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

Blooms

In warmer climates..they have blooms.  Photo from my sister.

 We will have blooms in a couple of months.  After all it is Minnesota...my Dad used to say that over his years he witnessed snow in Minnesota every month of the year.  I wish I could recall what years he said...but I cannot.

Minnesota weather: Sunny!  high 48F or 9C low was 25F or -4C eh!  

We had a quiet day on Saturday.  Far Guy did some woodcarving.  I did some laundry and crocheting. 

I made potato salad and Andy grilled steaks so it was almost a Summertime meal.  And it was delicious!

Saturday evening they are all watching hockey, I will join them for a bit...hockey is ok ...I can watch a bit and no one gets upset if I ask dumb questions!  Then I will escape to read:)

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Getting Ready

 For Winter.  There is no doubt that Winter will come to Minnesota sooner or later.  Yesterday we pre bought all the propane for our furnace and fireplace for the Winter.   Check that off our list.  The pre buy program works well for us, we know up front what the cost will be for the whole year.  We usually order more than we use ( just in case it is extremely cold Winter) so they carry over the credit.  Last year it cost $904 to heat our home for the year. We think that is very reasonable.  We never have to call for fills either as the gas company monitors the tank. ( I don't have to traipse back there to check the levels and then call them.)  We usually keep our thermostat at 74 degrees during the Winter, if we are gone we turn it down to 70.  We do not like being cold. 

We are both anxious to hear what the Oncologist has to say at the end of the week.  We will be happy when the next battle plan is in place.  We both want to move along on this fight with Cancer...we want to win the battles and eventually the war!  Being patient is hard...and being THE patient is even harder. 

Yesterday I was busy all day except for a restful reading, watching TV nap time.  Laundry and some cleaning was calling my name.  Far Guy did some woodcarving. 

Supper was left overs in the fridge! 

Minnesota weather: High was 68F or 20C Low was 50F or 10C eh!  There were freeze warnings for way Northern Minnesota.

A huge snow drift at my parents home a few years ago. Photos found on my Mom's SD cards.

Here is my Dad walking back from the bird feeders after someone had snow blowed a trail for him.

It has been a number of years since we have seen that amount of snow. 

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Memorial Day 2025

 We remember those who died while fighting for our freedom.

My Dad's brother Arthur died on May 20, 1944 and is buried overseas in the Sicily Rome American Cemetery.   

I wonder when my Grandparents received the news...was it before or after Decoration Day in 1944?

My Grandmother is a Gold Star Mother.   She had 12 sons and 2 daughters.  Five of her sons would serve in the military...one died and two carried wounds for the rest of their lives. 

We visited the cemetery where my grandmother is buried.  Someone moved her Gold Star Mother marker over onto my grandfathers grave.  Well you can bet I moved it right back when it belongs. 

My Dad does still not have a Veteran's flag holder but someone left him a flag. 

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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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1953 or 1954 Deer Hunting

 I have several old photographs of me and a deer. 

Who: My Dad and me

Where: the Farm in Carsonville Township

Why:  Hunting photo

When:  1953 or 1954  I am either two or three years old.

I believe that is my Uncle Adolf on the left and my Dad on the right.  Note my fancy headscarf...most likely a dish towel.  The windows in the center of the photo were living room windows, the outside wood chute is the little toot on the left and the door to the house is on the far right. 

Here we have another person...Uncle George or maybe my Aunt Marie's husband Uncle Kenneth on the far left. 

I wish I knew exactly who was who...but in the end it is my Dad and his brothers or his brother in law  at the end of a good hunt. 

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Marker

 My Dad's Veteran's grave marker is in place.  He still needs a flag holder.  

Good to see that it was in place. 

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Peaches

 We got two flats of peaches from the local Lion's Club fundraiser.  Every year they truck in peaches from Colorado.   They have excellent flavor.

We went easy on ourselves this year...usually we slip the skins on the peaches...this year I pealed them and sliced them.  (better than Far Guy standing over a hot stove),  Far Guy put a small amount of sugar on them and some fruit fresh and then vacuum sealed them into servings for two. (about a peach and a half) They they were put in the deep freeze...next Fall and Winter we will enjoy them because they are as good as fresh! 

What a sticky mess we made!

I have a story about my Dad and Peaches.   I used to dog sit for Al and Erna the next door neighbors.  They had a poodle named Peaches.  She got along well with our dogs, so it was not a problem.   My Dad would often come over in the afternoon for a cup of coffee/cookies and he would bring along a paperback novel hidden in his coat pocket, he would settle in with his coffee and his book in the recliner and read for awhile.  (My Mother did not like him wasting time reading at home.) When I was dog sitting Peaches...Dad would say "OH you have Bitches again."  I would reply her name is Peaches...Dad would answer  "Bitches" and then he would proceed to give her bits and pieces of cookies and say "come here Bitches"...and so my afternoon would go.   I told him he better be careful when visiting the neighbors because he could mess up the poor dogs name.  I can still hear him laughing at me!

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Flags for Veterans

 Last week we witnessed flag delivery high on the hill where my parents are buried. 

