Work on the breezeway ---- Parsonage

When we came back from Michigan, we took Colton and Brennan along with us.  They are home schooled so it worked great.  They gave up the Michigan Youth Deer hunt for this ---- WOW Thank you Colton and Brennan.

We had left Lakeview with the cement floor done --- and the old entry way torn off.   Nothing else was started.   So the boys and Gary began right away with framing in the new breezeway on the Parsonage.

 With a little help from a "jig" that Gary made -- Colton was able to cut all the rafters and hand them up to Grandpa.  Didn't have one that was cut wrong.  Good job Colton!!!!

 By the time the boys left --- the roof was shingled and one door and one window were in place.  Boy what great help. 

Now it's up to the "old geezers".......love each one of them!!!!  You might ask why they are all (but one) laying on the ground.   Well --- with those bifocals you have to get right down there to see the line and make sure things are straight.   So that's Gary and Dean and Don --- Dan T. is the only one that stayed standing.

The siding is all in place and it looks great.  Now for the electrical work.....and the plumbing.....and the dry wall...  Oh dear.    At least, with this cold rainy weather we are having --- it's all inside stuff.

The boys did other things while they were here.......

 They helped Grandpa make me some Halloween / Fall decorations.   Love those cats!!!

 They did a little hunting.......

And they worked in the shop on various things.   The hammer needed a new handle so Brennan went to work.   He ended up taking the hammer home with him.  He did a great job on it!!!

The place got pretty quiet when they went home after 2 weeks.   What great kids.  They ate EVERYTHING I put on the table .....it was great.   No picky eaters there!!!!   And we got in some good talks too.  Love you Brennan and Colton!!!

Well,  folks -- we have snow in the forecast for this weekend.   It's way WAY too early for that white stuff.   I am NOT looking forward to slippery stuff!!!!   But it will be here before we know it.  So enjoy autumn while you have it!

Gary and Barb

So many stories to tell ---- might get rather lengthy......... Sorry

We headed for Michigan the end of August......actually we left South Dakota on our 50th Wedding Anniversary --- August 30 (1968).   We would celebrate this milestone with our family the following Monday --- Labor Day.     Dennis said he would grill chicken for us.....and then add a few dishes and you have a feast.  We kept the numbers down ---- just family.   Our kids and my sister Linda and Dave, brother Bill......Ethel and Jim were unable to come.......Gary's sister Hazel and Paul.    But Holly told many of our friends to come later on and share in the fun.   And we sure had a great time celebrating!!!   WOW 50th ---- I remember that my Grandpa and Grandma Logterman didn't get to celebrate that milestone......Gramma passed away just before.   

Dennis had a dandy chicken grill --- but when he went to get it he found out it had been destroyed...... Had to borrow one from Earls' Meats......but it needed some improvisions.   Thanks Dennis for all that HOT work.    Oh was it hot!

 They found a batch of oldies but goodies --- pictures -- in the basement.   So those went up for display.

And one sweet surprise was that our son, Rick, who lives in the Netherlands surprised us with a week long visit.   He's enjoying (I think he was enjoying it.....) a ride on the go-cart with Sawyer.  It didn't last very long --- I think he was rather cramped in the little buggy.  

We had a good time with Rick ----- we wished that his wife, Claudia, could have come too.......  Claudia is pregnant and the doc. said "no".....such a long trip would not be a good thing for her.

I will be working on the photo album for a while....... we were given a new Polaroid camera ---- didn't know they still made them.      So we had instant pictures of everyone who was at our celebration and they gave us their well wishes in the album.......now I just have to add the photos to their page....and maybe a few embellishments...

- - - - - - - - - - - 

Holly had been wanting the carpeting out of their living room for a long time.   Dennis checked it out before we came that the project was something we were interested in taking on.   So here goes........

 Got the carpet pulled off and then came the pad.  It came off pretty good.....

We got everyone in on the work.  Clayton, Sawyer, Holly, Dennis, Me, Gary...... good crew.

