Our Great Grandson Hey Mikey started First Grade!
During orientation night he got to meet his teacher. I heard she is really nice.
His Mom sent me photos of orientation night and the first day of school.
Looks like he is all set for a great year of First Grade!
Far Side
I am trying to keep my fingers moving and exercising the dexterity I still have.
I am doing a blanket stitch around some dish towels. No not all my stitches are perfect.
Yesterday I made it to Ben Franklin for some embroidery floss and a few other supplies. I also got my Driver's License renewed, had blood work at the clinic and a mammogram...yeah me. I stopped and visited with my Mom at the Nursing Home. Came home and had a nap. I am making some progress on my list of things to do.
Far Side
The twins were playing on the dirt pile.
I am not sure what they were doing up there.
Do deer play King of the hill? Maybe...perhaps the weeds growing on to of the dirt pile were tasty or maybe they liked the view from up there.
Far Side
We went for a Ranger Blue ride last evening.
Clouds and sun were interesting.
A old stand of pines was logged off. I wonder if the neighborhood bear used to live there.
Titus wanted us to stop and visit...so we did. He loves Far Guy. Titus is part Border Collie and part Great Pyrenees...he is a tall boy.
Sunset over the trees and the bean field.
Deer in the bean field, the bean field to the South of us was being harvested...note the dust going West and away from us.
It was a nice evening out and about.
Far Side
Decisions, decisions. Craft retreat is next month. I usually do Christmas cards. That is all about the math...how many cards. With the price of folded cardstock I can cut and fold my own. How many can I get out of a 11 X 17 piece of cardstock...four is the number Far Guy and I came up with. Then there is the decision of metallic or matte cardstock. Oh and the envelopes should they be metallic red or elegant white lined with red? How many pound paper should I strive for 73? 81? or 105?? How will my design fit on the card...will it look good? What will the card say inside...should I try embossing something...or is that too card fashion forward for me?
Glitter on the cut out...no maybe sequins...or some of the rub on jewel tone stuff Far Guy uses sometimes.
Am I rushing the season a bit? Perhaps. Have you any idea how many tiny bits of paper have to be punched out for my design? That should keep me busy for just a few days.
FYI we usually send out about 125 cards....all crafted one at a time...by elves....HA!
Far Side
The repairman was a bit different. He began pulling the oven away from the wall before I could get some breakable stuff moved...I keep salt and pepper shakers and a spoon rest on the back of the stove. Luckily only the spoon rest was broken...he apologized but still...it was a piece of Fiesta ware. He was like a bull in a china closet. Hopefully the oven has been repaired and will work a couple more years. I can check that repair off my list!
Far Guy and Gravy went to visit Dave in the afternoon. They are all classmates and needed to have a good visit!
I went over to my baby brothers, he busted Mom out of the Nursing Home for the afternoon Mom and Beth were working on a puzzle. Mom seemed more forgetful than usual.
Laundry, a clean bathroom and a nap rounded out the day...oh and cleaning up after the repairman.
Far Side
A Buick not sure what year.
I ran errands while Far Guy had his infusion. I had quite a list at Wally World. Main Street was full of cars, there are still a few tourists around.
I have a list of many others things to pick up here and there but did not feel up to doing it yesterday. One day soon I will have Far Guy drive me around and drop me off here and there to get everything on my ongoing project list. Embroidery floss, Seven Ant Killer, white primer and paint, a wood sealer for some wood trim that needs a refreshing and bath tub molding...our tub has a rounded back edge and the sealant and molding need to be replaced.
My Cousin Chuckie came out to visit us in the afternoon and my baby brother and his bride and Baxter visited us in the evening.
1933 Buick that was at the last Car Show.
The oven repair fellow is supposed to be here today (Friday) to fix my oven. It works for a couple of hours then makes dinging noises and shuts itself off. It is a Jenn-air range that is 24 years old.
Far Side
It was warm yesterday and I mowed our lawn out front...only the weeds were growing, the grass is going dormant again. I attacked some miserable ant hills and took care of some weeds amongst the rocks. When I came in my entire head of hair was sopping wet...so I had to wash it before I had a nap.
