Same tune, second verse...

      It seems all I blog about is downsizing. Both of you, readers, must be getting tired of reading about it. Perhaps one of you will quit reading and then it'll be down to one. 😀 But, downsizing is what's consuming me these days. 

   Launched into changing addresses of business accounts today. The adage about stress being 'mostly either something that's happened or hasn't happened yet', applies. Thinking about it before hand was more stressful than actually doing it. 

   Constantly harping on downsizing reminded me of this old song.

The cow kicked Nelly in the belly in the barn,
The cow kicked Nelly in the belly in the barn,
The cow kicked Nelly in the belly in the barn,
And the farmer said it would do no harm,
Second verse same as the first, a little bit louder and a little bit worse.

Takk for alt,

Al

Found a good home!

     Downsizing from a three bedroom to a one bedroom on the way to the old folk's home meant a surplus bed. The condo has three bedrooms but the smallest has always been my 'cave'. So, while the condo is technically a three bedroom there were, notice the past tense, two beds. Now there is only one. 😀

    This morning Alyssa and Kevin, accompanied by Amber and Chad, carried off a king sized Sleep Number bed. This downsizing has revealed how much difference there is between  the life style of a couple and a single man. How many sets of bed line are necessary? Joanne, "multiple". Al, "one, just wash them, put them on the bed again and no folding is necessary." Unless she wants to change styles, Alyssa will not need to buy bed linens for awhile. 

    The silver punch bowl ladle, some other silver pieces, a 30 cup coffee pot, large cookie platter and miscellaneous  other items also found a good home. It's fun to give things away and gratifying that they will stay in the family. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Exhausted!

    Sorting, packing, making decisions so exhausted me yesterday that blogging never occurred to me until I was in bed. At that time I was not ambitious enough to rise and do it. Today, one of my two readers asked me about the omission. Sorry, I'll try not to let it happen again. This downsizing, which is going well thanks to family, is very hard work...but most of you have your own experience of it so you know. This, too, shall pass.

   Given my fatigue yesterday this Dagwood  comic is apropos. I've long argued that you can't expect to sleep well at night if you don't practice in the day. Practice and a clean conscience are the keys to sound slumber! 😁 "Not sleeping well? Are you practicing? Yes? Then what's on your conscience?" 

Takk for alt,

Al 

Details, details, details.......

    There are certainly many dimensions to a move. There are so many things to think of in making the transition. Certainly something will be forgotten...just hoping that it will not be anything major or troubling. It will be a move between cities and the first residence for me in St. Paul. The zip code is easy, even for a number challenged person, 55116. 

   Several boxes departed for the thrift store! 😀 That increase space in the condo and a lighter load. I do wish someone wanted a large punch bowl with silver ladle. Yes, and several other items, like a china cabinet and bookcase. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Photos!!!!!

     Of all the things we've done thus far in downsizing the condo sorting photos has been the most difficult. Decisions without end when one gets to this stage of life.  What to keep? Where to keep what is kept? What to discard? Yes, that is hard work but we are almost done. 😕 But we are almost finished! 😌 Remember a previous post about most stress either being about something in the past or that's not happened yet? Yup, I was stressed about what was to be done and now most of it has!

    Take for alt,

    Al

CHRISTMAS DAY!

      It was a lovely dinner and evening at Lisa's last night with the family. The joy continued this morning with a scrumptious waffle brunch at Lars'. Wonderful family time, such a gift! So many blessings. so much for which to be grateful.

Takk for alt,

Al

      Apparently Earl and I have similar talents at wrapping packages!

Merry Christmas!

 Two banker's boxes of paper to recycling and two boxes to the shredder, that's the measure of my day. 😃

  Wishing you all a blessed Christmas Eve!

Takk for alt,

Al

This strip brought memories of time aboard ship while I was in the Marines. As Marines were being transported by Navy ships so had little work to do while at sea. If two of us stood talking by an open hatch (door) sometimes a line would form behind us. When time passed and we, the talkers, didn't move someone in the line behind us would ask " Is this the line to......? When we said "No" the line would disperse with the Marines wandering off. 

Two big ones!

    Two rounded glass, oak, china cabinets graced the living space of the condo. Today's task was to empty them. "What's the story on this?" asked, as one held up an object. For some I could answer, for others a vague "gift from someone" was the reply. Were Joanne here she could have filled in many of the missing bits of information. That would have been a mixed blessing; interesting to know more, yet complicating by attaching more connection to the object. 

    Some will go with me to the old folks home. Storage is the fate of some heirloom pieces, for example, my grandfather's mustache cup. Some were claimed by Lisa and Lars. Pictures of some items will be circulated among the extended family free for their asking. Other things will go to the thrift store, and a few things will be tossed. 😞 The china cabinet from Joanne's grandma found a home...and moved... to Lars' house. The other rounded, glass, china cabinet still needs a new home as do several other pieces of furniture.

    While it was emotional sorting through those cabinets mostly I feel a sense of relief. As previously remarked, 'everything we own, also owns us'. It certainly is hard work.

Takk for alt,

Al

Three trips to the shredder!

