A little good news

 Good news at the Oncology visit!  The tumor shrunk even more!   Dr B is very pleased and encouraged!  

The genetic testing came back...Far Guy has a gene for cancer.  It is the CHEK2 Gene mutation.  However this does not change his treatment.  He is also a carrier for MSH3.   The Doctor explained that folding genes get messed up...I don't understand it all.  I understood the Alpha One Gene Mutation better than this new gene mutation.

Treatment stays the same and in 30 days he will have a Pet Scan for exact measurements.  After that time we might be able to go to once a month visits...maybe.

We got to see Jen and Sadie, Brenton, Maddie and the girls and have pizza with them. Baby K is growing and is the new favorite baby at daycare:)

Peach on the right was just about ready to pull her sister hair in this photo.  The terrible 2's have begun. A bit later she grabbed a whole handful of hair and yanked on it.  It was funny/not funny. 

We slept in our own beds there...comfy as always. We left on Tuesday morning and returned home to the woods on Wednesday evening.

Happy Birthday to Son In Law Andy...he turned 50 on Tuesday!  He was at the Mall of America for a  Tournament.

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Travel days

 We will have two travel days this week for medical appointments.  Time in the car with my husband and 50's/60's music isn't all bad.  Maybe we will see deer or bear for excitement. 

Perhaps even a sunflower field!  (Photo from my archives)

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Monday stuff

 Far Guy had his blood draw, two sticks for his sample. Wish they could get it in one.

I talked him into going out for lunch which was awesome in an open air patio. 

We came home and had a nap. It will be a busy week so I figured nap when you can.  After that laundry was calling my name.

Bee Balm in the wild gardens.

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Last Sunday in July

Far Guy felt good enough to sit outside awhile yesterday.  My other baby brother and she who sees robins first brought us some sweet corm!  My baby brother and his bride came by with two of their children, one daughter in law and nine of their grands! 

The kids decorated caps last night, LuLu had a variety of animals on her hat and her name.

It was a day, I did some laundry, had a nap and cooked the sweet corn up for supper...it was really good!

The kids Up North had some wind early Sunday morning.  Andy was busy taking care of branches in their back yard.

Their neighbor across the street lost a large tree. 

This is a week of appointments...one for everyday of the week. 

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Picnic Day

 We had great food at the picnic yesterday!  Jen, Andy, Paige and Cole attended!  A few of my cousins were there.  Good visits with my niece and nephews that live far away in New Jersey, Washington and Oregon.  My baby brother and his bride graciously host the event!

Photo from my Mom's SD card.

Far Guy had a rough day.  You never know how rotten or how good he will feel.

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Cooking Day

 Friday was a cooking day.  My baby brother and his bride brought over fresh picked produce from their garden.

New potatoes and carrots joined a hamburger patty for an oven meal that cheese will be added to before serving. 

We used to do these all the time when we were camping.  Some people called them Hobo Dinners...our girls called them gore~slop...yes they made up a word for them.  Some people add onions...I do not.

Then I cooked up green beans, cooled them and Far Guy vacuum sealed them for me.

Potatoes were cooked, cooled and sliced for potato salad.  

I pulled a chair up to the fridge and straightened it up...now I have a bit of room again.

We stayed indoors because of the wildfire smoke. 

Far Guy felt a tiny bit better after a couple of naps. 

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Visitors and a birthday

 Far Guy was quite ill most of the day on Thursday.  Jen took him to his Infusion and picked up the Walmart order and a few other things for us.  I stayed home with Sadie...she slept all the while they were gone.  Late in the afternoon I went to town for an oil change appointment.  Jen and Sadie returned to their home Up North.

My baby brother and his bride brought us some garden produce; green beans, carrots and new potatoes.

Visitors in the evening were four of my baby brother's Grands. Ten of his twelve Grands are here on vacation this week.

Otto, Xavier, Maz and LuLu

On Saturday my baby brother and his bride will host a picnic at their home.  I cooked the eggs on Thursday and will cook the potatoes on Friday for potato salad. 

Happy 59th Birthday to my sister Julie! I found this photo on our Mother's flash drive.

