I found this book several years ago. It is so powerful. If you have not read it, I encourage you to read it. I read it aloud to my boys and family each Memorial Day. It is a children's book, it is so well done to bring the meaning of each veteran's gift of freedom to us. Thank you, Hero's!
A little - known tradition to the outside civilian world, "the white table" originated during the time of the Vietnam War as a symbol for and remembrance to service members held prisoner of war or missing in action. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit.
Thank you to all men and women in uniform who dedicated their lives to freedom's cause.
Playing in the dirt, that is where I have been. I had all intentions on letting you know where I would be this week. Time got away from me, here I am today to give you an update. The forecast Monday - Wednesday was beautiful. The forecast for the weekend called for rain. So off I went to plant. I am happy to report 4 of my 5 garden plots are planted.
Garden Bibs
I bought some garden bibs and love them. I can place my tools, seed packets and phone in all the pockets the bibs provide. And they are comfortable too!
These boots are made for gardening.
Gladiolus ... the following basket full of corms for planting.
My garden at home.
My celery!
Little seeds, grow please.
Picking rock. This was the first step at the community gardens, my son helped me pick rock.
It was so nice to have this job done before I started to plant.
I have one plot left to plant at the community gardens.
Time to take a trip. Today we are heading to Miller Park.
Our family headed to Southern Wisconsin for our spring break.
One of our stops was Miller Park.
This was our first time visiting Miller Park. It was fun for this mad about baseball family.
My aunt Sharon treated us to the game and a tailgating party before the game.
It was so much fun to tailgate.
I will give tailgating tips and other tips to heading to a baseball game in a upcoming post.
The highlight for me besides the game was seeing all the statues.
Today, I will share Bob Uecker.
Bob still calls the Brewer games.
This is me holding the sign we brought into the game with us.
Hello Uecker
from
Eau Claire Express Fans.
Bob played baseball in Eau Claire for the Bears in 1956-1957.
The Eau Claire Express are part of the Northwoods League. It is a College Development League. The games are fun to watch and we enjoy heading to Eau Claire to watch some ball.
Bob shares his stories about playing for Eau Claire on the air when he calls the games.
And there he is! In the Press Box!
He has the white hair! Did you know Bob is 82 years old and still calling the game?
We listen to several of the games all season long. Bob's voice and the way he calls the games is what makes baseball extra fun for me. Out of everything at the ballgame, I was most excited about seeing Bob, in the press box.
1. Tell us about a time you found yourself 'in the middle of nowhere'. Was this deliberate?
I had to chuckle, the first thing that came to my mind was, I grew up in the middle of nowhere.
In all truth, my husband and I both grew up surrounded by Wisconsin State forest and county land. We had to drive two hours to get to Walmart!
It is funny now, because I live only 6 miles from a Walmart today. My parents still live "in the middle of nowhere" cell phone service is spotty to none!
2. What's something you're 'in the middle of' today or this week?
Staking out my garden plots.
3. At what age do you think 'middle age' begins? What does it mean to be 'middle aged'?
I am not really sure. I have never been a person who cares about age. In fact I forget how old I am! I have always been like that. My dear friend Marv will be 87 in July. He still drives to Texas each November and drives back to Wisconsin in March! I hope to be just like Marv. He does not give a hoot about how old he is, he just keeps doing! I love his attitude.
4. Ravioli, stuffed peppers, samosas, deviled eggs, steamed dumplings, pierogis, or a jelly donut...your favorite food (from this list!) with something yummy in the middle. Your favorite not on the list?
My favorite on the list.
Ravioli
My favorite not on the list.
Stuffed Cabbage
5. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying ''In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.' Would you agree? Have you found this to be true in your own life? Feel free to elaborate.
For those of you who follow The River, know that I will be selling my fresh cut flowers at a farmer market for the first time. For the past two years I had a stand in my front yard with my flowers and some produce. I plan to continue with that as well this summer.
I have always wanted to sell at a market, this year I decided would be the year.
Sadly, when I called our local markets, they did not want me. They have flower vendors from another city come and did not want me to waste my time.
I was discouraged. I even lost my enthusiasm to go on.
But another opportunity was waiting to show it self. I will be selling my flowers at the Bruce Community Farmer's Market.
