LIfe goes on

No pictures today, just some thoughts. 
Today brother Dave turned 70.  Sister Joan turned 70 two years ago.  Sister Helen will turn 64 this year and me--I am 67.  Time marches on.  June 25 would have been our parents 79 anniversary.  If brother Ronald, Red by some and real name Lawrence, were living he would be 78 and if sister Janet were living she would be 76 I think!  During the last many many years Ronald died, Janet died, Mom died, Dad died, Gail died and Roxanne died.  So here we (family that is living) are living, breathing, loving, having fun, meeting challenges, and many many more things.  Some of us have had challenges like Joan's Ron, Dave, Helen and more. What is one to make of life.  Today at church the pastor talked about God's grace in forgiving the past and putting our energy and thoughts into now and the future.  Where am I going, I am not sure except that time takes its toll on us.  We need to cherish each hour, each day and each week.  For me I am thankful for each hour of each day.  I try my best to live each day for our Lord and for his glory.  I am thankful for sister Joan, brother Dave and sister Helen.
I continue to work on wood projects and work around a swollen left hand.  Terry is working hard on the rooms upstairs and we are looking forward to camping with Aaron and Amy and then off to Alaska.  We are so so so thankful for the time and means to travel to Alaska.  The time we spend together traveling in our tiny camp is some of the best time of my life.  Thank you Lord.

Summer is going fast

Fireman Benedict

crafts from G &G camp

More crafts from G & G camp

Leo and Ruby riding the horses at Como

finally grass where the tramp used to be

Travis replacing mud with pavers

Here we are almost looking at July.  Grandpa and Grandma camp is past and we are now looking at a 5 day camping trip over the 4th and then a week to get ready for the long trip.
We have managed to get a few things done this summer.  We finished putting a little sod down just before our rains of a couple of weeks ago, perfect timing.  The ground between the driveway would just not accept grass so we got some pavers down, it looks nice.  I have made good progress on some wood projects but there is a ways to go.  They have not gone really like I wanted but in the end they will be OK.  I recently read an article about woodworkers and it said REAL woodworkers never point out their mistakes.  Why--because most people will never see them!
I feel we should have our birch tree in the back looked at but when I called 2 places to come out they said there is an $85 charge and if there is work to be done the $85 goes towards that work.  Well I guess that makes sense BUT I was not prepared for that.  I am hoping that it does not need to come down so I let things be for the time now.  Maybe I still have to get it looked at.  If the tree comes down on the garage and damages the wood shop I would not be a happy woodworker.
The weather forecast is for rain to come in mid morning and for storms to be around for the weekend.  Some areas have big big time flooding so hope it does not all materialize. 
Brother Dave has a big birthday coming up on Sunday.  I think that means that Helen and I are the only young ones left in the family!!!  I would say most if not all people would say Dave looks younger than me but I really can not believe that. 
Time for breakfast and the wood shop.  I actually have some FP left but it enjoys the wood shop too!

An Experience

At the Walker Art Center

We took a trip on the Green Line from Midway area to Union Depot and back yesterday.  It was the opening weekend of the Line and riding was free.  The 1 billion $$ venture is, well no more comments!  On the way back from Union Depot there were about 60 people and 2 bikes in a car for 40!
We dropped off Ruby and Leo at the Larkins yesterday about 4 PM.  They have a lot on their mind as they are down sizing and already have purchased a smaller home BUT their beautiful home, which they have been in for 33 years, has been on the market for 50 days and no nibbles yet.  It appears that they have a very very fair price on it but so many many couples today want something that is "turn key" and has granite, stainless steel and whole works.  For me, if I were looking for a home, it would be ideal as one could move in and live very comfortably and put in new whatever if and when one wanted to spend more money.  BUT I am not looking so they will have to wait and pray that the right people come by and I am sure that will happen.
It was a fun time with Leo and Ruby but of course it came through loud and clear why God intends young people to have little kids!!!!  At one time I was trying to impress on the kids that they HAD to do something and with a look of frustration on her face Ruby says, "Grandpa, you do not have to tell us three times!"  Well Grandpa's response was, "Last time I had to say it 4 times!"  Well I really did not say that but----  We went to the Como Zoo and the kids were telling us about the animals and things like that is not a XXXXXX because they are light brown, not white!  They have more knowledge in those little heads at the ages of 7 and 4 than I had when I went off to college.
Another .4" of rain yesterday and it is supposed to be more of the same in the next few days.  I did not take the deck umbrella down last night and about 9 PM we heard a loud bag and the table with a very broken umbrella was on the driveway.  I have not had the courage to open the garage and see what the damage is!
No, have been in the wood shop since 5:30 and I just came in for some FP so need to go.

