Christian Photographers Community

I wish I could see it. With dial-up the link is too slow.

Today is turning into a lazy day, john leaves in the morning most of his food is ready, so this begins the next 2 years before his retirement.

I have been whistling this song all afternoon.  Pat and I used to sing it together. 

 
 

Pat, are you in Canada or Virginia just now?

Janet, I'm in Canada for a few days.  We're supposed to be going to Florida to see Paul's son and then his brother.

Wow--so much driving, then.  Hope you are feeling good.

Quote from: Etta Sue on January 01, 2013, 12:08:17 PM

I just got this in an email....I just had to share.  It's about bear tagging in Ontario!  So funny and so cute! 

Bear Tagging

Etta Sue, thank you for the link!!  We have seen those bears around here...... just hope they/we stay a long distance away!!

Thanks to you for visiting the Bear Tagging.  I enjoyed it so much, I just knew my friends would enjoy it also.  Judy...click it on...then go make a cake or something.  When you come back, it will be loaded!!     It's worth the wait and watch.

It got so cold last night that the heat pump didn't work...only works above 12°, I think.  I woke up around 6am and was cold.  I got up and put my throw on top of the bedspread.  Then I was toasty warm!  I also turned on the fireplace so now it is comfy once again in here.  The furnace is set at 69°. 

Kitty mentioned in an email that she fixed ham and beans for lunch.  Well, I had some dry beans so I soaked them over night and now that cornbread is done, I plan to have cornbread and beans for lunch.  That should warm me up! 

When I went to Ivalou's yesterday to take her trash to the road, her step was a sheet of ice.  It does that this time of year.  It happens because the roof on the house and the roof on the garage shares one eave.  It freezes and then overflows when all the snow melts off both roofs.  It is really dangerous.  (it would be one thing that I would get fixed no matter what!  But Ivalou's thinking is it only happens about a week a year so why spend the money to get it fixed!!)  I got in the house and then put salt down.  I got her trash and the salt just made it slicker!  So I tried the front door.  Too much snow there so I couldn't go that route.  Finally I salted more on the back step and got out!  I am hoping that she doesn't try to go anywhere!  I did see that Marge was there last night.  Maybe the salt I put on the step took care of it for awhile.

I watched the Rose Bowl Parade on HGTV with no commercials.  Beautiful parade as always.  No football for me!  I watched HGTV the rest of the day!

The sun is shining beautifully today!  The snow is still white.  That
means it isn't brown from all the dirt on the roads and melting.

Hi, friends,

Well, it's to be a busy day today. A little girl in our church has a birthday, and since the family has no car, I'm taking them to one of those play places featuring jump-on-and-have-fun inflatables. Then we're to have pizza afterwards.

What fun - a great way to start a new year.

Love to everyone,
Ruth Ann

Etta Sue now that Heather has moved south my means of seeing U-Tubes has gone.  I have tried to leave one loading all night and in the morning the internet has shut down and no video uploaded.  I will be gettinh a Rogers Hub in a month so I will have the equivalent to high speed then.  I can't wait.

It is a clear sunny COLD day up here in the north, john is traveling even further north then over to Minisota later in the week.  After a week off he is missed.  The countdown to his retirement is on. 

I have to head into town today so had better get busy and get ready.

Hi everyone.  It is a much more enjoyable day here than yesterday.  The rain has gone and it is partly cloudy this morning so not uncomfortable outside.  The good news is that Stacey was dismissed from the hospital this morning with doctor's orders to have bed rest for the next week.  I am just back from Bible study.  Our housekeepers were here this morning and helped Pat get the Christmas decorations put away and they took the two big plastic bins back out to the garage.  It was a good week for out Georgia teams in their bowl games as both Georgia Tech and Georgia University won their games.

Etta Sue, Stacey did have her 8th heart attack probably Saturday or Sunday. 

