Happy Halloween!

     In this blog I've occasionally lamented the challenges of living without adult supervision. It's now been about three and half years that I've been on my own. Challenges arise that require action: Is it late enough in the fall and cold enough to start the furnace? Is it time to wash the bed linen? Is it time for house cleaning? These huge decisions must be met solo.

     Today I was confronted with one of those momentous decisions, but, where could I turn?  Where is adult supervision when I need it? Conjuring up the ultimate resolve I made a decision and I'm neither apologizing nor wavering. There are times that one must make a stand as an adult allow the chips to fall where they may. Do not contact me asking me to do differently becasue my mind is made up and your effort would be wasted as well intentioned as it may be. Here I stand I can do no other!!

    You ask "What is the decision?"  The decision? I am not going tricks or treating tonight!

Takk for alt,

Al

The Little House

       There was a surprise 75th birthday party for Carolyn T today, and she was surprised. Showing up for the open house at the beginning worked as I hope. A good chance to talk to Carolyn without standing in line After that stop we headed for home. Just as I was settling in my neighbor brought me supper. 👍

 "It's the birthday of the second president of the United States, John Adams, born in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1735. He represented Massachusetts at the Continental Congress. He served on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, and even though Thomas Jefferson wrote most of it, John Adams edited it and he defended it to the rest of the Congress and helped get it passed. Adams was vice president for George Washington, but he didn't like it much. In 1796 he was elected the second president of the United States. But his party, the Federalist Party, ended up divided and the next time around he lost to Jefferson." John Adams said, "Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide."     John Adams wasn't very hopeful and this is the time when American democracy is in peril. Takk for alt, Al

Decisions?

    Lisa, Lars and I looked at a very nice senior living facility this afternoon. With space available it causes some pondering. Is now the time? Before visiting I was just curious about the facility at which I'd been put on the wait list. This activity is prompted by my status as an older person living alone. Should something occur to challenge my independence where would I go?

     The equation quickly changes when confronted by immediate availability. The other senior place in which I'm on a wait list guesses that there is a ten year wait. It is a preferable facility but at my age is it realistic to assume I can wait ten years?   Fortunately my children are very helpful becasue living without adult supervision is a challenge. 😀

Takk for alt,

Al

Life in Minneapolis, Day 2

      So much talking today my words are spent!  For many years I teased Joanne that she'd use up her life time quota of words and would be mute her last years. Fortunately she was able to speak until she died. Words do not come as readily to me but today has been a wonderful day of conversations. For all those words I am grateful. 

Takk for alt,

Al 

Life in Mpls.

    The condo is not far from Nicollet Island Park which had a lovely place to play fetch with Kaia. She needs much exercise and I can't throw the tennis ball long enough to wear her out. Today we went twice which made her very happy. She non-reactive to other dogs which is very helpful. A large golden ran toward her as she was fetching but she ignored the golden picked up the ball and raced back to me. This non-reactivity is very helpful when there are other dogs in the elevator. Such a good girl!

   Heather Cox-Richardson writes a daily blog about contemporary political issues. As an historian much of what she writes is put in historical context. Subscription to her blog is free and I highly recommended it. Why don't you sign up and see for yourself.  https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/ 

From Heather Cox-Richardson's blog today.

"In a speech in March 1861, Alexander Stephens of Georgia, who would soon be the vice president of the Confederate States of America, explained to an audience that Jefferson’s belief that all men are created equal was ​​“an error” and that anyone who still adhered to that idea was an insane “fanatic.” Stephens told listeners: “Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.” '

Takk for alt.

Al

Special Delivery!

     Mail come to Sinai by truck from Sioux Falls. The driver picks up mail in Sioux Falls about 5:30 a.m., and Sinai is his final stop at 8:00. At 4:00 he reverses the route carrying mail from Sinai and other stops to Sioux Falls. The post office service window is open from 10:00 until 12:00. When the post-mistress arrives at 10:00 she distributes the mail to the individual boxes. Today I timed my departure from Sinai to Mpls for 10:30 so I could check my mail.

