Book Club 2026: May

 The read for May was There's Something about Mira by Sonali Dev

I give it a 4 on my scale of 1 to 10.  The plot was easy to figure out...I wrote the ending in my head half way through the book.  Not impressed.  Most everyone at bookclub was not impressed.

Thursday is Infusion Day so I ran errands to Wally World, Aldi, another grocery store, the Meat Market and the bank all within an hour.   Yeah me! 

Late in the afternoon we went to the visitation for a 94 year old neighbor who died.  Maurice was a very kind man, we served on the Fire Department with him and when we were building our home he did all the cement work for us.  He was a perfectionist when it came to cement!  94 years is an accomplishment!

Minnesota weather: High 55F or 13C  Low was 33F or 1C.   The wind was chilly. 

What's cooking?  Ham, turkey and cheese on a pretzel bun with peaches and raspberries:)

Far SIde

Saturday

 Our snow is going nowhere for awhile.  Headed into the deep freeze with below zero temperatures for Sunday and Monday.  We are escaping the Blizzard that is happening in Central and Southern Minnesota.  Andy spent a good part of the morning snowblowing and shoveling.

Remember that old commercial... Calgon take me away? 

Jen and Maddie sent photos of their Costa Rica vacation!

Minnesota weather: High 25F or -4C  Low was -2F or -19C eh! 

We received sad news from my sister. Her Father in law (Dean's Dad) died on Saturday morning...just three weeks after his son Dean died.  Double heartache for the family. Dean had been caring for his Dad who was on hospice. 

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Two more

 Two more deaths... do they come in threes or fours?  My Cousin Diana's husband Dan he was 82 years old.  A second cousin also died Dickie a first cousin of my Mothers....his obituary is not out yet but he was also in his 80's.   I sent cards.  We are pretty much funeraled out.

Planning on a quiet weekend. 

Today is the last day in February.  Leaping onward into March.

We are thankful that we were able to travel on Wednesday and Thursday because on Friday snow squall warnings were issued...my phone even went off with an emergency alert. 

Snow Squall Warning

HAZARD...Flash freeze on roads. Intense bursts of heavy snow. Gusty winds leading to blowing snow and visibility rapidly falling to less than one-quarter mile. Wind gusts greater than 35 mph.

SOURCE...Radar and webcams. IMPACT...Dangerous travel conditions are expected to develop rapidly in the warning area.

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Red Plaid

 I helped to search my photo archives for photos of our brother in law.  I found a few photos on a flash drive that belonged to my Mom.

It was curious that in two of the group photos that included Dean he was wearing a red plaid flannel shirt.

This photo was taken in 2019. 

This photo from Father's Day I think in 2020.

From part of his obituary.

Throughout his life Dean shared his faith and encouraged others to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He ended his phone conversations with "Have a Blessed Day." Dean was blessed with a servant’s heart and was kind and helpful to everyone. He was known as a mechanic and fixer of all things. He helped anyone who needed it with joy. The week before his death he volunteered at Camp Shamineau's Rock Ridge in Ely, MN refinishing the dining hall. He loved and cared for his family; he fiercely prayed and was the definition of a good and faithful servant for the Lord. Even his last day here on earth is a testament to the way he lived life. Saturday was a beautiful Minnesota winter day, the earth had been covered by new snow earlier in the week, the sky was cerulean, blue, he noticed how the American flag flew in the wind. He started the day with Saturday morning Bible study via Zoom with his treasured Pastor Jim, and dear friends he met while living in Massachusetts. While having breakfast he noticed two rabbits out the window and laughed at their antics. He kissed his wife goodbye and traveled to Aitkin, MN planning to help his siblings and mom care for his dad. He saw a vehicle stuck in the ditch just before getting to his mom and dads, so when he got to his mom and dad's he said a quick "Hello" and headed back outside to offer his help. His heart gave out while helping shovel the snow to get the vehicle out of the ditch.

John 3:16

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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Sad News

 My sister's husband Dean died yesterday while shoveling snow/ helping to get a car unstuck. Please pray for the family.  Sudden unexpected deaths are just hard to accept. 

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Year in review 2025

 Wow we both made it to the end of 2025!  That in itself should be a reason to celebrate! 

