4-3-2-2014 The count down to a new year

Here is South Bend it is a balmy 37 as we await the morning sun to dim the Christmas tree lights.  The forecast says that will be the high for the day with snow coming in this PM.  Perhaps it means that Terry and I will head south again a couple of hours sooner than planned.  Around noon was the departure time but I think we will move that up some.  Driving on hwy 31 south we should have good weather and then as we near the IN border there may be rain.  We had perfect weather driving up so it sounds like the trip back may be some what different.  We are thinking we will drive about 300 miles or so today, maybe 600 on Monday and then the last 400 on Tuesday.  A long drive for a short time but worth it for sure.
The time with John/Mary and family and Aaron/Amy and family has been too short.  We missed Cynthia/Mike and family and Travis being here.  On Friday we went ice skating and with the temps in the high 30s it was again perfect.  Yesterday we spent some time in the South Bend Museum looking at Ansel Adam's pictures.  We received a book of his pictures so it was special to see them in real!  From there we went to the Salvation Army indoor rec center where the kids had a ball.  We ended the day with a great meal at the Oaken Barrel where the kids devoured 4 plates of onion rings in record time to start with!  Well the adults had a few too. 
I need to get my video camera out this morning as Ruby does a great acting out of the ABCs.  The video camera has been in hiding for a long time but have used it some this weekend.
Well, Henry, John and Audrey are up so it is time to sign off.

December 27--5 days until 2014!!!!!

We are waking up at the Hampton Inn in Seymour IN.  Google shows that we are 205 miles from South Bend.  Plan to be on the road by 9 or so and get to John and Marys by early PM.  We have had perfect traveling weather so far.  Yesterday we stopped and took in Mammoth Cave NP which was fun.  Had a tour of a cave.  It is the longest cave in the world, 400 miles and counting. 
This is the first trip we have taken without our camper since we got it.  I am finally finding out what mileage we get with and without the camper.  We have had perfect driving conditions and the trip meter shows 27+ mpg.  Yesterday we filled in gas for 2.98.9 and I had to think that times have changed a lot as today that is very cheap gas!  It does make a difference in the pocket when gas is hovering around $3. as opposed to being around  $3.75 or so. 
We had a nice Christmas at Terry's daughter and are looking forward to a fun time with John/Mary and Aaron/Amy families.  Wish we could all be together but maybe another year.
This is the first time in a hotel for a long time and I had forgotten about the hot breakfast.  Well actually it was hot but not "hot"!  I guess I will vote for the camper special which is usually FP with toast.  I did get a FP coffee cup for Christmas and can hardly wait to use it.  Terry surprised me with an inflatable kayak for two.  I am really excited to use it when we return to FL.
I need to get another cup of coffee from the lobby as this hotel coffee does not do the trick like my FP. Earlier I was in the lobby and it looks like this part of the country is blessed with the best weather and I do hope it stays this way until we head back on Sunday.
I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and that the new year is special.

Happy birthday Benedict on December 24th!

One of my all time favorite pictures of any of the grand children.  Benedict just looks like the perfect grandson!  Full of mischief, happy and actually here he looks like he did something funny, as least to him!! 
Two years ago Terry and I flew back to the cities to spend Christmas but mostly to be sure we could see our new grandson.  We had to wait several days after we arrived but he finally came, just in time to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Happy birthday Benedict and may you always be fun of life, full of joy and full of our Savior's peace and spirit.
We love you.
I am posting this a bit early as we will leave early tomorrow to spend Christmas with daughter Kim and family and then son John and his family and son Aaron and family.  We are expecting to have a grand time.

It's a dog day!



I think this is Grandma Lee's Whitey, the dog, not the one with the cap on!




This is our Bennie, the one with the corn cob in his mouth!

In going through some pictures I came across these.  They reminded me of our Frisky, our Lemond and Wallace.  On our farm Bennie met an untimely death--will not go into that.  Grandma named her dog Whitey because if anyone ever wanted to steal him they would never guess his name!!  By the looks of the second picture it seems my shoes and pants may have come from the welfare box that Aunt Ragna would send from CA.  the mittens, well I hated them because Dad never wore mittens and why should I.  AND they look like they could have been intended for Joan or Helen with that design on.  AND it must have been really cold cause I have my ears covered which was unusual.

