The past couple of weeks have been so sad and unbelievable. Two Americans were shot and killed by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) people. Neither of them were doing anything that warranted being assassinated.
The first, Renee Good is immortalized here
The second, only yesterday was shot and killed.
What do I want to do when I grow up? Here's the thing, I am 71. Not really old, but getting there. I am a senior citizen.
And yet I fantasize. I think of all he things I want to do and places I want to be.
I would love to spend about a week with each of the kids. Except maybe Chance. Because he lives pretty close as it is.
I love my quiet, boring days. I feel somewhat guilty that I don't have to do anything. And I don't do very much.
My life is full of "shoulds". I should eat better. I should lose weight. I should exercise more. More? Ha I don't really move much at all.
I've made a few potholders lately. A break from knitting I guess.
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Every year for ages I have been making calendars. I use the online services like Snapfish or Shutterfly. I make enough for all five kids to have one, plus nieces and nephews, in-laws, my sister and us.
I guess it's a labor of love. All of the photos (with a few exceptions) are pictures I have taken. Most of the pictures are of "things" suck as flowers, birds or locations/ landscapes.
I love going into the kids' houses and seeing "my" calendar there. Nick's mother especially enjoyed my photography and calendars.
I started collecting calendars way before I started to make them. I am pretty sure I have them as far back as 1977. I recorded the first time I felt Courtney kick when I was pregnant! They are a sort of diary of day to day life.
We have made photo Christmas cards for most of our married life as well.
Here are the 2026 calendar pictures:
This is the cover picture of the 2026 calendar
And each month's photo:
In the fifties, my father took my mother to the family farm in Kjørrefjord, Norway. and showed her where his father is buried. He said “there, that’s the hole my father is in” and he walked away. Almost a lifetime later I stood at the foot of that same grave and felt so alive and connected. Here lies a piece of me, or I a piece it, the earth, of him, my father’s father. That same day, I stood in the room my grandfather was born in. I closed my eyes and in my imagination, I heard his first cries. I cried. I was born in that room that day. And at that grave on that farm in that village. I was whole and complete and I drank wine and ate cheese and strawberries under the midnight sun. Home.
On Tuesday, December second, I was heading out to pick up my sister so she could come have dinner with us.
As I was about to back out of the driveway, the garbage truck was blocking the driveway. So I waited for them to leave. And I decided to make sure the garbage had been picked up so I could put the can back into the garage. Well, I lifted the lid on the trash can and i was still full of garbage.
I sped down the road chasing the garbage truck until I finally got the guy to stop. I asked him why he didn't pick up out trash. He explained that he goes down the street and circles back and then does our side of the street. Well, I felt a little silly, but I can handle some silliness.
Next thing, I notice a dog in the road eating trash. A big dog- maybe a yellow lab? I called to the dog and it ran up to my car and them acted spooked and ran off. I noticed an older woman (probably younger than me) wearing native dress (common in out neighborhood) calling to the dog with little success. I found a dog leash in the consul of my car and offered it to the woman to use. Between us we were able to corral the dog and get the leash onto it.
(this is NOT the dog I am writing about, but looks like it)
The dog was too strong for the woman to manage and guide where she wanted to go. I offered the woman and the dog a ride home. She spoke very little English but was able to point the way.
I am so glad I did offer a ride because her house was the farthest from where we were of any house in the neighborhood. Delivered the lady and the dog- who did not want to get out of the car. The woman got her daughter on the phone/ tablet who's English was prefect. She was very thankful. I am just so glad I was able to help. That poor scared dog could have gotten hit by a car or even the garbage truck.
Oh, and did I mention it was pouring down rain!
I picked up my sister and brought her to our house. We got to visit with Darcy and Jody and baby Galileo. I made lasagna and we had a very pleasant day
