IT'S COMING DOWN!!

The first two pictures were taken yesterday afternoon. In the first picture, they  have taken down one of the two bins and you can still see one standing. In the second picture both bins are down. I just took the other two pictures a few minutes ago - and had to struggle to get these pictures into my new computer and then find them and get them on here. Did pretty good, didn't I?!?!

 Spring has Sprung! Here are just a few of my tulips that are blooming.

 This is the new growth on the Knock-Out Roses.

And these are the buds on our Lilac bush.

Jerry's been working and working on his tractor/mower and getting everything to begin his summer yard work - has lots of things planned for improvement this year. I'm waiting a while - just in case the cold weather returns - before I begin my flower pots. Hard to believe it's only March 22 and the weather has been in the 80's!! Although 70 and cloudy right now.

Grain Elevator Pictures

These are from the 2010 reunion when we toured the elevator. With Ada's post about it coming down, I thought it would be good to post these for memory's sake. Some may be duplicate from August 2010, but that's OK.

I remember how Uncle Perry and my dad explained all the workings of the elevator and all the various jobs they did years ago. It was a great learning experience for all of us and especially for the younger ones. Ada, you did a great job getting that set up. And also in making the beautiful clocks from the board you retrieved from there!

This one below isn't the elevator, but since it was right there with the other pictures, thought it would fit here too. I still have fond thoughts and memories of that weekend and all of Judy's hard work.

GLOOMY DAY

 Our mood was a little "gloomy" last week when Jerry's truck had to be towed to the "hospital"!! He was sure the transmission was "broke" or perhaps something even worse - and was going to cost a bunch!!

 Just look at that bright, shiny, clean classy-looking truck! Wouldn't you  be sad and gloomy if it was yours? However, I'm glad to report that it was a fairly easy fix of the right front brake and the biggest part of the expense was the towing charge. We are sooo thankful to have it back and running, as the most difficult part to deal with was sharing one vehicle for four days!! I go stir-crazy when I'm in the house with no car - even if I don't have to go anyplace!!

 I snapped this picture on Saturday. I guess this is the last "good-bye" to our family business. It is a rather sorry-sight, but is kinda sad to think it will be gone soon. It's been raining this morning, but beginning to clear up now. I'll keep my eyes on it so I can post some pictures of the demolition.

On a brighter note, we had Heater and Nathan Friday and Saturday nights. Nathan is waiting for the St. Patrick's Day Parade to begin in uptown Normal. This kid's FULL of energy - constantly! At least he can finally manipulate the playground equipment by himself and will let me sit and watch. Last summer I had to "help" him do everything. After the parade, he and Grandpa went to Menards to get some stuff to work on getting the lawn mower ready for business, and Heat and I went to Joann to get some fabric she needed to make a blouse for her design class. It was a fun weekend with them.

Fun in the Sun

I had Jake's two, Carter and Phoebe, playing in the backyard this afternoon at their big old farm house.


Phoebe had fun in her little car.


Carter on the tire swing.


Rhoda, they have some beautiful chickens and get one egg a day. They seem happy in this little shed.

It sure feels like Spring!

Klopfenstein Grain Elevator

Equipment is moving in this morning and this afternoon or very soon the EJK elevator in Gridley will be razed. Many of the family spent a little time there reminiscing in July, 2010. Hopefully some pictures will be taken and posted on the blog. (Hint, hint.)

Mystery photo - can you identify?

Here is a photo that needs all 3 people identified. For the first person to correctly name them, a nice reward will be forthcoming, especially if you can also identify the year. Sorry for the photo imperfections.
C.K.

BACK IN BUSINESS

Here is my latest quilt. The ladies quilted it while we were gone and I just finished it! Now I realize it doesn't even show the million (well not quite) "points" around the edge. I have another set to finish, and since my calendar is pretty empty this week, I'm hoping to get them done by week's end. It will probably take a little longer as I have to do more detail work on it before adding the points - so maybe I'd better give myself two weeks.