Come Lord, Come

We are getter nearer to the birth of our Savior and it is exciting.  We have our manger scene up and with the sunset we put the lamp on so that we can see it each time we walk past the den.  The goodies for the holidays are almost finished.  Terry made a batch of her peanut butter fudge a while I made a batch of Grandpa Saunder's fudge.  Of course every time I make fudge I think of that exciting 2006 October when I made 22 batches for Cynthia and Mike's wedding.  Also I can still see Grandpa Saunders slicing and dicing all the ingredents as he painstakingly made his fudge during the holidays.  It was a big deal and always a lot of fun.  Monday we made holiday cookies and yesterday we made sugar cookies with the tiny sprinkles to decorate them.  That was my idea but oh my gosh---in the end my cookies looked like, well I guess I would say a man made them and Terry's looked like a professional had made them.  About all I can say is I gave it the old college try and in the end the grandkids will like the cookies.  I would take a big bet when the cookies are eaten--Terry's will go first!!
I continue to get out on the tennis court for about 20 minutes most mornings.  It is peaceful, it is quiet and I just hit the ball over the net (most of the time).  I did play with a guy Monday who, I know this is hard to believe, is not at the level I am so it was good as I could practice my back hand and serves without having the competitive juices kick in.  Friday there will be a foursome and that will be fun while Saturday I will play Tim who is at least a level above me.  I have yet to win against him but we always have a great time.  That will be the last of the tennis for this year as we will leave for PeachTree City early Monday AM.  If anyone thinks of us in your prayers we could use some the 26-31.  I hope and pray that we have good travel during those days.  My driving skills in snow and ice may have disappeared!
It is almost scary to think that we are 14 days away from 2014.  Terry and I have no certain plans for the coming year but will have to start thinking about that soon.  I know there is a LONG list of wood projects that could and should be done and I do want to finish all of them.
Last, a Christmas story from the past.  I think I was about 8-10 or so this Christmas.  Dad had gone to South Dakota for some health issues and he cam back a short time before Christmas.  He brought these reflectors for the christmas tree lights.  Mom was so so excited.  We unscrewed all the bulbs and then put the relectors on and Mom thought the tree was so beautiful.  I THINK that was the way the story went.  Perhaps siblings remember it differently but of course my memory is perfect so if they think it was different of course I am right!!!!!!!!!!!!    That actually does not sound like a very exciting story but I remember Mom was so happy.  Now, as I reflect back on our growing up, many of my memories are of when Mom was happy.  I think that is because in her life she was so giving and had so little.  Because of that when she did get any tiny thing she was so thankful.
Actually I have a whole cup of FP left but the "spellcheck" is not working so I will take the last cup of coffee to see if I can detect any error!

Food for Thought



I do not remember Helen and I being builders!




bib overalls, barefeet, not in your life!!




A moment in the past, now three more are here!

 It is one of those mornings!!  My thoughts for today are what?-who?-where? and more.  I look at self and see pictures and then recall memories of growing up on the farm.  Far from culture, far from city, far from a lot of people--who was I then?  College, studies, motorcycle, then marriage--who was I then?  My professional life, my family life for many years,who was I then?  Now married again, retired-who am I now?  With all those questions comes another one--Am I an adopter of my surroundings or am I who I always was, just dealing with where I am now?  Perhaps this does not make sense to others but for me it is real.  As I get ready to walk the distance to the tennis courts this morning to hit a few balls in the peacefulness of the morning I think about my interests today, my activities today and what they were in the past.  I think about my family and who they are today and say oh yes, life goes on and it changes all the time.   
I guess all I can say is what I have said in the past, "The only certain thing is what is today will not be tomorrow;" 

Another Day

A couple of pictures not related to today.  The sunset is from the front door of Terry's sister Jenn's condo in Titusville FL.  The spider spun this web in a preserve near Titusville.  As we drove through Bill stopped the car and I used my 300m lens. 
Advent marches on this year.  We put our Christmas scene up a few days ago.  No tree here as we will be gone the 23-31.  I thought we were finished with presents etc but actually sent out 4 yesterday.  They are the only ones we needed to send this year.  I few days ago I decided I wanted to send some things that I had thought about for some time so we wrapped things up (yes we did wrap) yesterday and got them to the post office.  Even got a compliment from the post man on the great job of wrapping!
I had one of my most fun tennis matches yesterday.  It makes so much difference who one plays with.  Several days ago I played doubles and one of the guys was just way way too serious.  He actually is good to play with as he is at least a level above me but come on, you got to have some fun too in joking and laughing.  I find that it is great to compliment your opponent for a good shot and in the same vein get upset with self for a bad shot---but only for a second and then move one!  Also enjoyed a half hour lesson which pointed out some (well actually many) things I need to work on.  I do not have any grand intentions of being a good player but I do want to play at a level that I can have fun with most of the men here.  Now I will admit that many of the guys who play are 70+ or 80+ but hey, it is all on a level court regardless of age.  I mean I am no spring chicken either.
It is still dark out but as soon as it gets light I intend to jump on the bike and return 2 books to the library.  It is about a 4 mile ride one way, not long but enough to start to get the legs in some sort of shape.  I might even splurge on myself and stop at "the second cup" for some great coffee.  It might just be almost as good as my FP!
That does remind me, my FP for the day is gone.

