We say Good-Bye to May of 2019

Two, "Pictures show part of Life"

Here is what was accomplished yesterday.  Terry planted seeds in our west garden bed while I removed the sod for our new south garden bed.  I did get maybe 1/4 of the dirt dug so need to finish that today.  Not sure who put in the most work, Terry or I but both of use were tired at the end of the day.  Will try to finish digging up the south bed, get the treated wood around it and maybe get some new soil however that may be a stretch as bodies that are not used to working physical outside may need to get into the swing of things over a few days.  We do have MANY tomatoes and other veggies ready to be put in so would like to get them in asap.

Travis and I went out for breakfast this morning.  Our first summer breakfast was at the Coffee Cup on Rice street which has the hugest breakfast on the planet I am sure.

Here is Travis' 3 egg omelet which comes with hash browns and 3 slices of toast.  It is really enough for 3 people so of course they provide take home containers.  

Went over to Cynthia/Mike's last night and my thought was confirmed, they have a VERY busy house.  So enjoyed seeing the kids and all that they are doing.  Jude and Ben have a VERY cute, nice case with their BEST Lego things in.  They even have a light in the case and a lock which is a good idea!  Brought over lemonade and the kids enjoyed but they said they like hot chocolate better!

No I need to find out when the compost is open and then get some more work done on the south garden bed.  I enjoyed the last of my FP when we arrived home from breakfast.

My thought for the day is physical work is a good thing, I am kind of sure about that!!!

A new start

No picture today.  We are now kind of settled in on Niles Ave in St. Paul.  We arrived last Thursday after an awful trip from South Bend to St. Paul.  Our travel from Naples to PeachTree City GA on Sunday, the 19th, was a breeze.  After two nights in GA our 700 mile journey to South Bend was uneventful.  We picked up our U Haul in South Bend the morning of 22nd and then drove to Middlebury IN to get the table and chairs.  We took in Trinity Fine Arts night on the 22nd to see Liam recite a poem and Henry sing.  Liam reminded me of my Woodlake days when we had to memorize many poems and recite them.  We headed to St Paul the morning of the 23rd.  That should have been about a 9 hour trip with an arrival time around 4:45-5:00.  We arrived at 6:30+ after traffic in Chicago and 3 road construction slowdowns/stops!  We did arrive safely so all is well that ends well.
Most things are now put away and the new dinning room table, with chairs, are in place.  I am very thankful.

The table is 2" walnut with a live edge on the top where the 1" glass rests.  We think it is a very nice piece and are so glad to have it safely in the house with no scratches.
Most things are put away now and I THINK I am ready to get started on some projects.

We did a major thing this weekend.  For the last few years I have almost pulled out my hair with our Verizon internet.  It seemed that our high speed would kid in on the 15th of the month and a few days later it would slow to a snail.  Finally, being tired of that, we got Xfinity installed and I think we will like it.  No contract and we can put it on hold when we are gone for the winter.  I think it was a great decision.

We had a PERFECT rain yesterday.  Rain started about 6:30 in the morning and ended about 3:00 in the afternoon.  The rain gauge filled to 2.1" and I am guessing ALL the water that fell on the lawn soaked in.  I will mowed today as we are supposed to get rain tomorrow again.

I am going to the Twins game tonight with a group of guys.  I hope we have good seats as the cost is $46. a ticket!  I am not complaining, just letting my blog know that today's baseball is a FAR cry from the $1 tickets one could get in the upper left field stands many years ago!  We are going to have our evening meal there too so perhaps I will throw another ten spot or more the way of the Twins.

Terry and I will have to do a bit of adjusting weather wise.  When I picked up the paper this morning off the driveway (just had to add that for 28 years we delivered the paper to everyones step) the temp was 45 and as I checked my phone it is currently 71 in Naples.  They say at game time tonight it is supposed to be WAY up to 67!  Maybe long pants are in order.

On Sunday afternoon I took my first trip to Menard, as that is my "go to place" in the summer.  I picked up six 2X8X8 treated boards as we will have another garden spot this summer.  I did drive past the compose place and they have a mountain of soil so will get some there after the plot is ready.  That may not be until the weekend as it looks like rain Wednesday and not sure about getting soil that is wet!  I am not worried as I am looking at projects what could take me into 2020 and with only a few months to work on them I am not short on things to do.  I should add that Terry left some tomato seeds for neighbor Bill last fall.  He said he would start them for her.  On Friday he came over with MANY great looking plants ready for the garden.  I am guessing, if they produce at all, we will have tomatoes to give away in the fall.  I am guessing those plants at the nursery would have cost north of $50.  I had them sitting out yesterday day and about early afternoon I realized they were in about an inch of water so took them in the garage.  They need warm soil soon!

I found out something about myself this morning.  For the past many months I had woken up with stiff muscles and soreness and of course I felt it was because I play tennis 5 or 6 times a week.  Well I have not played tennis for 10 days now and guess what?  I still wake up each morning with sore this and sore that.  I have come to the realization that it is just old age and I need to be thankful it is ONLY sore this and sore that!!!

