The Crow's Nest - November 29, 2017
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of friends, family and turkey. I know our house was overflowing. Two of our children and spouses were here along with grandchildren and their spouses/girlfriends. It is so much fun interacting with the grandchildren as adults. Lots of games, visiting and plain fun took place.
Thanksgiving gave way to Jackson Hall and Mariah Lardy. They were married in Moorhead last Saturday. What a beautiful wedding with many in attendance. Our best wishes and love go to them.
Sadness prevailed when the Christopherson family returned to Edinburg for the burial of Ruth (Christopherson) Clarens daughter. Rachel was only 36 years old and left behind a husband, Jim and 4 children. The day was cold and windy, but many were at Garfield Cemetery to show their support for the family. Following the burial, a small lunch was served at Trinity church. I am sure there were about 60 people in attendance. I hadn’t seen John Christopherson in at least 50 years, so it was fun to be able to reconnect even though it was a very sad time.
I just revel in giving examples of my old age! This is one I didn’t see coming just yet. I was getting dressed the other day when I tried and tried and tried to button the sleeve on my shirt. I finally gave up and called in a recruit. That didn’t work either. Seems like it took 2 of us half a day to gain power over a teeny-weeny button! How pathetic can it get?
A while back Edinburg was nominated for the Determination Award by “SMALL TOWNS. BIG IDEAS.” 2017 Community Builders. This nomination was because of the Grocery Store Project here in town. There is lots that determined this nomination but suffice to say the grocery store became community property and people stepped forward pledging money to help keep the store open. Mayor Bob Halldorson, Marjie Jonasson, Chuck Mielke and store manager Cindy Vargason went to Minto to a dinner honoring all the nominated groups. Edinburg didn’t win, but it truly was a great recognition for the people of Edinburg.
It was great to get a telephone call from Sydney Gire the other day. He said he and his wife live in Surprise, Arizona half of the year and in Richland, WA the other half. Anyway, it was so much fun visiting with him. He said he still is active in the world of music. He gave up the trumpet a few years ago but then started playing the bass guitar. He said he had a couple of concerts he was involved in coming up before Christmas. I remember Steve (Sonny) Johnson giving me recordings made when Sydney played in Jazz Festivals up and down the west coast.
I recently learned of the deaths of John McEwen and Joy Brevik. John graduated in 1972 from Edinburg while Joy graduated in 1977. Sympathy goes out to all friends and family.
The tragic death of Dr. Gerard Dahl in a car accident last Saturday has really hit the area hard. He was a beloved veterinarian along with a passionate member of the Sons of Norway. He was a very kind and caring man. His funeral is this Saturday at the Park River Bible Camp. I know many, many people are suffering the loss of this gentle giant.
Christmas time means cookie time. I am part of a group making cookies for the airmen and women at the Grand Forks Air Base. The goal is 320 dozen cookies. I have reached my limit with 22 dozen. It is such a worthwhile project to be involved with.
I’ll leave you with one last story about my encounters. As many people know, I have a strange addiction to walking. The more I walk, the better I like it. (There are some health benefits though.) Anyway, I walked so much I really hurt my toe. I suffered about 5 days then went down to Dr. Johnson. I knew he would not exactly commiserate with me, and he didn’t. He just said I was “nuts”. Anyway, he gave me antibiotics for my infected toe and told me to soak it in warm water. My standard question was: should I use Epson salts? He looked me in the eye and shook his head saying, “your generation along with generations before you think Epson salt is the cure all for everything”. He said it wasn’t the Epson salts, but it was the warm water that is needed in soaking body parts. Then he stated: “Epson salts is good for only one thing, that is drinking it as it will help you “poop”!” Those were his words, not mine.
Have a great day and we’ll talk later.
