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. 

Far Side

At least they wore helmets

 This old photo from the Summer of 1969 was among the ones that I scanned. 

My sister and my baby brother on the Yamaha 50 that our Dad brought home for us so we could drive faster to the back fields versus our bicycles.   My sister was 3 and my baby brother was 15 in the photo.  Note Far Guy's 1959 Desoto in the background. 

That was a fun little motorcycle to drive.  

Far Side

Visitors and a birthday

 Far Guy was quite ill most of the day on Thursday.  Jen took him to his Infusion and picked up the Walmart order and a few other things for us.  I stayed home with Sadie...she slept all the while they were gone.  Late in the afternoon I went to town for an oil change appointment.  Jen and Sadie returned to their home Up North.

My baby brother and his bride brought us some garden produce; green beans, carrots and new potatoes.

Visitors in the evening were four of my baby brother's Grands. Ten of his twelve Grands are here on vacation this week.

Otto, Xavier, Maz and LuLu

On Saturday my baby brother and his bride will host a picnic at their home.  I cooked the eggs on Thursday and will cook the potatoes on Friday for potato salad. 

Happy 59th Birthday to my sister Julie! I found this photo on our Mother's flash drive.

Far Side

Roses

 I found some photos of roses on my Mom's old Flash Drive.   

I believe these are from the Rose Gardens in Duluth, MN. 

Here is the proof...no idea what year but that is my sister and her husband and the iconic lift bridge at the Duluth Harbor in the background. 

Far Side

News from home

 There was a storm through Minnesota on Friday night, many people are without electricity. Luckily our home in the woods is okay. Grandgirls Savannah and Paige both had trees down…in fact a tree blocked Savannahs door. My sister has no electricity and my friend Susie has no electricity either. It will be a number of days before electricity is restored. The weather people are calling it a hurricane.

Neighbor  Leah sent me a photo of the Flax field blooming across from our driveway! I wish I could have seen it, maybe next year!

Such a beautiful sight to see! 

In other news, Miss Minnesota was crowned…and she is the beautiful Emma who lives near us and just so happens to be dating our great nephew Mason! You can check out the Miss Minnesota Facebook page to see a photo.  She is a nursing student and her platform is Water Safety Knowledge which is perfect for all the lakes we have in Minnesota.  Onward to Miss America..wouldn’t that be something!  Just so you know she is as beautiful on the inside as outside. 

Far Side

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!  

Far Side

Christmas 1978

All those old Christmas photos are treasures.  I do not recall what gifts were exchanged other than the gift of Family. 

My Mother wrote on this photo the year 1978.   My sister Julie (age 12), our daughters Trica (age 6) and Jennifer (age 3)  

Not sure what my sister was telling Jen ...probably say cheese.  Looks like Trica was in first grade as she has some missing front teeth.  Jen has a Raggedy Ann doll that I do not recall at all. 

The Nativity set in the background was ceramic and I made it one year as a gift for my Mother. The tree was in the corner of the living room in my parents home on Straight Lake.  I see tinsel and satin balls. 

I am still not sure what my Mother was thinking with the choice of carpeting! Uffda high low shag.

Christmas was always celebrated the same; church on Christmas Eve, after church my Mother would disappear and begin her last minute gift wrapping...there would be knocks at the door and neighbors would join in the festivities...my Mother invited everyone for Christmas Eve.  There was food and plenty to drink...it was always terribly cold outside...Minnesota ..freeze your butt off cold.  The next morning was church and the rest of the day was spent at my Grandparents home.

Far Side

  

1979 a blast from the past

 My other baby brother and she who sees robins first celebrate 45 years of wedded bliss today! 

1979  That is my sister Julie age 13 on the far left and the flower girl is our oldest daughter Trica she was 7 years old that year. 

Congratulations! 

Christmas card report: 12 finished so total is 65

Pain report: I have a little less pain....hopefully it will keep improving. 

Far Side

A Blanket and "stuff"

 I finished the car seat blanket for my sisters newest grandchild.  Hadlee is three months old now.  

We met them up at Itasca State Park. 

I also delivered a bag of "stuff" for my sister.   "Stuff" being things my Mother never threw away. 

Far Side

Happenings

 Not too much snow left yet. 

June the snow bank is barely hanging in there.

Far Guy had blood tests and a chest x ray.  No pneumonia although his white blood count is up, after two days trying to get a script to the correct pharmacy I recalled a bottle that had a fill left on it.  Who knows when or if the script will get to the correct pharmacy.  No one does their job anymore.  Anyways...I am trying my best to keep Far Guy out of the hospital. 