I added another "battery" powered tool yesterday.  I ordered a blower/edger/weekwacker tool.  Now I would like my lawn mower to die so I could get a battery powered one.  Well I guess for the $350 it would cost I do not want the gas one to die!  Not sure what I would do IF I totally got rid of my gas powered things.  I am totally innocent of sniffing BUT I do like the aroma of gas powered tools.  Maybe it reminds me of the "good old days" when life was more simply and there were none of the "sore this and sore that" thing.

Our neighborhood is being transformed into something different.  A house across the street and 4 houses down was sold, gutted and remodeled and then sold for $650,000.  One street to the north and down about half a block a house is listed for $950,000.  Not sure what they did to that BUT houses around here are supposed to sell for $250,00-$400,000.  It probably means that my house is worth more than a dollar ninety-eight.  "For sure" it is not in those figures but really, what is happening?

As I sit here by the den window and look out I see kids going to school.  It reminds me that 12 years ago now I was looking at my last few days of teaching.  Oh my how times flies, how life changes and how one had better not stand still or the world will pass you by.


Enough for now.  I do not know if I will continue my "Every picture has a story" writing.  IF anybody reads my blog I may have become a champion in boring.  I did have breakfast and I finished my FP, ate my toast/bacon/egg sandwich so I should be ready to get going for the day.

Tomorrow!!!

No picture tonight.  We are loaded and ready to roll.  The car is packed and in the garage with the cooler in and plugged in.  Tomorrow it will be a matter of a few small details and then we are gone for about 5 months.  Oh my the time flies by.  It seems just a short time ago that we pulled into Wiggins Bay Dr and we wondered what we would find.  Well we found a lot.

• The roof was still not on but would be in weeks.
• The tennis courts were still there and busy
• Dr appt were just waiting.  I do not recall how many Terry had this season but it was a LOT.
• The good weather was all around.
• Many friends were still here.
• I would say one of the high lights for me was I did NOT get hurt playing tennis.
• I feel Terry is on the mend now and when we arrive in St. Paul will be ready for her daily walks.
• We found that of course there were some home projects waiting but NOTHING like St. Paul.
• All in all it was a good season but we are ready to move on to St. Paul with projects everywhere, a Malheim gathering, a visit to Davy/Marlys, visits at the South Bend Lees, some time with the Adkins, breakfasts with Travis and some time with A/A as well.  Can't forget our planned 2 weeks in Hawaii and American Samoa.  
• My list for Niles Ave is long but looks kind of fun.
• Our first task will be to get some garden in
• We are excited to pick up a table in Middlebury IN.
• We are sorry to by pass Madison on our way home but will visit this summer.  

I will NOT be on Internet for some time so the blog will be idle.  I do not know what kind of Internet we will have in St. Paul.  I am so so tired of the wireless Verizon hotspot but I do NOT want to bring a wire into the house so not sure what to do.  

So not sure when I will sign on again but it will happen as I do like to write.  One can bet on that FP EVERY morning, maybe after a morning bike ride on my Bentley bike!  May the good Lord grant us a safe trip.

Day 3 towards going

Day 195, "Every picture has a story"

 

In case you want to come visit us this week---NO.  The guest bedroom is FULL of things that are kind of ready to be put into the car.  Also the den has a couch that is not useable at this time.  I am thinking most of those things will be sorted and put in place today and then on Saturday they go into the car.  It looks kind of messy but really it is not.  Terry worked much of yesterday to get her things ready and I did some with mine.  I will finish this afternoon and then things will be ordered and ready to be loaded.  

There are several things that need to be done before we leave.

A person can not really see this very good but it is the result of work yesterday.  The top is the surround that was attached to the pool light.  I am sure it was original which means it was under water for the last 25 years.  We got the new one on yesterday.  Can't see it that well BUT I am NOT going to take it off for you to see!!!  When we picked up the new one I thought it was the wrong one as it looks nothing like the original but then I realized what under water for 25 years can do!  Anyway that is one thing done that needed doing before we leave.

Terry had a Dr. appt yesterday.  She saw Dr. Francis Desmon Hussey III!  He is a most unusual Dr.  The word is he sees 80 patients a day (a claim I really can't believe but I do believe he sees MANY).  He comes into the room without a "hello" and then proceeds to do what needs to be done.  Terry has had neck pain since 2010.  She has had several procedures done with some doing a little good and others doing nothing.  Dr. Hussey recommended doing an epidural shot for now and maybe something more permanent can be done next fall.  So Terry goes in tomorrow for the shot.  She will need rest for the day and for sure she can not drive home.  I  have had 3 of those for my back and for me they helped a lot.  The first time I had it done I was face down and he seemed to be checking where to do the shot.  All of a sudden it felt like a bolt of lighting went down my leg and then finished.  Regardless we are hoping that the shot will ease or eliminate the pain for now.  AND of course we need haircuts before we leave.  I have NOBODY in St. Paul that does a half way decent job while down here Edme does a great job.  Maybe I will grow out my hair for 5 months until we return in October!

Tennis at 9:00 today IF it does not rain.  No tennis tomorrow and the the last of it on Friday.  Saturday is reserved for packing the car but I can not forget, I have a 4:00 PM appt at Costco Friday to get the tires rotated.  That would be easy to forget.

I ate breakfast this morning and now am about finished with my FP so will end and get ready for the courts.  Packing more things when I get back from the courts about 10:45.

