Happy Birthday Dawn!

Our baby girl was born today at 2:30 pm, I won't say how many years ago, as she would get cross at me for saying, but let's just say that she is getting a tad bit closer to 40...not 40 but a little closer to it. She was the most beautiful baby, dark complexion, dark hair and dark eyes. When I looked at her, I immediately saw her Dad. She looked so much like him. Now she is a real mixture, she has my chin and some say she has my face, but I love that she got the olive complexion of Dad, and not my pasty white! I'd put her photo here, but she would really get mad, so I may go back and look for one when she was a baby or a little girl, but to please her you won't see a photo of how she looks today. Take my word for it though, she is a beauty.

We will be going to spend this weekend with her and her family, and we will celebrate her Birthday then.

Happy Happy Birthday dear daughter Dawn. Love, Mom, Dad, Rob and Scott

Memorial Day

I can't let the day go by without acknowledging that it is the day that we in these United States recognize and honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed in battle and service to preserve our freedom.

My husband is a veteran, and I include him and my uncles during World War II and my classmates who served in Vietnam. My husband was in Thailand during the Vietnam War, and there was action there as well as Vietnam. He really does not talk about it, as many of those that served in Vietnam do not talk about their experience. Two of my brothers were in the National Guard Service during the Vietnam War, and our family is very thankful to the active duty service men that gave their service so that my brothers unit did not have to be activated. Now, during this war we are in, the National Guard's are the ones that are preserving our freedom. Thank you to our servicemen.

May we all remember our troops overseas, our troops here, and all those that sacrificed their lives for us.

Good Weekend

Scott and Sarah's Home

It has been a good weekend, especially the first two days, of our three day weekend. Today I am not accomplishing anything, I'm really taking the "day off". I have had a bad headache all day that just does not want to go away. I'm also congested. I was working in the yard on Saturday evening, and suspect it may be allergies, although I have never specifically been diagnosed with allergies. Two of our children get them very badly this time of year from the pollen, and both of them have told me that I probably have them too. Saturday was a beautiful day to be outside, warm and sunny. Yesterday was nice, but cloudy and a big thunder shower around noon. Today is a rainy day. We had a nice afternoon and evening yesterday at our son's house. He and Sarah had a gathering of friends and we were invited. (And NO, the headache is NOT from indulgence in marguritas or wine, since I am watching my weight closer, I stuck only to diet soda and water!). We were on their back deck, and their back yard is lined with trees, all in the middle of sprouting their leaves, so there was probably a lot of pollen.

I realize that last year at this time, I told my readers that our youngest son, Scott and his girlfriend were building a house. We were surprised that they would do that before being married, but as I said at the time, that seems to be what young people are doing now a days! Looking at the tightening of mortage lending a year later, I guess they did make the right choice to build when they did! We are very happy for them that they have a home and can be investing in their future with a mortage rather than rent. The home is so very nice, and they are very fortunate be able to have such a beautiful new home at their young age! They are both very hard workers and do deserve what they have. We are very proud of them both.

40 years ago a young couple was not able to build a brand new home, and it was a struggle to come up with a down payment to buy an older home. Many couples had to wait many years to become home owners. My, how things change. The only reason we were able to get a mortage 2 years into our marriage was because my husband was a veteran. We got a VA mortage for $300 down payment, for a home that was 57 years old, and we were excited and felt truly blessed! (We are still in that home!)

I don't think that I ever posted a photo of their new home, so here are a few. The handsome (I'm prejudiced) man standing in front of the home is Scott. Sarah is camera shy and never lets me take her photo. They did get engaged in the fall and plan to get married in spring of '09. It doesn't look like it in the photos, but they DO have some lawn in front of their porch! They decided to use the rocks with their landcaping, as did most of the homes by them. (It saves him pushing a mower up and down that steep hill!) It's amazing to think homes could be built on such rocky land! Amazing where contractors find to build new homes, in area where you think there could never be homes! Their home is really lovely, and they are very lucky to be able to have such a nice, new home at their young age!

