Weathered
Post-retirement reflections, travels, and discoveries about life at a slower pace.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Italy - October's International Family Night
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Night Out
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Very Funny Ladies
I have been following Liza Donnelly's work for at least a year. When
she decided to produce a documentary based on her book about the New Yorker's
Women cartoonists, I donated. As a thank you she sent out a signed book with a
personal cartoon to donors at a certain level. Here is my cartoon on the inside
title page:
Donnelly's daily work, writing and cartoons, can be found at https://substack.com/@lizadonnelly.
In case you are unfamiliar with Substack, there are many writers you can follow
without a subscription. Usually, a paid subscription gives you more access to
more content than an unpaid subscription allows.
Even though my stick figures are sadly poor, I enjoy watching the
videos Donnelly posts while drawing. She makes it look effortless.
Monday, October 14, 2024
Cooler Temperatures and Celebrating Tools
I made a Hungarian mushroom soup for dinner this evening. It tasted incredible.
There is enough left over for tomorrow night's dinner as well. Chopping two
cups of onions and one pound of mushrooms only took minutes with my Pampered
Chef Rapid-Prep mandolin. On any given day, my favorite kitchen tool is the one
that makes prepping recipes easier! We had a romaine salad with fresh
vegetables and oven-baked crostini with our soup.
Now I am writing and drinking a cup of dark hot chocolate with
marshmallows. Much of my day was spent designing a plan for an upcoming
Pampered Chef fundraiser for Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and
Sanctuary. The good news is that once the content is created, I can schedule it
to post on the actual days of the event (October 22nd through October 27th).
Having a plan makes me happy. Engaging in the creative process also makes me
happy!
Another "something" I am excited about is a new book that
arrived today: Writing Tools - 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer"
by Roy Peter Clark. My writer friend, Marjorie, recommended the book on her
blog this week. Check her out at https://marjorieapple.substack.com/.
Meanwhile, Joe spent the day watering the lawn and plants ahead of the
expected frost. Late this afternoon he went to the garage to work on setting up
his shop. He came in for dinner and helped with the dishes before heading back
out to do more shop organizational work. He is happiest when he has the right
tool(s) to fix or make items.
Come to think of it, I appreciate the right tools for the job I am
doing as well. This idea is from years of hearing Joe talk about how easy it is
to do almost anything if you have the right tool(s).
What is your favorite tool today?
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Flannel Up! Festival
Joe and I spent the afternoon at a fall harvest festival in Buffalo.
Our real estate agency invited the community to the first annual Flannel Up!
Festival. The weather cooperated with winds up to twenty-one miles per hour and
a temperature of 51 degrees. This is the first official chilly day this fall.
We got to pick a pumpkin, a free event T-shirt for Joe, drink hot
chocolate or apple cider, and eat hamburgers, hot dogs, and bratwurst. We also
had a photo taken - I'll share when we get our copy. It was a lovely free
event, and we enjoyed seeing so many people come out to spend two hours
mingling with other people. Upstairs in the barn loft there was an area set up
for people to paint and decorate their pumpkins. A man was making ballon
figures for the children.
The festival was held at Howling Moon Weddings and Events Center which
is a beautiful property. I borrowed two photos from their website.
After the festival we headed over to Menards so Joe could shop for more
items for his home shop. From there we drove to Home Depot in Monticello for a
new toolbox to hold his welding stuff. He is now at nine toolbox/rolling carts
plus eight of them have a tool chest on top. In the future I will get you
photos of his work area.
On our way home we stopped for dinner at Ton Ramen as I wanted ramen
for dinner. It was a lovely day, and I am ready to take a nap even though it is
5:20 pm. I am thinking of getting into jammies and going to bed early if I can
hold out for another two hours.
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Please Be Right Terry Pratchett
Tens of thousands of Evangelicals marched in support of Donald Trump in
Washington DC today. It seemed appropriate to drag out a favorite Terry
Pratchett quote to offset my anxiety over this election and what it means for
us as a nation.
I do not want to live in a nation that is ruled by evangelicals who believe Trump is God’s chosen candidate. He is not a decent or honest person. Why would any God choose an indecent, cruel, and dishonest man to lead us? I will scream if I see, one more time, the words "You don't have to love a candidate to vote for him" in my Facebook feed. It is not about love, it is about respect.
