Dull but satisfying!

     Thinking about composing this blog caused me to think that, while my life is quite dull, it's satisfying. How exciting is a haircut and an oil change? The satisfying part is lunch with a friend and dinner with friends.

    Governor Chris Christie said "Donald Trump will lay in his bed at night staring up at the ceiling...while he's sick to his stomach."   Anyone out there want to coach Christie on the use of 'lay' and 'lie'? 

Takk for alt,

Al

The Acropolis, Athens Greece, as seen from our hotel room in 2016. 

Old Folks Home

       Kaia and I here for a few days, 'here' being the OFH. There's a birthday to celebrate. Ed and MJ didn't linger. They made an early morning pilgrimage to Joanne's grave. It was a peaceful setting shortly after sunrise. From there they began the long trek back to their Clinton County, IA, farm. Soone Ed will begin harvest.

   While Kaia and I are here we have a birthday to celebrate, people to see and a few errands to accomplish. The apartment in the OFH was untouched in our absence. Which is home you may ask? Is The Little House Home or is it the Old Folks Home? My answer? Both 😀

Takk for alt,

Al

          Ya then, spell dog backwards and......

Large, early birthday present!

       While I was in Davenport, IA, recently I bought a new (used) truck.  I'd been looking a two now most are four door. A lot in Davenport trades in used rentals and was full of two door vehicles. Ed said "if you buy one I'll drive it to Sinai accompanied by MJ in the car for the return trip." I asked MJ if she got a vote and she said "Yes." 

      So yesterday I drove to Sinai and today Ed delivered my truck to my door. I said "It was really nice of you to give it a 500 mile test drive."  He said "It's your birthday present." 😁 Pretty special after they spoiled me several days in IA. It's not new but 14 years newer than the one it replaces. 

     Six family members convened with them for dinner tonight. They'll be visiting Joanne's grave in the morning. MJ and Joanne were very close as Ed and I have been since 1959. Our living those eight years in Davenport, twenty-five miles from their farm, gave ample time for MJ and Joanne to bond.

Takk for alt,

Al

               My new (used) truck. Cute isn't it?

Home to The Little House..

        We were having so much fun last night that I totally spaced posting.  😑  Sorry about that. On the way home today I stopped in Decorah for lunch with JJ. That's become an annual tradition and we agreed to meet again next year. Optimism reigns!

       The trip was deeply meaningful. It's a great blessing to have friends and there are special joys with long-time friends. That's become clear to me in my dotage. All friends are a gift and I am richly blessed and  very, very grateful.

     The last stop on the homeward journey was at doggie camp. Kaia doesn't seem to hold a grudge for being left behind. The kennel care takers reported that she was a good girl. Having spent years of her life in a kennel may help the transition.

                 Grammaticians get no respect.

Iowa City

     Made it to K's and B's and now we've talked late into the night so writing will need to await another day.

Takk for alt,

Al

WOW!

       We toured the Pioneer corn, seed processing plant, at Durant. IA., this morning. So little I knew about transforming corn from crop to picked ears to 80,000 seeds in a bag for farmers to plant. One of the young plant managers gave us a complete tour from ear corn unloading to sorted seeds in a bag. Fascinating and another reminder of how little I know. 

      Then I bought a truck!

Takk for alt,

Al

Ear corn coming up the conveyors at the Pioneer Seed Processing Plant.

                          My new (used) truck.

Iowa tour!

     Living the the good life and being totally spoiled in Iowa.  Today's activities included a visit to a daily farm where milking is totally done robotically. Good times with long time friends...life is good.

Takk for alt,

Al