    Three trips to the shredder beg the question "Why was so much saved?"  Nevertheless there will be far fewer documents making the trip to the old folks home. The building that houses my condo offers a shredding service, just dump the documents in a locked container. That certainly beats hand feeding in items one at a time. Perhaps in the future less will be saved...it remains to be seen. This is the kind of progress that's important but isn't very evident. 

   "If something happens bit by bit, it happens in stages." so says Google. That's a good description of this move to the OFH. 😊

Takk for alt,

Al

Tedious!

     Into every life a little tedium must fall. Admittedly I'm not the most patient with tedium. Sorting financial files is not a task that another can do. Some of those files had not been purged in a very long time...ever? Now is the time to do it, no need to transport irrelevant stuff to the old folks home. 

   Speaking of the old folks home, when I went to check my mail box all the other persons there were also old. That's different than here at the condo where most of those I encounter at the mail station are younger. Of course, most people are younger than I. 

   In case you're interested here are commodity prices from the Chicago Board of Trade, local prices will vary. The first figure is price per unit, eg., corn $5.9826 per bushel. The second figure is % increase for the day. Thanks for asking. 😜

CORN	5.9825	0.0725
	HARD RED WINTER WHEAT	8.4150	0.2825
	HARD RED SPRING WHEAT	10.2550	0.0575
	WHEAT	7.9900	0.2125
	SOYBEANS	13.0800	0.1575
	ETHANOL	2.1370	0.0000
	FEEDER CATTLE	160.8500	1.6250
	LEAN HOGS	82.4250	2.9500
	LIVE CATTLE	135.5250	1.0500

Takk for alt,

Al

"...but the kitchen sink!"

    You, know the old saying "Everything but the kitchen sink!"  Of course it's an idiom meaning that there was much of something. Making a foray over to The Landings today to check my mail it seemed logical to bring something from the condo when I went. Have you looked carefully under your kitchen sink lately? Transporting the cleaning items that lived under my kitchen sink seemed a logical first move. So, that's what I did, and now it can live under the sink at The Landings. It is a good symbolical start to the moving. 

   The Crossings, the site of my condo, offers document shredding. In addition to the box to Landings a box of documents was also delivered to the shredder. Inch by inch freedom comes. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Advent Dawn
by Thomas R. Smith

Seven-thirty. Driving northwest out of town,
the snowscape dusky, sky tinted smoky peach.
In the rear view mirror, a bright orange glow
suffuses the stubbly treeline. Suddenly a column
of brightness shoots from the horizon,
a pillar of fire! One eye on the road,
I watch behind me the head of a golden
child begin to push up between the black knees
of the hills. Two weeks out from Solstice, the sun
so near winter it seems to rise in the south.
A fiery angel stands over his cradle of branches.
And what strange travelers come to honor him?
And what gift will I bring to him this day?

To a good home!

    I'm happy that my two sets of good china, two sets of silver and many miscellaneous items have found a good home. Once, after Joanne's death, I had six guests for dinner using the good silver and china. COVID  ended any entertaining and now I don't have the interest in it. It was fun when I did it, using the skills I learned from Joanne.  She loved to entertain setting a beautiful table. Only the everyday china and table ware is going with me to the old folks home.

   As we methodically work room by room moving seems more within reach. There is still much left to do but seeing what's been accomplished shows that it can be done. It's the heirlooms that pose the largest challenges. Several boxes are packed for the thrift store. 

Takk for alt,

Al

  This is the table I set when I entertained six guests for dinner.

Room by room!

        Those of you who have downsized know what I'm doing. Leaving my three  bedroom condo for the old folks home means much work and many decisions. This morning Melissa and I got through two thirds of the kitchen. There are three choices for the items in drawers and cupboards: keep, give away and throw away. The kitchen was well equipped for entertaining which Joanne loved and often did in our first years living here. 'How many cookie sheets do I need?' That question was replicated dozens of times. "Where did you get this?" Perhaps half of the time I could answer. "What is this?" There were times I couldn't even answer that.

     When I do get to the old folks home my load will be much lighter. There's the reality that everything we own also owns us.  While this process of downsizing is hard work, it will also bring freedom. It's best not left for descendants after I'm gone. 

    Recently I read that " almost all stress is related to either something in the past or something that hasn't happened yet." Isn't that the truth?  That stress is just borrowing trouble.  "What, me worry?" 😃

Takk for alt,

Al

214 steps above Minneapolis,

       Well here we are! Fifteen floors above downtown Minneapolis. It was an easy and uneventful trip from The Little House. The last stop leaving Sinai was the post office. The postmaster searched the incoming mail and found one Christmas letter for me. She said she'd send me anything that came, wished me Merry Christmas and Happy New year, hugged me and sent me on my way. 

      Kaia knows the condo routine and heads immediately for her food dish to see if there might be something in it. As we stopped to chat with an acquaintance in the garage she showed off her good manners. She likes a bit of attention from others but isn't overbearing. She'll do well at the Landings. 

    Last night there was dinner with six of my South Dakota family at a restaurant in Brookings, which is almost a weekly occurrence.  . Seeing them regularly has been a gift of my extended stay in The Little House. While I've seen more of them I've seen less of my immediate family so an extended stay here will change that balance.  

