Minneaoplis

August 28

Good Morning,

As Doris and I age the time seems to pass faster and faster. It is almost Labor Day week end and it seems as though these warm sunny days have just arrived after the long Minnesota winters. So be it!

We are still enjoying each other each and every day as it dawns and passes. We seem to be continually busy, involving ourselves in some meaningful activity.

This is a special week, Minnesota State Fair Week, foundly called "The Great Minnesota Get To Gether. The Minnesota fair is just 1 place below the giant Texas fair in attendance and popularity. It runs for 10 days and each year sets new records for popularity and attendance. This years attendance is on schedule again to a set record. The weather has been super for those who like to rub elbows when it's not to hot at this great event. (this year there is an abundance of wind daily, election year). There is something for everyone, free ongoing entertainment at many stages, an evening talent show with a winner each night and a final winner on the last night, great food including anything from exotic to the regular Corn dogs and mini-doughnuts to this years new surprise "pigs ears". My favorite is a hot dog with everything and a cold coke.

This year was a another challenge for Doris and her 4 wheeled walker with brakes, a seat and a basket to hold all the necessaries for a days trip to St Paul on Como avenue where this event has been staged for many years. It's a look forward to event in the upper midwest, where folks show up from the surrounding states. Several years ago when Doris and I were RV'ing we parked at the fair, stayed at the RV park on the grounds for a few days and had a ball. We met all kinds of folks that come to the fair each year with or without the kids and stay for the entire 10 days or less. We met many RV people and had a ball. If we tired, all we had to do was find the coach and take a short nap or just sit in our spot and visit with the neighbors. This is what makes memories and makes an RV fun.

The first task accomplised at the fair is to get in line and pick up a free bag from the many companies that have their names plastered all over them. There are always lines when the better bags are being given away and this year was no exception. The smart givers only give away x of number of bags per hour. That cuts the cost, and keeps the crowd comming back all day for one of these "must have" delights that every one can spot immeciatley. I don't usually spend much money, (entrance for seniors is $8 this year) but sometimes something catches my eye and I pull out the Discover card and then realize that I have created a problem. I now have to carry the item/items around for as long as we are there. This year it was a grill grate scraper. Made from solid red oak. Because I work with wood I could not pass this wonderful solid wood, red oak wonder. I insisted that the sales lady demonstrate. $14.95 plus tax. Because I cook a lot I was unable to pass up the hand crafted garlic container and grater from Itay. The guy demonstrating (you can smell his booth from a long ways away) claims it works great and brightens up the counter next to the stove. $13.00 plus tax. It does'nt do much for Doris. Remember she was the 11th of 12 Carlsons decended from Norweigen farmers in Lafayete county, Wisconsin. I liked it and it now set's next to our stove.

Doris new presciption shoes have arrived and we will travel to the Doctors office (again) for a fitting and are hoping they will fit and help correct the problen that was encountered when the leg brace was introduced because of the problem that was caused when she was rushing to the bathroom and broke her wrist because of the problen that was caused because of the failed surgey a while back. (wow) Other than that she is doing great and is looking forward to returning to her volunteer position at her beloved Kenwood School. She will start about 3 to 4 weeks after school starts and the kids that need that little extra are identified. Last year it was 1/2 day on Tuesday and Thursdays. I drop her off at about 7:00 am and someone from school returns her to the 14th floor condo about noon. This activity keeps her off the streets and out of the bars!

I am still hanging out at my favoite saw repair shop, ocupying space for my wood working. This keeps me active and I am allowed space to manufacture sawdust. I do run a few errands and have become the letter carrier for the company. Again, I have mananged to gain many friends at the post office as I pick up the mail daily. I also deliver resharpened saws to my favorite lumber supplier and have just realized that I probably spend more on lumber than they do on sharpening. There is something wrong with this Picture!

I am looking forward to the fall season as this summers heat and especially high humidity really took their toll on poor old Jim. Many days I left left the shop early as I just seemed to wilt when I tried to do something. I have blamed the many mistakes a miscues on the heat instead of my brain which suffers from the many years it has directed all my activities.

I have just realized that I have sat here during and past lunch. With that task in mind I shall punch the shut down key and escape this chair for a kitchen surprise.

Doris and I hope all are well and for those Carlson's we hope they had a great time at the picnic. We are sorry we had to miss.

Probability; After your hands become coated with grease when repairing your car, your nose itches and you have to pee.

Probability; The severity of the itch is inversley proportional to the reach.

