Girl's Night Out

 

Girl's Night Out

Hello! I am Jamie's leg. Don't I look cute?! I am tan, tattooed, tipsy, and available for dancing !! 

http://www.marriedray.blogspot.com Check out some awesome pictures!

Birthday Shout-Out!

Today is a special day to celebrate the family members who are one year older. First, today is Grandma Larson's birthday, and although we can't be with her today I am sure all of you who are reading this will agree, it's great to be able to wish her another year of every good thing life has to offer. So Mom, if you are reading this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We will celebrate you when you come to visit. When is that going to be!!!??? Hope it's soon! And Fritz, we didn't get a chance to celebrate your 48th because you had to work on your birthday, but today the family is gathering to honor you, so get ready to start off another year with all the people who love you gathered around to visit and chow down. Feliz Cumplianos!

One Mouse Down

One mouse is dead. How do I know? Because when Fritz stood at the top of the basement stairs to throw some laundry down to me, and I bent over to pick it up, my face came within a foot of the mouse-killing trap thingy which was lying on the floor where it should not have been! We are not sure if the dying mouse dragged it there or Smoochy did, but needless to say, I screamed and quivered at having come so close to the grey horror. I really hate to see mice, dead or alive. Both of them make my hair stand on end.

Oh, when I updated and published the pictures of the day at the beach, I also put another favorite picture which is just beneath it so don't forget to scroll down. And don't forget to click on the pictures to enlarge. Thanks for checking in.

August Afternoon

What better way to spend an August afternoon. This is Thursday, August 17, Grandpa Fritz's birthday! (He had to go to work, but joined us on the beach for a little while.) Brooke, Molly and Paige loved every wet and sandy moment on the beach, from jumping in the swells to digging a hole to China. Paige wanted to wear the "floatie" bathing suit and told me, "I don't mind a small wedgie. Just a big wedgie I don't like." The suit was just a tad too small, but apparently the small wedgie didn't bother her.
When I tried to go in the water, I went through all the panting and contortions older people do when the cold water creeps higher and higher on the body. The girls watched me curiously, having no problem at all with getting used to the 65 degree water. Paige squinted up at me and informed me, "My daddy said people who are fat don't feel the cold water." I have to admit that laughing did warm me up some! We had a wonderful time, and yes, I finally did go in the water. 

Here is another one of my favorite photos. Since Ray was born in California, the folks back home didn't get to see him until he was about a month old. So very few people remember that he had red hair. Yes! Red hair! It didn't last very long, but it was amazing while it lasted! Also, I treasure this picture because it was taken right after we got Ray home from the hospital. We lived in Reseda and he was in the hospital in next-door Northridge, receiving treatment for jaundice. I remember going to visit him (parents were only allowed during visiting hours....humpf!) and my husband and I watched in delight as he kicked his little baby legs vigorously. They had him blindfolded to protect his eyes from the ultraviolet lamp, but those legs were just a' kickin, like, "Get me out of here, and lets get going on my life!" Later, my husband and I went to a movie to take our mind off the fact that we didn't get to bring our baby home. Apparently the distraction didn't work, because we were both very sad during the movie, wanting to be home with our new baby instead. Living in California is a chapter of life I only shared with a husband and infant too small to remember. But this picture brings back so many memories, and in spite of the fact that our young marriage didn't last, this was by far one of our happiest moments. 

About that new version....

For those of you who check the blogs frequently or have tried to update your own, you may have noticed the picture icon doesn't follow through and display your photos. I am wondering if this is because there is a new version of Blogger that they are trying to get people to switch to...the info is on your opening page. Apparently there are a lot of things it can't do yet, plus you have to have a Google account. And as with all internet shit these days, it won't tell you ahead of time if that means you have to pay or not (often you have to really hunt and read the fine print all the way through...and even then they make it as ambiguous and confusing as they can hoping you will just sign up....). Anyway our good old days of doing things the way we learned them are over. Apparently the old dogs will have to learn new tricks. Meanwhile, I have a lot of photos I would like to publish, but cannot. Shitters. I am not going to switch to the new version until they work some of the bugs out.

