Pass the bottled water---No I mean pass the tin cup!

 Water break at Wood Lake School.  Note the two outhouses in the back ground.  No bottled water here!

Mary, Helen and Gayle enjoying lunch with Grandma Lee

The water pump, it was a life saver during recess!
Grandma enjoying some of her granddaughters.  I actually can still taste her baking.
It is a beautiful day in St. Paul.  Yesterday we had North Dakota like winds but today it is calm and less humid.  I have finished some of my work for the day!
*took a bike ride and made an appointment at the clinic to get stitches out.  I wanted Terry to do it but the Dr. said he wanted a nurse to look at the cut to make sure it is okay.  It is fine but I suppose it would be wise to let them do the honors.  Go figure, a few days after trying to trim the neighbor's trees, she had a professional service come out!  I told her a little late as I held up my arm.  Of course I am to blame as is often the case.  When you get older it is easy to use age as an excuse.  Several years ago when I drilled a hole in the garage roof, no excuses.
*watered the tiny garden.  We have enjoyed 3 grape tomatoes and there is a big tomato that is almost ripe.  It looks like the second and third squash will be ready soon.  Terry is in the middle of making pickles from the cucumbers.
*enjoyed my breakfast of eggs mixed with hash browns with several cloves of garlic--not sure Terry will like me this morning!
*I did get sister Joan's, not to subtle hint about the picture.  Being the brother I am, there will be a picture in the mail soon.
*I have some  new found knowledge.  I was not sure of the difference in quack grass and crab grass.  I did think that crab grass was named that because when it comes into the lawn a person is sure to crab.  So I googled and they do not even look alike.  By the way, we have both in the yard!
Oh my gosh, the neighbor across the yard, divorced, is out in his front yard with PINK underwear.  Poke out my eyes please!
Terry is finished with the north bedroom, oh my she did a wonderful job of patching, smoothing and painting.  If there happens to be a young mother or dad reading this a word of warning--do not let kids put stickers on woodwork!  There is a tiny bit of touch up but it is pretty much done.
*my bunny relocation program has come to a halt.  Those darn bunnies are too difficult to catch.  I had some success earlier this summer but not lately.
Enough for this morning.  I just have enough FP to finish cleaning up the kitchen.  That is to say I will drink and work at the same time.

A rainy day but a day of beauty!

sister Helen---Sargent Central homecoming queen in 1968

sister Joan, in 1959, became the very FIRST Sargent Central homecoming queen

sister Janet was homecoming queen in Lidgerwood in 1956?

One can notice that there are no kings in the family, just queens! Mom had so little in life but if you asked her about her queens she would tell you about her three daughters.
I just ventured out to the rain gauge and it tells me we have had an inch+ of rain this morning. It looks like it is about finished.  The rain has been good for the tiny garden we have.  There are about half a dozen cucumbers in the fridge and we grilled a squash last night.  I picked one cherry tomato for Terry yesterday but I think I was a tad early, it could have enjoyed the sun for a day or two more.
I am posting a picture of me this morning.  I do not know what is in the picture.  I do know that I have to be standing near the barn as I can see the gas pump in the background.  Also, the trees we planted are pretty young and it looks like the trees across the road are not there yet.  Anyway, I never have been a king  but it seems to me that I kept busy, if that counts.  I am not sure why I have my Sunday clothes on.

I worked most of yesterday trying to clear, clean up our den.  There were papers all over the place.  We keep our papers on a "neat" machine but when I get behind the room is anything but neat.  Terry spent much of the afternoon painting the north bedroom.  She did an excellent job and it now looks 5X better than it did in May.  Not perfect but nice.
There have been many times this summer when I feel overwhelmed with this house.  So much to do.  Really, Terry and I have worked hard over the last couple of months but it reminds me of my rock picking days in the 50's and 60's.  We would pick rocks all day and the next day it seemed that the field had grown MORE rocks!  Well it seems that each day I look around and for every project we do, 2 or 3 more come to mind.  I guess that is the reason for having a house, it keeps a person busy.
I will spend another hour or two today and then a person will be able to walk into the den and sit down. 
The FP just approached the DARK stuff on the bottom of the cup so it is time to sign off.

July is going fast

Accalia from Alaska, Gretchen from Rapid City and Ruby from Madison--cousins having fun!

