South Dakota Adventures

2009-04-15T13:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter - 2008

2008-03-23T17:29:00.002-05:00

A short update - all are fine here in greater SD. Donna whomped up another wonderful meal for Erin, Jeff, Sam, Roberta, and two other friends of the family. All are gone now except for Roberta, and her dog Cooper. Donna is watching the NCAA basketball games with her bracket sheet next to her. She is somewhat of a wizard when it comes to making her picks.

Erin and Jeff have a meeting on Tuesday afternoon with the school district the outcome will be very interesting. I have a Dr. appoint just prior to the meeting so hopefully I will be able to attend it also.

Roberta and I are rested from the big feed and are ready for a few games on the WI.

Stay tuned.

He is Back...

2008-02-09T21:25:00.000-06:00

Well here is a much needed up date since it has been about 10 months since the last one. Although if anyone is interested I have set up a web album that may be of interest to some. It is located at: http://picasaweb.google.com/johnbennett.fsd I have found it faster and easier to use than this site. But perhaps from here on I will have more time to keep this one up too.

December 1974 was the start of my adventures with Monarch Sales. 1977 marked the year that Donna and I purchased Monarch Sales from Vern and Verna Oakland. 1984 marked the year that we paid Vern and Verna off. February 1, 2008 marks the start of our retirement. We sold the company to Joel and Connie Pollema. Joel started full time with us after graduation from USD and has been a key player in what ever degree of success that we have achieved in the 21 years that he has been with us. Donna is finishing up the year end reports and when she has completed that, she will be 'done'. I will continue to work a much reduced schedule, maintain a handful of accounts, do some fishing, hunting, golfing, archery & bow hunting, and lend support to the our kids and to my Grandson Sam.

Our lives continue to revolve around our Grandson, Sam. When Sam has a good day so do we all. Unfortunately there have been a very few good days of late. Since Thanksgiving he has been really 'under the weather' with many really irritable times. After many doctor visits they admitted him to the hospital for, x-rays, cat scans, swallow tests and other general poking and prodding. Low and behold they found a rather serious infection deep in his little sinus cavity. And a 'pocket' of infection near his mastoid bone behind one ear. They flushed his sinuses, and started a series of antibiotics. After the third antibiotic cocktail it was decided to insert a pick line so the drugs could be feed more easily by IV. While all this was going on, test results came back that the little shaver also had MRSA virus. Then the 4th cocktail was whomped up. He spent 6 days in the hospital and was then discharged to the medicaly fragile unit of CCHS - Childrens Care Hospital and School. He has been at CCHS for the last 10 days and is on schedule to go home on Wednesday February 13. Erin and Jeff have traded off sleeping in his room and previously at the hospital for 16 straight days. Sam's two Grandmas, Joyce and Donna have also been tirelessly at his side through out the whole enduro. But he is coming around and if all goes as planned he will be going home shortly. Jeff and his father Larry started remodeling Sam's bedroom. They tore out the wall between Sam's bedroom and their guest bedroom, they will install a bathing tub and surround with sink for dirty diapers, etc. (thank God Larry is a home builder by trade and is a wizard at such projects) The larger space will allow for a lift to be used to move Sam from his bed, wheelchair, and to the tub, etc. Otherwise there just was not enough room to maneuver him around, and he is getting too heavy to carry.

Their fight with the school district continues and will start to really heat up shortly. They are just not providing the mandated services that Sam needs in order to reach his education goals. Time will tell how all this plays out so stay tuned. (CLICK on Erin and Jeff's blog site - listed on the left side - for some great pictures of Sam.)

Update of the old blog and Sick-Bay report.

2007-03-24T15:04:00.000-05:00

I did make it out to the Sports Show. My friends Tom and Mel ventured out for a look about. We wondered through all the neat stuff. Shot the breeze with some of the vendors, and some guys I hadn't seen since last fall. We did a power purchase with one of the vendors - and ended up with a new GPS unit for each of us. The young salesman that was manning the booth really didn't have a chance with the three of us pitching in sometimes all at the same time. Age and skill overcomes youth and energy again! Anyway we did our part and spurred the economy on a little. Now to re-learn how to run the new rig.