We're hoping the nice, warm weather that is predicted for later this week really does materialize - ready to begin sprucing up the yard, get the grill out, etc.

Oregon visit

   I recently met the Endress family in Oregon with a visit to my parents. 

                                          Heidi Pearl, 18 months        

                     Four generations:  Carol, Pearl, Sarah, Elizabeth
                                

MARATHONERS--Special Notice

http://www.comrades.com/History/The-First-Race.aspx

The history of this worldwide marathon is an intrigue. I'm not into running and/or the history of marathons; however, I happened upon this Comrades Marathon recently and find the details very interesting. Since the EJK BLOG is currently on a "jog" "marathon" kick, you will be interested in this website.

Marathoners

Congratulations Jen on your Little Rock Marathon success!!!

Reading about Jen's training and run this weekend in Little Rock started me thinking that Angela has run a marathon (somewhere in AZ I think?), Brent completed a marathon (not sure where) and Jason ran the Chicago Marathon last fall (think I'm correct about that).

Who else in our K. family can put the 26.2 sticker in their window? And correct any of my errors about runners and marathons.

Well, I've had questions on whether there will be a K5K this summer. I'm game to host one if people are interested. We've done it 2 years now in the heat of summer and that hasn't been ideal. Spring or fall may be a better time to plan it. How about some feedback?? I know we can't please everyone, but planning the date is the hardest part of the whole event, for sure. Let me know what you think and if you are interested.

Illinois Concerts

Andrew sings in Illinois this weekend - Salisbury (Friday night), Elvaston (Saturday night), Rushville (Sunday morning), and Greenfield (Sunday night). I think those locations are mostly west and south of the central part of the state, but if anyone is on a road trip of any sort this weekend, that's where he'll be! He's currently singing with the Promise Trio and has been with them every weekend since December 18 - it's not a permanent situation but has the possibility to develop into one. The photo is him during a concert in Hiram, GA, last weekend. This Youtube link is of the group singing in Tennessee on New Year's night.

Dreaming of Vacationing

I'm sitting here gearing up for another week of work (research papers come in this week and that, along with several other things, will make for a ton of grading), and thinking about the long extended trip Ada and Jerry have been on. And I believe Cleve and Kathleen are in CA right now?

Anyway, I've told Mike that someday, when the kids are both done with college and we've both retired, I want to rent a little beachfront cottage at Pawley's Island, SC, not for a week, but for at least a month. If possible it should have a marsh on the back side, and a screened porch or a deck in both places so we can watch the wildlife. I want to hear the surf and watch the tides, and take long walks on the beach, and eat seafood every night, and know that it is for a long-enough time period that we won't have to count down the days, at least for the first three weeks.

It may never happen, but I can dream!

LAST POST FROM DC

We were blessed again today to worship in this special little church in the Washington DC area. It always makes me a little lonesome for Ralph, knowing how he loved the church here. Of course, at that time the church was held at a hotel at Tyson's Corner and he never saw this place or knew of the accommodations available here. In fact, most of the current members moved here after Ralph and Catherine had moved back to Illinois - they only know OF him.

There were 12 people here, including us. I prepared the noon lunch. We had chicken salad sandwiches in multi-grain bread circles; fruit plate of grapes, pineapples, and cantaloupe; sun chips; and an assortment of mini-cheesecakes. It seemed to go over well with just enough left over for us to eat tonight and have some fruit to take with us on the way home. I had planned to take a picture of the table setting with food, and maybe with people also -- but just forgot to do it!!

We plan to leave on Tuesday afternoon. We're anxious to get back to a normal life. This has been a great trip, but we are lonesome and ready for a routine of some sort.

THIS AND THAT

 We had different experience a few days ago when we drove into DC to visit the Franciscan Monastery located there. The man in the middle is Brother Sebastian. He is a graduate of MDR high and was a freshman when we first moved to Minonk.  Jerry learned via facebook that he was here, so we decided it might be interesting to go see him. He had no idea we were coming, but we just asked at the visitor center if we could see him, and it was no problem. He was very surprised and pleased that we stopped. It was indeed very interesting and one of the highlights of our stay here. He spent about 1.5 hours visiting/reminiscing with us. He had quite a story to tell including personal and professional items, and his battle with cancer that is an ongoing situation.

