I just got done watching the balance beam competition of the Olympics. Its pretty cool when a nice young lady from the midwestern US in farm country of iowa can be the gold medal winner. What do you think was going though her mind? Unless you train fro an olympic event, how could we know. Did you see her mom in the stands, bawling her eyes out in pride for her daughters acheivements. All the sweat and toil. All the traning hours. All the money. All the dedication to a craft that few of us can even come close to. Any event, winter or summer, in the Olympics, ones that win or even the ones you never hear about, participate in their event giving everything they have, in their event and in their training, have everything to be proud of.
The unfortunate part of the Olympics is that Governments have their dirty little paws in it, tainting it. Politial judging(allegedly), The announcers saying thaat they failed with only a differance of 2 tenths of a point behind, 7/100 in a swimming event, That is what ruins it for me, The constant pressure. but then they do say on the beginning of the program of the field of Competition is fierce.
All in all ild have to say that the Olympics give kids something to strive for, albeit having to give up mosst of your childhood but then all things require a choice somewhere. Phelps in swimming was my favorite story. He had ADHD and picked on in school constantly. What I came away with with his story was that here was a kid with a lot of uphill battles,now sits with his name in the history books and the respect of the Globe. Work always pay off!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Samoyed's warming up
One of my favorite photo's. I took this while doing an internship at the Grand Forks Herald in Grand Forks ND. It was a stretch of 30 belows (not surprising I know) and my car needed a tow-in to get started. I was brought into a dealership in town and while there I noticed these two dogs were in the back of this wagon. The salesman told me that they were outside the door when they arrived to open up. They said that more than likely there all night because of the build up of ice in their paws. They took them in from the cold and blowing snow to warm up and see if they could find their home. They seemed to enjoy the hospitality and food and water. I enjoy the memory because of the hospitality and kindness they should toward these dogs. This was in 1979. A much differant world than we live in today.
Cadillac Mtn
This was taken about 430 am on top of Cadillac Mountain in Maine. As pretty as this is you really need to take it in sometime to realize the scope. Unbelievable distances from that height. We got up from our tent in Acadia Park and drove up the mountain barely making the start of the sunrise. I was pretty new to the world of digital cameras so I'm sure i dropped my rebels life expectancy down a bit on that one sunrise. This is my daughter Amy in the photo, she was nice enough to model for me as she was taking in the scenery.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Obituaries are not like they used to be
I received a copy of an obituary of my Great Grand Mother a while back. The passing of my Great Grand Mother on my grandmothers side was about 1904. If you take the time to read it, and not continue on to the next blog, you'll find the writing and description definitely not like todays Obits.
Obituary from The Grant Oater
Mary Althen Gettman, wife of Peter Gettman, passed away Wednesday morning, August 9th, after a brief, but painful illness. She had been in poor health for several months, but up to within a few hours of her death, no one realized the seriousness of her condition, and her death fell as a crushing blow upon the afflicted husband and children and they are prostrated with grief. She leaves, besides the mourning husband, seven children, four sons, and three daughters. The three oldest being boys, aged 19, 17 and 15. The oldest daughter age 13, and is in feeble health. The youngest child is only 7 years old. The deceased was a woman of noble christian character, and exerted an influence for good in the community where she lived, and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. By gentleness of manner and loving kindness and good will toward all, she has endeared herself to many, and her memory will long linger in many hearts. She was married to Peter Gettman at Iowa Falls, on December 28, 1884, and their married life has been unusually happy.
When in 1895 her husband, on account of ill health, was obliged to retire from ministerial labors in the Evangelical Church, the family moved to this vicinity, where they have since resided on a farm. When it became known that her disease was of a serious nature-(a tumor, which had stealthily destroyed some blood vessels, bringing on hemmorhages, from which she died)-friends and neighbors rushed in and all was done that could be to stay the hand of death, but relentlessly the ties, that bound her to earthly relations were severed. As she felt the end approaching, she took leave one by one, after admonishing them to live Godly lives to meet her in heaven. Soon after, she fell in a stupor from which she never awoke.
She was born July 22, 1861, at Two Rivers, Wis., and came with her parents to Iowa, locating near Iowa Falls, in 1872. The funeral occurred Thursday, and the remains were, by her wish, interred in the cemetery near Swea City. An immense concourse of the people of this community, as well as Swea City and Ledyard, followed the remains to their last resting place. Flowers in great profusion, worked into beautiful designs, were sent by many friends.