Two out of three of our children are out on their own and settled. We miss them, but are happy for them. That's life, they are to leave their parents and have their own lives. Tomorrow, our first born celebrates her 38th birthday.... unbelievable! In two weeks, their son (our grandson) graduates from high school. WOW! (I am feeling very old these days!)

Hugo

Oh my goodness - my Sister-in-Law, who lives in California, just called us to wish us a good holiday. She told us that her best friend from high school, who she always visits when they come back to Minnesota, has been given only three months to live. She is a breast cancer survivor, and was cancer free. Her cancer has now come back with a vengance, and it is going to take her. What awful news. Bob and I have gotten to know them over the years, last time we saw them was at our house last August when we had a party for my sister-in-law and her husband when they were in Duluth. We had heard that they sold their house here and moved last fall to the metro area to be closer to their sons. I asked her for their address so I could send them a note. Imagine my horror, when given their address, the city was HUGO! I told her right away about the tornado that went through there last evening, (see my post below). We are praying that they are safe, and that their home wasn't affected. She is going to call her and let me know what she finds out. It is bad enough to hear of disasters, but really hits you, when someone you know is personally involved! We will be thinking and praying for Diana and Bob. Not only to go through a tornado, but what must it be like to be told that you have only three months to live.
Oh my!

A Swift, Deadly Blow

"A Swift, Deadly Blow" that is the headline of this morning's St. Paul's Star Tribune Newspaper. (Photo credit: Jim Mone, A.P.)

When I was growing up, one of my girlfriends had a sister who lived in Southern Minnesota. She and her husband only lived there a few years, and then they moved back to PA. The reason? They did not like the tornados that would come through there. They survived one, and said that the area was famous for getting them, and after being in one, they decided they were leaving Minnesota!

That was the only thing I knew about the state of Minnesota, other than that it bordered one of the Great Lakes. When I came here as a bride in 1969, it was winter so I wasn't thinking of the tornados that Gloria talked about. I was only dealing with the minus below zero temps those first three months, and the cold summer by the lake.

Since then, I have seen the damages done in the southern part of our state, through the local newspapers and TV reports. There have been several very bad onces out west and down south over these 38 years. Local people from Duluth have always told me that Lake Superior keeps the tornados away from us. Sure, we get high winds, hail and thunderstorms, but the only tornados we hear of around here are in our nearby towns skirting Duluth. We've had tornado watches and warnings here, when tornados are reported near us. I particularly remember two times when our family prayed for safety huddled in our basement. Both times, everything was fine, no tornado in Duluth.

Last evening a bad one went through Hugo, Minnesota, which is a northern metro suburb by St. Paul. A 2 year old child was killed and eight people were seriously injured. It destroyed or serverely damaged about 150 homes. Thousands of households were without power and downed trees blocked roads, slowing rescue efforts.

The families of Hugo are in our prayers, and we in Duluth are thankful that we have the big lake by us that keeps tornados out of our city.

Enjoy Duluth in May

Canal Park and Lakewalk

Duluth, Minnesota - May, 2008

Lift Bridge, Duluth/Superior Harbor
Lake Superior

Lakewalk by Lake Superior

YES, the water really was this blue on Wednesday!

Field Trips and Spring

Speaking of visitors…(see previous post).I took a drive around the DECC on Wednesday and noticed a bunch of yellow school buses and lots of kids at Play Front Park. With the school year ending soon, the schools were giving their students their spring/end of the year field trips. A trip to the Aquarium and then lunch on the lawn by Playfront Park, and time to play on the playground equipment, what fun for them!

Over 20 years ago the Duluth Jr. League raised funds and volunteers to build the playground equipment. About 10 years ago it was refurbished. I’ve read that they are now raising money to completely re-do it, as they say the wooden pieces have out-lived themselves and they will be using the modern plastics that they are now putting on the school playgrounds and parks. I saw buses from our surrounding area schools, Wrenshall, Bayfield and two other buses that I’ve forgotten where from.. …but they were all from out of town.

