Some Throwback Photos

Me (Linda) at one, 1954 or 55

Another of me at 1.  

2 years old, 1955 or 56

Probably about 1962, I think I was 5 or 6 here.  

This is how I think of my parents--Mom would have been about 35 and Dad around 42.  

At Grand Canyon in about 1961

Our engagement photo, April 1973

March 30, 1974

Mindy at about 6

Jonathan's kindergarten photo.  

March 2022

 This cat.  His name is Stripes, and the grandboys rescued him from certain mauling at the hands, well, paws, of their cat, Blackie.  They brought him to the farm where I provided him a heated house and daily food and water...and then he disappeared.  I repined over having spent my Amazon points on a cat house and heated mat.  But...six months later, he appeared once more on the deck with an attitude that clearly said, "Where is my supper?"  Cats are funny critters.  

Upper left:  Granddaughter Rebekah is the only six-year-old I know who carries dog treats in her fluffy pink back pack so as to be prepared if she meets a friendly puppy or dog.  Bekah's mom is a vet and she owns two dogs, several cats, and some chickens...and a couple of baby goats.  Upper right: our grands love to play on the hay bales.  

Left: During the pandemic I started giving John haircuts, and meantime, his barber retired.  Looks like I'm stuck with this job--and it isn't easy.  He inevitably breaks into giggles at some point in the process as I'm trying to trim mustache or eyebrows.  This in turn causes me to laugh so that we spend about twice as long as it ought to take!  Upper right: I was so tickled when Jonathan trimmed his beard that I insisted on a selfie with him. His smile is only slightly pained, but to his credit he cooperated with his goofy mama.  Lower right: Along with much of the rest of the country, we are stuck on Wordle.  We share results with one another, and I was particularly happy with my first guess on the puzzle above.  

Upper left: New pressure washer!  Upper right: New glasses frames!   Bottom: we celebrated our 48th anniversary in March and went out to supper.  

There was a power outage the evening of March 7 so we spent an hour playing Nertz.  We did have a light snow on the 7th but the photo bottom right was taken March 10.  

The Rausch family enjoyed a vacation during their spring break, and grandson Logan is pictured here doing what most kids do in a motel that has two adjacent beds.  Lo was particularly good at it!  Brian and Melinda celebrated their 18th anniversary in March.  

Nicole took a business trip to Des Moines, Iowa, leaving March 2.  

On the 4th we had the first family dinner since Christmas, sliders and soup!  Bekah spent the day with us on the 5th.  Nicole's trip to Des Moines ended on a scary note as a tornado passed just blocks from her position; the Lord saw her through safe.  

On March 6th we had cold, snow, thunder and rain, and a power outage from 4:30 until 8:30 pm! I was walked for exercise most days rain or shine.  Enjoyed sweet Bekah for the day on the 17th and the 18th.  

I planted lettuse and radishes on beautiful spring-like days on the 19th and 20th.  On the 23rd had a dental appointment and learned I'll have to have two cavities repaired.  

On the 24th I delivered turkey, stuffing and hot rolls to the Rausch family. On the 26th I had the Rausch boys out to a roast beef supper while Brian and Mindy went out to celebrate their 18th anniversary.  John and I celebrated our 48th anniversary with Chinese food and a grocery pickup on March 30.  

February 2022

 

On the first of February, 2022, we prepped for a predicted snow storm, schools were already canceled for the following day. We received about 3 inches of snow on the 2d.  On the 4th, Nicole's Uncle Don died of Covid.  

We did not gather for Daniel's birthday on the fifth as the Rausch family was recovering form Covid. Daniel was taking discus throwing classes and doing well. His quiz bowl team took first in a meet on the 6th.  He and I got into frothing cocoa and other drinks using the new frother I got him for his birthday.  

On the 11th and 12th we watched Rebekah and she and I made cookies and watched figure skating! 

On the 14th I delivered valentines to Melinda and her boys and visited a bit. 

 I wrote a devotion a day for Daniel during the entirety of his 8th grade year and was plugging away at those during this month.  

I walked most days during February.  

On the 17th we received five plus inches of snow.  Melinda was sick with a cold.  I made a big pot of chicken and slicks and took the soup and iced coffee to her on the 18th.  Daniel came down with the cold too.  

