The Gypsy Caravan 2023

Saturday, August 2, 2025

At Home: Let the Merriment Continue

I can't say coming home for a few days was great -- it was beastly hot for much of the time (like so many other spots here in the US) and without air, I relied on fans in the evening, the car for quick air-con cool downs and ice beanbags to take to bed. Fortunately, a rain came through with a bit of a cool down -- relief at last! Rick stayed at the lake, cycling home just in time for some fun. But a broken bike had me on stand-by for a pick-up, just in case the repair made didn't hold. 


The high point of being home was seeing that my front yard no longer looked so bleak. The Black-eyed Susans and Sweet peas (above) came out and still look lovely. (The rest, not so much.) And the Annabelle hydrangeas have passed their white stage and are already turning green, which I actually prefer.

I had a long-awaited doc appointment and was thrilled that it went well. Still waiting for one lab that has me concerned but fingers are crossed. And remember my mentioning that I couldn't pull the photos from Cam's birthday off the memory card because it was damaged? Well, my local camera shop was able to save them. All 57.8 gigabytes of them! (Yes, it took forever. And since all but the party had already been downloaded, they were deleted!) 

I won't show you all of them. Many you've already seen. But I couldn't resist the ones above and below. Yes, that's whipped cream.

 

And here is an early photo of Mama K with one of her babies.

 

And in that earlier post, I mentioned that Greg had done a magnificent pastel of a Sandhill crane but I didn't have the photo. Well, now I do! 

 

OK -- A closer look!

 And then there was this.

 

Birthday celebration number two! Kevin, Molly, the grandboys, and Greg came down to celebrate Rick's birthday. We decided to do it at our local ballpark and watch a Lansing Lugnuts game. We were right behind home plate! 

 

The little guys got a ride from Uncle Greg!

 

I think Rick loved being with the Big Guys as well as the Little Guys.

 

And sometimes, someone just ends up with a ball!

 

And yes, there were fireworks at the game. But these are rescued fireworks from the Fourth.

 

We can hear them at our house, but it's whole different experiences, sitting in the front row of the ball park as they explode directly overhead. (That's why the net is there -- we were right behind home plate.)

 

And this night, they were well deserved -- a double whammy! Big win for the Lugnuts, Big Birthday for Rick!

 

Lizzie is happy photos don't make noise. And that we live just far enough from the sound that it isn't too scary!

Sharing with:    Love Your Creativity    /   Share Your Style    /   Friday Face-Off   

69 comments:

  1. How wonderful they were able to retrieve your photos!!!! I am sure it was wonderful to relive these adventures! Yay for the camera store!!
    Glad your appointment went well. The heat this summer has been beastly.

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  2. Hi Jeanie, I am so glad you got some rain 🌧 ☺️ and a bit of relief from the heat 🥵 🔥 Greg's painting is beautiful. Your photos are lovely and heartwarming 💕

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  3. Your flowers are lovely. I love the birthday celebrations. It was nice of the ballpark to shoot off the fireworks to help you celebrate!

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  4. This was a 3X good news post, Jeanie, with the home yard flowers looking good, good medical visit and recovered photos from the hard drive. Glad too that the bicycle repair held for the ride home with no emergency pickup needed.

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  5. I think baby Killdeers are almost as adorable as kittens. (Enough to bring the cats inside until the birds fledge.)

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  6. Despite the heat and the bike troubles, it seems like your time at home was full of bright moments

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  7. What a joyful post! I smiled all the way through it. The crane artwork is beautiful. I'm so glad you got your photos back. And a happy birthday win by the Lugnuts, complete with fireworks, and most importantly, time spent with loved ones, is pretty great :-)

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  8. As you might imagine, Jeanie, I am most impressed with Greg’s picture of the Sandhill Crane. Well done! It is a magnificent bird and breeds locally. He should do more!

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  9. Hello Jeanie,
    I love all your flowers! Cute photos of Cam. It is great the boys had their own celebration for Rick at the ballgame. I love the Sandhill Crane painting, well done! Take care, have a great day and a happy week!

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  10. There’s something about a ball game in the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

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  11. Hurray for technology and the ability to bring back from the dead photos we thought were lost! This is a post full of good things. The best things are always the get togethers with those we love.

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  12. What a gorgeous hydrangea, lovely pale green! Looks like you and the kiddos had a blast.

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  13. The love..everywhere.Those boys cuterand cuter.Happy for the pics and labresults.Hope the next is perfect too.That crane!!!!!!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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  14. I bet Rick loved the game especially since he had his sons and grandsons with him. And Greg is an amazing artist. Wow. Pastels are hard to work with, and he knocked that one out of the ball park. I hope your tests come back OK also. I hope you're back to the lake soon. Hugs-Erika

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  15. I can't imagine no air conditioning with the oppressive heat we have been experiencing. Glad it has cooled off somewhat for you. The photos are all wonderful- so glad the camera shop could salvage for you.. Happy belated birthday to Rick- looks like a wonderful birthday celebration with the family.

