Lost on the prairie!

It has been a long time since I had the desire to put my thoughts out there!  I think it is time to fill in some of the blanks for those of you who care.  I have been reflecting, reminiscing, isolating and surviving!

In November 2012 my mother passed and left a huge void for the family.  I had come to the prairie in 2010 to spend more time with my mom and siblings and to find a slower pace for me and my furry kidz!  I am so grateful for the time that I had with my mom before her passing.  The hours of catching up between mom and I was packed full of political opinions, strong convictions and always the warmth of being together.

The holidays of 2012 came and went with a quiet whisper.  There was no family gatherings to plan or prepare; just quiet time to reflect back, the move forward with the tasks at hand.  There were hundreds of books to inventory, hundreds of collectors plates to box, collectibles of every description dating back to late 1800s.  Then there were the photograph books, also dating back to early 1900s.  There was local school memorabilia, railroad artifacts and collectibles, county and community historical material and every news article she ever wrote.  Oh my, did I mention the greeting cards for all holidays and just because, that she received from the time she was in elementary school from friends and relatives.  There are too many collections to even mention.  That mother of mine was a multi-faceted woman.  My sister, brother and I began the process some time in February 2013 and I am going through photo books still today.  The plan was to put the house up for sale in March 2014 and I would head east again.  But . . .

My youngest brother died in April 2013 after a long battle with drugs and alcohol.  I miss him terribly, but am so grateful he is free of the demons that chased him through this world.

May 2013 brought a weekend when the grandkids and great-grandkids could get together to pick out things to remember "Granny Helen" and before leaving for home a visit to the cemetery for a last farewell.  Cold and dreary memorial weekend.  So many memories to keep us warm as we shared our favorite stories about "Granny Helen".  And there are many!

One of the furry kids, Buddee, passed spring of 2014 and he is missed.  What a unique personality this Manx had.  He looked like a miniature black bear and sounded like a kitten.  Was the biggest snuggler and loved his master, my son Sean, with passion.  Buddee was part of our family for 14 years!

July of 2014 found me moving again!  I moved from my house to an apartment!!  New experience for both Zak and me.  My 2 youngest sat me down one day and we had a talk about health, financial and physical and so on, etc. . . .  YIKES! was my reply and I started packing.  Those youngest boys of mine seem to be my guiding light these days.  Hope they have a flashlight! Ha Ha Ha!

Again I find myself in unknown waters and trying to navigate safely.  I am the youngest "kid" on this block and that in itself is a new position for me to occupy.  Zak has found a whole group of new friends to scratch and pet him.  He loves the attention.

I think I am finally home!  I am not sure I like being home, but will stick with it if for no other reason than to see what comes next.  It is September 2014 and I will soon be 70 years old and when I look back I can hardly believe that was my life.  Better to look forward and not give to much thought to any of it.

August, busy month on the prairie!

Well August came in with wedding bells ringing for Sean & Tami!  They make such a cute couple!  Add that sweet girl Mackenzie (my new "grand-daughter"), and it is a great recipe for the future.  An old and dear friend from Minnesota made the trip to the paririe to officiate at the ceremony and bless this union.  The new family have settled, and I guess I use that term for lack of another, into an apartment in Drake ND.  Arranging and organizing 2 sets of furniture, kitchen stuff, new gifts, etc. and getting an 11 year old girl ready for another school year.  It will be a little while until they are truly settled in.  Maybe by Christmas!    I got caretaking custody of Buddee, Sean's 12 year old black Manx.  Of course there is unlimited visitation and scratching rights.   

School starts next week!  Where did the summer go!  How time flys when your not looking!  There is even a coolness in the air as I sit here writing this.  Feels good after such a hot dry summer.  There's a lively breeze, cool air, the kind that awakens the senses and spirit alike.  No way to resist the flavor, the feel, the sound of this wind or hint of a season's change.  Mid-summer is here and the days are already beginning to end earlier in the evening.  Life happens when you are busy making other plans. 

I have to mention the best bar-b-cue on the prairie!  Rolling Smokehouse!  Yes, it's on wheels!  Have ribs, brisket, pulled pork, will travel.  He keeps us in tasty treats all summer.  Yummy on the tummy!!  He has been setting up at events across the state and also taking orders.  He says gives him something else to think about besides surveying. 

There is music in the air tonite!  Not the kind that lulls you into a dream state.  More arresting!  Sounds like AeroSmith!  Oh yeah, there is a street dance in town tonight. 

Well on that note I think I will close this out and wish all of you well!

Remember those less fortunate and share what you can!  You will blessed!

Carpe Diem!

Time marches on!

OMG!!  Half of 2012 is gone and I have not been very good about staying current on this blog.  Of course the planet kept spinning without my input anyway!

So many things have transpired since I last set my hand to this effort.  Where to begin?!

My past has been kept at bay for another few years and that is a relief.  Thank all of you for your prayers!

I spent the beginning of the year preparing to leave the planet as a result of some medical issues I encountered.  Several weeks in bed, in pain and having no strength to sit up will change your whole perspective!  And I'm here to say "I'm still here!"  :-)  Again thank you for your prayers!

My boys have been great during this time of healing and getting stronger.  Of course there was that one converastion at dining room table . . .  I was not feeling anyway near human and was laying down on the sofa in the living room and heard 2 of my guys talking about who was going to get Zak, my furry kid, when I'm gone.  Well, I reminded them that I was in the next room and not deaf, nor dead; and would decide who gets the dog.  They were quiet for a moment, then apologized for disturbing me and went back to the same conversation.  That's my Boys!

