Snowstick

We finally got the snowstick in place.

So far the snowflake on the welcome flag is our only snow.

There it is poised and ready for snow.

For those of you who don’t know, I put a snowstick up every Fall so that I can measure the snow in our yard throughout the Winter.

Yesterday we had just about 60F or 15C eh!  It was a beautiful day. No snow in sight for the next few days either.  So far it has been a wonderfully warm November…one of the best ones I can remember and as far as I am concerned it could stay this way all winter!

Sven, Kristian and Thea Carvings

I had a few carvings hanging around for the past FOUR years.  They have been in and out of my carving bag…shoved here and there.  I decided that they need to be finished.

Thea, Sven, Kristian and a fish.

This week I concentrated on getting them ready to paint.

It took part of the afternoon yesterday to paint them whilst watching a few episodes of Once Upon A Time.

I will take them to our carving get together this week to show them off and then find a spot for them…someplace. 

I took a class on how to carve the tallest guy…his name was supposed to be Walter but Far Guy and I decided that he looked more like a Sven.

2012 beginning to take shape.

I bought a book on how to carve Thea and Kristian.

The fish was a practice piece a long time ago…learning knife skills…it will probably become a Christmas Ornament.

Presently I am working on a Santa that I started about 8 years ago.  I am not sure it will be anything…but getting out old projects shows me just how far my carving skills have progressed over the years.

Quiet Fall Day

We had a quiet Fall day yesterday, it was a bit cooler 45F or 7C eh!

We walked in the old cemetery on the hill.  We found my Uncle Hugo’s friends grave. It was on the south side of the hill near the top.

 

The flag holder was there and the marker that Veterans get to mark their grave. Mission accomplished!

Perhaps one winter day I will head for the Becker County Historical Museum and search their records so that an obituary can accompany the photos.

Anyone that is looking for a volunteer “job” …let me tell you a cemetery is a good place, it is quiet, no one complains and the graves just keep filling up.  One thing I have noticed is that many of the markers are getting overgrown around the edges. I could spend a day or three at this cemetery just trimming around markers.  In the spring we carry a couple of old butcher knives and a bucket in the car just for that purpose, the knife cuts the sod away and we toss it in the bucket to be disposed of or to fill in a hole here and there.

I started a list of what I don’t have, which obits I need and who I should ask for photos.

My husband who is great support and a good searcher said yesterday “Maybe someday someone will appreciate the effort you put into the cemeteries.”

I wandered alone for a little while yesterday, until I smelled a skunk.  I hurried back to the car, when you smell one you know one is near.  When I opened the car door Far Guy said “Uffda you didn’t get sprayed did ya?”  Thankfully I didn’t and we headed home.

 

Thank you Veterans!

My husband is an 26 + year Veteran of the United States Air Force and the North Dakota Air National Guard. Thank you for all you did to protect our family and our country!!

It wasn’t easy for him to be gone for extended periods of time.  We all survived, this was before cell phones, email and facetime…phone calls that were very expensive (usually collect calls), letters and postcards were our way to communicate.

Perhaps we were lucky…I am sure that soldiers in WWII and Korea would have loved to make an occasional phone call.

Today I would like to share another Soldier.  A good friend of my Uncle Hugos.

That is my Uncle Hugo on the left and his friend Anselmi on the right.


Today I salute these two men. Anselmi on the left and Uncle Hugo on the right.  Look at those grins. I believe this photo was taken before they were sent overseas in 1942.  My Uncle went to Sicily, he was injured when an 88 shelled trees where his unit was dug in.  His left heal was shot off and he had numerous wounds and shrapnel in his back near his spine.  He carried that shrapnel near his spine throughout his life.  He was sent back stateside and then had to endure a train ride from the east coast to a west coast hospital.  He spent a really long time in the hospital there.

I don’t know where Anselmi went during WWII, I know nothing of him other than he was  a good friend of my Uncle Hugos, Anselmi never married and he is buried near his parents, two brothers who never married and a sister who never married in the Pickerel Lake Cemetery.  He had one sister who married and had one child who didn’t care about relatives of his mother.   I found these photos a long time ago and scanned them, there is no one to give them to that would appreciate them. I cropped the first photo and put it up at Find A Grave.  I will make another trip back to the cemetery to look for Anselmi’s grave so I can photograph it.  If it doesn’t have a Veterans Flag holder or marker I will contact the County Veterans Service Officer.

How about you?  What will you do today to remember a Veteran?

Election

Well the votes are in.  The Electoral College has spoken. 

Here in Minnesota Hillary took our ten electoral votes.  While travelling west and way up North we saw many Trump/Pence signs but only one Hillary sign.  She won votes in Duluth and The Cities the rest of the State went with Trump.

