i'm biiizeee

Went to the Midwest this weekend. Nice and quick from Denver (as opposed to the full-day of travel each direction from San Diego).

Landed in Omaha, got my rental car. They had a mini Cooper available for more money but I didn’t splurge for it. There are plenty of deer back there – lots of road kill – didn’t figure I’d survive a deer hit in a mini Cooper. Glad I went for the bigger car because I couldn’t have gotten the Gparents in and out of that mini thing. And I need to drive… because Granddad’s driving scares me and I don’t want to get carsick.

Taco John’s potato oles for lunch were awesome! Went to the farm and napped, then Granddad and I went over to the nursing home. Granddad’s hips are bothering him but he’s cheerful as ever. I can’t believe how good his hearing still is considering 80+ years around farm equipment! Mom is doing pretty well: alert and responsive. Grandmother can’t hear much, has limited short-term memory, and doesn’t eat enough to keep a child alive. She knew who I was when I came in, then called me “Jenet” for a while (her cousin on the Bonderson side). Otherwise she’s the same ole Grandmother. Supper at the nursing home was fine, though Grandmother only ate half her cornbread – nothing else. This picture was taken by Jesse last summer – of the Gparent’s front lawn.

Saturday morning I went to breakfast at Verna Jean’s (the Knight’s Inn) with Granddad. I tried to order bacon and eggs and he said it would be too difficult for Verna Jean so “why don’t we just each get a pancake” (not pancakeS – you just order ONE pancake here) which as you know I can’t eat, and I told him so. He tries so hard to remember and understand but it still surprises him every time. I don’t understand why he SO wants me to go to breakfast with him. We get there, order and I’m relegated to the women’s table… which is fine because those women are great. But why drag me out of bed to NOT spend time with me?

Neither brother was able to make it up to see me this weekend – I know it’s a LONG drive. A couple of weeks ago, John told me that Big Red (my favorite old gelding who would be about my age) was doing really badly last time he saw him and that Granddad was going to have Clinton (the kid who farms his land) “take care of it” which means put him down. Putting him down is good. But I was nervous all weekend that maybe I would see Red doing badly, or see him post put-down, or something worse (I don’t know what). On top of that, Granddad’s dog, George, had a heart attack or something a month or so ago and died – while on a horseback ride with my cousins (picture of him from last winter here). They buried him and made a nice marker that says “RIP George: Here lies a very good dog.” And Granddad told me about accidentally hitting a dog… I’m jittery about dying and dead animals and the thought was everywhere. I actually saw fawn road kill!

Saturday afternoon I had a nice long visit with Mom and then drove back to the farm. We all napped, and then I finally got the Gparents in the car to go with me to Bomgaars to look for tractor toys but of course by the time we got there the place was closed. Thank goodness there’s an Applebee’s nearby (the one I worked at for years in high school) so I could coerce Granddad into eating there instead of the diesel-scented, nothing-on-the-menu-I-can-eat dumpy truck stop called Crystal. That place is just gross. Granddad liked the environment and his steak so maybe we’ve turned a corner AWAY from Crystal... I hope so.

When I worked at Applebee’s there was a dishwasher named Charlie who had a learning disability. He was always behind on his work and would ask me to help – I would. But if I was ever behind and asked for help, he would shout/wail in his deep voice “I’M BIIIZEEE” (you really need to hear it – typing doesn’t do it justice) as his refusal to help. If I asked again he would HOSE ME DOWN with his dish sprayer! All in fun… I didn’t ask if Charlie still works there. I want to believe he does.

I went back over to see Mom that evening. All the gals are so excited about my news and talk to Mom about it all the time. Sweethearts. Driving home late I saw something tumble under a car – it was a coyote. Seriously? He rolled to the edge of the road and then wasn’t there in the morning so I HAVE to assume he is okay. I can’t stand to think about (let alone see) dying or dead animals – it makes me nauseous. Traumatizing.

Went to church with Granddad on Sunday, lunch with Mom at the nursing home and then back to the airport. Planning to go again before Labor Day while my sister is there though I bet I'll be too late for sweetcorn (this weekend was too early). Sorry no new photos – I forgot to bring a camera!