minnesota neighbors and joy

During the long winter, we don't see our neighbors much. We go in and out of our driveways or garages and wave, and sometimes visit if we happen to be shoveling snow at the same time, but it's not like spring and summer. When the weather's nice, we have frequent walkers, we have patio visitors, we visit over fences or across the street. So much nicer.

Last night we had a small gathering at one neighbor's house. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late fall, Norm had a heart attack in February, and Jean and Bill are planning a trip to Alaska. Lots to catch up on.

Today is dawning beautifully but we're expecting very high temps (90's) and high winds which means fire alert. Oh, brother. What does fire alert mean? Here's what weatherunderground says: A red flag warning means that critical fire weather either occurring now... or will shortly. A combination of strong winds... low relative humidity... and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Extreme fire behavior? Sounds like hell.

So, as I drive to Mankato this morning, I will scan the horizon for wildfires. I won't throw any combustibles out the car windows. I won't burn any leaves when I come home. I think that's about all I can do in terms of preparedness. 

I checked out wildfire images on google. Too scary to use.

I've been lazy in the glamour department lately. Regis sent me a news report about all the vile infections you can get in your eyes from false eyelashes so I cast those by the wayside for now. Make-up is such a chore when you start from scratch. So, here I am. Early morning. Not much hair. Pajamas and red slippers. Big old cardigan sweater. And notice Kermit the Frog on the shelf behind me.

Drinking coffee and playing Solitaire...what I do best.

I saw the radiation oncologist yesterday. He asked about my fatigue which I rated a 4 on a scale of 1-10. He asked about my quality of life and I didn't hesitate to say 10. Some days, like this one, my heart is near to bursting with happiness. I told him I attributed it to enjoying ordinary things like the patio, the birds, our dog, our friends and family, warm and sunny days. It's a good way to live.

a grand time but no photos

We had a wonderful time yesterday, celebrating all matriarchs with a family barbecue, but not one photo was taken. We just got too busy having fun.

Peter and April and Zoey arrived about one o'clock. Peter raked the back yard for us and hauled out some additional lawn furniture and the table for the little kids. Reg and Amber came shortly after that, then Bob with Ella and Alex, then Tiffany and Elliot.

The kids had a great time together, playing with sidewalk chalk, toys, sticks, and the picnic table umbrella.

We had Detroit style Coney Island dogs, cowboy beans, chips, corn and blueberry salad, smores, and brownies with ice cream. The little kids wanted to eat outside at their table so some dining was outside and some was inside. Most of the food was gone by the time everyone left. Proving, I guess, that you don't have to make a gourmet meal to feed your family.

If you check out the recipe, I use frozen corn most of the time and in the winter, I use dried cilantro. I know it seems like a weird combination but it's very good.

Thanks to all of you for the shiny diamond ring, the red tulips, the cards, the hugs, and the picture of the cousins. I love you all very much. You made the day special.

avoiding anything very constructive this morning

I intended to get up early and maybe do something like vacuum or clean the bathroom. Since we were out quite late (10:40) last night, we slept until 8 o'clock and now here I sit. Regis is going to the dog park and I'm having another cup of coffee and watching the birds.

The only problem with is that the off-spring are coming over later for a barbecue. Every year, I swear I'm not going to spend Mother's Day cooking and cleaning but somehow it comes down to that. I'm not complaining. I'm glad they want to come and I'm glad I'm healthy and strong enough to make cowboy beans and chili for hot dogs. What the hell.

We went to 2nd Story Comedy's show last night at the Treaty Site. We had a special table with candles and a bottle of wine, the comedians were great, we laughed ourselves silly. I saw a sweet young teacher who remembered my name. Sometimes you become invisible after you retire. All in all, a swell evening.

Regis went on a minor rant this morning when we got a Memorial Day ad in the Sunday paper. I understand. It's no wonder we can't keep track of anything timewise anymore. There are no seasonal markers. Swimming suits are sold in January, school supplies appear in July, sports go on interminably...it's very confusing.

I have to bathe Gus when he gets home from the park. I do it because Regis has two new knees and I am a bit more agile. It involves stripping down and getting right in the tub with him so you can reach all the assorted dog parts that are dirty. I am always as wet as he is in the end. Regis gets to towel him off which is no picnic either. He's good about it and jumps right in the tub when you tell him it's bath time...but bathing a dog of his size is tough duty. It's quite a picture.

