The Grand Mother Recovers at Home

Joy to the World; Grumpy's Castle --

The Grand Mother came home from the "most expensive hotel in Bellevue" (as her Surgeon described Overlake Hospital) on Monday (14 November). Ordinarily, she would have been remanded to a hospice care facility for two or three weeks, with strange nurses and visiting doctors. But due to the fact that, besides this being a stubborn Norwegian and having a similarly opinionated daughter who, besides having her share of Norwegianism also happens to be an R.N., she was "allowed" to come to her own home.

Believe me, having Grumpy as the interim housekeeper was not considered -- nor was it even mentioned!

Grand Mother was so happy to be back home that she told Grumpy that she, "felt like making some Peanut Butter cookies ... " and she even ventured to add, "And I'm thinking about making a Lemon Meringue Pie!" Well, Grumpy was so elated over this good news of a promised recovery that he seriously thought about putting her back in the hospital so they could remove some more of her insides where all that talk about "No more Lemon Pies for eternity!!!" came from.

Of course part of being at home meant some very tender loving from our littlest Granddaughter, "Snicklefrita". Grumpy advised the little one ahead of our arrival that "We must be very gentle with Grandma so her incisions don't get injured." And she was extremely gentle -- and of course, loving. We think it was good medicine for Grandma.

Many visitors popped in over the ensuing days: Our Older daughter (CEO of a custom wire bundle Factory), and her husband helped out over the weekends when the R.N. had to resume her night duties at the hospital in Everett; Be-Pop came a couple of times, bringing his latest "bragging pieces" of knitting projects or colorful glass-works beads that he had created; telephone calls came from the "far East" where oldest Son recently returned from "where he was supposed to be", and from other relatives and from local friends with whom the Grand Mother and Grumpy are associated.

As solid evidence of the amazing progress in the Grand Mother's recovery, here is a "still" picture of her scurrying down the hallway, past the front door (background). This was taken just 16 days after her surgery! Although she is shown using her walker here, she has since "graduated" to going "by cane" -- or even "going it alone"! [Grumpy may have to start behaving or the cane might be used for another purpose!]

Today, we went to an appointment with her Oncologist who gave the Grand Mother the various choices for further treatment if she so chooses. But first there are certain tests to aid in refining the diagnoses and treatment options.

More later.

Major Surgery -- The Grand Mother is Recovering

Ides of November; Doctors' Offices, Hospitals and Home --

Shakespeare wrote a line, "Beware the Ides of March", but Grumpy has plagiarized this line to say, "The Ides of November have been almost as bad." 

On 7 November, the Grand Mother had an Endoscopy [accent on the first "o"], in which a camera was poked down her throat into her stomach to view the lining, and a biopsy was taken of a swollen ulcerated area partially blocking the outlet of the stomach.

On Wednesday, 9 November, we went for the reports by an Oncologist and a Surgeon -- the biopsy had revealed that the tumor (the cause of the swollen, ulcerated area) was malignant. Surgery was scheduled for the following Wednesday, 16 November.

Waiting to hear the Oncology and Surgeon diagnosis and plan

Early the next morning, the Grand Mother told Grumpy that she had lost her supper of the night before and that she felt  major distress in her stomach; this meant that nothing was going through, and so off to Urgent Care we went. After a couple hours' testing and consultation with a doctor on duty -- who just happened to be the Surgeon with whom she had talked several hours before! -- she was ordered transferred to the hospital next door for emergency surgery.

Julius Caesar was assassinated in Shakespeare's play; the Grand Mother came too close, for Grumpy's comfort, to "cashing in her chips" that Thursday night following laparoscopic removal of the large cancerous tumor which had ulcerated the wall of her stomach, and had also blocked off the exit, causing the distress she had endured that morning. Half of her stomach, as well as the duodenum were removed with all of the cancer, including three lymph glands that also contained cancer cells. Thirteen additional lymph glands were also removed, and were determined to be "negative" for cancer cells; her surgeon reported that the boundaries of the tumor were free of extensions. This information suggests that her body is now completely free of cancer. This is an excellent prognosis for her future! 

[So, she can safely withhold her secret Lemon Meringue Pie recipe from Grumpy awhile longer without fear that it be lost to posterity.]

After the surgery, she had difficulty resuming breathing as she was coming out of the anesthesia, but the skilled surgeon and others in attendance, with same assistance from a positive breathing apparatus, were finally able to get her breathing on her own after about an hour of effort.

