Laurel, but not Nebraska

Wed., February 26, 2003 - Mary took me to have my hair-do and Zoya brought me home -- we had planned to have lunch together but she wasn't feeling too well.  Went to Book Club in evening.

Thurs., February 27, 2003 - Called Marjorie C. -- today is her birthday.  Tom came in the evening for the usual reasons.  We played 2 games of Rummikub.

Fri., February 28, 2003 - Went to the movies in the library this evening.  Saw a Laurel & Hardy show and also a Roy Rogers show.  Called Helen.

And here's some information on Laurel and Hardy, most of which I absolutely did not know.  From Wikipedia:

    "Laurel and Hardy were a comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957). Starting their career as a duo in the silent era, they later successfully transitioned to "talkies". From the late 1920s to the mid-1950s, they were internationally famous for their slapstick comedy, with Laurel playing the clumsy, childlike friend to Hardy's pompous bully.  Their signature theme song, known as "The Cuckoo Song", "Ku-Ku", or "The Dance of the Cuckoos" (by Hollywood composer T. Marvin Hatley) was heard over their films' opening credits, and became as emblematic of them as their bowler hats.

    Prior to emerging as a team, both had well-established film careers. Laurel had acted in over 50 films, and worked as a writer and director, while Hardy was in more than 250 productions. Both had appeared in The Lucky Dog (1921), but were not teamed at the time. They first appeared together in a short film in 1926, when they signed separate contracts with the Hal Roach film studio.  They officially became a team in 1927 when they appeared in the silent short Putting Pants on Philip. They remained with Roach until 1940, and then appeared in eight B movie comedies for 20th Century Fox and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1941 to 1945.  After finishing their film commitments at the end of 1944, they concentrated on performing stage shows, and embarked on a music hall tour of England, Ireland and Scotland. They made their last film in 1950, a French-Italian co-production called Atoll K.

    They appeared as a team in 107 films, starring in 32 short silent films, 40 short sound films, and 23 full-length feature films. They also made 12 guest or cameo appearances, including in the Galaxy of Stars promotional film of 1936.  On December 1, 1954, they made their sole American television appearance, when they were surprised and interviewed by Ralph Edwards on his live NBC-TV program 'This Is Your Life'. Since the 1930s, their works have been released in numerous theatrical reissues, television revivals, 8-mm and 16-mm home movies, feature-film compilations, and home videos. In 2005, they were voted the seventh-greatest comedy act of all time by a UK poll of professional comedians. The official Laurel and Hardy appreciation society is The Sons of the Desert, after a fictitious fraternal society in the film of the same name."

Sounds like winter for certain

Sun., February 23, 2003 - Started snowing during the night and snowed until afternoon.  Since Nancy worked yesterday Mary was going to help me today.  Because of snow she stayed home -- a wise thing to do. Ray called in p.m.  They are okay -- were having snow, too.

Mon., February 24, 2003 - Saw "Rose Marie" this p.m.  Some pretty songs.  Howard Keel was one of the cast.  Played cards in evening -- I won 2 games!

Tues., February 25, 2003 - Very cold this morning, -4 degrees!!!  Bill came to take me to the dental clinic -- appointment was 8:00 a.m.  Was back home by 10:00.  Played Rummikub with Delores in p.m. 

I hope it was truly bad snow for me to bail on helping Grandma.  I'm thinking the car I had then wasn't the best on treacherous streets, so maybe it was indeed a wise thing.

Here's what I found about Rose Marie, from good ol' Wikipedia:

    "Rose Marie is a 1954 American musical film adaptation of the 1924 operetta of the same name, the third to be filmed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, following a 1928 silent movie and the best-known of the three, the 1936 Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy version. It is directed by Mervyn LeRoy and stars Ann Blyth, Howard Keel and Fernando Lamas. This version is filmed in the Canadian Rockies in CinemaScope. It was MGM's first US produced film in the new widescreen medium (having been preceded by the British-made Knights of the Round Table), and the first movie musical of any studio to be released in this format. It was part of a revival of large-budget operetta films produced in the mid-1950s.  The story adheres closely to that of the original libretto, unlike the 1936 version.  It is somewhat altered by a tomboy-to-lady conversion for the title character."

