FISHING

Why do most people think that I love to fish?  Is it because I talk about fishing a lot?  Is it because I have a fishing boat, an ice fishing hut, a vast selection of fishing rods, two or three tackle boxes (or is it four or five tackle boxes?),  and all the goodies, bells and whistles that go along with fishing?  Or could it be because I simply love to fish???

My eight year old grandson, who is now being home schooled, has long ago picked up on the fact that fishing is a priority with me (He and all of my other grandchildren have come to the same conclusion, of course).  If any of you readers have been following my daughter's blog with regard to the new educational endeavours at their home, you will readily see that eight year old "D" is really enjoying school at home, and it sounds like brother and sister are looking forward to next year when they too will join in.

"Teacher" has been giving him writing skills assignments and when those assignments are finished he sends them to various recipients.  I have been so very blessed by receiving a couple of these worksheets now and his latest work has been a special blessing to me. 

I can just visualize that when D was presented with this particular worksheet and the accompanying art work, he must have thought of me and the reputation that precedes me.  Excellent work young man!!!!   Your penmanship is great!  Your memorization material is life giving!  And your artwork is the best of all!!!!!!  Keep up the good work and remember that Papa is always praying for all of you......

(Remember, you can enlarge these pictures by clicking on them.)

EARLY CAMPING

It's April 12, 2012 in North Dakota and in a normal year there is still snow on the ground.  This year however, has been a very mild and warm (relatively speaking) winter.  I "got the fever" early since the weather has been so nice, so I started getting my camper ready for some outings and decided to take it out this past weekend.  Most campgrounds don't open until at least Memorial Day.  I called ahead to the New Rockford City Campground and found out that they would allow camping there this early but the water isn't turned on yet.  That was fine with me as I am fully self contained.  Electric hook-ups were on which meant that I could camp with all the comforts of home.

So I packed up and headed out for a weekend of early camping.  I needed to make a "shake down" run with the camper so I would be sure that it will be ready for this summer of activities......Please stay tuned for THAT!!!!!!!!

Heading out on Thursday proved to be a bit of a challenge as it was quite windy that day.  But then what else is new for North Dakota??  That night and the following day it rained most of the time.  But there were two positives from that experience.  1).  We need the rain up here this spring as it has been a bit on the dry side so far and the farmers need the moisture in the ground.  and 2).  My camper doesn't leak!!!!

Saturday morning was a gorgeous day with the warm sun shining, no wind and the sky so clear and blue as is typical of the North Country.  In the early morning I was able to take my walks which is always so refreshing when it is so pleasant outside.

I pretty much had the whole campground to myself as was able to enjoy the sunrise, and take my walks where ever I wanted to.  How many times have I said this, "Life doesn't get any better than this!!"

THE OPERA HOUSE

Who would’ve thought that a small town in north eastern North Dakota would have such culture?

New Rockford, North Dakota is such a place....

Have you ever heard of the Dakota Prairie Regional Center For the Arts?   A friend introduced me to these events last year and what I am about to describe is the second event that she and I have experience together in the past several months. Last Fall, we went to the drama/play, The Woman In Black. What an experience!!!  Have you seen this play or this movie?  You should, because it is a very moving and deeply thought provoking production.  This winter the Opera House had a production of a Christmas play. We missed that because of previous obligations, but we knew we wanted to see more of what this fine, local, cultural event had to offer.

New Rockford is a town of about 1,500 population. This weekend, the Spring of 2012, we went again to the latest production of the DPRCA.  (Google it to see what's up.)  The spring production is a musical/play entitled: ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE.    We love the short lived life and music of Patsy Cline and thought this would be an experience we would really enjoy. That is an understatement!!!! After all, how well could a small town drama group portray such a superstar???

Susie Sharp played Patsy Cline. Who is Susie? She is the New Rockford City Librarian! Patsy's friend and “business manager”, Louise, was played by Kathy Teschner who is the administrative assistant to the middle school principal at Ft. Totten ND. For any of you who are fans and followers of Patsy Cline, you would appreciate the historical accuracy and significance of the players in this production, not to mention the wonderful and entertaining music of the era. At least WE appreciated it!!!!

“Patsy” sang no fewer than 28 of Patsy Cline's hits during this performance. To top it all off, the musical accompaniment was portrayed as The Grand Ole Opera’s backup band. This included musicians who played piano, drums, fiddle, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, steel guitar and Dobro, LIVE.   As I said before...Who would’ve thought??? And all of these musicians were local!!!! What talent we have here in the Northern Plains!!!

Now, why would we want to travel all across the US in order to see Grand Musicals and Stellar Performances when all of that, as well as Grand Symphony performances (more on that later) are right here in our back yard???? I can answer that for you, but I'm sure you know the answer already......

DOWNSIZING

If you have been following my blog recently, you have probably picked up on the fact that I am simplifying my life and DOWNSIZING!  Most recently my efforts have been on cleaning up my 5th wheel camper and getting it ready to sell....It's just too big for me. 

But no, I am not ready to get out of the RV and camping mode yet.  I probably won't go on any long trips anymore but rather, confine my travels to the Northern Plains.  There are so many sights to see in the Dakotas, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, etc.  There are probably more things to see in these states alone so that it would take a lifetime to partake of them all.  (Especially for old geezers like myself!!!!)

When I was in California last spring, 2011, on my second of three trips to the west coast, I bought a small trailer.  My intentions were to leave the trailer there and live in it whenever I visited my family.  I did lived in it for three months that spring and found that even though it was quite small, it suited my needs just fine.  In fact, I liked it so much that I pulled it back home to North Dakota and made the decision to replace my 5th wheel and pickup with this smaller unit.  

I then bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee a month or so ago.  I recently  hooked up to the trailer and it's a perfect fit.  It pulls nice and the whole set-up is much smaller.  I am sure it will be better suited for access and maneuverability around some of the small camping areas up here in north country. 

Out with the old (big)

and in with the new (small)

This is where I lived for those three months right after I bought this small, older trailer.  Like I mentioned before, my friends, Steve and Sharon allow me to park at their place each time I travel to California in my RV.  Here I am parked right next to Scott and Lisa's 5th wheel.  Thanks again guys for your hospitality.