The Grand Mother in ICU [note tubes and monitor wires behind her neck]

Mother came home on Monday -- under normal circumstances, she would have been moved to a qualified nursing home until she was able to act completely independently. However, with two daughters (one a licensed Registered Nurse), her doctor deemed that she would be better off at home than any place else! [And, she told Grumpy that she was "thinking about" making Peanut Butter cookies for him, and that she "wanted to" bake him a Lemon Meringue Pie! Now, how great is that!!]

 

[I wonder if the removal of that cancer somehow deluded her mind? Could she have forgotten all the transgressions of which Grumpy is always so blatantly guilty?? Maybe that cancer was also a "memory chip" that, once removed, was no longer readable!!]

Finally, on the fifth day of being back at home, and eating liquefied and "mooshy" foods, the great day we were all awaiting arrived: Proof that "all systems are go!"

After

Before

These "before and after" pictures tell the story; a great celebration was held with dancing in the streets (surely somewhere), fireworks (aplenty), and of course hugs and kisses.

More stories may be told in the future days as the Grand Mother reaches her full capacity to monitor the Grumpy's activities and mischief; who knows what may transpire?! 

Stay tuned!!

A Posting of Some Unforgettable Events

Mid October 2011; Grumpy's Castle --

The First Wife* has been repeatedly compla ..  er, I mean hinting that my BLOG is the only one that she regularly visits, which hasn't been updated for a lo-oo-ng time. So, at the risk of boring some of you with "news" that you know is quite old, I am herewith submitting photos and words about some things that have taken place within the past month or more that I haven't already written about.

*[I still call her that because that's what she is -- my one and only --, even though she has warned me that some people might misinterpret it to mean that I have more than one -- maybe even at the same time!]

 Mainly, this post will probably talk about (and show) some events related to Uncle Bob's visit last month. I already told about the sight-seeing flight over the Olympics. So now I'll tell you about the visits that happened while he was here.

Ramiro, Olivia and Adolfo

Jennifer and Ramiro

We were all invited to a Qinciniera in honor of the 15th birthday of a lovely young Latino girl. Ramiro had been chosen to be one of her six male escorts and dance partners. I was not able to get close enough, past the "official" photographers and other onlookers to get a good picture of Ramiro dancing with the young lady.

Lily

However, one little girl, all dressed in her own white formal dress, tried to steal the stage from the honored 15-year old!

On a beautiful (still!) Summer day, Susan invited us up to her house for a backyard picnic and good old family get-together. And was it ever a family get-together! Amy and John came with their lively brood. And Mike and Jessie came with Oliver; we sorely missed seeing Emileigh this time.

Everybody, some adults included, took advantage of Aunt Rachel's patient ability to entertain them with tours of her "secret" and private wilderness hideout. Oliver preferred to sneak drinks from the decorative water fountain that was the centerpiece of the backyard picnic area.

All kinds of activity took place on this balmy day:

There was kite-flying, with brothers Malachi and Amos, who made up for the lack of any appreciable wind by providing their own means of making a "difference" in velocity between their kites and the almost still air around us.

 There was running, with Elianna, shown here "beating it down" the gravelled roadway for no reason at all except maybe to escape from the Great Grumpy. 

And then there were of course the great "expectations" of coming attractions. Amy "soldiered" through this event like many others before -- and a few afterwards -- finally giving birth a week later to a new little boy who is called Daniel.

Mooney over My Home-Area

Saturday, 11 September 2011; All Over the Place --

With ideal VFR (visual flying reference) weather in the Rainier Northwest, Uncle Bob came to visit us. I'll tell you more about his visit in subsequent posts, but this time I want to share some pictures taken as we flew over the Olympics. I say "we flew", but Uncle Bob said that he was sleeping when we made a near-perfect landing back at Renton Municipal Airport at the end of our sightseeing trip.

Leaving Renton airport, we veered slightly to the East, staying under 2500 feet, and followed I-405 North until we spotted the Evergreen Point floating bridge. At this point we turned straight West, remaining under 5,000 feet until we cleared the SeaTac control zone. Then we climbed, continuing West around the South end of the Bangor Naval base restricted area.

Our first significant Olympic National Park sight was Mount Deception. Its top is somewhat over 7500 feet, which we cleared with a comfortable margin. When Uncle Jim & Ida, Grandma Nettie & Leonard, and with Grumpy & brothers Ward & Jim hiked the Olympics about 45 years ago, we saw this Mountain from the Elwah River valley. But we skirted its flanks as we hiked up the valley and never saw the full majesty of this rugged peak.

Continuing Westward Mount Olympus, at a little over 8,000 feet, could be spotted on the horizon. We continued to climb until about 10,000 feet above sea-level. I got this panorama of the mountain and some of its glaciers out the co-pilot's window. 

