The Eclectic Company

Barn Charm Tuesday - Down Fish Hollow Way

2012-01-24T10:41:00.007-06:00

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Not sure why it took me so long to find and join this linky party, being a long time lover of barns, especially the traditional red variety.

Come join me as we wend our way through southern Vernon County, Wisconsin on our way to the tiny town of Valley.

As we wind through the majestic hills on County P, and just before we come to the intersection of Fish Hollow Road, we round a corner and - - -

Are greeted by this still nearly perfect miniature red barn.

What you cannot see in this photo is the small stone spring house directly across the road from the barn. A spring house was constructed over a natural spring and used for refrigeration in bygone days before the advent of electricity.

Please click over to Bluff Area Daily
To enjoy all the Barn Charm posts.

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"Unboxing" In My City

2012-01-21T21:14:00.002-06:00

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A while back it was all the rage to make "unboxing" posts. I haven't seen any in a few years.

You're about to see one now.

This box arrived in the mail FOR ME today!

I tore right into it and - - -

Threw the stuffing on the floor.

Hey, there's a crossword in there!

Maybe I'll do it later.

I found a little card which confirmed my suspicion of what it was!

Can you guess yet???

A mantle clock from my Wisconsin bloggy buddy Cindy!!!
She had a give-away on her blog and I won.

Her hubby Dan had his students make these in Building Trades Class.

It even has a cute little drawer.

Only one problem - - - I DON'T HAVE A MANTLE!!!!

But I do have an entertainment center.

I LOVE the clock up there.

Too bad I can't see the little drawer - - -

But I think it is the "just right topper" anyway!!!

THANK YOU CINDY and DAN

Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting
"Sundays in My City"
To which I am linking this post.
My City is Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

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It Takes A Lot of Fragments - - -

2012-01-20T13:26:00.018-06:00

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Just to make one whole.

In this case - - - whole STORIES. I am a born story teller, having begun by telling children younger than myself stories to keep them entertained at family camp while our parents were busy in meetings.

Back in THOSE days, while the parents were busy in meetings there were no nurseries, no babysitters, no day care. We "young'ens" were simply turned loose on the playground and the older ones (that would have been me) were expected to keep the younger ones entertained and out of trouble.

That's when I started my story telling career for I noticed that while I was telling stories, the others would gather round and sit there transfixed for as long as was the story.

My stories got real long.

So, welcome to THIS week's version of Miss Keetha weaves her fragments into tales.

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Those Old Things????

I saw this bench on someone's blog a while back. She said it was hideous so she PAINTED it and changed the upholstery.

I think it is beautiful just the way it is, I think painting beautiful wood items is a CRIME, so I added two throw pillows and a picture just to make it MORE of a focal point in my home.

I'm sure she didn't know I owned the same bench, but I'll get a little even with her here (especially since I don't even remember who "she" was) by saying one woman's trash is another's treasure.

While I found HER painted bench trash, I see THIS ONE as treasure.

And the picture has a story too.

Back in the late 60's and early 70's when I was a growin' up in this town, my mother had a hobby.

She would have us collect certain flowers along the way which she would then press between the pages of a phone book.

If the flowers were of the "fat and bulky" based variety, she would tear them apart petal by petal before she pressed them.

Later, when they were all brittle and dried, she would reconstruct them on a beautiful cloth background, green velvet in this instance, glue them down, and when she was totally satisfied with the result she would have them framed.

This may not sound like such a feat to you - - - but what I have NOT yet told you is, my mother was completely crippled with the most severe case of Rheumatoid Arthritis I've ever seen. Her hands had absolutely no hand shape left.

Still, she spent pains-taking hours with a small tweezer in her hand reconstructing her flower masterpieces.

She was also a master seamstress and pianist with those misshapen hands. I have no clue how she did it - - - but that's a story for another day for I digress.

This particular picture she gave to her oldest sister, my Aunt Ferol, in whose home it hung in a place of honor until she passed from this life into the next.

At Thanksgiving Fisherhubby and I spent the evening with my Cousin Doug who is Aunt Ferol's son.

Doug passed the picture back to me, so it has come "home" and found a new place of honor.

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Finally it Snows!!!

Fisherhubby and I LOVE our winters to be cold and snow filled. We CHOSE to move to the "Frozen Tundra after all!

Uh, so far this winter??? NOT SO MUCH. Precious little snow or cold so far.

But today our winter hopes and dreams are being fullfilled as the "high" temperature of the day so far is 1 degree F AND it is snowing - - - a little.

Last winter at this time we had more than 20 inches of snow and it looked like this:

If you can't really tell the DEPTH of the snow in these pictures, look for the corner of the shrub in the lower right hand corner of both.

Same shrub.

Nearly totally exposed so far this winter but buried up to its eyeballs last.

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Were You Born in a Barn!?!

My momma used to ask me that at regular intervals.

I would think SHE of all people would know exactly WHERE I was born, wouldn't you!?!

Of course I was not born in a barn, but I do love me a great looking barn - - - especially the traditional Wisconsin red variety.

Perhaps it is because while you can take the girl out of Wisconsin, you CANNOT take Wisconsin out of the girl.

Praise God I got to RETURN to my Wisconsin roots and blood.

Perhaps it is the "Wisconsin girl" blood in me that is causing me to surround myself with barn pictures.

You will find them hanging all over my home.

The more the merrier!!! Or perhaps I SHOULD say, "the more the moooo-ier!"

Each of these barns has a story. The top set of two barn/house pictures I bought on one of my antique shopping sprees with my beloved friend and cohort Eloise, pronounced E-Lois.

