Today is February 2, Ground hogs day, and he has seen his shadow as the sun has been out most of the day. The temperature was at a minus 6 this morning and is now only six above at two in the afternoon.

It has been an extremely cold week with a lot of lake effect snow and blowing winds to push the snow around. Its nice to be able to stay inside much of the time and not have to go out and take care of a herd of cows. Have been out each day only long e nough to throw some hay into the bull. Philip sets in two big bales to the steers so that he only has to feed them about once every two weeks. We always check to make sure that the water supply is there for them.

I had started this new diary back on January 1 and had kept it up to date for over three weeks but a computer glitch on our part erased it all so that now it is necessary to start over again. I stopped the first diary at the end of the chemo ther apy shortly after Labor Day. My strength is slowly returning, but not near as fast as I would like to have it. I guess that I will have to be content with the fact that it may never return to what it was before.

My last tests given just before the holidays did not reveal any return of the leukemia. The next test to be given in March is to be a bone marrow biopsy, to see if any cancer cell are hiding in there.

The whole family was over for both Christmas and for oysters on New Years day. The family has been setting me up with a E-mail modem. It took some time but it is now on line. I have tried it out a few times and sometimes I get what I want but som etimes I must not be fallowing the proper procedure and I come up with a zero.

We have seen a lot of deer almost daily for several weeks now some days up to forty. They must be getting short of feed as they have trimmed all the shrubs up to a foot of the house. Today I saw seven crossing the field as I went to the barn.

Have tried fishing through the ice a couple of times but it has not been good this year. Two weeks ago we went up to Crystal Lake to fish smelt at night. We had fairly good luck. Another trip was planned but we held off because of the extremely cold weather.

I have been playing with this computer for a year now, but I still feel like a beginner. Many things are coming easier now but I still run into so many problem. It is nice when occasionally I find a new system that will do something new for me. Its also flustrating when something doesn't come up the way I want. I was born seventy five years to soon for the computer age. My Peterson family history book has been growing in size and I put it through the spell check a nd then reprinted most of it. Now to organize, and index it, so that I can find any story.

Our Crockery History book 2 has been taking shape and we are almost on schedule to have it printed in April. I have been negligent in a couple stories and biography that I was to turn in, Yesterday I got with it and finish ed up two, I still have one to go.

This diary is not for my own book, I'm doing it just for the sake of having something to do and to jot down my thoughts each day. I hope to keep it up for some time, if another glitch doesn't destroy it.

Saturday February 3

This is the day that Jim Erhorn has picked for his farm auction. Its not a good day as the temperature here is at a minus fifteen and Philip said that he read a minus twenty this morning. He has to get a load of hay for his cattle today . It will be a job to get the diesel tractor started . It will also be a very cold ride coming over here and going back. I gave him a coat that has been here for years that is especial warm and holds the wind out. It was on e that Arnie Johnson brought home from the coast guard. I used it when driving an open tractor in the winter time.

This extremely cold reminds me of sixty years ago on February 3 we had the first of several days of below zero weather. Pollis Griswold was very sick and died at that time.

He lived in the house that Clifford Murray now lives. Snow was so deep that there was no traffic on them. The county came down and opened up a path for the hearse to take the body out. Another storm that night filled the trench to more than three f eet deep all the way down 120th Ave. It would be over three weeks before the county could open the road up. I stayed in Coopersville at the Reynolds house to go to school in my senior year.

The wood pile is going down fast in this kind of weather. We have used more than ten face cords of wood so far and its only ground hogs day. Our wood is mostly cherry and pine both of which burns fast and doesn't hold a fire to long. Adding to that the cord seal around the fire door of the stove has disintegrated so it allows to much air to the fire and we are losing heat up the chimney. I have the repair kit but can't use it until we can let the fire go out for a few hours.

Sunday February 4

Bitter cold again this morning . It will be cold getting out of the everyday warm clothes and putting on the thin dress cloths. I dread it every time I have to do it. I guess that's a part of getting on in years/ Had a good two h our nap this afternoon ands slept good at night as well.

Monday February 5

Its still extremely cold this morning. Fred Erhorn came over and we discussed the sale held Saturday. He seemed pleased for the most part, so he was satisfied. Fed the bull and noticed that the water pressure was down. Philip came at noon and w e tried to find the place that the water lines are froze. We had the salamander space heater going for seven hours but still no water. It only takes one frozen spot no more than a foot that we miss to hold it all up. We will try again Tuesday morning . If we don't have any luck we will have to hook up another system and water the steers with a hose. That will be a fun job for the next six to eight weeks.

Tuesday February 6

Put the heater in the parlor again to no avail so Philip brought a tank down and we laid a garden hose from the compressor room to the cattle barn and gave the cattle a drink. They did not seem to be to thirsty. Paid the property taxes today so I can now get the income tax prepared on Friday. We have to show signed receipts to get the PL 116 money back from the State.

Wednesday February 7

Whatia know; the temperature is above freezing this morning and the snow is settling down , by evening some bare spots are showing up already. I bet the deer are saying thank you as it opens up more area for them to find food. Cracked nut s for a couple hours in the afternoon. Prepared the slides in the carousel to show them to Philip's family. I doubt that they have ever seen them.

Thursday February 8

Had our history class this morning. We are making final plans on how to put it all together. A cut off day will have to be set on when we will no longer take any new material. The thaw is cutting the snow down fast but the packed snow on the roa ds is turning to ice fast. Two school busses stalled out on the slippery roads this morning. Large numbers of deer have been coming to the fields to take advantage of the open ground. Some lay down in the sun to absorb the suns rays. It must feel good t o them after the cold spell.

Friday February 9

The day to have our income tax figured out. It didn't take long. We will have a small tax obligation, one that will not drain the pocket book to much. Cracked nuts and wrote a story about gathering and cracking nuts for the book. Philip, Chuck and the girls came over to see slids. They got a bang out of seeing their dad when he was a baby. Water in the barn has thawed out as far as the end of the holding pen but not to the fountain on the west end as yet. We are planning another fishing tri p to Crystal lake for three days next week so will have to start organizing some equipment.

Saturday February 10

Our water pipes in the barn that have been frozen for all this week decided to let water through this morning. It will be nice not to have to water the steers with a hose . Philip asked me to watch the gate as he cleaned the barn. I guess that's about all I'm good for anymore. We did get the barn cleaned out. Cleaned up a few stories for spelling and punctuation , then printed them for the book.

Sunday February 11

Made final plans for next weeks smelt fishing trip. Picked up another carasol for slides, and filled it up. We now have two hundred eighty slides to show. It should take over an hour and a half , that's enough for one sitting. I sorte d them out so as to show what I think will be the most interesting slides for everyone to see.

Monday February 12

Packed my equipment for the fishing trip and arrived on time at Jerry's for the trip to Beuhlah . In putting the tent in the back of his pickup my back snapped and nearly put me on the ground. Jerry wanted to call the trip off but I said that I could make it. All went well until it was time to set up the tent on the ice. My contribution to that activity was supervision only the back started to talk to me loader and loader. I could still sit and fish though and held my own having t he moat fish out of the five in the party. Our stay in the motel that night was not the warmest. The temperature out side was hovering around the zero mark. And we hadn't turned the thermostat up high enough. A rather uncomfortable night. The Back was e ven worse in the morning, I could hardly move. Some aspirin and a little activity loosened it up so I could navigate in slow motion. Jerry wanted to call the trip off but I said I'd make it and not be a party pooper. WE decided to rent a local shanty. It was equipped with heat and light and was well insulated. Fishing went good so it ended up as not being to bad of a trip. Came home on Wednesday .

Thursday February 15

Back is still talking to me so will be very careful in the daily activities. Printed some more of the book and checked to see what was left to do. There isn't to much left now. I think I should type in the article on the Spoonville Chap el as it is not in the computer. Clint called to say he was coming over to drop the girls off for an hour. They are growing so fast. We enjoyed watching them. Snow flurries in the air but just good February weather.

Friday February 16

Started on the moving of stories but Fred came over. He is thinking about buying a generator for his place. He wants it small enough to handle yet large enough to run his water pump and refrigerator. He would like to take it up to his cottage to o. After noon i rewrote some of the history of Spoonville. When I tried to print it the computer jumped to a different story. I tried it several times and it does it every time. I don't know what i have done wrong. Will ask Clint when he comes Sunday.

The weatherman is predicting that a Alberta clipper will go through this week end it will be of short duration and only a few inches of snow Then a warm front will follow.

Saturday February 17

Snow flurries this morning sometimes very heavy. Etta's is baking up a storm in preparation of all the kids coming home tomorrow. My computer and the printer is still putting it over on me. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I will have to test the knowledge of all the kids tomorrow when they come . One thing has been solved is the fax modem. The company has put me on the hour long modem and that requires a different procedure . That accounts for my not gett ing through, but now I will have to learn the new procedure. Oh well every time I have to do something different I learn something new. So its not all bad. If only it would stick with me when i learn it.

Sunday February 18

Below zero this morning but it looks like a nice sunny day coming up Church in the morning and then the whole family came over in the afternoon. Showed the slides of the forty and fifties. They were well received and even the younger generation watched them intently. We had 38 people to sit down for dinner. That stretched the house to its capacity. Everyone was present except Phil Bliss who had to work at his hospital job. We missed him.

Monday February 19

A beautiful winter day. The sun is out and the temperature went over the forty degree mark in the afternoon. The deer took advantage of it and was out and around most of the day. We counted over 45 at times. Sunday a count of sixty eight going from our pines north to the Spencer woods. that's the most this winter so far. Played with the computer until I became bored. Then a few games of solitaire . I took the slides out of the projector so we can return the projector. We think the slide show was a great success. All of the grand kids seemed to enjoy them.

Tuesday February 20

The temperature is warmer than the weatherman predicted and its eating into the snow very fast. The deer are taking advantage of the opportunity to get a little more food. They appear to be in a good healthy state, which could mean another good f awn crop this year. Last Sunday two coyotes came across the field right up near the house to the north. They were close enough to have been in shotgun range.

Wednesday February 21

Philip had a flat tire on his pickup so he borrowed the suburban for the day. We went to Bills and accompanied him to Sarah's class for her ten month evaluation. It appears that she is only a month or two behind what she should be at this age. I would call it a very positive report. Now if only she doesn't hit a wall and stop progressing. Its amazing how good she is doing. Back home and typed up some more Spoonville history. I now have most of it redone and through the spell check and in the c orrected book. So from now on everything will be new.

Thursday February 22

To the history class this morning. Etta had to take me as Philip still needed the truck. It was his income tax day. We had visitors at the class so we didn't accomplish to much. We decided to have our regular meeting next week then have what we will call a work session in the afternoon. Time is starting to get short if we plan to get to the printers by April. My back is still giving me trouble but is showing signs of relaxing a little. It no longer gives those breath taking stabs. It will have to heal soon as that is the hip that the doctor will be taking a biopsy in about two weeks.

Friday February 23

A cloudy warm February day. The weatherman says that we may have a drizzle or even a thunder storm this afternoon. Went for a walk out to the shed where the four wheeler has been hiding for the winter. I started it up to see how it took the winter. It started up and run good. Decided not to ride it as everything is slop and mud. Cracked nuts for a couple hours then played with the computer. The day went very fast. Another story has come to mind so will have something going for tomorro w.

Saturday February 24

Saw raccoon tracks going in and out of the barn, so I set the box traps . watched the deer in small bunches today , a dozen here and a dozen there. Brought the four wheeler up to the house . Then a long nap and some time on the computer, finished the day watching television. It went very fast.

Sunday February 25

Had Clifford over today and made plans to take him down to straighten out his funeral agreement with the funeral directors on Monday. Its still a quiet dull day not to cold and thawing . The snow is nearly gone and the fields are sticky and muddy.

My back is still talking to me. Its not as bad as it was but at times its still uncomfortable. I'm a bit limited in what I can do.

Monday February 26

After several telephone calls I succeeded to set up a meeting to arrange for Cliffords prepaid funeral contract. Clifford and I went down and signed the proper documents.

Checked my traps and found one with the bait gone but it had not tripped . I moved it and reset it. Done some work with the computer and then took what I thought would be a short nap but it turned into a couple of hours.

Tuesday February 27

This is to be the last of our mild days for awhile. There was thunder and lightning this morning and about a third of an inch or rain fell. I have something wrong with my box trap. It is had to set as I have it set up for a feather touch but som ehow the animals take the bait without tripping it. Readjusted it so will see what happens tomorrow. The snow is just about all gone now , just a bit along the fence row. The deer have been in the yard so much that I can count about twenty piles of pelle ts {droppings } between the house and barn. Finished cracking another tray of walnuts. Etta says that there is still four or five more trays. A good job for stormy days when the computer is getting the best of me. My back hasn't given up on giving me a few jolts each day. They seem to be fewer but every so often it gives me a jolt that gets my attention in no uncertain terms.

Wednesday February 28

The ground is white again this morning but only about an inch. It is blustery and windy with snow squalls . Temperature was in the low teens most of the day. Typical March weather. Finished up on another tray of walnuts and got into a tr ay from our place. They are a much smaller nut but the meats come out so much nicer. It doesn't take nearly as long to do the job. The back behaved for most of the day. Typed and printed another story and put it into the folder. Jerry came for a visit for awhile He says that we might get some blue gill fishing next week. I'd like to try it once more this winter.

Thursday February 29

It isn't often that i can type that date in the diary. Still cold , the thermometer is again in the twenties. Went to the history class both this morning and after noon. We made some progress in sorting pictures and iden tifying them. We accomplished enough so that Tony should be busy most of the week. Clint came over for supper and the evening. He brought both girls with him Mom sure enjoys there antics , and the progress that they exhibit. Clint worked on the computer and set up a new schedule for getting on the E-mail. He sure knows his computer . He just makes this thing talk. It always amazes me what he can get out of it. Then I have to think that if I would get it all through my thick scull that maybe I could do the same. Oh well maybe when I get to a hundred it will come to me.

Friday March 1

The ground is white and the thermometer is at twelve. A good day to stay inside cracking nuts. After a couple hours that became old stuff so retired to the computer. Spent some time on long winded telephone calls. Actually the day went rather fast.

Saturday March 2

Woke up to several inches of snow on the ground, and the weatherman says that four to seven more inches of the white stuff will fall today. Have a couple stories in my head waiting to be put on paper. One is about a funeral that we had to attend while in the army and it could be added to my war history book. The snow came down heavy in the afternoon and was accompanied by strong winds. The hitch in my back seemed to be much worse today and became very uncomfortable. It was very depressin g And I was felling sorry for myself. A sad state of affairs.

Sunday March 3

After yesterday I decided to stay home from Church and let the back relax a little. stayed in an upright chair for most of the day. Did put another of my Army history books together and went through it . I found numerous mistakes in spelling bu t can't do to much about it now. Oh well who is perfect? surely not me.

Monday March 4

We have the amount of snow predicted, four to five inches, not to cold though. My back is not threatening me this morning. Went to the barn to feed the bull and found some other chores to do as well. The day went good until I spent an hour cracking nuts then the back went back into high gear and acted up for the rest of the day. I did very little on the computer. I had a story that had come to me on Sunday but because I didn't make a note of it I just couldn't think what it was today. I guess I'll have to carry a note pad with me.

Tuesday March 5

We missed out on the snow and sleet storm that had been predicted. It went south of us .We received less than two inches. My back was talking to me good this morning so made it a slow day. I spread my time between the PC and the couch. I'm g etting lazier every day.

Wednesday March 6

Nice sunshine in the forenoon but heavy snow towards evening. The kind that can blow if the wind comes up. About three to four inches came down. Finished cracking another tray of walnuts. Only about six more to go. Planned a story to put on the PC. Received a telephone call on my army history book. I had let one of the books out for reading but to be returned. They wanted to know if they could buy it. and how much it would be. I had not planned on selling them but I do have a few that can be spared. I'm pleased that they are so well received.

