HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Mom and I found some costumes in a garage sale last

month, and wore them last night to the Westpark Halloween Party. Mom was the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz, and I was the Mayor of Munchkinland.....complete with a big pillow stuffed in my pants! Maybe it was the rainbow eyelashes I had glued on backwards, but I won second place and $60! Shows that you can still have new experiences as you become a senior citizen....first time I have ever won for a Halloween costume!

ANOTHER GENERATION OF VIKING FANS!

Growing up, Sundays meant getting everyone up for Mass, getting out the St. Joseph missals, and putting on our chapel veils. Then the Manthei clan would pile in the car and drive the 4 blocks to the church, where we would file into our usual pew in the front of the church. In the summer we sweat in the hot, stuffy unair-conditioned building (and I often walked out feeling faint), or freezing in the below zero winter months.

When we got home, Mom would be fixing a rotisserie chicken or pot roast for our half-time dinner, and we would all put in a dime to draw a number between 0-9 for the game. Then we would cheer and groan as our beloved Vikings would play. Sometimes it was in the rain, sometimes in below zero snow. We watch the expressionless Bud Grant on the sidelines and the shivering players who were not allowed heaters, as the coach felt they would be thinking of getting back to them instead of fighting for a win.

The winner of the game would gleefully gather the pot of dimes and we would dream of going to the Super Bowl. Sometimes our hopes would be high as we won the playoffs.....the again, once more were dashed as the Vikes lost yet another Super Bowl. But there was always the hopes of next year as the Tarkingtons, Foremans, Studwell's and Kramers hung up the helmets for another year.

And now I live in Arizona, where I am not always able to see the Vikings play unless I go to a sports bar and beg them to put on the men in purple. BUT then there is THIS year! The rival quarterback, Brett Farve is now a Viking! And they are playing undefeated! And today I came home from church to discover the Vikings were playing on the local channel! And it was 4th quarter with 10 minutes to play and they led by 3 touchdowns!!!!! Then I called my daughter-in-law as as I was talking, watched Baltimore score and tie up the game. I then called my daughter in Ohio as the score was one point apart with two seconds to play. Baltimore attempted a field goal to win the game.....and missed. VIKES WIN!!! UNDEFEATED IN THE FIRST 6 GAMES OF THE SEASON!!!!!!

I thought of how the excitement would have all the Manthei family rolling and pounding on the floor, screaming, praying, yelling and grabbing for the bowl of dimes. Dinner would have to wait until after the game was done. We would be exhausted from our cheering as we went to sit at the big dining room table. Dad would go downstairs to throw some logs in the furnace, and the warm air would start coming up through the grate in the middle of the room.

After dinner and dishes, we would take our skates to the skating rink 3 blocks from the house, crunching on the frozen snow and blowing steam clouds above us with our breath. At the rink we would join our friends and talk about the game, the weekend, and the coming week at school.

We returned home in the dark as the cold air chilled us and made our lungs ache from breathing it. And we would dream again of a Viking Super Bowl victory.

It was a simpler life then. Dad worked as a Game Warden, Mom was at home with warm cookies when we returned from school (later she was busy selling Avon and Electrolux vacuums and writing for the Bemidji paper), and the youngest sister was born as the oldest one was graduating from high school. Life has changed considerable since then, and no one would have guessed where we would all be these years later, and what we would be doing. But some things remain intact....the dreams of watching a Viking win on a Sunday with the family....even if it now means sharing the plays by phone or Internet. Many things change in life, and now those same sisters have children and grandchildren of their own and new family traditions have been started. Some things remain the same, such as the Manthei's sharing the good and bad plays on the phone or Internet, and now yet another generation has joined in. Jen sent this picture of her son Daniel dressed Minnesotan for today's game. He is learning to cheer and working on making the Viking horn sound. Someday, the Vikings MAY win....and hope springs eternal that THIS year THESE Vikings will finally win the big one. Yes, Hell may freeze over, but it will be a hot day on the frozen northern tundra if the Super Bowl trophy finally comes to Minnesota. And there will be an old retired game warden dancing on the clouds.....literally! GO VIKES!

HAPPY TRAILS, SWEET PEA

When I moved from Minnesota to Arizona, I was questioning how much longer I would keep my horse and be riding. Most of my riding friends up north were younger than me, and I was thinking I was getting a bit long in the tooth for this sport, and with my arthritic joints complaining, I was thinking it might be time to hang up the spurs.