The summer is going way too fast.  I have not even thought about having no trips this summer.  Well we did go to ND and SD but we really can not count those short drives trips!
I spent some of Sunday writing notes and wrapping books to be sent.  Amie, if you read this, your book will be in the mail today!  Sister-in-law, Glorine, called and was so nice to say she enjoyed the book.  She encouraged us to do some book signing but will see.  I am not sure I want to venture into another new chapter in my life.  She mentioned that she and Charlie did several and she enjoyed them but I am guessing that mingling with the people was Charlie's cup of tea.  I am sure Glorine enjoyed it too but here is a story about Charlie  If a person looks at the door in Glorine's guest room, the top of the door looks like a down hill ski run with a couple of bumps in it!  I think Glorine must have said something to Charlie about his "art" work and he replied.  "I make my living with my mouth, not my hands!"  I should add that he did a very good job of it too.  A poet, a pastor, a cowboy and more, he was a super guy.  The end of the story is that after that Glorine and Roxanne tried to keep ALL tools out of his hands!  If they would happen to fail and see Charlie with a hammer or saw they knew it would be an exciting day!!!  Charlie left in 2004 for his eternal visit with God and I am guessing he has many fans in heaven.
The recycling truck just went down the opposite side of the street which means I have about 20 minutes to get the recycling out to the curb.  Just a couple of sips left of FP so I think I can manage it.

Just pictures

Grandpa Sampson's threshing in 1914

Great Grandma washing Ronald's face, 1950?

Helen getting a note from a boy friend--well she was cute!!!

Grandpa Sampson, the only thing missing is the brass spittoon!

Not much today.  I finally got reunion pictures on the computer and not sure what I should do with them.  I promised pictures to siblings and I may just send a USB with all of them on.  Not today as I feel lazy, well I was up at 4:00 as I could not sleep.  Maybe not lazy but tired.
I am debating if all these old pictures are good.  The memories can almost cause one to want to go back or sometimes to forget everything.
I may be tired enough now to get some more shut eye or maybe that FP will keep me awake as it went down real smooth this morning.

LORD, I get it now!

My choice of equipment, not so great.  The shop, not a picture perfect place on the old farm!  The vice and the old huge drill press in the back got a lot of work and the drill press, it gave me the biggest ouch ever!  Summer time was the time of no shirt and I am guessing if my feet were showing there were no shoes either.

Lord, I do remember that day in February of last year.  I was going back for a tennis ball and I just slipped and fell on my wrist.  The wrist was broken in two places and dislocated but the Dr. fixed it and it is good as new now, right?  It could have happened to anyone.
Sure, the back issues that started in Alaska and followed me all the way to Naples, just something that happens to people.  The cortisone shot in the lower back that took away the pain but now my leg seems a bit weak at times.  It happens to a lot of people.  You know what Lord, John M asked me if I was limping at the reunion!  I try hard not to but sometimes I forget, must be a bad habit that needs to be broken, right?
Ouch, the nasty cut on my arm, what was that all about.  I wasn't even on a ladder as I cut the branch off the tree.  By the way that darn branch has the nerve to still be on the tree! Sure, anyone could slip and cut their arm.
Lord, I am not complaining, just thinking.  I am in good health, I think.  I only take pills for high BP and for that darn cholesterol which has plagued me for a long time.  Really, that is all.
Oh, now I get it.  You are telling me that I am not 21, right?  I know that.  Well come to think about it the mind, you know the emotion that makes a person think, it sometimes tells me to forget my age.  Really, sometimes it tells me I am still strong and invincible.  But I know now that I am not 21 and I am not invincible.  You know the tennis pros in Naples, right.  Myke and Phil in case you forgot.  Phil had the nerve to tell me that maybe playing tennis 5 or 6 days a week is too much.  I thought he had some nerve and then I thought some more and concluded that MAYBE he is right.  After all, he is a pro.
I thought this morning as I slowly got out of bed.  I thought maybe this slow walk to the bathroom and the unsteady gait is due to age.  Don't get me wrong Lord, I am not complaining.  Gee, I know many people who never reached the age of 68.  I also know people, who at the age of 68, spend their time in a rocking chair or in bed because they can not physically do things or because they do not have the desire to do anything.  BUT, I get it now.  Sixty-eight is a good age.  Of course it has its down side but then so does 21!!!   I know, the downside of 21 is not the same as the down side of 68 but still, it is there, right?
Actually, this FP coffee is the answer to all my problems today.  It is gone and so are my problems. I need to get out in the wood shop and move that antique 100 pound anvil.  My shop needs a new look, but then perhaps maybe I do too!!!  I'll try Lord, I promise.

