Sunday Journal
Its Sunday Morning and once again here is Lew
Sunday 14 September 2025
14 September 2025
It is Sunday morning and once again here is Lew. Been a slow week as the CAT scan kind of threw me off for writing. Results tomorrow at 11:45 so then that will be over and I can move on with life. Have a good week, love to all.
13 September 2025
Good Saturday morning. Been busy today with ARMS web page, Church slides to post, helping our DCE Abigail move church furniture for Sunday school, and help post slides. What a day but all is good and had lots of fun fellowship. Did a little work on the Rambler but more to go there. I believe I will have some stuffed green peppers for supper tonight, then just veg.
12 September 2025
Here it is Friday and Thursday slipped by with no writing. Had the CAT scan this AM and been sort of bum like today. The dryer is back in operation and working like new again. Washed three loads and it took less than 2 hour to wash and dry them all and 1 and 1/2 loads was heavy jeans. Now my drain is running slow for washer so need the drain guy to come again. Oh bother, always something. Battery on the rambler is low so hooked it up to the charger. Day is done, gone the sun, from the hill, from the lake, from the sky, gone the sun, all is nigh. Nite Nite!
10 September 2025
Wednesday is here and running around like a chicken with his head cut off. Frisky run and ARMS Net done and on to other stuff. checking the dryer vent found it was nasty in the flex hose but the outside vent was held open from lint over the years and the birds wanted a nest in there so all the lint then stuck behind that and the dryer took forever to dry things. I cleaned that out but it still was slow so pulled the hose from the dryer and need a new one there. It sure will be brand new when done. Brad is coming and will pick one up for me. Now getting set up for our Older Adult Ministry supper we will be making, serving, and cleaning up when done. Does life get any better.
9 September 2025
Tuesday came and went and did not write much. Regular ARMS, Frisky run and then town for needed things. Parts for the van AC/heat dampers came and it is fixed. $50.00 in parts and 15 minutes work saved all the labor I was told ford wanted at around $1,000.00 to fix. Had Bible study at church at 3PM and supper after and then some TV and now bed time. My life is sort of boring.
8 September 2025
Monday, Monday, and here we go again. Busy today with Frisky run first off then the ARMS net. Worked on church stuff after that and paid bills and town for food and feed for the birds and squirrels. Then some paper work and a short nap with Frisky. I had a brat and dill pickle for supper and then ran back to town for Cole mans first soccer game. Lots done but not much writing about it. Now just watching TV and vegging.
7 September 2025
Sunday morning and all is well. getting ready for church with a bible study and our Board meeting then will figure what goes on later in the day. I may end up mowing at the rental along with weed eating at both. At any rate another week is gone and that is the first week in September. Has time sped up some? Have a good week, be good, God bless love to all.
6 September 2025
Not getting much written lately, I have a wandering mind since the high marker in my blood test for the cancer, it is hard to concentrate. I had a really good video visit with Crystal today and that was good. it was fun to see her happy and laughing again. Please pray that she can continue in that light. I finished the mowing here and will catch the rental mowing next week sometime. I had to order more time for my cell phone and I did moms just to keep it active yet. Why I want it active I am not sure. I miss her so much some days. Some parts came for the Econoline today so just have one more and all should be here to fix the vacuum problem. I hope my kids and Grand kids are reading this as they seem to have stopped or blocked the cell phone texts as most say delivered but none read for a long time. My precious Skittles and Crystal stay in touch so I am so thankful for that. Peanut, Smurfette, and my little loves Faith and Sarah don't seem to need me or want connected anymore. I pray I have not done something wrong. Life goes on so I will manage and get by. In our world of so many ways to connect today we are no longer connected, which is really sad. My little Frisky is passed out on the floor behind me as he always is and he is my shadow and support puppy. I am still trying to sell the hayrack but no interest from just a sign on it parked out front. The trading post is no longer going so guess I will need to put it in the paper and maybe have Tammy list it on her market place sale page on the internet. I need to do some work on the Rambler brakes also and clean it up some and drive it more. Guess I better get me some supper going and then not sure what. Watched some TV and worked on church stuff for our Older Adult board tomorrow so guess it is bed time.
5 September 2025
Friday morning dawned bright and cool at 45 degrees for our Frisky run. It was cool with a short sleeved shirt but we managed. One week from today is my CAT scan so I am asking for prayers for that to be a positive thing showing no cancer concern. I have no local takers for the hay rack yet so will put on the trading post to see if I get any interest. ARMS net over so now some lunch with the Walton's. Mowing most of the day besides breaks and some TV and now off to bed.
4 September 2025
Good morning on a cool Thursday morning. It was 45 degrees for our Frisky run today and we got in a longer one. Now setting up for the ARMS net and while the radio warms up I will make a quick town run to pay my bill for the Expedition repairs. My rotor repairs are all holding up but my orientation was a couple degrees off so will need to fix that. I am about 2 degrees east of true north so the antenna looks off to me. Oh bother. All my morning stuff is done and afternoon is a drag. Feeling like I need to load the Vanper and go camping but have a video visit with Crystal on Saturday and my Older adult ministry Board meeting on Sunday. Guess I am just in a depressive mood again and need to get over it all. Where have all my children gone, now that my Angel is gone it is really hard being alone. All my orders for the parts to fix the vacuum problem on the Econoline should be here next week so we will see how that turns out. Doing some beef stew for supper so hope that is good. It was good and now some bedtime.