A Day To Remember

Today is August 13, Kady Rene Veen's date of birth. She has been on my mind a lot lately as the month of her birth approached and I didn't want the day to pass without saying a few things about her. First of all, I will never stop being sad about the fact that when our family gathers, a dear little one isn't there to enjoy the things we are enjoying. It's only for a moment, because I know she is in heaven, and I do believe babies like Kady are angels that can see and hear us even though we can't see and hear them. So I know, in a way, she is with us always. And I believe she knows how much we love her and miss her and think of her. And I also want to say I am grateful for her even though her life was brief, because I think she changed my life in a very significant way. Because I loved her before she was born, and looked forward so much to being her grandmother, the fact that she was here such a brief time made me the kind of grandmother that treasures each and every moment with the grandchildren that were born in later years. It made me appreciate the fact that all of our lives, and children especially, are a precious gift. And it made me so much more appreciative of the fact that there is a loving God, who will dry our tears and fill our hearts with joy when we gather together with those dear ones who went before us to their heavenly home. I don't know why Kady was called home after being with us such a short time. But I do believe that God loves us very much, even more than we love Kady, and that just as we didn't want to think of her suffering, God doesn't want us to suffer. So I know and just have faith that someday we will know and the answer will replace the pain with unimaginable joy. Until then, I know she has a piece of my heart that will always love and remember her. And I will never stop being glad she was part of our lives, even if only for the months we looked forward to her being her and the week she was here. And last, I can't help but feel she is looking on with loving encouragement as those of us, her family, go about our daily walk of life. It makes me want to be a better person. Kady, I know I speak for all who knew you when I say we love and miss you.

Mouse Update

Last night I had dreams about reptiles invading our house. It was a new kind of snake. (MOM, you may not want to read this part!) They were fat like a toad but elongated like a snake. And then there were baby snakes, too, and in my dream they were baby rattlers! So the baby rattlers were attacking the toad-like snakes. And I had to walk through them, barefoot! And of course it wouldn't even be a decent nightmare unless I walked on one -- or two. It was just so ultra-creepy, even now my bare feet tingle with the memory of how it felt to step on a dream snake! And to know at any second one could and probably would lunge at me.

And I figure two things contributed to this nightmare. One, I tried to beat Smoochy into the bedroom last night because if she gets in before me, she hides, and I have to find her and put her out before I go to sleep or she wail at the closed door until I do. So as were were hot-stepping towards the door, I accidentally stepped on her tail. Her long, slinky tail. The arch of my foot was on it so it didn't hurt her, but it gave me a creepy feeling to feel that living tube undefoot. And then, just before I fell asleep, the memory of that mouse climbing my bedspread intruded upon my fatigued brain.

So you see, having a mouse invade our house really did traumatize me some. However, we have not seen it since the last sighting prompted us to stuff steel wool in the cable-holes. A muffin accidentally left out overnight bore no tell-tale toothmarks, nor did the one piece of popcorn on the floor suspiciously disappear. So maybe...we scared it away? The mouse traps remain empty. But like the unseen shark that circles the sandbars, or the folded but unsleeping bat that waits in the dark at the top of the attic, I can feel its presence somewhere. Waiting.

Clancy And Kid

I love the action and color in this picture. And as Ray says, why not put more pictures on that people are really interested in? :)

I was looking for his special baby picture but decided to put this one on instead. It was taken when Ray went to pick up the twins at Vineyard after the Heritage Landing Easter Egg Hunt a few years ago. That is Brooke in his arms. The first time he put on the clown make-up and wig, the twins, who were very young, weren't even afraid of him! As the twins often say, "Daddy is funny!"

Why Dogs Are Our Best Friends

My friend Debbie (Redding) Smith sent me this photo in an e-mail (Or maybe it was Margie, it's been awhile) but anyway it is so darn cute I just wanted to share. It was titled "Praying Dog" but when I look at this picture, I almost think the dog is praying for the child's prayers to be answered.

Favorite Pictures Category

This picture is just so adorable. It was taken April 1971 according to the date on it. I used to bathe Laura in the bathroom sink, because as you can see, she fit just right! And you can also see why my doctor asked me who the Indian was in our family! We lived in a duplex about 3 blocks from downtown Whitehall. There was no shower, only a tub that was very low to the floor. I don't remember much about the kitchen sink, but I am willing to bet it usually had dishes in it as there was little or no counter space. Anyway, we lived there about a year, Laura learned to walk at 6-7 months old, partly due to Ray's mentoring. She looks pretty smart for a 5 month old....that look of concentration, figuring out what is going on. And hmmm....I didn't notice it then, but there are definitely some cheeks on that little face, sorta like the ones Em had when she was born. Always wondered where she got those from!