A few vehicles parked at the bottom of the hill and children emerged with flags. 

My brother asked one of the little girls for a flag since Dad's flag holder is not at the grave yet. 

My Grandmother's Gold Star flag holder on the left and my Dad's flag on the right. 

Since we were there last week my Mother's day of death has been inscribed on the headstone. 

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Family History

 I have to back up a bit in our recent family history.  Back to February 24, 2024 the day of my Mother's funeral and interment.  ( Just in case someone a long time from now wonders...or wants to know because they were not there)

Mom's urn at the church was carried out by her granddaughter Rachael (aka Toots), followed by all of Mom's granddaughters...except for one who was unable to attend.

Luckily because of the warmer than normal Minnesota Winter weather we were able to go to the cemetery for the interment of ashes.  My other baby brother, Nephew Josh and a few others not sure who...dug down to the double vault that contained my Father's urn. 

The Granddaughters bringing the Urn up the hill. 

Mom's urn joins Dad's  ( he has a prayer book that he had with him in Korea on top of his urn)

Our daughter Jen dropping her flower and her sister's flower into the urn vault. 

We visited the grave this week. 

May 22, 2024 the spot that was dug up was reseeded by my baby brother.  New grass will grow there eventually.  The cemetery high on the hill is beautiful in the Spring, the green so intense this year that it almost hurts your eyes. 

Dad's Veterans foot marker is not in place yet nor is his flag holder.  Mom's date of death has not been engraved into the headstone as of yet.

It all takes time.  I for one was very thankful that we could inter Mom's ashes in February, after Dad died in December of 2022  his ashes were not interred until the end of July in 2023...it was a very long seven months for me...it was like the grieving process was halted.  I know we all grieve differently but that waiting was difficult.

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Christmas in 1981

 Found this old photo amongst the photos my Mom has saved. 

The year was 1981. 

Christmas at my parents home at the Resort.  Mom put the tree in the same corner every year. 

My Dad at age 55 is in the photo with three of his grandchildren.  Trica, Jen and Kirk.  Trica was 9 years old, Jen was 6 years old and Kirk was 1 year old ( Kirk belongs to my baby brother and his bride).   You can tell that Jen was in first grade as she has lost her front teeth. 

I don't know what my Mother was thinking when she picked out the carpeting!   Tinsel remains on the tree...as many mentioned yesterday in their comments tinsel was saved from year to year.  It was collected strand by strand and put over a piece of cardboard to use again the next year. 

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One Year Later

 My Dad died a year ago today on his Father's birthday, my Grandfather was 87years old when he died, my Dad was 96 years old when he died.  Dad outlived all of his siblings.  Wilbert was 77, Hugo 73, Jalmer 42, Ervin 59, Oscar 56, Arthur 23, Adolf 76, George 74, Einard 6 months old, Marie 82, Andrew 67, Arnold 59 and Anna 85.  Yes it was a family of 14 children.   Other than World War II and an infant death they all died of heart attacks or cancer except for Uncle Adolf he died of undiagnosed Celiac Disease. My Dad was a cancer survivor...he survived it for 37 years...he also had Celiac Disease....but Dad died from late stage dementia and a form of blood cancer.  

No one else in Dad's family had dementia...but then no one lived as long as Dad.  Dementia is a slow  death that is incredibly hard on everyone.

My Dad is on the far left in the double breasted suit.  This photo was taken in June of 1953 when my Grandmother died of a massive heart attack at the age of 64.  Everyone is present except for Arthur who died in WWII and Einard who died as a baby.   My Aunt Senia is in this photo in the white suit...she was married to my Uncle Wilbert.

 I have many good memories of my Dad, those are the times I choose to recall when I miss him. 

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Deer Hunt

 Deer hunting season opened here in Minnesota on Saturday.   Far Guy and I used to hunt years ago...actually we liked being in the woods...now we live in the woods and can go outside when ever we want!

I come from a hunting family ...all my siblings hunt.

Now a days I hunt with my camera. 

Two fawns and a doe last week in our yard...there was a third fawn but he/she is not in this photo.  They come into the yard every day to eat acorns.

We have one Grandchild that likes to hunt.   She used to spend hunting days with my Dad ( her Great Grandfather).  They both enjoyed hunting together. 

Dad used to call her his good luck hunting charm. 

Maddie got her deer on Saturday.  She said "We saw a couple of bucks, but this one walked right up to the stand and gave me the perfect shot. I am pretty sure Great Grandpa sent her to me, he became my good luck charm."

Photo of Maddie and her deer.

Her Great Grandpa would have been thrilled for her! 

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******

The ornament winners are

Barbara   "Scavenger hunts for clues"

Miss Merry  "Dollhouse"

Ed " Fresh cut Cedar tree"

Please email me  captainconnie2001atyahoodotcom with your mailing address.  Congratulations!

Heavenly Birthday

 My Father gets to spend his first birthday in heaven today!  I am certain he is thrilled to be with all his loved ones who died before him.  He was 96 when he died last December on his Father's birthday.  My Father was the remnant.  

