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.
Happy Birthday Savannah! We love you now and forever!
Grandma and Grandpa
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.
Far Side
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!
Far Side
I found some photos of roses on my Mom's old Flash Drive.
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.
Far Side
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!
Far Side
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.
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!
Far Side
We are very fortunate that my baby brother has taken over mowing and trimming the lawn.
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.
Far Side
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!
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.
Far Side
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.
Far Side
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.
Far Side
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!!
Far Side
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.
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.
Far Side
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.
Far Side
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
Jen, Andy, Adam and Courtney are safely in Hawaii they had an adventure yesterday in a shark cage.
Probably not something I would do but Jen said it was not scary at all.
Back at home. Someone is stealing my Crocs so I cannot leave.
She loves us so she is not too lonely. Noah was over to check on the elderly and have some pool time with his dogs and Sadie. Then after supper Far Guy threw her pool ring a few times until she dropped it on the other side of the pool and would not retrieve it…I think she had enough of the pool for the day.
I had more pain yesterday so I had a long rest and then a nice nap. I might have walked too much the previous day. Far Guy woodcarved.
Far Side
Jen escorted me to Michaels the other day…as if I didn’t bring enough yarn with me. She dropped me off at the front door, I grabbed a cart and wheeled myself through the store. I had not been in a store since June 5th.
I needed grey yarn for fake wasp nests. Jen and Maddie both need the fake nests. I have two done and a third almost done.
The pretty yarn will be my reward after I finish the wasp nests. The grey fake nests will be treated with outdoor decoupage after they are dry they will be hung up and discourage wasps from making a nest in the area and they will move onto another area. I do not have a pattern, I just make it up as I go…it does not need to be perfect.
It was a very nice day on Saturday, Far Guy woodcarved and I crocheted out on the back patio. In the afternoon Grandson Noah came to check on the elderly and swam in the pool with Sadie.
I am feeling a bit stronger every day. I still need help in the shower and picking things up off the floor.
Far Side
The Japanese Tree Lilac is blooming at the house next door it is a beauty!
I wonder if mine is blooming at home. Some years it blooms and some years it does not.
I had a busy day Friday entertaining Baby K who her Mom calls Bean, and showing Maddie how to make potato salad.
Far Guy did some woodcarving. This years Christmas Ornament has been decided.
Far Side
Sadie is more relaxed than the rest of us.
She wagged her tail at us and otherwise did not move. By afternoon she was caught up on all her naps/relaxing.
She is something else! We love her very much!
Far Side
Our newest Great grandchild Baby K visits us often. She gained a pound and one ounce in the week after her tongue tied release procedure. She weighs 8 lbs and 3 ounces now..she will be a month old in a few days. She is just a little peanut.
However she has a big voice and has what I call a short fuse. When she is hungry she wants her bottle now if not sooner.
She did not want to burp! She is not an easy kid to burp.
Fun to be a part of her first month.
Far Side
We are all a bit anxious from time to time, I am anxious to be all better, Far Guy is anxious to get started on his fight with cancer.
We hope and pray for everything to be fine …eventually.
Thank you for all your prayers we appreciate every one of them! The blogging community is so supportive!
Yesterday I had a wonderful phone call from my best friend from high school..thanks Cathie!
Far Side
There is an angel in the living room, I walk by her a number of times a day. I am supposed to walk a lot, who really knows how much. I walk, I rest..repeat as needed until I am tired and it is nap time. I do know what it feels like to overdo. Yesterday was my fourth day with no pain meds. I take six extra strength Tylenol daily. Two Tylenol every eight hours and one muscle relaxing pill every eight hours and boy I count down the last few hours. Tylenol is all I can take because of my blood pressure. Most of my pain is from the incision down my spine. My brain is returning from the mushy drug induced state it has been in for the past two weeks. I have some residual nerve pain/numbness across my buttock and down my left leg and over to my toes…it has improved a little and I hope with time it will improve more…if I overdo it let’s me know.
Today I am two weeks post surgery. Yeah me! Far Guy and Jen are taking good care of me. It is hard to remember not to pick up anything from the floor and I try to be very conscious to keep my hips aligned with my shoulders at all times, I am not supposed to lift anything above my head either. I sit in the shower to wash my now much shorter hair…Jen cut and thinned my hair so it is easier to care for.
Far Guy is a trooper, helpful at all times! Presently he is waiting for insurance approval for all his cancer fighting medications. He has two personal navigators at the Cancer Center that are working on his behalf.
Far Side
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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 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.
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
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
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
Thank you for being such caring friends, how wonderful to have so many people that care about me and my wonderful husband.
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
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
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!
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Far Side
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!