It's Sunday morning and some of our neighbors are at church. Time to empty the recycler, if you get my drift. We hate to make enough noise that they think it's Patrick's emptying their dumpster.

We'll try to corral everyone for a group photo at some point today. I love those.

another post to karen

Karen, I tried to email you (@gmail.com?) but the message came back. We'll try something else. I would put my email address here but then all the viagra and vicodin salesmen would have it, too.

With some detective work (only knowing his first name and the date of his death) and a little persistence, I found Hugh's obituary online at legacy.com. I left a message for you there and I think you can contact me that way. I've been reading and rereading your most recent comment. If you look back at it, you'll see that my mom left a message for you, too.

I also figured out the blog where we first found each other...on AnnMarie's chemo brain blog. It was nice to spend some time there again...as I had forgotten. That sounds about right, doesn't it?

Edina? That's only 60 miles from us. What a small world! Regis grew up right across the river from you, in Morrisville, PA. Many coincidences that brought us together, my friend.

It would be wonderful if we could meet face-to-face some day, but until then, be strong,live fully, and know that lots of us care about you.
Teresa

disturbing wind

The wind is ferocious here today. I'm sitting in Regis's chair watching the birds and I can hardly stand it. The flags are flying horizontally, the wind chimes are going crazy, and I wonder how the little birds can even cling to the feeders. I'm going to respond to this weather situation like I do to most...I'm going back to bed to read.

Yesterday was one of those days you don't want to end. We went to radiation and stopped for ice cream for tomorrow's dessert, although, I might make a Guinness cake, too. I was tired when we got home and I thought about taking a nap but we got a text from Pat and Helen (brother and SIL) asking if we wanted to have lunch with them on their way through town. We said we'd love to do that. We went to Patrick's for cheeseburgers and beer.

When we got home, Joanne stopped with a bottle of wine. We had a good visit outside in the sunshine. Then Kemmie and Joanne came over to tempt us with goat stew. Reggie stopped and helped his dad cook steaks on the grill since I was too busy socializing. It was such a beautiful day full of surprises.

I meant to do the dishes. I meant to pick up the house. I meant to go through the piles of clothes in the bedroom. I didn't do any of that and I'm glad. I sat on the patio, I enjoyed the sunshine and the cool breeze, I saw many birds visit the feeders, and I visited with lots of people. Much better choice.

to my friend karen, tc xoxoxo

Karen,
During a sleepless period in the middle of the night, I woke to read my Kindle. I don't usually check my email during the dark hours, but I did for some reason. When I started reading your comment and your sad news about Hugh, I sat right up in bed and turned on the light. Please don't apologize for writing it and I certainly won't remove it. I treasure our connection and your words, as always.

I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet companion, Hugh. I can't imagine the terrible sense of absence. Just yesterday, I wondered that I hadn't heard from you in a while and told Regis that I was going to check the comments and see how long it had been. I loved reading how you and Hugh would laugh yourselves stupid over some goofy story I told. I liked to picture you at the end of the day, reading my blog together. That was yesterday...and then I get your sad news.

I'm going to savor your comments as I'm glad to have you affirm what I have learned as I've gotten older: There is joy and contentment in ordinary things once we learn how to look for it. Yesterday, after radiation, we bought ice cream, had lunch with my brother and his wife (I just ate the rest of my pastrami and pepperjack cheese sandwich for breakfast!), had a glass of wine on the patio with a good friend and some neighbors, cooked steaks with our son down the street, and enjoyed the end of a bird and sunshine filled day. No need for anything more.

How will you go on without Hugh, Karen? How do you get used to being lonely after having a marriage like you had? Is there any way to be prepared for this? Is there anything I can do to help?


Please keep in touch with me. I would gladly give you my phone number or address so we could communicate in a less public manner. Ours is one of those relationships that started on the internet but feels more like an old friendship now.