Bubbles and Giggles

The weather has cooled somewhat, but the beach is still the place to be! So after dinner (which Brooke laughed all the way through!?) the twins and I went swimming and it was great. The waves were reasonably nice, the water warm (after you got all the way in it) and not much wind. We all three got into floatie rings and let the waves bounce us to shore. Paige went first, then me in the middle holding onto her foot, and Brooke holding onto my legs, all of us laughing like crazy. The Paige got cold so I wrapped her up in several wraps and held her on my lap onshore while Brooke paddled and splashed to her heart's content a few feet away in the shallows. "Grandma," Paige said seriously. "Do you remember Mrs. Campbell?" "Not one from your school," I answered. Paige informed me, "Her name is Campbell, but she doesn't camp, and she doesn't ring a bell."

When we got home they got a bath and shampoo. Then I put them in clean tee shirts (they are art shirts, beach shirts, or nighties, depending on what we need at the time.) They loved the bath and were so cheerful and sparkling I couldn't resist taking a picture or two. They are going to get their pictures taken Saturday for posters that will be displayed at the hospital. But I really should let their folks blog about that, and hopefully post some pictures after they are taken. Now the girls are sleeping and I better, too. OH, have you all wished Chill and Troph Happy Anniversary yet?! Check out their blogs if you haven't already.

Goodbye Buffalo

The guy with the banjo called himself Buffalo. He was a musician and an occasional friend. Cujo, the guy with the guitar, is a longtime karaoke patron of ours, and a friend. He and Buffalo played together in various night spots throughout our area, and made a cd of some of their more popular songs. Buffalo was part Indian. When Cujo got very ill there was a benefit for him, and Buffalo made a large dreamcatcher to be raffled off as a fundraiser. I won it. I only bought two tickets the whole night and won it. I also have a choker made of beads with an Indian pattern on it made by Buffalo. Val and I each bought one from him years ago. Once Colleen and I asked Buffalo how he got his name. He grinned a great big grin, turned around to make sure no one else was listening, and laughed, "Because I'm hung like a buffalo!" Colleen and I both got very red, but we laughed a lot over that. Buffalo could yodel, and I used to tease him about being an Indian who yodeled like a cowboy. He was also an Indian who played a ....Jew's Harp! Well, as you may have guessed, Buffalo passed away. I know he was diabetic but he did have some other health problems, too. His real name was Dennis Andersen. He had a lot of friends and will be greatly missed. If I knew how to put music on my blog, I would, because I would like you to hear his singing. I hope he is playing his banjo up there and yodeling, too, wherever Native Americans go after they leave this world.

Rescue on the High Seas

Yes, it has been hot. On Wednesday, the big lake was very rough and the red flag was flying. So we went to the beach Grace calls the Grub Club. I call it Guana Beach. Howsomever, the water was great, and this year the gulls must have found a new place to leave their droppings because it wasn't the problem it has been in year's past. But I digress. Look at the pictures. Can you guess which bathing beauty drifted way out beyond the dropoff, and was rescued by a passing sailor in a small sailboat? Look at their faces. Which one looks sheepish, like they made a little mistake? Okay, I'll tell you. It was Emily. But, it wasn't Emily that drifted away. Not on my watch!!! It was the orange noodle. I told the girls if their toys drifted away not to go after them, as the dropoff was fairly close by. And sure enough (as the picture shows) Emily turned her back on the noodle just a moment. But the wind and wave action soon carried it far out of reach. After about a half hour, when the noodle was almost out of sight, we noticed a small sailboat heading right for it. Well, we were right, the guy was after our noodle. "Piracy!" I thought. But no, he must have realized a swimmer had lost it, and he waved it around in the air. We waved back. He steered in closer. "Go to the channel, " he called, "and I'll throw it to you!" So we made our way to the little inlet that goes into the marina. And he cruised in there and threw it to Grace, who had to wade out into the rocks to get it. Emily said it was the best adventure she ever had on the beach. After that we watched the storms come in, the ones that never made it to Muskegon.