6. What's a song you remember loving from your middle school years? Do you love it still?
Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Cyndi Lauper
Oh my, my friends and I would rock out to this song.
We had so much fun.
Yes, I still love it, it brings back a lot of fun memories.
7. May 18th is National Visit Your Relatives Day. Will you celebrate?
Which relative would you visit if time, distance, and expense were not
considered.
We do not live close to any relatives. So I will not celebrate.
If I could pick one to visit, time, distance and expense was no worry, I would pick my
Uncle Paul and Aunt Sally who live in Caldwell, Texas.
My husband and I moved to the Barron County area of Wisconsin 19 years ago. Barron County is on the Northwest side of Wisconsin. I grew up in North Central Wisconsin.
If you have been following along with my transplant stories you know the following...
1. I moved to an area that I did not know a soul!
2. I was pulled over the week I moved to Barron County on my birthday, given a speeding ticket and wished a Happy Birthday by the officer.
3. I am struggling getting to know the roads of Barron County.
And now for 4!
News
When we purchased a paper back home we always purchased the Milwaukee Journal.
My mom's family is from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin located in Southeast Wisconsin.
Heading down to Southeast Wisconsin was always a highlight for me and my sister in the summer.
Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee Brewer Baseball
Shopping
Spending time with our cousin and family
We grew up with the Milwaukee Journal.
Now as a transplant in Barron County ... on Sunday I go off to find the Sunday paper.
When I get to the gas station what do I see, Twin Cities Pioneer Press!
What the heck is this?
I look for the Journal? I can not find a Journal.
I politely asked the sales clerk if this store carries the Milwaukee Journal.
"Well, we only carry a few" she says.
"Only carry a few?"
"Yes" she says, "most people want the Twin Cities Pioneer Press."
I just do not get it.
"We live in Wisconsin" I say, "why on earth would I care to read a Minnesota paper!!"
No, it does not end here.
T.V. News as well.
Yep, you heard me right!
Minnesota hijacked my news too.
Not only are Minnesota stories the first reported on the radio. Most of the larger T.V. networks report Minnesota news too!
I do realize we live only 45 miles from the Minnesota border, but come on people, let us be
On Wisconsin!!
And that brings us to NFL Football and Viking Fans!!
That will be for another post!
Thankfully the Internet has solved all my troubles and I can listen to radio from back home!
May 7th our family attended a wedding of a young friend of mine. It was a special day for me to see her get married to her best friend. I met her when she was in 7th grade. I was a volunteer in my son's kindergarten class, and I also helped part time in the 7th grade classroom.
We became friends quick, she enjoyed my boys, and I became friends with her family as well.
Time passed and when she was in 11th grade dark clouds loomed. She fell into some sad times and needed special help. I wrote her letters when she was away and she wrote me back, she shared her hurting heart. I prayed and loved her through my letters.
She healed and went on to Cosmetology school.
She went on to do mission work.
She worked hard to pay her way through college to become a teacher.
She climbed and clawed her way out of the dark times.
She had family and friends praying for her.
I was so happy for her last Saturday! She met James, a wonderful dedicated young man.
My prayers are for them both.
I am so proud of her and for James too.
"If you set your mind and heart toward a healthy way of living and thinking, you'll find a way to climb out of the biggest pit life throws your way."
Hello Everyone, it is Wednesday and we usually do the Hodgepodge here at The River.
Joyce took the week off this week, we will be back to the Hodgepodge May 18th.
Purse Love
My husband knows I love purses. When we are out shopping he will steer me away from the purses, in a teasing way. He just does not get the fact that purses have personality.
I actually have had the same purse for two years now! Eek!
I love the purse I have right now and have not felt the need to switch up. It also is perfect for my busy life with my boys and it can carry what I need comfortably. What I like best about it, is I can do stuff with it on me without feeling tied down.
Last week I took the boys shopping. We had a wedding to attend on Saturday and my boys needed some new clothes. While my oldest son was trying on clothing, I hiked on over to the purse section of the store. My husband was not with, oh did I have fun teasing him. I took photos of ALL the purses that I liked. I am sure he thought "Oh,No"
How about you? Do you have a favorite purse?
Do you switch up for the seasons?
Do you have a big purse, medium purse or small purse?
