Oh my I missed Friday writing! AND IT IS THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST

The pictures from Thursday were both taken in Lidgerwood.  The first is, as anyone can see, taken of their baseball field.  It was very different when brother Ronald was playing American Legion ball in the summer.  There was an ugly green grandstand that people would sit in.  I am sure I wrote about this in the past but we went to one of his games and Ronald fouled a ball back over the grandstand and into the tall weedy grass.  People could NOT find the ball so they just gave up.  I walked back by myself and hunted for a long time before finally finding it.  I tucked it into my pocket as I felt people had given up on finding it so it was "finders keepers, losers weepers"!  I have the ball and was going to, sometime, give it to Roxanne but of course that did not happen.  Anyway the Lidgerwood ball field is very different today than long long ago.  I am actually surprised it is still used and in good shape.  The second picture is of Bergen Church that we attended until about 1963 when it was closed.  At some point it was moved to Lidgerwood and somebody used it as their house.  I looks like it is not used today.  Of course there could almost be a book of stories related to the church.  Among the headlines could be:

• the fall bazaar where I could spent my coins I earned for bringing in corn cobs for the cook stove
• playing tag around the church and among the grave markers
• ringing the bell and allowing the rope to pull me off the ground as the bell swung from side to side  (the bell is on a cement slab at the cemetery today)
• the every December practises for the Christmas program
• the Luther League programs with kool aide and cake afterwards
• the summer Bible school across the road in the school house
• the many times Mom and Dad did a song for the church program and the ONE time Rev Mailing (sp) stood up and sang with them!
• every fall one of the church council would some by to collect the yearly church dues
• etc etc etc

As one can see Bergen was a HUGE part of life growing up on the farm.  As the building rests in Lidgerwood little does it know the part it played in the demise of rural America.

I have one more chance to get some work done in the month of August.  I would say my back is getting better each day BUT it is not all that good yet.  Maybe I need to rest a few more days😐.  As we slip into September tomorrow the weather shows we MAY not see 80s again until 2020.  That seems odd and I am guessing we will see a day or two but time will tell.

I do not remember a late summer that has been so rainy.  It is great for the lawn.  I do remember back in 07, 08 09 etc the front 15-20 feet of lawn by now was pretty much little patches of grass but mostly BIG patches of dirt.  Over the last 10 years or so I have done my best to seed, water etc and today, with the nice rains, the entire front yard is green.  The green would not earn any awards but still it looks pretty decent and I think it could hold it's own against most of the lawns on Niles Ave.  I know, it still could (and will be) a lot nicer in the future.

Terry got some tomatoes frozen yesterday and we have some in the dehydrator.  The machine was making noises that it should not so I took it apart and tried to fix it.  I have not dared plug it in yet to see if my work makes any difference.  I will do that this morning. 

I am done.  I think I HAVE to get on Bentley this morning to test my back and get some exercise in.  With a temp of 58 I may need a light jacket.  Even though I finished my FP I may need to stop at the coffee shop as I need to get up to 50 stars for a free cup!!!

I wonder if we will hit 90 again this year, it looks like maybe not!

From the pictures yesterday.  The bins are the grain elevator in Geneseo.  The elevator is on the north side of Highway 11 as it goes through Geneseo on the north side of town.  The second picture is the location of the grain elevator when I was still home.  We would come into Geneseo from the south and turn right towards the elevator.  I THINK it burned down a long time ago but am not sure.  I know the elevator in Lidgerwood burned in the mid 70s.   The grain elevator in Cayuga was torn down not long ago but had not been in use for a long time.  I remember the guy who managed the Geneseo elevator but I can not remember his name.  He could communicate fine but he was a stutter.  It was always fun when I was able to ride with Dad to take a load of grain in.  The truck would go in and then it would be raised up to empty the box.  The scale would weigh the loaded truck and the empty truck and that would give us the amount of grain we had.

Here are the pictures for today.  They are NOT connected in any way.

Another cool day and I maybe should just stop saying that because it looks like COOL is the in thing for a long time.  I looked at the weather forecast for St. Paul for the month of September and they show NO days in the 80s!  Of course that is a long way in advance and I have no idea how accurate that is.

My cold is a bit better and I think my back is better too.  As I sit here and type I have ice on it. At this point in the day I have run an errand, put fertilizer on the lawn and did a little painting inside so I would say my day is off to a fairly good start.

Enough for now as I finished my FP some time ago so time to get some more work done.

A late posting

Here I am at 5 PM and I have not blogged yet.  Will post the answers to my pictures from yesterday.  The first is in Veblen of the Lien place where there was a pool table and burgers if you wanted.  It also was the place workers gathered for a morning and afternoon break.  They would shake dice to see who would pay.  Next door was a grocery store.  As one can see they are LONG ago closed and vacant.  The second is in Lidgerwood.  It is the bowling alley that was doing well during the time we were growing up and it still looks to be open today.  I would say it seems to be doing a lot better than much of Lidgerwood.  As I have said in the past rural America is not doing well.  Towns are getting smaller and smaller and farms are getting bigger and bigger.  AND the population is shrinking at an alarming rate.  I do not have facts but I am guessing that there is one farmer today for every 5 farmer in the 40s and 50s.  I would venture to say that NOBODY uses 2 bottom and 3 bottom plows today like Dave and I did in the 50s and 60s.  Perhaps the 3 bottom plow has been replaced by the 30,40,50 foot digger.  Progress, maybe?

My aching back is a tiny bit better and my cold is somewhat better.  Enough and as one could guess the FP is history history.

What is the connection?

Our late September weather continues here in August

Contrasting pictures

The pictures from yesterday.  The picture with trees and grass are where Cayuga school used to be.  There is a park there now but no sign of the big brick school.  The second looks like a field where one would grow crops.  It is BUT up until not too long ago it was the Cayuga ball field.  I played little league ball there when I was in grade school.  One memory (I promise it is true!) happened when we were playing Forman.  Forman was much larger than Cayuga so it was expected they would win big time.  Well I came up in the bottom of the 7th (last inning) and we were a run behind.  Jack G was on second base with the run that would tie the game.  I will not reveal what I had done at the plate up to that time--but I had a good feeling about this at bat.  Before I went to bat Ray Murray, the coach, took me aside and said just meet the ball.  There were 2 outs and we needed that run.  With my old tennis shoes dug in at the plate and my white shirt with the red strips across the chest I waited for the first pitch.  With a mighty swing I launched a fly ball way beyond the right fielder and into the long grass beyond where they mowed for the field.  As I crossed home plate the right fielder was just retrieving the ball out of the grass.  How about that, a walk off win for Cayuga.  Unfortunately it was my one and ONLY baseball moment of glory.  I did make the baseball team my freshman year of high school but then baseball was discontinued because the weather was usually not good for baseball in May.  Getting back to the picture where the ball park used to be I think Mark S played ball there up until not that long ago but as one can see it is no more.