The middle set of three barn/house pictures I brought home from our Northwoods Hayward vacation last July. I went into that shop determined to come out with ONE barn picture and three insisted on following me home instead!!! ;-)

And the round red barn in the snow??? Well, I got that on one of my splashes through Cranberry Creek. I like to tell Jodi at The Creek that I am single-handedly keeping her in business!!

This barn photo was taken by my bloggy buddy Kristin of "The Goat" and I purchased it from her etsy shop already matted and everything. (You too can find delightful things over there if you just go look!)

It is my ONLY framed barn photograph and I dearly love it.

I hope it will SOON be hanging on my wall grouped with the next barn - - -

The one Fisherhubby painted for me thereby proving he CAN do more than fish and pick on me.

But I can't frame it YET because it is still WET.

I know - - - I accidentally touched it the other day and turned my thumb all white.

Ooops!

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Happy to Shop

This is my friend Ana, happy to be "shopping" in the Shepherd's Loft where I volunteer my time three mornings a week.

Ana ALWAYS wears that smile, which of course makes any outfit look all that much better on her!

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Sending Out the Wisconsin Gold

Just in case I have not yet extolled Wisconsin's virtues enough, let me remind you we are the Dairy State. (Stand down, California!!! We are first, last, and ALWAYS the Dairy State - our cows are VERY happy.)

So I thought I'd send the southern relatives a "taste of Wisconsin" for the holidays.

I drove 8 minutes from our front door to the cheese factory where I stocked up on all this Wisconsin Gold goodness - - -

And these Holstein cow-boxes. How fun are they????

I packed them all up myself, and sent them on their way.

They've already been received and duly appreciated.

Do you see Bucky in there???? Oh yah, he went to my F-I-L who loves college football as much, or maybe even more (were that possible) than do I.

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All Those Fishin' Shows - - -

Are just plain boring.

But DON'T take MY word for it. I've got PROOF POSITIVE.

Here's Fisherhubby "watching" them a little while ago - - -

They even put HIM to sleep.

I rest my case.

:-)

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I never promised my story fragments would be SHORT.

Please head on over to Mrs. 4444's place
And check out all the Friday Fragments.

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Wherein our Very Own Klondike Gal becomes a STAR

2012-01-19T17:54:00.007-06:00

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Goldie Oldies around this blog may remember that we've had some special reports from our very own Klondike Gal, Misti, who lives in Sitka, Alaska with her hubby David and their two daughters. If you DON'T remember, click here to see what I'm talking about. Go ahead, CLICK!!!

And here are Misti, my onlyest niece, and David as they WERE bc - - - before children.

Later that same night (the night I snapped this picture) David took Fisherhubby and me to visit his work place.

Are you READY for this:

Yep! David is Lt David Birky, Coast Guard helicopter pilot!

He really and truly for sure is!!!

He's a real live hero.

He even let FH and me climb into his cockpit. Is it called a cockpit on a helicopter I wonder????

Fisherhubby was like a kid in a candy store with all that testosteronage around and about him, I can just tell ya!

Well, now David is stationed in Sitka, Alaska.

The weather channel has a show called "Coast Guard Alaska" and you won't believe it!!!! David was ON THE SHOW last week.

But that ain't all folks - - - not by a LONG shot!!!

On THIS week's episode of "Coast Guard Alaska" the camera goes right into Misti and David's kitchen so we can watch them fix spaghetti for dinner!!! Watching it brought tears to my eyes. My own little niece and my two great nieces right on TV, right in my living room!

Too bad the show aired yesterday, the 18th and I didn't tell you about it in time.

Oh, but WAIT!!! We're all in luck!!! The weather channel replays these shows over and over so you can find the spaghetti episode on Friday night 1/20/12 at 8 pm eastern time right there on the weather channel!!!

If you miss it then, scan through your guide and look for the 1/18/12 episode. And while you're at it, David was also on the 1/11/12 episode.

I'm sure you'll LOVE the show and you can thank me later for sending you to look for it!

I even put the important information in red - - - just because I like to be helpful that way. ;-)

ttfn

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Today I Went Down to The Creek - - -

2012-01-18T15:40:00.012-06:00

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And even though it's a chilly 18 degrees today I waded right in! Oh shoot - - - I wasn't satisfied with wading, I completely immersed myself!!!

I didn't get cold. I didn't turn blue. I didn't even shiver 'cause THIS creek was Cranberry Creek!!

Those of you who are regulars may remember how much I LOVE Cranberry Creek. Miss Jodi has moved to a new location just beyond Lake Nepco, and her new creek is even better than ever.

When I deChristmasized yesterday, I noticed some pretty nekked spots around my house.

That'll happen when you take out all the Christmas fru fru.

So, naturally, I headed down to the creek to bolster my supply of household dressiness.

I found this heavy wrought iron wagon wheel and a little wreathy thing to accessorize it.

Then I hung it up where the lighted Christmas wreath was.

Do you remember my little chair (on the left side of this picture) that had to move from the dining room down to the basement when I created my basement bungalow guest suite???

Well - - - she's back upstairs to STAY where I can enjoy her every day, and a bit later I'll show you why.

Next stop the dining room, specifically the little floor space between the china cabinet and the dressing-table-turned buffet.

See that little spot down there???

I created this fruit basket vignette to fill that space.

The wash board is the real thing - Grandma Great used to do her laundry on it.

The fruit basket is new, just arrived a few days ago from Florida filled to the brim with oh so juicy tree-ripened grapefruit and oranges. (Thank you FIL and Robin!!!)

But today at the creek I caught the wreath, the rolling pin, the meat pounder, and the potato ricer to finish out the vignette.

These lovely hat box ladies have lived with us for more than ten years, but they had to move over to make way for something else I fished out of the creek today.

I like them here anyway - - - I wouldn't part with them even though they are imposters having been purchased brand spankin' new from Hobby Lobby during one of their big sale events.

