today we mowed at farm. Kevin broke a belt so took my mower and I did extra weed eating, when my battery died, I played with the girls.

did some prep for tomorrows BBQ. boiled eggs, made HB patties and Rice Krispie Treats. Nicole brought her boyfriend over to meet us.

Friday:

Kevin took an early out. I mowed and weed-eated yard. we picked up dump trailer, said hi to mom, went to Hy-Vee for BBQ supplies. Kevin cut down dead apple tree, loaded up old lawnmower and that red tub of metal from our yard and took to farm. Katie & Brayden here for weekend.

there were complaints of a bad smell in kitchen. I couldn't smell it? but took out trash, Febreezed, ran dishwasher AND garbage disposal cleaners.

last night I rented a movie with amazon prime credits. weird dreams.

slept in. did the days housekeeping. found another small rip in Z's snake, so made a fabric bandaid that I sewed onto snake, and another fabric bandage that she could apply where she wanted. also Doctors Orders that we read together when I took the snake home. played with girls. Z read a book with me and sounded out the word PROBLEM. I was very proud. Kevin had a supper suggestion. I never know what to make. ending my evening with The Tylenol Murders. I remember that.

today dusted LR, vacuumed, cleaned LR windows.

the girls came over today while mom and dad went grocery shopping. they had their little backpacks on. and Zerelda brought her Christmas snake back for more surgery. he'll be released tomorrow. complete with band aids. Izzy used her potty 4 times while she was here. picked up cemetery flowers and transplanted. Kevin hung one basket by front porch. we'll see how it does.

hooped AND walked 2.5 laps with Kevin.

cleaned garage door windows and downstairs bathroom. cut down the tiny trees by mailbox, under propane tank, and in front of back gate. filled out online stuff for new Dr. kinda. I grow so frustrated with these fill in forms....(correctly fill in incorrect areas....wtf.)

seasoned the grill, cleaned kitchen countertops and did the Hy-Vee run.

I forgot my pepsi till after Kevin went to bed. bought veggies and cut them up to snack on. Kevin took off the holiday. there was a time he worked every holiday for the bonus. and I just worked every holiday because that's the way it was. kinda nice spending a holiday together.

today moved grill from back porch to patio. patio table is out, as well. don't think we even got it out last summer....

I cleaned on basement while Kevin lit the brush pile and fished while keeping an eye on it.

got both yards mowed today. I count weed eating as exercise. it is exhausting.

Izzy and I took a walk around her yard smelling the flowers. iris, roses, and peonies in bloom. she said the cows were mooing too loud, please turn them down. Kevin installed new tractor part and did some brush cutting around burn pile and front of the shop. he also enjoyed a yard beer with Cow Kevin. I was offered one, but I don't do beer. ick.

had to pick up a tractor part at Gallatin, and decided to go to Adam-Ondi-Ahman on the way home. I had never been. it was a beautiful, peaceful spot with deb-manageable-walking-trails and modern bathrooms.

found this information online.

