What is half of nothing?

      The hearing aids I use are behind the ear with wires in a plastic tube going to the ear piece. One of the tubes became disconnected, in a fight with a mask, and the pieces were connected only by the wires. Successful gluing held it all together. Hopes that the audiology department at the VA could make the repair were dashed. The aid was sent back to the factory for repair with the expectation that they would be fixed and mailed back to me...in two or three weeks.

     I do have old ones I can use in the meantime. The downside is that the current ones are paired with my phone so any audio from the phone comes directly through my aids. That has made telephone visits very pleasant. Now, with audio in only one ear, phone conversations, zoom, etc., are much less satisfying.

    There is more to the story. It is a great good thing, that, with my hearing impairment, such technology is available, so a few weeks deprivation is minor. Then, too, is the reality that with my VA eligibility this is done at no cost to me. When you read the first two paragraphs understand that I am not complaining, only explaining. It does mean, that while I wait for the aid to be returned I will do less calling. 

     Kaia's presence will be even more helpful while I'm partially cut off from others.

Takk for alt,

Al

What's to say?

      Kaia went to meet more of the family and charmed them. She's such a little squirt at 38 lbs. Trygve hovered around 68 lbs. which is huge for a springer. Springers have two lines that have diverged. Show springers are much larger with longer fur, than hunting springers. Trygve's father was show and his mother hunting. That's perhaps why he was slow at retrieving. This last fall he began retrieving and it was very beneficial in several cases where the birds likely would have been lost otherwise. 

    Completed organizing my tax information for the preparer this morning. It was such a relief that a nap was called for. I've always argued that you can't expect to sleep well at night without some practice during the day. 

Takk for alt.

Al

Condo? No problem...

      Kaia has taken to our brief stay in city life almost with out problem. She marched into her first elevator ride with aplomb. She didn't make a big deal out of her fifth birthday yesterday, though I did give her an extra treat. She did slip out of my grasp at the car and played a few moments of "catch me if you can." That will give us something to work on. She's crate trained so accepts crate time without complaint. Are we bonded? I'd say that's been true since the second time I fed her. This comic strip, from today's StarTribune (see below) illustrates her attitude toward me.

     I'm hoping for a long partnership.

Takk for alt,

Al

Quick Post

     This is my first time in the Minneapolis condo since early November. My nephew, and his family, stayed in it over Christmas. Ana, 14, got a kidney transplant at the U. They left the condo so clean I'm going to invite them to stay at The Little House. 😁 The refrigerator hasn't been this clean since it was new. Now that I'm settled in I will introduce Kaia to her condo home and will report on it tomorrow. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Steep Learning Curve!

      Apparently middle aged dogs can learn new tricks. Kaia, the former Charlie, is quite steady on her rug by the dining room table. That's helpful so there isn't a muzzle in my lap while I'm trying to eat. Her previous owner described her as "a happy dog."  That's an apt description and her constant tail wagging is proof.  There's no observable difference in her response to "Kaia" or "Charlie" so the switch will be quite easy. 

     When I was offered a COVID vaccine at the VA in Minneapolis I scheduled some other appointments there for the same day, Friday. Having received a COVID shot locally I cancelled the VA vaccine appointment but kept the others. This means that Kaia will have her first exposure to condo life and likely her first elevator ride. She's not very anxious so it will be fine. Curious as a cat she'll sniff every corner of the apartment.

     These two comic strips are from today's Minneapolis StarTribune.  Pickles, the first strip is an illustration of life with Kaia, who never tires of attention. The second strip amused me. It doesn't take much.

Takk for alt,

Al

We're learning!

     There are cats that are less curious than Charlie/Kaia.  Likely it's the retrieving instinct that causes her delight in carrying things; pajamas, pillows, gloves, yard sticks.  A couple of helpful patterns are developing quickly. The breeder suggested that a two foot square, low, platform would be helpful becasue she's accustomed to sitting on one and staying put. Not having such a platform I put a small scatter rug near the table. Apparently that's reminiscent enough of a platform so that she's doing quite well sitting on it when I'm eating. Craving attention as she does the space is helpful when it's my mealtime.

