Larry is feeling better

Larry has been doctoring for a couple of months now. He started out with gout in his ankle. This caused so much pain he was limping badly for awhile. That went away and has only recurred once. The medicine he was given helped.
Then he experienced muscle and joint pain in his shoulders and legs. A check up at the doctor didn't reveal anything special. When this continued, he returned to the doctor with ideas from our doctor friend in Finland, Jaakko. Another blood test confirmed a real malady "polymyalgian rheumatica." He's been on medicine a couple of weeks and most of the symptoms are gone. He was worried that the rest of his life would be in one pain or another and now has a new lease on life. The good part of this malady is that it usually goes away within four years. So even if he has to deal with flare ups, there is a good outcome in the future.
Even during his painful days, he didn't stop doing his things around the house and with and for other people. He started pushing himself back to action when he figured it would be around for awhile. He would just push through the pain.
We were really glad he was diagnosed before the square dance convention. He was able to dance the full weekend. We wouldn't want to quit sqauare dancing after 43 years of that activity.

Big Fire

Paul and family came out to Buffalo to help Grandpa burn brush. The fire permit was bought and everything was 'good to go.' Larry had taken three trees down to make more sunlight for the raspberries. There was a big pile of brush from the winter and the branches and twigs from three downed trees. The boys had a great time helping feed and contain the fire. Rajah enjoyed the tether ball and playhouse as well as the fire. Grandma fixed hot dogs and brats for supper with banana jello. There were great coals to roast marshmallows. It has been sunny and dry. Soon we are expecting rain and the temperature is supposed to drop. Next week is Vacation Bible School with an outdoor camp theme. Minnesota needs rain badly but we hope it is dry each morning.

Rajah and the Cardinals

Rajah is playing softball this summer. Her Dad caught these action shots.

Family Gathering on May 17th

We all met up at Big Oaks campground for birthday celebrations for Marlys and Gen. We had old business for Luke and Pat too. It was a great day for a picnic. Pat & Anna and boys had camped out for the weekend with Scouts. They were just finishing packing up from that. The rest of us arrived with food for a nice picnic. The hot dogs/brats tasted so good with all the trimmings and the fruit and watermellon! Yummy! The area had a nice slide and jungle gym/swing area. Rajah and Gen sat and played in the sand. Both of them love to play in the dirt! The boys climbed some trees, threw frisbees and rode bikes a bit. Marlys took a long walk looking for a toilet. She missed finding the close one so got her walk in for the day. Thank you, God, for such a beautiful spring day!