Sunday June 6, 2010

Good Morning,

For those of us who are older this is a special day in the history of the world and WWll.

On this day thousands of soldiers of the free world arose on this date in England, were served a grea breakfast, loaded on transport ships and traveld to the shores of France to begin the greatest invasion of Europe. One that the world has never seen before and hopefully never again, to defeat the forces of the 3rd Reich and Adolph Hitler.

Many of the invaders were drowned when leaving the landing crafts after jumping off near shore, some in deep water, dressed for invasion with heavy weapons and full packs of amunuition. Many were injured or killed on the trip that transported them from Englnd to the shores of France. Many died on the beaches before the thousands of allied invaiding forces overwhelmed the German Army and the eventual fall of the Nazis.

I was a buck private in the Army Infantry, just finishing my basic training. I remember the cheers when we were told of the invaision and all of us, the late entries into the service, were anxious to get to Europe to help finish the job. The guys I trained with probably did get there. I never made it. I was on furlough before being shipped out. I became ill during my furlough and my folks had to call the army to tell them I was unable to travel. They insisted that a Doctor would have to confirm I was to ill to get back to camp and my outfit. This was accomplished and an army ambulance picked me up at my folks home in Kenosha, Wisconsin and transported me to Ft. Sheridan, Il. It was a long ride in an army ambulance (if you have ever seen one on TV you will agree) especially when your sick. This experience turned into a three month stay at the hospital. That is when the war in Europe ended and where I was declared to ill to continue army duties. I am glad I had my chance to serve, but unhappy that my military career was shotened and I was dischared when the Japs were were still fighting. I wanted to get back to my outfit in Ft. Rilery, Kansas where I was to ship out. I never made it. I never saw any of my Army buddies again. Back then no one kept home addresses so I lost track of them, as well as my personal things that were packed in duffel bags back at the base and all of my army issue except for the things I had with me on my first and last furlough. I think about "what If" as I sit here on June 6, 2010 alive well and able to think of what might have been for me during the future of the war. I am proud to have at least claimed to be a part of it and I fly my flag almost every day.

Summer has arrived full force here in the Upper Midwest. Everything is green or becomming green, campers are prepacking thir camping gear for a new season. The green houses are doing a super job of supplying spring flowers and plants to those of us with green thumbs. School is soon over for another year and Doris has just compleated her 29th year of service at Kenwood school where a couple of our kids attended elementary school.

Doris was nominated for "Minneapolis Volunteer of the Year" this spring. A couple who volunteer together at different school than Kenwood were chosen (and deserved the award) . Doris was a special award person of the year and was treated royally at a dinner where I was fortunate to be invited. I met many of the teachers she assited through out the years of service. It was a great time an I was proud to sit next to her and see her shine. Doris was also honered Mothers Day, at Jane and Garys home, where the celebration took place. Most all of all the kids where in attendance. All of this made a special week and day for Doris.

Tod, our wayward son, living in california is recovering from a stroke he suffered a few months ago. He is doing well and travels from home to a rehab center for therapy. I am told he is doing well, however full recovery is probably a way's away.

Jane had knee surgery this last Friday moring. The was surgery to put off for as long as possable a cxomplete knee replacement. She is doing well. Swelling and soreness are the call of the day and therapy session are endles. she hopes to be home by eary week. Her home is on a hill and stairways lead to all entrances. We shall see how she manages this. She is concerned about missing work at Eide saw, however the gang there has been with her for many years and the company will survive until she is able to drive and get around.

Jane and Gary's new lake home is now occupied and I suppose she will conveles there as much as she can. Doris and I are invited to inspect the new lake place on the week end of June 25. We are anxious to see it and maybe even get in a bit of fishing. We willtravel to the lake with jim and His wife Gina. I will not have to drive.