    Before COVID struck, and I was living mostly here, I'd climb the steps to the 15th floor once a day. That's more than I can do now...few steps in Sinai. Perhaps I'll see if I can resume the full climb before I move away. It's a good stress test and doing it gives some assurance that I'll not have a heart attack this day. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Shadow

       Walking along, looking down to avoid tripping, a large shadow passed over me. It was a bald eagle about twenty yards above. Perhaps he/she thought I was dinner then upon closer inspection decided that either I was too old or too large and it flew on. It was a beautiful sight in full sun.

      Tomorrow I'll close up The Little House and relocate to Minnesota for an extended stay. Doing a USPS Temporarily Away, I guessed I'd be back in Sinai mid-April. The Sinai Post Master said not to worry, if mail comes for me she'll forward it to me in Minneapolis. How accommodating is that?

    Hunting season is over for another year for Kaia and I. She enjoys it so much I feel more sorry for her than for I. The hunting clothes are in the dryer and Kaia and I are just out of shower. She nudges my elbow as I type indicating "pet me". 

Takk for alt,

Al

Friendship

      Likely we first met in the three year old's Sunday School class.  In the same country school, which lay between our farms that were three and a half miles apart, we were classmates for eight years. From there we moved on as classmates to Sinai High School and graduated together. Now our wives are buried about thirty yards apart. 

      Today I spent time with him in the assisted living facility where he now resides.  We are truly old friends though I prefer the title of "long time friends." But, old we are, both surprised, how fast we became old.  Memories were shared, more time spent together, eight decades of shared experiences. Life is precious. to be savored and lived with gratitude.,

      Joining in the visit was his older brother and our peer, with  whom we shared a year of high school. His brother's wife is also buried in proximity to Joanne and the peer's son is not far away. In time the four of us will be neighbors in the cemetery. There is comfort in that thought, that I'll rest among friends.

Takk for alt,

Al

Walking, walking, walking....

      It's surprising how much walking in ankle deep snow adds to the fatigue. For the first time since Kaia came to me she fell asleep in the cab of the truck on the return to The Little House.. While I walked she ran, much of the time springing through heavy cattail cover. As I write she sleeps beside me. I'm too tired to write much and am also hungry becasue we didn't stop for lunch.  My story, and I'm sticking with it.

Takk for alt,

Al

The Little House

       Kaia and I are back at The Little House for a few days. When next we go to Minnesota the stay will be months not days. There's the impending move to Lexington Landing which will take time and effort. In just over a month I'll begin radiation for six or eight weeks. Being settled in my new place, before or soon after that treatment begins, would be helpful. There's much to do on either end of a move. No surprise in any of this. It will happen and then........

     The Little House will be winterized and locked up for the duration. The heat is propane so pre-paying last summer was a good idea as propane prices rise. Returning to Sinai will be anticipated. There is so much for which to be grateful!

Takk for alt,

A

Amazing!

      They were only here for two and a half hours. My assignment prior to their arrival "identify the books you want to keep." With that done they sorted and boxed the remainder for disposal. When Joanne and I left our house for the condo I brought 25 grocery sacks of books to the local library for their benefit book sale. Now there appears to be that many sorted for dispersal. Perhaps books reproduce on the shelf!  It's amazing what many hands can do in a short period of time!

     There is much left to do but with this grand beginning it seeds hope that the downsizing project is actually doable. Sooner or later, in one way or another, it's a universal experience.  You know the old saying about no one having seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer.  

Takk for alt,

Al

Scheming

       We met at my new apartment, measured, discussed, planned and schemed about what should come, what should go where, what should be left behind, Then, after dinner at the condo, we analyzed the choices and hatched decluttering plans. Perhaps the move will really happen!  Certainly is nice to have the support, wisdom and aid of the family

Takk for alt,

Al

 

Watching the snow fall.

    Light fluffy snow has been falling since early morning, though now at 3:00 it seems a bit lighter. It wouldn't matter a bit if we were not planning to drive. It is a good reminder that we are not in control. A few days ago we had wind without snow and today there is snow without wind. So, who was dreaming of a white Christmas?  Not me, a brown Christmas would be just fine with me.  Bah humbug! 😃 Just kidding.

    So here sit two old guys trading lies while the snow falls. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Waiting for weather.

     Tim planned to drive from The Little House to Kansas tomorrow.  Kaia and I were to go to Minneapolis leaving about the same time as Tim. The local forecast is for snow beginning at midnight with the heaviest snows to the south of here. Perhaps we'll have to reschedule our departure. The joy of retirement means that reschedules, while they may be annoying (Yes, I admit to annoyance) aren't critical.  Driving into the snow is not important for either of us.  While we wait to see what happens the snow received recently is melting.

   Such is life on this corner of the prairie.

Takk for alt,

Al

     

One day to the next!

       Yesterday I hunted with a friend for three hours and we got one pheasant. Today, hunting with only Kaia,, I had a bird in ten minutes; on which Kaia made a spectacular retrieve.  One was enough so we only hunted long enough for both Kaia and I to get our exercise then we quit.

