Wisdom

     Wisdom is where you find it...whatever that means. MJV sent me three Richard Osman murder mysteries. Four residents in an English Old Folk’s home form a Thursday Murder Club. They’re not out to commit murders. Rather they try to solve murders that have stumped the police. When MJV sent me the books she said that they’re reading just for fun. After reading the first one The Thursday Murder Club, I’m well into the second, The Man Who Died Twice.

    One member of the club is a retired psychiatrist who offers up some wisdom to Donna, a police officer who has been cooperating with the club. The psychiatrist, Ibrahim, says “Loneliness is hard Donna. It’s one of the big ones.” p. 254. Wisdom appears in reading for fun.

   Loneliness is indeed hard. It is the condition of fully, functioning adults. Life is lonely because healthy adults take responsibility for themselves rather than pushing it off on someone else. This is not the loneliness of being without family or friends. It’s the condition of differentiated adults who accept personal responsibility.

Takk for alt,

Al

" If you’re anticipating a caveat or qualifier, you’re as out of luck as the FTX investors whose money SBF allegedly lost. “I’m addicted to reading,” a journalist said to the erstwhile multibillionaire in a recently resurfaced interview. “Oh, yeah?” SBF replied. “I would never read a book.”" Washington Post

SBF is Sam Bankman-Fried who presided over the bankrupcy of FTX. 

Who said it?

    “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing” is a saying that’s been attributed to Norwegians. Did they actually say that? Who knows, but it sounds Norwegian. I possess enough cold weather clothing to venture out in any weather the trick is to know the appropriate level of coverings. Often I’ve said to other pheasant hunters “If you’re not cold when you leave the truck you’ll soon be a ball of sweat.” That’s because pheasant hunting is walking on uneven ground often in thick vegetation. That creates much internal heat. The challenge is to wear enough to defeat the cold without too much turning the hunter into a sweat machine.

   Today was a good test for appropriate cold weather gear. With the temperature about 20 degrees and the wind almost 20 mph wind chill was listed 6 degrees. Of course the true effect of windchill is on the naked body not a hunter dressed to hunt pheasants. This is a day when I got it right.

    Kaia? She comes equipped with a fur coat so she loves the cold. Much better than a hot day when she needs plenty of water to drink. She’s my first dog that doesn’t plunge into the first slough she finds. Of course they are all frozen now.

Takk for alt,

Al

         Statues is a park,, Kunming, China.

More Evidence

    In a previous blog it was proposed that Avian Flu was responsible for the dearth of pheasants seen on my daily walks. Today I saw about a dozen in a bunch which suggests that they are flocking up for winter. That’s a very modest number where normally there could three times that many. Local reports of pheasant numbers vary which would also be consistent with flu effects. One farmer, who farms many acres, said few pheasants were seen while harvesting corn. Another farmer reported seeing many. An ice fisherman, I have enough ice so I don’t ice fish, reported many dead geese on the ice...likely victims of avian flu. A reader of this blog, if not you the other reader, sent an article about the spread of Avian Flu in waterfowl. The huge flocks of blackbirds that typically migrate through here in the fall were not seen. All of this reinforces my opinion that Avian Flu has effected pheasant numbers.

   After banking for 35 years with USBank, I moved my accounts to the Sinai Bank. It’s a branch of a small, local bank, Citizens State Bank, with headquarters in Arlington, about 15 miles away. There is also a branch in Castlewood. About 11:30 I stopped in the bank to cash a check. They invited me to stay for dinner (lunch to city people). They were celebrating one of the banker’s birthday. In all the 35 years I banked with USBank never once was I invited to a meal!😀

Takk for alt,

Al

                A foggy morning view from the Old Folk's Home.

Little House

     Today it was time to return to The little House. Arriving at 5:30 pm there was an illustration of how fortunate I am. The routine is to unload the car into the house. With the heat turned up, it was set 55 while I was gone, switching the car and truck is next. While away the truck resides in the machine shop which is downtown three blocks away. The car went into the shop and the truck came out, and is now parked in front of the house.What was in the house? Smoked ribs were waiting on my table, complements of my neighbor, Josh.  This retirment life is tough but someone needs to do it! 😂

    Takk for alt,

     Al

William Nord: June 28, 1925-August 10, 2022

     Bill Nord's memorial service was held today at Christ Church Lutheran. Bill was a remarkable person who earned a lot of money and delighted in giving it away. His obituary lists the congregations to which he provided significant support: Christ Church Lutheran and Redeemer Lutheran, Minneapolis, Calvary Lutheran, Golden Valley, St. James Lutheran, Crystal, Peace Lutheran, Coon Rapids, and Westwood Lutheran, St. Louis Park. He waaas treasurer of the Minneapolis Synod, board member of Lutheran Social Services and Community Emergency Services.