There is a historical site called Adam-Ondi-Ahman five miles north of Gallatin and it is sacred ground to members of the Mormon church and its followers. As this post is written (2004) the religious shrine attracts thousands of visitors each year. Such a site could hardly be located in a more lovely setting. It is rugged but beautiful as well, located on the north side of the Grand River, which takes a sharp full turn against high limestone bluffs on the south to head east into wooded slopes. The significance of this site is, according to Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, that this is where Adam offered sacrifices to God after he and Eve had been driven from the Garden of Eden. The faithful believe that Eden was centered in what is today Independence, Mo. Just as Gallatin was becoming a town, Lyman Wright, a Mormon high priest, settled on Grand River where he operated a ferry boat and established a community nearby. This was the beginning of a powerful Mormon influence in the region that, while never factually oppressive or domineering, eventually led to great turmoil and loss of life. This was largely due to mistrust and misunderstanding between the ruggedly-independent settlers and the tightly-knit Mormons who saw their mission as not only the saving of souls, but the setting up of God’s Kingdom on Earth. In their sincere zeal, the saints were over-zealous as viewed by the suspicious nature of the settlers. A stake of Zion was soon organized and a town sprang up near Adam-Ondi-Ahman with at least 40 families permanently located there. It had a temple site, a city square, storehouses, schools, etc. In August of 1838 an election was held in Gallatin at which time efforts were made to prevent the Mormons from exercising their right to vote. In retrospect the tensions that arose developed because of the Mormon’s rapid migration into the area, a perception by the settlers that the Mormons “came on too strong” and that their presence was a threat to their existence. This conflict between two groups of sincere, hard-working and God-fearing people is a sad chapter in the county’s history. The Mormon Church today is respected in Daviess County and everyone is aware of the importance of proper development of the site. The church has purchased nearly 3,000 acres of land around Adam-Ondi-Ahman, greatly improved and cleared the land, established a nursery, and constructed a fine road form Highway 13 into the site. There one will find historical markers, rest rooms, and a number of lovely scenic vistas over the valley. It has been said the church will one day build a temple there because of the belief that in the final days of restitution the Ancient of Days will come there in all power and glory, preparatory to the reign of Christ on earth. Tower Hill is of importance to Mormons, based on testimony given by Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism. This was once the site of three separate altars, one spaced behind the other, each higher than the one before it. These represented the three orders of the priesthood. According to the Prophet Smith, this is where Adam offered sacrifices to God after he and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden. Tourists apparently have long since taken all that remained of the “altar of prayer.” Early Mormon history tells that Joseph Smith, at the time he came into the area to stake out the town of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, invited dignitaries who accompanied him to a place in the brush and trees which he found without confusion or hesitancy. Smith was acting on a revelation which he said occurred at Kirkland, Ohio, long before the Saints moved northward from Jackson County (Mo.) to Daviess and Caldwell counties. The site, just south of Jameson, is well worth a visit and you are welcome there. Watch for signs on Highway 13.

ordered a persimmon flat king sized sheet to back my quilt. that will leave fabric to bind. will arrive next week. then ba-zam! more magic will happen. after its washed and dried, of course....

licensed my car at local office.

there was a bit of a wait. but there are old movie theater chairs to sit in, in a historic building with a beautiful white tin ceiling. when my turn came, not only did I get my car licensed, but got a ghost story about Fernwood. an interesting one. she also told me her building (The Famous) is haunted. but there was a line behind me, so that is maybe a story for another day.

put passport documents and Kevin's passport back in safe deposit box at bank. keeping mine out for my trip this fall.

have been precleaning for next weekend when the kids are all here. I like to pretend like I keep a tidy house, ok? put away a couple of my piles of stuff to deal with later, put more photos in albums. found that Pepsi puzzle I assembled a couple of years ago, found the puzzle glue, and the plan is to eventually hang it in garage. also started painting Katie's closet door blush pink. I like it, I like it. even started a new book. took me a month to read the last one. caught up on new Ghost Adventures episodes.

more Netflix docs. bathroom door is finished! Kevin installed knob. I. just. couldn't. do. it. why????? dunno.

vacuumed. made Izzy a birthday box and wrapped her gifts. now to brainstorm on books. Z is for Zerelda....I is for Izzy....Walmart run. supper at Toot Toots. Kevin good report from kidney dr. gave Bigfoot his flag for summer. let freedom ring!

Kevin took an early out and we spent a lazy afternoon together. looks like it could storm again.

painted bathroom closet doors hunter green. Kevin likes it. will let dry overnite and touch up tomorrow. the Scooby Doo Gang Quilt Top is assembled. sent a message to 'my girl' here in town. got off YouTube and watched a doc on Netflix. sure I'm years behind by now.

have sewed together 5 rows. have #6 pinned. The Scooby Doo Gang Quilt is getting somewhere.

rainy day. I love to start a project, the possibilities, the creativity, the decisions. the nitty gritty. somewhere towards the finish line I always lose momentum and put it aside until inspiration strikes again. will I complete it this go round? dunno. a trip to Girdners. longer screws. (update: they were TOO long. so Kevin made some magic happen. the knobs are on the doors and my stars, they are glorious.) bought 2 more roller refills, 2 more tiny sponge brushes, 2 new knobs, and blush pink for Katie's room. hunter green for the bathroom. maybe I'll put up tape and plastic tomorrow and work on that? tomorrow is another day, my friends.

put away the things from Melissa's Mothers Day gift. working in Creepy Corner a few minutes a day, putting up and away the curiosities that have been stashed and stockpiled. and what else is today? Zerelda's 8th birthday. dear little one, my wish for you; wings to fly, roots to grow.