That being said, here's what they had to say about the original operetta:

    "Rose-Marie is an operetta-style musical with music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart, and book and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II. The story is set in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and concerns Rose-Marie La Flemme, a French Canadian girl who loves miner Jim Kenyon. When Jim falls under suspicion for murder, her brother Emile plans for Rose-Marie to marry Edward Hawley, a city man.

The work premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on September 2, 1924, running for 557 performances. It was the longest-running Broadway musical of the 1920s until it was surpassed by The Student Prince (1926). It was then produced at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London in 1925, enjoying another extraordinary run of 581 performances. It was filmed in 1928, in 1936 and again in 1954.

The best-known song from the musical is "Indian Love Call". It became Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy's "signature song". Several other numbers have also become standards, including the title song."

Happy birthday to Aunt Helen

Thurs., February 20, 2003 - Myrtle called in a.m.  Had to cut our visit short as I had a visitor, Marilyn Mark brought me a delicious pastry -- don't know what it is called.  Tom came for supper and the usual chores.

Fri., February 21, 2003 - Helen's birthday.  Saw the movie "Road to Hong Kong" with Bing Crosby & Bob Hope -- silly but funny.  Only 5 of us there for the show.

Sat., February 22, 2003 - Tom came for me & took me to church.  Merilyn was at a shower and came by herself.  Went to Tom's after church.  Merilyn brought spaghetti for our supper & then we played a new type of dominoes -- was lots of fun.

I'm guessing that was an evening church service for Merilyn to have had time to go to a shower beforehand.  

According to the following plot summary from Wikipedia, it does sound like a fun but silly movie.  Especially the end.

The story is told in flashback as Diane (Joan Collins) explains to American Intelligence how transmissions from passengers picked up from a missile to the moon are by Americans rather than Russians.

"Harry Turner (Bing Crosby) and Chester Babcock (Bob Hope) are defrauding people in Calcutta by selling a "Do-it-yourself interplanetary flight kit" that ends up injuring Chester, giving him amnesia. An Indian doctor (Peter Sellers) says the only way for Chester's amnesia to be cured is through help from monks in a lamasery in Tibet.

At the airport, Chester mistakenly picks up a suitcase with a marking designed to be a point of contact between agents of a SPECTRE-type spy organization called "The Third Echelon." Diane (Collins), a Third Echelon secret agent, is supposed to give plans of a Russian rocket fuel stolen by the Third Echelon to the man with the suitcase, who will be taking them to headquarters in British Hong Kong. She mistakenly thinks Chester is the contact.

In Tibet, the two make their way to the lamasery in Lost Horizon fashion. Not only do the lamas cure Chester, but they have a Tibetan tea leaf that gives super memory powers to those who consume it. Chester and Harry observe as great works of Western literature in the manner of Fahrenheit 451 are committed to memory, one giggling lama (David Niven) memorizes Lady Chatterley's Lover. The scheming Harry decides to steal a bottle to give Chester the power of photographic memory for lucrative nefarious purposes.

Returning to Calcutta, followed by Diane, Harry has Chester test the results of the memory herb by memorizing the rocket formula that Diane placed in Chester's coat. Not knowing what it is, Harry destroys it after Chester has successfully memorized it. Diane arrives too late, but after seeing Chester recite the formula, she offers them $25,000 to meet her in Hong Kong. On the way to Hong Kong, an agent of the High Lama replaces the stolen Tibetan herbs with a similar bottle containing ordinary tea leaves.

The Third Echelon is seeking the fuel for its own spacecraft with an underwater launching pad in Hong Kong. The goal is to be the first on the moon, where a base is to be established to launch nuclear weapons against Earth and to bring survivors under the agency's control.

With a Russian launch to the moon carrying two apes imminent, the Third Echelon, which was going to emulate the Soviet achievement, decides to gain respect at the United Nations by launching two human astronauts, Chester and Harry, instead of apes. The two are used as guinea pigs (and fed with bananas) to test the capabilities of the spacecraft and the effects of spaceflight upon humans. The mission is successful, with moonlight bringing back Chester's photographic memory.

