Saturday

 The smoke from Canada made it to Minnesota, we stayed indoors all day.

  We had several naps through out the day. 

For supper I made baked potatoes and steak for me and salmon for Far Guy... there is enough leftover for lunch.  Far Guy doesn't have much of an appetite.  

I crocheted for a bit, and did some laundry.

My brothers came over and mowed the lawn on two mowers so it went fast. My baby brother put out some ant traps for me outside.  She who sees robins first put some flavored water in the fridge and refilled the box that is on a shelf that I can reach.  We had a nice visit with them all! 

Far Side

Trillium

 The Trillium are in bloom. 

This is a nice patch that extends off in to woods who knows how far..I guess as far as the eye can see:)

Such a simple pretty flower!

Minnesota Weather; High 86 F or 30 C and the low was 60 F or 16 C eh.  Wild Fire Smoke from Canada filled the air so we did not go outside the house.  We have two air purifiers going inside the house all the time.

We had a quiet Sunday. I cleaned out the bathroom closet and my bathroom drawer that holds everything I need daily.  Laundry and deep cleaning the bathroom kept me busy in the afternoon.   My other baby brother and she who sees robins first stopped by to visit. 

Supper was Tri Tip Steak and baked potato. 

Far Side

 

Easter report

 We were invited to my other baby brothers and she who sees robins first for Easter dinner on Saturday afternoon.  22 people were there, it was an awesome dinner; ham, potato salad, fruit salad, chips, vegetables and dip, pickles, rice krispy bars and fresh fruit.  It was a nice day all the children big and little headed out for a rousing game of Annie I Over the garage, there was lots of giggling and running!  The EGGciting news is that my other baby brother and she who sees robins first will be GREAT Grandparents in October!  This also means that our niece Stacey and husband Justin will be Grandparents! 

On Sunday we had a quiet day at home, Far Guy worked on my lawn mower for the upcoming mowing season...I think it got a new air filter, oil filter and spark plug...all set to go!  I scanned a bunch of obituaries and added them to Find A Grave.   Late in the day we went for a Ranger Blue ride. 

Maddie sent photos of our Great Grandchildren with their Easter baskets! 

Hey Mikey

Cee Cee 

Peach 

They should be well sugared up for a day or two! 

Far Side

What a week

 It was a busy week.  

Monday: Injection into my SI joint left side...the usual sting like a bee...hold real still.  About 48 hours after the injection I noticed some relief.  Not  a lot ...but some.   The Dr. there thinks I have multiple problems...SI joint, L4 and L5, RA and PTLDs (Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome).  Go figure.  I am on the wait list to see the Neurosurgeon...right now my appointment is on May 30.  Who knows when or if I can have surgery.  Supper was BLTs and peaches.

Tuesday: A day off to catch up with the many things on my desk and a number of things on my mind.  I sewed on buttons, put away some odds and ends properly.  Supper was Pork Chops and Wild Rice.

Wednesday:  I did the grocery shopping after I had a Dexa Scan...from the report it looks like my bones are better than in 2017.  Who knew?  Supper was Moons Over My Hammy ( Over easy eggs on bread topped with sliced ham and cheese and then grilled to perfection).

Thursday: Stopped by the Clinic and had Lab work...all is well there.  Got the car gassed up and went through the car wash, and to the bank while Far Guy had his weekly infusion.  He is finally feeling a bit stronger and is coughing less...he is walking and keeping track of his steps. I spent some time on the phone with some idiots at our Internet/TV provider who changed their billing software which caused a glitch in how I pay their bill. Of course they want me to pay using their system and not bill pay...I told them forget that crap.  I do all the payments through bill pay at our bank. Dumb asses...they also asked me to rate their customer service...ya u betcha.  Supper was salad and Impossible Italian Sausage Pie.

Friday: Far Guy has an appointment with a dietician to see what other high protein things I can feed him to gain back some of the 20 pounds he lost in the last year...10 pounds were lost just in March alone.  I have a Rheumatology virtual appointment on Friday afternoon.  I have little to no confidence in him.  Right now I take Tylenol and THC Gummies for the pain.  Supper will be Apple Pancake.

Not sure what the weekend will bring...other than maybe all the snow will melt in the yard. 

We saw six Robins as we drove into our yard yesterday...I sat outside quite awhile in the evening hoping to hear or see a Robin...no luck...I heard a Crow and a Woodpecker.  I am certain she who sees robins first saw the robins before me again! 

Far Side

Visit

 Had a quick visit with my other baby brother,  she who sees robins first, Katie, Aubrey, Brooke and Olivia.  They were in town for a basketball game, she who sees robins first had a bit of a cold so we met at  Cabelas by the fish tank where there was a bench.  Good to see everyone and wave at my sister in law! 

They all would have stayed with us but they did not want to chance getting Far Guy sick. 

I ran across this photo the other day.

My other baby brother, cousin Kevin and our Paternal Grandfather (Grandpa Sam)

I believe the photo was taken in the summer of 1961 as my other baby brother was born in October of 1960. 

