Sunday Visits

 I finished setting up for Mom's Garage Sale,  she who sees Robins first showed up and with her help we made quick work of what was left to set out.   It got real warm before I headed home.  My Dad was having a really good day...he knew who I was and knew my brother too! 

I have a cousin who is going to be a Grandpa for the very first time as both of his daughters are expecting babies.   We dropped off gifts for the upcoming baby showers and had a good visit with him and his wife. 

 

The sky was very orange when we headed home.

My other baby brother and she who sees Robins first stopped by just before dark. 

Far Side

A Whale

 Of a car.   This old Cadillac is about six inches longer that Far Guys new old car.

Sign of the times a hat on the seat and a mask on the shifter.  Note the fuzzy dice.  

Far Guy could have fuzzy dice but no one would see them because the rear view mirror is on the dash.

We had a quiet Saturday, there was another car show we were invited to but it started early in the morning and it was forecast to be a very warm day.  So we stayed home.   Far Guy woodcarved and I worked on lots of misc stuff...

A few nights ago my baby brother, his wife and Baxter were headed out on the prairie to watch the Perseids...I was invited along.  We were lucky enough to see a number of fine looking meteors.  No mosquitoes because it is so dry.  I attempted one photo...I probably need a refresher course in night camera settings:)

Far Side

Sad week

 It was a sad week, we missed a funeral on Wednesday...it was a longer drive and we thought about going to the closer cemetery on Wednesday but did not go.  I sent off a card to his wife Judy after I messaged her on facebook.  Ernie was a great guy, he just turned 65, he was a local kid...he was on the fire Department with Far Guy and I.  He woke up one morning sat down at the breakfast table and died.  No extended hospital stays and more importantly no nursing home stay.  He would have probably laughed and said "Now thats the way to go."

We attended Mary Ann's funeral yesterday, she was 76 years old.  We sat in the back of the church behind my parents, we did not stay for the lunch as soon as the service was over we left.  The service was lovely...I probably liked it because for once they did not read the entire obituary. ( Some ministers read the whole obit as part of their sermon...like we cannot read for ourselves.)

Another old friend (Brian) that we have known since about 1978 has been through chemo for pancreatic cancer, is now on hospice.   Far Guy worked with him for 20 plus years. 

One of my cousin's had a heart attack, then bypass surgery and after a week in the hospital has finally come home to recoup.  He just turned 60 years old this spring.  His father died at home of a heart attack when he was 59 years old.

Seems like many people are getting cancer diagnosis lately... a blogger with bladder cancer/liver cancer and another with pancreatic cancer.  My prayers for comfort and healing go out to them all.

As we get older the losses/ bad news become more frequent, not easier.

Far Side

Until we meet again

 Today we say until we meet again to a long time friend and wife of my cousin Chuckie.   His wife Mary Ann died last Friday.  I have known her for over 50 years...Chuckie brought her by my parents home to meet us when they were dating. 

Mary Ann was a good friend, she volunteered for me at the Museum for several years....it was a day out for her.  Mary Ann had bronchiectasis and she fought frequent infections.

She will be remembered fondly and missed by many especially her husband, daughter and her twin grandchildren.

 

Far Side

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Car Show Adventure

 Yesterday afternoon we washed up Tilly and took her to her very first car show 33 miles away.  It was an adventure on her longest trip so far.  She did great! 

There were many cars there but we heard from people walking through that she was the only Desoto there.  Many people knew exactly what she was and all about her push button drive.  One lady said she learned to drive one that was the family car...a baby blue color and she could get lots of friends in the backseat!

We packed a picnic lunch and took some chairs.  The parking spot we got was not great but it was an easy get away when we wanted to leave.  Neighbors had their car there so we got on the road before they did...comforting to know someone was behind us ...just  incase. 

Newer cars, older cars...all kinds of pretty cars.

It was such a fun afternoon/evening.  We visited with lots of different people and saw a number of people that we knew.  We got home before dark...time enough to water/pick tomatoes!

Far Side

Odds and Ends

 A day full of odds and ends, some cleaning, some dusting, some laundry and then time for a few episodes of Virgin River and some crochet time.   I even put my feet up for a bit. 

Far Guy and I made supper together; Impossible Italian Sausage Pie and tomatoes. 

