Hark! Back! Issue #12

June 30 Update: Far Guy was admitted to the hospital in Grand Forks ND on Tuesday afternoon, he has a lung infection…perhaps by the time you read this he will be much improved and out of the hospital. 

July 1 st 9 pm update Well he is improved but not ready to be discharged yet he is very tired, I spent most of the day with him. His breathing is better, he is still getting IV  antibiotics. 

April 30,2008

An Old Recipe Box

I have an old recipe box. I paid a whopping 84 cents for it at KaMeapART a long time ago. The price sticker is still on the inside cover.  It was manufactured by Ohio Art of Bryan Ohio.  Imagine that something that wasn't manufactured in China....it may be collectible.  It has seen better days...kinda like me.  This recipe box is tin, it is a funny goldy/yellow color and has daisies on the top and a pot of daisies on the front. I have lots of other recipe boxes some tin, some wood and some a heavy cardboard.  I just keep tucking recipes into this old one.

What is on the inside is what is important. A very disorganized bunch of recipes, the favorites are toward the front. When I am in a pinch for an idea nine times out of ten...this is where the recipe will come from. Over the years I have collected recipes from friends and noted on the recipe who it was from.  Some are on recipe cards and some are on scraps and bits of paper.  Some are handed down from one person to another...tried and true.

Arvilla's Pie Crust (Arvilla got this recipe from Emma Lyons who used to cook at Doc's.)

5 Cups flour

2 tsp salt

2 Cups lard

1 Cup cold water

Mix with your hands and a fork...makes 12 shells

On the scrap of paper there appears a quote "Savor Every Moment, Take Joy In Every Day" I recall that day over coffee when I asked Arvilla for her famous melt in your mouth pie crust recipe.  She said "You can do it kid"  well I saved the recipe for too long without trying it...because if I have a question there is no one to call.  It's funny how a little slip of paper can bring you to tears.  Arvilla died last Saturday:(

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Arvilla was a wonderful neighbor and friend, I still miss her friendship. 

Last week at the Fly In a relative shared with me that at the Father's Day Fireman's Picnic someone made the best apple pie with the flakiest crust...so flaky they must have used lard.  Made me smile and think of Arvilla.  Possibly it was her recipe. 

The scrap of paper remains in my recipe box. I wrote at Arvilla's a long time ago.

48 years

 My baby brother and his bride celebrate 48 years of wedded bliss today!  

I found this photo amongst my Mother's photos.

My baby brother is making a kissing motion that has his bride laughing:)  They must have been dancing!

Happy 48th Anniversary!  I hope they dance a little today!

Far Side

Hark! Back! Issue #11

 March 25, 2008

"Charlie"

Revenge is sweet but embarrassing for teenage girls.

In retaliation for the huge rejection by "Pearl" the cockatiel I purchased "Charlie" a male parakeet.

Charlie loved me, he was my rock and roll bird. He loved the oldies and would bee bop in time with the music and sing his heart out.  "Please Mister Postman" was his very favorite song, he liked the version by The Shirelles the best, although versions by The Carpenters, The Beatles or The Marvelettes were acceptable. 

Charlie had one small problem, he would spread his wings, rub himself on his perch or on the bell of his mirror...making the most delightful sounds and he would sing on and on...

The girls were teenagers and they found my wonderful Charlie an embarrassment.  They would announce their displeasure. "M O T H E R your bird is doing it again."  "Mother, I would appreciate it if you could control your bird."  "Do you know how embarrassing he is?"  "I am having friends over and he is SO disgusting."  "Is that all he ever does?" 

They would announce their displeasure with us quite loudly and quite often giving Charlie the female attention he so desired....which in turn would excite him even more. So I usually had to apologize to their friends and explain that I was the owner of an oversexed avian and it was all my fault.  

Playing "Please Mister Postman" would jerk him back to reality and he would become  a rock and roll star once more, it seemed that bee bopping to the music stopped all avian sexual activity:)

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Charlie was a hoot...I adored that little bird.   He lived a good long time with us and then was rehomed with a Vet Tech gal when Far Guy retired from the Military and we moved all our belongings into storage and bought a camper.

The teenagers a long time ago.

Far Side

A little pink

 The Showy Lady's Slippers are in full bloom.

They can be found in the roadside ditches for another week or so then they will be gone for another year. 