My aching back.  I have been icing it and taking some pills.  I THINK it is somewhat better this morning but still not all that great.

I took the pickup in yesterday as the 2 back tires would lose air over a couple of weeks.  I had them fixed and had an oil change for $33.  Not bad I would say.  

We got .9" rain yesterday which will be great for the garden and lawn.  We have too many tomatoes.  What is one to do.  I think Terry mentioned she may freeze some.  Maybe I will have tomatoes with cream and sugar today--great idea.

I wanted to stay off Bentley yesterday because of my back but I did get a short ride in as I put it in the back of the pickup and then rode home as I did not want to wait.

Oh my but our September like weather continues.  It was 58 when I came downstairs this morning and my phone shows a high of 69 today!  It then goes on to show temps in the 70s through September 5th.  I don't know if we will have any more 90s this year.

I am kind of waiting to hear from a lawn guy and then the Realtor gal.  Both came over last week and promised to get something to me soon but as of yet I have not heard.  I am not going to do anything with the house now so no big deal but I would like to do some lawn things so it would be nice to hear.

It was the fall of 2006

It was Tuesday, August 29 thirteen years ago.  I was off to school as we had a week of workshops before school started the day after Labor Day, September 5th. Today as I begin my 13th year of retirement I am so thankful.  God has been so so good.  

I just poured my last cup of FP so will sign off and try to get some things done that do not require much movement from my back.

Oh my.  The recycle comes late morning ALL the time and I just heard them 2 houses away so I had to run and get the container out.  I just made it.  

DONE

We start the last week of August

What do they have in common?

The pictures from yesterday are sad for me.  They are of the ground that Aunt Bertie and Mom lived most of their adult life.  Where Mom lived is now a bean field and where Bertie lived is now a pasture for cows.  I know, life changes and goes on but sad never the less.  

I apologize for the pictures today.  My siblings will probably know what one of them is as there is a sign but the other, no way--I think.  Tomorrow will tell!

I twisted my back yesterday and it is not good.  I had forgotten about my back as it has not bothered me for a long time.  I think it went out on me 2 or 3 times and that was not good but yesterday the lower back just twisted a bit I think.  Even though I have not done much lately I can not afford to be out of commission so Lord please heal it NOW.

We are looking at a high of 71 today and everyday in the 70s well into September, wow.  I have not read about attendance at the state fair but I would guess it has been good as the weather has been perfect.  

I had planned to back the pick up near the garage and put another load of stuff in for the junk but with this back that will not happen today.  I may stay in my leisure wear all day and ice.

As I read the sports section of the paper today I read about the PGA event that ended Sunday.  It was the final of the Fed EX cup for the year.  There were 30 golfers who qualified for it.  The winner earned $15,000,000 with the LAST place person earning $400,000.  I may be missing something but is there something wrong in our world?

As I came downstairs this morning the first place my eyes went to was the den.  It is fairly clear of clutter.  I then thought about the dining room set of Terry's that was there 2 or 3 years ago.  Then there was the huge buffet there for a time.  After that a queen size mattress made the den a home for a short while but now NOTHING.  To have a room cleared out and makes one feel good.  

I am NOT going to get on Bentley this morning as I am sure that is not good for that darn back.  I have to figure out what I can do without making it worse.

Not much this morning but I am finished.  My FP in my camping cup is now down to the top of the evergreen tree which means I have about half a cup of enjoyment left! 

It was a difficult summer

Sargent Central High School

It was the summer of 1963.  I had just finished my sophomore year of high school.  I felt I was in for a long summer and it turned out I was correct.  Ronald/Glorine and Janet/John had been away from home for a long time.  I so looked forward to their visits but for me they came not nearly often enough.  I was at the age where I was still an immature adolescence but yet was beginning to look towards the future.  Ronald, John, Glorine were all teachers and Janet had her 2 year degree.  For some reason I took that as maybe I should be a teacher but for some reason I did not want to do that.  Joan/Ron were married and lived in Fargo.  Dave, I think, lived in Fargo and it looked like he may be a teacher also.  It was just Helen and I at home.  

I had begun to realize that Dad was NOT a farmer.  Oh, he earned his living by farming but really he was not at farmer.  He was a hunter, a professional photographer and then farming was something he had to do to earn a living.  I was at the point of almost being embarrassed about our farm and our antiquated way of doing things.  I did not dare tell my friends at school that showers were so important after sports because we had no shower or tub at home.  There was no way I was going to share that our winter toilet was a pail upstairs and our summer one was a three holer.  Would I tell people that I had to shave in a tiny cubby hole like place off the kitchen?  No.  All that was going through my mind but really the problem was I felt like I lived on an island in the ocean.  We were 25 miles from the school and in the summer I pretty much had to live for visits from siblings and then the farm work.  I admit I tried to avoid farm work whenever possible.  

I did have an idea that may make the summer more interesting.  I had fashioned a golf hole in the ditch by the mailbox in the past.  But I thought I needed to expand!  Bert and Eleanor lived a half mile north of us by the lake.  Their pasture was the land between our farm and their buildings.  Bert grazed his cattle so that his pasture was BARE.  That would be a great place for a 3 hole golf course.  I did not ask Bert if it was OK I just started planning my golf course.  I fashioned three flag poles out of old sticks, nailed some clothes to the top and headed north to the pasture.  I dug a hole for the first pole and stuck it in.  I then stepped off 100 yards to the second one and did the same.  To make a kind of triangle I stepped off, this time, 150 yards to the third.  Pesto, I had a 3 hole golf course with short grass, and cow pies to go with it!!!  I spent much of my summer doing these things:

• wishing Ronald/Glorine would come visit
• wishing Janet/John would come visit
• wishing Joan/Ron would come
• wishing Dave would come home for a time
• hitting the golf ball to my 90 yard hole by the mailbox
• playing golf in Bert's pasture and losing golf balls in gopher holes
• AND doing farm work when I had to!

The summer seemed like a long one and almost daily I would count the days to the first day of football practice in August.  The expectation of a fun football season and basketball season kind of saved the day so to speak.  I knew I would be starting on the football squad as I had the year before and I believe, as a sophomore, I had more tackles than anyone.  Basketball was another story.  I was sure I would be the 6th man on the team.  The class ahead of me had some great players and as it turned out we went to the state tournament in the spring.  I would shoot baskets by the barn and my shot was really good but the weeds and dirt did nothing for my dribbling skills!

