Pre Christmas Post part 4

   Our July started with the traditional trip to Lanesboro for the 4th. The day that we got there we had heavy rain and wind but it was nice the rest of the time we were there. I had a bike along and did manage to get over into Wisconsin and explore west of LaCrescent. As usual the fireworks were unbelievable, again. It was hot and humid for days on end, while we did the mundane things around the house and yard. I was getting paperwork organized to start finishing up Mom's paperwork by getting signatures from all of us involved. I did some bike maintenance like oil changes and a tire on the 650 among other things. I made a short run out to Wyoming again with the idea of going farther west but lost interest by the time I got to Mule Creek Junction, so I circled around and went home, one of these days I will make it to Nevada. We spent time at the farm, Jan mowing grass and chasing the goats around, me I must have been putzing with other projects out there. Jan and I did spend a beautiful evening in North Mankato at the Blues on Belgrade event. There were several bands, lots of people, cold beer, the usual. I did manage to get to a PGR mission in Jackson along with doctor appointments for Jan.
   August dawned with a visit from our east coast branch flying in from Burke, Virginia.They spent a couple days here,  and then we all went up to St. Paul to spend some time together at the Hyatt for the weekend. We spent a fun couple of days together then everybody split up and went home. Jan and I brought home a ton of wood pellets, and stain for the house painting project which started a few days later. Jan and I met Donna DeFor at Jordan to bring Annika to our home for a weeks stay. The painting project was completed in just two days by two guys spraying and brushing groves in the siding. About that time our cement guy did the lip for the trailer slab, which should have been done when it was built in the first place. I took another 3 day trip on the bike to the SAC museum at Ashland, Nebraska, up across Nebraska to the Badlands and home. I holed up in Murdo for a bad squall the last night and cruised home the following morning. This has been a summer when any rain less than a couple inches is just a shower. We broke down and got an electric start mower for Jan's farm mowing hobby, but after trying it, found it was not too good to use, so we took it back.
   September. My cell phone crapped out for me and needed to be replaced. I ended up with a new I phone which I am still trying to get used to, the phone that failed me was an Android and worked a lot differently. Oh well, technology marched on and it has left me in the dust. Jan and I loaded my dirt bike up and headed back out to Ridgway, Colorado for some riding for me and some down time for her. We went out through Hot Springs and Craig, Colorado, pretty much a nice drive all the way. I got part of the way up Imogene Pass and dropped the bike again, I've got to admit it was wet and I was not in shape for that pass. So I went over Corkscrew and down to Silverton and back to Ridgway. The next day we just went for a drive down to Delores and Durango, more beautiful scenery to take in. Our return route home took us across eastern Colorado and Nebraska, so not so scenic. Jan and I are getting to soccer games for all of our local grandkiddos in this area, and I'm spending some time on vehicle care. I was on my way down to Sioux City to get some work done on the GS and ran into another couple with a GS from Argentina that were on their way back from Alaska!! It just goes to show that you never know what you can run across when you are riding a bike. On the 22nd our daughter Genevieve was inducted into the St. James High School Hall of Fame for her exploits in 3 sports at a function at the VFW. It was nice to see her get some recognition for a lot of hard work. Jan and I started getting our affairs in order by meeting with a lawyer to get as many bases covered as we can, so to make it easier for survivors. We have been getting an education on the importance of getting things taken care of as early as possible, because the last few years have been eye opening about the subject.
   October. It seems early but we are spending time getting ready for the winter that is waiting in the wings, putting bikes away, cleaning garages and paying Mom's property taxes again. Jan's sister Paula came down from Wadena to spend some time here. We were back to Rochester for a checkup for me for a change and things are doing fine. I go back every 6 months now just to keep an eye on things, hopefully 3 times is the charm, but I won't bet on it. Around the middle of the month we loaded up and started out for Virginia. After driving by the AMA museum in Ohio several times we did manage to stop and spend some time and purchase the obligatory t shirt for proof that I had been there. Han's defense department job requires him to fly out to the Islands occasionally and Rachel could go along if we could watch the gang, which is the reason, well one of the reasons we went out. Jan and I had not seen their new home which was not too far from the previous home in Burke. It is very nice in a good neighborhood where home prices make a rural Minnesota guy like me, choke a little. Anyhow we ran Joe, Annie and Will to and from parochial school every day. Here we are just outside Washington, DC and we usually get to the local Target for entertainment. Did get locked out one morning returning from school, which entailed a trip to Home Depot for a new lockset, it was needed anyhow. After an uneventful trip home the calendar changes to-
   November where the weather started to go into the dumper, high temps in the teens and snow and rain etc, etc.. Activities are slowing down some, a trip to Rochester for Sam and Gus' VIP day at Holy Spirit and cleaning up leaves. Jan did get some landscaping done around the house so that does cut down on the amount of lawn to take care of and it looks nice too. Jan spotted a special at the Spearfish Canyon Lodge so we drove out for a couple of days to take advantage of that. It was so beautiful and quiet in the Hills that time of year, and the canyon in the morning, wow. I got the news when we returned that Mom's house, which had been on the market for over a year, had finally sold for a lot less than was originally asked. Frankly we were glad to get that part behind us, and I won't miss making sure that it is okay and insured among other things. A return trip to Rochester for basketball games, home for a couple days with a return for Thanksgiving at the Theobalds. I can't wait until they finish, or even put it in the plans, to finish highway 14 from Owatonna to Dodge Center. I did manage to get the Mustang tucked away in the garage for the winter before the month ran out. I will do December in a week or so just so it will be more accurate.