Blizzard Alvin

Several years ago our local paper started giving names to our blizzards like they do hurricanes. Well Blizzard Alvin hit us on Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day and into the next. All the interstates and most roads in the whole state were closed. We were left with 24 inches of snow on the level... but most of it wasn't level.
Outside the front window there was a big drift over the sidewalk to the front door.

You can see it measured 4 feet. That's why I am thankful for a snow blower. I used it to blow out my drive and the neighbors just in time to have the city plow come by and put three feet of road snow in our drives.

Oh well, that's why we love it up here. There are no mosquitoes when it snows like this...

Can't We All Get Along?

Bald eagles will hang around in the cold if there is enough to eat. Usually after deer harvest there are carcases that they can feed on if there isn't too much snow. A phone call from a rural friend told me where to find a bunch of them feeding on a dead deer. Here are five in a nearby tree waiting their turn.Several of them seem to be trying to discover the pecking order of who gets the best steak.
One got impatient and tried to move the one hogging the best feeding place. "Can't we all get along?"

Look at the size of the wings. Not sure if the grey feathers mean this is an old bird or not.

I like to think that the old guy won out.

Papa's Favorites

Ok, here are some of my favorites from our most recent visit to see Mack and his folks. If you are a grandparent you will understand.

Look Who is in Arkansas

We came down to see this guy as I had two weeks off from preaching. This is how we were greeted.We've seen a little more of the town with C.
The Old Mill still takes a good picture even in late fall.

It has been fun to see this guy starting to walk.

Look out, the fun is about to begin!

Papa and Tutu brought the table and chairs that C had as a little one. Grandpa M made them for her and with a new coat of paint, they look pretty good.

Mack seems to like them....

"Grandpa who made these?"

Mack loves to see his pictures on the computer and with all the pictures I've taken he can be entertained for quite awhile.

The weather... oh my.... the weather has been great.

Mack is making his vote for the logo....

What fun we are having!

Still Got It...

The other day Mack and I were sitting on a bench in front of some stores the ladies were looking at and a woman walked up to us and said:"Hey handsome... you know you are handsome, don't you?.... "

"You and your big, blue Paul Newman eyes..."

"You are sure a cutie!"

"I bet you are a real lady-killer, aren't you?"

I didn't say anything... what do you say when someone says things like that?

Finally, all I said as she left was "thank you."

I guess I've still got it.

Whew....

To say that Mr. Mack is busy is an understatement. If only some of that energy could be saved for us old guys. Here are a few of his busy activities...Spelunking...

Of course catching up with Grandparents in Fargo...

Driving....

Plane rides...

Cupboard rearranging...

Space travel....

And refueling...

And finally splash down.... whew!