Day 2 of the count down to Minnesota

Day 194, Every picture has a story"

John sent this picture of Elspeth with her NDSU shirt!  I am guessing the shirt was in John's things that came from Niles Ave.  Oh my there are MANY MANY memories of my time at NDSU where I was from the fall of 1965 to the winter of 1968.  Some:

• In my entrance exam I scored well enough to be given 5 credits in science and 5 credits in math.  Not sure how that happened BUT it was good and bad.  That almost made me a second quarter freshman when I started in the fall BUT it put me in classes that were way way over my head.  I did survive those with passing grades BUT they did nothing to enhance my GPA.
• My part-time jobs on campus consisted of being a weekend janitor who often had to clean up messes from the jocks Friday and Saturday night parties and then working to cross pollinate barley experimental plants, hundreds of them done with a pain staking care while listening to my little red transistor radio!
• Rooming with friend Larry in Reed Hall, then the basement apartment across the street from the field house and then in the 5 bedroom house off campus.
• While a freshman I survived the snow storm of 1966 and walked over cars on my way to work Saturday morning.
• I did not know what I wanted to major in but I did so want to be a radio announcer so I enrolled in speech only to find out that it was a speech therapy class and they felt I had a speech problem!  I actually went to therapy but never figured out what I was doing wrong.  
• I took an interest test to see what I should be studying for.  The results came back and the number 1 job for me, according to the test, was being an undertaker!  The closest I came to the profession was painting the funeral home in St. Paul and Roseville!
• I ENJOYED the times John Mouw allowed me to use his car but will not go into the details!
• The many many times brother Dave and I golfed together.  I think, in terms of winning, it was pretty much 50/50.  Not sure how Dave remembers.
• Of course the low low point was when Janet died in February of my freshman year.  Ron and I took her to the hospital and I will never forget that day.
• Many times I stopped in to Marlys/Daves or Joan/Ron for a free meal!
• In the fall of my freshman year I purchased a bike so I could get around.  I paid $10 for it at a garage sale.  Shortly after I got it I was riding on campus and a car turned into me.  I saw it coming and stood up and at the time it hit me I jumped and ended up in a sitting position on their hood.  They offered to fix my bike.
• The worst, in terms of classes, was my first quarter of English.  I had a teacher that was really the worst.  I told her that I was going to miss class on Friday to go to my brother's wedding.  She scolded me for missing class!!
• For sure one remembers the board and room plan that most if not all the freshmen had.  It was unbelievable that one could eat and drink as much as they wanted.  I should add that we never starved at home but the menu was pretty limited!
• When I transferred to Minot I lost my financial package at NDSU so how did I pay for my school when I got to Minot?  I got a job in the cafeteria washing pots and pans--the worst job I ever had "for sure".

I will begin packing clothes today.  I have tennis at 7:30 and I am hoping that it is NOT a replay of yesterday.  I pretty much felt "off" all day after my tennis at 10:30 but feel fine today.  We will see how I play.  Terry has an appt this afternoon so will go there and the rest of the day should be used to place, put, pack and get some things ready.

At this point I have not eaten this morning but the FP is fresh in my cup and good.

The count down starts, Monday and only 5 more days to pack and load the car!

Day 193, "Every picture has a story"

Special days tend to remind me of times past.  This is one of my favorite sibling pictures.  I can see Mom standing to the left of Dad and saying, "Eveyone look here and smile!"  Dad has his baby Rollie or 35m camera with a fresh flash bulb ready to blind everyone!  As I look at the picture I am guessing it was taken when Ronald and Janet were in college.  That would be in the mid 50s.  No deer head in the picture, not sure how Mom made that happen!  Anyway as special days come and go the memories flood the mind often.  Days like Mom's day, Easter, Christmas etc.  Still can remember Mom telling the story of Mother's Day in the early 40s.  She would laugh as she would tell about Janet saying to her before Sunday, "Mom, you will really be surprised when you get silk stocking for Mother's Day.  It was one of her favorite stories.

Day 1 of our last week here in Naples.  I took the car in at 7:30 for an oil change, getting ready to leave on Sunday.  Will drive to Costco Friday to get the tires rotated and balanced.  That is all that is needed for the car.  Now, each day Terry and I will pack a bit and start to check off things on a list that need to be done.  I am almost afraid to look at the time we spend packing, unpacking, packing, unpacking etc as we come and go.  BUT I need to say that 100% time in MN would be a bit cold and 100% time in Naples would be a BIT warm.  I played tennis this morning at 10:30 and I experienced a bit of heat exhaustion after an hour.  I quit and then came home, got in the pool and had a nap.  Tomorrow it will be 7:30 which is a LOT better.

Terry is off to PT now and I think she had one more before we leave.  

I had bacon and eggs for breakfast and FOR SURE had that life saving FP which is gone now.

Happy Mother's Day to all moms

Day 192, "Every picture has a story"

I choose this picture for a reason today.  First I want to say this is our farm barn BUT it was not like that when I was growing up.  The gas tank was not there as that is the side of the barn we threw hay into the hay room.  The hole in the wall is where Dad parked his car BUT that was our hay barn with the hay or bales or when it was empty a place to play ball with the 5 gallon pail nailed to the wall.  As one looks to the right beyond that looks like nothing but growing up that was the barn yard where the cows stayed in the winter.  

