Spring weed burning at Parma Pond

Parma Pond 

Our large pond near parma  has developed many cat tail and bullrushes around its shoreline.  In addition last fall the county found and sprayed some phragmites, an invasive weed that will rapidly take over ponds.  So I sprayed some of the other weeds in the fall.  Now all of the edges are browned out for winter, so it is time to burn.  It is way harder work than I thought, plus I am aging rapidly.  I use some readily available accelerant and use the wind to spread the flames where I want.  So far it has worked pretty well, but I have about 3/4 left...

Looking across shallow end of pond toward where the trailer will be parked.

Looking toward the old wooden bridge and ditch into the pond.

Looking west across large pond.

Looking south-west toward swim platform.

Summary of summer 2017- Christmas 2018

We were very happy to arrive home from Fiji and have our family gathered together. We had some trouble with jet lag so were pretty tired at first.It was worth it to see all of the grandchildren together.  We had some fun with our pool, the Stake Pioneer Day celebration and Parma Pond.  Laura and her kids had an extended visit, what a good chance to be together.

With Charlie and Henry Catmull with our Bula ties.

Judging the jump and dive contest.

Gathering for a patio meal.

Drew gets to try and dunk Leah, Pioneer day celebration.

Combat with Leah and Drew.

We had many meals on our patio, and used the pool and pond everyday.  Hornes,

Sookhoos, Catmulls, Ivesons and regular old Shavers made quite a group.  Cousins make 

the best friends.

Levi getting ready to release.

Josh and Eric ready to release our new pond carp.

Sharing pictures with the cousins.

Morgan and and Carrie slept in the pool in and inflatable pool,
it isn't up to us to wonder why.  They did survive.

In early August the Iversons, Hornes, Meg, Cindy and Rodger went to Sundance to celebrate Meg's birthday and to see her new house. We saw Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat  at the outdoor theatre, we ran into Jane Stewart there which was fun.  We rode the lifts for some hiking too.  

This summer was also a time for Amos and Levi to go to skate parks with their scooters.  I took them to Eagle Park and to to the park in Middleton.  We also had a funeral for a kitten.  Margaret Horne made a volcano. Finally we had a trip to the Boise Zoo.

Levi Iverson

Amos Horne

Baking soda/vinegar volcano.

In the butterfly arbor.

A highlight of our life occurred in August when we drove to near Ontario, OR to view a total eclipse of the sun.  We camped in the tent trailer and in a tent on the Meyer's lawn the night before.  The experience of the eclipse was awesome, I hope to see another some day.

Dawn as the totality disappears.