Category: Hummm

Hummm…A Farming July

The Cedar Journal July 29, 2022

As my regular followers know the Hummm file never knows what the universe will throw our way, this month was full of such surprises.

Let’s start with this…

Was at the grocery and found this new toilet paper. Wonder what they are making the comparison. Is it less crappy than other TP? Or is this the option to use when you have choices to make and just wish for a less crappy one? Congratulations you sold me! I laughed out loud and placed several packages in my basket.

Not much Hummm…in this photo, just Namekagon on the water for a paddle. But getting to the lake and back takes us through the Green Heart Land (farming country) of The Netherlands where we noticed the following.

Hummm…What a cool celebration, is it like a National holiday? Nope the Dutch flag is upside down… this is farm country and the upside down flag is the protest symbol of the farmers.

We then had our own farming moments of the summer as we finally were called and offered a garden plot close where we live. Late in the summer to start a garden but we got to work and within a week we have cleaned out the weeds, hauled in 26 bales of straw, built a processing table, and started amending the nearly dead soil.

That has gotten some raised eyes from neighboring plots but hopefully by next Spring we will have things going towards raising all our own veggies. Since I don’t like to weed and have a bad back the straw bale garden method should be a win/win for adding nutrients to the very poor soil and not having to bend or be on my knees pulling weeds.

Hummm… if you are wondering what this entire straw bale thing is… it comes from my home state of Minnesota. You can listen to a podcast all about it here …

148-Gardening in Straw Bales: An Easy & Inexpensive Solution to Make Growing Food More Accessible for All

Then it was hot! So hot here we broke records.

Hummm…the heat didn’t stop these people from having a great BBQ at Adult Care Facility. Just look at those 80 somethings go with the dance line!!!

Hummm… what can I buy on ESTY, how about cotton from the USA! No way! Yes! A 1/4 lb of handpicked cotton from North Carolina arrived in the mail. With the seed. Could our readers see a future Hummm of a cotton farmer in The Netherlands? Let’s see if Fox News could get that as wrong as how they explained the farmer protests. 😳🙄👩‍🌾👩‍🌾👩‍🌾

The truth is out there and people should not get on the conspiracy bandwagon without all the right information!!! The environmental laws were placed into law here in The Netherlands years ago to help control the CO2 emissions.

Some of the smaller farmers who didn’t and still don’t have the capital to make the upgrades could be forced out of business.

That sucks if you are a farmer or a consumer of farm products (like that is anyone who likes to eat!).

The fact is the climate is changing, and all people on this planet have to make changes to help everyone, not just one nation or one culture or be fearful of what others have or don’t have!

I do feel that the farming community here in The Netherlands was unfairly targeted when the laws were made. There are many large corporations and businesses that place toxic chemicals into the air here and around the world each and everyday and are not held to the same standards. I do not think the way of protest should ever be the destruction of property (that goes for anyone! Even the farmers). Peaceful protests with constructive helpful diplomacy will make for a better future.

Hummm… what is the

way forward?

Hummm… June Wrap Up

The Cedar Journal June 28, 2022

As June is coming to a close it is time to update my Hummm… most of these come from the last part of our Minnesota vacation but we had a couple that snuck into file since our return. We never know when those things that make us go Hummm… will appear! Enjoy!

Hummm…Is that a sleeping bag bottle cozy? Yup! It made me smile at the General Store in Marine on St Croix and then followed us on vacation.

The problem with some Hummm… is that once you see one, you see them everywhere, this one multiplied into crazy cute cozy’s everywhere!!! One last chance to purchase? Nope. Resistance to the cute cozy!

Hummm… smile face! This greets anyone on Walsh Road, Eagle Nest Lake 3. What a great way to brighten any day.

This Hummm…comes from the Front Porch Coffee & Tea Coffee in Ely. I guess the local campaign is going to the dogs also a limited focus group as this was found in the rest room.

Hummm… if things in Ely get really bad they still have one of these… a fall out shelter at the Post Office. Take note “B” in IL! 😂

Hummm… just in case you needed another life jacket. Cute cozy.

This Hummm… was provided as a solution to mosquitoes! No kidding. A dab behind your ear will keep them away. Hummmm… maybe next time….

Hummm… I really didn’t think that the Navy was using clean diplomacy.

Hummm… seems like this is either very manly or very old soap.

This Hummm… was found while paddling in Aalsmeer. This bus sign is located on an island surrounded by water… not sure how the bus will stop here. Maybe a canoe stop?

Hummmm… a canoe? That is a wrap for June!