In spite of my thoughts and dreams for the up coming high school season the summer dragged on.  I knew that my siblings had more important things to do than to visit us but really they did not come home often enough in my estimation.  That coupled with my increasing uneasiness of our farm life made the summer drag on and on and on.  

Fall finally came and school, or should I say sports, saved the day.  Our team won the conference championship and I was voted captain for the next year.  Basketball ended kind of not so good but we did get 5th place in the state after being voted #1 in the polls several times.  During those school days the farm, the antique ways of Dad and the aloneness of siblings off living their own lives kind of got put in the background.  

Enough for today I think.

The first day of the last week in August of 2019

What do these have in common?

The pictures from yesterday are from Veblen SD.  When Mom and Dad moved to Veblen in the early 80s they paid $18,000 for their house.  That was about the amount of insurance money they got from their farm fire.  At the time Veblen had a cafe, a grocery store, two bars, a lumber yard a couple of gas stations and more.  Perhaps the biggest things going were a cheese factory and a pillow making factory.  Pillows were made and sold in stores like JC Pennys.  We would always stop at the cheese factory and get cheese when we visited.  I do not know when but I think still in the 80s the cheese factory and pillow factory, at about the same time, closed down.  With it the demise of Veblen followed.  Over the years the grocery store closed, the cafe closed and houses stood empty.  When Dad had his auction sale everything he had, including the house were sold for under $10,000.  Perhaps WAY under that.  Today the pictures are of what was the cheese factory and the pillow factory.  BUT as one drives down Main Street most buildings are empty.  The busy senior citizens center is now a bar/grill etc.  There is of course the dairy with their 20,000+ milking cows but I see very little of that money in Veblen.  

A clue about today's pictures.  They also tell a bit of the story of the demise of rural America.

I actually got a tiny bit of work done yesterday.  Terry has gotten two items painted over the last couple of days so she is ahead of me.  I did find out one thing yesterday.  The lawn guy who came over indicated he was sure we had a grub problem in the lawn but I found out that is not the case.  I dug up 2 different patches in the lawn and found 1 grub in each patch which is NOT a problem.  

No it is time to get on Bentley and ride a little.  I did not do that the last two days so need to get back on track.  Time to sip that last drop of FP and go.

Our fall like weather continues today with a high of 74

Here are pictures for quiz #3.  How are they connected?

The pictures yesterday were of places where Dad, and sometimes Mom, would have lunch.  The building in Clara City was the community cafe.  That is where Mom and Dad were eating when the phone call came in about the fire at the farm.  Terry and I actually had a lunch there a few years ago on a trip but as one can see it is now a taxidermist place.  The larger building used to be the Veblen Senior Citizen center where Mom and Dad spent a lot of time.  When Mom got to the point where she did not want to go places Dad would walk up to get the mail and then stop at the center to have coffee and gab.  Often he would go for lunch and then bring lunch home to Mom.  Today it is a bar and grill where many of the dairy worker in the areas will stop for lunch.  As I mentioned yesterday, no lunch pails in this day and age.  The dairy that I mention is where 20,000+ cows are milked and the milking goes 24/7.  The pictures today have a HUGE connection and a HUGE impact on Veblen.

Yesterday Terry and I enjoyed our second day of BLTs with tomatoes out of the garden. I am guessing we will need to eat BLT sandwiches 3 times a day and MANY to even use a small amount of the tomatoes coming out of the garden.  Well of course we will not do that.

I had a second guy come over yesterday to talk about the front yard.  He had a different opinion of what should be done.  He is sure the lawn is infested with grubs and even with new sod one would need to get rid of them.  He saw my pickup and said that is a hot item today.  He gave me the name of a company that puts those kind of vehicles on an Internet auction.  He said the mag wheels are worth almost as much as the pick up!  Did he know what he was talking about?  I think he did but I am not sure!  Anyway he will send me an estimate for the lawn early next week.

No I need to get on Bentley as I missed yesterday and I need the exercise.  At 62 I may need a light jacket but then with my FP gone I may stay warm.

Answer #1

The answer to the question yesterday is both pictures show a ball field!  That is right.  We played ball at Wood lake School often on the north side of the building.  The second picture is at Lake Tewaukon where we would play ball where the picture shows.  On the last day of school we would all walk to the lake, play ball and have a picnic.  As one can see NO ball has been played on either place for maybe 60+ years "for sure".

The pictures above are question #2.  What do those places have in common?

Oh my the weather shows that the highest temp during the state fair, which opened yesterday, will be 73 with one day at 69.  Also only 1 day of rain.  I would say that is perfect for fair goers.

Not a lot to say today.  I got in a short ride on Bentley yesterday and brought home some bacon, lettuce and bread so we could have  a BLT with home grown tomatoes.  My goodness we have many many many tomatoes and not sure what to do with them.  

I mowed the front yard yesterday at the fall height.  It actually covers up some of the not good spots!  Someone is coming over at noon today to give me an estimate on sodding part of the front.  I have that one estimate but I was not sure if the price was good, fair or bad.  A second opinion will give me a better idea.

Travis should arrive shortly as we are having our weekly breakfast.  It is at the Uptower this morning which is on Lexington and Grand.  I have been there once a long time ago.  I will have to see if it is better than breakfast made at home!  I have a big decision to make.  Do I bring my FP with or do I leave it at home and finish when we return?  I have to think about that as most cafes coffee is at least 4 notches below my FP.  Sometimes when I mention my FP I think of our neighbor in Florida Diane.  One fall when they came down she asked me what FP meant.  She often read my blog and she and John could not figure out what FP was!  I chuckle and then enjoy the memory of Diane when it comes to mind.  

Enough for today as Travis should be here any time and I am out of thoughts.

Fall is in the air

I found it strange that Wood Lake School which is used for nothing now and has not been used for so long is sided with metal siding which means it will stand for a long time.  Maybe memories are meant to be preserved in structures.

For the next few days pictures will bring me (maybe you too!) down memory lane.  There will be a quiz each day with the answers the following day.  TODAY THE QUESTION IS "Where were these pictures taken and how are they connected?" I would say MAYBE brother Dave or sister Joan would know where.  How are they connected?  If anyone knows that they know how I think and I am not even sure I know that!!!

I returned from North Dakota yesterday and was tired.  Mary, Mark, Allen and I stayed up kind of late Tuesday night talking.  We discussed much about Grandma and what might transpire over the next weeks or months.  Then yesterday morning we again talked for some time before Allen left for Fargo and I got my weathered wood.  It seems that Grandma is in the last stage of life so there is much to talk about.