While I do not want to take the Evangelicals seriously, I don't think we are supposed to bury our head in the sand.
It is exceedingly difficult for me to believe the ideas shared during today's
march. "Don't Mess with Our Kids: an anti-LGBTQ activist group claims that
library books, public school teachers, and pop culture are tricking children
into changing genders. One woman told a reporter she is concerned her ten-month-old
grandson will grow up in a nation where he's pressured to identify as a girl. I
can't even think how our public-school teachers have somehow become the
culprits. Educators are already overworked, saddled with the responsibility of
teaching children how to survive a school shooting, and in the event of an
active shooter situation trying to keep children alive.
We cannot ban automatic or semi-automatic guns or enact legislation to
keep guns out of the hands of certain people. Now we have people vilifying
teachers for a non-existent problem? WTF.
I have to go meditate to lower my blood pressure.
Friday, October 11, 2024
A Family Tradition
I checked in with one of the neighbors yesterday to find out how many
children come to trick or treat in our cul-de-sac as we were buying candy at
Costco. It sounds like we can expect maybe thirty children. In California we
stopped handing out candy. Joe and I would give candy to the four little girls
old enough to eat candy who lived in our neighborhood. I am looking forward to
seeing our neighborhood children all dressed up.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Bits-N-Pieces
Megan and I had lunch at River Inn and then went shopping in Maple
Grove. Meanwhile, Joe was at home ordering more equipment and supplies for his
home machine shop. He dropped off his resume this morning and they interviewed
him on the spot.
There is not an official opening where he interviewed. The floor supervisor
plans to talk to the owner, who was off duck hunting today, about hiring Joe
anyway. They were really excited to interview someone with manual machining
skills and welding experience.
This evening, I received an email that I will be needed to work at the
polls on election day. The schedule for when and where will be sent out on
Monday. In addition to the role we are assigned as election judges, we must make
sure that we manage our role in a nonpartisan and professional manner. I am
excited to have the opportunity to serve.
We have been invited to a neighborhood bonfire at the end of the month.
I have not met these host neighbors yet. Joe met the husband right after we
moved in. He has stopped by and talked
to Joe while he was working in the yard two or three times over the last six
months.
The Garbanzo beans came out of the crockpot last night and they were
still firmer than Joe likes. He cooked them on the stove this morning and it
took another two hours before they reached the consistency he enjoys. He said
it was not the new cooker, he thinks the beans were old. He has never had beans
that took so long to fully cook. I will try another bean next week to make sure
the pressure cooker feature on the Deluxe Multi Cooker is functional. I am so
happy the product has a warranty!
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Inclusion at McDonalds (and Other Topics)
Busy day for me today. First, I spent four hours at my daughter's house (Megan) helping her and visiting. By the time I got home I was ready for a nap; however, Joe needed help with online applications. I sneaked in a McDonald's Big Mac which was a treat for me. I had a hankering for one for two weeks and kept putting it off.
I had not been at McDonalds since I took the kids there after a movie in August. At the time I did not notice these signs in the drive-up window.
The first sign reads: Hearing/Speech Impaired Assistance Available at
This Window. The second sign reads: Braille and Picture Menus Available. The
third decal is for St. Michael-Albertville Schools (STMA) with "Excellence
is our tradition" as their slogan. Anyway, I thought it was cool that
McDonalds is inclusive of people. Now, obviously a person who is blind is not
going to be driving a car, but their friend, partner, or caretaker can read the
sign and let a person who is blind know they can read the menu in braille.
Years ago, I had two adult students I taught to read. I thought of them today
when I saw picture menus are available.
Does anyone know if all McDonalds are offering hearing/speech
assistance and menus available in braille and pictures?
The first two boxes of my Pampered Chef sales kit arrived this evening.
Joe helped me unbox, wash, and set up the Deluxe Multi Cooker. We are running a
test run and then I will cook garbanzo beans this evening. Tomorrow I will
clean and put away the other items I received. One of the things I appreciate
most about Pampered Chef is the instructions for use and cleaning inserts they
provide with most products. It makes it easier to figure out how items are
used. Example: A few weeks back I purchased the store and serve because we love
salads. Before the store and serve, I would pre-chop veggies to last two or
three days and put them in Tupperware containers.
