Winter's back for a bit

28º at 12:30 Noon Sunday with snow on the ground here in Clarinda, IA

Went to Methodist Church this morning.  Sang in choir - had not had any practice, so was sight-reading, but think it turned out alright.  First time had seen the finished classrooms and practice area for the choir that was done over the winter while we were gone.

Thinking back on our Branson stay.  There are many ways to amuse yourself in Branson.  Zip lines, miniature golf parks, museums, lots of eateries and lots of shows.  Another way is to sit through time-share presentations to make some money.  We usually come out okay and not much worse for wear.  This time Phyllis was able to get a pair of New Balance shoes almost paid for with the debit cards from one time-share place and we still have the 4-night, 5-day cruise to take.  We sat in on two this year and also got a $30 credit for eating at the Italian Restaurant as well as a week in a resort this next year.  Lots of people sign up for the time-share thing, but it isn't our thing, though don't mind taking their money and being entertained for a couple hours.

Need to sneak in couple pictures from Facebook of Great Granddaughter Jessica:

Jessica with Dog & Dad

Jessica with Dog & Dad

And Granddaughter Emmily

Little Ole and the Stork

Little Ole was sitting at the kitchen table doing his school homework. He had a puzzled look on his face at he considered the assignment that was due--writing an essay about his origin. He turned to question his mother. "Mama, vere did Grandma come from?" he asked. "Da stork brought her," answered mama Lena. "And vere did yew come from?" asked Little Ole. "Da stork brought me," his mother answered. "And vere did I come from?" Little Ole inquired. "Vell, son, da stork brought yew, tew," mama Lena replied. With a scowl on his face, Little Ole picked up his pencil, turned to his school tablet, and began writing his essay: "Dere have been no natural births in our family for three yenerations."

Fingernails

One day Lena confided to her friend Hilda that she had finally cured her nervous husband, Ole, of his habit of biting his nails. "Good gracious," said Hilda, "How did yew ever dew that?" "It vas really simple," was Lena's reply. "I yust hid his false teeth."

The Relations

Ole and Lena were getting on in years. Ole was 92 and Lena was 89. One evening they were sitting on the porch in their rockers. Ole reached over and patted Lena on her knee. "Lena, vat ever happened tew our sex relations?" he asked. "Vell, Ole, I yust don't know," replied Lena. "I don't tink ve even got a card from dem last Christmas."

One Sunday morning

One Sunday morning, the Lutheran pastor noticed Ole standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque. It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it. The old Norwegian had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside Ole, and said quietly, 'Good morning Ole.'

'Good morning Pastor,' he replied, still focused on the plaque. 'Pastor, vat is dis?' The pastor said, 'Well, it's a memorial to all the men and women who died in the service. Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Finally, Ole's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear
asked, 'Vich service, da 8:30 or da 10:45? 
 

The Train Ride

Ole and Lars were on their very first train ride, heading to Minneapolis. They had brought along bananas for lunch. Just as they began to peel them, the train entered a long, dark tunnel. "Have you eaten your banana yet?" Ole asked excitedly. "No," replied Lars. "Vell don't touch it den," Ole exclaimed. "I yust took vun bite and vent blind!"

Later, Lynn