Carol, the Joanne's fabric store here recently cut their retail space in half but it still a large store.  Most of the quilt shops around here have closed. 

Janet, we forgot about the parade yesterday until the very end.  We did get there in time to watch the young lady named  Coco and couldn't understand a word she said but she was certainly animated.  It is interesting that I feel like you do but in reverse in that our problems don't seem very large when I think of what Beth experiences everyday.

Judy, has John's term as the special truck representative ended or is it for a longer period? 

Larry it has oficially ended however he and the team will continue as needed till the new team has been selected.  That will be in March.  After that as the new team is streached thin John's team will pick up the slack. John has about 23 months left till total retirement from the truck.  We are looking forward to that time. He is getting tired, the squeeky wheels are getting all the south work now, and he is getting the work where he can and usually does encounter winter storms from across Lake Superior.  The fair weather drivers won't take these trips they insist on Georgia and Florida.......That is where he would love to go to get away from the cold for a bit.  He is "old faithfull" and does the job well regardless of weather conditions.

Pat:  I just sent a message to you but am not sure it went through correctly.  Our zip at home is 80130 in case you don't receive that note.  Wow - driving all the way to Florida.  I hope you can stay there long enough to relax and soak up some sunshine.

Judy B:  Two years until John retires from trucking - bless his heart. 

Well, my back was giving me fits this morning.  I awoke to an unplugged radio in the other room on a talk station and this has happened when we have had company too.  It is so perplexing because we don't know what we are missing in turning that thing off.  So, somehow I went back to sleep (which is rare) and awoke this time with a dislocated spine.  At least it feels that way.  But the invention of Ibuprophen is helping right away and Don made breakfast for me.   

Larry:  Nice that your cheering for Georgia teams has helped them tremedously.  We put out so few things for Christmas because our family didn't meet at our house this year. 

Done Carol!

Larry, poor Stacey.

Sounds like she's following in her Dad's footsteps. 

I'm so sorry that she's having such a terrible time.  Praying for her.

Afternoon folks! Chilly here today so I didn't go out of the house. Doesn't get any better tomorrow. It is the wind chill factor that reaaly cuts through. I need to go into town just the same and do a few errands.
Thanks for putting the weather graphic up for me. I  like to see the weather around the world as well. Mine is odd though, if I click on it it shows that I am in Nunavut, yet the temperature is for my area. I guess it must be because of the CA. It is reading California instead of Canada! Oh well, that's okay. Happy that it is there and I thank you again for which ever one (or both) of the girls that put it up.

I too enjoyed watching the video of the bear tagging. It was funny yet very interesting. I have an internet friend who  lives in that area. Now I know what she means by living in bear country! Yikes, I don't think that I would risk walking wood trails up there.

Judy, I know what it is like trying to download on dial-up. Computer used to shut down on me .....right when I was using it.  I now have satellite connection. Not great, but better than dial up. It is gated to what I use in KBs so if I go over then they lower my speed to almost dial up mode.  Doesn't take long to use it up in U tubes, also we like to watch some live streaming church services. The slow speed lasts about 12 hours.   Then they give you your speed back.

Pat, have a save and enjoyable trip.

Sending greetings to everyone else too.

Have a wonderful day/evening in the Lord
God bless

Are you ready for another story?  I hope I haven't posted this one before.


                                                 LILLIAN   SKARE


This week I would like you to get to know a lovely lady named Lillian Skare.  Lillian was born during World War One, at Lake Ellis, Minnesota on June 15, 1917, so she is presently 95 years of age.

Lillian was one of eight children of farm parents.  She grew up working around the farm, as all the children helped with chores: tending garden, milking cows, working with horses, and all the other work usual on a farm.

Her education began in a one room school at Lake Ellis.  This school housed eight grades, and when she finished eighth grade, her parents couldn't afford to send her to high school, so she began working at that time to help the family.