Then I met Bets. She is a typical New England no-nonsense tall, slim woman in her 80's who keeps her horse at the same ranch as I keep Bart. She invited me to join her on a trail ride, and from there, we have enjoyed riding the trails at least once a week. She belongs to Las Damas (and is the oldest member who still rides!) and has had me as her guest on the monthly and 5-day ride. When I mentioned that I may retire from riding, she scoffed that if she was still in her 60's, she wouldn't even consider quitting riding!

I have enjoyed riding with her and learning the trails, birds, and vegetation that she knows so well. She used to show saddlebred horses, and is an excellent rider and I enjoy her sharing her knowledge of horses and life with me as we ride the beautiful country in Arizona.

She has been riding a beautiful red dun mare that was called Madison when she bought her 10 years ago. Although she is an awesome trail horse, she doesn't have the kindest attitude....often pinning her ears, snapping her teeth, and sometimes taking a nip off Bets as she saddles this cranky mare. Someone commented that she was "a real Sweet Pea" when she displayed her naughty attitude...and that was the name Bets gave her . This mare with the beautiful, smooth body and gorgeous huge eye continued with her ear pinning and teeth snapping even with all of Bets loving care, but Bets loved here and understood her, and would laugh and shake her head when the mare would do her thing.

About 5 years ago Sweet Pea pulled a suspensorary ligament, and had to be on pasture rest for a summer. Since then Bets has had special shoes and pads applied, x-rays and ultrasounds done, supplements fed, and Sweet Pea has been sound most of the time. But last week as we were riding on Turtle Mountain, Sweet Pea suddenly buckled on all four legs and almost went down. She recovered but left Bets over the neck. As the ride progressed, the mare's limp became more pronounced, until Bets decided to get off and walk her in.

She gave her some Bute when we go back, but Sweet Pea remained sore on the foot. It was a difficult decision, but she decided that she had done all that she could do for the mare, and made the decision to have her put down. This morning she trailered Sweet Pea to her vet, and said her good-byes.

I had thought that I would be losing my riding partner, and that she would decide to quit riding as she reached her mid-80's. But Wednesday she is going out to look at a new horse! She said "Of course I'm getting another horse. What else would I do?"

I have so much admiration for this woman. As I feel the aches and pains after a ride, I can imagine how she must feel. What an extraordinary spirit! She is such an inspiration to so many of us who wonder how many more riding years we have in us.

Happy Trails, Sweet Pea.....run free!

When living in the north country, the coming of September meant the end of summer, the knowledge that the long months of dark and cold were on the way, and the return to my duties as a teacher. It was a bittersweet time. Now that I am retired and living in the Southwest, the change of seasons is welcomed!

I didn't plan to spend the summer in Arizona, but it worked out that way after returning from the family reunions with Mom's bout with Valley Fever. I love all the sunny days, but was getting tired of the hot afternoons. During these months, Arizonans often take a break from the heat by heading north to the higher elevations and cool temperatures.

Yesterday Cindy and I hauled our horses up to Skull Valley where she takes lessons and has her horse trained in reining. While there, one of the trainers rode Bart. I always like to watch a good rider on my horse....I get to see how he moves under saddle and how he responds to a different rider. Here are some pix on Monte, a quiet rider who did very well with Bart. I often wish Bart could have an owner who rode that well, and would let him do all he has the potential to do.

When Monte finished, I rode around in their beautiful arena and lounged around under their big shade trees. It is a beautiful facility, and was a fun day with horses and horse loving people.

And now the cooler temps are coming to the valley....the snowbirds will be returning....and this will be the Land of the Sunshine that visitors love to come to escape the winter cold and dark of the north. Welcome Autumn!!!

REST IN PEACE, MARY TRAVERS

If you grew up in the 60's , as I did, you were challenged and motivated by John Kennedy to make a better America, and then devastated by his untimely death. You cheered for the Equal Rights passage, and you prayed and worked for an end to the Vietnam War. And throughout, you listened to the moving music of Peter, Paul and Mary. When I heard of the passing of Mary Travers yesterday from cancer, and watched a recording of "Blown in Wind", it brought back so many feelings and memories of those impressionable days. I'll always remember her as the willowy blond with the long, flowing hair and passionate voice.

My daughter is saddened this week after learning of the death of a friend's young husband who was killed fighting in the Afghanistan war. Their sons were born just days apart. It grieves her to think that this little boy will soon be taking his first steps, and will do it without the guiding hand and encouragement of his loving father. This is a story that is repeating itself throughout the country and world as wars continue to be how conflicts are resolved. It is just so, so sad. And as I read of her grief, the sweet and impassioned song of Mary Travers drifts through my mind and memories. "When will it ever end....." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t4g_1VoGw4

NEWER AIN"T ALWAYS BETTER!!!!!

