Rocky Times

My friends Dan and Evie Beal have moved to the Twin Cities as their health has become more of a problem in their 80th decade.  Dan, longtime president of the Indianhead Gem and Mineral Society decided it was time to share some of his equipment and collections with his fellow rock hounds.  Although I didn't get a photo of Dan, I did get a few of the sale.   

  I bought a tile cutter that Dan bought to show us that rock cutting could be done without fancy equipment.  Yes, Margo, I will now cut those 5 tiles to finish the floor in our Pine Island house that I have been planning on doing since 1999. 

Don't forget the huge Indianhead Gem and Mineral Society Rock Sale and Show at Frederic WI last weekend in July!

Mid Summer

Went 2 weekends ago to the Swedish Club's midsummer fest in Polk Co NW Wisconsin.  Very nice.  They put a group of photos on their website Midommar Photos

One of people talking to an old Swede caught my eye.  The midsummer pole was being decorated and prepared for erection.  Dr. Hanson and wife visit with the Rambler.  We know each other through having gotten acquainted via his mother, Doris, member of our local writers group (who passed away 2 years ago). 

Back in 2004, tried our own midsummer festival at the Hanson family reunion, having just experienced it with cousins in Sweden in 2003.   Lots of fun introducing Swedish customs to 4th and 5th generation Americans who have lost touch with their roots.  Robert Nelson came and played music, taught us some songs and a little Swedish language.   He was at the 2013 festival, in his early 90s and enjoying it as much as ever!

And of course I took a few photos too:

Jay Bergstrand shows the fine art of face painting Viking style

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Carolyn Wedin is instrumental in the local celebration!

The little green frogs are dancing

Passing on traditions

Peanut gallery

The D.D. Kennedy park -- sad that Darrell Kittleson, who pushed the building into being is gone. 

Margo has her annual mammogram this year today and a visit to physical therapy to see how her arm and hand swelling are coming along.  Then she takes a few more days off and heads north to the cabin on Saturday.  

Next week we start filling the Polk Co Fair School House with exhibits for the upcoming Fair, the last weekend of July. 

Before that, we help with the aebleskiver at Lucky Days at the Luck museum--July 20th 9-noon.  The round pancakes are fun to make, even if the supervision of the Danish cooks is a little strict (absolutely not a touch of egg yolk in the egg whites when separating them).  

   Maybe the raspberries will be ripe by then and we can put a surprise in each skiver.  The Danes are of two minds on this--the Happy Lutherans (Grundtvigians) like the fruit surprise, but the Pious Lutherans (no-dancing ones) find it frivolous and likely on the path to Hell.   So we offer a choice ;-)

Friday is the Poetry/Prose Slam at the Luck Museum, noon potluck lunch.  The Northwest Wisconsin Regional Writers and the Poco Penners of Balsam Lake meet in their annual get together to share yarns and pomes.   If you are interested in becoming a member or to listen in, drop in with a fresh strawberry pie and you will be enthusiastically welcomed!

Have to get my fair entries underway.  Stories, poems, apples, maple products and more--altogether 23 items.  Margo has a bunch too.  Rather fun to get those blue ribbons and fame and loot!

See you out and about. 

  Brief video of Summerfest -- my film ran out (yep even happens on a digital camera!)

93 and Counting!

The sultry Sunday gave way to a brief thunderstorm blowing in a 55 degree cool sweater morning.  Fog has mostly cleared by 8 am.  

Ninety Three year old Erling Grumstrup listens intently to a speaker at the West Denmark Family Camp.  Early  one morning I met him out for a walk to the West Denmark Cemetery to visit his wife's grave.  He moved from West Denmark to Solvang CA 4 years ago, but retains his health and faculties and is as interested in life as ever. 

Frank Boatman of Laketown rural Cushing at the 2013 Sterling Settler's picnic.  He is a healthy and vigorous 93.  He attended with his wife Ruth, 92, married 73 years (I think).   

At a rather youthful sounding 66,  I don't really expect to make my 90s, however it is encouraging to have friends who have.  

I have worked on my family history, and although a few Hanson men have made it to 89, there is not a one who has made the 90s.  Women in the family have made 100.   We seem to be stick in the 70s to 80s.  

 Dad and his cousin Selden both made 89--oldest of that whole group.  Two of their uncles made 87 and their great grandpa broke 80.  Otherwise 70s and 80s are the rule.    

  My own generation does not look likely to have any men break 90 either.  We are all in our 60s and 70s with the oldest of the cousins already passed away or just into their 70s.  The collective health of my generation does not look wonderful, but who knows, maybe with replacement parts grown on demand, we will break the record!

Dane School -West Denmark Family Camp

Spent some time Sunday-Wednesday attending the West Denmark Family Camp near Luck WI.  Quite enjoyable; good food; good company; interesting talks; crafts, skits, and lots of singing.   I highly recommend it (it is a day camp and inexpensive too).  As a Swedish-Norwegian Hybrid, I felt right at home and was thrilled when the first night a singer from Sweden was the entertainment!
A video of the Dane School dedication



Some photos: 

75th Annual Sterling Old Settlers Picnic

Spent Sunday helping put on the 75th edition of the Sterling Old Settler's picnic.  I started going about 55 years ago (or maybe more), and have enjoyed attending many years since.  The picnic honors older folks in the community and gives them a chance to reminisce about the old days.  I took some photos that I include without names.   Their serious expression's come from having 4 different ministers each say "a few words."   

Very nice celebration, and still more 75th anniversary books available from SELHS BOX 731, Cushing, WI 54006 $13 including postage. 

Note:  if you click on each photo it biggifies!