     When I go to an easy chair she comes for petting, circles the house a few times, comes for more petting but eventually lies down next to me. Sometimes she even falls asleep. 😁 For a five year old she's sure full of energy and she had us out playing fetch at sunrise, which is good for both of us. Perhaps she'll stay!

Takk for alt,

Al

                                       Obediently on her rug.

A lady in the house!

       After six guys, Thor, Bjorn, Kai, Gunnar, Kjell and Trygve, Charlie aka Kaia, followed me home today. My family has given me permission to keep her. 😀  Her birthday is Thursday, February 25, and she will be five. She's exceptionally friendly and loves to hunt. Trygve weighed in 68 lbs., so Charlie/Kaia seems petite at 38 lbs. We've been in the house about an hour and I've discovered that she loves to carry things around, e.g., caps, gloves, etc. which I should pick up anyway. The breeder sent her favorite fetch dummy along when she spotted that got very excited. Other than on hunting trips she's spent most of her time in a kennel so there will be some adjustment to living in a house. Hopefully she's past the chewing stage. She's very affectionate and loves attention. I'll include a video of her retrieving and a couple of pictures. 

     Now I need to spend time with her. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Charlie/Kaia, the new wonder dog. 

                                           Who, me?

her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVkC1EA2OD4

Go to this to see her retrieve.

260?

       Now it's about 260 days in The Little House, minus a few days in Minneapolis. At the church coffee hour via zoom I'm always asked "Are you still in S.D.?  As the date for my second COVID shot approaches I imagine that a bit after it, some more freedom of movement.  In a normal year I'd be about half through the annual teaching stint in Thailand. Tropical weather suits me fine but Little House lifestyle has made winter very bearable. It's been easier than I imagined and the increasing day light gives hope for the days ahead.  

       So I remain content and grateful.

Takk for alt,

Al

                 Eggs by the bagful at the egg store in Ayutthaya.

Walking and waiting...

       While I wait for my second COVID vaccine I continue my daily walks. On one of the sub-zero days I was walking away from town and at a distance of about a half mile. A car going my way stopped beside me, the driver rolled down the window and asked it I wanted a ride. I said "Thanks, but I'm just getting my exercise." It was an impressive offer given the fact that the driver was a woman, unknown to me I'd guess to be in her  30s, and she was alone in the car. She was unafraid to offer help. Traffic is not very heavy, in a typical 2.5 mile walk 4 or 5 vehicles will pass by. 

News from Thailand

" Last week, police clashed with protesters demanding the release of four activists jailed pending trial on charges they insulted the monarchy, a crime in Thailand punishable by up to 15 years in prison."  Reuters

   Penalty for insulting the monarchy in Thailand, which includes any discussion of royalty, is 15 years in prison. It's hard to bring reform under those circumstances.

Takk for alt

Al

Link

  A couple of days ago I posted the link to our new gun safety organization and mistakenly gave it the suffix "com" instead of "org.'  The correct link gunsafemn.org   Please check it out. 

Ya takk,

Al

It's all relative!

       No, I'm not talking about family relatives. Though, I did call me cousin who winters at McAllen, TX., to see if she and her husband were okay. Turns out they're back home in Minnesota to get their second COVID shots. Their trailer park's electricity in Texas flickered but stayed on.

     The relativity I mention is in reference to the weather. The temperature is PLUS 21!  It dawned on me that the recent spate of sub-zero weather didn't bother me because of my COVID life style. Seldom do I drive anyplace so I'm not exposed to the cold going to a cold vehicle and again as I leave it. Going outside for my daily walk gives me opportunity to dress for it, per the Norwegian saying "there's no bad weather, only bad clothing."

    21 degrees in August would be one thing but quite another in February, and especially after a cold snap. The Dakotas are totally prepared for sub-zero temperatures and greet them with a shrug and a "what's the big deal?"  Trygve would watch patiently as I put on layers of clothing to go outside already wrapped in his fur coat. The cold energized him.

    So, I remain among the most fortunate of all during this pandemic, for which I am grateful.

Takk for alt,

Al

                           The late Trygve...wonder dog.

Tracks in the snow.