Diane decides to leave the Third Echelon when she discovers that once her colleagues have extracted the final formula from Chester, they plan to dissect Chester and Harry to see the effects of space travel on their bodies. Diane helps the boys escape. They are pursued through Hong Kong, eventually leading Diane to the authorities. Chester and Harry happen to meet Dorothy Lamour at a nightclub where they are recaptured by the Third Echelon.

Chester, Harry and Diane all end up in a rocket bound for another planet. They think they're alone after landing, but they're not—Chester calls out, "The Italians!" as they are joined by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Robbers Cave in 2021

Mon., February 17, 2003 - Played cards in Party Room this evening.  Delores was sick -- others all there.

Tues., February 18, 2003 - Zoya took me to have my hairdo.  Then we went to an oriental restaurant, Thai House.  I had seafood soup, very good and many different kinds of seafood.

Wed., February 19 2003 - Went to Book Club in evening.  Weather has been nice. 

I can't think of anything to say about Grandma's adventures in 2003, so I'll mention that Mom, Nancy, Anna and I went to Robbers Cave in Lincoln last month.  It was really interesting and really fun.  I can't believe I've lived in and around Lincoln for so many years and had never been there before.  But, now that's something off the list of things to do.  I highly recommend the cave tour and the facilities for a party or some such.  Really nice.

Oh, my goodness -- it has been a long time

So much going on, so little attention to this blog.  But here I am again.  For how many days in a row, or something close to resembling "in a row", who is to say?

Fri., February 14, 2003 - Saw a movie this evening, a tribute to Big Bands -- those taken from Lawrence Welk's shows.  Rained in p.m. and evening.

Sat., February 15, 2003 - Started to snow during the night.  Snowed almost all day.  Talked to Greta at noon.  They had snow, too.  Played cards in p.m. -- the group that plays on Mon. night.

Sun., February 16, 2003 - Nancy came at noon.  She made me a new kind of cheese & potato soup.  Very tasty.  Mitch & Anna here while Mary wen to Writers Group.  We played cards.  I popped some popcorn for them.

I'm having trouble reading Grandma's writing re the big band show, but I'll go with what I have there.

Of course, I cannot let dear Jenny's passing from this world to the next go unmentioned.  I should have posted something much closer to the event.  It wasn't for lack of caring about her, but just me being the usual me and not getting things done when I should do them.

However, since some time has passed it is much easier to say now how very happy I am for Jenny that her suffering is over, and for both she and Bill to be together.  The Lord works in mysterious ways.  I will always miss the two of them and particularly their laughs; both very different, but both very genuine and fun.  Bill and Jenny have left behind a beautiful legacy of lives well lived.  Their sons and grandchildren are testament to the lovely people they were.

Normal normal

Tues., February 11, 2003 - Handy-Van took me for my hair-do & Mary took me home.  Have a new girl - Stefani Pofahl.

Wed., February 12, 2003 - To Book Club in evening.  Took the article on the Shepherd's Twenty-Third Psalm.

Thur., February 13, 2003 - Tom came in evening.  He put up the extra shelf in the hall.  I had Nancy get it for me.  The pictures look so nice.  Talked to Myrtle in morning. 

Pretty standard stuff here.  I did so enjoy getting Grandma from her hair appointments.  She insisted on either making or buying me lunch and we would have a nice visit.  I went over my hour lunchtime, but made it up later or took vacation.  It was well worth it to me in order to spend more time with Grandma.

Dual-purpose post

Sat., February 8, 2003 - Talked to Greta in late p.m.  No juicy gossip!

Sun., February 9, 2003 - Nancy brought a chicken dinner from Popeye's.  She helped rearrange some shelves in hall area. Couldn't stay long -- Jeff was coming for some legal matter.