Her favorite teacher "Always let me sing.  I still love music," she said.  When I asked about childhood fun, she said in Minnesota there was always lots of snow, so they sledded, played lots of games in the snow and tried to ski.

Punishment for misbehavior was usually taking away things.  She said she was seldom punished, as she was working all the time.

The family home had no indoor plumbing and no electricity, but after her dad bought it, he began to fix it up and modernize it.  She remembers using kerosene lamps for light. 

When asked about dating, Lillian said, "I never dated."  I asked how she met a man and got married, and she said she was looking after an older lady who owned sheep; there was a fellow there who tended the sheep and Lillian and he got acquainted.  She thinks either his grandma or hers suggested they get married, so they did.  He was 29 and she was 27 when they married.  The couple had three children.
There was a large Indian population in that area of Minnesota, and as a rule, they drank a lot and couldn't control their drinking.  The couple used to attend the Indian dances every Saturday, but when the Indians started drinking, the Skares took off and went home.  They had an old Indian man as a neighbor who was a good fellow.  "He helped us, and we helped him.  He used to help us get the kids to school in the snow," Lillian said.

Her oldest daughter liked Indian bread a lot, so she used to make it for the kids.

Lillian had a little niece, the daughter of her sister, who spent most of her time with Lillian.  When she was three or four years old, the sister's house burned and little Betty died in the fire.  This was a terrible blow to Lillian, and she still talks about it today.

Her husband's grandma had a spinning wheel.  She made socks and gloves for the men, and taught Lillian how to crochet.  Lillian's husband taught her to drive and she would often take the grandma out for a drive, but her husband's uncle complained that women shouldn't drive.

Lillian always wanted to be a nurse, and finally got the opportunity to do that.  She took night classes once the two oldest children were in school and her husband watched the youngest while she worked days in a doctor's office.  She says she learned an awful lot just by watching others.  Later, she worked for a hospital, (it was a tuberculosis sanitarium) and if the snow was too heavy, she could stay upstairs there.  She did housekeeping, took temperatures, made beds, brought water to the patients, bathed them, whatever was needed, she was willing to do.  She worked for doctors in a place for neglected and sick children.  Many were from Indian families whose parents drank.  Lillian took care of the children: bathing, feeding and dressing them and giving them shots.  She always wore uniforms to work through all the ten years she was at that job.
She told me she also taught the kids to mind, to behave, or "get their britches tanned," ....not only her own kids, but those in the hospital!  She used to bring books from home to let the hospitalized kids read at bedtime.  That was a very fulfilling job for her, and she earned just a bit over two dollars a day.  She especially enjoyed working with the babies and took pride in always keeping those in her charge clean and dressed in clean clothes.

The Skare family moved to Ulysses after work dried up in California.  They stopped here in 1973, and have been here since that time.  Her husband is buried here. 

I asked Lillian what was the first thing she saved up her money to buy, and she said, "A sewing machine, which I bought for $1.00.  I had gone to the shop and looked at it, decided I wanted it, so went back with some money and asked the man how much he wanted for it.  He said $1.00, which really surprised me, as I had expected to pay more.  But I bought it (it was a used machine).  I taught myself to sew, making clothes for both the girls and the boys.  I used it for a long time and made lots of clothes on it.  This brought to mind a funny memory which she related to me.  She said her father-in-law often came over for coffee in the morning and they were sitting at the table drinking coffee one day.  She had just made her son a new pair of pants, which he put on, then went out to play.  The grandpa said, "There he goes!"  Lillian looked out the window, and the boy was out in the mud, covered all over, new pants and all.  Another day, grandpa said, "There he goes again!"  The boy had thrown a ball against the side of the house so hard it rebounded straight toward the wide open door of the outhouse.  (The kids were always told to keep the door shut.)  He didn't want to lose the ball down the toilet, so was running as fast as he could, trying to catch the ball.  Lillian rushed outside barely in time to catch the boy's feet as he was falling headfirst into the toilet hole!

The person Lillian most admired was her husband.  She said, "He did so much for me.  He built a table for the kids that exactly matched the big table.  He also built a potty chair which I used for all our kids.  He always kept things repaired.  One daughter still has the table he made.  He was a mechanic and worked on cars."

She always had a big garden and raised and canned lots of stuff.  She would put the kids in the wagon and walk down the road looking for foods that grew wild, which she picked and used.  She canned 300 quarts one summer.  They had apples, cherries, raspberries and strawberries.

The first new car Lillian ever owned was a 1975 black and white Chevrolet.  She said they had always had old cars until then, and hers often wouldn't start, so her husband would have to take her to work.  They never bought things until they could afford them, so having a new car was special.  "I was pretty good at keeping that boy away from that car," she said, referring to her son.

Lillian remembers a plague of grasshoppers when they had to cover children's faces to prevent them from being bitten by the hungry horde.

She kept her kids in church because her family didn't go to church while she was growing up and "I wanted to make myself and my kids different.  When I was working in the hospital and had to work some Sundays, my husband took the kids to church."

The worst thing in her life has been moving into the care home.  She says she took care of so many people all her life, and now there is nobody to take care of her.  "I was used to being alone, doing my work, doing my stuff, whatever I wanted.  I still want to get out of here and have my own home," she said.
The best thing that has happened to her was getting to work as a nurse for ten years, then working in care homes for eight years, and later taking care of an elderly lady.

Lillian has traveled once by train and once by air.  At one time, they had a camper.

Lillian later worked in care homes in California and elsewhere.  Her husband was a school custodian and when he got sick, she helped with that work.

When she lost a breast to breast cancer, she cried a lot afterwards for about three months.  When her husband asked why she was crying, she said, "Because they took my breast and threw it into a can!"  She said she really didn't know what they did with it, but that's what she thought.  After she thought about it, she realized it was gone and there was nothing she could do, so she must go on and live with it.  Then she didn't cry over it any more.

The best pet she ever had was a dog.  This particular dog would sit beside her daughter, while the girl said her prayers on her knees, making little sounds all the while.  When she finished praying, the dog would shake her hand.

Some helpful advice Lillian offers is:  Always be respectful to elders and those in authority.

She says, "So much is different now.  I'd just like to go back to the old days.  We had everything we needed; we milked cows, raised a garden and had a good life.  Kids used to play outdoors all day with the cats, dogs, etc.  Now they stay indoors and watch television."

The first presidential election in which Lillian voted was when Herbert Hoover was elected.

Lillian's husband was in the military and his feet were frozen twice, so they gave him problems for the rest of his life.  In later years, he developed problems with his lungs, so she took care of him until he died, on Veteran's Day in 1993.  She has also taken care of many grandkids, great and great-great-grandkids through the years.  After her husband's death, a neighbor lady took Lillian under her wing and looked after her.  They helped each other all the time, even to helping each other with showers.

Some favorites of Lillian are:  Flowers:  roses, either pink or red; Food:  mashed potatoes; scripture: the 23rd Psalm: sacred song:  Just As I Am; and Christmas song:  Silent Night.

Lillian would like to be remembered as a person who always tried to help others and who was honest and hard working.  I know one thing---she is a delightful lady and I so enjoyed our visit!

Note:  Sadly, this dear lady passed away since I interviewed her, but she did get to see the joy of her family in reading her story.  She was very special.

Chrisle, could you give me your exact postal code and town please?  I'll try to fix your weather thingy.

Etta I laughed and laughed at the Bear video t was too funny.

Janet I really enjoyed meeting Lillian.

I took Happy to the Vet today, He is doing well and will sta on his meds probablyfor the rest of his life. after I had some lunch I took them for their walks.