Grandma and Grandpa camp

independent and mismatch Ruby

it's a bit chilly but bring on the smores--more beer??

it is very sticky

a cartoon, uncle Travis, life is good

We are into the third day of Grandma and Grandpa Camp.  The kids took in kid-o-deo, the kids church, at Eagle Brook last night.  As usual they did not want to leave after the hour!  We finished a project with them yesterday so they will have something to take home.  The weather, well that is a story in itself.  I emptied the rain gauge this morning and it showed 1.8" AND it is still raining.  We have another project to do today and then we are hopeful of a Como Park trip tomorrow with a picnic lunch before they join Grandma and Grandpa Larkin. 
We were/are looking at a ride on the Green Line or a trip to the Walker Art Center but my phone only shows showers as I look at the weather so we will see. 
As I drink FP and write this the house is pretty quiet.  Leo is up and watching some cartoons and that is it.  Rain is softly falling on the window which blurs my view of the street.  The temp is about 53 this morning which means I would do well to have socks on!!
Enough

The Adkins 4!

A great lap full

Jude eating his left over brunch!  What a picture smile

Curly Benedict and Jude sharing hot chocolate

Agatha, little miss blue eyes

We are ready to put out fires, catch the bad guys and save the world!

 AFTER much trouble I figured out how to down load pictures again after having the computer in for an overhaul!  We enjoyed a Saturday brunch with Cynthia, Mike, family and Travis.  We were not able to get a tour of their wonderful yard as it was a rainy day but we did get to see Mike's bathroom project, a huge undertaking for sure but I know he will do a great job.  Also took home part of the crib as it was a casualty of moving so was in need of some repair.  Needed to drill out broken dowels and then re glue.
Terry and I have been busy with yard and many other things.  Got some sod down just before the rain, put in a few plants from Cynthia and then put in some raspberry plants that we got from grandson Tom's mother. 
Yesterday we were able to play tennis with Tom who turned 11 last Saturday.  As we ate lunch with him we asked if he was doing any summer camps or sports and he said, "I kind of figured I would play tennis with you!"  That is good with US.  At 11 Tom is Terry's youngest grand child and at almost 11 Henry is my oldest.
Tomorrow we head to Madison where we will stay over night and then bring Leo and Ruby back for Grandma and Grandpa camp. 
I have been deep into the wood shop and have met some frustrations but of course that is part of the hobby.  Will wander out today and try to do better than yesterday.  Time is limited this summer so June is THE month to get things done.
No, FP is gone, mind is empty and it is out to the wood shop for "peace and noise"!

LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD!

