washing the stones

I spent some time in the cemetery this past week.  I went there with a task in hand.  I wanted to clean off twelve headstones in the Iverson family plot.  I used a flat bottom shovel to make a clean edge along the sides of the stones and then I brushed away the excess dirt that had settled on the stones over the years.  When that was done I used some water and a scrub brush and washed the stones.  They look so much better now.  It was a labor of love for my family.

yum.....Tom Thumb

It's state fair time in Minnesota and nothing says state fair like Tom Thumb donuts (if they could talk, that is).  There's about two dozen of these little tasty morsels in this small waxy bag.  Just as the writing on the bag says, these donuts are "light as a feather" and oh so delicious.  They are not donut holes!!  No, No.  They are miniature circular donuts without a center..... just like the big ones (only smaller).       tiny, tasty, treats     oh boy!

Aldersgate

This is where I went to church today.  This church plays a very important role in my life.  This is where I was confirmed and this is where I was married.  It is a mid century modern building built in the early 1950's and it retains a contemporary look for today.  I love this place.  Good sermon, too.

a very pretty flower

 I saw this flower the other day.  The bloom was so perfect.  It was the size of a dinner plate.

back to school

I helped a teacher set up her classroom for the new school year today.  There was an air of excitement in the school as other teachers stopped by to check in on one another.  Everyone was happy.  It made me think back to the days when I was in elementary school and we arrived at the school for the first day of the new school year.  We went to the classroom that we had the year before and our previous teacher greeted us.  She called out each of our names and we formed two rows.  Each row was assigned to a new teacher.  At the appointed time we walked quietly in single file to our new room assignments.  What a fun way to start a new year by saying goodbye to one teacher and saying hello to another on the same day.  It was very exciting.

                     Just imagine this hallway in three weeks.....FILLED with kids!!!  Happy times.

a house built of stones

This is what a lot of stones (and hard labor) will get you.....a beautiful old stone house.  Every stone that covers the outside of this house was hand picked from the ground and surrounding lake bottoms and attached with mortar to this house.  The house sits along the narrow strip of land between Lake Amelia and Lake Villard.  It's quite old and very beautiful, I think.  Hard work does pay off.

a peaceful place

This is Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  We visited here a few days ago.  The grounds are immaculately maintained.  The place is very peaceful.  Our brother rests here.  He rests in the quiet beauty of this very peaceful place.  Thank you for your service, Steven.