Trip Diary ~ Day 4

July 25, 2015, Saturday

Dear Readers,

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

~ Marcel Proust

Oh goodness, another wake up to fresh coffee and the best ever breakfast. I could get used to this really fast! I am so grateful to Elaine for allowing me to crash in her guestroom.

Elaine's condo is filled with interesting treasures she has collected from her travels. Everywhere I look there is something to marvel at. She is talented at mixing old with new and a great hostess to boot. As most of you know, I love all sorts of interior design styles and the use of vibrant colors. I gathered up a few new ideas for changes in the lil casa and cottage. Yay!

Today was the day we were all were looking forward to ~ the all school reunion. As we did as high schoolers, we were all doing the familiar: "What are you going to wear?" We fussed over make-up, hair, clothes and FINALLY got ready to head out down the halls to the Central Square auditorium area. We certainly didn't have far to go!

What a treat it was to venture through the school, look at the art, peruse through old school albums (I found the graduation photos of my Aunt Lorna '31 and Aunt Helen '33. My very first friend ever, Judy, was there and it was so good to hug her and share some time together. Several classmates were also there and, again, we shared hugs, pork sandwiches, and a glass of wine. The weather was perfect and, I think, the reunion was a huge success. I did find out that my class is going to have a birthday party in 2016 at Bonnie and Merle's home and, God willing, I sure plan to be there.

The halls of 4th, 5th, 6th grade

My favorite at the art show

The balcony of the auditorium

The stage ~ basketball, pep rallies, choir/band
concerts,plays (I remember watching movies
& the March of Dimes clips here).

5th Grade Operetta Hansel & Gretel
Miss Dottie was Gretel

Lisa & Lynda

Priscilla & Susan

Pam & Judy

Don

The annual tables

Our entertainers
wore cowboy boots

Dale, Lynda, Janice, Dale

Dale, Elaine, Moi, Jan, Dale

My Aunt Lorna's HS photo! Class of 1931

My Aunt Helen's HS photo. Class of 1933

Bonnie & Merle

These are the steps I walked up
from 1st through 6th grade
as I came from home into the bldg

Miss Dottie
Graduation Photo

You know the beautiful thing about my school years was that there was no bullying ... no cliques. Oh yes, there were groups that congregated because of interests ~ sports, cheer leading, band, choir, etc. but no one was left out of our class to be mean towards them. I think that's pretty awesome considering what is going on in school's now.

There have been lots of crazy things going on in my life but my kindergarten through 12th grade time in school was filled with positiveness, friends, and adventuresome experiences. I was blessed beyond blessed to have roots, a love of the Lord that went deep, and enough wonderful experiences to give me something to hang on to ~ well, even today!

Saturday evening, we sat outside Elaine's condo and watched the fireworks going on at the lake. We were going to go down but, I guess, by the end of the day, we were feeling a little on the tired side and not willing to wade through the huge crowds. There was the lighted pontoon parade on the lake as well as the street dance featuring Hairball (we heard about 4,000 showed up for that).

It started sprinkling rain and we headed in for what else? MORE CAKE!

Dear Jesus from whom all blessings flow. Thank you for a day filled with memories, friends, and plans for the future. Carpe' Diem ... seize the day! Yes, I did!! I pray that all your children would fill their lives with love, laughter, and hope for a bright future. For those struggling, I ask that you move mightily in their lives: healing, preparing, giving peace, and opening their eyes to truth and light. I could not have asked for more today! Amen, it is so!!

Miss Dottie

PS

"Sometimes it's easy to forget how much you miss people until you see them again." ~ Colleen Hoover

My life is good and I am happy. Yet... when I walked into the lives of dear friends that I hadn't seen in several years, I found myself glowing, my heart was so happy.

Make new friends but keep the old ~ one is silver and the other gold. For sure!!


  

Trip Diary ~ Day 3

July 24, 2015, Friday

Dear Readers,

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have,

and one of the best things you can be."

~Douglas Pagels

I woke this morning to the aroma of wonderful coffee. Elaine asked if I liked banana pancakes. I LOVE banana pancakes. I must say, my friend is an amazing cook! I am pinching myself to see if I am really here and experiencing such joy and contentment.

I couldn't help but peering out the windows of the condo to take a peek at my old house across the street and the playground where I used to swing, climb the monkey bars, ride the merry go round, and chase friends! The playground was asphalt and I got many a scraped knee and elbow there! Now, it's a beautiful grassy area.

The coolness of the morning air beckoned me outdoors. I drove out to the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery to walk among my ancestors and have a nice chat with my mom and dad. It is so peaceful there and I felt the deepness of my roots going back to the 1800's when Anton and Caroline Pederson and Knut and Ragnhild Torguson arrived from Norway. I have many relatives buried there on the land my grandfather donated to the Lutheran Church. One thing I can say for sure, my ancestors made a big mark on the town and across Minnesota.

After spending some time there, I ventured back into Glenwood and drove by the house where I was born and the home I lived in until my graduation from high school. Funny how I could remember every nook and crannie of each home. Everything looked so much smaller than how I remembered it. I guess as a kid, things always seem bigger than they really are. One exception was the church I was baptized in, confirmed in, married in, and began my walk with Christ. I wished I'd have had time to go in and see the beautiful stained glass windows and sit in the oak pew donated by my grandparents ... next trip...

I drove by the courthouse where my mom worked in Human Services for many years; went up to Mount Lookout where I hiked as a kid (it was also the local "necking" spot!); photographed the library (this was my home away from home, I spent so much time there getting books to read); and, I noticed the old IOOF building kitty corner where I attended Brownies and Girl Scouts (2nd Floor).  