I attended Danny Saunders' funeral on Tuesday.  I am guessing there were about 150+ as the Cayuga church was fairly full.  After the internment there was a lunch at the hall.  Scalloped potatoes with ham, sandwiches, dill pickles, coleslaw and dessert.  A typical and delicious meal for all.  

I turned the trip into a photo shoot of sorts.  I started in Veblen and from there it took me to Cayuga, Geneseo and Lidgerwood.  The thing that struck me was how much things have changed in rural America.  Sure, I have not lived in Sargent County since 1966 BUT still the change is startling and sad.  On my way home yesterday I decided I would literally have a slice of rural America by stopping in a small town cafe for a burger and fries.  When Joan, Dave, Helen and I were in Lidgerwood for Santa Claus Day back in the late 50s there were at least 3 cafes in town, a dime store, a variety story and much much more.  Yesterday I could not find a cafe open at 11:30! I THINK there may be ONE that is open some times but really maybe not.  I stopped in Fairmont at a Cennex gas station and filled with gas.  I went in and they did sell pizza and other things there.  I asked if there was a cafe in town and the lady pointed to her store, that was it!  After stops in Geneso, Lidgerwood, Hankinson and Fairmont I hit gold in tiny Wendell which is a blink after Fairmont.

Well I admit it was called a bar and grill but as I looked it seemed more bar than grill!  As I ate my burger and fries I chatted with a fellow.  He shared about his 6++ jobs he had over the years and about his 3 ex-wives.  He said he liked them kind of wild!  I have to say as I ate there were 5 people who came in for take outs.  It seemed to me NOBODY takes a lunch bucket to work any more!  The owners (I think) were a couple that looked to be in their "almost" retirement years.  I had to wonder what will happen when they hang it up.  I did observe that even in tiny Wendell in rural American there were plenty of tattoos even on the "mature" lady who served me my burger.  I have begun to think, if I want to fit in, I need to get some of those paper tattoos that you can wet and then put on your body.  Maybe that would make me look kind of normal for the day!!!  Then again do I really care if I appear to be normal?

I just saw a person jog past the house with a headlight on.  A few weeks ago it would have been plenty light out.

Today is the first day of the Minnesota State Fair where over the next 13 days there will most likely be 2,000,000+ people eating, enjoying and having a great time.  The weather shows ALL days in the mostly low 70s with a 69 sprinkled in.  I think that is nice fair weather.  Maybe rain just one day.  If that holds I predict a record crowd this year.  Of course it brought to mind the years I sat in the vender's parking lot from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM for 14 days.  Oh my those last several days went by slowly.

All in all my trip to ND was good.  I missed my Terry as I do not enjoy traveling alone or being alone but maybe next time we can do it together.  I say that and then I add.  Going to ND, where I grew up, is OK but I do not want to do it TOO often.  Better to live and enjoy the present and look too and plan for the future.

Enough for today.  I THINK I may get some work done today AFTER my Bentley ride.  Mary and Mark had good coffee yesterday but my FP today is "for sure" the best!

Sweet 16 or maybe that is just for girls!

Henry turns 16 tomorrow.  I will be on the road so am posting a HAPPY BIRTHDAY a day early.  His expression here shows how he attacks life, with energy and gusto each day!  Have a great day Henry and may many wishes and dreams come true this coming year.

August is fast fading

No picture today.  I will hit the road this morning on my way to North Dakota for the funeral.  It will be a short but long trip.  Short as I will return tomorrow evening but long in the sense that I will be alone.  Terry will stay back to tend the home fires for a short time.  She has been under the weather the last few days and home is a better place to be when that is the case.

I had a fun time with the "old guys" yesterday morning.  It was fun to remember the past and then to talk about the future.  Dennis promised to take up the reins for a get together next summer.  It was interesting for me to think about what a breakfast like that would have been like 15 years ago.  Well I guess it could not have happened on a Monday as we all would have been working.

Fall must be close as I mowed half of the lawn yesterday and raised the height of the blade.  That means fall I think!

It was good to have Marti, the Realtor, over yesterday.  I realize she would never say something like I don't like you house but she sounded very sincere when she called the house very charming and nice. Of course she said that with a minus for the kitchen!  One thing she said that was a first for me to hear.  She said we should keep the full bath on the first floor.  Several have told us to use some of that space to enlarge the kitchen and make the bath into a first floor powder room.  Marti said a full bath on the first floor would be an important selling point.  Another thing she said that I was surprised about.  I asked if this kind of house was pretty outdated in terms of what young people want today.  She said not al all.  They like sunny spaces, wood floors and painted woodwork.  Well of all the tings this house does not have it has those!  All in all I was somewhat surprised and pleased at what she had to say about the house.

No I think that is about all for this morning.  No FP as I met Larry B for breakfast but wait, I could make some and take it on the road.  Good idea as Henry would say when he was a toddler.

New place, new use

An old desk in a new place!  I got this desk from Lake Ready Mix in 1971 (?) for free.  I used it many many years but it has sat in the basement lonesome for someone to say, "I need you".  So yesterday Travis and I moved it out of the house into my work shop and it will get used again.  It makes the basement more open and also my shop.  We then moved a large metal cabinet out of the shop to the curb.  It found a new home over night!!!  I then moved my scroll saw where the cabinet was.  It makes my shop look better and more ordered.

The metal cabinet stood in the corner and was about 6 feet tall.  What was in it now will be in the desk and the shop looks so much better.  The scroll saw!  I had to have Mike A. buy it.  Can't imagine why but for some reason the lady did not like me and would NOT come down in price.  It could have been due to the fact that it belonged to her father and she thought I was offering too little.   So I gave Mike the money I thought it was worth and he went over there about a month after I was there.  He came home with the saw.  It is a very nice saw.  A $700 saw for about $200 IF I remember right.  Anyway it makes the shop look larger and I like it.

I woke up this morning with anticipation on my mind. Breakfast with 3 guys who go way way back in time, maybe as far back as 40 years.  One was a chemist at 3M for many years, one was a social worker who spent his last several years working at the state penitentiary and the third worked at a print shop for many many years.  The owner of the print shop was Taylor who is a billionaire and I think he got that far by not paying his employees too much!  Two of them spent many years helping me at Servant Camp.  I have been in men's group with all for long periods of time.  Regardless it will be a fun morning as we meet at 7:00.

Terry and I decided that I will go to ND tomorrow for Gail's cousin funeral and also pick up some premium old weathered wood for the bathroom door.  I will leave tomorrow and come back on Wednesday.  Have to find out if Mary and Mark have a bed as they may have company for the funeral.  I guess they are supposed to find out today the cause of Danny's death.

I THINK I had better get some work done today. The last week or so has been "no work" time.

As I looked out the window this morning the 6' metal cabinet leaning against the tree is GONE.  From my basement in 1977 to now a new home I hope it is used well.  I was afraid I might have to bit the bullet and take it to the refuse place where it would have cost me maybe $25 to deposit it.

No I just decided I am going to ride my bike to breakfast so I better get going.  It is only about 2 miles so that will be a good way to get my morning ride in.  I am only half finished with my FP but will finish it when I get home.  

A day to reflect

A long time ago.  I THINK it was maybe in 1990 or so.  The roof needed to be redone and here are a couple of my helpers.  Today, perhaps it should be reroofed again!  That is even before I had gutters on.  I assume it was break time OR maybe Dad had to make a decision and the boys always thought I took TOO long!

As I sit at the computer it is a good day to not think of new things but of what was.  I emptied the rain gauge this morning and saw that we had 1.9" of rain over night.  WOW.  As I look out the window the sky is gray and there is a slight breeze.  I already got a bike ride in and also a nice visit with Mike M. who taught the boys at Highland Catholic.  He has a wonderful therapy dog and walks it a lot.  Also a very active bike rider.  

BUT it really is a day to sit and reflect.  Life is good, life can be difficult.  So many good things in the past but then of course some regrets as well.  So much to look forward to and yet what does the future bring?  So here goes some!

• Jack and Karen Saunders are in their late 70s or early 80s.  They farmed all their life and still live on the farm as one son does the work now.  Last week their 54 year old son suddenly died. My heart goes out to them and as one would know it brings back so many memories of Janet and Ronald (Red).  They were far from in their 50s and I know Mom's heart broke during those months between October of 64-February of 66.  Dad's heart was so in shambles too I am sure but he did not show it so much.  Of course it is just another example to let us know that we should love today, live life to the fullest today and make amens to any we have hurt.  I know, that is easier said than done.
• One of the things I think about often is how people react to situations that they know little or nothing about.   I have had events in my life that were not great and then had people react to me based on what they THOUGHT.  I makes me wonder some times.  I try to act on the truth and when I make mistakes I try to acknowledge them but for sure that is not always easy either.  Anyway there are a number of people who, to this day, avoid me and there was a time I thought we were friends.  Life goes on and one can not allow the thoughts of others to influence how a person lives their life.
• As I grow into the evening days of my life it is easy to think about how one should have done some things differently.  I could have earned more money by doing different work.  I should have not volunteered so much and did more on the upkeep of the house.  Could I have done both?  Maybe I should have not gone to the 1000s of soccer games, basketball games and bike races!  "For sure" I could have been a better father and husband.  I think about all those things and then say, "Really Lord, I did my best and will be happy with that!"  I would not change much of my past if I could but still thoughts linger.   I think I do a fairly good job of keeping focus on the present and future BUT there are times one regresses.
• Maybe we could have saved more money or spent less.  Let's not go there I say.

So time passes.  I get a bit older, the kids are now mature adults with children of their own and I must say are doing a great job.  So for today I will be content to say, "I have lived much of my life and even though it could have been better I am thankful for what I did and who I was/am."

I am looking forward to tomorrow morning as I will be getting together with some friends that I do not spend much time with.  Sometimes I wonder if friends want to spend time with me as it seems I am always the one to suggest doing something.  BUT anyway it will be a 7:00 breakfast with 2 or more guys I love.

The rain last night is going to bring the garden into NEW heights of veggies.  I may even have to mow the lawn a couple times that usually I would not have to.  I would say most years, by now, the grass cutting would be less and less but not this year.  I will be upping the blade the next time I mow.  Enough for today.  My FP was visited by an Americano at the coffee shop this morning so I am good to go.

Happy double digit Jude!

Happy 10th birthday Jude.  This may be my favorite picture of Jude.  Of course it is no recent but I am guessing maybe 8 years ago.  Jude is one special guy.  As you see him in this picture, that is Jude. Just an all around super young man.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDE

Some time ago

Here are Grandma Saunders granddaughters minus one in 1993.  They are standing by age.  Pretty cute I would say.

I HAVE to get a Bentley ride in but I also need to do some cleaning up as a Realtor is coming at 11:30 to look at the house.  I am NOT selling now but want to get an idea of what I should do, if anything, about the kitchen which is a disaster to say the least.  I had the house looked at about 3 years ago so also want to see what the difference is now.  Will see if I am disappointed in what she says.

Not a whole lot to say this morning.  After our wonderful rain yesterday we are not looking at rain for several days now.  

I did get a mattress out of the house yesterday.  I am looking at moving the desk out in a couple of days into the garage and then getting rid of a metal cabinet in the shop that was moved there from the basement many years ago.  Little by little things are changing.

Not sure if I mentioned my shop bird a few days ago.  IF I leave one door open sometimes a bird will fly in.  I always can get them out either dead or alive but this time I failed.  I wondered how long it would live in the shop.  Well I got my answer yesterday as I was cleaning up some and there, on the floor, was a dead bird.  So the answer to the question of how long a bird can live without food or water is about 3 days.

I just poured myself the last cup of FP so need to sign off, get some biking clothes on and head out for a short ride.  When I get back I will spend about an hour or two putting things in place before 11:30.  AND if you believe I can get things in place in that amount of time--you are wrong!!!

Friday, August 15th

left to right Alta, Amanda, Dad, Bob and Ragna

These were taken in ???? at Silver Lake which is south of Rutland North Dakota.    In the picture is Aunt Alta (Uncle Halvor died in a car crash), Aunt Amanda, Dad, Uncle Bob and Aunt Ragna.  Mom was not feeling well that day and did not go.  Amanda and Ragna were Dad's sisters.  During WWII Amanda moved to California and worked in a war related factory.  Ragna moved there to help care for her two children.  They both stayed in CA.  Bob was severely injured in the war.  I am sure it was the last time they were all together.  I think Amanda passed down some of her personality to my sisters.  I will not say more!!!

Oh my what a night of weather.  We had a down pour about 6:00 or so.  It was short but gave us .15" of rain.  I looked at the rain gauge this morning and we got a total of an inch.  Good for the garden and lawn again.  I fear for the garden produce.  We have barely started picking tomatoes and already we can not eat them all!  We may have to set up a stand in the front yard and instead of selling lemonade sell tomatoes!  We also have zucchini that we need to eat and we actually ate a small kohlrabi 2 days ago.  It was GOOD.

I just read something in the paper that is shocking.  They quoted a spokes person for the liberal leaning Iowa Farmers Union.  Growing up there was NOTHING liberal about the Farmers Union but I guess times change.  We used to go to Farmers Union meetings each month that were held at Wood Lake School but of course they were nothing but social gatherings.  I have no idea if any of the farmers were actually active in the organization.