** What has made you stop in your tracks this month and made you ask Hummm…?

Hummmm…Wisconsin

The Cedar Journal June 12, 2022

We are paddling in Northern Minnesota and in the coming weeks readers will be able to read about our battles with the alternate Minnesota State bird. Until then…

Hummmm…

Close to the start of this vacation we crossed the border into the neighboring state of Wisconsin and drove the backroads following the St Croix from Douglas County south to Osceola, WI. One would not think there could be so many instant Hummm… available. Here are some but not all we witnessed.

At a boat launch and camping site along the St Croix River. Hummm… where there is smoke there is fire danger! These campers must not have been taught the rules of fire and camping. No one was at the campsite and this huge branch was smoking and outside the fire pit.

A stop at this cafe in Danbury, WI provided a wonderful breakfast, great service and Hummmm… an additional feel good message even for us who are pagans. How can you not start the day feeling good knowing that someone loves you!

A stop at a Holiday Station in Dresser provided two Hummm…. This one was clear that instruction was needed.

This Hummm… made me laugh out loud. First, anything that says Pandora’s box is questionable but on this item I am not so sure I would participate. But, I did feel compelled to inform the outside world!😂

Growing up in Minnesota I shouldn’t have been surprised to see the above in a consignment store but Hummm… with a baseball Mom hat on, it made my Hummm file.

Checking into our hotel in Osceola we found that this sign might have been difficult for people to accomplish at this front desk. Hummm… closer look… do I really have to place my feet there? How does that work? Maybe a bit much laying on the carpet? How? Ok… well… just take a picture. Hummmm…

The restaurant Tippy Canoe is right next door and we had the best wait staff and loaded up on cheese curds. Thanks Bobbie for the wonderful service and conversation. Then we headed back to the hotel and it seems that the universe was trying to keep us in town.

“Hey, do you see that? Is someone trying to keep our car from moving?”

“I wonder if it is like super glue gum?” Instantly a Hummm… file addition!

I can report that we made it out of Wisconsin safely and we want to thank the State for the making us think outside the box.

We hope you enjoyed this addition to our Hummm… collection. Enjoy looking for surprises in life and Carpe Diem!

Hummmm… Camping/Hiking in Netherlands

The Cedar Journal May 2, 2022

Those regular readers of my blog already know to be amazed at the items that the universe places in my path.

This week is vacation week in The Netherlands for most people. The Hubby only has three days off but we decided to escape to one of our favorite camping spots at the Biesbosch. Then I would try to get my hiking feet to pound the kilometers I still have to complete the Floris V Pad hiking trail. Oh, how I digress, this is a Hummm blog. Yes, I found these at our camping and along my route.

This electric panel needs a floppy disk? Hummmm… did I time travel?

Hummm… other than the finger that wanted some exposure… this stork nest stand seemed a bit out of place to me. Since there is not a stork using it guessing it thought Hummmm…strange location and looked elsewhere.

Hummm… maybe I need to stop and get some water, as I think this is an American Post Box…closer look…sure is…wonder if the Postmaster General really can do anything to me here? But wait… maybe I am in the USA…

…as I look down the street there are two more! Hummmm… hard to find the large ones in Minnesota with a dent from a snowplow… guess they don’t have that problem here in Dordrecht.

Hummm… this is the first hiking sticker I have found on a garbage can on this trail.

This last photo sums up my hummm for the last two years and all that is going on right now. Go camping, disconnect, drink and be happy.

Carpe Diem everyone!

Hummm…April Fool’s?

The Cedar Journal April 1, 2022

March filled my folder of Hummm, today it spilled onto my desk as April Fool’s joke from Mother Nature.

While waiting for my friend to arrive from Minnesota… Hummm… maybe I should be concerned? Did I miss the dresscode email?

When I texted it to the Hubby who was waiting at another door for my friend. He sent me this!

Hummm…he missed the dress code email too!

While walking in Gouda this one appeared from a rooftop.

Now, this happened while riding my bike. Luckily for me I was close to home and no human was hurt performing the acrobatic maneuvers needed to not fall off the bike, not have a sharp object up my six, or the flying saddle hitting the old lady who watched the entire entertaining event! Hummm…thank you universe.

Hummm… taking advice from tea bags. If life could be so simple.

Then came the snow on April Fool’s Day. One last joke on us before Spring really sets in. Hummm… something is just not right with the world when Mother Nature dumps snow on poor blooming tulips. Hummm… I wonder what the rest of April will bring.

Hummm… this made me smile in many ways, the post person stopped and took pictures of the tulips I planted along our street. Thank you universe for good people who appreciate beauty in the world.🌷

The folder is empty here at The Cedar Journal. Have you seen a Hummm… recently? Share your recent finds in our comment section below.

💙💛☮️