3 September 2025
It is Wednesday and all is well. Bill, Ellen, and Elaine are at State center so about half way here. Fun day. I had my cheerios and Frisky has been on our run. Did the dishes and doing some vacuuming now so it is not a pig sty when family comes. I feel good and I dropped some weight that I gained from my lazy summer days so that is good. Frisky and I are doing a longer run so maybe that will help along with keeping my head out of the Fridge. Today is garbage/recycling day so have that at the curb. Radios on and Chat room open so ARMS net is about to kick off. Temperature is at 62 degrees so it will be a nice day. Psalm 118:24 This the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Bill and Sisters left and the house is very quiet and lonely. The expedition is completed and has brakes again. So now I can pull the camper or camp in my Vanper. What to do, What to do? So many wonderful things my Jesus has given me. Now it is supper time and believe I will have a pear and a dill pickle for supper and maybe a cheese stick. Supper is over and I watched some TV and then sat outside a bit and it is chilly at 55 degrees. Maybe in the 40s by morning. Camping weather.
2 September 2025
Sunset last night was really beautiful. Tuesday and the week is flying past. I am kind of struggling with the high cancer marker reading on my blood work and no family seems concerned but me. Not sure what is on the agenda for today but had a good day yesterday with some weed eating, and outside work. Today I can set up the expedition for the leaking brake fluid and will do some small stuff with the Vanper. The temperature sure has cooled off and is only 59 this morning. I can keep that around for me. Got my bills all caught up and most things are working well for the time being. Radios are warmed up for ARMS so guess II will go make my coffee. Net band conditions were terrible here so not much communication. Expedition in for repairs and I changed the old cargo carrier for the newer old Thule we had for many years. It will be more aerodynamic with the shape it has and I moved it back some to follow the airflow off the windshield and to use the mount area to maybe have a small awning to my canopy. The expedition will not be done till tomorrow. Elaine and Bill and Ellen will be here for a visit tomorrow so I am excited about that.
1 September 2025
Monday morning and the first day of September and all is well. What a glorious weekend I had. I did a walk around Springbrook lake yesterday! Fun!
Start
The ole fishing hole Frisky on our walk
Leaves for mom to hammer Fungi on a log on the walk
Yippee Yay I made it all the way. Just a test to see if I could still make it so I would be ready for our Skittles/Papa date some Friday evening so we can walk the lake and then hit Guthrie center Primetime restaurant for all you can eat fish and shrimp. Plus I just wanted some time away to forget about the high cancer marker with the upcoming CAT scan. Prayers please. I drove my Vanper to Springbrook for the walk and it made me want to do another camping trip. Maybe late this month or the first part of October. I need to fix some things on it but it still is good for the road or camping. I am warming up the radios for the ARMS net after I get Frisky on his run. Frisky run in the rain done and the sight was great.
I could not get the whole rainbow as I did not set my camera for a wide shot. It was a double rainbow as you can see over the top very lightly. What a sight for the run. We both got wet some as it was sprinkling a little. Did not do much today, a little weed eating, some TV time, trip to town for groceries, and mostly just bored as every one is out with family and friends for Labor day and I am here all alone. I did some figuring on the vanper to get more done on it. Tired for tonight even if I did nothing today. Nite Nite
31 August 2025
Sunday morning and August is done. Wow where has the time went. Not much to write today as I stream service so need to get moving for that. Have a great week, Be good God bless, Love you all. See you next week.
30 August 2025
Saturday morning and just putting along. Did the push mowing today along with the set aside and our lot by the city garage. Looked at the Econoline van for AC/Heater vent problems and Ford wants about $1,000.00 to fix it. I looked at doing it my self and way to much to remove whole dash and stuff for about $50.00 worth of parts. I found a you tube video that has a bypass fix and it is very simple and I believe I can do that. Parts on order! I went to the cemetery to visit mom today and spent some time there cleaning up the tombstone and surrounding area. I need some new flowers for it also. Its been one of those tough days and that cancer marker stuff has me rather off my stride. Kind of tired as I was up at 4AM so guess I will call it a day, Nite Nite.
29 August 2025
Friday Friday and what a day. Morning chores and ARMS net done and headed for Cherokee Iowa about 9:30. It was a nice drive and I stopped to see Pilot Rock on the way. Mom and I did that many times on trips to Ben and Tammy's.
I arrived at Franks about 11:55 and Tom showed up at about 12:00 Frank is AG0M and Tom is AA0LF and are members of the ARMS group. We had a great visit and great lunch at Family Table Restaurant. Then I headed home about 3:00 and found out I had no brakes. A brake line by the rear tire on the drivers side was rusted out or broken. I bought a jug of brake fluid and and limped home with several fills along the way. I got home about 5:30. I had a peanut butter and jam sandwich for supper, watched some TV and now off to bed. Nite Nite!
