Heads Up

 May Day is on Thursday, you have time to make a May Basket and give it to a small child, a neighbor or a friend.   It doesn't have to be fancy just a cup or paper folded with a treat inside.  Here is a link to one of the simple May Baskets that I have made.

Mine are in process hopefully I will have them done by Thursday.  Yesterday afternoon was spent with my die cutting machine making all the parts.  The candy was purchased last week. 

I have been celebrating May Day for about 72 years. 

My  Mom and I in 1953.

Far Guy is holding his own for now. Must be the excellent care from the day and night nurse!

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ER Visit

 Far Guy has a really bad COPD exacerbation.  He was evaluated at the ER.  Our niece Stacey was on duty so he got excellent care!  They gave him IV steroids, a nebulizer treatment and fluids.  His blood work and x rays looked reasonably good. He could have stayed in the hospital for observation but he preferred to come back home...even if the night nurse is cranky.  He was started on a course of antibiotics and steroids.  Of course he will do nebulizer treatments often, rest in the recliner or bed and do what ever I say!  His Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency makes him very prone to breathing problems. 

I hope we do not have to go back to the hospital.  Time will tell. 

A nearby creek where we always look for Marsh Marigolds...they should be blooming soon. 

It rained. 

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White Tails

 We have deer running through our yard all different times of the day.  There is no dog to make them afraid.  They drink the water out of the bird bath and eat what ever bird seed they can shake out of the bird feeders. 

One night I saw seven.  That is a bunch...and they multiply. 

Not a great photo but you can see the white tail.  The grass is turning greener in parts of the yard.  Hopefully it will rain soon and things will really green up. 

Last night I mowed the wildflower garden just east of the house in anticipation of a rain.  Hope it isn't snow. With a predicted Monday morning low of 26 F ...it could very well be snow...and all my snow shovels have been moved to the garage!

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Okay then

 Yes I have another skin cancer (malignant melanoma), but just the one spot on my shoulder and the margins were clear with the hunk that the dermatologist took out.  My mole is just a mole and the pearl removed from my chin is nothing to worry about.  Good thing that I see my dermatologist every three or four months so that the little spots don't become huge surgeries like last September when she removed a spot from my cheek.  That was no fun.  Yes the biologic Rheumatoid Arthritis meds can cause your already haywire immune system to go wonky....and skin cancer is the result.   FYI I take no biologic meds for RA anymore.  I take Tylenol (six a day) and THC gummies which are legal in Minnesota.   The joint damage won't be stopped but at my age does it really matter...the biologics did not stop my pain...they just gave me skin cancer as stated in the adverse reactions.  

In other happenings.  I am making progress in Spring Cleaning.  I have 15 out of 17 kitchen drawers done and a few of the other cupboards.  I should finish up next week ...maybe.   I have been listing and selling a few things on facebook marketplace.  In the evenings I am working on a notebook of family history. I have added what I can to Find A Grave and discovered an error...that I need to work through...if people kept better records there would be less errors...it will take a fair amount of unraveling to figure it all out. 

Far Guy and I share cooking duties this week was; Naan Bread Pizza, Steak and Salmon, fend for yourself and Pork Chops and Rice. 

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A Tad Cranky

 I am sure Far Guy would agree with me...that I am a tad cranky.  

My visit to the Dermatologist was a failure...biopsies of head, shoulder and chin ( betcha thought I was going to say knees and toes). Uffda.  The chin one was something she called a pearl...and she doubts it is cancer.  For the others we await the pathology report.  Since taking all the biologics for Rheumatoid Arthritis...skin cancer is popping up all over.  

Our town is changing, one of the grocery stores is closing. It was a store I only went into a few times a year...because the produce department smelled rotten all the time and the meat section had a strange odor. 

 One of the restaurants is closing. We went there once in awhile for breakfast.  Since covid they have been closed Tuesdays and Wednesday. 

Walmart did an entire remodel...I have not been inside Walmart since last Fall...I just order groceries to be picked up.  Who knew...new floors...stuff stacked higher than a very tall person can reach...nothing is where it used to be.  I went inside for Aileen's Clear glue...they don't carry it anymore or they moved it so far I never found it...Elmer's tough glue will have to do. It remains to been seen if it works as good as Aileens.  I complained at the self check out when the gal there asked if I found everything...yum...NO.  She said she was sorry but many things have been discontinued.  Oh well...I am a Walmart Plus member so I get free shipping...so if Fed X has to deliver stuff a couple of times a week...