I'll be thinking about you in the dark and difficult days ahead. Let me know how you are doing. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Sending light and love in friendship, Teresa

hope you aren't tired of bird pictures and gratitude

Regis said yesterday that it was the highlight of his birding career...this many beautiful birds at the same time. In some ways, I could say it doesn't take much to tickle us but in other ways this is miraculous, to have this beautiful wildlife right outside our living room window.

This week, I met two people face-to-face, Michele and Victoria, who I have only known on Facebook. I have two other people I consider friends, Karen in Nevada and Karen, TC, who I have never met in person, only in cyberspace. It's a big, old goofy world.

Regis made Philadelphia style hoagies for dinner last night. I told him if he wanted them to be authentic, he would have to take charge. He did a great job, even dressing them with oil and vinegar and using thin-sliced baloney which would never have occurred to me.

I'm infamous for midwesternizing East Coast iconic food. When Regis first moved here, I made spaghetti...fat noodles with sauce so thick it simply laid on top and you could cut it with a fork. Like a hotdish. The first time I was given a spoon with pasta, I used it to cut the noodles up so how would I know? What can I say...I learned to make spaghetti from my dad, a native of North Dakota where they don't know spaghetti from shit. Regis is lucky I don't make curly noodle goulash. Funeral hotdish we call it here in Minnesota.

We're starting our weekend in a nice way. Joanne is stopping for a late afternoon glass of wine on the patio. We're old teaching buddies and even though we don't get to see each other very often, it's always sweet. I gave Joanne a pair of shiny purple leggings for her birthday one year. Maybe she'll wear them today.

A couple years ago, I left the house on St. Patrick's Day on my way to the parade in quite a get-up that included a long red curly wig, shamrock sunglasses, striped green and white tights, and 4-inch sparkly green heels. My devout Baptist neighbor only raised his eyebrows. It's a big, old goofy world.

Tomorrow night, we're going to a comedy show with Tom and Betty. I am looking forward to laughing until I ache. Laughing is like praying...it clears out the stress bubbles in your body.

Sunday we're celebrating Matriarch's Day (honoring all women) by having a Detroit Coney Island hotdog party on the patio. In Detroit, they put chili, cheese, and onions on their hotdogs. We also have a variety of other topping options for the squeamish. The little kids are coming (and some of the grown-ups) and we'll have a fine time. Wish my mom could be here with us.

We just saw a hummingbird, a female grosbeak, and a downy woodpecker in the garden. Also three bunnies doing amazing vertical leaps. Regis thinks they are preparing to mate and I think they're playing. Maybe they're doing both.

Happy Friday. Remember to put HAVE FUN on your list of things to do this weekend!

thursday in pictures

Regis and I went to Mankato today. We dropped Gus at the Paw then went to buy groceries. We like to go then...no crowds. My list isn't as organized as it once was but we alright and were out of there in an hour. We went to Guenther's for breakfast then to CVS and Walgreen's. 

I had my 4th radiation treatment and stopped in the chemo room to say hello to the nurses and to my friend Michelle who occupies my old chair once every three weeks.

The pictures are some of the highlights and lowlights of the trip. We had coffee at Caribou and I can say that the scones are not up to the standards to which I have been accustomed, Katie Kruger!

We went to Menard's, AKA the Man Mall to browse around a little bit and to pick up a few essentials. I was overheated (not sure why) so I removed my head scarf. I have a little bit of hair now but I still look a lot like Mr. Clean. Then I notice my damn cardigan sweater is inside-out. Probably since I left radiation which means I had been a lot of places looking like I dressed myself.

I spotted this cool sink and while Regis was scoping out plumbing stuff, I snapped a picture. Like I might buy it.

We walked down the tub aisle (I also have tub envy, Tom.) and were fascinated by this "only one in the store" electronic bidet. I believe the $369 price tag is for the seat only.

I had Regis get a close-up of the controls. I know the picture has some glare but we didn't want to hang there too long being fascinated by the bidet. Between my odd appearance and this thing, we were fast becoming an object of fascination ourselves.

I felt crappy this morning but managed to trudge through all the errands. I came home to put away the perishables and fall into bed. Michelle says she's like a car...when she's out of gas, she is really out of gas. I would say the same.

This afternoon when we were sitting in the living room having our pre-dinner period of lethargy when we had a bird convention in the front yard. At one point, there was a pair of cardinals. three orioles, and a rose-breasted grosbeak. Such nice bursts of color on a gray day.