But Uncle Bob probably got the best pictures through the small port-hole in his side window. His photo is unobstructed by even the clear polycarbonate window material. Note the "toe" of one of the major glaciers near the right bottom in this photo.

In nearly all the places we looked, there appeared to be much more snow still on the ground than in previous years. Uncle Bob asked if this was fresh snow; my opinion was that it was left-over snow from when our late Spring ended -- at least in mid to late June.

After viewing and photographing Mount Olympus, we wandered over the Park looking for familiar ground objects, such as the Hurricane Ridge viewing building. The only thing I recognized on the ground, finally, was the distinguishing features of Low Divide Pass where we picked wild Huckleberries for our pancake breakfast on the next-to-last day of our trans-Olympic Park hike. 

Low Divide Pass is that barely-discernible slot in the ridge right of center. Toward the top center, the Elwha River can be seen, with the wider body of water being the headwaters of the Glines Canyon dam which is currently being dismantled in a grand experiment to see if the run of giant (100-plus pound!) Chinook salmon can be restored; there are just 500 known survivors of this original historic salmon fishery.

Back on the ground, we were able to conjure up this photo of the two Old, Old Pilots, posing beside their favorite airplane.

If men were born to fly, these two epitomize that rule. Two brothers who have fought with each other, defended each other, helped each other and lived to respect and love each other like only brothers -- and friends -- can.

Second Annual Four-Generation Expedition: Lake Swim, Kayak and Canoe Paddle

Sunday, 14 August 2011; King County, of course! --

Today marked my 61-year old son's (BoPop's) third effort (he actually swam this route a year ago, but the "official witnesses" were not there to attest to it!) at achieving an endurance swim feat greater than that he managed as a callow youth some forty years earlier when he swam from an unmarked spot on the Southwestern side of Lake Washington to Kennydale beach on the Southeastern side; the distance, about 1.2 miles. Today's swim would be about 2.1 miles!

As this motley crew (four generations!) prepared to launch near the mouth of the Cedar River, the body count was five, shown here in their full regalia. The two vessels, to act as safety/escort boats, are one(1) 17-foot Ranger canoe and one(1) 21-foot cedar-strip kayak.

Oh, and a bit of nomenclature was agreed upon to prevent possible confusion during this trip: The Bliefer was to be addressed as "Dad"; BoPop was "Grandpa"; Great Grandpa was to be called "Grumpy"; the Mermaids remained "The Mermaids". The Mermaids especially seemed to enjoy using this terminology, particularly when wanting Great Grandpa's ear.

After a short paddle out of the mouth of the Cedar River and eastward to a suitable shoreline from which to begin his swim BoPop, with his own kayak in tow, dove into the lukewarm water of the lake. A modest wind from the South insured that the warm surface water would certainly be mixed to some extent by wave action further out in the lake with the much colder water three or four feet down.




The southerly wind also pushed the canoeing members along at a little less than one knot (6280 feet per hour). BoPop kept up a brisk rhythm as he averaged about 1.7 knot through the wind-chopped waves of the lake. The wind also eased the tug required by the swimmer to keep his kayak nearby. In fact, at one point, he stopped to check to make sure it was still there! The tug was so small, he thought it had come loose.

As this little flotilla neared the distant shore (Clark's Beach on Mercer Island), the combination of the long exercise (about two hours), dehydration and possibly a shortage of electrolytes in his body, resulted in a violent attack of muscle cramps in BoPop's lower legs. Although relieved somewhat by prompt and knowledgeable action by the Bleifer, chills (a form of shock from the trauma of the leg cramps?) caused BoPop to wisely choose to abort the remainder of the swim.


After he made a deep-water entry into the kayak (a major-effort in itself!), he paddled himself to shore at Clark's Beach, and hauled his kayak out of the water. After helping the canoeists debark from their tipsy craft, he helped lift the canoe out of the water and deposit it on the grassy lawn above the concrete bulkhead. It was obvious that, had the leg cramps not disabled him, he definitely had the strength and endurance to have completed the entire 2.1 mile swim.

After a short sojourn on shore on Mercer Island, during which the Mermaids (true to form) changed into their swimsuits [ask the Bliefer about this part!] and ventured out into the waters of the swim beach. Mostly, though, instead of swimming they gathered small shells from a native mollusk that were found in the shallow water. Of course, they got wet and, when we arrived back at our initial departure point, they stood shivering with only their Grandpa's wet towel and someone's "Size Large" T-shirt to keep them from freezing!!

Once safely on shore beside the cold (I mean, really, REALLY  cold) waters of the Cedar River, the survivors lined up once again; all who had embarked were accounted for, and they still looked as cheery as when we had started.