      Tim, from Mohall, N.D., is my house guest so this will be a brief post so that I do not neglect him!

Takk for alt,

Al

Porcupine eggs!

       Kaia is a magnet for porcupine eggs ala cockleburs. If she can reach them she removes them from her fur with her teeth. The carpet was ringed with them where she lay. There were over 20 in her ears, chest and neck that she couldn't reach. She's actually quite patient as I work them out of her fur. 

     The ground is white with light fluffy snow that came overnight. It was light enough that it could be swept from the sidewalk. Suddenly it looks like winter. 

    Such weighty concerns with which I deal. 😁

Takk for alt,

Al

Transitioning....

        In 1964 when we were married I joined Joanne in her head resident apartment, Bergsaker Hall, Augustana College, (now University) Sioux Falls, S. D. In late summer we moved to St. Louis Park, MN., for four years. From there we moved to Mohall, N.D., for 7+ years. Our next stop was back to Sioux Falls, S.D.  After 4+ years there  it was off to Davenport, IA., for 8 years. Leaving IA we bought a house in Golden Valley, MN. We lived there for 22 years before moving to the downtown Minneapolis condo. Now, after 11 years of living there, it's moving time again.

      This time is different because, for the first time since 1964, I'm moving alone. When I think of being in my new place I'm excited. When thinking of the process of getting there I can feel overwhelmed. My head tells me it will be okay, but thinking of the specifics of moving, can raise my anxiety. What should go where? What to keep? What to shed?  So many decisions!

     My preferred style is to do it, get it done, and not dilly dally. Perhaps that's the best approach in this situation. As radiation progresses a certain level of fatigue can be expected. It might be best to be settled in my new home before its onset.  Stay tuned.

Takk for alt,

Al

Wind without snow...

      "...like clouds and wind without rain is the man who brags about gifts he never gives..." Proverbs 25:14. The late Herbert Krause, Augustana College's author in residence titled one of his books Wind Without Rain. Today we experienced an old fashioned blizzard minus the snow. The wind switched to the northwest and blew at over 32mph sounding in the trees like a blizzard from my childhood. Without snow all that is drifting are leaves and corn husks. 

     This is an observation and not a complaint. 

Takk for alt,

Al

"...as you sow, so shall you reap" Galatians 6:7.

       There was a cattle lane leading from the barnyard to a far pasture when I bought the farm. With fences on both sides I opted to plant a double row of cedar trees in the lane. That was in the early '90s and now those trees are tall providing cover and habitat for wildlife. The deer trail in it looks almost as distinct as a cow path in a pasture. On either side of the these tree rows there is grassland. These trees produce copious amounts of cedar berries which cause cedar trees to sprout in the grass. Without control of these seedlings the grassland would soon be so filled with trees that its value as grass to wildlife would be lost.

     Spending a morning clipping off these seedlings is good exercise...stoop labor because they need to be clipped at ground level so they do not grow back. When I parked the truck next to some cattails, five pheasants flew out. Yesterday when we hunted those cattails there were no birds there. It is a testimony to the randomness of pheasants.

Takk for alt,

Al

                Much like folding fitted sheets.

Wheat...

     Wheat flower is used to make bread, and many other things. That was no surprise to me but when I moved to northern North Dakota, close to where North Dakota, Saskatchewan and Manitoba meet, there was much to be learned about wheat. Dad never planted wheat but some neighbors did; winter wheat. It was planted in the fall sprung up and then grew again in the spring. There was no winter wheat grown in that part of North Dakota, it was too cold and would winter kill.

    Durham wheat and hard red spring wheat were the varieties in northern North Dakota. Durham is used to make pasta. Hard red spring wheat is valued for its high protein content.  The protein content is 13-16 percent typically.. 

     So why these paragraphs about wheat?  On an agriculture website it was noted that hard red spring wheat was trading at $10.36 per bushel. That's unusually high, the price driven by this summer's dry weather, no doubt. A local buyer also posted flax as $21.00 per bushel. No flax is grown locally now, it's all corn and soybeans.

     What does this have to do with anything?  Who knows, just illustrative of my random mind.

Takk for alt,

Al

                                   This is my philosophy, too.

Innocent tree!

      "I think I shall never see a poem as a beautiful as a tree"  wrote Joyce Kilmer. Trees are really marvelous plants, in so many shapes, forms, sizes, numbers and places. Over the years I've planted thousands of trees and even though cedars keep invading the grasslands I have no abiding ill will of trees. Driving across Wisconsin on the way to Chicago it does occur that some places have an over abundance of trees. But, that's not why I did it.

     The tree had done me no harm when I shot it today. Hopefully some lead pellets in it will not compromise its health. The target was the wily pheasant that flushed behind it, so it is really the pheasant's fault that the tree took the charge. The pheasant owes the tree its life so it should be grateful but it is doubtful that occurs to the pheasant. There must be classes for young pheasants on how to use trees as protective cover becasue they often flush behind one. Well...maybe next time!

Takk for alt,

Al

Reflections on plans to move.

        Tom and Becky are the ones who got me thinking about my living situation. Over a two year period they visited twelve senior living establishments in the Twin Cities before making their choice. When the unit they chose became available they downsized from a large, lovely home in south Minneapolis to a two bedroom plus den. 