Far Guy worked on his car and did some woodcarving. It was a warm and humid day but we had no wildfire smoke.
Showing off her white tail.
Far Side
The brush in the woods is changing color.
The bean fields are turning yellow. The fawns still have their spots and they are still visiting our yard...eating acorns that have fallen to the ground...the more they eat the less I have to rake up.
It turned a tad warm and humid. 84 F or 29 C Far Guy wood carved out on the patio, we went to recycle and the Post Office and I picked tomatoes. I had a nap in the afternoon. Got up just in time to cook some supper...chicken, green beans and peaches.
Far Side
Jen and Andy are both teachers. Their first day back with students was yesterday.
This is Jen's 42nd year of "first day of school" and Andy is just a few years behind her.
Their students are fortunate to have instructors that really like to teach. Andy begins the year teaching at UND and Jen continues at Northland Community and Technical College.
School is starting...Fall is coming on strong...leaves and acorns are falling out of the trees. Elementary and High School kids in Minnesota do not start school until after Labor Day.
Adam started school yesterday also...he begins taking classes at UND. Not sure what his course of study is...I heard he was taking Calculus and a computer programing class and some more classes that I have forgotten...they all sounded scary to me. Hey Mikey will start school next week!
Far Side
We went out for lupper date. Lunch and supper all rolled into one. We drove over to our favorite Mexican place and dined out on the patio...it was a tad chilly but we survived. Our high on Sunday was 65 F or 17 C and a bit breezy.
We listened to church in the morning...there is a new associate Pastor. His sermon was about faith.
I have faith that God will forgive me for fast forwarding through the songs to concentrate on the sermon!
Far Guy is a trooper he listens to the whole Church service.
White Coneflower.
Far Side
We have a few Purple Coneflowers in bloom. More than last year, but less than we would like.
The drought has been hard on everything except my lawn mower. Looks like Far Guy will have a few seeds to collect.
Far Side
We stayed indoors most of the day, the air was bad from the wildfires.
We had a box of Colorado peaches to take care of. The local Lion's Club sells peaches as a fundraiser. The peaches were a little smaller than last year....but just as tasty.
We kept out a few to eat.
Far Guy blanched peaches so he could slip the skins off, I sliced them up, put a sprinkle of sugar and fruit fresh on them, put them in bags and vacuum sealed them for the freezer. It was a sticky job and we are happy to have it done.
We have a machine from Walmart called FoodSaver that we use to vacuum seal fruit, cheese and meat. Cheese lasts a really long time vacuum sealed in the fridge and our meat is never freezer burned. Food is way to expensive to waste.
We have one package left from last summer...and they still taste as fresh as the day we did them. I put bout 1 1/2 peaches in the bags, I like mine icy cold but Far Guy warms his up in the microwave.
Far Side
Jen finished her Robot Quilt. It was quilted with a nuts, bolts and gears pattern.
It is a work of art! She gifted it to her husband for his birthday.
She does not get her talent for sewing from me.
Far Side
My baby brother has completed his cataract surgeries, one last week, one this week. He said yesterday his vision was fuzzy...he had the surgery in the morning.
Me too... I had my annual eye check up and the Dr always dilates my eyes...and it last for hours and hours...oh the light makes everything fuzzy and gives me a headache. I have to go back for a couple more tests in a couple of weeks. Nothing drastic with my eyesight anyways.
Far Guy did some errands in town, he picked up the grocery order and went by the bank and was still able to sit with me while I waited in the Doctors office.
Fun times.
Far Side
My baby brother has a bear over at his place.
So far he has not made it to our house. BUT...
He made it close to my other baby brothers house!
Uffda!
Far Side
In town they plant baskets of flowers every year, people and businesses can sponsor them. They are cared for by the people who sell them.
I wonder sometimes about the color combinations.
This year they seem heavy on the purple.
Not much new here.
My Mom was moved to a private room in the Nursing Home and my siblings got her sewing machine out of storage. So she can sew if she wants to. I have not felt good enough to visit her lately.