 HHhhhmmmm  there must have been a rug in the middle long ago.   The outside was black and thick....was it some type of oil ---- was it varnish.....??   Didn't know.   But it HAD to be removed.   We got the CitriStrip ........we  put it on and took it off 4 times!!!   Finally satisfied.....we then went and rented a sander.

Sawyer and Dennis doing the stain work......   Good Job guys!!

Wow --- even Rick got in on the finish work.   It really looks great and Holly is happy.....Dennis is happy......we were happy to be of help and stay busy........   What a way to spend a week in happiness!!!!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Gary got a look at Bill's new airplane project.......  Finish is a ways off yet --- but really getting close.  It's in his garage so the wings - which ARE finished - are not on yet.

                                       
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 Have you ever played "Mad Gab"???!!!  What a riot.   It's hard to explain how this game is played.......especially without the game in front of me.   But if you want a crazy game to play with "game" people --- this is a good one!!!!     I haven't laughed this much for a long time.  It was me, Gary, Holly, Rick, Sawyer, Clayton........Dennis stayed out of the silliness --- but we know he was listening in the next room and enjoying all the laughter!

When we left again for South Dakota ---- Colton and Brennan came along with us.  They were commissioned to help with the building project on the Parsonage.   They would help build the breezeway.     I think I will wait with those pictures.........keep your interest.      This entry is long enough and now you know you will have some more "news" coming soon.     The boys are now home again with mom and dad.......we had a GRAND time with them.........more to come.........

Love to All,
Gary and Barb

A few pictures....and a new BIG project

One of my (our's and a lot of other peoples) favorite landmarks is hurting more and more.   In fact, it continues to stand while slowly falling apart.  This is the old grainery in Crookston.   No one is tearing it down and, obviously, no one is saving it.   So, one day it will be a pile of sticks on the ground.   SAD!!!  I'm sure it was there when my Grandpa Logterman was a young man....probably he could have remembered when it was put up.       Another thought ------ when the top of it falls off it will probably just sit there ---- UGLY!!!!   No one will clean it up.    AUGH!!!   I hope there's usable lumber --- that will get someone out there!!!

Anyway --- on to other things.    Valentine had some hard winds over a month ago.  A guy called up Gary --- he had gotten his name from a mutual acquaintance.   "Did Gary want a Spruce tree to cut up?"  He had found out that Gary had his own sawmill.    "Sure." 

He got a real nice amount of lumber from that tree.  But what a loss for the Boyers.  They lost all of their shade on the west side of their house. 

Holland Michigan has Tulip Time in May.   They have to work real hard at getting the tulips to be perfect and some times the weather doesn't cooperate.   People are fined quite heavy for even picking one tulip!!!    Well, we don't have a week long celebration over our Sunflowers ---- but I think the beauty is ever so much more special.   We don't do a thing to get them to grow and we certainly don't fine anyone for picking a huge bouquet  ....  and there are tall ones and short ones.....   You do have to be careful because there are also bees and ants on them --- but everything can't be perfect.....
Here is our driveway -----

The other day as we were driving along I got the feeling that we (in the car) were in a parade and the sunflowers were watching us go by and waving at us.....All those yellow faces looking at us.     OK --- so I'm wierd......

The BIG project is the parsonage....... well - it's a breezeway attaching the parsonage to the garage. 

They started this past Saturday.....tore it off in 3 hours.  I guess the steps were SOLID cement and it was quite the task.  They beat it to pieces ---- blow by blow.  Somehow one of Gary's hammers came up broken but no one has claimed doing it.   Oh Well --- all in a days work.   This could be something that goes along nicely and then again --- it could be something that has this problem and that problem.  Hope it goes nicely for the workers sake as well as for Pastor Mark and Dawn!!!!   Gary has somehow been put "in charge".....