    At 10:30 I emptied my box, returned to my car and stopped a half a block from the post office to talk to a banker headed to get the mail. While I was visiting with the banker the post-mistress hustled out of the post office to deliver a package to me she found after I'd emptied my box. In all my years in the twin cities that has never happened to me.  😄

   Kaia and I are in the condo for a few days before returning "home" to The Little House.

Takk for alt,

Al

"Home is where the heart is!"

 "It isn't completely clear where this proverbial saying originated.

The poem 'Tis home where the heart is, which was published in 1829 in several US newspaper, including this piece in The Fayetteville Weekly Observer:

Tis home where e'er the heart is,
Where e'er its loved ones dwell,
In cities, or in cottages,
Throng'd haunts or mossy dell,
The heart's a rover ever,
And thus on wave and wild,
The maiden with her lover walks,
The mother with her child."

       This saying came to mind in a conversation with a friend who asked what I consider home. Over the last year and a half I've mostly been resident in The Little House. Some weeks ago when I was in Minneapolis I was asked when I was going back to South Dakota. I replied, "I think I'll go home tomorrow."  😀 Until then I'd not consciously thought about what I consider home. The shift in perspective came unconsciously.  

     The Little House has been a good place for me. My ability to stay here is dependent on three things: reliable memory, good eyesight and the ability to walk. Should I lose any of those life here would be untenable.  For that reason I have my name on wait lists in two senior facilities in St. Paul. For now the Minneapolis condo is my urban cabin. 

Takk for alt,

Al

The gift of technology!

      One of the very helpful features of my hearing aids is their pairing with my smartphone. Telephone conversations are easily understood making phone conversations an ideal way to meet my people needs. The same technology works when I listen to pod-casts or music on my phone. The music sounds as if I were in the concert hall and with the miracle of the hearing aid technology I hear the music in stereophonic sound and its full range.

     Today I found Norwegian hymns posted by the Church Of Norway. The music featured duets and trios with the simple accompaniment of piano and guitar(s). Sung is Norwegian it was a delight to listen to familiar hymns sung clearly with the lyrics also posted in Norwegian. These are recent posting, no doubt aimed at Norwegians, but I found them delightful.

    Should you be interested in listening go to U Tube and Church Of Norway hymns.

Takk for alt,

Al

Words To Live By.

      Sr. Joanne Dehmer is a spiritual director at Loyola Center, St. Paul, MN. In a blog in the Center's newsletter she includes this quote which is a great mantra by which to live.

"I’m reminded of the words of Rumi,

                Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates.

                At the first gate, ask yourself,

                                Is it true?

                At the second, ask yourself,

                                Is it necessary?

                At the third gate, ask,

                                Is it kind?"

    This reminds me of my father-in-law, the late Rev. Oscar C. Hanson.  When the Hanson family took me in Oscar's lack of tolerance for gossip impressed me. If dinner conversation turned critical of someone who was not present he quickly shut it down. He truly lived by the words of Rumi quoted above. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Company at The Little House!

       Last night Lars, Evy and Sella camped at Lac Que Parle State Park, near Dawson, MN. My great-grandparents, Halvor and Annie Graven are buried near there at Lac Que Parle Lutheran Church. My father was born there before moving with his parents, Lars & Sigrid Negstad, to rural Brookings Co., SD. Sigrid was the daughter of the Gravens though she was raised by childless aunt. 

     After camping overnight on a chilly night Lars et. al. came to stay in The Little House. :👍 

Takk for alt,

Al

                              Look out, Earl!  

Autumn

Spring is beautiful, and summer is perfect for vacations, but autumn brings a longing to get away from the unreal things of life, out into the forest at night with a campfire and the rustling leaves.
Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

    Sangster doesn't mention winter?   Certainly there are persons whose favorite season is winter. Fall was long my favorite season Then summer replaced fall in my favor. Now I'm not so certain. There are certainly many things to admire about autumn; harvest, leaf color, flocks of birds migrating, cooler temps, and all day rains as yesterday.  What is your favorite season?

Takk for alt,

Al

Even Sinai!