The headstone is not in place yet...but the spot is marked.  Dad's final resting place is between his sister and one of his brothers.  ( The spot where the fresh dirt has been placed) Nearby are his parents and his other sister and two brothers in law.

The Maple trees put on quite a show in the Fall.  We hope that the grass seed that we planted has taken root in the rainy weather we have had in the last week. 

It is a beautiful country cemetery, high on a hill. 

My Father had a good long life which I am so thankful for. 

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All here

 The grandchildren and great grandchildren that could not attend my Dad's funeral last December are here now. 

Last December...

Friday we had a graveside service...

 

My Nephews carrying my Dad's ashes.

The headstone is not in place yet.  The white markers are up for its placement.

It was a very nice committal service.  I am glad it is finally accomplished.

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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

96 years

 Monday morning my Dad died.  He was 96 years old.  He finally got his wish to go to heaven.   He has been wanting to go for such a long time.  I am so happy for him but a bit sad for myself...I will miss seeing his familiar face even when he couldn't remember who I was.  Having a family member with Dementia is hard. 

A few years ago Dad got a glimpse into heaven when he had an episode with an irregular heartbeat and was in the emergency room.  He said   "My body just floated up and I was above the bed and there was the most beautiful light, the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.  Then the light went away and I was back in the bed."  That was the night that they shocked him numerous times to get his heart back in rhythm.  Since that time he has welcomed death...but it took its sweet time coming. 

My Mother is doing as well as can be expected.  She is very tired as she has spent so much time caring for Dad the past couple of weeks...he was somewhat calmer when she was around.  Mom needs a few days of rest. 

I am getting old photos together for the funeral next week.  Music and Bible verses, obituaries and so many details to take care of.  My siblings are doing an awesome job maneuvering Mom through the details. 

Far Guy, Jen and I made a trip to the funeral home for a final goodbye to my Dads body before cremation.  We will all go back a few days before the funeral. 

I am thankful for the 71 years I got to spend with my Dad and I am thankful that his heavenly journey has begun.  He was the remnant...all of his brothers and sisters have preceded him in death. 

Christmas 1953...that was 69 years ago.  I loved seeing the Shiny Brite tree as I recall it when I was little.  I was an only child at that time in my life...looks like I had a new doll and a teddy bear and didn't have to share my Dad with anyone. 

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Veteran's Day

 Many many thanks to all the Veterans! 

Someone hung a picture of a flag on my Dad's door at the Nursing Home.   

February 1951 just before my Dad left for Korea.   That is my Mom in the photo.  I am there too...just not born yet.  Dad would be gone for 14 months. 

Along with Dementia Dad has been diagnosed with PTSD... sometimes he relives his time spent in Korea..I wish he could forget that part of his life...

My husband was in the Air Force/ Air National Guard for over 26 years.  He often says that he served enough time for a couple of people.  Being an Air Force/Air Guard family was not easy.   So with that thought I would like to thank my husband for the time he served our country during the Vietnam Era  and the Gulf War.   I would also like to thank the spouses and children that kept the home fires burning for their Veterans. 

Far Side

Yesterday happenings

A Winter storm in on the way.  Far Guy moved the snowblower next to the door and I grabbed a shovel from the garage.  The last few patio things were put away...chairs and table, watering can and Baxter's water dish. 

I decided to run errands in town and stop by the Nursing Home to see my Dad...he was having a good day and knew who I was and was very happy to see me...he grabbed my hand and didn't want to let go.   I am not sure how much he understood but I updated him on Deer Hunting ( she who sees robins first got a doe), Josh is building a three stall garage, that it was November 9th and that we were going to get a snow storm, the price of gas ($3.49 a gallon) and that it was Election Day yesterday and they are all crooks. 

Dad's go to phrase is "I don't know."  He asked me how many cars I had and if I could take him away and bring him back later.  I said "Not today" and that seemed to pacify him.

I cleaned two more drawers in the bathroom and Far Guy cleaned his drawer because he wanted to get in on the fun too.  The drawers are all done!  I may tackle the bathroom closet soon...or not. 

I had 22 more Christmas cards to finish up...so I worked on them.  

We gave the gas fireplace a test run...just in case the storm knocks out the power.  Always something to look forward to up here in the boonies. 

Far Side

Brown season soon to be white season.

Ornaments anyone?

It has turned cool here, it rained a bit late Thursday.   It was frosty in the early morning Friday.   I did not get up in time to see the frost but Far Guy assured me it was there.  

We are finished with woodcarved Christmas Ornaments!  Yeah us!  I have a few that I will give away here on the blog.  Please share something to be entered...how about sharing what your favorite Christmas Movie or Program was/is. 

My favorite movie is A Christmas Story...where Ralphie almost shot his eye out!  Share your favorite to be entered in the ornament giveaway.   I will mail to the United States and Canada...so enter away until Monday night when I will draw some winners. 

Here is a snowy old photo...that looks like my Dad and I think that is his car on the left...looks like he had a bunch of snow to shovel...and they had a really long drive way too!  Photo taken at my paternal grandparents farm.

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