Babes in Toyland

Once in awhile you take a picture and realize it is a classic. These are two more of my all-time favorite pictures. This is Brooke and Paige at Chuck E. Cheese's when they were only a few months old. Their expressions seem to say, "Was this supposed to fun, because quite frankly we are somewhat in over our heads, here!?" Of course it kind of reminds us of a Simpson's episode where a mall nursery worker dumps each new arrival into a huge container of balls, where they immediately sink with a panicked look on their face. One worker notes, "The babies look unhappy," and the cigarette smoking old hag who is in charge snaps back, "Add more balls."

Mighty Mouse Strikes Again

Again with the cat attacking something. This time, it was in the living room and Fritz got to be in the front row at the Wild Kingdom episode. Grace and Em had just gone to bed but were still awake. While we cowered in the bedroom, Grandpa managed to TRAP the fat trespasser in an upside-down bucket. YEA! He came into the bedroom to report, panting but proud. Moments passed, and we waited, thinking this time the mouse would be gone for good. But no. The mouse got away when Grandpa tried to slide something under the bucket to move it. Dang! But I have to give Grandpa and the cat their props. After all, they did corner it.

Next step is to fill the holes in the bedroom floors with steel wool. The holes were drilled so that certain cables would fit through. The steel wool keeps the mouse from using the holes to get in and out of our rooms. At least when we go to sleep with the door shut we won't have to worry about a mouse climbing the bedspread! Those of you who suggested guns, snakes, pigs, and so on, thanks, but I'm already creeped out enough. I did know a gal who used a bb gun to shoot a mouse. She reported that the bb hit the mouse in the butt, and the mouse slid across the floor and ran away. Stay tuned for round 3.

Saturday Night Fever

These are a couple of pictures of our Saturday night, after the golf tournament. There was a big Euchre/Hearts card game in the dining room. And yes, that is Chantze playing...he learned it at Camporee! We made some popcorn and when the pop ran out, the ice water flowed freely. Brooke and Paige enjoyed watching Cinderella II in my bedroom, and Fritz and Bryan A were locked in cribbage combat in the living room. I didn't take a picture of them though...someone is camera shy and I already pushed my luck taking photos of the golf game. Viva La Summer! Or Viva Le Ete if you prefer.

Someone Help This Cat

The last night Brian G was here, I was sitting at the computer and heard Smoochie attacking something in my closet. She chased it out into the room. I saw her batting at something on my bedspread. Gingerly pulling the fold aside, I saw a fat mouse clinging for dear life to MY BED! I screamed. Not eeek, it was more like ARGHHH! Fritz got up to battle with the beast, and there was banging and clanging and some more screaming. He ended up sitting at my computer all night with the light on to protect me from the bed-climbing horror. Fortunately Brian didn't hear a thing.
Fritz bought some humane traps, but so far, the mouse isn't having any of that. And today, Smoochie cornered it again under my palm tree, and I broke my palm trying to get at it. The tree, not my hand. Anyway, our cat doesn't have claws. She sniffs it out and chases it, but can't hold onto it unless she bites it, and she is so well-fed I am not sure she realizes she could make a mouse-sicle out of it. So does anyone have a sure-fire way of getting rid of mice, who can hide in the wilderness of an overstuffed bedroom (hey, it's organized, but still very full) or do I have to lie awake at night listening to every rustle and scratch, toes curled and eyes wide, wondering if it'll get under the covers and do something to me I haven't even been able to imagine but am extremely jumpy about?
And don't you macho guys tell me it's only an itty bitty mouse. There is a gene in women's brains that prevents them from seeing any varmint as small and helpless. It's a Jungian memory of dinosaur-like rodents that must have attacked women when the cavemen were away, and the men never believed them when they described the size.