Here's what came up out of the creek and took the hat box ladies' space.

An egg crate and wire chicken egg basket.

Cheep! Cheep!

And here's the grandma of them all who came out of the creek to live in my basement bungalow guest suite.

A spindle back rocker.

I saw her at the creek a week ago today. I was in rocking chair envy the MOMENT I laid eyes on her, for she reminds me of an old rocker that was once upon a time in the office at my beloved Burr Camp.

I always wanted that rocker from Burr Camp, but it went the way of so many of our camp items - - - when the camp was sold, so were the things those camp buildings housed.

A week ago I resisted buying her.

I felt noble.

TODAY - - - when she was still there even after the grand opening of the new and improved creek, I felt enabled. I took it as a sign she was to be mine.

And that's all the news that is news today from down by the creek bank!!!

I'm linking this post with Vintage Thingie Thursday at Coloradolady and Thrifty Thursday at Bloggeritaville. It's been a long time since I joined these parties 'cause I've already shown most of my vintage thriftiness - - - so with all this new "splurge" I'd better join up while I can!

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Things to do after 1 AM when you're in a coffee induced noncoma of your own making: 1) Use your handheld device to make silly title blog posts. 2) Use said device to read blogs on your follow list. 3) Get out of your warm bed, bundle up, brave the 2* F wind chill -7* F weather, and shovel walks and driveways.

2012-01-18T01:36:00.000-06:00

Why am I wide awake at 12:59 AM? Could it have anything to do with the half cup of Fisherhubby's yummy fresh ground and French pressed coffee I drank a few hours ago???

2012-01-18T00:57:00.000-06:00

Mid January Shuffle

2012-01-17T14:01:00.002-06:00

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Some folks begin decorating for Christmas in October. No one seems to think that's strange.

I don't decorate until mid December, but I like to leave it up until - - - - well, until now, today, THIS VERY MINUTE.

Christmas decorations still up in mid January. Everyone seems to think THAT is strange.

Hey - - - to each his own, that's what I say. I LIKE to enjoy my holiday decor through the entire season, which for me doesn't end until that very last College Football Bowl game.

But, eventually, that dreaded day finally comes. You know the one. That day where you have to take all the Christmas things down and pack them away.

This is how "phase one" of that process looks for me.

All the Christmas decor neatly stacked on or near my dining room table.

I'll confess here and now that when I lived in a larger house with a separate dining room, I have been known to leave this "pile" out until - - - oh - - - June.

Can't let that happen here, our dining room is small and serves as a "pass through" from living room to kitchen.

Oh but HOW I hate "phase two" - the packing away of all this stuff.

Hope I don't pack away my blue winter jacket while I'm at it.

OK - - - enough whining, time to get busy with packing boxes.

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"Newsies"

2012-01-15T21:55:00.004-06:00

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Saturday I went to a dance recital. The last section of the recital was a salute to our military. It was very well done, very touching, and I enjoyed it more than any other part of the recital.

It also reminded me of scenes from one of my all time favorite movies, the made for television Disney movie, "Newsies." I'm not quite sure why it reminded me so much of "Newsies," I can only conclude that it stirred my heart strings in a similar manner.

"Newsies" is based in 1899 New York City when thousands of street urchin, homeless, newspaper boys went on strike and thereby took on "the powers that be" in the form of Pulitzer and Hearst and brought those publishing giants to their knees. The strike isn't just made up by Disney, it actually happened.

I've learned over the years that even though the movie wasn't a big hit at the time, those who saw it are divided into two camps. One camp LOVED it and the other - - - well, not so much.

At our house, we are in the FIRST camp. We loved it so much we bought a copy so our children could watch it over and over again.

More's the pity those were VHS days 'cause I'd very much still like to have a copy. I have not seen it enough yet.

Arise and seize the day!

(photo credit: browncow15.tripod.com)

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Sunday Reruns - Long Time No See Me

2012-01-15T00:02:00.000-06:00

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Today is Sunday again, and you know what THAT means!?! It's time for "Sunday Favorites"!!!

Sunday Favorites are RERUNS, not current posts - - - if you want to participate, just repost something you previously posted "back in the day."

Thanks so much to Chari over at Happy to Design for hosting this meme. You may click on the link to find the rules and see more favorite posts.

I have not participated in Sunday Favorites for several months, but today I just happened across this goldie oldie post of mine and thought, "Hey - - - that would be a good one to repost for the New Year!"

So, without further ado I give you:

And Then I Withdrew and Became a Huge Couch Potato

(First posted on April 23, 2011)

This morning, over at Jen's place, "The Pipe Life", I saw a post about goals and resolutions and how we're doing with them. Her post really got me thinking.

I realize that there are MANY who LOVE to live by goals - - - they are the "list-makers."

They simply do not function well unless they have written goals and tasks which they can check off their list. And what lists some of them have - - - - if we ever have a shortage of adding machine tape, we will point at the list-makers and say "it's THEIR fault."

Many of that same list-maker genre also love to read books about organizing their life, making and keeping goals, and other self-help stuff. Their bookshelves are FULL of these books, and I could probably start naming authors whose mere NAMES would send the list-maker genre into peals of ecstatic joy.

And, since that seems to WORK for the list-makers, I say "more power to 'em."

BUT, I am NOT one of those.

If forced to write down goals and deadlines and lists, I withdraw into myself, procrastination mode takes over, and I become a HUGE (notice the emphasis on huge) couch potato.

I never buy nor go to the library to check out a single self-help book.

YIKES - - - maybe they just remind me how little hope there IS for me, I don't know. But I suspect it is more because they are simply a LONG LIST OF THINGS TO DO disguised under the title of "How to (fill in your own favorite self-help topic).

This is also why I hate the phone - - - it may be a list of things for me to do. I'm just bein' honest here.