      In the midst of our little cold snap we got some nice, light, powdery snow yesterday. The snow delights me becasue I can use it to track the critters nearby. On my daily walks I examine the snow on the shoulders of the road and in the ditches for tracks. New snow tells me what has transpired recently. Pheasant tracks are common as are cottontail rabbits and squirrels. One mink recently crossed the road. Deer tracks are by far the most common. Leaving  my house this morning I noted that a deer had crossed my yard last night. "What time was that" I wondered?

     Now for a radical change of subject; gun violence. On February 15th I posted about a new endeavor in the prevention of gun violence, gunsafemn.org. Three of us are co-founders of this new organization: Pastor Nancy Bence, Interim Senior Pastor, St. James Lutheran, and former executive director of Protect Minnesota, Dr. Megan Reilly-Jennings, MD, who is a pediatrician, and I.  Nancy is the de-facto Executive Director, I am board chairman and Megan is vice-chairman. 

   The assumption that undergirds this effort is that there sensible laws, within the context of the 2nd amendment, that, if passed would save lives. One example is a red flag law that could allow intervention in situations where an individual is a credible threat of causing gun violence. It is very probable that such a law would have prevented the recent mass shooting at the medical clinic in Buffalo, MN.   

  Please visit our website and seriously consider joining us in this effort.

Takk for alt,

Al

More Reading

      Perhaps I chose it as a tribute to Joanne. In her retirement Joanne spent a lot of time watching CNN and MSNBC, and particularly the Rachel Maddow show. When I saw a review of Rachel Maddow's and Michael Yarvitz's book Bag Man: The Wild Crimes and Audacious Cover-up and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House, I loaded it unto my Kindle. Spiro Agnew started taking kick-backs from contractors as Baltimore County Administrator, continued to do so as Governor of Maryland and as U.S. Vice President.  His resignation of the office of Vice President came as a he pleaded "no contest" to a felonious case of tax evasion just a few days before Robert Bork fired special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, at President Nixon's behest in the "mid-night massacre." Shortly after that Nixon resigned and, had Agnew not resigned, he would have become president. Agnew's downfall was overshadowed by Nixon's.

    Bag Man reads like a 'who done it?'  Though I lived through the events detailed I've forgotten much and there was also much I didn't know.  Agnew served as Nixon's hatchet man and reading what he said it's fascinating to see how much trump echoed him, e.g., attacks on the press, minorities and Democrats. Agnew wasn't deterred from evil by his resignation. He stooped so low as to solicit funds from Saudi Arabia to promulgate anti-Semitism in America.  U.S. Attorney General, Elliot Richardson and 4 young attorneys in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Baltimore come off as the heroes of the story. I recommend reading it.

   Recently I read something about someone forgetting a shopping list at home. I'm acutely aware that my ability to live alone, or as I say "without adult supervision", is dependent on having a reliable memory. This morning as I was heading for my early morning visit to the grocery store, when I was few miles out of town, I took inventory: wallet? check, 2 masks? check, shopping list?  Oops! back at the house!  Decision? Turn around and drive back, or, go on? Go on. Back home with the groceries I checked the list and found that I'd purchased everything on it. Admittedly, it wasn't a very long list, only 15 items. So what's the verdict? Bad memory becasue I forgot the list or good memory because I remembered what was on it? 😁

Takk for alt,

Al

gunsafemn.org  Is the website for our new initiative working for gun safety in Minnesota. I invite you to check it out.

     

Birthday

        Celebrating birthdays is fun, even via Facetime, but.... Joanne loved birthdays. Coming from a family that noted birthdays but didn't make a big deal of them it took me awhile to recognize Joanne's values about those celebrations. Now, in the almost three years since Joanne's death, birthday celebrations are always a reminder of the presence of absence. S turned 9, today! Celebrating with her was delight even though at a distance. It is such a joy to see who she is today as she grows and develops. It delights me that she is an avid reader!

     It is the presence of absence that causes sorrow around all of that growth Joanne has missed. She took great delight in her granddaughters. Then, too, S has missed three years of her grandmother. Joanne's physical limitations didn't allow her to get on the floor to play with the girls. In the girls house is a stool on castors. All of us who saw it cannot forget Joanne sitting on that stool to play with them. S was a baby when her family moved to their current house. Joanne's job on moving day was to hold S, another picture indelible in my mind.  Joy and sorrow certainly mix in the land of grief. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Another Pickles strip from today's paper, just for fun and, in honor of my sister-in-law who makes awesome apple pie.