      They wrote a very informative essay about the process and the reasons. In that essay they included the story of a widow who was determined to stay in her house until she died. As she aged life became more difficult with house up-keep, getting groceries, etc. As her living situation created isolation she became bitter about being forgotten.  Staying did not turn out to be a good choice.

     In the years since Joanne died I've been acutely aware that living alone, as I do, has three major dependencies. Life in The Little House is dependent upon my ability to walk. Condo life, with no stairs to navigate, could be done with the aid of a walker or scooter. Living alone is dependent upon good eyesight. Fortunately my sight is good but both life in the condo and The Little House depend on seeing. There is no one with me to offer reminders therefore a good memory is important. Forgetting things in nothing new with me but I'm not forgetting more than I always did. The ability to remember is my third dependency. 

     Many senior living places offer free waiting lists. When an opening occurs the person on the wait list has a choice to either accept, or, if they are not ready to move, to remain on the list. Having a plan before disaster strikes is a good idea.  See the comic below.

Takk for alt,

Al

Clippings...

      "Aunt Mary", so called becasue her aunt Mary used send her clippings and also her name is Mary, sends me packets of clippings from time to time and also, I to her. These missives always strike me as a 'care package' becasue they are evidence that she is thinking of me and the clippings are also very interesting.

    The latest offering from "Aunt Mary" included a newspaper article with a number of quotes. For example; "I fear many things, but this first and foremost. That when I reach the end of my days, I will suddenly discover that I never lived. So I must choose life and at whatever risk. To let it wear out, to let is slip away by the mere passage of time is to choose nothingness."  That's like the saying "it is better to wear out than rust out." Another; "Everyone has two lives. The second one begins when you realize you have only one."  One more "Memory is great but you can't live there."  Thanks "Aunt Mary" and because she is the other one who reads my blog she will see this. 😁

Takk for alt,

Al

PS October weather continues and would be more enjoyable if it were not the result of climate change.

Ordering Books

       Reading The Nomadland: Surviving America in the 21sr Century, Jessica Bruder, tipped me over the edge. It's so easy to order from Amazon that I often did, though had my qualms about it. After reading Nomadland and learning how Amazon workers are treated I quit ordering from it. Much of what I had ordered from Amazon were books.

      Bookshop to the rescue. It's also online but a portion of every sale goes to local bookstores (see below).  If you also want to avoid Amazon I recommend Bookshop.org  With an established account ordering books from them is as easy as from Amazon and each purchase supports local bookstores.

Takk for alt,

Al

$17,445,115.23 raised for local bookstores

Anniverrsary

      On this date 1929, Albert Negstad and Edith Bergh were married at Edith's parent's home in St. Paul, MN.  Later they became parents of Lucille, Richard, David and Allan. Edith always talked about how bitterly cold it was perhaps because they set off on a two month honeymoon in their 1928 Model A, Ford, which had a very poor heater. 

    Their first stop was the Palmer House, Chicago, where Edith signed in Edith Bergh 😀. It must have been a long days drive from St. Paul. What were the roads like? They continued on to Niagara Falls, Washington, D.C., South Carolina and points in between. They didn't arrive at their South Dakota farm until early February. It was fortunate they made the trip becasue soon up was the depression, drought years and four children keeping them from travel for many years.

    Why oh why didn't I ply them with questions about the trip; roads, sights, adventures, experiences? Among many regrets at this stage of life is all the things I didn't ask. In that I am probably not alone. 

Takk for alt

Al

The Little House

        The Little House was waiting for us as we returned.  Sorry ladies but no hot flashes yet. Maybe they will come in January when I'm always cold.  The weather's having a hot flash, it's 45 degrees. The lawns are greener now than they were in July. This was the first trip from Minneapolis this fall that there were no farmers in the field. 

Takk for alt,

Al

The news...

      Had I died of a heart attack at 70 I could have avoided this but I wouldn't chose that alternative. The results of numerous medical tests reveals that I have prostate cancer. It's not the most virulent kind and hasn't spread. Given two options, of, living with it or radiation, I've chosen radiation. Today I met with the radiation team at Methodist Hospital, got my tattoos and schedule. With the hormone shot today, side effect hot flashes, laugh it up ladies, there is no urgency about beginning radiation.

    On January 17, radiation will begin weekdays for 6-8 weeks, each day at 11:00. One of the anomalies of our medical system is that the insurance company determines the length of treatment. The doctor's recommendations don't count.  

     It is almost a given that a man living much past 70 will have prostate cancer, which I've long known. Treatment will be a nuisance, but mostly I'm grateful. There's gratitude for medical technology that can diagnose and treat. Medical professionals who prepare and can treat such cancers are a great gift. It's a blessing to have medical insurance to pay the costs. Thanks to Lars, who has accompanied me to the visits to support, ask questions and take notes.

     By January 17, much of the work of downsizing and staging of the condo for sale will be done. Fatigue, a side effect of the radiation, should not occur until much of the moving is done. There's a couple of questions. I forgot to ask: Will radiation make me glow in the dark? Will I radioactively set of Geiger Counters?  Perhaps those questions can wait.

