Chance: I am Handsome!

Hiya it is I Chance the handsomest Border Collie in all of Minnesota!

Far Side got up early…she and I went for a ride. There was snow on the ground by the garage when we left.  I shoulda known…I was being dropped off….abandoned….left all alone.

At the groomer.  I like the people and the other dogs and I tolerate the grooming.

I heard Far Side give them instructions…No water in his ears (I gets an earache) only hypoallergenic shampoo ( I break out from the other shampoos, painful little itchy bumps) NO PERFUME cause Far Guy gets sick…and Far Side does the green around the gills/tremendous headache thing with perfume. Give him a short cut…whatever that meant… I have a whole lots less hair now and my white is white and my black is black.  My glands have been expressed and my nails clipped.

I even look a bit thinner!  AND handsome…Far Side said so…and IF she says something you can bet it is true.

There is no beautiful green grass to lay around in…only brown hay like grass that I cart in the house…but there is no mud either.

Odda came to visit one day and then Jo came over to get Odda and to pet me.  I herded a bunny rabbit one day until Far Side hollered “Leave that bunny ALONE.” I got to visit Jade and Deacon…Jade still wants to lick me in the mouth and that irritates me. On our rides this week we saw turkeys, horses and cows. It was a good week.

Friday Thoughts

We drove past the Enbridge Pipe Storage area the other day.  When they first started leveling for the pipe and building the racks we couldn’t quite figure it out. 

The Canadian Company Enbridge held some meetings trying to inform people about their project.  It will bring some much needed revenue to the area, and they pay their fair share of taxes too.  Oil  must get from point A to point B somehow…I have noticed that the protesters still drive vehicles to the meetings.  When the protesters start driving horses and buggies I will take them seriously. There have been horror stories circulating about right of way contracts.  Not sure I believe half of what they say.

It is really dry here.  The farmers are in the fields and dry winds blow the top soil into the air.  So far they are just planting wheat as far as I can tell.

How about that Joshua Davis on the Voice?  I am so happy he made it into the top twelve.  I picked him as the winner a while back when he was on Team Blake…but then Blake blew it and Joshua Davis was a steal so Team Adam could win for a change!

I was half watching Hockey(Frozen Four) last night and half sleeping…North Dakota didn’t have their poop in a pile.  Far Guy gave up on them in the second period.  I did enjoy the Go Sioux sign!

Paige passed her Drivers Test!  She messaged me that the test was surprising easy and she was not nervous at all. She was looking forward to ditching her sister as her chauffeur.

Noah has been at Nationals for Vex Robotics in Council Bluffs Iowa…  I heard Little Elvis was missing his boy.  We watched some of the video of the matches and followed the scoreboard. I am certain that Noah is disappointed with their finish they won four and lost six matches. BUT it is all a good experience…being away from home…and being part of a team.

Adam and I went to the movie HOME last weekend…just he and I.  Basically it was all about friendships and doing the right thing, it was a bit silly…Adam reported to his Grandfather that I laughed a few times.   People who you might never seek out as friends can become your best friends.  Adam can put away a gallon of popcorn just like that…and he has braces…good thing it was soft buttery popcorn.  He scared the crap out of me on the way home…he made a funny little noise when he swallowed a cherry drop whole.  Luckily he didn’t obstruct his airway…although he said it hurt going down. I was relieved to deliver him safely to his parents.

Sixteen

Someone was sixteen yesterday.

She is taking the behind the wheel test for her Drivers License today.  I remember when she drove the toy fire engine down the stairs and broke her leg. I hope she doesn’t break anything today.

I also remember the big deal they all had about her name.  She wasn’t named for days after her birth….she was just “The New Baby” …Savannah who was 33 months old wanted to name her Alice (after Alice in Wonderland), Maddie was not yet a year old so she didn’t care, Far Guy saw a Robin that day so he suggested Robin. Her parents went back and forth…forth and back…finally they agreed on a name.

They named her Paige.

From a few months old to sixteen just like that!   Happy Birthday Miss Paige!

Wistful Wednesday: Auntie Esther

We think that this car was a 1940 Willys Deluxe Coupe.1939 Ford Deluxe  The photo was either taken in North Dakota (my guess) or California (Far Guy’s guess) As for what year the photo was taken…sometime between 1944 and 1946.

