MD #43 (Are you watching Bill?)

The Johanson family is having their 43rd Annual Family Reunion and Bill said it would never last. We can go on forever with enthusiastic young people whom we indoctrinate at an early age. However there is one piece of data that is a little alarming-You and I are among the top 5 ancient ones. Of course, Uncle Ron is first followed by Larry, myself, you, then Nancy and we aren’t even old, are we?

Good thing we have 11 children to add to the ranks and even more if we count the Phoenix relatives who haven’t really experienced the joy of family togetherness.

Nancy did such a great job of adding all the details to the annual planning menu. I think she even used an Excel spreadsheet. Now she can be stuck on this task until she can no longer remember how to use a computer.

My grandsons are looking forward to playing in a bonfire, sleeping in a cabin, and dancing to Thriller. I think they will like the hiking also. So I will be there early and stay late.

Two days after MD Linda and I will be leaving for Switzerland with a stop in Norway and Sweden. Jessica has written to me and does have time to visit with us when we’re in Trondheim! I am excited to visit with my second cousins in Singsas where my parents visited in 1982. We return on June 24th, that is if the volcano in Iceland stops doing its thing. So much for someone's great idea to fly via Iceland for fun.

See you Friday. No one will recognize you this year.

Try to remember this name-Mr. Hauser.

A Good Friend?

No, she not in this photo but she did grow the flowers in her yard and then took them to the cemetery to decorate my mom's grave site. She is so thoughtful.

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I'd run into a few problems with the cookie baking. I think you know that I only help with the dishes, measuring, cleaning but never actually mix the cookie dough. That is left to the experts who have been doing it for 20 years or more, mostly all their lives in fact. Betty is one of the experts who now is willing to train me to take her place in a few months as she is retiring from the baking since she is well into her 80's. Here is a photo of my first attempt. Now you know what kind of friend, Barb really is. I was laughing so hard I was crying. I think she's bringing a new mixer for me to use next time.

Do you have a skit performance ready for us for Memorial Day?

The Scooter Store

What? How do they know I have an arthritic knee and can’t walk around the house? I guess Google got a shot of me limping down the block. Really I walk just fine, thank you and please don’t send me any more ads for a scooter even if it is FREE.

I am really attempting to find Fjeseths in Norway since I’m not certain Jessica will see us when we’re in Trondheim. Never fear, I have rounded up a dozen second cousins and they will take us to Singsass where my Grandpa Fjeseth grew up. He even made a cabinet that is being used there so I’ll need to visit that chest also. Luckily my mom never threw away anything so I have his actual emigration papers from the ship Utopia in 1911 when he arrived in the U.S. My mom has saved all the photos from their trip in 1982 so I won’t need to take any additional photos, however Linda will be with me so what can I do?

It is good to know Hank is now back in Chicago getting care from his family. He will be happy to get to his computing.

Ron Judd has been very ill but seems to be holding his own now. Gloria is fortunate to have her family with her. I called Helen Houston on her birthday May 1st. She was 90 and sounded like my mom during her 90’s. She wanted to talk but had no idea who I was. I also talked to Leslie the other day and it was a shock as we did face time on our iPhones and one person was young and beautiful and the other old and wrinkled. What is so great about an iphone?

Recently Lucas asked me why I didn’t work because then I couldn’t earn money. I stammered on that answer because I really think I need to work. I tried to add something about volunteer work but that didn’t quite make sense.

Memorial Day is creeping up. I hear Missy is electing to work, following in Mary Jane’s footsteps. The little boys are practicing their songs for the Talent Show.
Oh, wait another hearing aid offer arrived today. How can you ask why I am so paranoid about getting older?