Blooms

 We went to recycle and stopped along the way to admire a few blooms.

The white lilacs are still looking good, the old fashioned purple lilacs are looking a tad old...the warm weather last week was hard on them. 

We planted a pot of red Petunias and some who knows what color maybe they are all white Snapdragons.   I am sure the deer will eat them sometime soon.  

The deer are coming into the yard to drink out of the bird baths. I think one is either a new Mom or about to be a new Mom.

Minnesota weather: High 79F or 26C    Low was 60F or 16C 

What's cooking?  Salad and Steak 

News:  She who sees robins first had a knee replacement on Wednesday.  It all went well and she should be able to come home on Thursday.   Aubrey and Katie came over to visit on Tuesday...Aubrey is doing well and goes back to the Cities for a re check soon.  

Far Side

Hark! Back! Issue #2

Hark! Back! Is a look back at blogs that appeared in a now defunct blogging site before I started with blogger in September of 2008.  They are in no particular order. 

April 05, 2008

Conversation with a three year old

Last evening I spent some time with one of my Great Nephews...he was three on April first.  I asked him what he wanted for his birthday...the party is on Sunday...he replied "Cake."  I asked him what kind of presents he wanted..."Balloons."  I made the mistake of calling him "Honey"...he replied "My name is not Honey it is Mason."  I asked him if I couldn't call him Honey anyway...he replied "No, I am Mason" then he would scrunch up his face, roll his eyes and extend his lower lip.  I explained that Honey was a nice name...and he changed the subject.

During my conversation with my new Honey/Mason...I discovered he had a haircut by Pam, had a good day at Barbs, Barb has two dogs with no names, his sister was asleep and so was his Mother, he wants to be an Excavator driver when he gets big, his Grandpa is not my brother, his Grandpa was never ever a little boy, his Dad was never ever little either, his Dad is big and Grandpa is his Dad's favorite.

I have an old jar that I keep on the counter in the kitchen...filled with Tootsie Pop Suckers.  Most small children leave the house with a sucker in hand.  Mason always chooses one for himself and one for his sister...he wanted a green one again.  I have never tried the new green ones...but they have passed the Mason test...he said they are yummy.

Well while I was enjoying my conversation with Mason his Grandmother was out walking and saw six Robins behind our house.  She always seems to be really lucky seeing the first Robins of Spring:) 

*******

Mason and Chance in April of 2015

Mason is all grown up...he was 21 on his last birthday and yes he is an Excavator driver.  He has a beautiful gal who is Miss Minnesota this past year.

Far Side

Sunday

 Quiet day, we worked outside a bit...raked some and worked on another project on the patio.  My other baby brother and she who see robins first stopped by to visit.  Happy Birthday today to she who sees robins first!

Late in the afternoon I sold some "stuff" and we had to go to Osage to meet up with the gal.  The "stuff" was weaving bobbins that came with my spinning wheel a long time ago and have nothing to do with spinning or so I was told by an expert!

I took a photo on the way back.

We had some sunshine in the morning.  

We dropped off some books and bookmarks for the Little Library...it still had some books that I dropped off last Fall.  Maybe the Summer readers are not here yet! 

Minnesota weather:  High 57F or 14C  Low was 42F or 6C.  It is supposed to rain all day on Monday...we will see if that happens. 

What's cooking?  Leftovers warmed in the microwave:)

Far Side

Going

It rained, it was warm...we had snow fog all morning on Sunday...the snow melts so fast it makes it foggy.  We did not get to the forecasted 70F.

June is going...going...but not gone yet.

 Not a speck of green anywhere.

Sunday afternoon we had lunch at my other baby brothers and she who sees robins first...hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and all the fixings.  It was really yummy!   We missed seeing one of their daughters ( she was working) and two grandsons in  North Dakota...everyone else was there.  Fun to see them all again after a long Winter...the little kids are getting taller! 

Minnesota weather: High 64 F or 18C  Low was 40F or 4C. 

Far Side

Stash

 I finished one blanket using up part of my "stash."

It is a shell stitch.  I  was not thrilled with the one blue/grey bunch of yarn but it is what it is. 

Yesterday was a busy day.  Far Guy tackled all kinds of small projects while I did some laundry and got rid of a bunch of over the hill stuff in the fridge!

We made pork chops and rice for supper with peaches. 

Friday night we went out with my other baby brother and she who sees robins first for supper at a local place...the food was good.  

Saturday was the Frozen Four Championship.  So we watched hockey in the afternoon. 

Minnesota weather:  High 46F or 8C  Low was 40F or 4C.  It rained a little.  It is supposed to be 70F on Sunday...we will see if that happens.  I think we still have too much snow cover for that to happen!

Far Side

Making goodies

 Sunday was baking/creating day.  Maddie came over with the Greats.

