You Who?

Euonymus alatus aka Burning Bush. (You on i mus) This is one of my favorite shrubs..mine is stuck over on the edge of the parking lot where it is really struggling. No extra water and competition from the woods is tough on it.

It did survive the summer..here it is all frosty one morning. This is a good photo that shows the stem with the tell tale corky looking wings.


I had the perfect opportunity present itself one day. To show you what different exposures do to this shrubs fall color. I found this very interesting and perhaps you will also.

Eastern Exposure..

Southern Exposure..

A few on the south were vibrant orange! None of them on the eastern side of the building were orange. Now I believe that these are all the same plants, planted at the same time. The soil conditions are pretty much the same and no doubt watering and fertilizing is similar. The only thing that is different is the amount of light they receive everyday. Landscapers usually don't get into many different varieties of plants...so I assume that these are the same exact plants on both sides of the building. I could have asked..but I doubt that anyone inside Perkins would have known or cared..they probably would have said You..who?


I have had a tough week this week, can you say "toothache from hell" .. I broke a tooth and got a huge very painful abscess..so I had the first part of a root canal..it took forever to open up the calcified canals. I am on antibiotics..and I am a tad cranky, and I stayed in my Jammies all day yesterday and took lots of naps..and I might just stay in my jammies all day today too. I didn't do well on the first antibiotics ( Clindamycin or the turquoise capsules that make your stomach feel like it is on fire) ..so the Pharmacist called the Dentist and together they came up with a substitute (Cephalexin). I feel much better than I did..I must be better by tomorrow because I am needed at a fundraiser. Chance and Far Guy are taking really good care of me..:)

Wistful Wednrsday: 1941

Cute little boys!  These are two of Far Guys cousins, I admit it..I kinda laughed when I looked at this photo..the littlest boy was pretty much bald even then.  I can look at these photos and figure out who they are...I am wondering who else can in the family?  These two boys are blog readers that never comment..and that is just fine.  This photo was taken just about sixty-eight years ago.  I had Far Guy look at this photo..he said the oldest boys eyes were the recognizing factor for him.

Time just never seems to stop..and the years just keep rolling by faster and faster.  Last summer I completed part of this old photo project..I wanted to scan all the old photos and get the originals back to the people that would appreciate them the most..the people that were in them.  I did..then I found another manila envelope full of snapshots..so they will be getting more old photos sooner or later.  Some are marked..some are not..some I can recognize..some I cannot.

Some photographs are really hard to date, this one I knew had to be taken in the 1940's.. the littlest boy was born in the spring of 1941..so that pretty much solidly dates this photo as being 1941.  Things I like about this photo, the way the boys are dressed and I like the way the oldest boy has struck a pose..he is pretty darn cute.  I have a sneaking suspicion that this photo may have been taken and given to some very proud Grandmas:)

Deer Hunting

Deer hunting is over in our area. Nine days is not nearly enough to thin out the herd. The deer are now just nuts..and they will be that way until the weather changes and they head for the swamps to honker down. I have nearly hit two in the past few days, with the car. Last evening on my way out to the Sauna something with hooves thundered through the yard..Chance was very angry.

I got my deer. She was very cooperative and stood reasonably still for me for quite some time. I had a great time hunting with my camera!

Our Granddaughter Maddie was here with us to hunt with my Dad, her Great Grandpa. Maddie is eleven, she is the only one of our grands to show an interest in learning how to hunt. This is the third year that she has hunted with her Great Grandpa.

I loved having her visit..we did girl "stuff" ..we went to watch Joe's horses in the field and went to visit Odda, the neighbor dog to see how much she had grown. She wanted to see what photographs I had taken recently.. not exactly the typical "girl stuff" .. I visited her and my Dad in the Deer Stand.

She didn't see a thing while in the deer stand for a day and a half. "What did you see Maddie?" "Not a blasted thing Grandma..not even any squirrels." Shortly after we left to take her back home my Dad saw and bagged his deer. If she had stayed just one more hour..

This is my Dads Deer Stand..I love that it has steps instead of a ladder. He has windows that he can open, and he has a Propane Heater that takes the chill off..and a computer chair that is pretty comfortable. He was talking about insulating it..some years it is terribly cold during deer season.. I recall one November when it was twenty below zero..that was sometime back in the late 1970's. This year deer season weather was almost too warm..but there were a few days that it rained..and one morning it snowed.