28 August 2025
Well here we go. Another day with some depressing news but will cover that later. First I slept very well and really wanted to stay in bed but I know my little Frisky would need out so I got up. Got that done, him fed, and did all my devotion posts and such. Turned on the radios to get warm for the ARMS net as I am the control station on Thursdays. Then the Frisky run and a prayer time for the trouble in Minneapolis shootings and on the Net Prayed also. That done did some work and did the dishes. Then lunch and some TV time to rest. Then off to the rental for mowing there. That is when the depressing news came from the cancer center. One of my labs showed a cancer marker way above normal. Mine was normally in the 20s and this one showed over 500. Bummers. That took the wind out of my sails. Finished the mowing and then home to make some calls to get some mailings for Mom stopped again. Some outside work and then trying to figure out my phone for the map system to go to Cherokee tomorrow. My Skittles and I are planning a Skittles/papa date and we may walk the lake at Springbrook and then have all you can eat fish and chips at primetime in Guthrie Center. Mom I always did that when we were camping there. I believe I will fix some Chimichangas for supper tonight. Supper done and it was good and Frisky enjoyed it also. So much for today, a new day tomorrow, Nite Nite!
27 August 2025
Another day has arrived and I better get some writing done. My day started with a Frisky run after getting up at 4AM. Then some small computer web page stuff for ARMS on the Davenport Ham Fest that happened the 23rd of August. Then two hours on radio with the ARMS gang followed by a couple hours mowing to get that finished for here at home. Still rental to do. Then a good study on Haggai with Brad O. Then off to do weed eating after some small work on the green machine as it lost the spark. By then I was about wore out so I took a 20 minute nap with Frisky and then back for more weed eating. Now maybe a check into the spider web net before I start my supper. Left over roast for supper I believe is what I will have. Have a contact with HP4RWE Capt. Ron in Panama so all is working. Many others on the net but not all listed yet. Got 6 members but now time for supper so that will be it for Spider web net for today. Supper is done and put all my yard stuff away and watched a little TV and now bedtime. Nite Nite!
26 August 2025
Tuesday Morning and all is well. On the roof early for the Ham antenna and I have it fixed again. It was a broken cable from the bolts that let loose before. What a busy day with weed eating and mowing and such but got a lot done. God is good. See you Wednesday.
25 August 2025
A new week begins and I sure hope I have better luck this week. I decided to take the Lawn Boy lawn mower in for service rather than work on the spark myself as they can be a problem without all the needed tools. I will be working on the Antenna rotor myself as I see I can get on the roof and do that. Still waiting on the gas tank for the weed eater. I go to see the Oncologist at the cancer center tomorrow for a check up. There has been no pills for a year now and all is well so I pray this continues. If you are reading my Sunday Journal let me know so I can tell if I should keep it up. May just run this all again instead of the daily texts. Hauled the Lawn boy in to shop as it started again after cooling and then ran a bit and died. Cooled it off and ran again and died. Tried a new plug and no good. Got a generic gas tank for Green machine and manufactured some mount stuff and it is running again, but will still look for original or a tank patch. Next I will maybe attack the Antenna rotor tomorrow. An update on my browser reset something so it would not use proxy server so I reset the link to auto find server and all is well again. Matt told me that was ok and probably better. Does the fun ever end? Steak, potatoes, and corn on the cob for supper now and it has been a good, prosperous Day.
24 August 2025
Wow the week is over and not any journaling the last two days. I got caught up in repairs and life stuff and at days end just went to bed. I repaired the Rotor for my ham antenna that broke after a day and a half. I fixed one of my mowers that mowed 1/2 of one job and lost ignition spark. I finished all the mowing but that is ready again for mowing. I put the hayrack up for sale so that will be gone soon I hope. I ordered some gas tanks for the green machine that I dropped and broke. I did get the hedge trimmed and hauled away. Paid some of my bills and did my grocery shopping. Also I pulled a whole trailer load of weeds and hauled away along with some tree starts. It has been a busy week and maybe next week will be better and I will journal better. Also got the washing done and all folded and hung up, just a load of sheets drying. See you all next Sunday.
21 August 2025
Hear ye Hear ye, for all concerned, my land line has been disconnected and is no more so you can remove it from your contact list, just have the cells now. I got tired of the large monthly bill and it did now function well anymore and was never used except for scams and such so just had it removed. Today is starting slow but will trim hedge after my ARMS net duties. It is really foggy out today but is forecasted to be cooler so that will be nice. My radio is warmed up and rotor repairs are working well so that is exciting. Even so it is one of those crappy days missing mom and many things to do. I got the big Toro out and hooked up the trailer to trim hedge and got all set and run out of steam. It just seems I don't have mom to do for so I just lose interest in some of the chores. It will pass with a nap I believe. Parts for the weed eater are being shipped so I hope they hurry. Nap time! Some of the hedge trimmed and then off to my Evangelism meeting followed by some supper and TV time and now bed.
20 August 2025
Up and running at 4:30 this AM, what's up with that. Morning chores done and Frisky run completed so did some weed pulling and now getting ready for some radio time. I have ordered a second different brand gas tank for my Green Machine weed eater so one brand should work and if both do I will have a spare. Yay me! Looks like it will be warm again today and then maybe a cool off for the weekend. Maybe 70s during the day and 50s during the night. My temps! Radio time done and did some mowing and then in for lunch. Back at mowing and finished it all except in some wet areas as it is very wet some places.
