Adventure ...

Hello Friends,

If you have been reading The River for some time, you know about Marv. Marv is 87 years old and is a dear family friend.

He also is my gardening mentor. He is full of garden wisdom.

We stopped in to visit him on Thursday and check out his new car.

He asked if we checked out the new big grocery in Eau Claire, Woodman's?

Yes, we had. It is a fun grocery store and has so much variety compared to our little grocery stores.

Marv shared, "After I bought the car, I needed to take a ride. I decided to head to Eau Claire and check out Woodman's!"

Eau Claire is our big city and it takes about 45 minutes to get to from Cameron.

I love it! 87 years young and full of adventure!

I want to be just like Marv at age 87!

 

When we first visited Woodman's we were in the store for two and half hours. It is so much fun!

Marv told us he plans to go back , he did not get through the entire store on his first visit.

 

 ☺

Speaking of adventure .... I am off on my own adventure.

I will be back to blog land soon.

Have a great week!

 ♥

Carla

 

 

On The Road Friday ~ Effigy Mounds National Monument ~ Iowa

Welcome to On The Road Friday, today we are going to take a trip to 

Effigy Mounds, National Monument. 

We visited the Effigy Mounds during Labor Day Weekend. We enjoyed beautiful weather and lovely company as we explored.

 

Here is a little history to get you started for the trip.

The animal-shaped mounds remain the symbol of the Effigy Mounds Culture. Along the Mississippi River in northeast Iowa and across the river in southwest Wisconsin, two major animal mound shapes seem to prevail: the bear and the bird. Near Lakes Michigan and Winnebago, water spirit earthworks—historically called turtle and panther mounds—are more common.

 The Late Woodland Period (1400-750 B.P.) along the Upper Mississippi River and extending east to Lake Michigan is associated with the culture known today as the Effigy Moundbuilders. The construction of effigy mounds was a regional cultural phenomenon. Mounds of earth in the shapes of birds, bear, deer, bison, lynx, turtle, panther or water spirit are the most common images. Like earlier groups, the Effigy Moundbuilders continued to build conical mounds for burial purposes, but their burial sites lacked the trade goods of the preceding Middle Woodland Culture. The Effigy Moundbuilders also built linear or long rectangular mounds that were used for ceremonial purposes that remain a mystery. Some archeologists believe they were built to mark celestial events or seasonal observances. Others speculate they were constructed as territorial markers or as boundaries between groups. 

Click here for more information  

 The hike around the Effigy Mounds is absolutely beautiful. 

We hiked along looking at the mounds and making out the features of the bear and the bird.

This hike was full of history as we hiked along the mounds. The visitor's center is also very well done at the monument.

Wishing you all a peaceful weekend. 

Pumpkin ... Apple ... It is the Hodgepodge

Wisconsin showing off her Autumn beauty.

It is Wednesday and it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun! 

 1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world...how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it's official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What's a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home? 

 Wisconsin is just starting to show off her Autumn beauty. We will soon be heading out on Autumn hikes. Autumn is our favorite time of the year to hike. The beauty of the trees, the fallen leaves and the smell of the cool crisp air.

My favorite scent this time of year is cinnamon. I have a cinnamon candle burning most Autumn evenings.

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?

Pumpkin pie

Pumpkin bread

Warm apple cider

 
3. Do you suffer from what is sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it's here?

I was just talking to my son about this today! He has been struggling with an afternoon slump for the past few weeks. I shared with him what works for me.

A big glass of cold water with a dash of lemon. I drink it all and walk around.

Movement usually helps me or just moving into a different room. 

 Ice coffee or a nice cup of black tea are my other tricks of the trade.

 
4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?

I have several friends in my life that I admire. My friends have been brave, each in her own way. That bravery inspires me.

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that's a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser?  

I have been a people pleaser. It can be very hard for me to say "No" ... I do think it can be a bad thing, if you are changing who you are inside to please that person! 

  6. The seasons are a-changin'...share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).

Circle of Life

Lion King  

7. What do you wish would never change?  

Daylight Savings Time

I HATE the time change. I will begin to complain about it in the weeks before it arrives. 

Just leave the time alone.

And yes, I could do without all the updates in technology. 

  

 8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

We watched Mr. Smith Goes To Washington ... produced back in 1939 ... oh my, sadly Washington has not changed ... I think it has gotten worse.

 My boys loved the Boy Rangers in the movie. 

Watch it this weekend, I know it will make you smile. Even if it is about Washington.