Last Wednesday Donna had rotatorcuff surgery on her right shoulder. It was rather involved and will take some time to recover fully. She will be in a sling for 10 weeks, she starts low impact re-habbing next week. Long term will be 10 to 12 months in re-hab and the outcome will be up to Donna and her commitment to the rehab program. Also last week our long time friend Don Johnson died and we buried him a week ago today. He and wife Dorothy watched our girls grow up from babies to women. There truly is one less decent man in the world today.

On top of that, Grandson Sam had a really tough week also. He isn't eating again, and has been tortured by headaches? (hard to tell when he can't speak and tell you what is hurting) He has been a real hand full to deal with. Then Friday Erin and Jeff came down with some version of the flue! The Beat Goes On.

Traveling Sports Show- Can Spring be far behind?

2007-03-03T21:49:00.000-06:00

December, January, and most of February were very tolerable here in SD. Then came the winter. From mid February through the last week we had cold, then some more cold and then the snow started. As of this writing we have about 15 inches on the flat - with some drifting in the 'countryside'.thanks to 30 to 40 mph winds. The snow dissipated early this morning and lo and behold olde Mr. Sun came out in all his brightness. The temps soared into the mid 20s - Mr Sun's rays started to do their thing and soon some of the streets were wet. It will be some time till it all goes away but for a while it was encouraging.

After the last 3 days most of which were spent inside, we were suffering from a small attack of cabin fever. 4 couples of us went out to the pizza buffet - pounded down some major carbs and chatted up the room for a while. The pizza wasn't to bad - the friendship shared was much better.

A sure sign of Spring happens this weekend -- the annual Sports Show starts Thursday night. complete with the multitudes of outfitter booths and displays - all featuring their 15 year old photograph albums of the big ones - and the trout fishing tank (has anyone every seen a trout caught from one of these tanks?) -- what better sign of spring can there be? Any way of course I will be going. I will try to take in one of the seminars on using a hand-held GPS. Never can tell when one may need the info - providing I could remember how it is done if the occasion should arise

Hope to let you know what exciting things we will see on my next post.

Post Christmas 2006

2006-12-28T16:25:00.000-06:00

Well! Christmas is finished and so am I. The Christmas Seasons in the promotional products business has always been challenging and exciting. This was my 32nd Christmas Season and this last one has been all of challenging and exciting - and more. In the last 6 months I have put in more hours than ever - just in order to 'keep up', but then that is what I get paid the "Big Bucks" for.

As you may have noticed or maybe not? Work has been getting in the way of my 'postings'. I did have the opportunity to get in several great pheasant hunts, some fishing and some good time with family and friends.

Sammy has been through some tough times in the last 4 months. It started with a new bout of seizures, and several sinus infections and some GI problems. He has been seizure free for over three weeks now so we are hopeful that his new meds have that part under control. They have an appointment in Rochester the last part of February, but Erin and Jeff aren't real certain what that visit might determine. I guess that Mayo is a great place providing you can live long enough to get in there. And once there have the time, money, and energy to stay for 5 to 7 DAYS! I dare say that none of those Drs. have had to miss a week of work, and stay a week with a very strong 5 year old - that can't see, talk, or walk, that has an attention span that is about 30 seconds long!

Our largest 'market' is in Las Vegas next week. Donna and I and 4 others from the office will be attending. We leave on 1/3/07 and connect in Denver. Providing the snow is gone and there hasn't been more. Back to the office on Monday the 8th - short but sweet trip, all are looking forward to the change of scenery.

That is about it for now......Keep smiling and share the Peace.