Happy 44th Birthday John

There is the whole gang, the FIVE reasons John is such a great guy, the FIVE reasons he will have a wonderful birthday and the FIVE reasons he needs to keep on his best 24/7!!
John, Terry and I wish you the best birthday ever and may this be the year some of your long held dreams come true!

Welcome December 2013

Just a note today.  Some things that have happened in the last week or so:

• I had a tennis lesson and I THINK it will help
• We had to get a new printer and it is amazing what one can get for the dollar compared to 25 years ago
• We are about ready with our Christmas letter but the program is crashing--help
• Still we are enjoying left overs from Thursday
• Florida continues to be sunny and nice
• we have not had enough walks on the beach
• Christmas wreaths are up on the garage

Have a great Advent Season

A strange Thanksgiving BUT great food

We had a delicious Thanksgiving meal yesterday.  What does one do to prepare for the Thanksgiving meal?  Well I think we did pretty much what everyone does: make sure the house is clean and in order--shop for food, often food you would not buy for yourself but you suspect your guests might like--set the table with your best dinner ware, check the turkey often to be sure it is not over or under grilled,--make sure everyone is on the same page for dinner time--much more too!
We did all that and were expecting our guests to arrive between 4:30 and 5:00 PM as some of them were arriving from out of town and when we were asked when they should come over we said asap after they arrived.  About 4:50, when the table was set, the turkey was done and the house looked like a show case for an open house, Terry's phone rang.  All of our guests were at a different house and would we like to come over???????????????????????????????   They called Terry so she answered.  I was amazed at how well she handled it with self control and grace.  The short story is our guests did come to our house, we did have a delicious dinner (a bit late) and the conversation was fine.  Everyone departed about 8:00 or so.  Strange--I have never experienced nor heard of such a dinner party.  For me Thanksgiving has always been much about conversation and fellowship before the meal.  Yesterday it was pretty much a greet, eat and good by!  There was not even time to take the plate of hors d'oeuvres out of the fridge!  End of story--I am not sure!
Well we are settled in for the winter I think.  I got on the tennis court for the first time last Tuesday.  It was a story of "the kind of good, the bad and the ugly".  But it was fun and that is the most important factor they tell me.  I will also get on the court today at 9:00 AM and then a half hour lesson Saturday.  I know they should have been turned around but sometimes timing is off.
Today is "Black Friday" but Terry and I will not participate, well I will wear a black shirt at tennis this morning but on the shopping end no.  We actually took care of all the grand children's things before we left St. Paul so we will not have a repeat of my trip to the post office last year.  As I entered the post office with a dolly piled higher than my head I got many looks of relief from the people in front of me.  Later from the people behind me the looks were not to friendly.  This year--nothing.
We experienced a short cold front yesterday.  The temp was 47 when I picked up the paper off the driveway.  This morning it is more like average which is around 60. 
I received good news from brother-in-law Dale.  He did not hear of anyone shooting my big buck that I watched this fall.  Not a big deal but I just kind of hoped he would live for another season.  Will I hunt next fall, I do not know but he was so magnificent I wanted him to live for another time.  Really I should call Dale today.  Their family always goes on a trip over Thanksgiving but not this year.  I suspect they had cereal for breakfast and then just drove around all day out of habit!
I enjoyed two turkey sandwiches for breakfast along with my FP.  A turkey sandwich with a bit of mayo and salt and pepper is about as good as Thanksgiving dinner for me.

November 23

Faustina hard at work in school

The weekend is already here, wow.
We are still in the middle of settling in.  Yesterday we finished washing down the frame of the screen over the pool.  That was a big deal as it is high.  Terry continues to order and put things away so little by little things are getting back to normal if there is such a thing.
As I looked at the picture of Faustina I thought wow, Henry in 4th, Liam in 2nd, Leo in 1st, Faustina in K, Audrey in K next year and Jude the following year and maybe Ruby too I am not sure.  Before I know it we will have to remember not only birthdays but grades and who knows what is next!
We have not gotten into the "winter life" yet.  Have not picked up the tennis racket, have not gone to the library and have not gotten on the bikes.  Maybe next week we will do some of that.
We made some phone changes this week.  We upgraded my phone to an i-phone, downgraded Terry's from a HTC smart phone to a non-smart flip phone.  We both had HTC and neither of us liked them.  We then took the 651-699-4861 #  and the 239-593-0969 # out of service.  Actually the 239 # will be in service until January 3 when we can cancel it without a penalty.  So the short of it is Terry has her cell and I have mine and that is it.  I thought about the 699 # which I had since 1977 and realized that it was time to let it go.  It does not make sense to be sentimental about a phone #.  I would say in the last 4 years 95% or more meaningful calls have come to my cell and maybe 95% of the calls on 699 are asking for work or money.  Wow, not sure the phones were worth using that many words.
Enough for now.