It was down right chilly this morning --- 45 degrees.  So I suppose summer could be on the way out.  But we are hoping for some good warm days yet.   I have about 20 nice sized pumpkins in the garden --- it's the first time we've gotten pumpkins----really never planted them before.   We also have about 9 watermelons that we are watching.   No muskmelons this year.....they don't do very good for some reason.   We've dug our potatoes and pulled all the onions....canned beans.....made sweet pickles and sweet pickle relish.   Guess you could call our garden a good success.  Still waiting on the cauliflower and brussel sprouts.... also something new we are trying.

Enjoy what remains of the summer!!!

One of the sunsets while we camped at Maloney Lake south of North Platte this summer.

Gary and Barb

Screws are gone -- and so is Skips

I had my screws removed  a couple of weeks ago and I can tell it definitely was the thing to do!!!  It's hard to explain what these screws did to me --- to my flesh --- as I bent my knee I could feel a "ripple" effect in my muscles.   When I let the Dr. feel it he knew it was the screws doing it.   These screws were down by my knee - holding the pin in place that was part of my broken hip repair.  The Dr. really wanted them to be in for a full year (if there was no problem they would have stayed in forever).....they made it 6 months --- and Dr. was OK with that.    I am glad they are gone.   I was afraid it would set be back again and I might be needing a cane.   But that wasn't the case and I have no problems.   In fact I can walk further - better.

Our pup, Skip, who was run over in June........had a pin in his leg all this time.   He is now pin free also.   That is looking like a no problem item also.  He is supposed to behave for another 4 weeks......no running.   He so wants to get free to wrestle with Toby but we are trying to restrain him.  Toby needs that kind of exercise  ---- but not Skip just yet.   I really wonder what will happen when these two dogs are free from all restraint.  I just stay out of their way!!!!

When I had my Upper GI (along with the colonoscopy) the Dr. thought (he wasn't at all sure -- but maybe there was something there) he saw something on my voice box.   So I should go to an ENT (Ear, Nose Throat) and let them have a look see.

So last Monday we traveled to North Platte (actually we camped in North Platte) and went for a visit to the Dr.  I really figured he would tell me to come back another day.....but no he would do it right away.    So he sprayed some stuff up my nose to somewhat deaded it....and then put a little light - attached to the end of a tube - down my nose to my voice box.  He had a screen he could look at ---- attached to the tube ---- "Nope - I don't see a thing --- you're good to go".   And that was that.    And I have to tell you --- once again Gary and I had prayed that they would find nothing.   NOTHING 😁.

We had camped at the Buffalo Bill State Rec. Area........  the Nebraska Campgrounds leave a lot to be desired!!!!   And the Gov. is going to get a "nice, friendly" letter --- letting him know what needs some improvement!!!    Good grief -- at the last one you had to pay for the shower and after getting all undressed and put my quarters in......NOTHING 😝 --- the next one (after wrapping a towel around myself) didn't have a shower head.........!!!!!!    Finally I got my shower but I think my blood pressure had gone up a few numbers!!!!

We have had 13 inches of rain since June --- but right now it's getting pretty dry.   It's great haying weather and they are busy at it.   Our lawn is still green and in need of mowing.  90 degrees with a light breeze is still comfortable if you don't do anything and just sit under the trees 👍   Come on over and we'll have some iced tea!!!

Love to all, Gary and Barb

A month of happenings.......MIRACLE!!!!

I can see that it's past time to give an update.  Many things have happened in the month of July so I will try to write it all down.

I (Barb) had talked to my doctor during an annual visit (this past June) and we decided that I should have a colonoscopy.  Oh Joy!  Five years ago I had been told that I had LOTS of diverticulosis --- the outies that collect "things" in my colon.  And I had one almost perforate....we all have 3 layers in our colon wall and the perforation had gone thru two layers.  The plan to let my colon rest for 3 days worked and I was sent home.   I kind of let it be forgotten but did watch my diet....no seeds, no popcorn, no nuts and so on. 

