PJ and I had another enjoyable trip up to the Midwest . . . we are semi-regular about doing this in November (in addition to whatever anniversary, wedding or other trips to the Midwest as take place at other times).
Unfortunately, we didn't do well with taking photos of our adventures. So just a few cell phone snaps here.
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| Visiting Therese at ARC offices. |
Started in the Twin Cities as usual. Something new: stopped by for an inspection of Therese's office (America Refugee Committee) in Minneapolis. It was nice to see the place - top floor of an interesting building, great layout, etc. Then up to the House house - chattered awhile, dinner out at some nice Italian place, much enjoyed catching up with Margaret, Nick, Therese, Cecilia, Steve - just a nice evening, then we slept over. Typical coffee and chatter session Saturday morning, then we had a chance to see Kieran, Liam and Josh. A fine lunch with Therese and Mark, then hit the road for Iowa.
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| Me 'n my Mom putting together genealogy email to Mich Lanners. |
Beautiful but unseasonal conditions on Saturday - almost too warm in the car, outside temp showed 77 (Des Moines set a record for the date). Easy trip down to St. Joe - but we were just a bit too late to attend a Bormann wedding, just a bit too early to meet up with Grandma & Grandpa (who were still at the wedding). So we spent 45 minutes at "Pep's Place" in downtown Algona - interesting spot. Then back to St. Joe for chatting etc., plus a light supper courtesy of Grandma.
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| Card-playing pals. V. fun. |
The weather was changing dramatically - heard the wind howling all night - it was 27 when we woke up, had to scrape a little ice off the car before heading to Mass at Livermore. Breakfast at American Legion; supper at night at Algona KC Hall (St. Cecilia's parish supper). Steve stopped by in pm, we visited Babe Marso farmstead down by Ray Gales farm (sale preparations underway there).
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| We stopped by the farmhouse . . . I like this scene . . . including rotary hoe trapped by volunteer trees. |
Had a chance to play cards and enjoy refreshments with Clarence and Caroline - delightful as always. Especially because I had ridiculous good fortune with the cards. Went to Mason City one night for dinner with Steve & Liz, we had a most enjoyable evening over there.
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| EMG inspecting the goods at Babe Marso's place. |
Back at St. Joe - the usual fine round of talking, eating, dealing with occasional phone calls and guests - we have a very comfortable routine there, very nice. Also spent some time working on set-up items on their computer - which is quite nice but still not entirely transitioned from the previous model. Did inspection tours of the hill farm and the farm where we grew up . . . EMG has really cleaned up a bunch of brush etc. at both places, looks quite different (better).
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| Babe Marso sale items . . . |
Easy return trip to Phoenix on Wednesday.
These little trips are consistently delightful, we enjoy keeping up with folks this way.
