This is the tree next to the deck. Much nicer than the butchered pine tree that was there before. I wish I had a photo of it, because all of its lower branches had been pruned off because they were dead, while the top half had an irregular hair cut because I had lazily tried to prune it a few years ago but could only reach so high. Ridiculousness ensued.

We had friends up Saturday and Sunday, and it mostly rained but today we had about 5 hours of sunshine. John painted the entryway, and I cleaned some more windows. Then we hopped in the lake for a dip with the rumble of imminent thunderstorms on the horizon.

Note to self: need new planters. South American style with iguanas emerging is not really fitting in with its northerly setting.

Skagerak teak planters, which we will fill with tall grasses. Better?

Considering all of the tornado warnings, and the recent touch downs and destruction of a nearby town, there was a little bit of concern. We packed up the car in preparation.

Considering the sketchiness of the above clouds, it was a relatively quick storm. Still, we’d had enough and hit the road.