We’ve had the company of Nancy’s cat, Nicholas. He’s 16 years old, but you surely can’t tell it.

You also can’t tell that he’s really from the Planet Xorr-conn.

After some prayer time and an early cup of coffee, we had granola and bananas and headed off to St. Paul. The weather has not cooperated for an excursion to Duluth to see the trees as we had originally planned. So day trips are the way we are going for now. Today it was the Science Museum. I love museums! I could spend my whole life going to National Parks and museums. The first thing I did was tour the special exhibit on the Titanic. Nancy and Mor-mor had already seen it in Branson so they went to the floor about the human body instead. When I entered the exhibit, they gave me “ticket” that gave a description of my passenger. She was a 19 year old first class passenger who was returning from her extended honeymoon to Egypt was was in the very early stages of a pregnancy. You don’t find out until the end of the exhibit whether your passenger survived the tragedy, but I was sure that she had since they new that she was newly pregnant. As it turned out, the honeymoon couples were put into lifeboats together, so the couple did make it. It was a very interesting, moving exhibit. Later we went to the Omnimax movie called “Titanica” about the Russian ship with two submersibles that explored the wreck site.

We spent a good deal of time in the Museum. We ate a quick lunch in the cafe. I had cream of asparagus soup and a grilled cheese. There were many fun things to see. I’m always enthralled in a museum.
After the ride back (I’m reading Carl Hiassen’s SKIN TIGHT on the way), we had delicious barbequed beef sandwiches and watched the Packers/Vikings game. Needless to say, we were happy with the outcome. If you want to see more pictures of the museum, go to my facebook page.

A very relaxing and pleasant day. Nancy and Mor-mor dropped me off at Sacred Heart Church at 9 a.m., and they went on to their service. Then we came back and had a delicious brunch of bacon, zucchini bread and cheese omelettes. Our project for the day was to change light bulbs in the traqck lighting in the family room which was not as easy as it sounds. The track lighting is very high up, and we needed to get up on a tall ladder, first to remove them. We went to Lowes to find replacement bulbs and decided on halogen bulbs that would last longer and be brighter. Putting them in was as problematic as getting them out, but after a little help on one fixture by Nancy’s next door neighbor, we finally accomplished the job. We also spent time reading, watching OUR NATIONAL PARKS that they had tivoed, and playing Rummy-kub. Mor-mor made a delicious pot-roast with carrots, potatoes, and onions. We had new apples developed by the University of Minnesota called Honey Crisps with caramel dip for dessert. The apples are not anywhere else yet, but they were certainly yummy.

Up early to re-pack and try to fit everything in a carry-on so I don’t have to check my luggage. Caitlan took me to the airport. There was a bit of a delay at the check-in, but then I got to the gate. Trouble was, it was the wrong gate. But they didn’t tell us. I finally figured out that something wasn’t quite right and went to the next gate where everyone else was boarding. I asked and found out that that was gate. Good thing I asked. It was a small plane, and the girl sitting across from me had a guide dog–a rottweiler. It was smaller than usual. She said it had been starved by the first owner and so it’s growth was stunted. Her name (the dog) was Berlin, and she was a very nice dog. It sort of made me want a dog that could travel with me. Oh, well, not now. Anyway, I don’t know why the woman had the dog. She wasn’t blind or deaf. Maybe she was a trainer. The other people who sat with us coming to Milwaukee were two women (nurses?) who were coming here to get some kind of training on ultra-sound equipment. When I got to Milwaukee, I was supposed to have a 3 hour layover, but I talked to the gate agent at Nancy’s suggestion and got a flight that was an hour earlier. After another delay, it turned out to be less than that, but that was ok. There was time to get a coffee, orange juice, and a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel. Then Caitlan called and was upset that when she and Kyle were moving my car to Rita’s where it will be parked this week, they back into something and dented the rear bumper. Well, that’s the second time it’s been dented (I backed into Bertha’s jeep in the church parking lot). I told her not to worry about it. Could have been something far worse.

Photos of Lake Michigan beneath the clouds

Made it to Minneapolis at about 3 and Mor-Mor and Nancy were right there to meet me. We drove back to Owatonna and they took me on a little tour to see the new hospital and the church that Nancy has been helping to drywall and paint. When we pulled up at 2020 Linn Drive I felt like I was going back in time. This house feels like another home to me. Pretty much everything is the same as I remember it from the early 70’s. The last time I was here was ten years ago with KK and Ian. I have my same bedroom back. We went out to eat ribs at Applebees and now we’re going to watch some tv. I feel like I’m at “home.”

80th Birthday

We sat, tables put end to end
In the old tavern, namesaked
After the pioneer, and
Full of spoon bread, and stories
Of my mother’s wonderfulness, we
Relaxed in the company of kin.
My husband was gone, his death
Arriving a tad before Christmas, and
Nightmare traces still, even in
Daylight were my company, though
My heart longed for relief, or at least
Respite if just temporarily.
My most precious uncle, approaching
Knelt by my chair, and gazing into
My soul , told me of their next trip
Across the pond, to London and
The English countryside, and would
I come and be reborn?

Ian and I left Kelley Ridge at mid-day. On our way to La Follette to pick up Caitlan and Kyle, we stopped at Robie’s Bookstore in Berea, and Ian picked up a few used volumes. He is going to try to read 4 books before he goes back to NC. We made it as far as Gadsden, AL and stayed in a nice Fairfield Inn.

Evening

Whip-poor-will. . . . . .whip-poor-will. . .
The sun has already descended below the valleyside,
But I sit in my mother’s lawn chair rocker
Strips of vinyl green then white supporting me
Just waiting and absorbing.
Rawww-ket. . . . .Rawww-ket. . . .
The breeze has already cooled
As it does upon dusk arrival.
Dogs lie at my feet, the scent of their rolling
In decayed flesh a memory now.
The man in white has finished his stint in the garden.
His demeanor so reminiscent. . .
His woman working by his side as they strategize
On potato yields in drought vs.plenty.

Whip-poor-will. . . . . .whip-poor-will. . .
I’ve heard they are far fewer in this country now,
Far fewer than when we came to this Valley.
They still serenade as I gaze up the hillside
Knowing that others rest listening to the song.
They belong here as do I.
I rock as the dogs breathe on my bare feet,
And the breeze rustles the branches
Above the graves.

Telescopic Tractor

Moon Sky