Best Friends

  My best friend in grade school was Cindy Cheatum. We where a rambunctious couple of girls, always in action. We ran, jumped and rode our bikes through the small town of Elgin. Cindy with her curly head of brunette and me in my long blond ponytails.

  Cindy lived only a block away from our pink house and spent allot of time with us. Her Dad worked nights at the lumber mill so it was easier for us to play at our house. We would put pieces of cardboard on our bike tires so it sounded like we had moters on our bikes. Cindy and I had foot races. I rarely won. She went on to be a cross country runner in high school.

 In school we would play spy games. we would sneak behind our class and hide in doorways while they where in a nice line on the way to the gym. We must have been pretty good because we never got caught and would arrive for the physical education class in time.

 Grandma Simmons lived in a big brick house no far from the school. On our way home we would always stop for milk and cookies.

 One day after school a man driving a cream colored station wagon with a wood look strip down the middle tried to get us to come over to his car. We hid in the bushes by the school and ran to Grandmas house as fast as we could. To this day I still have nightmares about bad guys chasing after us and having to hide in the nooks and crannies of Grandmas house.

 I stayed the night at Cindy's house a few times. Her parents where very nice. I always think of her Dad as Danny Devito. They took us to the neighboring town of Imbler one evening and bought us ice cream cones. I had grape sherbet, my favorite!

 We grew apart as many school hood friends do and that is OK. People come into your life for a reason and a season and I still have fond memories of friendship.

Who was your best friend in grade school?

North Dakota Gangs

   This North Dakota oil boom has got me worried. With the rising population and riff raff coming in it's no wonder we are having trouble with crime. It's not safe to come out of your house any more. Day or night when ever I peak out from behind my curtains this is what I see right out in my very own yard.
         These turkeys are out there strutting their stuff, showing their colors. I'm not sure how dangerous this gang is but I'm going to keep my distance to be on the safe side.
     

Teenagers

Souri is growing up and becoming a teenager.

Here she is veggin out in her beanbag chair.

Bessy

Have you ever had a nosey neighbor?

You know, one that watches everything you do.

        Well we have one. Just look at her blatantly staring right in our windows. I can just imagine her running to tell all her friends everything we've been doing, down to who was at our house and the casserole we ate for dinner.

             I tried to invite her in but she would have none of that.

             If you want any juicy information on anyone look up Bessy. She knows the scoop.

Ghostly Lake

       
       A ghostly fog hung over the lake yesterday morning.

       I remember reading a book about a young girl who would walk into the fog where she would find a village of people whom she became friends with. When the fog would disappear they would also be gone.

       I love to walk into the fog and feel the cool mist soaking into my skin, searching for shapes in the hazy mist.

           Around here they say a foggy day foretells moisture. It is said 90 days after we have fog it will rain or snow. In farming country where there is no irrigation precipitation in a timely manner is very important to water growing crops.

Do you know any legends about the fog?

Sandpiper

        
               I spent the day last Wednesday exploring the small town of Rugby North Dakota. I like this northern village. It has some cute shops. I did discover a new one called "Back Stage". Four inventive ladies own this down town shop and have packed it full of treasures galore.
              Next to it is my favorite consignment shop "Worn-a-Bit" That is where I found this sandpiper. I've always wanted one when I've seen them in catalogues but was to cheap to buy a frivolous item for myself. Luckily someone else did and must have become tired of the decor. So I lucked out when I spotted this little beauty peeping out at me from the shop counter.

What treasures have you found lately?

Antique Road Show

                    An antique road show was held at the nursing home last week. Antiques where displayed for residents to view and discuss. Stories where told and friendships where forged.

            The residents where very insightful about many of the items.

                   I thought this was a popcorn popper but was informed that you hang this bed warmer by your fireplace to put hot coals in and warm your bed on a cold winters night.
            Taking time to listen and get to know our older population can be so rewarding. Their life experiences have given them so much knowledge to pass on to the younger generations.