Thursday March 7

History class day. Was ready to leave and Consumers Power representative came. They want to check for stray voltage in the near future. I told him that we think it is present in the barn. Then Fred came and gave me an update on his projects . The result was I got to the class late. Not to much doing so I guess that I didn't miss to much. My back was real good today.

Friday March 8

We were up early for the trip to the hospital for the blood samples. There was a room full of people waiting by the time we arrived. I was expecting a long wait but they took me in almost immediately. Went for breakfast as they want the blood sample before you eat in the morning. Some people I knew was in the waiting room. They said that they had heard that I was in remission on the leukemia . I don't like that word, its like the leukemia is still there but not active at the moment. I would rather think that it is all gone and I will no longer be bothered with it. Etta and I went to two places to look at different cars. I would say that the weather was to cold to do a honest job of looking and testing cars. We found two that looked promising , but when we talked to Roy he discouraged us from one of them. The other fits what we are looking for except that it is a dirty gray color. Etta doesn't like the color. She says that it looks like dirty snow. Maybe the weather will be warmer next week and we can do a better job of inspecting .

Saturday March 9

We have had a cold start to the month of March this year. The temperature was down in the very low single digits this morning but the sun has been out and it might get up to nearly thawing before the day is done. This the kind of day to crack nuts. That back ache is still with me . I spent a very uncomfortable night and it jabs me every time it gets the chance. I received a letter yesterday with several pictures Of Medad Spencer and his wife, the Spoonville school with the wood shed on the south side and one of the old Nicholas and Sheppard threshing machine with the steam engine , it was taken at or before our dad bought in as a partner. I can not identify him in the picture. The school picture wasn't of as nice a quality as th e print that it was duplicated from but it is a view that I had not seen before.

Tried the E-mail again yesterday and finally got in and read Esther's letter but couldn't get the letter to move up so I could read the whole thing so had to settle for a half letter. That will be a question to ask someone of the kids when I get the ch ance. The e-mail seems to operate on a different set of rules from the word processing faze. Just more for me to learn.

Sunday March 10

My back gave me all kinds of trouble last night. This morning I couldn't even put on my clothes and had to have help. The first time that has happened since I was about two years old. It seems to have reactivated and the stabs were frequent and sever. I ended up in a chair where I stayed for hours, .in fact most of the day. The deer were all over the yard in the daytime today. Predictions is for a warming trend starting tomorrow.

Monday March 11

It took a while to loosen the back up this morning but then everything seemed to fall into place and I got along fairly good. The warming trend has started as the snow is melting. It should be ideal maple sap weather. I took it very eas y today in anticipation for the trip to the cancer clinic tomorrow. The deer herd is all over the place, they have been working the yard all around the house. They were eating on the Christmas tree that Etta had put out for the small birds. I wonder how they can digest those dried up brown needles. It would appear that they may be getting extremely hungry.

Tuesday March 12

This is the day that we go out for breakfast with all of Etta's relation. The usual number of people were present in excess of twenty. My trip to the onocologist was for three in the after noon. My vital signs were all excellent , and the doctor said that the blood tests taken last Friday showed no abnormalities, in fact they were excellent in every respect. A good moral booster. The bone marrow biopsy was taken in the right hip bone. The results will be in next T uesday. Spent a very restless night as the sciatic nerve is still giving trouble in the left hip and the bone biopsy in the right. It meant for much turning and changing position during the night. I told Etta that I'm getting to the point of being called old "aches and Pains".

Wednesday March 13

The warm weather has arrived and the snow is disappearing very fast. The deer are taking advantage of it and we see them in large numbers all day long. Etta saw the first robins today. The gobblers are starting to strut and spread their feather s, a sure sign that spring cannot be to far off. My hours rest after lunch turned into a two hour deep sleep. It felt good and maybe I caught up on the sleep I lost the last couple of nights. Took the picture of the Spoonville school up to let Cliff . Murray see it. He had not seen one as good as that one before and he would like a copy.

Thursday March 14

Consumers power men showed up to check for stray voltage. They replaced the ground wires and done some work in the buildings. They left a volt meter and asked that we check it twice daily for two weeks at both places. Plilip says his schedule w ill not give him time so I'll have to do it. History class this morning We prepared about a dozen pages for pictures. In the afternoon I went to Ravenna and took some material to show to the great grand children of two of our early settlers who were in the Civil War. Had a nice visit at both places, and received more information about these early families.

Friday March 15

Our nice weather is still with us. It did not freeze last night for the first time in the month of March. The old timers said that it is a rule of thumb for every night that it doesn't freeze in march it will in may. Wanted to look for a different car today but Etta says that she will be to busy. So I spent much of the day just killing time. Did write a couple of human interest stories to add to my War history book.

Saturday March 16

Still nice weather , the snow is just about all gone. Corrected a couple of stories that I have on the computer and then printed them. Bill brought his kids over for us to enjoy for the afternoon. Even little Sarah was all over the place and fin ding out what Grandma's house is all about. I had to do the usual cracking of nuts for the older ones. My back is slowly improving , but the word seems to be slow. Esther is home from college for the night. She is catching up on h er correspondence that has come here. She appears to be a bit pale and she looks as she may have lost some weight. I guess that's normal for college kids.

Sunday March 17

The day to wear green Saint Patrick's day. We were greeters at Church this morning. The standing around all that time did not bother my back in the least so it must be getting better. Took a two hour nap in the after noon and never turned the basketball games on .

Monday March 18

Tried checking for stray voltage both here and at the other farm. There doesn't seem to be any around at this time as the reading at both places were in the point zero one or two . Etta and I went car shopping in the morning. We found three that were in our range of miles on the speedometer and the age. We settled on a 95 Buick Century Cherry red in color. I think it will be a car that Etta will enjoy driving. We will pick it up sometime tomorrow. We are still seeing up to forty deer a day no w . They look like they have came through the winter very well.

Tuesday March 19

Today is primary vote day here in Michigan. It did not take very long . Called the onocology clinic to get the results of my biopsy. They told me that the doctor would call back when he was ready. That was not a good answer. The nurse could ha ve told me if everything was all right so I was prepared for the doctors diagnosis. It was not good. The leukemia is still present in the bones and is slightly active. He says that we may be able to control it with pills. He did not say how many or how often I will have to take them. He did say that I would hardly feel them . We set up an appointment in about three weeks.. Counted about forty two deer back of the barn. We went down to pick up Clifford at the doctors office and stopped on the way to pick up the car. I drove it home, probably the only time I'll get to drive it as Etta has been the principal driver of late.

Wednesday March 20

The first day of spring. There is a cold north east wind and it is to swing around to the north west. According to the old timers that will be our prevailing weather pattern for the next three months. It will be interesting to see if the re predictions are right. It has been good sap weather of frost at night and thaw in the daytime. I really don't know of anyone who is tapping trees this year. Had company this morning and then went to Coopersville to have more keys made for the n ew car. I would guess that it will be easy to lock the keys inside so we will be able to get out of that predicament if it happens.

Thursday March 21

History class day. We had visitors today, when this happens we get more information but it does hold back our work schedule. Leo Brown came for a few minutes from the rest home where he is staying. He was an important part of our class before h ealth problems put him down. He looked good but it was hard to get through to him on some things. Went for a ride in the new car to get familiar with it and ended up at Wilma's and then to Holland to visit Clint. for a while. Etta and I have decided that we will make the trip to Texas next week end for Gordons birthday and retirement party. It will mean that we should leave on Thursday so as not to have to drive to many hours each day. I like to look at the scenery along the way.

Friday March 22

Its the time of year when we have to get a new fishing license. I took care of that job this morning. I got the sportsman tag so now I'm ready for the year. I discovered that my wood pile in the woodshed fell over I pilled some back up but will leave some as we need wood in the house tomorrow, theres no need to handle it twice. Our weather has been typical of march windy and chilly. Have been making plans for the trip to Texas. Not to much to do though Just get in the car and go . Got into the E-mail and found four letters awaiting me.

Saturday March 23

Sun is out but it is chilly. Took the voltage readings again but can not find any amount anyplace. The metal siding on the barn has as much as any place. Philip sold a load of corn this morning to a neighbor. Took the four wheeler out this after noon and toured the whole farm. I thought that I might find a deer that didn't make the winter but there was none in the places that I went. I did find where some animal or bird had caught a rabbit and scattered his fur all around. Gordon called from Tex as and we made final plans for our trip down there Next Thursday .

Sunday March 24

A light sprinkle during the night and still cloudy all day long . We drove to Byron Center in the afternoon and visited Bill for little Sarah's first birthday. She is doing so well you would hardly know that she has a problem. Esther's car seems to have developed a short some where and is running her battery down. She left it at Roy's and took our white car back to college.

Monday March 25, 1996

March is living up to it's reputation. The day started out at a balmy 55 degrees and very strong winds out of the south, by noon the wind had switched to the north west and the thermometer had plummeted way down in the thirties and snow f lakes were in the air. By nightfall the ground was white and the temperature dropped to fifteen degrees. A flock of robins stopped by for a few minutes , I wonder how they have made out? I made it a slow day all I did was take the orders that we received in the mail for to Crockery Collection books up to Tony's. Then I cleared the computer of all my diary and put it all on paper. Eleven pages of it. Finished reading the Voltage for Consumers and prepared the sheets for mailing.

Tuesday March 26

Near blizzard conditions this morning and very cold. It was in the low teens for most of the day. We went to Coopersville to get things for the trip to Texas. Both groceries and money from the bank. Probably got to much of one and not en ough of the other. Snow squalls followed by sunshine alternating all after noon. The wind went down by evening. Several telephone calls finished up the preparation of the trip.

Wednesday March 27

Real cold last night, temperature in the single digits. Its clear and quiet today and may even thaw some by evening. Company came this morning one fallowed the other so it was nearly noon before I could check the car for the trip. Everyt hing seems to be in order and ready to go. Now for a good night rest before leaving. We intend to stop for one night on the way and arrive in Dallas late Friday .

Thursday March 28 through April 3

We were able to get an early start at a little before six in the morning. A cloudy mild day. Ideal for driving. We arrived in Chicago while the rush hour was still going on, so we dropped south for about ten miles and then went west. Found a goo d place to stop for breakfast. We missed much of the traffic but found all of the stop streets. Turned south on highway number fifty-seven. Snowdrifts were still visible on the ditch banks as far south as the lower part of Illinois. Made e xcellent time all of the way. we crossed the Mississippi river Cairo . Stayed in Blythfield Arkansas just over the Missouri border. Friday we started out early in a light drizzle but soon drove out of it. Made good time while dodging semi trucks all of the rest of the way into Dallas. We had the only wrong turn of the trip when we missed the turn on the Dallas south by pass. Checked into the Holiday Inn in Duncanville at about three o'clock in the afternoon. A check showed that t he car had made better than thirty three miles to the gallon. Saturday morning was a slow time as many of the group were still arriving by air.

The reception for Gordon started at two o;clock with about two hundred guests present. All of Gordons children and grand children were present. They put on a little presentation and little talks of their family life while growing up. Then it was opened up for anyone to speak who wished to. Many responded . It all turned out to be an excellent tribute to Gordon for the many years that he devoted as a handyman carpenter at Wyclif. That night the family had dinner in the Holiday Inn.

Sunday we went to Gordons Church and in the afternoon we traveled out about a hundred miles to Yantis where Gordon has moved his trailer {living quarters} . Monday we were given a tour of the Wyclife facilities. A remarkable place and very busy.

We saw much of the carpentry work that Gordon has done over the years. Wilma got around the entire trip in a wheel chair as she had cracked a bone in her foot just shortly before going to Texas, But Frank was having trouble with one foot as well and it was difficult for him to walk any distance. Etta and I checked out of the hotel and said our good-byes . to the rest of the group and headed home. Our trip home was uneventful and we made excellent time. The sun shone all the way and we also had a tail wind to help out the gas mileage . We stopped for two nights to break up the monotony of the long drive. e covered nearly twenty three hundred miles all to gather and averaged over thirty three miles to the gallon. We a rrived home at about three o;clock Wednesday after noon to an extremely cold house. A new fire soon took care of that.

Thursday April 4

Our History class made some progress in putting pictures to stories. Then we proof read about half of the written material. I will have to say that I'm pleased at what I read and believe that this book will be very comparable to the firs t one. At first the weatherman was predicting heavy wet snow for all of our area but he changed it to leave us out and then said the storm was moving out of Michigan much faster that was thought at first. So Etta and I went to Traverse city in the after noon to watch Bethany in the play of the Easter story. It was well performed and Bethany performed her part very well. We stayed at a motel there and came home Friday morning. While on our two trips Eugene came over with his splitter , He and Ph ilip split the entire pile of wood that I had out back of the wood shed. Thanks guys. I was dreading the job of doing it myself. Now I can pile it all in the wood shed

Friday April 5

Still way below normal temperature but nice otherwise . Piled wood for about an hour, it was enough for one day. I'm to far out of condition to go much longer. caught up on sleep that we have been missing for the last week.

Saturday April 6

The ground was white this morning with the temperature below twenty. Helped Philip clean the barn and then piled some wood. Found time to play with the computer.

Sunday April 7

Easter Sunday so we went to church. The ground was covered with a dusting of snow. It left when the sun came out. Had Philip, Sarah and Bill over with there families to celebrate their birthdays, all coming up this week. Opened up the p ills that I had Etta get for me and found that I had given her the wrong bottle . I have blood thinner instead of heart medicine . A job for Monday to get it exchanged.

Monday April 8

It is still about twenty degrees below normal with another dusting of snow. Tried to have the pills exchanged but they would not take them back as it is against the law. I did not question them at the drug store as I can see the reason for it. I thought that I knew of someone who can use them so I brought them home with me. I'm working on the wood pile every day and can see my strength coming back slowly.

Tuesday April 9

Philip and Bills birthday today . Etta and I went to the monthly breakfast with the gang . There was about twenty showed up. Some had read my war memories book and were discussing it, several more have shown an interest in reading it wh en it is available. Had a short nap and about an hour on the wood pile before going down to the onocology clinic. The doctor wanted a blood count so a fast trip to the laboratory to draw a sample. He then informed us that he had read the results of the bone marrow biopsy wrong and had given me the wrong diagnosis. By using the correct formula I actually had a drop in the number of malignant cancers cells. He said that it will not be necessary for me to take any pills at this time but he will con tinue to monitor the blood every three months to make sure that the active cells do not start to multiply. I wish that he had informed me sooner so as to relieve me from three weeks of wondering what will happen next.

Wednesday April 10

A mild day with good sunshine. The big semi arrived to start loading corn. He was here before six in the morning. It only took a little over a half hour to put on a load of over eleven hundred bushels. He got the second load bef ore ten o'clock . Wrote a story on chickens in the afternoon. I have been looking at the garden . It appears to be dry enough to till. The chick weed is coming up thick so now is the time to get at it before it becomes established .

Thursday April 11

The corn semi was back and had his first load out before time to go to the history class. I showed him how to operate the tractor and auger so that he can do it when I'm not here. We worked on pictures of schools and graduating c lasses this morning. We have many more pictures than we have room for them. It means that we will have to be selective and we might end up hurting some ones feelings. But what can we do? This is supposed to be a local history book not a school album. Th e corn semi loaded four loads today. There is only one more big load for him to get to cover the eight thousand bushels that Philip sold. He is hoping to have around three thousand left after filling this order. The price is now over four dollars and a quarter a bushels .

