HALTING GROCERY SHOPPING

All my cupboards, pantry and refrigerator are "bursting" with food. So I decided not to go buy any more food until we eat what is here. So . . . all week I have gone to the cupboard, found something, and made it! We've actually had some really good meals.

Minute steaks one night, macaroni w/breadcrumbs on top, fruit cocktail/marshmallow salad and butterscotch pudding. Made too much macaroni so last night when Nathan was here, I heated it up with cheesewhiz and it was about the best macaroni and cheese I've every had. Gonna remember that one. Also had baked apples and chicken with that meal. Another meal was bbq'd pork cutlets, green beans, cole slaw and toasted buns - and butterscotch pudding.

We've had no bread all week BUT there were 3 packages of hamburger buns in the freezer and we are using them as our bread. As usual when he's at our house, this morning Nathan wanted cinnamon toast for breakfast. I said "we have no bread, but are using buns instead." He said he didn't want that and I said "tough" - it's the same as bread, just round instead of square." He ate it all gone.

I have some sandwich meats and eggs on hand so I think I can go another two or three weeks - it's kind of a fun challenge. And we're actually eating better then usual and I haven't had a complaint yet! I did have to go get some milk and orange juice - but walked right past everything else. OH, and I stole a couple apples and bananas from Angela's house yesterday when we picked up Nathan. Sorry Ang.

Grandpa has Nathan at the park now - and I better get busy here. Trying to think of something fun to with him today.

FALL FOLIAGE TOUR OF GRIDLEY

Sixth Street at "Tanton's" corner.

Woodford Street "Mrs. Heiserodt's" house on right.

4th Street looking west toward school

Corner of Sixth and Center looking West.

Sixth Street looking East toward AC Church.
As I was driving around Gridley yesterday I noticed some beautiful treescapes. I thought to myself, "Why do we think we have to drive all around the country to see the Fall Color?" So I took a few pictures through my windshield in Gridley - just think of the gas money I saved by being happy right here!! Hope you enjoy them and can recognize the locations from my descriptions.

Evergreen Lunch

Ada, Alice, and Carolyn came to Evergreen Place and had lunch with Mom. The food was good and fellowship was enjoyable for all. Thank you, ladies, for making a nice afternoon for Mom.

MINONK FIRE

We heard early this morning about a fire that was burning 6 businesses in downtown Minonk. When Jerry got home from getting Nathan to the bus, we headed up there to see what was going on. These were old original buildings in Minonk and will probably all have to be razed. In this bottom picture, the building to the left of the burned out space is our dentist's office. Jerry has an appointment there next week - we heard that it did not burn but was damaged heavily with water and smoke. Lot of people watching and taking pictures. Just so sad to see those burned out buildings and knowing most of the people who had businesses in them.

Gridley From the Air

Mark coincidentally was on the same flight to Detroit as my folks and I were on Monday afternoon, which was an unexpected treat. As we were leaving the terminal to board the plane in Peoria, on a whim he asked the gate attendant if there was any way that the four of us could sit together. (A rare possibility on flights these days.) Surprisingly, she said "The entire row six is empty and your family can sit there." Really nice!

Anyway, I was looking out the left window seat - when I realized we were flying right over El Paso/Gridley/Chenoa. Dad leaned over and looked with me, confirmed that that was correct, and we identified many familiar landmarks. Sorry we couldn't wave, Ada!

Nice Though Brief Reunion

It was very nice to see several of you this weekend, and yesterday at Aunt Marian's funeral, even though the occasion was sad. Thank you for coming. Here are a couple of pictures snapped at the dinner - if for some reason you didn't know you were being "snapped," please forgive me!

Monday Morning at Walmart

It's not a good thing when you hear, "Get him! Get him! He's under here! He ran under here!" Soon there was screaming and running and laughing going on around the rack of fresh baked goods. I saw them catch the little critter, but I didn't think it was nearly as funny as they did!

At checkout they directed me to the register of the one-armed new employee. Kudos to Walmart and to the hard-working woman for doing the right thing. We had a pleasant conversation, but let me just say I'm glad I wasn't in a hurry.

I wish I could have gotten a picture of the little kid I encountered when I was leaving the store. He must have been 4 years old, tall and skinny. He had on mismatched pajamas (it was 10:45 am), one green camouflage clog and one yellow Spongebob clog, and a big grin, as his parents were yelling, "Get back here! Stop right now!" As far as I could see, he was still running.

It's still my most-frequented store.

Photo Book

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Phoebe Turns 1 Today

I hate to post this right on top of the video I just posted, but it is Phoebe's birthday and I couldn't resist sharing. This is Jake and Malissa's little girl.