I'm sure the kids will have good memories of their field trips to Duluth, as when I was in school and we took field trips. Remember, I'm from back east, so many of my memorable school field trips were to Philadelphia (Liberty Bell and 1776 History), Washington DC (Smithsonian, Arlington, Monuments and Mt. Vernon), Gettysburg Battlefield (only 40 minutes away), Civil War Battle fields in Maryland, Harpers Ferry, and of course our state capitol, not far away - Harrisburg.

Welcome Tourists and Visitors

Here are some of the great hotels that are right on Canal Park Drive, downtown. We also have The Holiday Inn & Suites, The Radisson and The new Sharaton Hotel that are all downtown on Superior Street.

We also have many hotels and motels on both ends of Duluth and "over the hill" by the Duluth International Airport. The city is definitely keeping up with the needs of our tourists!

Canal Park Before the Tourists Come

Wednesday I spent my lunch hour down at the waterfront by the bridge and Canal Park. It was a beautiful day, sun was very bright and warm, the temperature said 54, but it felt more like 64 with the sun and it was lovely. I noted that there were parking spots, and the lots in the various hotels were virtually empty, I was able to drive into them and take photos. I’m sure that within another week or so, the area will look a lot different, the traffic will be heavier and you’ll have trouble finding a parking spot. The lot by the bridge and Marine Museum used to always be free until a few years ago, they put up a parking gate, take a ticket on your way in, pay on your way out…. that’s a shame (but then, you know our city is hurting in the financial area). Two weeks ago when I was there, I could go in and park free. This week I couldn’t. The start of the tourist season coming up, I noticed a lot of workers cleaning and working, sprucing everything up to look good for our visitors.

Area schools take advantage of our beautiful city and bring their students here on field trips. See my post above about spring and field trips.

I think it’s great we get lots of visitors to Duluth. Any of you readers that aren’t from Duluth, we hope you will visit us. Enjoy our city as much as we do, and all you Duluthian readers, don’t take the beauty and sites of our city for granted…get down there to Canal Park, the waterfront, and our parks and enjoy our beauty!

Here’s some photos and some photos showing the hotels down there by the water. They are all pretty new, modern and very lovely.

Big Thick Envelope

On Tuesday I broke down and went to the Dr. for my lab work that was to be done a year ago, for the cholesterol profile. The last three times it was done, the numbers were too high, I’d get a phamplet in the mail about how to lower your cholesterol, along with the bad news. I was then to watch my diet and go back in three months and have the test done again. I'm ashamed to say, all three times I did not go back, then when I’d be in for something else, the doctor would make me take it again. The numbers would be high again. I saw the doctor the middle of February, complaining that I was very tired all the time. He did all the tests except this one, because this one you must fast for. He then made an appointment for a month later, to check on a med I am taking, and to have the test for cholesterol done then. It was for the week my husband was in the hospital, so of course I cancelled it without re-scheduling another appointment.

I am starting now to think more about my health, especially after the Feb. tests that showed no medical reason for me to be so “tired”. So, I’ve been trying since then, to exercise more and eat healthier. And of course, the number one thing I must do to get healthier is the big one “lose weight”. Everything is blamed on being overweight. So, with thinking about my health, I went in on Tuesday for this test, hoping that it would be alright, or at least better than last time. Yesterday in the mail I received a very thick envelope from the doctor’s office. Uh oh… as soon as I saw how thick it was, I knew it was bad news. Yep, there was the familiar red phamplet telling all about how to handle my cholesterol! And the first line in the letter from my doctor was “Your cholesterol profile is too high (specifically the LDL). He went on to say that he encourages me to consider a referral to a nutritionist to discuss dietary measures to lower cholesterol. Well, doctor, my problem isn’t knowing what dietary measures I should be taking, the problem is taking them. I’ve been given another wake up call, reminding me that I must take care of myself. Ok, doctor, I’m serious now, I am going to take this serious! I really don't want to get a heart attack or heart disease. I really must start listening and taking care!