It is all finished anyhow so now I can start over, while waiting on my weed eater gas tank. I repaired the old Lawn Boy 2 cycle push mower this afternoon and it sure runs good now. It needs a good cleaning though.
19 August 2025
My Angel I miss her so!!
I decided to add this picture of my angel from about 1 month before she passed. I had her then and was busy with care for her but could see how she needed you all and now she is gone and I also have that same need.
My writing
Kids and grandkids and great grandkids, I
am still here at the same address with the same phone number still loving
you all the same as I always have. I love and miss you all very much.
You have cell phones, computers, internet, video
messaging, instant messaging, can say siri or alexi call home and it is done,
instant connection!
I know you have
busy lives, but we did also, and we did not have all these marvelous
communication devices. We did not have a phone, automatic washers, microwaves,
and such so we were probably, task wise, much busier than you. However we still
found time for a post card or letter home on a regular basis and even managed to
hold out a quarter or two every month or two and walk up town to the phone booth
on the corner and make a minute or two call home to let mom and dad know all was
ok.
I can see many
spend great amounts of time on things like Face book, Twitter, Tik Tok, Snap
chat, and such
that all have basically two things they accomplish and that is look at great me
or oh poor pitiful me. They are used to allow you to connect without having a
connection and these create loneliness, depression, bullying, hate, and such!
People have no personal connection when using them and this spirals into
more use and more of the same actions looking for those personal connections and
leading to depressions and suicides.
Sorry I wandered off there but the point is if you can spend all that great amount of time there, be careful, and take a few minutes of that time and call or visit Home. I Love you.
I
worked on my Ham radio antenna rotator today as it had quit working but got it
all figured out and got it back like new so I am happy for that. It took most of
the morning and a run to town for parts when I should have been mowing. Now out
in the heat of the day mowing. My Bad. Push mowing here done and rider started
and Brad came over to do the rental for me. What a blessing. Thank you God! I am
wore out so will call it a day at 8:30.
18 August 2025
Mom and my very first Christmas in Burns Oregon
The start of another week but wondering if these ever get read or am I wasting my time. The puppy in the picture was our first puppy, his name was cuddles. That was the very first house we rented and I was able to visit and see it last month when we returned from our Washington trip. Would you look at the shine on that floor, we worked hard on that as her dad was coming to visit. That picture was taken with a Polaroid Swinger in 1962. That's when you had to rub this stick on the picture as soon as it came out of the camera to preserve it. Those were the days my friend we thought they would never end. Just got back from taking Frisky to the groomer and will now see if I can get the Green Machine Gas tank for my trimmer I found on Ebay. It is the whole power head but that is fine if I get it. I looked other places and may have found one at K&T sawshop in Kentucky. We will see.
17 August 2025
Sunday morning coming down, Be Good, God Bless, love you all so very much.
16 August 2025
Sure had fun at the Fair but I am exhausted.
We seen all the sights mom and I used to see and ate some good food and it was a fun day but it was hot. Tammy, Brad and Lucas said it was fun also and I sure enjoyed the time with them and sharing all the fun stuff together. The food was good but not all the way I remembered some of it.
15 August 2025
Well here we are at Friday 15 August already and the month is 1/2 over. How does that work. Pulled many weeds this AM along with a stick pick up in the yard and hauled all to burn pile. Now time for the ARMS fellowship net and then not sure what. Need to get ready for the Fair trip tomorrow.
Morning Frisky run today
What a beautiful sun rise on our run today. The dark part of the cloud with sun behind looks to me like a man on his knees with hands out, looking up talking to God! Just to the right and up a little may be Jesus looking down on him. That's in my minds eye. I have cleaned lots of clutter on my phone and it sure looks better with all the Icons on the back screen. Just have 4 on the front now of the ones I use most. Pulled more weeds and got the Green Machine string trimmer out to trim some and dropped it on the concrete and cracked the tank. I sure need to fix that as they don't make one like that any more. It has a cultivator head, a saw blade head and works so great.
14 August 2025
Thursday morning and I am Net control for ARMS today. Net is now over and all is well. I had some lunch and pulled a few weeds so in for a rest and some TV. I ended up with a small nap as I dozed off watching Wagon train. More weed pulling to clean two flower beds. Where do all the weeds come from. Not much written today.
13 August 2025
So dawns another day here at the ranch. My life is rather boring isn't it? Frisky run is done and the garbage is out. Called my sisters to wish them a happy Bday so my day is rolling along. Have the radios and all getting warmed up for my ARMS net so about time for my coffee, nutty buddies, and my soft boiled egg. I have set up some new home screen and lock screen stuff for my phone so it is much cleaner and easier to view. My little Frisky is curled up on the floor behind me and the last weeks he hardly leaves my side. I believe he feels my tremendous lose and missing of mom and he has that same feeling of sorts. I keep looking at our Pictures for memory but some times that makes it harder but I really want to see those great times the Lord my God furnished me for so many wonderful years. Brad and I had our bible study today and I had not even looked at it and as it turned out Brad was not really ready either so we just had lunch at Queen Beans and visited. It was a good time.