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Photo Project

Way last Spring I ordered new photo albums to replace the ones that are 50 + or - years old.  My idea is to get rid of most of the scenery photos and all of the bad photos, and mark all the photos with names and dates.  

My desk is full...this project may take a little while!  Jen helped with her album.

Sadie and Jen are great company! 

We had ribs and baked potatoes for supper.  Minnesota weather: High of 73F or 23C although with the humidity it felt way warmer than that!  Low was 59F or 15C.

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Highlights

 Highlights of our day Tuesday:  It rained, we went to town to pick up prescriptions, got gas and a car wash and had Dairy Queen for lunch.  

Waiting on this dog to show up with Jen.  It will be good to have company for a few days!

Sadie always makes us smile!

We  had an egg in a basket for supper and fruit.  I also had green beans...Far Guy passed on the green beans. 

Minnesota weather: Rainy and humid, High 83F or 29C Low was 67F or 20C.

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Crochet Project

 I played yarn chicken one day in early June (before I had surgery). 

That is the remnant of yarn after I finished a row...it was close. 

This is one of the shawls that I like doing and have been using up yarn in my stash....

Here is that same piece...I wash it and rinse it gently and then pin it to my foam boards to dry.

After it is dry I take a photo of it and put it away in a drawer.

It is a quite large lacy shawl that can be worn many ways. 

Back in May I started this one in off white.  I have not touched it since I put it in its project bag with a hook and the pattern.  

Monday was a quiet day, I was tired, Far Guy was nauseated most of the day.  I warmed up freezer meals for supper.  My baby brothers bride brought us some green beans the other day.  They sure were good with a bit of butter!

Minnesota weather: High of 79F or 27C our low was 68F or 20C eh!

One day  at a time!

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Helpers

 Paige, Cole and Savannah came to help us out yesterday.  The house is clean again, recycling done, weeds sprayed, ants sprayed, our car vacuumed out...now we can relax a bit.  My baby brother came by and mowed our lawn again.   We are so appreciative of all the help!

I am feeling better, but I can sure tell when I overdo...either doing too many "things" or walking too much.  I still cannot bend over or twist or turn...and that is really hard for me.  I still have some numbness/pain especially across my buttocks and down my left leg and across to my big toe.  It makes walking a bit tricky sometimes.  I still have pain at the surgical site too...and a tiredness when I overdo.  I am not over my UTI and have asked the Doctor to prescribe a different med.  I saw my Rheumatologist last week...he offers no help for me, he just says "You have failed all the arthritis medications so I cannot help you." Alrighty then.  I asked him about my Ferritin level being so high and he said "We will check it again in three months." So no help for the extreme fatigue or the extra pain in wrists and knees.  I am not sure why I waste my time with him ( he is not a helper).

Far Guy is still struggling with nausea, burning mouth syndrome, acid reflux and tummy troubles. He is a trooper...he ate a bit more yesterday.  Trying to find food that he will eat is a challenge.  He gained a half a pound.  He is awfully skinny...he weighs 137 now. 

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Saturday all day

 Saturday was a day.  I cleaned part of the bathroom that didn't involved bending over, put a few things in their proper place and did some laundry.  I had a long nap in the afternoon.   We had Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for supper. 

Minnesota weather: High was 74F or 24C and the low was 53F or 12C eh!   Far Guy sat outdoors for awhile.  He is still mostly miserable with the side effects from the cancer drugs.

Last Tuesday I took a photo of Jen holding Baby K.  Baby K is growing.

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Crochet finish

 I finished a shawl. 

About time I finished something.  This yarn had been in one of my work bags ...I did a row here and there.

We had a quiet day on Friday, we had many naps throughout the day...it rained in the afternoon.  Far Guy warmed up some Chicken and Wild Rice soup for supper...we made it earlier in the week.  Cook once ...eat twice. 

Weather in Minnesota: High was 65F or 19C and the low was 55F or 13C eh!

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29 how can that be?

 Twenty-nine years ago we became Grandparents for the first time! 

Savannah and me!  Photo taken in 1996.

Savannah and her Grandpa. 

A year later we found a Merry Go Round Horse for her to ride.

Savannah and her Mom in 1997.
 

Happy Birthday Savannah!  We love you now and forever! 

