Monday, the Sequel: Corn on the Cob and a Semi Tractor

My wife and I ate corn-on-the cob, thoughtfully provided by #1 daughter, out in the tent. A nice, restful place.

Someone on the other side of the block was running their lawn mower, a mourning dove somewhere to the north and east cooed at odd intervals, and as we wrapped up our meal a neighbor drove up in a semitrailer tractor. He's been parking it in his driveway lately, and seems to be doing some maintenance on it.

Thursday: One More Day, and I Get to Grill Burgers

My son called, a little before noon, so I had a chance to talk with him a bit. He wanted to talk with my wife and #3 sister, but the ladies were out at the time. I understand he called later, and caught them. He reports that #2 daughter may drive back tomorrow - but we'll see how that works out.

He's having a fine time, I gather. Besides helping with chores, he's working with a new laptop computer: it's his 'junior high/high school' computer, which he's been paying for. We speeded up delivery of the laptop a bit, since he has this opportunity to spend time with my son-in-law-to-be, who has some experience with such things. Good experience: for both, I think.

I drove to St. Cloud around noon, to have my CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure - the thing helps keep my airway clear when I sleep) put through its annual pressure test. The device is working normally, which is good news. Driving for an hour down to St. Cloud, and an hour back, may not have been the ideal way to spend time, but it was a beautiful day.

While in St. Cloud, I stopped by the Crossroads mall and took some reference photos. They've expanded the place substantially since I was there last. It seems to me there's more emphasis on letting sunlight in for illumination, and less exclusive reliance on lighting fixtures, than when malls started being built.

#1 daughter made another sales call today - at least one. She's still upbeat about that job - and looking for another way to earn money.

#1 daughter also planted a bleeding heart bush she bought for my wife. She remembered that my wife had liked a bleeding heart bush at our previous house. (That's my girl!) #1 daughter reports that it felt good, digging a spot for the bush - and clearing out some concrete rubble she found in the process.

I didn't go to Soo Bahk Do class with my wife and #3 daughter this evening: there was an entry for the Sauk Centre Journal to do, and I'm determined to get to sleep at a reasonable hour. Which, God willing, I will: I finished the entry a few hours ago.

Tuesday and Wednesday Weren't Like Monday

#1 daughter made another sale yesterday, despite having one person call to re-schedule a sales call, and another simply not being there. She observed that the universe seemed to be conspiring to keep her at one sale per day. #3 daughter pointed out to her that she was making one sale each day - and so was doing quite well. #1 daughter perked up a bit at that.

#2 daughter and my son are still up in the Red River Valley of the North. We got a call today, around supper time, from #2 daughter. Things are going well up there - and my son-in-law-to-be discovered that he'll have to re-test to get a valid North Dakota driver's license. That won't be difficult, but it's one more thing that he has to do, that won't be (directly) helping him set up his business connections there, or get a food-on-the-table job for the immediate future.

Of course, being able to legally drive himself around will be a big boost.

Yesterday, #1 daughter showed me a charming little house she found, one of a set of buildings that started out as year-round cabins on Shady Lane, on the north side. She's jumping the gun a little, looking at a house before she's graduated. But, it was fun.

Today, #1 daughter took my wife and #2 daughter to see the place. I think the ladies had a good time. One of the good things about house-shopping is that you aren't expected to buy each place you look at.

#1 daughter's being quite sensible about the place. I think she'll find something more suitable, after she's graduated and gotten steady work. Much as I appreciate what she's doing with Cutco, I don't think she intends to stay in sales for very long.

Monday: Finally, the Sky's Clearing, and So is My Chest

A sort-of-a-cold that's been bothering me for a while seems to be clearing up. I think there's a good chance I'll be able to get to Soo Bahk Do this Thursday.

#2 daughter and my son set off for the Red River Valley of the North after supper. The most obvious activity this afternoon in the house was those two getting ready to go.

#1 daughter has been out most of the day, with sales calls and related activity. She dashed in a bit before supper, dashed out again, and returned around 8:00.

I've been researching and writing post most of the day, as usual. One of them was a sort of micro-review of an article that #1 daughter found: "Cats and Dogs: The Dating Game" - a sort of take-off on television game shows and the (presumed) personalities of cats and dogs.