Judy's Try

I tried to upload this video a couple of months ago, but didn't because it was sideways. I could have paid a little money to download some Quicktime software, but I decided that next time I would just know to turn my phone sideways!

You can see Mom in the back row a little to right of center. Also if you watch til the end, you can participate in the guessing game of who you know in the audience. Post your guesses now!

no video on Catherine's update??

Sorry, the video must have been too long....it didn't show up on the post on my computer. Maybe I'll try again soon. Maybe the bad luck is just an extension of the Cub's bad luck...I should have picked another song!

update on Catherine K.

Mom (Catherine) continues to dwell at Evergreen Place in Normal and is doing quite well. Judy does a great job of looking after her needs, over and above the good staff at the Assisted Living quarters. Mom enjoys the activities there but is also content to stay in her nice small "apartment" a good part of the day. She's decided to give up her driver's license since there are plenty of us kids to take her on her various appointments and trips to the grocery store, etc. Mom enjoys participating in the facility's BELL BAND - which puts on a 40-minute "concert" a few times per year. Here's a short video to prove it. So sit back and enjoy "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and try to envision the Cubs in the World Series instead of the Cardinals. Nice job, Mom !!!!

Angel Trumpets

Even with the drought conditions, Dad has worked really hard on his yard this summer and fall to keep it nice. He's kept this angel trumpet plant watered daily, and now they are reaping the reward!

Here's a little broader version including the front porch, with some volunteer vinca in the front.

Rhoda planted some nice flowers in this bed last spring, but they have been pretty well overtaken by volunteer vinca! The angel trumpet from the above pictures is at the very left of this photo.

Nathan's answers

I didn't get the questions quite right, but today in the car I asked Nathan the questions from Rhoda's post.

How old are you when you're really old? Answer: In your 20's and 30's

How old do you have to be to be really tall? Answer: 44

Pounding Stone

OK, I admit this isn't the most flattering picture from the trip, but we toured a granite quarry in Aswan. In ancient times they used basalt stone to chisel away at the quarry. Our leader picked up the basalt and started pounding the red granite. I piped up, "Wait a minute. Klopfenstein literally means pounding stone!" We had to take a few minutes to take several pictures of me pounding the granite. I was told to grimace as if I was working hard, but after this picture all I could do was laugh.

CLASS OF 1961

This weekend was a huge milestone in my life -- my 50th class reunion. Hard to believe that it has been 50 years since I graduated from good old Gridley High! Where did the time go - I can't possible be that old!!

On Friday we had dinner at Judy Baker Lampert's house. They live along the Mackinaw River across the road from Comlara Park. Beautiful setting in the timber beside a small pond. They also have a large shed where they served BBQ Beef, cheesy potatoes, salad, and pumpkin pie. Delicious.

In case you don't recognize these old people, it is Jerry and me. Where'd that white hair come from anyway?!? My classmate, Robert Cargill, contacted everyone earlier and got information and pictures to make the booklet in front of me on the table. It was fun to read later that night.


This is Hilde Martin Weisser and her husband George. She was my very best friend in high school, and we are still good friends although don't see each other often. They will be in Florida in January and we are looking forward to spending time with them there. Also in the picture is Kenny and Betty Downen Landrus.
Saturday night we were the honored class at the Gridley High School Alumni Banquet. I will identify everyone in the group picture for those of you who might remember some of these people.

BR: Orlan Miller, Jack Hoobler, Joann Freed Hoover, Robert Cargill, Judy Husemann Peifer, Brent Rutherford, Roger Stuckey, Pete Hany. FR: Linda Stoller Mardis, Kathy Quinn Van Hecke, Judy Baker Lampert, Ada Klopfenstein Christensen, Elverta (Kay) Meyer Berry, Betty Downen Landrus

Now really - I ask you - who is the youngest looking woman in the picture?

We've been busy the last couple weeks, but I'll try to get some more historical pictures posted this week.

Through the years Dad has liked to play a game with children by asking them two questions: How old would you be if you were really big? and How old would you be if you were really tall? I think through the years he's had some interesting answers and some of the children even realized their size had nothing to do with their height. I'm guessing he's asked some of your children those questions at various times.

I was reminded of his questions today while looking at a wall hanging at a store that said, "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?"

Welcome to the World!

Thankful to announce the safe arrival of little Emma Lynne, born yesterday at 2:35 p.m. She weighed 8.3 pounds and is 20" long. So beautiful and sweet! Mother Lindsay and baby are both doing great.

Project Complete

The before.
We ordered this furniture out of a book and I never was happy with it. So finally I got ambitious and decided to get brave.