And if you give me too many deadlines at once, I just simply feel overwhelmed with busyness and instead of tackling the list one item at a time, I MUST kick off my shoes and TAKE A NAP!!!

No, that isn't me on the couch - - - the potato was me - - - this is Fisherhubby doin' the whole nap thing.

So, instead I have ONE goal.

ONE is a number I can love.

ONE is a number I can "do".

And what is my ONE goal you may ask?

It's simple really, my ONE goal on New Year's day and every other day is to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

That's it.

I can HANDLE that.

And, it's working. My life has meaning. I'm busy. Here are some of the things that are new to me in the last few months, and all with no more than my ONE goal and resolution:

*Packed up our Indiana home and moved to Wisconsin
*Unpacked and settled in.
*Began teaching a KIDDs class on Wednesday evenings at our church.
*Began leading a nursing home ministry team which goes out bi-weekly.
*Began volunteering in the Shepherd's Loft three mornings a week. (Called a loft because it began in a balcony, though it has now taken over an entire basement.)
*Took on the responsibility of doing the monthly newsletter for our church.
*Began working on being a more gentle person.
*Maintained our home.
*Continued blogging to my heart's content.

I do not list these things in an effort to boast - - - it's really a very modest list. No, I show this list in an attempt to ENCOURAGE the REST of you out there who are ALSO of the non-list-maker genre like me.

Because really, if you are like me all that "goal" stuff just sends you into hibernation or estivation, depending on the season.

I want to step up and say:

YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH WITH ONE LITTLE GOAL!!!!

Be obedient.

"Hang in there, I'm pulling for you - - - we're all in this together!!" (Thanks again, Red Green for the GREAT quote.)

Photo Credits:
Long List - behavioradvisor.com
Couch Potato - culch.ie

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And This is What I Call - - -

2012-01-12T15:08:00.003-06:00

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"Shovel Head." (Not to be confused with bed head.)

And goodness - - - it looks like I should wipe down the bathroom mirror BEFORE I use it for a bloggy self-portrait. But, I'm gonna go ahead and post this 'cause I'm totally shameless.

And all you girls who keep your bathroom mirrors wiped down DAILY - - - well, you can just go ahead and judge me! Hehehehehe

And the shovel head only gets MORE interesting when I shake out the snow and remove the red doomaflotchy.

See those healthy-red-glow cheeks??? That's 'cause I shoveled both duplex sidewalks AND the double driveway.

And of course, it's still snowing so I'll get to do it all again - - - - unless I wait for Fisherhubby, who is busy working in the ER today and probably taking care of snow related "stuff", to use the snow blower on the driveway tomorrow. Then I'll only be shoveling the sidewalks next time.

More snow please!!!

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I GET TO SHOVEL!!!!

2012-01-12T13:56:00.005-06:00

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Finally!!

No really - - - I LOVE to shovel.

I LOVE winter.

I LOVE snow!!!

And so far this winter has been nearly devoid of snow - - - we "ain't" the frozen tundra THIS year.

In fact, my header picture is a LIE. We "ain't" had that much snow this year. I had to resurrect that picture from LAST winter.

But today??? Well, today we are getting a mere dusting.

But it is SOMETHING.

And I am excited!!!

Excuse me now - - - I've gotta go put on my boots and grab my shovel!!!

I can blog on all those sunny 50ish degree days - - -

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Sherlock Baker Cracks the Case

2012-01-09T14:01:00.004-06:00

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You may, or may not, remember that Friday I posted "Calling all Sherlocks" (post before this one) in which I begged your help in solving the mystery of the Wisconsin Nutcracker.

Well, old Sherlock Baker here, aka Keri - our oldest daughter - quickly suggested it was from my MIL, Robin, down Naples, Florida way.

I conceded that was a possibility, though I didn't really THINK so, 'cause my brain was still chasing the Red Herring of Bama Blogger college football fan friends. After all, Robin is NOT a college football fan - - - nor ANY football fan for that matter.

Well, Keri Holmes was RIGHT. So - - - ding, ding, ding she gets the prize!!!

Here's the REST of the story:

FIL Farrell IS a big college football fan - go Canes, that's his team. He and I can wax long and longer over the phone about our college games and the players in those games.

Robin tolerates this nonsense. What SHE loves, is flipping through the pages of catalogs.

One day, after I posted the pictures of my nutcracker collection, FIL was looking at it on my blog and mentioned it to Robin.

Well, seems a few days later she was going through some catalogs and stumbled across a place to order college logo nutcrackers.

She procured my address from FIL and - - -

King Bucky Extraordinaire arrived in Central Wisconsin at my very own doorstep!!!!

Mystery solved.

THANK YOU so much, Robin!!! You have SUCH a gift for finding JUST the right thing for JUST the right person!

King Bucky is now one of my MOST cherished nutcrackers.

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Calling All Sherlocks and Other Friday Frags

2012-01-06T20:26:00.015-06:00

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It's Friday, albeit Friday night which is par for my course, so LET'S FRAG!!! With titles tonight.

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Calling All Sherlocks!!!

This afternoon, right while I was all bundled up in my new Bucky Blankie snoozing, the doorbell rang.

I tried to hop up and act like I'd been "busy" around the house - - - but I think the blankie trailing between my feet would have been a dead give-away as to what I had actually been doing.

I hurried to open the door only to find no one there. I glanced around and there was a large package. Goodness!!! This has been the week for receiving packages around here - - - this makes #4, but that's part of another story.

I brought the package in and tried to decipher what it was and whom it was for from the exterior of the box.

Fisherhubby immediately tried to claim it. He was sure it would be baits and tackles from Cabela's.

I pointed out that it had MY name on it.

He said he was ordering his fishing supplies in my name these days.

