With more and more COVID-19 restrictions being lifted in Arkansas, it seems we’re back to normal (well, almost).

For the first time in over a year, we were able to entertain one of the kids and her family for the weekend in an almost regular fashion. To say it was a busy few days would be a gross understatement. Immediately after arriving Saturday morning, Karyn and Ridge headed to the crawl space to retrieve fishing rods, reels, and tackle. Regrettably, I had let the supply of tackle dwindle to almost nothing; Karyn and Matt drove to the nearest bait shop and purchased hooks, sinkers, floats, worms, and minnows. Of course, Aker had to be in on the fun and joined brother, mom, and dad on a crowded dock. Wind was heavy, blowing directly into their faces, resulting in slow fishing, though a few small bream and bass fell victim to the live bait. 

Though fishing was the first event, it certainly was not the last. Next was kayaking on the lake. Ridge brought a new kayak, and took to kayaking like a duck to water; he was a natural, and maneuvered the kayak like a pro despite the windy conditions. His mom, sister, and dad joined in the family fun.

After kayaking, it was beach time. They hustled off to Balboa beach and discovered friends were there and had rented a covered pavilion. The kids played in the water until late afternoon. For dinner dry Memphis-style smoked ribs with corn on the cob, salad, potato salad, etc. were served, and then bedtime came early.

Sunday morning saw us gathered at Diamante County Club for their really good brunch buffet.

Finally open after having to close for the pandemic, the buffet has always been one of our favorites. Seemingly, the food was better Sunday than we previously remembered. After brunch, it was back to the dock for fishing, and then Ridge had to kayak again, being even more comfortable behind the double-bladed paddle. Kayaking was followed by pool time at Diamante Country Club where granddaughter Aker met new friends and had a super time. 

From the pool, it was back to the house driveway to pickup sandwiches, chips, etc. before heading to Balboa beach. There, they joined friends, returning just before dark. Kay fed the grandkids, and parents met their friends for a night out. Kay, the grandkids, and I were in bed by 9 PM. 

“Sleeping in” was the order of the morning on Monday, Memorial Day. After a quick breakfast, Karyn and her family returned home for a busy afternoon; I slept and Kay went shopping.

Life for us has pretty much returned to normal, whatever that is. Kay continues with board duties for PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization) and the Lady Duffers (HSV womens’ 9-hole social golf league) while playing with another golf group, and playing pickleball a couple times a week. I played golf two times this week as well as playing pickleball a couple of times.

Butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies are slowing appearing at our place in Hot Springs Village, later than in the past few years. Sunday, after church, three different species of butterflies were observed at our place. With camera, lens, and tripod in hand, a Question Mark and a Hackberry Emperor were photographed at the base of the same tree, and a Red-spotted Purple was photographed nectaring on a freshly hung basket of Vinca.

I was so desperate to make pictures that I “captured” this Carolina Chickadee waiting on a space at the feeder.

No new butterflies were spotted at our place on Monday, but a couple of dragonflies and a damselfly were; and, of course, they were photographed.

This unusual bloom was spotted on an aquatic plant adjacent to our dock.

I got in a round of golf on Tuesday with our church group, but pickleball was canceled because of the threat of rain.

Kay got in a golf game Wednesday morning before the rain, but our HSV Paddlewheelers pickleball game was canceled. Since pickleball was canceled, I drove the few minutes to Middle Fork Barrens Nature Area and found an array of new wildflowers.

Indian Pink finally began blooming (one of my favorites).

A dragonfly and a damselfly were also seen.

Butterflies, mostly skippers, were plentiful as the sun warmed the area, and I was rewarded with these photos.

More rain and a mix-up by the HSV Pickleball Club thwarted my playing pickleball this week though Kay did get in a few games on Thursday evening. Additionally, she played a round of golf on Friday afternoon before dinner at Diamante with the Hartmans.

Not much has changed from that last reported. However, the loosening of Covid-19 restrictions has meant that we are now able to share time with close family and friends in settings other than our houses. In that regard, Kay attended her first The Book Club meeting Thursday afternoon, May 13, in over a year; The Book Club had suspended meetings last April 2020. It has been in existence for 41 years!