12 August 2025
Off we go into the wild blue yonder up at 4:30 AM and I headed down to Shelby Iowa for a visit with Mike Rafferty from our ARMS group and his wife as they traveled to Illinois to there kids place. We had a very good visit and sure enjoyed that. The old expedition did great for mileage on the way back as it got 20 MPG to Audubon and then 19 MPG from there to Willey. That was all at 55 MPH. What an improvement the new exhaust system made. When home I worked on church stuff and cleaned out the old foods in the fridge. Then took a short nap and after watched some TV. Now almost supper time. Maybe a TV dinner tonight. Well evening is here the day is done and I fried some chicken for supper with some corn on the cob and sliced beets.
11 August 2025
Coming home from church yesterday I realized the pond has more water in it than it ever had, so that is looking well. I went over to Miss Skittles yesterday and fixed up a couple rain barrels for her. As I did them I recalled the song from way back called "Playmate", look down my rain barrel, slide my cellar door and we'll be jolly friends forever more, were some of the words. Well Monday came and went.
10 August 2025
Sunday morning and all is well however it is one of those days where I am all alone and missing mom tremendously. It will pass but it is so overpowering to almost debilitating that is hard to get past. Have fun, off to church for me, be good God bless love you all.
9 August 2025
Saturday and was busy all day with yard and church stuff. Storm last night broke two huge limbs off two trees across the fence and into neighbors yard. Had church service to go to and when I got back the tree limbs were all cleared up and gone. 7 neighbors cleaned it all up for me. I am truly blessed.
8 August 2025
Friday day and all is well, finished all my morning tasks and checked in my ARMS net. Then did some church work on some slides I am doing for our Sunday services. I made another batch of creamy cucumber salad so the day is sliding along. Will get out mowing some now as it is all getting ahead of me again. I finished over half of the main yard and came in for lunch. I shared a hot dog with Frisky. Temp is 85 Deg with index of 97. Whew way warm for my liking. Going to rest, maybe nap, and then try to finish as I have the rental, set aside and push mowing to do also. Just came in from finishing the large area here but still have all the others to do yet. 91 Degrees with heat index of 112 Degrees. There was a nice breeze so I did not notice at all. Well another day ends well and got lots done, but when will I catch up. I realized mowing today I forgot to load the the chicken water dispenser and feeder for Kris, What a klutz I am. My Bad. I will get it to you Mama Smurf, I just got so excited for the records and such for My Smurfette it slipped my mind. Nite all!
7 August 2025
Thursday morning and I am Net Control Station for the ARMS net this morning. Sure did not write much here. Had morning stuff to do and then over to Skittles to help with some tasks there. Will run back on Sunday maybe to finish some rain barrels for her.
6 August 2025
Good morning and its Wednesday morning and the kids just pulled out headed home. The house is quiet and oh so still, my poem for mema in 2023.
Our house
The children left, the house is still
No children by, the window sill.
No giggling sounds, out in the hall
No children's laughter, wall to wall.
The grandkids left, so now No talks
When Going on, my daily walks.
No football throwing, in the yard
No little loves, to watch and guard.
The children left, the house is cold
No little ones, to hug and hold.
But Mema's here, and everyday
Her loving hands, help find my way.
Just as the Lord, leads me through life
And gave me such, a loving wife.
The children left, the house is still
But after all, that is God's will.
So even though, we're far apart
My love will hold, you in my heart.
LLO 5 June 2023
Written one year before Mema went to be with my God. I really do miss her so much. Rain is falling again and it sure is helping the pond and the grass grow for mowing in August when it is normally going dormant! The pond has as much water as ever in it so that is nice to see again. I am sort of tired after all the rush of the last two days so may just take a short nap. Nap done and watching The Walton's and having some lunch. Lunch long over and Brad and my bible study on Haggai long done. Town run over for church things and antacid and some groceries. Made a yummy creamy cucumber salad using sour cream and Ummm Ummmm Good. We got another 1 1/2 inch of rain this morning so our pond is really doing nice for water.
As soon as all the grass dies off and falls in the water you can see it will be really nice. I am very tired today so this is all for the day. Peace be with you.
5 August 2025
Tuesday morning and all is well. Morning chores done and the Chuck roast is started, Frisky run done and my day is rolling along. Good morning all! Almost 12:00 and we have the trailer hitch thing figured out, the camper gas leak alarm fixed, the brochure order link Kris found for me and the day is progressing nicely. The chuck roast is going and I have made me some soft boiled eggs as I was out. We have a few things picked out and ready to box up for Smurfette. I love being a papa/father figure in her life and she is such a special little lady to me and I love her with all my heart. Matt and Kris went to town to fix a chip in the windshield and get some chains for tying the tractor down and a different ball drop height for their receiver so the trailer is level when pulling. 75 of "The Divine Service An Explanation" have been ordered so that is ready to go. I had me a brat for lunch and am tired so maybe a nap is in order. Nap over, tractor loaded with disk and it is supper time.
What a day it has been and still need to go through some records, cassettes, and figurine stuff for Smurfette. I am rather tired from all and maybe from the end of the fun hayrides, tractor rides, fair shows and all. That part is over and sad but hope the kids get as much enjoyment from it as I have over the years. What a sight looking west over the corn and seeing the magnificent sun set.