But now for my thoughts today.  The electric pole is the pole I would shimmy up and get on the roof. I would then walk over the top and lie on the other side of the roof.  It is there I would stare up to the sky and dream about what the future might be like.  When I would see the vapor trail of any airplane I might pretend I was on it and it would take me all over the world.  

WELL TODAY THINGS ARE MUCH DIFFERENT

AND OF COURSE MANY OF MY CHILDHOOD QUESTIONS ARE NOW ANSWERED

• I knew I never wanted to be a teacher but was in education for 38 years
• I knew I did not want to stay on the farm AND the last time I spent any time was the summer of 1966
• I was not sure I would ever get married but married when I was 21
• I was not sure I would ever want to go to college but ended up with a MA degree in 1976
• Really the interesting thing is how a person's mind works or the places it goes.  When I was young I would dream of having money to do what ever I wanted.  I thought I would eat a banana every day as we never had them at home!  I dreamt of far away places but the strange thing is I always saw those places in the context of North Dakota.  I did not have black or yellow or dark or light people in my dreams as I really had never seen them so every place I went I say white people like me.  I thought everyone would think like me (It took me some time to realize NOBODY thought like me!)  To sum it up I thought of the whole world kind of like being a North Dakota.
• Today, at the age of 72, life is now kind of in the twilight. (Remember a day has morning, noon afternoon, twilight and night so I am NOT saying I am near the end yet!)  I find that there are fewer dreams but more memories and thoughts of the past.  At times I find it a challenge to NOT focus on what I should have done or what I did wrong.  I am absolutely positive that if I could live my life over I would be perfect!  I am not saying I have all these regrets but rather just thoughts.  Actually one of the things that comes to mind often here in Naples is my work.  I would like to think that I am as smart and energetic as most of the guys I play tennis with yet I am positive most, if not all, of them earned 2X, or 3X, or 4X, or 5X or 10X as much as I did teaching.  I had a short conversation with a friend and tennis player Friday and it was interesting what he said.  He talked about enjoying work, doing good etc and it kind of put the $$ in the background.  This is a guy who has $,$$$,$$$ in the bank.  I should mention that I actually can play toe to toe with him in tennis too!!!  
• Regardless I have now traded the barn roof for the pool or the easy chair.  Then I could dream the dreams of a young man and now I can enjoy the restful comfort of an easy chair or pool while I remember.  
• I do want to say that I feel there is a lot of life ahead.  If any family is reading I am not talking in terms that Dad talked the day of Mom's funeral.  NO WAY.  I loved Dad.

Terry and I went to our last play yesterday.  Now that we are finished with our book lectures and our playes I have to admit I feel so much smarter and some much more cultured!!!  Really it was fun.  I admit that I am about as uncultured as one can be as my life has not really been filled with book things, plays etc.  It is not that I wanted to avoid those things but they do require money and for me that has been in short supply most of my life.  I am amazed with some of these plays.  Yesterday was a good example.  In my mind one of the things that took the quality down a bit was the frequent use of the "F" word.  It just seemed out of place.  I do not use that word but I would say once in a great while in a play it may not seem so bad BUT to use it often and in the way they did yesterday just diminished the quality of the play a lot.  That aside, I enjoyed it.  2019/2020 more culture I hope!!!

As we know the barn is no more.  The land it was on is now a field where crops grow.  The pasture that I had so much fun in is now crop land.  Times have a way of changing the landscape as well as lives of people.  Today, as I sip and savory my FP I give thanks for who I am, who I have been and for all the blessings I now have.

Happy Anniversary Army and Aaron

My goodness, 19 years have passed.  Much has happened in your lives and you are so blessed.  A move to Madison where Bucky Badger rules over Goldy Gopher!  Jobs that seem, to me, to be good for both of you.  A family that has MANY questions and MANY talents.  I am sure the list could be a lot longer but have a great day and enjoy the fruits of a great marriage.  Love, Dad and Terry

Day 191, "Every picture has a story"

This was our rain gauge after 2 days of late afternoon rain.  Last night I am guessing we got at least 3 inches.  Today we got a light sprinkle.  Even with all that rain the tennis courts were good to go this morning!

I have spent most of the last 3 days on the computer.  Terry and I have wanted to take in our last 3 national parks for the last 3 or 4 years.  Now one can say why the delay?  The story is a person has to be ready to travel and that has been difficult for us these last 3 years and also 2 of parks happen to be in Hawaii and the third is in American Samoa.  Now one does not just hop on the plane and go to those places.  Well one can do the Hawaii trip fine but American Samoa is a different story.  It is a 5+ hour trip from Honolulu and the airline only goes there twice a week.  Well after 3 days of searching and searching and being frustrated on the computer I have the plane tickets, the rental car and places to stay for the time.  We will take in the 2 parks on the Hawaii Islands as we travel around the islands on a cruise ship.  It should be a fun 2 weeks that will start June 30 and end July 13.  I made reservations on AirBnB today.  A first for me.  We will see how it works out.  I was even able to put an AirBnB app on my phone and then use that to take a picture of my ID for the AirBnB.  Maybe, just maybe, this old guy still can do a few things!

No here it is late at night, for me, so will sign off.  As always, that wonderful FP got me off to a good start this morning.

