Back at FISKALND again

June 15, 2007 (4:47am)
57º F, Clear, Calm wind, 0 mph.

Good morning,

We got back to FISKLAND a bit after 4:00 P.M. yesterday. It seemed like a long day. One thing FISKLAND has that Guds Nordtre doesn’t is mosquitoes! While they are not as bad as the last time here, they are infinitely worse that up nort’. Don’t know if it is the drier conditions thanx to the sandy soil or what, but it is much more comfortable for Margriet. One thing that Guds Nordtre has that FISKLAND doesn’t is DSL! Didn’t think it would be that soon we would become spoiled by that. From what I can tell is the DSL is about 7 times faster than the land line here. Now to get the rest of our system up there and operating. Someday.

There were several emails waiting for me concerning the funeral for Millie when we arrived. Some to the account up nort’ and some here. Pastor is on vacation, so there is some confusion. With our being up north and in transit to here, didn’t help any either. I really am not too sure what is going on, as I have not been able to make any contact with the pastor who is covering for our pastor. The email address for Pastor Kohl which Jeff gave me was incorrect and my messages to him bounced. Jeff, Millie’s son, is getting very frustrated from the tone of his last email, saying he was tired of making decisions and wanted someone else to make them. Know how he feels - been there, did that.

We stopped at the Amish store on the way down. That required us to take the long way here, through Shawano. We loaded upon some of the basic supplies that seem to run out faster than we would like. Also had to pick up some sweets to take to Bible study on Tuesday, as is a custom that seems to have developed. I also picked up a pocket watch for less than $8.00. The last one I really used the kids gave to me for my birthday many years ago, but it died and the cost of repair was about double the cost of a new one. I have picked up a couple since, but they are so thick that the fill the watch pockets on jeans too much, making them too big for the pocket. Guess the pockets have gotten smaller. This one is very slim and works well in the pocket.

Before the store it was time to eat something, so stopped at the Perkins in Shawano. Usually don’t stop there as the prices are a bit higher than we like. We were some surprised as the portion size has increased, even for the "Senior Menu" we normally choose from. The prices seemed to be less than the last stop also. Food was good and Margriet could not finish her’s and I was too full to help her clean her plate. The strawberry pie looked really good, but we passed on it. The restaurant we normally stop at is downtown, but I didn’t want to try and park the truck there. Never tried parallel parking the truck and didn’t think yesterday was the time to start.

We cut "across lots" yesterday through Alpha to come here yesterday. I had noticed a gas station in Caspian with the lowest price in the area. Since we didn’t have enough in the tank to get here without walking, we stopped and put some in at $3.279/gallon, the cheapest we have seen for sometime. As we drove through the Indian Reservation, the price was $3.019/gallon! Never fails. The price here is $3.049/gallon, but we didn’t have enough to get here without the addition. At least the price is heading in the right direction. Now if they drop the first digit, it would be much better at $.999/gallon. Only a dream I am afraid.

We will not be heading back to Guds Nordtre until Wednesday morning at the earliest. Didn’t plan to come here this soon (or to stay up there this long when we went), more like Monday morning, but can’t get out of a Church Council meeting on Tuesday evening. I could have gotten Helen to lead the Bible study, but now will lead that too. Suppose I had better finish the worksheet too!

Sounds like my brother Bill and his wife Mary, are heading to the northwestern part of the state to visit relatives there, then head south along the more or less western half of the state visiting relatives and friends. They put my cousin Janet on the plane back home to Cedartown, Georgia again on Tuesday. It sure was good to see her, even for such a short time. She promised to write and we will do the same. Sure do wish she had a computer. Would make things a lot more convenient.

The shower sure felt good last night. Since we don’t have hot water in the Hobbit Hus or the main house yet, it would mean either a cold shower or what we do is a pits and possible spit bath often with some water heated in the coffee maker! Margriet heats her dishwashing water in the big electric frypan. Got to do, what you got to do! While it ain’t perfect, we get by. As soon as we walked in the door, the washing machine was also put in service. She does wash a couple of things out in cold water everyday up nort’, but it ain’t like doing a big wash of sheets, towels, and like that.

Lots to do today, so .... Time to get a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris ><>