        Today as I exited the Sinai Bank after the noon meal the Google Street View car drove down Main Street. It turned neither right nor left and continued through town. That prompted a look at Sinai on Google Street View to see if it showed The Little House on the Prairie.  Imagine my disappointment in discovering that, while Sinai is on Street View, it only shows Main Street. There's a decent shot of my garage which is on Main but nothing from Park Ave., where The Little House is situated.  The Main Street view on Google is several years old so it will be interesting to see if today's view will be posted. If so it will show my truck which was parked in front of the garage. 

     Now you see what passes for excitement in Sinai. 😁  Today is a day of fall rain, which given the dry conditions is very welcome.

Takk for alt,

Al

A funny state!

      South Dakota is a funny state boasting one of the most regressive tax systems (maybe the most) in the country. State government is financed primarily through property and sales taxes. 

    Let's do a hypothetical illustration...beginning with Sally, who is a neurosurgeon at the top of her profession. Imagine that she makes a million dollars a year, which is possible. What does she pay in state tax. That depends, if she lives in a luxury rental condo she may have very little property tax to pay. She's so dedicated to medicine that she works an average of seventy hours a week. With that schedule she doesn't buy very much so pays little in sales tax...her million is hardly taxed by S.D.

    Then there's George, a middle-aged farmer. He owns a relatively modest 1000 acres but it is good farmland. Guessing at his property taxes based on the property tax I pay he likely pays about $75,000. a year. On years when commodity prices are poor, or crops aren't good, he still pays 75K even if he isn't making a profit. To add insult to injury he has to pay sales or excise taxes on equipment he buys. This  equipment is necessary to his operation. 

    Now here's the kicker!  South Dakota state government is controlled by farmers...they are doing it to themselves!  Go figure!  This came to mind as I prepare to mail the second installment, due in May and October, of my property taxes. 

Takk for alt,

Al

South Dakota's Governor made the opinion page of the Minneapolis paper today.

 

Takk for alt,

Al

Well trained!

        Kaia is obviously well trained for hunting. Today she retrieved a pheasant. As the season progresses, the weather turns colder and other bird cover disappears, pheasants retreat into cattail sloughs. Predecessors to Kaia learned through trial and error that cattails were the hiding place for pheasants. Once they learned that they'd make a bee line for any cattails they saw. Kaia goes into the cattails a little way but has yet to learn that that's where the birds are usually found, but she will.

     An ear of corn thrown on the lawn in front of the dining room window was intended to attract squirrels for Kaia's entertainment . The squirrels have yet to find the corn but the blue jays have. Kaia gets so excited watching through the window that she can hardly stand it, When it gets to be too much for her she runs around the table and back to the window. 

      What an exciting life in The Little House on The Prairie! 😁

Takk for alt,

Al

A nice walk in the field!

      Mellow, not exciting, but mellow.  That would be the best description of the opening of pheasant season. Adhering to the plan of one field per day Kaia and I hunted one field, which was a nice walk for me and a great run for her.

     Birds? None were seen but the good news is that Kaia exhibited her excellent training. hunting near me. She very responsive to a voice whistle.  It is nice to see birds but the season is long. There are still many corn fields left to be harvested and that's likely where the pheasants are hiding.  As harvest progresses and the weather cools the birds will congregate in heavier cover and then we'll see more. 

     Earl and Nelson in this Pickles comic strip have an experience to that which Kaia and I had this morning.

Takk for alt,

Al

PS Corn harvest reports seem to average about 150 bushels per acre with one report of a field doing 190. The corn is dry enough to store without additional drying. That saves both money and quality.

"See you in the funnies!"

         There are so many good sayings that have fallen out of use, like "see you in the funnies." When I was working with 8th grade students at Noble Academy, mostly Hmong but a few Africans, we spent a some time talking about American idioms. American English is full of idioms that children of  parents who are English language learners never hear. "He goes to bed with the chickens." No, don't look for him in the chicken coop just don't call him after 9:00 p.m. You get the idea. "She's one can short of a six-pack" is the modern version of "she doesn't have all her marbles."  How many can you think of?

