Proud Great Grandparents

Elaine and I went along with Carolyn to the Hospital to see "the girls" this morning. Both were doing fine. Sadie's hair had been shampooed so she was even prettier than she was yesterday. The expression of joy on our faces reminds me of the picture taken of my folks down at cousin Ted's some years ago as Dad played his accordion, Mother was clapping to the music and the rest of us were dancing the "Flying Dutchman". Our facial expressions of unmitigated joy is only a symbol or how we really felt. It seems that the older a person is, the more they appreciate the miracle of the birth of a baby. Sadie is really a well loved little girl and has already brought unbounded joy to many. Her name appeared in lights this morning as she was Welcomed on the Home Town Bank marquees. 

Sadie Elizabeth Owens

This picture was taken yesterday evening a short time after Sadie Elizabeth Owens came on the scene. She is a chubby 8 pound, 1 ounce baby who Julie says is a good nurser. John has already taken on the fatherly duty of changing diapers. We got over to see and even hold her for a few minutes this morning. The years go by so quickly (like toilet paper when you get down near the end of the roll) that it doesn't seem very long ago that I baby sat Julie for an hour or so when she was a baby and our first time to see her. Carolyn and Elaine left me "in charge" while they went downtown in Boone, NC to buy some necessities. It was the beginning of our bonding which has continued over the years. Today is the 112th anniversary of my Mother's birth date. Some years ago I took a picture of Mother, Elaine, Carolyn and Julie on our front porch and referred to it as "The Four Women in my Life". I'm now looking forward to the day in the near future when I can take a similar picture. While Mother will not be in the photograph, I'm sure some of her loving features have been passed on through the generations and will be carried on by Sadie. 

The Fire House 5+

Mel Bolte and the Fire House 5+ Band played at the Ag Pavilion as part of the County Fair Yesterday. Mel and Steve Smith have played in the band since they were in High School many years ago. We went to the Seward City Band final concert for the season this evening at the Band Shell where the Fire House Band also had a part on the program. Most of the Fire House players are also in the City Band. It was a great concert this evening featuring several College songs and a couple polkas. Mel told the history of the Fire House 5 and how they originated back in the '30's to visit towns in the County to promote the County Fair. They have now been invited to participate in the State Fair Parade this year along with representative groups from all 93 Nebraska Counties. I have known Mel for many years and we serve together on the Chamber 1st Impressions Committee. He has been Chairman of the City's Park and Recreation Committee for a number of years and instrumental in many improvements to the City. 

Seward County Fair

We attended the Seward County Fair this afternoon. A cold front came through last night and the temperature was in the low 80's. It was the nicest day in the past several weeks. I wore a windbreaker to play golf this morning. This display at the fair was probably about 8'by 8' square and all made up of vegetable products. The yellow is ears of non mature corn, also very visible is the white cauliflower. The green around the edge is sweet corn with the husk still on the ears. There are also peppers, onions, beets, tomatoes, broccoli, etc. It reminded me of a display that people from the Staplehurst area, used to have every year at the Nebraska State Fair. While I was taking this picture, an older lady came by and she knew the people that put the old display together. 

For us, one of the highlights of the Fair is the Accordion Jamboree. This is Elmer, Jean & Jim who are key players in the group. This year their were 15 button accordion players, Elmer plays the Tuba and sings, Ed plays the drums and a fellow played a guitar. Franklin Hronik from here in Seward took over some of the leadership this year from Jim and did an excellent job. They are a fascinating group to be able to play the way they do without the benefit on any sheet music in front of them. Ed's drum and Elmer's tuba set the pace and they all play together without a hitch. Of course they played Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, the Saddle Horse polka and my favorite was the Green Meadow Waltz like Dad used to play. I would go back again tomorrow if they were playing again. 

Prostrate Spurge

Prostrate Spurge is amazing plant. It seems to thrive under conditions where nothing else will grow. We have some growing on our sidewalk in full sun with its root in the cracks between sections. It is even invading the greens and other areas out at the Golf Course. Because prostrate spurge grows from a small taproot it is easy to remove large plants by hand. Spurge will survive in harsh conditions where the turf grass has long-since departed. Spurge must reproduce by seed from year-to-year. Encouraging turf grass density in the fall and spring should be fairly effective for limiting the presence of spurge in turfed areas. Spurge is most likely to invade when spring conditions have opened the turf from drought or grub damage. Prostrate Spurge is a late-germinating summer annual, ideally suited to fill-in voids in the turf during June, July and August. Since it comes back from seed every year, you can also help prevent prostrate spurge by applying a pre-emergence herbicide in spring before the seeds germinate. Usually one application, followed by a light watering, in late April or early May will eliminate most annual weeds for that summer – provided the soil is not disturbed afterwards, and weather patterns are normal. If the weed has been a serious problem you may choose to make a second application, however, about sixty days after the first, for added protection.

Impatients

The Inpatients in our shady back yard are about the only plants that are holding up in this hot, dry weather.  I do some "hose watering" every couple days to keep them going. Last night we received 0.25" of rain which is close to the 0.33" that we got during the entire month of July. We are now over 5.00" below normal. What is concerning is the widespread drought that we are experiencing. Our weather this summer is more like I remember from the '30's than the hot, dry years we had in the mid 50's or late 80's. I believe we will get through this year with the "disaster programs" and crop insurance that is in place, but can't help but wonder what will happen if we have several years in a row like we did in the '30's. Food prices especially are bound to go up and land prices come down from the record highs set earlier this year. 

Sam & Louie's in Seward, NE

Sam & Louie's have been in Seward for a few months but this evening was the first time we have tried it. We were favorably impressed. It has some of the appearance of a "Sports Bar" but very tastefully done. The food was great and Elaine brought part of her's home. The Menu is quite varied and offers a wide selection of choices. We are looking forward to Jon, Mary and Anna being out to visit us in a couple weeks and this will need to be one of our stops while they are here. After my folks retired, they went out for dinner at least once every month when their Social Security check came in the mail. We decided tonight that we should do something similar. This  place is located at the west edge of town, adjacent to the Pac 'n Sav home owned store where we buy most of our groceries.