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Psalm 90:10, "The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong.... |
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Three Score and Ten the Introduction, Well here we go, After 50 years I am going to take another attempt at writing. The first time was the Palmer writers correspondence school in 1969. The writing will be not a book that will be written with the idea of being published, But will be a writing of thoughts unencumbered by possible publishing and monetary gain. This writing will be a hybrid of Journal and Reminisce. It is important to me that the writings are my true thoughts at the time, not influenced by any factor. The writing will try to explain how a 70 year old white, male USA citizen now relates to today's world. Is every oldest generation lost in their own world, that they aged into? What do I see, and feel as I age farther. I know I am not normal as in what this world today would consider normal. But I hope I am in the ball park writing the thoughts of a 70 year old. I hope for you to learn to know who I am, As I search for Who I am at 70+ This work will carry on until I am no longer able to think or write. This will be done on a nearly daily writing interwoven with a life's reminiscing. This writing has been in the planning for 10 plus years. and I have now made it to this starting point. This writing is dedicated to My Wife The Kitten, My family, My grand children, Lukas, Levi, Luis, Lydia and Sonora Pearl. I thank you God that you have allowed me to have your Three Score and Ten Time. |
It looks like we are ready for the trip to Kentucky. We will leave tomorrow at about 6:30am. I hope I sleep well tonight as it is a 8 hour drive. The wives sister is excited about our visit. She lives alone and does not drive. I am happy we can visit her, But I will be happy to be back home. It is a stressful trip for me, more so as I age. I hope we have not forgotten anything. I will write on the trip when we return. When we get home it looks like good weather. I hope we can get potatoes and onions planted and more when we return. Things are going to move fast in April. It looks like city wants too, and now requires a new water line be installed to the house because of the old line being lead. More disruption to start in April. It is getting tiresome. Prompt: What are 5 things you want to accomplish in April? 1. Get the early part of the Garden planted 2. Clean up, fertilize and plant in perennial beds 3. Get started kayak fishing 4. Line up some home maintenance people for this season 5. Clear and reset fence line at the farm 6. Extra, Keep up with my Internet sales and Activities |
| I know I have not written for a bit. We have been busy getting ready to visit the wives sister in Kentucky. We will leave Tuesday morning early. We did some shopping and bought our seed potatoes and onion sets. We hope to plant potatoes and onions when we return. The little dog got is hair cut and grooming. That is one expensive Little Dog. I got a haircut for a whole lot less. But off course he is a therapy dog and I am just a dog that causes the need for therapy. I had to make a trip to the Milwaukee area to an auction house to pick up a chicken. They would not ship it as it was fragile and big. We bid on it at the last seconds as there we know other bids. My wife thought it would be nice for the grandsons to have out with their pet chickens. It turns out it is a very expensive artist signed and numbered Paper Mache chicken. Way to over the top to put outside with the chickens. It will need a little repair restoration. I needed another project. After that I am not sure what we will do with it. The other thing taking up time in computing our Income Tax. I Never worry about getting it done early. but I do like to get it done by the end of March before we get real busy. For the small amount of income we have it sure gets to be a pain. If there is something that I do not need, It is a letter from the IRS Have a Blessed Restful Evening In your entry today, write about one of the most frightening moments of your life. I Did not know if I would write on this prompt, I have had other scares but this one is something I feel I can write about. When is suppose I was about 15 we would go swimming and fishing in the river about two miles from our home. At this spot that we swam in the river made a bend and there was a deep hole with a swirling under current. We called it the whirlpool. We would be careful to swim on the edges of it and knew where not to go. On this one day some of my younger brothers went with us. The youngest one along that day was not familiar with the pool. I do not think he had ever been there before. He must have been about twelve. As you most likely know by know he got into the whirlpool and went down. I could swim some and went out and found him and dragged him by the hair to shore. He was unconscious. I laid him out and did chest compressions and arm lifts. He came too with coughs and spitting water. That was close. I am thankful I never had to tell my mother he drowned. He is the brother that is now blind and lives about two hours from me. We are still close. |