Our two oldest grandgirls voted in their first Presidential Election.

I was discouraged to see that our country is so angry.  Someone had to win and someone had to lose.  Perhaps time is needed to heal all wounds.

I like statistics.  I found some interesting ones.  Only 55% of all eligible Americans voted.  Minnesota had a a 68% turn out bested only by 68.7% in New Hampshire and 68.1% by our Wisconsin neighbors.  Hawaii had only 36.9% and California 43.5%.

Why do people choose not to vote?  Too busy, not interested, illness, out of town or they forgot seem to be the top reasons.

I wonder who would have won if all the eligible people in America would have voted?

Seems to me that we lay the blame on those who voted instead of those who didn’t vote at all.

Midway Memories : The Camper

Far Guys Dad had a custom built camper built sometime before 1966.

It was a 1964 GMC chassis and it was custom built in Park Rapids Minnesota. 

That is Far Guy’s sister in the photo.  The camper pulled the big joint and the car a black 1963 Imperial pulled the small joint.

The camper was cozy and could sleep six people.  It had a shower/toilet…after you showered you had to wipe down the walls.  The sink was just outside the bathroom.  The kitchen also had a sink, stove and a refrigerator that ran on electricity or propane.  In the spot above the cab was a full size mattress with extra room at the foot of the bed, that spot filled with pillows made a great spot for two little girls to sleep on in later years on family vacations. 

Far Guy’s Dad standing in the doorway, the photo was taken from the edge of the loft.

Far Guy’s Mom her hair in rollers and in her nightgown sitting at the table that folded down into a bed.  I think Far Guy’s sister is hiding in the bathroom area.  Note two lights, the round one with the chain was battery operated. The radio on the table was on most all the time.  There was a small television…when there was good reception with rabitt ears Far Guy’s Mom would go inside everyday at 2PM to watch General Hospital.

Both of the color photos are from Bonnie and Wayne. Most likely Uncle Jim took these photos.

The very best thing about the camper, it had air conditioning and on hot summer nights we really appreciated the cool air!

Smoke Detectors

Fall back time sucks.  I hate that it is dark at 5PM headed for 4PM.  It makes me cranky crankier.  I like the sunlight, I need sunlight to be half way normal.

All the clocks are not changed yet, in the car I just pressed buttons until the hour changed, I got some weird beeps and Far Guy got all excited.  The clock on the garage cannot be changed with out a stepladder.

We heard on the news that smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every ten years.  We had one that was put in place in 2000…so it needed to go. Two new detectors were put up. We added another carbon monoxide detector since we have an LP Furnace and Fireplace. We now have three detectors downstairs and two upstairs. The batteries were changed in the ones not replaced.  I also marked the new ones with the month and date they were put in service…used a black sharpie too!  Some people say they don’t change their batteries til it beeps…Far Guy changes ours every time change…cause it makes me feel better.  He doesn’t need me whining about those batteries.

A old piano sound board, beware sign and a burning bush.

Remember to vote!  What ever the outcome some people will be happy and some will be sad. At least  all the mudslinging and hoopla will be over.

Indian Summer

Yesterday I went outside for a good long time without a sweater or hooded sweatshirt.  We didn’t have a stretch of nice days like this all last summer.  It was sunny and 63 F or 17 C eh! Our forecast for the next nine days is highs in the 50’s.  I will take it!

Years ago we called this warm Fall weather Indian Summer, I suppose that is not politically correct…but you know what… I don’t care.

Chance got a really good brushing and his feet got all trimmed up, he has the furriest feet ever.

We went for a ride before nap time.

The farmer next door is harvesting his corn.  Off to the left you can see a portable deer stand and a hunter in blaze orange.

We didn’t see any deer in the afternoon.  From what I have heard, the Deer Hunters are not having much luck.

Saturday night on our way back from up North we saw 19 deer and one Bobcat. The ditches next to the road are prime grazing areas for deer after dark…we still have green growing grass.

Far Guy cleaned up Asian Beetles in the sauna, they are such pests. He says one bit him on the chin…and no matter what other people say they do bite and they do stink.  I ran the vacuum cleaner through both cars again. 

Chance : Locked Up

When we go way North and a little West I join the pack in lockup.  They are used to it, me not so much.  I am never locked up at home…well maybe in the house…but that doesn’t count.

That is me and Little Elvis…he is locked up all the time as is Miss Miney.  She would be in the photo but someone shot a gun just outside of town and she put her ears down and went inside lickety split. Little Elvis was very brave just like me. Boys Rule!

Adam was in charge of me for awhile, since he had his head phones on he couldn’t hear me howl.  And howl I did.  Howl, cry mournfully, sing…same thing.  Far Side finally came back…she said “It is a good thing we are at the Mayor’s house because the Town Cop would call her first if someone complains about your singing.”