    Seeing this comic strip in the paper today made me think of "see you in the funnies" becasue I see myself in Grampa and Grandma. 😁

Takk for alt,

Al

Cemetery Tour.

       The cemetery tour began at the cemetery west of Toronto, SD. There Sam and I visited the grave of his wife Mary. It brought back memories of the year that Mary and I worked together at First Lutheran, Sioux Falls. Sam and Mary were married at First Lutheran one week before Joanne and I.  My cousin, Audrey Bergh Iverson, who died in 1973, is buried near Mary.  90%? of the graves bear Norwegian sir names. 

     After lunch at the Toronto Cafe and Lounge we visited the Bethlehem Cemetery, Astoria, SD. In this cemetery Joanne's paternal grandparents, two aunts and a cousin are buried.  98%? of the sir names are Norwegian. 

    The next stop was at Singsaas Cemetery, in South Dakota but with a Hendricks, MN., address. In this church my grandfather, Olai Bergh, baptized Joanne's grandmother, Mary Rasmuson Hanson. Joanne's great-grandparents are buried there. 97? of the sir names were Norwegian.

    It's always a pleasure to spend time with a long time  friend, like Sam. That helped make it a very special day.

Takk for alt,

Al

                                                Sam by Mary's grave.

                                            Singsass Church.

                               Cousin Audrey Bergh Iverson.

"It's a dog's life!"

         The old saying "It's a dog's life" meant to convey that life is not easy. Trygve's last year, with me 24/7 becasue of COVID and hunting everyday three+ months, certainly ended on a high note. As hard as it was to give him up I'm glad I didn't put him through difficult and painful surgery to gain a few months. 

        Since Kaia and I moved into together in February we've certainly bonded. We, too, are together 24/7 and she has a happy life. Now as hunting season approaches her life will even improve. She's my 7th dog, all Springers but the first female. The trend began in 1976? when Frank gave me a puppy, Thor, for Christmas.

     Dogs came to mind with these Pickles comics published on subsequent days.

Ya, then.....

Takk for alt,

Al

Thinking About Grass.

       These days out in my grasslands promotes contemplating the benefits of grass. A quick Google search found this: 

"Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use the sun’s energy to ‘fix” this carbon to make sugars and other carbohydrates which the plant can store and use later or be used by other organisms. During this process plants give off oxygen. Photosynthesis is the biochemical process by which plants remove carbon from the atmosphere. In prairie grasslands a large amount of fixed carbon is stored in plant roots. When the plant dies some of the root remains in the soil for hundreds of years as organic carbon humus. Prairie soil acts as a “carbon sink”."

      There are other benefits of grassland. Grasses and the accompanying flora are home to a large variety of living creatures. Insects, including butterflies, and bees, birds and mammals call grasslands home.

    Grasses also fix the soil in place eliminating erosion from wind and water. Grasses absorb rain reducing water run off into streams and rivers. There is also aesthetic appeal  of grass beautifully waving in the wind.

    Then there is this:  1 Peter 1:24-25

New Revised Standard Version

24 For

“All flesh is like grass
    and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
    and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Takk for alt,

Al

Drought Effect...

       Spending significant time in grasslands today revealed the effects of this year's drought.  Much of the grass that is normally shoulder high is only knee high. The height of the grass varies significantly depending upon the slope of the land and the soil type. It's easy to see where there was more moisture because the grass is normal height. Grass is resilient and will return to normal when the rains return. 

     Much corn is being harvested now in perfect weather. What the yields and moisture content of the corn remains to be seen. A couple of rooster pheasants flushed by a combine flew into a grassy fence line. 

     A turtle was spotted sunning on a log. Isn't it time for them to bury into the mud for winter's hibernation? A flock of cormorants flushed from Lake Joanne as I passed nearby. It's soon time for them to migrate south.

Takk for alt,

Al

The Little House...