Right. 'Cause you know, I USE those baits and tackles soooooooo much.

I opened that box and found a traveler had hitched a ride on the inside. (Makes me sing - - - "ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride - - -)

See the little traveler up there on the washstand??? Let's take a closer look:

He's a brand new "king" come to live with all the others in my collection.

Do you see what is SPECIAL about this one???? Oh just look at his hat!!! He's a Wisconsin Bucky Badger King!!!

But who in this wide world SENT him to me????

I searched all the packaging to no avail.

This is where YOU, all my dear little Sherlocks, come in. Let me show you the clues that I procured and let's see if we can figure this mystery out before Watson loses his mind!

Clue #1: I've been posting about my King Collection during the holidays. I think whomever sent this king got the idea from reading this blog.

Clue #2: The address on the invoice is BIGFLY SPORTS from North Bergen, NJ. I know at least TWO bloggy friends from New Jersey.

"I TOLD you it was fishing stuff for ME!" Shouted FH. "I'm a FLY fisherman!!!"

"Pipe down, you're NOT fishing with my nutcracker!!!"

Clue #3: The shipping label on the outside of the box. Can you see the shipping address up there???

Here, let me enlarge it for you:

The Memory Company, Phenix City, ALABAMA!!!

Oh goodness, I have several bloggy buddies from Alabama ALL of whom know my propensity to shout and cheer and dress crazy for my Bucky Badgers.

So, Sherlocks, WHO sent me this wonderful surprise???

Nope, I really don't know.

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Piper Time!!!

Here she is, Miss Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice with her mama.

When LAST we saw her a week ago in those frags, she had been banished to eat alone in the kitchen.

Looks like little Miss Diva has morphed back into the precious little girl we all know she really is.

And speaking of precious - - - here she is after having been knocked out by the infamous "reading" tranquilizer.

Notice, she's sleeping with "Tick Tock" her gator pillow pal which Kamma and Papoo gave her in August.

Still sweet and sportin' ONE granny clip-on earring, which she was determined to wear no matter how painful.

Pretty young to already realize that there is little beauty without much pain.

Disclaimer: The clip on earrings and other jewelry goodies did NOT come from me, the girls got those from their paternal great grandmother. I've never worn a clip-on in my LIFE except when I played certain characters in plays and skits.

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Delivery Number One This Week

I was at work when delivery #1 arrived this week. And just lookey!!! More DeBrand fine chocolates!!! (Go check out their page, there's a monthly give-away you can click to join!!!)

This time they are from Daughter #2 and are for BOTH Fisherhubby and me.

I can't hog all these to myself.

I asked.

Korie says I HAVE to share.

More's the pity!!

I guess it's just as well I HAVE to share, 'cause by the time I got home from work, SOMEONE had already had his grubby little fingers in the box!!!

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There IS More than Fishing in Hubby

Fisherhubby got out his paints this week and whipped out a delightful barn for me.

I just gotta wait to let it dry before I can get it framed.

You don't HAVE that whole drying wait thing with photographs.

Please head on over to Mrs. 4444's place
And check out all the Friday Fragments.

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One of "My" Girls Needs YOU

2012-01-04T17:32:00.002-06:00

Anna

Anna is one of my former students who was in our youngest son's class at Lakeview.

She is walking through a very dark and painful life valley just now. I don't know any more about it than what she has posted on her blog, "Mrs. Momma."

I do know this. When I read her blog it just about tears my heart out.

I've left her encouraging comments - - - but I still feel so far away and so helpless.

Would you have time to click over there and just leave her a little bit of love? You know, help her bear her burden, 'cause after all, aren't we called to do just that for each other?

I''m pretty sure she doesn't need our advice as much as she needs to feel our arms encircling her.

Thank you.

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The Best Birthday Surprise EVER!

2012-01-04T12:47:00.003-06:00

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I came home from working in the Shepherd's Loft a bit ago and just LOOK what was waiting for me:

DeBrand Chocolates - - - the best on the PLANET - - - and my FAVORITE kind too!!!

Daughter number one knows what I love and she had them sent to me.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!! Hmmmmm - - - what ELSE can I do to stretch this birthday out for several MORE weeks????

If you've never heard of DeBrand before, there's a perfectly good reason why. They are made ONLY in Fort Wayne, Indiana and you can ONLY buy them there or online.

Their creator went to Europe to study chocolate making. So these little beauties don't START as Nestle or Hershey "buttons." No siree bob - - - this chocolate is HAND MADE FROM SCRATCH.

And the fillings - - - OH MY!.

Don't believe me that they are the best??? Well, I gave you a link up there and I'd suggest you click away and order some for yourself.

You'll thank me later.

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We Lost by a TD

2012-01-02T19:57:00.002-06:00

And I feel like this.

It wasn't my fault this time.

I did EVERYTHING I knew to do to "hep" my boys.

All our losses are close calls,
But somehow that doesn't help me feel any better.

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Shoot-Out at the Rose Bowl!! So far my boys are makin' me PROUD!!

2012-01-02T17:03:00.001-06:00

It's On! And all I can do is DRESS and YELL. Go Badgers!!!!

2012-01-02T16:50:00.002-06:00

Lake Aire Supper Club in My City

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001-06:00

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Supper Clubs are a Northern Midwest phenomenon, they are mostly found in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Originally they were a "destination" dining experience. One arrived at cocktail hour to imbibe (if one was an imbiber, which THIS ONE is not), moved into the dining room for supper, and then stayed into the evening for entertainment.

Traditionally they only opened around 4:30 or 5 for supper and each table was served a relish tray on a lazy susan rather like tables are served with salsa and chips in a Mexican restaurant. Today some supper clubs also offer a Sunday brunch buffet.