Mon., February 10, 2003 - Played cards in evening.  Nine players there -  Helen Donaldson, Dolores Ulrich, Grace Ryan, Ethel Sovereign, Wayne Baldwin, Sam Eaton, Bob Burdick, John Ross, and myself. 

Interesting that Grandma felt a need to name the card players.  Maybe that was an exceptionally big group.  Or, she wanted to fill some space.

I've delayed this post for reasons soon to be made obvious.  First, I will note that today is Grandma and Grandpa's wedding anniversary.  I hope it was as lovely a day then as we are having now.

And the reason for delaying (not that I don't go long between posts anyway) is still the shock and sadness of losing Bill.  There are no guarantees in this life, but I for one was sure we would have him for another 10 years at least.  He was otherwise so healthy and vigorous and until recently, very much his usual jovial and lovable self.  We will miss him terribly.  It was very humbling to see the crowd that came from near and far to attend his funeral.  And Jayson did such a good job speaking under such sad circumstances.

I'm back, finally

Wed., February 5, 2003 - Nancy came right after work -- she brought me some goulash -- she had made a big batch. She didn't stay long.  Went to Book Club meeting.

Thurs., February 6, 2003 - Lois Bowers called instead of sending a birthday card.  Tom came in evening for laundry & my showering.  He put up the shelves in the hall.  He & Nancy gave them to me for my birthday present.

Fri., February 7, 2003 - Baked a pecan pie.  Had Grace & Ethel come in p.m. for pie & to see the quilt.  Went to library in  evening to see a movie - "The Maltese Falcon."

How timely that Lois Bowers popped up in Grandma's journal.  Lois and Denny's 60th anniversary is June 10.  I still remember Grandma and Grandpa's 60th anniversary shindig.

"The Maltese Falcon" . . . I saw it long ago, liked it, but can't right now say much about it at all.  It's well-known, of course.  Years ago I got Dale a replica of the Falcon.  Some guy was making them based on his watching the movie over and over to get as many good looks at it as he could.  I'm sure it isn't around anymore, but it was rather cool-looking and perhaps a bit of a conversation piece.

Here's the plot ala Wikipedia:

"In San Francisco in 1941, private investigators Sam Spade and Miles Archer meet prospective client Ruth Wonderly. She claims to be looking for her missing sister, who is involved with a man named Floyd Thursby. Archer agrees to follow her that night and help get her sister back.

Spade is awakened by a phone call early in the morning and the police inform him that Archer has been killed. He meets his friend, Police Detective Tom Polhaus, at the murder scene and then tries calling his client at her hotel, but she has checked out. Back at his apartment, he is grilled by Polhaus and Lieutenant Dundy, who tell him that Thursby was also murdered the same evening. Dundy suggests that Spade had the opportunity and motive to kill Thursby, who likely killed Archer. Archer's widow Iva later visits him in his office, believing that Spade shot his partner so he could have her.

Later that morning, Spade meets his client, now calling herself Brigid O'Shaughnessy. She explains that Thursby was her partner and probably killed Archer, but claims to have no idea who killed Thursby. Spade distrusts her, but agrees to investigate the murders.

At his office, Spade meets Joel Cairo, who first offers him $5,000 to find a "black figure of a bird", then pulls a gun on him in order to search the room for it. Spade knocks Cairo out and goes through his belongings. When Cairo comes round, he hires Spade. Later that evening, Spade tells O'Shaughnessy about Cairo. When Cairo shows up, it becomes clear that Spade's acquaintances know each other. Cairo becomes agitated when O'Shaughnessy reveals that the "Fat Man" is in San Francisco.

In the morning, Spade goes to Cairo's hotel, where he spots Wilmer, a young man who had been following him earlier, and gives Wilmer a message for his boss, Kasper Gutman. When Spade goes to meet Gutman, alias the "Fat Man", in his hotel suite, Gutman will only talk about the Black Falcon evasively, so Spade pretends to throw a temper tantrum and storms out. Later, Wilmer takes Spade at gunpoint to see Gutman. Spade overpowers him, but meets Gutman anyway. Gutman relates the history of the Maltese Falcon, then offers Spade his pick of $25,000 for the bird and another $25,000 after its sale, or a quarter of the proceeds from its sale. After Spade passes out because his drink is spiked, Wilmer and Cairo come in from another room and leave with Gutman.