A BIG rain last night

Day 190, "Every picture has a story"

Not really much of a story with these pictures, just there to look at and enjoy.  These flowers are along our sidewalk as one walks up to the front door.  It makes one want to get back to St. Paul and plant flowers for the summer!

Well one step towards going north was taken this morning.  I went on line and ordered a U-Haul cargo trailer so that we can pick up our table and 4 chairs in Middlebury IN, east of South Bend about 20 miles, on May 22nd.  It looks so good when you see a price of $132 and then to be on the safe side I added insurance and then 2 dozen blankets as we do NOT want those chairs and table to get dented or scratched on the way.  Oh, also I ordered a  hitch as mine is in St. Paul and it really does not make any sense to have a heavy things like that sent so in the end the total will be about $200 to rent the trailer.  I guess that is not bad as it would have cost about $600 to have the store package it and send it.

10:30 tennis today and tennis days are winding down.  Maybe 4 or 5 more days of tennis and that will be it until next October.  I will have a tennis bag up north but last year did not use it at all.  Maybe, just maybe, I have too many house projects lined up!

Oh my goodness we had rain late yesterday.  The phone shows we got .8".  I was going to add water to the pool but no need now!

Enough for this morning.  I did enjoy my FP in a big way.

A "feel like' temp of 97 today

Day 189, "Every picture has a story"

This is my Tag watch.  Family gave it to me on my 50th birthday which means I have had it for 22 years.  Amazingly I have only had to put a battery in it 3 times.  I do not wear it much now, only when I go out to visit etc.  As one can see in the bottom picture the stem is worn as it is against my wrist.  I took it into see if a new stem could be put in and the jewelry guys said they would have to send it in and Tag is VERY expensive to get work on so it is what it is for now.  If a person carries a cell phone, don't most of us, one does not need a watch so much.  Regardless I keep it in my treasure boxes here in Naples and in St. Paul

Not much doing today.  The weather hit 91 with a "feel like' temp of 97 with the humidity.  It was actually very warm playing tennis at 9:00 this morning.  Just a little bit done today in terms of packing.  It is late in the day so will make this short.  One could guess, I am about 14 hours away from my AM FP.

May 6, we are into the first full week of May 2019

Day 188, "Every picture has a story"

The back of our camp shirt showing where campers came from in 1990

Servant Camp had been becoming better and more popular over the lasts few years as we headed into the mid 90s.  Our numbers had been increaseding to the point where we now had over 300 campers and 70 staff at camp.  It had been a great year but as we looked forward to 1990 it looked like the numbers may be more.  I had taken over as the camp director in the early 80s as Deb and Allen had stepped down.  They had done a great job in terms of laying the foundation for camp.  I had experienced some troubled times as I was trying to improve, enhance and make camp even better in terms of a "God Time" for all.  This was the first year I had been able to spent my summer working and planning for camp as I had gone to Louie and told him that I could not continue to head camp and do my summer paint business too.  I had to have the summer income but I could not do TWO full time jobs at the same time.  Louie said community would start to pay me the next summer.  It turned out to be a great decision for me. What I and the directors had not seen coming was a wave of the Holy Spirit which had started and it seemed like it would come right into camp this year.  Well as we all know one needs to be careful what you wish for because it may just come into being and then, "Are you ready"?  Well what happened this summer at Servant Camp was certainly a "God Time" at 100+MPH.

• Our camp facility could comfortably accommodate about 300 campers and 60+ staff.  What we experienced in May and June was a total surprise and it had me, and my staff, scrabbling right up to the start of camp.  
• As the first day of camp, August 5th, approached we had just over 400 campers registered and with that I needed about 100 staff.  This was in a camp that could handle 360 people!  So what does one do?  I went to REI and purchased 12 four man tents and that would be home for some of the campers.  I then took the rest and squeezed them in here and there!  BUT there were many more issues to resolve.  
• The dining room could handle about 300 so that meant on any given day there were cookouts etc.  A nice schedule to figure out for sure!  We also needed to coordinate trips out of camp in regard to the dining room seating.
• It also was the beginning of golf carts to camp.  I rented 3 carts.  One would be for the Dr. and medical staff, one for the runners and one for the directors.  They turned out to be a God send as the carts allowed us to get around faster and the runners could now haul chairs, tables, mattresses etc without the use of pickups!  I think it made camp a lot safer.
• There was a need to have toilets for all.  The day before camp 5 of my runners came down the road driving pickups with portable toilets in tow!  To this day I wish I had a picture.
• Then there was the matter of showers!  There was NO way we could shower ALL during the week with what we had so portable showers were erected on sight and then for all there had to be a schedule when you could take a shower.  After all who wants to be in camp on Thursday if the 500 people who came on Sunday had not be able to shower yet???  I mean really, stinky socks are one thing but body oder of 500 people is another matter.
• There was the matter of the 100+ people who came from the states above.  Most would come the day before or stay the day after so they needed places to sleep.  A call went out to community members to house guests.  It worked out but there was a little bit of work/time involved!
• We had over night canoe trips going out that had to bring their food.  We had bike trips going out that needed staff.  Gail and I went to Cub a couple days before camp to buy food for the trips.  On the way I had the radio on the Twins game.  When I turned off the radio in the Cub parking lot it was the end of the 3rd inning.  After shopping for the food we walked to the car pushing TWO carts full of things.  After putting our food in the car I turned on the radio and they were giving the summary of the game!!!  I think that was the end of me liking Cub for food shopping!
• The campers went home on Friday morning and the staff had a party in the evening.  In the sharing of staff there were MANY that included "God Moments" and miracles too.  As we ended the party I was overwhelmed by God's work in camp.  
• I know that if one were to ask campers who were there that year many would say it was a tremendous jump start to their spiritual journey.
• As for me, that MAY have been the beginning of my hair loss!  Well not really but as thankful as I was I really did not want to go through the preparation like that ever again.  Lord, please work in ways that are easier on me, really!  BUT of course one would never say no if that is the will of our God.  After all what is Easter about!

