Just My Opinion by Mary Kilen
Summer Visits Are Over
Abel was here last week, the last of the grandkids to come visit. He came on Saturday, Aug. 1. We met Amanda in Minot in the afternoon and took him shopping for some snacks, some Legos and a crystal 3D puzzle. Those puzzles became a favorite with both Carter and Joz and he really wanted to try one out. We met Don and Connie in Palermo for supper on our way home, which proved to be a great way to start his week.
After we got home, he immediately started on his puzzle and after some false starts got it put together. Needless to say, that like his siblings, that meant he wanted more of them.
On Sunday, we spent the day working on all kinds of things around the house, including one of the Lego cars he got. We ended the day with some treats from the theater and a movie at home.
Monday started out a little rocky with a trip to the ER with Dale early in the morning. He had been having issues with a plugged ear and it got to the point where his equilibrium was messed up as well. Thank heavens for the staff at the hospital in Stanley. They are so caring and great at their jobs. With a prescription for antibiotics and pain meds, we got him back home before Abel and I headed to the office for a full day of Monday work. He spent plenty of time entertaining Christina and Jada, while riding around the office in the wheelchair and getting massages in the massage chair. He was so good that he definitely earned the Whirla Whip he got that day.
On Tuesday, he came to work for a while. In the afternoon, he and I made our way to New Town for their National Night Out. We had a great time checking out all of the various booths and displays. His favorite was probably the Broste Rock Museum booth where he mined for rocks and also came out with a geode that had to be broken that night to find the beauty inside.
After working part of Wednesday, we all loaded up in the car and went back to Minot. We didn’t have much to do, but Abel wanted more 3D puzzles. We got two of those and a football stadium 3D puzzle that I was sure would keep him busy for a few days. I was wrong. By Thursday evening, he had all of them put together with some help from Dale.
Thursday was spent at Crazy Days in Stanley. We enjoyed lunch courtesy of Bravera and then went for a horse-drawn carriage ride courtesy of Wyatt and Tylada Nichols. We did a little shopping and we checked out all of the fun to be had. We also made a stop by the elementary school in the afternoon for a dirty soda made by Tessa Hynek. There was also a trip for mini donuts. By late afternoon, I was realizing the error of my ways in allowing the nine year old to have that much sugar. He was riding high for the rest of the day and evening.
Friday was spent at the office, where again Abel was entertaining the girls and himself. I was able to get quite a bit of work done throughout the week since he enjoys being there so much.
We had a couple of nights grilling hot dogs on our fire table in the back yard. That has become a favorite of both Dale and the grandkids. It’s a peaceful way to end the day while having a good snack before bed. There were also plenty of games of pinochle, including one that we started before we took him to meet his mom on Saturday.
On Saturday, we met Amanda, Carter and Jozie in Minot for lunch before sending Abel home.
I’m not going to lie. I’m going to miss having him at the house. Buddy is a lost little puppy knowing that his summer visits from the kids are over. Dale and I are about the same. Each of the visits are different in their own ways. Each of the kids have things they look forward to doing. Each of them have different plans for their week. One thing remains the same, though. We love having them come and look forward to each visit with joy. I’m so glad they still want to come and spend time with us!
Some Hope For Some Rain
Watching the weather forecast on Monday, they are giving us some hope for rain towards the end of the week. I can only pray they are right. Everything is so dry. Governor Armstrong declared a fire emergency last week in response to the conditions and recent fires.
I had to run to the office on Sunday evening around 6:00. As I was headed to the office, I watched Stanley Fire Department backing the last truck into the bay after returning from a call. It was probably barely parked when the sirens went off again. The first of the trucks was rolling out of the bay with the firemen that were still at the fire hall. Responders that had probably just gotten home were returning in a hurry to respond to this second call.
I’m sure they would all appreciate some rain that reduces the fire risk out there. While the timing might not be the greatest for those farmers that are working on their harvest, but I’m sure even they will agree with the need for rain. This summer started out with good rains, but it has been a long dry, stretch that needs to come to an end.