Sunday, August 31, 2008

State Fair Animals!!

I didn't take many animal pictures this year...here are most of them.


Amelia with a young calf in the cattle barn.




The big pig.




Margaret and Amelia with a horse.




Amelia with the horses who led the parade.



Baby piggies. These are in a litter that was being born as we arrived in the "Miracle of Birth" barn.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Mighty Midway

From the Minnesota State Fair. I didn't have blue sky, but still got a few cool pictures.






Friday, August 29, 2008

On getting old...

I stopped at Walgreen's in Edina on the way home from work today. I needed some Sudafed to try to clear up this crazy cold or allergy before it decides to settle in my chest.

Those of you who know Edina know that it does have an aging population. It's a little slice of Florida (in fact, many residents are likely starting to think about heading there soon). My trip to Walgreen's was a sobering look into what growing old must be like.

As I walked in, an elderly gentleman was waiting with his walker at the edge of the handicapped parking area as his wife was coming around the car to help him in.

Inside the store, the first gentleman I saw was carrying a large bag of "disposable undergarments".

When I got back to the prescription counter (you have to surrender ID and sign in for Sudafed) three ladies there were talking about diabetes supplies...which ones were the best for checking blood and which were covered by Medicare.

The gentleman next to me, when asked for his address, started with one and then stopped himself. "Ooops." he said "I had lived there since I was 6 years old. Here's my new address" It included an apartment #. I suspect he had recently moved out of his home of 70+ years.

My intent is not in any way to make fun of this situation (although a wry smile is on my face as I re-read this), but the sobering thought that I could be there some day. Unable to walk, incontinent, with diabetes, moving to a new home... away from where I raised kids. Whenever I am reminded of this I get a little "health kick urge" going. Walking and a little weight training to keep my body able to handle life after 70. Or 80. Or 90. I may have some genes on my side. One Grandma lived to 103. She lived on her own (in an apartment the last 7 or 8 years of that) until she was 98 or 99.

That's all today. Just a thought.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

California...

I've been in California twice since my last blog entry. Both were business trips. Luckily, I got to see my Sister-in-law and niece on the 2nd trip



Can you believe Karin took this picture? She seems to have mastered the self-portrait pose (i.e. not looking like she is reaching out with her arm to take a shot looking back at us...).