There is talk of Maddie taking the Gun Safety Class..and there is talk about building a deer stand that could double as a telescope observation deck..and there was talk about the type of gun she needs..something not to heavy..something a little "girly." :)

Old Photos From South Dakota

Back in October I wrote about starting a new blog that takes a look at old photographs.   I did and it is called Forgotten Old Photos..it doesn't appeal to everyone..but I am having a good time with it.  On the day when I wrote about it..one of my commenter's wrote this:

Would you like more, old black and white photo's? Turn of the century? I have quite a few that were my Grandmothers and no one can identify them. You would be welcome to them if you'd like.

On Saturday this package arrived!

Chock full of photographs!  Many Thanks to Dennisranch,  pop on over there and say Hi..he has a pretty good looking spread in South Dakota, and he is a very proud grandpa too!

Far Guy asked me just the other day .."What are you going to do when you run out of photographs? "  I replied I have enough for quite some time..now I have more.  Thanks to the generosity of one of my blog readers:)  

Family Time

We were gone on Friday, but we came  back home on Saturday afternoon.   We headed up north to our daughters.   Far Guy was getting to do one of his favorite things.  Attend a hockey game at "The Ralph" ...with our daughter and son in law.. Far Guy had to cream our daughter in a couple of games of Ping Pong first.. they have had a ping pong war going for a really long time..since she was a teenager.

I got to do one of my favorite things..stay with the grand boys!  They tolerate me,  first they played video games..an x box I think..it is hooked up to the TV and has controllers.  I had played a shoot em up target practice game with Adam in the afternoon..eventually he told me "Grandma, you are done, I am playing all by myself now."  Dismissed by an eight year old!   They eventually wandered to the computers..which left me nothing to do..so I tried the video game by myself.  Well not really by myself..Adam came out and got me started..probably better than me hanging over his shoulder at the computer. "Which one you want Grandma, the one you couldn't play this afternoon?"  Yah ..I guess I need practice.   After awhile Noah came to check on me..they really took care of me more than I took care of them.  Noah showed me a Build your Own Roller coaster.. so I built one..it was all track..after my attempt we rode the coaster I designed..he told me that some people actually build such great coasters that they barf when they do the final ride (did I know that you could  watch a You Tube of people barfing during their roller coaster virtual ride? ) ..mine was not that great.. not barf worthy.   Time for the big event of the evening..a movie,  Hotel for Dogs..a cute flick..I like any movie with dogs and this was a pretty good little movie for us all to watch.  It was a non violent movie which suits me just fine.  We all got our blankies and pillows and popcorn and settled in for the evening!  I just love that huge sectional..that allows us all space..but togetherness..there was even room for two dogs and a cat.

Noah serenaded us with his guitar, he goes to lessons and is really coming along quite well.   His report card was fantastic..mostly B's and a few A's!!  Adams report card was good too..he needs to work on neatness..I think that is pretty normal.  Adam who struggled the entire school year last year with a teacher that should not have been teaching..told me " School is good Grandma"  What sweet words to hear.  "I have the best teacher in the entire school! "   Now that is really something, and a real relief to me.  Especially since I spent most of the  last school year wanting to visit his school and tell his teacher a thing or two.   Funny thing too..there was no grandparents day at school the entire year.

Hockey season is upon us.  On weekend nights like last night..the phone rings and you know it is about Hockey..first one daughter..then the other..all hockey fans watching two games on the TV..switching back and forth between channels..calling their Dad to make sure he is watching.  A local boy is on the BSU team..they played the Gophers last night..and then the UND game against St Cloud.. both games at the same time..on the same television.  It was way too much for me to keep up with:)

A Thousand Words : A Simple Ride

“The world does not need tourists who ride by in a bus clucking their tongues. The world as it is needs those who will love it enough to change it, with what they have, where they are.” ~   Robert Fulghum

Have a great Saturday everyone! :)

Oh Poop

I am a bit paranoid about the deer ticks, I hate them and the diseases that they carry. We put Frontline on Chance. I am always relieved when the ticks go into hibernation, and we can give Chance a rest from the Frontline and the chemicals it contains. Both Far Guy and I are continually searching Chance for ticks. If we find one, Chance must inspect it..he smells of it and then shakes his head..and drools.