Friday April 12

Prediction of rain and thunder showers today. It started out nice with the sun shinning through high clouds. Piled wood for an hour , then a turn on the computer until noon. The semi showed up for his load of corn just as it started to sprinkle . we finished the job and I put the tractor away. The heavy showers went both north and south of us. I thought that we might miss out on them but between six and seven we had several hard showers with hail of marble size to cover the ground white. This was accompanied by a few strong claps of thunder. One particular one had the flash and the thunder almost together. After it was over I went out to try and find where it hit. No luck.

Saturday April 13

Sarah's birthday today. We won't be able to go up today as mom has to help in the kitchen at church for Mr. Knol's funeral and we have the Deer hunters winter supper to night. It has been cold for this time of year and there is predicti ons for showers tomorrow and Monday. Daffodils are still several days away from blooming.

Most everyone showed up for the supper, only Bill stayed away as the children have been running a high fever. The selection of food was perfect and it all tasted good. The fish were all gone and only a piece or to of meat left. David showed pic tures of the tornado that went through here thirty years ago. It was the first time that I had ever seen them. John Tiles asked us to go see what he has been doing on the forty acres that he bought up north of Nunica, I was impressed with the lay of land and the wood cover on it. It even has a stream passing through. The poured foundation of the house that he intends to build has been poured and he has started to build a pond . It will all be an impressive sight when completed.

Sunday April 14

Sunday was a quiet day had a good nap in the afternoon. Esther came home for a couple of hours and brought us up to date on her track running. She took third place Saturday against a group of colleges including Grand Valley. Michigan Tech a nd Saginaw Valley.

Monday April 15

We have two more days of colder than normal weather coming before spring like weather takes over. A good time to work on the wood pile and finish piling it up. There was more there than I thought so it took a little longer and taxed my strength to the limit. The back gave me a lecture also. But its all done and looks good. It doesn't take up to much room when piled straight.

Tuesday April 16

Temperature in the middle twenties this morning but the sun is out. Cleaned up a few blocks of wood that were froze in when they split the pile. only about a dozen peaces . I'm now ready to go to work on t he next project. Our water line to the garden sprung a leak last year.

Wednesday April 17

Warmer and still sunny. We dug up the water line and found that the plastic pipe had a long crack where it must have been crushed before installing more that ten years ago. How did it go that long before busting through? I added on anoth er eight feet , so now our outlet is closer to the middle of the garden. Philip had sold the rest of the corn for four dollars and a quarter a bushel . They were to come this afternoon but didn't show up.

Thursday April 18

History class in the morning . We shifted through a lot of pictures to decide which ones to use. I asked to have one of the old Red River Special threshing machine included It had my dad standing on top. And Uncle Scott Holmes sitting on the water wagon. There was another picture of my dad sitting on the farm tractor. It was taken by the Tribune sometime not to long before the storm. It is a nice picture and should look nice in the book. The men came to get the rest of the corn. They came with two semi's and a suction blower to empty the bin so that no shoveling would be necessary . We filled both semi's and one had to make a second trip to get it all. All I did was watch. It was a nice warm afternoon but the prediction is for thundershowers tonight.

Friday April 19

A nice shower and some thunder as predicted still warm though and more to come tonight. Mom and I went to the Byron Center school for grand parents day for John and Michelle. It was very crowded and noisy so I had trouble hearing what was being sai d. We did get a good idea of what and how they were doing in school. Finished up the day with a ride on the four wheeler.

Saturday April 20

A half inch of rain fell last night . The buds are coming on the daffodils so if it stays warm they should be out in a few days. Philip brought over some of the posts for the garden fence so will have something to do next week. I bought the pea s eed but haven't planted them as yet. Today is a memorial service for a member of the Church , followed by a wedding in the afternoon. It will be a Busy day.

Sunday April 21

A nice cool day with a good amount of sunshine. Went to church. Chris Weirenga asked for my War memories book to read to her children in her home schooling effort. I obliged her. I slept like a top all Saturday night turning and tossing , a result of to much coffee at the funeral service and the wedding reception. I hit the couch after dinner and pounded my ear for three hours. It was one of those sleeps that seem to do you so much good.

Monday April 22

A mist in the air this morning but not enough to stop working on the garden fence. The posts have all rotted off and the wire is now holding the fence up. We are putting in treated posts so It will probably out last me . Rain started at about t en o'clock and continued until after three. We finished up all the post that were on hand so will have to cut some more before we start in the morning. April twenty second is sister Wilma's birthday she will be seventy two years old today.

Tuesday April 23

A cool cloudy day. It was cold enough for the fingers to get cold. Worked on the garden fence most of the morning

It is coming along fine, We could have finished it but I was committed to going to the Spoonville gun club annual meeting so I knocked off early. They asked me to say a little about the deer population explosion and what I thought should be done about it . After much discussion they decided to have an increase in the number of doe shot. I doubt if it will come close to solving the problem but it will be a step in that direction.

Wednesday April 24

This is to be the best day of the week but it will still be cold. Finished putting up the garden fence and then roto tilled an area to plant the peas. It was late afternoon when the job was finished. We have been seeing large numbers of d eer just before dark. Between forty and fifty every evening just before dark. They come into the hay field just south of the house. In the middle of the night they forage around the house completely eradicating all of Etta's flowers. There will be absolutely no tulips and only a smidgen of crocuses . Most of the deer appear to have wintered very well but a few of the fawns look shaggy and a bit unthrifty. I doubt if they could have withstood to much more cold weather. We have neve r had them forage around the house as they have this year. It means to me that they have exhausted all of their food in the woods and are looking for any source of food that they can find.

Thursday April 25

Predicting rain today but none before noon, its still cool. A few daffodils are now in blossom. Went to the history class. Put the book together by pages so now Tony can number them and prepare an index. Something that we didn't have in the first book and we found it hard to find stories if we wanted to refer to them. We have run into a snag on the second book. The lazar printer that we were going to use has developed a glitch and is out for repair and we don't know when it will be available . The rain came in the afternoon so I wrote a story about putting loose hay in the barn. Should go out tonight and look for night crawlers as the trout season starts Saturday.

Friday April 26

No sign of any warm weather coming. Put the reels back on my summer fishing poles in anticipation of the opening of trout season. Etta said that her vent tube to the dryer is not operating. We took it apart at the ends and yes it was plugged completely. How do you clean it out? It is enclosed in the wall and you can't get to it. By much maneuvering and playing around for a couple of hours we finally got it opened up. It should be good for several more years now. The air is so c old that the night crawlers are not coming out so I had to dig garden worms. Hope the trout like them tomorrow.

Saturday April 27

Record cold this morning with a white frost all over, It doesn't look like a good day for fishing. I went anyway and arrived at the grass creek just after daylight. I couldn't get a bite for most of the way down the stream until just befo re arriving at the end there I got one nice brookie. My back was getting tired so I went home. John arrived at the same time or shortly after I left and got his limit, oh well what else is new. It must have been to cold for the fish to bite early when I was there. In the afternoon I went to Grand Haven for the ceremony honoring our local Civil War veteran who had received the Congressional ; Medal of honor a hundred years ago. It was very touching as I can still remember him when I was a small bo y.

Sunday April 28

Its been cloudy and cold every day with the threat of showers even though we have not received any amount of accumulation . A coyote passed through the field just south of the house. The deer watched him go through, their tails were up and spread out Showing a white flag as wide as their bodies. Made plans with George and Jerry to go to the upper Michigan for a try at some smelt on Monday or Tuesday. I called Folkersma to check on his cabin and to see if the fish were running. Up until then they were just starting. So our plans calls for us to leave Tuesday noon. That will give me a chance to go to Ravenna to the printers and set up the schedule for printing the second edition of the Crockery Collection

Monday April 29

A nice day but still cold and windy. Got my stuff ready for the trip north. Dave called late Sunday night to say they had an excellent run that night of smelt. Maybe we should have left today . We are always a day late and a dollar shor t. The forecast for Tuesday is not very encouraging.

Tuesday April 30

A dull nasty day with a light rain. Our trip to the Rogers Printing company in the morning revealed that we may be lucking out on the price of the new book as paper prices are fluctuating and are down at this time. This means that we will be abl e to put our new book out at least two dollars cheaper than we first thought. A big bonus. We will be shooting to have the manuscript in their hands by the first week in June and receive the printed books before the end of June. We started north at twelve o'clock in a light mist, but as we traveled north the rain became heavier and soon had flake of snow which followed us all the way to Rudyard. The rain stopped but the strong wind continued and made for a very uncomfortable try for smelt. It didn 't matter as there was no run on the Carp that night. Charlie said had we been there Monday night it would almost been possible to have walked across the river on the backs of fish they were so thick.

Wednesday May 1

We have a cold morning in the eastern upper this morning. The ground is white with a dusting of snow. There are many patches of unmelted snow in the woods. The bay in front of our cabin is still covered with winters ice. Shipping lane on the S t. Mary's river is open and we can watch the lake ore boats pass by . During the day we made a fast trip over to Drummed Island for a quick. There was not one fishing boat to be seen in the river mouth where we like to do our sprin g fishing. The Carp river had some fish in it tonight but it was slow going when a dip only yielded a fish or two. It takes a lot of dips to fill a five gallon bucket. George and I both found out that our waders are no longer water proof, Making for a uncomfortable night in the freezing temperatures. We did get one bucket full though.

Thursday May 2

Visited the Folkersma's during the day. Always an enjoyable time to visit both Dave and Margaret . Warmed up a bit during the day so we were an anticipating a run of smelt at night, But it was not to be so. We gave up at midnight a nd returned to the cabin for a good nights rest.

Friday May 3

We cleaned up the cabin and was on the road by ten. A drizzle started as we crossed the bridge and followed us most of the way home. We arrived at super time.

Saturday May 4

A nice day with low wind, Philip has started to spray herbicide this morning. I'm lazy, I should be planting garden but have opted to play with the computer . I caught up on my diary and then wrote a story about the threshing rig that my dad oper ated for so many years. In the afternoon we went to Holland to visit Clint and celebrate Lydia's third birthday.

Sunday May 5

Went to church twice. and had a good nap in the afternoon. It was supposed to rain today put we only got a sprinkle at about noon. Philip says that the ground is not dry enough to work as yet, Hopefully it will be ready by this next weekend.

Monday May 6

Worked in the garden today. Put up a new garden gate and then planted onions lettuce carrots and radishes. Philip suggested that I disk some ground where he was going to plant deer feed for the gun club. I think that it would be smart to drive over the area with the four wheeler first. Rain is predicted in a day or two so it would be good to get over it once before a rain comes. Went to the funeral parlor last night for Etta's aunt Jannette Olthof. She was eighty six.

Tuesday May 7

Watched the turkeys make a fast retreat to the trees and wondered what was happening. A coyote came across the field south of the house right up close to the garage going east. He circled the house and went back west on the north side of the house. I ran for the twenty two but was to late. He was already out of range. They must be going through their spring shedding as he sure looked shaggy and rough. Hurried up and planted the rest of the early garden as we were anticipating a rain sho wer that didn't materialize. Went to the funeral in the afternoon. At night I fired up the big tractor and disced up some corn stalks so Philip could spray herbicide. The ground was a little wet yet but I only lost traction in a few places.

Wednesday May 8

Forecast is for rain some time today. Roto tilled in the garden for awhile preparing to plant sweet corn and potatoes. Put the charger on the lawn mower but run the battery down before it took off. Maybe it needs a shot of ether. Rain came in the afternoon so went to Coopersville to do some banking. Bought a peck of seed potatoes . They have been breed to discourage bugs. I plan to plant them next to our regular seed so I can see if there is a difference.

Thursday May 9

It has not warmed up to the extent that the weatherman predicted, but there is a drizzle out . Went to the history class this morning. The state auditor was there gathering information on how our group operates and what we are doing. He left smiling so I would guess that he was satisfied that we are doing a good job and accomplishing what we are supposed to be doing. The states money is not being wasted. Wrote a couple stories of army life and will add them to the war me mories book. Philip says he wants to start planting corn on Saturday but I would say he will find it to wet. It doesn't pay to mud the seed in. They are still predicting thunder showers for tonight and tomorrow.

Friday May 10

The rains came along with thunder and lightning. More than an inch came. The puddles seem to be drying up fast so the ground is taking it fairly good. A cold front approaching with the threat of frost over the week end. It will be questionable if Philip will be able to plant corn Saturday. Walked across the garden where the ground had been worked and it would not carry me. Finally got the lawn mower running but with a drizzle out I didn't try doing any cutting. The pear trees north of the house are usually through blossoming by this time but they haven't cracked the buds yet this year. The laxton peas are all up in the garden but the wandos only show a few. I wonder if I got some bad seed.

Saturday May 11

A nice cool day. Its still to wet for starting to plant corn so Philip has opted to work at the shop and build up time so that he can take time off when the weather settles down. I rolled up some barb wire between fields so that we will n ot have a weed strip. Afternoon I pumped the lawn mower and cut the grass in the front yard. The battery didn't take a charge so I would say that a new battery is in order.

Sunday May 12

A nice sunny day with a bitter cool breeze. Attended church and then Bill and his family were here for the rest of the day to celebrate mothers day.

Monday May 13

A white frost last night. Sun came out and burned off the fog. worked in the garden moving deer fence. tried to get the lawn mower started but the bendix on the starter would not kick in. I finally took the starter off an d oiled it up It seems to be working o.k. but the job of putting it back is a bit more difficult . There is one nut way down under neath that defies ones ability to start it on the threads. I know that it can be done as I have done it before. I fi nally gave up and went to supper. Maybe in the morning. After supper Philip got the corn planter out and planted some in the field back of the barn. It all seemed to go very well. I checked the seed and it is being placed about two and a half inches de ep just about right.

Tuesday May 14

The calender says that it is time to plant corn, but the experts say that you should wait until the ground temperature reaches 56 degrees. How can the ground temperature get that high when the average high air temperature has not been abov e the low fifties? Every week the weatherman says that there is a warming trend coming but it always fails to happen.

This is the morning that Etta's family goes out for breakfast. A good turn out of about twenty people. We stopped to visit Jerry afterwards. He seemed somewhat better as he was talking about a fishing trip on the Grand. We returned home and spent th e afternoon in the garden planting potatoes sweet corn and glads. Jake Laning and his wife came for a short visit in the evening. All in all a very busy and tiring day.

Wednesday May 15

Our rain turned out to be less than a tenth of an inch. Its still cloudy and not to warm. Philip wanted me to feed the cows at both places. Its a little tricky to get a bale to fit into the feed bunk here., but got the job done. Came up with an idea on how to put that nut on the lawn mower that was out of reach of my fingers. It worked like a charm. I magnetized a screw driver so that the nut could be held in place until the threads were started. Planted more potatoes in the garden. We used som e of our own seed from last year. Philip came early and finished planting the twelve acres back of the barn. He tried two other fields but had to give up as the ground was still to wet. Maybe by Saturday if we don't get more rain

Thursday May 16

History class day. We have only two more weeks to finish preparations for the new book. Today we fitted pictures to stories and checked to see if the captions fit the picture. We have over a hundred pages ready to go , only a couple of category left, and then prepare the index. If nothing goes wrong we should be on schedule. In the after noon I planted the string beans. Philip came over at night and was putting on some weed spray. A coyote kept running around the field hardly paying attention to him. Philip went home and brought back his varmint rifle and finished one off with the first shot. He was pretty happy. It was a yearling female that had not had a litter of pups yet.

Friday May 17

Jerry and I broke in Jerries new boat motor. A fifteen horse Evenrude . We went on the river and went slow for over a half hour. then threw our fish lines in and drifted down the river. I had two strikes and lost my worms, but you can't eat strikes. The motor performed very well so next time we should be able to open it up some. Went to the doctor late in the day for routine check up. He seemed concerned that I might develop fluid in the lungs so he ordered a X-ray in the near future. My blood pressure was a little higher than it has been of late. Maybe because it was late in the day. Stopped at Meijer store for a battery for the lawn mower.