Oil continues to gush and is contaminating the great Gulf of Mexico. Birds, fish, beaches marsh will suffer for years to come. Income, carreres and a way a life will begone for many years. I assume that some species of the gulf will also be lost forever. With all of our technical knowledge and expertise, how could this happen? Was it inevable that in our quest for energy that this would happen? We are all probably to blame for our trmendous energy supported life style. Just look at the crowded highways, and all energy guzzling machines we citizens must have or at least think we must have to survive. In Minneapolis a commuter light rail sytems has been completed and is being extended to St Paul and other suburbs to get single occupant cars off the roads. The light rail commuter cars are comfortable, the fares favorable and polution is decreased. Everyone cannot use mass transit on a daily basis and must drive but it all helps to slow the use of oil, which will propbably never happen and the pattern of covering the land with concrete roads that will never stop. If ever you should find yoursely in our "neck of the woods" we will see that you travel to the Mall of America via Light Rail.

Now that June is here, "in its full glory" I must report that my tomatos are growing like crazy. I have already tied them and I am about ready to trim the lower non-producing branches.

Work hours at the shop are still shortened due the slow economy. This is not comfortable for the long term employees, it is however better than zero hours. The work is kind of sporattic, busy one day and slow the next. Over the long run it seems to be picking up a little but for all the machinery we have it is an under performing economy. At least, in our case, all is mortgage free, long term debt is non existant. Just need to be careful what is purchased. The rule is, "if you can't sell it, don't buy it."

Now that summer is here Doris and I are again looking forward to our annual trip to Madison to visit with the Carlson clan. It is always good to see all the survivors and their families at least once a year. This event usually takes place in mid August and we again are awaiting to see which neice or nephew will be the host for 2010 get together.

As the years pass it becomes a more difficult each year to make the trip from Minneapolis to Madison. We always tell ourselves this is the last time, but as the months pass we somehow gain courage, pack up and go, visiting with freinds and family along the way. It is not a fast trip but we continue to make the round trip with out incident.

At 83 I still drive with confidence, just not as fast and a lot more careful as in the past. I do run errands and make a few out of the way deliveries for the company. I am sure I am one of those guys you drive behind and when you get even with them, you take a look to see who that old guy is.

I get awful nervous when I am diving behind those mostly young folks who cant drive without a cup of coffee, a deafening radio and a cell phone in their ear. Who are all these folks talking to?Takes us a bit longer longer but we usually catch up with the drivers who honk and speed by at the next traffic light or rest area.

Humor!

A traffic policeman pulled a guy over after he had been driving the wrong way on a one way street.

The cop asked, "Do you know where you were going?"

The guy replied, "No, but where ever it is it must be bad because every one is leaving!"

I have a sort of mental lapse when it comes to using my computer. I always have trouble remembering passwords and other secrete proceedures that refuse to let you connect unless you can furnish you pet dogs name or some supposed secrete word that you alone can answer. I guess I will list these secretes in a secrete place and then hope I can find the secrete place where they are hidden when needed. This is the reason my blog's are never regular. One time I can open it like lightning, The next time I try It wont let me in.

Thank God for the Apple Store.

I still get up early each day, shower, shave, prepare the days breakfast for my bride (Doris requires 1/2 grapefruit and a cup of hot fresh coffee each morning to get her going). I then travel to my shop where I create much saw dust. I have been building small furniture for Janes lake home. I travel to this friendly lumber yard where I pick up and deliver saw blades. They are always glad to see me as I usually fill my car with exotic lumber for the next weeks projects. I might also tell you that if it wasn't for the activity and routine I have created for myself, I am certain I would perish. I have this nice park bench, not unlike the ones on the shore of Conklin Park on the shore of lake mendota in Madison where Doris and I used to sit for hours and hug after the movie before we were married. I sit in my restored bench now, in the sun, wave at the girls and cars going by and refresh myself with a bottle of water. If I am bothered at the shop or things don't go the way I like, I just turn the switches to off, close the overhead door,tell those interested good bye, travel home (about 5 minutes) and find my favorite chair and nap a while.

I have known a lot of guys who said they would not do a thing except fish, drink coffee, and sleep after retirement. After the fishing became old hat and became a routine, they sat with nothing to keep mind and body active.

I have attended many funerals.

Thanks for tuning us in. We appreciate letting you, our friends and relatives know what's happening in our lives.

We appreciate hearing from You, we hope you appreciate hearing from us.

Be good to yourselves and enjoy!

Jim and Doris

e-mail

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blog (Published occasionally)

eidesawman.blogspot.com

phone

612-332-9965