Black Hills Trip September 2006

2006-09-25T09:59:00.000-05:00

(copy this link into your browser for more pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/johnbennett.fsd/BlackHillsTripSept06)

After our fishing encounters this summer which included two trips to Canada, two trips to NE Iowa for trout fishing, and a trip to Lake Michigan for King Salmons, Mel and I thought it best that our women folk have an outing. So we rented a great cabin in the Black Hills. The cabin was about 5 minutes from the Lead Golf Course and about 20 minute drive from Cheyenne Crossing near Spearfish Canyon. It just happened to have a trout stream and a small pond on the property. We drove out in rain on Thursday morning. We had to have a stop at Wall Drug Store and that is were we hooked up with the "Olde Timmer" in the pictures that follow. My cousin Dave Kelley drove down from Lemmon and his wife drove over from Wright, WY (where she teaches). The six of us had a great time. We awoke to more rain on Friday, which turned to snow. We awoke to about 4 inches of snow on Saturday, which turned to rain, which turned to snow and it added another 3 inches of snow. But by mid morning, Sunday Olde Mr.Sun was out and the snow was headed South as we headed back East.
I caught three Rainbows, landed two --- most of our time was spent in spurring on the Deadwood economy.
A Link to more pictures:

2006-09-24T22:24:00.000-05:00

2006-09-24T22:19:00.000-05:00

September 2006 - Silver Water Wheel Lodge.

2006-09-10T21:10:00.000-05:00

Wayne Hansen, Bernie DeWald, Mel Anderson and I set off for Canada again on September 3rd. The weather was great. We would awake to temps in the high 40s low 50s and by noon they would be in the low 70s. Wayne landed a Personal Best Walleye that measured 31 1/4 inches! The largest walleye that has been caught and reported on Lac Seul in the last two fishing seasons. (picture of that one to follow) I took time out from jigging for Walleyes and did some casting for Northerns and Small Mouth Bass, I caught Smallies that went 15 1/2 inches and one 16 inches. They are more fun and one put up a better fight than the 25 inch walleyes that I caught. On our last day the weather changed, temps fell, winds came up and we rocked and rolled on the water most of the day. But the change in weather made the fishing even better - a great trip up and back - another great adventure.

37 inch Northern - with a mouth that is large enough to grab a small cat, and the reason that we enjoy it so..

2006-09-10T21:04:00.000-05:00

Wayne and Bernie show how big their catch was.

2006-09-10T21:00:00.000-05:00

Sunset - Silver Water Wheel Lodge, Dryden, ON

2006-09-10T20:55:00.000-05:00

Who Is This Man?

2006-09-10T20:54:00.000-05:00

Bernie displays a beauty - 26 1/2" Just one more for the Silver Water Wheel Log Book.

2006-09-10T20:45:00.000-05:00

Wayne (cards in hand) and Bernie re-hash the day's events.(the first liar doesn't have a chance)

2006-09-10T20:42:00.000-05:00

Yours Truely - with walleye that measured 27 inches - my PB

2006-09-10T20:37:00.000-05:00

Play Misty for me along with a little Rock and Roll

2006-09-10T20:35:00.000-05:00

We see Eagles every day.

2006-09-10T20:33:00.000-05:00

Mel leaves the lodge after breakfast - tools in hand and ready to go to work.

2006-09-10T20:28:00.000-05:00

By Dawn's early light.

2006-09-10T20:24:00.000-05:00

A great way to start each morning - juice and coffee delivered to our cabin.

2006-09-10T20:21:00.000-05:00

Shore lunch

2006-09-10T20:20:00.000-05:00

One of our guides - Mike - I hate 22 year olds with great tans!

2006-09-10T20:17:00.000-05:00

Mel hooked up with a nice 22 1/2 incher the first afternoon out.

2006-09-10T20:14:00.000-05:00

July 2006 Trip to Lake Michigan at Sheboygan, WI

2006-07-20T23:04:00.000-05:00

Mel Anderson, Tom Tidemann, and I traveled to Sheboygan, WI and fished for King Salmon. We also caught a couple of really nice Rainbow Trout that went about 10+ pounds or so. Our hosts were Herb and Jane Tyler (Mel's brother-in-law). Herb has many years experience on Lake Michigan and was nice enough to share his boat and his expertise with us. We caught fish in 40 to 120 feet of water and were anywhere from 1 miles to 6 miles out. We arrived on Sunday and fished Monday and Tuesday morning, then drove to Sioux Falls Tuesday after we got off the water and our stuff packed up. The schedule is like this: get up at 2:50 am, drive out the edge of town where he stores his boat, hook up the boat,drive to the lake, on the water by 3:30, set up the down riggers, and sit back and wait for the action to start. Off the water by around 10 am, prep the days catch, eat breakfast, take a nap, eat dinner, go to bed and do it again the next day. Monday afternoon after our naps we went to Herb's Sportsman's Club and he gave us some pointers on shooting (which we all needed). Then we moved to the rifle range where Mel sighted in a rifle with Herb's help. Mel is preparing himself for his first deer hunt this fall in Gregory county, SD. (that outing I am sure will be reported here at a later date)