Saturday May 18

The showers that were predicted for this morning did not materialize, but the wind did. The temperature finally got up into the seventies, for the first time this spring. A very nice day. I put the battery in the mower and planned a quie t day catching up on the lawn. Philip thought other wise. He kept me running errands all day long. It left him to plant corn. He will get some where around thirty five or more acres today. The ground dried out fast today. checked the garden and most o f what I planted a week ago is all up. No rain before tomorrow night now. We have reached a point that a half inch would be real nice.

Sunday May 19

I have been wondering if the pear trees would ever blossom this year. My fears were unfounded as this warm couple of days has turned the trees into snow balls. I don't think that I have ever seen them with as many blossoms as this year, they ar e beautiful. Philip was planting the field just north of the house. One of the tractor tires dropped through an old woodchuck den and he couldn't move I had to pull him out with the other tractor.

Rain showers are predicted for tonight . We can use a small shower, about a half inch.

Monday May 20

Thunder showers rumbled through last night . The rain gage says four tenths of an inch overnight. Etta's mothers ninety third birthday today so we went over for a short visit this morning. came back and put fertilizer on the potatoes in the garden . By lunch time the sky was getting black and it started to rain in the early afternoon. Over an inch and a half fell in a couple of hours. Two inches for the day was a bit to much. Fred came for his weekly visit . We sat and watched the rain fall.

Tuesday May 21

A wet cloudy, foggy morning, But no more rain overnight. Its to wet to work in the garden and the water is still on the grass so mowing will not go very good either. A good time to print up the pages of the diary and bring it up to date. Sun cam e out later so I finished mowing lawn in the afternoon. Some of the grass was getting a bit tall . I have left the old blades on the mower as there are sticks and stones and mole hills to contend with. The water seems to be disappearing rather fast so ma ybe we can set out tomato, pepper and cabbage plants tomorrow.

Wednesday May 22

The weatherman says it will be beautiful sunny day but cool. He was right. Tried to work in the garden but it was still to wet so I hooked up the travel trailer and pumped up the tires and moved the dishes and pots and pans from the deer hunting trailer so as to have it ready. We got a flat of tomato, cabbage, broccoli , pepper, egg plant and onion sets .

The garden moisture was perfect for setting plants they never wilted at all.

Thursday May 23

A light sprinkle this morning. Went to the history class this morning. We are on schedule for a June 3 trip to the printer. Sun came out in the afternoon. weeded in the garden but it was a bit wet so I probably transplanted many little weeds .

Friday May 24

It's to cold and cloudy to dry the ground out but the puddles seem to be deminishing. Took the four wheeler for an inspection , If only a warm wind would develop Philip could possibly plant in some spots on Saturday. There is almost a light rain in the air , kind of mist making for a very cold wet spring. The old adage, { a cold wet spring, Barn full of hay} doesn't seem to be holding either as the hay crop hasen;t taken off as yet.

Saturday May 25

Planted the late garden of carrots radishes lettuce cabbage and culiflower . Will have to get some parsnip seed . The early sweet corn is up but it is yellow from the cold. helped Philip move fertilizer wagons to the field . He is planting but it is too wet. I don't like mudding in the seed. Etta and I went to the birthday party for Delores Weirenga , her seventieth.

Sunday May 26

Still cloudy and cool. took a ride on the four wheeler . Some of the corn is breaking ground , we may even have a good stand in the first field planted behind the barn. The others have only had eight days to come up and in this cool weather it will take two weeks to come up.

The river is way up with a very fast current so walleye fishing will be on hold for a few more days.

Monday May 27

Decoration day . A cold cloudy day with the threat of sprinkles. We uasally work on the late garden , but most of that is done this year. A hour with the roto tiller left me in a state of exhaustion , Spent most of the res t of the day as gofor man for Philip as he was planting corn. I moved fertilizer wagons from field to field. He now has nearly a hundred twenty acres of corn muddied in. If the weather cooperates he may get away with it. Otherwise it will either bake in the ground or rot the seed.

Tuesday May 28

A fast trip to town for a blood sample at the lab at North Ottawa Hospital . While there they took an X-ray of my chest. The doctor is afraid that I could have a build up of fluid in my lungs. On the way home we bought some more seeds and plants for the garden. Spent most of the afternoon putting them in the ground. The nights are still cold, definitely not corn weather.

Wednesday May 29

The weather is bright and clear but at least ten degrees below normal. Frost is predicted for the whole state of Michigan for tonight. Planted the rest of the garden, squash, pumpkins pickles. and second planting of sweet corn. Etta spent two hou rs covering up everything that might get touched with frost. Philip has been working on the corn planting. He only has about fifteen acres left. He hopes to be finished by Saturday and then have it all sprayed with herbicide before the predicted rain tha t is coming for the week end. The ground has finally dried out enough for good planting.

Thursday May 30

Our history book is almost complete, only a few more pages. Next Thursday will be the last work day. We have a few blank spots that need to be filled with either pictures or stories . A little warmer today with a drying b reeze. Checked the corn fields to see how much has emerged. There isn't to much up. It is taking over two weeks to emerge. Some may need a shower to soften the clay crust for the plants to break through.

Friday May 31

Where did the month of May go. Philip has now completed the planting of corn and will start the soy beans tomorrow. Jerry and I went on the river and tried for walleyes today. We managed to get four of them plus a huge Flathead cat fish that must have weighed about ten piunds. Most of the action was soon after we arrived. We came late as we thought that the river might not returned to normal after the two inch rain of ten days ago. We were wrong so we should get an earlier start next tim e.

Saturday June 1

A little warmer today but the prediction is for rain by late this afternoon. I disced up the ground for the gun club to plant their deer and pheasant feed, Philip is planting the first soy beans. A sprinkle came up at four o'clock so I hurried o ut to get the fertilizer wagon and put it under cover. A nice half inch of rain would be nice but we don't want another gully washer. I mow a little lawn each day so as not to have to much to do at any one time. My back has been kicking up a rea l fuss from time to time making some jobs a little unpleasant to accomplish.

Sunday June 2

Communion Sunday today. Clint and Amy came over for the day. Lydia and Isla sure are progressing fast. They both have a mind of their own, and a good appetite too. Its fun to watch them. They both have a pleasing personality . Today was a beautiful day after the one inch of rain that fell last night . Corn seems to be coming up well on the sandy soils. Its to early to tell what will happen on the clay. We are still below normal temperature wise.

Monday June 3

A very nice day but still cool and a little to windy to try fishing. Worked in the garden and mowed some lawn. Wrote a story about the scout car accident that I had in the army giving more detail to it. My back has been giving trouble at the spot that it was bruised at that time. I plan to ask the Doctor about it tomorrow.

Tuesday June 4

Weather is threatening a rain but not to bad otherwise. spent time in the garden before going to see the Doctors. First the general practitioner who said that the back problem was in all likelihood a result of the injuries that it has received over the years. He suggested massive doses of Ibi profine. I don't like the idea so will try to wear it all out over time with the help of an occasional aspirin . Next the onocologist says that I could not h ave had a better result of the blood test. I'm to come back in another three months and if the tests are the same then he will put me on a longer interval of checkups. I'm happy about that.

Wednesday June 5

We finally got our fishing day. It is cold cloudy and foggy in the morning and the fish were hitting although some were not big enough to keep. We did have a few that measured up. We caught plenty of cat fish sheep head suckers and even a white bass. The action slowed when the sun came out. We quit at noon.

Thursday June 6

The history book is almost ready only a few more pictures and a couple of pages acknowledges to print up and it will be ready for the printer next week. I am impressed with it and believe that it may be as well accepted as the first book.

In the afternoon I took the four wheeler for a ride over the corn fields that were planted first. I was very impressed with the stand in spite of being planted when it was to wet. Only a few vacant spots where water had stood for more than a day after t he big rain. Some spots were still emerging so the stand may get better later on. Now if only we can get some real corn growing weather. Went out after dark and picked up fifteen dozen night crawlers in a very short time. The garden produces plenty whe n the moisture is right. Another added bonus we receive.

Friday June 7

Planned to mow yard today but it sprinkled off and on all day / Its growing so fast now that it is almost getting away from me. Still not nearly as warm as the weatherman says it will be. I'm amazed that the corn comes up at all. My second pla nting of sweet corn is all up so will have to plant the next batch in a day or to. We went to Morris's in the evening to try fishing on the big lake. The wind did not cooperate and the waves were swells of four to six feet. We marked very few fish on th e fish finder. Ended up with three hits and one lake trout of five pounds. Lost my cookies to before the night was over.

Saturday June 8

It's still cloudy wet and cool. This was the day that the weatherman said that it would warm up. He is wrong again. Jerry, Ken and I went to visit Jake for awhile this morning. He can't get away very easy as his wife has alhimerz and he doesn't dare leave her alone. Tried mowing grass after dinner. My back kicked up such a fuss that I almost gave up. After an hour it seemed to settle down and I accomplished a lot of mowing.

Sunday June 9

Still cloudy with a misty rain and below normal temperature. The deer found our garden last night and cleaned out the spinach , red beets and sugar beets and for desert they mowed off about ten feet of straw berries. This is the first ti me that they have given us trouble this time of year. So how do you stop them?

Monday June 10

The deer were back for seconds last night . We put up more fence and I got some bone meal to give them a bad smell. We developed another problem this morning. Our water line to the garden sprung a leak so will have to be repaired before we can water the garden. It isn't a problem yet as we have plenty of moisture. Changed the oil in the four wheeler and the blades on the lawn mower.

Tuesday June 11

We had a brief hard shower last night so everything is wet again. It is warming up to almost normal and some sunshine. The deer came through the garden again so we raised the fence on the south side where they come in and decorat ed it with fabric softener sheets. Planted another two rows of sweet corn. There is room for one more planting. Clint and Amy gave Etta a humming bird feeder for mothers day. She hung it in the maple tree just outside the kitchen window an d it has been drawing birds almost immediately. Went to Leo Browns funeral today and also the monthly family breakfast.

Wednesday June 12

Forty three years ago we were married. It seems such a short time ago. So many things have happened ,most of them good. It has been a great ride and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Went to the river to try fishing for walleyes but we were a day late and they were not bitting. Tony took our Crockery Collection manuscript to Rogers printing in Ravenna today. They said it will be an easy job to print as he had done such an excellent job preparing it. I hope they have it prin ted by the Fourth of July so I can take it to the family reunion. We went out for supper at night.

Thursday June 13

I have to spend some time feeding the animals as Philip is on vacation to Seattle Washington. Tried fishing again but they still aren't bitting. Caught up on the lawn mowing. The weather has finally almost caught up to normal. The corn has a g ood color and should respond fast to this nice weather if it keeps up. The deer were in the garden again doing considerable damage. There is also a woodchuck running around in the garden too. Parked the car and truck along side the fence to try an disco urage the deer from entering. It seemed to work.

Friday June 14

Flag day. We tried fishing again. This time we went up to the gravel pits at Bass River. Between us we got ten walleyes and kept four legal sized ones. The mosquitoes have been ferocious lately but they were not out on the water. Mowed more lawn when I got home It is nearly caught up for the time being.

Saturday June 15

Beautiful warm weather, just what we need. Took a ride on the four wheeler . The ground that is to be planted for the gun Club is still wet in spots. Maybe Monday I can get it ready. The spray herbicide that Philip put o n seems to be working but he may have to fallow with some 2-4-D to get the late perennials . Weeded some in the garden . so far the weeds have not been the problem that we have had in past years. I would have to say that it is because of the hard work that Etta put in not allowing any weeds to go to seed last year It does make a difference.

Sunday June 16

Fathers day , I had contact with all six children. either by phone or they came over . Philip and Bill were here for dinner. Cracked the last of the nuts for the kids, and took the smaller ones for a ride on the four wheeler. A lot of fun list ening to them talk of there trip to Seattle.

Monday June 17

The weatherman has completely changed his story. Today was to be nice but he now says that we will have a cloud burst and flooding with lightning . He was right we got a total of over two inches. Many farmers have not been able to plant their corn and now it will take another several days to dry out again. The calender says that we should be right in the middle of haying. It is way to wet for that too. Philip wanted to clean the barn tonight so he could load the bull and take him to pas ture. I watched the gate for him. We put the cattle trailer in the barn and tried to coax the bull to walk on by himself. He had other ideas. and it took so long for him to make up his mind that it got dark on us so we left him in the trailer ove r night. He behaved himself and caused no problem.

Tuesday June 18

Still raining, another six tenths of rain fell today. Many farmers had hay down because of the weatherman wrong prediction. I accidently put a reverse charge into the battery for the travel trailer so I had to run it down by putting the t rolling motor on It took nearly two hours for it to run down. Now the battery is charged correctly and it might even have done the battery good by cleaning the plates. Brother Gordon came for a last visit before returning to Texas. He too k some rhubarb roots with him so we will now have some of our garden in another state.

Wednesday June 19

The sun has returned again and it is trying to dry out. Tried weeding in the garden but I might have only been transplanting the weeds. Some of the early corn fields look good but the latter ones that were barely up when the wet spell cam e look purple and peeked. Went to two meetings at the community center in Grand Haven last night. One on the proposed relocation of U. S. 31 by pass. They showed several proposed routes but were very noncommittal on the whole project. he other meeting was on the proposed change of status of the Hospital . I have mixed feelings on the proposal but will probably vote for it in the end.

Thursday June 20

The first day of summer. Spring has been a very cold unpredictable three months. It has been very difficult time for farmers through out the mid west to get their crops in this year. Esther tried to install a new program in my computer but she found that the hard drive is filled up with this trivia and there was no room. We will have to get Clint to come over and put it all on disks and then clear the hard drive so we can start over. Weeded in the garden, it is now a little dryer. Much of the garden looks good . Even that which the deer browsed is coming back.

Friday June 21

Still very little sunshine . Instead of a heavy rain as predicted we only got a tenth of an inch. Planted some more sweet corn in the garden. and hoed some of the early plantings. I seem to run out of energy so fast. I was ready to cal l it quits by noon. Mowed some grass after dinner so I could do it sitting down. I think I have made a mistake on planting cabbage in the garden. About three weeks ago I planted both cabbage and cauliflower seed. One didn't come up. I thought i t was the cauliflowers . So got more seed and planted a fresh row. It came up good. Now that the plants are getting bigger it appears that I have two excellent rows of cauliflower and none of cabbage. Maybe I can get some plants from Tom Mellema to put out at about the fourth of July.

Saturday June 22

A little sun showing today. The corn fields look a bit sick where they have been so wet. I had planned a slow day but Plilip needed help so I spent a couple hours on the tractor. preparing the ground for the planting of sorghum and other seed for the wild life for the gun club. Plilip and I took a ride around the fields on the four wheeler inspecting the fields for moisture and plant population. One the way home we found a deer that had been hit by a car laying in the ditch along 120th . It was still alive and appeared to have both front legs broken. Plilip called animal control and had them come out and put him out of his mizery.

Sunday June 23

We missed the bullet again , The heavy thunderstorms passed to the north of here. They received over two inches. Telephone calls back and forth has set up a camping trip to Nichols Lake . Mike and Terry came over to finalize there plans to go wi th us. After evening service Mom and I went to Clints for Isla First birthday celebration. She is some gal and it snubbed her sisters nose . Oh well she will have to learn that she isn't always the center of attention.

Monday June 24

The deer were in the garden again. This time they came from the barnyard side and jumped over nearly a six foot fence. The only damage was to the sugar beets and they nipped the tops of some dill. That surprised me. After lunch I went to the town hall to proof read our book after the printer had made a first copy. We found a picture entered backward and a couple omissions of peoples names in the picture captions. here was nothing that will hold up printing. Those corrections we re easy to correct. The Printers says that we may have the book by July four. I hope so as I can deliver many books at the reunion.

Tuesday June 25

A nice warm beautiful day , just what one would want to go camping. Made final preparations on the travel trailer for heading out this afternoon. Arrived at Nichols Lake at about four and found a few lots still open. We selected one that would have room for Bill to put up his tent . Tried a little fishing and found that the fish were still as small as they were last year.

Wednesday June 26

Came home and left the trailer up there. Etta picked the straw berries and found that the deer had also been in the patch eating both the ripe berries and the leaves as well. we done some weeding in the garden so that we can find it when we get home. Had a couple hours open so I got the haybine ready and mowed the field south of the buildings.

Thursday through Sunday June 27 to 30

Returned to Nichols Lake with the boat and found all lots taken so we will have a problem to find a spot for Sarah and John when they come on Friday. The weather has turned off real hot just the thing for camping Spent some time preparing the grand children's fishing poles for fishing blue gills. they had a ball . Its interesting and fun to watch the Grandchildren playing and fishing They were making use of every minute of there time.

Sunday afternoon We brought the boat back home and then returned and stayed in the trailer one more night and came home on Monday morning. June thirty today marks a hundred and twelve years since my dad was born. It also marks Ada's ninety seco nd birthday and Gordons twins Linda and Glenda's forty fifth birthday

Monday July 1

Philip had a note waiting for me to rake some hay and then mow the rest of the field. It has been perfect haying weather. I finished the mowing and even started another field. He baled the hay that I had raked. he were twenty some big round ba les. Made plans to go fishing for walleyes in the morning.

Tuesday July 2

The forecast is for showers but we went to Bass river gravel pits anyway. The fishing started slow and soon a rain storm came up we waited it out and then went out again. We caught lots of cat fish and sheephead and occasionall y a walleye. As happens the nicest one took my line around the anchor rope and got away. We did get three nice ones though.

Wednesday July 3

Nice weather for making hay. I mowed a couple of small fields. The hay is heavy and of good quality. The timothy was in blossom and let off a cloud of yellow dust pollen as the mower went through. Our Crockery Collection books came from the pr inter. I picked up seventy five of them and even sold five before returning home. It is a very nice book and we don't have to be ashamed of it in any way. I have found a few typ-o's in it but that should not detract from it.

Thursday July 4

Independence day and also the day of the Wierenga family reunion. Cool in the morning and very delightful the rest of the day. Mowed some hay in the forenoon before the party. Took our books over and sold about fifteen of them they seem ed to be well received. Some of our kids came over afterwards for cake and Ice cream for Michelles birthday. Lillian was down from Kingsley for the day and they stayed with us for the night.

Friday July 5

Still good hay weather. I tried to go down the road and sell books but found that most people are vacationing over the holidays so it will be better to wait until after the weekend. Finished mowing the field behind the Spencer woods. It is an old meadow and is in need of being rotated in crops again. Set out the cabbage and culiflower plants this morning and Etta gave them s good drink of water but they still wilted in the afternoon sun. I think that they will be all righ t though. Morris came over just before dark to see the deer and they saw about thirty or more . ten of them were sprouting horns in the velvet. I sold him enough books for Gordon's entire family which means that our book will be all over the U.S.

Saturday July 6

Sold a couple more books and then went up to Tony's and turned in the money for twenty of them plus the two first edition ones that had sold. I got another supply of six books so now I can sell either first or second. Raked the hay that was mow ed yesterday and I believe that it is dry enough to bale later this afternoon. They are predicting rain tomorrow . Philip mowed some of the hills but a oil hose sprung a leak so he had to quit.

Sunday July 7

The rains came but was less than a tenth of an inch. Less than two miles north they received a heavy shower. Spent the day as a day of rest.

Monday July 8

Jerry and I went down to Indian Channel to catch walleye's. We caught plenty of cat fish sheephead and other trash fish but only two eyes. Of course the big one got off the hook when we tried to net him. Had planned to rake the hay when I got home but the sky clouded up so I hooked on the mower instead. It was starting to sprinkle by the time I started. I made one round of the field and started the second when the sickle broke. It looks like we will have to build up the wear plates. By the time I returned home a heavy shower came over. It was well needed but it was a little short on quantity . The sun came out bright soon after so I took our history book to the neighbors and sold seven of them in seven stops. All that is necessary is to show them the book and they are reaching for their bill fold. The reputation of volume one is so good that it makes selling the second very easy.

Tuesday July 9

This is the morning that we go for breakfast with the rest of the Wierenga clan. We had about the usual number present. One of Etta's cousins had a book on World War Two and the history of his particular Corp <[>the XX11]. It is very interestin g but is a bit technical and would take a student on military affairs to really appreciate it. However the large number of pictures was of special interest to me. Most of the book was written about events that happened while I was in the South Pacific so I didn't see the various headlines in the paper . Making it very interesting to me. Took the mower sickle to Roys and had him weld it for me. There was not much to weld to so he doubted that it would hold for very long. I found a bent guard that caused it to bind and break in the first place.

Wednesday July 10

Sold a few books to the neighbors. Went fishing in the forenoon but my luck was very poor. Just caught a lot of trash fish. Put the mower back in working order and tried mowing but made only one round before the sickle gave out again. I guess that a new one is in order now. Raked the rest of the down hay and Philip baled it up. Our weather has been holding good for haying however the nights are a bit to cool for the corn to grow as it should.

Thursday July 11

Our history class met this morning to dispense books to people coming in We had almost a steady stream of customers . Over fifty books went added to those that were sold by the other members of the group made our total sales at som ewhere near two hundred. Very good I would say. Mrs. Enos came in for her book and she brought a family picture of the Spencer clan. A picture that she had promised me . I knew most of them but a some of the children was hard to identify. She g ave me a list of them.

Friday July 12

Another fishing day that the fish decided not to cooperate. The water is low in the river and very slow not the best situation for walleye fishing. Came home in the middle of the afternoon and then went with Jim Whitwam up to Al Barons place . They got together on a boat motor. The deal was made and I hope everyone was happy. Philip has the new mower sickle and is making some adjustments on the machine so maybe I can finish the last few acres of hay soon.

Saturday July 13

A delightful day mostly sunny and not to hot. There is the possibility for a shower late. Thinned the sweetcorn out to three and four plants per hill. My planter is getting old and is hard to adjust so sometimes five or six kern els drop. I find that three plants per hill to be the best. With four plants the size of the ears begins to shrink. Philip replaced most of the wear plats and hold downs on the mower and put in a new sickle. he finished the mowing on the hills. The spring that broke on the baler is supposed to be in on Tuesday so I will wait until then to rake the hay. Rode around the fields with the four wheeler . and ended up in Philips yard. Of course I had to take the girls for a ride. Their renters children were out there to I had to give them a ride also.

Sunday July 14

A day of rest as if I needed it. I haven't done enough to need it. The garden is developing nicely. Broccoli is ready and we have had beans for a few days. The first sweet corn is showing a few tassels. The potatoes have huge vines but they seem to have curled leaves is it blight or some insect that is bothering them. My cabbage and culiflower plants that was set out last week are all doing fine. Melons are blossoming and i see one melon starting. On the whole ev erything looks good but it will soon have to be watered .

Monday July 15

The month is half gone. Will we be seeing corn tassels in two more weeks? I rather doubt it. unless we get some more moisture and ideal growing weather neither of which has come our way of late. Went down on the river fishing and caught the us ual number of trash fish but nothing that we wanted to keep. One boat was doing very well , this told us that we are doing something wrong. What do we do to correct the situation. A cousin died and will be buried on Tuesday. I stopped on the way home at Edna Merz to get the details. It was a blessing for Clara to go as she was nearly in a vegetative condition. Have not tried to sell any of our books this week. But some have come here and picked them

Tuesday July 16

Went to Clara Merz funeral at 11 o'clock and to the family reception afterwards. Met many people that I have not seen in years. Why is it that this always happens at funerals ? Several people wanted books and also recei ved some orders. Came home and raked the hay., It was good and dry but the part to the baler has not come yet. The hay will get wet before it can be rolled up.

Wednesday July 17

Philip will be busy today so I inherited the feeding of a big bale of hay to booth groups of cattle, here and at the other place. sold some more books about a dozen of them since Sunday and one of the first edition. A fast trip into town and got some pictures reprinted, I went to the wrong place and only got them copied instead of lazar printed. It sure makes a difference but we can use them anyway. Franklin Ahrens came over to get his copy of the book and stayed for awhile, we had a ni ce visit. The rain has threatened all day but only a small amount has fallen. Just about enough to stop haying. We need the moisture so I hope more will come before the system moves out. Tried to print some pages of this diary but for some reason the p aper is not feeding into the printer properly so I quit.

Thursday July 18

We reported in to the history class this morning and had a steady stream of buyers for volume two. It has been moving fast and several people come in wanting both editions. Gave the plant family the newspaper article on the Chicago theater fir e way back in 1904 . They had never seen it before. I brought back another box of books. I'll have more than a hundred out when it is sold. Those rains are passing right over us and then giving a down pour as it moves in land. We get only a sprinkle. Some animal has been raiding the cabbage and culiflower plants that was set out a couple weeks ago. A trap only produced a cat the first night. I cold front is being predicted for several days. Corn is growing but it is still two weeks behind wha t I would like it to be at this time of year.

Friday July 19

Instead of a woodchuck that I set the trap for there was a mother raccoon and a baby in the trap this morning. Another little one was running around in the sweet corn but he was hiding so that I couldn't see him. Put nitrogen on the late planted sweet corn and hoed a couple of rows. Out early sweet corn is tasseling fast but the silks are not showing yet. Etta has picked and canned over two bushel of string beans this week. They are very nice this year. Sunny but not hot and no rain. Went to the Sunday school picnic last night. They had a good supper.

Saturday July 20

No rain in sight at this time. Mowed lawn or I should say weeds in the yard. Grass is no longer growing . Etta is watering the garden with a hose. Caught another cat last night. Philip baled the rest of the hay on the hills . Have a couple w oodchucks that have dug holes around the yard area. They come out when I don't have a gun but by the time I get one they are long gone. We will have to try the box traps. Etta picked another bushel of string beans today. She will take them to church to morrow along with some lettuce, broccoli , Swiss chard and onions.

Sunday July 21

People at church picked up Etta's produce almost as fast as she laid it on the table. There was nothing left after the morning service. Had Clifford over for the afternoon. We went for a ride around the fields , then watched the Olympic for the rest of the day.

Monday July 22

We are planning to go camping for a few days up to Ellsworth, Michigan near East Jordan . Have been getting things ready to go. Caught a big male raccoon in the trap this morning. Saw the woodchucks again so I got the oth er two traps out and set them especially for chucks. Fed Philip's cow for him as he has a meeting tonight. We hope to leave sometime before noon tomorrow.

Tuesday July 23 to Friday July 26

Got an early start at nine in the morning for the four and a half hour drive to Ellsworth and East Jordan . We did not go to fast with the trailer . We parked on the Wooden Shoe camp grounds and had only finished setting u p when George and Ruth came around. We had supper together and then went for blue gills. The fish were not bitting to fast but there size was not to bad. Wednesday found the weather cloudy with sprinkles and showers We all went across th e bridge to Brimley and then to Dave and Margaret Folkersma's farm. We had a good visit but it sprinkled enough so they could not bale hay. We returned early enough to try fishing again. This time the fish cooperated and w e got a few eating size. Thursday was another fish day . Those that we saved were respectable size. Friday morning was another cloudy misty day so we packed up and came home to a very dry condition here. No rain had fallen at all while we were go ne. My three traps were all sprung and produced one cat and one coon but the woodchuck got the door off and got away. I repaired the door of the trap and put it in the garden where a woodchuck has been nibbling on the culiflower. Within a half hour he wa s in the trap.

Saturday July 27

Still no rain but there is a forecast for some Sunday and Monday. Crops would really be suffering if it were not for the cool weather. I'm surprised that the corn is growing at all. Some actually looks fairly good. Had a possum in one trap this morning. We went to John and marge Olthof fiftieth wedding celebration in the afternoon and spent the evening watching the Olympics until late.

Sunday July 28

Cloudy with a little sprinkle of rain today but it did not amount to more than a tenth of an inch. It did freshen things up temporally . Checked my traps both morning and afternoon. A big woodchuck was in one in the late checkup. A big female she appeared ready to have young ones. I thought that they had there young only in the spring. Maybe she was having a late litter.

Monday July 29

I wonder where the rain that the weatherman predicted is hanging out. I sure isn't coming here. We would really be in bad shape if the temperature was not so cool. wanted to go fishing on the big lake but there is to much wind f or that. didn't do much of anything for the day.

Tuesday July 30

Watched thunder heads in the east I would guess that Grand Rapids got a shower. We got a mist about enough to cover the lense of your glasses. Worked in the garden for awhile. A friend from Army days came to visit for a couple of hours. I had n ot seen him for over fifty years. It was good to have a chance to rehash old event.

Wednesday July 31

Almost jacket weather today. Took the tire from the travel trailer up to Coopersville to have it repaired but found it to be to far gone. They did not have a replacement so came home without it. Maybe later in the week. C aught three more coon , a mother and two kits. also more cats. I think that we have caught all of the cats and now we are going around for the second time.

Thursday August 1

Here we are in a new month but I still don't know what happened to the last one. Corn tassels coming in one field but I would like to see more for this time of year. We are ten days to two weeks behind normal. We need a rain and warm wea ther badly. Went to the history class in the morning. The books are moving yet but slower that the first week. We have over four hundred out at this time. Made plans for us to set up a booth at election next Tuesday. Mowed a hay field for Philip on St an Scott place. About ten acres. Jerry called late in the evening to go perch fishing on Friday on the big lake.

Friday August 2

Real foggy in the morning but still no rain in sight. We put the boat in on the south channel in Grand Haven. Could hardly see to navigate the river out beyond the end of the peirs. Jerry done very well but I didn't have my poles right for that kind of fishing. We caught over fifty good sized perch though. It was after five oclock by the time I had them cleaned. So watched the olympics for the rest of the day.

Saturday August 3

Still no sign of rain. It is a little warmer to day. A little warmer though. Raked the hay for Philip . He tried covering the weed in the soy beans with a wick boom that brushed the tops as you went by. I hope it works.

Sunday August 4

A great day for the Peterson reunion. Etta took her usual goodies to church this morning She did not have the best selection as the garden is going through the in between faze . Early garden is about finished and the late hasn't kicked in yet. The usual Petersons showed up for the reunion. Sold fourteen Crockery Collection books to those present. They were well received and much favorable comment on them. Good to see many of the relation that you seldom see during the year.

Monday August 5

A warming trend is coming through but it appears that it will be dry. We sure need the rain with the corn trying to push out tassels. We went up the river to try for walleyes. but again we got skunked. Did catch the usual number of catfish and sheephead but the walleyes eluded us.

Tuesday August 6

It is primary election day and it appears that the weather will be outright hot. The Crockery Collection group set up a booth in the town hall to sell our books. We moved over a hundred of them so that we have now sold over five hundred in a mont h. We are getting very good reviews on it. There is a mounting pressure for us to produce a third book but I think that we should let the younger generation take over, They probably have younger and better ideas.

Wednesday August 7

Rain went about forty miles north of us last night. Had two raccoon and a possum in my traps this morning . Done some repair work on the trailer getting it ready to go to Hoffmaster Park later this weekend. Put two differe nt tires on the right side. The old tires showed much weather cracking . Its getting real hot and humid today with a possible rain shower south of here. The rains are going all around us and we don't get a drop. I wonder if we vot ed for the wrong person in the last election.

Thursday August 8

Again the showers went south of us . They got a good drenching east of Grand Rapids. Here you could count the rain drops in the sand. Predictions are for cooler and dry weather through the week end . The only thing good is it wil l be beautiful weather to go camping with the family. I miss not going to the history class today but did go into town and sold six books of volume two and one of volume one. Received another order for the first book. Fred came over to run his woes of de aling with the town board and the planning commission by me. I was very non committal .

