Cousins' Trip to Door County, Wisconsin

L to R: Pat, Linda, Jan, Diane

Pat

Linda and Pat choosing Christmas ornaments.

L to R: Diane, Jan, Linda, yours truly. We took an hour trolley tour of Ephraim, Door Country, Wisconsin.

Linda, standing by an art sculpture outside one of the many art galleries in the area.

Pat, waiting for our dinner at the famous fish boil.

Diane and Linda

This past weekend my sister, three cousins, and I went to Door County, giving us a time to comfort each other since the death of our dear, dear Aunt Liz, and to catch up on each other's lives. I must say this: our family truly loves each other and loves spending time together. We have fun, laugh, giggle, and have serious talks. How are we related? Our mothers were sisters. We have known each other all our lives.

2nd Cataract Surgery

Yesterday I had the cataract removed from my left eye, and in that eye, they inserted a lens for distance. The surgery itself went very well. Once I got back home, I took a 45 minute nap. In the afternoon I took a 2-1/2 hour nap. I guess this is due to the anesthetic. Anyway, sleep came very easily.

It was fun to hear from most of my family during the day. Peder called and after he and I talked, I got to talk to Aurelia. In the background I could hear little Felix say, "Oh oh!" He loves saying that. Next Josiah called me to say, "Hi Grandma! This is Josiah and I just lost another tooth - my 6th one!" He was so excited! I also got to talk to Will and Annika, and Rachel. I talked to my sister and brother, too, plus a few of my friends, so that made the day extra special.

At my follow-up appointment today the doctor told me everything looks very good. When she tested my right eye, I was very surprised to learn my vision in that eye is now 20/15 -- meaning, I can now read the very bottom line on the card! I hope I have at least 20/20 in my left eye once it clears up.

It's been fun telling my co-workers, "See what you have to look forward to when you get old?!" It's not all that bad!

Fun Fur Day!

Today my veterinary clinic had their annual Fun Fur Day - which is an open house for the clients and anyone in the area. This is only a couple of blocks from my home. Vendors have displays and do demonstrations of their products and sell items, plus the clinic is wide open, with staff in various rooms to answer any questions. The veterinarians and their staff walk around greeting folks. There was a big inflated dog house for little kids for jumping. For years, I have been invited to this event because I used this clinic when I had my two cats, Shadow and Sebastian.

Many people bring their dogs - and they are so much fun to see: Goldens, Poodles, German Shepherds, a Whippet, a Dachshund, pugs, a Cocker Spaniel, a Schipperke, a Boxer, a Bichon, a Corgi, an Australian Shepherd, Labs and more. A policeman brought his K-9 dog - a German Shepherd.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the reception Nels and I got when we showed up with my wagon and Nels in his kennel. "Oh, my! It's a cat! Isn't he beautiful!" Everyone was so happy to see him, and he was so well behaved. His little nose was sniffing and sniffing. Some of the veterinary staff asked if they could take him out of the kennel to hold him. "Sure, go ahead." Nels made a very good impression. They thanked me for bringing him and gave him two bags of cat nip and a new tooth brush!

I signed up for some door prizes. I hope we win!

Cataract Surgery Update

Over a week ago I had my first cataract surgery and I am happy to report it was not only successful, but problem-free! I have had no pain, itching, redness, watering, swelling, or other issue. Saturday afternoon I discovered I could now read or work on my computer without using my glasses. And to my surprise, I am seeing the world without a coat of tan/yellow varnish!

Just before my surgery, my eye doctor told me I'd be seeing colors. I thought she meant I'd be seeing colors during the surgery. What she actually meant to say was, you will see true colors now. From my right eye, white is bright and light. Nothing has a yellow cast to it. Closing my right eye, I see the world as though I'm wearing a yellow-color lens. I had no idea! I'm actually excited about the surgery on my left eye this coming Wednesday!

Lunch with my dear friend, Lil

My dear friend, Lil, asked me to lunch today. This was very special - since she surprised me by coming to Minnesota without telling me.

I first met Lil on March 8, 1988. Our friendship has grown dearer each year. About 10 years, however, she and her husband sold their Minnesota real estate and moved to Branson, Missouri. They love it there - the beauty of the land and the climate. I miss Lil very much, so was thrilled by her surprise today!

Cataract Surgery #1

Thursday I had a cataract removed from my right eye. I have to say, I had concerns prior to the surgery, especially after reading the warnings. It's a wonder any of us take our medications with all of the lists of side effects .

I'm happy to report the surgery went very well - and quick. The nursing staff was excellent. The anesthesiologist was knowledgeable and comforting. My eye doctor - the surgeon - is well respected and kind. She's a graduate of Harvard University (this impresses me!). I was told she does the surgical procedure in 3 to 5 minutes! I'm having corrective lenses inserted in my eyes: right eye for close up; left eye (surgery in a couple of weeks) for distance.

I was sleepy when I got home after the surgery, so Nels (my cat) and I took a couple of naps. I managed to stay awake until 8:30 and went to bed for the night.

At my follow-up check-up Friday morning, all was well, so I was able to go to work. My sight was improving throughout the day.

This morning my sight is even clearer. It's remarkable!

Record Broken

Today we reached 103 degrees - the hottest spot in the nation! It broke all records here. Why, oh why, must we go from the freezer to the oven? Yes, we talk about the weather a lot in Minnesota. I think it's because we have such extremes and it's rare that we have a perfect day.

What in my mind is a "perfect" day? I like the temperature to be somewhere between 65 and 75 degrees with low humidity. It's true, I have a small comfort zone.