Herb Tyler, Sheboygan, WI - our host

2006-07-20T22:58:00.000-05:00

Herb and Mel team up

2006-07-20T22:55:00.000-05:00

Tom shows off his shooting form

2006-07-20T22:53:00.000-05:00

Getting Ready to process the catch

2006-07-20T22:52:00.000-05:00

Salmon chunks and steaks

2006-07-20T22:49:00.000-05:00

Me and Mr. King Salmon ,19 pounds worth

2006-07-20T22:48:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:47:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:46:00.000-05:00

Our 2 nd Day's Catch

2006-07-20T22:45:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:43:00.000-05:00

This is what Dark looks like at 3:45 am.

2006-07-20T22:42:00.000-05:00

Sunrise shots over Lake Michigan (I like sunrises)

2006-07-20T22:41:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:40:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:39:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:38:00.000-05:00

Sunrise shots over Lake Michigan (I like sunrises)

2006-07-20T22:37:00.000-05:00

Mel and Herb

2006-07-20T22:36:00.000-05:00

Mel and Me

2006-07-20T22:35:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:34:00.000-05:00

Tom

2006-07-20T22:33:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

Mel Anderson

2006-07-20T22:31:00.000-05:00

Herb selects just the right lure

2006-07-20T22:30:00.000-05:00

Random boat shots

2006-07-20T22:28:00.000-05:00

2006-07-20T22:27:00.000-05:00

If you think that this was our boat - think again

2006-07-20T22:24:00.000-05:00

July 4, 2006 - May GOD BLESS the Good Guys.

2006-07-04T12:58:00.000-05:00

Hail to the Good Guys of the World, and Happy Birthday America!

What better way to celebrate the 4th than to go fishing? I picked up Mel Anderson at 5:50 AM and we headed off to Lake Alvin with our fly fhishing tools. By 9 AM we're back in town at Boomers enjoying their $3 Special breakfast. Can it Get any better? Well it just might, cuze in about 10 days Mel, Tom and I head East to Lake Michigan in search of King Salmon. More on that trip after it happens (I guess that would only make sense.)

Lake Alvin, near Sioux Falls, SD

2006-07-04T12:49:00.000-05:00

This is Lake Alvin. It is about 20 minutes South of our house. There are a few houses around the lake, all are set back some distance with none directly on the lake shore itself. Not great fishing but does hold some nice Bluegills if you are here at the right time of the year. As it turned out we weren't there at the right time but it was a beautiful morning, 59 degrees when we arrive and warming to 70 by the time we left, 0 wind, and blissfully blue skies. The perfect conditions to try my newest adventure, with my friend Mel Anderson. Float Tubing!

A few warm up casts.

2006-07-04T12:47:00.000-05:00

Getting Ready To Have Fun

2006-07-04T12:41:00.000-05:00

Rod and Reel put together, float tube inflated, waders on, and then comes the flippers on the feet. (I dare you to try walking with all this stuff on) After all this I am ready for a nap.

TUBE'N IT -- Another New Adventure for John

2006-07-04T12:35:00.000-05:00

Good thing that I had cut some weight, max capacity of my vessel is 250 pounds. Not real sure how you navigate this thing when the wind comes up. I don't think that I will be able to kick hard or fast enough if there are white caps. Donna asked last night what happens if your hook gets caught on the tube? I said that I didn't want to think about that!

Not a bad way to spend a Holiday Morning.

2006-07-04T12:32:00.000-05:00

Look Closely - that is NOT a lure, it is a real Bluegill.