Well, that's it then. Thursday in pictures. It was a grand day.

radiation sucked more than I thought it would but life is good

I'm going to start with my report on radiation, which as you can tell, sucks more I thought it would for these reasons: 1) It only lasts ten minutes so there is no time for camaraderie. 2) I'm in a dark room alone with this ominous looking machine and a few laser lights. Very Star Trekky. 3) Chemo was bright and sunny and there were lots of people around. In radiation, it's me and a couple of old guys with no pants on holding their blue gowns closed.

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad they have the technology to do it and that they believe they are hunting down any stray cancer cells and giving them the heave-ho, but this really could be more pleasant.

That's it for my complaints. I'm going to be grateful today. The first picture is one Regis took of the Baltimore oriole that has been coming to our jelly feeder. So pretty! We think we've seen two males and one female. Maybe it's a threesome nest.

This is Fred, my garden rooster. I named him after Fred at Traverse des Sioux Garden Center. He was made from old car parts in Mexico so he is very heavy and difficult to keep up in the wind. He has a locking mechanism around his ankle so he won't be too easy to steal as was the fate of the garden gnome across the street.

This is a fern-leaf peony that came from the farm where I grew up. It takes a long time for them to grow...I've had this one more than ten years and it's still less than a foot tall. One year, I was so disgusted with its apparent failure to thrive that I grabbed it by its stems intending to jerk it out of the ground. I changed my mind at the last minute and it was exactly the right thing to do. They don't like to be buried too deeply. It was happier after that.

And finally, a major pile of leaves that I raked out of my garden the past two days. I think I neglected to rake it last spring so it's been a while and there was a lot of crap. Regis hauled six giant bags of mulched up leaves to the compost site. Regis keeps threatening Astro-turf but he enjoys the garden when it looks nice.

So, there you go. My friend, Jill, is taking me to radiation this morning, then we're meeting our old friend, Karen for coffee and a little breakfast. Something to look forward to every day, my friends. A little yard work, friends for coffee, time on the patio. Life is good.

starting round #3 today

I was off the grid for the weekend. Partly because we were busy but also because Regis bought me an iPad and I spent hours repeating the same actions over and over so I can remember them. It seems like everything is different...arrows on the left, button on the right, tap to change screens. Old dogs and new tricks.

I spent a lot of time looking at apps. I have an app that will make a grocery list. I have several apps for photos. I have an app for Etsy and one for Kindle. It's a big old crazy world.

My radiation treatment starts today at 9:45. I made the mistake of telling the receptionist once that I was there for a radiology appointment. She corrected me and said they are very different. I'm not sure how...should have asked. I was more nervous about radiation last week. As is always my MO, when it comes right down to it, I can set my fears aside.

Regis and Gus will squire me to the appointment. It won't take long and maybe we can stop at a dog park between here and there.

My plan to start gardening this weekend didn't turn out so well. It was rainy and 42 degrees on Saturday so I said nay to that. Gardening should be pleasant, not torture. There are hopeful signs: the hostas are starting to poke through the ground and orioles are back at the feeder. The shamrock plant that Regis brought out of the basement only a week ago has exploded with new growth.

I read two books in the last two weeks. One on my Kindle and one on the iPad. I checked them both out of the library and returned them yesterday without even leaving the house. Amazing. Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk was good. The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb was ok. Not great but interesting.

We're going to Nicollet to pick up our grill bundle of meat at Schmidt's. If it's 70 and sunny this afternoon, I'll be sitting on the porch swing watching Regis grill steaks.

short post and gratitude

I am still sitting here at 9 o'clock and feeling guilty because my goal was to be vertical and moving by 9 every morning. Maybe it's the feeling guilty part I have to skip...not the sitting around part!

We've had an abundance of birds at our feeders this spring. This morning we had two orioles and a small group of gold finches. So much fun to see them. It was a good way to start my weekend of being grateful.

I'm grateful for the birds that come to our yard. We are happy every time we see a cardinal. We say, "Cardinal in the feeder!" Like it's the first time. They are such a burst of color on our gray landscape...good reason to be grateful.