Then...get this...I noticed on Facebook that one of the small Mom and Pop restaurants in a really small town nearby was bought by a honest to goodness Chef.  I saw their ad...it said half price dinners $60.00  I thought wow then half price would be $30.00 alrighty then.  I went to the website...the regular price is $120.00 per person, they have two seatings a night and you should make a reservation with a deposit of $20 per person.  The menu...lots of fancy stuff that I would not eat anyway...well maybe the brownie for dessert!  This restaurant is located just off a highway that is going to be under construction all Summer.   So much for fancy...then again maybe people will show up in limo's from Fargo and Minneapolis/St. Paul.   I can just see ladies in heels walking through a road construction zone. 

Needless to say I rarely spend $120 a week for groceries...so those prices are out of my comfort zone. 

Other small town rumors: The old bowling alley was demolished last Fall and a new building is being built in it's place...it may or may not have event rooms and pizza.  That makes four pizza shops in town. The Furniture Store in town that has been having a moving sale for a couple of years is moving into a different building...and the event rooms there may or may not be used.  A new Ice Cream shop may open...that makes four ice cream shops in town not counting Dairy Queen.  One eatery downtown may or may not have caused a whole family to have food poisoning.  As far as I know there are no new auto parts stores slated to open...perhaps the max has been reached with four.  So if you need auto parts, pizza or ice cream you should be able to find some in town....oh yes and candy...but there are only three candy shops to choose from. 

Not much green here yet...this is Shell River at what we call the dead beaver area. 

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Lolli

 Monday evening was my sisters last night at dog obedience training with Lolli.  It was a nice evening for the last session to take place outside.  They had a rally type course set up.  It was fun to see all the dogs and Lolli did real well.  

Lolli is not like my sisters other Boston Terriers...but then each dog has it's own unique personality! 

She needs to work...as soon as her brain was engaged she did great. 

She has the basics down and with continued practice she will do great, the last pass was with the leash dragging...and she did not run off!  Lolli graduated and got a certificate!  

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A funeral book

 Many of the blog readers had never heard of a Funeral book.  Perhaps it is a Midwest thing?  Anyways when someone dies the Funeral Home gives the family a book.  It has room for all the pertinent information...name, birth, death, location of service and burial...etc...it also serves as a guest book for the mourners to sign. 

This is a look into my Great Grandmothers Funeral book from 1968.  The front is decorated with a golden door and Cala Lilies.

Grandma Hattie

The newspaper clipping and her funeral pamphlet.

A handwritten list of expenses and the people who attended. 

Not much of her information was filled in...so I did it...57 years later.

I do not recall Grandma Hattie.  I recall my Mother going to the nursing home to visit her, nor do I recall the funeral. 

A four generation photo taken in the spring of 1952.  Me and my Mother, my Grandfather Albert and my Great Grandmother Hadwig (Hattie) she was 74 years old in this photo almost the same age as I am now.

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A boot

 Far Guy got the new boot installed on his old car Tilly.  The boot is filled with grease and it protects the drive shaft from costly repairs.  Although Far Guy says it was an expensive fix.  I replied "old cars are expensive." 

We went out for breakfast and ran a few errands while she was being worked on.  Afterwards Far Guy filled her up with the proper gas...premium. 

So other than some polishing the old car Tilly is ready to go to car shows this summer.  

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Easter report

 We were invited to my other baby brothers and she who sees robins first for Easter dinner on Saturday afternoon.  22 people were there, it was an awesome dinner; ham, potato salad, fruit salad, chips, vegetables and dip, pickles, rice krispy bars and fresh fruit.  It was a nice day all the children big and little headed out for a rousing game of Annie I Over the garage, there was lots of giggling and running!  The EGGciting news is that my other baby brother and she who sees robins first will be GREAT Grandparents in October!  This also means that our niece Stacey and husband Justin will be Grandparents! 

On Sunday we had a quiet day at home, Far Guy worked on my lawn mower for the upcoming mowing season...I think it got a new air filter, oil filter and spark plug...all set to go!  I scanned a bunch of obituaries and added them to Find A Grave.   Late in the day we went for a Ranger Blue ride. 

Maddie sent photos of our Great Grandchildren with their Easter baskets! 

Hey Mikey

Cee Cee 

Peach 

They should be well sugared up for a day or two! 

Far Side

Happy Easter!

 

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Hallelujah!!

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Projects

 My desk is full of projects.  I brought a number of things from upstairs to my desk to be worked on.  I am adding old photos every day to the facebook site for my Maternal Grandparents...I hope to finish that up soon.  There is a gathering this summer for that part of the family.  I went down a couple of rabbit holes adding photos to Find A Grave...and I know that there are more photos I could add...and oh yes a pile of obituaries to scan.  

One by one the projects will be dealt with and put in the proper place.  I have my Great Grandmothers funeral book...she died in 1968.  Also my Maternal Grandparents funeral books...if my siblings don't want them ...then maybe I will take them to the gathering and give them to my cousins to fight over...ha!

