Ice Fishing with a 10 lb Catfish!

Scott and Brandon ice fishing....the ice is 4" thick which I still think is very scary!  Scott caught a 10 lb catfish!
Now the water is clear without any ice.  The temperature was 60 degrees on Friday.

                                      The Dream         Robert Frost
I had withdrawn in forest, and my song

Was swallowed up in leaves that blew alway;
And to the forest edge you came one day
(This was my dream) and looked and pondered long,
But did not enter, though the wish was strong:
You shook your pensive head as who should say,
‘I dare not—too far in his footsteps stray—

He must seek me would he undo the wrong.

 Not far, but near, I stood and saw it all

Behind low boughs the trees let down outside;
And the sweet pang it cost me not to call
And tell you that I saw does still abide.
But ’tis not true that thus I dwelt aloof,
For the wood wakes, and you are here for proof

I had withdrawn in forest, and my song               
Robert Frost

Fun and Rest

Buds and Fallen Leaves + Tornado

 So good to hear from you two in Sweden!  It was a stormy day here with tornado warnings..temperature was 72.  But when I came home from work that night it was 38 degrees.

Just some photos of that day and our budding bradford pear tree while the frosty, totally unorganic, glitsy, huge Christmas wreath hangs on our door.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Veterans Day — Infoplease.com

Veterans Day — Infoplease.com

Getting Ready for a Southern Christmas...y,all!

http://www.pauladeen.com/holidayhouse

The riddle of experience vs. memory.

The riddle of experience vs. memory.

Happenings on the weekend...

Finished Team Building IV: Conflict Management, required reading and testing for work and to add to my ceu's for my RN license. It was interesting how to deal with conflict between people at work and promote harmony. My first instinct is avoidance for any conflict but came to my attention as I read this lesson that I should welcome conflict to learn and develop better teamwork. Groupthink is when everyone always agrees because they lack focus and are kind of afraid to disagree. They do not want to upset the boat...so to say. Please be praying for me.

Also reading "Freedom" A novel from Jonathan Franzen...and daily journaling devotional "Jesus Calling".

Went shopping with Gloria and helped her pick out skinny jeans and boots at the Buckle.

Watch Defiance last night and what a good movie and a true story...received many awards.   The Bielski brothers Tuvia and Zus lead others to live and carve out a life in the Bialowieg Forrest hiding from the Nazis.   This forrest is located in Poland.  I would love to visit this area.  They lived there for 2 years and build schools, stores and homes while hiding and being discreet to the outside society.

 I especially like the actor Liev Schreiber who played Zus.   And to think Zus was born in the same year as my Mom....1912.  Want to read the book now.
Listened to Pearl Jam..like his voice in "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter" ...also the words.

I seem to recognize your face
Haunting, familiar, yet I can't seem to place it
Cannot find the candle of thought to light your name
Lifetimes are catching up with me
All these changes taking place, I wish I'd seen the place
But no one's ever taken me
Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away
Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away
I swear I recognize your breath
Memories like fingerprints are slowly raising
Me, you wouldn't recall, for I'm not my former
It's hard when, you're stuck upon the shelf
I changed by not changing at all, small town predicts my fate
Perhaps that's what no one wants to see
I just want to scream- hello
My God its been so long, never dreamed you'd return
But now here you are, and here I am
Hearts and thoughts they fade, away
Hearts and thoughts they fade, away
Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away
Hearts and thoughts they fade

Looked up Staghorn Fern and what I should do with it. It likes to grow on tree bark and likes a moist environment. They say you could attach it to a board and hang it up. Or put bark in a hanging basket and put it in ...anyhow..poor thing will try to do right by it. Normally grows well in Hawaii but here in Illinois will have to provide moist air.
What am I growing??? Trying to keep the plants warm till I can bring them in. Quite a few lemons and oranges on the trees.  Just need to find select spots in the house to keep them until next spring.

Joy Williams - Speaking a Dead Language - Grey's Anatomy season 6 premiere

Halloween Happenings....

Happy Halloween! The Mermaid is Megan and the Flower is Leah with the witch Mom.

More pictures from Party

Trying to scare Leah.
Gloria, Leah and Megan
Gloria and Leah Rose
Courtney with her Grandfather Richard.

Richard's Happy Birthday Party in the Barn

It was a surprise party for Richard. Kathy took him to a sale and we all gathered at the barn. She brought him home and he wondered why all the cars were parked in front of the barn but he still didn't have a clue. Yes we are the Roberts Family...no clue. Here is Courtney Hatfield, your second cousin.
Richard with Ashton (April's boy) and Megan.
Phylis, your cousin with her daughter April and Ashton.
Richard..cake says 17.
Megan, Phylis, Richard, Ashton, April, Kathy and Leah.

10-10-10 Photos from today

At the Anamosa Cemetary for Marguerite's Memorial Service. Jo says .."Whats going on?"

Leah and Megan..eye protection is very important while in the sunshine!

Rudy is feeling to good now...back to work for you!
Megan's espression ...who does that remind you of...???

Kirby family on Gloria's birthday.
Orchid I got at Whole Foods...like that store.
Only tree on the block that has turned auburn colors for fall.

OK Go - White Knuckles - Official Video

Lots of fun and memories!

We miss you both. The house is to quiet but so glad you made it back to Sweden safely. What fun we had last week in Washington DC, Virginia Beach, Arcola and of course home.