Uncle Jimmy married Auntie Esther in 1943, they were Far Guys Uncle and Aunt.

I love the legs, when I first saw this old photo I thought “Way to go Auntie Esther!”  What a beauty she was!

Update from Cousin Bonnie:

What a surprise to see that picture!  It was taken in 44 at Camp Roberts Calf, Dad hitchhiked to San Francisco to buy it.  It is a 39 Ford, they drove it back to Mn after the war
Thanks for the memories
Bonnie

Someday Project: Oriole Feeder

A few years back my Dad made me a Oriole Feeder.  The Orioles love it.  It holds containers of grape jelly and oranges.

It has seen better days, but since it was a gift I wanted to restore it.

This is what it looked like after many spring bird feedings.  What an eyesore, if I were a bird I wouldn’t want to dine here.

It began to look better after I sanded it down.  All the sanding took place in the very organized only he knows where stuff is woodshop that used to be a greenhouse.  If the sun is shining in the winter it is a comfy place to work.

Far Guy took the plexi-glass roof off for me.  I have been known to totally ensnare my long hair in a drill and be unable to untangle by myself... zip just like that the darn drill was next to my scalp. I had to hold that drill up whilst several people tried to untangle me… many people had a good laugh that day.  Oh well what can I say I am not very mechanically inclined.

One not so windy day I sprayed the feeder with primer out doors...I only got a little high.  Then  like an idiot I purchased a gloss paint.  The getting high part probably ruined a few of my fairly intelligent brain cells.

Two containers of gloss paint later over about a week and too many less than a 100 coats of paint. Finally when I felt like I could dine from the feeder I declared it done.

Far Guy put the roof back on and now it sits over in my garage awaiting spring and Orioles.

This was one of my someday projects.

Easter Report

The last time I cooked Easter dinner for everyone was 2010.    So it was about time I took my turn.  38 were invited.  14  attended.  Needless to say everyone that showed up took home leftovers and Far Guy and I have plenty to eat for the next few days.

The tall boys put out eggs for the little boy egg hunt.  The yard was dotted with eggs.  Teddy had fun gathering them up…he also enjoyed the train upstairs.

Jennifer made carrot cake cupcakes with even some gluten free ones for her grandfather.  She took over the kitchen on Saturday afternoon and made crescent rolls.  Andy double smoked the ham in his smoker.  (It was really good!)  My Mom made some pickles and Cindy and Jody brought a tray of veggies.  I made turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cheesy potatoes, corn, coleslaw, baked beans, fruit and Rice Krispy bars.

It was a good gathering.  I couldn’t have done it without great help from Andy,Jen, Adam and Noah.  Look how tall those boys are…next year I bet they pass up their Dad.

Noah and my other baby brother Jody washed and dried a mountain of dishes. 

Here are the “guys”

Andy, Gene, Adam and Noah

After everyone left we all had a nap…even Chance.

Happy Easter!

 

Chance: Easter Preparations

Far Side is way too busy preparing to cook or cooking to blog.  She is organized and she has the checklist on the fridge.  One by one she is checking stuff off the list.  Yesterday was the last minute grocery shopping, I stood guard in the vehicle good thing too as there was a Great Dane in the vehicle next to us.

When we got home I had to have my photo taken.  I wasn’t real excited, I knew there was chocolate inside those eggs and there was no way I was going to be allowed to eat the yummy stuff inside. It is kind of stupid to use a box instead of a basket anyways, but she says it doesn’t matter they are eggs for a hunt.

I wore the kerchief that my sister made for me.

The sun was blinding me.

What is Far Guy doing way over there?  I am supposed to keep one eyeball on him at all times.

Okie dokie here is one eyeball for you too…hurry up!

Are you done yet? ( If I can’t see you then you can’t see me either!)

Finally she is done with that camera.  No eggs were harmed or even opened.

More Signs of Spring

The Juncos were here again yesterday, covering most of the yard.  They wandered all over finding “stuff” to eat.

 

The Natives are restless.

On Wednesday there were two plumes of smoke on the horizon so we went to see what was burning.   Good thing they got er done before yesterday when the wind was blowing like a banshee.  The BIA Firefighters sit in their trucks to watch the horizon and wait for fires to erupt.  It happens every Spring.

