I am remembering things I forgot to post, for your enjoyment or/and my remembering.
When I was in the crowd of people for the Lincoln reenactment at the cemetery I worked my way to the front almost so I could see. I came to a break in the crowd and there were these guys who looked like secret service but I thought "oh, it must be part of the play. Then I thought they didn't have secret service then and these guys were dressed in very nice suits. So here I am right next to them, I mean touching next. So I watched them. They had earwigs in and they talked to their wrists and stood with their hands together and watched different directions of the crowd, looking all around all the time. They looked VERY serious. Then another comes up and says, " I want one of you to stay here and the rest to come with me". Then pretty soon the others show up with that guy, with some kind of dignitary and they are guarding him just like they do on TV. I have NO idea who he was. A lady tugged at his sleeve and asked for a picture of him (the lady standing next to me) and he said sure, the guys moved into place, and he leaned down and someone took a picture of them.. Now my memory was full or I would have taken pictures but it was soooooo cool. I felt very special watching that and since I watch so much TV it was just exactly the same. Anyhow, he was tall, a great smile, sandy blond/brown hair and very good looking. So anyhow, that was my brush with the other side of the world.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
5/17/15 Sun
Since I am not sure of this blog as we drive I broke this down into sections. I told about the Kentucky trip pretty much I think. It was so fun.
On the way home to MN we stopped in LeClaire Iowa and went to the American Pickers shop Antique Archeology. That was so cool and I had lots of time to talk with the girls in the shops and get lots of questions I had answered.
Then we went to MN. We drove to my sisters in Racine. We were able to pull right up beside her house and hook up to electric. We were right by the garage side door so I could jump out and run in the side door and have coffee. We mainly had plans to just hang out and we did. I washed clothes and dog beds, did very little for my sister as she wouldn't let me, we had meals together in and out, I got to see 5 of her surviving 8 kids. and spend some time with them each one on one which was fun. The ones I saw are 5-9 years younger than I am only. We watched TV and just hung out and it was just so nice and relaxing. Leroy did some chores for her. I washed dogs. We went to the cemetery I walked Iris around my old town (the only town I knew growing up as I lived in the country). I went to a three room school house there with 6 grades in it. It is now an apartment complex. We went along to my first church on Sun, we went to brunch with them on mothers day. We visited my other sister and we had her down for lunch one day. It was really a fun visit.
I did see my other sister twice. She just moved into a town home so we got to see her home. I wanted to see her three children but didn't happen.
We then went to MPLS/ST PAUL area and stayed at the casino campground close to Leroy's sisters house. They now live in a town home. We had three or 4 days there and it to was relaxing. She and I got to go the quilt store. I went with them to a bible study that was way over my head. We saw some of the other kids, we went out to eat and ate in (she is a tremendous cook). We got to take a drive thru my beloved MN Arboretum and drive around in general in our first area we lived together. She had an open house for all the rest of the kids so they could come and see us if they wanted or not. Most came and others had pretty good excuses. We got to see the next generation of nieces and nephews, and see the second generation more grown into adults. One we talked with was Matt who is a world champion unicyclist. He turned into a wonderful outgoing christian boy. We saw two of three of the first generation and the other one is a minister and had those kind of duties to take care of first. It was just fun and I loved it. Leroy got to go see Jeff's grandmother who recently went in a nursing home and that was special for him to. She is a nice lady and has loved Leroy and Jeff a lot.
We have wonderful families and they are the salt of the earth. None of us are fancy or rich or important but we are good, kind, thoughtful, decent, salt of the earth people and I myself am happy to think I am one of them. If I can aspire to half of what they all have done in life I have done well.
On the way home to MN we stopped in LeClaire Iowa and went to the American Pickers shop Antique Archeology. That was so cool and I had lots of time to talk with the girls in the shops and get lots of questions I had answered.
Then we went to MN. We drove to my sisters in Racine. We were able to pull right up beside her house and hook up to electric. We were right by the garage side door so I could jump out and run in the side door and have coffee. We mainly had plans to just hang out and we did. I washed clothes and dog beds, did very little for my sister as she wouldn't let me, we had meals together in and out, I got to see 5 of her surviving 8 kids. and spend some time with them each one on one which was fun. The ones I saw are 5-9 years younger than I am only. We watched TV and just hung out and it was just so nice and relaxing. Leroy did some chores for her. I washed dogs. We went to the cemetery I walked Iris around my old town (the only town I knew growing up as I lived in the country). I went to a three room school house there with 6 grades in it. It is now an apartment complex. We went along to my first church on Sun, we went to brunch with them on mothers day. We visited my other sister and we had her down for lunch one day. It was really a fun visit.
