Jewelry and more

Tom and Helen decided to make necklaces for their children for Christmas, so Friday they went to Madison and bought a variety of beads. Then they tried out various combinations and made progress. Progress, not perfection -- that's the motto.

We went out to Field's for the Friday fish fry that had been recommended to us by Debbie Kinder -- and who should we run into when we got there? Debbie, her husband, brother-in-law and her mom. The fish fry was as good as advertised and probably twice as much fish as any one person should eat at a sitting. Too late we realized the meaning of the "Second plate" charge on the menu. It is the sort of place Mama and Daddy should go -- they are used to people ordering one item and splitting it.

This morning we went to Baraboo, stopping at the bead store so Tom and Helen could gather more beads, and then into town for the Faire on the Square, a fall arts and crafts show. I was most impressed by some folks who had landscape stones (small boulders to add interest to your lawn) that they would engrave for you on the spot. They were doing beautiful work, but it was a bit like getting a tombstone for the front yard. Nice rocks, though.

I woke up with a joint ache this morning, and although I took some medication for it, I decided to skip the hike up Louis' Bluff with the Stewards of the Dells after lunch. Since Helen was going with Tom, I didn't feel too guilty. When they got back they told me I had chosen wisely -- it was not so much a hike as a scramble up a pretty steep path. Beautiful views and all, but not a place to risk twisting already achy-breaky joints. I stayed home, tended Buddy the Dog, Sundance, Cassidy and the chili that was perking gently away in the slow cooker.

As soon as they got back from the hike/climb, Helen and Tom sat back down at the dining table and began work on the necklaces again.


This is a happening weekend up here. Wisconsin Dells is also having its Autumn Harvest Fest. Seems like it was just a week ago that they did Wo Zha Wa, but who am I to complain. It is a tourist industry town, so the more folks they can lure up here every weekend, the better for the local economy. At least they got decent weather -- coolish and a bit cloudy, but no rain or wind. (The picture is from their web site, but I have no idea what is going on in it.)