Siblings Reunited - Day 3 - July 21, 2007

On Saturday, Mom was up early again and making sure she had all the flower arrangements down at the church just in case she didn't make it back in time for Saturday evening mass. We all got back up to Janice's place by 10 or so that morning. Mom was glad to Delores and Jerry Kahnke.

Mike-George-Mom-Jerry-Rita-Bonnie-Paige-Peggy passing around some old photos and trying to identify ancestors

Bonnie with that big smile - showing off her son Sam to Delores and Grandma Rita (Bonnie & Sam had matching pants - they were so cute)

Mom brought up some stained glass for George and Bonnie to pick out as they requested. Later they decided to drive through Arlington on the way to the airport in Sioux Falls and look at more of Mom's stained glass and take some back with them.

I really enjoyed the ride we took later on out to the farm and then Ray drove us around the neighborhood to see all the old places Mom and Rita used to go as kids and also to see Stephanie's new home. George and Bonnie were following us in their car with Rita. We ended up back at Jenkins Nursing to visit with Jack some more. He seemed pretty good yet on Saturday and glad to have the company. He looked so much better than the other visits I'd had with him last winter. Rita had made arrangements to have supper with an old school girlfriend, so Mom decided she wanted to get back to Arlington for the evening mass. She was pretty tired again, but I really think she enjoyed her time up in Watertown.

Here is a panoramic view of the O'Toole farm - Leland is the only one living out there now - unless you count the many cats and kittens and one dog he has for company.

Leland and Mike visiting out in the back yard.

Mom visiting with Leland and dog Jack by his pool.

Peggy and Aunt Rita look over the remains of the gardens from days gone by.

The old flower bed looks pretty good - Leland keeps color all year round by using the artificial species - also a favorite shady spot for a cat.

Leland discussing a favorite old photo with Mom and Mike

Little Sam just couldn't stay awake out on the farm - wish we could all sleep that soundly!

Leland-George-Me-Mike (behind me)-Mom-Rita-Peggy

Sisters Marguerite & Rita standing in front of one of the original lilac bushes planted when they were children.

Bonnie Fleming & Ray Stern - the "out-laws"

This is back at Jenkins Home when George is getting a cheek swab from Jack to take back and get a DNA analysis done on the sample - he hopes to match it up with someone over in Ireland.

At the end of the Mom kept saying she wished she could get up there more often to be with Jack, but just can't drive anymore and Dad isn't able to get out as much as he used to. I know she was a little nervous in the days before Rita came up and worried it would all be way too much for Jack and maybe we shouldn't overwhelm him. But I think she relaxed a lot after seeing Rita and Jack both.

Siblings Reunited - Day 1&2- July 19 & 20, 2007

My Mom's sister decided to come to South Dakota from her home in Scottsdale and visit her sister (my Mom) and brother Jack this summer down in Watertown South Dakota - which is near where they all grew up. I don't think they had seen each other for approximately 8-10 years. Jack is currently residing in a nursing home. My Aunt Rita is still working (amazing), but almost has a full time job traveling around the country visiting all her children (nine) and grandchildren. And we were surprised and excited to find out that one of Rita's sons - George and family would be meeting us all in Watertown with their new son - Sam.

Rita flew into Watertown from a visit with her other son in Seattle on July 20th and was met by Janice Bienn (my Mom's cousin). It was kind of funny on the first day that Rita arrived. She called Mom that afternoon, who was sitting by the phone and answering all calls quickly in the hopes it would be her. When she did call, they talked for only a few minutes and Mom came right over to me and told me she would like to go up to Watertown right away in the morning on Thursday. She thought she "had" to work at the gift shop in the afternoon so we had to get back by noon. Dad and I knew she could get the time off if she asked for it, but we didn't say anything. Anyway, Janice told me later that Mom must not have said anything to Rita, because she sounded so disappointed after that first call and though Mom wasn't going to come to Watertown at all. Anyway, the next morning, we got it all figured out and they ended up spending the whole day together. Our visit with Jack and Jenkins that day went very well. We got him downstairs in a little room with a fireplace next to the cafeteria. He was in a very chatty mood and told stories about his first dates with his wife and how he didn't get home until 5 in the morning and had to play cards with her dad, and about his favorite nurses. He and Rita went back and forth a bit about some things, and I got the feeling that those two have always 'argued' like that. It was nothing major and kind of funny because both Jack and Rita are hard of hearing, so Mom would have to do a bit of translating, which made everyone chuckle a little.

I took Mom and Rita to a nice little bakery/sandwich shop just up the street and then we drove to Arlington. When Rita came to the gift shop (where Mom works a few afternoons a week) and Mom introduced her to the manager, Donna immediately told Mom to close up the store and go home and visit - Rita's visit was much more important that sitting all afternoon in a 'junk' shop! So they talked all afternoon, kind of quietly, while I was fixing a quick supper for everyone. I think they were going over all their kids' lives and troubles and successes, which is what usually happens when they get together; and can take quite some time with 16 children and their visits few and far between. Janice came down after work to pick up Rita and ended up staying until 8 that evening. Mom was pretty tired that night.

