"I'm, so glad we had this time together..."

I once was asked what my favorite job in the world was. Without even blinking I said parenthood. I knew the time would come when I would no longer be a "mom on site" but just the same a mom. The role just changes. Crowding around a dinner table is no longer an issue. Instead of telling my oldest to get off the phone (pre-cell phone days), it now rings for me from guess-who? Before they were gone it was the sound of laughter, tears, bouncing basketballs, and the beetle-e-beep of video games. I finally have peace and quiet even if I don't desire it. I now have two more rooms in the house in which to decorate, fill with odds and ends, even make a sewing room or library out of them. I know the day will come but at the moment all I seem to be able to do is sit in them and listen to my voice echo off the walls. Yesterday I found a super ball in the corner of one room. It had a picture of Mickey Mouse in the middle. I put it in my jewelry box. I know, I'm hopeless. I also know that life will go on and God will carry me through it. The empty rooms will become something functional and welcome. Dinner will be candlelight and a loving husband. Even the bathroom I shared with my daughter and son will be mine alone with candles and pretty hand towels. Even though I will look forward to holidays more than I have before, I now know how my mom felt when I left home for good.

Do dogs REALLY go to heaven??

Every October 4th or the Sunday closest to it Comet and I head over to Woodlake Lutheran Church in Richfield, the church I was confirmed in and join in the service recognising the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. They call it "The Blessing of the Animals". They start outside after bringing out the piano and pass out programs and the pastor gives a short service in regard to St. Francis and his love for animals. there is a little box of plastic bags for those that might feel the need for, well, you know. Sometimes a dog will disagree with what the pastor's message is and bite another dog but for the most part everyone gets along. Then we head inside and down the hall to the small chapel so that each animal, fin, fur or feather receives an individual blessing from the pastor. Upon leaving the chapel each person receives a little St. Francis metal to put on their animal's collar or cage. We all join in at the end in the Fellowship Hall for refreshments for man and beast (cookies and dog treats).

This gentleman brought his hamster in a small exercise ball wrapped in a blanket.
I always enjoy just seeing how people really love their pets.

Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!

My title is from "Three Little Fishies" by Kay Keyser and His Orchestra from 1941. Most of you over 50 remember the song. It was a jukebox favorite and sold over a million copies. Don't know why but David has turned out to be a very good fisherman. The only person that ever fished with him was Grandpa Myron (the man in the picture) so we're giving him credit. We did take him fishing at the Dells when he was about 10yrs old (starving fish, lots of worms and 10 bucks a lb for whatever you caught) but you really couldn't call it real fishing, obviously. David recently went "real fishing" to a place called Spider Lake up in Grand Rapids in the Chippawa National Forest and caught a 43" Shoepack Musky. Even though it was trophy-worthy he had to throw it back for another catch on another day because the lake is on a reserve. Too bad. Grandpa would have been so proud!

How the Other Half Lives

Michael and I took a bike trip from home out to Bloomington to visit some previous neighbors for a surprise visit. They lived two doors down from us and were wonderful neighbors. I didn't want to go unless we called them first but they were so surprised and happy to see us and we had a wonderful visit with them. Their new home made the "old neighborhood" look like the projects. They had moved 3 years ago into a very high test beautiful house. Katy is an interior designer and her and her hubby met why teaching art classes (she was his instructor). The rest is history. They are great friends and such interesting people. Without invading their privacy I asked if I could take some pictures of various rooms for benefit of the blog. Enjoy.

A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words

What can I say about a picture of someone who has MAYBE fished once in their life and here she is at 86 years young fishing on a lake in Buffalo Minnesota with a group of peers? Just like back in the 1940s the men baited the ladies hooks. What a rush!!

Two's company, three's not available

The other night I decided to ask Karen if she would go with me over to the Hopkins trail for a short afternoon bike ride. Michael had a migraine and it's always more fun to bike with someone even if it's a "smarty-pants, no-hands" daughter. We made 6 miles and went home but it was enough to say we had a workout and was a good time for the two of us to socialize together. Personally I would love to see all three of them learn to enjoy biking as it is free and so very good for you. Don't know if she will do it again but it's a start.

The Saints Have Marched In Already

We have been remodeling our crawl space to give us some storage room and Michael discovered some fabric that had been stuffed into one corner to block out the wind maybe during the winter (we think). Anyway, when we pulled the fabric down we found out it was a pair of pants. After looking them over and an internet search we discovered that they were pants from World War 1. The pictures don't show the buttons but they are metal and are inscribed with "U.S. Army" on them. The pants are 100% dark green wool and the legs have lacing down the sides. Unfortunately they got stuck on a nail when I pulled them down out of the crawl space corner and fearing a bat or gigantic spider falling on me I continued to rip them away from the wood. I could have reached up and carefully moved them around the nail but I doubt the original owner needs them anymore.