But then when I broke my hip --- the doc in North Platte wanted to know all my history.  So this item came up and he was quite adamant that I needed to have that taken care of.   "We have lots of good people that can help you with that."  Well, I was in no hurry to go under the knife for that short of surgery.   But when I went in for the annual I brought it up.  Doc. Claire set up an appt. in Rapid City for the colonoscopy.   However, once again I stepped in and said ....."no - not ready  for that sort of surgery".   I even received a certified letter (costing $6.70) for Doc. Claire telling me what a high risk I was and it was much better to repair in a non-emergency situation than in an emergency.    SSsssoooo I set up the appointment in Rapid City. 

Gary and I began praying that God would heal my colon and they would find NOTHING during the colonoscopy.   The last time Gary prayed --- just a few days before our trip to Rapid.... I felt a movement in my lower abdomen and I KNEW it was a healing. 

They found nothing------NOTHING!!!!  I was told to go on a high fiber diet --- a total change from 5 years ago!!!!    God IS still a God of MIRACLES!!!!

This past Tuesday I had the screws removed from just above my knee.   These were part of the broken hip fix.  The screws were too long and causing me discomfort --- not really pain --- but I could feel my flesh "ripple" over these screws and when I would let someone feel it --- they would gasp and say "eewwweee".     When I got to the Doc for the check up and x-rays before he removed the screws I told him I had to chew him out.   That was OK with him.   So I said when Gary builds cabinets and has a screw that is too long he fixes it right away with a shorter one.   Couldn't he have done that!?!?  And then he went on to explain that "no" he couldn't and this was why.  Although I understood (somewhat) what he said (Gary did fully) -- I can't explain it to you......    Anyway,  I no longer have that "ripple"....it is GONE!!!  And  I am not in need of any pain meds so that is grand!  It's definitely like God went before all of this too!!

Today at 5:30 we got a phone call from my cousin Lee and then the police stopped in.   Marcus Luxom was being looked for and he was last seen -- by Lee -- at the end of our driveway.  So we are on alert.  The police were searching the trees by our place.   I don't really fear that he is out to harm us in any way --- but he is known to be on drugs so who knows what could happen.  Hope they find him!!!

Gary and Barb

Third Annual Peters Family Campout at Tri-Ponds 2018

Let's see --- how to start.......  Well, of course it all started out with us leaving home and heading down the road.   Right away there was a photo moment.   They were putting the honey bee hives out.....

We spent two nights on the road and arrived in time for Austin's Open House - which was held Saturday.  And then on Sunday we all headed for the campground --- Tri-Ponds.  It was a rainy day --- but oh well.....

Love that frog umbrella!!

 But you can still have a special time with people you don't get to see very often.  Keller and Sidney have always had a special cousin thing!!!

And then the weather cleared and we had nice days to go fishing and golfing and swimming and eating.....  Just some good ole' family fun!!

 These two ---- I don't know what their thing was but Halle had a nose problem and Grandpa had an eyebrow problem.   Gotta Love Em Lots!

I really don't know the name of this game but lots of campers had it.  And it is a fun family game.....

You can guess who the winners were.....    But of this game only.   There were lots of other games.  One of them ----- I was way in the lead -- against Gpa......... and then --- SPLAT SPLAT..... he won.

 Oliver wanted to go swimming in the pond so grandpa went with him.   But the pool was probably the winner this year.  We really didn't spend that much time in the water.  Lots of other things to do.

Like a good ole' game of Mexican train.    Also take note of the cute tablecloth.....made with Love by Holly.  

And camping is not camping without hobo pies.   Pizza hobos being the main course....but there were several other varieties.

You can't really see the tablecloth ------ but I made it out of dog, cat, puppy and chicken feed bags.  It is durable and you just wipe it off ---- easy!!! ........also made with love   (for myself though....guess I better get busy making some for others).

 S'mores......always gotta have s'mores!!!