Terry and I had a nice dinner with Minnesota friends last night.  They are from the Twin cities but now reside here full time.  Their home is just around the corner.  It was a nice time and the food was great.  As usual I ate hors d'oeuvres to the point of not being that hungry for the meal! 

As with each day now some work will be done towards going north.  By doing a little each day it seems that it is much less likely to forget something that is important.  Not sure I am ready for the home projects in St. Paul but they will be waiting so I best be prepared.  Maybe, just maybe, going up and down those 16 stairs will provide a better weight loss program than playing tennis!  Even it that would prove to be true I know it would not be as much fun.

Breakfast will wait this morning but I am finished with my FP and it, as usual, gave me a needed jolt!

First Sunday in May of 2019

Day 187, "Every picture has a story"

This picture was taken in Grand Forks North Dakota in August of 1976.  After 5 years of extension classes, summer schools and MANY hours on my masters thesis I had finished.  Mom and Dad actually drove up to Grand Forks for my graduation.  I had gone to school 4 summers (one summer we spent camping for 2 months while I took a class), spent a summer in Lincoln Nebraska for school and had taken several extensions classes at Devils Lake Community in order to graduate.  My goal was to have my masters by the time John entered 1st grade and I made it.  My major was learning disabilities and my minor was administration.  

Mom and Dad gave me a gun case for a graduation present!  I just got rid of it last summer as it had pretty much fallen apart but I used it a lot.

Actually the story is really about me, Mom and Dad.  I loved them perhaps beyond reason and sometimes to the detriment to my own family but that is not important at this point in my life.  What is interesting to me is where one fits into a family of 6 kids.  I have NO hard feelings or anything of the sort but as I sit back and think I do believe I was not one of their favorite ones!  That is what makes this picture so interesting and maybe puts a hole in my theory.  At the time of this picture they were both 65.  Now Dad traveled like a crazy man well into his 70s but Mom, not so much.  They must have stayed in a hotel as Grand Forks is not a day trip from Geneseo.  Anyway part of it may be that fact that Dad showed very little emotion at any time and actually if you were to look at Gail and my wedding pictures you may see how Dad did not approve!  In fact there was a stretch of time, maybe 4 or 5 years that he did not talk to Gail BUT then presto that changed.  As I think about it, of their six children FIVE married out of the Lutheran Church.  BUT I think their idea of a Catholic was pretty ingrained in some misconceptions.  Regardless of what was then, now is now and I do not think I am any worse for whatever!!!  I actually think they may have had less expectations  for me than for my siblings--don't know but they may have been correct!  Anyway I do remember them coming on that day and I know I certainly appreciated it.  We had a picnic afterward.  That actually was a BIG day for me.  Much work, much sacrifice away from home and money we did not have to spend went into the MA degree.  Maybe they came up because, at that time, I was the first to get a graduate degree.  Dave later got his from Moorhead State.  Ronald was well on his way to a masters when he died.  The girls, well they put their smarts to use in other ways and did a fantastic job.

The picture brings back memories of days when I would eat, for an entire week,  food from home that was in the cooler in the trunk of my car.  Towards the end of summer school the cooler was often filled with garden produce.  Back then no $$ for McDonalds etc.

Another quiet day here in Naples.  My tennis days are getting less frequent as so many couples are now gone for the season.  I think I have 3 days this week where pretty much ALL winter  I played 5 days a week.  One of the guys I have been playing with since 2011 for some reason decided he does not want to play with me any more.  Strange for sure.  As I sit here at 9:35 AM and type it is 85 outside.  Need I say another hot day!

Terry and I are doing something a bit different now so NO Irish Cream in my coffee this morning.  The heavy whipping cream did the trick in terms of making the FP GREAT.  All done.

Happy Birthday Agatha

Agatha is 6 today and she is a smartie and cutie gal.  Last fall when I was over to her place she was sounding out words better than I can!  Agatha have a super happy and fun day.  Love, Grandpa Lee and Terry  You may want to look below to see who she got her hair from!

A warm Saturday to end the week.

Day 186, 'Every picture has a story"

Bergen cemetery is where there are MANY memories and of course so many loved ones are buried.  Ronald, Mom, Dad and several other family members and friends.  Up until I was in 10th grade the bell was in the steeple of the church which stood on the grounds.  Today there is NO fence and most if not all the trees are gone.  It is just a lonely looking place where memories are buried and memories linger for many.