My other baby brother called Wednesday morning, our brother in law Dean was in an accident and life flighted out to St Cloud and the puppy Lolli was with the Highway Patrol.  We went to the scene of the accident to get the puppy. We found out later that Dean has a broken sternum.  I took Lolli and gave her a quick exam...she seemed okay...everything worked.  I dropped her off at my baby brothers, he has Baxter and dog food.  He discovered a small spot near Lolli's anus after she pooped...he took her to the Vet and she has a rectal bruise. Poor puppy.  My baby brother and his bride, Baxter and Lolli went to St Cloud to see how Dean and my sister were doing.  My sister Julie was on her way to work at a Regional Office in Thief River Falls when she got the phone call about the accident....so she had a really long drive.  We are thankful that Dean will be okay eventually, he will have pain for a really long time. 

Far Side

Sister's birthday

 My sister is older today.  She is still pretty young...as I was almost 15 when she was born.

My Dad and my sister were deer hunting together a number of years ago. 

Happy Birthday Julie!

Far Side

Annie

 Not sure how many "Annie" Boston Terriers my sister has had...one was named Nellie.  My parents  had two "Annies." 

My sister's Annie came to our house on Friday.  She will be going home on Monday. 

 Here she is looking for Chipmunks....she likes to chase them...if she was a little faster and could breathe quietly and the Chippy was slower and deaf...

Yesterday she had quite a day.

She looks pretty innocent????  Looks are deceiving...

Far Guy and I wanted to attend a 50th Wedding Anniversary.   So we left her with my baby brother and his bride for the afternoon...she likes Baxter and Baxter likes her.  Well the two made a "pack"( I am sure Annie was the gang leader)..and they took off.   Everyone at my baby brothers...5 adults and 4 children went off looking for them.   They were eventually located in the woods...which is better than in the swamp or the lake. 

Annie rolled in Deer Poop...yuck...I cleaned her up...so she is mad at me and thinks Far Guy is her favorite now...  She may get an entire bath today.

My sister's birthday is today.  Happy 55th Birthday Julie!  I will try to keep your dog safe until you pick her up! 

Far Side

Company bearing gifts

 Our youngest daughter and my sister are having a Christmas Gluten Free Baking Adventure.  They hiked over to visit.  They are baking at my baby brothers lake home. 

We visited outside on the patio.

My sister and her Boston Terrier

They brought gifts.

My sister made potholders for my birthday...they are too pretty to use!  Chex mix and a yummy Rolo, pecan, pretzel treat. All Gluten Free as they both have Celiac Disease... it comes from my Fathers side of the family...so far I have escaped it. 

Soon they got cold and left.  They had many more gluten free recipes to try.  Shortly before they came over they baked some Ginger Snaps and were not sure if they were going to be Ginger Snaps or Ginger Folds. 

Nice to have company.

Far Side

Wistful Wednesday: Gift from the heart

Each year I try to do something a tad special for someone.   Something that might make a difference someday.  Who knows how or when…but maybe if you just believe that is enough.

The antique sleigh bells were a Christmas gift a number of years ago from Jen, Andy, Noah and Adam. Last winter I polished them.

Some ended up with sparkly dark ribbon and some with sparkly white ribbon.

Back in 2006 we received a sleigh bell/jingle bell ornament from Brother In Law Tim, Nephew Jacob and Niece Rachael.  It always has a special place on our tree.

  They wrote; “ Merry Chistmas 2006 from Tim, Jacob and Rachael!  We hope you enjoy this authentic Victorian Sleigh (Jingle) Bell.  It would be difficult to figure out the exact date that it was made , but it is close to 100 years old if not older.  The kids and I have restored this bell and offer it to you in celebration of the Christmas season.  We hope that you will find a place on your tree or perhaps and entry door to hang it and each time you hear it jingle, be reminded of all your blessings in life.”

Tim died November 1st, 2018.  He has two grandsons both just babies…one is a year old and the other a few months old.  They haven’t a chance to remember their Grandfather.  So two bells along with the story were mailed to the oldest Grandson with instructions to share with his cousin someday.

My sister with Tim, Rachael and Jacob.  I believe this photo was taken in 1995.

Other recipients of the sleigh bells were our daughters, grandchildren and our great grandson.

Wistful Wednesday: Christmas 1977

This photo was taken at my parents home on the lake December 24, 1977.

My baby brother has his arms around all the girls.  My sister is in the back she was 11 years old.  Trica age 5 and Jennifer age 2 in the front.  My baby brother would have been 23 in 1977 and he was a student in Tulsa Oklahoma and not yet married, but would be the next summer.

Trica and Jenny had similar dresses, floor length, gingham and white dresses with flowers on the front.

My Dad ( age 51) in back, then me (age 26), my other baby brother ( age 17), my Mom ( age 48) with Jennifer, Trica and Julie in front.

I think someone in the family still has that couch…although it has been recovered.

