Good letter

September 28, 2007 (6:29am)

43º F, Sunny, Dead Calm Wind.

Good morning,

Boy did I sleep late this morning. Went to bed a bit early too. Don’t remember any really good dreams that I want to stay asleep for either. Don’t know what happened.

We finally got a letter from Dan. It is good news and bad news. His sentence is for 20 more months, besides what he has served or 2¼ years. That is much less than I expected. He has been moved from Brown County Jail to somewhere else. We don’t know where and he didn’t know when he wrote on the 20th. We also got one of the letters we sent to him on the 22nd returned too. Guess we will be getting more back as time goes on. He sounded rather up-beat, which is a good thing, and planning for the future, also a good thing. He was some grumpy that the only thing he can take with him is his Bible. At least he has the important stuff to take. Hope he will be able to get his sentence shortened for good behavior. I am continuing to write to him, but combining everything into one very long letter, including all the letter I sent to him beginning with the 22nd that we got back. Maybe it will put him to sleep when he has problems sleeping. We are so glad to get the letter finally. I really have been worried about him.

I didn’t do any more destruction, rather giving it a rest for the day and going to Iron River and cleaning up some of the branches from the trees I cut down. Also stacked some of the cut logs for further cutting into blocks and splitting. The new wood pile has started. It will need to get much bigger before it gets smaller I think. I really have to get after making wood, no shortage of trees around here, but there just are not enough hours in a day for all that needs to be done.

The ride to Iron River was some ill-timed. It got a bit late, so arrived at lunch time. One of the primary reasons was to check on the tractor and the furnace. Caught Eli eating, but got to see the “new” tractor and what is needed on it to get it ready. This is a couple years older than the other one. It needs a heck of a good cleaning for sure, but the engine sounds OK. It still has a 6 volt electrical system, so that may need to be changed someday. One of the rear tires is not too good, so Eli has another for it. There are some things which need to be done and offered to have me help do them rather than have them as part of the cost. I agreed, so next week will spend some time at his shop working on Fjord. I also got a chance to drive it a bit, the first time I have ever driven a “real” tractor in my life. One bearing in the steering system needs replacement as it really is hard to turn to the right. Left is fairly easy, easier than I expected. It will take me some getting used to drive. So it looks like the fun starts.

The other reason was to stop at the Secretary of State’s office to see about a driver’s license for me and an I.D. for my Woman. Arrived just when they were closed for lunch, so went back after stopping at Eli’s. Doesn’t seem to be as complicated as I thought it might be. Do need to bring some identifying documents to prove we are who we are, but that will not be a big deal, as well as some money. Seems we have needed them often in the past couple of years. Also want to get a hunting license too! Need a driver’s license for that.

Since we got to Iron River at lunch time, not intended, we stopped for a sandwich at the Ma’s Main Street Café. The mushroom and Swiss burger was excellent! Margriet had half order of a roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy. Also good, but nearly too much for her. Since we had more than we normally eat at noon and it was some late, we had a lighter supper. Margriet baked some biscuits and we had some leftover meatball gravy over them. Seems the new range is getting a good workout everyday. If it isn’t fresh bread it is muffins, or biscuits, or roast chicken, or some other goodie we haven’t had for some time. To say the least, Margriet really enjoys using it and I really enjoy the results!

Time to get a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris <><