Book Club 2026: July

 We had Book Club yesterday.  It was The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

It was a great read...the best so far this year.  I give it a 9.5 out of a 10.  I rated it that way because I wanted the book to continue on and on.  I was sad when I came to the last pages. 

All the gals liked the book. 

Thursday we were back to "normal"  Far Guy went to his weekly Infusion and I went to Aldi for fruit,  to Walmart for my pickup order, then to Hugos for the stuff Aldi and Walmart did not have ( it is Summertime and the tourists are buying lots of groceries)  then to the Post Office.  Far Guy messaged me as I was leaving the Post Office so I picked him up and we went to the Meat Market and to the bank. 

I only like going to town once a week especially in the Summertime.  It was a busy day. 

What's Cooking?  Cheesburgers and corn. 

Minnesota weather:  High 82F or 28C  Low was 62F or 17C

Far Side

Thursday stuff

 Thursday is our busiest day of the week.  First stop to the corner of happy and healthy where a prescription was supposed to be ready but it was not...that place is so not organized.  I drop Far Guy off at his infusion where the gals take extra good care of him!

Aldi for fruit, Walmart online order pick up...sometimes I time them...yesterday it was four minutes.  To the local grocery store for "stuff" that Walmart didn't have...this week Apple Juice,  Crunchmaster Crackers and ICE Drinks (I like the Cherry) then off to the Butcher Shop!  Pick up Far Guy and head to the bank.

Home to unpack and put away groceries, have lunch (a peanut butter half a sandwich). 

Enjoy bookclub and then collapse on the couch for a nap...Far Guy woke me up when leftovers were all warmed up for supper. 

Minnesota weather: High  80F or 27C    Low was 58F or 14C

Flowers at the bank

Far Side

More snow

 We had more snow overnight on Wednesday and into Thursday...about 10 inches total.   The roads are fair for driving conditions on snowy icy roads.  A few days of sunshine will help melt the roads. 

I took Far Guy to his Infusion appointment, I waited in the parking lot while Far Guy had his infusion.

I am feeling less pain after my back injection...fingers and toes crossed that it will be helpful for a while.

Suppers lately...hamburgers and French fries, chicken and wild rice soup with Gluten Free Red Lobster Biscuits and tonight is tacos and Far Guy's dip:)

I watched Song Sung Blue on Peacock TV and really enjoyed it...in fact I may watch it again.

Friday is a day off of medical appointments!!  

Far Side

Stitching

 After the photo project cleared my work space I got out the diamond squares that a blog reader sent me.  

The diamonds needed to be sewn together with a mattress stitch.   That is a difficult stitch but I finally conquered it... mostly.

It is a lap afghan size.  It is not perfect... it will be donated to one of the stores in town that benefits people...Salvation Army Store most likely or the Dakota Boys and Girls Store.

I began this project before Christmas and then I packed it away now I am pleased to get it off of my to BE finished list!  The pattern is called Tulip Cube Throw.

It was a cold day here, I took Far Guy to his Infusion and waited in the parking lot for him while crocheting and talking to my best friend Susie! 

Supper: Far Guy browned some brats and warmed up some potatoes and corn.  

Minnesota weather: High -12F or -24C  Low was -24F or -31C 

Weather Advisory

EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below. * WHERE...Portions of north central, northwest, and west central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota. * WHEN...Until noon CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes.

Far Side

Progress

 I am doing a deep sort of all the photos that I have with me.   I brought a huge tote of photos with me.  I will guess that I brought about 3,000 photos with me.  I am making progress.  I have begun the sort for our own album/albums.  I have mostly finished with our daughter's albums. So there is forward progress. 

It all takes time.  Since we have a few less Doctor appointments I do have some time.  I discovered that I should have brought Far Guy's album with me to redo...alas it is back at home.  Oh well I will get to it someday.  In the meantime photos that should be included in his album are being sorted.

Some things you even forget you have.  Like this old postcard photo taken back before there were zip codes...there were other codes...E84E  what ever that means.  We owned this resort from 1987 to 1995.  So it is a bit of our history.   I would guess the photo was taken in the 1940's -1950's.

Interesting that the old metal glider was there.  Far Guy took off the old paint and repainted it and put new wood on it and it was just like new and people used it all the time:) FYI the photograph must have been taken at the waters edge or else the photographer stood in the water. 

Far Guy's Infusion went well...only one stick for the IV !  I went to Aldi and bought fruit. 

