right next door

This picture was taken six months ago in September, 2017.  I am standing at a viewing area overlooking High Falls on the Pidgeon River in northeastern Minnesota.  This is the highest waterfall in the state of Minnesota.  In back of me (on the other side of the falls) is Canada.  This section of the state is called the arrowhead.  I don't remember ever being in this part of the state along the north shore of Lake Superior while I was growing up.  My sister and I had driven to Grand Marais (about forty  miles to the south) for a little R and R and we decided to check out some of the historical sites and natural beauty of this border waters area.  So, here I am on my maiden voyage to High Falls...almost in Canada, but not quite, just enjoying the view of the waterfall and the river.    Fun sisters trip!  Let's do it again.

little baby Jason

1974.  Here is a picture of my sweet little boy that was taken when he was about three months old.  He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania forty four years ago today.  What an adventure that day turned out to be.  His daddy was at work about an hour away.  I called him to come and get me and then I laid down on the couch and counted the minutes between contractions.  He arrived home and then we had to drive about another hour to the hospital.  It was very warm outside for a day in early March.  In fact it was hot.  We bumped along the highway in the Datsun pickup truck.  We arrived at the hospital and I went up to delivery right away.  I remember laying on a bed in complete agony and going through enough poking and prodding to last a lifetime.  I guess I must have been saying the word "NO" too loud and too repetitiously because a nurse came in at one point and basically told me to shut up.  I stopped talking immediately, not so much because I was respecting her request but because I was mad at her.  IT HURT!!!  I was told to ignore her but I was too stubborn to give in to the pain even though I wanted to scream some more.  I made it through the labor and delivery and then I was presented with this beautiful baby boy.  He was born about 6:30 p.m. and I always say "He came just in time for supper."  Happy Birthday, Jason!  Two fun facts:  I hadn't picked out a boy's name for the baby until two nights before he was born.  His daddy and I were watching an old classic black and white movie about Jason and the Argonauts on their quest for the golden fleece.  I remember vividly the scene depicting the battle with the skeletons.  What a great movie and with that we also settled on a boy's name--Jason (of the Argonauts fame).  Also, if you want to bring on early contractions, just attend a rock concert the day before delivery.  That worked for me.  We went to see CHICAGO perform on Sunday evening and-bingo-Jason was born the next day.  It was all due to the musical vibrations filling the auditorium and shaking things up a bit.  I truly believe there is a very strong connection.  I really do.

birthdays

Here I am in 2007 co-hosting a birthday party for Dad along with my sister and brothers.  We were able to have the party in the Fellowship Hall of the church and a lot of people came to say hello to our father.  He turned ninety that summer.  There were actually four different cakes on the table and each one was delicious.  Thanks Publix.  Below: drama pose.

grandbaby delight

This is what a happy Grandma looks like.  This picture was taken way back in November of 2017.  Oh, wow, that was just  three and a half months ago.  Not so long ago after all.  hahaha  What an adorable baby!!  Grandma?  (whatever)  note: more cave drawings below

couch potatoes

My sister and I, along with two of our brothers, are sitting on the couch in the living room of our house on Alabama Avenue.  It is springtime in the year 1967.  It must be a Sunday because we are all dressed nicely.  I wore my hair up a lot at that time.  My hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail and tucked under in the back.  I kept the front and side hair swept to the side.  That was a really cute hairstyle and it "dressed up" any outfit.  That was then.  Now my hair just sort of lays there..nothing new, no drastic change, no style.  What happened to you, Miss Lazybones???

ship's wheel

Isn't this a cute picture.  That's me peeking through the center section of the ships wheel.  I believe this picture was taken in about 1955.  I, also, believe we were in New England at the time.  I love these group pictures.  Why get a nice picture of one child when you can get a super nice picture of a whole group of children at once.  Group shot!!  Hooray!

sailing along

2004.  My sister and I were sailing aboard the Norwegian coastal steamer Hurtigruten on our way from Bergen to Kirkenes in Norway.  We were on the ten day voyage and having a grand time.  This was my first actual cruise and it was a lot of fun eating and sleeping on board a ship.  We left the ship at most ports of call and took a walk around the area.  The longer the docking time, the longer the walk, the more we saw.  Fun times for sure (or should I say yah-sure?)