Another day

Dave and Marlys, 50 years together on September 17th

Our family celebrated another milestone last weekend.  Another 50th anniversary!  In 2011, at our family reunion, Joan and Ron celebrated their 50th.  IF we have a reunion in another 4 years, 2019, John and Judi would celebrate their 50th!  What does that say about our family, anyone can know that!! 
An eventful day, in a negative way, yesterday.  It was Wednesday so I decided to take a large pile of tree branches out to the compost yard.  Terry had worked hard the day before cleaning the back yard from the storm that went through when we were away.  There was a tree in our neighbor's yard that was hanging over and made it difficult to mow so I thought it would be a good idea to cut several branches off and take them out as well.  The first three went well BUT on the fourth the saw slipped, it is a saw that you would use to cut a christmas tree down with, and the large jagged blade ripped into my left arm.  I glanced down and saw beyond the layer of fatty tissue and thought, this is not good!!!  About 4 1/2 hours later Terry and I returned home and despite the Tdap shot and stitches I felt kind of okay!  There was no damage to the muscles, if there are any left, and it did not go into the bone so I guess I should be happy having only a sore arm for a day or so.  We were in such a hurry to get to the clinic that we forgot our phones so much to Terry's dismay, we were not able to take a picture of the cavern in my arm!  No need for a picture when we arrived home as it was neatly stitched and looked fine.
No, it is time to do the breakfast dishes, for some yard work this morning and then some catch up on other things.  That darn arm, can't work too hard.  The FP, there is one shallow left and there it goes.

Home Again

Terry and I arrived home last night.  We left Rapid City around noon, lost an hour to the time change and backed into our driveway with a smile on our face at about 11:30.  We planned to camp about half way but neither of us were tired so we just kept on moving.  We decided to fill gas in at Sioux Falls SD.  We filled at a Flying J after a 399 mile trek.  Our car holds 21 gallons of gas and we fill 21.067 gallons!!!!!  A bit too close but then what is life if you don't live on the edge from time to time?
I would say the reunion was a fabulous success.  People came from as far as Alaska and as near as 4 miles.  Cousin Arlene was able to attend when her daughter from St. Louis was so kind as to get her there.  Arlene's son from ND drove her to Sioux Falls where her daughter picked her up.  Arlene is 87 and was the oldest.  Liam Walters, Joan's great grandson, from Alaska, was the youngest at 5 months.
Everyone enjoyed catching up, eating potatoe salad and cream potatoes and much much more super food.
We celebrated Dave/Marlys 50th (we celebrated Joan/Ron's 50th 4 years ago) on Saturday which was special.  Our time with family was super and I hope we can do it again but one never knows.  The 4 kids who are living are the ages of 65 (in August), 68, 71 and 73.  Glorine Hunt and John Mouw (married to Ronald and Janet) will both be 79 this year.  So one never knows what the next 4 years may bring.  I suspect there will be another reunion of some kind down the road and I do hope it is to celebrate life!!
It seems that summer is almost over but of course it is not.  Our 2 reunions are history and much of my book work and power point work is done.  NOW it is on to home projects and there are some decisions to make.  It all starts today!!
It was a late night and an early morning so today may be a bit slow--will see what happens.
The FP was finished some time ago and I think I am also.

"You look wonderful"--"I want to be like"--"What if?"

