thank a teacher--Miss Medchill

If you look hard enough you may still be able to find one of your grade school teachers ---even sixty years later.  That's what my sister and I did this past summer.  We drove all over Minnesota in search of some of our teachers from Brookside Elementary School.  Here we are with Miss Medchill (as we knew her then) up in Thief River Falls.  She was our fifth grade teacher.  She had a very long teaching career and happily married later in life.  I remember Miss Medchill telling her students about how much she enjoyed driving a car.  She was adventurous and driving around in her car gave her the freedom to see all the places she had read about while growing up in small town northern Minnesota. She was (is) a proud independent woman.  Susan and I thanked her for being a great teacher.  All of the teachers we located and visited with were very humble when we thanked them.  They truly didn't think they had done anything special, but we knew they did.  These ladies were our first schoolteachers and they set the bar extremely high.  The best part, though, was their reaction to being remembered by their students after all these years.  They were genuinely touched.  

scenic overlooks

I may have used this picture before.  It is a nice picture that was taken in July of 2015.  Susan and I were visiting Vancouver, B.C.  We were walking around in a beautiful English garden and came across this overlook with the city spread out below.  Fast forward to today and here I am at an overlook in San Diego with the waters of San Diego Bay spread out below.  Both are beautiful views and sometimes a view from the top brings the bigger picture together.

Bergen

In October of 2010 my sister and I travelled to Norway.  My favorite city in Norway is Bergen which is located on the western coast.  Here we are at an overlook above the old historic part of the city.  While we were there we made sure we spent some time at Trollhaugen, the home of composer Edvard Grieg.  We also enjoyed walking on the old Bryggen (fisherman's wharf) and eating some international cuisine.  (mostly good)  It takes a ride on a funicular to get to the overlook.  The mountaintop overlook is the gateway to the hiking trails, small lakes and picnic areas in this beautiful mountain recreation spot. We hiked around some trails on this lovely sunny day and then headed back down to the wharf for liquid refreshment and a perfect spot to view the sunset.  I've been to Bergen several times (love it) and I'll be back again.  Believe it!

my friend is sick

I've known Tricia for over thirty years.  One day many years ago I was walking through a local department store in Vicksburg with my son, Jeremy.  Out of the clear blue I heard this voice saying "You're Jeremy's Mom!".  I was startled to hear someone talking to me since we were relatively new in town.  She went on to say that her son, Chris, had been talking a lot about a boy in his class (they were in first grade) named Jeremy and they had become good friends.  Ever since then Tricia and I have been really good friends, too.  We were both substitute teachers at our children's high school and lots of times we were there on the same days.  During free periods we would find each other's classrooms and sit there (and chat) instead of sitting in the teachers lounge.  The day passed quickly and we got to see our kids and all their friends and catch up on all the school gossip.  When I thought my world as I knew it was falling apart, Tricia listened while I, in my distress, rambled on and on.  And, the biggest favor she did for me was that she didn't say anything at all.  She just listened.  And, when sadness knocked on her door, I drove fourteen hours from my home in Florida just to be there for her.  I know and she knows how much we care about each other.  And, now she's sick.  And that makes me sick.

queen of the Minnesota hot dish

Who would know that this little eight year old girl would someday become royalty, of sorts.  Yes, that little third grader (me) seems to be the reigning queen of the kitchen when it comes to preparing the ever popular Minnesota hot dish.  And, what is the Minnesota hot dish, you ask?  Well, by definition, it is a one skillet casserole which contains a starch (generally rice or macaroni), a meat (any kind will do), a vegetable (canned or frozen) and a creamy condensed soup or gravy to bind it all together.  Yum!  The ingredients may be few and the preparation simple but the finished product is a hot and hearty meal.  Why am I telling you this?  It is a well known fact that I did not catch the cooking bug.  I am not innovative and I appear to be a one note cook in the kitchen.  However, give me the "golden ingredients" and I excel in the hot dish category.  Funny thing though,  the hot dishes all look alike--brown.  BUT, they are delicious.  I can attest to that.  So, hand me that crown.  The queen is in the kitchen!

fifty years out

August of 2016.  Not quite two years ago.  This picture was taken as I was heading off to a high school reunion party.  That was a lot of fun.  Yes, most of the people attending the reunion were easy to recognize but, then again, there were some people there that looked much older and I had to stop and remind myself that they might think I was too old looking to have graduated with them, too.  So there you have it.  How do we look when other people see us?  Is it a big concern for me?  Yes and no.  I just try to keep living in the best possible version of me that I can.  It is a good thing that our eyes look in an outwardly direction.  We can't really see ourselves.  But, with our thoughts and our memories inside of us, we have a clear picture of who we are ..... and that's fine by me.

it's cold outside

Norway. 2004.  My sister and I are on one of our Scandinavian trips.  We were taking a train across Norway from Oslo to Bergen and at one of the stops along the way we got off the train to take pictures.  Definitely a jacket-wearing kind of day.  And, here I am today in front of the old historic lighthouse on Point Loma in southern California.  No need for a jacket today.

