Family

Last Friday evening, Bess, French Fry, and I took off on a red eye flight to Minnesota.  It was a long flight, but we all made it to Minnesota the next morning.  French Fry and Bess were in for a special treat, they were going to retirement homes in Minnesota!  French Fry's new family came and met him at the airport, he was so excited for all the new smells and excitement on the city.  Bess was a little hesitant of all the excitement, but they both did real well.  French Fry was off to his new home in Duluth, and I have seen pictures of his new place, he seems to have settled in well, and found the couch.  His new sister Catera, a beautiful Siberian Husky mix,  seems quite happy to have a new friend too!  French Fry has worked hard his whole life, and really deserves all the happiness he will have in Minnesota.   Bess' new home is in Central Iowa, with parents of a friend I met in Skagway.  She will be spending her days out in the country, with loving people, who have lots of time to spend with her!  She also has a pet chinchilla to entertain her, I am curious how that relationship will grow!  I don't think she will eat him, but it will be interesting to say the least.  Her new family drove up to Chatfield, and we met in the park downtown.  It was great to see my friend Jeff, and meet his family.  Bess was a little shy at first, it has been a big day for her.  But, she jumped happily in the car for her ride to her new home! 

Once arriving in Minnesota, and saying goodbye to French Fry, my sister Rachel and I drove over to Uptown with Bess, and met up with my best friend since High School, Amanda.  Amanda made a delicious pad thai, that we all enjoyed for lunch, then we took Bess for a walk around Lake Calhoun.  It was a beautiful day, blue skies and brilliant sun, but a breeze to keep it pleasant.  So many people were out, well, at least it seemed like so many coming from Alaska.  There were hundreds of people out enjoying the lake walk, some walking, others running, lots of cyclists, skaters, and long boarders.  People were out picnicing, playing volleyball, frisbee, and sailing on the lake.  Everyone soaking up the last of summer, it was idyllic.  There were also lots of dogs out with their happy owners.  Bess was soooo confused by the small little dogs, they intimidated her greatly, which was a sight to see, being that she is nearly 60 pounds.  But, she warmed up to the idea of all these different breeds.  There were many new experiences for her.  She had never seen such varieties of activity, between all there is to smell and see, she did wonderfully.  It was nice to be able to spend some time with her before her travels to her new home.  It was also really great to be able to spend time with Amanda and Rachel.  Amanda, who is not the biggest fan of dogs, really enjoyed spending time with Bess, she is such a sweet pup. 

We then drove to Chatfield, delivering Bess to her new family, and then spending time with our family.  Rachel, since coming back to Minnesota, has been so busy getting ready for college, she hasn't had lots of time to spend at home; it was great for both of us to be at home  We had a wonderful evening, our dad grilled hamburgers, and we had green beans from the garden.  After dinner, we went outside to harvest potatoes, and just enjoy my parents' land. 

 After harvesting potatoes, my sisters and I spent the evening shooting my dad's .22.  We laughed at how redneck we were, but really enjoyed it.  It was only a taste of the truly country living we would be partaking in the next day...  It was beautiful to be out that evening, watching the cows in the pasture, and the silloutes of the oak trees against the setting sky. 

Today, many of my extended family on both my mom and dad's side came over for lunch.  It has been nearly two years since I have been back to Minnesota, which is entirely way too long.  The first to come were one of my dad's sisters and family.  I had been lucky to visit with them last summer in Alaska, but even a year without seeing family seems too long.  The Perrys are huggers, and there were so many happy hugs to go around!  Next came my paternal grandparents, and my other two aunts!  And later, my maternal grandparents, and an aunt and uncle, as well as a few cousins.  We found all the chairs we could, and set them in the shade of the large spruce trees.  Everyone in Minnesota was assuring me that these were comfortable temperatures, compared to some they had this summer, but it was HOT. 

We enjoyed a meal of hamburgers, with pickles my dad made from the garden, tomatoes, beans, and potato salad from the potatoes we picked last night.  It was delicious!  But most of all, I enjoyed visiting with family.  There was so much excitement, there is a lot to catch up on! 

Later in the afternoon, in an effort which began to eliminate some destructive red squirrels and pigeons from the barn, our whole family was taking aim with a bb gun.  Shooting off the porch at pyramids of pop cans.  The afternoon was riddled with laughter, and nearly everyone was taking part. 

My family is great, it is good to be back in Minnesota.  This love, these feelings, are sustenance.