The Doctor Says "Just Eat Less!"

About two weeks ago I went along with my husband to see his cardiologist, follow up appointment after his heart experience in March. On the good side, the doctor told him that the medicines that he is taking for the fast pulse and the afib are working. He is to go back the beginning of next month to have pictures taken of his heart to see if the damage that was done has been reversed due to medication. Now, what the Dr. wasn’t happy about, was his weight. He has lost weight over the last two years, due to his exercising, and both of us do not feel that he is overweight. But, according to the Dr. he is. He wants him to lose 30 – 35 lb. He asked him what he weighed when he graduated from high school…. and said that should be his goal! Oh my gosh, he was SKINNY when he graduated high school. I’ve been told by others who have heart problems, that the cardiologists want you to be skinny.

I was disappointed when I asked the Dr. to refer Bob for nutrition counseling. Bob, unlike me, has never really had to worry about weight until recently, and he is not educated as I am about calories, fat grams, cholesterol, portions. I have spent the last 30 years getting educated. Unlike me, once he is educated he WILL do exactly as he is told, because he is very disciplined. The Dr.’s response was this: “He doesn’t need that, he should know what to eat and what not to eat, all he needs to do is EAT LESS, practice portion control! Well, I know that Bob eats too much, but don’t most of us, unless we really focus. I am hoping that “just eating less” will do it for Bob,
maybe it will, men always lose weight faster than women. I know it sure hasn’t worked for me this past year. I’ve been trying to eat less, and think for the most part I do, and I practice “portion control”. When I try to tell him his portions are too big, he gets cross at me… he needs to hear this stuff from someone other than his wife. I think I may talk to his GP about referring nutrition counseling if he doesn’t lose. Since his appointment, he has stayed the same… but at least he hasn’t gained. Maybe in June if the Doctor doesn’t like his weight loss progress, he will know why I made the nutrition suggestion.

Bob needs to lose as much weight, as I would be so happy to lose. Realistically I know that I will never be able to get back down to the weight I was when I was married, or even when my last child was born, but gee, if I could lose 30 pounds I would be darn happy. SO, Bob and I will be dieting (No, I’m not going to call it dieting), we will be changing our life styles when it comes to food, TOGETHER! So, the other day I purchased a book that one of my co/workers brought to the lunch table, we spent a lot of time looking it over. It’s called “Eat This, Don’t Eat That" This weekend Bob and I have both been studying it. We even looked it over again before he went to the grocery store yesterday. It’s amazing, some things you think would be good for you are terrible, and vise versa! It is very interesting, and easy to read, since it has pictures of all the foods it talks about. It tells about foods at your favorite restaurants too. It’s a good book to have around and refer to. Bob and I will be referring to it often!

A Question

To my Duluth readers.... I have a question that if you know the answer, please respond to this post and let me know. Every time I drive from Kenwood to Rice Lake Road on West Arrowhead Road, I see construction between there and Apsenwood. Do any of you know what is going to be built there? I keep wondering, especially when I drive by there. Thanks for your help!

Getting Ahead of the Weeds This Year!

This morning was so very beautiful, after I wrote my posts I went out to our yard, to look at our flower beds. The last few years I have not done much gardening like I used to. The years that I was home raising the last two children and not employed out of the home, I used to do a lot of gardening, and got very ambitious and made a few too many flower beds, that since then I've had trouble keeping up with. I’ve been back in the work force full-time now (10 years), and my flower beds have really suffered, some years, more than others. Two reasons: 1) not motivated early enough to get into the beds before the weeds have come up, then it is such a much harder job. 2) not enough energy, I would add not enough time too, but you know how it is, if you really want to do something, you WILL find the time to fit it in. So, I may blame “no time”, but the truth is more “no motivation and no energy”. The key is that you need to get out there early, before your bed is overtaken by the weeds, you know how fast time goes, so unless you are really paying attention the time flies and before you know it, the beds look so bad, that your're overwhelmed! That’s what happens to me in the spring. But, maybe this year will be different.