After supper I picked and watered tomatoes and watered flowers.  I made a tomato delivery to my other baby brother. 

There are twenty squares in this project, I have 12 done, they will all get borders...and it will be winter before I am done with this project!  Each patchwork square has a different design.  Mosaic crochet is  interesting I am so glad I took the time to learn it.  It looks difficult but it isn't.

Impossible Italian Sausage Pie

9x9 baking dish

Brown one pound of Italian Sausage (we like mild)

Blend together 2 eggs and a cup of milk, add 1/2 cup of Bisquick  pour mixture over sausage

Top with cheese ...we like Cojack

Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes give or take

It freezes well. You can add onions etc...but we don't.

Far Side

Tired

 It was a busy day and I am tired.  

I spent most of the day at my parents.  Dad was so excited to see me!  He was having a good day...he remembered I was the oldest "kid" and my name! He even recalled where he was when I was born and how when he came home from Korea it was like I knew him as I held my arms out so he could take me. He said that I was what got him through the tough times in Korea. 

Mom and I worked on sorting and marking things in her garage for a garage sale later in the month.

When I got home I had a nap...then helped Far Guy with supper...ham, sweet corn and fresh peaches. After supper I went out to the garage and cleaned up another corner and organized some stuff, filled bird feeders, picked and watered tomatoes.  Felt like I needed to kill something so I grabbed the roundup and went to my other baby brothers shop and killed weeds, and filled my mower with gas. Straightened up the patio...cause we may get a rain storm...probably not but you never know.  

The next County over from us (where my parents live) is a new hot spot for Covid according to the CDC. A little church in the nearest town...the Pastor and his Wife got Covid and exposed the whole congregation. 

Minnesota is offering $100 dollar Visa cards for people who are newly vaccinated.  Apparently they are not being overrun with people to vaccinate.  The anti vaxers are digging in their heels...so sad that they cannot bring themselves to help protect young children who cannot get the vaccine.  Not sure why they think the way they do...I think it is selfish.   We cannot get herd immunity unless it is a good effort...the virus will keep mutating and soon it will be a super virus that there will be no vaccination for.  Well enough of a rant for today. 

Thank you to those of you that got the vaccination...you did your part! 

Far Side   

Never Ever

 Give your camera to your husband.  I am surprised that he knew how to take a photo...will wonders ever cease. 

Old Woman Picking/Watering Tomatoes

Proof I do exist..if all else fails you can tell by the well worn crocs...that happen to be my favorite pair...and they have a small hole in the sole...I may have to get out the duck tape. 

The small wind vane stand works real well to hold tomatoes. One was too big for my bowl.

We had a quiet day.  Far Guy worked on his new/old car a bit.  I got some stuff in my old garage ready to recycle.  Odds and ends filled the rest of the day and a nap...after supper we delivered some tomatoes to my other baby brother and then we went for a drive.  

Straw bales

The smoke is supposed to return this week...it was humid and hazy last night.  

Be safe out there, it is a crazy world we live in.

Far Side

Sand

 I recall when we lived in Florida sand was a problem...you always seemed to carry half the beach home with you. 

Our Granddaughter Maddie and her husband went to Idaho to the sand dunes for a week. 

Hey Mikey ( 4 ys and 2 months old) and Cee Cee ( 17 months old)

Can you imagine...they had a great time...this is an annual trip for them. 

Fun to see them vacation as a family! From what I saw they did dunes, more dunes, a water park and hiked to water falls.

Photos shamelessly stolen from Maddie's Facebook page.

Far Side

New recipe and flower report

 Far Guy held down the fort and cooked while I went into town to help my parents clean up their garage a bit and get some things ready for a garage sale. 

We heard of a new to us recipe.  Jena from Maryland made it for the Lake House Group.   Crack chicken.  Strange name.  Far Guy put boneless chicken thighs in the crock pot for about 2 hours, he shredded the chicken.  Then he put a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch and a package of Philly Cream Cheese in the crock pot and mixed it up.  When I got home he fried some bacon for a topping.  I made some rice,  add the rice to your plate, scoop on some of the chicken mixture, top with co jack cheese and bacon...it was delicious.  We will make it again sometime.  No idea how it will freeze as my baby brother and his bride came by just as we were finishing up supper and they had not eaten and were headed home for cereal...so I made them each a plate minus the bacon...my baby brother said it is better with bacon. ( All their kids and Grands are on their way back home again.)

Baxter knows which drawer the treat ball is in...:)

It was smoky again ...Far Guy stayed in all day.  

The small garden has finally mostly recovered from the deer munching. 

 This is the backside of the garden...off to the right the Impatiens are recovering from deer damage.   I think my poor pathetic spinner saved a few plants.

Far Side

Book Club

We read The Book Lovers Cookbook.   I wasn't thrilled with it...and I like reading cookbooks.   We had our first in person meet...some of us brought a prepared recipe from the book.  

I chose Carrot - Raisin Pineapple Salad; 4 cups shredded carrots, 1 cup of raisins, a can of crushed pineapple, a dash of lemon juice and a bit of cinnamon.  It was okay...I give it a 7 out of 10.  It is from Midwives.   I also made punch...well I took small bottles of Welches Grape Juice and small cans of 7-UP and slices of lime.  You  mix it equal parts...it is called Merry Punch  ...I give it a 10...it is from the book Pride and Prejudice.

Onto the next book.  We also had a book swap...that was fun....I came home with three new to me books. 

Infusion Day and grocery pickup went just fine.   I wore a mask in the one grocery store I went into to purchase cherries and peaches.  Far Guy napped all the while I was gone to book club. Cases of Covid are exploding in this area.  I skipped Bingo.  We still have wildfire smoke...it is supposed to clear out on Friday and then come back.  We had 1/4 inch of rain in our rain gauge.

Far Side

A Bible

 My Cousin Leann gave me a Bible that she found when going through her Mom's belongings... it belonged to my Uncle Hugo. 

Uncle Hugo's name is in the front cover and his Honorable Discharge Papers are inside along with an  Itasca Mantrap membership paper.  I scanned the discharge papers and put them up at Find A Grave. 

I also showed the Bible and papers to my Dad.

My Uncle had no children of his own.  However he and my Aunt  Mia (she was married before)  raised a grandson.  It was a really sad situation...there was a tragic death in the family from which the parents never recovered enough to care for a baby.  So he was raised by his Grandparents who he viewed as his Mother and Father.  They loved him very much.  

Since the grandson has an unusual name I was able to locate him.  I found his email and his home address.  When the email went unanswered I sent a letter.  Soon after that we were able to connect. 

The Bible is in Finnish. 

As it turns out he is a very successful Law Enforcement Officer, has four children and two grandchildren. 

So it all has a good ending...the Bible was mailed on Monday.   

For some reason the Bible sitting on my desk really bothered me...I was so happy to mail it...it was like something was telling me to hurry along! 

Far Side

Tomatoes gone wild

 We have our first tomatoes.   We are anxiously awaiting the yellow pear tomatoes as they are our favorite.

Here you can see nothing but green yellow pear tomatoes.  I suppose they will all ripen at once. 

They have gone wild...flopping over...not very orderly.   It has been a hard growing season...some wind and so very warm. 

We had a bunch of small ones for supper.   Rutgers...was their name...they are very juicy and have lots of seeds.  The larger tomato is some kind of Potato Leafed Tomato of Heritage variety. 

It was another smoky day.  I went out to get the mail...I wore an N95 mask...I ordered them after we had the first bout of wildfire smoke.   I went out in the evening when the smoke was less and watered the tomatoes, flowers and cleaned out the bird baths.

We have given up on growing lettuce...some honey bees invaded the wagon...and a Chipmunk ate all the lettuce. 

We had a quiet day...I cleaned the bathroom, washed towels and rugs, had a nap and saw the end of a movie not the beginning or the middle.  

Far Guy worked on Christmas Ornament woodcarvings...I have been no help to him this year woodcarving.

Far Side

Smoke, Dyson and kids

 We stayed inside most of yesterday.  The air was smoky again. We made a trip to the post office to mail a package. We did normal things in the house...laundry, dishes...Far Guy runs his robotic vacuum every day.  

 In the afternoon our Dyson Pure Cool arrived.  Far Guy got it set up and going...none too soon as the wildfire smoke is supposed to be hanging around for a while.  Between it and the air conditioner filter it should help with the air quality inside the house. 

It moves a lot of air....I am not sure how it works but it does...the design is very futuristic. 

In the afternoon I watched Mother's Day on Netflix and enjoyed it very much I give it a nine out of ten.  Then I had a nap until it was time to join Far Guy in the kitchen making a pan of lasagna for supper. 

I edited some of the photos I took on Sunday.  Ten kids are a challenge to photograph! 

In the evening Beth, Lindsay, Collins, Otto, Lulu and Baxter visited.  Lulu made faces at Far Guy and she acted like she could cry but didn't.

Far Side

Maz and Lulu

 Yesterday I went over to my baby brothers place to photograph his kids and grands.  

There are two new Grands that I have not seen in person ...Maziar who lives on the West Coast and Tallulah on the East Coast...or Maz and Lulu.

Lulu has major stranger danger...born during Covid lockdown was not favorable to seeing many people.

She took one look at me and started to scream.  Lulu is Grand number 9 for my baby brother and his bride. 

Maz is Grand number 10 he was born in June.  Look at all that hair!  

Far Side

Hazy, Lazy Day

 My baby brother had a picnic get together at his lake house.  I sent over potato salad, we dog sat Baxter instead of going over.  The air quality was bad all day.  Toward evening it cleared out some. 

Baxter and I did some stuff outside...gathered garbage and went to the transfer station.  Baxter is good company and enjoyed the ride in the car.  I kept him on leash all day...he wanted to go back home!  When I finally trusted him off leash his people came to pick him up.   He was so happy to see them.  He has separation anxiety issues. 

I watched some movie... I saw the beginning and the end with a nap in between.

My sister and her husband stopped by in the evening.  

Far Guy had a rough breathing day.  

An old church that was being torn down...I bet those stained glass windows went to the new church just down the road...the Steeple was in the lawn.  Near Goodridge Minnesota....photo taken last weekend.

Far Side

Small purses

I am having some fun making some small zip up purses. 

You start with stitches around a zipper and crochet around and around ...the zipper I used was 7 inches long...I am using cotton yarn.  The pattern is Apache Tears.

It has been my "in the car project."  The one with orange and purple on the right has already found a home.

Couldn't believe the electric bill...had to check it twice.  The new Central Air saved us $66 versus last July with the 22 year old wall unit AC....and the Central Air has been on almost everyday.  We thought it might be more energy efficient but did not realize what an energy user the old AC was.

This is the last day in July...the smoke from the Wildfires is miserable.  Far Guy has been inside since noon on Thursday.   He is getting a bit of Cabin Fever. 

Far Side

Bingo Group

 There were 16 of us at Bingo last night.  My Dad was not sure that he would feel up to going...but he did...and Mom went too.  All of my baby brothers children were there and one of my other baby brothers children.  States represented were Minnesota of course, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington and Oregon.  People from Oregon and Minnesota were winners.    Dad did not Bingo...I was hoping he would.  BUT he had a good time and it was good for him to get out of the house.   His broken rib is painful for him. 

Dad is struggling more with his memory...but he still knows how to play bingo:)

Far Side

Sand Mountain and a birthday

 Last weekend near Trail Minnesota we noticed a sand mountain.

We have never been to Trail Minnesota before...population 61, seems like they might have a thriving Sand and Gravel business.   I learned it is named Trail because there used to be an Indian Trail that went through the area.

This is as close to a mountain as we get in this part of Minnesota. 

I had a busy Wednesday, I mowed some, finished moving tables so Tilly could go back in the garage, recycled, did some laundry and had a nap. 

Today is favorite Son In Law Andy's Birthday!  

Happy Birthday Andy! 

Far Side

Appointment day

 Far Guy had a medical appointment up north...it is a 2 1/2 hour drive there...so most of the day was spent in the car.   Earlier in the morning the new /old car Tilly was ready to be picked up so we went and got her before we left...her gas gauge works now:) 

Far Guy is getting a new Doctor, she seems nice and listened to his concerns...she said "You have challenging issues."   Yes we knew that...hope she likes a challenge.  He is getting referrals to all the specialty Doctors that he needs to see.   His Neurologist retired...His Pulmonary Dr has gone to being in the hospital only...so it was time to get different balls rolling..plus he has never had a Cardiologist...and probably needs to be rechecked after that stent was placed last September.  The clinic we chose partners with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN...so that must be a plus...and our daughter Jen lives very near the clinic up north. ( Bonus...we can visit Jen, Andy, Noah and Adam and Little Elvis)

Far Guy has still not regained his strength since the Lung Valve procedure in May.  His breathing is worse and now he is short of breath at night.  He is losing weight and in four more pounds will weigh what he did in high school.

