OFH joke!

      Tom, a widower, lived happily in an OFH. His friends were surprised when he suddenly married. Talking to Tom they were quizzing him about his bride. "Is she good looking?" they asked. "No", he said, pleasant but not pretty."  "Is she a good cook?" was the next question. Tom said, "No, hamburger helper is her specialty." "Mayber she's smart," his friends speculated. Tom's response was, "Not so much, she's happy with Reader's Digest." 

   Finally, the friends gave up and asked him, "So why did you marry her?" His quick response was "She can drive." 😁

Takk for alt,

Al

Perhaps rock picking is over for this year.

What now?

     It's a rainy day on what seems to be a rainy week. A Marine Corps memory returns, or actually a snippet of one. The time we spent in Japan was called "cold weather training." That's a bit of misnomer, at least compared to Minnesota or South Dakota cold. Certainly, was colder that Camp Pendleton in southern California or Okinawa. It might have been called 'cool weather training'. 

    While there we made a long march in pouring rain. That's a totally miserable experience and our destination didn't make it any better. Were we headed for a warm dry barracks? or even the squad tents with heat that was our regular accommodation.? Nope, not that comfortable, it was pup tents for which we were headed.

   Each Marine carried half a pup tent. It was rolled up and bent horseshoe shape around the backpack. Another Marine had the other half and put together they made a tent. The tent was just large enough to accommodate two persons lying down. At least there was protection from the rain. With an inflatable air mattress and a sleeping bag the tent served as a bedroom. The Marines weren't great on creature comforts. Perhaps experiences such as this accounts for me now being a 'rain wimp'.

  Takk for alt,

  Al

These tents with a floor and a stove were our regular housing at cold weather training.

Surprisingly Good Book!

     When MJV sent me this book she seemed to suggest not to expect too much. On the contrary I found it often profound. The author, among other things is a 'foodie' which is far from my reality. Many persons interested in the culinary arts will find much of that ilk in it.

    It could be categorized as either an autobiography or memoir. The author, approaching middle age and a very successful journalist, enrolls in Princeton Seminary much to his surprise. Princeton has a small farm that's incorporated into its curriculum which accounts for the book's title. GOOD SOIL: THE EDUCATION OF AN ACCIDENTAL FARMHAND, by Jeff Chu, also leans much on his Chinese background. He was raised in China and California, and cooking is huge part of his family's life. 

   Little is revealed of the content of his seminary classes. It's the lessons from farming/gardening that fill the book with wisdom and reflections. Perhaps it's fair to say he's highly neurotic but it's out of those neuroses that he articulates deep insights about life and relationships. For example, as he grieves the death of a friend he writes; "To grieve is to feel the fullness of our humanity--the depth of our love, the reality of our fragility, the precarity of our existence." P. 274 The book is full of gems like this.

   Thanks, MJV, I'm glad I read it.

Takk for alt,

Al

A Rare Day!

        Today, Sella, my granddaughter, was confirmed at Grace University Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. It being Reformation Sunday, there likely were many confirmation services today, following a long tradition. It was a sweet blessing to be present.

Takk for alt,

Al

 Sella's baptism.

Costco!

       Costco, where every employee earns a living wage... Some years ago, visiting friends in Iowa they introduced us to Costco. It's been a 'go to' place ever since.  Gas there today was $4.04. Membership has been a gift. A footlong hotdog and soda is still $1.50. 

    Needing new tires last summer, I bought them at Costco. They were a good price and came with free rotations. Today it was time for a rotation. Yesterday, online I made a reservation for today. While I shopped, they rotated.  When the rotation was complete, they sent a text and I was on my way. 

  It's a warehouse store so everything comes in quantity. The joke is members need a Costco storeroom to hold the purchases. Prices are about the best and include everything from cars to nuts.

   What passes for excitement for an inmate of the OFH.

Takk for alt,

Al

When inmates of the OFH die their picture is placed on a credenza along with their obituary. With some friends we decided to be prepared so this is my 'credenza picture'.

Second Try!

    A couple of years ago I tripped and fell on knee on frozen ground. The first symptom was loss of range of motion. I began stretching to attempt to regain flexibility with modest success. Gradually there was pain in that knee. Last fall it was x-rayed which indicated arthritis. Physical therapy was recommended and tried. It provided relief but gradually the pain returned.

   Yesterday an orthopedic surgeon took more x-rays. They reveal that there is arthritis on the inner part of the knee. It has worn a little on the Cartlidge that cushions between the bones, yet far from needing surgery. He recommended a cortisone shot, which he administered.  If that is not helpful a knee brace would tilt the knee away from the arthritic side and solve the problem. I'm grateful for good medical care and insurance.

   With a glorious afternoon, 71 degrees, sun and no wind I decided to vacate the OFH and eat outdoors at a restaurant with outside seating. Texting two friends and invite and one chose to accompany me. Such opportunities are limited as winter approaches.

Takk for alt,

Al

The view from my apartment. Looking carefully, you can see some trees are near and others are far. Between them lies the Mississippi River.

Today.........

   Having written a longer blog post than usual tonight I hit the wrong button and erased it all. It was only my usual drivel and I'm not in the mood to re-type it. So, this is sent so you both see I'm okay. Sorry!

Takk for alt,

Al

Outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia is huge garbage pile. These students are children of parents who make their living picking garbage. An NGO (Non-governmental agency) runs the school. The picture was taken in 2009.