This year I have been paying attention. That’s why this morning I went out and did some digging in two of the beds, until my back couldn’t take it anymore. By then, I was in the mood to go shopping for some more perennials. Each year I try to add some more. I stopped at three different Engwall places just to window shop and see what prices are this year. Since they are closer to my home, I will shop at them later, since they are local. Then I went over the hill to Home Depot and Shopko to look. I did buy some perennials there, Black Eyed Susans, because I don't see them at Engwalls. My sister (in PA) has them by their deck, and two years in a row I have added them, but they don't spread like they do for her, it must be our hard winters. I figure if I can just get them going in that bed, that would be one bed I wouldn't have as much trouble maintaining. I bought two shepherd hooks that I can hang planters on, they were on sale and I’ve always wanted to have one of those. When I was at Home Depot, the wind changed to cold, the sun went behind the clouds and it started to rain. All of a sudden, it was very ugly and cold. By the time I got to Shopko’s outside garden center the sun came out and it was a tad bit warmer. On my way home, it started to pour. It was raining, and now the sun is out again. A very funny day, weather-wise here today, now I’ve rested up from my shopping “spree”. I think I will go back to the flower beds, before they get away from me, with all the rain we are now getting. Maybe I can have a nice yard this year. (This photo is the bed with the day lilies)

Welcome Energy

While our grass is getting greener, the trees weren’t budding as of the beginning of the week, and on my drive to work yesterday I didn’t see a lot of progress. Then, like magic, coming home last evening, I saw budding trees and trees with green on! In Duluth it seems like it happens “overnight”, or in a day. Green has finally arrived in Duluth! Long anticipated spring! Lawnmowers are being brought out of storage, getting the lawnmowers in to shape, and we will be mowing very soon. Our backyard, that had water standing, is now dried up. In Pennsylvania my brother told me at Easter that he had mowed several times already!

We had a “summertime” thunder shower last evening, it actually felt like a summer evening after that rain!

Happy spring, us Duluthians welcome the energy it brings with it. This morning the sun is shining brightly and it looks like a beautiful day!!! When I'm done blogging, I am going outside!

Spring Is Finally Here!

My goodness, I’ve been trying to find time to write since Wednesday evening. Wednesday was a nice day, so I took my lunch time outside. I went to the Rose Garden to see how things were greening up there. I had read that one of the last Saturdays or so (can’t remember which one) volunteers “uncovered” the roses. Today, volunteers will be pruning them. The trees weren’t completely out, but some had buds and the Dogwood trees were blooming. The crocuses were blooming, and the grass was greener.

I am posting some photos that I took on Wednesday at the Rose Garden, in my post below. Notice how many people were there. I had to wait for a car to leave before I could find a place to park! I ate my sandwich there on one of the benches, as did many others. It was a fun lunch! In Duluth we really appreciate the arrival of spring!

Duluth Rose Garden - May 13, 2008

Mother's Day 2008

Happy Mother's Day to all of my readers who are Mothers. I'm sure each of you honored your Mother today! Bob and I are honoring our Mothers, though they are no longer with us. We both talked about them this morning. We sure do miss them. I miss talking to them, although I feel my Mother and Grandmothers are with me every day, in my heart, their spirit is always there.

We were with our daughter last weekend, and they honored me, and this morning my daughter called me to wish me a happy day. Our son that lives with us, gave me his card as soon as he came downstairs, and it was the cutest card, that just fit the two of us perfectly. My husband, gave me a Mother's Day card "for my wife" the words were just perfect and it was a lovely card. I told him he shouldn't have spent $4.99 on it, but he said I was worth it. These beautiful Mother's Day cards I can never seem to throw away, they will go with other cards that I can't throw away, and 10 years from now, someone will say to me "why are you keeping these cards"! Our younger son gave me a call this afternoon, wishing me a happy day.

