Paducah

 On our travels Mike and I would always travel THRU Paducah, never stopping. I would see signs for The National Quilt Museum and comment I really would like to visit it.

Our vacations are always in September (birthdays) and February (anniversary) - well I decided to plan a weekend trip to Paducah to go to the museum in June. I found a really nice VRBO on a lake with a hot tub. Mike has taken an interest in fishing - Yay.

 We re  so close to Metropolis so of course we had to stop in and take a picture with Superman. 

Superman pose

We found a grocery store to pick up a few things along with some bait and venture over to the lake house. The place was amazing and very  secluded and had the most awful road to get there. We picked up a screw in the tire (which I had fixed when we got home).

3 miles of dirt

Mikes first stop was the hot tub. And I head down to the fishing dock. This place had 3 docks. There was no boats, jus a few kayakers and creatures.

This sucker bit Mike

This vacation was all about me, so our first stop on Saturday was to Hancock Fabrics. I made a quilt 3 years ago and have been searching for a back to match. I could have just used black, but I wanted something different.

Perfect match

I found it! Not 2 minutes into the store. I told Mike I was gonna walk this whole place anyway - 66,000 square feet of cotton quilting fabric. He followed behind me pushing my cart. They had a “husband section” where other men sat - not Mike.

Now to see this museum. What a disappointment. It was more a gallery than anything else. No history, just artists quilts. I found 1, just 1, that I liked. Way too artsy for me.

One I liked - traditional 

Artsy and large 

Well now I can say I went. Would not recommend it.

We decided to check another state off our “golfed there” list. Kentucky! Kentucky in June is hot. Like 90’s everyday hot. We had the course to ourselves. No locals are going to golf in this heat. Our car said 108 when we finished. Couldn’t find a shade spot in the parking lot.

I don’t like bridges of any kind. To get to this course we had to cross over the Ohio river - we were staying in IL. The closest bridge was this one. The speed limit was 25 and it was all metal.

Erector set

Not a fan

Then we get on the course and we come across this one. I was driving. Let’s just say I got us over the river, but my ball did not make it.

Not a fan

Despite the heat, waking up to a flat tire, Mike almost getting his thumb bitten off by a alligator snapping turtle and the awful museum we had a quiet (no TV or people), relaxing (hot tub) catching lots of fish getaway. 

On Fire

 Growing up a daughter of a fireman, yes we called him a fireMAN, I was taught how to respect a fire.

We had family fire drills and a gather spot where we all were required to get to to be accounted for.

Fire was part of my growing up and I carried the respect for it into my adult life. We have a fire extinguisher in our house and garage and I know how to use it. I never had the occasion to use one until  now.

My tractor has been smoking for a bit now. After a few circles around the yard it stops. I was just finishing up the backyard and the tractor starts chugging and smoking. I pull up to the back deck and shut it off. It is really smoking and I know “where there’s smoke there’s fire”. 

I lift the lid off the engine and this happened. 

Holly smoke 

My neighbor yells over “I’ll go get my fire extinguisher” I told him that I had one.

I knew where one was. Under the sink. I ran right by the one in the garage. 

(After taking this picture) I got it out, surprised myself that I remembered how to use it, and I put the fire out. The neighbor comes over and commends me of how calm I was and had everything under control. Surprised myself too. I had to - I was home alone.

It was time for the conversation with Mike about spending the money and buying a new mower or hiring someone to do our yard-work for us. I confess I was not ready to give my yard over to someone else. I enjoy the gardens and yard and besides I need the exercise. 

So I got me a new tractor.

New Ride

It’s a big step up from my old one, 19 years older. I got the lawn mowed today with little fanfare, but it’s going to take me a little time to get used to it.