I made a pot of ham and beans for Brian and Melinda on the 22nd.  

By the 22nd we had lost 7 head of cattle and ended up losing 11 altogether.  An autopsy on one found lead, perhaps from an old batter someone dumped over the bridge?  

On the 28th I resumed reading lessons with Isaac, interrupted because of holidays and illnesses. 

January 2022

I bought this platter for just $9 online and had no idea how big it was!  But, I found a home for it atop our cupboards. 

A funny coincidence this month--I made a chocolate cake on what turned out to be National Chocolate Cake day.  Maybe I picked up the suggestion subliminally!!!  I hadn't made a chocolate cake in years and had a sudden craving.  

Quality time with Bekah Roo this month, how we love this girl.  

Communicating via Marco Polo and Facetime has been such a blessing during the pandemic.  Isaac lost a tooth this month!  

Melinda was so good about sending me photos of these precious grandboys. They had one virus after another in January culminating with Covid, and so we haven't gotten to spend time with them under the same roof since Christmas.  

Snow and cold temperatures this month.  Bottom right, a craft project Rebekah and I did together.  I sent the idea to Melinda and she and the grandboys completed similar marshmallow snowflakes.  

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 January 1st and 2nd were very cold days, low of 2, high of 10.  I spent a lot of time doing end of year bookwork this month, and almost as much time cooking.  We really enjoyed the Chief's game on the 8th--what a last minute nail biter!  

Mel and Bri's family were sick with one virus after another all month culminating with all five family members being diagnosed with Covid; our nephew and brother-in-law were also both quite ill with Covid.  Of the grandboys Logan was sickest, but even so, was only really worrisomely ill for two days; we are so grateful he had been vaccinated. I delivered meals to Bri and Mel's during the week of the 24th when they were all feeling poorly. Daughter Melinda is still suffering come and go symptoms and tiredness at this writing (February 16).  John and I have stayed well.  

It snowed on the 14th.  

We got to spend several days with Rebekah this month, even an overnighter! 

December, 2021

This is my 68th birthday selfie.  

We enjoyed some pretty walks during December.  The sunsets were especial beautiful this month. 

Aunt Mindy came up with a gift that delighted Bekah--wings! 

Anyone else remember the Garth Williams illustration of Almanzo eating Christmas dinner?  Logan's pose here reminds me of that!  

The three youngest grandkids did the American Sign Language signs to the poem at left, with former teacher Grammy leading them.  

Early in the month we celebrated Nicole's birthday--note the "upside down" cupcakes.  If you want to REALLY enjoy a cupcake, slice off the top, flip it, and eat it like a little cake and frosting sandwich. This culinary tip is courtesy of our lovely daughter-in-law!!  We love her.  

I took photos of the Rausch clan decked out in their Chief's gear, and since the light was good and the subjects were beautiful people, the photos turned out great!  

Everyone received sunglasses in their stockings.   

 

November, 2021

 

Amazing beauty this month.  

One sunny afternoon I rode in the combine with son Jonathan.  We both had a very good time.  John stood at the bottom of the ladder calling out warnings to me as I descended.  Really!  He made a motion as though to catch me, but thankfully, it was not necessary.  

Thanksgiving was not at our house this year so I began decorating for Christmas earlier than usual.  Each of the grandkids received a cute stuffed animal but I think the squirrel was the most realistic.  

Daniel doesn't seem to like wearing the crown Rebekah placed on his head...

And now, she is six!  Love this girl.  

Jonathan and John worked combining soybeans this month On the evening of the 9th, Jonathan was on his way home and hit a deer.  His airbag deployed, his truck sustained thousands of dollars of damage, but he was unharmed.  Grateful.  

I stayed busy driving our harvest crew from field to field and preparing and freezing food for November celebrations.  We celebrated birthdays for Melinda and Rebekah and had a nice, low key Thanksgiving at Garnett.  

I gifted meal a meal of hot chicken salad and fruit to a neighbor who had suffered a chainsaw accident. We shared breadsticks and stew one night and another evening took steak and potatoes to family members.  Our daughter loves fresh peach cobbler, so that was her birthday "cake."  

We have discovered the delights of Panda Express and ate there twice this month via curbside pickup.  

It was a busy, blessed month.