All told, it was good way to spend an early Sunday morning with two lively Great Granddaughters (aka, Mermaids!), a Philosophizing Grandson (the Bleifer), an Athletic Son (BoPop, himself a Grandfather!), and one old Grump (the Great Grandfather in this four generation exploit).


The big question for next year: What will the adventure be for the third annual four-generation expedition? Some more members would be a welcome addition! Only potential members get to vote on what the adventure will be.

Well, maybe Mothers and Grandmothers get a vote, too!!

84-Year Survival

8 August 2011; Grumpy's Castle --

In the beginning, Grumpy was born in a little green house perched on a small hillside near the middle of a half-section homestead in southern Ziebach County, South Dakota. The day was Monday, August 8th 1927. I was the third child of my parents, with an older Sister and Brother. Once in my callow youth I said I wanted to live to be 100. [Good Lord, help me!! I may make it!]

Today I celebrated my 84th birthday in fine style:

First, breakfast with oldest daughter, Susan, husband Steven and Granddaughter Rachel.

Next, lunch with sixty-year family friend, Margaret.

Then, dinner this evening with youngest Granddaughter Olivia and her Dad.

Of course at all of these meals Grumpy was accompanied by his Child-Bride Elynor, with whom he celebrated our 63rd wedding anniversary in June.

And now you know that Grumpy (Great Grumpy) was married when he was still 20 years old!

And he hopes to stay married for another 16 years --- at least!!

A Harried Grandfather; A Mission to Escort his Granddaughter

Seattle to Merida; 19-22 July 2011 --

It all began with considerable anxiety, about the willingness of a six-year old girl who spoke only Spanish, to leave her familiar surroundings in Mexico and travel with that gray-haired Abuelito ("little Grandpa") whom she had remembered mostly from his visit two years ago and who spoke only English. But the trials and tribulations -- yes, and the joys, too! -- were greater than Grumpy could have anticipated.

The flight from Seattle to Merida, and our joint return flight from Merida back to Seattle, had been booked well in advance. Continental Airlines (in the process of merging with United) ticketing personnel even found side-by-side seating on the return flight! The U.S. Passport for Olivia, together with the Limited Parental Delegation of Authority and other legal papers, which might be required by Mexican or U.S. immigration personnel, were readily available.

Son Jim provided my early-morning transportation to SeaTac for the 6 am departure to Houston; how much I appreciate his help on this aspect cannot be put into words.

Arrival in Houston (for a seven hour wait) saw a rainy day (Seattle weather?). The long wait was made tolerable by making friends with a group of Baptists who were also going to Merida, on a mission similar to Habitat for Humanity. We were able to share some good, Christian fellowship, although one woman apparently questioned the status of my salvation; perhaps it was as a result of my identifying my background as a former Episcopalian!

The flight over the Caribbean saw the sun fade from early evening to the "darkest dark" that is typical of tropical sunsets. I captured this time exposure of the twilight glow in the Western sky (the reddish tinge on the flap "canoe" is from the red strobe light used to insure night-time visibility to other aircraft).

Abuela Maria met me at 9:30 pm, when the 737 airplane landed at the Merida airport, and Olivia welcomed me when we arrived later at El Casa de Maria.

Sleeping in a hammock is not as uncomfortable as some might think (including me, once). Actually, I found this night rather restful -- after about three hours of steady Spanish chatter from the little girl who slept in the hammock beside mine. She immediately found that her Abuelito did not comprehend much of anything she said (all very rapidly and with much animation!). I think she spent the next three or so hours trying to teach me the entire Spanish language!! [I enjoyed every minute -- until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.] Later when I awoke with the need to go to the bano, I discovered I had a little girl fast asleep laying across my body! I slid out from under her without waking her. Then when I came back to go to bed, I crawled [ -- what's the right word for getting into a hammock?] into what had earlier been her hammock.

After a full-day's stay, during which Olivia took Abuelito to the playground we had enjoyed on my previous visit two years ago as well as downtown Merida to an Internet Cafe where I hoped to transmit to my e-mail address the photos (taken on a Sony camera to be left for Adolfo's younger sister, Tania). Ultimately, because the laptop I borrowed for this purpose would not allow me to get on the Internet without the owner's password -- which was not recognized. So we went around the corner to a for-pay Internet access shop where the operator copied my photos onto a CD-ROM.

Thursday morning Maria took us to the airport at 4:30 am in time for check-in for the scheduled flight reservations for a 7:15 am departure. The tribulations began. I was advised by the Continental agent that we might be denied boarding because of Olivia's expired visa. My confidence remained that things would somehow work out and so, without revealing to Maria of any potential problems, we bid goodbye and Olivia and I proceeded upstairs to the concourse and the exit immigration check point.

