Middle of September!

Helping Grandma make flatbread

I can hardly believe that September is already half gone!  I need to spend more time outside enjoying this beautiful weather.

I came home from Milestone on Friday afternoon.  It seemed rather lonely around here that evening and I started thinking, "Do I really want to spend a few months here  by myself?"  But after a good sleep I had a better attitude and decided that I better get in touch with  people if I didn't enjoy all this peace and quiet.

I phoned Dorothy, a fellow teacher in my first two years of teaching in Shaunavon, SK.  We both roomed at Mr. and Mrs. Whipple's house, which was just a couple blocks south of the school.  Neither of us had a car so it was good to be close to work.  She was from Wadena.  At the end of those two years we both resigned and went to University in Saskatoon for a year. Those were the days when we could get a teaching certificate after one year of Teachers College.  Then we had to take a year of classes to obtain a "permanent certificate".  She and her husband live in Canmore, Alberta so I must take a trip out there some summer.  It was good to be in touch again, just a phone call away.

I also went on Facebook to see if I could contact one of the other teachers from those first years.  Walter responded and said that he and his wife are in Maple Creek and have a fitness centre there.  Cliff, another of our group of young teachers back in the early 60's, is now in Medicine Hat so perhaps we can have a mini reunion someday. The four of us never dated, but spent time together and all four of us went on to Saskatoon to University.  After that year at University we all went our separate ways, Dorothy and Walter to Alberta, Cliff to Ontario and I went to Swift Current.  Now we are grandparents in our seventies.

I am reminded of advice my Dad used to give "If you don't hold out your hand, nobody is going to shake it".  So I guess I can choose whether to be lonely or to reach out, whether via telephone, email, Facetime, or best of all a "real visit".  It was a good feeling to connect with friends from "way back".  I also phoned Howard's cousins, Adrian and Joyce.  They had been to Norway this summer too so we had lots to share.  They are planning to go to Host Fest so I look forward to having them stop by here on their way back home to Bawlf.  I also found out that the Bergum cousin gathering in Rosebud, AB is December 7 - 9 so I'm looking forward to taking that in this year.  It's good to have events to look forward to.  I had an email from my cousin Esther in E Grand Forks, MN so phoned her too instead of emailing a reply.  They will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary next June!  Howard and I surprised them when they celebrated their 50th but I told her I wouldn't be doing that this time.

Today it was my turn to serve coffee and goodies after our morning worship service at Trinity.  Laurel suggested that I make fruit bread, or Julebrod as it's known when we make it for Christmas.  I made three loaves and served it with Norwegian brown cheese, cheddar or just with butter.  Thanks for the idea Laurel.  It was a good choice.  The kids were glad to see some ginger cookies too.

A prairie sunset

I was up to the cemetery on Saturday just before sunset to water the flowers.  One of these nights there will be frost and the flowers will be done.  I want to do like the Norwegians do - no artificial flowers on Howard's grave.  In the spring we can make a little flower bed and change the flowers as the season changes.  I should be starting this fall by planting tulips.  I guess it's not too late yet.  Living just two miles from the cemetery makes this doable as I can stop and water plants on the way to town or take a little drive in the evening.

I awoke to the sound of rain on the roof this morning, something I hadn't heard for a long time.  It didn't last long but was enough to settle the dust on the roads.

I went to Torquay Cafe for dinner today and enjoyed #21 and the fellowship around the table.  I boxed up almost half of the generous serving so have enough for my supper too.

There were new pictures of Nora when I got home so here are a couple.

"All dressed up for my first time at morning worship"
(the flowered part is my brace for hip displasia)

"I'm having a good sleep, just like you hoped I would."

Now I'm going to go outside and enjoy some of this fresh outdoor air. 

Tomorrow afternoon,  Alan and Judy, family and friends mourning the loss of Barb, will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Barb will be laid to rest beside her father, Thomas (Bud) Nelson, in a country cemetery a few miles north of Frontier. Blessed be the memory of Barbara Elaine (Nelson) Nesland, January 4, 1954 - September 12, 2012.