| It must truly be spring, I got Spinach and Radishes planted today, it's a start. The planting is two weeks ahead of last year. It should be good, Rain and showers here for a few days. No real cold ahead I can see. We will be leaving for Kentucky in a week. So there will be no more planting until we return. We have every thing uncovered and cut back all that needed it. It looks like we have ignition, This Spring is a go. Prompt, Write about your earliest memory. Try to describe it in as much detail as possible. This is a interesting prompt I wanted to write on. it is something I have thought about at times. It is a peak into my future life. I have two instances which one is earlier I do not know. They should be about the same time frame. I would think I was three to four years of age. I do not think I was yet in school. The first was, My mother at that time needed to go out after the cows for milking from a wood pasture about a quarter mile from the barn and at times she would take me along, me walking some and being carried some. As I remember it we were singing Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, still one of my favorite songs. It was later the first song I sang for an audience at school, First Grade. At any rate when Rudolf goes down in history I asked my mother What is history. I think that must have had a real chore to explain history to a 3 or 4 year old. I am still a history buff and I know have my definition of "What is History" The second situation I must have been about as old and older. I remember rocking in my Great Grandfather's pressed back wood rocker. [I sure would love to have that old rocker, I think it got broken up for firewood when needed]. I rocked to the music of the radio singing away. The songs I remember and still sing are Pennies from Heaven, Mr. Sandman, and the Naughty Lady of Shady Lane. When ever I here them I time travel a long way back. They are still some of my favorite songs. "Thank You for the Memories" |
| We started getting started the serious effort in the garden today. We uncovered the strawberries and Garlic along with the winter onions. All look very good. We are two days earlier then last year. I am very pleased with the June bearing strawberries, We planted the bed in spring 1998 and it has been in continues production since that time, harvesting strawberries for twenty two years. Maybe that is a record. The bed is about 5 x 10 and gives us all the strawberries we can use. Prompt, How are you different now than you were in the year 2010? What have been the most significant changes in your life in the last ten years? That is a prompt that fits nicely in this blog. My wife and I have retired, But I still consider myself semi retired, But that statement depends upon who is asking. We have another surprise grandson, Luis the Younger. Because of the virus we are most likely done with major traveling. I am sure glad we traveled when we did. A major change was our decision not to move up to North Central Wisconsin as our primary residence as we had planned to do when the property was purchased in 2009. It was going to be too much stress with big time sizing down, selling here, building on to the house up there and moving. It was the correct decision, God has led use to a correct choices. I always say "It is lucky we do not always get what we ask for" We get what God wants us to have" As for health there was the Afib problem and is on going but under control. My wife is being careful with Osteoporosis. but we are both what I would call healthy. But after ten years I know I am slowing down, I tire out much faster, My eyes and hearing are a problem now. I am Thankful for the past ten years. |
| I guess I am falling down on the job or I am getting busy. Today is spring and I will get in the fast lane soon, Much to do and so little time. But I will try to make entries here as a priority. As you can tell we are back from the north woods. There is still snow in the woods and shadows. I went ice fishing both days and got three meals of crappies for the wife and I. I then put the Ice Fishing gear away for another year. At this stage of the game I can not but wonder if I will get it out again. I did get to trim the Blue Berries. I have six more Blueberry plants coming the end of May. Every thing looks like it should up there. I did not sleep well last evening, I will never after all these years get used to living in a town with there ideas of what needs to be done. Now it is replace our incoming water line this summer, It never ends. It upsets and stresses me thinking about it. I have always gone with the idea of if it is not broke don't fix it. I will always be a Country Boy. You only fix what needs fixing and you work with what you have, When need be. Today It was very nice out, The first day of spring. I uncovered some perennials in the beds. Tomorrow we will remove straw from Garlic, Strawberries and Winter Onions. We now have bulbs blooming and many other are coming along. Did I say "I Love Spring" In the bid to make life a bit easier I will write on enticing prompts now on this Blog entry. I do not want to get Bogged down. The Writing for me I do not want to become a chore. I is supposed to be something for the Grandkids, It is supposed to be of interest to you, and therapy for me. "What lesson do you remember most vividly from your childhood"? Some where along the trails of life, I have come to: Keep your options in a situation open as long as possible. Be careful with your commitments and promises. Once made, They are made to keep. And you need to live by them, The promise is your Word and Reputation. |
