Back on Stauffer
After being gone for just a short weekend, both Denis and I wanted to click our heels in gratitude for coming home safely. The little red pickup did a great job in assuring a safe trip. It rained the entire time from Friday through Sunday in the north country.
Our destination was Silver Bay, which is an hour north of Duluth, for Dennis’ granddaughter’s 30th birthday. When you hear that fetal alcohol syndrome is for life . . . believe it. Taylor is a fun loving child trapped in an adult body.
A huge family and friend gathering was on board for the event. Lots of activity and visiting. Taylor’s family found life in Silver Bay when the Silver Creek Mining company had their own railroad system and Taylor’s dad was a train engineer that took a transfer to that area. The area has been a home for the family ever since. Of Dennis’ five children, Sue and her family will forever be the “ones up north.” As it is a six hour drive, turnaround was fair play as us southerners paid a well deserved visit.
Today being Monday, meant life on Stauffer resumed. Dennis checked out the acre when we had driven into the yard yesterday. I was surprised that he held off until today to get the mower going. What helped is that his son had flown in from Arizona for Taylor’s party and is now spending several days in St. James before heading back on Wednesday. There wasn’t much one-on-one visiting during the up north visit.
For me, I can’t tell you how much I appreciated getting home Sunday. I was weary. It was the first long weekend for Denis and me this calendar year. I kidded him yesterday when we hit Mankato for fuel and a bite to eat that my left cheek on my butt was dead. Dennis is an ole 18 wheeler and when the ignition switch makes contact, it’s going to be a long time until we stop. I actually was willing to tough it out as I was just as egger to get home as Dennis was. There is no place like home.