Takk for alt,

Al

 

Lovely day!

      It was turkey with all the trimmings, good food, good conversation, great blessings. I am so blessed. Tomorrow I will write more and have an announcement to make, so stay tuned.

Takk for alt,

Al

Murmuration
by Barbara Crooker

Cold morning. November, taking a walk,
when up ahead, suddenly, the trees unleave,
and thousands of starlings lift off, an immense
river of noise; they braid and unbraid themselves
over my head, the gray silk sky embroidered
with black kisses, the whoosh of their wings,
their chattering clatter, patterns broken/formed/
reformed, a scarf of ragged ribbons. Dumb-
struck, mouth open, I say holy and I say moley,
And then, they’re gone.

Holidays

        It's been 43 months since Joanne died, but who is counting? She loved celebrations, perhaps because they always involved others. As the ultimate extrovert, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings...were opportunities to connect with family and friends. The more contact with people the more energy she had.

       At the family Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow there will be joy, happiness, much good food, conversation and the distinct presence of absence. One joyous presence will be absent and I know of no one who took more delight in grandchildren than she. One of her most abundant characteristics was gratitude and, of course, at its heart Thanksgiving is about gratitude.  

    At Thanksgiving, as at all times, I have so much for which to be thankful and my life with Joanne brought so many gifts for which I am grateful...yes, yes, yes! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Takk for alt,

Al

Enthusiasm, part 2.

        For weeks thoughts on awakening have centered on the work to be done to downsize from three bedrooms to one. This morning the thoughts on awakening were about the opportunities of the future at Lexington Landings. 😁

Takk for alt,

Al

From duty to enthusiasm!

       In the process of achieving residency at Lexington Landings, a meeting with the housing director was the next step. So today I met with her. As she talked, explaining life there, we filled out the forms, and she answered questions, I felt an internal shift. Ever since the decision was made to seek residency at the Landings I've been congruent about the decision. While congruent, the prevailing motivation has been duty. Knowing it was the right thing to do the prospect of downsizing from a three bedroom condo to a one bedroom apartment weighed on my mind. 

       Spending an hour plus with the housing director caused an internal shift from 'dutiful motivation' to 'this will be exciting.' One of my more through friends visited 12 senior living facilities before making a selection. Two were on my visit list, the first with a wait list of ten years would still be my first choice, but Lexington Landings looks like a great fit and, I don't have to tour ten more places. 😀

Takk for alt,

Al

PS These are both from the Minneapolis StarTribune. 

Briefly....

      Kaia and I arrived late in Minneapolis. There are stories to tell but they will have to wait!

Takk for alt,

Al

It's still dry.

      Fall rains have helped to replenish the moisture in the soil, yet the ground is very dry. The one tree on the grounds of The Little House is a large spruce. To prepare it for winter I laid a garden hose running fully open at it's base for three hours. It needed a good drink before freeze-up. The water from the hose only ran three feet before being absorbed by the soil. The ground is so dry the water didn't even puddle. Perhaps another drink is in order before the ground freezes. It is a beautiful tree which always accommodates nesting birds and deserves preservation. The wren nesting house that I received for my birthday hangs from it. Come the house little birdies! 

Takk for alt,

Al   

Why do I find this  funny?

Fence posts abound!

  "Bluebirds tend to live in open country around trees, but with little understory and sparse ground cover. Original habitats probably included open, frequently burned pine savannas, beaver ponds, mature but open woods, and forest openings."

"Place nest boxes in the sunniest, most open area possible, away from your house or deep shade. Bluebirds prefer large expanses of short grass with a clear flight path, ideally facing a field. Try not to place the house too close to feeders. Make sure it is mounted 5 to 10 feet off the ground."

    Today I mounted the three bluebird nesting houses I was given for my birthday. The pasture fence has wooden fence posts of the proper height, well space apart to avoid territorial disputes. Grazing cattle on the native prairie keep the grass short and a multirow of trees are nearby. Good habitat for bluebirds. Human scent on the boxes will have dissipated by the time the birds arrive in the spring. Now the waiting begins.

Takk for alt,

Al

   

Wind....

       There's "the wind beneath my wings" and "the wind in my sails". Out walking in the prairie winds the last couple of days causes wonder "why don't I like the wind?"  The wind is good for Kaia, bringing cooling while she runs actively. Scents are carried to her by the wind and she always prefers working into the wind for that reason.  

       But why don't I like the wind?  Early white settlers on these windswept plains had to contend with the incessant wind with few trees for protection. My homesteading grandfather planted a huge windbreak of trees around three sides of the farmyard. Many of those trees still stand today. That legacy of tree planting was continued by my father, brother and I. 

      But why don't I like the wind. Often I've been known to say "The wind beats me up."  That's the essence of my dislike for wind. It beats me up. It makes me uncomfortable. In the wind many of the activities outdoors are more challenging. Wind makes the cold bight. Yet, here I am in The Little House on the Prairie with the front door opening north into the cold gusts. Fortunately there is an enclosed porch on the north side of the house.

