First fall on its way

I'm a wee bit sore today from all the ATV riding I did the last two days. In fact, I can barely move my left wrist and my hip abductors would like to have a stern word with me. But, who cares, it was fun! Turns out you can catch some serious air if you ride that thing at full speed over a mound of dirt.
The early signs of autumn are swirling around us. The flax fields have turned amber and are waiting to be harvested. The fields of sunflowers are a butter yellow as they droop their heads and prepare to drop their seeds. One block away, the corn field has been cut down. The breeze that once blew warm and sticky is now cool and crisp. The outdoor community pools are closed for the summer and Bismarck kids go back to school on Thursday.

Summer Storms

Yesterday, we were greeted by a morning thunderstorm. The loud thunder pounded and boomed for about 20 minutes before the rain came. Then the rain and hail joined the show. But, by 9am, the sky was clear and sunny. We had more rain last night with drops as big as marbles. And, it's raining again now. Usually, I hate rain. But, these summer storms make me think of Hawai'i. It will be 90 degrees outside and then these giant drops of warm rain water start to fall. And, above all that, we're having a terrible drought as most of the plains states are and we can use every drop of rain God sends our way.

In other news, my bee sting was swollen and the size of a 3x5 card yesterday. Yuck-o. Today, it's about half that size but still very itchy. I'm staying doped up on Benadryl to stop from scratching, but then I'm like a zombie. You just can't win.

Aloha 'Oe

Hello from ND! Today, I made history. That's right. I was the first Wolfer/Rose to get a bee sting in ND. Woo hoo. Yippee. Hey, at least I'm not allergic like Pops and at least it wasn't Adam who got the first sting. And really, after a few minutes it's just an ugly little welt, it's nothing major. But, it's historical.
We planted the remaining 30 arborvitae trees today. Left to plant at our house are 5 crape myrtles, 10 lilacs, 6 snowball bushes, 4 knock-out roses, 1 maple, 1 ash and 1 crab apple. Compared to the 90 other trees and shrubs we've planted at our house, this should be a breeze. And don't even get me started about the other 40 shrubs left to plant at Grammy and Pops' place.
Scott, Grammy, Adam and I went to the Capitol A'Fair on Saturday, which is a pretty large craft fair held on the capitol grounds. It was a good diversion for me since I was homesick for the Aloha Festival. My former halau (hula group) always dances at the Aloha Festival and had we stayed in CA, I would have danced on Sunday. *sigh*
On Sunday, we took a trip down to Fort Yates and Prairie Knights Indian Casino. I played a whole $2.50 and lost it. Pops won $40. Sickening. We were home in time to watch BB7 and the first Raider pre-season game. I hung my Raider flag with pride. I'm sure the neighbors think I'm crazy. They're right. I have to tell you, fellow Raider fans, that Walters is our boy, the new QB did not impress me in the slightest. And, all those big names on first string better get their butts in gear because I thought first string looked pathetic. I still have a special place in my silver & black heart for Tui. Now I have 2 Tuis to watch. Okay, well, I better go do something productive.