Have a great week,

Jim and Doris

Sunday, August 8, 10

Hi,

Doris' toe is healing and she has been behaving by keeping her foot elevated. She is a difficult person to follow orders for bed rest. She has been staying off and keep the foot elevated. Years ago they didn't think of probable future problems when it was popular to remove those ugly large veins that a lot of people had. They just ripped em out with out any thought of future consequenses. Now that the veins are gone it takes a long time for the blood to return to the heart and poses a longer healing process. She is improving and a new pair of presciption shoes have been ordered. She is looking forward to her 40th year at Kenwood school soon.

This event has altered our thinking about the annual trip to Madison Wi. and the picnic and our visit to friends and relatives that we miss.

Maybe Next Year !

The upper Midwest weather has been hot and humid. I travel to the shop each and every day but don't try to set to many gaols for the day when it is humid. Since my age has been creeping and project keep piling up at my shop door I do escape the heat when i feel overwhelmed ane head home for the 17th floor and air conditioning. It is also necesarry to check on Doris so it all works out. Each week they predict more heat and humidity and each week we tough Mid-westerners face it like soldiers. It's kind of odd as I remember my days on the farm when we put up hay for the winter in outside hay stacks, shocked oat bundles and milked those hot cows twice a day in weather not unlike what we are experiencing now. How did we do it? We Had To! and we were young and foolish. Horse worked all day in the heat, but were rested often and plenty of water. we never lost an animal due to heat or exhaustion. They were the power on the farm in the 40 ty's.

Great Grandson James, ten years of age, from Alabama visited last week of July. His first plane ride home to Nashville where parents Jennifer and Steve greeted him. Jim and Gina drove to Alabama to visit and brought him back to Minneapolis for his first visit away from home. We enjoyed showing him the unusual parts of the city. Underneath the new 35W bridge, The U of M racing shell boat house, as well as collecting rocks and mud from the Mississippi River. We hope he enjoyed as much as we did.

Traveling Humor!

"Take notice: when this sign is underwater, this road is impassible"

Safety Information on a card in American West Airline:

"If you are sitting in an exit row and cannot read this card, please tell a crew mwmber".

Thanks for looking us up. Let us hear from you.

Jim and Doris

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Hi to all,

It is the first day of a new month. July flew by and now we are looking toward the end of summer. As we age, things that once seemed to drag by, now race past us like a flash of lightning.

We must be come observant and careful of our priorities and not take on to many responsibilities that take much of our time. It seems as though we are just beginning to get used to these pleasant summer months and suddenly it's fall, or near fall and the sports world is hyping football and Bret Favre. Will he or wont he return to Minnesota? Meanwhile the Minnesota Twins are on a roll and have won 7 in a row and playing better. They are now facing the bigger, better, eastern teams who are in contention and this is where they always seem to come apart. We shall see.

Last week end was partially spent in the emergency room of Uof M Riverside to repair Doris big toe. Due to her diabetic condition the slightest bruise, bump or blood sugar levels cause immediate concern.

Somehow, somewhere she bruised, bumped, maybe an ingrown toe nail caused us concern. The good doctor at ER lanced the thing, the nurse applied a dressing and handed her a supply of gauze, tape, the usual anti-biotic and sent us away with instructions to see Doc Kelly ASAP.

We followed instructions and the good Doctor ordered Doris OFF her feet. Preferably bed rest. Any one who knows anything at all about Doris knows immediately that this lady will never succumb to any form of bed rest. She has done quit well and has learned to clean and dress the toe like and expert. She does stay off and I have again assumed the domestic duties of the house. She is on the road to recovery and is being a good girl as 'The Carlson Summer Picnic" is drawing near.

This get to-gether is two-fold as we are fortunate to visit with old friends, (at least the ones that are still with us) and Jim's cousins in Oconomowoc and Lake Mills Wi. My cousin Bob Phillips who lived in Sun Prairie, passed away in June. We always look forward to the summer for these Wisconsin visits.

Traveling for the two of us is not what it once was. I must be aware of my driving habits and abilities that I took for granted in past years. I have only been presented with 1 speeding ticket in my years of driving, and no serious accidents or injuries. I use a GPS as my co-pilot Doris never drove, never wanted to, and does not read road maps. We always seem to get where ever it is were going though u-turns and around the blocks come oftener.

A policeman pulled a driver over after he'd been driving the wrong way on a one way street.

"The cop asked " Do you know where your going?

The driver Says "No, but where ever it is it must be bad because all the cars are leaving".

Keep in touch as we love to hear from you.

This is the third anniversary of the ill fated I 35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis. It has been rebuilt and is safe to drive on. Come visit!

Jim and Doris