Minnesota weather; High was 29 F or -2C  Low was 13F or -11C.  Nice weather for January.  However every place you walk there is ice.  Oh well January is only 1/3 done we still have time for a brutal Minnesota Winter!

Far Side

The snow report

 About seven inches of it.

Sadie barks at these deer.  

The snowman family all sit on five gallon buckets and they are partially covered. 

The main roads are petty good however the side streets and some parking lots are still a challenge.  

I picked up our grocery order from Walmart and went to Aldi while Far Guy had his weekly Infusion then we went out for a late lunch early supper at Perkins.  Breakfast is good anytime of day!  

In the evening Jen and I went to the library for the puzzle exchange:)

Minnesota weather; High 13F or -11C Low was -7F or -22C eh!  Forecast for Friday is a Winter Weather Advisory because it may snow a bit more and it will become very windy. 

Far Side

Booties and Busy

 I have been working on booties for Baby K.  Her feet get cold.  I struggled with the size...but she is growing so the larger ones will fit sooner or later. 

I made four pair...one pair is really large:)  I wrote better instructions on my pattern this time.  

We will see how they fit Baby K. 

Busy week with Radiation for Far Guy and other medical appointments.  Yesterday he was held hostage in the Infusion Center for 2 1/2 hours...someone messed up a couple of times...they thought he was in radiation when in fact he was sitting in an Infusion Chair with his IV in and waiting and waiting...he was not a happy camper.  Our day of appointments started at 8AM and we did not get back home until 2:30 PM. Four appointments and a trip to the pharmacy was too much for one day.  Today (Friday) should be easier....only one appointment. 

I had plenty of time to pick up groceries at Wally World, go into Aldi for fresh fruit and to eventually end up in Hobby Lobby for the second time this week....AND I had a good amount of time in the car to crochet while waiting for him to get his weekly infusion.

Possibly some very soft yarn jumped into my cart.   Might be something for little girls...who knows.  Hat, ear warmers...one never knows. 

Far Side

Happy Halloween

 Our candy is ready...your guess is as good as mine if we will be eating a whole bunch of candy!

Pumpkins at Jen's last year.

Years ago the elderly neighbors would go out for trick or drink...Far Guy and I never were invited...we must have been the party poopers as we only drank sodas or coffee.  The elderly never went far...a mile maybe two to get a drink at their friends homes, but sometime they would pick up people as they went. 

Thursday was Far Guys usual infusion day.  I delivered some Christmas Ornaments while I waited for him.  Gravy and Dawn's new home is coming along...it is beautiful!  Right now they are fighting sheet rock dust...and waiting for flooring and trim.  

It was a rainy Thursday.  High was 45F or 7C and it was a frosty morning with a very pink sunrise. 

Supper was ribs and my baby brothers maple canned carrots...Yummy! 

Far Side

Far Side

Nice Fall Day

 It was Thursday and Far Guy had his weekly infusion to protect his lungs.   I ran errands; Wally World to pick up groceries, inside to another grocery store to get a few things that I wanted to pick out myself, Pharmacy, Post Office and the Bank.  I was back in plenty of time to wait for Far Guy in the parking lot of the clinic.  I didn't even get to play an entire solitaire game on my phone before he messaged me he was done. 

We had a nap in the afternoon and didn't feel like cooking so we went to a place in town that we had not been to all Summer.  Cheeseburgers and French Fries at Good Times.  It is rumored that more businesses are closing for good on Main Street....most business are touristy ( assorted knick knacks, T shirts etc)...and many stores I have never been in...shopaholic or fashionista doesn't describe me. 

Flower pots on Main Street have avoided the frost so far. 

Minnesota weather; High was 46F or 8C Low was 26F or -3C eh!

Far Side

Town

 Town was not too busy for a change, many of the tourists have gone and soon the Snowbirds will take off and it will be even quieter. 

No waiting in line anyplace....bank, Walmart pickup, Aldi, Hugos and Main Street Meats....where the young guy always calls me ma'am. 

The bank got a new potted plant for Fall. 

Far Guy had his usual Thursday Infusion to protect his lungs and then he came home to rest and nap.  He had a hard time sleeping the past couple of nights.  

Supper was mashed potatoes, hamburger gravy, carrots and raspberries.

Minnesota Weather: Highs 73F or 23C Low was 61F or 17C eh. 

Far Side

Note from a Nurse

 Far Guy gets to have coffee with his Infusion every week.  The nurses sometimes take time to have "Coffee with Gene."