2006-07-04T12:28:00.000-05:00

Well it is at least a fish, although it may have been just born last week. I wasn't totally "skunked", caught this big'n and only two weeds this morning. I was more excited about not catching more weeds than I was to catch the itty bitty fish. I would guess that I made in excess of 100 casts or so, and at least 6 of those casts were pretty good. Not a great batting average, but it is getting better.

I witnessed 'a hatch' this morning, utterly amazing. We arrived at about 6:20 AM, just a little on the cool side, with no wind at all. We checked around for any 'signs', but there was no activity from bugs or fish. So I started out with a small popper, then went to a black ant, NOTHING. Then all of a sudden I look along the edge of the water again and there was an abundance of small tan colored 'gnat looking guys' flying around, they had not been visible when we first arrived. I tried to 'match the hatch' and tied on a fly that was as close to what was hovering over the water as I had in my little fly box, and on the third cast, caught this smallish fellow. Had a couple of others on - but wasn't able to pull them in. Within half an hour all the little bugs were gone, and so were the Bluegills! Fascinating!! (Oh Yeah, they are really tough to filet at this size - just kidding!)

Finally! I scored an illusive Trout using my trusty fly rod and on a fly that I had tied!

2006-07-01T14:06:00.000-05:00

I traveled to NE Iowa again(check out my earlier posts from March)with Mel Anderson and Tom Tidemann. We stayed at Tom and Vickie's "cabin" which is near Spring Grove, in SE Minnesota. There are wonderful trout streams in NE Iowa which is only a short drive from their place. We fished Waterloo Creek, and Big Bear Creek where both Mel and I caught our first trout on our fly rods. (On our March encounter we had some swipes but no landings.) So this being our second attempt we were eager to score! We fished until 9:30 PM Thursday evening, Tom caught and released three, Mel and I were successful in catching thistle plants and dill weed plants some of which were in back of us and some were in front of us. Thursday evening Mel found out what happens when you forge a stream that is about 24 inches deep but you are wearing only 20 inch high boot waders. He said that his feet were cool the whole evening.

Friday morning was a different story. We both "broke Through" and landed Rainbows - not huge ones but they were certainly frisky. Don't laugh till you have tried this type of fishing. I had a couple of others "on" but they got away.

Young, Small, Hungry, and Dumb -- The FISH that is.

2006-07-01T14:05:00.000-05:00

Mel at work on Big Bear Creek

2006-07-01T13:55:00.000-05:00

Mel's First Trout with his fly rod.

2006-07-01T13:47:00.000-05:00

Mel caught two Rainbows using his fly rod. He then annouced that he had mastered the art of fly fishing and changed to his ultra-lite spinning tools and hauled in another one! What a talented guy!

Mel Up close and personal

2006-07-01T13:43:00.000-05:00

Sunrise on the English River, the day we departed.

2006-07-01T13:07:00.000-05:00

June 2006 Spring Fishing Trip to Canada

2006-07-01T12:48:00.000-05:00

4 of us ventured back to Grassy Narrows, ON, back to Dream Catcher's Lodge, on the English River. The lodge is operated by our First Nation friends. We had a fine time, the weather was outstanding, breakfasts and diners were great, much better than in 2005. The fishing was good, the guides were...I will tell you that we had 'issues' with the guides. Upon our arrival we were told that neither of the guides we had reserved would be available. One (a school teacher was still on a field trip with his students?) The other hadn't been seen lately or at least since his last pay day. Two 'pinch hitters' were brought in, but one of the subs also disappeared after two days of guiding. A third guide was recruited, he was there in body but his spirit was elsewhere. At one time or another one or the other of the guides forgot to load; a landing net, reserve gas can for the motors, the shore lunch box(correction, he didn't forget the shore lunch box, he just forgot to put the food into it) the minnow bucket, and depth finder batteries. Other than that all went well and we chalked it up to yet another great adventure.