Which brings me up to the present. My wife, #3 daughter, and #1 daughter are watching "Get Smart," I'm here at the computer, and now it's time to call it a day.

It's quite quiet here, with #2 daughter - and my son - not here.

About a Wedding, Burgers, a Movie, a Rabbit, and Rain

For most of Friday, My wife had the kitchen table covered with fabric, pieces of a pattern, and pins. She's making #2 daughter's wedding dress. Normally, making a dress like that doesn't take three months: but my wife's going to be doing other things too.

I can already sense a heightened level of excitement about the upcoming wedding. It's going to be interesting, seeing what happens as September 5 approaches. My plan is to stay discretely out of the way.

My son-in-law-to-be called. Several times. Quite often, actually. It was charming: but also a bit monotonous for those of us who were answering the phone.

#1 daughter went to a combination training and recruitment session. She was the only one to show up, besides the team leader. The two of them went from St. Cloud, down to Monticello, where they handed out leaflets to high school seniors who might be looking for a job. Then, it was back to Sauk Centre for #1 daughter. By then, she was quite willing to call it a day.

My son missed "Up." He and #1 daughter were going to go together (her treat). He took the setback quite well.

Saturday: It's been a gray day. Happily, it didn't start raining until just before I finished grilling burgers for lunch. The rain lasted most of the rest of the afternoon. My wife took advantage of the chilly weather, and baked more bread. She's stocking up, while the weather is favorable.

The brother-in-law of mine who had been up at the farm, fixing the place up, called. It's been raining there, too, so the painting will have to wait. He's taken care of just about every other fix-up there is to do, so he'll be getting back to his family, by way of South Dakota. I'm not entirely sure what he'll be doing there: quite likely found short-term employment of some sort. He's got a rather wide range of marketable skills.

I got the usual research and writing done - today's the 25th anniversary of the Tetris video game, so my writing was a trifle more focused than it usually is.

Supper, washing dishes, and prayer followed. The family had a good time with Giol, #1 daughter's rabbit. They discovered that he'd nibble and hop his way along the floor, with a cardboard box over him. He seemed quite pleased with the situation: Partly, I think, because he could see, and stick his nose through a hole in the box. My son was taking a video of the result: I hope it turns out.

#1 daughter and my son went downtown to see "Up," the new Disney movie, after prayers. They came back a few minutes ago, in high spirits. The local theater has equipment for the 3D version of the movie, and apparently it's visually spectacular. And, has a quite good story, too. My son said he'd probably have insomnia tonight, since he was quite excited about the movie.

I'll wait for the DVD version to make it to the Public Library's collection. Which is a bit frustrating for #1 daughter, since that means she can't talk very much about the movie with me: not about specific details, that is.

I don't think she'll have to wait long: not "long" by my standards, anyway.

Ridiculously Early Thursday Morning: #1 Daughter's Back

#1 daughter drove up about a half-hour ago. The sales meeting/meal/pep rally ran rather late - as anticipated.

Sprocket and I met her at the front door, and we talked. Actually, #1 daughter and I talked, Sprocket grunted a few times and panted. He also got patted, and scratched behind the ears. After which he lay down at my feet. Over my feet, rather. He makes a very effective foot-warmer.

And now, I have got to get some sleep.

Wednesday: Elementary School Graduation

#1 daughter made another sale today, and is spending the bulk of the evening in St. Cloud, dropping of forms and getting dinner as the company's guest - along with other sales people. I gather that Cutco puts quite a lot of emphasis on keeping their sales people's enthusiasm up. Smart, really.

#2 daughter and my son-in-law-to-be discussed wedding plans with #3 daughter and my wife. Actually, it was mostly #2 daughter doing the discussing with her sister and mother.

Sprocket apparently thinks we're okay. He'll accept all the attention we give him, and has rested next to the couch as my wife took her nap.

My son took Giol, #1 daughter's rabbit, for a walk after he came home from school. Sprocket wanted to join them but cooler heads prevailed. Sprocket would, I'm sure, be well-behaved enough: but Giol's a rabbit, with all the nervousness that's normal to his species.

Sprocket got a walk with my son soon after Giol was inside again.