They take really good care of him. 

Lynn said "Gene is so smart" so he asked for it in writing. 

He handed it to me and said "Here's proof!"

We over did on Friday early Doctors appointment and 7 hours in the car....and paid for it Friday night into Saturday.  We missed our Great Nieces Grad Party on Friday night and our neighbors Barn Dance on Saturday evening. 

We are old.  No I didn't say getting..we are old. 

Minnesota weather on Saturday: High 75F or 24C  Low 49F or 10C eh.  We had some thunderstorms that dropped a bit of rain Saturday evening....they disturbed my evening nap.

Supper was what is in the freezer.  Far Guy had Jambalaya and I had scalloped potatoes. 

Far Side

Brown but sunny

 Yesterday was a sunny day, it made all the brown colors out there pop and some of the snow melt.

Far Guy had his infusion, the Zemaira makes him feel less sick and he is less short of breath...so that is a win!  

I picked up my grocery order at Walmart, went inside Aldi for fruit and into Hugo's for a few items and to the bank while Far Guy had his infusion.  I actually saw two relatives in town....I did not have time to chat just time to say hi.

We made a menu list for two weeks and I shopped accordingly.  Good to have that done and be back on track.    

Far Side

Settling in

 The roads were good.   We have snow in our yard.  My other baby brother sent Ryan over to shovel our walk!  The car was unpacked, Josh (next door nephew) helped with the last four heavy items.  I ran out of steam and had lunch when he stopped by to check on the elderly. 

Wednesday morning I went to the Post Office to stop forwarding our mail and by the store to get bananas and milk.  We are slowly getting "stuff" put away in its proper spot.  Luckily we have the same beds here as we have up North so that is never something we have to get used to.  The TV controllers are different! 

Inventory of the deep freeze was accomplished and a grocery list compiled.  

Today I will get Far Guy to his infusion and pick up groceries.  Our hope is that the infusion will not only protect his fragile lungs but allow him to breathe better.  Zemaira is the name of the Infusion that works the best for him.  Aralast is the infusion he has been on since June of 2015.  Zemaira (99% pure) is a more pure infusion...meaning it has less fillers and other "stuff" than Aralast (70% pure). 

One day at a time. 

Far Side

Moved

 We should be all moved back in the woods by the time you read this. 

Far Guy needs to be at a different Infusion Center.  The Infusion he has been getting doesn't allow him to get completely over the exacerbation he has been dealing with.  The proper infusion is available at our local small hospital infusion center...but not at the fancy big hospital ( they say it is a shortage or a distribution problem). 

We will have to travel back and forth to a few medical appointments for the next couple of weeks. 

A house, outhouse, woodpile and some geese at my Maternal Great Grandparents home a very long time ago. 

Thankful that we don't use an outhouse or a woodpile anymore and the Fox would just kill the geese. 

Far Side

Green and an update

 Thursdays are almost always the same. Drop Far Guy off at the hospital door to get his weekly infusion. Pick up the grocery order from Wally World...this week I had to wait over 30 minutes for my order because some store idiot cancelled it.  Then off to a craft store this week was Michaels turn as Far Guy had a couple of things on my list.  AND well there is yarn there...

I was feeling the green this week.  This color is called spearmint.  Only one cashier there so I stood in line a bit.  Then it was time to head back to the hospital and wait in the old hospital parking lot for Far Guy to summon me.  I only waited 6 minutes when he messaged me that he was done.  We went out for very late breakfast/lunch/early supper and then came home to Sadie.

Far Guy had a nap, he has started meds for a cold?/lung issue  that has made him very short of breath...possibly too much perfume/aftershave at the clinic appointment last Monday has irritated his lungs.

I was seen by the Neurosurgeon on Monday.  He believes my pain problem is not from my back but from my SI joint on the left side.  He has ordered SI injections for me in two weeks.  I have a congenital defect in that my spinal column is very small for my spinal cord and I have some slippage L4 L5 and S1 but not enough to cause all my pain...or so they say.  I am still doing exercises, heat helps also time in the massage chair and the recliner.  I am also scheduled to see a Doctor at the Pain Clinic in March.  FYI the Steroid Injection that I had on Feb 3 did nothing for my pain and made my left leg, foot and toes numb.

I began a course of Prednisone on Tuesday as the pain on the drive to Fargo was horrid on Monday...and left me exhausted. One day at a time.  The Prednisone takes the edge off the pain...it is not totally gone but is more bearable. 