The Players of The Great Golf Grudge Match

The players were Fritz, Brian G., Bryan A., and Ray. Pam A. also played but didn't get in the picture. As you can see from their expressions, the anticipation is great, the confidence is solid, and the competition will be fierce! Brian G. has an edge, being the usual winner, and being an attorney of course he know more about golfing than any of the rest. He comes from down south where the heat is tough, and he loves it, so that also gives him an advantage. Bryan A. has the home court advantage, having played the courses many more times. And he also has a fierce competitive streak that makes him want to squash the competition. Ray is a threat because he has a winning personality and often has good luck, combined with the more relaxed playing style of someone who doesn't feel the need to win. But he may find himself less competitive due to a night out the night before and less of a desire to dominate. Pam is a threat because she might decide, in her quiet way, that she isn't going to let all those guys get the better of her. But mother-of-the-groom stress combined with a stressful job on little sleep may put her in the bottom 3. Fritz is the one who always says he doesn't expect to win, he just plays for the fun of it, plus it's harder on him physically, but he has the ability to win if he sets his mind to it. However, he is up against not only some fierce competitors, but more skilled golfers. In his favor: I was only there a short time so as not to distract him and having never won the grudge match, he won't be rattled by trying to keep up a reputation. So.....who won? Keep reading. You may be surprised. Or not.

The Great Golf Grudge Match Winners!

And the winners are! Mr. G shows his winning form, having beaten all comers for the past few years on the Crazy Country side. On the Jungle Adventure side, the dark horse, Fritz, won round 2 with an unprecedented pair of holes-in-one! It was warm, it was humid, and it was grueling, but the 5 golfers sweated it out to the very end. Congratulations to the winners, and to the almost winners, there is always next year!

Emma Turns 3!

Saturday was a busy day, but I was able to spend a few moments with one of my favorite neighbors, little Emma! She just turned 3 and had a great backyard party with many of her family and friends. Her new little brother was there, too. The kids were all having a great time. They had balloon hats and got to take a swing at a Spongebob pinata. When asked if she wanted Dora or Spongebob for her birthday theme, Emma picked Spongebob. So I promised to make a Spongebob game for the party. The mouth on the front of the box is cut out so the kids can take turns trying to earn a prize by throwing a sponge in. I didn't get to stay for the game, but from the sounds I heard all the kids were enjoying themselves and the smile on Emma's face tells it all! I saw here go up and hug a little boy her size and tell him, "Come and have some cake!" And she shared her special big piece of cake with another little boy who was even smaller. I am so glad she had such a nice party and has such a loving family.

Pictures That Go With The Update Below

Family and Friends Make Everyday Special!

Uncle Brian Has Returned!

Note: Blogspot's photo manager is once more malfunctioning so only two pictures on this update....will keep working on publishing a few more pics of our party througout the day.

Chris is still in a neck brace after his surgery and could use a few prayers for healing. His daughter Brandy is 10 and very pretty. The other picture has Bryan A. and Brian G. in it.

In spite of the fact Brian has visited almost every year and therefore knows exactly what it's like, he still came back this year! Yea! So we had a dinner in his honor. Most of the family came and we not only had a nice pork barbecue sandwich/relish tray with both mouth-watering and mouth burning items/a plethora of freshly picked fruit in its washed but otherwise natural state/food items of deliciousness unsurpassed too numerous to mention, but we also fit in a health walk (for the cool people). Did I mention it was the hottest day of the year so far? Good thing we have air conditioning. Brian said he enjoyed it all very much and I know we did, too. So who knows, maybe we can entice him back next year, whaddya think? And by the way, his dance card filled up fast. He has dinner invitations for 3-4 days this week already in addition to the big golf shoot-off coming up Saturday. A yearly tradition...an alpha male friend of ours (also named Bryan) tries every year to beat Uncle Brian at mini-golf. It is a funny-serious game, much bragged about and looked forward to. Chilldaddy is getting in this year, having missed it before due to work or other obligations. So...I'll be there with camera.

Oh, and Brian took us out to dinner Monday night, to Chili's. Our dessert was watching numerous awesome storms come in off Lake Michigan. We also watched the LEX go out to "sea" with brother Yoobie onboard. She really boogied in the rough seas, and on her return trip (sans Mike) lightening struck all around her. But she made it and Yoob reported he never got seasick. A chip off the old block, as our father was a sailor. Other than the power going out almost everywhere, it was a great night of storms.