Grandma and Grandpa

 

Deaths X 3

 In the past few weeks we had a death in the family and heard about the deaths of two old friends. 

Robby Far Guy's cousin and our Godson died from complications of diabetes, heart issues and kidney failure on July 5, 2025.  He was 46 years old.  He was the youngest of the paternal cousins. He had a bit of a different life style, so we have not seen him in a long time.  The funeral is Friday...not sure who or if we will go...it depends on how we feel and if we think the risk of crowd germs is worth the exposure.  Far Guy has 13 cousins on that side of his family...three have died...Jere in 1967, Steve in 2019 and now Robby in 2025.  There are 15 Cousins total...that includes Far Guy and his sister Janice who died in 2022.

Our friend Dale died in Arizona he was 86 years old.  Far Guy grew up with him.  Dale had Parkinson's.  He died on the 4th of July...it was no doubt a special day to him and it was time to close the show.  We have appreciated his friendship and notes every Christmas.  This year there was no note at Christmas.  The end of an era.  He wrote a book called Wooden Horses and Iron Men he sent Far Guy a copy because there is a photo of a very young Far Guy in the book.

Lastly a friend from long ago.  Vonnie died July 1, 2025 she was 74. She was a steady girlfriend of one of Far Guys Cousins on his maternal side of the family. We had some really fun times together! Sadly she married someone else. 

And so it goes...we are all in certain stages of death...some just closer than others. 

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News all good

 This is a week of medical appointments...six of them.  Three were accomplished on Monday and Tuesday.  We made the drive Up North (2 1/2 hours) for a blood draw for Far Guy on Monday.   During the night a horrid UTI made it impossible to sleep...so I went to Urgent Care as soon as they opened...got meds and I will recover.   Tuesday Far Guy saw his Oncologist Dr B and the tumor has shrunk by 50% !!!  The cancer medication is being decreased in the hope that the side effects will be tolerable and it will still work at decreasing the size of the tumor.  We see Dr B every two weeks, he is very encouraged by the progress in just the last two weeks. We drove back home to the woods after the appointment.

Sadie was happy to see us, Jen and Andy made supper for us on Monday night...burgers and corn on the cob and then Andy made lunch for us before we left.  Andy and Jen are so good to us we are blessed to have them in our family! 

We also got to see Maddie and Baby K for a bit! 

The Clinic where Far Guy had his blood draw. 

Keep praying for Far Guy as all the prayers are working!! He has been so sick the past ten days.

The three remaining appointments this week...two are virtual and then on Thursday Far Guys usual Infusion appointment. 

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Roses

 I found some photos of roses on my Mom's old Flash Drive.   

I believe these are from the Rose Gardens in Duluth, MN. 

Here is the proof...no idea what year but that is my sister and her husband and the iconic lift bridge at the Duluth Harbor in the background. 

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Old Photos

 I went through one of my Mom flash drives.  None of the photos are marked and there is scenery and people I do not know.  I will pass it to my baby brother and he can pass it on to our other baby brother and  our sister. The littlest baby in the photo was born in August of 2016...so that was nine years ago. 

These little kids are coming to visit this week...the oldest is now twelve...it would be fun to re create this photo!  That is my baby brother in this photo and his bride with three of their Oregon Grands!

The New Jersey Grands and the Oregon/Washington Grand will probably show up too.  It is a bunch of little kids. 

I have more of my Mom's SD cards to go through it all takes time and I can only sit for so long. 

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Saturday

 The smoke from Canada made it to Minnesota, we stayed indoors all day.

  We had several naps through out the day. 

For supper I made baked potatoes and steak for me and salmon for Far Guy... there is enough leftover for lunch.  Far Guy doesn't have much of an appetite.  

I crocheted for a bit, and did some laundry.

My brothers came over and mowed the lawn on two mowers so it went fast. My baby brother put out some ant traps for me outside.  She who sees robins first put some flavored water in the fridge and refilled the box that is on a shelf that I can reach.  We had a nice visit with them all! 

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The eyes have it

 Far Guy has a bacterial eye infection, worse in one eye but starting in the other, an eye doctor was seen and antibiotic drops have been started.  Far Guy's immune system is not what it used to be. 