Goodbye to the month of February!

Far Side

In the pink

 I was in a pink mood in Hobby Lobby, it was the only shade of yarn that spoke to me.  

 Colors of Strawberry Daze and Magenta to add to the stash. 

I also bought some new flowers to put out before Memorial Day.

Far Guy's infusion went well, I did a grocery pickup at Walmart and then stopped by Hobby Lobby and Kohls...missions accomplished! 

It got above zero!!!!!

Far Side

Dreaming of flowers

 Well... flowers and warmer weather for sure!  

I started a new puzzle, worked on my crochet projects...one is out for a trial by a little girl and the other needs a bit of an adjustment...so I will work on that.  

One of Jen's small stone creations. 

Far Guy gets to visit the NEW hospital today for his infusion.  He has heard from the nurses that the infusion rooms are all individual with private bathrooms and big screen tv's...parking is already a nightmare over there.  Good thing I just drop him off and pick him up. 

Still cold...our high yesterday was 10F or -12C   our low was -13F or -25C  with a real feel of -30 most of the day yesterday.  We might bust out of the deep freeze on Friday..maybe.

How cold is it?  Squirrels are throwing themselves at the electric fence to warm up:)

Far Side

 

17 years

 My blog is still a teenager.  I have been blogging for 17 years, I began in late December of 2007.  Those real early blogs were on another blogging platform that is now defunct.  However I have those blogs as hard copies and I may revisit a few of them on this blog next Summer...especially the ones with family history.  ( So that is now on my to do list.)

My Grandson Adam asked me ...when do you blog Grandma?  I usually blog in the afternoon or the evening and then set it to auto publish at 3 AM.  If I know I am going to be really busy I will schedule a couple ahead of time.   Yes I could be dead and still blogging...technically! 

Flowers last Summer.  I love primary colors in a pot of flowers. 

We are doing okay Up North, there was a mix up with Far Guy's Infusion, the Doctor even tried to straighten it out....with no luck.  Back home Tiff and Lynn gave him Zemaira at the Infusion Center.  Here he gets Aralast that makes him very short of breath.  The Pharmacy up here says they cannot get Zemaira. Far Guy will contact the Pharmaceutical Company himself.  Far Guy gets infusions every week to protect his lungs, he has a genetic defect...rare disorder called Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency. 

I am keeping busy with puzzles, reading, crocheting and petting Sadie while keeping one eye on Far Guy. No improvement in my RA pain...the injections in my back worked about ten days. I was hoping for longer...but thats life. 

I will keep blogging as long as I am able.  I enjoy reading many blogs and connecting with many people all over the world. 

 Thank you for reading!

Far Side

Infusion and a hat

 Far Guy gets his infusions every Thursday, the infusions that have kept him alive the past eight years. 

The side roads are still icy but the main streets over to the Infusion Center at the hospital were good.  All the sidewalks are icy, I dropped Far Guy off at the door and went back home and then picked him up again when he was done.  It was all managed safely and no one fell or broke a hip.  The infusions take about 90 minutes here...back at home the gals at the infusion center take about 45 minutes.   Yesterday was a four stick day.  He felt like a pin cushion.

I made a hat for Far Guy.

I actually made two hats...the light blue color is very soft and snuggly, the brown is wool.  So it has an inner and outer hat...doubly warm.

You can tie the ear flaps up at the top of the hat if you have a button on the top and strings on the ear flaps...but he just wanted the hat flaps to cover his ears.  The pattern is Kaldi that was purchased on Ravelry the pattern is by Tinna. 

Far Side

Thursday Things

 Thursday's Infusion went okay only one stick but the IV bag had a slow leak.  If it isn't one thing it is another.  

We went to Hobby Lobby after Far Guy was done, he needed a piece of basswood for carving and I needed  wanted some yarn.  I had quite a list...I decided on the May Basket design and needed paper etc, and I needed some do dads for cards.

Far Guy, Little Elvis and I had a nap in the afternoon. In the evening I cleaned the kitchen at Jen and Andy's Air B&B...we had quite a crew... Jen, Andy, Noah, Adam, Maddie and me.  It is all ready for the next group. 

We are supposed to have a Winter Storm starting on Thursday night into Friday and possibly Saturday. 

We all have enough projects to keep us busy! 

Here is Jen's latest project...she has a completed flimsy.

She has been working on this robot quilt since October.  Well done Jen!  She sews much better than I ever did. 

Far Side