| Three Score and Ten + Day 210 Well, It has happened, The End of another day. We got some snow on the ground again, It is the wet heavy stuff. I did shovel the side walk so it will not ice up tonight. We are leaving tomorrow for the north. They did not get the snow we did. It is time to put the ice fishing things away for the season. I was hoping to get out up there but it looks like it will not be possible. It is always somewhat sad to put it all away for the season. I now have to think will I ever get it out again. On the bright side it is about six weeks to kayak fishing. Yesterday I finished pruning black raspberries, Then replacing the twine with wire on the support trellises. The berries sure look good. We saw no RABBITS this winter so there was no damage. I will start uncovering perennial flowers, Garlic and Strawberries when I return. I should be planting in less then a month. I have made a couple internet sales as of late, Small but all sales count. It is bewildering that my sales are so up and down, Hot or cold. I had another small sales just as I started writing this entry. I am glad it is only a supplement and not a living. The Flea market season should start for us the first Sunday in May. I am needing a good season. I did something very important this weekend. I made a big writing entry in the Grandsons journal. I do not writing in there as often as I should. I started the day they were born, Lukas and Levi. And now Luis and Jordan. I feel very troubled and sorry about the country and world they will inherit. I hope I can leave some lasting help. I wrote about Life's Chess Game. There maybe a time I will go into the game here. Have a great Week |
| Three Score and Ten + Day 207 Today, it was a nice day. I gathered up the Ice fishing equipment to take up north next week and put in storage till next season. The Ice Fishing season was not good for me. Maybe I am getting to old to catch fish. I am getting clumsy. But I still need the activity and it fights the winter blues. So I will continue to fish until the last Cows Come Home. On a better note we have spring flowers Crocus and Eranthus [Winter aconite]. It is nice to see color other when white. I pruned the Black Raspberries to day, along with Clematis Vines. It is amazing for me how approaching spring gives me a bounce in my step. I think April and May are my favorite months. Having the daffodils bloom is a yearly high light for me. If I look at the bare vegetable gardens, The perennial beds, The lawn clean up, All at one time it is daunting sight. So much to get done in a limited amount of time. But I have learned something over the years for any major under taking. Just look at todays planned thing to do, But stay at it persistently. Take a satisfaction in every days planned accomplishment. Then take some time and go fishing. The hardest part for me is taking the time for fishing. This year I hope I am better at that. Have a Blessed Weekend |
| My how time does fly sitting out on a piece of ice. I have been out perch ice fishing the last three afternoons. It has been nice out there but the perch do not want to cooperate. I was planning to add to the blog sooner but fatigue got in the way. I am going to try one more time this afternoon. Then it will be curtains for ice fishing this season here in the south. I hope to fish with my brother this weekend in the La Crosse area. Then at the north next week. Then put it all way for the season. There must be a few meals of fish some where for me. I will keep you posted on how I do. I have been striking out on the auctions also at this time. There are too many dollars out chasing a limited amount of stuff. With the situation we find ourselves in, there are not as many outlets for hunting stuff. I think humans have a need to hunt and collect something. My rule is I do not chase or get into a bidding war. That is also a no win. I hope I have flea markets this season to attend and sell at. It is one of my few social outlets. There is excitement going to a good flea market with a deep bag and a full wallet. Have Blessed Day |
| Three Score and Ten + Day 200 Today we got back safely from the north compound. It was nice up there. I spent two afternoons fish, But no fish. I have to tell myself I really can catch fish. I did not get skunked but close. I did take care of business with the crop land rental for 2020. The fellow that rents is such a nice fellow and has become a good friend. But he was so many problems farming wise, and health and family wise that I get depressed visiting him. I did meet with the Mural Painter and we decided on a updated different design for the compound Identification mural. We hope to have it up for Memorial Day. He is very popular painter in much demand. I hope he can get this done before he gets real busy. It is always nice to leave for the north, No traffic or major stress, No Television or Internet, No phone. It is a place where I set and read at times. I am busy but it is different kind of busy. we may see the neighbor or my brother but it is quite. BUT after three days I game ready to get back here and be fired up for what ever needs to be done. We are fortunate that we have a place to run to. Our sign, will be Family name along with "Forest Haven" PROMPT March 3rd Do you have a green thumb? Are you a gardener? Do you want to be? I know this prompt is a couple days old, but I did want to answer it here. Yes I am a gardener. Do I have a green thumb, Other people seem to