Such a perfect flower.   It is Minnesota's State Flower.

Far Guy has a cold.  He thought it started as allergies late Thursday..but it is a full blown "man cold"  I am keeping two eyes on him.   He has begun the medication prescribed by his Pulmonologist.  

Minnesota Weather:  It rained.  High 73F or 23C  Low was 67F or 19C.  We are supposed to warm up into the 80's F this week.  I like the 70's F  the best. 

What's Cooking Lately:  Spaghetti, Pizza, Eggs...nothing very exciting.

Far Side

FLY IN

 My sister, Julie hosted a Fly In at her airport.  It was scheduled by her husband well before he died.  My sister did not feel right about cancelling it. The FLY IN must go on!

It was a beautiful day for flying. 

About thirty planes landed to enjoy a picnic of burgers, brats, beans, coleslaw, chips and desserts

Planes landed and took off all evening.

You may notice a horse..Julie has a horse and he is not bothered by planes landing and taking off.  

Here he is waiting to cross the runway to get to some good grazing.  I wonder what he is saying...hurry up most likely. 

Little kids were playing games.

and smiling

We could have taken this one home with us...she is so darn cute...but alas her Mom our niece Rachael loves her very much. 

Far Side

Planes Overhead

 Our brother in law, Dean who died suddenly and unexpectedly last February was laid to rest this past week. 

High on the hill his final resting place is next to my parents. 

Dean was a pilot with many friends.  A number of planes did numerous fly overs singly and then during the committal service three planes flew overhead in the missing man formation.  As the graveside service continued they flew in circles just far away to be heard and then they were gone as the service ended. 

Little kids and big kids need to eat...Saki made sushi and other goodies.  Saki, Tyler and Henry did not make the trip from Japan last Winter for the funeral. 

It was hard for my sister to wait until all the family could be present....but it helps to give closure to other family members. 

Far Side

Health Happenings

 Our appointments UP North happened last week.  

Far Guy had a Pet Scan and blood work.   His Oncology Doctor said "My beautiful friend your breast cancer is cured!"   The thyroid nodule that is benign they are watching and it has not grown in size since the last Pet Scan.  Far Guy is to follow up with his Endocrinologist  in October.  So that was all great news!  We were truly blessed with an excellent Cancer Doctor and good treatment to have the breast cancer cured within a year!!

Meanwhile...I had a procedure with the Gastroenterologist.  Waiting on the results. 

Far Side

Yellow Lady's Slippers

 The Lady's Slippers along the driveway are in bloom.  I believe there are four blooms.  You cannot get real close because of the Poison Ivy!

The sun was very bright at noon when I took the photos with my cell phone.   I was running errands...checking on/playing with dogs, getting the mail, taking the garbage out and checking on she who sees robins first (knee surgery).   I picked a good time to be out and about as it rained quite hard later in the afternoon.

Far Side

Oh little fawns!

 We have a Mama deer that has twins.

They are great entertainment!  Sometimes they wander in the yard alone and other times their Mama is with them.

They are curious about our bird baths. 

We also have a fat old Raccoon that has been visiting the yard.   Thankfully no skunks yet..or bear:)

Far Side

Hark! Back! #10

 March 29, 2008

Aisles of Life

Today I captured this moment in time.

My other baby brother walking his baby daughter down the aisle.  One final walk, just the two of them, into the church and in fifteen minutes their lives are both changed.  The Bride to a new life with her Groom.  My other baby brother and his wife to an empty nest...they are all alone after twenty eight years.

I remember when Far Guy and I became empty nesters. It had its perks...the telephone is always for you and you can watch whatever you want on TV.  But it is still a change and a BIG one...

I think of all the Momma birds and how they nurture and care for their baby birds.  Then when they know the time is right they kick them out of the nest with a fly or die attitude.  They did their job in a matter of weeks.  We as parents take our jobs seriously also, it just takes years...

It was a lovely wedding.  My other baby brother looked quite handsome in his "Monkey Suit"  The Bride was beautiful and smiling, she was fairly nervous but excited to walk down the aisle and begin her new married life.

Our Grandchildren were in attendance and two of them were intrigued.  They wanted to see "The Kiss" I allowed them to stand up on the back of the pew for a better view...Adam said "Ewww, I am never doing that!" Madison said "Do you have to kiss?  I don't think my Mom ever kissed my Dad."

