Fences

 

Lowell fixing fence in September 1956 to keep a small boy (Randy) contained in the yard. I think we did something with fences almost every year that we were married. We had woven wire fences; wooden fences; electric fences and fences made of steel gates. We made new ones; fixed old ones; changed fences and took up fences. We used wooden posts; steel posts and electric posts. We even made a post from woven wire filled with rocks. We used fences for sheep, cows, calves and horses. I don't think Lowell ever threw away a fence post. I learned how to straighten electric fence posts but didn't have enough strength to pound the steel posts straight but I could tell someone how to do it.

When we lived in Austin, MN we had 1 1/2 acres and of course had horses and a fence. The night before we moved a neighbor asked us what we were going to do with the fence - Lowell asked him if he wanted to buy it to which the neighbor said "no". So after my brothers' pick up was loaded with the rest of the household goods he and Lowell took up the fence. It took them 'tll midnight to get that job done and loaded on the pick up. For those of you who don't know about woven wire - it does not roll up tight like it was when new. I wish I had taken a picture but imagine this GMC red pick up loaded with household goods and a large roll of woven wire on top. And a neighbor standing in the middle of the field with no fence wondering what happened.

Sophie

Sophie loves being outside. She's discovered the squirrels that have taken up residence in the trees.

Voices

It had been two years ago last week that Lowell died and I was a little weepy driving to town one day and heard this song. We drove around quite a bit in our Ford pickup and many times he would say "Slow down, girl" or "your coming up to the stop sign too fast, girl" So after he died I almost always heard his voice when I drove the pickup.

VOICES by Chris Young
Some of You could say I'm a little bit crazy
You could call me insane
Walkin' 'round with all these whispers
Runnin' 'round here in my brain
I just can't help but hear 'em
Man, I can't avoid it

I hear voices
I hear voices like
My dad sayin' work that job
But don't work your life away
Mama tellin' me to drop some cash
In the offering plate on Sunday
And granddad sayin' you can have a few
But don't ever cross that line
Yeah I hear voices all the time

Turns out I'm pretty dang lucky
For all that good advice
Those hard to find words of wisdom
Holed up here in my mind
And just when I've lost my way
Or I got to many choices

I hear voices
I hear voices like
My dad sayin' quit the team
And you'll be a quitter for the rest of your life
Mama tellin' me to say a prayer
Every time I lay down at night
And grandma sayin' if you find the one
You'd better treat her right
Yeah, I hear voices all the time

Sometimes I try to ignore 'em
But I thank God for 'em
'Cause they made me who I am

My dad sayin' work that job
But don't work your life away
Mama tellin' me to drop some cash
In the offering plate on Sunday
And granddad sayin' you can have a few
But don't ever cross that line
Yeah I hear voices all the time
Yeah I hear voices all the time.

Then last summer I bought a GMC Jimmy and I don't hear his voice anymore.

Hands

My daughter had posted about her wedding and a picture of hers and Marks hands. I love those kinds of pictures and it reminded me of Lowell's and my "hand" picture. My that was a long time ago.

A cross stitch project

This was my spring project for the wedding of Janessa Wolff (my grand daughter) and Sam Green. I had done a smaller version of this for myself several years ago and I love looking at it. It hangs above my kitchen sink. So I thought it was the perfect gift for Janessa and Sam.

 

I finally finished the crochet project that I started last Spring. I enjoyed crocheting this and learn a lot. The main thing I learned was that I should have crocheted all 5 panels BEFORE I cross stitched on them. It would have been easier to count the squares. But all in all I'm pleased with it.

Grandpa and Grandma Duncan

These pictures were taken in the backyard of my Grandpa and Grandma Duncans house. (my dad's parents). Grandpa built the fireplace-I think this might have been the first patio in Redwood. I loved roasting marshmallows with Grandpa. I would do what most kids do - become impatient and have a flaming missile (makes me think of that Denise the Menace movie). Grandpa would patiently show how to make a golden roasted marshmallow but it took too long. Grandma loved her flowers. On both sides of the bridge were lily ponds with gold fish in them. Grandpa built the bridge, birdbath and a lamp post the worked that you don't see, out of rocks he collected. Her specialty was dahlias - they were huge and she would save the bulbs from year to year-the goldfish lived in their basement during the winter. I remember the goldfish as being very big and we (grand kids) would feed them oatmeal. Beyond the bench was a hammock where I spent quite of bit of time. I loved that back yard!