It's been over a month since my last post, and I really don't have any excuses. I've been busier than a cat on a hot tin roof, but, then…so have most people in this world. So…that's no excuse. I guess I just needed a bit of a respite. Besides, after that many weeks, I have enough fodder to fill this entire page and several more! So….hang on….here it comes!
We're both really loving our new home by the lake. I think I'll work backwards on things that have been happening in our lives. We got the kayaks out for our second trip around the lake and then tied them to a tree below the house waiting for the mooring post to surface. It was a perfect evening with the full moon to the Southeast and sunset to the West.
We took a trip to MT and ND in early June and had a wonderful time visiting our sons and families in Missoula and Butte, (Our very first B & B of the trip-Curtis and Jen set up the camper at the RV park and then they had us for a delicious dinner) friends in Glendive, and my family in Bismarck, Adrian, and Fargo along the way. We played in a golf tournament at Cottonwood Country Club in Glendive, and got a chance to see and visit many friends. The tourney was in memory of our dear friend, Connie Balcer, and as we worked our way around to hole #9, Cathy, Connie's sister, made everyone's day, (including Connie's, as I know for certain she was watching through the windows of Heaven LHAO) when she took a beautiful swing after lamenting how she just wasn't playing very well. The club went flying nearly to the next fairway!! It took all of us several minutes to get our composure and game face back on!! Thanks, Cathy….and no, we'll NEVER let you live that one down!!
After spending two nights with our good friends; Barb and Adam (they have an AMAZING B & B whenever we come visit!) and visited several friends at dinner at the Yellowstone River Inn, we headed East.
We took time to stop in Medora and play the infamous Bully Pulpit golf course. We've been wanting to play it since they opened a few years back, but never managed to fit it in. Amazing badland beauty and fun to golf.
We traveled on to spend the night with my cousin, Dawn, and her husband, Ike, in Bismarck, ND. (Dawn is one of my sweet BBF and you prayer warriors have been praying for them as Ike has been battling prostrate cancer) Another awesome host couple-"B & B" for us! We had a great visit and got a chance to catch up…along with helping them spoil their beautiful granddaughter, Ava. Update: Ike had his surgery, and is doing very well as I hear from the Adrian valley grapevine-via my mother and Aunty Doris.
After arriving in Adrian the next day, we spent a few days relaxing in my little hometown of Adrian, checking out the new bar/restaurant; the "Field" for yummy fish taco's and pork on a stick. The building sets where the old brick school house once was, and the incorporated things from the past: an old chalkboard in the front entry, the big bell in the A-framed front entrance, a library nook on one end of the upper level, with many old pictures, and antiques yet to be displayed in the "meeting/conference" room and around the uniquely, rustic designed building. The weather was perfect and I enjoyed several walks each day up to the old cemetery where my grandparents, Uncle, and cousins are buried-along with other relatives and neighbors, across "Uncle Paul's bridge" on the North end of town, and down to the "Heinrich" bridge on the South end. It's always sweet to walk down memory lane in my little hometown nestled along the meandering James River.
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| The Heinrich/Martin Dam-East of Adrian |
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| The old "slough" place, my Great Grandparents homestead |
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| "Heinrich's" bridge, South of town |
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| What used to be the "Adrian Equity Elevator" |
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| The farm I grew up on-my youngest brother now lives there. |
After our peaceful visit in the Adrian Valley, we headed East to Fargo to spend Sat. afternoon with my oldest brother, Harlan. (Prayer warriors prayed for Harlan, too, after his dear wife, Barb, passed away suddenly this Spring.) We had fun golfing and were then treated to a delicious Salmon steak dinner, and yet another wonderful B & B! Brother Harlan is the "host with the most"! I took Jack to the airport early Sunday morning, and then after attending church with Harlan, we went out and golfed another 9 holes. Before I left to head back to Adrian to spend Father's Day with my Dad, Harlan asked if I wanted to go for an airplane ride with him to Worthington, MN to visit our Aunt Ramona? I, being a bit paranoid about flying at all; especially little tiny planes, hesitated briefly, but then thought-why not!? If I was a bit of a risk taker BC (before cancer), I certainly am much more of one, now! What did I have to fear, but fear itself!?(thanks, FDR) Harlan is an excellent pilot with tons of air time logged from flying for several years in AK. I trust him more than any pilot, so, I went for it….and, I have to say; that trip was easily the highlight of my Summer trip! I took about 700 pictures! (Don't worry, I won't post them all on here!!) We had a nice visit with our Aunt and cousin, John. It was a beautiful day for flying, and was absolutely amazing! I am so thankful I went. Probably the most difficult part about the trip was spending 2 hours in the air with no potty stops! Harlan did land in Oaks, ND on the way home, to gas up and take a bathroom break!
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| Somewhere near Britton, SD on the way down... |
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| Me, my Aunt Ramona, and Pilot-bro-Harlan |
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| Co-pilots, Daisy and GG, (yes, I DID actually fly for about 2 seconds!) and Pilot, Harlan |
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| Coming up the James River valley between Dickey and Adrian |
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Harlan heading home to Fargo. He landed on a gravel road and dropped me off!
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After a great time in ND, Daisy and I headed back home to WA. We drove to Glendive, (350 miles) and stopped to squeeze on little grandson, Jaxon and granddaughter, Tatum, who were visiting their other Grandma in Glendive!
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| Tatum Georgia Nagle-3.10 |
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| Jaxon Hans Nagle-3 weeks |
My "only friend", Sue, (our kids dubbed us with this nickname back in the 90's when we taught 4th grade together) rode with me to Billings, MT. We had such a great visit with 220 miles of wide open MT highway to catch up. She met her husband there, and I went on to stay with friends, Pat Franzen and Eva and Mike Hollenbeck. Another (and the final) great B & B on my vacation! We had fun catching up with all of Pat's kids/grandkids/great grandkids. I headed out in the morning with one quick stop in Butte for hugs from daughter-in-law, Jen, and Granddaughter, Hannah. Hannah gave me a nice tour at the museum where she works in Butte.
As I headed on down the highway traveling though beautiful, Western MT, I couldn't help but count my many blessings. God has blessed me with so many loving family and friends-it sometimes overwhelms me. That warm, thankful feeling filled my soul as I traveled along the highway alone though those winding mountain passes with all of God's creation at my fingertips.
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| BIG SKY COUNTRY |
My trip alone went very well, and it was nice to be back home. Amazingly enough, I wasn't completely spent as I usually am after a long trip such as this. Instead, I jumped right in with my new workout routine; walking 2-3 miles/day and yoga 2-4 times/week. I've spent several walks such as this shared with my daughter and little Jaxon along the Spokane River on the Centennial trail. Life is good….I am blessed…and so thankful for my healthy body, mind, and soul.
PRAYER WARRIORS: Please pray for my friends from Glendive, MT, now living in MN-Steve and Sylvia Hammer. Steve is starting chemo battling esophageal and lung cancer. They are also excitedly awaiting their second grandchild-1st child of their daughter, Sacha. Please continue prayers for all those who are fighting the good fight, healing, in pain, homeless, lonely, hurting, or hungry.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