I had an interesting experience yesterday.  Nine years ago I resodded part of the front yard.  NOW I would like to do the rest.  I had a guy over yesterday and he gave me an estimate.  I have no idea if it is reasonable as I have never hired that kind of work done.  After the fact I decided I need to get a second opinion.  My problem is I just have a difficult time paying someone to do work that I THINK I could do.  Granted IF I did it the hours would be a lot and I have so many other things to do BUT still it is difficult to think about paying someone to do that kind of work.  Maybe I could solve the problem by not thinking about it!  Anyway I will get another estimate next week.  I think the guy knew what he was talking about when he came over yesterday.  He said, "It looks like you have a two-tone lawn".  The grass I put in 9 years ago is different than the old grass.  AND I might add nicer as well.

I did spend about 3 hours in the yard yesterday.  One would not know based on how it looks but I had fun.  Picking weeds, digging in the dirt and other things kind of calm the spirit in my case.  What do I do today, not sure.  I just ran into a dead end with house projects and they were all work and NO fun. I realize I HAVE to get back to them but when and how is the question.

After the rain I am not sure how the roads are for biking but will get on Bentley and give it a try.  The sausage, eggs, hash browns and FP are history so will give it a go.

Two of the MANY camp shirts we have had over the last 35 years

The camp shirt in 90 showing the places campers came from.

The writing says it all on this shirt

I attended the community meeting last night which was all about camp.  Sounded like there were about 330 campers and 140 staff.  I have to say it--that is way too many staff for that amount of campers.  When I go to the post camp meeting my "directors hat" goes on so I have to be careful.  It sounded like God was very present and visible in so many ways.  When I think back at the 42 years of camp I am in awe of where it was, where it has come and how it seems to be such an instrument that God uses in many ways.  Careful here Carmen, you need to remember that even though you were the director for 30+ years it has been some time now so say little!!! 😕. It is refreshing to see new and young people stepping up to lead in such as good way.  I believe camp will continue for a long time.

God did a great job of watering the garden and lawn yesterday afternoon as we received about half an inch of rain.  That will hold things for a while.  I believe a half inch of rain is worth an inch and a half of tap water.  

A year ago Terry had a root canal on a tooth and she had the yearly check up yesterday.  The Dr said it is doing great.  She has an appt in early September for her up coming implant which, when done, will allow her to throw her flipper away!

All is well on the home front.  The house projects continue to stare me in the face each day and I just continue to stare back!

The FP was good today but it is every day of course.  On to a bike ride this morning.

August 13th, 2019

This is Ruth and Olive with Mom.  Ruth turned 100 last spring so she was born in 1919.  My guess is she is maybe 4 or so here which means Mom was in her early teens.  I think it was taken on the farm that Mom grew up on.  Today the house has been moved off the farm and there is nothing left but some vacant buildings.  When I was growing up Bertie and Obert's farm was one of the best.  They had several buildings, they milked cows and farmed a lot of land.  Oh my how time has a way of changing things.  

Maybe things on Niles Ave will change in a day or so.  I am still stuck in neutral and today I will have breakfast with Travis at 6:00, Terry has an appt at 1:45 and then from there we will take in Costco for some meds.  By the time we arrive home I will need to dress as I will be going to the community meeting tonight and I am guessing it will be all about camp.  

Speaking of how time changes things.  I have to keep my emotions in check as so many years of camp were so difficult in many ways.  One thing was the meeting after camp.  I remember when I had to almost beg for 15 minutes at the meeting after camp.  Last year the entire meeting after camp was geared towards camp. That is good of course but when I look back at my struggles with it I have to keep my mind on the good.  Way back then I felt camp should have been the focus of the meeting after camp but it was not to be.  Still, God worked in so many ways it is amazing.

As long as I am on the subject another situation.  It was about 3 month before and we were having our fund raiser for camper ships.  I talked with the leader of the meeting before things started and he promised me he would hold the meeting to an hour which was about 45 minutes or so shorter than usual.  That would give people time to take in the hot dog meal that we were serving to raise money.  I timed the cooking of the hot dogs so they would be ready after an hour.  Well the meeting went at least 45 minutes longer!  So much for good hot dogs.  I usually have a fairly long fuse but that time it was not so long.  I need so nothing more.  I need to add that today camp is one of the most important things our body does and it produces so much fruit.  Thank you Lord.

No, Travis will be here soon as we will head out for breakfast.  I did have my FP as that beats, hands down, any coffee you get eating out!

We are almost at mid August!

How about those beauties with matching dresses!  Bertie was 10 years older than Mom and they both look pretty hot!  

Today would have been brother Ronald's (Red) 83rd birthday.  Often I sit and wonder what Ronald would have turned out to be if God had given him a long life.  I KNOW he would have been someone special and done special things.

I am going to TRY and get the projects on track again.  Terry and I have about 50 days before we head to Naples.  We have not set a date but I am guessing it will be early October.  I am going to try something different starting today.  I am going to tell myself that getting projects done is not the most important thing in life so I will work at them but not worry.  Think I can do that?  Sometimes I wish God had created me more like Ronald or Dave.  They seemed to be able to attack a project and see it through to the end in lighting speed.  At least that is what it looked like.

I have a plan to lose weight.  I will not say what it is but when it is a success I will share it!  That will be  around the end of September.  I promise!!!

I should share a bit of the day Aaron was born.  It was Saturday, August 11, 1973.  Gail was VERY pregnant but there were no signs of when the baby might come.  I had been working on new sidewalks up to 710 3rd street in Devils Lake.  I told Gail I would bring left over cement when I finished work around noon and pour the side walk on the west of the house.  Noon came and I drove back into Lake Ready Mix after my last load with maybe 1/4 yard of cement left in the drum.  I asked Joe, the load guy, if he could give me another 3/4 yard.  With a slight smile on his face he did not ask any questions, he just said sure!  I arrived home about 1:00 knowing that I had about an hour of work left to pour the cement.  Gail said she was not feeling all that great and did not feel like she could help.  I poured the cement, left the drum going around so the residue would not harden and worked the poured cement to a smooth finish.  As I was about to jump in the truck all dirty and sweaty Gail said I should hurry as the baby may be close!!!  I was back home in 30 minutes and from there it is history.  Aaron arrive early the next morning, all 10+ pounds of him.  We figured it was from all the sweet corn we had been eating!

Enough for this morning.  I will sip the last of my FP, get on Bentley and ride for a while.  I will then come home and do my breakfast dishes and THEN get to work.  