Oh the aisles of life these little ones have yet to walk:)

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Good memory of the day Megan married Frank..they now have four children and are still happily married. 

Madison (Maddie) was about 10 years old and she is now happily married with four children of her own.

Adam was 6 years old and he will be getting married this Fall. 

Hark ! Back! Issue #9

March 06, 2008

Old Sayings

Things I have not heard in awhile.

 "Cleanliness is next to Godliness."  Then why does it rain and make perfectly good mud puddles to splash in?

"Were you born in a barn?"  I don't recall but I think it was a hospital.

"Clean your plate, don't you know there are children starving all over the world?"  Well, send them the crummy leftovers. 

"Be sure to wear clean underwear."  Like it is going to matter if you are in a really bad accident. What will they say?  Yup, she is deader than a doornail, but land sakes alive she had clean underwear.

"Children should be seen and not heard"  This is one that really sticks in my craw.  If you have children why in the world would you want to ignore what they are saying?

"Don't count your chickens before they are hatched."  No excess dreaming about what could be.

"Don't put the cart before the horse."  Free thinking is not encouraged.

"Let sleeping dogs lie."  If you shut up and don't mention the problem again...it will mysteriously disappear.

"A watched pot never boils."  Will it boil faster if you cook blindfolded? 

"Don't stir the pot." Whoopee...count me in with a really big spoon!

"Good things come to those who wait."  then why do bad things happen to good people?  Were they too impatient? 

"Only the good die young."  So that means old people aren't so good anymore?

"The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."  Hey, it is a good day when you wake up on the right side of the grass:)

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I will add one.  Sometimes when people ask "how are you? "  I reply "Finer than frog's hair"  Well frogs don't have hair so that could be a clue that I am not going to share how I feel...but thanks for asking.

Far Side

Happy Father's Day!

 We remember our Fathers on this special day.  

Far Guy's Dad, Far Guy and Far Guy's sister photo taken in the Summer of 1950.

My Dad, my baby brother and me in the Fall of 1954...note how attentive I am.

My Dad with my sister and my other baby brother in the Spring of 1967.

My husband is also a great Dad!!

Trica, Far Guy and Jen at the Needles in South Dakota Summer of 1978.

Happy Father's Day!

Far Side

3

 This spunky little gal is 3!  Hard to believe as she is growing up so fast. 

Here she is with her Mom...she looks a lot like her Mom.

Here she is hiding behind her drink cup with Uncle Andy:) This photo was taken one day before her birthday!  She had a pizza party in the evening but we missed that part...still good to see her! Andy made her breakfast...a dipping egg, bacon and toast and of course chocolate milk and she ordered pepperoni pizza for the evening.

Her person is Auntie Jen but she adores Andy also...he can hold her little feet in his hands and she straightens up to touch the ceiling...again and again...fun stuff!

Happy Birthday Peach!  We love you!

Great Grandma

Minnesota Weather Friday: Rain and a bit of hail.  High 63 F or 17C  Low 47F or 8C.

What's cooking: A chicken hotdish...shredded baked chicken breasts, stovetop stuffing, cream of chicken soup, some sour cream and a bit of chicken broth. Yummy!

Hark! Back! Issue #8

 January 09, 2008

Ironing

I gave up ironing about ten years ago when Far Guy retired from the Military.  Up until that time I would do the ironing twice a week.  I would double starch his uniforms...that is a chore I gladly gave up.  However it did relieve some of my frustrations with him over the years,  If I was upset with him...I would just imagine him in his uniform as I ironed it. 

 I just don't use pillowcases or tablecloths that require ironing. The ironing board is stashed away behind the washer/dryer in the furnace room, if for some reason my sister in law Jan visits, I have to drag it out and dust it off before she uses it.  Then there is the old iron, I think it might be an antique.  It used to be a steam iron, it isn't steamy anymore...and at one time it had a short in the plug, so Far Guy replaced the plug with a much larger one and used a lot of electrical tape to insure that I was not electrocuted while ironing...he is very thoughtful!

I do not purchase clothing that needs ironing,  Far Guy does not pay attention to types of fabric and has a thing for really wild cotton Summer shirts. I have learned that if I hang his shirts up when they are still a bit damp...they don't need to be ironed either...and if I overdry them, I just rewash and try again...those shirts are really clean.