Yesterday, Dec. 30, was my birthday and it was a wonderful day - - - mostly because I planned each part of it for myself.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do when she doesn't think anyone else is going to plan a birthday bash FOR her. Hehehehehe

I planned to have lunch with a friend, she planned to pay - - - thank you very much, Sheri!!! We had a delightful lunch at one of my favorite places.

Then at supper, I planned to try Lake Aire Supper Club. I also planned to invite our friends Bill and Eloise (E-Lois) to go with us.

Fisherhubby had been to Lake Aire for a business meeting and was duly impressed with their steaks. I had just been waiting for the right special occasion to give them a try.

No "fast food" here my friends - - - and no "fast food" prices either.

I was impressed with everything about Lake Aire.

Linen tablecloths and napkins. (Not covered with chintzy plastic either - - - I watched them put on clean fresh tablecloths between diners.)

China and silverware

Friendly efficient service

Absolutely delicious food - I had scallops, lobster tail, and potatoes O'Brien. I don't know WHY I didn't think to get a picture of that!

And everywhere, including the entry way, lovely atmosphere

With the personal decorating touch of the owner.

I know - - - I asked.

And look at these darling little skates!!! I think I need to find a pair just like this to go with my Christmas Skates story that I shared last week.

Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting
"Sundays in My City"
To which I am linking this post.
My City is Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

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Several Odds and One End on This the Day of My Birth

2011-12-30T21:50:00.001-06:00

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The goofy man to whom I am married actually asked me this morning if I KNEW today was also my cousin Darlys' birthday. As if I WOULDN'T know my cousin was born on my first birthday and as if I hadn't celebrated my birthday with my "twin cousin" all my live long life.

Not to mention the fact we've been married for nearly 37 years and I've talked MULTIPLE times about sharing a birthday with my cousin Dar.

Honestly - - - that man I married. I don't know how he gets in out of the rain.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Two weeks ago while we were in Indiana, Fisherhubby and his bestest fishing buddy in the whole wide world, Mark, went fishing. As you can see Mark caught this beauty. A 40-something inch Musky.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Welcome to the world, little miss Finley Harper Rae Holloway!!!! It's a great big awesome world out here and you're just beginning your journey.

You will be ESPECIALLY pleased when you get to meet your crazy Great Aunt Keetha. (Hehehehehe)

Your big brother, Cohan, doesn't seem to be too sure about having you share his spot in the parental limelight - - - but don't worry, he'll love you and be proud of you as soon as he gets to know you.

And your great grandpa, Peepaw to most of us, already loves you and is very proud of you.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Movie time using mommy's lappy. Poor little Mack is fighting possible pneumonia - - - can you see the "sickness" in his eyes and on his rosy cheeks? I can.

* * * * * * * * * * *

And here's little Miss Piper. Seems the diva in her comes out at meal time and she refuses to eat. So, mama and daddy exiled her to the kitchen to eat alone in an effort to GET HER TO EAT SOMETHING rather than play around with her siblings at meal time.

I can honestly say no one has EVER had to exile me to get me to eat.

Food??? BRING IT ON!!!

* * * * * * * * * * *

And now, since odds and ends are really just fragments, and since it IS Friday I'm going to join Mrs. 4444 for Friday Fragments, something I haven't done for several long weeks.

Please head on over to Mrs. 4444's place
And check out all the Friday Fragments.

How About a Fun Little Panoramic Tour?

2011-12-29T18:45:00.008-06:00

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My little camera has a panorama feature that I barely ever use.

So - - - the other day I decided to give you a little pan of the place. The pictures are long and skinny. Hey, maybe I should have someone photograph ME this way!!!

Instant weight loss without all the dieting and work-outs.

Don't worry - - - I'm not doing either diets OR work-outs.

By the way, don't forget that if you click on these pictures they will get larger for a better view. That's pretty important in light of how thin and skinny these are.

This view is from the front door panning to my left. You'll notice I still have up my Christmas decor - - - and WILL have until at least the 9th of January.

What? Didn't you know the holiday season lasts all the way to the BCS National Championship Bowl Game??? Well 'round here it does.

I'm especially fond of the LARGE ornament adorning the couch. It stays around all year long. I don't have a Christmas box big enough to store it away for the off season.

This is a shorter pan of the area between the computer room and our bedroom.

The dry sink or wash stand that Sister Pam gave me is the STAR of this space. I just LOVE the bowl and pitcher and the Moravian Star candle holders.

Now a pan from the center of the room to my right toward the door. You can barely see our dining area just beyond the love seat.

Not sure what's on the telly, but taking into consideration that large couch ornamentation I'd bet, if I was a betting "man" which I'm not, it was some boring fishing show.

Yes, I said boring.

As opposed to football, which is of course fascinating.

Pan of the dining room. (From standing in the kitchen doorway.)

I was going to say there was a "pan" but no "pot" in this shot - - - then I realized there very much IS a pot in the shot - - - can you find it?

And finally, a pan of the kitchen into the dining room. You can just catch the corner of the kitchen counter top in the righthand lower corner.

And yes that IS my trash bag hanging out on the basement door. Door knobs make the BESTEST hangers for trash bags. Go ahead, give it a try.

And that completes our fun little panoramic tour.

Oh, one last thing before we go - - - Brunhilda and Borris can be seen in one of these pictures, can you spot 'em???

It's sorta like "Where's Waldo!"

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More Bowl Week(s) Excitement - - -

2011-12-28T15:38:00.002-06:00

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This just in and HOT off the presses!!!

Live from the Military Bowl - - - two of my former students, their little sister and dad.

Both mom AND dad of THIS family are Air Force servicemen.

And, since two of the girls play in my College Football Kids Pick 'Em game, they sent me this photo.

How fun.

And - - - I got my nails all "blinged up" today complete with "Bucky Rocks" painted across them and the tips dipped in 100% pure gold.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to help her boys WIN.

