News from home

 There was a storm through Minnesota on Friday night, many people are without electricity. Luckily our home in the woods is okay. Grandgirls Savannah and Paige both had trees down…in fact a tree blocked Savannahs door. My sister has no electricity and my friend Susie has no electricity either. It will be a number of days before electricity is restored. The weather people are calling it a hurricane.

Neighbor  Leah sent me a photo of the Flax field blooming across from our driveway! I wish I could have seen it, maybe next year!

Such a beautiful sight to see! 

In other news, Miss Minnesota was crowned…and she is the beautiful Emma who lives near us and just so happens to be dating our great nephew Mason! You can check out the Miss Minnesota Facebook page to see a photo.  She is a nursing student and her platform is Water Safety Knowledge which is perfect for all the lakes we have in Minnesota.  Onward to Miss America..wouldn’t that be something!  Just so you know she is as beautiful on the inside as outside. 

Far Side

Saturday

 The Great Grandchildren came over to enjoy the pool.  I talked them into a quick photo before heading out to swim. They had a blast in the pool! Baby K stayed home napping with her Dad.

 There are some smiles to brighten up your day.

As a Retired United States Air Force/Air National Guard Family we pray for safety for all of our Armed Services and the missions that they were sent on last evening. 

Far Side

Peach is 2

 This week Peach turned two, hard to believe she is two already.  We helped celebrate with hot dogs,brats, chips and birthday cake. All the Greats went in the pool except for baby K…she is too little for the pool.

We got Peach a new swimsuit! 

Peach and her sweet Mama!

Birthday cake after some pool time. She needed help blowing out the candles.

Gifts! 

Happy Birthday Peach, we love you always and forever!

Even though Great Grandpa has cancer we continue to find some joy and a bit of hope in each day that the good Lord gives us together as a family!

Great Grandma

News

 Well..it is not the news we hoped for.

Stage 4 adenocarcinoma in the left chest, with lymph node that is also cancerous.  We cannot attempt chemo because the hearts ejection fraction is 47% and it should be 50% or above. Plan b is hormone therapy taken as pills daily. The Dr will see him every two weeks and he will have blood work and pet scans from time to time. If the tumor responds and shrinks then he will have surgery. If it does not shrink we will have to revisit the plan a of chemotherapy…which may cause death.

We are sad and discouraged, it will take some time for everything to sink in. Thank you for all the prayers.

A rainbow after a thunderstorm on Wednesday night. Photo by Jen

I will be back as I am able.

Far Side

Pool day

 Wednesday was pool cleaning day and Sadie helped. 

I stepped outside long enough to get a photo. 

Far Guy went to his Pet scan…results will not be known until late Thursday. Far Guy is feeling scared, I cannot blame him as I am scared for him too. 

I am still having some numbness on my left side (buttock,hip,leg and foot)and some pain from the incision.  I have deep stitches and the a whole bunch of glue holding it all together. The glue is supposed to flake away during the first month. No sitting in water…so no pool for me. I can take a shower…with help. I am walking often. 

Jen and Far Guy think I am doing great. 

Baby K had the procedure that unties the tongue tied. Now she may gain some weight. Maddie said the procedure went well. 

I will be back as I am able.

Far Side

Day by day

 One day after another.  My pain is less now that I am taking some muscle relaxers. I walk many times a day. Yesterday’s goal was to get dressed…as the day before I just wanted to be in a nightgown all day.

I am writing on Tuesday night, Sadie goes to daycare on Tuesdays to romp with her friends all day. Supper was Mexican. Maddie and baby K visited in the afternoon. I got to feed baby K a bottle but she does not burp easily …so Jen took over. Baby K is tongue tied so she is having a procedure soon…poor little gal.

Far Guy and I had a quiet day tending to some phone calls etc and I crocheted a bit. 

Today (Wednesday) Far Guy has a scan in the afternoon..a Pet Scan but no real dogs or cats are allowed.  The results will not be known until late Thursday afternoon.

My new crochet project it is called Apache Tears…each row is a different color..a good way to use up yarn!

Far Side

One at a time

 One day or dog at a time.

Sadie says hi.

It is Monday and nothing is new here. I sat up for a while in the movie theater, Jen and I watched Barbie, I even laughed a few times.

Thank you for encouraging comments.

Far Side

Chest cancer

 Let’s go back to a few weeks ago. 

Far Guy had a funny (not ha ha funny)looking spot on his chest.  We had numerous conversations about it…make an appointment soon.  He refused to have it looked at until I had a date for spine surgery.  Once I had a date…he had a biopsy.  He thought it was a cyst, I hoped it was a cyst. Results would take 7-10 days.

As I was coming out of surgery last Tuesday June 10th Far Guy’s phone rang.  It is CANCER. CHEST CANCER.  Far Guy and Jen are together when they get the news. They decide not to tell me right away…good decision as I have to have the simplest of things repeated many times. They shoulder the news alone but together. Decisions are made when and where to see Doctors. They made decisions exactly as I would have.

Grand Forks ND is a no brainer as Jen and Andy live close by. The Oncologist can see Far Guy on Friday. We head North. We met the oncologist on Friday June 13th, he seems like a kind man…Dr B.

The CHEST CANCER is Stage three because it has come through the chest wall.  More testing will be done this week on Wednesday and Thursday with a Dr B appointment on Thursday afternoon…to make a plan.

Prayers are appreciated. We trust that God is in charge. BUT it is still hard. We are scared, discouraged and mad all rolled into one emotion.

I will return as I am able.

FarSide

Slow but sure

 Yesterday the little Grandgirls visited. A baby to cuddle and a almost two year old to .play “eyes,nose,mouth” with and Cee Cee. 

I slept quite a bit yesterday. Double maybe triple naps. 

Hollyhocks at my parents old place in town.

I will be back when I am able.

Far Side

Ok

 We are doing okay.  Friday was a very hard day, but we got to see two of our Grands Thursday night and Friday and one great Grand on Friday afternoon to cuddle close…although when I twisted a bit eagle eye Jen scooped up the baby because I am not supposed to twist. 

Pain is being managed and ice bags are the best! They calm and cool everything down in my back. 

Random photo from my I pad.

Bleeding Hearts outside the front door.  Sadie is being such a good girl, I tell her “touch” and she touches my hand to be petted. When we first arrived she was very excited but has calmed down nicely. She is a good comfort for me.

I shall be back when able.

Far Side

Friends

Thank you for being such caring friends, how wonderful to have so many people that care about me and my wonderful husband. 

 This beautiful gift was waiting for me when I got home.  Thank you so much dear friend Linda. 

Yesterday Jen took Far Guy to his infusion and after we had some lunch we all headed North. 

I cannot drive when I take the good pain killers.  So far the pills are working as long as I stay on a schedule.  Ice packs really help the most and I can walk without difficulty and go up and down the stairs as long as I go SLOW. 

(How many words can I misspell in one sentence?)  Thank goodness for spell check.

I shall be back when I am able.

Far Side

It went well

Surgery went well.  Recovery will be slow.  I am well taken care of and I appreciate all your prayers and good wishes.  My pain is much less after surgery than before surgery, the doctor removed much more arthritis than he anticipated.  All good...now to heal.

We have a change in plans and I will do part of my recovery in East Grand Forks at Jen, Andy and Sadies home.  

I finally finished my Mosaic Afghan "Hush" the day before I had surgery.

It is just as pretty from the front as it is in the back.  I am very pleased with it and have started another project to replace it. 

I will be back when possible.

Far Side

Surgery Yesterday

 My long awaited surgery hopefully happened yesterday.  The Neurosurgeon is doing a Lumbar Laminectomy at L4. Basically I have a whole bunch of Arthritis that is pinching off my spinal cord and causing my lower back pain, left buttock pain, left leg pain and numbness.  He will remove all the arthritis.   I hope it all goes off without a hitch.  And if there is a hitch...God is in charge!