Testing a maxim.

       Weather was an important topic of conversation in my childhood.  Raised among those who have a tendency toward taciturnity weather was a safe topic of conversation. Then, too, conditions can vary quickly here on the prairie raising that as a topic. Perhaps the most important reason for weather in conversation was that we were farmers in a farming community. Weather could make, or quickly break, a farmers financial profit.

     Norway, the land of my ancestors, lies far north geographically. Modern Norwegians are avid outdoors loving people. They have a maxim that "there is no bad weather, only bad clothing." Being a person of habit I prefer to do my walk at the same time everyday, mid-morning. The habit got established when Trygve and I were hunting every day. During the pheasant hunting season in South Dakota the daily hunt opens at 10:00 a.m.so that's when Trygve and I would start. This morning, at 10:00 a.m., the temperature was minus 16, with the wind chill something more than that. "Time to test the Norwegian maxim about weather and clothing" I thought. So, I bundled up and my little experiment bore out the maxim. My Marine shooters mittens kept my hands toasty warm, as did a down vest and Carhart bomber jacket for my torso. Leaving my beard untrimmed for a long time gave me face protection. It was a nice walk. I always start into the wind so if I get too cold I can walk with it on the way home. Yes, I missed Trygve. 😞

    Pickles is one of my favorite comic strips. This appeared in the Minneapolis StarTribune, today. I'm with Earl, I don't whine but I may snivel.

Takk for alt,

Al

"Cold enough for you?" HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

       In the midst of a cold snap perhaps it would be good to remember what's good about cold. No mosquitos have been sighted recently, ticks neither. Ice fishermen are safer on area lakes. There is no need to mow the lawn or work in the garden. Fuel truck drivers are fully employed. The cold front has pushed snow storms south of this area. Emerald ash borers decimating ash trees will be slowed, This last one is very significant because a high percentage of trees in western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota are ash. More advantages of cold; few cases of sunburn. Certainly there are many more advantages but you can fill in the rest.

    My former home, Mohall, N.D., reached minus 39, a day ago. These are temperatures Fahrenheit, not wind chill. It was minus 20 at The Little House last night and today's high was minus 11, and it's predicted to be minus 23 tonight. Yes, I am very glad that I don't need to work outside. It's also good that The Little House is actually little so there's not much to heat. 

Takk for alt,

Al

  A picture from Thailand where I'd normally be at this time of year.

 

New Endeavor

      There's a persistent myth in America that "guns make you safer." Recently there was a sad news story providing a powerful illustration of the falsity of this assumption. A Methodist pastor in Texas arrived at his church on a Sunday morning. Entering the building he discovered an unarmed fugitive hiding in the church. The pastor, being armed, pulled out his pistol to apprehend the fugitive who wrestled the gun away from the pastor.  After shooting and killing the pastor the fugitive escaped in the pastor's car. Add to this all of reports of accidental shootings and suicides enabled by he presence of a gun.

     The tragic mass shooting at a medical clinic in Buffalo, MN., illustrates the need for sensible gun laws. A few of us have banded together to create a new organization to work for better legislation.  In these initial stages, this has all happened this week, we now have a website. (see the link below).  Our organizations name, gunsafe.mn, is a nice play on words. My guns are in a gun safe in The Little House. Many of the hunters I know are in agreement that there significant legislative steps that can be taken for sensible and fair gun laws. Click on the link to see our values statement. https://www.gunsafemn.org

Takk for alt,

Al

 

Reflecting....

      February began my 10th month in The Little House. Earlier, it had crossed my mind that I could live here if I ran into some financial reversal that necessitated the surrender of my Minneapolis condo. Never did it cross my mind that I'd be living here, now into my 10th month, because of a pandemic. But, here I am and it has gone remarkably well. The big loss has been time with family and friends. Also, it has been a loss to not be able to attend church in person. The last meal in a restaurant was early March. Yes, I miss that, but it's not a big deal.  Attending plays, concerts and other forms of entertainment had slipped from schedule prior to COVID.  Watching online substituted for attending some basketball games. ,

    Now as I await my second COVID vaccination I do look forward to more easily moving about. High on my list of priorities is spending more time with my family. Connecting in person with friends will be sweet. Perhaps I will be able to attend church again.

