Memorial Day Weekend

We had a number of commitments on Memorial Day weekend that

kept us away. But Gerald did manage to prepare all the cabinets for new toe kicks

Then, he installed a second layer of OSB board on the floor of the utility room

so that when we went to install the VCT we planned for the room, it would be flush.

Meanwhile, I worked on grouting the remaining tile leading into it.

There was time, however, for a little Memorial Day tradition: a barbecue.

Gerald smoked three types of ribs on his new smoker.

We found this chair at the Yarnell Senior Center Thrift store for $15

We put it in the "bird room," which is what we've been calling the guest room because all the feeders outside the windows makes it a great place to watch birds. It's hard to see in this picture, but the $200 sofa bed Gerald found at the Habitat store has little flecks of color that went perfectly.

Utility Room

When we got back to the land, I got busy installing 

the rest of the beadboard in the utility room.

Meanwhile, the east end of the porch had gotten so cluttered

you couldn't even walk on it. So Gerald got busy sorting

and restacking lumber he didn't have immediate plans for on the ground.

It wasn't long before you could see the porch again.

Preparing for the Parade

The next day was the Yarnell Days Parade. Kathleen had planned

and organized a Blackhawk POA entry. When we got to the staging

area, Kathleen was painting her horse.

The Hussen kids were to walk behind the horses and be "pooper scoopers." 

Here's Diane and John fixing up their vehicle.

Here's Linda, with Don and Valerie Burton. Valerie had a little

different take on the prescribed uniform of vest, boots and cowboy hat.

She called it her hippy look.

We were to supposed to ride in the bed of an antique truck Mike Yakos was bringing. 

At the last minute, he decided to bring a convertible, but didn't want to attach the banner to it. 

So we pressed Linda's truck and trailer into service. Here's Gerald affixing the banner.

Meanwhile, Charlie and Judy's daughter was to stand in the trailer holding the flag.

Here she is practicing her wave.

Yarnell Daze

After the parade, we stopped at the historical society stand

for a hot dog and some ice cream

Lots of folks were still milling about

There was even a band.

When we returned to the land, we encountered some new moms

and their babies on the road. We interrupted this little one's nap. 

Doesn't this pair make a pretty picture?

Back at the Ranch....

While we were at the parade, and later, at Kathleen's for a chili cookoff,

J.C. was busy at the house. With the beadboard up, he could install some additional cabinets.

He also installed a new and improved privacy flap on the barn doors. 

There's a little piece of metal on the other side of the door, that holds

the two doors tight, so there's no gap

He also installed the last bit of vent pipe.

Meanwhile, Gerald had received an early father's day gift from 

Christy of some very nice galoshes. Here he is modeling them.