My Grandpa Sam liked to visit, he would often show up at our home unannounced.   In this photo he is dressed for a weekday or a Saturday; long underwear, shirt, bib overalls, coat and his everyday hat.  The pink peppermints that he shared with children would have been in one pocket wrapped in a white handkerchief.  He wore long underwear year round to keep the heat in or out.  His Sunday clothing was different than everyday, on Sunday he wore dark pants and a white shirt and tie....he also saved his hearing aid batteries for use on Sunday so he could hear the sermon in Finn.  He chewed tobacco and could spit a long ways...which used to irritate his many daughter in laws and his two daughters.   Grandpa Sam was widowed when he was 63 years old ( Grandma Hilda was 64 years old when she died) ...he visited many different widows over his lonely years and finally married a nice lady who we called Grandma Annie, who he outlived by 10 years.  Grandpa Sam died when he was five days short of his 88th birthday back in 1978.  

I got to thinking about my Dad's brothers and sisters...how old were they when they died?

Wilbert 77, Hugo 73, Jalmer 42, Ervin 59, Oscar 56, Arthur 23, Adolf 76, George 74, Einard 6 months, My Dad Jake 96, Marie 82, Andrew 67, Arnold 59 and Anna 85.  They mostly died from cancer or heart attacks.

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

Uffda x2

 I had the high dose flu shot on Monday afternoon...3 days later I am still feeling like death warmed over. BUT it must be better than the flu. Right? 

To make things even more difficult...our septic system water sensor alarm started beeping Monday night...the phone was ringing and the alarm was going off...the alarm company wanted to make sure we were aware..."yes I know it is going off we are dealing with the situation"   Far Guy said "Something is plugged."  I called my other baby brother and his phone went to voice mail...it was 10 PM ...I called she who sees robins first and she answered right away.  She woke up my other baby brother and he and our Great Nephew Mason came right over...they decided it was tree roots...got it partially unplugged enough so that water would drain out...and they would fix it in the morning.  

So the next morning nephew Josh, Ryan and David came to dig up the tree root clogged septic line. 

They replaced the pipe and hopefully it will take another 26 years to become clogged with tree roots again.   My brother says it is normal for tree roots to seek water and cause problems over time. 

Luckily my other baby brother lives right next door and he owns a Construction Company that does septic systems and all kinds of dirt work.   How lucky are we??  Very lucky to have someone you can call late at night and will put you on his list for repairs the next morning!  

Living in the boonies has it's challenges. 

Far Side

Something old

 Our Great Niece Hailey was married yesterday to the love of her life Isaac.  Hailey is the oldest granddaughter of my other baby brother and she who sees robins first.  The first of their Grands to get married. 

The wedding was outdoors. 

We sat on hay bales.  Immediate family sat on chairs.   It was a short but sweet ceremony.  It was a bit windy but the sun was shining.

When I congratulated Hailey and Isaac in the receiving line  ...Hailey showed me the something old that I had given to her at her wedding shower.  It was a simple hankie that belonged to her Great Great Grandmother then her Great Grandmother and then to me.  The hankie was tied around the stems of her wedding bouquet.  It was perfect as something old. 

Other things old...are my siblings. 

Hailey's Grandfather my other baby brother is on the left, my sister, me and my baby brother. 

It was a good day.

Far Side

Queen - agers

 Usually I am not impressed with stuff on Facebook but one of my friends posted that older women should be known as Queen - agers.  That is a nice thought. 

I am not much for the political drama, I will leave it all in God's hands.  In fact I am just too old for any kind of drama.  The latest drama is a prior authorization for a med that Far Guy uses...he has been after a new prescription for about six weeks now...it is one thing after another...the Dr didn't write it correctly, the Dr changed it, have the Dr resend the script, the Dr ordered a quantity not covered by insurance, you need a prior authorization ...it is an on going drama. 

Enough of that.  

We are getting fresh sweet corn now and it is wonderful!  So we are planning meals around sweet corn...grilled cheese, brats, moons over my hammy....they all work well with sweet corn.  

On Sunday we went to our favorite Mexican place with my baby brother, she who sees robins first, Jen and Andy. We did not get our favorite waitress but she stopped by to say Hi!  Jen and Andy came to visit the old folks...Jen vacuumed out the sauna and Andy blew out my dusty garage and dumped the shop vac for me. We had a fun time with Sadie...she loves all the sticks in our yard. 

 I am still waiting for a referral to the Orthopedic Dr and a referral to a different Rheumatologist.  The Rheumatology Dept needs a referral then it goes to a committee to see if you should be seen by Rheumatology, then to another group to assign you a Doctor and then you get an appointment.  So it could be months. 

Far Side

Saturday

 We had a nice day, we sat outside with my other baby brother and she who sees Robins first...she has not seen any yet this Spring...so I still have a chance.  It was a windy day.  They helped us get the patio furniture out of the garage. 

We went to the dump in the morning and to recycle.  Cross that off our list.   I managed to give the downstairs bathroom a real good clean! 