    Reflecting on these months leads me back to what I've written previously; I'm among the persons most blessed and least effected by COVID. Now, thanks to the skill, wisdom, dedication and hard work of so many I'm blessed with a vaccine that greatly reduces my risk of illness. The little I did to protect myself pales in comparison with the impact on so many others. What else could I be, but grateful? and I am!!

Takk for alt,

Al

PS Today's mail brought more tributes to Trygve: A prayer from the All Creation Sings, hymnal supplement, a prayer at the Death of a Pet. Also in a sympathy card a note that K & C honored Trygve's memory with a gift to the Animal Humane Society.  THANK YOU all.

         As it says on my grandparents graves: Gone, but not forgotten. (In Norwegian)

It's all in the relationship!

      There have been phone calls, cards, texts, emails, and almost 200 posts on Facebook in response to Trygve's death. It is almost three years since Joanne died. In the depths of that grief it was the relationships that sustained me. Family and friends reached out with caring support and offered me a life line toward recovery in the land of grief.

    Trygve's death prompted real grief but it was no way as devastating as the grief over Joanne's loss. Yet, grief is grief, and the huge response to Trygve's death is a powerful reminder that relationships are key in grief recovery. While I miss Trygve terribly I'm flooded with gratitude for all the care expressed. It's also a good reminder to me to be in touch with those who grieve. "If you care, be there." Given the pandemic 'being there' may take the one of the forms listed above; phone call, card, email, text, Facebook post. But, it is important to do something, reach out in some way.

    There is approximately 90 minutes more of daylight each day now than there was on Dec. 21. That, along with my COVID vaccine renews my hope. "You're going to spend the winter there?" was a frequent response earlier in my stay in The Little House. When I was asked how long I planned to stay, and I'd say until it's safe, the query about winter was often said. Winter has not been that bad. Possessing a good furnace the house is comfortable. Possessing warm clothing winter walks are also comfortable. Yes, I'm grateful.

Takk for alt,

Al

                                            So we don't forget.

Dependency

         "Don't know what you got, Till it's gone" from the song by Cinderella.  The six days since Trygve died have brought those words to mind. Oh, I fully appreciated his companionship, his quiet presence. Over the years, in reference to Trygve, I'd often said "He keeps me from being a slug."  Now I'm coming to fully appreciate the truth of that statement. Daily walks are still a part of my routine. It's the littler ones that have gone missing; arising for an early walk, another walk before bedtime, etc. Of course I could still do those things...but I don't and likely won't. It's so clear that also in this way Trygve was a gift to me as I struggle to find a new routine. 

Takk for alt,

Al

                            Keeping the squirrels at bay.

What, me worry?

      With COVID emerging last February I left Thailand two weeks earlier than I had planned. Early in March I began carefully isolating to avoid the virus. For six weeks I stayed with L, and then relocated to The Little House on the Prairie, May 1. Since May 1, I have spent almost all my time in S.D.  Isolation has not been terribly difficult. The worst part has been separation from the family. Telephone and internet have kept me connected with family and friends. Stress has not seemed to be part of the equation. Or, was I in denial?

      Today I received my first COVID inoculation (Moderna). As I was driving back from Brookings, where I received my shot, I was aware of a deep sense of relief. Reflecting on that feeling it became clear that it was related to the vaccine. Perhaps there was more anxiety underlying my psyche than I realized.

     This whole experience comes with a mixture of feelings. Most prominently is gratitude! There's gratitude for the comfort with which I was able to isolate. Much gratitude is due those who rushed and worked to make vaccines available. I am grateful that I received the vaccine and for the insurance which paid for my inoculation.  

     Humility is also appropriate. Why me? Why am I so blessed? So many have died or suffered terrible illness. How did I escape. Millions still wait for the vaccine but I'm already inoculated. It is a gift given to me and all I can do is say "THANK YOU!"

   One of the gifts of isolation has been the opportunity to read. One of the best books I've during this time is the biography of Fredrick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, by David Blight. This (below) was posted in the Minneapolis StarTribune, yesterday.

