Waiting for the last leaf to fall in Big Bend

The leaves are still green on a couple of the maples, so we continue to work on them daily. The leaf vacuum/mulcher we share with S & J failed to start and the repair man said the engine died. Agreed to have him replace engine. Got a call that a replacement was not available, so we're working on another remedy.

So, we have been hauling leaves to village compost pile and picking up others in our mower with a grass catching bag--an old faithful!! Staying about even!
Mark and Calvin came on Sunday afternoon, 11/11 to assist this old veteran. They helped remove excess ivy on the east side of the house, raked and help load bags and big buckets for transport. Really appreciated the help.

M &C also helped us get the extension ladder down into the well pit behind the deck, so we could shut off the back yard water system. Extra hands made it easier. Mark had forgotten about the pit and Calvin was amazed by it. Both climbed down for a look/see. We leave the ladder in there so we can turn on the system in the spring.

Know that Susan and Jay have had to make some hard choices and will hope that the downsizing will make their lives less complicated. Praying that these adjustments will be accomplished without any hitches.

Hope Michele will be able to find her desk and in-basket and get to the things which are waiting after
all her teaching and positive interactions she has described! The Washington trip surely seems to have been a very exciting adventure.

Glad that she and Susan were able to find time to share on the blog.

Envy those lucky pheasant hunters! Reminded of the fall of 1941 when we (Dad, Don, Bob and I) had great success in the cornfields. My mom even prepared a big pheasant dinner for a number of my classmates for my 16th birthday celebration.

Enjoyed the details of Domino's exploratory trip to New York City -- some Holden Caufield overtones??
Sorry we were not able to hear her choral group on the web--able to find the picture of the concert hall--but no music. Mark told us of Kevin's mentoring and guidance he provided Domino for getting promptly to Newark for her TKXing trip. Great to have relative in the 'know' in the right places!!

Made a trip to Inversness, IL last Friday as an extension of a prescription pick up at Great Lakes hospital. Had an afternoon visit with Mary and Bill Ward, high school classmates. Bill is badly
crippled with arthritis, so is homebound and must have home health care assistants come daily to help.
Enjoyed our visit and know they appreciated the effort it represents. The direct trip home is abou 70 miles and the drive in the evening rush hour from the palatine ares thru Fox Lake etc to Wilmot is a challenge with early sunset.

Enjoyed the Freya picture at the farm and the Lion costume video along with the descriptions of the happenings provided by Casey and Matt. While she still seems to be phone shy, we are glad to hear some of the things/words she is saying in the background both on the phone and in the videos.

Know that the e-mail traffic is affected by all of us being so busy, so we are pleased that there has been
a number of worthwhile phone visits in the recent weeks.

Grandma is watching for some possible costume items for Capri who is playing Scrooge in the school version of the Christmas Carol. Sent along a garment with Mark on Sunday which she might be able to use as an night shirt. Don't know yet the dates for the production.

Did some calculating last evening on how may Euros we need to get before we head for France. The tour
company provides a suggested list of "tips" which helps. We can order Euros now at Citizens Bank, so an extra Milwaukee trip is eliminated.

My world travel watch expired this summer, so I have been searching for a replacement. Found a gem in the Campmor catalog--an "atomic" Timex which uses the Ft. Collins radio signal for daily time checks and it has
time zone adjustments which also pick up signals in Europe. The screen display is big and it came with a heavy duty metal band--all aluminum colored. The box was marked $49.95, but it was only 19.95 plus shipping. A real bargain, so I recommend it, if any one has need for a rugged watch. End of commercial!

Grandma began this week with giving blood at 8:15 AM on Monday. We have Big Bend-Vernon Seniors today at 1 PM and serve at a Waukesha meal program this evening. On Friday, we are volunteering to serve at the Irish booth at the Milwaukee International Folk Fair which is now held at State Fair Park.

Have had sunny bright 60 +/- degree days since Saturday so in addition to all the outside work, we were able to winterize the RV. Nice to do it in shorts/shirtsleeves when there isn't a warning of a sharp, hard freeze due in hours.

Appreciated the invitation from Susan and David for
Thanksgiving Dinner, but we feel we want to have a restful day before we head for Milwaukee on Friday AM to catch the bus to O'Hare.

Do hope that when we get back, there will be a date when we can hear Charlie's drum line performance. Still waiting, too, for a blog report from Ellis on his peace demonstration participation in Chicago!!


We will send our Milwaukee parking and flight information in an e-mail next week. This will be our
22nd trip across the Atlantic since '75 and we will have landed at 20 different airports with 2 stops at Amsterdam and Madrid.

Had a special bird watch event this week, too. While we were eating lunch on Monday, there was a thump against a window--not uncommon as birds come and go to the suet or feeders. But this time when we looked up a Cooper's Hawk had landed on the trellis top on the east side of the deck and remained there for about 3 minutes; probably wondering why he missed his prey. So a frightened bird must have hit the window. Memorable.

Looking forward to being 82 tomorrow!!

I keep forgetting to tell Michele that there are two people from Littleton, CO and one from Arvada on our trip roster. No one else from WI. (This last word from
Grandma).

Love and prayers,

Grandma and Grandpa