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  16. I once thought I'd lost a full card of photos, so I know what that feels like. I was lucky enough to have a photographer friend who told me about a program I could use to reclaim them myself -- and it worked! I laughed at the Lansing Lugnuts -- I do enjoy the names of the minor league teams. One of ours is the Space Cowboys: a nod to both NASA and Texas!

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  17. I am so glad your photos were saved!!!
    I hope it cools off for you. :)

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  18. Well, that was an eventful visit home! Greg's artwork of the crane is superb. And I'm so glad your photos were salvaged!

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  19. Greg's sandhill crane is wonderful. So glad you got your pictures restored. Loved seeing your flowers in your garden too. Birthday celebrations and fireworks too are so fun! Glad your doctor appointment went well. Stay cool! No AC is hard sometimes in summer.

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  20. The second round of Rick's birthday celebration looks epic! Fireworks! A ball catch!

    And the pastel of the sandcrane is truly gorgeous, Jeanie. The scale too. I want to keep looking at it!

    I'm sorry the heat was uncomfortable (I didn't notice! Either my early tropical training or I just got used to this summer.) But I'm glad all the medical work is going according to plan and yielding satisfactory results. XO

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  21. Such fun times. Love seeing the smiling faces. The pastel is lovely.

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  22. I loved your photos from the ballpark. Happy Sunday.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  23. Adorable! And they're growing up so fast! Happy Birthday to Rick and fingers crossed your test comes back negative!
    Jenna

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  24. really beautiful family photos and the flower gardens are not too shabby either!! how exciting to catch a ball at a baseball game, especially for a youngster!! the crane is stunning, i am happy you have it!!

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  25. Everything crossed for the final result but good to have a long-awaited medical appoinment ticked off without any bombshells. We are hoping to go to a baseball game when over there.

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  26. Greg's artwork is beautiful. Congrats on getting your photos rescued. Nice birthday celebrations, flowers are looking great after a nice soaking. Nothing like a baseball game to celebrate the summer and all the good times. Enjoy the day!

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  27. So pleased that your Doctor's appointment went well.
    So pleased your photographs were saved ... I enjoyed all the ones you've shared here.

    All the best Jan

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  28. Good deal getting the photos off the card! I feel for you with the heat---i well remember our no-AC days. Miserable in July. Here's to continued cool weather for us all!
    The birthday and fireworks photos are grand. Good times, and the memories thankfully saved.

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  29. Wow, Greg is really really talented! What a wonderful picture.

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  30. I hope the lab work comes back OK, and 'm so glad the photos were recoverable! Fantastic artwork!

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  31. Jeanie, I hope your awaited lab results have arrived and you are breathing a sigh of relief. I can imagine Michigan heat and hopefully, you have daily relief now. remember fall is just around the corner (smile). Cheers to spending time with the family.

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  32. There's so much to ooh and aah over in this post -- Greg's amazing pastel painting, the killdeer family, fireworks, your beautiful garden -- it's hard to know where to start! So glad you retrieved your pictures from your damaged card -- yes, you have the memories, but it's so much more fun when you can share them. And I'm glad your dr's appointment went well; fingers crossed for those last reports to come in with good results as well.

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  33. YAY for getting your photos back. That would be horrible. Rick had a wonderful birthday along with the kiddos. Glad everyone enjoyed themselves at the ballpark. Good luck with your upcoming appt. Janice

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  34. I love that crane! Beautifully done. Hang it up for all to see.

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  35. The ballgame looks fun! I sometimes listen to a podcast called Sleep Baseball at night. They are radio broadcasts of made-up baseball games in a Northwoods league. One of their taglines is "It's a perfect night for baseball." It looks like you had one of those!

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  36. That was some great birthday celebration! One he will never forget I am sure. Love that sandhill watercolor!

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  37. So glad you could salvage the photos - they're great! Cameron isn't looking like a little boy anymore, he's growing up! Also very happy to hear a good report so far on your appt Jeanie!

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  38. Hope your crossed fingers gave you the test results you wanted and you're back up at your happy place.

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  39. Jeanie,
    Looks like another wonderful Birthday celebration for Rick!! We had a cool down but more importantly....LOW HUMIDITY!!!! I had my Dr.'s appointment with my PCP but since I am feeling better and have an appointment next week with my gastroenterologist, there really was nothing for him to order....I am feeling better each day so I am thinking it was an aggravated IBS attack....Thanks for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb
    Debbie-Dabble Blog

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  40. Hooray for those photos being salvaged! I cannot get over how talented Greg is! Thank you for sharing his painting. It's incredible.

    The baseball game with fireworks sounds like a blast, too. I prefer minor league games like that to major league. It's a more relaxed atmosphere in most cases, and there's more fan entertainment!

