Super Rachel Zana's Spot

The three big kidlets were all in transit to Grandma Kathy’s house to spend more than a week with her on an excursion to the badlands.  It was Sunday Night, so Mr. TOF and I headed to the beach.  He picked a sandy beach, and we headed out just a…

I’ve had in my mind for nearly a year now, the idea of flying kites at the sandy beach.  Last fall I spotted some really neat kites in a shop down in Canal Park, and I ruminated about them all through the long and cold winter.  At the beginning of…

Friends, I have done the calculations.   For at least  the next 14 years I will have a child labor force capable and employed to mow the lawn.  Hooray! YaYa was not excited to learn to mow.  In fact, drama was involved, but in the end I think she discovered…

The first Sunday after arriving back from North Dakota we were unable to make it to the beach.  The next day was a warm, calm and relaxing day, perfect for beach going.  We decided to do Sunday night at the beach on Monday.  We even loaded up my kayak.  As…

Earthrworms have a life expectancy of 6 years, and while most stay small, some worms randomly grow up to 14 inches long.  That’s a big worm. I love pudding.  I love rich and creamy homemade banana cream pudding with freshly sliced bananas.  I just learned that this fantastic treat is…

It’s always a joyful adventure to visit Grandma Kathy and Papa Richard in Valley City.  You just never know what the latest surprising thing will be. In the guest bathroom at Grandma Kathy’s there is a beautiful and wonderfully comfortable claw foot tub, perfect for a long soak.   On…

This is my Uncle Tom, who always comes to see me whenever I am home visiting my parents.  I love that he takes the time to do that, and when he said he would be leaving to go back home, I said dramatically, “Let me take your portrait before you…

Because of a babysitting emergency on my first day in Valley City, I was woken up abruptly and recruited to travel to Fargo with Auntie Dot to take care of Baby Nathaniel while she work that morning.  All of the other kids and cousins spent a morning with Grandma Kathy.…

Oh, how I love this girl and her spirit!  And also her hair.  There is a twinkle about her shining eyes and she stealthily goes about her business.   She is sweet and lovely, affectionate and smart.  However, don’t cross her the wrong way, because she will noisily let you…

The Banana was up early every morning in Valley City to assist Papa Richard with horse feeding chores, and several times a day she was back by the fence, checking on those beautiful beasts, and enjoying them.  She knows their names and after a bit she was even brave enough…