It is fun to see what the neighbors have been up to.  A neighbor gal must have found this and moved it to the end of her drive.   I think it is just perfect!

I saw some Robins in Osage yesterday, so they are here, just not in our yard…yet.

 

Signs of Spring

Some days are spring like and then we are thrust back into the arms of winter.  This time of year is a push pull between Old Man Winter and Young Princess Spring…we know she will eventually win…but he makes it miserable some days.  Yesterday it was almost 70F or 21 C eh but the wind off of the lake was cold. 

I put the ice chisel, snow shovel and the walk de-icer away for the winter.  I grabbed my parka and took it upstairs to the closet…and the snow stick was leaning so I took it out of the ground.  I am certain I have irritated Old Man Winter.

The fisherman have stopped driving vehicles out on the lake.  They fill their sleds and walk out on the lake.

The Pussy Willows have emerged.

We saw a Bluebird, just one over in David’s trees ( must have been an early scout).  There are no Robins to photograph yet.  Last night just before dark the yard was filled with Juncos….there must have been over a hundred of them.  I think that means that snow is coming usually the Juncos bring snow with them.

Far Guy cleaned out all the Bluebird houses…we are ready to welcome nesting Bluebirds!

Wistful Wednesday : Easter 1977

Trica was 5 years old and Jennifer was 1 1/2. These photos were taken in Park Rapids at Far Guy’s parents after church.  I cannot remember if we had Easter Dinner there or out at my parents resort.

Back then I don’t think there was a sunrise service but 8 AM was early enough to go to church with two kids.

My Dad (age 50), my Mom (age 47) holding Jennifer, Jody my other baby brother(age 17), Trica and Julie Ann my sister ( age 11).

Obviously Jennifer did not want to have her photo taken, Julie Ann’s hair was messed up and the sun was blinding Trica.

In 1977 Easter Sunday was April 10th.  My baby brother was away at school in Tulsa OK so that is why he isn’t in the photo.

Far Guy’s Mom and Dad ( both age 65) with Trica and her Easter basket. 

Those big beautiful pines are long gone, ripped out when the new five lane highway came through town.  Trica’s Easter Basket was probably hidden underneath the trees that Easter Sunday 38 years ago.

Chance: My View

Hiya!  It’s me Chance the blogging Border Collie!  Finally my turn.  I have been out and about.  Come on along!

I climbed a tree at the park.

I went for a walk with my bestest friend across the rusty bridge.

We stopped for a rest at the old red bridge.  Here is a raspberry!

 

One day we went to the lake.  Some of the ice is gone.  I almost got my feet wet.  The ice was singing, the shards of ice were rubbing together making the most beautiful music.  Far Side kept saying “Stay away from the Poison Ivy Berries.”  I tried.  Finally she said “Chance get in the freaking car.”

Everyday I go for a walk down the driveway.  I am a good old boy, at least that is what they say.

They are slowing switching my food to a “light” diet.  They mixed my new food and my old food half and half…but I still had some tummy troubles.  Far Side says she hopes that is in the past because it was no present. ( I threw up outside three times.)

I still have some “ouchy” joints some days…but I still run after the ball.  I am 10 years and 5 months old now.

Far Side says clean teeth are the key to a long life in dogs. She cleans my teeth, she has a friend who is a retired Dentist and he gave her some proper teeth cleaning tools for people but they work on dogs just fine.  I don’t like it very much but Far Side says I need to “Get over it!”  So I do!

It takes all kind

A wonderful old friend used to say “You never can tell about people, it takes all kind to make the world go round.”

Far Guy parked in front of this piece of art one day last week.

This must be the newest use for indoor outdoor carpeting.  It not only covered the hood it covered the sides of the truck. I wonder if tiny seeds from trees will sprout there this spring? 

I wanted to get a photo of the entire truck…but just then the owner appeared.  I hot footed it back inside my vehicle!  He hopped in and took the keys down from the visor…who would want to steal this truck anyway?  He looked kind of familiar to me, but I just couldn’t place the face…perhaps it was one of my old classmates.

I wonder what kind of glue he used?