Begining of Fall

FINALLY, a break in the hot weather and a little rain has fallen. Too little too late for any kind of vegetable garden, but at least the grass is greening up. The temperatures are in the 60's - 80's, so quite pleasant. We are gearing up for Cheese Festival. Andy and Mary Larson from the Chamber have been working long hours to make this year's festival a resounding success. The CF volunteers have a lot to make up this year for the losses sustained last year from mismanagement. We have new Art Show exhibitors,new sponsors, and volunteers that are all working together this year, so we have no doubt the festival will be successful. We are continuing to run with the Phoenix Circle Foundation and promote art projects. Hopefully after Cheese Festival we can begin work on an art gallery on Main Street Watonga, and after that the goal is to open an art studio. These are long term goals and nothing happens quickly in Watonga, but we are determined to make something positive happen in Watonga. We have lots of support from community members and appreciate that so much. We hope to have a bonfire and outdoor chuck-wagon cookout at the Retreat sometime this fall, so stay posted!

The summer has gone by so quickly, I've hardly had time to blink. Actually, I've gotten a lot done. We've had several guests at the B&B over the summer. I've managed to keep the yard and gardens alive through the horrible heat, but just barely. I've hosted two more Liquid Art evenings, gotten through a summer of Farmers Market Saturdays, and had one lawn concert at the Retreat. The rest of the time has been spent getting ready for the Cheese Festival. My daughter had surgery on her shoulder and has been going to physical therapy but is now ready to go back to work. Drew came to visit and we took a trip to Tulsa and went to Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower. I was inspired by the art exhibit there. Drew did some sketches while there. He also brought some of his recent art pieces for us to see, but took them back to Austin with him. we have 5 guinea hens now. Three killed by a snake and two killed by Skeeter. But they have been helpful in keeping the grasshopper population at bay. Now that the weather has turned slightly cooler -- before 90 degrees -- and we've had a little bit of rain, the gardens are starting to put foliage back on. The Rose of Sharon is even blooming!! I'm looking forward to a pleasant fall. We hope to have a couple more lawn concerts before the weather turns too cold. Then it will be time for a bonfire and a cookout! Stay turned!