On coming round, Spade searches the suite and finds a newspaper with the arrival time of the freighter La Paloma circled. He goes to the dock, only to find the ship on fire. Later, the ship's captain, Jacobi, shot several times, staggers into Spade's office before dying. The bundle he was clutching contains the Maltese Falcon.

O'Shaughnessy calls the office, gives an address, then screams before the line goes dead. Spade stashes the package at the bus terminal, then goes to the address, which turns out to be an empty lot. Spade returns home and finds O'Shaughnessy hiding in a doorway. He takes her inside and finds Gutman, Cairo, and Wilmer waiting for him, guns drawn. Gutman gives Spade $10,000 for the Falcon, but Spade tells them that part of his price is someone he can turn over to the police for the murders of Thursby and Captain Jacobi, suggesting Wilmer, who, Gutman confirms, actually did shoot both. After some intense negotiation, Gutman and Cairo agree and Wilmer is knocked out and disarmed.

Just after dawn, Spade calls his secretary, Effie Perine, to bring him the bundle. However, when Gutman inspects the statuette, he finds it is a fake and Wilmer escapes during the tumult. Recovering his composure, Gutman invites Cairo to return with him to Istanbul to continue their quest. After they leave, Spade calls the police and tells them where to pick up the pair. Spade then angrily confronts O'Shaughnessy, telling her he knows she killed Archer to implicate Thursby, her unwanted accomplice. She confesses, but begs Spade not to turn her over to the police. Despite his feelings for her, Spade gives O'Shaughnessy up."

Ah, 1940s crime movies -- hard to beat with all the backstabbing and turns and twists , plus the great clothes.  I may have to watch this one again.

Birthday party time

Sun., February 2, 2003 - Tom took me to Dale's for dinner.  All there except Merilyn & Jayson's family.  Jeff & girlfriend Sarah were there for dinner & Doug, Dana & Madison came in afternoon.  A nice warm day.

Mon., February 3, 2003 - Snowed today.  I went to Card Club in evening.  Delores made a cake & Grace furnished ice cream -- a surprise to me.  Then Nancy & Mitch came which was a real surprise.  Delores had asked them to come.  Anna was sick so she & Mary weren't there.  Jean called today & so did Raymond Iversen but we didn't talk much -- he could hardly hear me.  The trouble must have been in his phone because Jean didn't complain.

Tues., February 4, 2003 - I cancelled the hair-do appointment.  Nancy said the sidewalks were icy.  Delores here in evening for some Rummikub.

Darn, but I don't remember not going for cake and ice cream because Anna was sick.  Nice to know that Nancy and Mitch were able to pull off the surprise, though.

I've been re-starting my genealogy research of the family and came across a humorous little thing from the Winside paper.  Thankfully, well hopefully, it had nothing to do with anyone in our find, upstanding family but I need to share it anyway.  Here goes:

Winside Tribune, April 22, 1920:

Luthern [sic] Church Emblem Smeared with mud.

Disregarding the motives of the parties guilty of smearing mud on the emblem just above the entrance of the St. Paul's Lutheran church Wednesday night, the act surpasses any barbaric deed that was ever perpetuated in this locality.  Anyone that would condescend to such an outrageous and blasphemous act isn't as good as the mud he used to express the degenerate machinations of his furtile [sic] brain.

We haven't any idea who the guilty parties are but if we haven't made this article emphatic enough parties in question can call at the office and get what we didn't have space for in this weeks [sic] issue.

Well, amen to that.  

Seems I should have Nancy in charge of photos for my posts since she is the most organized photo queen in the family.  But, a nice photo of the church isn't a bad thing, right?

Dancing at 75

Thurs., January 30, 2003 - Myrtle called in a.m.  It was my turn to call but I became interested in a movie on TV.  Mitch & Anna here this evening.  Nancy & Mary went to a country music deal.  Tom came for the usual routine.  He brought barbecued ribs from Famous Dave's for the 4 of us.  The kids played Rummikub with Tom & after he left we played cards & Rummikub.