When we were in town we picked up a pizza for supper.  One less thing to worry about.

Hope I don't get it...the eye doctor said it was contagious.  Uffda. 

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Flowers

 Yesterday there was a nice patch of Gaillardia blooming in the flower gardens at the clinic.  Far Guy had his infusion and I had a blood draw.  I picked up an order from Walmart of things Far Guy thought he could eat and went to the Bank. 

I was supposed to have a Physical Therapy appointment, I confirmed it and everything...then a scheduler called at 10:30 AM to schedule the appointment ..I told her I had an appointment at 11AM...she said she had no record of my appointment (she must have cancelled it before calling me).  Go figure.  Is the entire medical community on drugs or what?  I am now scheduled in about a month. Oh well the wheels of medicine move slowly and sometimes not at all.

Far Guy and I were both tired after our morning out. 

Back at home I did some laundry and had a nap.  Supper is Chicken Alfredo...I may have a salad. Lettuce doesn't agree with Far Guy lately.

Yesterday was a very warm day our high was 86F or 30C our low was 68F or 20C eh!

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Lawn Care and Self Care

 We are very fortunate that my baby brother has taken over mowing and trimming the lawn. 

It looks really good! We have gotten lots of rain so it is really growing! 

Yesterday I tried the shower upstairs...it worked great, but the shower chair is very upright so I ordered a different one.  I have to remember to take my picker-upper with me as I dropped the shampoo and then the bath soap. I wash my hair in the shower...good thing Jen gave me a hair cut and thinned it all out! 

I washed a load of laundry and got it in the dryer...again the picker-upper came in handy.  Not being able to bend over to pick stuff up is a pain in the butt.  I put some "stuff" away properly and had a good long nap.  

Far Guy is still feeling rotten from the Cancer meds. 

My baby brother and his bride, Baxter and Smudge came by to visit outdoors in the afternoon! 

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Oh my

 Last night at supper..Far Guy said.."look at that."  There were six half grown baby skunks outside of the living room window.  Oh my.  Glad they didn't spray anything. 

Ain't life grand.  Just when you think you have a few things under control...you don't.  I grabbed my camera and got a couple of photos out of the kitchen window. They peeked in all the ground floor windows....so glad none of them were open! 

Oh a lighter note.  I made pork chops and a baked potato for supper.  Jen went back home in the afternoon after we were all stocked up with groceries and supplies. She cleaned the bathroom and vacuumed. AND made us a pan of lasagna and Far Guys famous Italian sausage cheezy dip.

It was a nice day outside the high was 75F or 24C the low was 53F or 12C.  I had a nap in the afternoon. 

Far Guy is still struggling with the Cancer medications.

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Home again

 After my post operative checkup, Jen and Andy packed up our car and Jen lead us home and unpacked our car.   The Doctor said I had a lot of arthritis in the L4 L5 region and that is why I was in surgery such a long time.  I am healing well but cannot twist or turn yet or use the lawn mower or ride in Ranger Blue.  I am to keep walking and concentrate on building up the muscles in my back and legs....I will see the Physical Therapist later this week. Tuesday marks 4 week post operative. Tylenol is managing my discomfort.  I still have numbness and pain in my left buttock, down my left leg and across my foot...it may or may not go away.  Time will tell. 

Far Guy is having numerous side effects with his cancer treatment. Nausea and stomach cramps are the worst.  He got some pills for nausea yesterday from his Oncologist.

Jen is staying a bit to get us settled in ...groceries etc...thankful and truly blessed to have her with us!

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Pineapple

 Everyone is back safely from Hawaii and Sadie is thrilled that they are back! Far Guy and I are happy too! We missed them!

They brought back pineapple and it is delicious. 

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Engaged!

 Youngest Grandson Adam became engaged to his gal Courtney when they were in Hawaii! We are thrilled for them they are an awesome couple.  I imagine it will be next Winter or Spring before there is a wedding…but you never know. 

Congratulations Adam and Courtney! Love you both!

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Uffda

 Far Guy started his cancer fighting medications on Tuesday evening July 1. Our insurance denied the meds. Luckily the pharmaceutical company has a program that he qualified for. 