Maddie made peanut butter blossoms, a chocolate chip/Reeses cookie and then Bugles with some almond bark and a M &M...I think it was supposed to look like a Grinch hat:)  

Andy made truffles, pretzels with a Hersheys kiss and an M&M...one night last week we did the pretzels with a Rolo candy and a pecan on top. 

I got to feed Baby K.  She got really mad at me when her bottle was done...her mood goes from okay to screaming crisis mode just like that.  No whining or fussing...just screaming!

She is very focused on her Mother's voice and her siblings make her giggle.   She had a bubble bath and afterwards I clipped her fingernails while she was asleep!

I can report that Maddie put an undershirt on the child!!

It was a chilly day.  High was 6F or -14C low was 3F or -16C 

Supper was a bacon cheeseburger, french fries and a chocolate shake...Andy is one heck of a cook!

Happy 46th Anniversary to my other baby brother and she who sees robins first!  

Far Side

Train

 This is one of the puzzles that we picked up at the puzzle exchange at the library.

Proof that we finished it!

It was a difficult puzzle.  

Sunday we met my other baby brother and she who sees robins first for lunch and a quick visit as they had been in North Dakota for Thanksgiving visiting Katie, Hunter, Gavin, Jordan and Aubrey.  Gavin and Jordan have moved into their own apartment.  Both have good jobs and are striking out on their own. 

We had leftovers for supper and cleared out a bit of "whats in the fridge".

Minnesota weather; High was 20F or -7C Low was 3F or -16C eh! 

Only 7 medical appointments this week practically a vacation...and two days this week we have nothing scheduled!

Far Side

News from Home

 My other baby brother and she who sees robins first are avid deer hunters!  We encourage them because they share the canned venison with us!!  If you have never tried canned venison...it is the most tender flavorful meat ever!  My Mother used to can venison every year. 

Here they are happy as clams in their heated hunting deer stand!  It is one classy deer stand!!

Jody also sent a photo of the pretty sky on November 11, 2025.

It is fun to get photos and news from home! 

Yes they harvested a deer! 

Far Side

Cards and other stuff

 I have a container that I had been putting parts of homemade cards in all Summer/Fall.  Some were photos I have taken, some were stamped watercolor images.   There was a bunch of them...I did not count.  One day I coordinated colored paper to frame the images.  The past few days I have assembled them and emptied the box!  Yeah me!  My desk and the dining room table have been a creative mess!

Saturday was a busy day, I had an early morning appointment at the Dentist for yet another new crown. After that we went by Burger King for a biscuit with egg, bacon and cheese.  Then home to do odds and ends all day long...and a nap:) 

I worked outside for awhile putting away chairs, rakes etc...bringing the snow shovel to the front door.  Almost all done with that in preparation for Winter.   It will snow sooner or later!

My other baby brother and she who sees robins first stopped by to visit and they brought us some canned venison.  So that was supper along with toast and peaches.  Next week Deer Hunting begins in Minnesota and they are hopeful to get a couple of deer!

Minnesota weather:  High of 40F or 4C Low was 34F or 1C eh! 

Oh by the way I am Falling Back...I hate the time change. 

Far Side

Sunday

 Sunday was uneventful.  We finally felt up to working on the 2025 Christmas woodcarvings.  They are in all stages of progress... 26 are nearing completion...maybe. 

Minnesota weather: High was 54F and the low was 29F according to Far Guy...when I got up moisture was dripping off the garage roof. 

For supper we had salad, fish, carrots and pineapple.  The carrots that my baby brother and his wife canned were delicious!

My other baby brother and she who sees robins first came by to visit in the evening.

We have a fairly busy week with five medical appointments...however two are virtual...but one is far away....and so it goes. 

A large warm blanket a birthday gift from neighbor JoLynn!  Thanks Jo! She knows I like sunflowers!

Far Side

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.

Busy days

 Puzzles, crocheting, woodcarving, enjoying time outside sitting in the sunshine and going out for lunch with Jen, Andy, my other baby brother and she who sees robins first who stopped by to check on us on their way back from Western North Dakota. Oh yes and going for a ride in the 1976 Corvette.  What a nice ride! AND petting Sadie..of course that is a great activity!

Far Guy is gaining strength and his appetite, now keeping him from overdoing is a concern.  He had a very nice nap after all the activity!

Far Side

Colorful

Sunday my other baby brother and she who sees robins took us out to lupper at our favorite Mexican place.  The food was great as was the company.   Far Guys stomach was a bit iffy but the ice tea seemed to work a bit of magic so he could eat a taco. Yeah for another no cooking day!

We wood carved on the Christmas ornaments for a little while.  It was a very nice Fall day.

The driveway is getting colorful.

 Minnesota weather: High 79F or 27C Low was 68F or 20C.

We have four medical appointments this week. I think Tilly has an appointment to get her transmission leak checked...so that will be the excitement for our week. 

Far Side

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