Bluegrass and thistle blooms.

Not so much in that order, but that's what ended up on my camera today. I was waiting around for Brian this morning. We headed into the big city to stock up on stuff for my trip and get him a new corded drill, and I was waiting. And waiting. And waiting. So I grabbed the camera and started taking shots of thistle blooms. My neighbor Jane is quite the funny girl. :) She and Dave stopped by early in the day on July 4th and while we were standing around talking, she informed me that indeed, thistles are weeds and not perty flowers. I told Brian to mow them down or dig 'em up, but that's low on the list of priorities, so they're still there. I personally think the blooms are beautimus, but they're all spikey on the stems, so they get to live outside instead of in a vase in my kitchen. So, here are some perty flowers. :D



It was a little windy, and the dumb thistle wouldn't stop flailing around, so this on is a tad blurry. I chased this monarch through the weeds for a blurry photo. Bah!



I ginormous bumble bee. He was much more accomodating than the monarch. He didn't run away, and he stuck around for a while. :) Look, Dad. Only two wings. How do they navigate???



On the way home from Des Moines, Dad called and asked if we wanted to go to Minburn to a freebie bluegrass show. I can't remember the name of the band, but they're from Chicago and they were pretty good. I worked on some braiding/weaving stuff for my jewelry and chillaxed in a very nice park with a lot of happy bluegrass fans. Little kids ran all over and skated in the rink while the band rocked out. Fun stuff. :)

Me and the Hubby in Minburn, soakin' up some free bluegrass.

Dad, Uncle Larry, and their friend Bill Templeton from waaaayyy back. I've heard this guys name a million times in my life, but I just met him today for the first time... well, the first time as me being an adult. :)

They had HOMEMADE ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!

The crowd of happy bluegrass fans.

The band! It seems like they were very organized. They had excellent harmony and every band member played an instrument as well as sang. :)


Overall, a fun day. I bought a bunch of warm weather clothes for my two weeks in the desert. I bought a new swimming suit for the swimmin' hole (which you can see on google earth!), and some Clif Bars just because I love Clif Bars. Tomorrow is packing, laundry, and wood splitting. :)