It is December 26, a Friday in 1952

Ronald and Janet are home for most of the Christmas vacation.  Janet has been helping Mom and she also has been sewing.  She will go back on Sunday night as the Pop family has asked her to spend the second week of vacation at their place.  Their store is always busy around Christmas and they said they could use the extra help.  However Ronald will be home the entire two weeks.  It is so much fun to have him home as he plays Touring with us and also Monopoly.  Our Monopoly game on Christmas Eve Day went on forever.  BUT today, Friday, we are going to go hunting, Dad, Ronald, Dave and I.  First we will drive over to Olaf Olson's farm as on the way there are many plowed fields with snow built up in line with the plow furrows.  Often jack rabbits will sit on the sunny side of the furrow which makes them an easy target from the road.  They are often hard to see as they are pretty much white in the winter but that is where Dave and I come in.  I think we must have eagle eyes as we often spot rabbits before either Dad or Ronald.  Do we have the guns?  Dave and I do not but Dad, driving and Ronald in the front passenger seat will be ready to shot.

After driving past Wood Lake School and into Olaf's front yard we will head north.  The highway goes right through Phillip's farm with the house on the west and the barn on the east!  After driving through their farm we will drive another mile before the road curves east towards the Marble Grove where our second hunt will take place.  It seems that is where cottontails have their town gathering and we will be ready!  Dad and Ronald will take out their shotguns and Dave and I will tramp through the bushes scaring them up.  It takes a sharp eye and quick action to pull up the gun and shoot before those little critters fine a hole in the snow.  One does not need to worry as Dad and Ronald are always more than up to the task.

It is a fun afternoon.  Our rabbit hunt and cottontail hunt was more than successful and of course it is always special to be able to spend time with Ronald.  I am thinking we may get in several more games and also one or two more hunting times before Ronald heads back to high school the morning of January 5th.

A quiet Saturday with warm temps.  The weather forecast last night showed highs in the low 90s for the next week, yikes.  Maybe it should be tennis at 7:30 and then the pool when mid morning rolls around.

There will be a bit more of sorting, putting and packing for the trip north.  Little by little it will happen until May 19th arrives and we get on the road. 

I cut my breakfast a little this morning as the pounds go on faster than they come off but still I had to have that FP which started the day in a good way.

Another great weather day

Day 185, "Every picture has a story"

Perhaps I have written about Mom before but one can NEVER say enough about Mom.  Here she and Dad visited us in 1970 when we lived in Old Main on the campus of the School for the Deaf in Devils Lake.  As one can notice our furniture was not really up to modern times!  I am guessing here Mom is thinking "I really do not like my picture to be taken"

Some things about Mom that stand out in my memory:

• Mom was so so limited in world experiences and therefore her mind set was sometimes kind of out dated BUT she was so genuine and she loved with all her heart.  IF she had ideas or attitudes that were a bit different it was because of her time in life, not because of some kind of bad attitude or wrong ideas.  
• Mom was kind of a magical person.  She could pretty much make something out of nothing regardless if it was food, clothes or something else.
• Mom went through her second year of high school in Veblen.  At that time she was asked/told she was needed at home.  She always regretted that she could not finish HS.  
• She was the doctor, the care giver, the chef and pretty much everything in our family.
• I almost cringe when I think of what she could have done IF she had been in a different setting.
• When she died she had in her purse a few dollars, pictures of her three homecoming queen daughters, a note and maybe a couple of other things.
• When her brother Jim died she got a few hundred dollars.  What did she do with that money?  She bought a sheep skin throw for each of her children.  She was so excited that she could give something to us out of her own money.  We had this pink sheep skin throw for many years in our home.
• After Ronald died in October of 1964 and then Janet died in February of 1966 Mom just was not the same.  On the surface she appeared fine but I know deep inside she was always hurting.  
• Then to make matters worse the entire farm burned in the early 80s and where did Mom's beloved piano end up?  It was burned to char and fell into the hole in the ground that was the basement.
• So for a gal who had the moxie and looks as a young women Mom became a loving wife, a super Mom and someone who was the poster girl of a person who gave her all for the family she loved.  She should be included in the definition of "selfless love".
• So for all the health care you gave us Mom, for all the delicious meals you made out of nothing and for all the sacrifices you made--we, your children, thank you and say you were the BEST.

A slow day.  Terry is currently at a Dr. appt and I am sitting here baby sitting our home while the AC guy does his bi-annual check up on the unit.  The AC unit has a 10 year warranty but you must pay $150. a year for the checkup.  I think that is how Florida warranties work!  I was supposed to play tennis at 10:30 but there are some things that are more important!

I had eggs with bacon, olives and cheese mixed in for breakfast and then "of course" that FP was topping on the cake so to speak.  Life is good.

Some history today

Day 184, "Every picture has a story"

The Melheim farm in the Fardal Valley in Norway

When I looked at my wall calendar this morning I noticed that this is the day, in 1991, that Uncle Henry died.  Of course my history with Henry consists of mainly 2 things.  One, playing Chinese Checkers with him at Grandma's house until I could beat him and then he would not play.  Two, the VERY awful smoke in Grandma's entry way in the winter.  Grandma would not allow him to smoke in the house so in the winter he had to stay in the entry way and smoke.  I do not know what kind of cigarettes he smoked but they were VERY stinky.  With the number of times I stayed at Grandma's after a basketball or football game I surprised I am not suffering from lung cancer!