Friday August 9 - 11 The temperature has gone down so it is very comfortable. No moisture in sight, It will be ideal weather for camping. We had a lot of getting ready but we were on the road at two oclock. Everyone showed up , some were a little l ate as they had a work day before coming. I always sleep good in the trailer . The water was warm for Lake Michigan both Friday and Saturday.

Saturday night several of us went too Maryann reception and enjoyed a well prepared supper. Morris and Barb showed up with the twins Linda and Glenda and Richard Geno. It made for an interesting visit. It was late when we returned to t he camp grounds. Sunday I counted over twenty four bikes in our crew. We had a leisurely breakfast . Some wanted to go fishing but the water had turned cold as Lake Michigan often does. Our camping trip was over by mid afternoon and we returned home. It was very gratifying to Mom and me to see the whole family together having such a good time together.

Monday August 12

With the cool down of the lake we thought it would be a good fishing day. The water was calm but we had to look for the fish we finally found them in small schools and would have good fishing while we were over a school but then they would move on and we would have to find them again . By early afternoon we had nearly our limit but a breeze had came up and the water had become a little choppy so when the fish stopped biting in our location we came home.

Tuesday August 13

A clear sunny day with no clouds in sight. We went to the monthly breakfast with Etta's relation. A nice visit with them In the afternoon I moved my box traps back into the garden as the deer have found the sweet corn. So far they have only do ne minimal damage but if nothing is done they will have it all in a day or two. The corn has many ear worms this year. so we have to share. I'm hoping to have enough for our deer hunters summer get together which comes up this next Saturda y evening

Wednesday August 14

We had planned to go out on the big lake for perch this morning but there is a forecast for high winds and possible showers late in the day. We went up the river to the gravel pits but had no luck for fishing for walleyes. so we slipped in to Eastmanville bayou and caught a few bluegills. Came home to find Etta bringing in pails of sweet corn . Not only had the coon had a picnic in the corn but the birds had too. Many of the ears had the ends picked open. It was quiet a mess. I helped her pick and husk six pails of corn which she processed before bedtime. We have more trouble with varmints of all kinds helping us harvest our garden this year.

Thursday August 15

The showers past us up and now we have a cold high pressure front passing through It will be several days before any chance of rain. Crops are really suffering now. My day to visit the medical doctor. I lost five pounds since my last vis it and my blood pressure was 117 over 70 I would say that is about as good as I can expect. Every thing else checked out all right so I'm set for another five months. Went to the Tiles and delivered a couple of books. I have now s old ninety seven of the new book and about a dozen of the old. My goal was to sell at least a hundred so I should do that easy enough.

Friday August 16

Not much going on so had a slow day. Helped Etta get some more corn as the coon were in it again last night. Got into the e-mail and found a letter from Clint so I answered it. Dug the onions up in the garden they turned out very well we must ha ve at least a bushel of them. A lot more than what we need.

Saturday August 17

Still no sign of rain , corn is turning gray in spots which means that it has reached its limit of stress and may not recover even if a rain should come. It is the day for our deer hunters picnic over at Davids . We had a good turnout and a very good meal. Nothing in my traps this morning. Cut four dozen glads to give away at the supper.

Sunday August 18

Slightly warmer today but no sign of rain. Got a raccoon in my trap in the garden. It was number eleven this year and seven in the garden. Etta took her usual garden goodies to church including two dozen glads. Everything went as it al ways does.

Monday August 19

We were to go out on Lake Michigan for perch this morning but it was sprinkling at the time to leave so I waited for a while as it cleared up two calls to Jerry did not get an answer. I trip down to his place revealed that he ha d already gone out on the pier . spent the day doing nothing.

Tuesday August 20

A shower this morning produced a third of an inch , added to yesterdays third we have about six tenths . A bandaid but not near what we need. worked in the garden some and spent time on the fishing poles. Made plans for fishing tomorrow.

Wednesday. August 21

We were out a day light and out unto the big lake We soon found the fish but started slow. What we caught were very nice size. We stayed until we ran out of bait and came home with about sixty. The rest of the day was spent cleaning them . They taste good though.

Thursday August 22

Strong winds today keep us home . Spent the day killing time including a rehashing my fish poles. I had trouble getting snarled up yesterday. I hope that I have made the correct changes . If the weather is right I will find out tomorrow.

Friday August 23

Strong winds and high choppy waves kept s home today. No sign of rain in the foreseeable future. It amazes me that things including the corn is doing as well as it is. It will be in the sweet corn stage soon now and I see the bird s are ready to take advantage of it. If you were not a farmer it would have been a wonderful month of August weather wise.

Saturday August 24

Not two much that I can do right now so I took advantage and watched a couple of football games. I hate to take a ride on the four wheeler as the crops are suffering so much and I hate to see it

Sunday August 25

Clint wants a set of our books for a former resident of Stonegate in Nunica who is now his neighbor in Holland. Watched baseball on television today. About the first or second game I watched this year. Made plans to go fishing with Jerry to morrow.

Monday August 26

Fishing was good but I just couldn't get into the act as I should and Jerry caught about two fish to my one. They were nice size perch about ten to twelve inches long . We divided the days catch up equally so I brought home about thirty. They should be some good eating.

Tuesday August 27

Picked pears today. They were a little on the green side so will not have to be processed immediately. They seem to have a lot of stones spots in them this year. and are not of the best quality. Beggars can't be choosers so we will take them. Redone my fishing poles again to be ready for the morning.

Wednesday August 28

The wind was a bit strong but we went out anyway. I had got up with a sour stomach and the pitching of the boat didn't help. The waves did calm down some but the fish were moving out of the area so our catch was on the small side. The s ize was still good. I had rigged the pole with six pound test line but when I got a double {a fish on each hook} and i brought them to the surface . the weight was to much and the line broke . I lost both .

Thursday August 29

We were hoping that the fish would be back in but it was not to be. The water on the bottom was down to fifty degrees. We stayed until after one oclock and looked all over to no avail. Came home with only sixteen fish for the day. We will wait until next week before trying again.

Friday August 30

The weather is just beautiful . just about the right temperature and almost total sunshine . The weatherman is not predicting any rain in the foreseeable future. I don't know when there was a year like this one. C orn that has been able to send out silks are still in the roasting ear stage or less , it should be denting by this time. We have just had a full moon so the chance of frost should not come before the next full moon at the end of September . I loaf ed around all day today. Re done one of my fishing poles to get rid of all the extra knots and weights. It should make it more simple. Played with the computer trying to find out what is in it and how to bring it out so as to use it.

Saturday August 31

Last day of August without a rain large enough to do the corn fields any good . The weather is still nice and sunny with low wind. Esther went up to Newago with Bill to run in a 5k run. They both placed in their division. I took a walk of about a mile it felt good so will have to do it again. Etta spent three hours getting her produce ready for church to morrow . We picked a half dozen muskmelons today. Those that we have had was of good flavor. I spent all after noon watching the college football games.

Sunday September 1

Went to church. Etta's produce went very fast. It was all gone except for a couple of large cucumbers. Watched the Detroit Lions get beat. {or i should say that they beat themselves.}

September 2

Labor Day is here already and the crops are not ready for it yet. The corn which has managed to survive the dry weather is much of it still in the green silk stage which means that another six weeks will be needed before frost, Will we get it ? No sign of rain in the forecast. We had a slow day today here at the Peterson retreat.

Tuesday September 3

Fishing on Lake Michigan for perch. We had a fair day of better than fifty nice size fish. The salmon are making their spawning run up the river now and the harbor and entrance to Grand River was full of boats trolling for a catch . The success was good as everyone seemed to have some on board.

Wednesday September 4

Found a message from Phil Bliss on my E-mail so he is now on Juno too. I'll soon be able to communicate with all the Kids . Went fishing again today. It was obvious from the time I dropped the line in the water that it would not be my day. Jer ry out fished Me three to one. I did have my usual nineteen by midday but Jerry had enough so that we came home with the full seventy. I'm going to change my hookup on the line so as to make it easier to see the fish biting.

Thursday September 5

Took a fast walk for about a mile down the road for some much needed exercise

Made the necessary changes on my fishing line so will be ready for tomorrow weather permitting. Went to Weavers junk yard for some steel to repair the garage doors so that they can be painted.

Friday September 6

Our fishing jaunt to Lake Michigan turned out rather good except that my line on one pole had worn a grove in the bail and locked in causing it to break and I lost the whole line, hooks and sinkers. I finished up fishing with one pole. We ended up with fifty. Put away the whole lot for a fish supper during deer hunting season. They are saying that we might get a shower sometime Sunday night or Monday. I will have to see it to believe it.

Saturday September 7

I extended the fast walk to a mile and a half today. Some work in the garden and then an afternoon of football on T.V. State got trimmed by Nebraska by 41 points I missed the score by one as I figured them to lose by forty. They did sh ow some signs off being a good football team with a little more experience.

Sunday September 8

Etta took her usual bags of vegies to Church. I didn't think that it would all go but everything went except for some cucumbers that someone else brought in. Clifford was over for the afternoon We watched the Lions win a game. They looked any thing but sharp. They will have to improve if they think that they can compete with the power houses of the NFL.

Monday September 9

A Beautiful day as we received over an inch of rain last night. The most rain that has fell in over three months. I'm afraid that it might be too late to do the corn too much good. We are getting ready to go on a camping trip up on the Muskegon river. We will leave tomorrow noon. So I will probably continue this dairy when we get back

Friday September 13

We are home again after three days doing much of nothing. A very nice trip. Found a different way of fishing in the fast current of that river. Did not do that well unless you count suckers as a trophy. I did catch one brown trout of about fourteen inches . Back home today and found two messages from Esther on the E-mail I answered them.

Saturday September 14

Cloudy today with a mist of rain in the air but no accumulation . Its cooler than the past week. A good day to watch college football. Michigan came out on top of Colorado. Esther's birthday. today. She is no longer a teenager. Mom back a cake for her and Philip Chuck and the girls were here for a while to help her celebrate.

Sunday. September 15

The month is half gone already. It appears that fall is in the air. Still an occasional mist in the air. Watched the Lions take another loss it isn't even new any more. Last weeks rain was good but more would be nice as we still are extremely d ry.

Monday September 16

Today is like all the rest sunny and cool with no sight of rain. It is my day to have some blood work done. A fast trip to the hospital to draw a sample. The girl had trouble today as the vein was slipping away from her, She ended up goi ng to the other arm. I will get the results next Tuesday. If its clean {and I hope that it is} It will make a year that the leukemia has been in remission . I consider this to be a critical time, If it is to return this is about th e time for it to show up. If its clean this time then I feel confident that I should have several years with no complications.

Tuesday September 17

I repaired the garage door where it was caught by a tractor muffler over twenty years ago I fastened a steel iron to the bottom of it and put it back into shape. Then i started painting It soon got to be old stuff. Painting is not one of my favorite past times. On of the three doors was enough for one day. There is always tomorrow.

Wednesday September 18

Still clear and no rain at least before the week end. It is slightly warmer today. I would say about normal for this time of year. My brother Gordon is up from Texas for a few days. He came over for a few hours in the afternoon. A representat ive of the DNR was also here documenting the deer damage to our crops. He is in favor of as many antlerless deer permits as possible to reduce the herd down to a manageable size. I put the second coat of paint on the garage door and the first coat on another. I'm surprised at how fast I tire out doing that.

Thursday September 19

Two more beautiful days on tap for us. I feel lazy today. The toilet bowl has been filling real slow . It has not given any trouble for twenty five years so I guess its about due. I took it apart and examined it and decided to install a new valve. It is working fin e now.

Friday September 20

Decided to go after the bathroom faucets today they have been leaking from time to time. They are of the washerless type but sometimes a little build up of lime deposits causes them to leak. I found a piece of plastic stuck in one of the m. I wonder where it got into the water line. A cleaning job and new O-rings and they are back working again. Rode around the corn and soybeans. I guess that they are better than I had expected from all the dry and cold weather that we have had. The dee r damage is more than it should be . The soybean fields show just a bunch of stems sticking up where the deer have browsed the top leaves off.

Saturday September 21

I don't know why when I open the diary it seems to start by underlining the words so I have to go through the process of eliminating the underline. It looks like rain but nothing is falling. I won't believe a rain is coming until I see it. Its Etta's birthday today. She officially becomes a senior citizen today. Listened to the Michigan State football game on radio. They got beat. Then went to the wedding of Roy and Sues daughter Georgiana and to the Supper at the Holiday inn at Spring Lake. A nice affair all around.

Sunday September 22

Went to Church in the morning We had a visiting Pastor. Today is the day when the family was to get together for all the birthdays in the month of September. Everyone was here a total of more than thirty. The house was full. Took all the little ones for a ride on the four wheeler. I would guess before I finished with them all we had covered about eight miles. Tried to watch the game between the lions and the bears but with so many distractions I saw less the five minutes of the game. As usually happens the conversation of all the men was computers and their software. I was lost as my computer is not geared to what they were talking about and I doubt that I would ever use it if it was. A good time was had by all . It is amazing to see t hem all together and not hear a angry word or even the hint of an argument . And that includes all the children and grandchildren. I have a couple of things to do today {Monday} Bradley lost his soccer ball in the spruce tree and can't loc ate it. The boys got out to the pump house and opened a petcock and let the pump lose its prime. A little difficult to get it going again as the dry weather has left us with a short water supply, but everything is back and going ag ain now.

Monday September 23

Our water line has a lot of air in it this morning and a certain amount of colored water as the air bubbles are flushing out the line. My hope is that there is no hard particles of lime deposits that end up in the valves of the fau cets. Another nice day. Put on some more paint on the garage doors. Its taking me much more time to do a job that should have been done in a couple of days. Oh well what else is new at least its getting done. Jake and Harriot came over in the afternoon and we filled out the application for his antlerless deer permit. Its always nice to visit with him. Clint came over in the evening to retrieve the articles they left behind on Sunday.

Tuesday September 24

A Third of an inch of rain fell last night. At this point we welcome any and all that comes. It is the day to receive the results of the blood tests taken last week. The report was excellent. No abnormalities showed up. The red and w hite corpuscles were numerous and healthy. The blood sugar was low. and the cholesterol was below the average. All other organs seemed to be functioning properly. All in all I couldn't have received a better report. We went out for supper to celebrate. On the way home we stopped and picked up the white paint that I needed to finish painting the garage doors.

Wednesday September 25

We are still dodging a frost. the wind has been strong and the thermometer gets down into the forties at night. Spent time going over my fishing poles to change them from deep fishing to water of about ten to twelve feet. I am starting to get my gear together for the trip to Drummond Island. In between a little painting gets done.

Thursday September 26

Rain has been predicted for the next three days. A little fell today. Just enough to stop my painting. I went to Roys to get the suburban . The rear axle bearing was in very bad shape and had to be replaced. After I brought it home I took the white car over for check up and possibly a new battery. Caught up on the book balance with Tony. We are now solvent and all books sold from now on will be frosting on the cake.

Friday September 27

I wonder why the computer starts out underlining . I have to put a stop to it each time. I should start over but its to easy to pass it up. Our rain amounted to about eight tenths of an inch. the temperature remains at about normal for this time of year. If it continues we may have ripe corn before a frost comes. Don Peterson came over for some books of the second edition. He plans to send them to his brothers and cousins in other states. So I can add two more states to my list of out of state sales. Over a hundred books have been sold from here. There has been about a dozen or more of the first edition moved out too.