I am one tired gal tonight.  Had a "J" night and then missed my nap this afternoon to go do an interview.  Tomorrow we leave at 10 to take John to his plane.  We are going to take the car, as the van doesn't handle well on icy roads and there will still be icy patches at least.  This means that Beth cannot go along, but I don't think she is too disappointed, as she is worn out.  She has another UTI and is on daily injections of Rocefin.   

Marilyn, glad you enjoyed Lillian's story.  We wanted to do more, as her granddaughter wanted to know how Lillian did cooking, laundry, etc. when she was young.  But she took a turn downhill (but would up going UP!) before we could do any more of her story.  She was a sweetie!

I'm heading to bed.  "Night, all!

Love your profiles, Janet.

Lillian was great to read about.

Drive safely.

Pat:  Thanks for the weather notice.  It sure is cold at home. 

I met about 8 women this afternoon and helped cut filling for quilts then we did tie a full quilt.  Nice group - they meet weekly in the afternoon so I will go to help when free.  Called two cousins and they are now here from Minnesota and we will get together one of these days.  Salad and a small pork chop for dinner then a brownie for dessert.  Now for a book or a movie.  It is so dark here as there are few streetlights in Arizona under their light laws and so easy to look at the sky but you sure don't want to be out walking in pitch black areas. 

Janet:  Sorry that Beth has another UTI.  Safe trip on that ice - I hope they salt the road when it is icy. 

Chrisle, I'm glad Pat got your weather gizmo, and yours too, Carol. 

I now have the information about what needs to be done, so if anyone else wants to add one to your signature line just let me or Pat know, with your zip/postal code.

As you can see from mine, it's a wee bit chilly here in northern New York today!  [attachimg=1]

Hi everyone.  It is a typical winter day look outside as is overcast.  However, I don't think there is any rain in the forecast and get into the high 40's today.  I have a completely blank calendar for today and nothing that I know of that will require me to get out.  Pat and I went out for dinner last night and she is making a stew in the crock pot for this evening.  I did get word yesterday that there was a new treasurer elected at the group meeting last night so I will now get things in order to hand over the papers and checkbook to the new treasurer.  We will need to meet at the bank in order to change the signature card on the bank account as all revenues are deposited and all expenses paid by check.  It makes for very simple accounting and each transaction is documented with backup copies of checks or what generated the payment.  I don't plan on taking anymore volunteer commitments that are long term.  Pat just spoke to Stacey and she had a good nights rest.  She was headed out to go to her bank as she needed to get a money order to pay her rent for this month.  Today was her payday.  The bank is only about a block away so that should be a quick and easy trip.  We went ahead and ordered her birthday present, an electric heater that oscillates and has a remote control.  She got home yesterday in time to have it delivered and now has it set up.  She said it really produces the heat so her bedroom now should not be chilly.

Judy, it sounds like John may need to become more of a squeaky wheel to get better trips with his truck. 

Carol, sure hope your back is feeling much better today.  I have been most blessed in not having any lasting back pain.

Pat, thanks for the concerns for Stacey.  She has gone through some terrible times in the last six years. 

Christie, I wouldn't like that gated internet service at all.  However, sometimes we have few choices available.  Stay warm up your way. 

Janet, thanks for sharing the story of Lillian.  I am sure Beth will miss John until he can visit again.  Hope the trip went well and that you started the day today rested after a good night's sleep.

Jeanne, sounds like good weather to stay inside where it is warm.  Aren't you glad you don't have to get out and so someplace on days like today unless you want to.  This is one of the great benefits of being retired.

John is here packing his things, and as soon as I get the rest of his clothes dried, we will head out to Dodge City.  Cold here, but the sun is shining, so I am hoping the roads are clear.

Thanks for the comments on Lillian's story.  It was one I thoroughly enjoyed doing.  I am working on one now that is interesting, as the man got BOTH hands cut off on the job, using a machine he built himself!  I talked to him for about two hours yesterday but we didn't get it all done.

I must go get those clothes into the drier, pronto!