 Prairie wind blowing through my head

"(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
Trying to remember what Daddy said
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
Before too much time took away his head
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)
He said we're going back and I'll show you what I'm talking about
(Prairie wind blowing through my head)"

Neil Young

Takk for alt,

Al

Unraveling!

     Last week when Dr. Jerstad sewed me up she said to refrain from strenuous activity for a week while I healed. This morning a nice doctor in Brookings unraveled me. She counted eight stitches as they came out to be sure she had them all. It looks like it's healing well she said.

     Kaia and I went out for a short hunt to celebrate. The 30+mph wind beat me up but didn't bother her a bit. Everything seems more difficult in the wind. But, I'm glad to have the stitches out and to be able to resume more normal activity.

Takk for alt,

Al

"See you in the comics."

      Now there's a phrase not heard very often these days. "See you in the comics."  It came to mind when I saw this HAGAR THE HORRIBLE this morning. Having just had skin cancer removed from my nose and sporting eight sutures the competence of the doctor was important. It was comforting to read on her business card "Fellowship trained in Mohs skin cancer surgery and cosmetic dermatology."  Healing is proceeding well.

Takk for alt,

Al

Kaia and the cat.

      Emerging from The Little House first thing in the morning, Kaia and I discovered a cat on our sidewalk. Kaia was intrigued and likely would have loved to give chase if the cat would have cooperated and run. However, the cat was totally unperturbed by Kaia's attentions. It calmly walked over to me rubbed my ankles and laid down. That's the exact behavior of the Dayton, OH, attack cat that sent me to the emergency room. With that attack in mind and not wanting to encourage the cat to linger I resisted the temptation to pet her. Given her un-willingness to flee, Kaia lost interest and wandered off. Apparently the cat shares a home with a Doberman therefore not intimidated by Kaia.

     Many years ago I was hunting with Kaia's predecessor, Kai, when he encountered a feral cat. Kai ran over to sniff the cat which leaped on his head, holding on with all four feet. Kai yelping, the cat squalling, they did a couple of somersaults until the cat leapt off. The cat ran one way and Kai another, having learned his lesson about cats in the wild. Fortunately he wasn't hurt, though I don't know about his ego.  

Takk for alt

Al 

Memories!

      Today the Minnesota Vikings football team is playing the LA Chargers. When did they leave San Diego and move to L.A.? In 1959 I attended a San Diego Charger's game. There was a time that I was a Vikings fan, but that was after attending the Charger's game.

    It's so long ago much of the memory has faded with mostly questions left. Who the Chargers played and who won the game has long been forgotten. Who made the decision for us to go? Why did they bring us? There must have been some commercial reason. Why else would busloads of Marines from boot camp be transported to a professional football game we didn't pay for.

   What is remembered is the fun of getting off base for a few hours that did not involve training. The only other times we were off base during our twelve weeks of camp was for either rifle qualification or a forced march in the desert. When subjected to a strict routine a variance like a football game was very special.  I wonder who the Chargers played and who won? 

Takk for alt,

Al

Don't think you know everything,
Father said, just because you're good
with words. They aren't everything.
I try to say the smallest amount possible.
Instead of using them indiscriminately
I try to conserve them. I'm the only one
in this household who recycles them. I
say the same thing over & over again,
like "Who forgot to turn out the lights?
Who forgot to clean up after themselves
in the bathroom?" Since you don't listen
I never have to think of other things to say.


Hal Sirowitz, “ReusingWords” from Father Said

Cold November

 

Cold November Lyrics

"Cold November's covered me with her dark and dripping wings,
carried me from cheer and light- out of mind and out of sight.

Cold November's buried me under heaps of rotting leaves,
soaked through with rain and choked by grief. Oh November, honestly.
She came upon me in the park, chased me homeward through the dark.
Then she squeezed her talons tight and took me helpless into night.

She has her own song to sing and she demands to finish it,
raises her slick and glistening beak and crows to those who can"t resist.

Oh November, I was once... Did you know me when I was?
Well, I don't remember now since November drowned me out.

But I just felt the summer's heat and tasted the tomato's meat
and took the socks off of my feet when she came to gather me.

Oh...

I am one who flies with you. I've forgotten all I knew.
I must belong to the moonless night. Oh November, you were right." Shannon Stephens

Takk for alt,

Al

Weather report.

"There’s been a change in the weather

Change in the way the wind blows(x2)
Think I’m gonna change this hat I’m wearing
Buy myself some different clothes"

Jason Boland

    The October weather that stretched into fall came to a screeching halt overnight. Awakening to snow on the ground and a 32 mile per hour north-west wind is a reminder that this is not the tropics. Snug in The Little House I don't suffer. Kaia thought the weather was grand for her run but she comes equipped with a fur coat. 

Takk for alt,

Al

What became of them?

       During my years in the Marines I had contact with many persons. For many we were together for two years. The first year was spent training at Camp Pendleton, CA. Then we were deployed together for another year in Asia. Of all those I've remained in contact with only one and he had a bit of contact with another.

    My discharge in June, 1962, was just as American involvement in The War In SE Asia (Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos) was increasing. Of those known to me during my enlistment, were any killed in that war? If so, who?  A record search could be done but I've never chosen to do one.