The spring brought an engagment to the family.  My youngest son, now 35years old, decided to ask the young woman he has been seeing since soon after he arrived on the prairie, to be his wife and life partner.  They are trying very hard to keep it simple and intimate, family and a few friends, and maintain the importance of the day.  August is fast approaching!!! 

Life is good on the prairie!

Until next time practice Acts of Random Kindness



Life happens when you're not looking!

It is the beginning of a brand new year already!

When last we visited I was just back from the Mini-apple and preparing for a family reunion in September on the prairie. Needless to say, many things have happened, come and gone, transpired and taken their toll!!

Reunion was a food fest! There were dishes from the past, reminiscent my grandmother's faire and of course contemporary favorites so the young people would join us for meals. It was fun to catch up and to share with family. We kicked off with breakfast on Saturday morning and brought things to a close around the fire ring with a few refreshments. In between we had a family history trivia game, fun in the park and lots of catching up with pictures. A Family Cookbook was created from contributions from family members, young and old and it was a crowd pleaser.

Sister Barbara drew a wonderful family tree, with all the names from beginning in Europe to the plains and prairies of North Dakota. It graced a delicious cake and prints were available to family members.

The time to say good bye and it seemed the weekend had just begun. Time flies in the presence of good company! Of course as everyone left we vowed not leave so much time go by before we do this again! Spring of 2012! :)

Mid September my youngest moved to ND, following his 2 older brothers, who while not living here permanently, are working in the western oil patch. The oldest of the boys said, "It's a nice place to visit, but I could never live there! Where would I fish?" I will settle for the visits! :)

The last quarter of the year came and went with it's holidays and festivities, but I was otherwise occupied with the past creeping into my present. Don't you just hate it when that happens! :( Thanksgiving, Christmas and the ending of a whirlwind year came and went with just a murmur.

2012 is going to be the year! Live well, love deeply, be happy, and share the joy!

Until next time . . .

July Heat Wave

Greetings from the road!
Well its been a long time since I sat down in front of the screen to do some updating. What a month its has been. I thought I was traveling in the tropics, not the midwest. I actually found myself thinking of snowfall and the cool flakes on my face in mid-December. What!!! It was the heat that drove me to the snow vision. In January I am going to try to recall that vision of 100 degrees - 82% dewpoint to keep me warm on the prairie!

Still on the road and working my way back to the prairie. Zak seems a little weary of travel and a bit homesick for his own yard and seeing his furry friend Toby, as well as his good buddys next door. He is quite the little trooper though, living out of a napsak and drinking bottled water. Loves the car ride, but not crazy about all the new rules in the lodging choices we have had. He really liked getting re-acquainted with his old housemate, Buddee. It seemed as only a day or so had passed since they had seen each other instead the year plus it has been.

It has been fun visiting with family and friends. BUT it will be great to get back to the old homestead. Zak is more than ready to run laps in his own yard and I could use a nice summer evening on the old porch swing with a cool beverage to keep me company. Then of course there is the unpacking and all that goes with that. Oh well, small price to pay for a month of fun! Well mostly fun . . .

Time to start getting serious about the upcoming family reunion. There are a few loose ends to get tied up, then wait for the families to arrive. Update to follow in a new posting.

Remember those less fortunate and invest in RAK, the return for paying it forward is priceless!

Carpe Diem!

Back to the MinneApple!

Zak and I made the trip to MN with blue skies and big fluffy clouds and NO raindrops! I was impressed! Zak is a great traveler for a furry kid, even though we made several detours before actually landing at Sean's in MN.

I have done nothing but visit with old friends, meet a few new ones and shop since I got here. Oh yeah there has been some domestic things I have assisted Sean with at his place. Bachelors!! I am using his place as home-base while I am here.

Zak, Buddy and I have been getting re-acquainted. Buddy is Sean's Manx and is a one man cat. He is almost as big as Zak and I have been trying to get pictures when they are together, but so far they are not cooperating. The minute I pick up the camera they find something else to do, somewhere else to do it. Even though a year has passed Zak and Buddy remembered each other and spend time playing with each other.

The upcoming weekend is going to be busy in this neck of the woods. July 2nd my oldest son and his wife will celebrate their anniversary, July 3rd is my youngest son's birthday and then of course Independence Day on the 4th, grilling, cold brews and good company. Sounds like a full weekend of fun!

While I have been lounging on vacation I have been watching the flood news from ND and NE with anticipation of good news. The news is that in both states it will take a long time to recover. I spoke with my sister and she said the little town Sawyer, ND just east of Minot is under water. The town is under water!

Please remember the families and businesses of this disaster worn area and use this site to donate www.moneyforminot.com . This site is a collaboration of the Red Cross and the area media to help those affected by the flood of 2011.

Remember to pay it forward and invest in RAK!

Carpe Diem!

Is it summer yet?

I know officially summer has arrived this afternoon, but here on the prairie we are too distracted by all the water that just keeps coming out of the heavens, flowing down from Canada or just springing from underground aquifers. The latest casualties of the "waterworld" covering this state, is Minot. The news conference this afternoon says that the water that will cover a large part of that community will be 9 feet higher than the flood of 1969, which tranlates into a lot of people losing their homes and business. Everyone is working feverishly to try to secure what they can before they are again, yes this us the 2nd time in a couple weeks, evacuated from the area. Words like catastrophic and historic are being used by the Corp of Engineers and it is hard to get my head around the event. The wild life and livestock that is being affected is wide spread. There are zoo animals that have been transported to MN to keep them safe.

As I prepare to leave for my visit to Minnesota myself, I wonder what will be here and will it be dry when I get back.

Keep the people of North Dakota in your prayers please!

Until the next chapter, keep the faith, remember those less fortunate and always pay it forward! Invest in RAK = Random Acts of Kindness, the dividends are worth it!

Carpe Diem