It was one of those nights for me last night.  The dogs were restless in the couple of hours before bed and then a phone call, (I didn't answer) left me a little on edge.  I really wish people wouldn't call after 10:00.  Midnight is far too late for a phone call unless it is an emergency.  With this person if there is an emergency She would miss me as I don't answer the phone that late at night.

We have another cold day here today.  However the fire is going and the house is warming up nicely.

We have a couple of new members from Austrailia here at CP.  I was wondering what there winters are like down under.  They are in their summer season right now. Check out the pictures being posted they are beautiful!

I must go get a few things done.  Back later.

I would loved to have talked with Lillian!  And I will some day..... in heaven!

Sorry to hear that Beth has another UTI.  And my, Stacey is really having a time of it.  I can't imagine 8 heart attacks.  And bed rest for a week?  And she went to the bank! 

Glad that John can see retirement soon!  This coming March, I will be retired for 20 years!!  It doesn't seem possible but I love it! 

Remember Jacob...the boy in the accident last March?  Today is 203 days of recovery.  He is still in a coma but responding some.  He is home and his parents have worked out work schedules and with Jacob's brother so that someone is with Jacob all the time.  People bring in dinner's to them.  That is wonderful that Sheree doesn't have think about cooking.  Anyway, I read on FB that Jacob had to go to the ER last evening with a fever.  He, too, gets UTI's and that's what they think this was.  He is spending the night in ICU.  Hopefully he will come back home soon.  Everyone is still praying for a complete recovery for him. 

I am getting tired of being chilled.  It's terrible to be chilled in your own house!  When I am watching TV, I am wrapped up in a blanket.  When I go to bed, I put that blanket on the bed and I am warm.  Sitting here at the computer, my back and legs are chilled.  And my toes feel like ice cubes!  But it is cold for Indiana...colder than we have been for a few years.  I have heat but I am determined NOT to turn it up!  I will just add more clothes and blankets!

Today I want to go to the pool.  But first I want to go to a jewelry store to see if I can get my Hawaiian Coral and Opal ring fixed.  It broke about 3 months ago and I think it is time to get it fixed.  Also I have a necklace that the chain broke near the clasp.  My vision won't let me fix it.  You should see me trying to thread a needle!!  And I have some cheap earrings that I really like that has come unglued.  So four things to the jewelers...and then to the pool!  Hope the water is warm today. 

We still have bright white snow.  That is unusual to have white...white snow this many days in a row!  No signs of dirt anywhere on it!  What sunshine we have had has packed the snow...it isn't as deep or fluffy as it was.  I even walked across the yard from Ivalou's yesterday after taking her mail to her! 

This computer has a mind of it's own.  It keeps changing pages.  So far I haven't lost this page.  So I had better post before I do!

How much I enjoyed reading the news this evening. I feel a bit tired - went to Salvation Army meeting this morning, then took my oldest son out to do some errands this afternoon.  So, I've been resting since about 5 pm.

Thank you for the stories, Janet. These are so uplifting. Our Lord has certainly given you a talent for writing.

Well, must rest. Tomorrow early will be another time to take someone to not one, but TWO appointments, then I have an appointment for myself in mid-afternoon. So, all together, I need to be well rested upon awakening tomorrow.

Much love for all,
Ruth Ann

We are home, have been for a while already.  It was a beautiful day today, NO WIND and bright sunshine.  And Dodge City had fewer people out and about than I had ever seen before!  So it was a nice, restful sort of day.  We took John to lunch before we took him to the airport.  He is somewhere far away by now!

I really am enjoying doing the stories.  Maybe I have found my "calling."

Etta Sue, I dislike being cold, too.  But dislike even more, paying high heating bills.

Kansas State is playing in a bowl game tonight.  We will be watching that--anyway Darrel will be.  I 'sort of' watch until I get tired and then I go to bed!  Don't tell my K-State grandsons that! 

I will post another story tomorrow, maybe!