Our oldest daughter Trica still lives in Duluth Minnesota.  She came to take care of us when we recovering from the crud.  She calls often and was very supportive of her Dad's breast cancer struggles. She has chickens now and a coop with an automatic door. A dog named Lexie and a cat or maybe two.  She has a fella named Jerry.

Our youngest daughter Jen is on Sabbatical and will go back to teaching next Fall.  Andy teaches at UND.  We live with them for the Winter and various other times of the year when we have surgeries or appointments.  Jen and Andy both turned the big 50 this year.  They bought a extra large lot not far from where they live now, built a garage and house plans are in the works. Sadie is their happy Golden Retriever. 

Grandchildren:

Savannah; Still has her own business doing lashes in Bemidji Minnesota she has two dogs Chewy and Kalila. 

Savannah

Madison; Brenton and she welcomed Baby K (Kaylee Madison) in May.  Hey Mikey is 8 years old, Cee Cee is 5, Peach is 2. Maddie is a Dental Assistant in Pediatric Dentistry, Brenton works for Bobcat.  They have a dog named Koda and the kitty Doug.  Their dog Sam went to live with a family member and is doing well.  They are planning a move next June from Grand Forks ND to Bemidji Minnesota. 

Maddie

Paige;  Cole and Paige purchased a new home near Bemidji.  Paige is a Dental Hygienist and Cole works for a Irrigation Company.  They have a dog named Rosie.

Paige

Noah; In April Noah married Hanna.  They live in East Grand Forks, Noah works for Simplot and Hanna works for Hot Chicken. They have three dogs Aurora, Aphrodite and Noble and a couple of rabbits. 

Noah and Hanna

Adam; Adam proposed to Courtney on a trip to Hawaii. She said Yes!  The wedding will take place in Western North Dakota in September of 2026.  Adam works at Menards and Courtney is working at Mc Donalds and hopes to go back to school Fall Semester to finish her degree. They have a kitty named Phoebe. They live in Western North Dakota so we don't see them often. 

Courtney and Adam

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Births;

Our Great Granddaughter Kaylee was born the end of May

My Other Baby Brother and she who sees robins first became Great Grandparents to Callum in October.

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Deaths;

Longtime Friend Dale died July 4 age 86

Far Guy's Cousin Robbie died July 5 age 46

Grandma Ed died October 3 age 96 she was Andy's Grandmother and our Grandsons only remaining Great Grandmother.

Grandpa Ed died October 25 age 87 he was our Grandgirls Grandfather ( former Father in Law to Trica)

My Cousin Dion died November 9 age 63

We each lost a classmate in the last week of December.  Mike was 74 and Rick was 74.  Cancer sucks. 

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Far Guy survived chemo, surgery and radiation treatments for Breast Cancer this year.  He is a trooper.  He has to take a hormone pill for five years maybe longer which is a challenge due to the side effects.  He had three surgical procedures this year.  He continues to wood carve. 

Me... well I had a Laminectomy on June 10 and still have pain so I am undergoing more tests in the New Year.  I stay busy crocheting, reading and blogging.  I have a number of projects planned for the Winter.

I hope we can stay healthy in 2026 and out of hospitals.  I am thankful for family, a warm home, enough to eat and a dog to pet. 

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Cousin Dion

 My cousin Dion died on November 9th 2025.   He was a bachelor and is survived by his siblings.  He was the first born to my Uncle Butch and Aunt Kay in 1962.  I remember when he was born. 

The Celebration of Life was this past week.   I sent a card as it was impossible for us to go.   He was a very quiet unassuming Christian man. 

Dion

Tim, Keith, Dion, Kenny and Dwight....old photo from 1987.

For the family history; Dion was my Mom's nephew.   There were 42 of us cousins counting me (I am the oldest).  Sadly four have died...Linda in 2020, Dean in 2021, Diane in 2024 and now Dion in 2025.  So 38 remain.  

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For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.  But if I live.  I can do more fruitful work for Christ.  So I really don't know which is better.  I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.  Philippians 1: 21-23

A birth and a death

 Life goes on, we are born and we die. 

First the birth a very happy occasion!  It's a boy!  I crocheted him a yellow baby blanket for his baby shower...not knowing if the baby was a boy or a girl!