50 years ago today I was in social studies class



this cute little "pinch cheek" girl



Became the lovely Mrs. Helen Petteway

 




a good picture of Mom (Ruby) and Dad (Lawrence)--usually Dad never smiled




Who am I related to?  this guy or




this guy??????????

Some pictures of pictures that Helen has on the wall in her home.  The last two pictures--of course the one is brother Dave, my elder brother who in the minds of most people is younger and better looking!  He may be better on the looks side but he is 2 1/2 years older than I and has the wisdom and woodworking skills to prove it.  The other "guy" is also some relative and I am thinking someone needs to do genealogy in our family as we may be entitled to casino money someplace!!!!
The lovely Mrs. Petteway, well my Terry needs to change her mind.  When she spends time with Helen all she can talk about is how gorgeous Helen looks in her wedding pictures and she tends to forget how dazzling she is and how pretty the rest of the women in our family are. 
We have now been back in Naples two full days and things are starting to look kind of in order.  Terry spent much of the day yesterday sorting and putting things away while I spent time cleaning the cage around the pool.  I need to put the 13 foot ladder in the water today and get the high part that is above the pool.  We also have some food in the fridge now and several frozen turkeys tucked away for future use.  Well one of them will be eaten next Thursday and then the others will be enjoyed by company in the weeks ahead.
I just took a sip of FP and the last of it in the bottom of the cup turned my toe nails up so that I could not get my shoes on!

We have landed!!!!!



A bobcat near where Jen and Bill live--in the wild




Brother Ronald and sister Helen--in 1951?  Ronald 15 and Helen maybe 10 months?




Sunrise as seen from the condo of Jen and Bill in Titusville FL





Terry and Helen and oh yes Carmen

We arrived in Naples about 4:00 PM today.  We have decided that we need to stay put for a bit.  Since March 28 of this year when we left Naples we have traveled 27,000+ miles in addition to our trip to China.  We do have a Christmas time trip planned to GA and IN but then it will be staying in one place for a while.
Our trip was a fun one.  We had a great time with sister Helen and a great time with Terry's sister Jen and husband bill.  They have a wonderful place over looking the Indian River in Titusville FL.  We watched the launch of a rocket Monday from their 9th story condo. 
Enough for tonight.

At sister Helen's home

Sunset on the Gulf

We arrived in Holiday Island about 1:00 PM yesterday after leaving Wallace State Park in MO about 7.  We are now 650 miles into our trip to Naples.  We will spend the day with Helen and then head out kind of early tomorrow as we would like to travel 1100 miles over the weekend.  That may not sound too far but we usually do not travel that far with the camper so will see how it goes.
As we drove into the MO state park on Wednesday night I should have had my 270 rifle.  To the left and to the right there were deer.  Also saw some as we left the next morning.
It was strange yesterday thinking about Travis' 42 birthday.  The day he was born seems so long ago yet I still usually have in my mind that he along with John, Aaron and Cynthia are kids.  Of course when you think in terms of their ages--almost 44, 42, 40 and 33 that is not the case.  It also crossed my mind that back when Travis was born I thought of uncles or aunts who were 66 to be pretty old--there is ME!
I feel special here.  Helen DID have P salad and even FP this morning so I should be good to go for the entire day.  Helen just came in and put on her coffee so I will sign off.

A surprise, happy birthday two days early



two happy campers, birthday boy on the left




Always willing to lend Dad a hand





Travis treated family to a Twins game




Exploring sunny Florida

Happy 42nd birthday Travis.  I am early as your birthday is November 14th but Terry and I will be at my sister Helen's place as we travel to Naples so will post this early.  In case you forgot you came into the world at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake on a cool but wonderful fall day.  Back in 1971 husbands were not allowed in the birthing room so I waited in the lobby for you to arrive.  It was a bit after 6:00 AM when you decided it was time to arrive.  Back then I probably was a bit foolish so I greeted you, spent a wee bit of time with your Mother and then headed south of Devils Lake to shoot a small buck.  I was home by 10:00 AM, ate a huge bowl of lettuce which came out of our garden and then went to the hospital again.  It seemed a bit late for garden lettuce but I think we protected the plants and the weather had been pretty nice.  Anyway happy birthday a day early.  I love you and am so proud to say you are my son.  What you have accomplished in the last 6 months is amazing, keep up the good work.
I was late so today is Travis' birthday!