If you have been following The River for the past few years, you know that I sell Fresh Cut Flowers during the Summer months in my front yard.
During the Winter months I did research and studied the idea of selling at a Farmer's Market.
I am excited to announce that The Little Garden That Could will be selling Fresh Cut Flowers at the Bruce Community Farmer's Market each Friday 2:00 - 6:00 June though October.
My first fresh arrangement for the 2016 garden season.
This will be my first time selling my flowers at a Farmer's Market.
I have attended two meetings with the Bruce Community Farmer's Market team, each time I leave the meetings excited and filled with optimism.
Thank you for coming along with me on this adventure.
I appreciate all the support you have given me in comments.
I am a little nervous. I hope my garden season will be a good one. I hope my flowers will bring smiles and cheer. I will never know unless I try.
Some things can be planted already, like lettuce and spinach.
We have experienced some very warm days here in Wisconsin. A bit too warm for our neck of the woods for early May. All of a sudden, Spring is bursting and going very quick.
The following photos are of our garden at the Community Gardens last summer.
The gentleman who started the Community Gardens is in his late 70's. He has been heading up the Community Gardens for all this time.
This Spring he asked for help from your family.
We are excited to volunteer. The Community Gardens are free to use for anyone that is willing to keep a garden. Water is provided for free, composting piles and tilling the garden at the beginning of the season.
We are happy to give back to something we have enjoyed.
My garden last spring right after planting.
Saturday morning we will be helping stake off the garden plots.
I am looking forward to volunteering with the care of the Community Gardens.
Last year we planted during the Memorial weekend. Wisconsin's Spring is looking like it might be a good three weeks earlier this 2016 garden season.
Gladiola bulbs
Last Spring...that is me...with my four garden plots...cheering that I got them all planted.
The fun will start all over again in a week or less.
Come back for a visit on Monday, I will have a special announcement regarding
Please remember as you read my series about moving to a new area...
1. It was not easy. We had no family or friends in the area when we moved here. My husband had a job interview here, that is what brought us to the area. We have been blessed with his employment.
2. It has been 19 years. I have learned so much. And have made many wonderful friends. The move was not easy at the start, it has been a blessing today.
And so to continue...
this is not a barron county road
To get started. Barron County roads run on a grid system.
Cranberry Morning is the source for the following information. To read the entire post Click here
Barron County is laid out on a grid with every street being named
according to its distance north/south and east/west of the southwest
corner of the [perfectly square] county. If you know this, you need
never get lost in Barron County. Everything is measured from that
southwest corner.
For a transplant, that would be me, saying to me to meet up at the corner of 11 3/4 Avenue and
2 3/4 Street, kind of makes your head spin.
Now add the rest of the Barron county native language. Sure all the roads have this nice grid system. But the Barron country natives do not use the grid system. They go ahead and name the streets what they want.
I start to get use to this. I am on 19th Street. I am sharing with a native that I took 19th Street to get to X.
"Oh you mean, Airport Road!" says the Barron County Native
"No, I mean 19th Street" says I, the transplant
"No, 19th Street is Airport Road and it is River Road too." says the Barron County Native
"Ya know, where I come from, we just have ONE name for our roads. Like County Road W, or Skinner Creek or Danish Settlement." says I, the transplant.
I wish I could say it ends here, but it does not.
Oh no!
I was employed in the city of Barron. I lived in Cameron. At the time I was taking Hwy 8 to get to work. I was told of a short cut from my husband. He showed it to me. It was Hwy W. Fun, I thought to myself. I grew up on a Hwy W. I was so proud of my short cut. I shared it with my co workers the next day, all natives by the way. "Oh you mean Museum Road!" the natives said.
Come to find out Hwy W of Barron County is also know as Museum Road and 13 1/2 Avenue and
14th Avenue.
And I still wish I could say it ends here, but it does not!
Poor Farm Road aka Hospital Road aka ....
County Road O aka Airport Road aka 19th Street aka River Road
Now after 19 years, I am use to the road names. I can get around. When I meet someone new in the area. I always give them the heads up about the way the roads work in this county.
How about you? Do you live in an area with confusing road names?
Do some of the roads have more than one name?
If you are a transplant, did you have trouble understanding the way the natives explained directions?