OK - - - so the gold isn't 100%, but I like to pretend it is.

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I looked for some new kings to add to my collection. You know, I figured the post Christmas sales were the time to get them. I found nary a one. :-(

2011-12-28T08:03:00.001-06:00

Linebacker Bucky

2011-12-27T21:14:00.008-06:00

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Somebody new came to live with us on Christmas Day!!!

Just look at him - - - he LOOKS like a Wisconsin lineman - - - right down to his "snub" nose.

Currently he is "living" beside the Christmas Kitty right up in the living room - - - but he has plans to descend into the Football Cave with me to help cheer the OTHER Badgers on to victory in the Rose Bowl.

"My boys" have to meet, greet, and beat the Oregon Ducks. Linebacker Bucky says he can single-pawedly beat down any duck.

I don't think he KNOWS about the Oregon Ducks. They are some MIGHTY FAST DUCKS.

I'll admit it right here and now - - - - I'm NERVOUS about the game.

If you aren't a college football fan, you can't relate to this at all. That's OK - - - I don't relate real well to scrap booking or thrifting or house "decoring".

We each have our thing.

College football is mine.

On Monday night, "my boys" will head onto the gridiron in Pasadena at the grandaddy of all college bowls - the Rose.

Russell Wilson, our "lights out" QB will lead them.

Montee Ball, our record setting running back, will RUSH. He very well may break Barry Sander's all time single season TD record during that game.

All the linemen, safeties, corners, tight ends, and even the kicker will do their part too.

I KNOW all "my boys" will play their hearts out.

They want to win more than I do - - - and that is a whole heap of a lot.

Their coaches will be coaching, coaching, coaching.

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Even the REAL Bucky will go and he'll be doing push-ups on the sidelines for EVERY point scored, he'll be dancing, he'll be cheering he'll be doing ALL HE CAN DO to help "our boys" win.

And me??? What will I be doing??? I'll be down in my Football Cave,

Decked out in ALL my Badger gear - chewing holes in the chair upholstery - yelling at the TV to "spur" "the boys" on - and doing anything else I can think of to "HEP" us win.

I can TASTE the win.

And what will happen if we end up with an unwin????

Well - - - - let's just say, I shan't be very social for a while, if I even LIVE to tell about it.

On Wisconsin!!!!!!!!

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Christmas Skates

2011-12-25T00:04:00.005-06:00

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Recently while we were in Indiana, my friend Vickie who used to ask me to speak for chapel encouraged me to make a story video and post it on my blog.

I decided to make my Christmas card to all of you a video card.

I must confess that I did this with fear and trembling - - - and precious few videographer skilz, as will soon be apparent by the fact that my sound and picture do NOT stay together.

Oh well, close your eyes and take a listen if you dare - - -

Christmas Skates - Part 1

Christmas Skates - Part 2

When the sound gets too garbled at the end to be understood I was TRYING to say: "When your life teacup overflows with blessings, be sure to sip from the saucer!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting
"Sundays in My City"
To which I am linking this post.
My City is Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

"We 15 Kings from Orient Aren't"

2011-12-24T09:50:00.010-06:00

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A while back when I posted pictures of my humble Christmas decor, quite a few of you made remarks about my collection of kings.

Someone even said she found them fascinating AND a bit scary.

I don't really see the scary part, except for that nasty flash glare which so brilliantly illuminates the streaky glass on the patio door.

Hey - - - might as well talk about my dirty laundry, er I mean window, 'cause it's certainly hanging out there for y'all to see!!

Ah, this softer glow doesn't show the kings to such an advantage, but it hides the dirty laundry.

I love my kings and SOME of them come with stories - - - and in my opinion, decor with a story is the very best kind.

These are the kings with tales. No, not tails, tales!

For years I WISHED I had some nutcrackers. I would see the Nutcracker on TV each Christmas season and wonder why in the WORLD I didn't have one.

Then one Christmas when I took the kids to do their Christmas shopping at some Dollar Store, I saw boxes and boxes of these small kings. I WANTED those kings.

I saw my children hovering around various areas of the store - - - mostly NOT where the boxes of little kings were - - - and I did some shameless manipulating. I will confess here and very publicly that I made many disparaging remarks about EVERYTHING in the store except these kings which I praised to the heavens!!!

And low and behold on Christmas morning when I opened my gifts from my two oldest children, SURPRISE - - - I got my two little kings!!!!

I still have them, will ALWAYS have them, and they are my two most cherished since they were my first.

Later that same Christmas day, when we opened presents with my parents I received THIS king from them. I believe, if I remember correctly, I had shamelessly manipulated them too by telling them over and over again that I REALLY wanted a LARGE nutcracker.

For ONCE in my life they did that which went totally AGAINST their parenting philosophy and gave me what I wanted.

You know - - - back in the day parents thought that indulging their children's whims would spoil them. I guess since I was already an adult at the time they figured that there was no more spoiling to be done and indulged me.

For years my collection of kings was just these three.

Then slowly I began to buy MYSELF some kings as they went on sale following Christmas. I believe MOST of the other ten kings, besides the five in the storied group, were accrued in that manner.

Then one Christmas in Marion, Indiana our friend Vangie, who has adopted Fisherhubby as her 5th son, found and presented him with this fishing king.

Thank goodness he only ever catches those same two little trout and they never fill the house with fishy aromas.

And this king is my newest addition to the collection.

Several Christmases ago, after I posted pictures of my Christmas decor, this little guy arrived all the way from Alabama with his knapsack on his back!!!

Seems my bloggy friend, Leigh of Bloggeritaville, noticed my king collection and sent him hitch-hiking my way!!! When he finally arrived, he was SO happy to "come in out of the storm," so to speak, that he gladly posed for all the photos in this blog post.