I did see my other sister twice. She just moved into a town home so we got to see her home. I wanted to see her three children but didn't happen.
We then went to MPLS/ST PAUL area and stayed at the casino campground close to Leroy's sisters house. They now live in a town home. We had three or 4 days there and it to was relaxing. She and I got to go the quilt store. I went with them to a bible study that was way over my head. We saw some of the other kids, we went out to eat and ate in (she is a tremendous cook). We got to take a drive thru my beloved MN Arboretum and drive around in general in our first area we lived together. She had an open house for all the rest of the kids so they could come and see us if they wanted or not. Most came and others had pretty good excuses. We got to see the next generation of nieces and nephews, and see the second generation more grown into adults. One we talked with was Matt who is a world champion unicyclist. He turned into a wonderful outgoing christian boy. We saw two of three of the first generation and the other one is a minister and had those kind of duties to take care of first. It was just fun and I loved it. Leroy got to go see Jeff's grandmother who recently went in a nursing home and that was special for him to. She is a nice lady and has loved Leroy and Jeff a lot.
We have wonderful families and they are the salt of the earth. None of us are fancy or rich or important but we are good, kind, thoughtful, decent, salt of the earth people and I myself am happy to think I am one of them. If I can aspire to half of what they all have done in life I have done well.
5/17/15 Sun
No church today as we needed to get an earlier start. Usually we go to church around the country which is a blessing and an education in itself.
I have been having problems with the blog on Firefox. It seems Firefox is down more than up lately. Must try to see what else I should use.
Yest afternoon we pulled into Rapid City SD. We found a camp spot (got a 50% discount) and settled in. We then took the dogs for a long walk. Then I got ready to go but somewhere in there I decided to clip Diesel and Carries nails and give them all their adequan shots and their frontline. Well all went well until I cut one of diesels nails, then I cut two and a small nice on the third one. Well he acts as if I killed him. Two were nothing but one kept bleeding. We stypic'd it and he would lick it and it would restart so we had to redo it, and finally use a bandage. Eventually it stopped but not before I felt really guilty. Then I also had to groom Carrie (the cat). I get stuck doing all the mean stuff so after nails and sufficient guilt we settled the animals and got ready to go to our party,
We got mail in MN on Wed. It in was an invitation to a party for Leroy's very close friend who was turning 70. He thought about it thurs and decided we would leave a day early from Mn and be able to get there by sat pm. We made it in plenty of time and after the dog walk we drove into town and before the party ran around to find a place we could find dog food. We were out so would not have been allowed home if we didn't check it out.
The party was amazing. It was held in a special spot in a steak resturant. Great setting. Food was incredible. The food was paid for and we only had to pay for drinks. Anyhow! Leroy hasn't seen this boyhood friend (whom he knew from cradle as he is 2 years younger)for thirty years. The last time was at the friends dads funeral when they called Leroy to be a pallbearer. We walked in, walked around the corner. He turned and looked at Leroy the same time Leroy turned and looked at him. You could see that Art had no idea of who it was and then couldn't believe his eyes. Leroy stood quiet. Then Art said "Leroy" and grabbed him and they hugged and cried, (well a lot of people cried). It was beautiful and touching. The daughter who planned the party and the wife knew Leroy was coming but did not tell Art. They just told him they had a big surprise for him. It was the crowning moment for this man as they have been so close. Many years have passed, many things have passed in their lives and they have had semi regular contact but not seen each other. But I think they were blood brothers and it was wonderful. They asked us to sit at the family table and others came in that Leroy knew. I had met the wife a few times but did not recognize her but she came and hugged me and we reacquainted. The daughter I hadn't seen since she was very small and she turned into a beautiful woman who is now studying to be a doctor. Her husband is older but very gregarious and able to manage a crowd and fond of his father in law. So he kept things moving along smoothly. We were there about 4 hours, and it was wonderful and it was so great to see Leroy so happy and enjoying himself and talking with his friend. It was like old times for him. I was so happy when I sent to bed I slept like a baby, in spite of the fact we had a terrible storm. :)
Today we got up and headed to Sturgis to check on the graves and a couple other errands. The quilt store selling motorcycle rally material wasn't open (will have to check on line). The Indian motorcycle shop wasn't open. It was so windy we couldn't put things on the grave and couldn't spend much time reflecting with his parents. Is a beautiful cemetary on a hill and has great trees. Part of the hill is full of his family and extended family and friends. I stand there and look around and see all the names I have heard about for 39+ years. I have known the family since I was 13 and Leroy since I was 15. We drove by a carving being done of Pappy and Pearl Hoyle (the people who started the rally and sold Leroy his first bike). Then we met two of Leroys other friends at a bar resturant for coffee and I had eggs benedict. Wonderful food so I was in my glory.
