Sort of on the Wild Side

Had a whirlwind trip Up North and back today. Just me and hubby's big blue truck. And my fancy two-pillow booster seat. He had a perfect day for his out-of-town golf outing and I had a perfect day for a long drive.

It was awesome to visit with my mom and see four sisters as a bonus. And super awesome to get up and back without any deer mishaps.

I got up to Mom's apartment in Grantsburg a little afternoon and took her to lunch at T-Dawg's, where my sisters Renell and Raylene were able to join us. After lunch, I took Mom for a drive. We pretty much cruised around the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area on the north side of Grantsburg.

Although the sign says our entry is prohibited, it's just going into that field to hunt or trap. We could stand legally on the road side and look at it. It's Mom cute in her little hat?  We saw some swans and birds and flowers. I'll see if any pictures turned out and share tomorrow. After cruising a few hours, I dropped her back at her place and started for home – with a few planned detours.

Stopped by my old church to visit Dad in the cemetery. Had a good conversation. And I knew he was listening because when I stopped talking, then the patriotic pinwheel at his gravesite would start spinning, as if he was answering.

Glad I asked him to get me home safely and that he agreed to it!

From there, I headed southeast so I could near Balsam Lake and stop at a graduation party for my sister Romey's granddaughter Rylee. Didn't stay too long since I had nearly 4 hours drive to go. Romey and my sister Rachel were there so I got to see 4 out of 7 siblings today. Not bad. 

So I call this picture with Nell and Lene "Sister Distancing part 1."

And this one with Romey and Rach "Sister Distancing part 2."

I know. We were all acting on the wild side today, weren't we? Photos without face masks. 

Well, when we're all so happy to see each after nearly 6 months, why hide the smiles? 

Hopefully it won't come back to bite me in my tired, trucker butt. Dad sounded like he'd be watching over us for that, too. Thanks be to God.

U.F.O.

You've heard it said that "It's the thought that counts" and "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." In plain English, they mean: Don't be ungrateful when you receive a gift. ... Even if you don't know what it is.

Carter had a field trip this week to the Milwaukee Public Museum, which is considered one of the top American museums of natural and human history. After visiting a museum while we were in Texas, he was very excited to go and had a great time.

I told him he was lucky to go. The grade-school field trips I remember included bus rides to Crex Meadows (a wildlife preserve) and the Shrine Circus. A little mix of education and fun.

The best part for me was that I got to pack a lunch (including a can of pop. Wow!). I also got to buy a small souvenir. I still remember that laser gun-shaped flashlight I bought at the circus. That was cool ... even if the battery was dead by the time I got home.

This week Carter had no interest in carrying money for the museum gift shop so we didn't send any with him. Much to our surprise, when he got home, he presented us with a "very fragile" gift.

I carefully unwrapped the tissue paper and there it was ... a ... what? It was about an 8-inch long white crystal-like rod that reminded me of those krypton things from the Superman movies. I didn't want to offend the gift-giver and ask what it was, so I just said, "Oh, that's pretty!"

Carter's the one who 'fessed up. "I can't remember what it's called but I think it starts with an S."

So now we have this Unidentified Fieldtrip Object that we don't know what it is or where we'll put it. But we'll always remember Carter thought enough of his parents to borrow $3.75 from a friend to buy us a present -- and leave the toy flashlight on the shelf.