Regis and Gus were leaving for the dog park as I took some trash out to the dumpster. They came back in the house to say good-bye and I love you. What sweet companions I have. I am grateful.

Tomorrow, we are going to a gathering of friends and family at Tom and Betty's house. We always have fun and laugh and the food is always good. I am lucky and I am grateful.

Monday, I start my radiation treatments in Mankato. I have a wonderful medical team taking care of me. I am lucky to have such easy access to such good care and I am grateful.

Mom and I decided during our visit on Monday that being grateful is a good strategy for life's curve balls. Every time we feel like complaining, we're going to think about gratitude instead. I'm grateful for my mom.

no snow!

We didn't get any snow but just to the east of us, they got slammed with about a foot. We can now proceed with spring.

There is a fat squirrel eating seed out of my bird feeder. We put peanuts out for him for a few days but he went through a lot of peanuts so we quit. I talk about him like it's always the same squirrel. I wish the red-winged blackbirds would go out to the cat tails where they belong. They hog the feeder and the tree where the birds wait their turn.

I cleaned out a cupboard where I store cleaning supplies and mops and such yesterday. There was stuff on the bottom I hadn't looked at in years. I should go through all my cupboards as I'm sure I would find the same archaeological evidence in all of them. That's the kind of stuff I think I should do but don't. Stuff.



Last week, my goal was to stand up at 9 o'clock and get moving. Today, it's 9:38 and I'm still sitting. I don't like to have too many rules.

Regis is in the shower. He's dropping me off downtown so I can do a few errands while he and Gus go to the dog park. I better get going or I'll be going to the bank in my pajamas.

hopeful signs of spring

I know. I know. I keep saying we can make it through one more snow storm...and then another one comes. There are hopeful signs out there, my friends. You just have to look.

Tiny leaves on the crab apple tree

Chives coming up around the bunny

Only a little bit of snow on the patio swing

Flowers that come in the mail from friends

road trip

We took a road trip to Canby on Monday to visit my mom. It was a nice day to travel. The picture above is Regis's latest gadget. It's a dash cam. He says they are very popular in big cities where people have frequent accidents. I'm not sure we would have captured much action on this trip over the back roads of Minnesota even if the thing had worked. Maybe a manure spreader and a couple of dead skunks.

My sweet husband, the gadget lover. We had a very funny incident on Tuesday morning when we went out for breakfast. Mom drove her car, and because she has lived in a small town all her life, she left the car keys on the console and Regis because he lived in the big city of Philadelphia where the crime rate is higher than southwestern Minnesota, pushed the lock down as he exited the car. All the doors locked and we had to call a neighbor to go into Mom's house with his keys. Regis had also locked the garage door which she never locks. There was a lot of "not MY fault" bandied about. I just laughed.

For years, we have driven past this spot out in the middle of nowhere in Brown County. Last time, we looked it up on the internets, then made a stop to check it out. It's called the Milford Monument and it's a beautiful memorial to 52 settlers of the Milford community who died in the Dakota Wars. The landscape is just corn fields and then this little spot. I was captivated by the angel.

This is Mom's little dog, George. Gus wanted to play with him but he would have none of it. They declared a sort of truce. Gus could watch George and George would ignore Gus unless he got too close.

 We had a nice trip that included lots of visiting, some wine, a pizza from PK Eagen's, and lots of drive time. About an hour from home I told Regis I was tired of being in the car. Reality check...I have been talking about longer car trips and it just might not be a good idea. I'd get a thousand miles away from home and refuse to get back in the car.

I've taken two long car trips in my life. I cried once in a Pizza Hut in DesMoines and I cried once in South Dakota because it was hot and my cousin wouldn't stop at the A&W. I'm a real treat to travel with, as you can see.

Here is our weather forecast for the day, in case you missed it. Dismal news. Absolutely dismal.

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow... which is in effect from 3 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT Thursday.
* Snow may be heavy at times this evening through the early morning hours.
* Snow accumulation: 6 to 9 inches.

Regis says if this really happens, he is getting in the car and driving south until it gets warm or he runs out of gas. Whichever comes first. I am resigned to it, but I don't like it. Not one bit.

first family cookout

The little kids met up at the Treemendous playground today for some play time with what must have been almost every other little kid in town. Then we came back to Nana's house for the first family cookout of the season.