Grandma, Grandpa, Great Grandma, Mom, Joan, Janet and Ronald

Ronald, Janet, Joan and Dave

There are many stages of life.  A few are in the title.
A few weeks ago in church part of the message was "You look wonderful!"  The idea behind that is at a certain age everybody becomes that.  Maybe late fifties or early sixties.  The point is at some time when you meet people, when you are that age, they will say, "You look wonderful".  Of course you probably do a double take and then when you get home look in the mirror to see what transformation took place that you missed!  Why I am sure we have all gone to a funeral and viewed the body and said, "He or she looks wonderful!"  I guess that puts things in perspective.
The "what if" stage is not so much an age related one but just an anytime one.  I have had many moments like that as I view pictures of people in the family who have died.  I see pictures of Ronald (died at 28) and Janet (died at 27) and wonder "what if"
The "I want to be like _____" stage was brought to mind yesterday.  I was reading an article in the paper about two brothers who ride bulls.  The younger one was talking about broken bones and a list of injuries and the question was "why".  His answer was "I tried team sports and was not good at them but really I wanted to be like my older brother who rode bulls!"
I was 17 when my brother died.  I came home from a late late football game in October and Grandma said my folks had driven to Fargo as Ronald was very sick.  Mom and Dad came home the next day with the news that Ronald had died.  I have followed sports most of my life but I never really had any heroes from the teams.  My hero was Ronald.  As I grew up (11 years younger) Ronald seemed to be 8 feet tall.  He was smart, he was talented and he was good to his little brother.  At the age of 11 I saved up money all summer and then in early fall I gave Ronald my $10 so he could buy a baseball glove for me.  I knew he would know what kind to buy.  About that same time, perhaps a year or two later, he came home with a rifle.  He had cut the barrel to a shorter length, had narrowed the stock just for me.  It was my first firearm and I treasure it to this day.  Many blackbirds and gophers have hated that rifle!!!
Enough for today.  I think I will change gears and go with my "I'm a lucky guy" term today.  A great tennis match is starting, I still have some FP left and the weather is great.  LUCKY for sure.

One down, one to go

4 wheeler rides

tractor rides

pony rides

Chic's and Marian's family by blood and marriage--some where missing

cycle rides

games

Saunders clan by blood and marriage---count them if you can!  Some had already left! There may be some rebels in there who just came for the fun!

KIDS

The main event for the Saunders reunion took place July 4th.  As you can see there was activity everywhere you looked AND far and near there were little kids!! The food was great, the conversation was fun and the day was a BIG hit.
It was a bit of a whirlwind weekend.  Terry and I drove NW on Friday with the plan of staying at the campsite near Hankinson where there is a casino.  As we walked through the hall to register the stagnant smoke prompted Terry to ask if we really should stay there.  It was also a bit far from our destination for the afternoon.  SO we canceled our reservation and drove 23 more miles to Lidgerwood where we found a tiny grassy campsite right on the golf course.  For the two days the campgrounds was occupied by Terry and me!!!
After setting up camp we drove to the site of the Lee farm BUT one can not even find where the farm was.  No driveway, no old machine and no trace of where I grew up and had my character, mind and soul formed.  I realize that life moves fast and change is inevitable but still the memories and the sight of crops where I made my golf course or where Mom planted her flowers and garden took an emotional toll.  I usually roll out of bed around 6:00 or earlier but the next day I stepped out of the camper at 8:25!!
Before we visited our farm site we stopped and talked to Robert Lee, who now has the farm land.  That was fun.  His sister, from Chicago, was visiting and both of them had fond memories of Mom and Dad.  Robert lives 1/2+ mile from where our farm was.
In summary, it was a quick, interesting and emotional three days.
Terry and I continue in our effort to order, get things done and clear some things out that need to arrive at new homes!!  Last week John carted off thousands of baseball/football cards and yesterday Aaron did the same .  I would say 15000-20000 cards was reduced to maybe 50!  That is a good thing.  I hope Leo, Henry and Liam enjoy them.
I am just a bit nervous about my latest book order.  I got the "final" version of the hardcover book and made an order for some last Thursday.  It is a print on demand kind of book so they are printed after you order them!  I have yet to see an e-mail saying they have been shipped but I really need them by next Tuesday AM as we would like to leave for the Lee reunion on Tuesday afternoon.  We will see.  Way back in February our goal was to have them by the reunion and I would say we are CLOSE.  We did sell a dozen paperbacks last weekend.  I am now up to recovering 4% of my expenses, is there hope???  Of course my purpose was to write a book for the kids and grand kids but to recoup some expenses, that would be nice!
 Lisa Saunders Chambers wrote a book about her birth mother.  She and I traded books which was nice.  She did a wonderful job with her book and I am excited to read it.
As I type and sip my FP I can see the rain falling peacefully this morning.  No sun yet and I think it is predicted to arrive sometime this PM.
We are enjoying fresh raspberries.  Terry planted several plants last year and already this summer we have picked about 4 pints.  They are delicious.  Audrey and Ruby enjoy picking them a lot!
Enough for now.  The recycling needs to be put out and work is kind of calling!!!