Last Sunday was a perfect day for me. I enjoyed eating my lunch followed by reading a book out on my patio. A neighbor stopped by and we had a nice visit. There was a breeze. The temperature was 73. Birds sang in the trees. Nels sat at my screen door and enjoyed watching them. I wished we could have had 90 more days just like it. But here we are on Tuesday. It's 9:25 pm and 96 degrees outside.

New Look

Every now and then we need to make a change - big or small. For me, I didn't think I needed new bed covering - nothing is wrong with the sheets and blankets I have, but it seems I've had them FOREVER! So while shopping at IKEA yesterday for something totally unrelated, I spotted this red/white pillow ticking duvet cover that I knew would match my window covering. I loved the red button closures - I just love red. Period. They were showing it with white sheets. I looked at it again and again, then talked myself out of it. Walking away, I saw the same set in blue/white. It was nice, but oh, the red/white. It would look so nice in my bedroom. So I picked it up and put it in my IKEA shopping bag.

When I got to the department with sheets, I looked for a flat and one fitted white sheet, but could only find the flat. Then, what did I spot? Red sheets! One flat and one fitted. And marked down to $10 each! Should I? Yes. Into the bag they went.

I laundered the sheets and put them on my bed; pressed the duvet cover and put my pillows in the matching pillow cases. I really like it! It's a change.

Minnesota Nice!

A couple of Sundays ago, an F-1 tornado tore through north Minneapolis and damaged much of the area. 2 people were killed. The clean-up started right away, but the job was huge and took more than the locals to fix everything. A few people from my office took the day off a week ago to go up there to help. Today more than 2,000 volunteers donated their time and muscles to help with the smaller part of the clean-up. You can read about it here, here, here, and here.

It's one of the things I love about living here. People are generally kind, friendly, and helpful. They visit with one another while waiting for their plane, in restaurants, at parks, and other places. They pull your trash can up to your garage after the truck goes by, and often offer to take your grocery cart back to the store once you've put your purchases in the trunk of your car. A whole organization was created in 2004 called "Operation Minnesota Nice," created to bring cheer to the soldiers in the Iraq soldiers.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Hans picked me up and dropped me off at the airport.

Sweet Annika and her pillow pet she named Nels.

William (I love his smile!)

Watching for Josiah's school bus

Annika loves coloring

Josiah has a nice smile, but it was hard for me to capture it!

Rachel made me feel at home.

Annika at her preschool

We shopped at the Target store. I liked its Southern look.

The temps were in the 90s everyday. The kids cooled off in the pool.

Josiah has been sharing his Thomas trains with Will. It's really cute.

Hans, Josiah, Annika and I went to Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D. It was fun!

Playing at a very nice park near the theater.

New Cape Henry Lighthouse - 1881. Hans said the Navy and Coast Guard still depend on this.

The Atlantic Ocean with ships out at sea

Josiah, trying to keep his clothes dry when stepping in the waves

Annika at the Atlantic Ocean

Annika, playing in the water spouts at the botanical gardens

I loved this "scare crow" woman!

Brotherly-sisterly love

Memorial Day picnic (oreos around his mouth and in his hand)

Annika helping frost cookies

Memorial Day

Will, enjoying his cookie!

You know the assignment - first week back at school after having the summer off: write a report on what you did over the summer vacation.

While I'm no longer a student, and summer is about to begin, I have just returned from my summer vacation to Virginia, to visit Hans, Rachel, Josiah, Annika and Will.

I thought about recapping everything we did in story form, but I just looked at my photos and they turned out so good, I'm going to give my report by sharing the pictures.

I had a wonderful time and enjoyed every day very much!

Tornado in north Minneapolis today

We've had unsettled weather this weekend with many tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. Funnels were sighted yesterday and again today. The skies have opened up and it has poured buckets, followed by sun and more rain. This afternoon a tornado hit a northern suburb in north Minneapolis. So far there has been one death and at least 29 taken to the hospital for injuries. This is in a part of Minneapolis with lower income families. My heart goes out to them.

I happened to be at an event when it occurred. Coming out of the building, I looked at the sky and saw this beautiful rainbow.

Nels

Nels continues to be fun - most of the time! He sits on his cat tower and watches me at the dining room table - when he's not eating at his dish, chasing his cloth mouse or snake, staring at the squirrels and baby bunny across the yard, or running across the dining room table - which is a NO, NO!

He still has a taste for electrical chords - so at this time I have only one speaker to my living room sound system and no speakers to the system in my bedroom. Nels has chewed the chords apart. Therefore, he is not allowed in the cottage - unless I am holding him. If he wiggles to get down, he is immediately shown the screen door. He has stopped begging to come in.

It's fun to see his curiosity take action. This past week while I was eating lunch, he crawled into the upside down blue stool I've had on a dining room chair to keep him from climb up to onto things. He was so cute!

Happy 7th Birthday, Josiah!!

Wow! My first grandchild turns 7 today! I can't believe it.

He's such a delightful child - and smart! Last year I was lucky to be in Germany for his 6th birthday. At that time, on his own, he was sitting at the dining room table and drawing each of the 50 states, cutting them out, and putting them together in the shape of the United States of America - all from memory! He knew all of the capitals, and could recite them by state - alphabetically both forward and backwards! I remember he was in the back seat while Rachel was driving us to the flea market in downtown Stuttgart, and Josiah was reciting the capitals - by state - backwards. I listened and was totally amazed.

This year he is drawing the continents with the correct countries in them and then cutting them out to mount on the wall. He is learning all of the country capitals, too. Keep in mind, he is doing this on his own - it has never been a school assignment.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSIAH!