Has gone by and. I am a four year survivor. It seems like it has been way longer than four years.
This year I am in Nicollet playing Grandma. I attempted to post a picture of Julia but can't seem to figure out the how to on this new device of mine!
Anyway, happy anniversary to me.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Texas Comes To Minnesota
Our Texas kid was able to spend a few days with us again, this is his second visit in a short time and we so enjoy having him. Of course he did have a specific (and very good) reason for this visit...he interviewed for a job in the Duluth area. The interview went well and we are so hoping that he gets the job. It would be wonderful to have Ry and his family closer to us...in fact he would be our closest kid.
He had to give us a taste of his Texas life. When he is not working he spends some time playing Texas hold-em and had to teach us to play. He and David played and played and played. As you can see Peeko wanted to go to bed (it was way past bedtime) and I got tired with it and took a few pictures. This is a serious game, as you can see by the look on the fellas faces...and by the shine coming from their heads.... However, that nice big pile of chips that is in front of David did not last long. Ry had each and every chip by the end of the night.
Being from Texas, Ry brags about the tacos down there. We had to show him what tacos are like up here in northern MN. A little bar/cafe in Boy River has a fry bread taco special on Wednesday nights. They are fabulous and even impressed our Texas kid.
Mikey these are a must try next time you guys are here. The fry bread that they use is the best I have ever tasted...beats that heck out of that stuff you and David ate way too much of.
Ryan flew out yesterday after his interview, we were sad to see him go but are crossing our fingers that he will be back to stay.
Grand baby update. Little Julia scared her Mom and Dad (and her Grandma and Grandpa) this week with a 102.9 fever along with a difficult time breathing. After taking her to the doc she was diagnosed with Croup...no fun to be sure. She is doing as well as can be expected under the watchful eyes of Len and Kel. It really is hard to be so far away from your kids and their families especially when things like this happens.
He had to give us a taste of his Texas life. When he is not working he spends some time playing Texas hold-em and had to teach us to play. He and David played and played and played. As you can see Peeko wanted to go to bed (it was way past bedtime) and I got tired with it and took a few pictures. This is a serious game, as you can see by the look on the fellas faces...and by the shine coming from their heads.... However, that nice big pile of chips that is in front of David did not last long. Ry had each and every chip by the end of the night.
Being from Texas, Ry brags about the tacos down there. We had to show him what tacos are like up here in northern MN. A little bar/cafe in Boy River has a fry bread taco special on Wednesday nights. They are fabulous and even impressed our Texas kid.
Mikey these are a must try next time you guys are here. The fry bread that they use is the best I have ever tasted...beats that heck out of that stuff you and David ate way too much of.Ryan flew out yesterday after his interview, we were sad to see him go but are crossing our fingers that he will be back to stay.
Grand baby update. Little Julia scared her Mom and Dad (and her Grandma and Grandpa) this week with a 102.9 fever along with a difficult time breathing. After taking her to the doc she was diagnosed with Croup...no fun to be sure. She is doing as well as can be expected under the watchful eyes of Len and Kel. It really is hard to be so far away from your kids and their families especially when things like this happens.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Dis and Dat In No Particular Order
Mother Nature has been up to her old tricks again. I don't think that we ever hit the peak color season up here because the snow came before the leaves could completely change. We did get some color but not the brilliant leaves that is our usual. In fact one day David and I took a drive through a nearby woods to find that no leaves had changed, they were all still green. Strange indeed. I had way too many tomatoes this year and I finally quit harvesting because I was sick of canning. I have not gotten the gardens cleaned up yet due to the turn in the weather but hope to get to it today. It is supposed to be in the low 50s so I best get to it. The deer have found what is left of my flower beds, they were munching away last night as we watched.
This old gal, who is 14, looks like a young pup when we walk in the woods.
I have been able to catch a few colorful scenes. This one is on a drive somewhere or other up here in one of the many wooded areas.
At our place looking across the road.
On the path in our woods
And this is as good as my mums are going to get this year I am afraid.
