Costco!

       Costco, where every employee earns a living wage... Some years ago, visiting friends in Iowa they introduced us to Costco. It's been a 'go to' place ever since.  Gas there today was $4.04. Membership has been a gift. A footlong hotdog and soda is still $1.50. 

    Needing new tires last summer, I bought them at Costco. They were a good price and came with free rotations. Today it was time for a rotation. Yesterday, online I made a reservation for today. While I shopped, they rotated.  When the rotation was complete, they sent a text and I was on my way. 

  It's a warehouse store so everything comes in quantity. The joke is members need a Costco storeroom to hold the purchases. Prices are about the best and include everything from cars to nuts.

   What passes for excitement for an inmate of the OFH.

Takk for alt,

Al

When inmates of the OFH die their picture is placed on a credenza along with their obituary. With some friends we decided to be prepared so this is my 'credenza picture'.

Second Try!

    A couple of years ago I tripped and fell on knee on frozen ground. The first symptom was loss of range of motion. I began stretching to attempt to regain flexibility with modest success. Gradually there was pain in that knee. Last fall it was x-rayed which indicated arthritis. Physical therapy was recommended and tried. It provided relief but gradually the pain returned.

   Yesterday an orthopedic surgeon took more x-rays. They reveal that there is arthritis on the inner part of the knee. It has worn a little on the Cartlidge that cushions between the bones, yet far from needing surgery. He recommended a cortisone shot, which he administered.  If that is not helpful a knee brace would tilt the knee away from the arthritic side and solve the problem. I'm grateful for good medical care and insurance.

   With a glorious afternoon, 71 degrees, sun and no wind I decided to vacate the OFH and eat outdoors at a restaurant with outside seating. Texting two friends and invite and one chose to accompany me. Such opportunities are limited as winter approaches.

Takk for alt,

Al

The view from my apartment. Looking carefully, you can see some trees are near and others are far. Between them lies the Mississippi River.

Today.........

   Having written a longer blog post than usual tonight I hit the wrong button and erased it all. It was only my usual drivel and I'm not in the mood to re-type it. So, this is sent so you both see I'm okay. Sorry!

Takk for alt,

Al

Outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia is huge garbage pile. These students are children of parents who make their living picking garbage. An NGO (Non-governmental agency) runs the school. The picture was taken in 2009.

This was a joke between Joanne and I!

 

Where are we?

    Of course, the answer to the title of this blog is "We're here."   We're home, we left home to drive home😀 Leaving The Little House this afternoon we drove to the OFH where we'll stay until we drive back to The Little House.

   What did I see on the drive to St/ Paul? Most of the beans are harvested. Maybe half of the corn is combined. Quite a bit of fall tillage is done. There are a few fields planted to cover crops to protect the soil this winter. Most of the beets have been lifted. Will the huge beet piles spoil in this hot weather while they await freezing temperatures or processing?

   Odie came out of the field this morning a ball of mud. He stood patiently in the shower while the mud was washed away.

Takk for alt,

Al

Patience personified!

        Cockleburs, burdock, beggar's ticks and a whole assortment of other burs entangle themselves in a longhaired dogs coat. Springer Spaniels, of which Odie is one of a long line, are longhaired. The typical solution for dogs that hunt is a grooming 'field cut'., i.e., all-over cut very short. Because Odie has a close lying curly coat the groomer and I opted to only trim legs and feet. Perhaps that was a mistake.

      Saturday and today he returned from an outing in the field sporting many burs. Years of experience in bur removal has taught me much. One of the most helpful tools is a letter opener. It's the plastic kind with a point to insert in an envelope with a razor embedded to slice the envelope. In bur removal the point slides under the bur and the razor slices the fur freeing the bur.

     Thor, Bjorn, Kai, Gunnar, Kjell, Trygve and Kaia were Odie's predecessors. In one respect he outdoes them all. None of the previous dogs were very patient about bur removal. Every effort is made to keep it pain free, yet from time-to-time hair is pulled. Consequently, dogs get restless trying to pull away. Not Odie who lies perfectly still, even staying put after the process is complete. It certainly makes the task much easier.

Takk for alt,

Al

Quiet House!

     While Odie always wants to play, he seldom barks. Perhaps he's barked four times while he's been with me. That's an advantage in the OFH. Going from five in the house to one reminds me of what a quiet life I lead. A consultant observing my satisfaction at being alone once said to me "You'd make a good prisoner of war!" Thankfully that's never been my fate. Spending most of 2020 alone here during the worst of COVID, wasn't a problem. A cold car parked on the street was the worst park.

   After Kaia died, I realized how much I rely on a dog for companionship. Odie, belying his eight-year age is always ready to play. All's well with us.

Takk for alt,

Al

Sometimes when he thinks he's been ignored too long he picks up his blanket.