Moving Day for Shorten'sweet

Here are a few pictures of moving day. But I didn't take pictures of the inside of the apartment (except for Michelle sitting on couch after a lot of hard work.) 'Coz the new tenant will want to do that when she gets a day or two off to arrange things more to her liking. I just barely got my camera working as the work was wrapping up, but I did get a picture of Chris's muscles and Jamie and her dad leaving with a load of stuff from her room.

I like the new duplex lots better than her old 2nd story apartment, because in her old place there just wasn't enough room and nothing worked right. This place has a lot more quality and it's built as though someone really cared if the tenant would be content with the way things are made. Lots of closets, much more room, even outdoor areas like a flower garden area and a deck that isn't exactly tiny. She deserves a good place to go home to after a hard day's work, and this place fits.

Bad Luck Day(s)

I am not feeling sorry for myself, but I do want to make a list of crappy things that have happened to me lately. Maybe I need someone to feel sorry for me?! I bet everyone has days like this. Although I really included two days because there wasn't enough crap in one day. I'm all better now and am really looking forward to Brian's visit and our family party. While you're reading these, be sure to feel sorry for me.

1. I ordered a roast beef sandwich with lettuce, mayo, onion. I was handed a DRY, hard bun with no onion and no tomato with sub sauce. (I mentioned mayo 4 times when I ordered.) Made them give me a refund.

2. After working so long and hard my blood sugar got low, I ate a high carb snack and got really sleepy. I no sooner laid down to take a short nap (I can sleep even five minutes and wake up raring to go) some lady came and rang the doorbell. I waited for her to go away. I was almost asleep! And then she rang again. Then beat on the door. Then rang one more time and knocked one more time. Good thing she left because I was ready to go ring her bell a time or two. Come to find out it was a politician handing out handbills. Well, I was so pissed I got adrenalin running through my system and couldn't sleep after that.

3. I had to clean the gutters that run across the front of our house. They sag in the middle and the debris that falls of our roof mixes with rain water and decomposes in the gutters, making a smelly muck that I am sure is full of disease-carrying bacteria or something. I was worried about the ladder sliding across the concrete driveway when I climbed, so I pulled the van up to put the base of the ladder against. When I went to move the ladder, it fell backwards and broke my flippin' windshield! Well, it didn't actually break, but the crack goes from top to bottom directly in front of where my eyes will be looking next time I drive. Wah! And then I stepped in some of the slop that spilled on the driveway, I had sandals on and it went between my flippin' toes. EUUUUUUUUUUU!!!

4. The drain in the shower backed up. I had to bail out grey foamy water until Fritz could get home and fix it. Next day, I did a couple rugs in the washer and the sink it drains into backed up! Now you can feel sorry for Fritz because he went down there and fixed that!

5. I walked into the garage using the back door and our 5 cd changer, which someone had precariously balanced on a narrow tv top, got jiggled just enough to go crashing to the floor, and you could hear the parts inside being thrown around. Okay, it wasn't working, but we were going to get it fixed!

6. I know there is more, but I am tired and am going to go to bed. Tomorrow, if I have time, a couple pics of the shortie on her moving day.....oh, and I still thank God for every day because there are usually far more blessings than curses. But I like to bitch, I've noticed. Wonder if that is old age or something.

Summer Blonde and Hot Redhead

Lyda and I were the very best of friends in middle school and junior high. Unfortunately, she had to move away before we had a chance to help each other pick out prom dresses or sign each other's yearbooks. Debbie sent me this picture which I just downloaded. It's Lyda and I on a summer day in 1967. I had dyed my hair blonde with Summer Blonde, which was a harsh bleach which made my hair look like a haystack. But who cared. I was 15 and blonde, Lyda was my best friend, she lived in a really cool neighborhood (for the prankish types like us) and we had the whole world to look forward to. Maybe things didn't turn out so well, there were some hard years ahead for us both. But looking at this picture, we had the world by the ying-yang, or at least we thought we did. I hope I remember, when I see my grandkids growing up, how it felt to be young and free and have the whole world to look forward to. And not to step on any dreams.

This is one of those pictures you can imagine showing a reporter when the kid grows up to be a rock star! This picture is just cute, and it's nice to have it, because for the past few years, every time I try to get a good shot of Chantze he moves or makes a funny face! This shot shows his personality without necessarily being a cheese smile. Plus I like it that he is playing the guitar with a pick. His look is like, OH! Caught me having fun! Aren't I cute?!