Rev. C. C. Pfund, of Des Moines, preached her funeral sermon, and was assisted by Rev. F. Wieversick, of Luverne, and Rev. F. Lantow, of Ledyard.
Her father, Anton Althen, and her only brother, John A Althen of Meservey, Iowa, attended the funeral. Her mother preceded her to the spiritual world, eleven years ago. Thus passes one of the most devoted of wives, and loving mothers, and kindest neighbors that ever lived. Peace to her ashes.
Mary Althen Gettman, wife of Peter Gettman, passed away Wednesday morning, August 9th, after a brief, but painful illness. She had been in poor health for several months, but up to within a few hours of her death, no one realized the seriousness of her condition, and her death fell as a crushing blow upon the afflicted husband and children and they are prostrated with grief. She leaves, besides the mourning husband, seven children, four sons, and three daughters. The three oldest being boys, aged 19, 17 and 15. The oldest daughter age 13, and is in feeble health. The youngest child is only 7 years old. The deceased was a woman of noble christian character, and exerted an influence for good in the community where she lived, and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. By gentleness of manner and loving kindness and good will toward all, she has endeared herself to many, and her memory will long linger in many hearts. She was married to Peter Gettman at Iowa Falls, on December 28, 1884, and their married life has been unusually happy.
When in 1895 her husband, on account of ill health, was obliged to retire from ministerial labors in the Evangelical Church, the family moved to this vicinity, where they have since resided on a farm. When it became known that her disease was of a serious nature-(a tumor, which had stealthily destroyed some blood vessels, bringing on hemmorhages, from which she died)-friends and neighbors rushed in and all was done that could be to stay the hand of death, but relentlessly the ties, that bound her to earthly relations were severed. As she felt the end approaching, she took leave one by one, after admonishing them to live Godly lives to meet her in heaven. Soon after, she fell in a stupor from which she never awoke.
She was born July 22, 1861, at Two Rivers, Wis., and came with her parents to Iowa, locating near Iowa Falls, in 1872. The funeral occurred Thursday, and the remains were, by her wish, interred in the cemetery near Swea City. An immense concourse of the people of this community, as well as Swea City and Ledyard, followed the remains to their last resting place. Flowers in great profusion, worked into beautiful designs, were sent by many friends.
Rev. C. C. Pfund, of Des Moines, preached her funeral sermon, and was assisted by Rev. F. Wieversick, of Luverne, and Rev. F. Lantow, of Ledyard.
Her father, Anton Althen, and her only brother, John A Althen of Meservey, Iowa, attended the funeral. Her mother preceded her to the spiritual world, eleven years ago. Thus passes one of the most devoted of wives, and loving mothers, and kindest neighbors that ever lived. Peace to her ashes.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Lifes Traffic Direction
This morning I had a few moments of "not know which way to go" in this game we call life. Games normally have a thing called rules and objectives. there is a plan or objective... to win or get done before the opposing player. The plan is also to do it within the rules. Driving to work I experienced a couple things; that there is multiple set of rules for each and every driver. Some like to stay under the limit, some over. Some are totally oblivious to the fact that there are others on the road besides THEM. Today i was driving in the right lane, going with the Normal speed or the "flow of traffic" (about 10 over) trying to watch for blending off ramp traffic. Not sure what i did to deserve the bird but for some reason i was deserving the "friendly" gessure.
Isnt the world fast enough, to not worry about the fact that someone is ahead of you, or that they were in YOUR way.
Im happy to move over when i see them coming but sometimes its simply unavoidable to move over at the time they want it. RULES my friends and fellow drivers were also set up for your safety, not to tick you off on purpose.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA)
This is for the people that: first, have never heard of this place in northern Minnesota
Secondly, for those that like photos of water, and lastly for those in Minnesota that want to waste a beautiful area like the
BWCA with putting more motors in it like, snowmobiles, ATV's and larger fishing boats. I dont know how many thousands of acres it is but it takes in a very large section of the top of Minnesota. I've been up there I think its 6 times, its amazing to see first hand.
BWCA with putting more motors in it like, snowmobiles, ATV's and larger fishing boats. I dont know how many thousands of acres it is but it takes in a very large section of the top of Minnesota. I've been up there I think its 6 times, its amazing to see first hand.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
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