    The picture posted below of my squad was taken on Okinawa at the end of a multi-week training exercise. Even some of their names have been forgotten. What became of them? I'd like to know, but...

Takk for alt,

Al

                             Can you identify me?

"...won't you guide my sleigh..."

      Oh, ya, that's Christmas not Thanksgiving! Dr. Jerstad operated on my nose this morning for some skin cancer leaving me resembling Rudolf. It was more complicated than I hoped leaving me with eight stiches. As my father was known to remark at times like this "One of the little joys of life!."

   Of course the good news outweighs the bad. Treatment was possible, done at the hands of a highly skilled doctor and I have good health insurance. Vanity is a condition best resisted and it was a relatively benign cancer.  With the presence of sutures lazing around is doctor's orders. What more could I ask?

Takk for alt,

Al

What is so rare as a windless day?

        One of the stories that Joanne liked to tell was the adjustment she made from living in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul, to Concordia College, Moorhead. MN. There were two major adjustments. The first was topographical. The flat campus on the banks of the Red River were a big change from the hills of St. Anthony Park. Even more of an adjustment was the incessant winds that swept in from North Dakota.

     As a boy growing up on the windswept prairies of eastern South Dakota I would look in amazement at pictures of snowfalls in New England? Snow piling up on the top of fenceposts? I'd never seen anything like that. The only snow on top of fenceposts that we had was when the snow drifted deep enough to cover the fence. 

    All of this came to mind when today was so windless that lakes and ponds were like mirrors all day. Sometimes that happens in the morning but rarely all day. Usually the wind blows shortly after sunrise if not before.  Sweet day!

Takk for alt,

Al 

Running through the thistles.

       Some years ago Alban Institute published a booklet by Roy Oswald, Running Through the Thistles. When Oswald was a boy growing up on the prairies of Canada he'd walk barefoot to school in the fall. Taking a short cut across summer fallow fields on his way home he'd encounter massive patches of canada thistle. There were two methods of crossing the thistles. He could try to tip toe through the weeds or he could make a run for it at top speed. His point was that many pastors leaving a congregation opt for quick  departure like a boy running through the thistles.

     When contemplating downsizing from a three bedroom condo to a one bedroom apartment at Lexington Landing I wonder. Is it best to deliberately take time, tip toeing through the process? Or would it be better to run full tilt through the thistles and just get it over?  With occupancy available effective December 6, either method is possible.  Stay tuned!

Takk for alt,

Al

How much was saved?

       In conversation last night with a friend who's in Arizona he reminded me to set my clocks back. Without his reminder I likely would have forgotten. Ironically, Arizona doesn't do daylight savings. My clocks were duly changed and I'm making the internal adjustment.

     The entire enterprise of springing forward and falling back begs the question: With daylight savings time how much daylight was saved? Perhaps if that savings cannot be quantified it is time to end the practice. Certainly many parents with small children would celebrate its demise. 

    It's an odd country in which we live!  My lunch today was at the Sinai Volunteer Firefighter's fund raiser. So, these volunteer firefighters who protect us have do fund raisers to be able to protect us! What's wrong with this picture?  What is even more bizarre is that everyone assumes that's a normal way to operate! Were this logic followed to its conclusion we'd have bake sales to support the U.S. Army. It was a good lunch at which I enjoyed visiting with neighbors, but??????????

Takk for alt,

Al

Squeeze Play!

       Beginning in 1964 Joanne and I made mutual decisions about where to to live. Leaving Sioux Falls after our marriage we settled in St. Louis Park, MN., Mohall, N.D., Sioux Falls, Davenport, IA., Golden Valley, MN., and then to downtown Minneapolis. Now, in Joanne's absence, but with the excellent guidance of Lisa and Lars, I'm preparing to move again. 

     My new home will be Lexington Landings, a Presbyterian Homes, senior housing, (senior=geezer) in St. Paul, MN. If you know St. Paul it's at Old Lexington Ave. and W. 7th Street. My fourth floor apartment, #464...you can look it up online...faces south over 7th Street with a view of the Minnesota River Valley.  Occupancy will be effective Dec. 6, but I have no illusions that I'll actually be there by then. It's a rental arrangement and the rent isn't so steep that I can't afford for it to be vacant a bit. The apartment is in the independent living section but both assisted living and memory care are available in the building, i.e., continuum of care. The building is new and there are only two apartments left to rent in independent living.  

     The condominium is 1835 square feet, three bedrooms, and the apartment is a one bedroom and 856 square feet. Some squeezing will need to be done. Much downsizing was accomplished moving from the house in Golden Valley to the condo. This will be another step. Everything we own ends up owning us in some measure, so I anticipate an enhanced sense of freedom. A POW once said "I was surprised how free I felt when everything had been taken away from me." 

     How quickly this all happened is a huge surprise to me, other than a few bouts of anxiety about the downsizing, I'm at peace with the decision and look forward to being settled. The Little House, you ask? Occupancy of The Little House will not change and likely will continue to be primary locus for awhile. Kaia? She gets to go with me. 😀  

Takk for alt,

Al