Fri., January 31, 2003 - Played lazy all day.  Went to movie in library this evening "Heaven Can Wait."

Sat., February 1, 2003 - Made trail snacks for tomorrow.  Nancy came with groceries late in afternoon & I showered.

I'm not sure what country music thing Nancy and I would have gone to, but I'm guessing maybe Trace Adkins. I'm not betting any money on it, though.

I wonder which Heaven Can Wait was showing at the Pioneer House that night.  I know there are at least two versions; I've seen only the one with Warren Beatty.  Pretty funny, yet somewhat poignant, too. The wikipedia plot summaries of both movies are rather long, so I'm going to take a pass on posting those.

Instead, here is a curious and fun little article from the Sioux City Journal on December 2, 1925.  The lady featured is my second great-aunt, sister of Maren, with Maren being the mother of William Andersen who married the lovely Anna Brogren and fathered Marian and Ray.

Hair-do

Mon., January 27, 2003 - Slept late this morning.  Went to Membership meeting in lobby in the evening.  After the meeting & lunch I stopped at Dolores & played Rummikub.

Tues., January 28, 2003 - Took the Handi-Van to get my hair-do and Mary brought me home.  Called Lila & Wilva this afternoon -- easier than writing a letter.  The Monday night card playing group played tonite -- 8 players.

Wed., January 29, 2003 - Made tapioca pudding with plum juice I had stashed in the freezer.  Book Club in evening. 

I think Grandma wrote Wilva in that one entry.  On these particular days, her handwriting is a bit small and wobbly.  I sure did like going along to Wilva's when Grandma had her hair appointments in Winside.  I thought her shop was a fun place to hang out and she was always so nice and friendly to a little kid.  

Not chopped liver, I hope

Fri., January 24, 2003 - Today is Myrtle's 95 birthday, they're having a card shower for her.  This evening to movies in library.  Saw the 1st episode of "Gunsmoke" and the 1st episode of "Rawhide."  Received candy from Helen -- the delicious "turtles" for my birthday.

Sat., January 25, 2003 - Called Greta - gave her a list of things to bring next Sunday -- dried beef, etc.  Called Helen to thank her for the candy.

Sun., January 26, 2003 - Nancy worked yesterday so Mary came.  She & the kids came about 6:00.  I showered & Mary vacuumed.  I made 2 pans of sticky rolls - gave one to Mary.  Delores came in evening - found out she had known Rick's grandmother, Ruby!

Well, Grandma mentioned it was Aunt Myrtle's birthday on the 24th, but not that it was also mine.  But, I'm thinking that's because it was a big one for Aunt Myrtle -- ending in a "5" or "0" counts as a big one.  Heck, anything past 90 is pretty big news in my opinion.  So, I'm not offended.

I'm pretty sure I haven't seen the first episode of Gunsmoke, but I sure watched plenty episodes at Grandma's after school back in the day with Grandma Anna.  We must have watched a good amount of television in the summer, too, because I remember lots of game shows, Perry Mason, and The Rifleman.  But no soap operas.

The photo is obviously not from the first season, but I picked an image from the show that I remember.  I remember portions of one episode rather vividly.  Some bad guys had some good guys held hostage and were making them go about their regular daily business to avoid anyone knowing something was wrong.  One thing that happened was one hostage had to go out and put the flag up on the flagpole like he did every day.  Not too long after, the Gunsmoke crew came and took out the bad guys and rescued all the good guys.  I think Festus may have been one of the hostages.  The thing that got them rescued was that the guy putting up the flag did so with it upside down -- a signal of distress.  The bad guys obviously didn't notice.  I was really impressed that the guy took such a big change.  It was also the first time I learned that the flag could be used that way.  Information, thankfully, that I have not had to use.

Winter in Nebraska

Tues., January 21, 2003 - Received hospital bill.  Nancy came after work.  She brought chili soup.  Also made out checks for medical bills.  Enough thawing so I could have my hair-do.  Mary took me & brought me home.