I'll say this for having a rabbit and a dog in the house: some members of the family get many opportunities to get out in the fresh air and sunshine.

My son and the rest of the sixth graders had their graduation ceremony this evening. It was quite an affair: The elementary school choir sang, and my son was one of the soloists; we watched a slide show and reading based on "Is There Really a Human Race?" (Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornell); awards for particularly good grades were handed out - my son got one of them (and yes, I'm a proud papa); we watched more slides, this time of the sixth graders as quite young youngsters and then as they are now; and, finally, the diplomas got handed out.



Also, inflatable balls.

The kids knew what those balls were for. Quite a number of them were chasing the balls across the back of the multipurpose gym, or whatever that outsized room is called. The room's just about the right size for energized kids to run off steam while family groups talk and take pictures.

I put a dozen photos of the ceremony and reception in today's Sauk Centre Journal entry.

Back to that book, "Is There a Human Race?" I gather that the answer is "yes." I think my favorite set of questions from the book was "Am I a jockey / or am I a horse?"

Hummingbird Feeder, Unexpected Service Call, and Transitions

Yesterday's big evening drove it out of my mind, but I also cleaned and re-filled the hummingbird feeder yesterday. I bend the hook that attaches it to the shepherds-crook-shaped holder outside, so I only spilled a drop or so while putting it back outside.

A technician from our cable/telephone/internet provider came. It took a while to figure out why he was here. Catherine realized the visit probably happened because of a call my son made earlier. He pushed a lot of buttons, she explained, and resolved some sort of internet connection problem. The technician got an 'aha!' look on his face, when he learned that my son was thirteen.

#2 daughter and my son-in-law-to-be loaded furniture and one of my mother's china sets into a rental trailer this morning. Some of what we hauled down from the homestead is going back. If we'd known at the time that those two would be moving in after they got married this September, we could have left it there. But, memory only works in one direction.

I'm told that giving furniture a 250+ mile round trip was a good idea, in a way: my son-in-law-to-be will feel more as if it's 'his' place, and not someone else's home that he's borrowing.

The two of them - and his dog, Sprocket - headed out for the Red River Valley a little after mid-afternoon.

My wife, #3 daughter and my son are at Soo Bahk Do class tonight. I decided to stay home - I've got a few tasks to wrap up, and I'm feeling very tired. A good night's sleep will help, I suspect.

#1 daughter is, I understand, in St. Cloud at the moment, attending what may be the last training session for her Cutco sales job. As I've written before, we'll see how this job works out. Either way, it's good experience.

Memorial Day Weekend, 2009

It's a bit past the halfway point of Memorial Day weekend now. The sun has set, twilight's faded into night, and I'm wrapping things up for the day.

#1 daughter's here for the weekend - with her rabbit, Giol. She's been here most of the week, off an on, using this household as a sort of base for a sales job she's trying out for the summer. So far, it involves more travel than she'd anticipated. Still, I think she's found another useful skill. She's quite good, I think, at giving demonstrations.

She's selling CUTCO products: someone in town bought another piece, adding to a fifty-year-old set. (And yes: I know that some people are convinced that CUTCO is a scam. Sales isn't for everybody, and I'll leave it at that.)

#3 daughter, my wife and son and I went to Soo Bahk Do class this evening. That was a distinctly strenuous two and a half hours. Among other things, we practiced hyungs (a set of prescribed movements - it's actually a bit like dance). What was different this time was that at one point we broke boards as part of the hyungs.

The boards were reusable plastic. They come in a variety of strengths, simulating pine boards of different thicknesses. My son was pleased when he broke his board. So was I.

I've broken boards before, but this was the first time I'd tried this sort of thing. I was a bit surprised: I managed to break a simulated inch-and-a-quarter board, several times. Granted, it was an much-used practice board, and probably is easier to break now.

On the way home, I saw neighbors sitting around an outdoor grill. The sun had set by then, although it was still twilight. The flames in the grill were clearly visible, but the family were silhouettes. Quite a nice scene.

I grilled burgers for lunch yesterday and today: and am looking forward to doing the same tomorrow.

Sunday: no, Monday - Tuesday, Already!?

Last week whizzed past.

