Minneapolis, MN

Sunday June 21, 09

Summer always comes. 

Sometimes early sometimes late sometimes it seems as though it never will, but it always does. 

Savour it!

This week was busy. Doris to the casino on Tuesday. Gina, Jim Jr's wife picked her up at home and transported her to the bingo table. She did win $80.00 big ones. She was able to get along well with her Cadillac Walker and even took the bus home. What a gal.

Yesterday was eventful. Dawn Burmaster, Janes oldest child, married in Brainerd, MN. Her first marriage. She and Dave Eckendrode, his second marriage,  both have childrern, some of them still at home, others out of the nest. Dave is an auto mechanic. Dont anticipate havinghim work on our car as it is quite a trip to get the oil changed. It was a fun wedding about 175 miles North of Minneapolis. Up early and to bed late. 

Doris, as usual is out and about at her favorite time of the summer selling Auquatennial Skipper Pins. Even with splits on her arm she outsells all others year in and year out. The Aqutennial people love her and she loves the challenge. 

We have finally entered into a period of rain. Not a lot but quite often. The landscape is turning green once again and the farmland looks much better in our corn and bean growing area. 

The lakes are still low and that affects the fishing. I havent been out as yet this season. Pontoons on Lake Mille Lacs and hard to rent due to the poor economy. Many of the providers are out of business or are not doing much due to both the economy and the low water. We are all appreciating the rain fall, however it takes a lot of rain to fill a big lake. An inch is not even noticible. 

It is approaching the Carlson Family Reunion time with Doris' clan in Madison. We are waiting for the date and location of this years fun time. 

Doris' 65th Central High School graduation class is also scheduled. It's hard to realize, she and I have been out of school for all these years. I did not graduate with my class in Kenosha, as I opted to join Uncle Sam's army in 1945. Mistake? I don't think so but will never know. I never have had any contact with any of those I palled around with then. I wonder about some of them who I was close to but that's as far as it has gone.  I did attend The Uof W for a couple of semesters and met my Bride, Doris. That was and is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I am not sure if Doris wants to attend this reunion. She has lost most of her close freinds over the past years and is somewhat affraid as she realizes it will not be the same. We shall see.

Pun! She was only a whiskey maker, but I love her still!

Sign: At a Tire Shop: "Invite us to your next blowout"

All of the Battenberg's here in the uper Mid-West are fine and dandy. The saw business is surviving the current economy and holding its own. We hope the same is true for all of you out there. 

Thanks for tuning in again this week. 

Jim and Doris

e-mail jimbattenberg@usinternet.com