we went on our first Timber Trail adventure....

'if in doubt, back out.'

'know your location. know the evac sites.'

well, the nice lady that checked us in WASN'T kidding. we had an extreme bonding experience. rode some trails. up hill. down hill. water crossings. logs. ruts. switchbacks. some knuckle clenching rides. ate chef meals at The Lodge and met our fellow adventurers. we even tried brussell sprouts. shared our trail stories. watched the sunset from the balconey. I hooped outside like a wild woman. every day. we saw squirrels...brown, grey, and either a black squirrel or the darkest gray squirrel ever. ground squirrels. deer. deer. deer. turkey. quail. bunnies. turtles. butterflies. horseflies. dragon flies. flies. bumblebees. wasps. a heron. buzzards. we sweat. we enjoyed cool breezes. Kevin took full advantage of the Rec Room. he met some boys to shoot pool with. and played our first ever cornhole...which is pretty much toss-a-cross. we saw corn that was tassling. we met a couple of real good Harpole's Heartland Lodge employees. they were all nice. they prayed before meals. introduced you to the Chef. Your Hostesses.

we checked in there Monday afternoon. journeyed to an area Pizza Hut. ate the leftovers for lunch the next 2 days. the last day we ate lunch at Subway. Kevin shot at The Gun Range. Friday we loaded up the side-by-side on the trailer, hooked up, and headed to Hannibal. we'd been there before, but off season and not much was open.

this visit we found a hotel, did the Mark Twain Riverboat Ride, ate at Finn's Food & Spirits, walked around, and went on the Haunted Hannibal Ghost Tour. walking an old reclaimed cemetery with dowsing rods, fireflies, AND a full moon? Saturday morning we walked through Mark Twain Cave, then came home. we say we'll buy a go pro. hard to video tape trail rides with your eyes shut.....

Look at this photograph. ❤️ Happy Birthday, Dad. 🎈

The Rabbit 🐇 Hole....what a magical place! it was fun discovering stories from the childhoods of our 3 generations and finding ones we didn't know. And yeah, I teared up in the Great Green Room. 📚

yards are mowed. had a brief storm today that dropped temps some. Kevin washed and cleaned out truck and polaris. back to work on quilt. cleaned out some kitchen cabinets.

I took KJ his father's day gift. and hung out with the kids. Zerelda was making crafts today. she has pom poms and stickers and paper shapes and a glue stick.

yesterday I hung out with Z. there was an unfortunate incident where she found a raccoon attacking a little girl video. she watched it repeatedly, saying it was funny. so, we she made a sign for the front door. to keep raccoons away.

so, today, checked in on raccoon situation. she started thinking about it in the shower last night, then she cried. poor girl. her gramma is an idiot. an idiot. I let her watch stuff on my phone. she could blunder onto all kinds of things. I have probably ruined her little life. it is a cross I have to bear.

Kevin bought me a handmade teddy bear! I think I'll name her Flower...made from real skunk and otter skins!

I have this thing about shorts. a lifelong thing of avoidance. I buy them but usually only wear on vacation. actually...my legs are good... it's my middle that (all through my own lifestyle choices) I don't like.... maybe the legs make me look taller and less pumpkin🎃 shaped????? I of course do not share this on social media. the comments would make me cry. but I DO admire the people who can share their battles. they're the brave ones.

one of my projects today...assembling pics of #thisdollhasseensomethings I think it is time her story is officially documented. the part of her story that I know, anyway. not sure where she came from or her past experiences, but now she lives in a haunted school that is actively investigated. and apparently startles people.

Farrar School House "Haunting At Farrar". Maxwell, Iowa. I've been there in 2018 and 2019 with Tracy. and in 2021 with Kevin. slept on the floor in the gym. did the solo challenge in the boiler room. Kevin was a paranormal pendulum. I rehomed #thisdollhasseensomethings to Farrar. Mr. Potato Head lives there, and some Barbies, and a Raggedy Ann. I post pics of her each time I go. And I watch Instagram for others to post about her, as well.

I've posted videos of her in the library surrounded by bowling pins and 'orbs'. her on a riding toy in the auditorium. I've went and found her on a desk on the second floor. sitting on top of lockers. I've left her in the auditorium and in the library. the building has sold and THE LAST INVESTIGATION is next weekend. I faltered on buying tickets since we'd just be back from a trip. now it's sold out. I hope the new owner will leave the toys. Mom found her somewhere and gave her to me. and I knew EXACTLY where she belonged. If I ever get the chance to go back, I'll put her in the Principal's Office.

other people have posted about her. Feb. 5 2019 12:09 a.m. Richard Estep he posted a pic of her and a stuffed frog while writing his book about Farrar. at Farrar. July 30, 2019 weirdgardenerd"to whomever decided to leave creepy dolls at Farrar, why? Stop. No thank you." (skeleton emoji) July 25 2019 Kristinmenth "why is it that I always stumble across these things when I'm wandering alone?" April 16, 2022 ttibbe "and tonight's award for creepiest doll goes to..... (trophy emoji)

I think this doll is just beautiful. I wonder if I could make one kind of like her....fabric stuffed dressed body. would need a head. or a face.