The problem with the Tupperware is that I would have to open the
container to clearly see what veggie was in which container, then I'd have to
hunt around to make sure I had all of the containers. Since Joe shares the
fridge, containers would get moved. The store and serve lets me see what is in
the containers AND everything is in one place. I love this so much, I have
ordered another one. BUT, when I received the first one I did not read the
instructions. How hard could it be to fill up the containers and stick them in
the fridge?
What I finally figured out this week was that the drain trays on the
lid popped off and were for the bottom of the tray. Duh ... NOW, I read those
handy dandy inserts from Pampered Chef when the product comes in. They write
them for a reason.
I am excited to see how the garbanzo beans turn out. Usually when Joe
cooks beans, he does it early in the morning before I am up - the smell of
cooking beans makes me nauseous. Plus, he has tended to forget he has them on
the stove even though he will set a timer on his phone. The beans have never
burned because when they start smelling up the house I ask him about them.
Cooking the beans in the Multi Cooker means they will stop cooking at the time set
on the cooker. Then I can hit the pressure release button and wait ten minutes
before opening the lid.
Finally, to keep things exciting around our house, Joe helped me to
rearrange small appliances in the kitchen. After almost six months in our
house, I think I finally have figured out the best place for the coffee maker,
microwave, air fryer, and stand mixer. While Joe has decided to go back to work
(he is in the application process) it is NOT because I want to rearrange stuff.
He wants to earn more money to continue to buy equipment for his home machine
shop. Honest.
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Cold Rain of Judgment
I am going to frame the above saying to sit on my desk. As the oldest
of five children, to parents stretched thin by my father's accident and my
mother's return to the workforce, at ten years old I was helping to care for
and make decisions for my siblings. Any wonder I grew up and joined the
business world and took on similar roles?
From May 2016 through February 2017, a series of unfortunate events in
my life meant I had to step back and examine how I could change me so I could
curtail elevated levels of anxiety and be able to breathe. Meditation, better
health habits, and quality time with Joe and close friends all helped me to
gain perspective. I figured out that I did not have a responsibility to make
suggestions when people came to me with their problems. I learned to listen and
empathize. I learned to wait until I was asked for an idea.
I learned that sometimes the best gift we give is to listen without
judgement. Sometimes that was incredibly difficult for me. Especially since the
answer seemed obvious to me. I would keep silent and coach myself with the idea
that a friend's situation was the same as letting my child make her own
decisions and succeed or fail on her own. Was I always successful at stilling
my advice? Heck no. I WAS trying though.
Had I had the framed saying above, I think I would have been more
successful. I will keep working on me. Who knew that would be such a job when I
got older?
Monday, October 7, 2024
Authenticity
Adults need this as well! That is why I love my closest friends
so much. I can be my authentic self, and they are simply fine with it. And I
love that they are their authentic self with me.
When I say authentic self - that is the me that gets to act silly. Or
be sarcastic and they get it. After so many years, my closest friends can
probably finish my sentences. I love my long-time friends, and I love my newer
friends because they met me after I gained a bit of wisdom. (Just a bit - that
seems to be a long journey for some of us).
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Joyful Sunday
Joe and I went to Rockford today to pick up a free patio table and
chairs. We rented a truck in Buffalo at Menards ($54.00 with taxes and fuel for
90 minutes). I spent a couple of hours washing the set down. I am happy with
the set-up. I close my eyes and imagine how this will look next year when all
of the vegetables are growing.
Joe drove the truck, and I followed in the car because I could not
climb into the truck. Note to Self: Next time you have to rent a truck take the
kitchen stepstool along. Oh, the joys of being a chunky short-legged
person.
The upside to this was that I asked Siri to play John Denver music, and
I sang-along for the ten-minute drive to the pick-up location in Rockford. I
did the same from Rockford to Saint Michael and then back to Buffalo to return
the truck. The music and the changing colors of the landscape felt like I was
in another land. It was a glorious Sunday morning. Extraordinarily little
traffic, clear skies, a multitude of colors, and John Denver's music. It was
joyful to be in the moment.