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  41. Glad they saved your photos..Hope your last lab test was OK..
    Love the Crane..great job..
    I can't imagine being without air conditioning as hot as it has been..I guess we are spoiled and happily so!!

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  42. Jeanie, I hope you get a good report! Your flowers look great. Cam is too cute! Greg’s painting is fabulous! Looks like a lot of fun was had at home!

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  43. That birthday cake is fantastic! Love all the green. That's a wonderful picture of him enjoying the frosting. Sometimes that's the best part. What a nice job on the Sandhill Crane art. That's a fun thing to do for Rick's Birthday, and the team won! And a baseball for the little one to remember the day. I'm glad your appt. went well, Jeanie, and I hope what you're waiting on is Ok as well. The sweet pea in your front yard looks so pretty.

    Happy month of August!

    ~Sheri

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  44. This is such a beautiful post. Your front yard looks amazing. Cam is sure growing up. OMGosh!!! Greg is a magnificent artist. It really make my heart happy to see such love in your family.

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  45. Oh my gosh, the boys are growing. Your flowers are beautiful and the painting is stunning.

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  46. Your trip home was a good one. Thinking of your with your recent test. It looks like everyone had a great time and was smiling.
    That sandhill crane is amazing!
    Cathy

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  47. So nice to see you all having such a great time. Also happy you retrieved the birthday photos and what a great cake! An impressive work of art on those Sandhill Cranes and a cute shot of mama bird with her baby. Also very happy for you on the doctor appointment.

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  48. Love the killdeer - such a pretty bird. I'm glad your photos were retrieved. How pretty your flowers look. Sweet peas are going gangbusters here, still, and the Rudbeckia is just beginning to bloom.

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  49. Greg's pastel of the Sandhill Crane is amazing, wonderful work! I'm glad that you were able to show it to us. Aren't you happy that the camera shop could save your memory card? Now you have all these beautiful photos. The boys are a special treasure.

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  50. Nice to catch up on all your news, a lot of fun family time. I'm admiring your abundance to sweet peas, my favorite flower.
    Amalia
    xo

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  51. Beastly hot is indeed awful. Whenever it's too hot I just start losing myself and not becoming a nicer person. I totally feel for you! I'm happy to read your doctor's appointment went well.

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  52. Loads of fun at he ballpark! With fireworks too and a Baseball!
    Happy Birthday to Rick!
    Thank goodness for a reprieve from the heat. Hallelujah!
    The chalk painting of the heron is gorgeous.
    Prayers for your lab test to go well.
    Stay cool my friend. Happy August!

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  53. Great that you found a photo retrieval guru!

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  54. Great photos - I'm glad your camera was fixed. Your flowers at home are pretty. It must be hard having two homes and enjoying one while missing the other.

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  55. I'm glad you finally got some relief from the heat. The pictures are wonderful, especially the ones of the family at the baseball game. That's a great birthday celebration.

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  56. wow, friend. icy beanbags. sandhill cranes. ball games and family times. what a summer!

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  57. Is Cam 7 or 8? The reason I am asking is our grandson was 7 in May and he had a Minecraft birthday. It must be the age? Love the Sandhill Crane print. Very well done.

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  58. you are getting excited about your blooms and I am getting excited about mine almost to the point of being done! lol....why for me, cause that means fall is not far behind! Course you know, watering is not anywhere close to the same as what a good rain can do for a plant, and although I thought we were going to float away in the spring, we really need rain now. Happiest Bday to all and what a nice celebration with fireworks

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  59. Hello Jeanie :)
    I also don't have a c, and am sweltering in 40 degree temperatures, so I can truly empathize with you as fans are what I use to try to cool the air, but it's never enough. How wonderful that your photos were saved, and such beautiful photos they are too.
    Your family celebrations look like so much fun. Everyone is having such a great time. Your garden flowers are lovely, and thanks for sharing the Killdeer and her chick. Greg's pastel of the Sandhill Crane is fabulous, he is a talented artist.
    I enjoyed seeing all your happy faces that fab cake, and the fireworks.
    My best wishes
    Sonjia.

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  60. Front row at the ballpark, that's pretty cool.
    Don't you love, Black-eyed Susans. They are so cheerful and hardly. Hardy is a requirement in my garden:)

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  61. Mama K and her baby looks cute.

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  62. 12C here, that´s 53F and I´m getting frustrated about "summer".
    Sad I was so dumb! My SD card 2017 died, too. I threw it away (Perth-holiday).
    To pics and art!!! And fun! (And being wise)

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  63. Thank you for sharing beautiful fireworks.

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  64. Wow that Sandhill Crane is beautiful! And your night at the ball game looks so fun. That is a wonderful photo of your family!

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  65. Happy and loving family faces and events photos ~ hugs

    an artist reflects

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  66. Wonderful painting by Greg! Enjoyed the fun faces this week.

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  67. I'm so glad you shared this post with FFO. It is a lovely family post.

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