Favorite Pictures Category

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures. Of course, I have a few dozen more all-time favorites, which I will put on my blog as time and inclination allow. Taken at the Muskegon County Fairgrounds, I happened to catch a moment of wonder that is shown on the faces of little girl and big horse. Spending time with grandchildren is always the best time. Taking them to a place like the fairgrounds to see some of their favorite animals up close is a lot of fun, too. But I think what makes this picture extra special is the fact that Emily has always loved horses, and this time she got to get right up close, and the awe shows on her face. Maybe I am supplying the imagination, but the horse seems to be just as interested in the little human being held up for his inspection. (The owner assured us this horse was gentle and wouldn't nip.) So come on, let me know, what do you think the horse is thinking?

Across The Lake

Above: Dean and Eileen watching wild turkeys in the back of the property, deer in Pam's "backyard," Dean, Eileen, Pam, & Fritz, sunset reflecting off a Milwaukee building, Pam's backyard with the deer appearing as just a tiny speck near the center of the picture, and Pam with the trees her family planted.

It is beautiful in Wisconsin. We made the trip to be with family when Uncle Art passed away, so it was a sad occasion. But being with family helps, and cousin Pam was very good at making us feel comfortable and welcome, even though she had a memorial service and committal to attend to while we were there. Aunt Eileen and Uncle Dean were just as confident and knowledgeable about what to do as they always are, so that really helped.

Fritz had asked to see some of the places he visited in his youth. Delavan and Hebron were just over the border in Illinois, so one day we took a jaunt over there. Uncle Dean's car, with its onboard GPS, made for some interesting adventures and extra sightseeing. You might not know where you are, but you can't get lost! We saw Aunt Chloe's farm, which was really beautiful. Many children either grew up there or visited there, including Fritz, who once fell into some pig offal with a cousin in a famous incident that is still talked about. We visited the place where there are many Spencers buried, including Fritz's Mom. Delavan was beautiful, too, a picture perfect small town American slice of real life, with a red brick road downtown that is carefully preserved. This is where Eileen and Annabelle lived as children. They had a pleasant house on a shaded street not too far from where they attended elementary school.

The farms we passed were so inviting, older but well-kept houses, landscaped yards kept in perfect order, old barns still standing strong, and fields with many different grasses, not too many orchards. Wildlife areas were lush and green, and we saw lakes, marshes, creeks, and a river. We skirted an area well-known for being overrun with tourists, Lake Geneva. Back in Wisconsin, we went by the Univerisity of Wisconsin, Whitewater, where the Spencer girls attended college. Whitewater was awesome, a neat town, and to raise money, they had suspended wooden chairs from the lamp-posts downtown. Each one was painted artistically, imaginatively, colorfully, and delightfully! It was like a drive-through art gallery. I regret I forgot to take my camera on this tour, because words can't describe the beauty of the countryside.
And now a few words about the Houghton's where we stayed. Perched on a hilltop that gives a broad and beautiful view of the whole countryside in every direction, the home is like an eagle's nest. In front there isa a sweeping lawn, and in back pine and cottonwood (?) trees. During the day, out back, where you can see for miles, we saw wild turkeys feeding in the fields and once a deer. In front there were always birds or rabbits to watch, and at night, hundreds of fireflies. Early one morning a bird got caught in the window of the room we were sleeping in, and Fritz had to open the window to let it go.

One afternoon, after a rain, Eileen and Pam and I walked over to the farm next door, where Pam had grown up, before they built a house on the hill when her dad retired from farming. We saw the tall pines Pam and her family had planted. As the picture shows, they are very tall now! We also saw wheat the present owner planted, (Tony), he is an organic farmer with several steers on the premises that gave us the eye as we walked by. In spite of the sadness of the occasion, it was good company and an enjoyable visit. And by the way, the restaurants were nothing like here. The food was very good and quite a surprising variety. The service was cheerful and attentive. The roads were all in good repair, no road rebuilding needed everywhere like it is here. And there were help wanted and now hiring signs in several places. So I would say they are faring better in farm/cheese/beer country than we are here in auto/tourist country. But it is good to be back home, where children and grandchildren and sibs are. And the cat.