Today was a quiet day. No pressing appointments - no emergencies - no important tasks to be performed. So. We went out for breakfast. Did I tell you that our very favorite breakfast place, Highway Bakery, now known as Shuff's Resort, is no longer going to serve breakfast. Today was the last day of breakfasts so we went.

This was a week of restaurant disappointments. Monday, Dick took me out for breakfast because I had had such a busy day. We went to Garden View, a recent favorite. They have changed to buffet only for lunches and dinners. Not only are we not too fond of buffets, but ----- the plates were all hot. This sounds OK until you realize that this was the SALAD plates too. The food tasted alright but Dick quickly discovered that they had tips but no noodles which is a real Kunert mistake. Tips have to have noodles.

Anyway, we need to find a new breakfast and dinner place to eat. What a bummer.

I make teriaki steak, fried rice and stir fry for supper. It was really great.

I am dehydrating the extra round steak.

Have a great Sunday.

Mary

Am I ever glad that this week is over. Each day seemed busier than the last.

I spent last night in DePere with Bart and Barb. Barb is a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints and the Women's group put on a marvelous production of Women at the Well. Barbara was one of the narrators and was (of course) the best. Their faith community has some wonderful voices and the music and script were very uplifting and really showed the role of the women of Christ's time and related it to the rose of Women today.

I helped Bart and Barb set up for their garage sale too. This first day was really a did because it has been rainy with thunder and lightening all day.

I drove down Geele Avenue in Sheboygan today and it is breathtaking. All the flowering trees are in bloom. At this time of the year they are beautiful and when the petals start to fall it is like a warm snowfall.

Have a nice Saturday. I got a trophy for my pistol shooting at the Bust Up Party tonight.

Love

Mary

I spent the day with Mother as she had the cataract surgery this morning shortly after 8:00AM. We were home by 11:30AM. They had not told us that someone should stay with her for 24 hours so I stayed until Donna and Randy could come over after 5:30 when the girls,Erin and Jessie, were fed and Randy was back from work and a game of golf. Randy can spend the night and Jeff is coming fairly early in the morning and will take her for her checkup. I was sure glad I did not plan anything else as Mom was very tired and woke up from a nap with a very teary, blurry eye. It would not have been good for her to be alone.

You will not hear from me until Friday. I will be traveling a bit and not able to post.

Uncle Bob had his surgery just before Mother's and left shortly after she came back to her room. Aunt Kathleen, Mother and I were talking about Grandma Bowser and what a hard time she had when she had to leave her home. She told Aunt Kathleen that she had hoped so that she would never have to leave it.

During her first several years of marriage, they must have lived in 8 or more different homes. Moving that many times, in that era, with all those little children must have been so hard and she just wanted a home.

Getting old is not for the weak.


Remember - don't spend your time preparing for life. LIVE IT!

Mary

It was a bit chilly today, but the sun came out for a little bit. We are expecting rain for the next five days but at least the temperatures are staying up a bit.

I will be going up to De Pere on Thursday to see Barbara's church's production of Women at the Well. Barbara will be one of the narrators. (I will also help them get set up for the garage sale they are having on Friday and Saturday.) I am really looking forward to the play.

Here is a little poem I wrote recently that I thought you might enjoy.

THE RAGDOLL

A half finished rag doll in the hamper.
Erin made the doll with Grandma’s help.
Then one night Erin went to sleep
And never came back to finish the doll.

Erin made the doll with Grandma’s help.
Others came to play with Grandma
And never came back to finish the doll.
They got wisdom and joy from Grandma.

Others came to play with Grandma
One day young, the next all grown.
They got wisdom and joy from Grandma.
The wisdom is stamped on their souls.

One day young, the next all grown.
Then one night Erin went to sleep
The wisdom is stamped on their souls.
A half finished rag doll in the hamper

Say a prayer for that Grandma, my Mother, who will be having cataract surgery in the morning. Just routine, I know, but it is MY MOM who is having it. Pray for an easy time for her and a sucessful procedure.

P. S. My Uncle Bob Finger is having the SAME surgery a bit later tomorrow. Prayers for him too.

Love

Mary

I went to Sheboygan Falls Gun Club today and signed up for spring league, which starts next Monday, with Rosalie. Who has been kind enough to be may partner for two years. We shot a practice round and I got a 14. Not bad. I know some of what I am doing wrong too so hopefully can maintain and improve. I do enjoy it.

The funeral was well attended for a woman who died at age 95. It was held at St. Michael's out in Town Michell. Mother was baptized in that church. It is no longer an active parish but is being kept as a chapel because somebody donated a very large sum of money to ensure the maintenance of the buildings and grounds. I hope this continues because there is a lot of family history in that church and the cemetery. There is a tombstone that marks the spot of three of my great great grandparent's children who all died within 6 months of each other. One an infant girl and two sons who died of diphtheria. My great grandfather was just a boy but had to help his father bury the children because the neighbors were afraid to come near the family because of fear of infection. They would leave food at the front gate and call for news across the yard. Such sorrow. I cannot imagine how it would be to lose three children all at once. Times were hard in those times.

Have a good day.

Mary

Tomorrow I will be taking Mother to a funeral at St. Michael's Church out in the Kettles. This is a lady that Mother taught with for several years before she and Dad got married. As a matter of fact, Frances Butler Trimberger was a bridesmaid at my parent's wedding. One summer, they took a train to California to deliver a couple of children to their parents who had moved out ahead of them. The ladies had quite a trip. They delivered the children in San Francisco, I believe, then traveled to Santa Ana California and spent some time with my Great Aunt Genevieve, better known as Aunt Gee, and her husband Andy. Then they came back home again. Over the years they remained friends but dear Frances developed Alceimers disease a few years ago and has been in a nursing home for the past two years since her husband died.

I know that the last time Mother talked to her, she didn't think Frances really knew who she was. She was very sweet and happy and pleasant but never asked about any of us or talked about her own children. I always thought she was a rather plain woman in the pictures of the wedding and when we met her over the years. But - she was a beautiful old woman. She had the prettiest snowy white hair and a rosy smooth complexion. May she rest in peace.

It is so hard for Mother, I know. So many of her friends are leaving.

I shot a round of trap again today and moved my score up to a 15. I need to get a bead put on the gun this week as Rosalie and I will start league in a week.

Have a good week.

Mary