Actually, the month has felt like it was in 'fast forward.'

I haven't gotten all that much done, but seemed to be taking all day doing it.

My wife and #3 daughter came home from their weekend working vacation Sunday evening: and were sincerely welcomed by the two guys they left behind. I think my wife was pleased - maybe surprised - that we'd done such an adequate job of keeping the household looking fairly unchanged.

We'd even done the dishes!

The ladies had, in collaboration with one of the cousins, cut - and in #3 daughter's case, straightened - their hair. With good results, I'd say.

Today I applied for a job at a local business. They're getting to the time of year when their reliable college students will be going back to school - which means opportunities for me.

After that, my son and I drove to Alexandria to pick up his computer. The process of getting it ready had run a bit over-time, so he and I were forced to spend about an hour in the computer store and repair shop.

I can't say that either of us minded. At all. As my son put it, quoting what I've said on similar occasions, "I want one of everything."

The computer was almost fixed - all it required was an (unexpected) bit of product code that was back home. So, into the van with the computer and us, and back to Sauk Centre for a late supper.

My wife and #3 daughter left a few minutes after we got back. Nothing to do with us: one of our sister-in-laws and her kids were over at the Sauk Centre grandpa's - he was going to be out for a while, so our ladies went over to visit.

That turned out to be a good idea. #3 daughter got on famously with the youngsters, one of whom is about three years old. I very much like the way this family gets together, and gets along, so well.

My son's computer is another matter. We may have to take it back to Alex. My guess is that there's something wrong with the update disk we have. I'll be calling the computer store tomorrow, to see if we can get this worked out over the phone. About the disk? I could be wrong.

My son isn't very happy about the situation with his computer, but he's taking it pretty well. A sympathetic dad helps, I think.

My son and I read Garfield again tonight, a fine tradition.

Tuesday: Catching up.

I got up in reasonable time, and feel better than I did yesterday. Our son went to school and returned, I got some work done - mostly catching up on what I didn't get done yesterday - and enjoyed being outside for a few minutes. That was when I went to Fitness Guru, that exercise place, did some errands, and then spent some time on the north side of the house, putting what the store called a "shepherd's crook" in the ground.

I intend to have a hummingbird feeder set up tomorrow.

#2 daughter got a job for the summer: to our delight. It means that we won't be seeing as much of her, but it also means that she'll be solvent - and that's important, too.

#1 daughter has a job interview tomorrow morning. We'll see how that goes.

And, I got a very nice letter saying that I didn't get a job that I had applied for. Well, that's how it goes. I'm still trying: and my online business is still growing. Slowly, but it's growing.

The day for our son ended with some talk and Garfield with me.

Life is good.

Tuesday: A Birthday

Our son had his 12th birthday today. He reminded me, several times, that in a year he'd be a teenager. One of his presents, a set of clothing and pads for Soo Bahk Do, was already too small for him. The boy has been growing quite a bit lately. He's still an inch or so shorter than I am, but that could change soon: in a month, at the rate he's gone at times.

Singing "Happy Birthday" this morning, and again this evening when he got the cake, blowing out candles: it was a good celebration.

I "Swiffered" and swept the floors again today. It's amazing, how much stuff accumulates. Now, at the tail end of the day, tomorrow's installment of fluff and grit is already in place.

#2 daughter checked in by phone, letting us know she'd arrived at college in good condition. That was a bit of a relief. There's no great reason for concern, but I'm a dad: I worry. So does my wife, I think.

#3 daughter took over part of a date-entry-and-analysis job I've got. It's the one that I have about half the time to work on as I expected. Between my efforts, and those of my kids, we'll make the deadline. I trust.

The day ended with me and our son reading "Garfield." As usual.

Monday: A Busy One

Our son had a friend over today, for most of the afternoon. Those two had a good time, and a noisy one. Since family members are helping me get a somewhat-rushed information processing job done, the two boys were banished to the basement.

A little after that, there was an impressive crash. They'd fallen into, off of, or onto a ping-pong table. I didn't find out exactly which. They're okay, and so is the table. That last is good, since we're giving it away - and I'd just as soon have it in one piece when it gets picked up.

#2 daughter spent her last full day here. She'll be going back to college tomorrow morning.

