Friday, April 4, 2025

Little to say today, too...

    With no original thought again this day perhaps a trip into the picture files for something that will trigger some reflections. There are two funerals next week which I'll write about after the fact. Peers are dying which the reality of a person of a certain age.

Takk for alt,

Al


This is the egg store near "my" house in Thailand. The store was about the size of a one stall garage and all they sold were eggs. The eggs were priced according to size, the larger the more expensive. Because they were not washed they didn't need refrigeration even in the tropical heat. When purchased they were put in a plastic bag. Sitting on the back of a motorcycle it was my job to hold them until we arrived at home and none were ever broken. At home Met would refrigerate them. Thai omelets are exceptionally good, perhaps becasue they were done in a wok?  Naturally, the omelet was served on a bed of rice.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Living in the past...

     With the quiet life in the OFH often there is not much to report. That's probably a good thing. With international travel a thing of the past travel stories are in my memory as are experiences in the Marines. If either of you get tired of the recall of memories tell me and perhaps I'll stop sharing. Then again, maybe I'll continue. 😀

Takk for alt,

Al

Have you ever seen Mt Fuji without snow? When we first arrived at this tent camp for cold weather training on the base of Mt. Fuji, it was snowless. This was about the first of November 1961. As the days passed snow arrived gradually giving the mountain its characteristic snow cap. The frequent changes to its visage accounts for me accumulating multitude pictures of it. I regret not attempting to climb it though it was officially closed for the season. It's 12,388 feet above sea level.



Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Choices

      Today was the follow-up appointment following cataract surgery. All's well and testing of my vision provided me with a prescription for new lenses. Since the surgery I see distance well but need glasses to read or use the computer. Surgery and follow-up were at Park Nicollet. With prescription in hand I went to the Park Nicollet vision center to order glasses.

    Under the impression that my health insurance would provide one set of glasses it was a surprise to learn, "No, they pay 20%." Uffda, I wasn't prepared for that. Retrieving my prescription I headed for the VA Medical Center which was even on my home. At the VA Eyeglass Store no one was waiting to be seen. Within 15 minutes glasses and frames were ordered to my specifications and the prescription from Park Nicollet. The new glasses will magically appear in my mailbox in two weeks. I'm blessed with choices!

Takk for alt,

Al


Guess what?

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Joanne Elizabeth (Hanson) Negstad 4/1/1936-4/12/2018

     There's an interesting story about naming Joanne. Her parents intended to name her Martha Louise. Then Knut Lokken, her maternal grandfather, came to visit her in the hospital and the name changed. Upon meeting the baby grandpa said "How's my little Joanne Elizabeth?" So, that's how she acquired her name.

    The last birthday she celebrated, April 1, 2018, was also Easter Sunday. At home on hospice care she was unable to attend Easter Services. Our congregation, Grace University Lutheran, sang happy birthday to her during the Easter Service. Shown a recording of the congregation singing to her, her response was "I never knew dying could be so glorious!"  She died like she lived, full of gratitude.

   May God bless her memory, good and faithful servant! Rest in peace!

Takk for alt,

Al

Easter Dinner, April 1, 2018, the last time she was at the table with the family.