My confidence was soon shattered and my concerns elevated when, as best I could comprehend, "there is no way that le Nina can leave Mexico ... ". An alert Continental boarding gate person came to my rescue and comforted Olivia who, already comprehending the gravity of the situation began to cry. This person also helped me to understand what needed to be done: wait until the bank (in the terminal building) opened at 9 am, have an immigration official calculate the penalty fee I would have to pay via the bank, and rebook with Continental for the next day. After much confusion, frustration and trudging from one place in the terminal building to another, the process with the immigration official was finally accomplished and we were rebooked for departure at the same time Friday morning.

Now a new problem arose. How to get back to Maria's! I did not have her telephone number nor her address, although I was confident I could find my way there. As it turned out (all I could remember of her address was "Colonia Sambula", a district within the metropolis of Merida), I did not correctly remember the branch of the main highway and steered the taxi driver into an area of dead-end streets and unfamiliar territory. However, Olivia calmly took over the instructions to the driver and very quickly had us redirected into the proper neighborhood and, before you know it, arrived right in front of El Casa de Maria! I tipped the driver handsomely (I hope!).

Again being awakened (this time by Maria!) at an ungodly hour to get to the airport to check in, and go through immigration for our 7:15 departure, we found the terminal doors closed and locked. [No need to have it open until nearer the time for check-in and ticketing for the earliest departure (ours!).] This time, though, things went more smoothly (although the immigration official on duty was momentarily confused by that special piece of paper that I presented to him in lieu of a visa that he normally saw). As we boarded our flight to Houston, we again saw the lady who had stepped in the day before to interpret to me what I needed to do, and to comfort Olivia. [No longer having a camera and forgetting the camera in my cellphone, I do not have a photo of her.] Coincidentally, this lady's mother was seated next to me on the flight to Houston! I hope she passes on to her daughter how much I appreciated her help in my hour(s) of concern the day before.

This time, instead of only a two-and-a-half hour layover in Houston, we had to wait from 9:30 am until 5:30 pm to board our final flight to Seattle. I bought two Stromboli for our mid-morning breakfast [Olivia ate some, but didn't like the taste -- neither did I!]. For a late lunch she had a Wendy burger and I had a salad. [Meals were for sale on the flight, but not even complementary peanuts or pretzels!]

Meanwhile, as we waited, Olivia "relaxed" to the entertainment of nearby older passengers, some of whom took pity on the Grandpa who was "in charge" of this bundle of energy; she soon became close friends with this couple from New Orleans who told me they had 10 kids, but only 4 or 5 grandchildren whom they didn't get to see as often as they liked. The lady, apparently convinced that Grumpy could not adequately spoil this charming little girl all be himself, purchased a soft, cuddly "beanie baby" kitten and gave to Olivia.

Olivia was not as curious as I had anticipated about what could be seen out the window; only the impressive cumulus clouds, including some developing thunderstorms (which our flight neatly avoided!), got her to call for my attention. During the majority of the five and a half hour flight to Seattle, Olivia curled up asleep in her seat (sometimes with her head on my lap), just as she had done during the two-hour flight from Merida to Houston.

Olivia's Papa and brother Ramiro met us at SeaTac. At home, Abuelita welcomed us home and soon the brother/sister pair, who had been separated for nearly five years, were engaged in a typical riot. Starting with a playful jab in the ribs by the little Sister and followed by the big Brother pursuit to a hopeless situation with Sister in the protective environment of Papa or Abuelita, then the Brother hiding and the curious little Sister seeking him out; a loud "BOO!!" from Brother as she passed by his concealment, screams and giggles as she ran and he again pursued! Such happiness!

It was pure joy on the part of we old folks to hear these sounds of contentment.

Our Summer Auto Tour through the Midwest; A Journal

June 23-July 7th, 2011; All Around the Midwest --

Day 1: We left home at about 0700, planning to stop in Couer d'Alene ID for a lunch and dinner visit with my cousin. Unfortunately, in the hub-bub of getting ready and a "few" other miscellaneous duties around the Castle, Grumpy forgot to advise his cousin of the exact day and time we were expecting to be there. "No problem", he thought, as he dialed his cousin on the cell phone. [Ten rings and no answer.] "Well, they are probably out shopping or seeing a doctor; I'll try again later." [An hour or so later -- about Moses Lake: Ten rings and the answering machine, to which Grumpy identified himself and announced our expected arrival for a lunch get-together.] After another hour or so -- now about an hour from Coeur d'Alene -- a third call [Ten rings and the answering machine, to which Grumpy again spoke pleadingly for a response if they were to be available for lunch and a visit.] Not getting a response as we were arriving in Coeur d'Alene, we decided to forego this visit opportunity; we would be coming back through C d'A on our return trip anyway. We topped off the gas tank and continued on to Deer Lodge MT for the night. The restaurant next door to our motel had the most delicious, homemade tomato soup, which we enjoyed for our evening meal.

