NEW backyard - thank you Jahnke Property Group

Well, the big news and the reason for no blogging last last week was the transformation of our back yard.  I actually physically worked Thursday and Friday hauling wheel barrow after wheel barrow of mulch (13 cubic yards of which I took down 2) those hot days.

That 13 c-yards was spread across 1200 square feet of  new landscaping with some really sweet plantings.  The Janke's dug out 13 cotenesters that Elwood and I planted 11 years ago but were now mosquito retreats and blocked all the air on the patio.

In their place will be three Wine and Roses Weigela

An extremely dark-leafed variety, its bold, dark purple foliage keeps its color all summer long. Blooming in late spring and often reblooming in summer, its bright, rosy-pink flowers provide an extraordinary pop of color. Many trumpetlike blooms are irresistible to hummingbirds so expect many visitors!

Well - not sure what to do now being "Trump"like.

On the outside of the bed are three amazing Limelight Hydrangea

this impressive rounded-form shrub is covered in large clusters of creamy white florets that mature to chartreuse green in the midsummer weeks. As fall approaches, the dense flower panicles change to deep pink for an altogether different look. Sturdy stems keep the flower heads upright and visible through any kind of weather. Robust plants can reach a height of 13 feet and will be loaded with 8-12" flowers in no time. 

THIRTEEN FEET?   everything I read said 8 feet - even the tree form specimen.  

We put in a tree-ish plant - a Cole's Select Serviceberry  -  a large shrub or small tree with multiple stems. It has dependable brilliant orange-red fall color display. This is an outstanding selection of Serviceberry. It produces excellent, edible blueberry-like fruit that can be enjoyed by birds and people. Ripens in June. Mature size is around 20' tall and wide.

Actually this was a favorite tree for American Indians as the berrys were very tasty and high in anti-oxidants - something the American Indian scientists worked on for years. 

Cole's Select Service berry 

Lot's of grasses and sedums and spirea.  

What amazed me was the Jahnke Property Group (sue.jahnke@jahnkepropertygroup.com)  did this in 2 days.  Two people, 105 heat index, 1200 square feet of sod removed, 13 cubic yards of mulch (minus 2 yards I did) and 51 plants, shrubs and trees planted.  

Unlike when Elwood and I do landscaping,  Plant a flower - have a beer and talk about how wonderful we are.  This would have taken us all summer. 

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And then there are the Brewers - I think injuries are starting to catch up to them in the form of bullpen issues.  When you have 3 out of 5 starters injured and then you get injuries to the fill ins . . . . .   I have always said,  The injury to a starting player in any sport is not a big deal - it's the injuries to the 2nd stringers that become the real issue.   

MOST clubs have 2 layers, it's that third layer of players that are the important ones.  I have been surprised at the depth Milwaukee as shown.  Keep fingers crossed.

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We had a Home Brew Club meeting last Thursday at a house in Sun Prairie.  The talk was about breweries and of course Cercis.  Everybody knows that Hydro Street made infected beer with tired yeast.  The scoop on Cercis?

Jeff who is opening a tap room in Beaver Dam said he was totally jealous of  Cercis look and feel. BEAUTIFUL place.   The beer is . . "good"  but there is room for improvement which as everybody agreed would be easy as they get to know the equipment.  

Now - when they say "good" that is a pretty big compliment for a group of home brewers.   A home brewer can make BETTER beer then any brewery.  Coors can bottle 18,000 bottles a minute with too much air getting into the bottles and just more hands on love with home brew.  So "good" is a big deal.   Not GREAT award winning but very very drinkable.  

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I won't go all political. It's a royal clusterf*ck out there. 

You do know that since 1988 the Republicans have only won the National popular vote ONCE.  Gerrymandering really works for the GOP.  They have figured out how to cheat the system.  The polls for Clinton were almost exactly right.  5% margin of victory and she won the popular vote by 4%.   Gerrymandering was the winner.    

OH - Micheal Cohan has flipped!  

What will Mexico's new FAR left President be like -  SCARY!!   

And of course Wisconsin is #10 when it comes to losing population. More people are moving out of the state then moving in. I WONDER WHY!!  

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A new USS Indy book will be out soon. NOW HBO can move forward with their mini series (or whatever) as they can not do anything without a book (weird). 

I don't know Lynn Vincent, certainly know Sarah (I think DJ was talking to her a few weeks ago on the phone).

This hits the shelves next Tuesday.

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I was told to stop complaining about things and instead MAYBE I should try to make things better instead of just sitting around doing nothing to help Columbus.   sigh!

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MOSQUITOES - hate we the itch?  simple way to stop the itching.  YOUR SALIVA!!  YUP - try it.  Actually works (or is a placebo - does it matter if it works?)   (or an antihistamine) .

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Anybody play Fortnite?  That free game where the average player spends $58.25 on new things?

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The battle for Gettysburg started yesterday 155 years ago with residents of Columbus saving the day as the Iron Brigade ( Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Overland, Richmond-Petersburg, and Appomattox campaigns).  The Iron Brigade suffered 61% casualties at Gettysburg and the 2nd Wisconsin 77%

Now I have to watched Ted Turners epic movie Gettysburg.  When this came to theaters _ actually watched it twice in a row.  8 hours??

OK OK - this is getting long in the tooth.

WEATHER - normal July hot and humid - not CRAZY  Dew point will be rising until Thursday - good weekend coming up.

My brother in Kewaunee - the high Saturday was 74  - anyway scattered thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday as the front go through