I learned to iron when I was about ten  seven years old.  I used to love to help my Mother sprinkle clothing, roll it into a tube and put it into a plastic bag. If you didn't get to the ironing the next day it was placed in the freezer so the clothing would not mold.  My Mother still has a pile of clothing waiting on the ironing board to be ironed...and she still irons...sometime I miss the smell of fresh laundry as it is being ironed...then I remember that I am liberated:)

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Here I am ironing in 1958 when I was seven years old.

Photo taken in the kitchen of the farm house where I grew up. 

I still have the hidden away ironing board should it be needed.  My sister in law Jan died a few years back so no need to get it out for her anymore.  I traded Jen an old rotary dial phone for a new iron and threw my old one in the garbage.  When we packed up my Mother's apartment when she went into the Nursing Home she still had clothing on her ironing board to be ironed.  I am still hanging up damp clothing to dry instead of ironing!

Far Side

Hark Back! Issue #7

February 7,  2008

SHRIMP

The first time I was invited to my future in laws for supper they served deep fried shrimp. It was the first time in my life that I had eaten shrimp... Far Guy had to point that out in front of God and everyone...not to eat the tails...as I was unsuccessfully trying to chew them up.  I was a little embarrassed.

What happened next was not the least but embarrassing to me...but my future Mother In Law was horrified. 

During the quite formal meal complete with linen tablecloth, china and the good silver...their Chihuahua named "Muggy" decided that he did not like me and proceeded to take a dump on my foot.  Suddenly there was this stinky dog poop smell permeating the room...and my foot felt warm...my embarrassment about the shrimp was forgotten...and the poor dog had to be chained up to the clothesline outside. 

A few years later on our Wedding Day "Muggy" tried to get even again...he had been sent to the basement because there were a number of people in the house...he ran up and down the wooden steps so much that he pulled out a toenail and bled all over...apparently his timing was just a little off...because everyone was only a few minutes late for the ceremony...that "shrimpy" little dog with a big attitude had tried his best:)

*****

Good memories of a very faithful dog who eventually came to accept me and to love me too!

The old photo was taken with a Swinger Camera...Muggy is sitting in the favorite/warmest spot in that house.

Far Side

Tomato

Our Yellow Pear Tomato is really growing!  It has flowers.

It sure likes the sunny spot next to one of the garages. 

We have a very busy week with many doctor appointments...six over a couple of days. 

We are both tired of Doctors. Do this... do that... hurry up and wait. 

Far Side
 

Late Lilac

 I mowed the yard and one other area on Monday.  The weeds in the rocks near the house needed some attention.  

Daisies are allowed along the edge until they look scraggly or someone is an overachiever when trimming:)

The Late Lilac is in full bloom.  Funny that the deer don't eat them too.

We took Tilly out for a cruise to A & W for lunch.  

What's cooking? Ribs, salad and raspberries. 

Minnesota weather: High 77F or 25C     Low 46 F or 8C

Far Side  

Petunias

 My Petunias are missing...here one day gone the next.  

The deer must not like Snapdragons. 

As I was grieving for my Petunias...I noticed a possible culprit.  She looks innocent enough.

We had a quiet Sunday...we stopped by to see she who sees robins first...she is recovering from her knee replacement.  Aubrey is doing well also...she is still on a liquid diet...her Doctor says she is doing great! 

What's cooking?  Nothing as we usually go to our favorite outdoor patio place for Sunday lupper!

Minnesota weather: High 70F or 21C           Low 51F or 11C

Far Side

Dog Sitter/Treat Lady

 My baby brother and his bride had a day of Doctor appointments. 

Good thing their dogs love me...I am a good substitute ball player treat giver.

Baxter

And his delinquent sister.

 Smudge

She has to twirl while waiting for you to throw her ball. 

The treats I give out are Cherrios which are almost no calories. 

They are good about doing their business and staying near me outside.

Dogs are a good distraction for me.  

Minnesota weather: It turned cool.  High 59F or 15C   Low was 44F or  7C.

What's Cooking:  Hobo Dinners one night...my favorite, Far Guy not so much.  Ribs and French Fries with peaches for dessert last night.