The experimenting went on for several days.


Finished project. Newly painted furniture and new carpet. And I like it, which is a good thing.

Family sayings:

This isn't quite what NogBlog asked for re family sayings, but it is similar.

For years and years when Lynn was asked what he wanted at a gifting time, the answer was always SOLAC. Anyone in the LCK family knows that SOLAC is an achronym for "Spirit of love and cooperation." Mark's response as a boy was, "But, dad, we'd rather give you a present."

Good morning everyone,

We wanted to give you the (hopefully) final update on our crash situation!

We were disappointed to find out the driver wasn’t ticketed for anything more than “following too closely.” She was only following closely for 1 second before she plowed into Jodie!

Oddly, police statement said that she saw Jodie stopping at the intersection but she thought the light was yellow so she was planning to proceed through the intersection. Maybe she had those “GoGo Gadget” feet that would carry her car over Jodie’s? The other drivers who were hit did report damage but neither were sent for medical care.

Jodie is doing very well. Her bruising is fading and she has been able to be “out and about” for the last few days. Her headaches have stopped and she is monitoring her shoulder and ribs as they heal. She is hoping to resume teaching her Nia classes on the 11th. We are so thankful that she has come away from the accident without serious injury.

We’ve spent the last few days searching for a car. We knew that we would continue to buy Volvo but they are hard to find! We don’t like paying for a new car and have had our eye on the 2008 XC70’s since they changed the body style. So, after searching through hours of online “deals,” calling over a dozen dealerships between IL, IN, OH & KY, we finally found one yesterday in Chicago. Dealing with salesmen has been exhausting but at Howard Orloff Volvo (where we bought the car), we were in and out within 30 minutes. They were outstanding as far as giving us what we wanted and we are thrilled that tomorrow will be our last trip north to pick up the car.

So, we’re hoping that tomorrow will be the end to this saga! We are anxious to get back to life as usual and again, we thank you all for your prayers and concern.

Middle East Trip

Many of you know that I recently spent 15 days on a trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt. It was a totally amazing trip and it's taking awhile to process all we did and learned. I've gone through only about 1/3 of the pictures so will share some today and more later. FYI, on October 15 my friend Renae and I will be doing a trip recap at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) for friends and her family in this area. I'm planning on setting up a 30-45 webcast of the presentation.  If you'd be interested in "attending" on-line let me know and I'll put you on the meeting invite list with directions to connect.

 I think seeing this was made me truly realize I was in the Holy Land. This is the Western or Wailing Wall where Jews go to pray. Throughout the week they stuff written prays in the cracks. This wall is the closest they can get to the actual location of the temple as The Dome of Rock, controlled by Muslims, is now on that site. On Friday evening we visited this area again as it was the beginning of Shebat or the Sabbath. Thousands of people were in this area. There were rows and rows of people facing the wall, praying, chanting, jumping up and down, etc. When finished rather than turning around to walk away the people walk backwards until a certain point as they don't want to turn their backs to God.

This is me overlooking the Jerusalem Old City and the Dome of the Rock in the background. We are at the Mt. Of Olives and then walked into Jerusalem. It was an interesting walk knowing that Jesus had done this same (or at least similar) walk on the night of his trial and then crucifixion. While it was a steep walk we were reminded it wasn't gravity that made him go down the Mt. of Olives to the cross but His love for us.

Some of you may recognize these people. Steve and Myra Ringger and Shari Fiecter from Bluffton, IN were on this trip as well. Getting to know them was a real highlight of the trip for me. I'm sure you will be surprised that Dad looked into his geneaology file and found that Steve and I are third cousins through Grandma K's line. Also, before we left on the trip Shari had contacted me and we realized that we are related to Uncle Joe and Aunt Setta the same way, but I'm on Uncle Joe's side and she was a Kaehr on Aunt Setta's side.

This is the pool of Siloam where Jesus sent the the blind man. Jesus had put mud on his eyes and sent him there to wash off the mud to regain his sight. What the story doesn't explain is that the pool was 600 meters away from where Jesus put the mud on his eyes. After a teaching here we walked the 600 meters back up to the temple area to get a feel for how far he had to walk with his eyes covered.

This is me at the top of Mt. Arbel. It was a rather strenuous hike and others were very helpful and encouraging. The leader said this is the highest point around the Sea of Galilee where the rabbis (and Jesus he believes) would come to pray because you always go up to God. While getting up was challenging, going down was even more so. It was one of the scariest things I think I've ever done, but George the leader had me go right beside him. He guided each of my steps, and I realized that being next to him helped me complete the hardest part down. I was reminded of the need to stay close to God for the steps of my daily life.