Far Guy had a good day, he feels better than he did a few days ago...so that is progress.  If he keeps improving I can take one eye off of him and relax a bit. We might be at the edge of the woods...yeah us! 

Far Side

44 years

 My other baby brother and she who sees robins first are celebrating 44 years of wedded bliss today! 

I scanned this photo, it was amongst all the photos my Mom kept.  Funny thing I do not recall their wedding dance....of course we had two small children so we probably didn't stay long.   Not sure who took the photo or where the dance was.

Happy Anniversary!

Far Side

More leaves

 Yesterday afternoon I mulched leaves at my other baby brothers home.   It is most likely my last time there this Fall.  Our weather is supposed to change in a few days.  The S word has been mentioned a few times...and Red says that he is sending snow from Canada...neighborly of him! 

You can see where I have mulched and the area I was working on. 

A bit later my other baby brother brought me a bottle of water and she who sees robins first came out to visit a bit.   It was warmer than yesterday. 

They have a couple of golden colored trees in their upper yard.  I mow and take care of my other baby brothers leaves at his home, his shop and another property.  He in turn keeps our snow plowed in the driveway and our yard!

Far Guy put away half of our chairs and rolled the patio table away into the garage.   We brought in things from the garage that would freeze the other day...car detailing stuff, Round Up, Poison Ivy Killer and Ant stuff.

I should bring a S shovel up to the front door...

Far Side

Weekend Activities

 We went for a couple of trail rides with my other baby brother and she who sees robins first.  I won't explain why they were both opening their doors going down the trail.

One night as we were returning home the moon was coming up. 

In other activities, we worked on the Christmas Ornaments.   I have decided how to paint them and have completed a sample.   It will work.   I made a list of the things I need to complete that project.  Far Guy is not done carving yet...and I can paint them later in the Fall when the weather outside gets rotten.  

I designed the outside of this years Christmas Card.  I have yet to work out the inside.   I ordered card stock and envelopes and made a list of what I need to finish the cards...a few brushes and some water color pencils.   I hope to have everything in process so that I can put them together during the craft retreat in October. 

We trimmed some branches that were bugging me when I was mowing the lawn.  I hate the ones that I have to push out of the way with my arm! Far Guy and my other baby brother put new mulching blades on my lawn mower ...so when the leaves begin to fall I can mulch them.   I mulch about ten different times before the leaves are all out of the trees. 

We have a very busy week ahead of us. Lots of appointments and places we have to be.  Next week isn't looking much better. 

Far Side

Gaillardia

 The Gaillardia or Blanket flowers are in full bloom.  

I enjoy them when I go to check on the tomatoes. 

I have several yellow blooms. 

I do nothing to tend these flowers, I collect their seed and mow them off before winter.   They get water that the good Lord provides in rain. 

Speaking of rain...we got an inch plus of rain Sunday into Monday.  

Yesterday Far Guy and I ran errands and stopped to visit with a few of the people at our old wood carving group.    Came home and made Chicken Enchiladas for supper...I made a big pan so two nights in the future we will have easy meals. 

Yarn may have been delivered because when the Post Man tried to stuff the bags into the mail box the steel post that supports the three mail boxes broke ...my other baby brother and she who sees robins first came along and helped us fix it.  We share the post with them and also with my nephew.  It should be good for another 20 years. 

Far Side

Easter Weekend

 On Saturday we enjoyed Ice Cream with my parents...and I gave them each a hug.   They have completed their vaccinations and so have we.   Isolation has been hard for them...especially Mom who is a very social person. 

On Sunday we watched church online.  Far Guy and I cooked a nice meal...Roast beef...

On Easter Sunday I saw my first Robin and took a photo out the kitchen window.   Far Guy and I saw a Robin in our tree last Thursday...but before I could take a photo it took off...probably to she who sees robins first house. 

Here is the Robin record in our yard. 

April 19 2008, April 11 2009, April 5 2010, April 4 2011, March 23 2012, April 27 2013, April 9 2014, April 24 2015, April 21 2016, April 5 2017, April 29 2018, Late May 2019, March 31 2020 and now April 4 2021.

For us usually snowbound isolated people in Minnesota... the first Robin in our yard is a big thing! 

Far Side

“From the beginnings of history, people have searched for order and meaning in these events [phenological events], but only a few have discovered that keeping records enhances the pleasure of the search, and also the chance of finding order and meaning. These few are called phenologists.” – Aldo Leopold (1947)

Sundogs

 We had sundogs on Friday morning.  I took a photo out the dining room window. 

We got a phone call that our Income Taxes were done....so we decided it was an okay day ( better than next week when it will be bone chilling cold) to go to town to sign the proper papers and pay the bill.  We could cross something off our list of things to do! 

It was blowing a bit out there.  

In the morning she who sees robins first dropped off our mail and in the afternoon she dropped off venison soup!  It was delicious and had lots of carrots!!  I had it for supper, Far Guy had a small bowl of soup with his lasagna. 

Friday is usually catch up day around the house... I did some laundry, dusted and cleaned the bathroom...had a nice nap in the afternoon. 

Far Side