And there you have it - - - the saga of my kings and how they came to live with me.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and all YOUR kings!!!

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Christmas Bonus and Other Little Things

2011-12-23T17:31:00.003-06:00

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Today I brought home my library Christmas bonus.

Are you ready to see it????

Yep, one "farmhouse" muffin and a quarter besides!!! Very yummy. The muffin, not the quarter.

Actually, I was given a $2 gift card to the library coffee shop and I used it to buy a farmhouse muffin with the quarter left over.

Merry Christmas to Me!!!

I "ain't" sharin' with NOBODY - especially not Fisherhubby, he can eat his OWN bonus. Hehehehehehe

Then we got ANOTHER bonus that looks like this:

The weatherman said there wasn't a chance of snow even out as far as the next 10 days.

But it fell on us this afternoon anyway.

And we are THANKFUL!!!! Fisherhubs and I LOVE snow and he's been calling our 40 degree rainy weather despicable!!!

One clarification - - - we love snow NOW, in the winter. Not quite so crazy about it in mid May.

Well - - - I don't know if this little skiff of snow will last until Sunday for Christmas or not, but at least we have it NOW.

So, Merry Christmas from our snowy front door to yours!!!

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Robert Lewis Had a First Cousin-Once-Removed Named Dorothy Emily

2011-12-20T06:12:00.005-06:00

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I have long been a D. E. Stevenson (Dorothy Emily Stevenson) book fan. I read and reread them - - - when I can FIND them.

In fact, I would OWN every single one of them so I could read and reread them over and over - - - if I could just FIND them.

Never heard of Dorothy Emily??? Well, that MAY have something to do with the fact that she died in 1973 and her books are rather hard to come by now what with modern libraries culling them from their shelves and what not.

But I'm telling you - - - they are wonderful stories. I find them by doing inter library searches. If you want to try one, I'd start with "The Young Savages" or "Kathryn Wentworth."

Or Miss Buncle. Or Mrs. Tim.

Kathryn was my first D. E. Stevenson book, but the Mrs. Tim books have become my long lasting favorites.

Currently I'm reading "Winter and Rough Weather" which is set in the Scottish Highlands. Quite a few D. E. Stevenson books "live" in the Scottish Highlands.

Yesterday I came across this passage, such good advice for us all - - - even in 2011 soon to be 12.

"Now listen," said Daniel gravely. "Just you listen to me and I'll tell you something worth remembering. When we're young we make our beds and when we're older we have to lie on them. I'd make myself a comfortable bed if I were you -- straight and tidy with the blankets well tucked in at the foot -- then it'll not come adrift when you lie in it. If a bed's not properly made at the start the blankets'll maybe fall off in the night and you'll wake up shivering."

I surely don't want to wake up shivering - - - I think I'll keep making a nice tightly tucked in bed for my life, how about you?

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Once Upon A Time - - -

2011-12-19T07:59:00.006-06:00

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There was a very brave little boy.

Now, this little boy did not live back in fairy tale days. Oh no, THIS very brave little boy lived in the here and now in this very real world we all call home.

When one lives in the here and now in the very real world we all call home, bad or unpleasant things can happen and we do not all live "happily ever after" without passing through our share of fire and rain. The very brave little boy was about to learn this difficult lesson first hand.

One day, when the brave little boy was visiting his grandparents in "Consin," his Papoo, who besides being a Great Fisherman also happens to be a great Medical Diagnostician, noticed a lump on the brave little boy's neck, just under his chin.

"Macky," said Papoo, for that was the brave little boy's name. "Macky, lift up your chin so I can look at your neck, OK?" Macky flashed his big trusting grin at his Papoo and did as he was asked.

Macky's mother saw the "medical look" come across Papoo's face. Knowing that her father is VERY LAID BACK about all our medical needs and frequently tells us when we present with some complaint or other to "take an aspirin and call me in the morning" she looked up with quite a level of alarm in her eyes and said, "What is it, dad???"

"I think Macky has a Thyroglossal cyst here." said Papoo.

"What is THAT? Is it dangerous?" said Keri, Macky's mom.

"It isn't an emergency or anything, but when you get home take him to your doctor and see what they want to do about it." said Papoo.

And so it came to pass that the brave little boy found himself one day, waiting in the waiting room to have that mean old something-or-other cyst surgically removed from his neck.

The brave little boy didn't fret.

He didn't cry.

In fact he was all smiles writing rhyming words and making little drawings on his magic tablet.

Later the kind nurse gave him a little room all his own with his very own TV and remote control. She took his temperature and blood pressure.

Still the little boy wasn't afraid.

He did not fret.

He did not cry.

At long last "they" came in funny looking suits, shoes, hat, and masks to wheel him away from his mommy and daddy.

Still the little boy wasn't afraid.

He did not fret.

He did not cry.

No - - - he threw up his hand, grinned, and said "Byeeeee" to his mommy and daddy as "they" wheeled him down the hallway and into the hidden and hallowed sanctums of the operating room.

It must be noted here that mommy and daddy were not quite as brave as the little boy. I wasn't there, so I cannot say for sure, but I imagine tears came into their eyes and big knots came into their tummies as they watched their brave little boy being wheeled away.

What seemed like hours later, the brave little boy was wheeled back to them. This time he simply could not smile.

But he did not fret.

He did not cry.

He just had to lie very still for the "nasty old anesthesia" he had been under moments before had made him feel very ill indeed.

But you know what??? In this very real world, even with its fire and rain, when one is truly a very brave little boy, one CANNOT be kept down for long.

And that's just how it was with our very brave little boy. It didn't take long before his smile returned to his face and he was able to eat his supper which was topped off with ice cream!!!

What a brave little boy!

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