New DSL model and router and battery backup

It may not be faster, but maybe more reliable. We have a new DSL modem with a built in router from Ponderosa telephone. We have the fastest DSL service available.  But should they ever bring the fiber optic cables here, we are set with a fast router.

We also now have a surge protector with battery backup. With luck, this setup will keep our wifi from going off 36 hours after we lock the gate and drive away, leaving it with no one to reset it. The password is the same as before.

Visitors

We came in Wednesday, 7/23 and found pictures of visitors on the webcam.  Four legged and two legged. The four legged solved the mystery of what made noise on the porch at night when there was no Willy to make the noise.  A squirrel. The two legged were more mysterious. Four women and since the camera was pointed low to see the four legged critters, we mostly got feet and leg shots.  But after posting a couple of photos on Facebook, Janice Bay came to the rescue and told us it was Carole Shawver and friends. We had invited Carole (through Cissy VanVleet) to come in and get manzanita. So she did. Mystery solved.  And now the camera points to the entrance so we can see whoever drives in. And hopefully Lance Fink cutting down the dead trees.

Living With Nature

    

Our little log cabin has withstood the elements for almost 30 years now but it's under attack by carpenter ants. Round one, will the Grants Ants do the trick?  Did we successfully block off one of the mouse entry holes? What type of flooring should we use to replace the old vinyl that we removed? Stay tuned...

Peter and Cissy Van Vleet, wish we had a fire circle picture to commemorate our most enjoyable evening.

July 4

 Over thiry years ago we started taking pictures on 'the rock' at the fire circle. The top picture is from about 1985followed by this year's picture.  But wait, that's only the family picture. Ann and Jane reverted to their childhood and had a splendid reunion weekend with their Pine Logging childhood friends and neighbors Barbara, Gene and Peggy Bryan. No monopoly marathons or jeep rides, but we did swim in the creek and roast marshmallows. We would have roasted hotdogs too, if only..  50 years later the Bryan/Emmert friendship was as if it were yesterday. How did we miss taking a 'rock' picture that didn't include all of us, Kathy, Phoebe, Arnold - and Paul? Next time.