Looking back or looking forward??!!  this is Audrey

I have found that aging is a delicate process.  One can look at the hands and say "oh my, they are getting to look old".  Or you can look at the hands and say, "Oh my, I am so glad that these hands have been able to do so many wonderful things even if they do look a bit wrinkled!"  A person can scrap the old lawn mower and bemoan the fact that it is so old or you can be thankful for all the years of service it has given you.  In tennis a person can hate the fact that the legs are a bit slower this year or you can be thankful for age giving you more wisdom in how to read your opponent and place your shots.  In the morning you can brush your teeth, wash you face and then see all the aging signs and be sad or you can do the same routine and be thankful for all the wonderful things that face has experienced!
One can guess that I have been aging!!!  Last year I put the old garden tiller in the front yard for free and it was gone in an hour.  I was tired of nursing it and nursing it each summer through engine problems, grease problems and just plain running problems!  It had faithfully turned my garden and spots in the lawn since 1971--enough.  Last week I gave the same fate to my Honda lawn mower.  It had been a wonderful friend for long enough.  It seemed to get tired after doing about 3/4 of the lawn and then on the last 1/4 it begged and pleaded to rest before finishing-enough.  My new one started on the first pull out of the box and yesterday mowed the entire lawn and seemed to enjoy the whole thing!  Well now for yesterday.  It was time to edge the front yard.  The gas powered edger, the one with a right wheel that had a huge bit out of it, the one that served us so well in the years when the boys did their own lawn service, the one that lost its blade guard many moons ago and yes the one that had relied on a well placed vise grip to keep the blade straight and true--that was the one that died with a bit of work left on the driveway.  I thought I could get the blade a bit more straight but as I pushed on the level it snapped off.  Well that could be fixed with a second vise grip I thought but with TWO vise grips tightly working together the blade would not touch the ground which for an edger is not ideal-enough.  As I write this morning in the wood shop there is a pile of bolts, a place for two worn out wheels and many other parts scared on the floor in front of the table saw.  As so many people would say about beloved things-RIP.
So I sit here this morning thinking about the tiller, the mower, the edger and about way too too many things to mention and all I can say is God is good, I am thankful for what I have, what I have seen and what I have been able to do.Things come and go but memories stay forever.  Yesterday a neighbor came over with a large air compressor. He wanted input about it.  I knew he wanted to fix it up and wanted me to encourage him.  I just said it is a matter of time/money/interests.  For me in that situation I have too many places to go, things to do, people to see and experiences to experience so I would not bother.  I would get a new one, a smaller one and go do the work you would like it to help you with.
The rain stopped yesterday AM and the weather has been perfect.  Why would one not want to be in MN all the time???? 
FP is gone and I am out to the wood shop.

look a busy!!!

The Georgia State Park we stayed in, one of the nicest state parks any place

Terry and I went to church yesterday and then the rest of the day was spent getting things we need as is often the case when we arrive here in the summer or in FL in the fall.  We NEEDED a dehumidifier for the basement so stopped at Fleet Farm and picked one up.  As I took it out of the package and plugged it in it indicated the bucket was full--well all I had done is plug it in.  I glanced down at the bucket but it was NOT.  It was AWOL.  I think I used the right word there.  So it was pack it up and drive about 10 miles to a different store to get another one.  The new one is taking about a pint of water every 30 minutes now. Well we needed a lawn mower too so after looking several places we brought one home from Home Depot.  It is a Lawn boy.  I put oil in it, gas in it and it started on the first pull.  I scratched my head as to how they can make things like that work so well right out of the box.  I thought long and hard about getting a mower as my new Honda (well it was new in 1990) just had a difficult time leaving Niles ave.  Well I started it up to make sure it would still start, parked it on the curb with a sign that read "free-it runs" and within the hour it was gone.  Sometimes I think we have our own Goodwill here on Niles except ours is all free!
We have several bunnies around so I am making an attempt to relocate them.  Time will tell how successful I am.
It started raining Saturday afternoon and by Sunday 8:00 AM we had 2.4".  As I sit by the window typing this morning I can see and hear the grass grow.
One of the things I plan to do this week is grease the camper wheel bearings.  Brother Dave claims it is fun and even his 6 year old daughter Coleen did it way back when so I am going to tackle it.  No way a 6 year old girl is going to do something I am afraid to do.  Well he may have said she helped some!
More FP and less typing for now.