I am feeling exhausted. The pain from RA is very much like the pain from Lymes except it just doesn't give up. Did you know that Chronic Lymes or Lyme Arthritis can turn into Rheumatoid Arthritis? Neither did I. I get the normal household stuff done but not much else.
Far Side
We have road construction in our area. Yesterday we went to have a look to see what was happening.
No sneaking past the road closed signs anymore.
The bridge across Shell River is being replaced. From the looks of it...might be next year before we get that road back.
Progress is slow. The detour adds another 20 minutes onto any trip going West.
Far Side
The local Car Show that Far Guy's Car Club sponsors was yesterday.
Lots of people out and about. We got to visit with a number of old friends, classmates and relatives.
Tilly was the only Desoto present.
Here are some views of Main Street. The weather stated out a bit chilly and warmed up to mid 70's before noon. No smoke in the air or rain...so it was a good day to be out.
After the car show we ran a couple of errands in town, picked up a pizza for supper and came home and had a long nap.
Far Side
We went for a Ranger Blue ride and delivered some jelly to the neighbors. I counted my Chokecherry jelly jars...32 are full. So no need to pick chokecherries to make chokecherry juice this year for jelly. It was not a great year for Chokecherries as it was a bit dry.
As we made our way around the "block" we got to see a rainbow. The rain missed us and went South.
If you have a real good imagination you can see the double bow off to the right.
Far Guy has Tilly all polished up and ready to go to a car show this weekend.
Far Side
Thursday is Far Guy's Infusion Day. It was a three stick day...I think he was a little dehydrated and that makes it tough to get an IV.
I got groceries and we delivered them back at home and then took off to an eye appointment. Far Guy is in the end stages of his Vitreous Detachment from last Spring...nothing to worry about right now and he feels better knowing what is causing the flashes of light...just a normal part of aging. To celebrate not going blind we went by O'Reilly Auto Parts and DQ.
A long time friend of Far Guy's was at the car show on Wednesday with his 1979 MG.
Far Side
It was a good day to go to a Car Show. It was warm in the sunshine so the shade of a tree to sit in our chairs was welcome. We got to visit with neighbors, old friends and relatives.
There were 300 cars there. The dark Blue Mustang belongs to our friend Judy.
I was quite smitten with the Edsel.
It was a fun afternoon /evening out.
Far Side
This is a Minnesota potato field.
It used to be a Tall Grass Prairie...undisturbed as far back as I can recall...possibly longer than 70 years.
Now it is an irrigated field, planted with Russet potatoes bound to be long French fries.
There is a potato plant/French fry factory just South of town when the wind is from the South and you are shopping in town it smells like French fries.
FYI we didn't have Sea Gulls in town either but they love freeloading at the potato plant and flying over town to sit on tall light poles and poop.
Far Side
I scrubbed some more of the tile floors. I am almost done with that project...one small area to do yet.
Far Guy did some woodcarving on the Christmas Ornaments. My hands hurt so bad while woodcarving it is not a very comfortable hobby for me right now.
We had a car club meeting so we went to A & W, to the meeting and to the gas station. Date night!
A car at the car show last year.
Far Side
Not much happening here, I cleaned the bedroom and changed the sheets on the bed. Had a nap. Watched a movie Non Stop with Liam Neeson...he is easy on the eyes. He is the same age as I am. Ha!
I finished this shawl recently.
It will join the other prayer shawls in a drawer upstairs.
I made Naan bread pizza for supper...Sunday is usually pizza day.
Far Side
I had a quiet Saturday catching up on a few things including a couple of naps.
Far Guy did some "stuff" with his car. We have car shows this week so we need to polish her up! Hopefully it won't rain or be smoky...cause Tilly does not go out in the rain and Far Guy does not go out in the smoke.
Thank you for all your encouraging comments yesterday, I appreciate them. I struggled what to say...and decided that since my grands and great grands may need the health information some day...I would tell it like it is.
Far Side
I am a little bummed this week...but it is what it is.
I have been seeing a few Doctors and having some tests.
