Grandma Johanson's Legacy

“My stars, are you still celebrating as my family after 42 years?" She loved to have her family get together and she also loved baking and preparing for the occasion. I guess that’s part of the fun too. She would be amazed to know we are all still excited to spend time with one another. And the generations are moving on down or up.

I’m just as excited as ever because my grand kids are excited. Maybe they’ll even like it enough to be excited for another 42 years but that might be too much to expect. Bill always liked to say this won’t go on much longer because no one is interested. This year will have a few changes but there will be much tradition too. Rice Krispy treats, Friday night arrivals, the bonfire, the meal preparations, bringing in the groceries, the hikes, the ball games, and the lawn chairs observers. Mostly there will be much conversation.

The kids will be energetic and on the move constantly so I have been working on building my stamina for the weekend. There will be no time for naps so that might be a problem for all of us. It could be a long weekend with at least 12 children under the age of 10. So don’t forget your whistle and your recreational ideas for entertaining children.

Since you aren’t on Facebook I will fill you in on Willie’s marital status. It now says Married by his name and after that got posted it wasn’t a few hours before Charlie called Diana, Diana phoned me, I consulted with Jill, and no one could locate Willie as he was on maneuvers in the field. I’m sure it’s a joke but it’s nice to know there are observant people staying in the know in this family. You will hear all about Kristin when you get to Ft. Leonard Wood. I think maybe even Ken’s name was in there someplace too.

I’m sure we can find better family gossip but that’s all I have for now. Linda and Mike are coming today for a short stay on their way to Edmonton with Julius’ father who is visiting from Tanzania. We will visit my mom and Clara Bayman who now lives near my mom. Clara did everyone’s hair in Warden for 40 years so I know we have lots to talk about.

Miles about Memorial Day 42

Hooray, It's May!

The teachers made up another two days off holiday called the mid-Spring break so I was able to spend some quality time with Lucas. It was not exactly easy however as his parents revoked his Wii playing for the entire week due to some trumped-up charge of not controlling his anger appropriately. He is so addicted to Star Wars now that he was happy just to watch youtube solutions to the game. His week ends today so he’ll be fighting as General Grievous again soon.

Claire and I took Miles to a fishing day Saturday and he could hardly wait to get to the lake. After seeing the suffering worm impaled by the hook he backed up some and let the helpers cast his line. He was entitled to three fish but he stopped at two with a pleasant no thank you to the offer for three. I was all ready to fry the fish for him to eat but luckily the food bank needed the fish so he graciously wanted them to have his fish even after the man cleaning them told us about the crispy tail being the best part of the fish. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife may have convinced a number of children to love this sport but Miles is not one of them.

Gayle and I visited about Memorial Day today. I suggested we could organize a Kick the Can activity so beef up your rules for this game. I’ll look for a good can. We can also try Auntie Over if we have time. Gayle has the menu all ready to go but is waiting for just a few more details as to who’s attending. I talked to Betty and Brice the other day and it looks like the trip may be too long for them so next year we’ll have to get a closer destination. However plans are still flexible so we’ll see who actually shows up.

Claire, Brett and I ran into Charlie and Missy the other day at a restaurant near here. Charlie is such a wonderful husband that he takes his wife out often. Diana reports that she and Jim are house hunting in Spokane now so they can live closer to the grandkids in a yard with complete privacy. Laura Bush, Linda and Diana know how important grandkids are in your old age. You need to adopt some in your neighborhood. It’s fun telling them things and then hearing them restate the rules back to you some other day. I always say, “How do you know that?” and they say, “You told us!” The power is great.

Last week my friend Betty and I joined a trail group of 13 spending six hours in driving rain, wind, cold and mud from head to toe to enthusiastically dig roots out of the muck to make a new trail at Iller Creek. It is a beautiful hiking area just about 20 minutes from my house.

My mom is doing well again. She eats some days but not always though she is up and dressed every day. I’m not as dedicated as Bill’s brother who checked on his mom every day but I do have an every other day schedule. I'm hoping we can all visit her on Sunday. Cyd and Walker have terrible colds so their family won't be able to join us.

Who do we know from Quinter, KS and Hood River, OR?