Three Funerals and a Wedding

We've been very busy lately.  We got our soybeans planted the hot week in the middle of April.  Then it turned cold and windy with several nights of frost.  One day we had rain, sleet, and snow.  I was glad that I didn't have any corn in the ground.  We spent a couple of afternoons/evenings in the hospital with my Mom.  She had a small stroke, but is back home with no lasting effects.

Last week I was able to start planting corn.  The forecast wasn't perfect, but it looked like it would be good enough to get some in the ground.  As the weekend neared, the forecast was for more cold and rain, so I am not sure how much I should have planted. I hope it all comes up OK.

Sunday morning after chores, we drove up to Elgin for Kray and Heather's wedding.  Ned had rolled in at 3 A.M. and spent what was left of the night, so he rode along with us.  Always stimulating conversation with Ned around.  I hadn't been to church in Elgin for years, so it was good to get back up there.  I finally was able to meet my newest granddaughter, who also made the trip from Grabill!  During the wedding, we sat in the back bench of church with most of our grandchildren. We still may have been a little disruptive, but overall they were pretty well behaved.  Sitting in the back meant we were ushered out last, so we were late to the reception line.  We stood in line an hour, but had some good conversations with those around us.  And there was plenty of good food, cake, and chocolate milkshakes left.  After the new couple left the reception, we headed back south in the cold drizzle.  We wish Kray and Heather God's blessing as they begin their life together! 

Monday, a carload of us left after lunch for Bloomfield and Aunt Evelyn's visitation.  It is a three and a half hour drive out.  We spent about an hour at the visitation (it was like a family reunion) and then headed for home.  Another three and a half hour drive with a supper stop thrown in.  Tuesday morning, we headed to Gridley for Aunt Lucille's funeral.  We went to the cemetery and stayed for lunch, so it was close to two o'clock by the time we got back home.  The afternoon was very windy, so I decided not to start working any ground as it would dry out too much if I couldn't get it planted right away.  So, I made an impulsive decision to buy tickets to the Jupiter String Quartet/East Coast Chamber Orchestra concert at Krannert Center in C-U that evening.  I hurried through chores, and got cleaned up in time to leave at 4:30.  We ate supper at Black Dog Smoke House in Champaign, which is a great BBQ restaurant.  We walked around campus a little before the concert, but it was cool and windy so we didn't spend too much time outside.  We enjoyed the concert, but it made for another late evening.  Wednesday morning I had planned to get back in the field.  That was until I was asked to sing at Sister Edna's funeral.  I'm not that good of a singer anymore (if I ever was), but they needed another tenor so I agreed.  The visitation and singer practice was at 10:00, so there wasn't time to go to the field prior.  When I got home in the afternoon, I finally got to the field and did tillage the rest of the day. 

Thursday I was able to get another field of corn planted, but on my last round the alternator/air conditioner belt shredded.  I finished the field and called the service department.  They didn't have the belt in stock, so they ordered it flash overnight delivery.  This morning about 9:30, the tech showed up with the belt and had it installed in a half hour.  I was able to plant my last field of corn today.  I pray God adds the increase.

We are storing a piano for M & N in our shop, and it showed up this week on a flatbed with Tate playing it as it traveled down the road.

Son #2 and his wife gave us grandchild number 14 this week, a healthy baby boy.  We now have five boys and nine girls.  We hope to meet him soon.

Apple blossoms, violets, and dandelions.

The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.                   Habakkuk 3:19