The other day, I noticed something strange in the dogs poop. YES, I check his poop from time to time. He has a very sensitive stomach and gets diarrhea from cheese and milk. Far Guy sneaks him some milk sometimes..and I do not want things to get out of hand. Nothing worse than a dog with diarrhea that is pooping like a goose. Chance is also on a Lamb and Rice based food, if we give him regular Science Diet he will have lots of mucus in his poop. Loss of mucus in his digestive track will turn into diarrhea really fast. Anyway back to the other day..no diarrhea and no mucus..but Holy Cats something was definitely wrong. My first thought was that the deer ticks had attacked the poop in the yard..I should have taken a photo and I was tempted..but I will spare you that ..instead I will describe it the best that I can.

The log that was nestled in the grass was a dark brown color, that color was accentuated with tiny ovaly/round light beige thingys that looked like ticks filled with blood..many of them. Sticking out in all directions.. right side up and upside down. I had to find a stick..yup lots of those little buggers..but what in the world were they? Prodding at them with a stick confirmed that they were not ticks..thank you, thank you. But what were they? I had a really good idea.. seeds from grapes.

Today I dissected some of the seeds from a few of Far Guys grapes.

 Yup..diagnosis confirmed..Chance likes fermenting, half frozen grapes..I told Far Guy..he said "Do you suppose he is getting a little tipsy on those grapes?" I do not know, but all the grapes are gone as far up as Chance can reach. The bunnies may have helped him some..and maybe the birds..but he has been just a snacking on those grapes..seeds and all. I suppose after it snows and the snow falls off of the roof..he will stand on the snowbank and reach the next level of grapes.  In the deepest recesses of my mind..something about this whole situation was bothering me.   Something raised a red flag..but what in the world was it?  I read once where grapes are not good for dogs, so I researched it..and grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs..so I guess Far Guy will have to pick some grapes today:)

Baiting Deer

Okay, someone dumped a whole slug of pumpkins in the woods just before deer hunting season started. Now this could have been someone with excess pumpkins..and they could have been driving along this road..and the pumpkins could have all rolled out of the back of a pickup.. they could have ended up in a heap next to a deer run....

The fine for baiting deer in Minnesota is 385 dollars. They can also seize your firearm, and if you happen to have gotten a deer at your baiting site they will fine you another 500 dollars. Let's see 385 plus 500 plus a gun..that is pretty expensive bait.

Who exactly are these idiots that bait deer? I refuse to call them hunters..hunters hunt deer, baiters just skip the hunting part. They strew pumpkins, apples, corn, sunflower seeds, or oats next to their deer stands. Baiting is unfair, baiting changes natural movement patterns, baiting is unsportsmanlike, baiting brings the herd close together to share germs.  Of course if you are a baiter..your "hunting experience" can be over in a day or two, you can quickly check it off of your list for yet another year. You sling the deer carcass over the hood of your car and drive off into the sunset, never stopping to think that the deer that you have been baiting could have had Bovine TB..when deer bunch up at baiting sites they can spread germs to each other. But you don't care..you are oblivious to health problems in the herd..you just want to blast a deer, have your photo taken in your orange hunting clothing with a dead deer and be on your merry way. No doubt your deer has been shot someplace else besides the head or neck. You have ruined much of the meat because you were too excited to wait for a good head shot. But it doesn't much matter because you don't butcher your own deer meat anyway it will be thrown in a heap at the local butcher shop, a mass of legs sticking in the air.

Now for the REAL HUNTER, he arrives at his deer stand before daylight and stays until dark. He watches and waits..he waits sometimes for days. Finally a deer wanders in, you take aim, and one clear shot to the head makes the deer drop in just a few steps. You gut the deer, put your tag on it, load it up to register it
and bring it back home to hang it up so the blood drains down..later after the meat has cooled you will skin it and wash out the body cavity..you will then butcher it on the kitchen table..cutting out all fat and bone.

Some hunters grow many rows of corn in the area of their deer stands. This is legal in Minnesota.. in my opinion it borders on baiting or at least unsportsmanlike entrapment. However agricultural crops are allowed.. what do you think?

Don't get me wrong, I support real  Hunters in their quest for meat. I was raised as a hunter, it was one activity that we really enjoyed with our father. I wish that the DNR in Minnesota would have allowed more licenses in our area, from what I saw last week on the deer trails..we have a huge herd. I dislike the deer ticks that we have to fight from April til the snow flies:(
*** Far Guy has written a few blogs recently, go on over and help him fill in the blanks:)

Wistful Wednesday : Veterans

This is a photograph taken on November 27, 1950 at Camp Pickett, Virginia.   My Dad is the young man in the front row on the far right.

My Dad was fighting in Korea when I was born.  Some days he talks about the war, and some days he doesn't..as he gets older he talks more about how young some of the Chinese were..some were just kids about twelve years old.  This morning he stopped by and told me about the time that they had 10,000 of them surrounded and had their escape routes blocked off, when they ran out of rice they started coming out.  They took them as prisoners, they gave the young kids chocolate bars.  

Dad was at the lumber yard yesterday, he has Korean War Vet license plates on his truck.  Dad said " An old guy with no teeth asked me who I was with in Korea. So I told him."   The toothless old soldier replied "WELL, I was with the Rangers."   My Father said " WELL..we had to clean up and pick up after your Ranger Units over there."    The toothless soldier turned and left.  See..my Dad is picking fights at the lumber yard!  Dad told me that his unit was technically a Ranger Unit for a few days after they picked them all up.  He also said "One of those Rangers was shot, and going into shock.  I looked at his wound.   I slapped him and said what's wrong with you?  It is only a flesh wound.  The poor bugger would have died..from a flesh wound."

Another Veterans Day is upon us, a time to say Thanks Dad, Thanks Far Guy, Thanks also to my brother and my nephew.  If you are a Veteran and reading this..Thank you:)

Along The Tower Road

Last week one afternoon we had a little time to go for a short adventure.  The Tower Road, this time I left a note on the table, and we did not veer off course.   We met one vehicle..a man was dressed in Orange..possibly an early hunting scout.

A beaver has been busy making a home..I wonder if the thickness means anything..probably only to the beaver and it is possibly reflective of how much raw material is available.   He wasn't home, or if he was he was hiding.

One of the sloughs must be full from the recent rainy weather, a small creek seems to come out of nowhere and heads toward the river.

We saw an Eagle, it was way too far away to get a decent photograph.  He was resting in his perch..the river must keep him fed.  I am not real fond of Eagles..that is possibly why I see my fair share.  They feed on  dead stuff, and kill cats and rabbits.. they used to sit in a tree right outside our house..and eye my dogs..one spring I even had to put up a camouflaged play area for a litter of growing puppies.  Eagles and I do not see eye to eye.  I had to watch one terrorize a Trumpeter Swan one winter, the Swan was injured and couldn't fly..that Eagle was relentless...finally the Swan disappeared.  The Eagles are really mean to the Loons too, and will steal their eggs.  They are just nasty..nasty.   I think it is a disgrace that they are the National Symbol.  Just my opinion.

I wonder what this area looked like years ago.  The natural progression of the woods may be in the same cycle.  Oak to pine and back again.   Far Guy tells me " You know, years ago when the trappers came down this river they met at one of these points on the river..and named it Pine Point."

We had a wonderful afternoon drive, the sun was out, the woods were quiet except for an occasional Chickadee.  No one was sighting in their rifles, there were no gun shots.  I did see and photograph a baiting site..which is Illegal.  More about that some other day.  I have just a few things to say about that!
Chance enjoyed the ride, after awhile, I let him sit in front with Far Guy..he thought he was pretty important.  Anyone with Dogs in Minnesota..the Deer Ticks are still out..so check your dogs really well:)

Chance: The Deer Trails

Far Side said "Let's go for a walk!"   We had to walk our deer trails last Friday.  Hunting season started on Saturday and although all of our land is posted with No Hunting signs ..we try to  stay out of the woods during Deer season.

Far Side likes to walk back in the woods, after the poison ivy is all frozen and has disappeared, and before the snow is too deep.

She talks to herself..brown, brown, everything is brown.  Pretty soon that changes to white..white..everything is white.
 

Deer sign!  I tell you every night they are back in here..and there is the proof.. and I will not roll in it..but it does kinda look like great little chocolate drops.

She rummaged around the old dump..

I followed the deer trails for a really long time..I lead and she follows.  I did run back to the yard a few times just to check on Far Guy..I have to keep track of them both ya know...if they would both stay in their yard it would be easier:)

Last Bloom

I believe that this is the last bloom of the year..Aster 'Purple Dome'  this one is a tad frosty.  Frost filled mornings are normal now, each morning frost covers everything.    Chance and I go out and check to see if anything is photo worthy.   Not all frost is equal.

