now that wasn't going to work as I need my "nightime" stuff.  So since there are only hundreds of logs laying around that have been freshly cut I had my pick.  Art removed all the bark and we let it dry out in the sunshine and put plastic on the bottom.  Good idea, don't you think??

I was going to make a little round brown covering for it and then I looked at  it and thought nope I like the rustic look to go with my rustic picture frame :)

Remember my little Chipping Sparrow?  Well I put some seed out on a (guess).....
Now how did you guess, a log?  Only I think this one is a little precarious for the little fellow.  Hope the ax doesn't slip!!

I don't want this to be his "last supper" so I may have to tell Art to put his ax in another log :)

Now for those of you concerned that we are still working Effie and Cooper too hard :)  no worries we are not wearing them out now the storms are. They in one word (HATE) thunder, lightening, and rain. In the camper the rain is magnified a lot so they freak out even more. Poor babies.....


Look at him give me that evil eye.  "Don't you dare take my picture."  Snap too late!!!
And Effie is taking up the other recliner in her bed.  She feels safer in there so we let her sit in it "in" the chair. Are we good doggie parents or what???

She is thinking I am taking Cooper's picture.  So she didn't shut her eyes.
Anybody getting cabin fever and ready to get outside? The Forest Service has a great trail here to walk.  And the weather has been great to do so. Have had a few people in here hunting for morel mushrooms but I don't think they are finding too many yet.  Still it is fun to walk.



The squirrels are still at it.  Guess they are still hungry after such a long winter. And there are little tiny grey ones all over the place, running and playing. They keep a person entertained for sure.

"Boy I sure don't remember burying those nuts this deep last fall."
I also took pictures of Easter Lillies...ok I thought Easter was over with but no problem they are still pretty.  So I will just share photos with you to enjoy....





More Dogwood Blossoms

As I was taking pictures of the Easter Lillies at the office I look over and see this. They were both looking at me until I point the camera their way.  Just so funny, I guess they have heard the expression "point and shoot" too often.  :))



We just came back from a walk (between rain showers) and saw a hen turkey, too dark for the camera. Then Art saw a deer going up to the office to get our laundry but he doesn't take the camera, and I saw a coyote run across the road yesterday while racking sticks, and I didn't have the camera, and some other hosts saw 2 turtles yesterday but I wasn't with them, hence no camera.  Are you tired of the excuses and no wildlife pictures?....me too! I am going to have to get out more and just look for opportunities.  But this weekend our daughters and their families are coming for a visit so I won't be doing it then. You can expect granddaughter pictures first :))  Won't be long the deer should be out with their fawns, now you had better believe I will have my camera then.

  So from Hardin Ridge in Hoosier National Forest best wishes and take care everyone.


31 comments:

  1. aw, good stuff, Tammy ... that butterfly picture on your header! jeeeez that's gorgeous... all the flowers ...

    Your daughters are lovely and your frame! well, praise and praise... love it... I used to make candle holders out of found wood... potpourri holders and so forth. what fun

    yer dogs really need to chill. hahaaa

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    1. Thanks Carolyn, I was so happy that butterfly landed so I could get its picture. How nice of it!
      Thank you I appreciate that. Hmmm making candle holders and such, maybe there is a career here.
      Yes, the dogs are chillin tonight. They are worn out, all this full timing life sheesh!

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  2. Wow, I have never seen a deer going to an office to get it's laundry! lol....I looove the dogwood. Missing it and the redbud this ear. California palms just do not make up for the colors of indiana in the spring.

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    1. Well here at Hardin Ridge they do...they are so trained. ha ha That was a funny catch. Redbuds are so colorful and then I love their heart shaped leaves.

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  3. The dogwood and redbud trees are so pretty! Haven't seen them since we left GA. Thanks for sharing! Spring colors are so pretty...clean and fresh!

    Your canine dependents...like ours...are just a wee bit spoiled? Don't you just love it? And I know you are so proud of Hannah and Lindsey...cute frame!

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    1. You are welcome, love to share! Especially all this beauty. Yes, they are a wee bit spoiled but if I couldn't spoil them I wouldn't want them. Yes, we are very proud of our daughters they are both RN's.

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  4. I just love watching everything bloom. They are still having snow here in Colorado but we love it! It's all new to us. We've seen lots of deer since we arrived. Can't wait till we can get out on the trails to see more wildlife!

    The frame is really cute!

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    1. Oh I can only imagine the wildlife you will see in CO. I saw on your blog where you arrived in snow. It is cold enough here to snow today. brr..

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  5. Great post - thanks for the catch-up! I really like your picture frame and night stand. Good ideas.

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    1. Thank you Donna, didn't want anyone to think we skipped town. Just been too tired to post. Thank you I love to come up with ideas like that so much fun.

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  6. Hi Tammy, I'm finally catching up with you. I'm not in the woods but I've been so busy just the same, lol...
    Oh, the word ticks gives me shivers. Of course you know that if you get bitten by an infected tick that you can catch Limes disease and you'd need antibiotic. I'm glad that you are on the lookout for them. They are harder to find on a long hair dog.

    I just love the dogwood and redbuds photos and the greening up of the trees. Yeh!!

    How cleaver of you to make a twig frame for your beautiful daughters picture and I noticed that there are trees with beautiful foliage in the background, Perfect... and the tree stump is fitting in that spot and serves a good purpose.

    I couldn't help but notice that you give your dogs a bit of time to rest, very decent of you, ha,ha,ha.

    I think that what you called an Easter Lilly is actually a white daffodil. There are so many different cultivar that it get hard to recognize them after a while.

