Our Wild Pet Duck

In early July this year (2011) a baby duck was abandoned near our dock.  The duck hung around our boat lift, swimming between Don & Judy's pontoon and the Pierson's dock with our dock in the middle.  The duck survived the summer by itself and will probably be leaving us soon as it migrates south for the winter.  Here are a few pictures of the duck recently taken.

The little duck swims close to the dock to greet me.

The adults feathers are beginning to appear.

The duck comes right up to the dock.

The flight feathers are beginning to grow.

Visiting Brenden in Duluth

Once we got home from our vacation, Dick and I decided to visit our grandson, Brenden.  He is attending collage at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

While we were touring on Lake Superior, we passed this sailboat.

This is the lift bridge at the Duluth Harbor.

Inspecting the bridge at the Duluth Harbor.

A view of Lake Superior from Enger Tower.

Here is Dick and I with our grandson, Brenden.

Stop in Nauvoo, Illinois

On the way home from Mississippi we stopped in Nauvoo, Illinois.  There is a pioneer settlement there that has been restored that Dick and I wanted to visit.

Dick stands by a statue of the founders of Nauvoo, Joseph & Hyrum Smith.

A play by Mormon Missionaries in costume, at Nauvoo.

An ethereal view of the Nauvoo Temple.

Once home, we visited our son Rick.  He is performing at a music fest.

Wind damage to our tree occurred while we were on vacation.

More wind damage to our tree after getting home.

Family Reunion in Mississippi

During the middle of July Dick and I drove to Mississippi for a family reunion.  It was my mother's side, the Sansing's.

Two of my cousins are looking at some genealogy while Dick shows his iPad 2.

My youngest brother and his wife Marilyn

Me and Dick

My sister-in-law Chris and I in the swimming pool.

Rob's Birthday

My son, Rob, had a birthday on the 28th of July.  He and his family came to the Lake Home where we celebrated the day.

Rob likes to have a camp fire.  Justin and Alyssa do a fire dance to help it start.

Rob loves to ride his Yamaha Wave Runner.

This is Arianna's son, Aden.

Happy 49th, Rob.

Rob's family:  Justin, Aden, Rob, Arianna, Alyssa, and front center is Kristin.

Trouble in Mississippi

Back in the middle of July 2011, Dick and I drove down to Mississippi for my family reunion.  We had been in Mississippi for about a half an hour when our car began having problems.  The alternator failed.  We were able to drive off the interstate into the town of Como, Mississippi.

Dick in a restaurant in Como, MS, waiting for the car repair.

Me in the restaurant.

There is the Citco station were our car was repaired.

The mechanic that repaired our car.

The restaurant that invited me in to wait for the car to be repaired.

Blackduck, Minnesota Trip

Dick's Aunt Billie past away last week and her funeral was held in Blackduck.  She was only 95 years old. 

Here is the orchid that the Heath's sent to Billie's funeral.

Billie is in the front row on the right.

Roger is Billie's only son.

Bobi is Billie's only daughter.  She is with her two grandsons.

Here is Bobi with her two daughters, her granddaughters and grandsons.

Brenden's Visit

Grandson Brenden Heath in his Grandpa's office.

Here I am with Brenden at the kitchen table.

Brenden loads up his car before returning to UMD.

Spring cactus.

Tracks leading down to the sailboat.

Snow at the lake home.

Millie's Cabin

Snow covered steps at our Lake Home.

Christmas 2010

We spent Christmas with friends and family at or Lake Home in New London, Minnesota. There was plenty of snow and plenty of love during our holiday celebration.


Here I am ready for the winter weather.


Snow was piled high on the deck before Dick began shoveling.


Our steps from the deck were covered in snow and will last the winter, which goes into April.


Here are some of the decorations that are under the Christmas tree.


And, here are more under-tree decorations.


Judy, Connie, and Mary spent Christmas with us.


Jack, Dick, and Don also spent Christmas with us.


Mark and Elaine arrived on Christmas day. The came from Atlanta.


Here I am with Dick. You can see the snow is piling up.


Monday morning after Christmas and Elaine and Mark are on their way to catch an airplane back home. However, we stopped at a restaurant in New London for breakfast.