Marguerite Manley - George Fleming & son Sam - Rita Fleming

Friday morning we got up and Mom was starting to make a potato salad by 6 AM. We planned on waiting for my brother Mike to arrive from Rapid City and then drive up to Janice's place in Watertown. I made a fruit pizza also. Mike got here right at noon and Mom was ready to go right away. But we didn't get on the road until about 1 pm. That afternoon was really nice.

Janice had her back yard fixed up so nice - perfect sunny summer afternoon for catching up with everyone.

George and Bonnie seemed to be enthusiastic about meeting everyone and seeing all the places around Watertown that were special to Mom and Rita. George has been doing a bunch of genealogy research so he took down a lot of names and dates of our family. He has access to some DNA databases and even thinks he can match up some of ours to someone in Ireland. I tend to think it is a long shot, but was interesting to hear him talk about it. I thought Jack did really well that day and Saturday. He arrived around 3:30 and stayed until 7. He was telling stories with Arbie (an old neighbor from the farm) and laughing. The only thing I heard him complain about was the catheter, which is understandable.

Mike- Marguerite-Janice with granddaughter Paige & daughter Stephanie

Uncle Jack eating lunch with Arbie and listening to a story of Mike's with Mom

A very proud grandmother Janice with Paige - Janice couldn't have been more welcoming and just the best kind of hostess for this little reunion. I really enjoyed reminiscing about all the old times our families got together for holidays and special occasions. Her and I feel much the same about the importance of family get-togethers while we are still able.

Bonnie and Sam look pretty serious about eating that lunch!

Marguerite - Jack - Rita

Jack telling a story to his daughter Peggy, Bonnie, Rita & George Fleming

Stephanie showing the two youngest - Paige & Sam - how to share toys. I found it hard to believe how much Stephanie has changed into a great young Mom - I think the last time I saw her was over 30 years ago when I used to babysit her - and now she is a Mom herself.

Sam had a great time playing with his toys on the old marble coffee table.

These are 3 of Marilyn Peterson's grandchildren - they live in Watertown. Her son runs the local bike shop - hence the cute helmet! They were quite a lively bunch.

I really enjoyed talking with Melinda and her daughter Molly and hearing all about their time in England. George told us that he and Bonnie were excited to hear the good news about the decision to build this huge lab in the old Homestake Gold mine in Lead SD - I guess Bonnie's research had a project or experiment that would be perfect for that lab and they wanted to know all they could about the Black Hills area. After we got everyone back to Jenkins and most everyone left, we were getting ready to leave when Peg & Ray came back with a couple bottles of champagne! I was surprised that Mom wanted to stay and have a glass to toast Janice and also the O'Toole family. It was really nice. She slept in the car all the way home though!

Sunrise on Brush Lake July 15 2007

I spent about 9 days in Arlington in mid July for my summer vacation. I decided to take my bike along to get in some 'training' for candisc in August. But the only real ride I got was one morning at sunrise south of Arlington to Brush Lake, and another southwest of Arlington to the old Manley farm. I could have rode longer on this day, but the calm glassy waters of Brush Lake along with all the bird activity made me stop and pull out the camera.

I came upon this kitty out getting some morning sunshine just before I turned the corner to get to Brush Lake in front of Dick Christensen's farm. He didn't move and watched me slowly pedal around the long turn in the highway.

Here is the first pelican I saw while looking back to see the town in the background. He was busy cleaning or searching for breakfast and didn't notice me.

Later a couple of other pelicans noticed me and all three decided to swim to the other side of the lake.

Just before I left I got a photo of a group of geese trying to join the pelicans on the other side of the lake also. I just love those early morning reflections on the water when there is no wind. It's hard to get me off the bike in such perfect riding weather, but scenes like this will do it almost every time.

Summer of Construction - July 27, 2007

The solarium is finally done! Here are a few photos I took so you can see what I see. I still have a bit of work to do under the deck and also get the flower gardens back in shape in the back yard. Now the inside construction can begin. Will keep you posted on that progress - much painting involved I think.

I took this from my neighbor Cindy's place - I was dog-sitting for her that weekend.

Here is a view from my backyard. I think I may move my little wooden chair inside the solarium after I give it a new coat of paint and get some cushions for it.

Another view, can see the windows a little better under the deck.

This is what it looks like from inside my dining room. I still have to get some new window treatments for this door - something that won't cover up the doggie door for Sam and Rowdy.

Here is a view from inside the solarium - Sam and Rowdy are on their way down the steps. Rowdy's favorite perch is still at the top of the steps, but Sam likes to sit outside on the grass.

This is the view looking to the left. As you can see, I have quite a bit of shade from the trees, so it doesn't get too warm inside. I can also remove 4 window panels to provide some ventilation if needed. So far I am really enjoying the improvements.