SURPRISE LUNCH

Nice surprise today!  RITA had to come to town so ROGER came along and we joined Carl and Kathy at the Arterial for lunch.

Rita and Roger brought back a T-shirt for me from Mackinac.

WHAT'S ON TV?

Rita and Roger are going to Carl and Kathy's this afternoon for a game of cards.  I couldn't find it in the TV listings so it apprently isn't being televised.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CARL

I don't think I'll have to remind Carl and Kathy to have a fun week in Florida.  I'm also sure they've already made a note to check for any casinos along the way.

LUNCH AT THE HUNGRY PEDDLER

Had a great time with Rita, Roger, Carl and Kathy at the Hungry Peddler.  Good food and good company.

Carl and Kathy are hitting the road again tomorrow morning.  They're heading to Florida for a week.

Rita is still getting used to her retirement.  It will take a while to settle into a whole new routine.

TODAY IS SURE TO BE THE HIGH POINT OF THE WEEK

I'm going to lunch with Rita, Roger, Carl and Kathy.

SPEAKING OF LUNCH....
The kids were lined up for lunch at a Catholic grade school.  At one end of the cafeteria there was a pile of apples.  Sister put a sign next to the apples.  TAKE ONE ONLY.  GOD IS WATCHING.  At the other end of the room, near the exit, there was a large tray of chocolate chip cookies on a table.  One of the young students quickly scribbled a sign and put it next to the cookies.  TAKE AS MANY AS YOU WANT.  GOD IS WATCHING THE APPLES.

NEW YEARS EVE

CARL, KATHY AND RITA POSE FOR ROGER

CHRISTMAS 2011

IS THIS A HAPPY COUPLE OR IS IT TOO MUCH HOLIDAY CHEER?

YOU CAN LEAD A NORWEGIAN TO WATER BUT....

Earlier, I alluded to the fact that, sometimes, Norwegians need a bit of guidance.

CASE IN POINT:  As if it isn't cold enough in southern Wisconsin, guess where Carl and Kathy woke up.

Carl wrote: "Your right.  Awoke in Superior, this morning, and it's COLD!"

It was a surprisingly fun morning.

Roger took Rita to work, this morning, and then came over here and took me to the new Festival Foods in Baken Park.  WOW!  What a store!  Much bigger than the Festival on Copeland Avenue with a deli that is out of sight.  And, there's a bank and drugstore you can go to without going back out into the elements.

On the way home we stopped by and had coffee with Carl and Kathy.  Kathy sent me home with some home-made pumpkin pie.  That will be my dessert for lunch.

From there we stopped in to say hello to Rhonda.  She's looking better than ever!

When I got home Thunder let me know, after galavanting around the past couple of days, I had better plan to stay home and entertain him for the rest of the weekend.  That's just what I'll do!

They're back!!

Carl said, "Roger, Rita, Kathy and I are comfortably at home. Good (and successful) trip but nice to be back."

Rita called and reported about the same thing.  They stopped in Mission and put flowers on baby sisters grave.  She said Carl took a picture and will send it.

And, who was the winner at the casino??  Kathy, of course!

I assume Rita, Roger, Carl and Kathy got home safely.

I haven't heard anything to the contrary and, like they say, no news is good news.

BACK TO THE BIRDS

ANOTHER WORD FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
CARL REPORTS:
"The pheasant hunting, gambling, good time part of the family did not win any money. We will be chasing pheasants again today. Too broke to do anything else."

CARL CHECKS IN FROM SOUTH DAKOTA

"we are quite comfortable in Winner. Hunted two days and Roger and I are whipped. Have some birds. We will take today off and join Kathy and Rita. We are going to Mission and the Rosebud Casino. More later (I think)."

LIGHT SNOW IN SOUTH DAKOTA

We'll, probably, see some snow before the weeks end but Rita, Roger, Carl and Kathy may be seeing it before we do.  Winner (SD) was getting light snow with early morning temperatures around 34.

A GREAT DAY

What a fun day with Rita and Roger.  It's been a long time since we got together and just had FUN!  I haven't been up to the farm all summer so Rita gave me a tour and it's just like walking through a park.  Love their lawn!

We went to lunch at the Legion with Rita and Rogers neighbors and then stopped in to visit with Carl and Kathy.

It's been a long time since I've had such fun!

The Birthday Girl.

A rose between two......

(you can fill in the rest)

REPORT FROM CARL ON THE ROAD

"Monday and Tuesday Kathy and I drove across Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota.  It rained the whole way and all was completely saturated.  Rain in the Fargo area had tractor trailers slowed to about 35 MPH.  Although we didn't see any damage, many places had sandbags filled should they be needed."

ATTENTION KATHY: NEW CASINO IN IOWA

Gladys just wrote " Going on a day trip to a new Casino in Iowa. I am not a gambler but curious about the new facility. Leave at 10 and start home again at 3 so should be okay."