stave church

The Hopperstad stave church sits on the grounds of the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota.  It was built in 1998 and is a reproduction and the namesake of the stave church in Norway.  Having seen both an original old stave church while traveling in Norway, it is exciting to see this hand built reproduction done with such accuracy.  Stave refers to the construction technique of building with vertical boards instead of the more commonly used horizontal placement of the boards.  And the carved dragons.....well, they're just perfect.

a sign?

This is actually the name of an antiques store in Livingston, Montana but it sort of feels like my life from time to time.  I have done a really good job of downsizing household goods.  Now.....about my car.     hmmmmm

Holbrook UMC

I went to church today in Livingston, Montana.  What a beautiful old church with a warm heart and a friendly congregation this is.  It is World Communion Sunday.  The communion was served.  The message was about friendship and making amends for the past.  I hope to pass this way again.

stung by a bee

I was stung by a bee two days ago.  I didn't even see it coming.  I brushed what I thought was a bug from my arm and realized there was a stinger laying on my skin.  It hurt.  I'm not allergic to bee stings.  I'm just fine.  But, my sting wound itches really badly.  I'm trying not to scratch.  Trying but not necessarily succeeding.  o-o-o-o-o

the LAKE

I love a small town theater.  I enjoyed a movie the other night at the Lake.  The refreshment counter is right inside the front door (drinks are in the vending machine outside) and the only auditorium is about two steps away.  I saw the last showing of the current movie and by the time the show ended, the marquee had already been changed.  The lit sign just sparkled in the night.  And then, in a blink of an eye, the light was gone, waiting to come alive for the next weekend show.

hug a teacher

If you ever run into one of your former teachers (especially your first grade teacher) be sure to say hello OR, better yet, give them a hug.  They made an impression on you because they were one of your first teachers and, believe it or not, they will remember you.  Maybe it was me or maybe it was because I was one of several children from a large family with a distinctive last name that attended the school but my teacher knew me even after all these years (decades) later.  And when we talked and I told here about things I remembered from her class, like the giant Dick, Jane and Sally books we read from in our reading groups, she was delighted.  She was only 27 when she first taught me and I looked up to her.  She was a good (great) teacher.  And, she got a hug.  We both did.

it's still there

On my way through Paynesville I stopped by the DQ for a chocolate dipped cone.  It's sort of a tradition for me.  As a child my family would stop by for a treat on our way to the cabin at Villard.  The DQ sits along highway 55 and it looks as if things haven't changed a bit here.  It's the same building.  Some things don't change and they don't need to either.  Love it!!  Oh, and the dipped cone...tasty as ever.  The curl on top?  I licked it off right away.     refreshing