The yard work is done, all the lawn furniture has been dried off and put away.  The lawn was mowed one last time, well it was more like mowing the non existent grass and mulching the plentiful leaves.  All the leaves that are going to fall have done so.   There are still a few tenacious leaves on the Northern Pin Oaks,  they will be with us all winter.  Sometimes they will fall during the winter and  dance around on the icy surface of the snow banks.  Skidding around reminding me of fall, and my inability to organize the entire forest.  The trees are for the most part..bare..grey..anorexic..they have done their duty..they have kept us shaded from the summer sun..although that wasn't a very difficult job for them this year:)

Corduroy Road

Last weekend when we were up on Sockeye Lake Road/Trail ..we came across this stretch of road.   Can you tell what is special about it?

It is part of an exposed old corduroy road,  years ago logs were placed across low swampy areas and covered with sand  to form a road.   It worked to make a passable road.  Neither Far Guy or I have seen an exposed corduroy road in a number of years.  The most famous of roads in our area is the "old corduroy road" ..but it was rebuilt by the DNR some time ago, and only exists in our minds.   It used to lead to a great hunting area, and crossing that section of old logs was always a bit of an adventure especially in wet years.

Today Deer Hunting Season begins in Minnesota.  I used to hunt, so did Far Guy, our girls attended firearms safety classes and accompanied their Father hunting several years.  I found that I am not a good hunter, I hate to kill anything, and I used to cry for the poor deer that Far Guy brought home to butcher.  We discovered that what we both liked about hunting was just getting out into the woods..and we can do that anytime since we moved into the woods.  I still like to hunt with my camera!  :)

 A Doe with her twin fawns November 06, 2009 ..last night just at dark at the end of our driveway.

Sockeye Lake Adventure

Last Saturday we were out and about..with no firm destination in mind.   It had snowed,  but the sun was shining.  So many days were so dark and dreary..now the sky is blue and filled with clouds.  The sunshine was so inviting!!

The clouds are all lined up on the prairie. Far Guy said that they are all Isobars.  Distinct lines of clouds all headed east.

We ended up on Sockeye Lake Road.  We met two vehicles..that was it, a wood cutter and a guy with a boat.

 We really need a trail map.   We just kept making lefts.. I joked with Far Guy..well at least we will only be lost for a week..hunting season starts next weekend!

We ran into a mud hole..should we turn around?  Far Guys says "No,  we can make it "   ..we have the car!  Luckily it is four wheel drive.

We spot an eagle..Far Guy says "Now wasn't that mud hole worth it? "    Aw..maybe  OK ..sure.  Chance was worried..ever since that day that he hid on the floor by my legs in the Big Hill Country..he is a little leery of Far Guys driving.  Chance wants to sit in my lap..he wants to help me take a photo of the Eagle.

Another mud hole..this is a big one..looks deep too.  I am thinking that this one will turn us around.  Far Guy says "No..lets go!"   Well next time I should pack an oar or stop and get a push stick..because I could feel the back end of the car float  .. I am not crazy..I have been in enough boats to know what floating feels like.  We were definitely afloat.

Now doesn't this look better..a very calm pot hole that is not in the middle of the road.   I am a very poor judge of distances..but I should have recognized the lay of the land about this time.  I used to hunt deer back in here with my brother and my Dad and many of my uncles and cousins a very long time ago.  There are lots of good memories back in this area.  Now there are a few more:)

Trapped and a Panhandler

Pop on over to West Side of Straight to see what Chance has been barking at during the evenings lately. We assumed it was just deer that had him agitated..and there are lots of deer moving around..but a neighbor Al got this in his live trap. Exciting happenings in the neighborhood!

The deer are really on the move, hunting season begins this weekend. My dad was out yesterday to check out the heater in his deer stand. I may join him some morning with my camera. I got this photo recently at the end of our driveway.

Speaking of Cameras...

I had something happen the other day..that has me bugged. We were in a large town about 90 miles away. We were getting off of the freeway..I saw a gentleman on the median with a sign.. I zoomed in on his sign..he apparently was offended with my photo taking..as we pulled along side of him he lowered his sign and scowled at me. If looks could have killed..I would be deader than a doornail. I have his full photo, I cropped this photo...he is well dressed..he did not look broke to me..but then again..IF he was.. why in the world would he be offended that I took his photo. Personally I think he was just making some pocket change..and he was captured on film red handed and was mad. HA! Far Guy of course took the stance that the guy was proud..too proud to have his photo taken. What do you all think..proud or just looking for pocket change?

