On the road to..

Illinois then on to Indiana.  We are now parked at a KOA in Newton, IA (I-80) for tonight and maybe tomorrow  night, we'll see.  So far all has gone well and we are pleased with our progress.  We even have some time to kill. It's very warm and humid as we progress more eastward.  It is easy to miss our low humidities in N. Dakota.  Sorry, no pictures so far.

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Ed and Liddy just left...

Ed and Liddy in Medora, ND

Our RV camp spot

Just relaxing in or Fifth Wheeler in Medora

... And we had a most pleasant visit.  We all had a very good time in Medora and the musical was GREAT as usual. We also went through Theodore Roosevelt National Park and really enjoyed the tour, we saw Wild Horses an Bison close up.  They took lots of pictures to share.

I think they really liked our small town (Crosby).  I wish we had more time to share, There is so much more to show them.  Maybe next time, Eh?  Pat and I really enjoyed the visit.  Just too bad that our scheduled trip was a limiting factor.

Pat and I are now concentrating on getting our selves packed and ready to leave Sunday for Kickapoo State Park near Danville, IL.

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Theodore Roosevelt National Park:   http://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm  should you wish to visit via the web.

The "Threshing Bee" etc...

As I type this the parade is forming up at the Threshing Bee for 2010.  I am not participating this year.  Pat is involved with a antique quilt display in a old church.  She and others have gathered up a collection of very old and antique quilts from various donors for the show.  This is something that Pat and Elaine Nygaard started last year and they, with the local quilt guild have been requested to return this year.  I'll try to get a picture or two to post here.

Speaking of Pat;  She has taken the winning of election to the city council by the bit and is already recognized as a force to be reckoned with.  She has garnered the support of state Senator Andrist, a very influential politician in North Dakota and here in Divide County.  Several issues regarding the future of Crosby and Divide County are coming to a head after several years of forming.  Pat has the opportunity to be active in the decision making.  The next four years are going to be hectic I fear.  Oh my! She could be re-elected!???

We are also expecting company tomorrow as noted in the last post.  I am also preparing the RV for the trip to Illinois/Indiana for the Lamb reunion.  Pat has constructed a quilt for auction at the reunion again this year.
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PS:
This link is an example of the growth of energy resources in N. N.Dakota spurred by the Bakken oil field exploitation. 
A lot of energy Discussion of energy meeting includes expanding refining capacity

stuff...

I really can't tell if anyone reads my missives on this blog.  One of the reasons I chose to do this was to eliminate the use of twitter or facebook.  I have tried to cancel my relationships with these things and have had very poor results.  I still get notices from facebook!  I do not respond to facebook invitation notices, ever.  Just so you all know.

Now more pleasant things...  Ed and Lid Atkeson will arrive on our doorstep from the Prescott, AZ area on Sunday. If they arrive by noon or so we will be able to share the antique tractor parade and Threshing Bee with them.   Ed is Pats 1/2 brother.  Ed and Liddy have a special place in our hearts.

Tuesday, we are loading up the fifth-wheel and taking Ed and Lid to the Musical at Medora, ND.  The musical lasts until 10-11 pm and we just don't want to drive back home in the middle of the night.  We will all sleep in the RV and leave in the morning for home, about 200 miles north.  

Pat and I are pre-preparing for our month long outing to Illinois and Indiana.  We will probably get on our way on the 23rd of July.  We really need to get into Kickapoo state park (Danville, IL) in the middle of the week (28th) so we can get a RV parking place.  The park is where Pat's family reunion will be that weekend, 7/31-8/1.

more later (I think) LOL
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I've been remiss in keeping the blog current....

..we've been busy.  Spring and summer are intense times here.  Long days and lots of projects.  Our weather has been a little more intense than usual.  Seems that we are having more of everything, tornados, rain and wind, than in recent years.

Eddie and Lid Atkeson (Pats step brother and wife) are coming from Prescott, AZ for a visit next week.  We are pretty excited by the prospects.  We plan to take them to the Medora Musical (http://www.medora.com/musical/) in Medora, ND.  It is a overnight trip as the musical lets out close to midnight, so we are taking our RV with us to stay the night.

After Ed ans Lids visit we must get our RV ready for the trip to Illinois and Indiana for the month of August. Pat's family reunion is the first weekend in August and we plan to visit folks on both sides of our family.  My intent is to keep the blog up to date as possible so all of you can share our adventures as we go.  


We really miss our Jack Russell Terrier Lucy.  I found the following photo that I thought was cute.  Lucy was always there to help anyone who needed a nap, especially Pat.  Lucy would not let you disturb her when she was occupying her couch.  She just didn't move, that's all!  We were allowed to pick her up and move her but she did not like it and she made it clear with a withering look.

Don't forget the fun stuff...

The following note was received from my aunt who has always been special for me.  I decided to publish the story on the blog 'cause it really pointed out one the important things in our lives.  It is to finish out happy and pleased with our existence.  I hope you find this as inspirational as I did.

One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The other guys couldn't believe it. They ate their lunches silently and grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim. I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.
I smiled. He asked if he amused me I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.
How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? He laughed and said "I'm tasting all that is Possible.
I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven't been this old before."
"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.
I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams I haven't fished. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.
There are too many golf courses I haven't played. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.
I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.."

With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, " I said. "I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!"

This is my gift to you - We need an annual Friends Day! If  you get this twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh often - Be happy.

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS including me if I'm lucky enough to be counted among them.
Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we like and respect. Remember that while money talks,  CHOCOLATE  ICE CREAM SINGS!