Dear me, no deer

Sunrise as seen from my deer stand Sunday, November 10, 2013

This scene is half of what made my weekend!
I left Friday and drove to Fargo where I had lunch with Grandma Saunders.  I spent about an hour with her and then headed to the Bindes.  I shot my rifle three times and was satisfied with my grouping so then walked out to the stand and climbed up.  All was OK and I left a camping chair there for the next morning.
Saturday the alarm went off at 5:00 AM.  I was in the stand by 6:10, 40 minutes before shooting time and and hour and 10 minutes before the sun would come up.  The day was not good in any way!!  From the get go the wind was 20-30 MPH and it seemed much more than that when one sits up 14 feet with little protection.  Through out the day it was cloudy, snow flurries and in a nut shell it was miserable!  I came down for the night about sun down.  I saw nothing, not even a mouse!  I would say I heard maybe 6 or 7 shots all day.  Usually one would hear 25-50 shots. I have to say that my Terry saved the day and the weekend as she encouraged me to bring a sleeping bag to bundle up in when I was in the stand.  I did that and if I had not brought the sleeping bag I would not have survived the weekend.
Sunday was a different story.  I arrived in the stand about 15 minutes before shooting time.  Forty-five minutes later, after I had taken pictures and the sun was peeking over the horizon I detected movement to my left.  I turned and looked straight north and there appeared to be a deer near the trees that separate Dale's land and his neighbors.  I picked up my rifle, put the scope on 9 power and there stood a 8-10 point buck, perhaps one of the largest I have seen in any hunt.  I knew I was about 400 yards away and he was standing on Dale's land but about 10-15 feet from the trees which are not Dales.  I contemplated a shot but thought I would be lucky to hit him and even if I were lucky he would most likely end up well into the trees where I could not go.  SO I enjoyed about 30 seconds of the scene.  I had hopes that he may meander over to the field on Dales land but no luck.  As he disappeared I had hope that there were hunters there and they may scare him back my way but no shots were heard and no deer was seen again.  BUT it was great and it made my weekend.  Some how it is nice to see deer like that in a national park, which we did, but to see them in the wild on a hunt is almost breath taking.  I hope he lives for another season!
We now have 2 days to ready ourselves to leave and let Travis take care of things for the next several months.  I need to check the weather in Kansas City as we intend to camp near there Wednesday night.  The Missouri travel site shows that Wallace State Park is open year round but their camp ground, not sure.  Anyway we plan to arrive at sister Helen's sometime Thursday.
I had my FP coffee at the Honda dealer today as I had the transmission fluid changed and the DVD player updated.  Also had nitrogen added to three of the tires.  After filling in $2.95 gas we should be ready to head south to warmer climate BUT first there are many things to do. 

I am at the post and am ready for the gate to open!!!

It is 5:30 PM Thursday, November 7, 2013.  I am primed for the big hunt Saturday.  I have everything ready--I think

• The bolts are in the guns and the guns are oiled and ready for action
• The knives are in the box hugging the belt that will hold them around my waist
• I purchased a half dozen P J Murphy buns that are UNCUT.  For deer hunting they need to be cut with the field knife
• There is hard salami in the fridge just waiting to be cut with the field knife as well
• There are a dozen mini candy bars in the food box
• I have the zip lock bags for the liver and heart if I am so blessed to get a deer
• There are layers and layers of warm clothes in the hunting bag
• There is a chair that will be put in place tomorrow afternoon on the deer stand
• I am getting old so there is a sleeping bag to sit on and rap around my frail body as I sit and wait Saturday AM
• There is a FP coffee maker packed so that I can make it at 5:00 AM Saturday and have it in the thermos by 5:15 AM
• There are two apples, one for each day--they also have to be cut with the field knife
• There is a "buck only" license pinned to the inside of my jacket
• There is ammo packed for the 270 and the 243 rifles
• Lastly there is a board with a target on so that I can practice Friday PM

That's it--a good night sleep, a breakfast of bacon, eggs and FP at 6:00 AM and I will be set!

a short note

As I sip on the last little drops of FP and gaze out on the white snow covered lawn I think maybe the FL sun shine and warmth are a good idea.  I will head up north Friday, have lunch with Grandma Saunders in Fargo and then get to the Binde farm about two or so.  I want to shoot my new Weatherby a couple of times, make sure the ladder is OK on the deer stand and maybe sit up in the stand Friday night as the sun sets.  I talked to Dale last night and told him that Terry is making a dinner so I can bring that for the evening meal.  I am not sure he will eat it because he is this staunch Norwegian and we will be having Swedish meatballs but maybe I will tell a little white lie and say they are Norwegian ones and he will love them!!  I plan to shoot a doe with my camera and take sun rise pictures.  It would be frosting on the cake to see a buck, shoot at it, hit it and take it home.  If that happens I will use a special knife Cynthia gave me when she came back from Europe.  It has never seen blood---but maybe this weekend.  I do have my 110 fold up Buck knife that I can use too. 
I pretty much finished up wood working for the season.  I had the 220V heater going round and round most of yesterday so that I could put finish on several things.  I have two small things left to put finish on but they need to dry for a couple of days first.  In between coats yesterday I cleaned a bit and took in 3 boxes of things that should not freeze so that is finished.  Also Travis and I raked leaves in the back yard so that is finished. 
Mike picked up the snow blower.  That Honda snow blower is one with the lives of a cat.  We used it A LOT in the 80s and 90s and then it sat for several years without being used.  I then put gas in it and it started right up.  Again it sat for about 3 more years and yesterday I put gas in it and it started up on the first pull!  I hope Mike and Cynthia can use it this winter as I think it has life left in it. 
I just answered Terry's phone and it is one of her friends from Naples.  I guess she was worried about Terry as we would usually have been in Naples a few weeks ago.
Enough, I need to wipe the guns down, put them in cases and then start to arrange things for the weekend and also for next week.  I am excited as we will spend next Thursday and Friday night with sister Helen--I will not ask for anything but there is a glimmer of hope that she may make P salad :)  We will see if she can read my mind and then if she can we will see how much she loves me!!  If not, well I will live for another day.
Last drop of FP--I am done

The question--why would one not want to be there??

The pictures out the windows are from the inside of my wood shop.  Why would not everyone want to be surrounded by wood with views like that to gaze outside?
The TP holder--a long story.  Two years ago Terry, "Carmen we need a tp holder"  Carmen, "I will make one".  Several weeks later--Terry, "Carmen we should buy a tp holder!"  Carmen, "No, I will make one".  A year ago--Terry, "CARMEN we need a tp holder, I am going to buy one!!"  Carmen, "No no, I am going to make one."  This year--Terry, "Carmen, Carmen, Carmen we need a tp holder now!!!"  I got the holder up last week after spending several hours designing it so it would work, having to make it over a second time when it broke and finally after perhaps 3+ hours of thinking and work a project is finished after 2 years.  Well, what can I say?
The tree, well I walked about 100 feet a couple of days ago and caught the tree as the morning sun was shining.  Again, God is the best artist in the world with his colors.
I was up by 5:15 to get some heat in the garage as the morning will be spent putting some finish on projects.  The temp was 40 and I need to get it up to at least 50 for my sake and for the finish too!
Heavy cream with the FP this morning and it is GOOD.

Again, a belated birthday wish!



from a curly headed blonde to a beautiful young woman at the age of 33!




Two reasons Cynthia's life is so FULL





Actually the REAL reason Cynthia's life is so WONDERFUL!!

Happy 33 birthday yesterday Cynthia.  From a near death illness to dreams dashed to tears to long talks to adoption visits and finally to November 1, 1980--it was a long road with many twists and turns but when your mother held her little baby girl in her arms all was well in the world.  I loved you then, I loved you in stores when we went shopping, I loved you in the SPA parking lot when we told you in bold words that you were going to Trinity, I loved you during your eventful sophomore high school years, I loved you during your senior year of basketball and I love you now, my one and only little girl.
Terry and I had a delightful time yesterday at St. Agnes School where Mike works and Faustina goes to school.  We enjoyed a bit of Faustina's classroom and also had a super time having Jude with us much of the time.  I was very impressed with my oldest granddaughter, I was equally impressed with the school that Mike has had such a huge impact on.  Jude explained to us on the way home that we are in the united states of the twin cities where the twins are and they scored a touchdown!!!!!
Wood working continues to keep me more than busy.  I had an adult melt down about 5 days ago.  I probably am the only one on earth that does this but for almost 24 hours I indulged in a pity party, a self condemnation session and then out of the doldrums I came and got to work again.  One would think that at the age of 66 those events would be in the distant past but I guess I am a slow learner. 
No deer hunting in IN with John so it will be south for Terry and I the week after next.  We will stop and see Helen for a time and then head to FL.  We will stop in Titusville where Terry's sister and husband just bought a place and then arrive in Naples about the 20th.  
Terry continues to slowly recover from her surgery.  It was 4 weeks ago and I think she is pretty much on the mend now.  I am sure she will be 100% by the time we hit the road again.