This brings to mind an incident that happened last summer in a larger town in the northern part of the Red River Valley. We observed a switch out..where one pan handler handed off his sign to another..is this a sign of the times? They were really working that corner. Do you ever give these people money? I never do..maybe if they had a white cane and a dog, or perhaps if they were playing music with a monkey on a leash:)

Wistful Wednesday : Spike

I  believe this photo was taken in 1958.    My brother and I and our Collie "Spike".  Spike was full grown when we got him in the Fall of 1957.   I believe that we got him from someone that could no longer keep him.   My brother and I adored this dog, Spike was smart..he followed all the commands..sit, stay, come, lay down and shake.  I was in "Dog Heaven".  Honestly this dog was so smart it was like having your own personal Lassie.  

During the summer, my Dad worked for a Construction Company..the summer of 1958 we left the farm and lived in Atwater, Minnesota for the summer.   Spike went to live with Joe ( the guy with all the horses).  Fine and dandy we got our dog back in the Fall.. Yippee..it was good to be back on the farm.  The next summer we were in Stewart, Iowa.. and my parents gave Spike away.  Spike went to a good home..he became the best friend of a mentally handicapped child.   Well this is all well and good..but it did not make me feel any better.  I cried buckets over that dog.  I wanted my dog back.  I thought it was horribly unfair that he was given away without a second thought.  At one point I demanded that he be given back..because he was ours..he didn't belong to anyone else..I think I may have even stomped my foot once or twice.   It was then that I learned that life was just not fair.  My parents wouldn't even let us go and visit.. I looked at all the retarded kids I saw..and wondered silently " Is that the retard that has my dog?"     I guess I was a pretty selfish kid, the next summer we stayed  at home and my Mother started farming again.   This is the only photo that I know of..it was taken during Deer Hunting season.  


Spike  was the third collie that we had..the first being a collie cross that was white and named Frostie ( he is the ghost dog..he shows up in lots of photographs in the background) , the second one was a pup..I believe we got as a gift from my Maternal Grandparents..they loved dogs too..anyway I cannot remember that pups name..we got him in the winter..and that next spring he died of Tick Fever...after that I religiously picked ticks off of all our dogs..and everyone's else's dogs too.  I often think of Spike, I hope he lived a long and happy life.

I have loved dogs for as long as I can remember.  They have brought much happiness to my life..and some sadness too..sometimes I ask myself if the happiness is worth the sadness.. I guess it must be.  My parents could never understand my deep love for animals,  they knew I had it..they just never seemed to understand it.  It was always considered a flaw..I never considered it that way.. to this day I have shed more tears about animals,  especially dogs..than I have over people.   I really do like some dogs more than I like some people:)

Hatchet or a Magic Wand?: TN Update

Since Christmas Day of 2007, we have seen a number of Doctors..Neurologists. Our first one who we really liked..moved to Florida. We bumped along without one for about six months. Then we got a really cranky old guy who never returned my phone calls, Far Guy said "Fire his butt" ..then we went to the University of Minnesota..to find out if there was any type of Surgical procedure that would stop the extreme pain..nothing..anything they could do might make things worse. After a few months we were handed off back to our GP .. the one who admittedly knows nothing about TN. Nine months ago we got Doctor P..the reason I know it is nine months ago is that he sees his patients every three months and we have seen him three times.


He has changed a little from our first visit. Yesterday he talked about Teamwork and how we are all a team..and we have to all be on the same page! He also repeated that he is available by phone, just in case we hit a huge bump in the road. He told me several times, If my phone call was not returned the same day I left it..then I should call back again because he had obviously lost the message. I think he may read my blog..as most of you long time blog readers know I believe that teamwork and communication are both key to helping Far Guy manage his disorder. Perhaps I can put away the hatchet, well maybe I should just carry it in it's holder for awhile. Maybe I should exchange it for a magic wand.


Trigeminal Neuralgia is one of the most painful, frustrating disorders that I have ever run up against. That is just my view..I cannot even imagine it from Far Guy's view. Recently we visited with another couple, he has TN also..but Type I..he had surgery at Mayo..and is now pain free. They encouraged us to go there.


Well..I suppose we could seek more opinions. . BUT..over the course of the past 23 months..four different Neurologists have said .." I don't believe surgery is indicated" "Your MRI shows nothing that can be addressed surgically" "I would never send you to Surgery, it may make you worse.. (Anesthesia Dolorosa) " "Your type of TN is best treated with medications." So the dilemma..do we go to yet another Clinic..to find one Neurologist that says "Yes" ..and then have to decide if four are correct..or one??