Sunday was a sleeping in day. a brunch day. a playing a lot of my phone game day.

a doodling day. a wrapping Z's birthday gifts day. a planting my little sunflower starters day. a declaring our bedroom closet doors painted and removed all the plastic and tape day. Sunday was a good day.

I got to watch Ian graduate from 5th grade. Millie from Preschool.

got to spend a day with Millie when she didn't feel good enough to go to school. we took a walk. and took a nap. and played barbies. she showed me a "Bad Batman" video (Mothman.). Ian is sketching up a storm. Coralie is flipping and cartwheeling and roundoffing everywhere. and so is Violet. got to see Koren's classroom and have people tell me how wonderful she is. which I already know, but I love to hear.

still painting on closet doors. a bit of touch up tomorrow and I think (?) they'll be done? I love the idea of painting. the actual drudgery of doing a good, careful job always gets to me.

today I met Ridgeway K-5 at Blank Park Zoo for their field trip. I haven't been on a school trip for many a year. it was fun. hot. flamingos are put away because of bird flu epidemic. would love to go back for night glow and Dinos.

swept garage. washed front and back car windshield. trekked to Girdners after mini roller brush, paint tray, painters tape, and black paint.

also found beautiful glass cube doorknobs. they're coming along. much prettier than the linen white. picked Z up from school. we made a Walmart run. she helped me water my flowers, then I took her home and helped her and Izzy water hers.

today I vacuumed, hooped, baked brownies, went to lumber yard, sanded down witches broom sticks....

painted 2 coats of white linen on our closet doors. I don't like it. Kevin thinks darker, too. so back to the lumber yard tomorrow. took 5 more bags of rock out to farm and Iz and I finished the flowerbed. the first iris at farm is blooming.

my Mothers Day Adventures....

we ate in the bar. which (I think?) was formerly shower rooms, therapy room, hopper room, and resident rooms. doors with windows looked down hallway towards office. jareds door is still there. the whole atmosphere has changed. if you didn't know it's past.... once upon a time, I worked here. it was Colonial Manor Care Facility. a couple lived on Medicare hall. Jared and Katholeen. they were across the hall from each other, they couldn't see each other, but could talk through the open doors. both were dying and not wanting to worry the other. they'd tell us to lie about how they felt, what they ate, etc. so the other wouldn't worry. he'd sing Irish songs to her. it was heartbreaking. she died first. he moved to a regular wing. private room. a new graveyard employee who'd never met Katholeen saw her in the hallway outside his room. EVERYONE wanted to work the next night. Jared told us Katholeen came to tell him not to be afraid, she was waiting for him. she was seen again the next night . he died. and she was gone. I didn't see this ghost. I don't think there's any reason she'd be here. afterwards we drove through the square to our old apartment. she looks so sad. busted window. missing balcony railing. such a grand old girl. so many memories.

bought a bouquet of roses and stopped by moms. roof still not done. or porch. got to talk to all 3 of my little Ks today. (insert smile emoji)

I always get the warm fuzzies when someone compliments the people our children grew up to be.❤️

of course I know they ARE wonderful....a preschool teacher. a high school social sciences teacher. and a public health educator. they're out there in the world making their way. they're graduated college. traveled. rented, bought, built, or remodeled houses. they live in THREE states. and 2 of them are raising little people. our 3 little K's are the bestest.