A great way to see the country and the state

A few of the signs from state and national parks in this last year.  The Rainy Lake visitor center is for MN one and only national park.  Minnesota has 72 state parks and in the last two years we have visited or stayed in 65 of them.  It is a great way to see the state from east to west and north to south.
As I sit writing this morning the 220v heater is going in the garage.  I am sure the electric meter is humming as it circles the meter that determines what we owe Xcel!  I noticed the temp was 42 in the garage this morning so thought it would be nice to get it UP to 50 as least.  The indoor/outdoor reads 63 in house and 34 outside. 
Time is getting short as we wind down October and head towards November in a fast trot it seems.  We are thinking Travis will be here alone to tend the house in about two weeks.  My blood is thin I fear and I was wondering this morning how I will survive the November mornings 16 feet high in Dale's field in two weeks.  I can remember deer hunting when it was snowing and very cold and then also when it was in the 50's so we will see what happens in a couple of weeks.
We had an interesting experience last week.  Friday evening Terry turned up the furnace a bit to take the chill off and it would not start up.  I have lived here for 36 years and I have never had the furnace break down and I have not had to put a dime into repair.  It is an old boiler type with gravity feed and a thermostat that operates from a thero-coupler (I fear I have my words wrong).  I do know that if we lose electric power our furnace would work. Any way I tried several things and nothing worked.  We do have a service contract which we pay for each month so here I am calling them at 8:30 Friday night hoping they will answer and maybe get here sometime on Saturday.  Well I called at 8:30, they were here a little after 9:00 and we had heat by 9:30.  I have never had service like that with ANYTHING.  I guess I will not second guess myself each time I get the notice that our service contract has been paid.
I checked the garage and the temp is up to 47 and I am guessing that only took half of my monthly retirement check!
I stopped to get some oxygenated gas at Gellers across the river Saturday.  Dave, the son of our first superviser on the paper route, was there and he said Craig, his Dad was sitting in the back.  Craig was the person who came to our house to ask why we had complained about our paper delivery and he talked us into taking the paper route.  Ten thousand plus days later we quit the route!!!!  Anyway Craig asked about the boys and we talked for about 10 minutes.  It was fun to see him again.  He retired in 1991, sounds like a long time ago but then it also sounds like a long time when I say I retired 6+ years ago.
We had a fun visit from Mark and Mary Saunders yesterday.  The last time they were able to stop and visit was in October of 2009.  We enjoyed about 2 hours of their time before they had to head home.  They have exciting times ahead with new grand babies coming, a whole family vacation in Hawaii and there must be more too.  They do take great family vacations.  A daughter and her husband are planning to sell their cars, put things in storage and in January start a year long travel--sounds like fun.
I have finished several Christmas presents, I am more than half finished with a table to match our bed but I do have several things left so...............
I just poured the last half cup of FP, put in about a tablespoon of whipping cream so I am "good to go" in the garage for a while.

Our headboard--a long awaited piece of furniture



from rough maple John gave me





and rough walnut Jim I gave me in the form of a log

 


to nice planed boards




to legs laminated together



to the end--a walnut/maple/paduak headboard

 The final piece of furniture is not what I had hoped for and certainly not what Terry had been promised but it was the best I could do given what I had to work with.  The legs are laminated 3/4" maple and walnut and the cross boards are hard maple and walnut divided by pieces of paduak which I had to purchase.  No copper but maybe another time.  I do think it goes in our bedroom but in the end when a project does not turn out to be what one had planned there is an element of disappointment.
The temps this morning were hilarious, the indoor/outdoor reading on the kitchen table was 26 and 62.  Guess which was in and which was out!  I went out to the wood shop and the temp in there is 36, yiks.  As I looked out towards the garage the roof over the car is total white with frost and the roof over the wood shop is kind of white.  I guess a ceiling does make a difference.  This is really the first frost we have had so I am guessing more leaves will start to fall quickly.
Yesterday I was able to spend most of my time in the wood shop. Much progress was made on some things and the three storms for the kitchen were painted and then put up.  This morning the windows in the kitchen are clear instead of being frosty--nice.
Wow, this FP this morning seems extra good, maybe it tastes better when the temp is below freezing.
Enough for now.