This little fella weighed in at 8 pounds and 4 ounces on October 4th 2025.   He is the first child of our great niece Hailey and her husband Isaac, the first grand for Niece Stacey( Grandma Stacey is holding him in the photo)and the first great grand for my other baby brother and she who sees robins first! ( Maybe I am a double great auntie!)

Then a death:  Son in Law Andy's Grandma Ed died on October 3, 2025, she was 96 years old just 29 days short of her 97th birthday.  Her obituary says it all...Edna was called home by the one who loves her most!   She is the last Grandma for Andy and Jen  and the last Great Grandmother for our Grands Noah and Adam.  Grandma Ed lived a good long life, living in assisted living in her later years and then to the Nursing home for only two weeks, the last week on Hospice.  Our sympathy to all who loved Grandma Ed. 

I have a photo of Grandma Ed taken in about 2003...at Adam's birthday party.  Tall baby Adam had a good start and eventually towered over his Great Grandma Ed. 

Births and deaths the world keeps going round and round.  Happy and sad times all mixed together.

Far Side

To everything there is a season,

and a time for every purpose under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to break down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to count as lost,

a time to keep and a time to discard,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

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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Christmas 1952

 My Dad missed my first Christmas in 1951 because he was in Korea.  

However he was there for my second Christmas in 1952. 

Christmas 1952 the photo was taken at the farm house where I grew up. The tree was in the corner of the living room.  I am pretty sure that all that occupied that room that year was the tree and a rocking chair.  My parents purchased the farm in the Spring of 1952. 

You can see Dad's Army photo high on that shelf...he must have hung up that shelf as it was pretty tall...as was my Dad. 

My Dad was 96 years old when he died in 2022, the last of 14 children when he died on the morning of December 19th what would have been his Father's 132nd birthday. 

I miss my Dad, but I have many really good memories of him!

We had a Winter Storm when he died and today we also have a Winter Storm. 

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Cousins

Some of my cousins on my Dad's side of the family gathered yesterday for lunch. Seven showed up;  Geraldine, Hilda, Wilma, Georgianna, Evelyn and Chuckie.  It was a nice visit.  Better than visiting at a funeral....plus we were at the place that has the wonderful Sour Cream and Raisin Pie! 

I had a few old photos to share with the gals. 

This is an old photo from1994.  In the photo is Far Guy's Mother, me and my cousin Kathy.  That is Mary Ann's head of dark hair, she is a sister to several of my Aunts.  We gathered for a quilting bee to work on our 25th anniversary quilt.  Many of the relatives embroidered a quilt square and they were all included in two double quilts.  The photo was taken at my parents home on the lake downstairs in their large family room.

My cousin Kathy was missed yesterday....she always like the gatherings.  Perhaps the gathering she is having in heaven is much better!  In 30 years every one in the photo has died...except me. 

The quilts have never been used...they are like new.  

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Linda

 Yesterday we paid our respects to Linda's family.  We went to the visitation a bit early to avoid the crowds of people that would be there.  We found Cousin Tom sitting by himself in the front pew of the church.  Others were in the church making sure the meal was being prepared and everything was just so for their Mothers/Grandmothers funeral service. 

Cousin Tom is sad, he has moved into Senior Living Apartments and out of his home.  The move was planned well before Linda died.  He shared that their home held 50 years of "stuff" and is for sale.  They would have been married 59 years at the end of this month. 

Linda wrote her own obituary and it was lovely especially the last few words.  " I have lived a wonderfully ordinary life; celebrate that with me."

There were a number of her poems in the funeral program! 

  I recall one of our first conversations probably the weekend near June 13 when we all used to gather to celebrate Grandma Tracie's birthday.   Linda liked to suck on rocks...she did it quite discreetly so small children would not notice...she said she had done it all her life and wondered if it was the minerals she liked.  I had never met someone who sucked on rocks before...she seemed pretty normal to me...and she was.  

 She had a marvelous laugh and she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  Linda was 78 years old.  She died from Leukemia. 

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Cousin Kathy

 My Cousin Kathy died on October 11th.  We attended the visitation at the funeral home, the funeral was the next day the same day as Paige's wedding.  