I would like to wave my magic wand and have it all better. We are not going anyplace else. We are going to stick with Dr P ..I hope he doesn't move or croak.


The support group that we helped to form a year ago..is not active. Far Guy keeps track of a number of people, there are so many people that have it in this area. I did what I could..they are adults..I should not have to lead them by the hand.


We found out recently that some new research is being done. Some research involving mice..their myelin sheath that covers the Trigeminal Nerve is destroyed..after we read the article..We looked at each other and said "The poor little buggers, they can't even talk." " There is no escape for them either, stuck in a lab..how does a mouse commit suicide?" We laughed..but really it was not a laughing situation ..especially if you are one of those very unlucky mice.

Some people are still very insensitive.. they ask me in hushed tones "How is HE doing?" Ask him yourself! The mail ( not misspelled, that guy is on my shit list) person that rubbed Far Guys bald head the other day nearly got it with my hatchet/wand. Ladies for the hundredth time..do not hug my husband..I know he is handsome as all get out and you feel you must hug him..but don't.. your hair will touch his face..he will have pain for hours after your lovey dovy hug.


We got permission from the Doctor to lessen the dose of Neurontin..we will see how it goes. Far Guy is more forgetful, we hope some of the fog lifts.. and that the pain does not increase. It really sucks when you have to decide between fogginess and pain..it is all about finding a perfect combination of medications..we have not found it yet.


So I guess I am not quite ready to turn in my hatchet for a wand yet.. we are finally back to where we were back in August before Far Guy had a Wisdom Tooth magically appear..that had to be surgically removed. TN is a strange disorder..Dr P says it has a mind of it's own... and it varies from one individual to the next.
We just keep keeping on one day at a time:)

A Thousand Words: Fireman

I hope you remembered to change out those batteries in your smoke alarms.   If not..this guy might visit you.    He is a Daddy too in addition to being a Fireman..being a fireman is hot, filthy work..some times a little girl must just be content to just touch her Daddy's helmet.  Out here in the boonies, every time you do something stupid ..like starting your oven on fire ( I did that) someone must leave their home and time with their family to rescue you and your house.  Did I just hear someone say.. "But that is their job"   ..maybe in your area it is..out here they get paid $5.00 a call..or maybe it is up to $6.00  by now...which just helps cover expenses.   Fireman..you gotta love them..and  this one is one of the special ones..my nephew Josh:)

Halloween Report

The moon was almost full, the leaves had a ghostly snow glow..ghosts and goblins scurried throughout the neighborhood.. the dog howled..we ran out of candy..we had so many Trick or Treater we didn't know what to do.

Well not quite..the moon was almost full, there still is some snow on the ground..Chance loved all the Trick or Treaters..everyone one of them is his very best friend..he would like them all to stay forever and play ball 24/7.    FIVE children, that is it..and we are related to all of them..in fact all of them live within walking distance for small children, old people and a dog.  Chance was not the least bit scared of their costumes..throw the ball, throw the ball....sometimes a Border Collie can drive you almost nuts with a ball!  

We gave away bags of candy to a very scary skeleton and his sister Curious George.  The twins were Batman and a Red Devil and their sister we decided must have been a Hunter as she wore a little warm up suit that was camo..and warm!  One Mom said "What do you say?"  They said "Thank you?"  I said how about "Trick or Treat! "   Ya, ya..that's it!!

There seems to be a little bit of controversy going around about Halloween.  "The evil holiday."  I am not sorry I get a kick out of seeing kids all dressed up,  going door to door with their parents..hollering "Trick or Treat" at old people that hand out candy.  What holiday is geared more to children and fantasy than Halloween.  Imagination, kids think about their costumes, they talk about what they will be.  They are so excited that they can hardly eat their supper..they talk about other kids costumes..they talk about the candy they got.   It is all about interaction people..just think about how many people stayed home last night to give out candy..I bet some of those people were kids once too..that enjoyed a few Halloweens themselves.  I refuse to see it as an evil holiday..I look forward to it every year..I look forward to seeing the children in their costumes..perhaps it is all about the giving of the candy, you want to give it all away..because if you don't then you are stuck eating the left overs, and when you grow older you like to have company in the evening.   Evil..I think not..parents spending an evening with their children..how could that be evil:)