Happy seventh anniversary Cynthia and Mike



I know--a picture from several years ago




Cynthia and her eldest daughter Faustina

Mike, I am sorry but I don't have a good current picture of you and Cynthia.  What the heck you look as good today as you did in 2007 anyway!
As usual I am a day late.  Cynthia and Mike were married 7 years ago yesterday.  It was a grand day with hundreds of family and friends gathering to share in the joy of the day.  Now, they have a new house, a great daughter Faustina, a handsome son Jude, a cute mischievous looking son Ben and a wonderful baby Agatha.  We are far from the teaching days at Trinity or the volunteering days in Seattle or the soccer days of Gustavus or the study times and sport times in high school and the fun times at Highland Catholic.  I promise to not mention the morning experiences of grade school or the times Cynthia's brothers threatened to do extreme measures when they were baby sitting.  Of course I do not have knowledge of Mike's growing up but I am sure the list could go on about him too!!
The temp is down to 34 this morning and the paper says tomorrow will bring temps down to 26.  In that vein this old house is begging for the 8 storm windows I am trying to rehab to hurry and get on.  I really do want to prime and paint them but--I am not sure it is in the cards for this fall.  I tend to get chilly when I work in the garage and Terry suggested I set up our 10 by 10 camping canopy so the heat stays near but that would mean dust and dirt on it so--I will see.  During times like this week I wish for a ceiling to be in the shop but in the end I really like the openess of no ceiling.  Again I am so thankful for the encouragement Terry gave in getting the shop in order.  It is so so much fun to work out there.  At times I think back to about 1984 or so when I decided to kind of close up shop, except for repairs, until John, Travis, Aaron and Cynthia grew  up and out of school.  The shop then, with it's imaginary "closed" sign and the shop today are more different than night and day.
I talked to Dale yesterday and he has seen few deer but a lot of tracks and signs.  What the heck does he expect me to shot at tracks and signs!  He did say the guy who used the stand last year kind of rehabed the sides so I do not need to do that.  I guess that is the reason he is charging me big bucks to lease my own stand on his farm---of course that is not true.
No, I have poured the last of the FP and that means two things.  I am done writing and I need to get some warm clothes on and brave the garage for a time.
Travis and I carried the headboard for the bed upstairs yesterday and it is in place.  I don't know about it.  There is no copper which is a downer and it is tall.  I will post a picture in a day or so but it is not the kind of finished product that I would advertise to the world.  I do like the contrasting colors of walnut, maple and paduak but with that said I am not happy with it given all the time and work I put into it.  I would like to say I will make a different one but in all honesty there are so so so many things I want to do so we will see.  I currently have 8 items lined up in the garage that need sanding, finishing etc.  AND they are sitting near the storms that are begging to be done and near them are some other items that are in process and WELL you get the picture. 

A failed experiment

Yesterday was a downer.  I had planned for several weeks for the copper clad dividing strips between the walnut and maple boards of the headboard for the bed.  I even sent our first order of copper back as we did not like the patina that we had ordered.  After a couple of hours yesterday morning it became clear that the copper idea would not work.  I do not know if I ordered it too thin or if the idea was just bad from the beginning but in any case I had to go to plan B. That plan became more wood in the form of paduak wood.  Yesterday I made 3 new dividers out of paduak and glued the seven boards together.  This morning I put the legs on the boards so it will be ready to bring into the house this afternoon.  I will need to put the danish oil on the paduak in the coming days but the headboard should be on the bed by Tuesday or so.  We will see what it looks like then.
We are looking at cool temps for the next several days.  This morning it was 39 at 5:00 AM and then went down to 38 by 6.  I think the high yesterday was 53 and for the next several days the highs should be in the upper 40s.  Not really that bad for mid October but then just a few days ago we were basking in the 70s so the big change makes it look chilly for sure.
I really needed to get the headboard glued so I can get it in the house and turn off that electrical heater.  I get dizzy when I see the meter going around when it is on!
It is hard to believe that we only have this weekend and next weekend before November rolls around.  Time goes by so fast.
I need to check the headboard again to see if it really is square--not a pretty sight if it is crooked but I have high hopes.
Enough for this morning.

Thirty years is a long time--45 years is longer

1983 Honda Goldwing 1100



Fall colors




Sunrise in St. Paul

Last July Terry's brother Cab gave his 30 year old Honda to me.  It had not been started in 6 years so we found a guy to rehab it and it came home yesterday.  What am I going to do with a 1100, 450 pound cycle?  I am not sure.  I last rode a cycle in 1968 and that was my Harley 250 Sprint!  A bit of a difference I would say.  I would humbly say I am a novice rider at best even though my only mode of travel for two years was my cycle--THAT WAS 45 YEARS AGO.  Even though the cycle is 30 years old it has only 13000+ miles on it.  It even has electric start and turn signals--not the one arm signals I used with my Sprint :). 
I woke up to rain this morning with temps in the low 40s.  I turned the heater on in the wood shop as I intend to wipe down and buff the boards for the bed headboard later this morning.  I am excited to see what the boards look like after three coats of Danish Oil and buffing. 
We have had so many squirrels in our yard that the lawn is beginning to look like a mine field. I decided  something had to be done so I started a relocation program and in the last 3 days have relocated 6 of those little monsters.  Someone told me that the squirrels can come back to the same location but I am sure these will not. 
Terry is excited today.  We will pick up her niece at the U of MN this afternoon and take her out to dinner.  Sarah is interviewing for her residences in medicine.  It will be fun to spend some time with her.  I think we may pick her up and take her to the airport tomorrow as well.
I have not called Dale B about deer on his farm but I need to do that soon.  I am hoping he has a nice big buck feeding off his salt block right under the tree stand north of the farm buildings.  He promised me he would put the salt block and oats out weekly but you know these farmers they are so busy maybe he has not had the time!!!
I made the FP pot only 2/3 full this morning as I am meeting John K for breakfast at 7:00 and want to save some coffee room at that time.  SO the pot is empty and I am finished.