More yarn projects have been added to my desk since I took the photo.  Far Guy winds my yarn into balls for me as he watches music videos. 

For a break I am Spring cleaning the drawers in the kitchen...there are 17 drawers and 8 are done.  Isn't is funny or not how weird stuff is saved...especially in the one kitchen junk drawer. 

Our weather is cool and a bit dreary.  The high on Friday was 43 F or 7 C eh.

This week our company was friends Joel and Jackie and their dog Buddy, my other baby brother and she who sees robins first.  

Far Guy got the old car Tilly started up as next Monday she has an appointment for a new boot.  (It is something that covers the drive train ...I think...I know it is something important that has been bugging Far Guy.)

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53

 Our oldest daughter Trica is 53 today.  

Here she is in 1972 at my baby brothers graduation (age18), that is my other baby brother holding her (age 11) and my sister (age 5 almost 6) looking on.  Photo taken at my parents home on the farm. 

Happy Birthday Trica, we all love you very much!

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27

 Our second to the oldest Grand Maddie is 27 years old today! 

Here she is and yes our fourth Great is due in June.  We are excited to meet him/her!  That is Cee Cee in the bottom of the photo. 

Happy Birthday Maddie, may your year be filled with happiness!  Love you!!

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Books and other "stuff"

 I finally made a list of the books that I have in the house to read.  I am only 52 books behind....but at least I know which books I have hidden away...just in case.  I had to order a few books for upcoming book club books.  That is what prompted the making of the list. 

We took it easy on Tuesday...because Monday was a busy day.  We made Jambalaya, salad and flat bread for supper guests.  Far Guy was the cook and I was the sous chef/dishwasher/bread baker.  Teamwork!  Tuesday morning we both said we are getting too old for cooking.  However Jambalaya freezes well and we froze some up for the summer...it will make a great side dish or main dish with a salad and fruit for the summer days we don't want to cook.  Far Guy follows the Cajun Ninja recipe for Jambalaya on You Tube. 

The flat bread was really good and made the whole house smell great!  No it is not perfectly formed but it tasted perfectly great! 

Supper on Tuesday was chicken thighs with skin removed in the crock pot with pineapple juice and soy sauce...salad and peaches. Easy cooking!

I have had a post it note floating around my desk space for a bit...it says...  

"Being popular on facebook is like sitting at the cool table in the cafeteria of a mental hospital" 

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Recliner

 I am enjoying the recliner, although the massage function is sometimes annoying.  The heat is toasty warm:)

I am sometimes able to relax and crochet.

Baby booties and a hat. 

We had snow in the air many times yesterday.  Our high was 40 F or 5 C eh!

It seems my horrid SI joint pain is returning with a vengeance.   Is it the weather or has the injection ran it's course? 

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Finally

I finally managed to get a photo of a Robin in our trees. 

 Spring might be here! 

We had a busy Sunday...grocery shopping, some cleaning, some laundry and we each had our own projects. 

We only have one medical appointment this week...so far.   Practically a vacation!

Our weather was mostly cloudy with a high about 60 F.   Not bad for mid April! 

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Phenology Geek That I am...

First Robins In Our Yard that I photographed!

April 19 2008, April 11 2009, April 5 2010, April 4 2011, March 23 2012, April 27 2013, April 9 2014,  April 24  2015, April 21 2016, April 5 2017, April 29 2018,
some time in late May 2019, March 31 2020, April 4 2021, unknown 2022, April 2 2023, April 24 2024 and April 13, 2025.

Out and about

Saturday we ventured out with Ranger Blue to recycle paper and plastic stuff.  We took a detour on the way home. 

 As you can see everything is shades of brown. 

soon we had snow and a bit of ice on the old trail

Then snow covered.  There were three areas with trees across the trail...we either drive over them if they are small...or around.  We saw Trumpeter Swans out in the old corn fields and some ducks down on Shell River. 

It was about 60 F yesterday or 15 C eh!  Not much sunshine but Ranger Blue has heat so we were very comfortable. 

We live a hermit lifestyle back here in the woods.  Our only interaction with people in the outside world is at medical appointments or the grocery store.  This week for excitement we had delivery people that delivered the recliner and the Fed X driver who dropped stuff off at the front door.  I did speak with my siblings on the phone and of course Jen and Miss Paige.  Late in the afternoon Saturday my other baby brother, she who sees robins first and their grandson Jordan stopped by for a visit out on the patio!

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Helpful and not helpful

 Far Guys visit with the dietician was helpful...he needs to eat more protein many times a day.  She suggested that he eat 5 or 6 times a day. 