PopPop made hot dogs, chicken, and steak on the grill. We had smores for dessert and Ella said that is the best part of every cookout. In the end, we had chalk all over the sidewalk (Including some great spelling words, Ella!), banana chunks and graham cracker crumbs on the floor, toys in every corner, and three very tired children. It was a blast.

It looks like the weather will be cooler and wetter over the next few weeks than it was this weekend. That's fine...we made full use of the beautiful past four days and we can use the rain.

Gus is sprawled across Regis's lap. His habit in the morning is to sleep as late as he can, then get up to go outside and eat his breakfast. When those two tasks are complete, he jumps on the lap for some petting and combing. He usually takes his first nap of the day there. Such a dog.

Gus and Ace like to go to the park together. I think they're keeping an eye out for hawks and eagles in this photo. Gus is in no danger but Ace...they might mistake him for a small edible rodent. The dog park is close to the Minnesota River and several ponds of backwater so there is lots of raptor action.

I've had more anxiety dreams the last few nights. Last night, I saw a bad guy in the living room and tried to let Regis know in that whining, mewling kind of way that I do in nightmares. Regis had to wake me up. It was scary.

I know the anxiety comes from cancer. I know in my head that it makes no sense to worry, that the survival rates are just statistics, that I won't know really what will happen...just like everyone else who walks the planet...until either cancer or something else kills me. I know this in my head but I can't integrate it into the rest of my self yet. I'm working on it. Serenity. Serenity. Serenity.

I have to finish up my writing and my coffee by 8 o'clock this morning. We have places to go and things to do.

It's been a patio kind of weekend

We had our first glass of wine on the patio on Thursday evening. It was a bit chilly but given that we have waited a long time, it was worth it. We spent Friday afternoon and evening on the patio with friends, and yesterday we started with coffee on the patio, then an afternoon on the patio, then an evening on the patio. Such wonderful days.

Today, we're hoping the little kids and some of the grown-up off-spring will come for a cookout after some play time at the park. It will be a smorgasbord of stuff: steaks, chicken, and hot dogs...because I'm not putting much more thought into it than that. I want to enjoy the day not spend the whole thing in the kitchen.

Regis sent me a text message yesterday that said only this: I love you. I am lucky.

No medical appointments this week! Did I mention that before?

I read a powerful breast cancer blog (Michele's). She says cancer is part of her story but not her whole story. I like that. Then I read an article in the paper about how important it is to maintain hope even in dire circumstances. Good things to ponder this morning.

my tattoos

I went to my radiation simulation yesterday. I had to lie down on a CT scanning bed and hold very still for a few minutes. The doctor made some marks on my skin with a marker and the nurse made four tiny tattoos so they can line me up the same every day. I'll start the treatments on May 6th.

They told me that a physicist figures out the angles so they can avoid shooting my lungs and heart with the ray guns. Hmmm.

Our over-industrious lawn warrior neighbor to the north has already been firing up his gas powered man machines. I have not so much as lifted a rake yet as I believe in having more than three days between snow shoveling and yard work.

This spring, I had seven days between snow boots and sandals. That's not much of a transition either.

Coffee on the patio with Richie this morning. Perfect.

Tonight's the night for grilling steaks. Yahoo! The maiden voyage!

bridge, nerves, and patio wine

I wrote the other day about my recurring bridge dream. I couldn't find quite the right picture, then someone posted this on FB the other day and I was amazed. This is it! It's a bridge in Norway and in my dream there were no men in orange jumpsuits but the bridge disappeared in the mist, just like this.

I am awake with the birds this morning...maybe even before the birds. (What time do birds wake up anyway?) I have my radiation simulation this morning and I'm nervous. Regis reminded me that I was nervous before chemo, too, because I didn't know what to expect. I should expect the same with this experience.

Our favorite morning radio show, Shufflefunction, is doing it's annual pledge drive. We like public radio but most of the time, avoid pledge drives. Regis stayed up until midnight to listen and I'm awake at 5am listening to the middle part of their Pledge Drive A Go-Go. It's a hoot.

We made a pledge so we could be programmers for the day again. Programmer for the day means you control the musical destiny of southern Minnesota and the world for three hours. Being on the radio makes me nervous because it's so spontaneous and I am so not spontaneous.