Wed., January 22, 2003 - Attended Book Club this evening.  Snowed a little.

Thurs., January 23, 2003 - Myrtle called.  Tom came in evening for usual routine.

Well, if that doesn't sound like a Nebraska winter -- it thawed enough to get back to normal activity and then snowed the next day.

There is thawing going on like crazy here in 2021.  It's like walking through acres of Slushee or Icee straight from a convenience store machine out there today.  Not that I'm complaining.  After weeks of sub-freezing temperatures, day and night, having sunshine and 40+ degree temperatures to create some melting of the 18" of snow or better is plenty fine with me.  Here's a photo of my view before chores earlier this week.

 

Three straight days of playing

Sat., January 18, 2003 - Played lazy all day.  Watched Lawrence Welk & Guy Lombardo in the evening.  Talked to Greta.

Sun., January 19, 2003 - Nancy came.  She sopped at Boston Market for our dinner.  We played Rummikub.

Mon., January 20 ,2003 - Played cards this evening.

It took me a second to notice that Grandma used a form of the word "play" for three days in a row.  Good for her, especially the playing lazy part.

The photos are of my dining room just this week.  Grandma's buffet had been in our bedroom holding up the television in there, but we did some switching out of furniture in the bedroom and it occurred to me that we could put the buffet to better use.  So, the corner cabinet that had been Jane's (John's mother) and had been, well, in the corner, went to Tasha who very much liked having her grandmother's cabinet, and the buffet was put in its current spot.

Right now it holds some of Grandma Anna's china and for the life of me, I don't remember even one thing that Grandma (Marian, that is) kept on her buffet.  Excuse the wrinkles in the dresser scarf there; I put it on quickly to see if I liked it and then promptly forgot to go iron it and put it back. Also, the mirror is streaky.  Egads.  I should have just started over with a new photo.

Plentiful snow

Wed., January 15, 2003 - Went to Book Club in evening.  Zoya cooked a chicken and gave me the dark meat - she only likes the white meat.

Thurs., January 16, 2003 - We have about 6 or 7 inches of snow. It started snowing yesterday afternoon and stopped during the night.  I baked a pumpkin pie & 6 loaves of banana bread.  Tom came in evening.  We had chicken casserole.  The usual laundry, etc. and Rummikub.  I called Lester to wish him Happy Birthday.  Also talked to Myrtle - 5 inches of snow there.

Fri., January 17, 2003 - Spent the afternoon in Zoya's apartment.  She had special medical examination in the morning & needed someone around in p.m.  Pat Ross was there, too. We had a good talk.  In evening Mitch & Anna came while Mary went to a company party.

Ack.  I don't remember a work party in January 2003.  Oh, well.  

And we still have snow here.  You really gotta love that some snow melts during the day, making for muddy roads and chores in the p.m., and then freezes overnight so that I am confronted with a rugged landscape of frozen ice/snow/mud.  Almost gets me cranky by the time I am done and back in the house.  So, glad that today is sunny and warm.  Hoping for less snow by tomorrow morning, even though it means more mud tonight.  The photo is from a day or two after our 8 to 10 inches of snow and everything was all frosty one morning.

Chugging along

Sun., January 12, 2003 - Nancy & I to church at All Saints Luth. Church where Mary goes.  We ate dinner at Popeyes - then got groceries & back here.  I showered, Nancy vacuumed & then we played Rummikub.

Mon., January 13, 2003 - Had a nice chat over the phone with Zoya. Played cards tonight.  Didn't win any game this evening.

Tues., January 14, 2003 - Had a Handi-Van take me to the "College."  Mary brought me home.  Asked Delores to come in evening to play Rummikub.

Grandma isn't giving me much to work with here, but I guess Life can't be exciting and newsworthy every single day, especially if you are over 90 like Grandma was here.  But, I'll get this posted nonetheless so I can keep this blog going.  Chugging along like the little engine that could.  (I put "train" first, but realized that was wrong, and it makes sense because it was the engine that did all the work, not the whole train.)