4 August 2025
Monday
morning and am I beat. All my church actions with the board meeting and the
coffee and then eating out followed by bowling yesterday really did me in I
believe. It sure was fun bowling though and I would do it again. To add to all
that I did the push mowing when I got home from all that. Matt and Kris made it
to Spearfish South Dakota last night so about 480 miles from there to here and
with a stop at Ben and Tammy's in Sturgis, if they get here today it will be
pretty late I believe. It is about 8+ hours driving from spearfish to
here. The day goes on and I sure wanted to sleep in but have to much to do.
Some yard work, clean the disk, move camper by house, do dishes, clean bathrooms
and life goes on and on. The disk is sort of cleaned up, sorry son it is not as
it should be. Some weed eating done and then the camper moved by the house for
Matt and Kris. Also unloaded the mower trailer and Lawn Boy mower from the
Ranger. Now ARMS time. My Verse: "Jeremiah
33:2-3 KJV, Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to
establish it; the Lord is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and
show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Oh my so
very much we do not know! Jeremiah 33:3 is Gods phone number, Call on me he
says, and he will answer you! Camper is now plugged in and I am washing the
bedding. Town run for groceries and eye glass frame checks completed. I was told
by the frame store where I get my prescription for my eyes that my glasses frame
Safilo Elasta 3050 was discontinued and no longer made or available so I just
went on line and ordered them anyhow. Will be here in a couple days. Go figure,
just a money thing and originally brand new they were almost $600.00 because
they are Aviator frames and very solid metal and long lasting. I just needed a
bow as one broke but got the whole frame for $27.00. Today's support is sure not
support and surely not for the customer. OK my rant is over. Guess I can put
stuff up and get ready for some supper as the kids wont get in till about 10PM
or so. They arrived about 9:30 and we had a good visit till 10:30 and now off to
bed.
Sunday 3 August 2025
Once again it is Sunday morning and here is Lew. Got all ready for church and today will be a busy day. Church at 9AM and then a welcome coffee for our new Vicar Aaron and our new DCE Abigail. this will be at 10:15 right after service and then after that I have my Older Adult Board meeting, followed by a lunch in town with Lucas, Brad, Heather, and Sarah followed by us all going bowling. I think it will be a full day. Like I said yesterday all the things for Matt are here now but may need to get some tie downs as I forgot I use my chains and a come along when I haul and forgot to tell him I have no huge ones. I can run get some here if he don't bring some. Have a good day, Be good, God bless.
Saturday 2 August 2025
It is Saturday morning and where is time going. True to the tradition the Orcutt luck prevails. Matt is heading to Iowa to get the Tractor and disk and the trailer lights do not work even if they worked when I took it out to him with the uni-loader and post hole digger the first of the month. So I am getting the tractor ready and the battery is dead. I jumped it and got it running and drove it to town to wash it off, and it died at the car wash. So another jump there and drove back to the barn and hooked the disk on leaving it running all the time and then put it in the barn and turned it off, Battery still completely dead. Will bring it over here with Brads help and charge battery and clean posts and all. If that don't work new battery time. Is my luck good or what? Now a short nap and then Brad will be here. Brad came and we got the tractor over home and the battery is going to be ok as it is finally taking a charge. Almost 5 o'clock and the hay rack is here also and I am rather tired so may call it a day.
Friday 1 August 2025
Well here we go it is the first of August and another month has flown by. I must be having fun. The sky is filled with haze from the forest fires so the air is rather heavy. There sure has been a lot of the fires this summer along with all the other disasters all over the world. The largest recorded earthquake, in Russia, at 8.8 last week. Our world needs God back in our lives. He never left us but we have abandoned him and these are the results. Just shared my verse on ARMS so now out in the yard and back to work. Cleaned a spot by the hostas and cut some water shoots and more weeding then in for lunch and a break. In studying the journal some I had to re-align all the pages as they posted in reverse of what I wrote so now they are lined up with the last written day at the top and the first writing at the bottom. I also set a margin for printing and saving that way. Let me know how you want it or if you even read it as it is some time/work to do. Just heard from Matt and they are headed this way tomorrow, 2 August, to pick up the tractor and Disk. Maybe arriving on Monday the 4th. It will just be Matt and Kris and maybe Zoey, the little puppy. Fun times for me. Guess I better get things moving for the tractor and disk with the hayrack moved over here.
Thursday 31 July 2025
I am NCS for our ARMS net today so my chores will start and then break for net and start again after net time. Finished cleaning the sedum hill and did some weed eating and pulling. Still needs lots more work but is a big improvement.
Next will be the area by the garage and garden shed as it is full of weeds and grass stuff. Ben and Tammy took off for Sturgis yesterday for their vacation so hope all goes well and the trip is safe and fun. I have been thinking I need a motorcycle again, maybe a 1948, model 74 I believe, Harley like I had back in high school. What do you think? It sure was a fun ride. Is that second childhood stuff or what. Well about time for net so better get going and get my coffee and set up done. Net is over and band was very poor today only 10 checkins for the 2 hour net. I am outside again pulling more weeds by the garage area and I can see some hostas again. How did so much get ahead of me. I struggle daily with being lonely and my little Lucas is helping with setting up a bowling night for us. That will be fun and I need more stuff like that I believe. I made another creamy cucumber salad for me with sour cream, no mayo and it will be super after it is chilled. Bedtime and supper was good so see you all tomorrow. Nite Nite!
