Four days is not long enough. We knew that and had actually given ourselves six days initially, but the trains! But we've given trains enough coverage already. So we had four days to see Dad and Mom, my siblings, and those of our children who have made Idaho their home.
The way to see my parents is to borrow the cabin next to their house from my brother and go over every morning for Mom's simple, but yummy breakfasts.
There's always so much to talk about with them. Dad is full of memories of our mutual Wisconsin years before they moved west almost 25 years ago. The older Elv and I become, the more we seem to have in common with them. We share a lot of context which gives us a way to talk about those days looking back with having to go into a lot of background detail. It's handy, really. And now I can ask why and what about things that happened back then. Opinion and shades of perspective, of course, but still we can fill in and learn from our own history, if we're astute.
These pictures are not in order but it matters not. That's how the visit was... Trying to be present at all the places we wanted to be, grabbing lunch at Sharon's store, and shopping, and seeing the boys' shops. Elv actually spent a couple days with Josh in his new shop helping with a difficult repair. There seems to be some classified information about that repair, but we were careful to know that next time would be different... Or something. Anyway, those were good times for Elv.
Brad works in a cabinet shop. He took us all around, showing us computerized machinery that produce end products that are fabulous, fit for the finest mansions anywhere.
Brad left home almost three years ago now, deciding to join our relatives in the West and start fresh with church and job and friends. He is a methodical guy, takes his time, decides and starts walking. He's the one who canoed the Mississippi River with a friend starting from the headwaters and going like crazy men till they got to the cities, sick (literally) and tired of the sameness and boredom of the river and each other. And he hiked the Grand Canyon, which had its own thrills. And the mountains in Montana and the little Sawtooth Mountains of our own north shore with his cousin Jeremy. It was like he packed as much experience into his adventure bucket in as short a time as possible. Then he moved west and married the girl that Grampa Sid had picked out for him but refused to tell him who. Till they got engaged. Oh my, they've been married 18 months and the honeymoon ensues. So we saw them and their work and home, but they haven't noticed yet that we still exist. It's fun and happy to watch though and we're grateful for them.
We shopped at Larson's for boots and more Grandpa shirts (Tim and Amy's boys name for red buffalo checked). Michael got school shoes. He grew three sizes on the spot from his old boots to a real pair of bright new shoes.
When we visit with mom we get more education in music, art, and literature. She has never stopped learning and sharing these things. Her wall art is more interesting than beautiful, but good stuff and most pieces have meaning for her. We went to google to learn again who this artist was. No, it's not Tasha Tudor. One morning she randomly pulled an E.A. Guest poetry book and read aloud to Francis and I. We were then inspired to get a set of those for Lisl for her birthday. (They were here when I got home and now they're on Lisl's mantle.) Do you see how Mom does this? It's contagious and keeps us all engaged in a worthwhile endeavor of questing. She's never bored or lazy in her mind. She plays her piano everyday. We didn't sing this time, and I'm very sorry about that.
April stopped by Mom's every day that we were there to get time together, and because I think she does that a lot. So would I, if I could. And Shilah and Bruce came over from Washington one day to see us. There's not enough time! But we tried. We also went to April and Jays to supper on our last evening. We went to Daytans another evening. We kids talked a lot about Mom and Dad being in their eighties. We know how blessed we are with their health and strength.
So far, Josh and Frances are living in their RV. The plan is to build soon. They're thinking the sooner the better. They landed the most beautiful, rolling and wooded piece of land to build on. The lane curves and climbs into the property where deer browse without fear and the neighbors houses can be seen only barely through the trees. And it's just across the way from Grandpa Sid's house, church, and school.
It was a rich, full visit. I thank God for safety and His wonderful care of us all.
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