Takk for alt,

Al

"The whole creation groans in pain as it awaits redemption." Romans 8:22

      Do dogs go to heaven? Some have argued "Yes" on the basis of Romans 8:22, because dogs are obviously a part of creation. Sam sent me two helpful print-outs. "PRAYER AT THE DEATH OF A PET" and a page from the devotional booklet Christ In Our Home. That page begins "Martin Luther was sure dogs would be in heaven."  Well that answers the question doesn't it? 😉

Takk for alt,

Al

“It’s Just A Dog” by Richard A. Biby

From time to time people tell me “relax, it’s just a dog” or “it’s a lot of money just for a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time invested or the costs incurred by “just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments happened with “just a dog.”

Many hours passed being my only company “just a dog”, but not for a single moment I felt despised. Some of my saddest moments were for “just a dog,” and on those gray days, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me the comfort and reason to spend the day.

If you also think “it’s just a dog,” then you’ll probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Only a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure and unbridled joy. “Only a dog” brings the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

For “just a dog,” I’m getting up early, going for long walks and looking forward to the future. So for me, and for people like me, it is not “just a dog,” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the memories of the past and the absolute joy of the moment. “Only a dog” brings good in me and diverts my thoughts away from me and the daily worries.

I hope one day you can understand that it’s not “just a dog”, but what gives me humanity and prevents me from being “just a human”. So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog,” you just smile because you “just don’t understand.”

Happier days.

Trygve and the truck.

       L and I took the truck to a large slough so she could go snowshoeing. Yesterday's wind is memory and there was only a slight breeze accompanying the snow shower. With the sub-zero temperature the snow is light and fluffy creating a winter wonderland. Two rooster pheasants flew into the shelter of the cattails. The flat surface of the pond makes for good snowshoeing and the aluminum snowshoes have metal teeth on the bottom that grip the ice where there is no snow cover...don't wear then on your hardwood floors.

    On return to the house as I parked the truck I reflexively put the gear shift lever forward to assist Trygve's dismount. 😢 Just another of the those little reminders that he is gone.

Takk for alt,

Al

                                       In the field with Trygve.

Memories!

        L and I bundled up and braved the cold, -4, 17mph wind, wind chill -26, and walked out to the cemetery to visit Joanne's grave.  The 1.6 mile round trip is one that Trygve and I often made. It seemed that every step brought back a memory of him; "this is where he'd..." "from here he'd run ahead to the cemetery" "after running ahead into the cemetery this is where he'd come back to see if I was coming." Such is life in the aftermath of Trygve's death. The Little House, too, is full of memories of him. Shifting the memory bank to hunting expeditions this fall and other events in his life is a mixed experience. On the one hand there is gratitude for all the good times and, on the other, clear realization of what's been lost. 

Takk for alt,

Al

                                                          The cemetery this morning.

Twenty six hours...

      The Little House is full of reminders of Trygve. Now, 26 hours after his death, I'm having a powerful reminder of how "grief touches grief" as Joanne would frequently say. Dog owners live with the reality that, very likely, they will have to say goodbye to their pet at some point. Springers often live in the 13-15 year range so I hoped I'd have two or more years with Trygve. 

     Now, grieving Trygve's death, I'm plunged back into grief about Joanne's death, almost three years ago. I've learned to live with that grief, but as I'm plunged into new sorrow, I'm reminded of my place in the land of grief. Joanne loved Trygve and would also have grieved his death.

   The circumstances of the last few months fascinate me. Pheasant hunting season opened in South Dakota on October 17 and closed December 31. Most days during that time Trygve and I went hunting. Because neither of us were young, and we could hunt again tomorrow, we didn't hunt all day, sufficient was one field or area for a day. We last hunted on January 25, and he seemed fine. Trygve stopped eating on the 28th and he died on February 4, 9 days after his last hunt. I'm profoundly grateful that he got all those days in the field before he died. He was so happy doing that and then coming back to rest in my presence.

Takk for alt,

Al

         Trygve resting after the hunt. maybe dreaming of pheasants.

    

t

Trygve, September 29, 2009-February 4, 2021, Rest in peace, good and faithful dog."

