Some of Astrid's Pics

Astrid said this should be titled--THE END!
Some stuff that has happened lately--
1. Astrid stood up for a little boy at
school that a big boy was picking on.
The big boy kicked her in the shin and
left a big bruise, but we are proud that
she will speak when she sees an injustice.
2. We got a new phone and Larry has it
programed with several phone numbers.
While he was at the Dog Kennel, I tried to
work on it and got it on the french language.
Laura finally got it fixed for me. Could not
read what to do as it was all French to me.
3. Eric caught a pretty leopard frog in the
yard and was showing it to Ingrid and Astrid
and telling them about it. He started to show
Siggy, but she 'cringed and told him she was
allergic to frogs'. She told me she was allergic
to green beans too!
4. Ingrid is reading on level 11 and level 4 is
where she needs to be. She is so smart.
5. Astrid had a soccer game and her team won.
She is a good soccer player. At school they were
handing out forms for little girls that wanted to
cheer at a football game. Ingrid came home with
one all excited (and she did cheer this week). Laura
asked Astrid where her form was---she told her
that she told the teacher she did not need one!

Playing in Galla Meadow

We love to go over to Galla Meadow and sit
on the hill in the late afternoon. We take a
few Feist pups and let them run in the green
grass. Our neighbors come over and join us
really often. They play with the pups and
find simple entertainment. There is a big
tree swing and several acres of mowed lawn
to run and play in. Even the pasture has
had its yearly haircut and is looking clean
and neat!

Forgotten Old Towns

Ft. Douglas, Johnson County, Ar...old town long
dead. On a by way to Harrison.
Was it once a Fort?


Hagarville, AR...Johnson County, AR...dead town!

Visiting our Boy

We went to visit Clayton. He had really
grown and was glad to see us! We were
happy to see him more. We had to go by
Haw Creek as Highway 7 is still closed.
It was a beautiful drive and I enjoyed
the trip and day! Erin had delicous
chili made and peanut butter cookies.
She had worked all night but was a great
hostess! Clayton was laying in fhe floor
on Patsy's quilt when we got there.

A Weed For Patsy

It's flowers for Patricia--
But Sister prefers a weed
And I do too!

Newspaper

I don't watch news on TV but I do read
2 newspapers everyday. I like the paper
a lot better than the tv news. Helen, you
should try the newspaper.

Trying to NOT Worry!

I know we should try not to just sit and
worry about anything. But that is easier
said than done.

I am glad I am able to walk my miles each
day. That helps me focus on life and put
worrying stuff on the shelf. I can not
do anything big about our economy problems,
but I try not to add to them. I have tried
not to waste food or gas since the price of
both have gone so high.

I will not waste gas this weekend, but we are
going to see Clayton. Highway 7 is untravelable.
But Larry is going to take me by Hagarville, AR
and I am excited to see his face. Erin will go
back to work this Friday...I think that is the
date. Clayton's other Grandma will help watch
him if Greg is working. Greg is very capbable of
caring for Clayton. Erin has had no electricity
since the storm Sat. night. Last evening she still
had no power. I told her she was lucky it is so
cool. That is the worst thing about no power...
being either hot or cold.

Helen, I have saved for retirement and maybe it
will all be wiped out with the banks, but I will
try not to worry...as it will not help. I have
to meet Astrid and Ingrid at the bus stop today
at 4:00 and keep them until Eric gets home. That
will be my big worry today...don't be late at
the bus stop. Be ready to make them smile and
be glad to see Gigi is there instead of Pop. They
love Pop and will probably ask the question 'where
is Poppa?' not glad you are here to get us, Gigi.

Laura told them at work that she wanted her old
job back. She did not get home until later and
had to get to work earlier. She did not mind
'being in charge'...as she can handle that. She
did mind not being with the 3 angels as much and
hated the thought of working through the summer.
I told her 'money is not the most important thing,
your family should be first'. Also, it is easier
to give up a big salary before you get used to it.

So that is how life is here...we are just pushing
on toward our goal of making it until tomorrow and
doing the best we can today. All is well. We have
clothes, food, a car to drive and a half a tank of
gas. We can make another day.

Another good thing is having something to read. I
am reading about the life of Marie Theresa Charlotte.
I found a book about a German from Nebraska who served
in the Union Army during the civil war...Marching with
the First Nebraska. They served in Arkansas, Missouri,
etc. It is a first hand account. I am going to read it
next.

I am going in a few minutes to walk my 3 and a half miles.
The air is cool and clean. I am able to move and enjoy
breathing. I hope all my Sisters are well. Patsy is still
a beacon for me. She helps keep me going. Helen, I get my
news from Patsy's blog. It is suffient for me. I hope Fleta
had a good visit with her kin and is up and going again. I
hope Clayton and Gilbert are healthy. I hope Helen can
stand what the pain that has been sent her way. Bless each
of you today. All is right with my soul.

Experience in Government

Rocks--Galla!

Larry sold a pup to the older of these
two brothers...the little one asked if
he could just stay with us! He loved
the rocks...but did not care for the dogs.
He held his nose and said too much dog poop!

Fishergirl

Astrid caught a big fish. Her and Pop are going
to have it for supper.

For Helen

Here is my nightstand. I have to have a fan
or I can't go to sleep...and sometimes a
radio to boot. Still I may wake up and not
be able to go back to sleep.

Galla Lake is high

I remember a few years back on Thanksgiving
vacation, Astrid and I walked way down the
Lake side as it was very dry. This year it
is flooded and you can't dream of walking
around it. We have had rains all summer.

Right and Wrong

I think abortion is wrong. I have never had one. I don't spend
a lot of time lambasting those who think a woman has a right to
choose. Abortions will continue no matter what men think about
them.

I do believe the republicans like to get our minds on things
like a 'woman's right to an abortion' so they can change the
focus of issues that count for most of us day by day. How is
the right to an abortion going to affect most of us--not at
all. What the President thinks about abortion is not going
to help with the day to day issues that are choking us to
death.

If we really believe in any idea, it will show in our lives.
Looks to me like Palin believes in going forward with a
career. Her family issues have been left for her husband
to teach.

I also think it is a little ridiculous to say you value the
life of a child but then don't care if he starves to death
once he is on this earth. Don't care if he has food, clothing,
shelter. Once grown the same ones who shout no abortion are
often those who will send the young man to his death at 18
without a tear.

Right and wrong is not usually just black and white. I try
not to judge. But if I had a choice in my life, I would
chose for my young daughter to not be pregnant in the first
place. The best way to protect a child is to be present with
them. Then you know what is going on!