This afternoon, from the sunroom windows, I saw four neighborhood boys,
ranging in age from eight to ten years old, running through our backyard and up
the hill past other neighborhood homes. A bit later they came back through, and
they stopped and were looking at the planter boxes. Or maybe they were
wondering if we had chickens because of the cat house. I know they were there
for about a minute or two checking out the area. I was happy the boys felt
comfortable enough to enter the yard.
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Find the Broom (How Smart are You?)
There is a broom hidden in the above picture. I found the broom within 30 seconds. Does this mean I am smarter than
average? I doubt it. I have taken aptitude tests over the years, and I usually
come out above average, but not genius level. I think my inquisitive and analytical nature is because I loved journalism in high school
and learned to question and look for answers. On top of that I was blessed with
jobs that gave me the opportunity to learn how to think and how to look for solutions.
A year on a Yolo County Grand Jury taught me to triangulate information (three
reputable sources) before coming to a conclusion.
I say all of this not to gloat about my intellect that is within the
range of normal. I know really smart people who jump to conclusions. It is
difficult not to do just that when we might like what we are hearing or want
something to be true because it supports our own belief.
When I worked the sales desk at my last job (during COVID it was all hands-on
deck at times) I remember a veterinarian calling to talk to our veterinarian claiming that his dog died from the vaccine we manufactured. Our veterinarian,
after expressing condolences on the loss of his pet, said, "Sounds like
your pup got into some poison." The veterinarian insisted he had walked
his property and there was no poison. We took a report to register the claim
with the USDA. About an hour later, the veterinarian called to say he found the
poison his dog ate.
This was a great lesson for me on cause and effect. We look for answers and hope to find solutions and it can be easy to get misdirected along the way. It is one reason I read so much; I want to understand. Other people are not necessarily interested in understanding and will take misinformation as gospel. Whatever helps them sleep at night. Not my job to correct them. OH MY GOD, did I just write that? Well, I am trying to only have conversations with people who ask for my opinion or people who send me information in private messenger. I figure if they are sharing with me privately, they are asking for a response. Writing a response on something I posted is permission to respond as well.
I hope you found the broom. I hope you maintain your sanity over the
next thirty-one days. VOTE!
My morning was absolutely lovely as I spent almost three hours video
chatting with my dear friend, Anne, in Pennsylvania. She brings light to the
world.
Friday, October 4, 2024
First Harvest
Pictured is our very first harvest of a fresh vegetable in Minnesota. Joe pulled up two radishes to top our dinner salads last night. We will be eating radishes for weeks! We were both excited to have grown something this year – we had thought it would be late next spring before planting. While visiting Ohio, in early August, my Uncle Dick suggested we grow radishes this year as they have a fast grow time. He was right!
The original owner of our home was in town earlier this week and he
dropped by to chat with Joe. Joe gave him a yard tour. Our visitor’s response, “It
looks really nice. My wife can never see this – she was after me for years to
plant the trees you have here.” He was
referring to the arborvitae we planted in late August that line the back
property line.
He also complemented Joe on his mini-retaining wall he built for the
terrace that houses two of the raised planter beds. Since the guy used to own a
company that manufactures the bricks for walls, Joe was pleased to get positive
feedback.
Today, Joe is outside screening rock from the large dirt pile left by
the retaining wall contractor last spring. Joe built a simple screen rack to
fit over his wheelbarrow. He scoops dirt over the screen and the dirt filters
through. The stones/rocks are picked off the top of the screen and put in a
bucket. Joe said the soil is rich and beautiful, so that soil is going into his
eight planter boxes. The stones/rocks will be saved for footpaths for the wild
garden area we plan to complete next year.
My morning was filled with cooking and laundry. I do not mind chores at
all. I am happiest when I have order around me. I started cooking before I had
breakfast as I wanted to get the recipe into the crockpot early. If I waited
until I had my coffee it would be more difficult for me to tear myself away
from the internet rabbit hole! This afternoon, I spent an hour reading Pampered
Chef’s online new consultant materials. Now I am off to do my daily meditation
and to read (aka take a nap). I LOVE RETIREMENT!
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Fall Has Arrived!
The leaves on our hillside trees are beginning to change
colors! The changing colors lift my spirits even further than normal. As we
drive around the area there are increasingly more red and orange leaves interspersed
with the greenery. It is so beautiful.