I spent part of the afternoon where I'd worked for 20 years. Today, I did some makee-learnee: teaching how to make changes on a website. Then it was off to Melrose, some ten miles up the road, for what should have been a quick stop, picking up medications. I don't know why, but the clinic kept me there for the rest of the afternoon. Oh, well: it was a wonderful opportunity to practice patience.

The rest of the evening was pretty routine, apart from data entry dominating the activities. Our son and I read Garfield, as usual, of course. He asked me what "reciprocation" means: the word was used in one of the strips.

That's one of the things I like about the "Garfield" reading. It guarantees that, at least once a day, our son and I will set down, do something together, and maybe talk.

Monday: It's Not Such a Bad Day, Actually

Monday morning is a much-maligned time of the week. This particular Monday, however, was a fine one: at least for me.

After prying my eyelids open, and reaching an acceptable compromise with my eyes over the matter of focusing and tracking, I renewed several domains for my (former?) employer. At this point, considering the amount of work I actually do there, I'm probably more of a consultant.

"Consultant:" I like that. Sounds so much better than "laid off."

Meanwhile, after noon, my body insisted on a nap.

I thought I was getting to that exercise place in the afternoon, but picking up materials at the public library (a karaoke DVD for #3 daughter, and a how-2 book for me), and getting a gadget for putting socks on, took quite a bit longer than I thought it would.

Late Monday afternoon seems to be the time when everyone and his uncle has to pick something up at the Coborns pharmacy. I've been there before often enough, and never say it that crowded.

So, I went to exercise after supper. This business of regularly cycling, lifting, pulling, and all that is a new habit for me. So far, it's working out quite well. A little to my surprise, After about a year of this, I'm feeling better and moving around more.

After I got home, evening routines led to me reading "Garfield" with our son.

Right now, the wind is wuthering outside, I understand that it's going to be a cold tomorrow, and I've still got some writing to do: so that'll be all for today.

Wednesday: The Cold, Hard Facts

The fact is, it's cold today. Beyond brisk, past chilly, not merely nippy: it's cold.

That's part of the reason why I've been spending as much time as I can not outside lately. I even agreed with my wife, yesterday, that grilling a steak outside around sunset wouldn't be the most prudent idea.

And when I let an opportunity to grill pass by, it's serious.

My wife and #3 daughter were off to see the in-town grandpa this morning, off for a music lesson in the afternoon, and practicing with a music group tonight. Wednesday is the family's busiest day, for out-of-the-house activities.

#1 daughter came in from Alexandria, to get some chores done, get some work done on a costume she's making, chat with me, and with my wife.

Our son went back to school today, after that four-day weekend.

And, I got an ad placed in the Sauk Centre Herald, the Shopper, and the Dairyland Peach: all weekly publications. I finally realized that I've got teaching experience in a number of fields: and that people around here probably look for tutors from time to time. We'll see what happens.

Wednesday: Due to Lack of Attention, I Missed This Day

Oops. I missed Wednesday's post.

One of the non-routine things for me that day was driving to Alexandria, 20 miles up the road, to apply for a job in customer service. The outfit had a standardized test: and I missed the target score by four points. Frustrating, but maybe they'll be interested anyway.

Back in Sauk Centre, I called our telephone provider to report a lack of incoming calls. The come-ons for credit cards and aluminum siding I don't mind missing, but three places that I wanted to hear from couldn't get a response from our phone: not even a busy signal. I did a little checking, and found out which telephone company two of the three use. It's a regional outfit, one that I've had a little experience with.

An hour, maybe, after I called our phone company, I got a call from that regional phone provider. I knew the person who was calling - well after normal business hours. That's not so unusual around here. Like most small towns, after living here a while, the folks you talk to at businesses are also people you know through other channels.

Anyway, she was checking up on the call I made to the other company. At least, that's what I assume.

Then this morning (It's the next day, Thursday, January 17, as I write this), I got another call - this time from our phone provider. They weren't able to find a trace of any of the three calls made to this number in their logs, and figure that the regional service never routed them our way.

I was told, if this happens again, to say "we can call them, but they can't call us." Apparently that's a good way of getting a technician's attention.