Happy 46th Aaron

Aaron turns 46 today.  Here he is with chokecherries on his hands and teeth!  Oh my what a guy.  A terrific dad, a great husband and a staple at his work.  Aaron, keep up the great things that you are doing and may this coming year bring you much joy.  Love, Dad and Terry

Second Sunday in August

What the heck, Dave and Carmen have NO shoes

This picture was taken in 1956 as one can see.  That means Dave (front right) was 12, Helen (front little girl was 6) and I (front with plaid shirt) was 9.  I am guessing it was Glenwood but I am not sure.  It does not look like there are enough people for our Glenwood gatherings.  I know Russel, Ruth, Arlene and not sure of some of the others as the picture is not the best.

A great weather day.  We got .6" of rain yesterday so no need to water the garden and we are supposed to get rain again tomorrow.  I went on a short bike ride early this AM and then another one in the afternoon.  I am not even thinking about projects today.  Tomorrow, who knows?

This is about it for the day.  Not really in the mood for writing so will sign off.

A cool start "57" to August 9th

As I start this blog today I have no picture in mind.  Terry and I visited Servant Camp yesterday and my mind is full of pictures but they are not on paper.  One could guess what our visit was like.

Many people came up to give hugs and greetings.  Each time I visit camp I am in awe of God's presence and am thankful for how so many youth are touched by God there.  From the early 80s I have always said that Camp is a kids place with adults only needed to make sure things run smoothly.  So many christian activities are geared towards adults and then kids come in tow.  BUT Servant Camp is just the opposite.  The second they enter the gates of camp they know they are in their world for the next few days.  They know that 24/7 it is all about them.  The adults are there to work, to steer, to plan but it is ALL about campers.

I gained a better understanding of why it was a good thing for me to step down from camp several years ago.  As I listened and watched I understood why.  From the early 80s on camp was often looked at as a week in August that some of the kids would spend away from mom and dad.  Parents often looked forward to camp so they, as a couple, could go on vacation or just be "kidless" for a week.  For so so many years I struggled to get enough staff, to get enough funding and to get enough campers to camp.  The things I did and others as well were often "off the chart" but some how they worked enough to keep camp going.  There were many years when I felt I needed to spend 60,70,80 or more hours a week leading up to camp.  I rented the golf carts, I ordered the portable toilets, I met with Dan D to get free water, I thought up the design of the shirts and ordered them after Andy drew my design, I purchased the food for all the canoe trips and that is just a partial list of what I felt I had to do.  I should add there was always someone who would inform me at the last minute that they could not come out to camp so I would need to replace them.  Also each year there would be a few campers who failed to register so I would add them onto the list.  Today they end camp registration at a certain date and if you are late too bad.  The directors claim that works really well but I have a different idea which is not important!  Today they have perhaps a dozen people doing those things and that is good.  As Terry and I sat in the dining room with our ears ringing from the loud singing of the campers I thought to myself, "If I were still the director things would be different.'   AND then I said to myself "this is what camp is supposed to be NOW and it is good for me to visit only.  God has a way of guiding and putting things in place for the building of his kingdom.

I checked the weather for Cannon Falls today and it is 51 and sunny.  As campers pack up and leave the worst situation would be rain.  But they will not have to deal with that today.  That is a huge blessing.  It looks like rain is supposed to come in tomorrow.

From camp we drove, for the last time, to St. Louis Park to finally pick up the China quilt that was done at the quilting shop.  The shop did a great job of sewing and putting it together.  It seems like we have been to the shop way too many times but finally we are finished.

I will end up with the story of one of the most disappointing endings of camp.

Every year I would meet with the Scout director of camp and we would go over the final bill.  It was sometime in the late 90s this happened.  The director said she had gone over all the items with her staff and we owed something like $1875 for damages!  I almost had a heart attack.  I asked how that could be.  I knew our camp funds could not cover that.  I am sure my figures are not perfect but they went something like this:

• 50 missing tent stakes @ $4 a stake came to $200
• A tent that was defaced with writing, a new one at @$900
• A missing cooking grate @ $400
• 5 tent tarps @$75 $375
• Total of $1875.

I could not believe it.  I told her I would get back to her.  I found out what unit the tent was in and the staff said she had NO idea what they were talking about.  The next day I drove down to the camp and scouted around.  I found that the grate has been moved from a camp site to the place where they had cooking lessons.  Item done.  I asked to see the tent that was written on.  They said they had no idea where it was as tents that needed to be repaired or were no good were in a stack up on top.  I drove up and found a stack of tents that was perhaps 15-20 tents high.  I started at the top and took each one apart.  They had said the writing was on the front.  After about 2 hours of taking apart and putting together I found one that had about 5 words written on the front.  I put it in the car.  I went to the north campsites where they said tarps were missing and found them, all 5, along the lake shore where the boys had enjoyed a late night campfire.  They were in good shape.  As I left I grabbed a tent stake.  The camp director said they had prisoners at some place make them.  All they were was a 1X1 piece of oak about 8" long with a sharp end.  I arrived home early afternoon and I knew I had my work cut out for me.  I spent about 3 hours making 60 stakes (10 extra for good measure).  I then unfolded the tent and spent another 2-3 hours scrubbing the writing off.  On Monday I drove out to camp and looked up the director.  I gave her the 60 stakes and told her they were paying too much for them.  I unfolded the tent and showed her that it was good to go.  I then confirmed that ALL was settled up and she agreed.  As I drove back home I fumed a bit as I had always used the week after camp as a vacation because the following week school meeting would start.  AND here I had lost a Saturday, Sunday and Monday of my time off.  In the back of my mind I asked myself if the leaders of our christian community had any idea what went into camp?  Of course I knew the answer.  BUT I also knew that in that week of camp much good had happened and many youth would be closer to Christ because of it.  AMEN

My FP is gone so I must end BUT tomorrow the story of the bikes!

Kind of a cool start to August 8th

One of the 30+ shirts that have been made for Servant Camp.  As Terry and I drive out to camp today we will be visiting the 42nd edition of camp.  Over the years it has varied a LOT.  It started out as a backyard camp with a handful of kids.  In numbers it peaked at 400+ in the mid 90s.  On its way up in years it had struggles.  One year the leader of our community in the Twin Cities put out a memo, unknown to me, that if we did not get more campers in the next couple of weeks there would be no camp!  We did top out that year with 200+ campers which is the number I figured I needed to run the kind of camp I felt God wanted us to have.  After camp I received a bottle of Baileys as a way of saying "sorry, I should not have done that."  "That" being the memo that we may cancel camp.  I need not get into the many things we did at our meetings to drum up interest in camp but some are worth listing.  One time we brought a canoe and paraded it into the meeting.  One time, as I was giving an announcement I took off my pants!  I heard some gasps but I did have walking shorts under my pants!  I think camp, today, has leveled out to maybe a bit under or over 300 which I am sure is a good number.  About 9 years ago South Bend started sending their youth here and that certainly helped the number of campers as well as the available staff.  As Terry and I walk around camp, go into the dining room and director's cabin as well as the staff cabin I am sure I will see MANY staff who gave so much of their time when I directed camp and continue to do so today.  