Kathy was one of my favorite cousins, she printed family scrapbooks and cookbooks. She was very interested in family history and stories and was always up for any cousin adventure!  Before Kathy had her stroke she and cousin Geraldine would get together and could visit a day away seeing as many relatives as they could in a day.  

Aunt Eleanor with Mary Jane, Leonard with Mike, Uncle Oscar with Kathy and Ronnie.

This is a photo that my Mom took in 1953.  Everyone in the photo is gone now except for the two youngest...Mary Jane and Mike. 

 Leonard died October 23, 1958 in a hunting accident age 15

Ronnie died May 16,  2022 age 75

Kathy died  October 11, 2024  age 75

Kathy's Dad Oscar and my Dad were brothers. 

I will miss my cousin Kathy, her smile, laugh and her hugs.  She gave the best hugs. 

Far Side

Here is the newspaper article about my cousin Leonard's death.

Busy Days

 Friday was a busy day.  I cleaned the bathroom, did a few loads of towels etc, straightened up a bit and then went to my baby brother and his brides home for a quilting /crafting day.  There I had good visits with a couple of my cousins...got to give them hugs and support when we learned of our cousin Kathy's death.  So sad...she never really recovered from the stroke that she had years ago and slipped further and further away every day.  Kathy gave the best hugs...we will all miss her.   It doesn't seem real that she is no longer with us. 

I spoiled Baxter and Smudge...I tell ya Smudge is pretty cute!

I worked on some crochet scrubbies...I sell them at a shop in Grand Forks ND.  Everyone else there was sewing...they are all working on quilts...maybe I will take some photos as I will head over there today with my camera and some wild rice soup that I have ready to go together right away in the morning and some sauerkraut and sausages that we will have for lunch.  

Yesterday we had chili and a wonderful cabbage salad, sourdough bread and cookies!

Far Side

I have 45 ( I make it 46) cousins on my Dad's side of the family.  Kathy is the 9th to die. Kathy was 75 years old she was just 16 days shy of her 76th birthday. 

Sad News and Good News

 Last week was a week.  It began with my cousin Diane who lived in Alaska her Memorial Service was live on Facebook.   She was 68 years old. She died after heart bypass surgery.  Her Mother and my Mother were sisters. 

This past Saturday was my second cousin Patsy's funeral, she died from a tick bite that went to a bacterial infection and then septic...she was three months younger than me...her  Father and My Grandfather were brothers.  She spent the entire summer on hospice. I sent a card I did not attend the funeral.

Then Little Elvis died on Friday...that hit me hard.  He and I had a special connection. He loved me unconditionally. 

Friday was also a bit of good news, my second biopsy came back with clear edges!  Thank goodness I don't have to have more surgery on my face!   AND all of my eye tests came back okay, the Doc says my eyes show normal aging.  I also learned that I have an appointment with a different Rheumatologist...but not until April of 2025...this is after waiting two months for a referral and being accepted by their Rheumatology Department.  I am doing my PT exercises and I believe it is making a difference...I have PT appointments starting October 10th. My stitches in my face come out on Thursday this week. It is a medical appointment week ...we have six appointments....it is what we do. 

So the good news outweighs the bad I am not on hospice, I am not dead, I don't have to have more surgery on my face, I can see reasonably well and we can make it by ourselves to appointments...and we still have some dogs to love...Sadie, Baxter and Smudge.  

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Little Elvis 2009 - September 27, 2024

 Little Elvis was almost 15 years old.  He was my constant companion in the Winter time, sleeping most nights at the foot of my bed.  I will miss him, he was mostly deaf and could hardly see anything...old age is hard on dogs.  BUT he had a good life! 

January 2010  Miney, Little Elvis and Chance

 

Adam and Little Elvis

May 2010 

 

Noah and Little Elvis

Chance and Little Elvis 

 

Chance, Little Elvis and Miney

Chance and Little Elvis

 

Miney, Little Elvis and Chance

Little Elvis

 

Little Elvis and Sadie 

Little Elvis has left the building.  Rest in peace little buddy.  

Little Elvis and Miney helped to cushion the loss when Chance died in 2018, Little Elvis cushioned the loss of Miney in 2021.  Now they are all mourned and missed more than ever. They were a real pack! Three of the bestest dogs ever!