    Bill lived and long and very fruitful life. God bless the memory of Bill Nord.

Takk for alt,

Al

Costco run......

     What do I need to buy? Groceries, dog food, gasoline are about the extent of my shopping. A granddaughter texted me today. She asked what I wanted for Christmas? That was easy. “Something to eat” I texted back. She loves to bake and for my birthday she made brownies for me. After cutting them up I froze them individually and pulled one at a time from the freezer.

   When asked what I want for Christmas the one non-consumable I request is bluebird nesting boxes. Last year I was given three and they all hosted tree swallow nests this year. There are fence posts around the grasslands so many ideal spots for nesting boxes.

   Question;? Why didn’t I put up bird houses long ago? Answer: too late smart.

   On this Black Friday I ventured out to Costco for dog food and gasoline. The store was busy but not over run. It’s built to accommodate crowds.

Takk for alt,

Al

PS One reader comments that New Jersey is on the east coast. That's true enough but the family lives on the west coast of New Jersey near Pennsylvania. 

It's been awhile since I posted a school picture from Thailand. This is the eighth grade class in 2019-20.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

    Happy Thanksgiving to both of my readers! Were I to count my blessings publicly it might come off as bragging. You know how proud I am of my humility! With a significant portion of our immediate family celebrating Thanksgiving on the west coast of New Jersey, Lisa and I have opted to eat at a nice restaurant. A significant tip will reward the workers who need to work on this day.

    Here’s hoping that you both, and your peeps, have a rich day.

Takk for alt,

Al

I do not give thanks for Lutefisk, as Joanne did. But I give thanks for these women with Joanne who are still in my life.

Les Miserables

     Well that’s an offer that’s hard to refuse! an offer of a ticket to Les Miserables which is coming to Minneapolis. Even though I now live in St. Paul, when I’m not in Sinai, I’m still allowed to go to Minneapolis. It reminds me of when we lived in Davenport, IA., some people were amazed that Joanne worked in Moline, IL. Moline is just across the river from Davenport and Minneapolis is just across the river from St. Paul

      Back to Les Miserables. Joanne and I saw it in New York City on Broadway. But that was many years ago. The ticket offer is for a Sunday matinee so I wouldn’t even have to be out after my bed time. No one at the OFH home would have to wait up for me!

   Do you think I should accept the ticket offer?

Takk for alt,

Al

It's been awhile since I posted this picture. Joanne always taped the pictures that came at Christmas to the sliding glass door to the deck.

Relationships

    It’s the people! When it comes to the basics it’s the people who provide meaning to life. Residence at the OFH gives opportunity to connect with family and friends. Such is the opportunity of being here. Some days there are multiple engagements. It all fills me with gratitude!

Takk for alt,

Al

          Perhaps in Buffalo, NY, but coming to a place near us?

Done....

     Well that’s done! When the car tires were last rotated the mechanic said that were down to the wear bar. Thinking that it’s safer to drive on the first third of tread wear than the last third, today I bought new tires. The old ones came with the car new, I purchased the care with 3,500 miles and it now has 36,000. Cheap tires are the norm on new cars.

       The new tires are 60,000 milers, though I often get more than what is rated because I drive like an old man. Imagine that! They are Nokian brand. Guess where they were made? Japan was my guess and that was way wrong. They come from Nokia, Finland and are noted for great traction in rain and snow. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

      The inmates of the OFH have been in a titter worrying about next year’s rent increases. This, after reports of a different OFH raising fees 14% next year. Today we received word that our increase will be 4%. Given the inflationary times that seems very modest. What other inmates think will be interesting.