On to the story of the day.  I think Grandma was a year or two old when the family came over from Norway.  If one would question, Did they really come from Norway, here is the answer.e  Here are the names of Grandma's siblings: Martha (Kristina), Anfin, Carl, Benard, Sigvard, Henry and of course Grandma whose name was Ingeborg but everyone called her by her middle name Emma.  If one wonders if people live longer today, yes they do.  The ages at death were Kristina 69, Anfin 80, Emma 74, Carl 64, Benard 56, Sigvard (Sig) 51 and Henry 91.  That is an average age of 69 at death.  

If I am right and they came over when Grandma was 1 that would mean they arrived in 1891.

Well the slow but steady "getting ready" to go north has happened. I now have 2 boxes in the guest bedroom that are full of things to go north.  As the days go by more and more will be placed in boxes on the floor.  Hopefully by May 18 or 19, when we leave, NOTHING will be left behind that should go.  

It is pretty quiet here and it is nice.  As we look out through our lanai we look into a wildlife preserve and beyond that is a pond.  To our left is a neighbor that we share a common inside wall.  To our right is a neighbor whose house is about 20 feet away.  Both have left for the season so it is quiet and private for the time we have left here.  One of the nice things is when I swim I can use my swim suit that I have had for 72 years!!!  I would not complain about noise etc. but from time to time you can hear the neighbors, not now of course.  

No tennis today and this body is again telling me that I could use the rest.  I have a court tomorrow but there is a conflict so perhaps that will not happen.  

Enough for now.  I had ham and black olives in my scrambled eggs this morning and then complimented that with FP with a T of heavy cream.  I know, I need to lose weight so maybe I will just go light at lunch and dinner.

Welcome May of 2019--Day 121 of the year! How many shopping days???

Day 183, Every picture has a story"

A few years ago I started making cards for birthdays and anniversaries.  It has come to the point now where Terry and I do not buy any cards.  I usually find a picture to put on the card.  Now, the reality is much of the time a birthday is maybe on a Thursday and on Monday I scramble to find a picture, get my card program up and running and then print it out in time to put it in the mail.  This happens like 38 times a year BUT not this year.  We have sent out 7 cards so far this year BUT have 31 left and guess what--ALL the cards are made and ready to go.  It is a first and maybe a last as well, we will see.  So as you see below there is a box of 28 cards ready to go and they are packed for our trip up north.  The three at the top of the list are by the front door and they will be mailed before we leave in late May.  In addition to being personal the cards save money.  What does a card cost, $3 or $4 or $5?  I would say the paper ink and envelopes cost south of $1 so 38X1 vs 38X4 sounds good to me.
Now I do think there is a LOT to do before we leave so, Carmen, put the card experience behind you and get busy.

the cards are box, labeled and in the items packed for Minnesota

I have written about my siblings but I need not forget the in-laws.  There is Glorine, Charlie, John, Judi, Ron, Marlys and Mike.  They have added so so much to family and I would say if Mom and Dad were here today they would say they were proud of each one.  I know, we need to be a bit tolerant of some of Dad's ways!!  So as I finish my sibling writings I say you all were welcomed into the family and each added much to the LEE family.  I should add that Joan/Ron will celebrate anniversary #58 this year, Marlys/Dave # 54 and Judi/John  49 or 50 (I may be wrong but for sure I am close).  I would say that says a lot about family, Mom/Dad and the life on the farm.  Could we say  "the family that prays together stays together"?  I think proof of what family is took place last summer in Jamestown.  Judi, John, Joan, Ron, Marlys, Dave, Helen, Terry and I had a great time over 2 nights and one day as we gathered to remember "the good old days".  We missed Glorine.  As we all know time marches on and this year our ages will range from 69-83 so I, and all of us, need to be thankful for life and live it to the fullest.  I thought about listing the tremendous gifts/talents our family has but decided it would be too long and then I may forget something that was important so all I need to say is "every single family member is special and has an abundance of gifts/talents.

As I jumped in our pool for the third time yesterday I wondered if I was ready to trade the pool in Naples for the house projects in St. Paul?  Maybe going up and down the stairs in St. Paul will take the place of tennis here in terms of exercise.  Can the projects provide fun in the same light as tennis?

I ate the last of 2 homemade sausages with eggs this morning.  Darn, it is so difficult to gauge how much food to buy in 7+ months and then have it at or near zero when one leaves.  BUT the 2 sausages did empty a container from the freezer so there is progress.  How will things stand when we leave in late May?   Only time will tell.

It, again, is difficult to believe that another month is history.  We will see what May has for us.  No doubt my life will be very different as pool and tennis are left in Naples and yard and house work are waiting in St. Paul.  The first thing we need to do in St. Paul is get a garden in so that by mid summer I can pluck a cherry tomato off the vine as I hurry to my wood shop!

No, the WSJ is read, the FP is almost gone and I may get to the courts a bit early.  I made a card for one of our pros Myke.  I showed her a picture of the cards I made and as she looked at the picture she tried to find the card for her!!!  She said her birthday is June 8.  I made a card yesterday and will give it to her this morning with a note that says "the early bird gets the worm"!  Now that I continued to ramble on the FP is history.