Well, it’s been a while since I’ve really had anything interesting to write about. With Memorial Day weekend approaching, I was anxious to find something to do after many weekends of Scott studying. After some research, and much debate, we decided to go camping at Lake Hope, about an hour and a half away from home.

We packed up the “necessities” and headed off late Friday afternoon.

Dave couldn’t leave home without his Diet Cokes with Lime.

Candace was rearing and ready to go (after an Otter Pop, of course) so she could get some practice in before she goes to Girl’s Camp in June as the camp director.

Our first stop, upon nearing the camp ground was at a small country store where we managed to scrounge up some dinner and entertainment.

You see, much of the reason why we choose Lake Hope was because of its proximity to the best boar hunting in Ohio. Dave and Scott were anxious to “bring home the bacon.” Dave wasted no time, asking everyone who entered the store, where the best boar hunting could be found, much to our amusement. He was obviously not a vetran boar hunter, as evidenced by the worker’s astute question. After Dave headed out to the porta potty, she turned to us and asked, “He’s from the city, aint he?” We just laughed and pretended that, unlike, him we belonged in the wilds of Ohio and fit right in at churches like this one…

After some sandwiches, we headed in an set up camp. It’s really amazing all the things you forget. I thought I had prepared so well, but here’s a short list of just a few of the necessities I forgot:

1. Flashlights (duh! It was a bit awkward stumbling around in the dark.)
2. Gloves (for lifting heavy Dutch ovens off of the fire)
3. Cards (for what is camping without games?)
4. Matches (luckily, we were able to get a fire started once and kept it going the whole trip.)
5. Toilet paper (Luckily, they had a surprisingly clean porta potty with toilet paper.)
6. Tea Kettle (what’s the point in bringing hot chocolate if you don’t have anything to boil water in?)

Despite lacking some of the basics, we managed to survive alright and Scott only got a few burns from the Dutch Oven (which is really a success when you consider some of the injuries he’s received on other vacations.)

We woke up early Saturday morning, and after a yummy breakfast, headed off of to check on the corn and diesel Scott and Dave laid out for the boars late Friday night.

We teased Scott that he had quite the “test sample” prepared for this camping expedition.

But it really wasn’t a test sample. He used it to mix with the corn because apparently boars are attracted to the scent.

The boys were pleased to find that there were tracks and marking all around their “bait.” Us girls humored them by snapping their picture and assuring them that the boars should be back tonight, if only they’d wait attentively.

Without any actual prey in sight, the boys decided they needed to target practice to keep their skills sharp. We headed off to find a good location.

G.I. Joe Dave got some pretty good rounds off.

Although, we weren’t always sure exactly what he was aiming at. A squirel? A crow? Candace?

Scott managed to slice a small tree from quite a distance away. We were all impressed.

Candace got a few good shots in too…only with her camera. She snapped lots of pictures and framed some great shots.

I, typically, stayed far away from the guns. When forced to hold a gun and pose for a picture, I selected the least threatening weapon—the B.B. Gun. Good thing too, according to Scott my Gun and Hunter Safety skills are poorly lacking.

That afternoon we headed over to the lake and rented a paddle boat, enjoying the wonderfully warm weather, sunny skies, and refreshing breeze. We each took turns paddling and working on our tans. At least I worked on my tan—I’m afraid that I’ve become incredibly white after an Ohio winter (as if I could actually become any more pale…)

Candace and I worked as a pair, while Dave coached us from behind (we had a tendency to row more in a “Z” pattern than a straight line.) We were instructed with such statements as, “Lonica full power!,” “Candace fifty percent!,” “Lonica take a break!,” “Candace more than full power!” It became so amusing, our path in the water became even more crooked, as we laughed instead of rowed.

Finally, after exhausting my “more than full power” reservoir of energy, I took a break at the front of the boat and soaked up some rays of glorious sun shine.

We enjoyed the flight of an amazing bird (can anyone—who’s made it this far through this incredibly long post—identify it?) before heading back to camp and cooking up some yummy dinner.

We roasted some marshmallows, made some cobbler, and enjoyed the dying flames before heading to bed. Sunday morning we got up early, packed up and returned home in time for church. It was a good trip.

Life in OH-IO | 7 Comments »

 We’ve gone just a little nuts with our garden. 

I know, the blue totes look stupid, but let me tell you why they’re great.  They are 18 gallons each, which means we can grow 3 tomotoes in each one no problem.  They have nice big handles on them for moving them around.  It was easy to drill drain holes in the bottom.  4 of them fit on our pallet for good drainage.  AND were only $5 each at home depot.  A big plastic pot like that at a garden store is big bucks.  Lonica and I are of the opinion that gardening should cheap, but we weren’t willing to be confined to our small amount of ground space. 

We’ve never had plants to speak of since we’ve been married, maybe one here or there, but nothing special.  The last few months we’ve gone garden crazy.  

The plant count:
9 tomato (mix of cherry and Big boy hybrids)
3 Zucchini
2 Cucumber
3 Sugar Snap Pea
Thriving bowl of Parsley
Thriving upside-down Chrismas tree stand of Cilantro
3 very nice Rosemary (my favorite)
3 Taragon
3 Sage
Not sure how many Sunflower, but they’re in two pots
2 Strawberry (one of which is already showing little berries)
6 Bell pepper
5 Onion
1 Green Onion
6 Jalapeno
5 Cayenne
7 Okra (still not in the ground because its too cold and they’re too small)
15 Petunias of various colors

Keep in mind that everything has been from seed, except the rosemary, strawberry and petunias.  I don’t know if you can do petunias from seed but the rosemary and strawberry is not practical to do from seed.  I did propogate my own rosemary from a cutting off another plant - so that made me feel better.  I just don’t like buying a plant and planting it, its so much more satisfying and interesting to start from seeds - and cheaper. 
 
We still have a bunch of columbines and marigolds that haven’t come up yet, so the front of our place is looking sad.  Soon it will have flowers and okra blossoms though.  I can’t wait to have pickled okra with cayenne. 

For anyone still reading: I’m now finished with my first year of law school, and working on the writing competition to get onto law journal.  I’ve started my summer job clerking at a firm here in Columbus.  My finals ended fairly well.  Legislation was interesting, to say the least.  Constitutional law was 8 hours and 4000 words long, involving a Texas law that banned “obscene devices” (use your imagination).  Property was 4 hours of writing about implied reciprocal negative servitudes, fertile octogenarians, saucy intruders, in a word - thrilling - the kind of thing that makes you want to be so glad you’re not a practicing property attorney in ye olde common law England.  BUT if you ever need to know the difference between a springing and a shifting executory interest, I’m your man.  At least for the next week before I forget it. 
First year of law school:
Case Books=$1500
Supplements=$300
Tuition=$A Lot and going up 10% next year
Years off my life=At least a few, I should probably go to the doctor.
Knowing the exact interplay between creditor 3rd party beneficiary liability and a delegation of duties=Priceless

Law School, Our growing garden | 9 Comments »