think so. It all started back about in the mid 50's. I was six to eight years old. We lived back on a dead end gravel road about a bit more then a quarter mile long. Now I need to say this was North Central Wisconsin. at the end of the road was a small home with a small garage. And living there was a early middle age couple with no children and the husband was blind. There house set on a one acre lot. We started walking up there at a early age as that was where the mail box was and where we caught a school bus. We got to know the couple, We being myself the oldest of Eight Boys. it was not long and we were helping her with her flower beds, digging and pulling weeds. She paid us with a small amount of candy or a little coin change. I can still see her flower beds, they are still the best I can imagine. She never did vegetables. But it was there that I got the gardening bug. It has never left. My mother at the farm tried to garden as we got older. But she really had her hands full with eight sons. My mother was tough and did what ever she had to do. We had some good gardens as I grew up and some bad ones. My paternal grandmother tried to help some but was frail. My father was not a Gardner or a Farmer, Or a Father. Sometimes he tried to plow the garden but it was rough. BUT I always tried to have my own plot. I loved planting and watching as God took over. At age 22 I got the opportunity to buy a retiring farmers farm. It was I believe a gift sent from God, God picked me and my then wife to have it. That farm land I still have is Holy Ground. We cropped about 160 acres, with eventually a Registered Holstein dairy herd. We worked there for twelve years and paid it all off. I went on to be a certified Florist, with Green houses and Garden Center in south central Wisconsin . I went on to have a Plant Doctor Radio Program, and did horticulture county and state fair judging. but we were in a residential area and we started getting squeezed by development on our property. We were there ten plus years raising all sorts of plants for sale year around. And we also had a produce growing area and sold produce. My wife died, and I sold what was left of the property after selling lots and paying huge assessments. That takes me to today, It was been twenty four years at this home. We have a large lot and a half here with the buildings place in the right place, Right on Main Street. For a number of years here I sold raspberries and some other produce. But know I raise just for us and give some to neighbors and the kids. We raise nearly all of our yearly vegetable needs with much variety. My wife now does a lot of freezing and some canning. Up north we now raise the potatoes and blueberries. Raising most of our potatoes up there saves room in the garden down here. We still have surrounding the house many flower beds of mostly Perennials and Spring and Summer Bulbs. I quit large roses a few years back. To many problems. This is a condensed writing. There are many other factors entering the gardening. It is hard to think it as day 200 of writing, "Three score and Ten" Have a Restful Blessed Evening |
| It looks like I have been absent from writing for a few days. I have been out fishing and it has been bad. Yesterday was terribly windy which made it cold, without much for fish. Last Tuesday all I could catch was small Perch. I am ready to catch some spring fish. I will be leaving for the north tomorrow. I need to talk to a sign painter about a property sign. It was been in the planning for some time now, But it is hard to plan as the mural painter is very busy and we are at a distance. I will try to set up a meeting tonight, after I write this. Then of course today I had a lot to do to get ready for leaving and my printer took a dive. I had shipping to do and needed the printer. After messing with it for awhile with my poor vision. It was discovered the toner had to be replaced. So the wife went into a office supply store and got the toner while I did needed chores. We installed it and now all is well. Hopefully we are now going to be ready for tomorrow. The twin grandsons are now twelve years old, cracker jacks and sharp as whips. I have been writing to them since the day they have been born. i have been doing it so they will now who I am. I have been trying to give them pointers and a type of life map. Maybe they will not make all the missteps I and other have made. I know every generation says that and every generation thinks it will be different for them. but I hope they can glean something of value from the writings. I also think it is important for me because my paternal grandfather died when I was so young. I only have fleeting memories of him. I yet feel so close to him, having a letter or something of a personnel message from him would still be a real physical keepsake, a connection. I share his name and I like to think much more. I need to write to the grandsons about Life's Chess Game. What is important and what is not. How to cope in this ever more troubling, chaotic world. I will write them and as they are now older I will talk with them also. After I do so and have a blue print I will write it here. I need to quit writing now and phone my brother. I need to know how much snow there is in the driveway. I did not go on the planned fishing trip for many reasons. I am sure he will fill me in. Have a Blessed Restful Evening |
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