My room was on the second floor left window
205 N Franklin Street

360 2nd Street Northeast

Glenwood Lutheran Church

Courthouse where my mother
worked until her retirement.

View from Mount Lookout

The Library
Another of my places of learning!

Building where I attended
Brownie & Girl Scout meetings.

I went back to the condo and SURPRISE, Elaine had baked a wonderful Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Cream Cheese frosting ... all from scratch. One piece led to two, it was that good!

We started texting friends who would be gathering later in the day. I tell you what, the new phones are great for keeping in touch and coordinating meetings.

Elaine, Susan, Priscilla, and I decided to do a little antiquing and visited the local shop where I always find something special.

I got a lot of ideas for my gardens. I thought the bike painted lime green was wonderful. It was really inexpensive BUT there was no way I could stuff it in Graycie for the trip home.

Uff da!

(Uff da is of Norwegian origin. It is used to express surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, relief, and dismay.  It roughly means "drats!," "oops!," or "Oh no!,"

Susan and I went downtown so I could check out The Valley Troll (a Norwegian store with all sorts of wonderful things.) Wouldn't you know, I found a print of  a Norwegian kitchen scene that I had to have and replaced an art piece that I bought in 2011 that I had broken.

Funny how one can walk everywhere in a small town! We headed back to the condo where we would meet up with Lynda. Marshall and Pam wanted to go back to Captain's for dinner so we all climbed in Lynda's car and headed out. Everyone was putting in $10 to play pull tabs and since I'd never heard of such a thing I didn't know if I wanted to play. At the last minute, I put down my ten dollars. Luckily, Marshall had a big winning tab and my return was $27 ~ not bad, paid for my dinner.

We're winners!

Elaine, Moi, Susan, Priscilla
Life-long friends!

Pam, Marshall, Lynda
Oh, how I love these precious friends!!

What do I do every time I go home? I drive around the lake and have a Dairy Queen Peanut Parfait in Starbuck. This time was no different. Lynda was gracious enough to take us all on a wonderful ride to Barsness Park, a tour of the gorgeous lake homes and resorts, and stopped at the Dairy Queen. Yum!!

It's me, Dottie ~ prayer time. Lord Jesus, what an amazing day chocked full of love, laughter, and memories of times spent with friends. There are fireworks of beauty going off in my head as I recall the many times I looked up at the night sky oohing and aahing. I pray that the all school reunion tomorrow will be a huge success and that I will be able to see friends that I haven't seen for many years. Protect those driving and flying in from far away places. I pray for Michael as he continues to feed and care for the Sensational Six at home. I pray for those on my prayer list as they walk through the shadows of death, struggle with financial constraints, suffer from loss and illnesses, and those who are feeling defeated by the enemy. Bring a sense of stillness and hope to our country. Dr Jesus thank you for healing my mind and giving my life meaning! Amen it is so!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My besties: Lynda, Elaine, Susan
An evening of sharing life!!

Trip Diary ~ Day 2

July 23, 2015, Thursday

Dear Readers,

"There is no mile as long as the final one that leads back home."

~Katherine Marsh

I'm here! Whoa, that last couple hours of driving was a bugger but I forgot about my aching body when I arrived at Elaine's condo which is located in the school where I attended K-12th grade. Not only that, her condo is the room that Miss Alexander taught our 2nd grade class. Who could have guessed?!

My day's journey was rather boring going through miles and miles of flat farmland. Just before I got to Minnesota, I did see hundreds of wind turbines that were generating electricity. I was fascinated ... it looked rather futuristic!

I always look forward to arriving at the first rest area in Minnesota. They have hiking trails which offer me an opportunity to stretch my legs and breathe in some fresh air. As usual, I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't long and I was ready to get on with the last leg of my journey. (Truth be known, the mosquitoes started swarming around me and I was getting eaten alive!)

It's an easy drive to Minnesota from Texas. I got on I35 and stayed on it until I got to Minneapolis where I took 494 to Alexandria then 29 south to Glenwood. Glenwood is surrounded by two big hills ~ no matter which hill I choose to enter the city, I am always taken aback by the beauty before me ~ the sleepy little city, the beautiful Lake Minnewaska, and memories that come flooding back from my growing up years there.

I walked in to Elaine's condo and said, "Where's the dessert and coffee?" She laughed... I got settled in her guestroom and we made plans to meet friends for dinner at Captain's on the lake. We talked, laughed, and had such a wonderful evening planning the days ahead. In high school, a group of us were famous for our wacky/wonderful slumber parties. When we get together, it's like we've never been apart. We've gone through seasons separately yet our spirits have remained entwined. Now, that's friendship at it's best!!


Dear God, Thank you for a safe trip from Texas to Minnesota. I am so grateful for life-long friends and my growing up years in Glenwood. Everywhere I turn my brain recalls memories that are chock full of joy. Thank you for helping me throw out all the bad tapes leaving room for what is good. I pray that all children could have that feeling of deepness of roots and family going back generations. I knew where I came from and what I was about. Life goes on about me here and back in Texas. Father, I pray that you would bless the socks off those closest to my heart. In times of trial, You are our Protector, our Savior, our Redeemer. Your presence is felt in times of trial and in joy. Help us to focus on the joy, the miracles, the goodness. I pray for those needing that extra boost of focus, confidence, and direction. Amen, dear Jesus, it is so!!

Miss Dottie

PS "Coming back is the thing that enables you to see how all the dots in your life are connected, how one decision leads you to another, how one twist of fate, good or bad, brings you to a door that later takes you to another door, which aided by several detours ~ long hallways and unforeseen stairwells ~ eventually puts you in the place you are now." ~Ann Patchett