We went to Schmidt's yesterday and bought big steaks for the grill. We also bought some brats, some jalapeno cheddar summer sausage, ground beef, and this for Mom...

I remember having klub for dinner when my dad was gone to a meeting. They're giant potato dumplings with side pork in the middle. We liked to put butter and (gasp) bacon grease on them. You don't go swimming after a meal like that. Norwegians call it potet klub and during the long cold winters on the fjords, this is what they used to sustain them. I love the look of the package.

Gus went for his bath and haircut yesterday morning and I took him for a long walk in the afternoon. I think he wishes I went faster...if I run, it's a nice slow trot for him. Too bad I can't keep that up for a more than thirty seconds.

First patio wine of the season!

When I came home, I dug a couple lawn chairs out of the garage and poured myself a glass of wine. The sun felt so good. A neighbor came over to say hello...we don't see neighbors all winter when we slink in and out of our houses in the dark. Regis came out with Gus and we watched the birds for a while. We're planning our first grill out to be either today or tomorrow. The grand-kids are coming over for a cookout on Sunday. So nice to finally have spring weather!

spring at last

Check the post called winter storm zeus to see a picture of what it looked like here that day. This morning, I can see the grass is turning green. Regis and I found many plants starting to pop through the ground in the garden. The sky is bright blue and it might be 60 degrees today. We are starting to thaw, my friends!

Yesterday was a grand day. Mary Smith of Mary's Flowers called me in the morning to tell me that I had a flower delivery! Mary is one of the best. When Mary's little van pulled up, my friend Rita jumped out. It was so much fun to see her. When I brought this lovely spring bouquet into the house, the card said, "Flowers and friends make the world go round! Love, Jane"

Later we went out to the winery to celebrate Betty's birthday and we had such a nice time. Angie and Melissa took great care of us, we shared a pizza and a meat and cheese plate. And of course, some wine.

Tomorrow is my radiation simulation. My pretend radiation. They will get me all lined up so the ray guns always shoot at the same spots. I'll finally get my tattoo. I'm hoping that next week I will have no medical appointments. It might be the first time since October. My insurance company is going to send someone out to shoot me. They shouldn't be upset. I have contributed a lot of money to their coffers over the years and for the most part, was healthy.

This afternoon we're going to make our first spring trip to Schmidt's in Nicollet. They have a grill package on sale that sounds like a great way to start the grilling season.

We want to grill tomorrow. We're hoping that Young Regis will stop over to help get the swing out of the garage. 70 degrees! 70 degrees! We're so excited!

winter storm zeus

This could be our last winter storm of the season. No promises, of course, but it could be. This is what the forecast looked like yesterday. The weather folks were predicting a day full of rain, then changing to snow in the evening... maybe twelve inches of snow. I know people who just pulled the curtains and refused to deal with it. We quit shoveling a storm or two ago and now just let the warm sun take care of it.

We didn't get anywhere near twelve inches. Maybe a quarter inch of frozen rain and then 2-3 inches of snow. It won't melt much today but it will be gone by the weekend. April's snows never last long. It's beautiful...every branch is lined with snow.

 

I went out in my pajamas and winter boots to fill the bird feeders this morning. We are feeding quite a flock of birds. Robins, cardinals, finches, and a flock of black birds. We've also seen fox sparrows for the first time. They migrate through in the spring and fall. The largest of the sparrows, they scratch under seed feeders like chickens.

I need to get out more if I'm writing about the feeding habits of migrating birds.

I've been spending some time on goodreads lately. It's amazing to me that a book can end up on both lists: Best Books Ever and Worst Books Ever. I'm not talking about Monica Lewinsky's biography either. I'm talking about To Kill a Mockingbird. The best I can figure is that some mean English teacher forced these books down someone's throat and they carry bad memories of it. Too bad. The other possibility is that different things appeal to different people. 50 Shades of Gray? Used it to line the bird cage. Some people loved it.

Happy birthday to Betty!

My plan of the day includes some kitchen duty, a trip downtown for a few things, a trip to the PO to mail a box to my nieces in Ohio, and a trip to the winery to celebrate Betty's birthday. Should be a fine day.