    Your back sound like it needs tender loving care, now behave yourself and don't do too much. Let the deers get the laundry for you, that will be one less thing for you to do.
    Have a super weekend with your two gorgeous daughters and grandkids.
    HUgs,
    JB

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    1. Now Julia, you know the deer here at Hardin Ridge are exceptional. They will even wax the camper too. :)
      This is going to give my back the needed TLC for sure.
      I have always heard Daffodils being called Easter Lillies and vice versa, I don't know they are just cute!
      I am not up to date on my flowers so I shouldn't name them I guess. Saw you are having baby calves oh how fun. Thank you we plan on it and no rain....YA!
      Yes, I know about Lyme disease all too well. Will be very careful for sure.
      Thanks for the heads up.

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  7. Gotta love living in the RV away from the house etc. is just wonderful great new sights and sounds.
    Great pictures today too!

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    1. Thank you so much. It is not hard to find beautiful pictures now, with all the blooms. Then it will just be all green and lush. I need to get some more wildlife though, my next challenge.

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  8. What beautiful girls! Loving your recycle...so glad you found a place for those logs.... And then your back. Racking is not a too friendly movement and as much as we love doing it...it can catch up fast especially for someone with back problems...ecks. Glad you got the heat on it. Spring blooms have to help ease the pain eh :) Flurries here today...looking like Sunday we might have some nice WARM SUN!

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    1. Thank you...they look like their Dad :))
      Racking causes you to twist and turn and that is not good when you don't have a disc. Yes, seeing all this beauty does help and keeping it pretty helps with the pain too, I really don't mind at all. We have warm beautiful sun here today. Ya!

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  9. Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons, leaning toward Fall.Something about those leaves changing colors and that crisp full moon..Plus, I love Halloween, and use to dress up and answer the door...

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    1. I love fall too. I will really love it this year because we don't have to spend the winter here after Fall is over. That was the only part I didn't like.
      Halloween yes, all those cute costumes.

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  10. Hi Tammy - The picture frame & nightstand look great! I do however caution you that whenever you bring wood like that indoors (into a home or rv) you run the risk of bringing in wood boaring insects, molds, or fungi that can become serious problems. I wouldn't remove them myself but I would inspect them frequently for the next few months to be sure they are 'clean'.

    Further to my comment is the tip that all of us rv folks should not be transporting left-over firewood from place-to-place in our travels. I know it's hard not to when we've paid for a bundle but it really can spread pests and diseases from place-to-place. In some places it is illegal.

    I'm enjoying your blog and thank you for sharing your adventure.
    Regards, Ross

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    1. Hi Ross, thank you for your comment. And I appreciate the advice. Will keep an eye on the wood. Working in State parks and the National Forest we know all about the do not bring it wood. We have made many people mad that they have to dump their wood at the gate and not bring it in. The Ash trees are dying at a rapid rate, so sad. I appreciate that, and you are truly welcome.
      Take care.

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  11. Have you tried acupuncture for your back pain? My spine is broken in 6 places and can never heal and I am allergic to almost all pain medicine. I see Dr. Young Ki Park at Westview Hospital at 38th and Guion Rd in Indianapolis. His number is 317-613-3064. I live in St. Charles, MO but I am from Lebanon, IN. I still travel to Indy to see Dr. Park.

    Please be careful on the road.
    Rex

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    1. Hi Rex, thank you for your comment. I have been sick with the flu, if you read the blog so I am behind on everything. No I have not tried acupuncture on my spine but have for my headaches. A gentleman I was talking to at my SIL's birthday party said he does acupuncture on his back and it really helps. I will keep this in mind and thank you for sending the information to the doctor. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

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  13. (Sorry about removing my first comment - I didn't proof it, and saw errors after I hit Publish.)

    You poor thing, stop working so hard! You need to take care of yourself, your back issues don't sound like fun. :(

    Great photos! That is such a beautiful park, and things are just starting to bloom and green up.

    The dogs are so funny! Katie is pretty good at letting me take her photo, but your dogs are just precious. Camera shy. That's funny. :)

    I like your ideas with the wood, but didn't think of the "bug" thing. I think I'd keep the frame and toss the log table. Just in case.

    Take care and get a lot of rest.

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    1. Thanks Barbara, I guess the flu made me rest. My back feels better, from all the resting. I always love Katie's pictures, I'm glad she is not camera shy. Art dried out the wood really well and there is no bark and we are being very careful with it, thanks for the concern.

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  14. Class A Greyhounds... RVing with the Big Dogs!April 22, 2013 at 5:23 PM

    You are a good writer and a good photographer. Take care of your back, so you can enjoy your life. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you Hazel, I appreciate your compliment. I am trying. The work has really let up so that is helping my back and being sick did too. I had to rest. You're welcome!

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  15. Glad you are enjoying your new life in the woods. Hate the thought of those woodticks though. You might need to try thundershirts for your furkids if they are really upset with rain and storms. RVs definitely magnify the sound. My redbud bloomed about 6 weeks ago. lol. Just beginning to catch up with others blog posts after my trip to the Rio Grande Valley.

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    1. Hi Colleen, me too. They give me the willies. The dogs are not treated so that helps. Our boss here at the park has a thunder shirt for their dog and they said it helps sometimes. They are expensive she told us? You are like me behind on blog reading.

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  16. Hi Tammy Great pictures, looks like a beautiful area, definitely not the corn and soybean part of the state.

    Drjim

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    1. Thank you. Glad to see you made it on the blog. You are right it is not corn and soybean Indiana. :)
      Hope you get to see it soon. Take care.

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