Wistful Wednesday: Christmas 1971

This photo was taken at my parents home at the farm in 1971.

Far Guy holding Snuffer our dog. The lady laughing is Far Guy’s Aunt Beryl…she was widowed in January of 1971 (Uncle Ron was just 52 years old when he died.) My Dad with a big grin on his face is handing Beryl a snow shovel with a poinsettia on it. My other baby brother ( age 11) and my sister (age 5) look on.  I believe that Aunt Beryl had complained about an old beat up snow shovel.

Far Guy is holding Snuffers muzzle to keep her from barking…she was a great watch dog!  She was just a few months old.  She was a $5 mutt part Scottie that Far Guy bought at a garage sale for my birthday. ( Snuffer lived a good long time and helped raise our girls to like animals.)

I believe that this photo was taken on Christmas Eve 1971.  Far Guy had a lot more hair back then…we were both college students at Moorhead State College now Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Wistful Wednesday: 1977

In 1977 our daughters were 5 and almost 2.

Trica, Jennifer and my sister Julie age 11 who has her hands full.  The Boston Terrier was Annie.  I think my parents had two Boston Terriers named Annie.  This photo was taken at my parents resort on the north end of the lake. 

 

My adventure

About six weeks ago my niece Toots gave birth to a much awaited baby boy named Ray.  She and her husband live a little more than an hour away.  I had a gift for the baby and wanted to deliver it before he out grew it and before the weather and the roads got bad.  They also live about ten miles from a second hand shop that usually has old photos.

Some of the roads near one of the lakes had icy curves but other than that it was a nice drive.

I enjoyed seeing their new home, meeting the dogs, having a good visit with Toots and of course meeting baby Ray.  I got to hold him for a good long time. Ray is my sister Julie’s grandson.

His little outfit says Hero and he had a golden cape attached to the back.

I finally irritated him enough taking his photo that he woke up!   He is a much loved little boy.

It seems I picked a really good day to be gone. The next day we had our third snow.

We have 2+ inches of snow on the ground. I guess we are beginning our six months of winter.

So I had a good adventure… stopping to take photos whenever I wanted,  visiting at a second hand shop where I am known as “the old picture lady,” meeting baby Ray and I topped off the day by getting back to town just in time for my oil change appointment.  Far Guy and Chance did just fine by themselves for the day.

Heads Up

Relatives on my side of the family have an autoimmune disorder called Celiac Disease or Celiac sprue.  When you have the disease you are very sensitive to gluten. When you eat gluten you may have a variety of symptoms; bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation or vomiting.  There are about 200 different symptoms.

My Dad was diagnosed in about 1999.  In retrospect his brother Adolf most likely died from it in 1998.  My Aunt Anna was diagnosed a number of years ago about the same time as Cousin Geraldine.

My sister Julie has been diagnosed with it and her son Jacob who not only has the gluten intolerance but a dairy intolerance also.

Our youngest daughter Jennifer was diagnosed about two weeks ago.

Cross contamination in kitchens, the same spatula used to flip a pancake and then used to flip your egg can cause you to become ill.  Using the same toaster for regular bread and then gluten free bread.  If someone in your family has Celiac then you are better off having the whole household go gluten free.

From the Celiac Foundation:

When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body.

Celiac disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease.

So far I have escaped this disease.  I do not eat certain foods…pancakes which I love but rarely eat.  There are also certain places I do not eat…some resturaunts are worse than others…some must not be as clean as my system likes.  Here at home I adhere to a clean side and dirty side of the kitchen and if they meet, then everything gets disinfected.  I also have a limited amount of fru fru on my kitchen counters.

Flashback to 1982

I am still in the process of sorting and organizing.  I should be ashamed of myself for tucking so many things away in different places.  I will blame it on the three moves between 1995 and 1998 and putting “stuff” into storage several times.

Yesterday I found a piece of heavy cardboard in a drawer, tucked inside were many old 8 x 10 photos. Now they are on my desk to be scanned. They will make good blast from the past blog fodder.

We gathered at the top of the hill overlooking Straight Lake at my parents resort (Bass Bay).   Mom had hired the cranky old photographer from town.  He really didn’t take his time to get good photos.

The year was 1982.  At this time my parents had six grandchildren. My Mom is holding Katie (6 months old) and Dad is holding Benjamin (2 months old).  Jennifer (age 7) is sitting uncomfortably on the edge of the two lawn chairs.  Trica has her eyes closed (age 10).  Our dog Snuffer is running around someplace…irritating the photographer.

Back row: Julie (my sister), me, Far Guy, Jody (my other baby brother) She who sees Robin’s first with Josh (age 2), Beth and Carey(my baby brother) holding Kirk (not quite 2).
This summer will mark 35 years since this photo was taken.  It seems impossible…but the calendar doesn’t lie.