I slept in. Kevin was up and at 'em early, cleaning brush out of fence rows.

when I wandered out, after hooping and watching a new Ghost Adventures, I drove the tractor while he picked up limbs he'd cut. he has to teach me how to drive tractor everytime. it's embarassing. I picked out 2 pine branches that Kevin cut into witch broom sticks. witches brooms for a photo shoot is Tracy's idea. I did a lot of looking on Etsy for ideas. we'll see how it all turns out. mowed at farm. had a chat with Miss Izzy.

a couple nites this week we've spotted a BAT zooming about the back porch lured in by the delicious buggies attracted to that security light that can be seen from SPACE.

added zucchini and onions to the garden today.

walked 2 laps AND hooped. had to call about a dr. bill. then call insurance. then call dr. office back. I HATE talking on phone. ugh.

did I mention that ALL 5 of my lilacs bloomed? happy happy joy joy.

I mowed our yard today. taking a break before I weed eat. Ann called requesting something from DG. that'll be quicker when they get the one on highway opened.

walked 2 more laps with Kevin.

have 5 rows sewed on Scooby Doo Gang Quilt. (only 4 to go....plus assemble entire quilt, fit the back....find a quilter...). did Basement Barbie inventory. was missing a handful of pics and bios. and had a bio for a guy I hadn't made yet, so gotta make him so I can get the newest batch of photos ordered to catch book up-to-date.

grandma thought she had ordered a potty chair ....but alas, I had not. so rectified that today.

also a couple more gifts for Z and Ian. walked a lap at park. sprayed outside for bugs. watered flowers. put insurance refund check in bank. now to hang out with Paranormal Files looking into the Minnesota disappearance of Brandon Swanson 20 years ago...

went to bed in the wee a.m. hours and slept in.

afternoon nap. took girls to Lineville Park with KJ. talked to Katie. now I'm Debbie Grace, an alien talk show host in my sketch book. tackling the important topics like: are demons real? would YOU buy a serial killers toenails? etc.

I've been thinking a lot about Amy from The Corn Rake Murder lately.

all the ridiculous and possibly deadly accidents I've had...especially in a pig barn. shit happens. I really do think he's innocent. Todd is a Basement Barbie. now Amy stands proudly by his side. it's tragic. she has an accident. they instantly accuse him of murder. and now The Innocence Project is looking into it. it's gotten to the point now where you need to have security cameras EVERYWHERE to document EVERY event in your life so your husband isn't nailed for murder without really any proof. very circumstantial. here's a farmer stuck in prison. kids without parents. all the publicity. the talk shows. the documentaries. the podcasts.they needed a jury of FARMERS for cryin' out loud. people who walk with one foot in the grave every time they go out to do chores.

Monday.

took the farm board down to creepy corner. did some more dragging stuff around, now I can walk around (albeit very carefully) in creepy corner. took down Brandy Gap tunnel #2 and crashed UFO. think that project is complete. threw in a couple Bigfoot for effect. hung up a couple more things. couch still needs cleaned off. transformed the Boys Town statue I found at flea market into teenage deb and toddler John. (from a distance. if you squint.) made the Avon Bride Perfume bottle into The Woman In Black. I. am. going. to. clean. off. the. kitchen. crafting. counter. got dragonfly out to bathtub (finally.) changed sheets. I am on fire! will deliver dollhouse to Izzy and plant flowers after Kevin gets home.

to greenhouse. I love looking at flowers. the possibilities seem endless in the greenhouse...

got my stuff planted. will go back for some more veggies for raised bed. trying tomato cages. I've always staked them. we'll see....getting really high tech. mowed at farm. I've been hyper aware of birds lately..... the beautiful plumage. the lyrical stylings.

found some interesting things at Flea Market.

set up new raised garden bed. Izzy hung out here while her mom and dad went on a date. mowed our yard. Kevin brush cut at farm.

Kevin had chiropractor, checked in with mom. supposed to be 4 days of no rain, they'll be back on roof tomorrow.

bought a raised bed for veggies. and my first tomato cages. with this huge an investment, I better have one hell of a veggie garden. started on my tunnel under cemetery and the farm gas tank. crumbling chimney complete. will lug the big board downstairs to set the farm up on. the big board originally came from the Place's basement in Rock Port, Kevin was cleaning it out after he took over store, and brought it home for Koren's birthday Ertl farm sets. I put on felt fields and highways and a pond. many years later I painted it for the swamp I was making for Ian. there are so many toys in kid room now that the board is leaned up against the wall.