Day 2:  With Grumpy's carefully plotted plans now all messed up (we had planned to stay overnight in C d'A the first night and Orem UT the second), we ate lunch as we drove down to Ogden UT, calling ahead to cancel previous reservations in Orem [as well as in Lander WY and an extra, earlier day in Indianola IA and in Spearfish SD] and to reserve lodging at an Ogden Super 8. Grumpy insisted on a "Handicap Accessible" room this time, after having not done so the previous night in Deer Lodge, and we had a good night's sleep. [Although the bed was too firm to suit these old folks.] We spent the afternoon and dinner visiting with our long-time friends, Hap and Gladys.

Day 3:  Leaving not too early this day, we arrived in Orem UT in time to have a brief mid-morning visit with our Nephew Jeff's middle daughter, Sarah, who had presented Jeff with his first Grandchild about three months previously. Little Angeline Belle was quite adaptable to allow these "out-of-town" strangers to hold her and get her picture taken. At this visit we also had a couple of bonuses: we met Shelby (Jeff's youngest daughter) and Sarah's husband John.

From Orem, we drove up to Lander WY -- again having our lunch as we drove -- arriving in mid-afternoon to visit another long-time couple from our days in Belle Fourche SD. This elderly couple, Neil and Dyllis (both in their 90's), were happy to see us and we had a good visit. Their daughter Dulcinda, husband John and granddaughter Natalie were also welcome faces in our meeting. After our visit, we then continued back down to I-80 at Rawlins WY where we had dinner and lodged for the night sans reservations.

Day 4:  Having been forewarned of a potentially long day's drive, we left fairly early [the days were getting shorter by an hour every time we crossed into a new time zone!!]. For lunch we stopped in Sidney NE ("Grandma's Cafe), Grumpy enjoying the best-tasting, best prepared steak ever. We were happy to make it to Grand Island NE in time for soup and comfortable lodging -- again without reservations.

Day 5:  The advantage of yesterday's long drive to achieve Grand Island was that now, with an early morning start, we were able to get to sister Hazel's house in early afternoon and enjoy an extra half day's visit! Grumpy had originally made reservations for two days stay at the Apple Tree Inn [the only motel in the Des Moines area with which we have not yet had a bad experience!]. Due to the aforementioned schedule mess-up, our stay was now to be three nights; Grumpy had called ahead to ensure the additional earlier day was also reserved. Our room at the Apple Tree had probably the most comfortable bed of our whole trip [In fact, it was so soft that Elynor found it difficult to turn over or change positions]. [The owner-manager when we checked in commented, "My wife has a note here that says, 'DO NOT MOVE!!' " When Grumpy had called to request the additional, earlier day of reservation for Room 100, is wife had told me that the person(s), who previously had been assigned to that room for that night, could be accommodated in different room.]

Day 6 & 7: We saw Hazel's two three-day old baby goats, each being fed on a bottle like human infants. We enjoyed organic eggs laid by free-ranging, hens who "enjoyed" the luxury of having two roosters each of whom thought they "owned" the flock. As a result of this competition, one rooster was always kept in a kennel in the house part of the day while the other one was out with the hens. [Ever had the unique experience of visiting while hearing a lusty rooster crowing in the background in the middle of the day?] 

Hazel, Elynor, Harry and Ward

One afternoon we were treated to a Blue Grass concert in the Indianola town square. We were able to find a spot in the shade, though, so didn't suffer any sunburn of our Northwest slug-skin. We also spent a mid-day visit with Elynor's 90-plus years old cousin Harry, who insisted (as he usually does!) in treating us to a delicious lunch. [He had really hoped to treat us to lunch in an Italian cuisine restaurant, but we found it closed.] This outing was particularly impressive to Grumpy, who was guided, not by Greta Garmin, but by Harry whose eyesight is virtually gone and whose guidance was dictated by a fantastic memory of the streets and distances along each with which he had become familiar in younger, better-sighted days.

Cousins Elynor and Edythe admire Oriental lily

Day 8:  Leaving Indianola, after a good night's rest, we traveled the back roads of Iowa to visit Elynor's other 90-plus years old cousin Edythe, who lives by herself in the country farm house shared with her husband Clem before he died many years ago. Again, Edythe [pictured here with a beautiful Oriental lily] insisted on fixing a bountiful lunch before we could depart. [Edythe is the older sister of Harry -- the "insist" genes run strong in the Norwegian blood, don't they!] While visiting and having lunch, Grumpy spotted this male Goldfinch grabbing his own bit of lunch from the feeder outside the dining room window. An attempt to photograph a pair of elusive Purple Grackles failed when they flew away as soon as they spotted the camera 50 yards away.