      Kaia, accompanied by Al, returned to The Little House this afternoon. Fifty-four degrees and a twenty-six mile hour west wind served evidence of being in South Dakota. Still no frost and none in sight. Pelicans  and egrets have delayed their departure with the warm weather. Saturday, with the opening of pheasant season, Kaia and I will walk at least one field. "One field a day" is my mantra becasue with residence here hunting the next day is an option. 

    Having lived with Kaia for 8+ months we're pretty well in sync. That will be helpful as we hunt together. In the open she's always hunting something; song birds, gophers, squirrels, pretty much anything that moves. She's also a great companion with a mischievous streak. Essentially she's a happy dog.   

Takk for alt,

Al

                                       Chewing on a bone.

Speaking of my new hearing aids....

     Another feature of my new hearing aids is a remote microphone. A companion can clip the microphone to his/her color and it transmits to my aids. It will be great use in noisy restaurants, car travel and other places. Giving it a test run today I could hear my granddaughters when they were in a distant room. These aids' batteries are rechargeable eliminating the need for regularly replacing batteries. It's nice to be able to hear and the technology continues rapid improvement. Yes, I'm pleased and grateful.

   The cartoon below reminds me of what Joanne and I often commented to each other, "We know more who have died than are alive."  That's a feature of advanced age.

 Takk for alt,

Al

The funny part is.........

     The day began with a 7:45 a.m., (why do I schedule appointments so early?) visit to the VA audiologist. Yes, the new hearing aids were there!👍 The audiologist was superb, the hearing aids are tuned to my frequencies and I'm hearing better than I have for a long time.. The old one that wasn't working was sent in for repair so I'll have back-up spares. These, like the old ones are synced with the phone so phone conversations go directly to the aids making phone conversation very pleasant.

    These aids have another capability and that's the funny part. Included with the aids is a device that connects to the TV so the sound from the TV transmits directly to the aids. 😁 Perhaps I should begin watching TV!

   Speaking of TV, a very helpful Xfinity technician came. With the installation of a new box there is now a picture on the TV. There's a WNBA playoff game tonight to watch and also a University of MN volleyball game on simultaneously. The "last watched" button on the remote will be very handy.

    The cartoon below made me think of my experience with the attack cat in Dayton, OH this summer. The emergency room bill for post cat attack treatment was $2500. Yes, I'm grateful for medical treatment and also for medical insurance. Treatment staved off in lingering effects. Dennis is correct when he says "Watch out, Joey. Cats are sharp objects."

Takk for alt,

Al

Descending into the pit.......

     The Little House on the Prairie has a TV replete with rabbit ears antenna. With such weak receptors only the public stations are receivable. That's OK, because I've never really learned to watch TV. When I make my brief forays to Minneapolis and the condo I do watch a bit of TV. Basic cable service is included in our condo fee. Last night I enjoyed watching two WNBA playoff games on Joanne's large screen TV. Today there's no picture.

     In the past  a call to Comcast, our cable provider has solved any issues. Not today!  Four calls to Comcast and I could not get past a sales tirade determined to sell me a service contract. Calling Xfinity  put me unto a tech support person via text chat. Two hours of chat later and a technical support person is scheduled to visit the condo tomorrow. 

    Were Dante writing today (The Divine Comedy) likely one of the torments in the inferno would be hours on the phone with an entity such as Comcast. 

   "The Inferno describes Dante's journey through Hell, guided by the ancient Roman poet Virgil. In the poem, Hell is depicted as nine concentric circles of torment located within the Earth; it is the "realm ... of those who have rejected spiritual values by yielding to bestial appetites or violence, or by perverting their human intellect to fraud or malice against their fellowmen".^{[1]   Wikipedia} 

   ^{Perhaps I should have not attempted to watch TV.}

Takk for alt,..

As

The mistake in the cartoon posted in yesterday's blog was in the sign.  The sign said "Wet Cement" but should have read "Wet Concrete".  Cement is the powdered clay that hardens into concrete when mixed with water and gravel.  Now you know. 😂

Life in the city, Day 3.