Growing up in Ohio, Fall was my favorite time of the year, despite
my allergy to ragweed. Every year at picture time, usually the end of
September, I would cough and sneeze until I had a red nose. The red nose made
for lovely school photographs. To this day when my allergies flare the tip of
my nose will get bright red (yes, think Rudolph) and itch like crazy.
While I have not been looking for work, and I have plenty to
keep me busy, I decided to sign on as a consultant with Pampered Chef. My goal
is to fund my own Pampered Chef purchases of the larger appliances I want to
add to my kitchen. If I make a little bit of additional money, I can spend more
on my grandchildren …
This morning, I did food prep for tomorrows crockpot pork
roast with potatoes and carrots. Now, I am off to wash windows.
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Voting/Window Cleaner/Nobody Wants This
Joe and I completed our ballots today and turned them in at Saint Michael City Hall. As we drove home Joe remarked, “This is the most consequential election I will ever vote in.” I agree. I am relieved to have voted and to be done with the process. I can’t imagine why people don’t vote. Perhaps growing up around parents who were committed to the work of unions instilled in me that it is both a privilege and a responsibility to vote.
I am relieved to have the Vice-Presidential debate over with as well. I
agree with most everyone writing about the debate that most likely it did not
change anyone’s opinion on which candidate they will support. I liked Walz’s
relatability and authenticity. I am not looking for a debater – I am looking
for a collaborator in my choice of candidates. I can relate to Walz and not at
all to Vance.
I made homemade window cleaner and tested it out on the windows in the
sunroom. It was so much easier to use than Windex! I am delighted with the end
result. I only did the inside as I am not climbing a ladder to do the outside. That’s
a Joe job.
Since I had to move my desk to clean two of the windows, I decided to
make the desk move permanent. My monitor now blocks my view of the neighbors’
backyards. More privacy for them! I can still look out the windows and enjoy
the scenery.
I did find time today to watch three episodes of Nobody Wants This
on Netflix. This show is a wonderful treat after window washing (or any other
chore). I laughed aloud and got teary-eyed at poignant moments as well. The
creator of the story is Erin Foster and is loosely based on her own
relationship with her now husband. She mentions that some plot points were
added for entertainment value. But the “emotional journey” is accurate,
Foster says. “It’s not always like tangible things I can point to,” Foster told Today. “The emotional journey, I would say, is very
accurate to my experience of meeting my husband.” (source https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2024/10/02/nobody-wants-this-true-story-foster/).
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Tuesday's Tangents of a Cat Lady
Today was vaccine day. Pneumonia and flu shots get marked off the list
of to do items.
We also made a trip to Menard’s (Surprise!!) so Joe could buy a miter
saw and workstation for his shop. He plans to build a sifting screen for extra
dirt we have left from the backyard. When the largest retaining wall was installed,
the company dumped the excess soil they dug up on top of rocks that were in the
yard. The result is a mess that we cannot take anywhere to dispose of as it is
not soil or rock.
Besides Joe is happier when he has a project. Once he gets the screen made,
he can sift the dirt and use it in the raised garden beds. Yesterday I
mentioned that he was done with yard projects until next spring. Go ahead,
laugh aloud with me. This is the last ‘project’ he says.
Tonight is the Vice-Presidential debate. Part of me is looking forward
to watching. Another part of me wants to go to sleep instead. That may be the
flu vaccine side-effects, or it may be anxiety over the debate. I tell myself
that is silly as it is what it is, and I AM NOT the one debating. I feel
compelled to watch as I want to know first-hand what is said and not have to
rely on media accounts and memes plastered on Twitter (X) and Facebook. Then
again, it seems to me I could bury my head in the sand. I just can’t!
I may need a nap first, though. Well, maybe. I tried to nap when I was finished with chores and Alto wanted pets. We know who won that round. I did not get a nap. Alto is a happy cat. This officially makes me a cat lady.
Monday, September 30, 2024
Backyard Landscaping Reveal!
Joe finished with the backyard for this fall. The first photos are of how the yard looked when we purchased the house. The retaining wall in the background was replaced and most of the backyard was left a muddy mess. In some areas grass grew back without our reseeding. In the midst of the process of landscaping we had trees removed and a transformer/tree fire that created more landscaping clean-up.