He was prescribed prednisone to help with his breathing and the new Dr is going to confer with the Doctors at the U of MN.

For now it is all we can do.

Far Side

Critters in the woods

 The trail cam caught the Impatiens eaters... She has red flowers hanging out of her mouth.  Most likely teaching the fawn about them.

We are taking in the bird and suet feeder at night.   We leave the humming bird feeder out because the Hummers are early risers and the bear has not bothered that feeder. 

HOWEVER the bear is still in the area.   

This is my other baby brothers trail cam...

Not exactly a cuddy little cub...I suppose we have a resident bear.   I have seen where he has moved logs to get at ant hills...I look for him in the day time sleeping up in the trees but haven't spotted him yet...there are lots of woods for him to stay hidden in.

 Annie went home yesterday...she never did catch that Chipmunk.

Far Side

50th Anniversary Party

 On Saturday we attended the celebration for Bob and Sheila's 50th wedding anniversary.  (Bob and Sheila are our son in law Andy's parents)

Earlier in the week Sheila had a stress related heart attack.  She told me she was washing windows and one almost fell on her and she reached to catch it...later that night she had pain....and went to the ER.  They found no blockages but she had the enzymes in her blood.  She said she was feeling fine except she was real tired.  

Bob told the story about how they met in the summer of 1969...at a Fair ...Bob knew the guys in the band...they were playing  A Whiter Shade of Pale  by Procol Harum...when this cute gal asked him if he wanted to dance...six children later and many grandkids and they are celebrating 50 years together. 

The kids served a wonderful lunch; vegetables and dip, fruit, crackers, lunch meats, cheese and a number of different cupcakes...vanilla, chocolate, carrot and lemon.   The lemon ones were really good. 

There was a cute display of pants. 

I know that Noah and Adam got their pants for their first birthday.

It was a fun afternoon.  The celebration was held in a Community Center about two hours North of where we live in a little town called Goodridge population 138 and most all of the town showed up!  We didn't stay too long, we arrived early before everyone else, had a chance to talk with Sheila and Bob, sit with Noah, Adam and Jen for a bit...have lunch and we headed home.

 Far Side

Annie

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

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

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

Yesterday she had quite a day.

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

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

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

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

Far Side

Hollyhocks

 My Mom grows some great Hollyhocks.   I have never had good luck growing them.   It is one of those plants either you can or can't.

She has Rose Wave Petunias on that old wagon in the back. 

I have heard tell that some women used to throw their dish water out the back door...(before indoor plumbing)...and that was a great place to grow Hollyhocks.

 Far Side

Thoughts on Grocery Day

 Traffic was more crazy than usual...it was crazy days in town...needless to say we stayed off of Main Street.   I have not been crazy enough to go to Crazy Days in years. 

Grocery Pickup was great...just missing Licorice...but we can do without it. 

I stopped by my parents to check on them.  Dad was in the ER Wednesday night...he has a broken rib from a fall on Tuesday.  He got scanned ...my other baby brothers daughter Stacey who is an RN went to the ER with them.  Dad said he was feeling pretty good after a good nights rest....and the Doctor said the rib should heal up. 

 Back home, I mowed our lawn and trimmed around trees a bit.  It was a warm day high of 84 F or 29 C  eh!  For now the wildfire smoke has lifted. 

Real scary news about the new Covid variants...seems like they are spreading like wildfire.  I wonder if we are headed for another lock down?  Wouldn't that be the pits.  Herd immunity seems to be a figment of the imagination with so many people who did not get the vaccination.  Heck we would still have Polio and Smallpox if our parents had the same thoughts against vaccinations.  I was thinking of the sugar cube and the polio live virus that was on that cube...a bit scary...but Polio was scary too.  Polio could cripple you...heavens Covid can kill you...that all I will say about that.

Far Side