North Dakota

The last week and a half have been interesting.  We went to Gilby, North Dakota to intern my Uncle's ashes.  Our family is such that it has taken two years so it was more like a reunion.  Not the best reason for a reunion but a reason.  

Because of that, we did spend a lot of time in cemetaries.  The Prespytarian church was kind enough to open their doors for us.  The family brought a lot of pictures to share and my Dad brought his candies.  He was told it felt like Christmas by cousins.  

We drove by the house where my Grandmother and Grandfather lived.  One of the sets of stairs I fell down when I was very small.  I may have traumatized cousins since I have heard the stories from both.

A cousin lives in the house my Great Grandfather built and was kind enough to let us all tramp through.  They did a wonderful job of renovation after my two bachelor great Uncles lived in it for years.  I do not like large homes and this is a large home but it is the first large home that has appealed to me.  The spaces are just cozy.  My Great Grandfather's family was a family of twelve.  But you can tell we are all related.  The house was built in 1917 and the bedrooms have closets.  It seems to be a genetic trait to think about storage.

I would have to say that I took more pictures of the peonies in the cemetaries then family.  I love peonies and they do not grow where I live in Texas.  They do grow in Gilby.  I had a cousin who wished to stay the whole summer there.  I do not blame him at all!

I do have to say that it was a beautiful area.  We actually camped in East Grand Forks which is in Minnesota.  We right on the river and took walks.  It was just a lovely time with family.

We drove my Dad home.  He asked to stop in Fargo, North Dakota because my Great Great Uncle Guv's drugstore has been moved there.  The sign is still up on Main Street in Gilby but this is his drugstore Bonanzaville Pioneer Village.  Those benches in back?  I have had ice cream sundaes at.  My favorite was his black and white.  One scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and one scoop of chocolate ice cream with marshmallow sauce.  So good.  I used to buy candy for the right side of the shop and that register was used.  It is so strange to have childhood memories sitting in a museum setting.  Because to me this is life, not history.  Not pioneer!

The drive back to my parent's was uneventful.  We did stop and look over the Badlands.  We stopped and saw friends.  It is interesting to drive with my Dad because he has been back and forth over this region a lot.  There were many stories.  And there was much laughter with friends.  It was a good trip but it was just a portion of the trip.  Being back seems very strange!

just life

I needed quiet this weekend still so I took it.  There will be traveling at the end of the week and next so quiet will be the last thing that will happen.  Quiet means working on a quilt and audio books.  The back of this quilt is done and it is basted.  I am ready to quilt it.  But because quilting is a work out, especially the first quarter, I may break it up more then normal.

The boyos cleaned out the old knife making shop to make it into a leather shop on Sunday.  There is dust everywhere!  If it all comes out of the air in less then two years, I will be happy.  

I put a large pot of elk spaghetti sauce and a pot of noodles together for them.  I then went on a walk.  The magnolias are blooming.  In many ways, I like the fallen blooms better then the blooms that are perfect.  The imperfections speak to me.  I have played editing them.  I post those on Instagram.  I like monochromatic.  Usually black and white but not always.  I am actually hoping to have be able to get more flower pictures on the travels next week.  And maybe a large handful of pine branches for dyeing.  Part of the travels is to the mountain.  I miss it so.

sadness

I pulled out my letterpress before gallivanting and made more business cards.  It was needed.

I am sad today.  The bombing in Manchester, of children, really got to me.  But I cannot say it is any different then when I hear of bombings of children in Syria.  Why do we do this to each other?

I really do not have any words today.  I went for a walk.  I picked up garbage.  I am trying to care for myself and those in my life but we all seem rather sad.  Some can speak to it.  Some, like Koda Bear, just do not want to let go.  I think that is a very lovely response right now.  

Hopefully, by the next time I write, there will be more words.

off gallivanting

There was a mid week jaunt this week.  It involved supporting my Beloved in his knife business.  I had to dress up a bit, chat, smile.  The conversations were good.  The nibbles were fabulous.  And the adult beverages were never ending once they got started.  Drink as little or as much as you wished.

The break was nice.  I found a good croissant and a nice cup of tea while we were out.  Walked in different places which is always nice.  Especially since I am continuing to try to walk more to manage pain and get ready for gallivanting with my Mom.  The allergies were not as positive but it is what it is.

I came home to many flowers.  I am wondering what I am going to do with all the pumpkins when they are ripe because they are getting huge.  This is not an understatement.  I did not get much of a chance to stitch but I am hoping to make up for that this weekend.  I took stitching and a crochet project with me.  There was not a lot of extra time.

But, I am home again.  It is time to start more bread.  Stitch.  Plan presents for the two July birthdays that are about to happen.  Life continues forward.

Earth Day and the March for Science

Today, on Earth Day, I did the March for Science.  

Much of my life is science related or I do things that protect the earth.  Like mending Koda Bears knees in his pants.  It is a definite win because they are his favorite pants, there is now a heart on them so he knows I always loves him, and they did not go into a landfill.  

The March for Science made sense to me.  I studied math and geophysics.  I have worked in the oil industry for many years.  I love to camp and surf.  I love to garden.  What is going on politically does not make much sense to me but I can do what I can to make this world a better place for the next seven generations.

Now, doing the March for Science was not good for me.  Mending is about all I am going to be able to do for the rest of the day.  Or maybe crochet.  Something where I do not have to stand or move because I am barely walking.  There was a 45 minute pause of standing that did me in.  My hips do not take long periods of standing well.  

Tomorrow I will move better.