And then came the snow.
Some color hanging on to a snow covered fence
A colorful tree peeking out behind snow covered evergreens
This was an absolute blast. While on a drive we found a pair of eagles-this one fully mature and another that had not yet developed the white head and tail, feasting in a ditch on a roadkill. It was windy, cold and snowing but I stood in it for about an hour (while David patiently sat in the truck) sneaking up on and photographing the mature eagle. In this picture I was across the road standing stock still while the eagle (who had been frightened away from his task by passing cars) flew back into the ditch from the trees.
A while later David and I moved to the opposite side of the road to get another view. I slowly walked into the ditch to watch. Each time a car drove by the eagle took to flight. I suppose people up here are used to this but I never ever get used to it. These huge beautiful creatures swooping right in front of your vehicle. It is startling when it happens they are just so big and majestic.
I was able to get pretty close to their feeding site. In fact he didn't even notice me until he got closer. I thought, hoped, that he would swoop right over my head but didn't.
Even though it was cold I would have stood there another hour just watching them. But it was time to let them alone.
Just another couple of weeks in the northwoods..........
This old gal, who is 14, looks like a young pup when we walk in the woods.
I have been able to catch a few colorful scenes. This one is on a drive somewhere or other up here in one of the many wooded areas.
At our place looking across the road.
On the path in our woods
And this is as good as my mums are going to get this year I am afraid.
And then came the snow.
Some color hanging on to a snow covered fence
A colorful tree peeking out behind snow covered evergreens
This was an absolute blast. While on a drive we found a pair of eagles-this one fully mature and another that had not yet developed the white head and tail, feasting in a ditch on a roadkill. It was windy, cold and snowing but I stood in it for about an hour (while David patiently sat in the truck) sneaking up on and photographing the mature eagle. In this picture I was across the road standing stock still while the eagle (who had been frightened away from his task by passing cars) flew back into the ditch from the trees.
A while later David and I moved to the opposite side of the road to get another view. I slowly walked into the ditch to watch. Each time a car drove by the eagle took to flight. I suppose people up here are used to this but I never ever get used to it. These huge beautiful creatures swooping right in front of your vehicle. It is startling when it happens they are just so big and majestic.
I was able to get pretty close to their feeding site. In fact he didn't even notice me until he got closer. I thought, hoped, that he would swoop right over my head but didn't.
Even though it was cold I would have stood there another hour just watching them. But it was time to let them alone.Just another couple of weeks in the northwoods..........
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Go Twins and Yay Vikings
Watching baseball in my opinion is way boring. However our Twins have done quite well the past couple of games so I have become a fair weather fan and am trying to watch the game against the Yankees. Gonna help pass the time by blogging...
A few weeks back I spent the week in Nicollet area visiting friends. When you have moved and go back for a visit it does get difficult to spend time with everyone that you would like to, but I think I did a pretty good job of it.
Chrissy and I spent a day shopping at Ikea and thrift stores, both of which were pretty much a bust. I did get a new lens for my camera though because mine had pretty much bit the dust given the rolls down various rocky areas it (and I) took. Of course I had to try it out....
Chrissy behind the wheel of my Honda.
The sun rays coming through clouds on the way home 
And look Jess, I take pictures of deer down south too!
It was a fun (and exhausting) day Chrissy thanks for spending it with me.
Another day Jess and I and the dogs took a long walk in Rasmussen Woods.
Even though Jack and Peeko had not been together for a long time they fell right into their old walking habits....hunt hunt sniff sniff.
Mary and I spent a day touring her garden, talking about plants and had lunch at StPeter's forgotten place to eat, the cafeteria at Gustavus College.
My new lens has more of a wide angle and I was able to capture this nice shot. Gustavus' campus is gorgeous with their blooming plants.
And another day was spent with my friend Jan. Mikey was up north with his friend David...trying to catch some fish or maybe just having fun!
Jan and I did some route planning for our winter tour...exciting.
This is a picture of the flowers in her motor home reflected in the side mirror.