       When Lisa moved to Minneapolis it became clear that my fifth springer, Kjell, preferred her to me. So Lisa adopted Kjell. While I was teaching in Thailand early in 2010, Lisa found Trygve in an ad from a breeder near Lake Benton, MN. Though I was in Asia I was able to strike a deal with the breeder for Trygve. When I returned from Asia, Lisa and I drove to Lake Benton, likely late Feb. 2010, to get him. Since that time he's been an important part of the family. Joanne, not raised with dogs, said that of the six we'd had Trygve was her favorite.   

      A week ago yesterday Trygve quit eating which was totally out of the ordinary. Last Thursday we made the first visit to the vet. Friday he was totally lethargic but Saturday he seemed to return to normal. It was the last day he ate and everything he ate he threw up overnight. Monday we were back at the vet and he was given different antibiotics. By last evening it was clear that we was weaker and had not eaten since Saturday. This morning I took him to the emergency vet hospital in Sioux Falls. His abdomen was full of blood and he was diagnosed with cancer of the spleen. Trygve and I drove back his primary care vet in Brookings and he died at noon. Yes. of course I'm devastated.  

    COVID was a gift to us. Since the first of March he had been with either Lisa or me 24/7. Since the 1st of June he was here with me in The Little House. Pheasant hunting season opened October 17, and we hunted almost every day until he got sick on January 27. He was living the dog's dream life; with his owner 24/7 and hunting everyday.  I am so grateful that he, and I, had that opportunity.

   He was so well behaved that on the rare occasions I'd need to raise my voice he looked startled as if to say "you yelled at me."  About 5 or 6 times in eleven years he barked, with the exception of when he was dreaming, then he'd frequently bark. 

    The Little House is suddenly very empty! 😢

Takk for alt,

Al

                                Trygve in the car this morning.

Serendipity!

         Regular readers of this blog will know that for many years past at this time I'd be in Thailand teaching. Missing that explains, at least partially, the random picture I post from Thailand. Reading in the book section of the Sunday Paper a suggestion that if you can't travel, read about travelling. That article also had some book suggestions among which was, Amsterdam: A History of  the World's Most Liberal City, Russell Shorto.

       Joanne and I once spent a delightful week in The Netherlands. The plan was to meet friends there, travel to Belgium and then to Norway. A medical emergency prevented the friends from joining us so Joanne and I stayed in The Netherlands for the time we'd have been to Belgium. We travelled for a couple of nights with an acquaintance a ways out of Amsterdam but the rest of the week was spent enjoying the city. It was delightful, with perfect June weather, great museums, scenic canals and all. When Amsterdam was available from the library, via Kindle, I chose it, thinking it might be mildly interesting.

     It has turned out to be fascinating, well researched and encompassing much more than just the history of Amsterdam. It has tied together many facets of European, American and world history for me. It's a serendipitous book find.

Takk for alt,

Al

     The new school, occupied this year, is visible in the background. 

"See you in the funnies!"

 A Dictionary of Catch Phrases (1986) by Eric Partridge and Paul Beale says:

see you in the funny papers (—often and orig. I'll). 'This jocular farewell suggests that the person addressed is rather laughable: US: 1920s; extinct by the 1950s' (R.C., 1978). Perhaps adopted in the UK from American servicemen c. 1943. By c. 1955, (I'll) see you in the funnies.

Copied from today's Minneapolis StarTribune.

     Joanne and I would often point out particular items in Pickles, the comic strip printed above. Notice the dog's expression. This panel jumped out at me because of my experience with plumbing. Taking plumbing apart and putting it back together is not the issue. Leaking? Now that's the issue! Getting things together again so that there's not a leak is the challenge. A pipefitter I am not. "See you in the funny papers" extinct since the 1950's...when did you last hear that phrase?

      

      Trygve's showing some improvement today, but still no appetite.

Takk for alt,

Al

                                It was a cold day, perhaps 75 Fahrenheit, notice the coats. 

Slow recovery....

     Trygve's still lethargic. Saturday he seemed almost back to his old self. Yesterday he'd relapsed back to lethargy. Today the vet changed his antibiotics and gave him some anti-nausea meds.  The vet credited us for the unused antibiotics! Wow! Here's hoping that he improves soon. As often happens with dogs that are ill he's not eating much.

   This is the post from L. K. Hanson in today's Minneapolis StarTribune. Les tells me that Hanson is a St. Olaf grad. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Delivering the morning snacks.