Summer 2008: Day 5, Visiting Aunt Margaret

Today, we went back over to Renville (from our lodging in the Sheep Shedde) to visit Aunt Margaret. We found her occupied by her physical therapist so while waiting, we had lunch and a cup of coffee or two.

Margaret is 14 years older than the Grand Mother. Obviously there were many, many memories of their childhood growing up together. Well, you may reasonably suspect that, with an 14-year older sister and a "bratty" little sister, there were some differences in the two opinions as to who had the most fun! Both laughed much and long.

The memory-telling and the visiting took it's toll so that at times Aunt Margaret dozed off for a few moments. This gave the Grand Mother a chance to rest her vocal chords, and Grumpy time to sneak a few candid photos of the two of them.

The saddest part of the day came late in the afternoon when Margaret's friend, Jan Gauger, kept insisting on hearing the "Sad Dog Story". Grumpy knew that this was a tender subject for the Grand Mother and wished the subject could be dropped. But the hassling continued until the Grand Mother finally relented and started telling the story. Grumpy will not attempt to retell it here; the interested reader must plead personally (and preferrably privately) with the Grand Mother to retell the story if must be told.

The Grand Mother had tears in her eyes as she finished the story; and so did Grumpy. She excused herself, going to the "powder room" to "freshen up" and Grumpy followed soon thereafter.