And finally a picture of four generations taken by Kelly's mom during Julia's birthday party
Great Grandpa and Julia playing, 'You can't get my bear'
I had to share this one as David spent a lot of time getting Julia to warm up to him. She finally did and then became grandpa's girl! Here they are on the deck watching the neighbor cut hay.
And then back home again to find my mums almost swallowing up the menopausal maiden in the boat garden.
Last weekend David's brother Ron was able to spend some time in the northland and much to his dismay he did not win a game of cribbage against David!
Top of the 5th score is 2 to 3, Twins are not ahead......oops Yankees just scored 4 to 2. Might be time to turn the channel.
I have been meaning to say hello to Wes...so Hi Wes.
A few weeks back I spent the week in Nicollet area visiting friends. When you have moved and go back for a visit it does get difficult to spend time with everyone that you would like to, but I think I did a pretty good job of it.
Chrissy and I spent a day shopping at Ikea and thrift stores, both of which were pretty much a bust. I did get a new lens for my camera though because mine had pretty much bit the dust given the rolls down various rocky areas it (and I) took. Of course I had to try it out....
Chrissy behind the wheel of my Honda.
The sun rays coming through clouds on the way home 
And look Jess, I take pictures of deer down south too!
It was a fun (and exhausting) day Chrissy thanks for spending it with me.Another day Jess and I and the dogs took a long walk in Rasmussen Woods.
Even though Jack and Peeko had not been together for a long time they fell right into their old walking habits....hunt hunt sniff sniff.
Mary and I spent a day touring her garden, talking about plants and had lunch at StPeter's forgotten place to eat, the cafeteria at Gustavus College.My new lens has more of a wide angle and I was able to capture this nice shot. Gustavus' campus is gorgeous with their blooming plants.
And another day was spent with my friend Jan. Mikey was up north with his friend David...trying to catch some fish or maybe just having fun!Jan and I did some route planning for our winter tour...exciting.
This is a picture of the flowers in her motor home reflected in the side mirror.
And finally a picture of four generations taken by Kelly's mom during Julia's birthday party
Great Grandpa and Julia playing, 'You can't get my bear'
I had to share this one as David spent a lot of time getting Julia to warm up to him. She finally did and then became grandpa's girl! Here they are on the deck watching the neighbor cut hay.
And then back home again to find my mums almost swallowing up the menopausal maiden in the boat garden.
Last weekend David's brother Ron was able to spend some time in the northland and much to his dismay he did not win a game of cribbage against David!
Top of the 5th score is 2 to 3, Twins are not ahead......oops Yankees just scored 4 to 2. Might be time to turn the channel.I have been meaning to say hello to Wes...so Hi Wes.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Last year I think that I blogged the words to Melissa Etheridge's song I Run For Life. I THINK I have attached a youtube link of her actually singing the song.
The day that I was diagnosed I did not cry until that night after I went to bed and turned on the TV because I was unable to sleep. There was Melissa Etheridge, who I had never listened to before, singing this song. It allowed me to cry and cry and cry which was what I really needed to do. And then this song gave me hope and I knew that I was not going to let cancer beat me. I was going to beat it damn it and beat it I have.
Melissa is a 5 year survivor, she has reached the magic 5 year mark (I will be there October 2010). Please please play this video and really listen. If you have someone in your family or just know someone battling breast cancer, or any cancer, this song will give you and them strength.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgiwrvEX8wY
The day that I was diagnosed I did not cry until that night after I went to bed and turned on the TV because I was unable to sleep. There was Melissa Etheridge, who I had never listened to before, singing this song. It allowed me to cry and cry and cry which was what I really needed to do. And then this song gave me hope and I knew that I was not going to let cancer beat me. I was going to beat it damn it and beat it I have.
Melissa is a 5 year survivor, she has reached the magic 5 year mark (I will be there October 2010). Please please play this video and really listen. If you have someone in your family or just know someone battling breast cancer, or any cancer, this song will give you and them strength.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgiwrvEX8wY
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