The Mighty RED RIVER of the North

Some of you have no doubt seen the news of Fargo/Moorhead fighting the flooding on the Red River south of us (the Red flows north so what they are getting is heading to us). I came home early from Little Rock to make sure the house is doing ok though a friend was taking good care of it. It is hard to get pictures to tell the story in GF as there is $1000 fine if you are caught on the dikes. So the only pictures I have were taken as we drove over the only remaining bridge crossing the Red.This picture is of a road way into East Grand Forks which is now ice and water covered. The dike is to the left.
It is hard to see but this is all water and ice. In the flood of 1997 it was residential but all the homes have been removed to widen the river channel.

Sorry for the poor pictures but we are in the middle of a snow storm.

After the flood the tax payers of America helped put up a 400 million dollar dike. Thank you, you are very kind! That is why we sit here relaxed and Fargo is fighting the river. This shows the dry side of part of the earthen dike which protects our city to 60 feet. The crest is predicted to come in about 51 feet.

Part of the dike system looks like this with breaks in them for roads which can be filled in with metal structures that keep the water out. Again thank you for your dike... we appreciate it!

Fun with the Mackster

The Mackster had a busy day today. It started out with Tutu putting Mack on the mantel to see if he would make a good decoration. He wasn't so sure he liked the idea.Then Daddy and Mommy had to watch the NDSU Bison play Kansas on their computer. Even Mack had to check the out the game. The Bison did well but fell short of the taller Kansas team.
Then we went with Mack to the commissary. Here he is checking to see if there are any ND Reds.

Of course we got a lot of attention from the ladies (well, Mack did). They liked his hat and "Chipmunk Cheeks." We had a great day... and oh, I forgot. I killed a snake in the yard. A small one but pretty ornery. Guess Marilyn is done helping in the yard.

Another Day in the "Natural State"

Arkansas, the Natural State, as their license plates state, began heavily overcast and misty.Soon the sun came out and the signs of Spring were obvious in the neighborhood.
The blossoms are everywhere.

Even the woods seems to be coming alive.

We enjoyed a good salad and pasta that Carrie made for us tonight.

And of course had all the entertainment a Grandparent could want from Mack.

M and I worked outside some again today...

And so wished at the end of the day that I was as limber as this little guy.

If you are my age you know not to try this at home.

Fisherman, Flier, and Fun

As you can tell, our first day in LR has been cloudy, but I think Spring is here. The neighbor landed his first bass from the pond behind the house.And I spotted a Blue Bird on the fence. I wish we had them up north. All I have ever seen are the wooden boxes which are supposed to attract them to nest.
Of course, this guy brings sunshine even if the sun doesn't do its thing. He is bouncing back and forth in his bouncer thing-a-ma-bob and smiling the whole time.

Can Spring be far behind?

I have heard that bald eagles nest very early. This is the first time I checked their nest in several weeks and they are both hanging around it now. Not sure if they are sitting on eggs yet, but they seem to be moving in that direction. Can Spring be far behind? And it is barely above zero this morning so imagine how they have to work to keep the eggs warm. Anyway, it is a good sign that winter may be losing its grip!