Bob is restoring an antique Luscombe aircraft. He bought the project (commonly known in the aviation world as a “basket case”) and has been working on the wings. Here are a few of the photos.

Update on the prairie restoration and our fecund birds. After months of rain (We are now declared caught up on our rainfall) the prairie is lush and there are many insects for the birds to feed to their young. This is the THIRD clutch for the bluebirds in the nest box this summer.

She didn't leave the nest so I was able to get a snapshot. Not sure how many eggs were there. They raised four the second time because I saw them learning to fly -- the last one leaving the nest, perched on top of the box.

Meanwhile, the House Wrens are incubating a huge clutch of eggs in the other box.

I count 14! Mom and Dad wren were really scolding me for looking at them.

And the prairie, after all those storms, is magnificent. This year there are many Hoary Vervain, the ones on the long stems with purple at the top, the Black-eyed Susans are still there but scattered and small, unlike the second year when they took over. This year, too, there is some butterfly weed for the first time and the prairie sage I planted two years ago is now spreading and healthy. I wanted sage because it is one of the the sacred plants for the Lakota.

prairie phlox, yarrow, hoary vervaine

bright orange butterfly weed and white yarrow

Judy and Bob at the Saint Paul Saints game. We love this little ballpark and the Saints games. Lots of silliness between innings, and lots of Minnesota junk food.

I am wearing a Tarryl Clark button. She is running against Bachman for Congress in our district. (Such and embarrassment that Bachman is our Rep. We will do our best to do something about that this year.

Guys in skirts dragging the infield. "Drag Queens" ...get it? So silly.

Baby bluebirds in the nest. My bluebird prairie is really true!!

Yup, Bob did have a little airplane crash in his J3 Piper Cub. We took a trip to the hospital (Bob in an ambulance) to make sure all was OK. After about 4 hours and a CT scan they pronounced him fine. A couple of scratches. After seeing the airplane, I was in awe of his heavenly (or something) protection. With few options he managed to land/crash in a little park area, avoiding houses and people, but there were trees that caught the wings. Here is the photo I took of the place where the plane came to an abrupt stop after spinning around.

phone photo of crash site in White Bear Lake Township

I was there right away (same time as the first emergency vehicle, the fire chief) since I had dropped him off and was going to meet him in Lake Elmo where he was intending to take the plane. He called me on my cell. So I found out about the emergency landing/crash landing at the same time I knew he was OK. Thank heavens again.

FAA investigation confirmed his suspicion that there was water in the gas line. A common problem, but one that is usually corrected by the preflight operations, but not this time for some reason.

Today, May 3, he is taking the wings apart in his shop and contemplating restoring the plane. A labor of love! I have to say I am impressed with his skill as a pilot (he got some kudos from the emergency people), and his vast knowledge of airplanes — his understanding and capability of performing the restoration.

White geraniums look at spring

Can’t wait to get out there but I need to wait…..

The deep freeze in Minnesota! How about -20 degrees real temp. (not wind chill). Looking forward to two weeks in Mexico starting the 25th.Meanwhile we feed the birds and hire someone to look after them while we are gone.

Christmas Day 2009