the traveler

I like to drive.  A few years ago I decided to spend more time on the road just driving around and seeing things.  I really don't have a plan other than hit the road and have some fun.  I have become quite the tourist as I visit national parks, county museums and quirky roadside attractions.  And, I am having a lot of fun.  Here I am at a rest area in Idaho near the Snake River.  Historical markers don't go unnoticed by me.  I read 'em all and try to learn something, too.  Oh, gotta go.

game on

This is me on January 1, 2015 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.  I wanted to see my Golden Gophers in a major bowl game and I was in the area so I went.  That's that.  I had a seat right on the fifty yard line and the viewing was terrific.  The game wasn't, though.  The Gophers lost to Missouri.  boohoo  But...I had a great time.  I went by myself but I was seated in a very friendly section and I had a blast.  Maroon and Gold forever!

here's to you

I just love these pictures.  It's all about the relaxing mood I'm in.  Hot breakfast and a cup of coffee.....can't beat that for comfort food.  This picture was taken about eight years ago.  I believe that was the last time I fit into that orange-y red top.  Looks good.  The time moves on and so did the top.  I still have the necklace, though.  It has a brown cat's eye stone inside a gold oval setting.  I need to wear the necklace more often, I think.  (My hair looks really good, too)  But, let's get back to the pancakes, eggs and sausages.  Top it off with a nice cup of coffee.  Sheer happiness.  Below: glamor shot.

Keith's birthday

It is March 20, 1954, the first day of Spring, and we are celebrating another birthday in the family.  This time it is the birthday of my brother Keith.  The cake was made by mom and it was super delicious.  It was an angel food cake with chocolate whipped cream frosting.  Yummy!!  We are enjoying this family gathering (with a couple of neighborhood kids, as well) at our home on Brookside Avenue.  What fun!  Happy birthday, Keith.....and many more.

good friends

I just decided to post another picture of my friend Tricia and me.  This picture was taken about fifteen years ago.  Whenever I came to Vicksburg we made sure that we tested out all of our favorite eating spots plus we tried to add new ones to our roving agenda.  Looks like we are about to enjoy a good meal in this quaint restaurant.  yummmmm.     p.s. same hairstyle, just need to tweak the color.

more Disneyland

I found another picture of the day we spent at Disneyland.  The year was 1958.  Here is a picture of Steven, Susan and me riding on burros.  The one thing I vividly remember was the narrow path that the burros were walking on and how scared I was when my burro came very close to the edge of a cliff (or so I thought).  I was so scared that I was going to fall off the cliff that I started whimpering and apparently the lead guide heard me.  I remember that he turned around to see what the problem was and all he saw was me--fidgeting and squealing.  He said not to worry.  The burros were all tied together and no one has ever fallen off.  I settled down but I was still scared.  Then the ride ended and that was that.  But, I still remember to this day the scared feeling I had riding on the burro.  Look how gentile they look in the picture.  The other kids are laughing and having a really good time, too.  Just not me.

no changes

In all honesty this picture was only taken six months ago so I pretty much look the same as I do today. In the above photo I was in the Faribault Woolen Mills building in southern Minnesota on September 26, 2017.  The picture below was taken today next to the weeping willow tree that stands in the front yard of the home of a friend in southern California.  I look about the same and I'm happy.  All in all it was a very good day(s).

just waiting

2004.  Waiting for the fun to begin.  Sisters trip time.  Today: just hangin' around.  Waiting for the fun to begin.

in first grade

Here I am in first grade.  I am six years old.  Maybe I have told this story before but here I go again.  I was sitting in Miss Heidtke's classroom and my friend John was sitting right in front of me.  We had been talking about seeing a production of Peter Pan that was broadcast on TV the night before.  It was a pretty big deal to see that fairy tale come to life while watching it on our TV in my own living room.  At one point during the day our teacher left the classroom for a few minutes.  We were told, of course, to read silently at our desks while she was out of the room.  It seems everyone in the room except John and me got the message.  Instead, we took those few minutes to re-create a scene from Peter Pan and while the teacher was out of the room, John and I decided to chase each other around the room and pretend we were flying a la Peter Pan and Tinkerbell.  Ohyeah, you know the rest of the story.  Just as John and I were running up and down the rows between the desks on the other side of the room, the teacher walks in and sees us.  When asked, we merely explained that we were re-enacting a scene from Peter Pan.  That did not go over well with the teacher at all.  Punishment for classroom hi-jinx back in those days was taking a chair and placing it out in the hallway right by the classroom and sitting there.  If my classroom had been on the second floor at the end of the hall it might have been OK but this classroom was on the first floor right across the hall from the principal's office and there was no hiding the shame of being on display to all those who passed by including my siblings.  The crime, of course, was reported to my parents and my second punishment came when I went home from school that day.  I never did that again but, boy, did we have a lot of fun.

wistfully yours

This picture was taken in 2004 on the train from Oslo to Bergen, Norway.  My sister and I were about to begin an adventure that would take us by ship from Bergen to the northern port city of Kirkenes--within viewing range of Russia.  Here I am just staring at the beautiful scenery passing by and thinking how amazing it is just to be in the homeland of my ancestors.  How exhilarating!!  And how did I know that fourteen years later I would be rockin' the exact same easy, no-fuss, go to, blah hairstyle?  The thought of it completely knocks the air out of my happy bubble.  I think I need to do something about this.  I think I'll think about it.  But, look at that happy face(s).