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and have begun a medication that is supposed to help with the pain in three to twelve weeks. ( hoping for the three) My Rheumatologist says that it varies from person to person...so far the medication is not great on my stomach....makes it hurt...but what is one more pain to add to a whole bunch.
I have nodules on my wrists, knuckles, legs, and pain in most of my joints...the worst being my hips and my back and neck feel like they are broken. I have RA Nodules in my lungs...so the Dr thinks I have had RA undiagnosed for a really long time.
What helps...warmth and rest...I have the fatigue to go along with it all.
My Great Grandfather on my Mother's side of the family had Rheumatoid Arthritis. He lived to be 74 years old. Neither my Grandparents nor parents have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
So far the joints that are real wonky are in my fingers and knuckles and my toes.
The medication I am taking is Arava. It will totally wipe out my immune system.
It took forever to get a referral to a Rheumatologist...I waited for an appointment since last January. I have had Chronic Lymes since 2000/2013...well now they think that it was not Chronic Lymes but RA...or maybe both.
At least now something is being done that may help...
I had a book that was a gift from Linda years ago...I read the first part of the book and never got around to finishing it. I suggested that it be a book club read, everyone liked it and I finally got to finish the book!
I give it a 9 out of 10. We were fortunate to connect with the Author who lives in Barnesville Minnesota and he joined us virtually for a very interesting discussion.
It chronicles five farm families in Minnesota and how they make hay.
Thank you Linda for sharing this great book!
One of the authors discussion questions was very thought provoking.
What do you believe to be the FIVE greatest fears of farm children. Rank them one to five.
Here are mine.
Silo Death....sileage fermenting makes a gas either carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide that renders you unconscious and death follows.
Grain Auger...will take off a foot or arm
Electric Fence...won't kill you but it really hurts!
Drowning in the stock tank...especially since you were not supposed to play in there.
Animals being injured and hurt
What do you suppose are the biggest fears of kids that live in town?
Here are Far Guy's answers.
Being the last one chosen when they picked sides for a game
Being singled out in the classroom at school
Getting caught smoking or drinking
Loss of parent or family member
Penicillin shots
Interesting differences between farm kids and town kids.
Far Side
The pattern was free...it was an interesting idea...an origami crochet bag.
You crochet a rectangle ...that part was really easy. I had a fancy design...but it was not showing up in the yarn that I chose so I winged it and just did a double crochet. My final measurement was about 60 inches long by 15 inches wide. Then you fold it several times to make the bag and sew the places where it meets up, turn it so the seams are in the inside and make a handle...next time my handle will be longer. It took 372 yards of yarn or 8 ounces and I used a size G crochet hook.
It was a fun project. I gifted the bag to my wonderful friend Susie because she has a birthday coming up on Sunday! We had lunch and lots of laughs yesterday! So good to spend the afternoon with a very old friend...we met in 1975 when we lived across the street from each other.
Far Side
It was a dreary day yesterday, but the good news is that we got some rain about noon and then again in the evening. 1/4 inch the first round and more than that the second time it rained....I will check that rain gauge in the daylight!
Far Guy says I will be back to mowing lawn again soon.
I have been on lawn mowing vacation since the grass went dormant from lack of rain.
I finished up a project I was working on, did some laundry and some picking up and putting away. I had a video visit with a Doctor and after that we went to the landfill and to recycle and then to town to pick up a prescription.
It was a day. We need more rain to help out the trees, they have been losing leaves due to heat stress and no rain.
Far Side
Sadie visited us too! It was good to see her! She was a bit needy after her folks left for an evening out and we were in charge!
"I cannot believe I am stuck here with you!"
"Maybe they will be back in a minute!"
"I am sad sad sad and worried"
We gave her lots of attention...when we went to bed....she jumped in bed with us...Far Guy said "It has been a long time since a dog joined us in bed!" After a while she left to resume her vigil at the door. Far Guy said she returned again...by that time I was fast asleep and even a dog has a hard time waking me up...however the next morning she visited me again and that time she was insistent that I wake up!
Far Side
