Bye Bye Bear & A Birthday

Brother Bear and wife moved to Bemidji after decades in Alaska. They are retired. They bought a great place on Turtle Lake and have lived here for two years. But my sister-in-law is from the Monterey CA area. They bought some property in Pacific Grove years ago and have been rebuilding/replacing the home they had there.

So now they have two homes, a summer home in northern Minnesota, and a sunny home in California for the winter. It's kind of nice for them, as my brother Kenneth lives in the Monterey area as well, and has been a Californian most of his life. They live about as close to Kenneth as they did with us, about 20 minutes. They've got the place rented here, so I suppose they won't return to northern Minnesota until June.  Sigh, we miss them.

So they finished the house up in early September, and decided to head west early. Here's the last couple days after nearly two years. The next day, the 12th of September, a good friend had a birthday and we celebrated the departure of my brother and our friend's birthday at our place on the river.

The land at Turtle Lake faces west, and is on high ground. This makes for beautiful sunsets. Watching the the sun go down over Turtle Lake was a daily activity for Gregory and Lizette.  Brother John and Cindy came up to visit on the last weekend, on lucky 11 September.

Earth people. Reflective.

Quiet and peaceful.

 Two round faced ruminators.

 And the sun sets on Turtle Lake.

So it's not only a going away party, but a birthday party for the laugher in the photo named Rachelle. We invited a few of our co-friends over as well.  We started out with a September camp fire.

Barbara  makes a cake for birthday girl Rachelle, here she announces to the bemusement of most, that the name of the baked good, is "better than sex" cake.

It's pretty good cake, it's go heath bar chips on top, and caramel running through it, with a bit of whipped cream.

Rachelle conducts the choir while they sing Happy Birthday.

Gregory has a tough time not picking up Madeline...or any babe for that matter.  He's great with kids, while Lizette keeps an eye on.

Rolling Stones on the iPod, and well...I do my Mick Jagger impression. I never could move like him, even when I was in shape. But I can snarl. The kids thought I lost my marbles.

Oh, a storm is threat'ning 
My very life today 
If I don't get some shelter 
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away ~Jagger/Richards

Tonya does the cake while Barb does the ice cream. While it's darn good cake, most agreed it wasn't better than sex. Well, think about it. I can't think of anything. Can you?

Don't have a clue what's going on in this photo.

Barbara sees if she can get Madeline to stand up on her legs for a treat. It's part of a ritual women teach girls in case they get married.

A splendid time was guaranteed for all. Clare and Sherry join Rachelle and Lizette.

The band begins at ten to six
When Mr. K. performs his tricks without a sound
And Mr. H. will demonstrate
Ten summersets he'll undertake on solid ground
We've been some days in preparation
A splendid time is guaranteed for all
And tonight Mr. Kite is topping the bill ~Lennon/McCartney

This flower is illegal in Bemidji. Before Gaea, I hadn't noticed that so much about flowers. I like them more now. Stamens, and pistals and pollen, oh my.

Gonna miss that mischievous smile. I always wonder what he's thinking, he can be quit quiet should the mood strike.

Madeline, always seeming to be at the center of attention, gets more pointers from the women.

After Happy Birthday, Barbara and I dance to the going away song for Gregory and Lizette, Happy Trails by Roy and Dale.

Some trails are happy ones, 

Others are blue. 

It's the way you ride the trail that counts, 

Here's a happy one for you. 

Happy trails to you, 

Until we meet again. 

Happy trails to you, 

Keep smilin' until then. 

Who cares about the clouds when we'ere together? 

Just sing a song, and bring the sunny weather. 

Happy trails to you, 

Til we meet again. ~Dale Evans

Takin' a walk on the beach near Monterey, on a winters day.  We all miss you.

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is gray
I've been for a walk
On a winter's day


I'd be safe and warm
If I was in Monterey
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day ~The Mamas and the Papas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhvMOnPvMXw&feature=related