HOLLYHOCKS, HERBS, LILIES AND MEMORIES

We are forever greatful to our children and friends for the beautiful, fun retirement party you blessed us with before leaving CA. It helped give closure to our lives as we knew it in CA and hello to the new beginning on the ND prairie.

We left a partial garden in CA for the renters and only had time to plant herbs here. The flowers you see were planted years ago by my aunt Bernice and uncle Dennis who sold us this this lovely little house on the prairie. They took very good care of this home. We planted some of these flowers last fall also. I have spent the last month reflecting and comparing the differences and similarities of the prairie I remembered growing up, and how I see it today. Warren and I have had so many pleasurable memories here in the last 7 years, with family, friends and getting to know the people of our community here.

The weather is phenomenal. Don't ever remember the raging summer storms like we've had this year. It's exciting, scarry and something that is always a topic of conversation with everyone. The prairie winds are hard on the hair and skin. Found lemon juice, white vinegar and soda are the best shampoo for hard water (at least for gray hair -ha keeps it from turning yellow-green).

Warren is in his own little rut. (still) He works in the office upstairs almost every day. Walks to the bank and post office every weekday morning. He is finishing up tax returns for those who are on extension and also those in trouble with the IRS. I keep pulling him away to do fun road trips. We are 20 minutes from the nearest hospital which is in Cooperstown, where uncle Dennis lives in a care home. We live 45 minutes from brother Dan, John, Lorraine and family in Valley City where I used to drive taxi and ambulance as a teenager. I'm praying about being trained to be a 1st responder. We have an EMT here in Hannaford. They need both in order for the City to have an ambulance here. It would take six months of training in Valley City. Don't want to be too tied down though. Too much fun running around with Warren.

We live 18 minutes from my old homestead of 350 acres. The house is not there anymore, but the old Karnak elevator 1/2 mile up the road is still standing. The government purchased the land and put up a Minute Man Missle sight there. It is one of the 100 missles that were aimed at Russia during the Cold War. They bought out all the small farmers to put these 100+missles and 15 command centers so now many of the bigger farms are 10,ooo acres. The creek I used to swim in as a kid is just down the hill from our little town. Warren and I walk down there almost every morning for excercise and up to the top of the next hill. The City of Hannaford has made it into a wonderful parks with RV hookups, showers etc. It has come in very handy for the men and their families who worked here last year on the roads and overpass, and also tourists passing through. The Parks and Recreation crew have been having a battle with the beavers over the beautiful evergreen trees. The creek has turned into a raging river this summer. The water can hardly get under the bridge. The water in ND from all the summer storms is something to behold. There are not very many outlets. I think we are going to surpass Minnesota with their 10,ooo lakes. We are very thankful that Hannaford is not very low land and subject to flooding.

Enough for tonight. I have not finished unpacking and have misplaced all of our addreses and phone numbers. This is a fine way to catch up. Sorry for the long epistle. Thought you should hear from me too.

I love our little home on the prairie. We are reflecting and remembering the good of our past and we miss our family and friends sooooo much. We are enjoying the present very much and looking forward to the future with Jesus and all of you forever. Someday, time and space will not seperate us. Luv n' prayers, Erleen