Continuing on after lunch, we made it all the way to Chamberlain SD and Al's Oasis before calling it a day. Again without reservations, we "made do" with a room at Oasis Inn that was not fully handicap-accessible. [We were fortunate in getting even this room -- other motels also had no handicap-accessible rooms since we had not made reservations. At $94, Grumpy thought this was to be the most expensive lodging of the trip, but alas, that would come later!] At least it was on the ground floor so the Grand Mother had no stairs to climb or descend, and there were sturdy assist rails in the bathroom. And the bed was deliciously comfortable. And we enjoyed a big dinner next door at Al's Oasis restaurant [Grumpy had the specialty of the house: Buffalo sirloin steak!].

Day 9:  After the typical complementary breakfast at Oasis Inn and topping off the gas tank, we drove to Kadoka where we were met by Betty, Elynor's childhood friend from Midland SD. What was originally intended as a visit over coffee turned out to be coffee and lunch, an extended visit with lots of laughs (girlie giggles, included!), and sharing of family updates. 

However, there was still time to drive on to Spearfish -- wait a minute!! WE DON'T HAVE RESERVATIONS ANYWHERE FOR TONIGHT!! -- so we stopped in Rapid City at around 1:30 p.m. and found handicap-accessible lodging at a Day's Inn just off the freeway. [This was by far the most expensive lodging of the trip -- $144! -- and the most undesirable! The room smelled like it had been smoked in; we requested and were assured by the manager on duty that it would be "deodorized" during the afternoon hours prior to our coming back for the evening at 7 p.m. Unfortunately, when we arrived later that evening, the smell was as bad as ever; we complained again to yet a different manager on duty, but since there was no other available handicap-accessible room, we accepted our fate and went to bed. A complaint to upper management of Day's Inn was filed via e-mail; no response to date.]

Long-lost Cousins, Elynor and Ethyl finally meet.

During our time away from the motel, we were able to do our accumulation of laundry and enjoy a long visit over dinner with Elynor's cousin, Ethyl. Elynor had maintained a letter correspondence with Ethyl for maybe 30 years or more, but they had never met face-to-face! Ethyl is the daughter of Grandpa N's sister, also named Ethyl.

Day 10:  Leaving our "unluxury" motel [further surmising that the obnoxious odor seemed to emanate from the air-conditioner], we drove to Newell SD for a visit and lunch with Grumpy's second-oldest (at 92) cousin Lorraine. Lorraine is the oldest (by six or more years!) of eight children, and has survived longer than three of her younger siblings. She lives alone in an elder-care facility, able to walk with a cane, but dependent on others to provide her necessary transportation.

Tonight, we checked in to our reserved, handicap-acceptable, pool-side room at Spearfish Creek Inn [next to pleasantly gurgling Spearfish Creek!]. The ownership had changed since a year ago, but the friendliness and desire to please has remained. We would spend the next four nights at the Spearfish Creek Inn, choosing to drive the 50 miles to Rapid each day rather than spend about twice as much for questionable quality accommodations in the big city. [Another year, we had reserved a handicap-accessible room at a Super 8 and found that it required a treacherous detour down a steep ram, through a cramped doorway to get to our room -- across the hall from the motel laundry! No thanks Super 8!!]

Day 11, Sunday:  We found the Baptist church that we had attended last year with Grumpy's cousin Bitsy. It began at about 9:30 with coffee/doughnut fellowship, with worship service following at 10:30. We introduced ourselves as Bitsy's cousins and met many friendly people [who bemoaned with us that she was in hot Texas instead of here in cooler Spearfish], including the young interim pastor. As is becoming typical due to Grumpy's failing hearing, not much of the sermon was understood by him, but the feeling of worshiping with like-believers was nonetheless comforting.

In the afternoon, we had coffee and a visit with a 90-plus years old couple whom we met when we lived in McLaughlin SD. Among other things (children, grandchildren, etc, etc) we discussed the way things in McLaughlin has changed since we all lived there. [Although the Badger Cafe has probably survived!] Emil and Irene live in a Senior Citizens housing area in Black Hawk SD (north of Rapid City).