 We spent one afternoon watching this man cut down a tree in our neighbor's yard. I think that guy's nuts - what do you think?!? There were three assistants on the ground - and when they finished, there was just a stump on the ground. They took the smaller branches, but them up, and took them away in a truck. The larger logs are still on the ground.

Last night, we hopped on the Metro, went downtown and caught a shuttle to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. We had dinner at the rooftop Terrace Cafe. After eating we went out on the Terrace and took these two pictures.

Then we went to one theater and listened to a string quartet perform great music. Following that we went to a larger theater and saw the National Symphony Orchestra and the Cirque de la Symphonie. We were in the upper balcony - but still had a great view. It was a combination of orchestra music and aerial/acrobatic/illusion/contortion and more. It was a most enjoyable evening. Right down to the Metro ride home. Not bad for an old couple from Central Illinois - hanging out until late at night in DC - right?

OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

 This is the utility shed in the corner of our backyard. It is equipped with anything one could possibly need to take care of the yard - including a shiny green tractor with a snowplow in the front. Note the bird bath in the middle of a little garden which I'm sure will be beautiful when it is filled with beautiful flowers and colorful bushes. I would love to come back here (for a visit) sometime in the Spring - maybe next year?!?

 These leaves popped up in the last few days - weather has been beautiful, sunny and in the 70's. I'm not very knowledgeable in identifying these leaves, but maybe some of you can visualize just what they will be in full bloom. But, yes, Spring is coming soon!!

 This is the back of the house. The upper window is our master bedroom with the adjoining bathroom on the left. Two other bedrooms are at the front of the house. On the lower floor, the bay window on the left is the kitchen and there is a dining room to the left of that, the section with the door and bay window is the church dining room, to the right of that is the church, and further to the right is the garage. (guess I should've stood further back and got the entire view - oh well!)

This is a growing bush of some kind with new leaves and buds. I'm sure it will be a beautiful colorful bush very soon. I'm going to serve lunch this Sunday - planning to make chicken salad in pita pockets, grapes, carrots, maybe pineapple chunks, not yet sure about dessert.

Fish

Mike had a doctor's physical at work yesterday and found out to his surprise that his cholesterol is up - not excessively, but above "normal" ranges. And the good cholesterol is down. So I am wondering - do any of you have any suggestions for a type of fish that a non-fish-lover could cook for him, and maybe even enjoy? And how do you prepare it in a way that you like it? Thanks.

Rhoda's Latest Project

This has been my house for the past 10 days:

The living room, dining area, and hallway (not shown) have been bare wood and almost everything was in my sunroom. I was hoping if I had things ready last weekend the carpet store would install last week, but they couldn't do it until today. Yesterday we put the couch in the galley kitchen (barely fit) and rolled the piano perpendicular to the couch at the edge of the kitchen.

This is my living room about an hour after I got home thanks to my friend's help moving the big pieces of furniture back into the living room. Love my new carpet and feeling as if I am living in a real house again.



YUMMY!!

Don't these look yummy. I just couldn't resist buying them. I'm saving them for the church trays tomorrow.
Ha Ha - cute, hey? Anybody seem them in your stores?

Square Dancing

Who remembers the great days of Square Dancing? Be honest, didn't we all learn to square dance at one time or another in our lives? Maybe is was at a party, out on the range or in the dreaded PE class. Does anyone still square dance anymore? I'll be honest, since square dancing in PE in grade school, under the tutelage of Ms. Barb Ringger, I don't think I've had the opportunity to put my skills back into action.