Wednesday 30 July 2025
Well the forecast was right, we got another inch of rain last night. Really is strange getting all this rain in July when it usually comes in April and May. The temperature has cooled off today so far and is only 67 degrees. The good Lord is in control and he gave us a beautiful thunder and lightning show. I have been going through old pics on the computer and oh my such wonderful memories. My life has been so blessed. I should be out working in the yard but instead here I set playing on the computer and radio. My Bad! ARMS net over for me so back to work. Some weeds pulled, washing done sink cleared, so now to town to pay some bills and pick up some groceries.
So here is the pond today with as much water as it ever had but hard to see for all the grasses that started from the drought before the water filled back this spring and summer. The grass plant stuff in the water will fall over and be gone in some weeks I am told so we will see. That will go with the property when we sell the house and all. Sad but I can't keep up the work with no family wanting it. I have had some lunch and I feel a little drained so I believe I will nap with Frisky for a bit. Nap is over and did a little weeding and drying some of my washing while I watch Wagon train. At rest periods I am looking through old photos and the old Sunday journals and oh my some great memories come flooding back. Really fun but it saddens me some as those days are gone but the new ones are coming. Lets make some memories together. So another day comes to a close.
Tuesday 29 July 2025
Sure looking for a cool off for these temperatures today but not sure that will happen. I was out at 7AM working on some tree stumps by the camper so I can mow there but it is already 75 degrees with 87% humidity. Came in for a bit and warming up the radio for my ARMS net. Finished my turn on ARMS so back to the salt mines. Did some more stump cut grinding to mow over but that is hard. Had to run pay my taxes and get some mower gas and by then it was lunch time. I loaded the trailer with the pulled grasses and such after luinch and now maybe a nap or rest. Got in a short rest period and then did laundry and the dishes picked up my yard tools and got ready for supper. Did a little more laundry while I watched some TV and Tuesday is over. Cooling off tomorrow is the forecast with rain. Night Night!
Monday 28 July 2025
Mount Hood
Rain again last night and got almost and Inch. Another week has gone and time flies past. That second picture is from my trip to Washington earlier this month and the first one is a slide I made for older adult ministry at church. Yard work continues and I may never catch up but doing my best. Mom and I sure put in a lot of landscaping over the years and it sure is keeping me busy. I will be taking some out to make it easier for me. I have removed the Dog wood hedge by my rock garden so far. More yard today as the rain quits, and the seeds from the bird feeders are germinating. What's up with that, they never have before. Got them all weeded for now as they were not rooted solid yet. I could mostly just rake the mulch around and they were gone. I woke up with a bloody nose this morning for some reason not sure why. By the way I maybe told you before but the exhaust on the Expedition went bad and my gas mileage improved. I was going to put duals on it but it would have been very difficult so I had him put on 3 inch pipe and and big see through muffler. It is quiet again but oh my, my mileage went from about 13-15 MPG on the road to 18+ MPG on the road. What an improvement. My Frisky has a Vet appointment today for his ears to be cleaned as he is digging at them again. Appointment is over and he had a allergy of some sort, not serious just pink warm color and he got cleaned and a antibody shot. it is now 95 Deg out with heat index at 122 Deg. Guess I will stay inside. But I am looking at going to the Iowa state Fair on the 16th, who is in for that?
Its Sunday Morning and once again here is Lew
Sunday 27 July 2025
First Sunday of the journal in a number of years
Saturday 26 July
The week is gone already and will post this tomorrow before church. Looks to be rainy out and at 72 Degrees already at 7AM. July has really been strange with so much rain and high temps. Mowing still going steady and usually it has eased up some by now. The corn and beans are keeping the humidity levels high so we are under that for rain also. Mel and Bradley just got home from their European travels so I am excited to here all about that. I have checked on Snap-Chat for some of the pictures and message stuff but I don't think it will work for me. Too many hoops to jump through and things to keep up with. I am trying that new stuff but guess I am just an old fashion guy, My newest Ham radio is about 53 years old built from about 1972 so you see how out of date I am. Frisky ate very little on our Washington trip but is back to his normal eating routine again, and is doing fine. I am working to catch up on the weeds that came during that trip but not making great steps there. The pond has lots of water again but you cant see it for the grass that has taken over in the water. Will need a burn again and then maybe some control on how to do it for the grass that came when the drought was here and it was dry for several years. Just tried Snap-chat again and it does not make sense and could not get the pictures Mel posted from the trip so removed it and uninstalled it. Bummers. I am working on my web site a lot to get it to work well with the phone as it was all old school and was ok for computer but was out of order or iffy for phone and looked goofy there. So if some look that way I have not got them yet, let me know and I will work some on that. My little bug just called and has the day off today. she still needs prayers but is doing ok so far. Well guess this will be plenty for the first posting of my Sunday Journal, let me know if you like it and I will see about a continuation. Till next Time: Acts 20:24 KJV But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Friday 25 July
More mowing today and some weed pulling and several hours on my
phone and computer getting the phone to work after an update and on computer for
my ARMS chat and web page additions. Boy the memory is poor when you want to use
it for things you have not done for some years. How did the song go, Its all
coming back to me now? This may be fun and gives me something to do when I get
old and am not able to do what I do now. I watched Wagon Train today and I
messaged Bradley Christie to see if the director on the show and he are related.