Now we are on our way to Wa and Whidbey Island. The wind is blowing in our faces terribly strong, it is raining (they had snow last week, or rather a few days ago) and it is blustery. I hate to even get out of the car, as does Diesel. But watching the storm systems it would seem we will drive thru it and break out on the other side. We are just going straight home on 90.
I have been having problems with the blog on Firefox. It seems Firefox is down more than up lately. Must try to see what else I should use.
Yest afternoon we pulled into Rapid City SD. We found a camp spot (got a 50% discount) and settled in. We then took the dogs for a long walk. Then I got ready to go but somewhere in there I decided to clip Diesel and Carries nails and give them all their adequan shots and their frontline. Well all went well until I cut one of diesels nails, then I cut two and a small nice on the third one. Well he acts as if I killed him. Two were nothing but one kept bleeding. We stypic'd it and he would lick it and it would restart so we had to redo it, and finally use a bandage. Eventually it stopped but not before I felt really guilty. Then I also had to groom Carrie (the cat). I get stuck doing all the mean stuff so after nails and sufficient guilt we settled the animals and got ready to go to our party,
We got mail in MN on Wed. It in was an invitation to a party for Leroy's very close friend who was turning 70. He thought about it thurs and decided we would leave a day early from Mn and be able to get there by sat pm. We made it in plenty of time and after the dog walk we drove into town and before the party ran around to find a place we could find dog food. We were out so would not have been allowed home if we didn't check it out.
The party was amazing. It was held in a special spot in a steak resturant. Great setting. Food was incredible. The food was paid for and we only had to pay for drinks. Anyhow! Leroy hasn't seen this boyhood friend (whom he knew from cradle as he is 2 years younger)for thirty years. The last time was at the friends dads funeral when they called Leroy to be a pallbearer. We walked in, walked around the corner. He turned and looked at Leroy the same time Leroy turned and looked at him. You could see that Art had no idea of who it was and then couldn't believe his eyes. Leroy stood quiet. Then Art said "Leroy" and grabbed him and they hugged and cried, (well a lot of people cried). It was beautiful and touching. The daughter who planned the party and the wife knew Leroy was coming but did not tell Art. They just told him they had a big surprise for him. It was the crowning moment for this man as they have been so close. Many years have passed, many things have passed in their lives and they have had semi regular contact but not seen each other. But I think they were blood brothers and it was wonderful. They asked us to sit at the family table and others came in that Leroy knew. I had met the wife a few times but did not recognize her but she came and hugged me and we reacquainted. The daughter I hadn't seen since she was very small and she turned into a beautiful woman who is now studying to be a doctor. Her husband is older but very gregarious and able to manage a crowd and fond of his father in law. So he kept things moving along smoothly. We were there about 4 hours, and it was wonderful and it was so great to see Leroy so happy and enjoying himself and talking with his friend. It was like old times for him. I was so happy when I sent to bed I slept like a baby, in spite of the fact we had a terrible storm. :)
Today we got up and headed to Sturgis to check on the graves and a couple other errands. The quilt store selling motorcycle rally material wasn't open (will have to check on line). The Indian motorcycle shop wasn't open. It was so windy we couldn't put things on the grave and couldn't spend much time reflecting with his parents. Is a beautiful cemetary on a hill and has great trees. Part of the hill is full of his family and extended family and friends. I stand there and look around and see all the names I have heard about for 39+ years. I have known the family since I was 13 and Leroy since I was 15. We drove by a carving being done of Pappy and Pearl Hoyle (the people who started the rally and sold Leroy his first bike). Then we met two of Leroys other friends at a bar resturant for coffee and I had eggs benedict. Wonderful food so I was in my glory.
Now we are on our way to Wa and Whidbey Island. The wind is blowing in our faces terribly strong, it is raining (they had snow last week, or rather a few days ago) and it is blustery. I hate to even get out of the car, as does Diesel. But watching the storm systems it would seem we will drive thru it and break out on the other side. We are just going straight home on 90.
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