Last year I took advantage of a great sale and some perks and traded in my 25 year old home for a new one in this 55+ park. I figured the old home would be needing a new roof soon, and with 25 year old air conditioner, furnace, and stove, and a sagging porch, I would be needing to spend some money that I didn't have for constant repairs. So, took advantage of a good deal and moved into my nice new home and felt I would be problem-free for many years to come. WRONG!
Within the first year of ownership, the heat pump (and AC!) went out twice, the hot water heater needed a new element, the new washer needed a part to allow hot water to enter, the ice maker in the refrigerator needed replacing , and the dishwasher needed repair. The hinge on the cabinet under the sink broke in half! I called for a replacement hinge, and was sent ones that didn't match. Then the first year warranties were done. Last month the above-the-stove-microwave went out....parts and repairs were $250 but a new microwave of that style was $500, so had to go for the repairs. No warranty. Then two weeks ago the slides holding the produce drawer in the refrigerator shattered.....both sides broke with little pieces of plastic falling to the bottom of the refrigerator.
Now I will share that I do not have teenagers or other children abusing my appliances, nor do I have a burly husband in it many times a day to browse! I have had both new and used homes over the past 40 years, and have seldom EVER needed repairs done on my appliances.....and now all this in the first 16 months!!!!!
I called GE to tell them how disappointed I was in the quality of their appliances. The reply was "That is too bad" and was offered to buy extended warranties on all the appliances for about $1000 a year! She said maybe I wouldn't have any more problems. I said if she was confident with that, would she offer to extend my first year warranty for another year. Nope.
I called the maker of my home, and got a prompt call from their customer service. She promised the next time their repair people were out this way they would see if they could bring me a matching cabinet hinge.....if they still had any of that style. I'm guessing they won't....again.
So now I am holding my breath for the next thing to go wrong....guess the only thing left is the dryer. So if you see me out hanging clothes in my carport.........
My mother had a 1945 Leonard refrigerator. As her family grew, the little frig became too small....and she replaced it with several newer ones in the next 50 years. And the last I heard, that little Leonard is still keeping someones beer cold in a lake cabin in northern Minnesota. Yup.....new certainly doesn't mean better! And I can hear my sister in Cameron, WI cheering that statement. She has Blue Pony Antiques and over the summer her newer refrigerator went out. Yup, she went out to the store and brought in a little 50 year old refrigerator and plugged it in.....and was able to keep her food cool until her husband brought home a large new refrigerator. Yup, that one has already gone out. She offered to sell me her antique refrigerator, but I have the feeling that she will be needing it again!!!!

PRESIDENT OBAMA ADDRESSES THE SCHOOLCHILDREN

I just read the president's speech for the school children that will be given tomorrow (and what president who has spoken to the schools in the past had to pre-release his speech???). I think it is excellent, and has some similarities that I used to tell students in my classes.....the "Be All You Can Be" speech. I think it is wonderful that as busy as he is with all the problems on his shoulders, that he is taking time to encourage students on their first day of school. What on earth is political (or as some have said, Muslim!) about that!
I worry for our country when I hear of a so-called Christian minister in Phoenix yesterday preaching how he hates Obama, not just his politics, but the man, and prays that God will give him brain cancer like Ted Kennedy, so he will die, too. And in Fountain Hills, where people woke up today to find "KKK", and racist comments carved into their cars and spray painted on their homes. I had hoped and prayed that our country had come so much further than that by now.
I still get emails showing Obama with devil horns, and racist jokes. It is sickening. How can these so called "Christians" be so full of hate? Doesn't their Bible say that "God is Love".....yet they spew hate and racism right in their churches.
We elected a president who represents all of our country. He is part Black, part Irish, and part Asian. His religious background is Catholic, Muslim and Protestant. Guess that gives him a better understanding of the diversity of this country than most. Then I heard someone tell me yesterday that she did not want her granddaughter to hear the speech and that her granddaughters school textbooks sounded Muslim.....as if President Obama wrote them since getting into office in January!
This country was founded in the belief that people were equal and everyone had a right to go as far as his skills and opportunities would take them. But we still seem to predicate that with "as long as HE is white, Protestant(that doesn't look right, but spell check says it is!) and male". We have come so far since our founding fathers signed that Declaration of Independence.....and yet, sadly, have so much further to go to make this a country for the people, by the people , and of ALL the people.
I hope the parents and the schools welcome our President taking time to address our students, and I hope they listen well.
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/dpgo_obama_school_speech_text_lwf_090709_3371345