Howard Christie was the director back then. Newspaper came today and had the
Fair info in it. Should I go to the fair and who wants to go with me? lets plan
a day. Mom and I always loved the fair.
Thursday 24 July
I guess I better stop all the photo album stuff and get back to
journaling. That was just a fun trip with wonderful memories and was so blessed
to share it with my youngest child, Brad. Today was a little cooler and finished
much of the mowing and did the dishes. Did a town run to post some church things
and mail some bills.
Wednesday 23 July 2025
I will maybe try and write the Sunday journal some more and see how
it goes. Life has been very busy since my last writings back in 2018 and 2023
but I will write on today's happenings and input past stuff as it comes to mind.
Last year I purchased a Ford Econoline van to make into a camper. Right at that
time cousin Bob Fischer passed away and I used it for a flying trip to
Georgetown Texas for his funeral.
There is my van set up as a camper on its maiden camping trip to
Springbrook this last May 2025. Funeral for Robert Fischer was last year. Then
this year I loaded up the Case Uni-Loader and the post hole digger for Matt,
hooked up the trailer to the old expedition and Brad and I headed to Washington
to take that out to him.
For trips, drive ins, picnics and such mom always fried us up a tub
of chicken for snacking on. So for our trip I fried up a bunch of drumsticks for
us on the trip and we enjoyed some the first day for lunch. We snacked on them a
lot and the last one I finally finished the day before we headed home. It was
very good for more reasons than eating. Not quit moms but close and good.
Memories!!
We had a fun time visiting with all the kids and grandkids that were
home and even got to go to church with them and see the raised garden areas
peanut did for the church. What a joy it was. Smurfette showed me her vinyl
collection and that really was cool she is interested in that stuff. I may have
some vinyl to add for her when they come for the tractor. We took a different
way home and headed through Burns Oregon, to see our very first home, and
assignment after marriage.
Our very home in burns for us after our marriage and assignment to
Burns. Back then the house ended left of the bay window you see behind the car
and the part on the left were two separate houses. They are now connected
together as one. That small jut out on the right was not there then either and
there were just 4 small rooms and a bathroom. It cost us $65.00 a month. That's
where we lived when Tammy was born.
This picture is of what is left at the radar site. The white pillars
with the gate was the gate we went through each day going to work. I rode the
base bus most of the time. The old GATR building is still there where the tall
antenna tower still stands. The search radar was straight ahead where you see
those two trees on top of the knoll. The height finders were lower to the front
right and back left. The BX was just inside the gate on the left and we got our
first movie camera there for $28.00. Memories, Memories!!
As we head out of Burns heading up Stinking water pass we come to
Oards service station. Oh my it is still there and in service 63 years later. It
was closed so I didn't get to see the inside. Mom and dad Akin worked there for
a while and the station had a huge collection of rattlesnakes in jars and such.
We ended up giving them one we caught to add to the collection. We did a lot of
Quail, Chucker, dove, and bird hunting in this area to supplement meat in our
menu.
The first picture is of Saddle butte where I helped the start of Meadowland Ranches by helping build the first bunkhouse there and broke buckshot to ride for them. It went bankrupt and was closed and gone about 1982. The second picture is of the Hot springs mom and I would picnic at sometimes and soak in the hot spring run off. Some one had built a cement pool there but never finished it and that was all that was there back then. Now it looks like it has been developed into some as a resort getaway. I bet you cant skinny dip there now! Wait I didn't say that out loud did I?!!
Tuesday 22 July 2025
Well, well, well
Here it is 22 July 2025 and will I start these again? This has been a tough year for me from May 2024 till July 2025. On checking my files there were several years, (2018 and 2023) I wrote some but did not post them so will try and get those out there also. Not sure I remember the ways I did all this stuff.
It has been a tough year for me and you can see why. I am still
struggling along one year later and I am not sure it will ever be gone.
The Lord is with me though and that is all that keeps me hanging on. She was so
pretty, so caring, so loving and God sure blessed me when he gave her to me for
the 65 years total. Three of those dating on and off through HS and then 62
years married. I really miss caring for her. My life is rather empty. My
love for her was overpowering and from God I am sure.
This is the puppy we got for Mema in 2022, our little Frisky. He is
my constant companion now and is a real support help for me. He slept on my
mouse pad when we first got him and I was on the radio and mom did not have him.
He is 3 years old this year March 2025 as I kept saying he was 4 years old.
Memory gone.
Moms setting area Brad and I did for her and was just completed in
April of 2024, and we went camping in May, then in and out of hospital and care
centers through June and by 3 July she was gone to be with our Lord. This is one
of the very last pictures of my precious gift from God, my, Angel!
Started again 27 July
2025