There is also a monster in the wall by the water dish…so the water dish has to be put out in the middle of the floor for me and someone usually ends up scrubbing the floor cause I am kind of sloppy when I am nervous… another monster hides behind the refrigerator and scares me when I go around the corner from the dining room into the kitchen.  It never gets me going from the kitchen to the dining room…just on the way back!

It was a beautiful day in Minnesota yesterday.

Tests

We spent a morning at the clinic in Fargo this week.  Far Guy is in a five year study.  This is his second year.  They did a CT Scan of his lungs, nothing has changed in the last year…his nodules that showed up last year are unchanged.  They appear to be non cancerous nodules that the Dr is not worried about.

Road between Lake Park and Hawley

A few weeks ago he had a Liver Biopsy; he does not have a fatty liver so no change in diet is warranted, he has some damage which is consistant with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. The biopsy made him sore and uncomfortable for a few days.  We are not big alcohol drinkers…Far Guy would not be alive if he drank more than one alcoholic drink a week…that is info straight from his Liver Specialist.

The test for Alpha 1 is a simple free blood test, we wish that more cousins would get tested so that we could help make two and two = four.  So far everyone seems to be afraid of the results.   I can understand that…I was afraid of the results too. Since it came from both sides of Far Guys Family…we can only guess where the lung problems were and where the liver problems are…since both are affected by Alpha 1.

Not everyone that has Alpha 1 is affected, some live normal healthy lives and don’t realize they have it.  That is the hope we have for our daughters and our Grandson. 

The weekly infusions are becoming old hat now, the whole process takes about an hour and thirty minutes.  He is getting much better at sticking himself!  He can do the entire process by himself but I usually help.  Is it fun?  No, he usually spends about two days every week not feeling well…he tires easily and just feels yucky.  BUT he hasn’t had to be in the hospital with lung infections since he began the infusions in May of 2015. 

I wrote an email complaint to the clinic this week.  We had to wait one hour for a blood draw in a perfume filled waiting room.  Four people were working, but the best they could manage was five draws in an hour.

Monsters in the woods

The woods are coming alive, this weekend there will be swarms of blaze orange clothed hunters headed for deer stands in the early morning just before first light and back just after dark.

This deer stand is well camouflaged except for the new lumber used in the supports.

Tucked away in the woods the deer stands are practically weekend retreats. All the comforts of home away from home …heat (not that they will need it this weekend), snacks, hot drinks, a comfy lookout swivel chair…

 

I thought this one looked kinda like a monster in the woods.

Good Luck to all the hunters, we have lots of deer in our area so I hope it is a good hunt.

Neither Far Guy or I hunt anymore.  We used to, but we found we just liked being in the woods more than the hunting…and now we live in the woods …so we can go out anytime we want!  I enjoy hunting with my camera!

Voting History

This will be the 12th Presidential Election that I will cast my vote in.

Back in 1972 I was 21 and could finally vote…I think in 1971 there was a new law that allowed 18 year olds to vote…I recall something about “Your old enough to kill but not for votin’.” Richard Nixon (R) vs George McGovern (D) I voted for McGovern but Nixon won.

1976  Gerald Ford (R) vs Jimmy Carter (D) Walter Mondale from the great State of Minnesota was Jimmy Carter’s Vice President Candidate.  I voted for Jimmy and he won.

1980  Ronald Reagan/George Bush (R) vs Jimmy Carter/Walter Mondale (D).  I voted for Jimmy and he lost to Reagan. 

1984 Ronald Reagan/George Bush (R) vs Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro (D).  Of course I voted for Walter and Geraldine…she was a heck of a lady! Alas Reagan won again.

1988 George HW Bush/Dan Quayle (R) vs Michael Dukakis/Lloyd Bentsen (D) I voted for Dukakis and he lost to Bush.

1992 George HW Bush (R) vs Bill Clinton (D) vs H.Ross Perot (I). I voted for Perot and Clinton won.

1996 Robert Dole (R) vs Bill Clinton (D) vs H Ross Perot vs Ralph Nader. I voted for Perot and Clinton won.

2000 George W Bush (R) vs Al Gore (D) I voted for GW and he won.

2004 George W Bush (R) vs John Kerry (D) I voted for GW and he won.

2008 John McCain/Sarah Palin (R) vs Obama (D) I voted for John and Sarah and Obama won.

2012 Mitt Romney (R) vs Obama (D) I voted for Romney and Obama won.

2016 Donald Trump (R) vs Hillary Clinton (D)

Next week I will cast my vote and that vote is based on several issues.  First and foremost Veterans and Soldiers now serving getting the back up they need and deserve.  The economy, the Second Amendment, health care rates in Minnesota have gone up to high to be affordable so that needs to change, we need to secure our borders and deport anyone who is not here legally.