Takk for alt,

AlNokian Tyres plc (Finnish: Nokian Renkaat Oyj), headquartered in Nokia, Finland, produces tyres for cars, trucks, buses, and heavy-duty equipment. Known for its winter tyres, Nokian is the only tyre manufacturer in the world with its own permanent winter tyre testing facility.

Should it be this easy?

        This post needs be short because it is almost time to go to dinner. The OFH asks us to register for dinner by 2:00 so they know how much food to prepare and staff to retain. There are three seatings: 4:00, 5:15 and 6:00. The 4:00 seating is proof that this is in fact an Old Folks Home. 😁 Where else would dinner be served at 4:00?  That's not an hour I choose.

      But the question remains: should living be this easy? No, not complaining just profoundly grateful that such is my life. Joanne would have loved it here!

Takk for alt,

Al

                              Joanne's piano was used today!

Lovely

    With much of the family going to New Jersey for Thanksgiving, they offered up a turkey dinner today. It was lovely giving a trytpophan fix.  Even enough left over cming home for another meal. Father-in-law is turning 80, thus the command performance.

   Life is good!

Takk for alt,

Al

OFH

      Kaia and I rode a strong northwest wind to the OHF today. The wind improved gas milage about 30%. Plans are to stay here through Thanksgiving before returning to The Little House. We were welcomed back by three invitations for tonight! It's nice to be remembered.

Takk for alt,

Al

                           Kaia watching out the sliding glass door of the OFH living room.

Why wait?

     The weather in September was gorgeous. That was also true of October’s weather. Even November until a few days ago was balmy. On the other hand, today was cold, about twenty degrees, with a 25 mph wind making the windchill one degree. So, why wait until today? Masochistic? Inexcusable procrastination? You decide.

    The rifle, deer hunting season opens on Saturday. Deer hunting is not my thing, I don’t hunt deer for fear I might get one. Deer hunting in general is not a problem to me. There are aspects of it that I do not like. Trophy deer hunting seems counter productive to me. Why shoot the biggest buck with the most spectacular antlers? There’s a reason cattlemen protect their prize bulls. Shooting the biggest buck for bragging rights? What’s wrong with that picture?

    Drive around rural areas and you’ll see many deer blinds. Perched several feet off the ground, like houses in rural Cambodia, these square, walled, roofed enclosures house shooters, not hunters, waiting to kill an unsuspecting deer. That’s not hunting! Ambushing maybe! Another practice that some deer slayers resort to is driving back roads with their pickup trucks seeking to kill a deer. What does that have to do with hunting?

    This latter brings me the opening paragraph of this post. Today I fenced closed roads leading to my grassland. Road hunting deer slayers, keep out!!!!! That’s the message of fencing. The fence would not stop any self respecting bovine. However, it is enough to dissuade deer hunters because they’d have to leave their truck to open the fence. In spite of the windchill the fencing was accomplished. Perhaps next year it will be done in nice weather.

     With the advent of deer season Saturday I’m going to halt pheasant hunting for awhile. Perhaps that large buck I saw a few days ago will hide safely on my land undisturbed by a pheasant hunter. There is no guarantee because bucks, during the rut, are very restless. It’s worth the attempt.

Takk for alt,

Al

                   Grassland where I hope the deer take refuge.

     When I asked a reader the other night what she was reading she replied “I’m reading a book just for fun.” “So am I” I replied. We agreed that we didn’t always have to read serious books. A few weeks ago MJV asked if I’d read any of Richard Osman? Which, I had not. Soon three Osman books appeared in my mailbox.

     Finishing The Thursday Murder Club, I concur that it is a fun read. First published in Great Britain in 2020, it’s New York Times ‘Bestseller’. That being the case perhaps both of you have read it. Part of the allure is its setting in an English Old Folks Home. The Thursday Murder Club is comprised of four residents of the OFH. They meet on Thursday seeking to solve British murder cases. They reminded me of fellow inmates in my OFH. This novel has the usual twists and turns of any good novel often with a humorous bent. Peopled with many characters it’s best read steadily lest one lose track of who’s who. Read if for fun.

Takk for alt,

Al

                 My neighbor breaking in a young camel for riding.

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

    We received a skiff of snow. Anyone dreaming of a white Christmas? My parents would often refer to a light snowfall as a “skiff” which can also mean a certain kind of boat. Thinking about a ‘skiff of snow’ sent me to the fount of all wisdom, the internet, and this is what I learned.

