AGAIN.....REALLY????

Just so you all know, I have no idea who those people are on my slide show!  I think I might have done something wrong...DUH!  I'll try to fix it, however, I should warn you that it could result in pictures of dogs, cats, aliens or just about anything else.

I'm bummed that I haven't posted anything for a while.  The reason/excuse is:
a)  no time
b) too lazy
c) internet is slower and less reliable than a drunk snail
d) the 2 year contract is up with my cell phone company so my phone has exploded/or maybe it imploded
e) nothing much is happening "up nort"
f) it is TOO HOT to think
g)  the dog (yes, I have Kristi's Onyx again) peed on my computer

OKAY, I made the last one up and all the others are probably just convenient excuses except the "too lazy" one.  Although, I have been very busy!  There was the 33rd wedding anniversary trip to northern Wisconsin, the Chicago trip, the Kentucky trip, the western Wisconsin trip (4th of July parade in Ontario, WI was great as were the talent show and fireworks!) and the other trip to Chicago.  Not to forget the American Legion activities (I'm the new vice-commander of Post 66), dog sitting for our neighbor and working with the architect for our house.

Now, I know what you are thinking," If she was this busy she should have been updating at least weekly!"  I need to tell you that "c" the internet thing was also true AND my computer is 12 years old, which in people years is approximately 108 years! Actually, I think I have seen pictures of 108 year old Russian people that process better then my computer!  Not to worry, I'm getting a new laptop when I come back from my next adventure.

I just realized that I didn't mention that I am off and running again.  Wednesday I'm off to Chicago (by train) then going on a long week end with Kristi to Toronto, Canada ( by train  to Buffalo, NY then car) after which, I go to Maine until 7 August.  Then I am back to Wisconsin and am in a parade. (Driving an authentic WWII jeep.)  If I can get my phone to work I will "blog" on the trip. (That could be interesting since I am not really sure how to do that.)

I've got to go and figure out the whole slide show thing.   Later!

Memorial Day

I have had a really busy couple of weeks and have not taken the time to write.  As the Vice-Commander of our local American Legion Post I could not let this Memorial Day totally fade from memory without honoring those who have served and gone Home to their final rest.  It matters not if they gave their lives in the service of their country or served proudly and died at peace 50 years later.  They all left their families to serve and protect this country and its people. Since the Revolutionary War (1775) to Operation Freedom (2011) including every war, conflict, and operation there have been 1,309,000 men and women have lost their lives while serving in the United States military.  This does not include POW's and MIA's.

This year I had the privilege, as part of our Post's Honor Guard, to set the POW/MIA Remembrance table during our Memorial Day Picnic Ceremony.  For those of you who might not know about this table to honor those still missing or captives, I will describe the table and the symbolism of each object that is placed upon it.

There is a small table set for one with an empty chair because he or she  is alone and is not here.  On the table is a white tablecloth as a sign of the purity of their intentions to serve and protect their country.  A red rose in a vase represents the blood they may have shed in sacrifice of the U.S.A, as well as, reminding us of the family and friends that keep faith until their return.  The red ribbon on the vase is like the red ribbons worn by those who demand a proper account of all POW/MIA's.  On a plate is a slice of lemon symbolic of their bitter fate and some salt for the countless tears shed by the families.  They cannot toast or celebrate with us so the wine glass is upside-down.  The candle is the sign of hope that they will return home, away from their captors, to a grateful nation.  Finally, there is an American flag to remind us that many of them may never return and have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I have seen this table at various American Legion functions but never truly understood its significance until I participated in this POW/MIA Remembrance Service and was responsible for setting the table.  I suddenly remembered those I'd known who did not come back, the former POW's I knew while serving in the Air Force and the heartbreak, hope and strength I saw in the eyes of the wives who did not know what happened to their husbands.  It was a humbling and emotional experience.  I know I will never look at that table as I had before.  It is important....They are important....I will remember....

That's it from The River's Bend.

Kindergarten

I don't think of myself as old (unless I want the senior discount then I will even hunch over a bit) however, this week I met my match with a kindergarten class.  A few months ago I told my husband to poke me if I ever even thought to take a substitute teacher job in a kindergarten or first grade class.  Well, I was weak and a friend of mine (kindergarten teacher) asked if I would take her class for three HALF days (8am to 11am) while she did end of year testing.  Puh, I thought, three HALF days (only two of them in a row) I can do that with one hand tied behind my back.  After all I just survived ten days with 7th and 8th graders how bad could it be??!!

Oh, how we forget the really bad things!  Take childbirth, who remembers how absolutely, freaking horribly that hurt, after a few years with the little darlings have past? (As long as you don't think of the terrible twos or teens.)  You have one and 2 or 3 years later you're doing it again.  I really don't remember if it was how great that baby smell was, the feeling I got when I watched a baby sleep, or just wanting to see someone sleep but it certainly was NOT the delivery!

On Monday I rediscovered the energy level of five year olds!!!!  It was like (I imagine) trying to run doggie training with a bunch of sixth month old springer spaniel puppies!  I don't even know how many students I had in the class exactly because they moved so fast it seemed like they were all twins.  There was an assembly and we got there as soon as we got coats off, backpacks unpacked, bathroom emergencies complete, questions about who I was asked and answered, and got lined-up (in line order).  This classroom is literally, right next to the gym and we were the last class to arrive..even the Pre-K class (4 year olds) made it before we did!!!!   We weren't in there 5 minutes when one of my students threw-up.  Fortunately, he missed everyone around him but as soon as I got him up and moving to the door, the two kids next to him thought they were supposed to close the gap and almost sat in it!