After we visit camp Terry and I will head to St. Louis Park where the quilt from China is now DONE.    From 2013 to 2019 it is about time.  Terry brought the binding over yesterday and they called later in the day to say it was ready.  It will be fun to see it and then put it on the bed.  It will replace the camp shirt quilt that is on the bed now but I am not sure where that goes.  "For sure" it can not go into retirement.

No, I am about finished with my FP and then it is time to water the garden and get ready for the drive to Cannon Falls where camp is.

Looking good!

Not much to say today.  The garden is continuing to grow and we are experiencing the fruits of our labor!  It will take a while for the big tomatoes to come in but the little ones are coming in fairly fast now.  I think Terry almost has enough cucumbers to make a batch of pickles.

It is sister Helen's birthday today.  I am guessing she will spend time with friends.  If I remember right she said she never works on Wednesday so today should be fun.  I will call her later on.  In case you are wondering she turns 😁 today!!!

Terry and I took in the yearly block party last night.  It always is enjoyable to see people that I have known for some time and then to meet new people as well.  The best part was there were kids all over the place.  That is how Niles and Juno ave were 40 years ago, kids all over with a sprinkling of older folks.  NOW we are the sprinkling which is interesting to say the least.

Travis and I had our weekly breakfast this morning.  We went to The Egg & I.  If I were to grade it I would give it a B.  The place we went last week would be an A.

I have the sprinkler on for some of the lawn.  It is interesting as I look at the lawn.  It is NOT a "picture" kind of lawn but not really bad either.  If one were to go up and down Niles looking at lawns my lawn would certainly be in the top 25%.  The interesting part is I sodded about 40% of the lawn way back in 2010.  One can see today the difference.  The part that was not sodded is thin and looks like it is in need of more grass.  However I will not complain as several years ago that part was a little grass and a lot of dirt!

I sometimes have a trap out to see if I can relocate squirrels.  This morning I looked at the trap from the house and thought oh my there is something in it.  As I approached I saw that it was a raccoon.  It took me some time but I did get it relocated this morning.

The weather looks like it will be great the rest of the week and also will be that way for Servant Camp.  Terry and I will head down there tomorrow mid morning and stay for a couple of hours.  It is always fun to see people that I worked with over the years.

Enough for now.  I am enjoying my FP as I wrap this up.  I think I will have my FP each day Travis and I go out for breakfast.  I ordered coffee this morning and the cost was $3.75.  Enough of that so next week it will be early FP and water for breakfast.  One more sip of FP and then into the day I dive.

A little rain yesterday

I remember when this picture was taken but can not remember why we were together in Rapid City.  It may have been Roxanne's wedding but not sure.  Regardless much time has passed and everyone is still looking good today.

I got a call from Mary S last night.  She said, in Deb B opinion, Grandma Saunders' health is declining rapidly.  She has a couple of sores which makes her want to stay in bed and then her hip gives her pain.  She pretty much does not eat so that is not a good sign.  Mary said she would keep me informed.  My prayer is that God will be merciful.  Grandma, at this point, can see nothing and she is just waiting to see Grandpa in heaven.  

Terry has a 2 minute appt for her implant tooth today.  She has the post and it needs to be looked at to make sure all is healing.  I think it will then be 5 weeks until she can get fitted for the tooth. Oh my, I am glad she only needs one as this is a MANY appt deal and a lot of time.  I say nothing about the $$ involved!

I put Cannon Falls weather on my phone as that is where Servant Camp is this week.  It looks like they got about half an inch of rain yesterday/last night.  It looks like most of the next few days should be OK with a chance of rain on Wednesday.  Rain is NOT the ideal thing for camp but if it is not too much camp can go on as usual.  I think Terry and I will go out Thursday AM for a couple of hours.

In terms of house projects I was in neutral yesterday.  Not a good thing but what the heck!

I missed my Bentley ride yesterday so will get out early today for a ride.  Darn, I wish Bentley was not so easy to ride as I do not have to work hard at riding.  Oh, right, I could go farther I suppose.

It is camp week so I could share a camp story.  

It is 1996 and we have about 350 campers with 75 staff.  We have a 6th grade bike trip out of camp.  A 9th grade boys canoe trip out of camp.  A 9th grade girls canoe trip out of camp.  The girls are going on the Cannon River for a 2 night trip.  The adults who drive the girls to the starting place are not aware that we received several inches of rain the night before.  They arrive at the river where they are scheduled to start from and they believe something is wrong as they do not recognize the spot.  Only later do we figure out that the river had risen about a foot over night!  All the girls get in the canoes and start down the river, there are about 5 canoes.  The water is fast and some of the girls are not great at canoeing but all seems fine.  After about 4 hours on the water they start to look for where they are to camp not realizing that with the risen water they did not see their camp spot and are already past it!  All of a sudden one canoe capsizes and a girl goes under.  She does come up and is able to hang on to the canoe but another canoe goes into mid stream and is hung up on a downed tree with one of the girls in it.  As all this is happening people who drive by see what is happening and call 911.  All the girls finally get to shore down stream from where the canoe is hung up in the middle of the river with the girl in it!  Two girls get in a canoe and paddle UP stream to get her and all is fine.  By that time it is getting dark and the fire department from Northfield has arrived to take the girls in to town.  All is good but everyone is praising God that all are safe.  The story made the 10:00 news and TV camp out the next day.  A side story is the canoe remained stuck in the middle of the river.  We were told that we must pay for it if we do not bring it back and we know that as the water goes down it will most likely come free and go over the dam where it will be destroyed.  A father and son go out 3 days later to get it.  They launch their canoe down stream where there is a place to launch boats and they can NOT paddle up stream to get the canoe as the current is too strong.  Finally they find a place up stream from the canoe and are able to get it.  REMEMBER 3 DAYS EARLIER 2 YOUNG TEENAGE GIRLS PADDLED UP STREAM TO RESCUE THE GIRL IN THE CANOE.  The entire situation fit right into our saying of "IT WAS A GOD TIME".

No it is 6:50 and Bentley time "for sure".  I am think the FP will fuel my ride as I am down to the last drop.