Being the wife of a Serviceman who had a Top Secret Security Clearance,  I know that anyone who shares classified documents should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I used to say “I am an independent and I will vote for who I believe will serve our country the best with honesty and integrity.”  This year that seems to be an impossibility with either candidate.  So I looked at the Party Platform.  I guess I must be a conservative. 

One thing I think that is really really scary…who ever wins could change the course of our Supreme Court for many years to come. 

I look forward to the end of the mudslinging and I hope who ever wins that we can all come together as Americans.

Midway memories: The Tilt

Bill ran the Tilt.  He was old when I met him, he only had one good eye.  He was called One Eyed Bill and sometimes Carburator Bill ( he drove really fast). Far Guy said “Sometimes he wore his glass eye and other times not so much.   Bill’s wife was named Vera.

One eyed Bill and Far Guy visiting a different show.

Far Guy says: Coming back from that show Bill was driving an old station wagon, fell asleep and went into the other lane with a truck coming head on.  Paul was trying to open the door and I was trying to crawl out the window before we crashed.  Our screaming woke Bill up, and he got back into the proper lane just in time.  Paul said that since I was closer to Bill I should make sure he didn’t fall asleep again…I told Paul “I did his eye was open.”  Paul said “Thats his bad eye.”

Bill was First man on the Tilt.  You have to really love a Tilt to work on it, everything is heavy and greasy. The Tilt needs at least four guys to set it up and tear it down, and it takes two trucks to hold all the pieces for the ride.  The moving sections are called Intermediate Plates, the part the tub sat on is called a Bull Plate.  This was back in the day when there were no hoists or lifts it was all brute force that set it up and tore it down. The man on the clutch is what made this ride fun, a good clutch man could make those tubs spin and spin.  In the old days the motors were gasoline.  Most of the men that ran the tilt could ride the plates without getting hurt, they made it look easy…but it wasn’t.

Other men that worked the Tilt: Jerry Samuels, Bubba, Limey (that is a whole different story), old Bruce Lamont (called everyone a kook), Leo Stuker (Smelly feet and he got stung in the eye in Algona Iowa), Shortie Hall (Wife Wanda was a girl show girl and they had three of the cutest little girls, Shortie was a self proclaimed Minister), Stan Rupp (drank himself to death in 2001 in Belle Plain Iowa)…there may have been more but those are the ones I recall.

Tilt A Whirls were manufactured in Faribault  Minnesota by Sellner Manufacturing from 1926 until 2011.  I have heard that there is a tilt tub on Main Street in Faribault.

Merriams Midway Show Tilt A Whirl. Note the scenery on the light bar.

One day a box came in the mail.  Old friend Bruce sent us a package.

Far Guy cleaned it up and wired it to the power on his train set, that way we would know when the lights are on that the trains power is still on…handy with Grandkids!

Halloween Report 2016

We had ten Trick or Treaters.  We have plenty of left over candy.

Two little puppies with Darth Vader buckets.

Two cheerleaders and a Spiderman

Three Lumberjacks, a Princess with shoes that lit up and a Frog.

Since it was the little frogs first Halloween he got his photo taken alone.

What a doll, he is so happy, it must be all those sisters of his that keep him smiling!

It was a nice evening about 50 degrees it rained all afternoon but about supper time the rain quit.

All these children are our great nieces and nephews except for Spiderman and the Cheerleader in Bright Orange.

Happenings and Hallowen

We went for a drive, I have been wanting to fulfill a few requests for photos at Find A Grave.  We struck out with two names but had good luck with the rest of what we were looking for.  I walked among the graves up and down the hill and got my walk in for the day. We were the only ones there…well the only ones alive.

Most of my Dad’s relatives are buried at this cemetery, and very few of their grave stones are photographed.  I took enough photos to keep me busy for a few days.   If the weather holds I will go back for a few more photographs.

Back at home the lawn mower has been put away for the winter, it is cleaned up and washed off and in the garage.

Let the rest of the leaves fall where they may rest for the winter.  The bird bath is still out because it has been warm enough for the birds to use it…and they have been using it.

It feels good to be done with the yard for the winter.  I will get the snow stick out one day this week.   It is on my list.

Chance was not thrilled to wear the Halloween hat but he wishes you a Happy Halloween anyway!

What a headless dog…NO it is just Chance escaping the dreaded hat. Our treats are all bagged up and we have a lot of extra candy so we hope we have a record year with trick or treaters! There will be photos of costumes tomorrow! Next to May Day… Halloween is my second best liked holiday!