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Spending Money or YOLO
As if I needed a reminder that I am getting old and crotchety AND
acting from a place of privilege. This morning, I read a blog on Medium by a
twenty-something woman who gave a list of twenty-five things that her “rich”
aunt suggested people could do to save money. The article has stuck with me all
morning as it really seemed like a practical list to me. Don’t worry I am not
listing all twenty-five items. What struck with me though was the perspective
of someone from a different generation.
The writer had a reason for why each of the suggestions from auntie
were both elitist and biased. I bristled as I read the reasons she gave as to
why auntie was acting “privileged,”
mostly because I have done over half of the items on the list to save money when
money was tight. It used to baffle me when people I knew lamented about lack of
money when they had spent money in a way that I thought was unwise (bragging about an $800 tattoo but couldn’t afford
to pay childcare is my all-time award for “Baffling Beth” on spending
decisions). For the most part I have tried to rein in my tendency to judge
other people’s spending habits.
As long as I am not responsible for the debts of others, I don’t care
how they spend money. At the same time, don’t expect me to have empathy for the
person who complained about how Biden economics meant she had to cash in her
retirement to pay her increased mortgage payment. I bit my tongue and did not
ask her if the four cruises she and her husband took over the summer had
contributed in some way to her decision to cash out her retirement funds.
To the outside world, in this moment of our lives, Joe and I may look
affluent. We know we worked hard to save for a rainy day. We had luck along the
way. That luck combined with financial mindfulness brought us to a point where –
at least for today – we can enjoy living in a home that we can afford and that
we love. We can take our family out for a fun and nice dinner each month, we
can donate to political campaigns and no-profit organizations, and we can buy
gifts as we please for others. That was not always the case.
I remember when we decided to buy our home earlier this year. We could
buy smaller and save more. Or we could spend the money to live in what seems
like the perfect home for us right now. It took quite a bit of self-convincing
to overcome the “keep saving for a rainy day” mentality that we had been practicing
for so long. We don’t regret it. At least not today!!
And to the person who cashed out her retirement benefits because of the
current economy. It was a choice to take four cruises. Own that. You don’t owe
anyone an explanation. Just don’t expect that everyone else you broadcast your “I
am poor because of Biden (or any other person)” will empathize with you.
Here is the link to the blog I read this morning.
Note: Yolo = You Only Live Once (It is also the county we lived in in California as well).
Saturday, September 28, 2024
South Korean Dinner Out
Last night we had our monthly international dinner at
Shinhwa Korean Steakhouse. It is an all you can eat grill and hotpot style
restaurant. Our clan opted for the grill only and used the full two hours to our
advantage. We ate a variety of grilled
vegetables along with pork, shrimp, and beef. Our group is not real exotic in
our palates, so we stayed away from tongue as a meat option. We did try beef
and chicken bulgogi (including the spicy versions), finger ribs, pork belly,
and garlic shrimp. Vegetables included zucchini, eggplant, both white and sweet
potatoes, and mushrooms. We also ordered pineapple but ate it before we could
get it on the grill.
After dinner we came back to try the snacks in our monthly
box. South Korean snacks got the most likes of all of the countries we have
tried to date! Crown Saekom Dalcom Blueberry Soda, a sweet and sour chewy candy
got a big smile from all six of us. The Crown Sando Strawberry Creme Sandwich
Cookies was second with five of us loving it. Unfortunately, Charlotte was
feeling a bit sick and opted to not participate. She planned to eat her cookie
today.
Photos from last night at the restaurant.
Italy - October's International Family Night
Calebs's family portrait - Caleb asked us to choose our favorite colors of the four crayons they were given. He then colored our clothes...
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Megan and Jeremy Formo Married March 8, 2024 Megan and Jeremy were married today in a simple civil ceremony at the Wright County Justice Cen...
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Today, Jeremy and Megan posted this news privately on their Facebook, so now Grandma finally gets to be publicly excited. Back on July 9th...
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Yesterday afternoon, before the 50 th class reunion, Joe and I stopped in to see my Uncle Dick and Aunt Sue. We enjoyed visiting with them....