Recovery will be slow...the first month I can walk and talk...that is about it.  Then after the first month another two months of restricted activity.  So it goes. To be rid of the horrible pain would be a step in the right direction!

I will recover at home in the woods.  Jen and Andy will be helping out for the first while.  Jen will make sure we are well taken care of.  My baby brother is taking over my lawn mowing duties. 

I am not the easiest patient in the entire world...probably not the worst either..however there was that one time when I had been in the hospital a really long time and tried to escape into the sunshine in my wheelchair...some broad at the desk grabbed my chair and turned me around...I gave her "the sign" and told her to go F herself.  Yup...swore at her and everything...right out loud in front of an entire waiting room full of people.

I will be back or Jen will write something for me in the days to follow. 

Prayers are appreciated!

Far Side 

A Bird Feeder

 Next door neighbor Steve made us a bird feeder.

He came over and sawed off the top of a dead Oak and the stump makes a perfect spot for a bird feeder! 

Now if the squirrels and the bear leave it alone! 

Thanks Steve!

Minnesota Weather on Monday: High 60F or 16C Low 45F or 8C.  It was cloudy, smoky and spit rain a bit. 

Monday Far Guy made Impossible Italian Sausage Pie for supper.  I gathered ingredients for him and did the dishes.  We both had two naps...morning and afternoon. 

Hope you are all having a wonderful day! 

Far Side

Best parts of last week

 We got to hold our newest Great Granddaughter when she was a week old, and got to visit with her Mama.  Baby K may end up being known as Klark...as that is what a number of people called her prior to her birth.

Behind her is the blanket I crocheted for her last Winter.   She slept the entire time we were there!   She has her own look.  I cannot truthfully say that she looks like anyone else... just herself.  We are blessed to have her in our family!

Great Grandson Hey Mikey's dog Sam.

She is a beauty who loves attention...I could have pet/scratched her all day. 

And of course Sadie smiling, she was overjoyed to see us on Friday.

Sunday in Minnesota:  High 57F or 14C Low 48F or 9C.  It spit rain most of the day, not sure if we even got an inch.  It was smoky in the morning but it cleared up a bit in the afternoon.  We went out to lupper at our fav Sunday spot in the mid afternoon...I came home and had a four hour nap. 

Far Side

Note from a Nurse

 Far Guy gets to have coffee with his Infusion every week.  The nurses sometimes take time to have "Coffee with Gene."

They take really good care of him. 

Lynn said "Gene is so smart" so he asked for it in writing. 

He handed it to me and said "Here's proof!"

We over did on Friday early Doctors appointment and 7 hours in the car....and paid for it Friday night into Saturday.  We missed our Great Nieces Grad Party on Friday night and our neighbors Barn Dance on Saturday evening. 

We are old.  No I didn't say getting..we are old. 

Minnesota weather on Saturday: High 75F or 24C  Low 49F or 10C eh.  We had some thunderstorms that dropped a bit of rain Saturday evening....they disturbed my evening nap.

Supper was what is in the freezer.  Far Guy had Jambalaya and I had scalloped potatoes. 

Far Side

Book Club 2025: June

 I picked the book for June.  

The Passing of the Night by Colonel Robinson Risner.   I read it a number of years ago and I read it again.  Colonel Risner gave the sermon on Thanksgiving at MacDill AFB in 1973 when we were stationed there.  I was impressed by his strong faith that endured for seven years...and that one Thanksgiving he was thankful for a toothbrush and a sliver of soap.  

Kinda puts everything in a different perspective. 

I give the book a 9.5 on my scale of 1 -10. Vietnam was hell...for the soldiers and especially for the Prisoners of War.   Was it a happy feel good read..no...but he told it like it was. 

