Early harvest at the Old School Garden patch

Starting to harvest some vegies from our garden patch at the Old School Garden in Clayton.

Cucumber, zuchinni, yellow squash and basil

Made me think of this dialog from one of my favorite movies, Animal House:

[Otter and Mrs. Wormer are in the supermarket vegetable section] 
Eric 'Otter' Stratton: Mine's bigger. 
[Marion looks questioningly at him] 
Eric 'Otter' Stratton: My cucumber. It's bigger. I think vegetables can be very sensuous, don't you? 
Marion Wormer: No, vegetables are sensual. People are sensuous. 
Eric 'Otter' Stratton: Right. Sensual. That's what I meant. My name's Eric Stratton. People call me Otter. 
Marion Wormer: My name's Marion. People call me Mrs. Wormer. 
Eric 'Otter' Stratton: Oh, we have a Dean Wormer at Faber.
Marion Wormer: How interesting. I have a husband named Dean Wormer at Faber. Still want to show me your cucumber? 

Well, yes. Yes we do.

New garden bed

This new bed is west of our first garden bed and the old maple stump (from the tree blown down by the tornado). It started out as a pile of dirt excavated from the dry-well hole we dug in the side yard. Then, we built a stone wall around it, and added a truckload of top-soil and mixed that in. After planting it, we mulched it with shredded cypress mulch.

Kilby Mill Creek Falls

This waterfall on Kilby Mill Creek is a short drive from the Blue Fish Lodge.

Late-season white rhododendron.

To get there, go west on US 76 to Persimmon Road. Go north on Persimmon for about 7 miles; it becomes Patterson Gap Road, and passes (on the left) Camp Darom (lake, climbing walls, camp buildings, pool, basketball courts, etc.). After passing the camp, you'll come to a one-lane bridge. Stop on the right before the bridge, and follow the trail upstream, to the falls. You will cross the first creek, hopping from stone to stone, then go a short way before you get to Kilby Mill Creek, and then the falls. The trail is steep, between the lower and upper falls, but worth it. Caution: lots of poison ivy! Wear long pants.

Getting in and out of the kayaks

Once you're all the way down into a kayak, your center of gravity (meaning, your butt) should be low enough to make the kayak stable. The trick is, getting there!

We use the steps next to the hot tub, for launching kayaks. Put the kayak in the water, front pointing away from the shore, parallel to the front edge of the steps, and floating in the water (not ON a step). Make sure the paddle is within your reach. Carefully put one foot into the kayak, and lower yourself onto the seat, while holding on to the step for stability. Then put your other leg in the kayak, grab the paddle, and paddle away.

If you swamp (and you won't be the first to do so), use the steps to turn the kayak upside down, to get most of the water out. Then pull it back onto the deck, and use the plug at the stern of the boat to drain the remaining water out.

Father's Day weekend

Cap'n Robert, Angie, Michael, George . . . cruising

Camouflage rabbit

Angie and Michael

Peach-blueberry crisp

Bear on a motorcycle

I never text while driving, and I don't take pictures from behind the wheel, either. Except when circumstances require it. And I think this meets that test.

Driving through Tallulah Falls, on the way to the lake.

Note the passenger bear, too, on the luggage rack.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . .

We are remodeling our master bath back in Atlanta. We will update this post from time to time, as we complete the work.

Shower area is down to the studs.

Cabinets and wall mirror are gone.

Update, Tuesday, June 12:

Shower is finished, except for the valve plate and
handle, pipe and shower head, and glass enclosure.

Tub is finished except for the valve plate and handle, and tub spout.