How I make the Hobo Dinner...on a piece of foil stack a hamburger patty, cover with sliced potatoes and carrots...enclose in the foil  I put the packets on a cookie sheet just in case one leaks then bake about 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees...when they are done top with your favorite cheese.  You can add onions, different meat, veggies what ever floats your boat.  It is an easy meal with easy clean up!

Far Side

June 13

 A very special day remembered for so many years with a "party."

This is a photo of Far Guy's paternal Grandmother... Theresa or Tracie.  She is showing off her Dahlias just North of the house. 

She loved her birthday and a "party"  everyone that could would gather at the farm or at her apartment in later years for a gathering to celebrate her. 

June 13 1895 was a special day so many years ago.  She celebrated 87 birthdays!

I cannot think of a better Grandma...she was well loved. 

Far Side

Almost three

Almost three year olds can be a challenge.  

I had a conversation with Peach.  Her favorite person in the whole world is Jen...the rest of us are chopped liver. ( Jen took daytime care of her from the time she was born until she was about three months old and daycare had an opening for her)

However she likes a song I play for her "Corrina, Corrina" by Ray Peterson and oldie but a goodie.  We all call her Peach but her given name is Karina.  She always wants to hold my phone and usually walks around with the phone on her head...no idea why?  Usually she messes up the song and boy can those little fingers swipe right and left and up and down just like that.  

Anyways we were putting together large wooden puzzles pieces of a elephant, a moose and a bird.  The does so...does not began...she was putting her hand on her hip and making faces...apparently I said does so a little loud. 

Peach said "You screamed at me!" 

What a turd. 

Far Side

White Petunias

 Jen and Andy picked white petunias for their cattle  tank.  I heard that Andy picked the number of plants bought...seems like plenty and they should overflow the tank:)

If I would have felt better I would have pulled the spent blooms.

Back at home...Far Guy did something with Tilly...while I did laundry, made ice and supper. Oh yes in the morning Far Guy spent about 90 minutes on the phone with a specialty pharmacy that supplies one of his breathing meds...then his Insurance Company...then the specialty pharmacy again...who made an error.  Finally everything might be straightened out...but you never know.

What's cooking?  Pork chops and rice.

Minnesota weather:  High 77F or 25C      Low was 57F or 14C 

Rain report: We got 1 1/2 inches while we were away and another 1/2 inch early Wednesday morning.

The rain helps to settle all the pollen!

Far Side

Up North

 We were Up North for a procedure that was cancelled and a Dr appointment.  

We had supper one night with the Great Grandchildren and supper one night with Grandson Noah and his wife Hanna.  We did more that eat...we petted Sadie, played cards and went to Menards. 

Nice to get a photo where Peach isn't trying to strangle Baby K.

After we left Up North we heard that Cee Cee put a rock up her nose that required a trip to the ER and an Xray.

Something always happening when there are four! 

Far Side

Hark! Back! Issue # 6

 March 02, 2008

"Janice go see is he is dead"

Oh, sometimes little boys do the darndest things...well boy things...they have a curiosity and an ability to scare their Mothers half to death.

When Far Guy was little he apparently had a fascination with electrical outlets.  One day the fascination became experimentation...and he did it...he tried to electrocute himself...something to do with a record player and an electrical outlet...the fuse popped, all the lights went out...his Mother said "Janice go see if he is dead."  He recalls having to wear a mitten in the Summertime because his hand had been burned.

Janice and Far Guy

Far Guy must have been a handful, because his Mother had a harness for him, she would put him in the harness and then clip him to the clothesline. This worked fine for some time and gave his poor Mother some peace and quiet.  However he learned to unhook himself and escape into the neighborhood for wild adventures and then hook himself back up on his return.   I used to think that this was a cruel thing to do to a child but he must have had Attention Deficit Disorder, because as an adult he has it...so I am sure that any treatment to save your sanity was warranted.

Speaking of little boys...our youngest daughter Jen and her husband Andy have two little boys...they are older now but when they were little we had a checklist.  Hide at least one flashlight because we may need the batteries in one to be working.  All ladders should be folded up and laying on the ground.  Put the three wheeler keys in your pocket...the boys should never have access to keys because they are brilliant mechanically and only have to see the sequence of starting one time and they will attempt it.  All sharp tools should be put away out of sight. All water hoses should be disconnected because water fights will happen.   This is all a learning experience for me but Far Guy being a former boy has a special insight into appropriate boy behavior.