My Rheumatologist had no suggestions or solutions for me...as I suspected.  He said he hoped I could see the Neurosurgeon before May 30.  Well me too!  Since we have good insurance he wants to see me again in three months. 

The new recliner that we ordered a few weeks ago was delivered...it has heat and massage and is very comfortable. 

Far Guy went to the garage today and uncovered his old car Tilly.  He must be thinking of Summer. 

I did some laundry and odds and ends and crocheted some baby booties.  I think I need to crochet more before my hands give out with the RA.  I plan to make a number of blankets, one is in progress but I got distracted by the baby booties. 

Far Side

What a week

 It was a busy week.  

Monday: Injection into my SI joint left side...the usual sting like a bee...hold real still.  About 48 hours after the injection I noticed some relief.  Not  a lot ...but some.   The Dr. there thinks I have multiple problems...SI joint, L4 and L5, RA and PTLDs (Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome).  Go figure.  I am on the wait list to see the Neurosurgeon...right now my appointment is on May 30.  Who knows when or if I can have surgery.  Supper was BLTs and peaches.

Tuesday: A day off to catch up with the many things on my desk and a number of things on my mind.  I sewed on buttons, put away some odds and ends properly.  Supper was Pork Chops and Wild Rice.

Wednesday:  I did the grocery shopping after I had a Dexa Scan...from the report it looks like my bones are better than in 2017.  Who knew?  Supper was Moons Over My Hammy ( Over easy eggs on bread topped with sliced ham and cheese and then grilled to perfection).

Thursday: Stopped by the Clinic and had Lab work...all is well there.  Got the car gassed up and went through the car wash, and to the bank while Far Guy had his weekly infusion.  He is finally feeling a bit stronger and is coughing less...he is walking and keeping track of his steps. I spent some time on the phone with some idiots at our Internet/TV provider who changed their billing software which caused a glitch in how I pay their bill. Of course they want me to pay using their system and not bill pay...I told them forget that crap.  I do all the payments through bill pay at our bank. Dumb asses...they also asked me to rate their customer service...ya u betcha.  Supper was salad and Impossible Italian Sausage Pie.

Friday: Far Guy has an appointment with a dietician to see what other high protein things I can feed him to gain back some of the 20 pounds he lost in the last year...10 pounds were lost just in March alone.  I have a Rheumatology virtual appointment on Friday afternoon.  I have little to no confidence in him.  Right now I take Tylenol and THC Gummies for the pain.  Supper will be Apple Pancake.

Not sure what the weekend will bring...other than maybe all the snow will melt in the yard. 

We saw six Robins as we drove into our yard yesterday...I sat outside quite awhile in the evening hoping to hear or see a Robin...no luck...I heard a Crow and a Woodpecker.  I am certain she who sees robins first saw the robins before me again! 

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The Greats

 Our three Great Grandchildren were at Noah's wedding.  

Here they are enjoying the three wheeled coffee cart/bike at the coffeeshop.  Yes they figured out how to ring the bell too!   Hey Mikey is almost eight, Cee Cee is five and Peach is a few months shy of the terrible twos.

Now that we are moved back to the woods we will miss seeing them.  

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The Grands

All our Grands attended Noah's wedding.  

 Savannah in orange...even her shoes!

Maddie 

Brenton, Peach and Maddie 

Paige and Cole 

Adam and Courtney 

It was so much fun to see them all in the same place and give them all hugs! 

Two Grands left to get married...Savannah and Adam....and Adam has a gal:)

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26

 Our youngest Granddaughter Miss Paige is 26 years old today!  

We got to see her and give her hugs at the wedding.  In the photo she is holding our youngest Great Granddaughter Peach. 

Love you lots!  Happy Birthday Paige! 

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Noah's Wedding

 The groom is waiting for the service to start.

Waiting with his best man ...brother Adam.

Coming down the aisle with his parents

Getting married.

The bride Hanna and the groom our Grandson Noah...married. 

There was a meal after the ceremony.  Pulled pork on Noah's Grandma Sheila's homemade buns, twice baked potatoes, corn and coleslaw...then of course the wedding sugar cookies and mints.  It was a lovely reception.  There were about 50 guests...mainly close family and a few of the couples friends. 

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Cookies

 Jen, Andy, Maddie and I baked sugar cookies on Friday after Far Guy's Doctor appointment.  BTW his appointment was okay...they are going to try him on a new med to help his breathing but as usual it has to be approved by insurance first. 

You say okay big deal...they made sugar cookies. 

The sugar cookies were for a wedding, the cookies were decorated with a philly cheese/powdered sugar frosting and then strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Someone we love very much got married in a very small ceremony on Saturday. 

We are back home safely, the roads were good for our return trip.

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