Here is $19,655 worth of medication. It is $351 a pill and he takes two a day. Uffda. Thank goodness for the pharmaceutical company program that makes our cost zero.

He is struggling through some side effects.  Sure wish he could catch a break. The side effects could go away after a month or so. Uffda.

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Book Club : July

 Yesterday was a busy day. I accompanied Far Guy back to our home in the woods, I kinda rested there while he went to his Infusion appointment.  My baby brother sprayed for ants outside for me. I got to pet Baxter and Smudge and then I relaxed in my recliner until Far Guy came back and then we drove the 2 1/2 hours back to East Grand Forks. I did well in the car but appreciated the rest at home…I also had a nap in the car on the way back.

We got back just in time for July Book Club the book was A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

I give it a 4 out of 10 for subject matter and the writer an 8 out of 10 because it is well written. The gals mostly agreed. 

We had a quick supper and then we played POOL with Sadie to tire her out after she had a quiet day sleeping at home! It was a hot day the high according to the car was 91 F.

After reading the book for book club we should all be doubly thankful that we live in the United States of America! Happy 4th of July!!

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Gone to the dogs

 As most everyone knows, I love dogs and so does Far Guy. After our last Chance to have a dog, we enjoy other people’s dogs. 

This dog of course. Sadie who we helped spoil rotten when she was a puppy. We helped potty train her and eventually taught her to use the doggie door. She listens to us quite well. Last night I found a pool toy that gave me an advantage…and she swam after it many times until she was tired. Jen and Andy either take her for a W (walk) every night or throw pool toys for her.  Sadie and I went to dog obedience school one Winter.

Grandson Noah had to work a twelve hour shift on Tuesday so he asked if his dogs could visit for the day. We said sure. 

This is Aurora she is a one person dog but tolerates us. She likes to be pet on her own terms. She has been here often enough that she knows how to use the doggie door. She is almost smiling at me in the photo!

Then there is this dog.

This is Noble. She was a rescue. She is part Blue Heeler…then possibly Chihuahua or Mini Pinscher. I am leaning toward the Mini Pin because she is assertive, out going, happy and extremely friendly. She was an absolute joy to dog sit. I think she likes men better than women because she wanted to be right next to Far Guy although she spent some time on my lap too. Noble is about a year old. I think she would excel in dog obedience classes. 

Noble and Sadie have hopefully worked the Alpha dog thing out…the winner is Sadie. Sadie is not aggressive but just forward enough that Noble finally submitted to her. Yeah Sadie!

No we are not getting a dog, it is just not possible at this time in our lives. However we do miss the companionship.

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Nests and lemon pudding

 I got five nests out of that skein of yarn!  They are not exactly the same, because I am easily distracted!

They are ready for the messy decoupage…one of these days I will get around to it!

I made lemon pudding for Far Guy it is one of his favorites.  Everything has to be done in stages…gather the ingredients…rest…throw it all in the saucepan…rest…cook it up and pour it into dishes..rest…make meringue…enjoy it after supper!

It seems one larger project is all I can do in one day so I have to pick and choose what is the most important…however sitting in a chair crocheting, reading or petting Sadie is easy.  I fear I am becoming a lady of leisure.

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Sadie and cooking with Maddie

 Sadie loves the pool. She has her own dock that she can use to get out of the pool.  Lately she is being difficult bringing back the pool ring.  She retrieves it just fine but then will not give it up and takes it way on the other side of the pool and drops it…we will get her figured out soon.

Maybe we just need a bucket of toys! 

Maddie and Baby K were over, Baby K slept the entire time. 

We made scalloped potatoes with ham. Maddie likes to learn how to make different foods for her growing family. We made the rue with equal parts butter and flour (1/4 cup each) stirred and stirred some more then add 3 1/2 cups of milk and stirred some more until almost boiling then poured over sliced red potatoes and ham sliced up in bite size pieces. Bake for about an hour and fifteen minutes at 350 degrees F. I have an oval blue and white speckled enamel pan that I like to use for many things I put in the oven. I like to add some Parmesan Cheese before serving. ( If you make the rue with rice flour it is a gluten free dish)

Noah stopped by after work to check on the elderly. 

Happy first day of July!

Far Side