Trout Fishing in Iowa? You Betcha! NE IA from 35,000 Ft. Mississippi River is on the right

2006-03-10T01:55:00.000-06:00

Frigid Fly Fishing

2006-03-10T01:52:00.000-06:00

When it is to cold to golf, what is one to do? One naturaly turns to fly fishing. And who better to do it with than with friends. Mel and I were in ACE Hardware and they had their fly fishing equipment on sale. Can you say bargain? So we are now fly fishers, OK maybe we aren't good yet but at least we look good and have the right equipment. (we have since found out that there is more to this sport than meets the eye)

Three of us packed up my Highlander and traveled to the North East Corner of Iowa in search of some trout fishing. Our friend Tom Tiedemann, an acomplished fly dude, invited us to his hunting cabin which is in SE MN. Tom has hunted and fished these parts for many years. We based out of his place and fished the streams in NE IA, which were about a half hour away.

We arrived to a new 6+ inch snow fall which added a little spice to our first fly fishing adventure. I soon found out that it was almost more of a challenge to keep in an upright position than it was to cast the fly; what with the cold, the clothes, funky boots, snow covered rocks and icy banks. What follows are some snaps of the country side, the fishers of men, my first ever Rainbow trout, Tom's shack and a few other odds and ends.

My First Rainbow Trout - March 2006

2006-03-09T23:47:00.000-06:00

NE Iowa Fish Fun - March 2006

2006-03-09T23:43:00.000-06:00

Note to Turkeys -- be ready, Mel, Tom, and I will be stalking you soon.

2006-03-09T23:30:00.000-06:00

Handi Work

2006-03-09T23:27:00.000-06:00

Tom's Shack.

2006-03-09T23:24:00.000-06:00

March 2006 Fly fishing in NE Iowa.

2006-03-09T23:17:00.000-06:00

Ho Ho update from Balmy South Dakota

2005-12-26T21:44:00.000-06:00

Hello from balmy Sioux Falls. December 24th and shirt sleeves? Yup that was the way it was this year. Well maybe not shirt sleeves - but I did leave my jacket in the car as I popped in and out of several of my customers' offices, to drop off some goodies and exchange Merry Christmas greetings. Our snow has all but disappeared. Even the larger drifts couldn't outlast Mother Nature's sunny rays and high 40 degree temps.

Christmas at our house - one of those occasions that you look forward to and are then glad when it is all over. We were blessed to have Roberta, Sam, Jeff, and Erin here with us this year. Jeff and Erin will go to Watertown and be with his folks over New Years. Roberta is having a few friends over for New Years eve, at last count 20+, and old Mom and Me are staying home - we will fondue, watch the New Year celebration from New York City (cauze it happens an hour earlier there) and will be conked out by midnight our time - after all I did turn 61 a week ago!

On Friday Sam got a new wheel chair. For those that have not experienced such and acquisition let me enlighten you. This process starts out with an 'evlautation and recommendation' session which is conducted by either an Occupational Therapist or a Physical Therapist. Now the going rate for either of these types here in Sioux Falls is $105.00 per half hour. Of course because of Sam's multiple needs it takes one of each of these birds to conduct his "Eval". That of course equates to $210.00 per half hour. The Eval session lasted 1 3/4 hours with the head of the department sticking his nose in from time to time - it is yet to be determined what nose sticking in bills out at. After the Eval then the chair is ordered and you wait 4 to 6 weeks for the chair to come. Then comes the "fitting" session. Yup you guessed it. The same OT and PT get their heads together, look at Sam sitting in the chair, stand around and discuss the weather, adjust the seat, visit a little, then go back into the shop and adjust his tray, then they admit that they may not have ordered the correct seat base -- and can you come back next week so we can go through this dance again, which of course we did. So Friday we were back for another round of fitting. This one went much better - it lasted only a little over two hours (the first fitting was almost three). Anyway, Sam had new wheels for Christmas, Children's Care Re-hab Center had a nice increase in revenue and his new chair is supposed to last him till he reaches 150 pounds.

We had a great Christmas - some pictures follow along with some pictures of Mom.

My best to all.........