I returned to Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area on Friday morning, May 14, to photograph wildflowers.

Even a few butterflies made an appearance and remained still long enough for a decent picture.

One dragonfly and one damselfly presented themselves for photos.

Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16, grandson Ridge played soccer in the state tournament in North Little Rock, state championship. His team, the Rangers (class of 2011 because all players were born in 2011), won all four games, allowing only one goal, to claim the state championship. It was a thrilling couple of days, and Kay and I were able to watch him play.

Kay and I met our new doctor, Dr. Seth Barns, on Monday, May 17. We really liked our former doctor, Dr. Xu, but he left the CHI group for private practice and we felt it in our best interest to remain in the CHI group for consolidated information and medical histories.

For the first time in well over a year, granddaughter Aker spent the first solo night (Friday, May 21) away from home, and we were the recipients of her visit. Kay and Aker met Aker’s other family members on Saturday, May 22, at the Hot Springs Alligator & Petting Zoo.

It’s been a while since a blog entry was last posted!

Though we’re quite active with full schedules, on looking back it seems we lead a pretty dull life, constantly repeating the same activities, day in day out. I did manage to trip to Camp Robinson SUA (AGFC Pepper’s Pond) and William Kirsch Preserve to make photos on Tuesday, May 4. Retriever training was in full blast mode with shotgun sounds booming, etc. so we departed after a couple of hours for  William Kirsch Preserve in Little Rock. There, wind was whipping through the vegetation, minimizing photo opportunities. Photos of wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and birds follow. A click on each photo will enlarge it.

I got a good report from the cardiologist on Thursday, May 6, and the slight heart valve leakage has not intensified.

Kay had a great lunch with her two kids on Saturday, May 8, to celebrate Mother’s Day. It was particularly special and intimate for her as it was only her kids and her.

Kay and I had to take a break from this busy retirement lifestyle; consequently, we traveled to  Crystal Bridges for the long weekend. The trails and grounds, in addition to the art galleries, had been beckoning for some time.

After departing home mid-morning on Friday, our first major stop was Devil Den’s State Park near Winslow, Arkansas. Though not sure why, the old age of the infrastructure and park setting was a surprise; we had expected a state park like Petit Jean or Lake Ouachita. We walked a short trail looking for wildflowers and butterflies, but not they were far and few between—a big disappointment after having read so many positive stories about the park. In fact, not a single photo was made. Perhaps we did not venture far and wide enough to be impressed.

Our next stop was Crystal Bridges. We walked the Tulip Tree and North Forest trails, both exhibiting an abundant number of native wildflowers. The aesthetics were great as we could see and hear the rushing water of natural creeks and streams adjacent to the trails.

Before turning in for the night, we had dinner was at Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, and it was good.

After grabbing a sack breakfast from the hotel lobby, we drove the short distance to the Saturday Bentonville Farmer’s Market on the square—OMG. Fresh vegetable and flowerstands, a variety food trucks, artists, crafters, coffee stands, etc. covered about 3 blocks with people seemingly everywhere. I had a coffee while Kay had tacos.

A live band was playing in one area, and a “Square to Square” bicycle ride was terminating in another. Vendors covered the square and surrounding streets and parking lots. The bicycle ride limited the number of riders to 3,000, with a loooong waiting list. The ride was from the Fayetteville square to the Bentonville square. Cyclists of all ages, ethnicity, sizes, and shapes participated.

Among my favorite street performers is the balloon artist.

The number of young families was surprising, and most of the market goers were masked. It was an incredibly fun experience, and one we will not miss on future trips to northwest Arkansas.

Kay obtained 12:30 PM tickets to the Crustal Bridges Museum of American Art, a world-class art museum (admission is free). We continue to be impressed with each visit, and this visit was no exception. If you haven’t been, it is a “must see” stop, worth traveling several hours out of the way.

A late lunch was at AQ Chicken House, a northwest stalwart. I try to eat there anytime we’re in northwest Arkansas, remembering the good meals eaten there (usually on someone else’s dime) during college at the University of Arkansas. The food was great.

We returned to the hotel, spent a quiet evening before an early bedtime.

Having met our objectives, we returned home Sunday to spend an unusual quiet day.