Wishin g For Rain Thursday

[Colliemom]

Morning from the 45th. Watching rain moving across the U.P. this morning, but appears none is headed here and we need it badly. Everything is bone dry here. Have only had less than an inch since beginning of June. My grass is nothing but straw. Fire danger has been high to Extreme to Red Flag Warning and back again. Had a bit of wildfire excitement here yesterday afternoon when the National Guard did what they called a "controlled burn" on their Air to Ground Range which is about 8 miles SE of here. They had been firing missiles or bombing back there all day and I think they set off an accidental fire which happens out there and cause the conditions were right, just let it burn, keeping a perimeter around it. They do that to burn off the vegetation so they don't start another one. Well, we got smoked out here and actually had ash coming down, which was causing a lot of concern as nobody knew for sure if it was on the range or where. Plus with our dry conditions, ash is not good. For those of you wondering. I live near the Range 40 complex of the Michigan National Guard's Camp Grayling, which is the largest National Guard Training facility in the country. It is very extensive and covers a lot of territory. There are a number of different ranges scattered about the county below me as well as the camp itself. It's used by National Guard troops from all over the country as well as regular army and also troops from other countries who come to trail with ours. The Range 40 9s the Air to Ground range used for bombing and laser guided missile training. It's not an everyday, 24 hour around the clock thing and sometimes we don't hear anything for long periods of time. So it's just something you live with. As others have said, it's the sound of Freedom. when you see those pictures on the news of things being blown up in the mid east from the planes, that's what goes on back here. Only it's not buildings, just targets. As I say, at least we can hear it and not worry about them coming in on use like other countries where they have to dive for shelter and hope they don't get killed. That range was there long before I was even born. But yesterdays smoke and ash was the worst in a long time, so was cause for concern. Cleared out in a couple of hours.

So, went to Camping World yesterday like I said and left some green . They were out of couple things on sale that I would have liked to have gotten, oh well. Now I have a pile of stuff on my workbench to get into my trailer. Need to move it to the shade so I can work in there It's in the sun most of the day where it's sitting now. Too warm to do anything in that area.

Interesting discussion about eating the other day. Yep, I agree with this, today it's good, tomorrow its not and then reverse again. Drives one crazy. So sorry to hear about Mailia although I did read in her blog earlier this spring that she had cancer, then hadn't heard anymore. Hope she get some different opinions. Velda, I think it's just coincidence that there are a number of ladies getting cancer who are full time RVers. There are a lot who aren't who have it too. Who knows. But there's a lot of chemicals in those rigs and maybe a daily exposure to them could be a factor. Hard to say.

well, I"ve done enough jabbering here. Time to get a move on. Not sure what's on the agenda for today. Posted a question on RV Interior/Exterior Idea on FB about what color would anybody use in their RV bathrooms if they were going to paint them and getting some interesting responses. That's a good site to join up with if you are on FB and looking for remodeling ideas. Another is RV Storage Ideas. Both are closed groups you can join. Have a great day all.

[JudyJB]

Sue, way back in the 70s and 80s when I was married and my kids were little, we used to snowmobile at the National Guard land, including the tank track. Nice place.

That area is also home to the endangered Kirtland Warblers, who are VERY fussy about where they nest. They will nest only on the ground underneath young jack pine trees, so if the trees get to old or tall, they will no longer nest there. I remember a few years ago when they were burning an small area so younger trees would grow and the fire got out of control, burning ten thousand acres or more! So, now they cut older trees down instead of burning. Michigan is also trapping and destroying cowbirds that parasitized their nests. At least these birds are smart enough to spend the winters in the Bahamas and they are now doing a little better in terms of numbers but are still endangered. That area is also very close to Hartwick Pines State Park, which is a really nice to place to camp. It has the only virgin white pine forest in the lower peninsula of Michigan.

[BarbaraRose]

I woke up at 4am with a serious UTI peeing blood. Got on-line to Virtuwell and got a prescription to pick up later. Luckily, I have the little black pills that eliminate the pain so took those until I could pick up the antibiotics.

My handyman came over this morning and cut down a tree that was growing against the retaining wall along the creek and was leaning towards my house. He also put in my window AC and a few other things around the house. Will be nice sleeping in a cool room tonight!

Another pretty hot day today. Not as cool as predicted. Been busy at work with people wanting haircuts due to the heat.