2005-12-26T21:26:00.000-06:00

Harriet Bennett at lunch 12.26.05. A couple of bites of meat and then right to the cookie and her piece of cake.
JB

2005-12-26T21:23:00.000-06:00

I would like to share this kiss with all of you - Mom was alert and in good spirts today some days are much better than others, This was just before I wheeled her in for lunch today.
JB

2005-12-26T21:18:00.001-06:00

Mom is amused as I fumble with my camera.
JB

2005-12-26T21:18:00.000-06:00

Got a little reaction from her - once in a great while she laughs and seems to have a good time.
JB

2005-12-26T21:16:00.001-06:00

Harriet Bennett - 12.26.05
JB

2005-12-26T21:16:00.000-06:00

Harriet at POP.
JB

2005-12-26T21:15:00.000-06:00

Sam gives Erin a peck.
JB

2005-12-26T21:14:00.001-06:00

Sioux Falls Horstmeyers
JB

2005-12-26T21:14:00.000-06:00

Jeff and Sam after their naps.
JB

2005-12-26T21:13:00.000-06:00

Jeff and Sam crashed for a while after Christmas dinner.
JB

2005-12-26T21:11:00.001-06:00

Cooper got a new chewy stick, much better than one of my socks.
JB

2005-12-26T21:11:00.000-06:00

Erin, Roberta, and Cooper.
JB

2005-12-26T21:10:00.000-06:00

Sam gets a present open with encouragement from Donna.
JB

2005-12-26T21:08:00.001-06:00

The wheel chair fitting session was a family afair - About half way through Sam needed a break - Aunt Roberta took her turn - not such bad duty when he is like this.
JB

2005-12-26T21:08:00.000-06:00

Christmas at our house - Sam opens a present, Donna assists.
JB

2005-12-26T21:06:00.000-06:00

Donna entertains Sam while Erin checks out one of the many options available.
JB

2005-12-26T21:05:00.000-06:00

Sam got a new wheel chair the Friday Dec. 23rd. He isn't the easiest guy to get to sit still long enough to do the proper 'fitting' - this was the second fitting session and another session is yet to come?
JB

2005-12-26T21:01:00.000-06:00

Sam and Donna at Monarch office pot luck lunch before Christmas
JB

I find it interesting

2005-12-08T23:34:00.000-06:00

I have the TV on as I am up-loading the photos for this site. All the national "news" shows are covering the snow storm that is occurring in the Northeast part of our country. I was just wondering how many of my friends and relatives that don't live in South Dakota know the following facts. Sunday evening November 27th much of South Dakota was subjected to rain, turning to freezing rain, which turned to snow. This sequence continued through most of Monday and a good part of Tuesday morning. The results were devastating to the Eastern one third of the state. Over 9,000 electric highline poles were broken, resulting in over 10,000 miles of power lines down and out of commission. At one time there were 50,000 people without electricity, and many without water also. It is now December 9th, and there are still approximately 1,200 families without power. Repair crews have been working 24/7 for 12 days replacing poles and stringing wire. All this in temps that are dipping - no diving - to minus 15 degrees below zero at night and reaching highs of ten above in the daylight hours.

Have you heard or seen CNN, ABC, CBS, or FOX featuring these goings on? I don't think so. No FEMA, no mayor beating his chest, no governor making demands, no farmers or others demanding debit cards. Just plane hardworking folks sucking it up, taking care of themselves and their neighbors.

Snowing in the Northeast -- tell somebody who cares... SORRY for the soapbox stuff - but this is my BLOG!

2005-12-08T22:03:00.000-06:00

Playing with hands...
JB

Chuck, Carol, and Mom during their visit to Sioux Falls, July, 2005

2005-12-08T22:02:00.001-06:00

Yours Truly, Harriet, and Erin at Prince of Peace Christmas Party, Dec. 2005

2005-12-08T22:02:00.000-06:00

Yours Truely, Harriet and Erin. (Roberta had to work :( )
JB

2005-12-08T22:01:00.000-06:00

Sam and the two best parents any child could possibly have.
JB

2005-12-08T21:57:00.000-06:00

It is hard to comprehend what she might be thinking, isn't it?
JB

2005-12-08T21:55:00.000-06:00

The only smile we saw all evening, It was really to good to see it.
JB