Saturday September 28

Its not really a painting day as it is so damp but the garage doors were in the up position so were dry. I finished painting the middle one. It should have another coat but I doubt that I will get it done this fall. Spent six hours in front of the t.v. watching the Grand Valley game fallowed by the Michigan game both came out winners. It was very windy. I'm glad we cancelled the fishing trip for lake salmon on Lake Michigan with Morris. The waves were over seven feet. I'm sure that it would not of been fun at that rate. Morris's boat is large and could easily take it but I doubt if my stomach could.

Sunday September 29

A very typical Sunday of Church and then Watching the Lions in the afternoon. My diary book came back. I had loaned it out for some people to read. They gave a good report on its being interesting. I always hate to give it to some retired schoo l teacher as there are so many misspelled words and poor sentence structure. If I say that it is over sixty years that I attended school a good enough of an excuse.

Tuesday September 30

The last day of September. The month has gone so fast. We are still experiencing very nice weather although it has been a little bit on the windy side. Had to replenish my supply of pills at the drug store. Stopped at Jerries to make final plans for the fishing trip. On the way home the suburban began to bounce and vibrate. It acted as though a tire had developed a bulge. An inspection at home revealed nothing but I happened to lay a hand on a rear hub and found it to be hot. Took it back to Roys and they found that the brake was a bit tight. A couple minutes adjusting solved the problem. A representative of the D. N. R. came out to see which fields were damaged by deer . He will return later and make a more accurate evalua tion. Have been putting my gear together for the fishing trip.

Tuesday October 1

Start of another month. Changes are coming Sassafras and sumacs are turning color and the days are much shorter. The sun feels good when it comes out. Its time to finish up those fall jobs. All spring and summer my hea rt beat has been about the middle sixties. But about three weeks ago it suddenly jumped into the eighties. It was almost ninety when in the doctors office two weeks ago. He did not seem excited about it . I have tested it several times in the last two we eks and it is always in the high seventies. I have also had an increase in the tickle in my throat and a certain amount of phlegm . I wonder if it might be caused by certain things that we are eating out of the garden. The garden will soon be fro ze out so it will be interesting to see if the problem disappears.

Wednesday October 2

Fall is coming fast the garden is winding down now with not to much left. Etta has been busy doing the last cultivating and hoeing. The chick weed starts at this time of year and grows all winter under the snow and by the time the ground is ready to till in the spring it has become a matt. Jerry came over and we made final plans to leave Saturday morning at four o'clock. I have been trying to catch up on this computer so as not to have any loose ends dangling.

Thursday October 3

The frost held off last night but I doubt that it will for tomorrow morning. Have most of my equipment loaded up and ready to go. Found a few worms in the garden to use for fish bait. They are of the garden type and not the red ones but I have f ound that perch will bite them too if they are hungry . Printed up over twenty pages of this diary 2 and put them in a different note book. Also redone a couple of stories and printed them too.

Friday October 4

Our hard frost arrived this morning and I do mean hard. It is the end of the growing season. Plans call for loading the suburban this morning and going to the high school home coming at one this after noon fallowed by supper at Sams Club at four . it looks like a busy day. I will not be on the computer again for at least a week so will have to say good by for now. See you about the twelfth or thirteenth.

Monday October 14

We have over a week to catch up. Much has happened in the last ten days. First our sixtieth high school reunion was held at Sams Club in Coopersville. Nearly all made it who lived in the area , Doug Gordon who lives in Houston Texas couldn't make the trip because of physical problems and two local people stayed away because they thought it best to be careful of heart problems. It was announced that Max Reynolds sister was looking for a class ring of our class as the one that belonged to her brother has been lost She wants to make a special momento of it. I still have mine but it is in very bad shape , so bad she may not be able to use it. I plan to get in touch with her and offer it if she can use it.

Came home late and had a hard time sleeping before getting up at three thirty to go on the fishing trip. We loaded up the final stuff and left Jerries at four. A short distance down the road and the brakes started to set up on the suburban. We got as far as Coopersville before deciding that it would be best not to take a chance on having trouble. We returned to Spring Lake and reloaded all of our gear into Jerries new truck so we got off an hour and a half later than we wanted but we m ade good time and arrived on Drumond Island in time to do some fishing that day. The wind was strong so we were limited to the river mouth. We caught many fish but only two that measured up as keepers. The next several days turned out to be excellent fishing days and we filled up the freezer with over six hundred fillays . Only Thursday turned out to be cold and a bit windy. My raspy throat continued to get worse and I developed a cough making for a very uncomfortable sleeping. Ca me home on Saturday as scheduled. Watched the State Illinois football game in the after noon. I don't have much energy with this cough .

Sunday October 13

Helped Etta bring her garden produce to church and sat through an uncomfortable sermon as I was fight off numerous coughing spasms. It is plain that a trip to the doctor is in order. Stayed home at night and watched the lions take a g ood shellacking . My back has been acting up also making it difficult and painful to cough . I think the back pain is caused by twisting a quarter on the boat seat and fishing off the side. It will probably straighten itself out if I don't aggravate it any more. The trees are now turning color and many are brilliant it was a beautiful trip down from the bridge. It may be a few more days before they peak in our area.

Monday October 14

A beautiful fall day , the colors are coming more daily and the temperature is rather mild. Called the Doctor about the cough and he said to be in his office within the hour. The throat infection has not entered the lungs as yet b ut is in the bronchial tubs. He proscribed some antibiotics to be taken over a ten day period. I'm starting to cough up gobs of junk. While we were in the doctors office Etta and I both received a flue shot. at n ight we went to a supper celebrating Roy's fiftieth birthday. Oh yeah I even broke down and bought a new razor. It works very nice after using one that my dad had thirty five years ago. It has done a great job over the years but of late h as run like a motor that is not firing on all cylinders.

Tuesday October 15

Fred called to say he was coming over for a short visit. It was ten before he arrived. I had to hurry him away as I wanted to get the suburban over to Roy's to see what was wrong with the brakes. We found the emergency brake cable was corroded a nd was not releasing the shoes. A new one was ordered I can drive it if I don't try the emergency brake. In the afternoon a trip to Conklin for parts for the combine. Philip would like to have me install the parts tomorrow morning. The medicine seems to be working as my energy is picking up. I sure lacked it for a few days. I'm getting rid of a lot of junk in my throat.

Wednesday October 16

We seem to be having a bit of Indian summer for today. very mild and sunny borrowed the riveter from Bill and got the combine ready to go. Philip came home from work early so as to get the soy beans off. He finished the j ob but the yield was nothing to brag about. The dry weather this summer prevented the beans from growing as tall as they should as a result the pods were close to the ground and the combine skimmed over them. The field losses were much to great. Inspecte d the corn in places that I had not seen it before and was pleasantly surprised. Its nothing to brag about but it may be better than at first thought.

Thursday October 17

Our Indian summer is continuing at least for another day. I worked on the well pit cleaning the sand out and winterizing it. Jerry came over with his three wheeler. So we went for a ride out to the fields. The sky became black and appeared to be ready for a thunder shower so we cut the ride short. The shower held off until nine and we got lots of fire works and an inch of rain. Will have to finish winterizing the well pit tomorrow.

Friday October 18

We had an inch of rain last night but the ground took it up so fast that not a puddle remains. Finished with the well pit I found there was more to be done than I first thought. Went bumming for awhile in the afternoon and accomplished nothing.

Saturday October 19

Plilip was here early to get the auger set up to the silo in preparation for harvesting corn. I stood around in the way as he had brought help with him. I did wind up doing a few little odds and ends. He ran some samples and found the mo isture to still be in the high twenties. Maybe in a few days we can start. I still have to get the trailer going and the fifty. Philip sprayed the field south of the house with round up in preparation for next years corn.

Sunday October 20

First day of pheasant season , The club turned loose there usual number of birds. and then turned the dogs on them. I fail to see the fun in shooting those semi tame birds that have been penned all their life. Oh well I guess it all amounts to what turns your crank. I'm seven days into the medicine for the bronchial tube infection and there seems to be little improvement as yet. only three more days left. It gives me trouble in the afternoon when the cough picks up and the large quantity of phlegm is spit out.

Monday October 21.

Another bright sunny October days. The leaves are falling like rain. The yard is covered. Here in the country we look for a wind to remove them from the yard. Got a used battery and installed it in the fifty tractor, It started almost immediat ely after not being run for almost a year. Hooked up the old travel trailer and got everything working for the corn harvest and for deer hunting. The moisture content of the corn is high enough so that we do not have to be in a hurry to start. We would like to have it all off by the start of deer season.

Tuesday October 22

Our good weather is continuing . Philip left the spreader and the loader tractor here last night and suggested that if i became bored looking for something to do I might just take out a few loads of Manure. I managed to get out four loads i n between visits from neighbors and survey people looking to take soil samples in the corn field in anticipation of the bypass road going through. We also had a visit from Cleo Reynolds. A girl I had not talked to for over sixty years. I had stayed with h er family during the snow storm of '36 . I had been good friends with her brother Max who was killed in the Battle of the Buldge during W.W.2. She had been in the eighth grade when I had stayed with the family. She had accidently lost Max's class ring that she had intended to make into a pendant. I thought by giving her mine she could still have her pendant and I could do something in memory of Max.

Wednesday October 23

A half inch of rain fell last night and it is definitely jacket weather this morning. Took the suburban to Roy's and had the brake cable replaced. A meeting in the evening on the different routes the bypass road mig ht take. It appears that if the 120th route is selected we would lose about ten acres of the field east of the house, but the biggest harm would be that we would have to drive to Leonard road and cross the highway and return on the other side just to get t o the fields on the other place. Our neighbors along the west side of 12oth would all lose the homes. Maybe I can conceder myself lucky.

Thursday October 24

A little cool this morning but warmer weather is predicted for the weekend. A good day to haul more manure. I got out seven big loads. It is almost all out except for a couple of loads still in the barn. Had the propane tanks on the hunting trai ler filled in anticipation of the deer season and corn drying. One tank had to be wire brushed and repainted before filling it.

Friday October 25

A slow day. Not to much to do , just a few odds and ends anticipating Philips big rush tomorrow . Blew the water out of the travel trailer and filled the lines with anti freeze. A job that takes the better part of three ho urs. Maybe I do more than necessary but its better than replacing pipes next spring

Saturday October 27

Philip was here before daylight wanting to clean the barn so as to be able to get in with the fines from corn dr ying. then shelling enough corn to start the dryer. Everything went smoothly and we dried one batch. He filled all the wagons for an early start on Monday. The corn in that field was testing about 28 percent moisture, a little higher than we would like but Philip wants to turn the cows into the stubble as soon as possible. The corn was of good quality and even yielded better than we anticipated, not to hard of a situation to take.

Monday October 28

We had the dryer going with a batch of corn by 7;30 in the morning. The corn was not moving in the wagons very well after standing over the week end. it made for a lot of shoveling. Three batches went through the dryer by nine in the even ing. Jerry came and run the combine so that Plilip could check out the fence and turn the cows into the stalks. We are extremely pleased with the yield and quality of the corn. It isn't anything to brag about but for the lack of moisture that came this summer we should count our blessings. We have had two nice days for working the corn but it is not supposed to last.

Tuesday October 29

Rain is predicted for later in the day so we want to get as much corn off as we can before the foul weather gets here. Had some problems getting the tractors going as we had a heavy white frost last night. It was eight thirty before we could tu rn the heat on to the dryer and the corn was a little on the wet side so it took a full four hours to dry . It started to rain as we were putting the last up the pipe. We got a bit wet before everything got under cover. Strong winds came up and bl ew all night. The Duetz gave us trouble and wouldn't start after the rain, will have to check it out in the morning.

Wednesday October 30

Brother in law Bill came over and checked the Duets tractor . He found that the voltage regulator on the alternator was not working properly and over charging the battery. causing it to boil all the water out. He ordered a new one ,it will be here in the morning. We were able to use the tractor in the meantime and dried a couple of batches. Jerry is having the time of his life running the combine. He keeps me busy at the dryer. The corn is wetter than we would lik e and it takes longer to dry.

Thursday October 31

Halloween day. and its cold with the temperature holding near the freezing mark. we are making good progress on the corn. We would like to get the job finished before deer season opens. I'm having a bit of trouble starting tractor s in this cold weather.

Friday November 1

Start of a new month. still cold , Put my long johns on this morning as the wind is very strong. Worked on the corn all day.

Saturday November 2

Philip is here this morning with extra help so it relieves me of some running around. I spent a couple hours watching the U of M and M SU football game. Philip Ran the combine and got into poor corn so he cover a lot of acres to get a littl e corn. Some fields suffered more from the draught than others. The sand fields were hit the hardest. We only have about thirty acres to go now. A couple of good days run and we will be done.

Sunday November 3

Its starting to warm up some at least its comfortable. We took off for Traverse city at about one. We are to see the Kingsley High school band put on there last performance of the fall season. It will be held in the gym. Visited with Lillians family in the afternoon and evening. Those grandchildren are progressing into very nice young kids, Each has his or her specialty that they excel in.

Monday November 4

Still at Lillians. Everyone had to go to work or school so Etta and I took a ride over to Crystal Lake to see where we stayed and fished on the Lake last winter. At night was the band concert. Bethany performed her last rifle throwing for the High School. She was the lead performer. and done an excellent job. She looked very nice in her costume . Peter who is a freshman played in the band as well. We were very proud of them both.

Tuesday November 5

We left Lillians early so as to get home to vote in the Presidential Election. We arrived before noon and was the six hundredth one to vote. A big turn out for Crockery Township. Went back at two to sell our books on the history of Crocke ry Township.. We ended up taking in over Eight hundred dollars. Not to bad a day. The Election didn't go as I would of liked to have it However the Hunting proposals both went to my liking so maybe it was a good election after all.

Wednesday November 6

Went after the corn early and got off about a dozen acres Dried one batch. The wagons are full but a rain storm came through and stopped us. We put everything under cover to await better weather. A very cold front is coming in the next day or two.

I would like to get the last field harvested by Friday night, and warp the corn harvest up. It was not a very good yield but under the circumstances of cold weather and no rain at all I guess that what we got was very good for this year. Just ab out half of what we should have on a normal year. The price is fairly good so Philip will not have a disastrous year.

Thursday November 7

It isn't raining as has been predicted so I tried to set up to start drying a batch but as I started the power to the dryer the power take off shaft broke a yoke on the universal joint and started flying around. That ended the corn busines s for the day. I went out and dug a pit and set up a deer blind. I can sit in a hole with my eyes at about the highth of the harvested corn stalks. Last year i set up above ground and the deer had me spotted before leaving the woods. Philip came over afte r work and removed the power shaft from the dryer so we can get it repaired.

Friday November 8

Just a week before deer hunting. The day is starting out very nice. Philip called the dealer about parts so Etta and I went to Hamilton to get them. They said they had the part but when we got there they could not find it and I ended up taking the whole shaft. Maybe in the long run it was a good deal. I dried one batch , only one more to go. We had a little trouble with the combine first a shaft wound up with stalk and got the chain out of time. Then a bearing went out on the d rive shaft. Philip found a replacement in his old combine so it will not take to long to be back working.

Saturday November 9

A very nice day but they say that we will have a snow storm tonight so we have to finish up the corn today. Philip finished up repairing the combine and then took off the last of the corn. It filled the dryer to capacity and it was dry by mid afternoon. We worked hard and cleaned up around the area and put everything away for the winter finishing up just before dark. It started to snow almost immediately . we couldn't have timed it better. It is a good feeling to have the job done and re ady for winter.

Sunday November 10

The deer have been coming to the pair trees north of the house . It was easy to see them in the six inches of snow that fell last night. There was a spike horn in the bunch . His horns were flat at the top where his next points should have been. Sarah and John Came for dinner with there children in honor of Mart's birthday. Two fawns stayed under the pair trees for some time giving them a good show. We are making final plans for the hunting season. More snow fell during the day and more i s expected. We may have it around all week. The deer hunters will be tickled.

