The End of the Shift

This video was taken close to the time for everyone to return to their happy home.  Watch as Charlie surveys his charges, sees me and wags his tail as if to say "I'm on the job and everything is ok".  Then he relaxes, after a hard morning's work.

Ok, so there aren't any eggs yet, but it has been very entertaining to watch a little piece of country life growing in our backyard.

Herding Chickens

I am not sure how well this is going to work.  I do know I can only post two little videos on one  posting, so please bear with me.  My morning routine now includes putting Charlie, the dog, to work "herding" chickens.  The dog whisperer says every dog needs a job to be happy.  I'll let the videos talk for themselves.  Because I am not sure of what I am doing, the videos get very distorted if you try to enlarge them.  I will figure this out one day.

Charlie saying good morning to his charges.

If you watch closely, the little red hen really "loves" Charlie, hence the peck on the nose.

Reporting

A feather in the nesting box does not an egg make.

HAVE ANN'S CHICKENS LAID AN EGG?

Dwight is 80 Years Old!!!

 I lifted these photos of  Dwight's party from his granddaughter, Lori, on FB.  I hope I have permission, if not I will ask for forgiveness.  The blog definitely needed a pictorial record of this highly significant event.  Remember  when we thought that 80 was so old we could never reach it?  Well, now two of the six of us are there and doing great.

I think that in spite of the noble comments of, "I certainly do not want any party....fuss...attention, or whatever", he does look quite pleased at the efforts of  his family, especially Velna.  Thank you, Velna!

Ann and Paul were the well-wishers representing the other Blood kids.  They make great ambassadors because, look, Dwight has his best birthday smile. 

This is pretty tramatic for all of us: for Dwight who is 80, for Louise who is already 80, for Velna who is married to an old man, for the rest of us who will someday follow.  Lead on, Dwight, lead on.

Where to start?  Twirling slop buckets around the head without spilling a drop, "if there's water on my brain," as the the grandparents made an unheard of stop at the house, a front row seat made of hay so that Ann and I could learn from the Stacey brothers what not to say in a yelling match, very bright lights in MY bedroom while I was trying to sleep, a knot board that was the benchmark in the ag room for 30 years, a fish cutting board that hung in the shop, a boy scout manual that held all the secrets of becoming an adventurer, a sleek black sedan stuffed with all worldly goods, an avid reader, a skilled speaker,  scared my brother would join the marines and go to Korea, (what's a Korea? sounded scary), trying to talk the girls into going to the Byron pavilion, a Christmas sock with a whole in the bottom for maximum volume.  teasing, funny, serious, smart.  Does this sentence seem to run on?  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DWIGHT.
Love Steve and Mary Lynn

Healing Flowers

When we arrived home from Ogden Saturday afternoon, there were tokens of love for us from family - this beautiful bouquet came from my five siblings with Dwight as the designated bouquet chooser.  Please enlarge this picture - the snap dragons were a perfect touch, with three red roses, deep purple carnations, the pink daisies and the white ones, plus a few other choice stems thrown in for good measure.  Thanks to all of you for thinking of me and sending these cheer-up reminders of the bonds and encouragement we share among us.  (Could we do this on our own?  I don't think so.)  Love to all five of you, Elizabeth.

A Letter to Elizabeth

September 11 2012

Dear LizzyBeth,

We all have images in our minds of you reposing in your bed like a Queen while Ron is hastening around and waiting on you.  I thought this morning I would add some bright sunflowers and a white daisy to hasten your recovery.  When you start recovering more, I did notice that some of the colors in your fabric stash are not carefully coordinated, with some shades that do not come close to the fabric next to it.  I hope you will fix this soon so that the next photo of your fabric stash I see will have a stronger ambience.

I do have some problems with my sisters I will share with you.  Judy calls me up one morning and tells me I am grouchy.  I was just fine until she informed me of my state.  As I insisted I was just fine, she said wait a minute, I'll call you right back.  Wait, wait.  Then Ann calls.  Judy tells me you are grouchy and that I should call and cheer you up.  Has anyone ever had more devious sisters?  Now I  worry continuously about whether I am grouchy and wondering why no one is calling me up any more to cheer me up.  Why is this?

We have all had a few issues of late, but mainly we are all thinking of you and holding your hand and postponing giving you a hard time until you are recovered.  May your actual recovery be quick, but fake it for awhile so you don't have to do laundry, vacuuming, cleaning, dishes, cooking, etc., etc., for several months.  You will be glad you followed this advice.  Our best also to your faithful caregiver who has been your lifeline through all of this.

Love from Dwight, who is speaking on behalf of the rest of us also.

P.S., I just remembered, Judy actually told me I was  "becoming more difficult."  Can you imagine such harsh words coming from your dear sister?

Look What I Found

Mother talking with Paul and Ann (holding Laura)

Trouble?  Who can you name?

Add caption

Mother and Dad outside the Lodge

Dwight standing by his faithful stationwagon

Ann holding Laura talking with Beth

More Trouble?

Grounds around Scout Camp

Steps leading to the "bath house"

I tried to enlarge these a little more, but they became very distorted. 

Remember This?

(not the writing, but the rest)

What Was This Occasion?

Laura (she looks pretty little), Paul, Kemp, and Dad perched on a log.

All I have labeled on these photos is "at a lake in Washington".

We must be watching the kids....and it must be windy(?) or cool (?).......Mom's scarf and the warmer jackets tell the story.  Who are those 3 cowboys in the background???

Anybody know anything about these?????