Skiff of snow:  "The term appears to be colloquial, used mainly in northern parts of the country and in Canada to describe a minor rainfall or snowfall or a light breeze. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a skiff as '"a slight gust of wind or shower of rain, etc. Also, a light flurry or cover of snow."'  Well...that's what we have.

    It reminded me of a recent conversation at the Banker’s/Butcher’s noon meal. Talking to the assembled group I mentioned a hay mow. The young banker, who grew up on a farm, said “What’s a hay mow?” All the others in the room knew what a hay mow is. Again turning to the fount of wisdom, the internet, it said this.  "that haymow is a pile of hay stored in a barn". Rings true to me!😄

Takk for alt,

Al

                             Wildlife food plot in the fall.

Theory

     Today I hunted with Frank who has extensive property about 40 miles from Sinai. The experience was much like that near The Little House. We walked 7 moderately sized patches of bird cover, mostly food plots. The result? We saw one rooster and no hens.

   Last winter was mild and pheasant mortality from cold and snow should have been moderate. Nesting season was ideal. There was rain but no torrential downpours that would flood nests. Neither were there days of cold rainy weather that would cause pheasant chicks to die of hypothermia. There are not unusual numbers of predators what would decimate the pheasant population. The May derecho should not adversely effect pheasants that hunker down in grassy cover and cattails. So, where are the pheasants?

    The only explanation that makes sense to me is avian flu. Corroborating this theory, which I’ve heard no one else express, is the lack of blackbirds. Normally in mid-October there are huge flocks of blackbirds migrating through. One of my clear memories of the opening of pheasant hunting season in med-October is the sound of flocks of blackbirds in the tress. This year there has hardly been blackbird to be seen.

   That’s my theory and I’m sticking with it!

Takk for alt,

Al

      Patuxai, Vientiane, Laos, built with money the USA gave Laos to fight Communists.

    The weather went from September to December in a week. Joanne and I were at opposite ends of the spectrum in temperature preferences. My comfort zone begins in mid-70s and goes up. Her’s began in the mid-70 and went down. We had about five degrees of mutual comfort zone.

    With the advent of cold weather I’m trying some re-framing. Instead of focusing on my discomfort I’m working to celebrate the antidotes to cold. The warmth of The Little House, warm clothes, a handsome quilt that the quilters at St. James made for me bring me pleasure. Focusing on them rather than the cold lifts my spirits. Obviously I really have nothing to complain about. At the OFH there’s even a heated garage.

Takk for alt,

Al

      The Little House with a mantle of snow from a previous year.

Cozy

    The Little House is cozy! It’s not hard to heat with adequate insulation in the attic, though I doubt there’s much in the walls. It’s not drafty and very comfortable even on the coldest days. Of course it’s a very small space which makes a difference.

   ‘Cozy’ reminds me of how my father used that term. When it was very hot with high humidity he’d call it ‘cozy’. It didn’t make any sense to me then. In old age I’ve come to appreciate hot weather and dislike cold so now I might be found calling hot days ‘cozy’. I’ve noticed that days when I begin to sweat it’s my first clue that it’s hot. Checking a thermometer it surprises me that it’s in the 90s.

    All this to say The Little House is a place of comfort when the cold wins blow!

Takk for alt,

Al

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a televised message for people in the United States today: (yesterday) “On behalf of all Ukrainians, Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service. “For almost 250 years the men and women of the United States armed forces have prevailed against tyranny, often against great odds. ​Your example inspires Ukrainians today to fight back against Russian tyranny. Special thanks to the many American veterans who have volunteered to fight in Ukraine, and to the American people for the amazing support you have given Ukraine. With your help, we have stunned the world and are pushing Russian forces back. Victory will be ours. God bless America and Slava Ukraini.” —

 How can  one sleep well at night without practicing in the daytime?

Weather Symmetry

    With the radical weather change on this Veteran’s Day, perhaps a weather related story from the Marines would be appropriate. When I checked the weather app the recorded symmetry of 22 degrees and 22 mph wind was striking.

     While stationed at Camp Pendleton in Southern California we were shipped to two weeks of cold weather training. The cold weather station was in Sierra Nevada Mountains not far from Lake Tahoe. The accommodations were not resort quality but were squad tents heated with an oil burning stove. The last town we passed on the way to the camp was Bridgeport.

    “The Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, (MCMWTC) is one of the Corps’ most remote and isolated posts. The MCMWTC conducts formal schools for individuals and battalion training in summer and winter mountain operations. The training emphasizes development of both individual and unit mountain skills with primary emphasis on enhancing overall combat capability.” National Geographic

      It quickly became apparent the difference between Marines who’d lived in the north with ice and snow and those who hadn't. At Bridgeport we left the buses which had brought us from Camp Pendleton. Deuce and half trucks transported us up the twisting mountain road to MCMWTC. Arriving in camp the trucks stopped in the icy parking lot. First off the truck was a Marine who spent his life in Southern California. He jumped from the truck to the icy parking lot and fell flat. It was his first experience of icy ground.

Takk for alt,

Al

Today the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal noted Trump’s perfect record of electoral defeat and said: “Trump is the Republican Party’s Biggest Loser.”  Heather Cox-Richardson

       Two Marine corporals, Camp Hansen, Okinawa 1962.

    With the weather front moving through came a couple of days of humidity and intermittent rain. Total accumulation of rain was about 1.5”, which is the most received at one time since early June. The pond across the street from The Little House has water which attacked a flock of seagulls. Now there is a thirty mile per hour wind, which makes it feel very cold because the temperature is 24 degrees, with a predicted low tonight of 15.

    That moisture made the trees smile, giving them a good drink before the ground freezes. It’s also a down payment on next years harvest. Coming slowly as it did on parched earth it all soaked into the ground. Perhaps it’s the forefront of a change in the weather pattern. One can hope!

There are two significant birthdays on this date:

Martin Luther in 1843

The United States Marine Corps in 1775

     For untold number of years Ed has called me on the USMC birthday. Today for the first time I beat him to the punch. When I called him at 7:15am he was in his tractor doing field work. SEMPER FIE!

Takk for alt,

Al

                        Okinawa, Japan, 1962

Meditating on grief.

    Grief, is the gift that keeps on giving. Conversing with a friend reminded me of Joanne’s frequent comment “grief touches grief.” In that conversation also was the observation that fatigue exacerbates grief. Grief is the strongest when we are tired. Paradoxically grief can also cause lack of sleep and rest. This creates a vicious circle, of fatigue, grief and restlessness. The random unexpected episodes of grief are another factor. An aroma, a song, a conversation can trigger grief when one least expects it. Several things have happened lately about which Joanne would be very interested. The presence of absence then become acute, lacking the opportunity to converse with her.

   Most of the time my grief is minor hum in the background of life. It awaits some stimulus to blossom into an episode. As an antidote I try to practice gratitude and look for the humor that life presents. Both humor and gratitude de-fang grief.

Takk for alt,

Al

This picture of the Reichstag, Berlin Germany is posted on the anniversary of the German "Krystallnacht". In 1938, on this date, Germans attacked Jews and their property. This marks the beginning of the Holocaust.

LITTLE HOUSE

     Kaia and I returned to The Little Little House last night. More later.

Takk for alt,

Al

At home!

    Though I haven’t been spending much time here, the OFH feels comfortable. Being here has given opportunity to connect with friends and family. It is odd being here with out Kaia. She’s kenneled in Brookings sparing her a very long Saturday in the car. When I’m here this feels like home and when I’m in The Little House that feels like home, so, where is home? Perhaps ‘both and’ rather than ‘either or’.

     Most of all it’s a huge reminder of how fortunate I am. Of course I wish Joanne were here. She loved The Little House and I know she’d be happy in the OFH. The OFH would provide her opportunity for numerous new friends. It’s been four and half years since she died and I’ve struggled on without adult supervision. That explains a lot.

Takk for alt,

Al

Stein Mydske, from Fredrikstad, Norway,  singing the solo, Kharlihut Far Gut, at our 50th Wedding Anniversary that he sang at our wedding.

Mary Elizabeth Quam Hebers; November 6, 1963-October 31-2022

     What relative is a cousin’s daughter? Second cousin? First cousin once removed? Not that it really matters. Mary Elizabeth Quam Herbers was the daughter of John and Louise Quam, Louise is my cousin. Mary’s funeral was yesterday and today is her birthday, born November 6, 1963. She was born in Marshall, MN and died in Rochester, MN of cancer. Left to mourn her death are her parents, husband, three children and three siblings many other relatives and a host of friends. The full church at her funeral testifies to her gracious life. An avid biker, a tumor was discovered via a broken hip and the cancer ended her life in six months.

   Mary’s mother, Louise, in addition to being my cousin, was a childhood friend of Joanne. They were neighbors growing up in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul, MN. Louise knew Joanne for 27 years before I met her. Joanne would be deeply saddend, as are all, at Mary’s death. Like Mary, Joanne's middle name was Elizabeth.

Takk for alt,

Al

OFH

   After a funeral in Rochester I'm in the OFH sans Kaia who's at doggy camp in Brookings. More tomorrow.

Takk for alt,

Al

Fried Chicken!

     Sinai, home to The Little House, has no public food service. Nunda, five miles south, does. As previous explained Nunda is in Lake County and Sinai in Brookings. Brookings County was ‘dry’ for many years while Lake was not. Therefore Nunda has a bar and Sinai does not...and the bar serves food.

    The Thursday special at the Nunda Bar is fried chicken. Two pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, dinner roll and dessert for $7.00. Finishing my hunt yesterday just before noon on land close to Nunda, I went there for lunch and sat down next to my neighbor, Mickey.

    Conversation with Mickey turned to hunting. He said he was seeing birds when I reported I wasn’t. He had gotten one that morning. As he left he asked if I wanted it. Replying in the affirmative he gave it to me. So, I got a pheasant without firing a shot!

Takk for alt,

Al

    A long armed excavator cleaning a dugout for cattle water.

Company

    Often I have referenced the challenge of living without adult supervision. Yes, that can be a challenge. While it is true that I live without adult supervision, I don’t live alone. Kaia is my constant companion frequently placing her muzzle on my lap suggesting that she could use more attention. She spent her first five years living in kennel, a very good one where she was much appreciated. Now she may think that she’s died and gone to heaven, living 24/7 in a house or apartment.

   Kaia and I have other company. With the coming of autumn box elder bugs have taken up residence in The Little House. They are rather amusing, though Joanne didn’t like them. Live and let live is my approach. Often they are trapped in the kitchen sink, the stainless steel too slippery for them to climb out. Picking them up and giving them a toss gives them opportunity to fly to a safer place. Kaia is not so considerate, they don’t survive her attention. Their presence is a clue that The Little House is not airtight. But they are totally harmless.

Takk for alt,

Al

   Skyscraper along the Chiao Praya Riverer, Bangkok, Thailand.

My bad!

     Kaia, the latest iteration of wonder dog is not a barker. That’s particularly helpful in the Old Folks Home. The exception to that is if someone comes to the door, then she barks. She will even start barking as they walk up the sidewalk. Yet, she doesn’t bark when she’s alone in the house and I come to the door. There are no doorbells either at the OFH or The Little House. With my impaired hearing her function as a doorbell is helpful.

    Today she was barking as it someone were at the door though there was no one there. It happened several times and I was getting impatient. Slow to catch on, finally I checked the back door. The storm door was swinging in the wind, boosted by the 30mph south wind. She knew, it was I that was clueless...my bad.

Takk for alt,

Al

                         Kaia on squirrel watch.

All Saint's Day

     It’s November 1, and the temperature at 5:00pm is 71 degrees. The beautiful weather would be easier to enjoy if: 1. it were not so dry, and 2. if climate change did not instill a sense of dread. It certainly feels like early September. The little pond across from The Little House will be dry by morning. The picture below was taken this morning and that tiny spot of water has been shrinking all day.

    There is an upside to dry ponds. Plants that have been suppressed by standing water will now sprout. Those plants will provide food for aquatic life when the water returns. Waterfowl and other fauna will benefit from the new plant growth.

     There was a combine fire in the county. The farmer was prepared with a tractor attached to a tillage machine, a disc. He was discing the fire in the corn stalks by the time the firetrucks arrived. With his quick action and the firemen’s response the fire was quickly contained. The combine?? Perhaps a loss and new combines cost as much as $500,000. Uffda!

Takk for alt,

Al

            A tiny spot of water in the middle of the former pond.