Thursday: Back to Work, for a While

I was engaged in gainful employment for over four hours today, at Vocational Biographies - the publishing house where I worked for a little over 20 years. I'm glad to be able to help with a project there: and glad to have a paycheck coming. That doesn't happen as often as I'd like.

I'm still hoping - and expecting - that my online business efforts will pay off, but that will take time to happen.

It was a dark, foggy day today, with temperatures right around freezing. Those well-disguised little patches of non-stick pavement made walking and driving a bit of an adventure.

My wife and #3 daughter put the carpet-removal project on hold today. I think they're pooped from yesterday's work. Also, they wanted to have energy left for tonight's Soo Bahk Do class.

As soon as I got home from work today, our son told me - in considerable detail - how he managed to achieve some goal on a LEGO^® website. I think I followed most of what he said, but I wouldn't try to repeat it.

Wednesday: Big Day in This Household

Our #1 daughter came into town today, as she usually does on Wednesdays. She's got a regular routine that brings her to town, and while she's here, she stops in. My wife had work for her, as usual: this time up in the attic, creating chaos out of order.

Or, rather, the other way around.

#1 daughter found some time to talk with me, too, and the two of us picked up an extension cord for me at Wal-Mart. She looked for some storage devices, unsuccessfully. I knocked around the electronics section, but mercifully didn't buy anything.

My wife and our #3 daughter went to the latter's guitar lesson this afternoon. She's in an interesting position: she's still learning, from a guitarist in Osakis, and she's teaching guitar here in Sauk Centre.

Our son and #3 daughter performed a little of his part in the Christmas musical for #2 daughter, over the phone this afternoon. The two at this end aren't too bad at harmony. Proud dad talking, there. I heard one of "Comet the comic's" jokes: "What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Snowflakes!"

My wife and #3 daughter would have practiced with a music group tonight, but that regular meeting is on hold for a while.

Monday: a Mild Case This Week

Our #2 daughter talked with #3 daughter and my wife tonight. Her music/education major has evolved into a music/Latin major. I'm not sorry that she's abandoned plans to teach in public schools. There were two incidents, both involving knives, if I recall correctly, involving student teachers this year.

This may be a foolish thought, but maybe American public schools are looking for teachers in the wrong places. Based on my limited experience, and what I've heard from #2, retiring Marine drill sergeants might make good teachers. Providing that the school administrations didn't undercut their authority, they'd have the skills, and the strength of will, required to maintain a semblance of order.

Don't get me wrong: the local schools seem to be okay, at least on the elementary level. But, either my daughter and I have been unusually "lucky" in experience (direct in my case, indirect, thank God, in hers), or there are 'way too many bad schools.

Enough of that. The way I'm feeling, I may be coming down with a cold.

On a more positive note, they're holding tryouts for the elementary school Christmas show tomorrow. (Or holiday, or winter, or whatever term we're supposed to use now. I lost track a few revisions back.) My son's got his eye on a particular part: we'll see how he does.

The school puts on a pretty good show each year. I'm looking forward to it.

My wife's re-organization of the household is moving along, with lift-and-carry assistance from our son.

Me, I'm trying to make a business work, and looking for a paying job. I had a nibble on the latter today, but I think it got away.

#1 Daughter Still in Interesting Times, #2 Daughter Briefly Back

Our oldest daughter's life, this week: She

• Got a job and moved to Alexandria
• Lost the job
• Got another job
• Lost that job

I think she's now convinced that she can't get work done in a paint/chemicals/stuff-in-the-air environment.

Then, today, she slept for 14 hours and woke up with a fever.

There's supposed to be a Chinese curse, "may you live in interesting times." Whether the saying originated in China, or in the April, 1950, issue of "Astounding Science Fiction," I can attest to the preference I'd have for stability, serenity, and predictability, in contrast to what this family has been experiencing lately.

Not that all surprises are bad.

After we'd finished eating supper (the evening meal, for this family), the doorbell rang. It was #2 daughter, home until tomorrow afternoon, when her ride comes through town again.

I've seen her, and exchanged a few words before she was whisked off by #3 daughter. At this point, #2 daughter is consulting with my wife on some matter that I probably wouldn't understand, even if I could hear them clearly.