Why, you many ask, am I talking about square dancing. Well, let me tell you. I was recently asked to join the School Board of a small upstart Christian School here in Olney (East Orchard Christian Academy). Monday was the first board meeting that I attended and I was invited to "Come early & enjoy the square dancing". I was unable to go early, but luckily the local paper captured the fun on video. See the video here! On of the boys, Alex, was terrified that it was being taped and mouthed to his mother (off camera) to "Save me please" every time he got spun around to face her.

Now, doesn't that bring back fond memories? No really, what memories of square dancing or PE overall do you have? Do you look back on PE as that dreaded class, or did you enjoy it? What were some of the "non-mainstream" activities that your teachers used to fill the time called "PE"?

Regarding the school board, wish me luck. I'm the first male board member and the only one on the board without kids in the school. I'm excited about the ministry, the kids & the challenge!

EDK

Just To Let You Know--

Sorry for the delay in finishing up the comment matter of ten days ago. Even a mild case of pneumonia can get in the way of getting things done, or so I have discovered. The consensus of the replies I've received is to limit comments only to blog members who can post, but leave the blog open as far as reading it. So that's the way it will stay. Anyone can read our blog, but the only ones who can make a comment are those who are bona fide K. members.

Some weren't sure what I meant by "closing" the blog. That would have meant that you would have had to sign in to blogger and log in using your password before you could have even read the blog. Some people like that because they don't want anyone to be able to read the blog except the members who post and comment on it. It is nice for security but also limits readership.

If you have any more comments please let me know via email. Thank you!!!

BACKYARD DEER

Jerry got up first this morning, went down to start the coffee, and called upstairs for me to come down. He said "there are three deer in the backyard". So I came down (yes, I WAS awake, just being lazy in getting up!), and as I walked into the kitchen a third one was arriving. I grabbed the camera and by the time I got it ready, there were SEVEN deer nibbling the grass and running around in the yard. Sorry the picture is blurry - they wouldn't stand still long enough to get a really good picture.

We left about 10 am, rode the metro to downtown. At the exit from the Metro, the escalator was not working so we had to WALK up about 5 flights of steep stairs. We were almost crawling by the time we got to the top and had to stand against the wall at the top of the steps for about 15 minutes before we could continue. I'm not sure who was breathing harder!The weather was in the 50's - not bad for February in DC. We made a quick visit to the Capitol, then caught a cab to the historic Ford Theatre. It has been recently restored and has a very interesting Lincoln museum; and of course the restored theatre is beautiful. We were able to go to the balcony level and look through the door and see a replica of the rocking chair that Abe was sitting in and the actual chair that Mary was sitting in. Then we went across the street into the house where they took Pres. Lincoln and saw the bed he died in.

From there we walked all the way back to the Mall - were trying to make it to the Martin Luther King Memorial, but just got too tired. Remember - our legs were worked too hard earlier in the day! So we got on the nearest Metro and came "home".

GOOD-BYE WILLIAMSBURG, HELLO DC

 Jerry viewing the beautiful campus of the College of William and Mary,

oldest college in the US.

This is the Berkely Plantation - about a half-hour drive from Williamsburg.

The green trees fascinated me. I'd love to see this place in full bloom!

You are looking at the back of the house, which is facing the James River. The plantation

had over 100 slaves while it was active - eventually the Union Army moved in, ransacked the place,

and used it as a hospital for their wounded soldiers. It was restored in the late 1800's/early 1900's 

and is still owned by descendants of the original family. According to the tour guide, Taps was written and first played by one of the soldiers at this plantation.

We thoroughly enjoyed all of Williamsburg. It was cold and windy, but that didn't stop us from browsing the streets and going in most of the buildings. I would highly recommend it as a vacation stop; you'd need at least two days. We thought we might go to Jamestown one day, but opted for the plantation instead.

Today, we arrived in Silver Spring MA which is where the "church-house" is located. If you ever want to experience a "thrill-of-a-lifetime" - take a drive on the 295 bypass around DC!! Just be sure to keep your eyes wide open and pray a lot!! There was one very tangled-web where they were building a bunch of new layers of interchanges, that was especially difficult. Jerry did a super job.