S F streetcar

Here we are in San Francisco.  How Dad snapped this picture is a wonder.  Oddly, I don't see any other people on the cable car with us.  hmmm  Look how dressed up we are.  Mom is wearing high heels, too.  Mid century modern tourists in the big city 1950's style.  Lotsa fun.

kids on a bridge

1954.  Here we are standing on a bridge...all five of us.  Those sailor hats my brothers are wearing are certainly keeping their heads protected on this very sunny day.  Even my sister and I are wearing hats.  It's just a very hat-ty day.  below: no hat, although a nice wide brimmed chapeau might lessen the glare bouncing of of my broad forehead.  my goodness.

mmmmm

If this tastes as good as it looks, well.....I'm a happy, happy girl!!  I have no idea where I am or how I came upon this ridiculously yummy cup of coffee (complete with whipped cream) but it sure looks like I'm enjoying the moment.  Oh, wait, maybe it's hot chocolate.  hummmmm   Either way, it's heavenly.  I am a happy girl!

grandma and the grandkids

What a gaggle of goofy guys and gals!!  And, we are cousins, too.  Ok, from the B. Brudevold clan there's Duane, Keith, Jean, Steven and Susan.  From the O. Brudevold branch of the family there is Nancy, David and John.  The Beattie bunch includes Robert, Keith, Carol and Lois.  The only M's on the family tree are the Mathre boys--Jimmy, Jerry and John.  (Joel wasn't born, yet.)  And then there's Grandma in the middle surrounded by all of her giggley grandchildren.  (except Joel)  Aren't we a jolly group!  I believe this picture was taken about 1960.  Woof!

summertime picnic

I believe this picture was taken in 1954.  We are having a picnic somewhere and I see my sister and two of my brothers seated at the table.  I am behind my younger brother who is wearing a sailor hat.  I see my other brother is wearing his sailor hat, too.  Sailor hats were popular headgear for boys.  Anyway, it looks like a very nice day for a picnic.  I'm sure the food was great!  Below: me and my big forehead, again.

lotsa Brudevolds

1952.  Oh boy, here's a lot of relatives packed in tight on somebody's back steps.  Let's see, as far as the kids go, in the front row there is Duane, Susan, Robert, Jean and Nancy.  Keith B. is behind Duane and Steven is next to him.  Someone is next to Steven and it could be either David or the other Keith B.  Carol is being held by her father Don and Grandma is in the center.  Doris and Oscar B. are standing next to her.  In the very back row we have Bennett, Oscar G., Ruth and Grandpa.  Oh, my word!!  And...the steps didn't even give in.  Great craftsmanship.  They don't build them like that these days.  Wowsers!  Here's to us.  All of us.  side note: Can you see where I get my big forehead?  Heredity!  Wax them to a fine shine and you could send sun reflected morse code messages off of them.  Yes sir-e-e-e.
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Parisian wedding

This very nice picture of my sister and me was taken on June 21, 2013 in Paris.  We were sailing on the Seine River while attending the wedding of my youngest son, Jeremy, to his beautiful wife, Jan.  What a wonderful day it turned out to be.  The weather was perfect and the mood was light.  We had our hair done in the morning, dressed for the day, assisted the bride and took a taxi ride through crazy traffic to the boat landing in time for the wedding and a two hour leisurely cruise on the Seine.  We sailed by the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.  There were people on the street who witnessed the ceremony and clapped for the new couple as we did.  As we sailed along and passed under the bridges people would clap and wave to the wedding party.  It was a great day all around.  The picture below was taken in my son's house (today) in front of the framed poster that advertised the music festival that occurs every June 21st in Paris.  This poster, of course, was from the 2013 festival and is a special remembrance for the happy couple of that very happy day...then, now and always.

a fine bunch of kids

Here we are on a sightseeing adventure while taking one of our summer road trips.  I think this picture was taken in about 1955 while we were on a camping trip through the mid-Atlantic states and the Appalachian Mountain area of Tennessee and Kentucky.  I think I am about seven years old at this time.  Always a group shot...and a nice one at that.  This is me today.  10 x 7 years old.  p.s.  What is that giraffe face doing behind my head?  Nothing.  Just smiling.  It's the top part of a child's height measurement chart posted on the wall of my granddaughter's room.  That's all.  (Can my forehead get any bigger? My goodness!!)