Wild Petunia and Old Ditch Lily

 

Today’s new blooms—old Ditch Lily and Wild Petunia!

The orange day lilies are called Ditch or Railroad lilies because they have spread along traveled paths.  Deer turn up their noses at Ditch lilies.  Bees and butterflies aren’t crazy about the trumpet-shaped blooms either.

Stave Church—Norway

Stave Church was built in 1178!  A stave church is a medieval wooden Christian church building once common in north-western Europe. The name derives from the building's structure of post and lintel construction, a type of timber framing where the load-bearing ore-pine posts are called stafr in Old Norse.

 

Scenes From Norway

Laura said they hiked to see a glacier 2500 years old.  The sun rises at 4:00 AM and doesn’t set til 10:30 at night!

 

Remembering Day

 This is a day to remember those who have gone on.  It was originally to honor soldiers who died in conflicts.  

This flower reminds me of a little poppy.  Laura spied it when we walked at the Lake.  It’s a symbol of support for veterans remembering those who gave all.  

Back to Where He Came From

 Laura’s bunch has arrived at Oslo.  This is their hotel.  Looks old and luxurious.  Eric’s Grandmother Merle Fedje’s father did not immigrate until 1902.  The family came to North Dakota.  Eric’s Great Great Grandfather Christensen came to America earlier—just before the Civil War.  They first lived in Wisconsin.  Both families came from Sogn og Fjordane.  This is in western Norway.  They get to visit this area.

Erin’sRose

When Erin was buzzing down a red dirt road to see a client, she saw this pretty rose along the way.  She stopped and snapped a picture so I could see.  My girls know me inside out.  I’m thankful for them.  🥀🌹🥀

 

Ingrid and Justin

Ingrid and Justin went to hear Ingrid’s friend Briley sing and posted this picture of them at the event.  Briley’s group is  called Covington Creek.

We thought my sister-in-law was going to pass.  She was even on hospice for several months.  She could not walk and had to have round the clock care.  She started to improve. It’s amazing. She went to the beauty shop this week for a hair cut.  She walks with her walker.  Wears real clothes.   She’s doing great!  

 

Oslo

Laura, Eric, and Sig are headed to Norway for Sigrid’s senior trip.  They’ll land in Sweden and then on to Oslo.  They drove to Chicago and the flight is 12 hours.  They’d made it to Chicago.

Laura and Amy had a tea party for two sweet girls at school.  Laura made cucumber cream cheese sandwiches.  The girls had a ball.

Ada is hiking with her walking stick.  Erin and Greg sold their empty house.  They are taking a trip to Disney last of June.  It’ll be their first vacation since Ada came as a late life surprise.  
 

Wood Thrush

 I watched the Wood Thrush eating yellow clover!  They are beautiful birds.

Fiddling Whittler!!

Violet (Brumley) Hensley from Mount Ida in Montgomery County, Arkansas, with Mr. Green Jeans on "The Captain Kangaroo Show" in 1977, photo shared by Violet Hensley who is age 106. Born in 1916, she will turn 107 in October 2023. The last I heard, she was still giving fiddle lessons at her home and occasionally performing.

Known as the “Whittling Fiddler,” the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks,” or more simply, the “Fiddle Maker,” Violet has been a fiddle maker and musician most of her life and was designated as the 2004 Arkansas Living Treasure by the Arkansas Arts Council. According to the Arts Council, this designation recognizes Hensley as an outstanding Arkansas artist who has elevated her work as a fiddle maker to the status of art and who actively preserves and advances the art form. (Information is from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas)

Viola

 I thought I grew up poor.  What an eye opener to what “black” poverty looks like.  Another day, another good book!  Viola grew up in Rhode Island.  Her father was a groom at a racetrack there.  Born in poverty, she had many obstacles to conquer and she did. I enjoyed her memoir.

Book Review

 Erin bought this book for me for Mother’s Day.  I recommend it. Bobby Dunbar disappeared and he was only four years old.  The book chronicles one of the most celebrated--and most misunderstood--kidnapping cases in American history. In 1912, Bobby, the son of an upper-middle-class Louisiana family, went missing in the swamps.  His father Percy searches for him and hears of a little boy traveling with an old peddling piano tuner.  He claims the boy.  The book was written by Bobby’s Granddaughter.  It was a real mystery that was not put to rest until 2004–long after Bobby Dunbar had died.  DNA is an amazing tool that can even solve 100 year old mysteries.  The best stories are true.  Today, I state that I am so grateful my Lord blessed me with the “love of knowledge through reading”.

Pearl

Graduation Gift Sig Received.

I like it.

A new week has arrived.  It’s cool and pleasant.  I cleaned vines and cut limbs in the fence row.  Mowing day I upon me again.  I may wait at least til tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow I’m getting a hair trim.  I’m trying a new lady.  I’m not good with change but my hair looks worse and worse so I’m trying a lady named Angie.  My friend uses her and likes her and she’s nearer to me.

I made my date oatmeal cookies yesterday.  They are pretty good.  I added pecans.
 

Practice Begins

Greta’s basketball team took first place in the tournament this weekend.  She’ll be pumped for her first 7th grade Goblin practice tomorrow!  🏀🏀

Graduation Day

Sigrid has finished High School.  The empty gown will be shoved to the back of the closet but a multitude of memories of days with classmates and teachers will endure.  She’ll have other graduations and more diplomas but none will be as special as this one!  We lined up to have our picture snapped with Sigrid trying to hold the memory that is so special! 

 

All Set

 

Helen brought these down two weeks ago.  I took them out yesterday to give to the chickens.  They are still good.  Amazing.  Grapes keep even longer.

Ingrid tried on the scrubs Laura bought her.  She has her badge and is ready to learn.  Sigrid graduates today at 5 PM.  I gave the AAA card to Laura to give to Ingrid as I figured I’d forget it.

We’re having a little celebration at 3 PM before Sigrid gets her diploma.  I’m making deviled eggs.  It’s sandwiches and little sides.

Last Day—Fun Day

Greta got to spend her last day of Elementary School at Silver Dollar City with her classmates.  What a fun memory.  It cost 50 dollars a child but children who couldn’t pay were sponsored.  Greta is lots taller than her friends.

Soon she will get to go to basketball practice with her Middle school coach and team.  She’s running cross country and is to run 5 minutes with no walking each day.  Erin told her to just run a mile and that will be the time too.   

Greta did not go to school today.  I know the teachers are thrilled when some skip the very last day.  I know the teachers are exhausted.  Erin said “ if you stay home, your room must be cleaned thoroughly.

Clayton is still attending school.  Sigrid graduates Saturday.  Ingrid got to visit Baptist today. She’s excited to get started.  Laura bought her 2 scrubs and one from me.  Laura my set at Walmart. She’ll have 3.  Scrubs can’t be reworn.  She’ll wash them for the last two days.  She starts in July.
 

Tusk

 The Razorback mascot Tusk came by the C and D today.  Sigrid was happy to meet the head hog.

Field Day

When you’re an athlete, you love Field Day.  Greta loved it!

 

 

Course of Study

Ingrid received her courses for her degree.  She starts after July 4th and will finish and graduate in May.  Laura has ordered her two scrub outfits but she’ll probably need more.  She goes to Baptist for an orientation next week I think Laura said.  The classes sound deep to me.  She’s almost there and she can see the end of this approaching and a door opening to a career not a job.