The guys wanted to take me out to eat for Mother's Day, but it's the biggest holiday for eating at restaurants, and the last few years we started going on Saturday night instead, to beat the crowds, and now Saturday night before M D is also very busy. So...I told them I really didn't want to go out. We had a nice meal here. They went golfing, which means I had the afternoon to myself, and that was nice quiet time.

I wish my Mother were here for me to call .. but I will call my sister tonight, I have been putting it off all afternoon, because I know that she and I will end up crying.

In Memory of our Mothers: Romaine Ebersole, Dolly Pugliese, and our Grandmothers

In The News

SKYWALKS
BONG BRIDGE
BLATNIK HIGH BRIDGE
US BANK BUILDING

So much in the news lately here in Duluth:

--Our Mayor says that city street repair is more important than skywalk extensions. I think those of us who drive on our Duluth streets (a lot of us!), would agree with him.

--There have been a lot of house fires lately….most are on rental units. Today it was said that it could be because the inspections of the rental units by the city are way behind.

--Our John Blatnik “high bridge” that goes between Duluth and Superior is getting some of their gusset plates replaced. Two of the lanes will be closed until the middle of June. Remember the bad gussets are what caused the I-35 Bridge in Minneapolis to collapse last summer. It is among the busiest bridges in non-metro Minnesota. It’s estimated that 28,000 vehicles go over it a day.
--Speaking of the high bridge, last Thursday when our winds were so bad, I drove over it to pick up our license plates for our new car. That bridge is so scary when the winds are high. I came home via the other bridge, The Bong Bridge, it’s not as high.

--Spring seems to have finally “sprung” here in the Northland, according to our weather people. I am starting to see buds some places.

--The scooters that our former Mayor purchased that are environmental friendly and can do 70 mph and 100 miles per gallon of gas, are up for sale. Our Mayor Ness is thinking about the liability the city might be in for, if an employee has an accident on one of them.

--AND oh…. yes …. the excitement in our office building today. I went out at lunch time with the car for an errand, and when I came back I saw a lot of police cars, and wondered what was going on. I found out the US BANK got robbed. Our office is in the sub basement of the bank building. The bank robber is still on the run, as of the 5:00 news. They say that when the economy is bad, there are more banks robbed. Fortunately, no one was hurt. I’m sure it shook up the teller that got robbed; I just talked with her yesterday when I made a deposit! I hope they give her a day off to recuperate. I noticed that the bank did close early.

One of our doors to our office from the hallway gets propped open quite often when our staff go out to the restroom, because it’s a shorter way to come and go, than going through the other door. This really bugs one of our staff members, because her office sits where she can’t see people coming in, she always is harping that we should not prop the door. After the robbery today, she said: “No more propping the door open!”

Well, that’s what’s new here in Duluth, Minnesota - May 7, 2008

Spring is Trying to Get Here - Saw Green

My husband wanted me to go with him to his Cardiologists appointment on Friday morning, so I took the whole day off and convinced him we should go down that afternoon to visit our daughter and her family.

It was raining when we left Duluth on Friday, and it rained the whole way to Hudson. I had told my husband that the weather down there would be much better, but it wasn’t on Friday. However, we saw GREEN down there…the lawns are green, and though I didn’t see any buds on the trees yet, I did see buds sprouting some places in our daughter’s yard.

Saturday, the sun came out, and though it was quite windy, the temperature was a good 10 degrees warmer than Duluth, and yesterday the day there was beautiful when we left, almost 60 and it was 48 when we got back home! The rain did bring some more green upon our return, the lawns are looking green now, instead of the icky yellow and brown. A few trees of our trees look like they are “trying” to bud, but most of them are still stark bare.

I am posting some photos taken in Hudson of the GREEN we saw!

Spring is trying very hard to come!