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Yes a long time ago houses had fuses that screwed into an electrical panel...the fuse would burn out and have to be replaced.  As I recall the fuses were small about the size of a quarter maybe a tad larger, one end screwed into a spot in the panel and the top side had a small window where you could see if there was a burn mark...as I recall the fuses came in different colors I suppose something to do with wattage.

Oh yes...boys do grow up...way too fast.

Far Side

Hark! Back! Issue # 5

Hark! Back! Is a look back at blogs that appeared in a now defunct blogging site before I started with blogger in September of 2008.  They are in no particular order. 

December 30 2007

Telephone Communication

The ways that we communicate has changed over the years. When I was growing up in the 1950's we had an old black crank type phone...our number was 12F12O, yes I remember that number but was it two shorts and a long or two longs and a short?  I met the telephone operator once, she sat in a little room off the General Store/Post office, she was quite old, looked cranky and wore a dress with huge flowers on it.  She sat in a chair in front of a big board with lots of wires coming out of it.  It was the days of the Party Line, as I recall five or six phones were connected on a mutual line, you were only supposed to answer if your assigned number of short and long rings came through. If you answered any other time or listened in to anyones conversation it was called rubbernecking.

Later on we got a regular dial phone, but we were still on a party line, we had to be careful and listen before we dialed, or you could interrupt someones conversation.  I still have a phone with a dial, the Grand kids are amazed they think it is an antique...but hey if the power goes out as it occasionally does when you live in the boonies  I can still use that old phone.

My how times have changed...cordless phones always getting misplaced that never happened when we had phones with cords. 

 Cell phones...everyone has one except us. Why? We live in part of Minnesota where there must be a lot of Iron Ore in the surrounding hills, we cannot get cell phone reception here.  We had one for a short time, but found it inconvenient to walk to the end of the driveway and stand in one particular spot to make a call.

Then came the Trac phone, I purchased one at Walmart in Detroit Lakes, thinking that when we were away from home we could use it. WRONG...you have to be able to get a signal to activate it and so it sits in the glove compartment.  Those were perhaps the most expensive calls I never made.

I used to get quite confused with all the people talking on their cell phones in the grocery store...then I joined the group...I just pretend I have a cell phone in my hand, hold it up to my ear and talk to myself, heck I even answer myself sometimes and giggle!

Have you noticed that you hardly ever get to talk to a real person anymore?  It is all automated press one or two, listen for options, listen for options again and select, then...your call is important to us...please wait...your call will be answered in the order it was received...your call is being monitored for quality control purposes and then some person says ..."Hi this is Happy, how may I help you?" Well you have to repeat your name, address and phone number again...then Happy says " Please wait while I access your information" THEN the music starts, well you can bet your life's savings that it is not going to be the Oldies.  I want options for my music...don't give that classical junk that is supposed to sooth my frazzled nerves...I want to press one for "I don't get no satisfaction" press two for "Eve of Destruction" ...then I start praying that the power won't go out because I am on a cordless phone:)

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Update...we did get cell phones and in 2024 we gave up our land line.  Far Guy got a Cell Phone first and I succumbed shortly there after.  I am not fond of phones and occasionally I forget to turn mine back on after I turn it off!  I often lay it down in one room and forget where it is until someone calls me...and not many people have my cell number!  

The old switch board that I recalled as a child from the Osage Telephone Company was donated to the Hubbard County Historical Museum.  

I am still aggravated by the press one or two and in some cases never talking to a real person.

Far Side

Book Club 2026: June

 This month we read a novel by Mary Lawson called Crow Lake. 

It takes place in the 1950's in Northern Ontario Canada.  It was a good book, I give it an 8 out of 10. 

The author was born and raised in the farming community in Ontario.  All the gals enjoyed the book.

Onto the next book!  I have 63 books waiting in the wings to be read...I stack them in the TV cabinet and shut the doors.   I really should have less than 50 to be read...I need to work on that and should not be allowed to buy more books unless it is a reading emergency. 

Jen listens to books as she works on craft projects and even as she cleans house.   The ear thingys hurt my delicate ears...so I would much rather curl up and read a real book. 

Far Side