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So it goes

 We are only assured of the here and now...today...not tomorrow. 

Like I said so it goes.  

I have a cousin who has lived in Alaska for many years.  She died recently, she was 68 years old.  She had bypass surgery and was released from the hospital, was in the car ready to go home when she said "something was not right" her husband took her into the ER immediately and she died shortly after.   

I am happy that I mailed her two packets of old photos of her family...she sent me some very nice thank you cards.   She loved her life and family in Alaska.

Old photo taken about 1959...me, my baby brother and our cousin Diane.  ( Her mom and my mom were sisters)

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Busy Day

 We had a busy day Thursday; Infusion for Far Guy while I picked up groceries and ran errands. 

Toward evening we headed in to the funeral home for the visitation for our neighbor lady who died suddenly last Saturday.  The line of people waiting to pay their respects spilled out the doors and into the parking lot.  We signed the guest book gave our condolences to her husband and left.  Way too many people for us to stick around and visit. 

Every person over 30 that had a lawn chair was in town getting their spot on Main Street to listen to some band and frequent the beer garden, anyone who was not there was at the fairgrounds for the fair, or standing in line at the funeral home. 

Minnesota State bird..the Loon...I took this photo a number of years ago...I always liked it because the water looks so cool and refreshing.  We are headed back into the 80 F degrees again...I don't see 90 F in the forecast but you never know. 

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and so it goes

 One summer day after another.  We learned of two deaths over the weekend.  One was a Lung Transplant survivor for a number of years...her donor gave her many health issues...she spent much of last year in the hospital. She finally lost her battle or won...which ever way to look at the situation. She was such a wonderful support person to anyone on the Lung Transplant List...as she was to us when Far Guy was part of that process. 

The other death a neighbor lady.   So sad. 

Yet the Summer heat rolls on for a couple more days.  The skeeters bite and the bear visits the yard every night looking for bird seed. (Far Guy brings it in every night. )

My knee is better but not perfect.  

  

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Funeral: To Each His/Her Own

 Yesterday I attended my Uncle Al's funeral.  I rode with my other baby brother and she who sees robins first.  The funeral was in a town 45 minutes away. There was a gathering time before the funeral service.

My Uncle Al had leukemia and bone cancer, he fought a good fight for over six years ...then the Doctors told him that there was nothing they could do for him anymore.  That was a few months ago shortly after that he went on Hospice.   

Uncle Al was seven years older than me.  He said "I am going to try like heck to make it to my 80th birthday." He was 39 days short of his goal.  He died exactly 4 months after his oldest sister (my Mother).

Uncle Al planned his own funeral.  Hence the name of the blog today To Each His/Hers Own.   The funeral was in an event room at the Holiday Inn.  The casket was in the far corner surrounded by flowers of many purple colors ( He was a Vikings fan).   A slide show of photos played on an large screen...but it was hard to see in a room with so many lights.  A Minister read the obituary out loud ( one of my pet peeves) ...because we cannot read for ourselves??  The sermon was the great message that we are all saved by the grace of God through his son Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life, was crucified and died for ALL our sins.  A number of people shared stories and one of his granddaughters wrote a lovely letter...it was apparent that she loved her Grandfather very much...this I knew was mutual because Uncle Al talked about all of his grandchildren with a huge smile on his face.  The music was fine...Frank Sinatra singing My Way and Elvis singing How Great Thou Art and one other song I cannot recall.  After the service the burial took place at a local cemetery and afterward there was an open bar and food served at the event center. 

We left shortly after the service. 

My Uncle Al is on the far left.  He was the 10th child born to my grandparents.  My Mother is the oldest in this photo on the far right.  Two children not pictured Alfred died in 1947 and James who died in 1948.  Now the only living person in this photo is my Uncle Kenny front row left who is two months younger than me. 

 Me and my Uncle Al in 1952. Uncle Al was seven years old when I was born.   He was the chief baby rocker in the Fall of 1951 and the Winter of 1952...there were three babies in the house...I was born in September and my Grandmother had twins in November. 

 

Funeral flowers from my siblings and I for our Uncle Al.

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