Monday November 11

Veterans day. more snow during the night. A doe and fawn under the pair tree just before daylight. Snow still coming down, it is what the weatherman is calling lake effect snow. An hour after daylight Two six point bucks were under the pair tree with in easy bow shot of the house. I got the bow out and it will be ready if they return. More snow came in flurries off and on all day. Al Baron came down from Grand Rapids and up graded his deer blind that he has used for the last eight to ten years. It has been good to him as he has had fair to good success from it.

Tuesday November 12

The day we go out for our monthly breakfast with the other members of the Weirenga clan. It was a bit nippy cold this morning. The snow is settling some as it is thawing from beneath, but there is still several inches on the ground. Jerry came and we broke a trail out to the deer hunting area with our quads. He took more carrots out as the deer clean them up as fast as he takes them out. We traveled over most of the area looking for deer activity. In some places they show where they are travel ing but I would guess come hunting season they will no longer follow established routes. Jerry forgot his gun so we postponed siting in until tomorrow . Ambers birthday today so Etta and I went over for the evening. She played a few song on the piano. I will have to say she appears to have a real talent and I am happy and proud for her.

Wednesday November 13

My mothers birthday today, she would have been a hundred ten years old today. A bit nippy this morning and a few lazy snow flakes in the air. The deer have been all over around the buildings and have completely cleaned up the pears. Etta put out some sugar beets to see if they will return. I went out to my fox hole blind and cleaned the snow out hoping a little sunshine will finish the job. Jerry came to sight in our shot guns. A target with a two inch bulls eye was placed fifty yards out. My shot was inside the bulls eye from a bench rest. It tells me that the gun is on target, If I miss in the field it will be me that misses and not the gun. Took it easy in the after noon. Etta called at about five to say some deer w ere under the cloths line. I got the bow and opened the sliding door. I was waiting for the fawn to turn side ways but the telephone rang. It did not scare the deer on the first ring but I figured the second ring would so I had to take a semi straight on shot. The arrow hit the deer in exactly the spot I wanted. He ran about seventy five yards before falling. It was a button buck. We have decorated our new buck pole.

Thursday November 14

Made a target with a two inch bulls eye and set it at fifty yards. We used the quad as a bench rest. My first shot was inside the two inch space so I figured the gun is shooting straight so now if I miss it will be me and not the gun. Its still cold and snow on the ground should be ideal for first day of hunting. We plan to stay in the trailer to night to give it a more camping atmosphere .

Friday November 15

Was out in my blind {snake Pit} as daylight started to show in the east. Loaded the gun in the pit. Soon a doe came through followed by a buck It was still to early to see the sights but the deer was only about thirty yards away so I tried a guess shot but missed and after two more futile shots the deer was gone. In less than five minutes another doe and buck made a duplicate appearance. This time I could see well enough to shoot but I still missed and the gun jammed so I lost another opportunity . In less than ten minutes a repeat performance from the opposite direction resulted in another doe and buck. This time i hit the deer but again the gun jammed, it didn't eject the empty. The circled me and stopped facing away. I put another shell in and dropped him in his tracks. A nice five point. All together we got seven deer in our crew the first day. Not to bad.

Saturday November 16

It is supposed to warm up a bit today. The gun didn't act right when loading it in the morning. I should have examined it immediately . But waited until some deer came by and found that it would not fire. A trip to the house and a breakdown of the gun revealed that I must have dragged it through the sand the first morning before daylight while getting into the snake pit. Nearly every screw and spring had to come out and be cleaned of sand. The best hunting of the day was o ver by the time the job was finished. We had a nice supper of soup for all the hunters. Bill knocked a doe down over by the Tag Mahal and it ran the full length of the black brush marsh before it gave up. It was seen out in the water but because i t was getting dark and the water was deep enough for hip boots they left it until morning. The water came up overnight and prevented them from getting to it so it was lost.

Monday November 18

Still real warm the snow is about all gone after the rain over the weekend. There are no hunters out so the deer are not moving, we have made plans to cut up venison tonight. We done all the small ones , doing five however it took us until eleven at night. It was very tiresome for me. We are boneing them out this year. It is slower but they take up less room in the freezer. We will just have to learn a few new skills.

Tuesday November 19

Hunting is hard now as there are few hunters in the woods to move the deer. Maybe on the weekend it will pick up. Fred wanted to use my generator for his deer camp this weekend. In the evening we went back to cutting venison We had the four larg e ones and it took more time even though more people came . It was after eleven when we finished and we still hadn't cleaned up our mess.

Wednesday November 20

We were lazy this morning and slept in until after six. I tried for a deer but nothing was moving I only saw a couple fawns. I quit early as I thought that I had not hit the save button on this diary and I thought that it would be necessary to d o it all over but it was there. Saw six fawns at five this evening. They come out but the big deer do not.

Thursday November 21--29

I have been negligent in keeping this diary up during deer hunting season so am now a week behind. Have been going out for an hour in the morning and again at night. There are two fawns that come out nearly every time but I am not ready to lay on e of them down yet. Have managed to miss a couple of easy shots I'm into much of a hurry and shoot over them. Did find that my gun was still full of sand and had to be re cleaned. Ken flushed it out with a solvent and found a burr on the firing pin . It is working very well now. Saturday night we had our fish and venison supper for the deer hunters . We had a delicious meal with about ten hunters present. Philip knocked down the biggest doe that i believe that I have ever seen. She wei ghed in at over a hundred forty pounds . Spent an hour or two each day taking up the hog fence so that we can enlarge the cattle pasture for the winter and they can have acsess to the water fountain that is frost free. Bill and Candyce wit h there children were here for Thanksgiving dinner. They left the kids with us for the night so that they can do some Christmas shopping on Friday morning. We were a little apprehensive about how little Sarah might react to being without M om and Dad, but we didn't need to be as she has been as good as gold all the time.

Saturday November 30

The last day of the gun buck season. It started out as a dark drizzly day. The deer were not moving between the woods. I stayed until eleven but saw nothing. Ken dropped a big doe on the other place and we went to help him. While we wer e gone the deer ran all over the place. I should have stayed another half hour. Oh well that is deer hunting. We still have some antlerless tags that are not filled including my own so I will be able to try next week yet. Watched football games an d the grandchildren in the afternoon and evening. Lydia and Isla are sure full of pep and giggling all the time. They are fun to watch.

Sunday December 1

Communion Sunday and the first day of advent. The day started out with heavy rain showers which soon turned to heavy wet snow. The temperature fell slowly all day but most of the snow melted as it hit the ground. I think the bucks were re joicing on getting through another season. I never saw a deer all day.

Monday December 2

We can still hunt does but I'm not having any luck with having them come out . I go out early in the morning and again in the evening just before dark but the deer must have received an education as they stay out of sight at those times. Worked o n the hog fence some, most of it has been taken up so now to set posts for the cattle fence. Watched the first half of Monday night football but it was of no particular interest to me.

Tuesday December 3

Heavy snow this morning of about four inches. The deer are still uncooperative . Cracked some walnuts left over from last year. They are not the best but they will have to do as we didn't get any this year. Philip wants me to look in on the steers and give them some minerals

Wednesday December 4

The weather stays about the same just below freezing at night and just above in the daytime. I'm told some fisherman have been on the bayou . The ice can't be more than an inch thick. They have more nerve than I have. Went to Walmarts in Muskeg on with Etta to do some Christmas shopping. This is one of the most difficult chores that has to be done during the year. My back soon talks to me, in fact it shouts, I'm glad to get back home.

Thursday December 5

The weather continues to follow the same pattern. Tried setting out by the marsh to try to ambush the deer but although they can be heard walking around breaking the thin ice they stay out of sight until after shooting time. Plilip wanted me to l oad up some bales for the brood cows . The hay was year old hay in round bales that had weathered . They were loose and floppy. hardly holding together well enough to be moved. I was glad to get them to the other place without them falling off t he wagon. We cut up the two does that was shot last week They were both big and fat. It took until after ten to finish the job.

Friday December 6

A few snow flurries but not to much accumulation , just enough so than the deer activity is fresh. They must have had their Sunday school picnic in our yard and garden by the number of tracks . By daylight they have all vanished into the swamp. It will take someone much younger than I am to get them out.

Saturday December 7

More of the same weather. I thought that maybe some hunters might be out to ster up the deer but nothing came through so quit at ten and had coffee with the guys. Then went over to Johnsons for dinner and to meet the four men who have purchased his land. It was a nice visit and I think that one of them will be the dentist who will remove Esthers wisdom teeth after Christmas. Spent the rest of the afternoon watching the Army Navy game and other games on television. had my fill of football for one day.

Sunday December 8

Scattered wet snow flurries. The roads were wet and slippery. After Church and lunch I had my afternoon nap which turned into a four hour sleep. My deer hunting for this season is about finished so now I can turn my attention to other things. I' d like to get the chain saw going . It will take some doing as it has not been used for two years . Since the day before Christmas when I was informed that I had a problem with leukemia. Maybe after it has been run some I might be able to start it myself.

Monday December 9

The weather is more of the same, freeze at night and get up into the low thirties in the daytime. Deer hunting is over except for the black powder season so I hardly know what to do with myself. Collected the junk in my blind and stored it up for next year. Emptied out the goodies in the hunting trailer and disconnected the gas and electricity. what a busy day.

Tuesday December 10

Its the day for our monthly breakfast with the family. I took the chain saw over to Eugene to have him check it out as it hasn't been run since the 24th of December two years ago. It started up and seems to be OK. Maybe I can do a little wood cutting tomorrow.

Wednesday December 11

The membranes in my nose seem to be tightening up making it hard to breath. It is such a nice day that I tried to start the chain saw but it rebelled and I became exhausted . Etta came along and caught me looking at thew saw. She suggested that she give a try. It started on the first pull I believe it was laughing at me. A trip to the woods for a couple hours brought up about a cord of wood. It was dry and can be burned right now so Most of it came to the house.

Thursday December 12

My nose is still plugged and I wonder what is happening? My trip to the doctor today did not reveal any problems The blood pressure was good and the heart and lungs passed inspection. The doctor says to contact him if the nose developed into some thing.

Friday December 13

The weather has been beautiful for this time of year. I got the chain saw running and put up some more wood. I even split the large chunks and it didn't bother me. A good sign as the doctor had suggested that I stay away from the splitti ng ax. Muzzle loading deer season is on both Ken and Jerry have been out. They see a number of deer but nothing close enough to shoot at.

Saturday December 14

All the hunters are out this morning and Ken put a nice doe down. They say our nice weather will come to an end today and tomorrow. This is the day set aside by all the kids to go out for supper in honor of my birthday. We went to a restaurant in Grand Rapids. The steak was very good . We ended up at Sarah's after wards . The tightness in my nose has started to drain. It appears that I might be coming down with a first class cold.

Sunday December 15

Rain coming down steady . The weatherman says it will probably turn to snow in another day with the coldest weather of the season so far for the rest of the week. The nose has increased its flow , So much so that I didn't go to church Su nday night. I'm hoping that it will stay in my nose and not go down the throat.

Monday December 16

Not a nice day to be out. Its nice to be able to stay inside. The nose has turned into a first class cold and is starting to get some throat activity. I plan to stay inside. Tried to read a book but my eyes watered to much. This is the day tha t was planned to get my drivers license renewed but I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to see the eye chart so will wait for a later day.

Tuesday December 17

Its starting to get cold now and there are snow flurries in the air. I'm staying put inside as the cold has escalated . I now have a cough to go along with the runny nose. It may be necessary to contact the doctor.

Wednesday December 18

There is snow starting to accumulate on the ground now and the night time temperature in the teens. A call to the doctor to get a prescription. He ordered a new antibiotic as penicillin reacts on me with the hives. The cold has gone down the throat and is causing a constant cough . between the nose running and the cough made for a very miserable day. There wasn't much sleep for either Etta or me as the cough went into the night with full fury. I hope that the doctors pill give relief soon.

Thursday December 19

Both the cough and the runny nose seems to have slowed down. So there is much improvement. The weather has turned bad with much snow coming down and the temperature is falling fast with the prediction of heavy lake effect s now.

Friday December 20

December 20, my 78th birthday. I am now as old as Kenneth was when he had his stroke. We had a slow day because of my cold and cough . I was to go in for a drivers license review and renewal but my eyes were runny and blood shot s o we postponed it until next week. The cough and runny nose is still with me, It has not slowed down as much as I hoped it would.

Saturday December 21

Watched some turkeys this morning walking through the snow it appeared that they were floating on their stomach in the deep snow. They bobbed along without seeing any feet or legs. Have been staying inside for several days now. The gang came over for coffee after there morning hunt. Its the last day for muzzle shooting. Watched football all after noon. My nose has decided to go on a rampage again. Between the runny nose and the cough which brings up gobs of junk, I have been busy. The box of Kleenex stays very close.

Sunday December 22

The weather has warmed up some and is now thawing some in the afternoon. The sun shown some today. I stayed home from church as I didn't want to be barking so much that it would interfere with the services. Watched some football and bl ew my nose most of the day on into the night. I wasn't getting any sleep and neither was Etta. So I spent the night on the davenport down stairs. Did finally doze of for a couple hours.

Monday December 23

Raining this morning and in the thirties. At least we don't have to shovel the rain. Colder weather is predicted for tomorrow . I thought it to be a good time to renew the drivers license. It ended up well as I still do not have to wear glasses to drive, and I got all the questions on their test correct. Watched the lions lose anther game and finally got into bed after midnight. Downstairs again. I did get some sleep between coughing spasms. I don't seem to be bringing up as much junk as a couple days ago.

Tuesday December 24

The day before Christmas. It was two years ago today that the doctors discovered the cancer cells in my blood. Much has happened in the past two years. I guess I should be thankful that I'm still functioning although at a slower rate than before. It is colder today with snow of about five inches. Santa will be able to use his sleigh to night . Mom has been making preparations for a house full of family for dinner tomorrow.

Wednesday December 25

Christmas day-- We had three families here today Philip, Bill, and Clint. Sarah called to say they are still fighting the flue at there house. We postponed having our Christmas exchange of gifts until Saturday When more of the family can be present. Watched a couple Football post season games and had my usual session of cracking nuts for the little ones. Clint checked out the Juno set up and made the necessary corrections that had to be made so now maybe I can again get messages thru.

Thursday December 26

More snow , huge amounts. We have about ten inches of the fluffy stuff on the ground. The thermometer has dropped also. My cough has intensified as well. The Pills will be gone tomorrow and I hope that the cold will too. It seems that it is different each day up one day and down the next. This is the hardest that a cold has hit me in years. I have to wonder if the flue shot that I got back in October has something to do with it.

Friday December 27

A flat tire on the white car. I used the supply tank to get it up to drive. Then a trip to Coopersville to have it fixed but the tire store was closed for the Holidays. So I ended up putting air into the green tractor front tire. It too k two tanks full to get it up. Etta was going to her folks for a Christmas visit but I stayed home as I 'm barking almost continually. When will it end?

Saturday December 28

This is the day that all the family gets together for a Christmas meal and the exchange of gifts. Everyone was here , a house full. Lillian and Phil was down from Traverse City and stayed two nights. We have had some thawing so now the snow has settled down enough so that it will no longer blow and drift. It has been a bad day for me and my runny nose . There is still no let up in the tickle in my throat .

Sunday December 29

Stayed home from Church as my barking would have interfered with the service. Its still rather warm for this tome of year and the snow is going fast. Watched the play-off football games but lost interest before they were finished.

Monday December 30

Went to have the tire fixed, they found a nail in it . The place that Esther had taken it in Grand Rapids didn't do a good job of looking and they charged her an arm and a leg for doing nothing. Had a very bad night last night with very l ittle sleep. Still spitting up lots of junk. Esther had her wisdom teeth pulled today and she is very sore and uncomfortable but maybe she will not have the pain of them trying to come in side ways.