     Life in the city is appointments and people, with some of whom I have appointments. More socializing in a week here than in a month when resident in The Little House. Joanne's fears that after her death I'd be a hermatic, social isolate are yet to be realized. Perhaps a trip to this urban cabin should be a part of a regular schedule. Returning to The Little House will allow time to recuperate. It's all good. as they say. So much for which to be grateful and I am.

   Takk for alt,

    Al

                 Can you identify the mistake in this cartoon?

Life in the city.

    Kaia seems rather un-perturbed by city traffic. Naturally she's leashed. She goes to the balcony window hoping to see pigeons, to no avail this time. They are even more exciting than squirrels. Because the pigeons make a mess on the balcony I'm glad for their absence.

    So far I haven't ventured out in the Skyway, the second floor walkway that connects downtown Minneapolis. The pandemic decimated the businesses, which are primarily a noon phenomena. It will be interesting to see what has returned. Dogs are not allowed which directs me to street level.

   The third avenue bridge across the Mississippi River, that connects downtown Minneapolis with the north-east is closed for reconstruction. Were I resident more that might be a bit of a nuisance. The project is scheduled to last more than a year. The picture below shows the construction cranes on the bridge.

Takk for alt,

Al

This picture was taken from the Hennepin Avenue Bridge this morning as we returned from our walk to Nicollet Island.

Minneapolis.

      Kaia accompanied me on the drive to Minneapolis today.. A number of things are on the schedule for the week several of which are social.  At an audiology appointment at the VA I'm hopeful of getting my new hearings aids. They are supposed to be both more reliable and also have the capability of more amplification. With my hearing impairment I'm very grateful to live in a time when hearing aids are technologically more advanced  than those of a few years ago. Many things are much worse than hearing impairment.

Takk for alt,

Al

                                          A deer maybe?

Ponderings...

       Richard was born four years and Joanne two before I. Richard died at age 62 in 1997 and Joanne at age 82 in 2018. Now I am older than both. That's hard for me to grasp. Richard was such a huge presence in my childhood as 'big brother' the thought that now I'm decades older than he feels very strange.

     In my frequent rambles in the cemetery I note the dates of death on the grave markers observing how long the surviving spouse lived after the first of the couple died. There are widows buried there who lived as a widow longer than she was married. 

    Life in the land of grief is so strange. How can there be normalcy after such drastic loss as the death of a spouse? Yet, life goes on and I have learned to live in the presence of that absence. Grief now mostly sits on the back burner only occasionally bursting into flame at some surprising spark. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Richard's middle name was Bergh, my mother's maiden name and the name of the cemetery where is buried.

  

Maybe there are three!

      In a phone conversation with a friend last night he reported that he reads this blog every day. Not only that he said he enjoys them. 😁 So, maybe there are three of you who read it. 👍 With that encouragement I'll keep blogging. 

     The comic below is a reminder of life with Kaia, To successfully throw something away I must wait until she's not looking otherwise she'll retrieve it. She's trained for flushing and retrieving so she's only doing her duty. I'm keen to go hunting with her and the pheasant season opens October 16. We should have many pleasant walks in the fields. The season concludes the last day of January so it is a long one. 

    Last night I opened the front door so Kaia could go to the toilet. We were both surprised that it was pouring rain. She ran down the steps, turned around and immediately ran back into the house as if to say "Not in the rain...I don't."

Takk for alt,

Al

Rainy Day.

      Yesterday there were a couple of passing showers, more like sprinkles. Today there was light, misty rain for a few hours this morning. It wasn't enough to accumulate but enough to stop soybean harvest temporarily. Beans absorb moisture very quickly so a little rain puts a halt to harvesting.  It can be challenging for farmers emotionally when wet weather lingers and prevents gathering in the crop. Likely this is just a very temporary delay with good harvesting weather in the forecast.

     Actually, I rather like rainy days, perhaps becasue they are so rare. Especially this year rain is welcome. Yet, this rainy morning reminded me of the song lyrics below.  

"Talkin' to myself and feelin' old

Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothin' ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothin' to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down."    The Carpenters

Takk for alt,

Al

                                    Eastern South Dakota fauna.

                                  Guess who saw a squirrel?

                                  The pond across the street.