I am woman. hear me roar. I. swept. the. garage.

I dismantled the frame I 'found' by the donation box in Trenton. I've decided I need to make a farm gas tank, a crumbling chimney, and a tunnel beneath a cemetery. I went to Leon and paid for the brush cutter.

I feel very cultured. tonight I went to the Wayne County Mastodon presentation at Chariton. very interesting.

I never went to college, but I love doing stuff like this. kind of like college lectures, I'd guess. but free. and no test after. I took my notebook.

37 volunteers. 12 days. 11,000 hours. on private property. years ago a guy we know had found a broken tusk and juvenile teeth and some other stuff on property but kept it quiet. currently at University of Pennsylvania. someone else (Jared Crossman) trespassed and found a mastodon femur bone. he sold it to Darrel (Darren? I don't listen the best) Coddington.+ (they're trying to get the new owner to donate it. so far he won't. I think if he bought it.....I mean, they could borrow it for a scan or something.) since he was trespassing, he doesn't get credit for the discovery. he did give the gps coordinates to a man he knew was on the state archeology something or other and he reported it to University of Iowa. another trespasser went to jail for unrelated charge, his wife donated bones HE'D found. the guy we know later handed over his earlier discoveries. in Iowa the land owner owns what is found on his land...even mastodon bones.

in a creek. blue clay. very sticky. state geogogists evaluated the site. in creek with 25' banks. ground penetrating radar. beavers dammed creek. 5' rib sticking out of bank. also found a knee cap. tusk. head. piece of pelvis. vertebra. they covered it up and started on funding and volunteers. another trespasser. owners live out of state but have cameras up. police were called. had to come up with supplies: tents. trailer. shovels. water. coordinate volunteers. water ran constantly. springs over mastodon. 100+ degree days.

mastodon: pointed teeth - eat tree limbs. wooly mammoth: flat teeth. juvenile teeth in same spot. stood 10' to shoulder.

preserve bones with paleo bond. prevents cracking. $100/bottle. expensive. would take 5 gallon bucket to do head. built coffer dam. half moon shaped. sand bags. water pumps. United States Corp of Engineers were in charge of dig. creek had to be restored to original condition when they were done. they also covered area in 16" quarry stone to discourage further digging. U of I says all bones found. site is done.

landowners requested that only Authorized Personnel allowed on dig. everything must be measured and photographed and documented. dig with wood utensils to avoid damage to bones. base camp. drone footage. also looking for stone tools. possible evidence of cutting on ribs. maybe butchered by native peoples? there were people in the area at time. tools must be found in, on, or right next to body to be considered as used on body. especially in a stream, where water can cause movement. have not found any tools yet. but U of I is cleaning and searching skull. lots of mud. screening box, rub dirt through screen mesh.

probe. archeologist. plaster casting. drilled under head, built a frame to support head, crane to lift out head. the site was by southern Iowa. guessing around Lineville? they didn't say. head was transported to Corydon Museum, kept wet. when U of I arrived to pick it up, the city crew loaded it into van.

femur was so big that it almost touched both sides of pickup bed. Mahaska Iowa also has a mastodon. requires special cases with humidifiers to protect bones. bones weren't fossilized or petrified. getting grants for museum exhibit in Corydon. will take a lot of $$$. there was a 6 page article about dig in Iowan Magazine. I stopped at Hy-Vee to pick one up. they were out. DNA could prove sex. archeologist named bones Dolly. expect to recieve bones back October 2026. had to keep quiet. preserve dig integrity. this was the most bones of a single animal found in Iowa. most of bones were missing. no more digging in this location. they dated bones by organic material they were in: carbon dating. (mud and vegetation.)

Amish believe the world started 8500 years ago. another unnamed religion believe 6500 years ago. so they cannot believe in mastodons. some tools were found of the era, but not close enough to mastodon.

"dig deep and donate". wow. bully much.