Disaster averted but silly me thought,"Okay, I got the worst over with.  What else could happen? I've only got a couple more hours."  Then I remembered that the last time I had thoughts like that I was a PE sub and a student broke his arm!  I quickly decided that I'd better try to re-grow those eyes in back of my head I had when my kids were little.  After all there were eggs in an incubator and fluffy, baby chicks in a box, add some kindergartners and it could all end up in chaos and catastrophe if I wasn't careful!  Well, without going into any further detail, let me tell you my three half days with this class was exhausting, educational, exciting, stressful, deafening, patience-testing, painful,and absolutely rewarding!  I don't think I'll be doing it again anytime soon but I had three GREAT mornings!

I may not have known when I was going to turn around and trip over one of them BUT I also never knew when I was going to get a hug, a special drawing or a dying dandelion.  I learned why we forget the bad parts of things like childbirth and 5 year olds, it's so we can re-experience the amazing things like baby smell, watching them sleep and unexpected hugs.

Well, that's it from the river's bend for today.  

The Bear was Back

The bear came back for more garbage.  Not finding any he/she decided to come closer to check things out.  These were by our deck with more all over the driveway and yard.  Mark says he/she is not very big but my opinion is ..IT"S  A BEAR who cares how big it is???!!!

Everyone in the have taken their bird-feeders down. One lady put hers on her porch and woke to find the bear,  on her porch, tearing them apart to get the seeds.  One feeder wouldn't break so the bear started banging it against the front window.  Now the question became which would give first...the feeder OR the window?? Fortunately, the feeder did.  The bear sat on the porch eating for a while then wandered off.  I asked about a gun (she doesn't have one) and pictures.  In all the excitement she never even thought about grabbing her camera.  She did say she grabbed her broom in case the window broke. I asked if it was for scaring the bear, sweeping-up the glass or riding away?  She said she never had to decide and we ordered another beer!

It is a great day today so I am planning to walk to Wilson Rapids...I'll be bringing my camera AND my gun!

Bear Attack

It's that time a year again.  The bear are waking-up and they are hungry!  Every garbage can on the street (3) was attacked and ANY scraps of food that was left were eaten.  The rest of the stuff was scattered around. We were lucky as there was not much for him/her to find but one of our neighbors had their garbage spread all over the road and their driveway.  Plus, they do not recycle so all the glass was broken.  It was quite a mess!

Though we are used to the spring bear issue, we're never sure when to stop putting the garbage out the night before until our garbage can is attacked.  We also have to be more careful walking and letting the cat out to hunt.  Alexander the Great is an awesome hunter BUT I just don't think he would be a match for a cranky, hungry bear that just woke up from a long winter's nap!

Background of My Blog

This was me when I was 4. (?maybe?) When I found this picture I was really afraid I was the kid in the cowboy hat but as I zoomed in closer I was relieved to see it was not me.  I don't know who it is but it is not me!!! I am the cute one in the back being held by my Grampa Bill.  Anyway, as you can see this picture is pretty old (1955?) and there were no computers back then...there was just barely TV and telephones! I point this out to you "young" people that may be reading this to show how far I've come.  Technologically speaking ...NOT old-age speaking.  (Be nice, Anthony!)

Back to the point of this post....not a bad name for a blog that "The Point of the Post"...never mind. Soooo, when my husband retired and we moved "Ut Nort" I thought a blog would keep me busy, out of trouble (well, the out of trouble part I didn't think would ever work but what the heck) and from getting bored.  Actually, it might have been my daughter's idea because she was starting a blog and misery loves company.  I got it all set up and did my first entry in 2009.  I was rolling right along!!!!  I did my next two entries in 2011.  I got a "smartphone" (which is a lie by the way; I still had to figure it out) and was seeing if I could post a picture and comment from it to my blog. Which I could, cool, huh?

Now it is 2013 (do you see a pattern developing) and Kristi has been trying to get me to write a cooking/ " Ut Nort" living/ the effects of moving from civilization (Green Bay, Really?) to the "Backside of Beyond" blog.  I have been living here for about four years now and, trust me when I say, NOTHING much happens up here. (well, unless Jane, my neighbor, and I escape from our husbands and go pub crawling...well they call it bar bouncing up here...then things can get a little.....interesting...exciting... bizarre)

Also, my cooking is okay but I have to improvise with ingredients quite a bit. The reason being that the closest store that carries more then beer, chips and bait is 45 minutes away....and for that drive, through the deer infested woods, you can also get bread and ice!!!  Okay, I may be exaggerating slightly but the point is I can't just run to the store and pick up paprika. I don't think anyone would be too interested in some of the combinations I've had to explore anyway.

Finally, the whole moving from civilization to the boonies, have you been paying attention to my ramblings so far.....I didn't used to do that.  I was very on point....NOW I have a hard time forming an intelligent thought much less following it through to the end!!!!!  BUT we have recently sold our house in Green Bay (it took 3.5 YEARS thanks OBAMA.....but I'm not bitter) and are going to have our mostly, dream, retirement house built....soon....well this year......or next year....probably.....maybe......I'll keep you posted!!

OH Darn...I was going to tell you about laundromat day.......maybe next time....

This is our first day of Spring weather!!!
Mark and I have been sitting on the deck drinking a Bloody Mary and talking about being ready for a "real " house.  We've decided that we are not "ready" but have been waiting it for sooo long that we need to build it to satisfy some weird inner desire.

The river is pretty high and running fast.  It would be fun to kayak or canoe down it.  Unfortunately, I'd either kill myself due to inexperience or get stuck downstream and Mark wouldn't come get me.  Then there is always the possibility of a forced swim in freezing, fast-flowing water.  I think I'll stay right where I am....on the sunny deck with a Bloody Mary!!!!