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.