Far Side

Almost done

 I am almost done with my Mosaic Crochet "Hush".  I did not make my goal of a finish in May, hopefully it will be a June finish. Fingers crossed.

Since Mosaic crochet is worked one row at a time from right to left one row/yarn color at a time there are many ends to tie. 

Those tied ends are sticking up and the envelope border has been worked but not closed yet. 

Here I folded it over so you can see how it looks as a finished border.

I have already decided what will replace this project...and it involves using up a considerable amount of left overs from other projects.  

I ran errands while Far Guy had his infusion yesterday, the usual grocery pick up at Walmart and a quick trip into Aldi and even a quicker trip into Hugos.  Gas for the car was $2.99 a gallon but if you told the cashier it was your lucky day you got 15 cents off every gallon.  A little old lady passed that info onto me...and I in turn passed it onto a young lady with lots of kids in her car. 

Supper was a ham sandwich and cherries. 

Minnesota Weather: High 71F or 22C  Low was 47F or 9C eh!  It spit rain in the morning.

I mowed the yard in the afternoon and killed some corn field ants..the buggers. 

Far Side

Late

 The Late Lilac is in bud.

Yesterday I got just about zero accomplished, yet I was busy all day.  Odd and ends all day long that needed to be dealt with, some organizing, putting some things away in their proper place.  I sold some old photos on ebay so I got them ready to go to the Post Office.  So there ya go. 

I finished this months read for book club.

Supper was BLT's. 

Minnesota Weather: High 72 F or 23 C Low 47 F or 9 C eh. 

Far Side

A bit better

 Air Quality was a bit better yesterday...we still had moderate particulate pollution due to the Wild Fires in Canada.   I wish they would put the wet stuff on the red stuff. 

We limited our time outdoors.  Wednesday the air should be better...we hope. 

There is a patch of Pussytoes in our yard, also known as Antennaria neglecta.  It often forms a dense mat...it poisons its neighboring plants so it can expand its territory.  It is a plant Native to Minnesota.

Yesterday I took a look at the canned goods in the pantry and organized it so I know what I have.  I did a couple of loads of laundry.  No nap. 

Minnesota Weather: High 71 F or 22 C Low 47 F or 9 C eh!

We had a Doctors appointment in Detroit Lakes yesterday so we went to KFC and picked up chicken and biscuits for supper. 

Far Side

 

Holy Smoke!

 Usually you have to go out of our trees to see the smoke.  Well not yesterday.

I took photos from inside the house. 

Looking murky out there. 

Needless to say the wildfire smoke covered up the sun.

We stayed indoors all day...again.   I read a bit and then had a four hour nap.  

Minnesota Weather: High 82 F or 28 C  Low  47 F or 9 C eh.

We had pork chops, rice and peaches for supper. 

Too many days inside is discouraging...at least when it is 40 below we can stick our heads out in the fresh air.  Canada please put out your fires!!

Far Side

Trillium

 The Trillium are in bloom. 

This is a nice patch that extends off in to woods who knows how far..I guess as far as the eye can see:)

Such a simple pretty flower!

Minnesota Weather; High 86 F or 30 C and the low was 60 F or 16 C eh.  Wild Fire Smoke from Canada filled the air so we did not go outside the house.  We have two air purifiers going inside the house all the time.

We had a quiet Sunday. I cleaned out the bathroom closet and my bathroom drawer that holds everything I need daily.  Laundry and deep cleaning the bathroom kept me busy in the afternoon.   My other baby brother and she who sees robins first stopped by to visit. 

Supper was Tri Tip Steak and baked potato. 

Far Side

 

Welcome Baby K

 On Friday evening our newest Great Granddaughter was born.  She was a May baby instead of a June baby.  She and her Mom are both doing well. 

I got to visit her via facetime shortly after she was born. 

She is a blessing!  We are looking forward to holding her soon!  

She is the fourth child for our Granddaughter Maddie and her husband Brenton. 

How about that...we are Great again!

Far Side