Day 12, Fourth of July:  Today was the "big day", around which Grumpy's entire trip itinerary was scheduled: the now-infamous back yard barbecue and water fight at Gary and Cindy's!! [NOTE: A water fight, using toy water guns reloaded from a convenient collapsible kiddy pool, has been customary since Grumpy and the Grand Mother first experienced this event five years ago. So naturally, it was to be expected that the tradition would persist in 2011.]  

Before going to the barbecue in the afternoon, we stopped to visit Grumpy's cousin Ann and husband Jack, having mid-morning coffee [and ice cream!!] with them while sharing memories of days gone by as kids growing up in rural South Dakota. Jack showed Grumpy an antique, right-handed log-peeling ax (and an adze) that he won at an auction. The axe was right-handed because of the distinctive bend in the handle to allow for the blade to have a more horizontal orientation when wielded by a right-handed woodsman.

Just a sample of the continuous "liquid" action! 

Melanie with Brady and proud Grandpa Larry

The back yard barbeque did not disappoint Grumpy vis a vis the occurrence of the traditional water gun fight. In fact it was made more interesting this year with the surprise appearance of an awesome pump-action water gun capable of firing at [more correctly, "wetting down"] an unsuspecting victim as far away as 30-40 feet! Due to his "inadvertently" getting involved in the water gun fight, Grumpy warned certain would-be "squirts" that he would be bringing an automatic repeating water gun in 2012. [Conditional on permission being first obtained from the resident "peace officers", Gary and Cindy. Also, being granted leave to do so by the Grand Mother, of course!]  In any case, this annual event is something to look forward to with great glee. This day was especially enjoyable because of getting to see Francis and all of the Rapid City clan, including those who came from Colorado Springs; and Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, oh my!! We especially enjoyed a bubbly, energetic conversation with Haley, the teenage member of the Great Grandchildren generation. [Five years before, Haley was the culprit who "accidentally" -- on purpose!? -- soaked the Grumpy One during an especially heated water gun episode. Now five years later she was much too mature to engage is such childish antics.]

Day 13:  Today, we took our time, catching up on some much-needed sleep and packing for tomorrow's travel back towards home. Grumpy originally chose to not plan to travel this day in order to avoid possible "crazy" drivers so soon after the Fourth of July holiday. As it turned out, a memorial service for our Nephew Robert had been planned for this afternoon. We were glad we were able to be there. Robert's widow Marjorie from Alaska had arranged for a triple service (Masonic, Military and Episcopal), held at the Rapid City American Legion hall. There we met Tammy, Robert's daughter from Florida and her husband; and Larry's wife Marsha, and all four of their children, including Jason (Dr, if you please!) who is busy setting up his practice in Rapid.

One more cousin to visit before we left the Hills was Jimmy and wife Shirley. They live on the dairy farm that Jimmy's dad, Uncle John bought when the family moved from their Ziebach County ranch to the Black Hills in the late '40's. All of the cropland is leased out, raising corn or alfalfa hay. But Jimmy still can't resist the urge to go out on his tractor [yes, he still keeps all of the farm machinery as if he wasn't retired!] and mow or bale hay when he thinks the one who is supposed to do it is not getting it done when it ought to be done; this is where he was the day before when we called to see when it would be a good time to come out. Jimmy is one of Lorraine's younger siblings; his twin brother died several years ago. We found both to be in good spirits and we had a good visit during the mid-morning, with coffee served up by Jimmy.

Day 14:  Leaving our motel at 6 a.m., with breakfast at the local Cedar House and topping off the gas tank in Belle Fourche, we headed west on US-212, arriving in Missoula MT about 12 hours and 625 miles later. With sore behinds, we found lodging at a Super 8 motel for the night, and after a supper at the McDonald's across the street, we retired early in anticipation of the relatively short drive to Coeur d'Alene tomorrow to visit my cousin there whom we had missed on the trip out.

Day 15:  Timing our start to allow our arrival in Coeur d'Alene for mid-morning, we now found that the telephone number we had previously contacted was "no longer in service". When we arrived at their address in C d'A, we found a "FOR SALE" sign in the front yard and the house obviously vacant. Checking with the neighbor across the street we learned that, after some serious medical problems, my cousin Ed and Sara had been moved by their daughter Mia, to Texas "about six weeks ago".

We drove on west on I-90, stopping for lunch at the Perkins restaurant in Ritzville [see previous post!]. After lunch, we drove on, exiting near George WA to go through Wenatchee. In Wenatchee we stopped at our favorite peach and cherry orchard and bought 16 pounds of succulent Rainier and Bing cherries to bring home to share. We then continued on over Blewett and Snoqualmie passes and were home this day by about 5:30 p.m. We were tired, happy and yet somehow refreshed by having been able to travel almost 5,ooo miles in two weeks and visit so many different friends and relatives.