No pictures of the golf outing.   Tri-Ponds has a very very nice miniature golf course.  A little pricey---but then everything can't be free.  And they have a lots of beautiful plants to maintain.

The older kids, Trenton, Austin, Sidney and Mike (yeah, he's still a kid at heart) had to work during the day but they came out every night.      Marti and Tim had other commitments and Oliver still had school so we didn't get to see as much of them as we would have liked. But you take what you can get and we all had a lot of fun.  

On Thursday we had to leave --- so we then parked our camper by Holly and Dennis and then went out for meals with lots of friends.   Ken and Sally, Bruce and Glenda,.......Jack and Pam.......Dale and Barb.....Dan and Deb Van Malsen.....Hazel and Paul.....think that's everyone.     It's always so good to touch base with good friends again and also to see many many more at church.  

I think we will have another one of these next year.   Maybe a change in week --- hoping to get past school days!!!  

We arrived home in South Dakota with 2 grandkids along.....Clayton and Sawyer.    It's been great fun and they are also good workers -- so getting a few things done.

Love to all.

Gary and Barb

First Campout of the year ---- Cow Creek

We sure had a fun time at Cow Creek.   This is a State Rec. area north of Pierre on the Oahe Dam.  We were there last year also but that time it was real windy.  This time it was a calm peaceful couple of days.

We left on Sunday after we had visited with one of the girls at the Detention Center.   It's only 2 hours up to Pierre so we were there around 4:30.  One other camper in the whole campground so we had our pick of sites.  We should have gone to the north part but the wind can be so bad coming off the water  so we stay behind the tree line.   But it was calm the whole time we were there.

We went fishing right off shore.  Toby enjoyed being by the water even if he couldn't go jumping in after sticks.  His leg really isn't healing like we had hoped and the vet said to hold off on the exercises.   We are seeing improvement and haven't cut down a whole lot on his walks but we didn't let him do nearly as much as Toby would have liked to.

He looks kind of dejected here.   But he was watching the bobber!!   Good dog!!

Gary went out early in the morning on Tuesday (we slept in on Monday)......I stayed in bed and enjoyed some more sleep!!!    Then after thinking he would have been back  -- I went looking but couldn't find any sign of him........ I did finally find him.  He had a pail with 3 catfish in it.  Said they really hit hard right away but when I got there (no pole -- just waiting on breakfast) they had quit.   When I walked back to get the fillet knife and a pan, the one other camper and her husband asked if I had some fish.   I told her Gary had some catfish and she got real excited.   I asked if she knew how to clean them (she was Oriental)...and she did.   She came along and filleted  the first one for Gary and then he did the rest.   She obviously knew what she was doing.

We also caught 3 bass, and 2 northern pike ---- oh and then that stupid carp! So it was a fun time. 

 We did some bird watching .....sure wish I knew what these big birds are.   They  were maybe a little bigger than a robin.

 Gorgeous sunset.....I should have been out on that point the night before because the colors were awesome and I missed it.

 My big bass......

 We could barely see these geese with the naked eye ---- they were across the water from us.   My camera is a nice one -- and I caught these shots.  They sure were noisy!!!  They must have been close to 1/2 mile away.

I searched and searched for that bobber -- in my camera view finder........ I finally found it.   Isn't that a cool shot!!!   Applause.....Applause       😊

There was a down side to our campout.......TICKS!!  Gary must have picked 20 of the buggers off!!  He'd have one crawling on his hand......then in his neck.....then his hand.   I had one --- but goodness.   We were on our way home and Gar says  "here!! under my finger .......you got it?!?!  You have to be fast --- cause they're faster!!  But I did get it and then YUCK --- you have to use your fingernails and break them in half in order to kill them.

We left Skip home alone.   No - he wasn't alone --- Lee was here to take care of him.   He was pretty happy to see us.   But then he's a puppy so he's just happy and dingy all the time anyway.

Well, it's been a big day and the camper is back in the barn .....and I am going to bed.

Love to one and all.
Gary and Barb