Leaves

 The leaves from our Burr Oaks just turn brown and fall off.   They are about 75% down.  I have mulched twice and maybe a third or fourth time will be needed. 

We have a little color along the driveway.

Most likely a Northern Red Oak. 

I am painting Christmas Ornaments, Far Guy wood carved.  It was a very nice day! 

Minnesota weather: High 71F or 22C  Low was 42F or 6C.

Prayer Warriors:  Prayers for our Sister in law Beth as she struggles with side effects of Myasthenia Gravis.  Prayers for Brother in law Ron in Indiana who had surgery for Bladder Cancer. 

Far Side

Far Guy and some bras

  Far Guy's Dr appointment with the Endocrinologist...the appointment went well, the two growths on his left thyroid have not changed in size in the past six months...The Dr said they are nothing to worry about only 4% of benign growths become a problem.  Come back in a year!  That was good news!

We stopped by a small place to eat called Hub 41 lakeside in Detroit Lakes.  Over the weekend they had a fundraiser (Skippin' and Sippin' Breast Cancer Walk) sponsored by the Lakes Area Parrot Heads ...we got to meet the gal in charge (Kathy) they raised $20,000 over the weekend.  They had one man that showed up as a breast cancer survivor.  Men get breast cancer too! Kathy was happy to meet Far Guy and encouraged him to show up next year the first Saturday in October.  He gave her a donation. 

Far Guy said he wished he had been there when all the bras were taken off!  In December he will have one year post breast cancer chemo, surgery and radiation.  He will tell you that once you have cancer it is never over...it stays with you forever.

Far Side

47 minus 10

 I had 46 cousins (47 counting me) on my Dad's side of the family.  Sadly our number decreased by one on September 24th.  My cousin Diana died from hardening of the arteries in the lungs. 

Diana was a marvelous quilter, she had a long arm machine and everything.  Her health began to go downhill after her husband died back in February of 2026.  

She was very active with our cousins group.  She was a wonderful Grandmother and Great Grandmother! 

She will be missed by her family and all of her cousins.

I was glad that I was able to attend her funeral service.

Far Side

Catching up

 We had ten medical appointments last week.  I like to bunch them all together if possible.  We had seven on Monday and Tuesday in Grand Forks, ND.  Far Guy saw his Palliative Care Dr, Pulmonologist and Oncologist.  A few meds were changed but nothing new is noted...he will have a PET scan in three months.   I saw a Neurologist who wants better nerve studies done that he will do himself, I had Visual Field tests at the eye Dr and she did a quick exam...I am still suspicious for glaucoma but don't have it yet, my eye pressures are great.  Then I had an MRI...I hate those things...The cysts on my pancreas are stable  the one on the uncinate process of the pancreas measures 5.2 cm x 3.8 cm  previously it was 5.3 cm x 3.5 cm  the cyst on the neck of the pancreas measured 9mm  and it measured 8mm in May.  I have not heard from the Gastroenterologist for his recommendations.  They can do nothing about them...I will have to go to Mayo at some point in time. 

Thursday Far Guy had his infusion and I ran errands.  On Friday we both saw the Dermatologist...I was all clear but Far Guy had a biopsy taken from his forehead. 

It was an exhausting week...next week we have three appointments...practically a vacation for me as they are all Far Guy's appointments. 

We are finally unpacked here at home, I am still catching up on laundry.  I had a nap every day since we got home. 

Far Guy has been fussing with Tilly and woodcarving. Hockey pre season games have begun.

I mulched leaves in the yard yesterday...they are about 50% down. 

Minnesota weather:  High 61F  or 16C   Low 40F or 4C

What's cooking?   Steak burgers, french fries and green beans.

Far Side

September 27 Sunday and friends

 Last Sunday I woke up early and began packing for the trip to East Grand Forks, MN  My sister Julie and I warmed up lots of stuff in the fridge and made some scrambled eggs.  We had cooked breakfast for everyone the past two mornings.  Family came and went enjoying a meal with us.  Jen carried suitcases down the stairs and loaded our car for us. 

We headed out...minus my sister...she caught a ride with our other baby brother to her car in our yard. 

We got a little lost in Bismarck ND but enjoyed the scenery along the river.  I took the exit too soon. 

Long time friend Floyd and Shirley were waiting for us at Cracker Barrel...good thing they were patient! 

Here is a photo of our guys...Shirley and I are reflected in the glass!

We had a great lunch and after lunch we sat outside and visited!  

So good to see old friends!  

Too soon it was time for us to leave.

Far Side